Windows Phone 7 Wins Over Critics
We do a lot of reflecting here at RCPU. And we're not just talking about contemplation here. We try as best we can to be something of a mirror on the industry, particularly where Microsoft partners are concerned. That is to say that we try to consolidate and present in this space various observers' views -- as well as our own, of course -- on different topics.
That's why we're surprised at a lot of the reaction to Windows Phone 7, which Microsoft launched Monday on a semi-holiday here in the U.S. that RCPU actually had off of work. We had read over and over (and we had mentioned more than a few times) that the popular perception of Windows 7 among supposed experts was that it would be a dud the day it came out, woefully behind the iPhone and Android operating systems. That sounded totally plausible to us given Microsoft's recent history in the mobile market, so we bought into that view.
Then Monday happened, and everything changed -- at least from what we can tell. Instead of reading about how Windows Phone 7 was another failure by Microsoft to create a compelling mobile OS, we saw headlines full of praise for Redmond. The trade press got on board, as did the business press and industry analysts. Heck, even the great Stephen Fry, the noted English actor, author and humorist who is a famous Mac disciple, had kind -- and apparently unsolicited -- words to say about Microsoft's new OS.
So, what are we to make of all this? Did Windows Phone 7 really blow everybody away at its launch? Did it merely surpass, fairly easily, expectations that were pretty low to begin with? Or is a contrite technology community simply acknowledging -- and not even all that grudgingly -- that Microsoft took something that it has mostly gotten wrong in the past and actually got it pretty much right?
Honestly, we have no idea. Your editor is a bit of a phone Luddite and hasn't played with Windows Phone 7. And, clearly, it's way too early to know whether Microsoft has produced something here that could make a serious impact on a hypercompetitive market. But, hey, if Windows Phone 7 isn't lousy, if it's actually pretty good, that's all the better for Microsoft and Microsoft partners. We're still skeptic al about Microsoft's need to produce a mobile OS at all, but if Redmond is going to take the time to create one it might as well be good. And maybe Windows Phone 7 is...maybe.
What's your initial impression of Windows Phone 7? Will you buy a device with the new OS on it? Send your answers to [email protected].
Posted by Lee Pender on October 13, 2010