Wayback Wednesday #5: A Rocky Start for the Windows Mobile Smartphone OS
Here's a piece of history that's sure to provoke the smugness of hindsight. Back in 2002, when Microsoft was just entering the smartphone market, the Windows Mobile Smartphone edition of course lacked the clout it enjoys today.
Wired News expressed understandable skepticism of Microsoft's smartphone fortunes when it reported that Sendo dropped plans to release a Windows Mobile smartphone, just days before its launch. The manufacturer decided instead to partner with Nokia. The interesting website Smartphone History mentions double-dealing; apparently Sendo sued Microsoft for leaking development information to a relatively unknown company: HTC.
Because of this, the world never saw the Sendo Z100, a device Smartphone History considers the first true Windows Smartphone. Microsoft's Avenger used a black-and-white screen and was a prototype never meant for release. Despite Microsoft's seemingly suspect conduct during the entire affair, one of their managers expressed shock at Sendo's decision.
However, history only judges results. Sendo's destiny was to enter administration (i.e., cease any form of business) back in 2005. Motorola purchased its technology. Windows Mobile Smartphone, despite claiming only 10% market share, is by far
