Loading ...This week we have seen previews of the upcoming Windows Mobile 6, which is due later this year. Also, LG announced that it is working on at least two new smartphones that will have features that resemble those of the iPhone. These are due out in the second half of the year. No doubt that they will run Windows Mobile 6. When you first look at these facts, you might think that they're going to give Apple a run for their money. But there are a few things to consider first.
Lets take into account that Apple has been working on these features for quite some time now, so we know they're going to be solid. I doubt that LG has been working on a phone that bears that much resemblance to the iPhone since before they knew about it. It's possible, but I doubt it. So Apple's got the hardware covered, no problem.
Now lets look at software. Again, we don't know how long Apple has been at work on their iPhone software, but given the work they have done with the iPod interface, I don't doubt that they've got most of the bugs worked out. Though it is the first go at phone software, so I'll concede a point there. So that leaves us with Windows Mobile 6 from Microsoft. They've been doing this for a while, seeing how this is number 6, so they should have a pretty solid OS. But, it's Microsoft, and they have a bad reputation for releasing software before it's ready (Windows Me anyone?). They like to rush the software out in time to match a certain event (like the release of the iPhone). Or, on the other side of the coin, they'll promise that the OS will be out, and then we're stuck waiting around for a few years (Vista?). I seem to remember hearing that WM6 was due out sometime last year. So taking all of that into consideration, they'll likely either release it in time to compete with the iPhone, and not have the bugs worked out, or not get it released until it's too late.
So now looking at things from Apple's perspective, I wouldn't be too worried. Frankly, to see this many big name companies rushing around trying to push out products to compete with them, I'd be thrilled. Everyone knows that the iPhone has started a revolution, and everyone else is just trying to play catch-up. Good old Steve sure does know how to build up the hype. With 3GSM coming up next week in Barcelona, I'm sure we'll have more details on LG and Microsoft's new products. We'll have full coverage, so stay tuned.
LG's iPhone clone to run Windows Mobile 6 [via mobilitytoday]
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The Prada runs Adobe Flash Lite on top of Symbian, not Windows Mobile, which makes most of this moot. If you find videos of the Prada’s UI in action, it bears little or no resemblance to Apple’s. Do some research before you spam Digg.
Yeah because every article that makes the digg frontpage is like the pinnacle of fact-based journalism.
The reality is we’ve had about six years of software vendor meets hardware vendor in the phone market (Symbian, Windows CE-Mobile 6, PalmOS, Linux, etc.) and if there is one place where Apple’s advantage of software-hardware integration should shine it is here.
Not iPod 70% market share shine, but large sales and a hefty profit out of the gate where currently they have nothing (unless you count some of the software on the ROKR).
That is hilarious. What idiot started this rumor? The Prada isn’t running crossbow. My guess is some over zealous reporter that knows nothing about the industry.
I love it. O’ Steve has everyone scared out of their pants or maybe panties, as the case me be, that they’re going to be the next victim of the Apple jugguernaut.
Personally, I’d just like to see Steve Ballmer get fired this year and when that happens and it will, I’m throwing a party.
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