I posted a link to an article about the much rumored Microsoft Project Pink on my twitter feed yesterday. Some leaked photos that popped up on the Gizmodo website (showing a handset apparently quite a way down the track in terms of development) are being reported as fact, building on previous handsets developed and released by Danger (acquired by MS in 2008). All in all, pretty interesting reading. Details are still sketchy, including confirmation of Zune service availability but one thing that seems pretty certain is that this device is coming.
For me, the most telling part of the article was reference to a quote by MS entertainment and Devices unit president Robbie Bach:
“If your point is we haven’t advanced Windows Mobile as fast as we like, I think the answer is that’s true,” Bach said. “You are going to see that change.”
My understanding is that, within Microsoft, there is a real focus (finally) on the mobile screen and things could move pretty quickly from here on in. My personal opinion is that legacy relationships with so many vendors has slowed progress of the Windows Mobile platform somewhat. Microsoft have had to wait for the hardware across all vendors they have agreements with to catch up.
But it would seem they’re now close. These leaked photos would also indicate that there could be some very interesting times ahead with Microsoft becoming a force in the mobile space once again.
We’ll be following this and all other mobile related stuff on TDL Mobile, the newest podcast on the Digital Lifestyle. Find us at thedigitallifestyle.com or on iTunes.
I think you’re right, Apple have managed to advance this area rapidlly because they own the hardware & platform, and they dont have to bow and scrape to the hardware vendors in the same manner. I just hope Microsoft’s aspirations are matched when it comes to the quality of the hardware… Although from pictures I saw, looks like they may.
Hmmm, personally, I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat when it comes to the Mobile/SmartPhone. I don’t say that lightly, either, as I develop software solutions using solely Microsoft technologies at present.
The one problem for Microsoft HAS been the wide diversity of host Mobile phones – varying processors, display resolutions/orientations, input mechanisms, etc, etc. HOWEVER, the other factors that I feel have killed off Windows Mobile are:
* Stability of OS – Windows Mobile doesn’t even compare to the iPhone’s OS in this case
* Ease of Use – setting up things like Wireless Access, Bluetooth paring, etc, are a complete breeze on the iPhone OS, and a complete pain at best on Windows Mobile
* The AppStore – the main success story for the iPhone that has made everyone else sit up and listen
I just hope that Microsoft will learn from this, stop flogging a dead horse, and make sure that the same doesn’t happen to Media Center!
Hmmm, personally, I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat when it comes to the Mobile/SmartPhone. I don’t say that lightly, either, as I develop software solutions using solely Microsoft technologies at present.
The one problem for Microsoft HAS been the wide diversity of host Mobile phones – varying processors, display resolutions/orientations, input mechanisms, etc, etc. HOWEVER, the other factors that I feel have killed off Windows Mobile are:
* Stability of OS – Windows Mobile doesn’t even compare to the iPhone’s OS in this case
* Ease of Use – setting up things like Wireless Access, Bluetooth paring, etc, are a complete breeze on the iPhone OS, and a complete pain at best on Windows Mobile
* The AppStore – the main success story for the iPhone that has made everyone else sit up and listen
I just hope that Microsoft will learn from this, stop flogging a dead horse, and make sure that the same doesn’t happen to Media Center!
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I think you’re right, Apple have managed to advance this area rapidlly because they own the hardware & platform, and they dont have to bow and scrape to the hardware vendors in the same manner. I just hope Microsoft’s aspirations are matched when it comes to the quality of the hardware… Although from pictures I saw, looks like they may.
Hmmm, personally, I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat when it comes to the Mobile/SmartPhone. I don’t say that lightly, either, as I develop software solutions using solely Microsoft technologies at present.
The one problem for Microsoft HAS been the wide diversity of host Mobile phones – varying processors, display resolutions/orientations, input mechanisms, etc, etc. HOWEVER, the other factors that I feel have killed off Windows Mobile are:
* Stability of OS – Windows Mobile doesn’t even compare to the iPhone’s OS in this case
* Ease of Use – setting up things like Wireless Access, Bluetooth paring, etc, are a complete breeze on the iPhone OS, and a complete pain at best on Windows Mobile
* The AppStore – the main success story for the iPhone that has made everyone else sit up and listen
I just hope that Microsoft will learn from this, stop flogging a dead horse, and make sure that the same doesn’t happen to Media Center!
Hmmm, personally, I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat when it comes to the Mobile/SmartPhone. I don’t say that lightly, either, as I develop software solutions using solely Microsoft technologies at present.
The one problem for Microsoft HAS been the wide diversity of host Mobile phones – varying processors, display resolutions/orientations, input mechanisms, etc, etc. HOWEVER, the other factors that I feel have killed off Windows Mobile are:
* Stability of OS – Windows Mobile doesn’t even compare to the iPhone’s OS in this case
* Ease of Use – setting up things like Wireless Access, Bluetooth paring, etc, are a complete breeze on the iPhone OS, and a complete pain at best on Windows Mobile
* The AppStore – the main success story for the iPhone that has made everyone else sit up and listen
I just hope that Microsoft will learn from this, stop flogging a dead horse, and make sure that the same doesn’t happen to Media Center!