Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) unveiled a completely new smartphone operating system last month that in no way resembles its past corporate image. The new Windows Phone 7 fits somewhere between Bing’s visually appealing user interface and the consumer friendliness of a Zune music player.
But to make the necessary leap required to compete with Apple’s iPhone, Microsoft had to start from scratch. In a New York Times story detailing Microsoft’s overhaul of its mobile division, Terry Myerson, the VP in charge of Windows Phone engineering said: “To be entirely candid, the iPhone opened our eyes as to some things that needed to be done that were not in our plan…Some execution had really gone astray.
While Microsoft still has a long way from regaining lost market share in the mobile space, it’s definitely showing a commitment to starting over with a clean slate.
Microsoft separately confirmed today that any previous phone running its older Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system will not be upgradable to Windows Phone 7. That includes the well-received HTC HD2, which has nearly all of the required specs for the new OS. However, it has five buttons—and all Windows Phone 7 devices going forward will be limited to three, reports APCmag.com. Natasha Kwan, Microsoft’s Mobile GM in the Asia-Pacific region told APC that “Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable.”
The new Windows Phone 7 operating system will likely be more consistent because Microsoft demands it of its hardware manufacturing partners. Despite current Windows Phone owners likely being disappointed by this news, it shows just how serious Microsoft is about remaking the division. In the NYTimes story, other moves were detailed, including bringing some of Microsoft’s top talents from around the company to the mobile division. In addition to shifting internal resources, it also hired people from companies like Nike and Procter & Gamble who could bring different perspectives. One of the hires included Myerson who came from the Exchange group. Another was Joe Belfiore, who worked on projects such as Windows XP, Media Center and Zune.
The initial perception of Microsoft’s Windows 7 after Steve Ballmer announced the high-level concepts in February at Mobile World Congress was that it was going to be an immediate hit. Sites like Gizmodo and Engadget practically salivated. Engadget’s first impression consisted of this conclusion: “This really is a completely new OS—and not just Microsoft’s new OS, it’s a new smartphone OS, like webOS new, like iPhone OS new.” Now Microsoft will just have to deliver on these promises. Next up, it will detail more of its vision at Mix, a three-day developer conference in Las Vegas from March 15 to 17. Stay tuned for all the details.
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