Windows Phone 7 sales figures were absent from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's remarks at the Microsoft shareholders meeting. Image: CC CuteWriting/Creative Commons
Windows Phone 7 sales figures are a mystery the first week after Microsoft’s smartphone was released. While virtually all smartphone makers proudly trumpet initial sales figures after a launch, Microsoft has not. The company’s lack of PR about Windows Phone 7 sales leads analysts to believe that the product is a dud.
Windows Phone 7 sales coverage absent
Windows Phone 7 sales are likely disappointing, despite Microsoft’s $500 million “Phone to save us from our phones” ad campaign. Mediapost suggests that because Windows Phone 7 was launched on multiple handsets, the media hasn’t been focused on the success of one blockbuster device like Apple’s iPhone, which sold at a rate of 143,000 a day the first three weeks after launch. An industry analyst told Mediapost that in some stores Windows Phone 7 devices had sold out, but it likely was due to limited supply rather than robust demand.
Microsoft distracts media with Kinect
Windows Phone 7 sales reports were conspicuously missing from Microsoft’s annual shareholders meeting held in Bellevue, Wash., on Tuesday. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked up the company’s Kinect gaming console instead. He announced that 1 million Microsoft Kinect units sold in the first 10 days after it was launched. Windows Phone 7 handsets made by Samsung, LG and HTC went on sale Nov. 7 for AT&T and T-Mobile networks. At the Microsoft shareholders meeting, all Ballmer said about Windows Phone 7 was that “it marks the beginning, we think, of a new era in smart phones. The response has been really fantastic.”
Microsoft’s smartphone challenge
Windows Phone 7 sales aren’t expected to be impressive, according to the blogosphere. The LA Times said a problem arose with the Samsung Focus in which the phone is “frying” the Windows Phone 7 cards. PC World reported that Windows Phone 7 devices are highly insecure and Office Apps run poorly. TechieInsider said that for Microsoft to be successful in the smartphone market, it can’t release products full of bugs and fix them along the way like it has always done with its desktop software.
Sources
Just look at how the media is trying to convince us we don't like our wp7 phones because MS wont' give them the data they demand… I love the firm and convincing image of Jobs and the photo of Balmer mid word. Keep trying guys, it's not working.