Report: Microsoft “Pink” Phones Near Collapse
11:05 am, October 9th, 2009, Ed Sutherland

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.
[Via Electronista and AppleInsider]
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News, iPhone | Comment on this article
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Maybe Microsoft should just stick to what they’re good at: MAKINGS SOFTWARE (Xbox is the only exception.)
Landan, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:23 am
i had a sidekick 2 back in the day, and despite some growing pains was ahead of it’s time for what it could do (including an apps store, btw). it’s a shame microsoft didn’t take advantage of danger’s experience. i suspect their phones will be fail, much like the current incarnations of winmo.
firesign3000, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Why am I not surprised by this? Sounds like it has the usual Microsoft efficiency rating.
Nothing to see here; move along please…
Marky Mark, on October 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dang!
I keep trying to read the article, but all I can do is stare at that ugly-ass handset! O_O
@justbekky, on October 11th, 2009 at 12:43 am