Windows Phone Thoughts: LG to Make Comeback in the Smartphone Market

"Ahn said that his company is planning to launch more premium smartphone models this year. They are based on Google-powered Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile, and North America and Europe will also be targeted. "We will boost our premium lineup," Ahn said in an interview. His comments came at a time when LG has become a bystander in the battle between Apple and Samsung in the important mobile segment. This produced a significant drop in operating profit in LG's mobile business to 0.9 percent in the first quarter of the year from more than 10 percent in previous quarters. The trend is widely forecast to continue with a further slide in the second quarter."

This is a big deal to LG and Microsoft - two companies who've sat on their duffs over the last few years and watch the world go by. It's interesting that Ahn Seung-kwon, the company's mobile business chief, said he didn't expect the smartphone market to mature this quickly. Other companies definitely knew. When asked when LG will produce an Iphone killer, he mentioned that a Windows Phone 7 device will be out during the second half of this year. We know the latest Iphone has had its share of bugs but it's also getting some great reviews. So now my question: Do LG and Microsoft have what it takes to market a device that will truly be an Iphone killer? I would love to think so.