Microsoft has produced a smart phone OS since 2000, but recently Windows Mobile has become somewhat stale with no major changes since the original release of Version 6 in February 2007. The recent release of 6.5 being nothing more than an unwanted stopgap until the next version.
Since then the mobile market has changed dramatically for both the domestic market and business users. All devices running innovative software that have upgraded the capabilities of mobile phones.
Two years of Apple iPhone, nearly a year-and-a-half since the launch of the first Google Android phone and a year since the unveiling of the Palm Pre, all looking to build market share and no response from Microsoft in what is a giant game of leapfrog.
Microsoft has finally come up with answer to bring itself a fresh approach into the mobile market. A fresh approach with a brand new operating system at the core and new name for a new time. Gone is the name Windows Mobile.
If you have a Zune music player, you should recognise the Microsoft's phone platform immediately. The Zune software, although has struggled for market share, is known for working well and doing what it needs to do without a cluttered interface.
Microsoft has acknowledged that this is a crowded market, because of this they have been challenged to produce a new experience.
What really matters is when Microsoft decide to release this new Mobile OS. At this point in time it is unlikely Iphone and Android users will consider a Microsoft powered phone, they may however take business from RIM.
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There's a lot to be excited about with this new approach from Microsoft, but we all know how this story turns out. Six companies come in, which four or three have the market share in 2 years time is anyone's guess.