So far, one of the things that most smartphones have had in common has been that they’re relatively expensive when they first launch. Microsoft’s trying to buck that trend by releasing some new Windows Mobile-powered smartphones at under $100.
Currently, AT&T is selling the 3125 for $49 after $50 rebate and Microsoft has announced that "another phone will go on sale for less than $100 next month" according to MobileWhack.
Smart move, in my opinion, because it’s a good way to introduce people to your platform. Whether or not you can get them hooked is another story. If it works for the Zune, it might just work for Windows Mobile as well.
Microsoft Takes IPhone Challenge - Plans Under $100 Phones [MobileWhack]
i doubt that people will start using windows mobile. you can make the phones cheaper but the system still sucks. nothing bad against the phone itself…i have the 3125 and it’s really nice. the problem is that the software is to complicated for the average user. i have tons of cell phones and yet using windows mobile is always a pain in the butt for me. in order to get the mass majority to start using your product…you need to make it simple enough that the average person can figure things out quickly.
(my main gripe is the multi tasking…if you don’t close the programs out properly then it still runs in the background….before you know it the phone crashes or is not able to open up other programs. most people won’t be able to figure out how to use the task manager properly.)