Apparently, it’s been leaked by some loose-lipped presenter at a Microsoft event that “Windows Mobile” is out, and “Windows Phone” is in. Well, Microsoft, I try to get your back now and then when you’re misunderstood or wrongly accused, but this is beyond the pale. I can’t think of a worse name to call your operating system. Let me count the reasons why:
- Apple has taken all the mindshare for “____Phone” devices. I understand you want to beat them at their own game, but that doesn’t mean you have to dress like them and get your hair cut like them. This advice also applies to your new store.
- Windows Mobile is a name people know. Changing it, for no reason, to something extremely similar, without any changes to the OS itself, suggests you don’t know what you’re doing.
- People still say “phone,” but “mobile” is a more modern and specific term. You had a winner there. “Windows Phone” sounds like a crappy house telephone with WinCE on it.
- It just sounds… dumb. I realize this is just my opinion, but it’s not snappy or memorable, it fades from the mind rather than sticking in it like Android or Symbian. Plus, how are we going to shorten it now? WinPho?
- Even “Microsoft Phone” would be better. Or “Windows Connect,” or “Contact.” I like that last one. You can have it, Microsoft. You can pay me back by whipping the chumps who came up with your current one.
I could go on, but why spoil your fun? What do you guys think of this ridiculous turn of events?
I really like made up names and anagrams and acronyms. So how about – Wiph – because WM smells.
Well, anything with Windows(c) in it is sh1te, like my all the PCs I’ve ever owned or worked with, like my PDAs – thank Nokia my phone uses Symbian
Seriously, Symbian? It’s like ’screw the plague i’ll have cholera’. And yes I had an E71 for 6 months. My mind still boggles as to why such a nice hardware gets to have Symbian… ah well
The bonus of Symbian is that it’s not . . . Windows
The major problem with the name is that it narrows what WinCE supports. On my Dell Axim X51v the phone function (Skype) is a minor application. It’s fascinating to watch a company shoot itself in the foot.
Ken
This isn’t new – Microsoft announced the rebranding as part of the Windows Mobile 6.5 launch at MWC in Barcelona back in February.
THANK YOU. Seriously, how did they not pick this up?
Possibly because it didn’t have the word ‘Apple’ in it.
The rest of the article is weak sauce.
I see what they are trying to do:
Q: “Do You Have an iPhone?”
A: “No, I I have a Windows Phone”
I’m not a fan (yet), but it -is- the right thing for them to do.
That doesn’t make any sense.
Right, it’s better than “I have a Windows Mobile device”. But one problem is that Windows Phone is not a phone, it’s an operating system. What if Windows XP was called “Windows Computer” or “Windows Machine”? “Do you have Windows Computer?”
It still might be the right decision to use the name Windows Phone. An alternative would be to come up with a name for phones running Windows Mobile, like PP (Personal Phone?).
Microsoft is really cool aren’t they?
How about Wi-Phone?
This is not news at all!!! Shame on you, we knew this since February http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13970_7-10164222-78.html?tag=mncol;title
I would suggest you to read this article before you post rubbish.
I agree to the fact that “windows mobile” was quite catchy and not the new one
I agree with this one “People still say “phone,” but “mobile” is a more modern and specific term.” Mobile is actually a term that can cover many devices, in contrast the very idea of a Phone is being eroded as non of the them do simply Telephone functions
Windows Mobile is still the name of the operating system. The phone itself will be called Windows Phone. If someone asks what kind of phone you have, you should say: “A Windows Phone” and not “a Samsung” or “a HTC”. That’s the idea. But I think Samsung and HTC will always have a stronger branding – particularly with their own UI.
Thank you.
That actually makes sense. This article was misleading.
Here is an official statement:
http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=15484&news=Microsoft+Windows+Mobile
I still call MY smartphone a “Pocket PC with Integrated Cellular Data and Voice Communication.”
I knew “Windows Mobile” was just a fad…
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