It seems like we've waited forever for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform to launch, and now that it has, the big question is whether or not it can cut into the smartphone market and compete with the likes of Android and iOS. The answer? Probably not, according to some skeptical smartphone makers in Taiwan.
Those whose business it is to make and sell smartphones aren't expecting Windows Phone 7 to be a bust. After all, Microsoft has lined up an impressive collection of companies willing to support the platform, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, O2, Telefonica, Dell, HTC, Samsung, and LG, to name a handful. But they just don't expect Windows Mobile to be a dominant force. Instead, Taiwan-based smartphone makers predict Windows Mobile will increase its market share from 5 percent in 2010 to 10 percent in 2011, and then level off.
One of the roadblocks, they say, is the high hardware requirements for WP7 devices, which will limit the platform to enthusiast smartphone models.
Do you agree with their assessment, or do you think Windows Phone 7 will finally get Microsoft's mobile business back on track?
