Microsoft to unveil Windows Phone 7 Series at Mobile World Congress
Windows Mobile 7, newly rechristened Windows Phone 7, will be demoed on stage by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the 2010 Mobile World Congress. Finally all the speculation and anticipation will come to an end, and we’ll be able to see whether Microsoft can fight back against Apple, Google, and RIM on the mobile sector.
The 2010 Mobile World Congress kicks off tomorrow (Feb. 15), and while most of the companies involved in both the hardware and software side of things will be in attendance, Microsoft is the one getting all the attention. And rightly so, as it’s expected to unveil Windows Phone 7, formerly known as Windows Mobile 7.
Ever since Microsoft unveiled Windows Mobile 6.5.3 to a poor critical reception, everyone’s attention has been focused on Windows Mobile 7. Here is Microsoft’s chance (some would say final chance) to start competing with the likes of Apple (iPhone), Google (Android), and Research In Motion (Blackberry).
It’s now guaranteed that Microsoft will demonstrate Windows Mobile 7 at MWC. Steve Ballmer is in Barcelona for the event, as he was last year for Windows Mobile 6.5. It’s already known that the new version of the mobile operating system will be called Windows Phone, and Engadget’s detective work uncovered the fact that the sign reads Windows Phone 7 Series.
Little else is yet known but it’s thought Windows Phone 7 will bring a new user interface very much in line with that of the Zune HD media player. It’s also suggested that Microsoft is now working much closer with hardware manufacturers to ensure a much more standardized approach to the handsets which will carry the OS.
However, it’s not thought that the fabled ‘Pink’ project phone will be shown, even though it’s now clear Microsoft is working on a follow-up to the Sidekick after it acquired Danger a couple of years ago. The ‘Pink’ phone is expected to be geared towards the youth market, with social networking playing a big part.
We should find out whether any of the other leaked details about Windows Phone 7 ring true or not, with Steve Ballmer expected to take to the stage on Monday evening.
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February 14th, 2010
I expect Microsoft to attempt to keep the current Windows Mobile on the market at the same time as its new platform.
But such a strategy makes no sense. The current Windows Mobile is losing market share, and that is the reason Microsoft is coming out with a new (and incompatible) platform.
It stands to reason that the current Windows Mobile will continue to lose market share, and that the losses will probably accelerate when the new platform is announced.
Yet the new platform will be released without backwards compatibility to current Windows Mobile apps. Most of the consumers have already fled to Android and iPhone. Those remaining on Windows Mobile are mostly corporate users who can’t migrate to BlackBerry because the corporation still requires legacy Windows Mobile apps. Those users will be cut out of the plan.