Windows Phone Thoughts: Microsoft Isn't Giving Up on Windows Mobile

"It hasn't been a good day for anyone working on Microsoft's Windows Phone team. This morning, IDC made the ridiculous prediction that the number of iPhone/iPod touch applications would triple to 300,000 by end of 2010. Later, here at Betanews, Carmi Levy slammed Microsoft's Windows mobile strategy. Yes, Windows Mobile is down -- really low -- but the operating system isn't bad. The mobile OS is good at the core, meaning the kernel, and multitasks pretty well. It's the user interface and partner model that needs a makeover -- and awfully fast."

Joe Wilcox over at BetaNews has written an article on the state of Windows Mobile, and he implores Microsoft not to give up on Windows Mobile as some are suggesting, but to instead "call for help" in changing things. There's not much I can comment on here except to say that it's not a coincidence that the latest version of Windows Mobile is 6.5, two and a half years after Windows Mobile 6 was announced. Microsoft may have been in the dot-release-doldrums for the past couple of years, but they have their eye on the future and are moving towards it in a big way. Though I know many will find that hard to believe, listening to the past few speeches from Steve Ballmer it's clear that he admits as a company Microsoft has stumbled with Windows Mobile.

There's synergy between the Zune, Xbox, and Windows Mobile teams - check out this job listing for a place called Pioneer Studios and read the description. Then read between the lines of that job description and think about what that means. J Allard is driving this bus, and all those teams are aboard. It's hard to be a fan of Windows Mobile right now, no doubt about it, but I've seen a glimpse of the future and I really liked what I saw.