Last week we talked about a couple of bold predictions for technology trends of 2011. There is one more bold prediction that we’d like to make that we intentionally reserved for its own blog. By the end of 2012, Windows® Phone 7 will be the second biggest Smartphone OS, in terms of units sold per month. Also, by the end of 2011, Windows Phone 7 will be the number 3 selling phone in terms of units per month.

I don’t mean to imply that the iPhone™ or Android™ are bad systems, but I do believe that Microsoft® has introduced a strong competitor to the mix and will take them on in the next 2 years. Microsoft has taken the best parts of both of these platforms and added in some of its own innovation to make a very remarkable platform for consumers, software application developers and corporate users.

A Developers Perspective on Windows Phone 7

• Microsoft wisely picked an approach that is more open than Apple® (allowing multiple phone manufactures and multiple carriers to make and support the phone), but less open than Android (locking down the hardware and restricting some of the APIs).

• Windows Phone 7 runs on an enterprise language. True BlackBerry® and Android also have this but there is no denying the number of mobile application developers who already know C# and Silverlight®. There is a smaller learning curve for developers on developing apps for the Windows Phone.

• It is an established development environment. The other platforms have differing development environments that often make enterprise programmers cringe!

A Consumer’s Perspective on Windows Phone 7

• The minimum hardware specs for the Windows Phone 7 is equal to the fastest phones on the market today, so Microsoft doesn’t have any backward compatibility issues at the moment. The phone is fast and well designed, this philosophy benefits the consumer.

• Amazing integration into Xbox and the desktop. Data from apps can be transferred in real time between devices so game play can be extended from the Xbox to the phone.

• Let me say again if you didn’t notice the word Xbox! Not sure anyone would claim that Apple has any strong hold in gaming and definitely not to the extent of Xbox. The ability to integrate with Xbox is huge.

A Corporate Perspective on Windows Phone 7

• Microsoft has plans to support companies who are interested in developing applications not just individual’s users – none of the current players have that and it has been years! Once Microsoft has finished building out its system for the end user it plans to shift its focus to businesses. This opens up app development in a new way providing for enterprise level applications targeted specifically at businesses and allows businesses to take the leap into app development.

• Good Integration with Microsoft back office servers and tools.

• Integration with cloud storage solutions

• Don’t take my word for it; check out the recent news release, "Dell is replacing 25,000 Blackberrys with Windows 7 Phone", by Pocketnow.com. They may also substitute in some Android phones as well.

I realize this is a bold prediction but all the components and signs point to success with Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 7 app development. Microsoft doesn’t want to lose this lucrative business. Microsoft doesn’t always get it right the first time but they are willing to fund their catch up efforts with billions of dollars. Feel free to leave your thoughts on Windows Phone 7 in the comments section below.