Microsoft Adjusts Windows Phone 7 Name

Microsoft announces it will drop "Series" from the "Windows Phone 7 Series" name. The rechristened Windows Phone 7 is intended by Microsoft as a restart in the smartphone operating system arena, where the company has been losing market share for some time against fierce competitors such as Apple iPhone and Google Android. A recent survey from Appcelerator showed increased developer interest in the Windows Phone 7 platform. Microsoft has stated that it will continue to support its previous Windows Mobile franchise, even as it pushes increased resources toward promoting Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft dropped “Series” from the “Windows Phone 7 Series” moniker for its upcoming smartphone line, streamlining a name repeatedly derided by the media for being a mouthful. The announcement comes as developer interest in creating applications for the platform has increased, according to a recent Appcelerator survey.

An April 2 tweet on the Official Windows Phone Twitter Channel read: “Tis the season for Series finales. We’ve got one too—dropping the ‘Series’ and keeping the ‘Windows Phone 7.’ Done.”

Microsoft envisions Windows Phone 7 as a fresh start in the smartphone operating-system space, where it has been losing market share over several quarters in the face of fierce competition from the likes of Apple iPhone, Research In Motion’s BlackBerry and Google Android devices.