Microsoft mobile chief 'We're still playing catch-up' - with Apple

Apple scored a home run with the iPhone, and rivals are still struggling to catch-up, even while Google’s Android OS poses an additional threat to former smartphone industry leaders.

Microsoft’s UK head of mobile, Phil Moore, had some interesting reflections on the iPhone, telling attendees at the ‘Connect!’ tech summit in London:

"We’re still playing catch-up. When Apple came on to the scene a couple of years ago, it threw away the rulebook and reinvented it. We unfortunately don’t have that luxury. It’s true, Apple caught us all napping. It launched something that was very iconic, new and unseen with a very good user interface."

Moore was quick to follow this statement up by promising much more usability in the future release of Windows Mobile 7, but had to admit: “It has been put back until late last year,” he admits, claiming the new Microsoft mobile OS will offer enterprise users and consumers “what they want”, promising a “much easier touch UI”.

Research In Motion director of solutions and alliances marketing (EMEA), Rory O’Neill also reflected on Apple’s success so far.
"Apple has been a catalyst for us all in understanding the phone as a platform can deliver and enable people to do what they want,” he admits.

Meanwhile, while RIM and Microsoft attempt to match the features of Apple’s existing devices, Cupertino is reportedly already engaged in developing new software features and new hardware for the next generation of its iconic device.

It’s a battle. Windows Mobile lost 28 percent marketshare between Q3 2008 and Q3 2009, according to recent data from Gartner.

Microsoft’s mobile market continues to shrink, falling from 11 percent in Q3 2008 to 7.9 percent in Q3 2009. Apple, meanwhile, continues to generate interest, with a marketshare climbing from 12.9 to 17.1 percent in the same period of time. Research In Motion climbed from 16 to 20.8 percent within the period.