We all remember a few years ago there were all kinds of rumors about Microsoft working on an iPhone killer. Let’s not forget that Microsoft did try to kill the iPod by introducing Zune 1.0 way ahead of time. Of course, that launch was a disaster, and Microsoft Zune never bounced back from it. Afterward, Microsoft officials denied having any plans to make an iPhone killer and talked about how the iPhone was overrated. But you could just tell Microsoft wouldn’t sit around and watch Apple dominate the mobile industry. So it’s no surprise that the company is back in the business of killing Apple products.

According to various sources, Microsoft is working on a multimedia device (codename Pink) that will finally put iPhone in its place or so Microsoft officials believe. Motorola is one of the main contenders to make the Microsoft Pink. Samsung and HTC are also competing for this project. To make matters worse, Verizon is throwing its hat into the ring to back a device it believes could challenge the iPhone. At this point, it is not known whether the “advanced talks” between Verizon and Apple officials have collapsed, but Verizon is still desperate to have an “iPhone-like” device.

I would love to see a phone that can put up a decent challenge against the iPhone. But as with other Microsoft products, Microsoft Pink will probably fall short in its mission to become the next iPhone killer. The iPhone is not built on only one pillar of strength. It is going to take something special from Microsoft to overcome the iPhone’s numerous layers of strength. Something tells me the Pink will not be that special.

Your take: can Microsoft finally put an end to the iPhone era? Will Microsoft Pink at least grab the No. 2 position behind  iPhone?

Via ZuneScene

It’s surprising to hear from a company such as Microsoft that is not afraid to get into any business. There have been rumors for some time now about Microsoft possibly upgrading the Zune and making a phone out of it. But a lot of those discussions were contingent on Zune’s success in the market place. We all know that Microsoft doesn’t give up easily but could they really be conceding the fight to Apple?

I just don’t buy it. I know Steve Ballmer believes that the Zune is a better device than the iPod (and if he doesn’t believe it he puts a confident front forward). So the next logical step (“Microsoftian” logic) is to create a phone built upon Zune platform, and that will surely be better than the iPhone, right? Only Microsoft knows the answer to this dilemma. I thought the iPod killed Zune every time they went head to head, and the Touch is just in another world. Zune 3 or Zune Phone looks like an impressive device but it won’t dethrone the iPhone.

Your take: will Microsoft give up the fight for dominance in the smartphone market?

iPhone is now officially a multi-award winner. It seems Apple maniacs are not the only ones that are in love with the shiny iPhone. ClickZ announced a few days ago that iPhone is the mobile product/service of the year 2007. iPhone managed to beat the fancy Enpocket to get the award. But that wasn’t all. iPhone was named the invention of the year by Time magazine. In the end there were no surprised here. Apple is a truly innovative company as it focuses on customers’ needs and gives them features that they unconsciously want. Apple has truly mastered the art of innovation. A design-oriented approach has allowed Apple to make rarity out of commodity and at the same time provide the best value to its customers. Unlike other companies that build products and then try to match it with their customers, Apple builds products with its customers in mind. Apple iPhone is the innovation of the year because of its iPhoneness: it’s customer-centric design, its intuitive and convenient features. Apple has been able to keep up its innovative ways for quite some time now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if iPhone won a few more awards by the time this year is out. Take that Zune!

It’s must be a strange feeling for Apple to be the target of this-killer, that-killer. iPod comes out and all companies around the world including Microsoft want to come out with iPod killer. Then iPhone came out, and Verizon, Microsoft, and Sprint launched their own iPhone killers and failed. Poor Microsoft now has to deal with iPod touch though to tell you the truth Zune 6.0 may have a good chance of killing iPod Tourch 1.0. Well, brace yourself for a wave of iPhone killers that are coming out later today. Verizon is planning multiple iPhone killers, and others will soon follow. But somebody needs to tell these guys that you don’t kill a product by imitating every feature of it. You become it if you take all its features and just change its color around!