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Microsoft clearly does not have focus on Windows Mobile at this point. The implementation of WM6 is bloated and slow and it does not adapt to new form factors well. Don't even get me started on the implementation of .Net CF...
Microsoft is stuck serving two masters here. On one hand they're trying to have a reasonable consistent user experience across a wide range of form factors so they end up getting stuck with a least common denominator UI which doesn't please anybody. On the other hand, they have to give enough flexibility to their OEMs to allow them to innovate which makes the first goal nearly impossible to do well.
I see Android having a problem with 3rd party applications once the form-factors start diverging. It's incredibly difficult to develop applications for a device with an unknown form-factor and have the application be of any value.
What Apple understands better than anybody is the need to be consistent. If the iPhone came in more than one form-factor, it would not be nearly as successful as it has been. Of course the very thing that makes the Apple/iPhone experience so compelling is also the thing that frustrates me the most...their iron grip over the platform and what applications are allowed.
I think Microsofts best option is to extend the already tightly controled Zune platform into the phone market. They clearly need more control over the user experience and over the form-factor to be successful.
That also brings up an interesting point. If Google is giving Android away for free, what is in it for them? Can we expect to see advertising on our handhelds at some point or is Google's intention to eliminate the other platforms. If it's the latter, I expect the Justice Department will be spending more time on Google/Apple in the future.
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