Saul Hansell, reporting for the NYT:

Cellphone makers that have used Windows Mobile to run their top-of-the- line smartphones — including Samsung, LG, Kyocera, Sony Ericsson — are now also making Android devices. Twelve Android handsets have been announced this year, with dozens more expected next year. Motorola has dropped Windows Mobile from its line entirely in a switch to Android. HTC, a major cellphone maker, expects half its phones sold this year to run Android. Dell is using Android for its entry into the cellphone market.

This is actually sugarcoating it for Microsoft. HTC isn’t merely “a major cellphone maker” — HTC is the single biggest maker of Windows Mobile phones. Just eight months ago, Microsoft revealed that despite having 50 handset “partners”, HTC was responsible for over 80 percent of Windows Mobile phone sales.

Indeed, a J. D. Power & Associates survey found that Windows Mobile had the lowest satisfaction rating among customers of any smartphone operating system. The iPhone has by far the most satisfying software, the study found. Android is a distant second, followed closely by BlackBerry’s operating system. Windows Mobile scored below average on every attribute, said Kirk Parsons, director of the study, especially in ease of operation, speed and stability.

I love that “especially”. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

★ Monday, 26 October 2009