Microsoft: 4G LTE Windows Phones coming and the iPhone 4S gives us an opening

In a fairly candid interview with the Seattle Times, Andy Lees, President of Microsoft'south Windows Phone Sectionalization, answers some questions near Windows Phone, Mango, OEMs, advertizement and more.

In that location are some typical responses, like on the iPhone 4S (see review at TiPb) since it's just ane form gene, it doesn't offer consumers a choice. Meanwhile, Android is "chaotic" with some phones existence excellent and others being sub-par, resulting in a mishmash of offerings on that platform.

Regarding advertising, information technology seems in the U.S. it is mostly up to the carriers with some OEM involvement whereas in the rest of the world, OEMs have more freedom to define their telephone and experience. In fact, the strategy doesn't sound too unlike than what Microsoft has previously done in the by--which may not bode also well:

Lees: "In the Us, the operators ain the vast majority of the retail through which phones are purchased. That's not true in many other parts of the world. I would say the OEM is disproportionately important in near parts of the globe. And in the U.S., information technology's probably a balance betwixt the OEM and the operator."

Q: So are there commercials that Microsoft is producing that they will all utilize?

Lees: "What we want to do is allow each hardware manufacturer to celebrate what'south unique most their telephone."

In other words, don't await whatever Microsoft commercials or at least a broad campaign.

The other interesting bit on 4G LTE, which Microsoft seems keen on offer sooner than later, presumably with Tango:

Lees: "All the phones in the U.S. are 4G. What's interesting with this release, instead of all the phones coming out on the same 24-hour interval, in that location will be a season that will carry on into the adjacent year that will include LTE phones besides."

Finally, Lees certainly has realistic ideas about Windows Phone. While we think 2022 could be a large year for the platform, he'due south taking a more long view arroyo, keeping expectations in check:

Q: Is this going to be your breakout year, practise you lot think?

Lees: "A few things: The Xbox will be updated in November. The UI (user interface) is very like (to Windows Telephone seven.v and Windows 8) with the tiles and panoramas. Windows 8 is going to help. In terms of just the phone, having the choice of hardware and the quality of the experience are going to be accelerants. Over the next 12, eighteen, 24 months, I can see a lot of stars lining upwardly."

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