What if Windows Phone had launched prior to the iPhone

As pointless as it may seem to think this way I couldn’t help but swap the release dates of the iPhone and Windows Phone 7, wandering if the roles would have changed. Apple released the iPhone in June of 2007 showing the world how simple design could get things done. Fast forward to November of 2010 and look at Windows Phone 7. While the interface is nothing alike you have to admit there is a striking resemblance on how they both launched. Each company taking a risk in bringing something new and innovative into the mobile smartphone market.

This brings us to the question at hand. Had Microsoft launched Windows Phone 7 back in June of 2007 would the roles be reversed now. Would iOS be playing catchup, serving mainly to the normal Apple niche users? If you recall the iPhone operating system, now known as iOS, launched without support for native third party applications. The driving force behind the platform was its innovative interface alongside the idea that you could carry one device to make phone calls, surf the web at blazingly slow speeds, and listen to your music on the integrated iPod. At the time iPods were in almost everyone’s pocket, frankly if you didn’t have one you were considered “old school”. Apple didn’t invent this but the made idea something that could be marketed towards everyone.

Windows Phone 7 launched with a good selection of applications, great hardware standards, and a simple interface that makes sense. It is rough around the edges but remember back in 2007 when the iPhone was released — it wasn’t perfect either. People tend to be pretty hard on Microsoft, well deserved in most cases, yet regarding Windows Phone 7 I feel they did something right just at the wrong time.

Honestly I doubt Windows Phone 7 would exist had iOS not made the impact it had on our industry. For just a minute or so put that aside and ask yourself – what if Windows Phone had launched prior to the iPhone? The floor is open for discussion.