Windows Phone 7: Differentiation and Relevance
In the US, Windows Phone 7 will be released to stores on November 8, 2010. Microsoft is betting on Windows Phone 7 to be big. It's a new entry from a company who's been playing it safe in the mobile industry -- far, too, safe that they actually lost relevance.
When Apple's iPhone commercialized the touch screen technology almost 5 years ago, it was downright revolutionary. At that time, it was a risky business, perhaps even suicidal, to bet on a mobile product that has no keypad. Despite the early criticisms, Apple ended up starting a true revolution. People embraced the iPhone, proving to the world that the market was already ready to go touch screen 100%.
Although, as more and more touch screen phones came out to ride on the "touch screen bandwagon", the touch screen was in fact not the major factor. It was the business model that Apple put in to the iPhone that actually worked. In a nutshell, it was the after sales products and services that mattered most. The amount of applications developed and made available for the iPhone allowed it to grow in to more than just a smart phone. Sooner than later, the trend matured to begin the super smart phone era.
Suddenly, everyone needed to catch up with Apple's platform. Google went ahead with Android, which was pretty much a copy-cat of the iPhone's business model. As more and more products came out with the same intent, a new strategy needed to be "invented" with a differentiation that must truly stand out.
Except for the new user experience, Windows Phone 7 is pretty much a copy-cat of iPhone as well. However, it is exactly that new user experience that makes Windows Phone 7 stand out! Microsoft is still playing safe by copying Apple's business model behind the scenes. However, the risk taken on what everyone could immediately see is something worth noting.
Windows Phone 7's UI is nothing like any super smart phone already out in the market. Instead of icons, it has tiles. Instead of folders, it has hubs. Instead of selling applications, it mostly puts content up front and center. If this new user experience sells, it could prove that iPhone's iconic product is already outdated. If Windows Phone 7 really sells, it could prove that people are now ready for something new and different... something that can be more relevant in our ever growingly fast-paced information-overloaded way of life.
The new ads for Windows Phone 7 say it all: "It's time for a phone to save us from our phones." As Android advertises with robots, Windows Phone 7 goes completely the other way by being more human. A product that values mankind matters to most people, so I think that Microsoft is making a very, very smart move in this area.
Although, in the first place, can Windows Phone 7 really save us from our phones? The rest of the world have started making decisions last month. The US decides on November 8, 2010.
When Apple's iPhone commercialized the touch screen technology almost 5 years ago, it was downright revolutionary. At that time, it was a risky business, perhaps even suicidal, to bet on a mobile product that has no keypad. Despite the early criticisms, Apple ended up starting a true revolution. People embraced the iPhone, proving to the world that the market was already ready to go touch screen 100%.
Although, as more and more touch screen phones came out to ride on the "touch screen bandwagon", the touch screen was in fact not the major factor. It was the business model that Apple put in to the iPhone that actually worked. In a nutshell, it was the after sales products and services that mattered most. The amount of applications developed and made available for the iPhone allowed it to grow in to more than just a smart phone. Sooner than later, the trend matured to begin the super smart phone era.
Suddenly, everyone needed to catch up with Apple's platform. Google went ahead with Android, which was pretty much a copy-cat of the iPhone's business model. As more and more products came out with the same intent, a new strategy needed to be "invented" with a differentiation that must truly stand out.
Except for the new user experience, Windows Phone 7 is pretty much a copy-cat of iPhone as well. However, it is exactly that new user experience that makes Windows Phone 7 stand out! Microsoft is still playing safe by copying Apple's business model behind the scenes. However, the risk taken on what everyone could immediately see is something worth noting.
Windows Phone 7's UI is nothing like any super smart phone already out in the market. Instead of icons, it has tiles. Instead of folders, it has hubs. Instead of selling applications, it mostly puts content up front and center. If this new user experience sells, it could prove that iPhone's iconic product is already outdated. If Windows Phone 7 really sells, it could prove that people are now ready for something new and different... something that can be more relevant in our ever growingly fast-paced information-overloaded way of life.
The new ads for Windows Phone 7 say it all: "It's time for a phone to save us from our phones." As Android advertises with robots, Windows Phone 7 goes completely the other way by being more human. A product that values mankind matters to most people, so I think that Microsoft is making a very, very smart move in this area.
Although, in the first place, can Windows Phone 7 really save us from our phones? The rest of the world have started making decisions last month. The US decides on November 8, 2010.
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