[Windows Phone 7 General] RustyGrom:
Can we please just move on from the copy/paste argument? It's tired. Yes, it's nice to have but in reality it is rarely needed. Even so, Microsoft has promised an update to include it so it will come. Just not on launch day.

They aren't really trying to go after actual iPhone customers. They're going after the massive untapped market of people that are still using feature phones. Current iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and WM users are key however Microsoft is really going for the average joe that doesn't have a smartphone yet. By no means are they limiting themselves to that but that is where they are truly seeing an opportunity. With that being said, within each of the existing smartphone camps there are inadequacies that WP7 addresses that will be key to getting users to switch.

Android - Not all that user friendly and rather fragmented. It's just too confusing for people that don't care to join XDA or read the various Android/gadget blogs. The interface is lacking the polish that iPhone and WP7 has.

WM - A practically dead platform and not very user friendly. It's going to be decisision time for WM users. I expect the hardcore power users to go to Android, unless WP7 is hacked/jailbroken quickly. Microsoft fans go to WP7. Businesses to Blackberry or WP7, depending on their needs and the timing of MSFT getting better enterprise features rolled out.

Blackberry - Many companies and users have become disenchanted with Blackberry's outdated OS and lack of media features. Even the US military is trying to get iPhones or Android phones rolled out. But Blackberry will probably be the least affected by WP7, at least until WP7 gains better enterprise management and app distribution. Blackberry does have a significant non-business user base which is definitely a good opportunity for WP7. The very solid email client and devices with physical keyboards combined with all the media/gaming capability could really capture this segment.

iPhone - It was mentioned that 70% of iPhone 4 buyers are repeats. Well this can be explained rather easily. It just came out and is rather hard to come by. Who are the people that are willing to wait in line and/or fight the preorder mess to have one already? Fans. You're not going to put up with that if you're taking the risk of jumping to the unknown. That being said, Microsoft's opportunity here is AT&T and real keyboards. AT&T sucks and many people still prefer real keyboards, even current iPhone users. They just suck it up because their isn't much of an alternative. Android is definitely making good progress here but WP7 will should easily take over this segment. iPhone users value the "it just works" and the slick intergace. WP7 brings that. Also, many iPhone users understand the power of having a home and lock screen that actually has live information instead of just "73 and sunny". Not to mention an app store with transparent policies.

But you're right about needed to position it as something different than the iPhone. And luckily, Microsoft agrees! Look at their tagline... "A different kind of phone". That says it all right there.

The audience that wants to rip apart and customize their phone is rather slim. I think Microsoft is content with leaving that to Android, at least for now. Maybe they will be satisfied with "jailbreaking" WP7? Yes, it lacks a lot of the enterprise management features but those will be coming rather soon (I believe I read late 2010/early 2011).