Executives from Verizon and Motorola gives thumbs-down to Windows Phone 7

16 February 2011-10: 58

Two of the most important players in the mobile industry, Verizon and Motorola, have essentially called Windows Phone 7 a failure with a Verizon exec going as far as saying that the deal Nokia won't help the struggling smartphone platform. This is clearly not what Microsoft hoped when Windows Phone 7 launched to great fanfare late last year.

Instructions to both managers were surprisingly smooth. Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer Tony Melone told CNet during an interview at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which in addition to Android and iPhone:

"I want a strong third OS out there. It gives carriers more flexibility and balances the interests of all parties. But I still have doubts whether Microsoft will gain traction, as they are for the hope with Windows Phone 7. "

Melon was equally unimpressed with the Nokia-Microsoft deal, explaining:

"If you look at our device pipeline for 2011, we have very strong relationships with LG, Samsung, Motorola, HTC, and now Apple. So I think it would take a really interesting device from Nokia or any new vendor to break in. This does not mean that it can't happen, but that would be really good. "

So give one last twist the knife, he added:

"I don't think Verizon needs the relationship of Nokia and Microsoft. OS right now the three players we see on our network are Android, Apple and RIM.

Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of product management for Motorola software and services, also weighed in on Windows 7 phone at Mobile World Congress and had only bad things to say. Wyatt, Motorola said that initially was considering Windows Phone 7 as a platform for its mobile phones, and Android. But Motorola chose not to do so. Here's what he said, according to the IDG News Service:

"There were a lot of things that we believed on Microsoft that ended up not being true, especially on what functionality would have in what period of time."

In addition, Windows Phone 7 was delayed for so long that Motorola has decided to use Android only and Windows Phone 7 bypass. Wyatt also said that Motorola favorite Android on Windows Phone 7 because Android is open source, while producers can customize Windows Phone 7:

"We would like the opportunity to create unique value and we feel that we could with a closed platform."

Clearly, Microsoft still has a climb with Windows Phone 7. And Verizon is underwhelmed by the arrangement of Nokia doesn't help. Still, the deal with Nokia is the best attempt by Microsoft to help his struggling smartphone platform. If Verizon is to be believed, will not be enough, but only time will tell.