According to a research firm, 40,000 units with Windows Phone 7 were sold on its release day. While seemingly a lackluster number when you compare it to the 143,000 iPhone 4Gs sold per day, WP7 made its mark. Microsoft is entering a relatively new, but extremely saturated market. That Microsoft even sold 40,000 in this market is commendable.
I had first thought that Microsoft’s new mobile operating system was going to be a little lackluster, but I’m thinking about changing my opinion. Now that we know a lot more about Windows Phone 7, it’s starting to look like a pretty darn good. Where I think it shines the most is for developers like the team at Phone Halo. A lot of our issues regarding Android is with the varied hardware and diverse approaches to Bluetooth. Flexibility is one of Android’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. WP7 takes a more Jobs-ian (yeah, I just did that) approach to hardware by mandating strict rules on what hardware can be used. This should make it a bit easier for app developers to do more interesting things with the software side of things, even if limiting creativity with hardware. It’s a lot easier to design something if you know what it’s going to run on. It’s like trying to build a building without knowing where exactly you’re going to build it.
In short, Windows Phone 7 is not doomed and seems to have a bright future ahead of it — as long as enough people get on board and are willing to switch from their current phones.
-Brian
Sources: InformationWeek, Wired