While AT&T may be synonymous with “iPhone”, rumors of an impending end to AT&T’s iPhone exclusivity as well as the nearing of Windows Phone 7′s official release further bolster a new rumor circulating today. It goes something like this: AT&T has just put in and order for 8 million Windows Phone 7 devices. 8 million is a lot of hardware, especially for Microsoft’s mobile division. As of late, shipments of Windows Mobile handsets are at laughably low levels.
The tipoff over the buyout comes from Altimeter analyst Michael Gartenberg. Do take the news with a grain of salt for now however as again, 8 million handsets is a large gamble that AT&T may or may not actually be taking. Not to mention, there aren’t any other specifics such as the manufacturers of the supposed 8 million handset order nor are there any details as to if this is one time buy or a purchase that involves a years worth of orders. Not to mention, the fact that the rumor hedges solely on a single Tweet also calls some extra scrutiny into question…
So far, Windows Phone 7 has definitely proven to be drastically different than all previous versions of Microsoft’s mobile operating system. However, early comparisons against iOS and Android haven’t exactly shown off any killer, exclusive features save for the Xbox integration. Looks like another waiting game.
Looking at it in another light, such a large order of Microsoft handsets could signal that AT&T is stuffing their coffers with as much talent as possible with their iPhone exclusivity supposedly nearly its end — finally. Whataya think?
