Ever since Microsoft took the wraps off its next-generation mobile platform, "Windows Phone Series 7," in early 2010, I've been intrigued. Like webOS, Microsoft's operating system offered a fresh take on the smartphone user experience. When handsets finally started shipping ahead of the holidays last year, Windows Phone delivered: It was fresh, unique and a pleasure to use.
Windows Phone was quite clearly rushed. I can't really blame Microsoft for racing its new mobile platform out the door, since Windows Mobile had effectively been dead for quite some time. Android and iOS were crushing the market; Microsoft needed something to lure its vendor partners away from Android. And so Windows Phone 7 was born -- but almost immediately dropped off at the orphanage. Vendors didn't bother promoting the devices, carriers didn't bother, and even Microsoft fell oddly silent as its new platform was cast aside.
