Report: Microsoft “Pink” Phones Near Collapse

Microsoft’s “Pink” phones, a Zune-like response to Apple’s iPhone, is on the verge of collapse, as the company ignores advice coming from the increasingly disgruntled team of Danger employees. The key mistake, according to leaks is the software giant’s demanding a firewall between the Pink program (also known as the Zune Phone) and Windows Mobile and Zune projects.

According to AppleInsider, Microsoft’s isolation of the Danger team prevented the engineers and others to pass along lessons learned while developing Danger’s Sidekick. Since acquiring the smartphone maker in 2008, Microsoft has seen most of the Danger team either be fired or walk.

As a result, Microsoft made several mistakes, including adding DCMA/EVDO and UMTS/HSPA for the Pure and Turtle without understanding supporting both required two different antennas and chipsets. Another gaffe: asking Sharp to build the phones based simply on concepts, as well as using an outside firm to develop the interface. Because of the problems, the “Pink” project is up to two years behind schedule.

For the Turtle (pictured), the Microsoft goof-ups included basic design flaws such as making the touchscreen so small to be easily obscured and a miniscule battery lifespan.

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[Via Electronista and AppleInsider]

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