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Windows Phone 7: The Story I Almost Missed
Apparently, Verizon’s employees aren’t very educated with Windows Phone 7 yet. I recently purchased an HTC Incredible (I’ll get a WP7 device one day, but desperately needed something more modern than my LG Dare what with social media being the way it is these days and all), but just prior to making that purchasing decision, I decided to see what the response would be from the guy trying to make the sale when asking him about Windows Phone devices that are supposed to hit the market at the end of the year. His response? “No. No, no, no… you don’t want a Windows Mobile device. They’re horrible.”
The Microsoft evangelist in me wanted to educate him a bit on Windows Phone 7, but I decided to inquire more. He basically noted all the pitfalls we’ve seen with previous iterations of Windows Mobile and assumed the next revision would be exactly the same. I told him it’s supposed to be a lot better and started to go into why, but I could tell he didn’t really care. His thoughts looked to be something to the effect of, “yeah, that’s what they say about every version that’s about to be released.” Ergo, I decided the battle would be best fought another day. With a different opponent. On a completely different battlefield.
With that in mind, the story I almost missed was the chance to write about the stigma that’s already carrying over from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone 7. Instead of excitement and intrigue, this guy made Windows Phone 7 sound like it was going to be worth its weight in pyrite (aka, “fool’s gold”). Had I been any other clueless buyer, I might have taken his recommendations (or lack thereof) and passed them on to friends and family — ensuring a no-sale from all I spread the word to.
The question it brings to mind is how Microsoft will choose to market Windows Phone 7. I know it’s not really a big deal at the moment and the only people inquiring about WP7 are those who are either already informed (like me) or have formed an opinion either way, regardless of how informed said opinion may or may not be. I did notice the Kin setup in Verizon a couple of weeks ago — a kiosk-type of setup with banners, lcd displays running promotional videos, phones set up that you can play with, etc. — so I’m going to take a wild guess that Microsoft will hit the marketing pretty hard once devices are ready to roll out. Hopefully, they’ll get with the right company, because Google is killing it right now with Android (and I’ve got to say, I’m a full-on believer now from owning my HTC Incredible since its release — I LOVE this phone) and I’m sure Apple’s got something up their sleeves for the upcoming iteration of the iPhone.
Perhaps a WP7 representative in a bunch of stores like they did with Windows 7 and Best Buy?
-Stephen
http://www.msftkitchen.com
Sadly, WP7 is just as dead to me as the older crap, but now its because of the apple like control over everything (No Skype, Mobile Firefox, Flash etc why the hell would I stick with a MS phone then? Android FTW ATM)
Microsoft’s research insists most of their target market has little-to-no preconceived notions or biases about ‘windows phones’. In fact, most people who have a windows mobile phone don’t even realize it’s running windows mobile. It just was never a very strongly-branded OS and every manufacturer configured it completely differently.
But your point about sales professionals is valid, so I think they will be out in force trying to change those opinions. I think once those people see how different wp7 really is, they won’t feel like it’s ‘more of the same’.
I could see WP7 finding its niche next to the iPhone, since the iPhone is controlled with an iron fist and that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. However, now that the Android is out and selling like omgholyfrigginwtf, even I, as an iPhone user, feel that it could gain much of Apple’s market share pretty soon. The Android is open, cool, hip, and has a whole lot of traction in the market right now. I wouldn’t ask myself if there’s room for WP7 next to iPhone 4 — I’d ask if there was room next to the line of Android phones. That’s where the real battle is, as I see it. And it’s not going to be easy for Microsoft. It won’t be enough to be open and free, since the Android is already that, and much more.
I had a similar experience at a Verizon store. I went in and asked about new Windows phones coming out and was told that there are much better phones on the market now and Windows Mobile was not the way to go. Then he realized that I was wearing a Microsoft Windows Mobile logo on my shirt and he looked really embarrassed. While it was just coincidence that I was wearing the shirt, it gives me the impression that if several stores are saying this they are being told to say this. Verizon is no friend to Microsoft it would seem.
Well maybe they knew there would be no CDMA in the Windows Phone 7 release. Its not just Verizon, I deal with colleagues all of the time who think Windows Phone 7 will just be a new version of WinMo.
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