At an event in Hong Kong, Michael Dell reportedly mentioned that it was easier to make a Windows Phone 7 handset than it was to work with Android. Though Dell is still relatively new to the smartphone game, they have cranked out the Dell Streak and the Venue Pro, so they know something about either platform. Particulars of the quote have been removed from the original Reuters article, so it seems like there has been a redaction of some kind. I wouldn’t imagine Dell wants to burn any bridges with Google.
Presuming Dell actually leans towards Windows Phone, that would be quite the endorsement for Microsoft’s burgeoning mobile platform. We’ve seen plenty of the OS in action from the end-user standpoint, and Microsoft certainly managed to rope in lots of partners for the Windows Phone launch last month, but we have yet to gauge interest on any comparative level. If Android has managed to get where it is so far thanks to help from outside manufacturers, and Windows Phone can appeal to those same manufacturers better than Android can, Microsoft may have a chance at being a serious contender in the long run (or at least wrestling its way out of last place from webOS).
[via Engadget]