Windows Phone WTF Episode 6: Thriller: The Birth of Windows Phone

Remember the moment when Steve Ballmer famously laughed off the iPhone’s high price and lack of a physical keyboard? Join us as we reflect on Microsoft’s initial confidence and subsequent pivot in the face of Apple’s game-changing device. With special guest Joe Belfiore, we uncover the internal challenges that led to the development of the Windows Phone.

Belfiore shares his personal experiences from those transformative years, offering a unique, insider’s perspective on Microsoft’s shift in mobile technology strategy, including their foray with the Zune and Kin devices. Relive the fervor of the Windows Phone 7 Series launch at the 2010 Mobile World Congress, where Microsoft’s collaboration with partners like Dell, LG, HTC, and Samsung brought forth the innovative Metro UI and live tiles. We shed light on the excitement and high stakes of this pivotal moment, as well as the challenges faced by device makers due to Microsoft’s stringent hardware specifications.

Iconic models like the Dell Venue Pro and HTC Mozart stood as testaments to this bold new direction, yet they struggled with differentiation in a competitive market. Witness the highs and lows of Windows Phone’s journey, from the grandiose launch event in New York to the hurdles of breaking backward compatibility and shifting development frameworks. We explore Microsoft’s indecision between being a hardware manufacturer or a platform company, impacting the platform’s success amidst the stiff competition from iPhone and Android. Delve into the creative innovations led by Terry Meyerson and the foresight in adopting features like the camera button and early augmented reality capabilities. Despite significant advancements, we contemplate how a more integrated hardware approach could have changed the fate of the Windows Phone ecosystem.