Despite receiving rave reviews by numerous tech geeks, it looks like Windows 7 Phone will not shake the mobile-sphere this October (and unlike rivals it has nothing to do with their app store).
Rather it looks like Microsoft will be facing the same dilemma as the Blackberry Torch, whose sales were “okay,” albeit still underwhelming.
Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone carrier, won’t sell handsets with Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone 7 operating system when it debuts this year, a blow to the software maker’s efforts to reach a broad market.
Verizon Wireless won’t offer a device at the planned fall introduction or at any point this year, Brenda Raney, a Verizon spokeswoman, said today in an interview. The carrier plans to support the new operating system and will probably release a phone in 2011, she said. (Businessweek)
Thus far it looks like AT&T will be the only carrier launching Windows 7 Phone, which means that Microsoft will be pitted against the mighty iPhone, dooming it from the start.
Although other carriers will probably pick up Windows 7 Phone later on in 2011, Microsoft’s attempts at gaining market share could be thwarted if Apple releases a Verizon iPhone this January (or even one across all carriers).
While Windows 7 Phone could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, unless they can find someway of increase the “cool factor,” they may have to settle for the bronze (behind Apple and Android, respectively).
Originally posted on September 17, 2010 @ 1:31 pm