Will Windows Phone 7 end BlackBerry's enterprise dominance?
 

http://www.pdablast.com/images/articles/wp7b.jpgMicrosoft hasn't really jumped back into the smartphone game just yet (they technically never left, but Windows Mobile 6.5 seems ancient by now), and one writer seems to be betting that RIM has something to worry about.

Reggie Middleton, writing for Business Insider, believes that RIM is now a short play after seeing Windows Phone 7. He says, "I believe RIM is coming up short in the consumer space, and is losing technological advantage in the enterprise space."

Is he right? Well maybe, but it's not that easy. First of all Microsoft has missed an entire cycle in the smartphone world so they have some catching up to do. Those companies who already have a large stable of BlackBerry users are not just going to switch over. In an effort to go after Apple and Google Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 offering seems much more consumer driven so it's doubtful it will be competitive in the enterprise space. Microsoft will surely develop more in the enterprise space but that will take another year or two.

Mr. Middleton argues that Microsoft's smartphones will be extensions of Exchange/Sharepoint/Windows/Office servers and that's true. But, other companies including RIM can interact with Exchange so it may not be compelling enough to switch to a Microsoft handset right away.

As time goes on I think Microsoft will start taking their share of the market and five years from now they could be in the lead, but it's just way too early to tell.

Let's check back next spring and see what kind of momentum Microsoft has with Windows Phone 7. We'll have a better feel for things then.

Yawn.

Rim is staying here because of Security, Corporate accounts, email and BBM (plus a fear of switching). Droid is hear to stay because the power of google and the customization of the operating system. Apple is hear because of the media platform, apps platform, the hype, and the sleekness of their devices.

This is a world where windows can no longer compete. It's cheaper and easier to build a device for the Droid platform than anything else.

Will it give me complte remote control over the phone? will it give me end-to-end encryption? Will the phone be impossible to hack?

No to any of these will doom it in the large corporate and government world.

And Microsoft's credibility in the Smartphone area is nil. Let's see what this one has to offer before announcing the death of RIM.

Doubtful

Microsoft may be in the competition for first time users and those with no bad memories; but like NJ says, there are many who do have memories. I know I can't imagine anything that would make me want to use windows mobile again, and certainly not instead of BlackBerry.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

A large amount of first time users rely on word of mouth for advice. They almost always end up with a device that was recommended to them by their friends. (usually BlackBerry or iPhone)

Leaders come and go. Those saying that BB can't be supplanted as the leader in Enterprise are foolish and nieve.

Right - I saw today that Androids sold more than BlackBerrys and (GASP - someone make sure Argon is OK) iPhones. OMG!

Just make sure you hold it the right way.

You forget, I'm an Android user now. Ended up bringing back the Aria and got the Captavate instead. So far I'm loving it.

Different devices for different people for different uses. what works for one, doesn't work for another.

There is a space for all, I think. We shall see how it shakes out over time.

I have the Vibrant. Love the phone, not the battery life.
And 2.2 would be nice...

Battery life is bad, agreed. 2.2 is coming for the Captavate soon, so I'm sure the Vibrant and the rest of the Galaxy S series as well.

I am REALLY trying to stick with this. The UI is nice, a bit laggy. I miss Office Communicator a lot. But the battery is killing me. I ordered some spare batteries and an external charger but this is getting tough to use...

I've had the e-mail client crash a couple of times, and the MSN Messenger client (there are several) is pretty bad.

I will be ok with BB as long as its task oriented and its for organizing your life and not to listen music and stare at it because it looks so cool. BB serves my reasons with supplement NOKIA E73 for call/talk/gossips.

Android is still a work in progress. As it's popularity continues to grow, I think we will see better and better apps. Battery life aside, I'm pretty happy with it and am probably going to stick with it until I see something better I like.

Definitely a work in progress. I'll try it again when Froyo comes out for the Samsung Galaxy S phones... Hopefully that will help with the battery. Apps aren't the end game for me, and for now, I'm back to the 9700.

I can't wait for FroYo on my Legend so I can have a real password! This pattern scheiß is silly.

What? You don't like the childlike Pattern Lock?