Microsoft is on the verge of releasing its new Windows Phone 7 Series platform — although the exact date is still unclear. Some reports indicate a press conference in London on Oct. 11 will unveil the product, while others say the conference will also — or instead — take place in New York.
Other reports pin a U.S. release to Nov. 8, or predict a launch of various Windows Phone 7 devices throughout Europe on Oct. 21. Microsoft hasn’t yet announced its plans.
$400 Million Marketing Campaign
Whenever it happens, the Phone 7 launch will come not a moment too soon for the software giant. Where Microsoft was once a major player in mobile operating systems, it has dropped the ball. Its worldwide market share has dropped from nine percent last year to five percent in 2010, and is now in fifth place behind Symbian, Research In Motion, Google’s Android, and Apple’s iOS.
Leading hardware manufacturers that once were focused on Windows Mobile, such as HTC, LG and Samsung, are now putting their biggest energies into Android. Some observers expect Nokia, the world’s largest handset maker, whose Symbian platform is number one in market share, will also release a Phone 7 product.
Microsoft had an embarrassing experience recently with its KIN smartphone, which it launched in April as “the next generation of the social phone.” By early summer, the device was pulled from the market because of disappointing sales. To pump up demand for Phone 7 devices, the software giant is expected to have a worldwide marketing campaign of at least $400 million.
Several video commercials from that upcoming campaign have been leaked on web sites. One, an homage to a scene in Lawrence of Arabia, uses the tagline “The revolution is coming.” In another, multiple users use their smartphone when they should be…