Notes From The Cave

On October 6, 2009 there were two major news items relating to mobile computing, the official availability of Windows Mobile 6.5 and the announcement that Verizon will be selling phones running Google’s Android operating system. What struck me about these announcements is the stark contrast in the two directions of the two platforms. The Verizon and Google announcement is absolutely huge for one reason, marketing. Meanwhile, the Windows Mobile 6.5 launch is absolutely disappointing in the little amount of change that has occurred since Windows Mobile first launched in 2006. Stood side by side, Google appears as the company that has been developing mobile devices for more than a decade, where Microsoft appears as the company struggling to figure out what to do from its first launch a little more than a year ago. Sadly, the reality is that Microsoft is the company that has been in the mobile market for more than a decade, and Google is the young upstart schooling Microsoft.

I do not think enough has been written about the significance of Verizon’s partnership with Google, for evidence of the significance all one has to do is watch this advertisement. Verizon stands heads and shoulders above all their competitors in marketing. Almost anyone in the U.S. knows that Verizon has the best mobile network in the country thanks to the “Can You Hear Me Now” commercials in the various forms. Clearly, Verizon has taken aim at Apple and AT&T by using their marketing muscle to pit Android against iPhone, and it’s network against AT&Ts. Second only to delivering a great product, marketing is crucial to selling more devices and increasing market share, and say what you want about them, you have to admit that Verizon seems to know marketing.