Ramblings on IT

I’ve been a Blackberry user now for about 3 years. Before that I was on Windows Mobile, and before that was using the Kyocera 7035 (Palm).

They all did what I wanted them to – email mostly, and with Canadian carriers having been dragged into the 21st century, it’s actually possible to do more with data plans without needing a bank loan.

So now I UberTwitter (er, UberSocial), a little Facebooking, and Google search from my Blackberry Bold 9780, but I find myself wanting more.

The biggest change going to the Blackberry was the lack of touch screen – a bit of a step backwards from WM and Palm – but the abilities of email and the form-factor outweighed that lack of touch, plus I needed to ‘eat the dog food’ with Blackberry Server and become an expert (which I have) so I can support my clients on Blackberry (which I do).

Obviously, Android has taken the market by storm, and I just realized I haven’t mentioned the iPhone yet (it’s not even a consideration for me – I absolutely must have a hard keyboard).

And I’m a bit of a Microsoft fanboy, I’ll admit.

So I’ve got a hankerin’ to try Windows Phone 7 – or more accurately, the latest release candidate, ‘Mango’, which I believe will be v8, and if the reviews are to be believed, Windows Phone is actually an awesome platform. Even Dilbert’s creator is giving it a whirl.

But what phone to buy? <—link there to something interesting.

I’ve been browsing the showcases at cell shops whenever I happen by one of them, and the Windows Phones are conspicuous in their absence, and the buzz on the Interweb for those who have them all seem to indicate that if you ask one of the cell-shop employees for a Windows Phone, they might look at you like you have a disease, and quickly lead you to the Android phones.

Which seems a little sad. Windows Phone is likely getting a bad rap. Is it a hangover from how long they let Windows Mobile languish? Absolutely. I think it’s also due to a lack of front-line motivation at the cell-shops to promote and sell them, and this is where Microsoft has to do something, I believe.

And I don’t think they’re going to make much headway getting others to sell it for them – cell phone dealers are a funny bunch. They’re in it to make money (funny, huh?). And past experience with Windows Mobile wasn’t great, and with Android, they have something the public has latched onto (read “The Tipping Point”), and it’s an easy sell. It’s the path of least resistance for the sales folks. And I worked retail in the electronics business for many years (in fact my first real sales job was at Krazy Krazy in Winnipeg, after a 6 week stint selling waterbeds). So I know first-hand what that sales job is all about. Food & rent.

Microsoft has an uphill battle to fight, and they’re not going to win it by getting the cellular dealers to be their vanguard.

I think they need a 2-pronged approach:

1. Supply IT service providers with Windows Phone hardware – for FREE. These are the people who are in front of businesses day in and day out, and if they aren’t using Windows Phone, neither will their clients. And it wouldn’t be a hard throw – these clients are already Microsoft fans – they use Windows desktop and server O/S’s and Microsoft Office. If they see their IT people using Windows Phone, and get demoed by them, they’re far more likely to want one themselves. And if the business people like them, they might actually influence consumer choice among their friends.

Suggestion to Microsoft – do this now with your Small Business Specialists (including Canada).

2. Microsoft retail stores. Apple has proven that if you give people a place to go and touch stuff, they’ll buy it. Cell-phone dealer shops don’t count (see above). Microsoft presently has 11 retail stores – all in the U.S. – and they’ve announced an expansion of 75 more stores in the next 2-3 years. Apple now has over 300 stores, and though 75 will certainly help, this strategy alone is not going to be enough to get Windows Phone’s market-share up to where it they want it. Refer to point #1 above.

A 3rd point – keep up the TV ads. They’re actually pretty good (and I don’t see enough of them).

History has taught us that the best technology does not always win (e.g. Betamax vs. VHS), and I’m afraid if Microsoft doesn’t step up to the plate and do something other than tell everyone how great Windows Phone is, it’s going to die on the vine. Stores are great, but if any company understands the power of their partner channel, Microsoft should (again, see point #1 above).

Lastly, as a Canadian, I have to point out that getting unlocked Windows Phone hardware needs to be easier. I want to buy one online from a reputable source, like Dell. In fact, Dell has a really nice phone I’d love to buy (and I’d do it RIGHT NOW – if I could), but it’s only available from Dell in the U.S. <sigh>.