Microsoft revealed its new version of the smartphone operating system, called ‘Windows Phone,’ which seemingly failed to draw attention from consumers and OEM manufacturers.

As major partners of Microsoft’s smartphone OS, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics do not seem excited about the new platform. High officials from both companies think the Windows Phone, formerly known as Windows Mobile 6.5, is an interim step for Windows Mobile 7, which is scheduled to be introduced in the second half of next year. “Windows Mobile 6.5 may not to seize market’s attention,” one of LG high official recently said to SmartphoneNow (http://smartphonenow.kr), the smartphone related news channel.

Samsung, of course, has announced it will release some smartphones, which will use the Windows Phone OS, such as ‘Armani Smartphone, in the global market; however, the company decided to launch its Windows Mobile 6.1 based smartphone, ‘T-Omina II’ in local markets in this month. A Samsung official said to local media, “there are no big differences between Windows Mobile 6.1 and Windows Phone, so we decided to release ‘T Omnia II’ with an older version of Microsoft’s operating system.” ‘T Omnia II,’ a variation of Omina II for the global market, is a succession of ‘T Omnia,’ which was one of most expensive smartphones in Korea.

While Microsoft has been slowly losing market share over the years, Windows Mobile 6.5 is Microsoft’s best hope of slowing the defectors, market research firm In-Stat said. Users may wait for a Microsoft PC OS update, not a mobile operating system. Even for a giant like Microsoft, it will be difficult to rebound as the smartphone OS market heats up, In-Stat said.

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