Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7, Takes on Apple and Google

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft Corp. has launched its new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7, aiming to reclaim a significant share of the growing smartphone market dominated by Apple Inc.'s iPhone and Google Inc.'s Android. The announcement comes after years of declining sales of Windows Mobile-based phones. Microsoft has announced nine new phones for the U.S. market, including the Samsung Focus, which will be available on AT&T's stores starting November 8 for $200 with a two-year contract.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Phone 7, is designed to compete with Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, with a user interface centered around "tiles" that provide instant information updates.
  • The first Windows Phone 7 phone, the Samsung Focus, will be available on AT&T's stores starting November 8 for $200 with a two-year contract.
  • Microsoft has lined up 60 carriers in 30 countries to carry Windows 7 phones, and nine phones for the U.S. market, including one from Dell Inc.
  • The new operating system has been designed to be more application-centered, but with a twist: users can get instant information updates without having to tap on an application first.
  • Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi has praised the new user interface as a "huge improvement" over Windows Mobile, but noted that Microsoft is "catching up with the competition rather than leapfrogging it."
  • Microsoft's older system, Windows Mobile, accounted for just 5 percent of the worldwide smartphone market in the most recent quarter.

Statistics:

  • 60 carriers in 30 countries will be carrying Windows 7 phones.
  • 9 phones for the U.S. market have been announced, including one from Dell Inc.
  • 5% of the worldwide smartphone market was accounted for by Microsoft's Windows Mobile in the most recent quarter.
  • 41% of the worldwide smartphone market was accounted for by Symbian, mainly used by Nokia Corp.
  • 18% was accounted for by Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry phones.
  • 17% was accounted for by Android.
  • 14% was accounted for by the iPhone.

Sources:

  • Associated Press, "Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7, Taking On Apple and Google"
  • Gartner Inc., "Smartphones: Worldwide Market Share, 2010 4th Quarter"
  • Microsoft Corp. - Press Release, "Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7"