Microsoft optimistic Windows Phone will outperform expectations

Rich Fiscus
2 Sep 2011 15:45

Two phones running Windows Phone 7.5, previously codenamed Mango, have officially been introduced to consumers at HTC events in London, Paris, Madrid & Berlin.
The HTC Titan and HTC Radar both feature dedicated camera buttons, allowing you to use the camera without unlocking the phone first. The also offer 720p video recording.

Microsoft's Achim Berg, head of Windows Phone marketing, responded to recent analyst predictions that the platform would capture 20% of the smartphone market by 2015. Berg optimistically suggested to Bloomberg that Windows Phone could achieve that as soon as next year.
He also downplayed Windows Phone's poor performance to date:

This is a completely new platform, it takes time. It took time with Android, it took time with Apple. We have to show that we’re very capable and that we have the fastest and easiest phone.

Jason Mackenzie, President of Global Sales and Marketing for HTC said of the new phones, “With its large, cinematic display, the HTC TITAN packs an amazing amount of power and innovation into a device that is unlike anything you’ve ever held before and the HTC Radar’s aluminum uni-body, compact size and finish will capture people’s attention.”

HTC Titan
1.5GHz CPU 4.7" display 480×800 resolution 512MB RAM 16GB storage 8MP camera 1.3MP front camera

HTC Radar
1GHz CPU 3.8" display 480×800 resolution 512MB RAM 8GB storage 5MP camera VGA front camera

Unfortunately for Microsoft, this probably isn't the best time to generate any kind of buzz around Windows Phone. The next iPhone is expected next month, which will almost certainly become the dominant smartphone story for several weeks.

That leaves a small window for Microsoft to capitalize on any consumer reaction to the Windows Phone update.

And upgrade to Windows Phone 7.5 for existing handsets is expected around September 15.