The Inquisitr is reporting that the Windows Phone 7 platform now has 25,000 apps. Not isn't bad at all for a mobile platform that is struggling to get above 2% of the mobile market share. On top of that, it is facing a new foe in HP's Web OS that just released its Touchpad tablet. Should Google worry with regards to Android.
iOS has a very loyal following and is growing on more platforms like Verizon Wireless and Android growth has slowed considerably. We should watch the rest of 2011 closely to see just how big of a threat WP7 and others are to Android. Remember, that Mango, the next Windows Phone update, promises to shake things up in the mobile market.
On top of that, a Taiwanese research outfit reckons WP7 could be catapulted to 17% of the market. Yes, from 2% to 17%. And consider how fast Android has risen, I don't want to dismiss this possibility should all Microsoft get all the right cards.
One thing to note is that Google isn't going to be standing still. Support behind WP7 is tepid at best and unless Microsoft's secret weapon, Nokia, takes everyone by surprise, I don't see how WP7 or WP8 next year can get anywhere near 17% of mobile sales.
Why? According to the report, WP7's gains will come largely at the expensive of RIM and Symbian. I don't buy that. I think iOS and, to some extent, Android, will gain a larger number of enterprise business. Everyone will continue to grow but some faster than others. And Microsoft's hold on enterprise isn't what it used to be.
One market that can make all the different in 2012 for WP7 will be BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Those are areas where Apple is weaker and Google has political issues with China.
Again, at the end of the day, a more powerful Microsoft in mobile is good for users in general.
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