In an interview with Pocket-Lint, LG went on the record to state that it is disappointed in the initial sales of its Windows Phone 7 handsets. James Choi, marketing strategy and planning team director of LG Electronics Global, stated plainly that,
“From an industry perspective we had a high expectation, but from a consumer point of view the visibility is less than we expected”
This does not bode well for the early sales figures of Windows Phone handsets. Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed that is has shipped over one million WP7 handsets, but that figure was the number that came out Asian factories and not the number that landed into the hands of the consumers.
LG looked to Windows Phone 7 as an alternative to Android. Android has the unfortunate perception of being complicated to setup and maintain, while Windows Phone is regarded as intuitive and easy to use. Choi said to Pocket-Lint,
“LG has been closely collaborating with Microsoft from the beginning. What we feel is that it is absolutely perfect for a huge segment out there. What we feel is that some people believe that some operating systems, mainly Google, are extremely complicated for them. But Windows Phone 7 is very intuitive and easy to use.”
Despite this less than stellar start, LG remains committed to Microsoft’s mobile platform. The Korean manufacturer is weighted heavily on the Android side with offerings like the Optimus 2X and the Revolution.
Windows Phone 7 gives LG the opportunity to balance out its handset lineup. Choi confirms this dedication to a well-rounded portfolio when he says, “There is a need and demand from the operators saying there is too much ‘Android’ in the portfolio. In that sense LG always tries to balance our portfolio, and that’s not just in sense of hardware but OSes as well”
In the end, LG is willing to give Windows Phone 7 a shot and is hopeful that the mobile operating system can take off when mid-level handsets can be produced for the platform. Currently, Microsoft has a hardware standard that requires manufacturers to produce handsets with high-end specs. If Microsoft eases these requirements and lets manufacturers tap the mid-level market, then LG may look more favorably upon Microsoft’s mobile OS.
[Via Pocket-Lint]