LG says Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 handset sales haven’t met expectations
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
LG said Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 line hasn’t lived up to expectations so far, according to a report.
James Choi, a marketing director at LG, said phones running the rebuilt Windows operating system for smart phones launched in October with high industry expectations, but consumers haven’t yet taken to the handsets as hoped, according to a report from Pocket-lint.
In an interview with Pocket-lint, Choi said one problem might be that the Windows Phone 7 OS might be too easy to use for the tech-savvy.
‘For tech guys like us it might be a little bit boring after a week or two, but there are certain segments that it really appeals to,’ Choi said. ‘We strongly feel that it has a strong potential even though the first push wasn’t what everyone expected.’
Both LG and Microsoft have been working together on phones running Windows Phone 7 ‘from the beginning,’ and Choi told Pocket-lint that Microsoft’s OS is ‘absolutely perfect for a huge segment out there. What we feel is that some people believe that some operating systems, mainly Google, are extremely complicated for them.’
So, despite the phones not yet selling as expected, LG isn’t planning on dumping Windows Phone 7, Choi said. Currently, LG makes one Windows Phone 7 handset available on AT&T -- the LG Quantum.
‘Being dependent on one OS is not beneficial for us,’ he said. ‘That’s the same with not just the manufacturers, but the operators as well.’
Choi also said cheaper smart phones running Windows Phone 7 might help boost its market share.
‘There is a lot of skepticism at the moment, but once Windows Phone 7 handsets that are mid-tier to low tier start appearing the market share will grow,’ he said. ‘Right now it’s only exclusively present in a high tier, because of its hardware requirements, and that’s limiting growth.’
Microsoft officials weren’t available for comment on Friday, but the company has said in the past that 1.5 million Windows Phone 7 handsets were sold in the six weeks following launch.
RELATED:
Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 sells 1.5 million units in first six weeks
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 HTC HD7 sells out temporarily online
-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles