Ben Rudolph of Microsoft launched an interesting campaign last night on Twitter and he is giving away five Windows Phone smartphones to five Android users with the most misfortune using Google’s mobile operating system. Users need to tweet him their ultimate story of #droidrage, a hashtag that has now gone viral.
The main reason for the campaign is the growing concern of malware on Android thanks to its “open” app ecosystem, as opposed to iOS and Windows Phone’s “closed” strategy. Rudolph cites a report from ComputerWorld that Google recently removed 22 more malicious Android apps from the Market. This isn’t the first time we’re hearing of malware either. In November, Juniper Global Threat Center revealed that malware on Android skyrocketed up 472 percent in only four months. McAfee reported similarly bad news that same month stating nearly all mobile malware is targeted directly at Android.
Sure enough, the #droidrage stories are pouring in. Twitter user @TreSupreme tweeted “(shamefully admitting) I fell for the Cut the Rope SMS exploit, they got me for $352.26. #droidrage #windowsphone #androidsucks” while @JWeltchek told Rudolph “I’ve had to flash my Android phone twice because of malware. Not to mention the fragmentation issues + battery life. #droidrage.” These are just two of hundreds of Android rants showing up on Twitter in realtime.
The contest should end within a few hours, so if you’re an unhappy Android user, be sure to send Ben Rudolph your intense feelings of remorse for a chance to win a hot Windows Phone device.