A number of new Windows Phone devices — including the excellent Focus Flash — launched this week and Microsoft decided to celebrate with a big media blitz in New York City.
Microsoft built a six-story Windows Phone with truly “live” Live tiles in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. As you can see from this video mashup, there was a lot going on.
In the last few months, Microsoft has ramped up efforts to better promote its mobile platform, features and devices. When Windows Phone 7 launched last year, almost everything about the platform — including the messaging — seemed unfinished. Windows Phone had a lot of potential, it just didn’t seem ready.
A year later, things are different. Not only does Microsoft have a strong partnership with Nokia — whose Lumia 800 is truly lustworthy — it also has a stronger lineup of devices from other manufacturers aimed at a variety of markets and price points.
Windows Phone 7.5 Mango feels like a very finished product. Multi-tasking works well, copy and paste is included and the OS natively integrates with social accounts from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Developers are starting to notice too, with more major apps and services finding their way to Windows Phone 7.
Microsoft’s biggest obstacle now is one of awareness. That’s why we hope Microsoft follows up its in-person media blitzes with salient, well-messaged advertising across media channels. We also hope the company and its device partners continue to work with the wireless carriers to educate sales staff about the phone and its features.