Windows Mobile 7 to take one last shot at smartphones market
By James • Feb 15th, 2010 • Category: software- Photo: Microsoft
Windows Mobile, one of the first true mobile operating systems, has languished in the smartphone wars against Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhone OS. Microsoft is set to pull the curtains back on its latest – and possibly final – mobile operating system soon.
Shrinking support
- Photo: HTC
Windows Mobile is severely underpowered compared to Google and Apple’s offerings. With highly unresponsive touch interfaces that, for the most part, still require the outdated use of a stylus to operate effectively, users and manufacturers alike have jumped platforms. HTC, for the first time in its history, shipped more Android smartphones than they did Windows Mobile. This bears significance for Microsoft, since HTC is the biggest manufacturer of Windows Mobile. In addition, HTC has stated (and indicated) that it intends to support Android more in future, so much so that the search giant approached them to build the first ever Google-branded phone, the Nexus One.
Turnaround strategy
- Photo: Android
Microsoft attempted to stem the tide by releasing an update of its mobile operating system in the form of Windows Mobile 6.5 back in October 2009. While praised for its much-needed visual upgrade, the operating system was criticised for lacking contemporary touch responsiveness, still being visually bland compared to competitors, and for running slowly.
To this effect, Windows Mobile 7 could very well be Microsoft’s final roll of the dice in a smartphone market that is consolidating at a rapid pace. Nokia’s abandonment of Symbian for an alternate operating system is indicative that the mobile operating systems environment has changed significantly since Microsoft and Nokia were the only players in the game.
Desperate measures
So, come next week, Microsoft had better unveil technology more in line with contemporary expectations if it hopes to not get shut out of this lucrative market.
Tags for this article: mobile operating system, smartphone, windows mobile
