It’s official! Today Windows 7 Phone has made its debut with Steve Baller appearing on the Today’s Show expressing giddyness about the device (despite skepticism from NBC).
Unfortunately for Microsoft, the smartphone space is a little crowed with Apple and Google dominating the space (mind share wise at least), not to mention RIM’s Blackberry Torch (which one of my friends chose instead of an iPhone–go figure).
Despite being an iPhone geek, I do like what Microsoft has done with their latest and greatest smartphone, and while I have yet to leave Steve Jobs flock, here are 4 reasons why you should choose Windows 7 phone over the competition.
It’s The Office Suite Stupid
If there is one advantage the Windows 7 Phone will have over Android, iPhone and Blackberry, it would probably be its office suite.
Unlike Apple (who has to rely upon third parties) and RIM (whose Documents to Go app relies upon Microsoft), Windows 7 Phone will probably have a deeper connection with your office suite making it the perfect phone for corporate users (provided they add copy & paste that is!)
Unless you’re a fan of Google Docs, having a strong office suite app will probably appeal to the inner CEO inside of you.
Distraction Free?
Believe it or not one of the biggest complaints I get from friends and family is that I never pay attention to them while on the iPhone (note: I heavily dispute this as I’m able to multitask, but thus far they’ve proven me wrong).
Windows 7 Phone’s layout could actually help cut down on the Facebooking, tweeting, messaging and texting (as the video shows below) which could help remove the smartphone stigma that is often associated with Crackberries, iLovers and Droidaddicts.
xBox Live For The Win!!
Instead of trying to compete with Apple’s vast arsenal of iGames, Microsoft is instead porting many of their xBox games for Windows 7 Mobile, which could appeal to many die hard gamers out there.
While this would ultimately make the phone a bigger distraction than the iPhone, Android or Blackberry (note: phone gamers NEVER pay attention to their surroundings), exclusive access to xBox Live could help Windows 7 Phone stand out from the crowd.
It’s Different
With Blackberries, iPhones and Droids dominating the phone scene, carrying a Windows 7 Phone is a great way to tell your friends that you’re not apart of the iSheep, Blackberry cattle or Droid herd.
While this reason will not appeal to everyone, trend setters will probably consider this a primary reason for choosing Windows 7 Phone over the rest without sacrificing funtionality
Will I buy a Windows 7 Phone?
Seeing as I have already sunk a few hundred dollars into purchasing iPhone apps (the vast majority which have not substitute outside of the iVerse) the answer to that question is a loud no.
While I do not see Windows 7 Phone being a huge success (due to its blunder of launching initially upon AT&T stateside), Microsoft does have a fighting chance against rivals and at worst could upset RIM as the defacto corporate mobile device.
Thus far Google and Apple do not feel threatened by Microsoft’s presence (and truthfully probably never will), but Microsoft belated entrance could spell doom for rivals like RIM as well as Palm (whose webOS could be officially dead now).
Originally posted on October 11, 2010 @ 2:08 pm