Microsoft corporation unveiled their last effort to take down their arch rivals apple in the smartphone race. The Windows phone 7 was released last monday to encouraging reviews. There are a total of nine new phones in the lineup, made by manufacturers such as LG, samsung, HTC and dell. The phones come with colourful touch screens with “live tiles” with allow for easy access to email, phone, texts, and other applications, including Xbox live games which should be a huge incentive for the gamer market.

Windows has even recruited die hard Apple fan and British actor Stephen Fry to their side, and even got a praising of the product by the apple enthusiast. Of course the positive reviews and and abilities of the phone are one thing and don’t necessarily prove market success. There is considerable work for microsoft to complete in the way of marketing. They must get the cool factor in the phone in order to take a portion of the market away from Apple. As well they must steer way from their “business” like moniker and become more “fun” like rival Apple in order to connect the the younger market.

http://www.financialpost.com/news/Microsoft+phones+favourable+reaction/3654413/story.html

Loblaws announced Wednesday that it was expanding its cell phone carrier selection by five, in an attempt to combat other traditionally unconventional cell phone retailers. These other retailers include new addition Shoppers Drug Market who recently announced their intention to begin the sales of primarily Rogers communications cell phones in their stores after a successful pilot program in the Ottawa region.  As well The Source, owned by the Bell Canada, cheif rival of Rogers, hold a portion of the alternative retailer market. New additions to Loblaws cell phone line-up include Rogers, and subsiderary Fido. Until now Loblaws has only offered the carriers Bell, Solo moblie and Virgin. This is quite a smart move for Loblaws as Rogers is the largest cell phone provider in Canada and this can only improve revenue for Loblaws. As well it gives Loblaws a sense of neutrality in cell phone retail as The Source is owned by Bell Canada and hold a sense of bias towards Bell phones and plans. This neutrality puts Loblaws on par with other retailers such as Wirelesswave, which hold a higher customer satifaction due to their neutrality and interest on giving the best deal.

http://www.financialpost.com/news/Wireless+wars+spreads+grocery+aisles/3634023/story.html