Samsung marketing executive exits to head up Windows Phone team

KOREAN PHONE MAKER Samsung has lost a senior executive to Microsoft's Windows Phone.

According to BGR, Samsung's VP of consumer and enterprise services, Gavin Kim is taking on the role of general manager of the Windows Phone team.

Kim told BGR he would set the future direction for the Windows Phone platform and "accelerate Microsoft's trajectory to win the hearts and minds of consumers, carriers, device manufacturers, developers and partners".

Kim is credited with helping launch Samsung's Galaxy S II smartphone and the Korean firm's Galaxy range of tablets.

He said that Windows Phone users are already fans of the mobile operating system, which Microsoft recently updated to Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, and that he would spread the message more widely. From the sound of this, we expect that Kim will be gunning to get the operating system more than its present two per cent market share.

Kim said, "Each time a consumer goes to buy a smartphone from a carrier or retail store, Windows Phone has to be on their short list. And, with the Windows Phone 7.5 release, I think Microsoft is closing the gap rapidly and removing all doubt about their place in mobile."

The INQUIRER has tried Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, and while it isn't bad, it's also not exactly a clear Iphone or Android killer. Microsoft and now Kim have their work cut out for them to push it out to vendors and consumers. µ