Windows Mobile Flys the X1
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News Analysis. Apple's iPhone suddenly looks oh-so last year. |
Today, Sony Ericsson introduced its first Windows Mobile-powered mobile, the XPERIA smartphone. Sony Ericsson's adoption leaves Nokia on the sidelines as the only major phone manufacturer not supporting Windows Mobile. That said, Nokia supports other Microsoft technologies, such as Windows Media.
The first model, the X1, is scheduled to ship during second half. Scott Rockfeld, the group product manager for Microsoft's Mobile Communications group, said the XPERIA line "will be launching in the holidays of this year."
Sony Ericsson is a big win for Windows Mobile, and Microsoft knows it. Sony Ericsson is known for delivering attractive, multifunctional phones. But it's earlier smartphones, such as the P900i, were somewhat unappealing, because of their size and awkward functions.
The XPERIA X1 is a radical departure from the P series. The sleek cell phone offers touch screen and slide-out, full-size QWERTY keyboard. The iPhone-like, big-icon look distinguishes the XPERIA X1 from other Sony Ericsson mobiles. On closer look, however, those icons more resemble connected, informational widgets.
Something else: There's a familiarity to the candy bar shape, 3-inch screen and slide-out keyboard that reminds me of HTC smartphones, including the AT&T Tilt that I am now using. Perhaps, there is good reason. Last September, reports surfaced from China that Sony Ericsson had contracted with HTC for a line of Windows Mobile smartphones.
Microsoft is using the XPERIA X1 launch to spout a new marketing mantra about the consumer segment. Rockfeld gave me a kind of timeline of cellphone development, noting the early emphasis on business needs. Microsoft has changed emphasis to consumers, and that's where Sony Ericsson will play a critical role. The brand is synonymous with consumers.
Rockfeld couldn't say enough about the importance of the consumer market to Windows Mobile's go-forward strategy. He mentioned Microsoft bringing Todd Peters on as vice president of marketing for the Windows Mobile Business group, as example of the consumer push. Peters was a trendsetting retail marketing leader for Staples.
The strategy is about convergence and two lifestyles, personal and professional, meeting at one device—the cell phone. "The fasting-growing segment is the smartphone segment," Rockfeld said. The strategy through smartphones, "It's really about [how] one phone can work for your entire life," he emphasized.
The emphasis on convergence cuts two ways. While Microsoft wants to reach more consumers with Windows Mobile, Sony Ericsson seeks to reach more business users—to extend behind its consumer niche.
Microsoft wouldn't be the first company trying to tackle a real problem, where people commingle data and behavior around cell phones. Microsoft is in fact leader perpetrator behind the commingling situation. The company's unified communications strategy would make people reachable, regardless of location or device.
Commingling is as much a business opportunity as end user problem. Microsoft's goal is to make easier the using of one device for any purpose.
"The world of carrying around a holster—like you're in the Wild Wild West—is gone," Rockfeld told me on Friday. Ha, maybe he's not a geek at heart. Aren't geeks defined by the number of devices carried on their bodies?
Ribbing aside, the approach is sensible. The question: Will Windows Mobile 6 Professional be enough to achieve the goal? I can't say until after seeing exactly what kind of product HTC, Microsoft and Sony Ericsson will deliver.
Given the XPERIA's iPhone-like features—granted with extras like the QWERTY keyboard—I asked Rockfeld about Apple and its approach to smartphones compared to Microsoft. After all, iPhone has huge smartphone mindshare.
"They absolutely did a nice job of raising the awareness of what a smartphone can do," he said. "The one thing we're doing different from our competitors is the one phone for your entire life. We believe to provide choice and freedom, to make the phone your own, you have to do that through partners. We know at Microsoft we can't do it all on our own."
Comments (14)
WOW, its running windows moble, does this mean we finally have a phone that can display the BSOD ?
Posted by chips | February 10, 2008 11:45 PM
i'm no iphone fanboy but this phone looks very eighties to me.
i wish that microsoft would develop a smartphone entirely inhouse that focused on email/messaging, speed, and a slim size. something like a blackberry pearl with at&t's user interface.
that i would buy.
Posted by george | February 10, 2008 11:50 PM
Have you watched the "film" on sonyericsson.com? You notice anything? They actually don't show features like Apple does in its promotional work.
If it is Windows Mobile 6, you still have Pocket IE and a web browsing experience that is sub-par and hasn't changed in 8 years. It is a nice skin, but then you will be forced into WM's Inbox application, Start Menu, Address Book, etc...
Wow, Sony's X1 is looking so 1997.
Posted by streams | February 11, 2008 12:18 AM
Who cares if it has a full-size keyboard? Who is doing that much typing on their phone? Besides that, a 'full-size' keyboard for who, a 5-year old? If you have a keyboard big enough for an adult to type on, you're phone's too big.
I look at that thing and think of a combination between an old VCR remote control and the original cell phones that were as big as your head.
Seems as though Microsoft's Zune marketing people got a hold of this one. Big and clunky is not what sells in this day and age.
@streams
You're exactly right about not telling features. Apple's marketing doesn't overload you with all of the details of tech specs etc... all at once. They show you a few of the best features at a time and you have the option to dig into the nitty gritty if you want to later.
If you have to use IE to browse, forget it. As a web designer, that piece of garbage browser is such a headache. At least with Safari and Firefox I can just think about one set of styles and be done with it and have it look good. That's where the iPhone has this beat, Safari built-in. It's called web standards compliance, people.
