AT&T stores getting Windows Phone 7 retail materials, launch coming sooner than expected?
Microsoft's mobile efforts may look like they're slightly in disarray after the expensive and embarrassing Kin debacle, but it looks like Windows Phone 7 may yet emerge unscathed from the chaos -- and potentially even earlier than expected, if this sheet of AT&T retail signage that's being sent out for a July 24th store overhaul is to be believed. Don't get too excited, however: we're told that cards like this have hit in July for September launches in the past -- which would line up with that hint of an October Telstra launch -- and that the "QTY: 6" label likely points to two devices, not a sextuplet. (We'd guess... Samsung and LG?) Either way, it would be a big win for Microsoft if it can manage to get Windows Phone 7 in store shelves before that promised "holiday 2010" due date -- we'll see what happens.
























@Sultansulan : Windows Mobile 6.5 is more free than Android. It's available right now too btw.
I want a free and open operating system and will never choose a closed again ...
Windows Phone 7 is going to kill Android.
@The Missing Link And RIMM.
I think RIMM is going to be the one going down. I hate to say it.
@The Missing Link
Highly doubt it
@The Missing Link maybe not kill it but it's gonna be a good competitor. I dream of the near future where Apple, Google and Microsoft have all about the same marketshare... *sigh* :)
I think for Microsoft it's too little too late. Yeah its a slick UI but Android and iPhone are too far ahead now for Microsoft to catch up. Not to mention none of the current apps that work with 6.5 will work with windowsphone 7. So there app library will be very small at launch.
@craigrn16 Its never too late.
People thought Android was too late but look it now.
I hate when people say "its too late".
If that's the attitude you have in your life. You'll never get any where.
@pinktacoyummm
No one thought it was too late, it came out (in its original BB-killer form) 1 year after the iPhonel. And now, its... meh..clunky Linux with some killer hardware and massive fragmentation...
So what do we learn from this?... MS releasing an actual iPhone competitor over 3 years later = stupid?
Wow. Shocker.
@craigrn16
But Microsoft is not starting from scratch here...
Microsoft is dominate in a lot of key markets. If they can leverage those markets and bring them all together.. I think Microsoft could have a winner on there hands...
If the success of Windows 7 is an indication of what is to come our of Redmond, im pretty excited..
Microsoft owns the Operations system.
Internet Explorer is the number one browser on the planet, Firefox has not gained market share in quite a while.
Microsoft own Xbox
Microsoft owns the Zune market place....But has never given people a reason to leave Itunes for it..
Microsoft Office is the standard..
@Wesscoast with a Market geared to replace phones every 12 months, the model means someone else can dominate in 12 months time, hence why Android are gaining ground, due to this cycle.
Plus everyone seems to forget that MS have been involved in smart phones for many, many years, not just recently.
Just because new phones have multi-touch, does not mean that they are "SMART" phones, this concept has been around for a fair while before iPhone appeared.
@craigrn16
LOL... you say this yet MS already currently has a higher marketshare than Android WW... WP7 is only going to increase MS's phone marketshare, not reduce. Besides, how can Office, Gaming and Entertainment features that best Android (and in cases, iOS) be late to the party? Ill take Achievements and Xbox Live integration over any games on Android or iOS... ill take Office 2010 on WP7 over any productive suite on Android or iOS, and ill take Zune Pass with Smart DJ and movie/TV store over itunes and whatever Android has.
@Danj67 so true. When they are getting serious a market we all know what happens. Look IE and Xbox. Plus they are not only putting money into WP7 but they also changed their mind - now the biggest emphasis is on quality. That's what made W7 successful as well.
14 Android tabs? I see a few more Android devices coming, hopefully all are high end.
Microsoft are certainly in for a fight. Android is gainig ground like crazy. BlackBerry is about to announce OS 6 and that looks to be a gane changer.
Apple have shot themselves in the foot - a good thing.
However MS are the new kids on the block and even with a bear unlimited budget, the product had better be really good or we shall see another Bing debacle. Becase Bing REALLY is not as good a Google no matter what Microsoft says and consumers today are not fools - unless the are Crapple fanbois.
If Windows Mobile 7 is as good as is hoped (and hyped), then consumers should see more chaice.
I think that Google will flash, with its open operating system. No one wants to pay for Microsoft's closed shit. Windows Phone have no apps.
It will flop
@Sinnobrefakir
Remember Linux owned the Netbook market until Microsoft got involved..
@Sinnobrefakir and that the SDK provided for app development is very, very good, Silverlight and XNA projects. I would argue probably the best for any phone.
Also MS are after quality apps not 1000 fart joke ones.
Have you not seen some of the example games coming out for the WP7?
