Sony Ericsson Squashes Microsoft Phone Rumors
On Monday, Sony Ericsson squashed rumors that its first Microsoft powered cellphone would miss the holiday sales season.
In February, Ericsson introduced the Xperia 1 model saying it would be available in the second half of 2008.Â
Over the weekend, several technology blogs reported that the new phone was falling behind schedule.
"There is absolutely no delay. The product is on track," said Merran Wrigley, spokeswoman for Sony Ericsson. "We have said it will roll out in Q4 and we are on target to do that."
Unveiling phones months ahead of release is not uncommon in the cellphone industry, but introducing a model more than six months ahead is uncommon.
Now with Sony Ericsson on the list of Windows users, all the world’s top cellphone producers, with exception to Nokia, will have a Windows based phone.
Microsoft has fought to appeal to cellphone users, but despite years of investments, the software giant has only won around 10 percent of the market.
RIM’s BlackBerry, and Apple’s iPhone have both hurt demand for Microsoft based products.Â
"The challenge for manufacturers is that Windows Mobile 6.1 is struggling to meet the high expectations that devices like the iPhone have set for top-tier phones," said Ben Wood, research director at CCS Insight.
"To try and overcome its shortcomings we’ve seen companies like HTC, Samsung and now Sony Ericsson go to great lengths to re-skin Windows Mobile in order to deliver something that is more appealing to mainstream consumers," added Woods.
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