The mystery known as Windows Phone 7 device sales has finally moved out of the shadows of uncertainty. Using the powers of integrated Facebook app installation data, we are now confident that there are at least 135,000 active Windows Phone 7 devices in existence.
Up until today the closest we’ve ever come to Windows Phone 7 sales data was a market research source saying 40,000 units were sold in the US. Neither official nor confirmed, the sales data was questionable so we’ve really been hunting for a source to track down some concrete data.
We’ll admit, Facebook seems like an unlikely source, but given the accuracy of their “Monthly Active Users” we can confirm 135,134 Windows Phone users used the Facebook app on November 28. Granted, there could be plenty more Windows Phone 7 owners out there who have decided not to use Facebook, but we can assume the majority will and as a result we now have a minimum install base.
Before we go jumping the gun and forming detailed analysis based on this sales data it’s good to put Windows Phone 7 into some perspective. The $500 million advertising budget is a gradual push, Microsoft did not break the bank on day one, but instead opted for an incremental approach. As we reach the New Year, expect Windows Phone 7 advertising to increase rapidly and continue throughout 2011.
Windows Phone 7 was the first in many steps to help Microsoft return as a viable alternative in the smartphone landscape. The first generation devices are only a sampling of what platform has to offer — I mean, we don’t even have copy & paste or multi-tasking yet. For now, take the 135,134 device sales with a grain of salt.
There could be plenty more Windows Phone 7 devices roaming the globe, but using the low end of the Facebook App is a safe bet. We’ve given you the data, now it’s time for you to tell us what you think. Should Microsoft be worried about the number of sales? Is 135,134 more or less than you expected? Let us know!
via WMPoweruser