Posted by Chris | February 11, 2008 1:14 AM
Wow! The icons fly around!! Look they flip about their own axis as THEY ALL FLIP AROUND EACH OTHER!!! That is F'n cool !!!!!!
Too bad its still windows mobile beneath the flashy, tired after doing it 5 times shell.
Posted by George | February 11, 2008 1:16 AM
Welcome to a market where the kiddies get a new phone every 12 months with their new contract.The iPhone is already looking rather 2007...
Posted by Lawrence D'Oliveiro | February 11, 2008 1:32 AM
To de Apple fanboys:
You do realize that the phone is actually made by HTC for SonyEricsson, *not* by or for Microsoft, right?
And because it's Windows Mobile based, unlike the iPhone you're not stuck with what either SonyEricsson or Microsoft give you.
You don't like Mobile IE? Use Opera or Minimo or SkyFire instead, they're just a download away. And the same goes for Mobile Outlook. Don't like it? Get something else that you like.
For free. Without the risk of bricking your phone.
Posted by Carlos | February 11, 2008 6:46 AM
I think the smartphone strategists are missing an opportunity. If the industry made it simple to move between devices, I'd much prefer to have specialized devices to use in different settings. e.g. I'd carry a smartphone at work, but carry an ultra slim phone when I'm relaxing on the weekend. I'd be willing to pay the undocked price for one them, and the subsidized price for the other.
I've got a GSM phone today, but it's still not easy. It should be as simple as swapping a mini-SD card, or maybe using a token I carry on my keychain that could activate the right phone. For example, with VoIP phones, it's pretty easy to switch handsets but have your number move with you.
KC
Posted by KC | February 11, 2008 9:12 AM
Our recommendation: SELL VCSY STOCK. There has been a high volume of stock hype surrounding VCSY, with much false praise going to this stock. Do not fall for the hype. We warn you: do not buy into VCSY stock. It would be a huge investment mistake.
http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Business_%26_Finance/Investments/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_M/threadview?bn=12004&tid=1342624&mid=1342629
Posted by I-Man | February 11, 2008 9:49 AM
Hey, don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Go to Google finance and look up VCSY. Then check their financials. After looking at VCSY's financials, tell me, do you want to buy that stock? Do those numbers look enticing? Those are the numbers in black and white. So a lawsuit from a broke company - VCSY - against Microsoft is ALL VCSY has going for it. Nothing else. Not a dime. Well, actually it's less than zero, because VCSY is WAY in the hole. How many of VCSY's 30 employees are showing up for work everyday for no pay? Not enough to answer any questions submitted to them. And VCSY's lawyers are being paid on a contingency. DUH! They don't have any money to pay them. HELLO!?!? To help you readers out, I am placing a link directly to Google finance VCSY page. Or feel free to look it up yourself.
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=OTC:VCSY
Posted by I-Man | February 11, 2008 10:24 AM
@Carlos
Yes, we all realize this is not made 'by' or 'for' Microsoft. Aside from the obvious design shortcomings by HTC, the main problem is the OS running it.
You said:
And because it's Windows Mobile based, unlike the iPhone you're not stuck with what either SonyEricsson or Microsoft give you. You don't like Mobile IE? Use Opera or Minimo or SkyFire instead, they're just a download away.
The main problem with that statement is that you have to download a better browser for this device because IE is so terrible. On the iPhone, you get a great browser already installed. It's called Safari and is already W3C compliant. No downloading required.
Posted by Chris | February 11, 2008 11:53 AM
My freedom of speech rights have been violated at MS Watch. My posts are being deleted but
the VCSY stock scam spam continues... This is what the stiflers of free speech don't want
you to hear:
Our recommendation: SELL VCSY STOCK. There has been a high volume of stock hype surrounding
VCSY, with much false praise going to this stock. Do not fall for the hype. We warn you: do
not buy into VCSY stock. It would be a huge investment mistake.
Hey, don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Go to Google finance and look
up VCSY. Then check their financials. After looking at VCSY's financials, tell me, do you
want to buy that stock? Do those numbers look enticing? Those are the numbers in black and
white. So a lawsuit from a broke company - VCSY - against Microsoft is ALL VCSY has going
for it. Nothing else. Not a dime. Well, actually it's less than zero, because VCSY is WAY
in the hole. How many of VCSY's 30 employees are showing up for work everyday for no pay?
Not enough to answer any questions submitted to them. And VCSY's lawyers are being paid on
a contingency. DUH! They don't have any money to pay them. HELLO!?!? To help you readers
out, I am placing a link directly to Google finance VCSY page. Or feel free to look it up
yourself.
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=OTC:VCSY
Posted by Ayeman | February 11, 2008 1:15 PM
Pooh to the iPhone!
I have had the HTC Touch Dual for 4 months now and it craps over the iPhone. I have had Sony Ericsson, Nokia and iMate mobiles and had my HTC Touch Dual when I compared it to an iPhone instore in the USA and this HTC is the best mobile I have ever had.
http://www.htctouch.com/
It is 3.5g in Australia, very thin, lite and easy to use.
Gotta love the Apple fanboys on these sites who are so idealogically based they can't see the forest for the trees!
Posted by Martin_Australia | February 12, 2008 10:26 PM
WM 6 without the the Phraze-It Keyboard is like a car without wheels
Posted by brad | March 8, 2008 12:05 PM