Why Windows Phone 7 will be Good for Android

Yesterday, Microsoft launched their new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.  As a former enterprise network administrator, and Windows Mobile user, I can tell you that Microsoft does have a place in the smartphone world.  Redmond fell asleep at the wheel on their mobile development over the last 6-7 years and let RIM and Apple come in and essentially run them out of the mobile game.  With Apple’s “fenced in” strategy, many power users who resist that model were left with few viable options in the way of hand-held devices.  Google acknowledged this opportunity in 2005 by purchasing Android Inc.  It wasn’t until October of 2008 that we were able to purchase the first available Android device.  According to a report released by the NPD group, Android accounted for 33 precent of the smartphone sales last quarter.  For an operating system that was only released two years ago, that is an impressive figure to say the least.

Andy Rubin, vice president of Engineering at Google, was quoted recently as saying the following regarding WP7:

“I think the screen shots I’ve seen are interesting, but look, the world doesn’t need another platform. Android is free and open; I think the only reason you create another platform is for political reasons.”

Here’s the thing, Google may believe that they do no evil and wouldn’t try to monopolize the smartphone operating system industry, but they are a public company and the board of directors will do whatever they need to maximize profits for their shareholders.  Google needs competition the same way that Microsoft does.  Both companies have proven that without serious competition, neither do much to advance the quality of their products.  Two large examples: Google Maps and Microsoft ActiveSync.  Both are great pieces of technology that were created and mastered in the spirit of competition.

In short, I love my Android phone, but I know that it will be an even better platform now that Google has another viable competitor to try and trump in the market place.  Let the games begin!