Everyone that's talked to me in the past knows that I have wanted Microsoft to take bolder steps in moving towards the consumer mobile space. While I believe the company has developed compelling solutions targeted at the enterprise and business customers, I have always believed the action is in the consumer space. At the World Mobile Congress on Monday in Barcelona, Microsoft finally made the bold move I have been patiently waiting for.
Earlier in the day Monday, there was a lot of anticipation, talk and buzz around Google's Android platform. Googles Open Handset Alliance demonstrated prototypes of Android in action. However, most of that buzz subsided when folks when folks saw the actual prototypes. The devices displayed were really boring and unremarkable - quite uninteresting devices showing Google search, maps and mail (yawn). Interest seemed to fade as folks realized any immediate Google offering will not mount a serious challenge to the iPhone.
Well all that buzz and excitement quickly switched over to Microsoft with the surprise announcement of the acquisition of Danger, a mobile software company best known for its SideKick product. Interestingly enough, this product was co-founded by Andy Rubin, who is now running Googles mobile phone initiative.
Danger's SideKick which is sold by T-Mobile is widely considered to be one of the best designed mobile phones for web applications. Robbie Bach, Microsoft's president of entertainment and devices said at the conference - "It completes the picture for us in terms of making the transition from just - being on the business side of things to being on the consumer side of things."
Danger's gadget "Sidekick", is also known as "Hiptop" has been very popular among the younger generation and allows users to stay organized, keep in touch with friends, keep up to date with the latest through real-time mobile messaging, social networking services, and other applications. Applications on 'Danger'-powered handsets include HTML Web browsing, instant messaging, games, multimedia, social networking, Web email, and personal information management applications.
With this new acquisition and with Silverlight for mobile coming down the pipe, I now believe the company is on track to provide compelling solutions for consumers. With Silverlight's ability to go cross platform, I believe the only way is UP for Microsoft.
