Smartphone Thoughts: Three Reasons Why The Xperia Matters

The second reason is that Sony Ericsson now gets the same reach into businesses, as do for example Motorola and Samsung, by offering Windows-phones. Sony Ericsson is also likely to cover new grounds in North America with the new Windows-phone.

The third reason is that Microsoft finally has found what has long been looked for: a brand in Sony Ericsson’s class. From a Nordic perspective, more companies have standardized on Sony Ericsson as a brand than on Windows Mobile as a platform. Sony Ericsson will therefore be a door opener for Windows Mobile.

Back to the platform perspective. When I look beyond the horizon, I believe that the spot between Windows Mobile and Linux will be cold and narrow. With Nokia’s acquisition of the “Linux-in-the-phone”-company Trolltech, I question the long term future of Symbian. The new phone from Sony Ericsson and Microsoft is hopefully just the beginning of a successful relationship. I want to see more models, preferably with sportier designs now that the platform is in place. Sony Ericsson gets a new grip on businesses, better odds in North America. Microsoft gets a top maker and brand behind its platform. The rest of us get dreams fulfilled!

Andy Sjostrom is a principal consultant at Sogeti. He has more than ten years of experience in designing mobile solutions for large companies. He is the co-author of the book “Pocket PC Development in the Enterprise”, has contributed with numerous of technical articles for MSDN, and was awarded the MVP-award five times. Andy is one of the first contributing editors for Pocket PC Thoughts and is now a regular columnist for the largest IT-magazine in Sweden. You can also find him blogging at blog.wmdev.net and itentifierat.