Three Reasons Why The Xperia Matters

This guest column is written by ex-Pocket PC Thoughts Contributing Editor Andreas Sjostrom.

Last spring I wrote, in my monthly IDG column, about my dream device and explained why I wanted Sony Ericsson and Microsoft making it. With the new Xperia X1 my dream come true and here are my three reasons to why the partnership is really exciting.

The first reason is that the partnership strengthens an ongoing platform trend on the market. Google chose not to announce a phone, but a platform and this is an example of what is happening. More market players focus on the mobile phone platform. The Symbian companies with Nokia in the lead and the Windows Mobile-makers with Microsoft behind the scenes have focused on the choice of platform for many years, but not until now we see the critical mass awakening.

As a system architect and developer I appreciate the overall perspective in Microsoft's .NET-platform and how well Windows Mobile fits into companies' infrastructure. It has been important explaining the relevance of a unified platform, from server, desktops, the web and all the way out to the phones. This challenge has been made easier to manage during the last six months when what is under the hood is in focus. Beyond megapixels, FM-radios and 3G.

The phones that Sony Ericsson has positioned on the business phone market is primarily based on Symbian and this is likely to continue. With the company's new phone they broaden the product portfolio not only with a new model but with a new platform!

The second reason is that Sony Ericsson now gets the same reach into businesses, as do for example Motorola and Samsung, by offering Windows-phones. Sony Ericsson is also likely to cover new grounds in North America with the new Windows-phone.

The third reason is that Microsoft finally has found what has long been looked for: a brand in Sony Ericsson's class. From a Nordic perspective, more companies have standardized on Sony Ericsson as a brand than on Windows Mobile as a platform. Sony Ericsson will therefore be a door opener for Windows Mobile.

Back to the platform perspective. When I look beyond the horizon, I believe that the spot between Windows Mobile and Linux will be cold and narrow. With Nokia's acquisition of the "Linux-in-the-phone"-company Trolltech, I question the long term future of Symbian.

The new phone from Sony Ericsson and Microsoft is hopefully just the beginning of a successful relationship. I want to see more models, preferably with sportier designs now that the platform is in place. Sony Ericsson gets a new grip on businesses, better odds in North America. Microsoft gets a top maker and brand behind its platform. The rest of us get dreams fulfilled!

Andy Sjostrom is a principal consultant at Sogeti. He has more than ten years of experience in designing mobile solutions for large companies. He is the co-author of the book "Pocket PC Development in the Enterprise", has contributed with numerous of technical articles for MSDN, and was awarded the MVP-award five times. Andy is one of the first contributing editors for Pocket PC Thoughts and is now a regular columnist for the largest IT-magazine in Sweden. You can also find him blogging at blog.wmdev.net and itentifierat.