Skip to main content

IDC predicts promising future for Windows Phone 7

wp7 futureDespite the mess it made of the Windows Phone 7 update, there is some good news for Microsoft on the horizon. The International Data Corporation (IDC) announced today that it believes the Windows Phone 7 could become the second most popular mobile OS worldwide by 2015, second only to Android.

Seem like a bold prediction? That’s because it is. Microsoft still has a lot of balls up in the air with Windows Phone 7: The Nokia merger is still relatively fresh and flexible, the first crucial update was anything but smooth (hint: It’s not a good sign when a company apologizes for what should be a simple firmware upgrade), and we’ve still yet to hear any concrete sales (not shipment) numbers.  That said, Windows Phone 7 is not a failure — and the IDC seems to believe that it will be able to displace some of its more veteran competitors in the next four years. The forecast also claims that the Windows Phone platform will retain a 20.9-percent market share.

The organization also seems to have quite a bit of confidence in the Nokia-Microsoft merger. “The new alliance brings together Nokia’s hardware capabilities and Windows Phone’s differentiated platform. We expect the first devices to launch in 2012.” The business deal between the two companies has been subjected to harsh criticism; its success has not been labeled a sure thing.

But all skepticism aside, it’s an exciting notion. Seeing a new platform make its way to the top a la Android would mean new innovation from the Windows Phone and perhaps spur some creative competition from the likes of Apple and RIM. The phone had a rocky, yet promising start – and if it can pull this one out and become a true challenger, we’re all for it.

Editors' Recommendations

Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
My iPhone’s keyboard is driving me crazy
Words displayed on an iPhone's screen in the Notes app, with the keyboard below them.

Abe, Ann, Anne, Anna, Ana, Ave, AB’s. These words are the bane of my life, as all too often my iPhone thinks I'm typing them instead of the word “and.” It happens shockingly often, to the point where I begin to think it’s doing it deliberately to troll me.

I’m an iOS keyboard fan, but it’s getting to the point where I’m going to have to make a big change unless Apple does something about it.
It’s always the word 'and'

Read more
How to get new emojis on your iPhone or Android device
Emoji reactions on Google Messages running on OnePlus 11.

Text messaging has quickly become the default form of communication on smartphones. Sure, you can give your buddy a call to update them on your plans for the weekend, but it's not quite as quick and streamlined as a simple text. And combined with the ever-growing library of emojis available on iPhone and Android, it's easier than ever to ensure your tone and true meaning are received loud and clear by your recipient.

Read more
How to turn off the always-on display on the iPhone 15 Pro and 14 Pro
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro showing the screens.

Apple first debuted its always-on display for iPhone with the iPhone 14 Pro, and it returns with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Though many people enjoy the always-on display on their iPhone, others feel that it consumes enough power to affect the battery drain throughout the day. So, eventually, Apple added a way to disable the always-on display if you don't want to use it.

Read more