When was the last time you said "cool!" when you saw a Microsoft based handheld device? For me it was the original Compaq iPaq's that were launched well before smart phones were created.
I don't know about you, but assume you are employed at a company like HP, Microsoft, or you're involved in the PC industry.. What phone would you carry around if you needed a truly socially connected device, with a great browsing experience and flexible applications?
As much as I respect Apple and will always continue to evaluate their products, I really don't like the fact that I have to carry around an iPhone in order to get a decent overall mobile connected experience. That said, I recently purchased the new Google Nexus One and I can honestly tell you it's the *best* phone since the iPhone was launched. There is no debating this. The Android operating system is nothing short of amazing considering how relatively new it is.
Sure the Google phone could use better battery life and better music support - but overall there is no comparison to the iPhone when it comes to browsing, sound quality, and email, all of which handily beat the iPhone (this after I updated to the multi-touch interface).
I'm also a fan of subscription music services, and I really do like the Zune HD. Nothing beats paying $15 a month for unlimited music plus the added "free" 10 DRM free songs a month. Before you go bashing it and join the bandwagon of every other iPod fanboy, I suggest you try the Zune HD. A few months ago I attended a strategy meeting at Microsoft, where I openly suggested that Microsoft hire the Zune team to run the Windows Mobile effort. The Zune HD is one of the *best* purpose built music devices on the planet.
..by the looks of things it seems like Microsoft was thinking along the same lines as I was. I can't tell you what a relief it is to see the new fresh look of the Windows Mobile 7 initiative. With Xbox Live, Zune, and the best looking interface I've seen in years... are you kidding me?! If the operating system isn't a pig then this could be the turning point in our industry that many of us have been waiting for. So it better not be a pig Microsoft, please keep it clean and simple!
If you ask me in the next two years the most significant phone offerings will come from Apple, Google, and Microsoft (and variants of the last two). Research in Motion probably needs to make some major adjustments to their business. Even though Symbian decided to go open source, I don't see much of an opportunity here, but you never know.
If you look back at some of the articles I've written on arrogance and complacency, it's simply true: Arrogance and/or Complacency does indeed catch up to all companies, and history tends to repeat itself. Look historically at all of these large companies and how their stock price and market share shifts based on how high they were on the mountain... it's amazing.
So my guess is we could very well see a mindshare shift in "cool" based on all the new stuff that's coming out . It's very refreshing to see Microsoft finally "out Microsoft" Microsoft.
Congratulations guys, now make us proud...! Also congratulations to Google for doing something that no one expected. If you think their phone offering is good, you should try Google Chrome, it'll give you a taste of what to expect with Google Chrome OS.
