Microsoft Will Boost Windows Phone 7 User Base By Giving Free Handsets To Employees

In terms of mobile operating systems, Microsoft has been struggling to compete against the likes of Apple and Google. Clearly, Apple's iPhone OS and Google's Android OS have taken the market by storm and left Microsoft in the dust. Although the software giant plans to launch Windows Phone 7 in an effort to compete, some wonder if it will be too little, too late. Time will tell, but Microsoft has a plan in place to ensure a large number of users.

Recently, Microsoft revealed its plans to get Windows Phone 7 in the hands of a rather large user base. How will it do this? By giving a free Windows Phone 7 device to each of its employees—all 90,000+ of them. Clearly this will be an expensive undertaking, but what better way to make evangelists out of your employees than to give them a free, bleeding-edge device?

Before giving out these phones, Microsoft will most definitely want to be sure the device isn't too bulky or buggy, because not even its own employees will tolerate such a device for long. However, recent reports have shown Windows Phone 7 to be quite usable, even cool in many regards.

In a recent email to employees, Microsoft's Andy Lees explained that more information will come closer to launch:

With all the buzz, a lot of you are asking how you can get your hands on a phone and get more involved. So, I am thrilled to announce that a new Windows Phone 7 will be made available to every Microsoft employee as we launch in each market around the world. The process will vary based on your market, your carrier, and your launch date so stay tuned for more information closer to launch.