It's becoming obvious that Microsoft Corp. officials, including CEO Steve Ballmer, wish Windows Mobile were a better mobile operating system.
Bloggers attending Microsoft's Venture Capital Summit reported today that Ballmer said Microsoft "screwed up with Windows Mobile" and changed the Windows Mobile team recently to try to recoup losses. Journalists were not attending, and Microsoft could not be reached to confirm Ballmer's comments, recorded by audience members using Twitter.
Venture capitalist Paul Jozefak's tweet from the event said that Ballmer wished Windows Mobile 7 had already launched, even as Windows Mobile 6.5 has not yet launched.
Version 6.5 is due out in October while version 7 is due next year, Ballmer and others have said.
Another tweet, from beninato , had Ballmer saying at the event that new talent is on the Windows Mobile team and vowing, "this won't happen again."
A Microsoft employee, Scott Rockfeld, recently confirmed via e-mail to Computerworld that he had moved recently from a top Windows Mobile position to director of Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit. No reason was given.
Earlier this year, Ballmer told public sector CIO s that Windows Mobile 6.5 was not "the full release we wanted to have this year." His comment was made in response a question about how Microsoft planned to keep up with phone rivals, such as iPhone and Android.
Analysts have questioned whether there is a long future for Windows Mobile , especially after version 7, noting that it has not done that well in the market behind other operating systems running in the iPhone and others.
Microsoft officials could not be reached today to comment.
Reprinted with permission from Computerworld. Story copyright 2009 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved.
In order to cut costs, Microsoft has stopped the practice of reimbursing eligible employees for mobile phones. Under the prior plan, the phone could not be a smart phone other than an Windows Mobile device.
The prior plan enabled many employees to purchase a Windows Mobile device costing upward of $300.00. Now lacking this enabler and considering that it’s their money, many employees are flocking to iPhone for the simple reason that it is the better (and cooler) device (even with the lack of multiple carriers). One such person was caught taking a picture of Steve B at the company meeting in September, Mr. Ballmer pretended to step on the poor guy's iPhone and keep it until the end of the event.
In defense of Microsoft, the possible failure of Windows Mobile is a collaborative effort that includes the Teleco companies and phone manufactures. These companies just slowed innovation and increased cost by adding its own redundant/worthless services and features.
Yes Virginia, Windows Mobile is in trouble but there is hope if Microsoft follows a simple three step plan:
1. Leverage the Zune-HD platform – Here’s is a platform and online service that can compete. However, keep it simple stupid – bar any “experts” from making any design decisions leading to 30+ sub-par phones instead of a few really good ones.
2. Start with a single trusted carrier and own the platform – Recognize that these guys sell minutes - not phones or services!
3. Market effectively – Simply building a better (or just as good) platform still requires effective marketing. Be creative and focused with your advertising and don’t hide the Zune from the public. It has gotten much better; just keep on doing the right things instead of those head-scratchers.
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