Windows Phone 7 Launches Today

share on:

Windows Phone 7 goes on sale today at AT&T and T-Mobile as Microsoft begins its battle to restore market share in smartphones.

A $100 million ad campaign will accompany the launch, as AT&T begins selling the Samsung Focus and HTC Surround and T-Mobile launches the HTC HD7. Other phones including the Dell Venue Pro and LG Quantum should follow in a few weeks, says Electronista.

AT&T will offer a wall dedicated to Windows Phone 7 smartphones, says CNNMoney.

Microsoft’s share has dwindled to only 5 per cent in the global smartphone market, according to Gartner, compared with 9 per cent a year ago. By contrast, Android’s market share soared from only 2 percent a year ago to 17 percent.

To gain share Microsoft must entice developers to its platform. Microsoft’s app market has 1,000 apps, but it’s pretty slim compared to the Apple App Store with 250,000 apps and the Android Market with 100,000 apps.

Windows Phone 7 offers Xbox Live integration, and a user interface based on live tiles that light up with your information as you scroll. You can use the phone’s camera even when the phone is turned off to quickly take pictures. And pictures can be automatically stored in the cloud. Windows Phone 7 also offers Microsoft Office integration.

The Samsung Focus has a 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display and a super slim design.

The HTC Surround has a 3.8-inch screen and built-in surround sound Yamaha-made speakers and a kickstand.

The HTC HD7 has the largest screen at 4.3-inches and a 720p HD video recorder.

All 3 of the phones carry $199.99 price tags with a contract.

Source: Electronista, Economic Times, CNNMoney, CNET, AT&T, T-Mobile

Photo of Samsung Focus

Want to receive industry news? Sign up here
share on:

1 Comment

Comments are closed.