Ovum opines on outstanding Windows Phone 7

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 12 October 2010 15:39

Your IT - Mobility

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform has launched at last, with handsets due in stores, from HTC and others, by October 21, with the platform looking very impressive and in a great position to do some lasting marketshare damage to iOS, Android, WebOS and everything else, with Ovum specifically noting the launch as an 'important watershed'.

When it comes to sheds near the water, Microsoft has finally dipped a re-dipped its toe into the swirling brew that is the smartphone market of 2010.

Doing a strip tease from time to time by lifting the kimono on demo Win Phone 7 handsets over the past few months since the Barcelona Mobile World Congress unveiling, Microsoft will finally take the plunge and dive headfirst into the vastly expanded ocean of smartphone possibility on October 21 when handsets are due in Australian stores.

'Judges' from the public and assorted punditry will then be able to start fully judging just how hot, or not, Microsoft's latest and greatest truly is, but without breaking NDAs I've had to sign, it's safe to say that many consumers and businesses alike will be impressed.

However, many challenges still lie ahead. What lurks beneath the lapping waters? What iCrocodiles and Sharkdroids await a chance to chomp into Microsoft's tasty mobile morsel?

Clearly there's no guarantee of smooth swimming or sailing, with Microsoft needing to work triply hard, not only to catch up, but to have any hope of pulling ahead.

Yet these are but my thoughts, and not those of Ovum's principal analyst, Tony Cripps.

Mr Cripps slips his views in thusly, noting that: 'There's a huge amount resting on the launch of Windows Phone 7 for Microsoft, its device and operator partners, and for the ecosystem market in general. As such, the commercial launch of Windows Phone 7 devices by OEMs and carriers looks set to mark the most important watershed in the smartphone market since the launch of Apple's first iPhone.

Mr Cripps' comments continue on page two, please read on!