Microsoft said that the Kin would make success, but that Windows Phone phone died after a few weeks:)
@Sinnobrefakir
Microsoft didnt kill that phone, the carriers did.... They needed to charge less for a phone that was not a smart phone, but they tried to charge the exact same.. Why pay the same and get less?
@Sinnobrefakir
I think if you actually read what happened rather than jump on the hype train, you would see there is more to it than it just failing. The carrier raised the rates to a point that MS wasn't planning, and essentially killed the phone's potential. Why would I pay the data plan price for a smartphone to have a gimped one? It didn't make sense - and MS seems to have realized it and pulled the plug to move resources into the WP7 area. Smart move.
It's funny how blog visitors think they know more about what companies like MS and Verizon are doing than they do. Go ahead - start the next big OS/Phone company and then act like you know how it all works. There are a lot of people here who really talk to definitively about the tech world.
@Duke I can see why Verizon charged full smartphone rates. With constant syncing to Kin Studio, including large photos and videos, a lot of data was being transferred. It was a lot more complicated than simple text messages or Facebook syncing.
Im worried that Microsoft is adopting the same system App Store for selling and loading apps onto its phone.. That is what has always held Apple back over the years. and the open standard that Microsoft adopted let the PC industry bloom...
AT&T, who over the last few years has not gotten any decent phones released. Except for the iphone, and blackberries that everyone gets - the iphone was their only significant offering.
However, now it seems they are getting everything! The best androids, of course still the iphone, and now Windows 7 "materials".
I think this is because they are losing exclusivity to the iPhone, and they need to pay big ass time for getting this other stuff before anyone else. Anyone care to agree or comment?
@POZ - also, obviously. they will lose iphone exclusivity some day, but with rumors Verizon will be selling something apple in January, it is more than evident now.
@POZ
I wouldn't say that AT&T is getting the best Androids. So far, I've only seen one high end Android phone (Captivate) that they are getting and that may just be because they'd look foolish if they weren't (since all of the carriers are getting that one). AT&T seem to be focusing on the iPhone and Windows Phone 7 primarily and letting Android be their mid-range options.
Holy Moly. Couldn't they have launched on a network that has free capacity? At least being on something other than AT&T will generate sales from those who can't have an iPhone even if they want one.
@darwiniandude Do some research, WP7 is launching on all major US carriers..
Does this also mean the Dell Lightning is coming sooner than expected? *fingers crossed*
Ill be more than happy to own a nexus and a dell lightning
Um Hello HTC DESIRE WHERE ARE U?
I'm hoping that maybe with Windows Phone 7, Microsoft will also release a complete Zune development kit. I think Zune HD owners are getting bored of PGR and assorted card games.
When the kin was released i said it would be a failure and i think MS knew too because that seems to be their strategy.
1.Release horrible product every condemns it (KIN)
2.Release halfway decent (not new revolutionary or great) product (WP7) its acclaimed as the greatest thing since sliced bread
Dude, you guys are SO wrong.
Android was 1 year late to iPhone on *2007* it means that the Windows Phone 7 is 4 years late from that.
You guys are clueless about market and money. To you guys is açç about "buy the latest cool smartphone" but you are < 1%
Microsoft has to make a phone to make MONEY out of it, and they´ll make it with licesing. Guess what? If carriers see low sales they will drop licensing bc they´ll have better options. And hack, they *DO* have options, veryyyy different from the desktop market. Microsoft can do nothing to push the brand. It´s hit or miss. On the desktop carriers CAN´T chose bc its only Windows. Mobile, completely different, bc there is OPTION (and free options, lol).
Besides that, for now Microsoft is only LOOSING money with Windows Phone 7. They lost 500 million buying Danger, more 2,5 billions+ developing Kin (research, paying developers, market) and they will spend something like 2 billions+ again marketing the Windows Phone. So, how long to turn that amount into profit? They´ll have to sell A LOT of phones.
With the current numbers, if they be absolutely successful, witch I doubt, it´ll take 3 years AT LEAST. So this is pointless, Microsoft lost the game for at least 3 years.
Besides that Apple, Google and RIM are doing fine. Look at HTC numbers, they skyrocket with Android. You can´t change the market when the leader is doing just so fine and you´re doing just so bad.
If Apple, Google and Rim were lazy and doing bad Microsoft could have a chance, but like that, they just can´t.
Does anyone else see the "QTY 5" on Palm WebOS
If Google was able to find a way to have Android sync via Activesync natively, it would most likely all but be a death blow for Windows Phone.. while there are better phones right now running Android as opposed to Windows mobile 6.5 the ability to connect and sync via activesync makes some stick to Windows phone especially in the corporate world that are not running exchange..My brother currently is having fits with his HTC Touch pro, but there are few options to upgrade at Verizion for windows Mobile phones with Slide out keyboards at the moment..