We’ve been negative about Windows Phone 7’s current commercial outlook over the past several weeks as sales data has been scarce, and we have not heard a peep that pointed to things leaning in a positive direction.
However, today, new data has come forth from Millennial Media that might indicate that we have been a touch too antagonistic. According to the company, ad impressions on the Windows Phone 7 platform grew 31% in the last quarter.
That number compares to an 18% growth rate on the iOS platform, and 11% on Android during the same period.
Of course, as Windows Phone 7 is a speck compared to both of those mobile lines, that it managed to outgrow them on a percentage basis is hardly surprising. But what is interesting is the total percentage growth that Windows Phone 7 managed to book, even after you discount the number to account for any number of influencing factors. Even a 25% growth rate implies that hundreds of thousands of WP7 devices are being moved monthly (based off of previously reported sales data), a rate that pales compared to the competition, but is certainly a high enough sales volume to keep the platform alive at least until Mango is released.
In other words, Windows Phone 7 is not dead.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
Ballmer might be content to say that sales are still “small,” and he is right, but at least we can now safely say that Windows Phone 7 has managed to settle to a volume position that is sustainable into the future. Now the real challenge begins: How does Microsoft get total sales up?
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.