Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Lineup

adeelarshad82 writes "Microsoft officially unveiled its Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system, announcing that it will be available on a total of five devices in the US. Windows Phone 7 handsets from AT&T and T-Mobile will begin shipping in November, while devices from Sprint and Verizon will be available next year. In all, Microsoft announced nine Windows Phone 7 phones, the remainder of which will be available in Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Singapore, and Australia. It will debut in some European markets on Oct. 21. While early signs are encouraging for Windows Phone 7, it is being deemed as do or die for the future of Microsoft's business."

Comments

No, it is not do or die

[Sycraft-fu]

MS still controls the desktop, and lots of high end business market. That is a very solid, very profitable market. Then of course there's their office suite, game console, and so on. Having a strong mobile market would do nothing but help them for sure, but if you think they have to "do it or die" you've got your head in the sand. MS is doing just fine.

Re:No, it is not do or die

[gbjbaanb]

they've also seen their share price wibble along going nowhere while Apple's streaks upwards. You may not think that matters but it does, a lot. If this doesn't show some promise for future MS growth, you can expect a little shareholder revolt, Ballmer being kicked out and maybe a ton of layoffs and re-organisation in the name of shareholder value. You will probably also see some divisions spun off to stand on their own feet (yep, online and entertainment divisions.... you'll get your crutch made of cash kicked away) and then we'll see if MS is still the powerhouse, or if other companies suddenly find themselve with a lot of attention from ex-Microsoft shops.

Let me put it this way - would you implement a Silverlight app today, when tomorrow it could be a dead technology replaced by Flash.Net? Its the same with businesses looking to implement their next set of apps, would they buy MS products if it looked like they were stumbling, or would they at least look at alternatives?

Re:Seriously?

[mark72005]

Kin was never as great of an abomination as Windows Phone was.

Even if MSFT has a basically credible mobile phone OS, what do they have to draw people away from Apple, Android, or Blackberry?

Re:Never Buy A Windows Mobile Device

[kindbud]

But you didn't share any experience. You merely asserted it was a very poor product, without naming any reasons why you thought so.

Re:Seriously?

[spire3661]

I would like to know WHY the Lucasfilm 'droid' trademark applies to phones in any way or to any real world device at all outside of Star Wars toys/games.

did anyone see the browser?

[YesIAmAScript]

MS didn't show it in the demo (that I saw).

The quality of the browser is paramount. Do we know if it's any good? Their last one sure wasn't.