News Analysis: Microsoft says its partners have shipped 1.5 million Windows Phone 7 devices. But a closer look at that number reveals why Microsoft's mobile operating system isn't really challenging Apple's iOS or Google Android.
Microsoft
mobile device partners shipped 1.5 million Windows Phone 7 units to carriers
during the first six weeks of its availability, according to Microsoft
officials. At first glance, that might not seem like a figure to scoff at.
After all, there are few products in the tech space that gain that level of
popularity.
But
a closer inspection of the numbers shows why these early results are not as
impressive as they look. For one, it doesn't represent actual sales to
consumers and enterprise customers. Moreover, it's estimated that 300,000
Google Android phones are being activated each and every day. That means that
in just five days, it can match a figure Microsoft took six weeks to
reach.
Simply
put, Windows Phone 7 can't compete. And here's why:
1.
The sales aren't impressive
First
and foremost,
Windows
Phone 7 sales just aren't all that impressive. Yes, Microsoft might be
happy to see 1.5 million devices shipped to carriers, but its excitement seems
rather premature. As noted, 300,000 Android phones are activated by customers
each day. Until Microsoft can even come close to that figure, it will have
extreme difficulty gaining ground on Google or Apple.
2.
Windows Mobile ruined
everything
An
important reason for Windows Phone 7's inability to compete is its predecessor.
As soon as Apple offered up the iPhone and Google came out with Android, it
became clear that Microsoft didn't have a single competitor that mattered.
Windows Mobile looked old, and consumers and enterprise customers forgot about
it. As the software company's sales figures show now, it's having trouble
overcoming the disappointment consumers felt from its old OS.
3.
Android is more readily available
Over
time, it is possible that
Microsoft
might be able to build up Windows Phone 7's momentum. However, that is extremely
unlikely unless it can find a way to achieve the same level of ubiquity that
Android enjoys in the mobile market. Right now, several Android devices are
available on all major carriers. Consumers have nothing but options, and they
appreciate that. Windows Phone 7 handset options are limited, to say the least.
4.
There isn't an iPhone competitor
Speaking
of those options, it's important to point out that, at least so far, there isn't
a single Windows Phone 7-based device that can compete on any level with Apple's
iPhone. That's a significant problem for Microsoft. The iPhone sets the
standard by which all other smartphones are judged. Until Microsoft's vendor
partners can come up with something that comes even close to the iPhone's
features, Windows Phone 7 will have a hard time appealing to consumers.
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