With the wide variety of platforms now available to phone manufacturers, the market for Windows Mobile has been slowly but surely diminishing over time. Can the OS survive the onslaught of RIM, Apple, and Nokia?

Introduction

When Apple launched the iPhone not too long ago, major ripples were sent through the market as people abandoned their mediocre Samsung or LG phone to get the new interactive experience. Not only has the iPhone taken a large bite out of the consumer market, but it has most certainly affected the smartphone market, as well. The most recent reports on Microsoft Window's mobile operating system show a meager 13.6% market share as of Q3, 2008.

Windows? Anyone?

Basically, the juggernaut Microsoft—while trimming the fat and making noticeable improvements to its offerings from a developer standpoint—has yet to truly meet all the demands of the average consumer market segment. Perhaps it is a part of their business strategy, but you really need a good reason to ignore a market segment so large.

What Windows wimped out on

Back around the year 2000, Microsoft launched a new product line branch based off of its Compact Edition kernel for use in PDAs and cell phones. This signaled the slow demise of the handheld PC era as consumer demand shifted to something even more portable and integrated. There was a simple transition of the <1MB kernel from one device to another, but the software was far from adapted to the newer platforms. The nomenclature also changed to match the release year (e.g. PocketPC 2002, etc.)

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Earlier versions did not support persistent memory so to avoid losing all data when a device is reset or a battery dies. The interface is still largely based on the "windows" concept that was first introduced by Xerox. This doesn't seem to work well when your screen size is about 2.5 inches in diagnal length. Fortunately, with the introduction of the Windows Mobile 5.0 OS, many of these issues have been addressed. However, the interface on the touch-screen devices is still sluggish and resource intensive, especially when the software is being placed on such small devices.
I am actually very satisfied with Windows Mobile in general, but that is largely because I care more about functionality than aesthetics (e.g. the fact that I bought a Samsung SCH-i760). There are also many benefits to Windows Mobile as is right now, but I won't get into that in this article (click here to read more on that).

Lost the battle, but can Windows win the war?

The blogosphere has been full of favorable reviews for the beta version of Windows 7 thus far. What hasn't been discussed in great detail is the new kernel that is to be released with this new desktop OS. It is called MinWin, and Microsoft developers have made a giant leap in stabilizing and refining this core software. Unlike other recent attempts to simplify the kernel, MinWin is an actual compartmentalized version of the Windows Kernel, meaning that it has no outside dependencies and can run the core components of Windows in a package smaller than 25 MB.
Speculation: An OS kernel of that size could easily fit in most devices these days. Why couldn't it replace the core of what is currently Windows Mobile? And then one could easily integrate a version of the X-Box display management system to create a truly wonderful interface that appeases functionality needs and aesthetic appeal with a much more efficient and robust implementation, thus reducing power draw, bugs, and security holes!

Take the awesome core

Add intuitive display management

And you could get one awesome phone!

Conclusion

If Microsoft plays their cards right, they are not out of the fight yet. Stayed tuned for official announcements on this...