Hey there readers, and welcome to the inaugural edition of WPD Bits! We're still working on the concept and the name, so recommend some better ideas if you have any in the comments. To sum it up, this will become a weekly post where you can find all of the stories we didn't talk about summarized and discussed.
For our first week ending July 21, 2012, we'll be talking about Lumia sales growing faster than the iPhone, leaked Windows 8 RTM screenshots, and former Clinton strategist Mark Penn joining Microsoft as a Corporate VP of Strategic Projects.
Jam in that Konami Code all you want, but the real button-mashing fun is after the break.
Strategy Analytics: Nokia Lumia sales outpace iPhone and Samsung in first stretch of life cycle
It's weird to think that Windows Phone was actually outselling the two big kahunas of the smartphone world, but it's true...if you rewind to their own respective launches, that is. Strategy Analytics has pointed out that in the first three financial quarters of each product's life cycle, sales of Nokia's Lumia handset has actually grown faster. The iPhone's launch in 2007 amassed 3.7 million units in the first three quarters, Samsung's Android phones sold 1.3 million units in 2009, and finally Nokia's Lumia handsets have sold 4 million units as of Q2 2012. [ Via: BGR ]
Windows 8 screenshots leaked from RTM build
Windows 8 finally received its official release date this week, and once we learned that it was inevitable that details would surface about the final version of the new operating system. WinUnleaked got their hands on screenshots from the RTM (release-to-manufacturers) build of Windows 8, and they reveal a lot of finishing touches. The boot screen has been changed to show off the new logo (seen above), there's a new color picker for the now Aero-less Windows desktop, a tweaked look for Internet Explorer 10's tabs, and the standard array of stock wallpapers and themes. [ Via: Neowin / Source: WinUnleaked ]
Microsoft hires former Clinton adviser Mark Penn as Corporate VP of Strategic and Special Projects
2012 is undeniably Microsoft's biggest year for product launches since...ever. There's a lot at stake with Windows 8 hitting stores in October, Windows Phone 8 expected in November, and now Office 2013 on its way this year. So Microsoft pretty much has to get its marketing right the first time if it hopes to get any traction in all of these product categories. That's where recently-hired Corporate VP of Strategic and Special Projects, Mark Penn, comes in to the picture. When Microsoft made the announcement of the hire earlier last week, the company said Penn would play a significant role developing "key consumer initiatives and related marketing efforts".
CNET did some research into Penn, who was a former adviser to both Bill and Hilary Clinton's political careers, and he could end up being the key difference-maker for Microsoft's marketing this year. This guy along with the Verizon "Can you hear me now?" genius, Thom Gruhler, will hopefully turn Microsoft's marketing efforts into something more widely appealing without feeling out of touch. [ Via: CNET / Source: Microsoft ]
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