Over the last couple of years, a few leaders in mobile technology and development have emerged—and Microsoft has not been one of them.  But according to reports from the corporate campus in Redmond, this is a trend that Microsoft is anxious to change with the new Windows Phone 7.  Microsoft announced the new Windows Phone 7 at a press event last month, where they revealed new handsets from Samsung, LG and HTC, in addition to the revamped and refined Windows mobile operating system. WhileMicrosoft’s fresh foray into the mobile market seems to have energized proceedings in Redmond (a fake funeral for iPhone and Android devices was recently staged at their campus), no amount of hype will compensate for an absence of value this time around; tech writers are forecasting that this could be Microsoft’s last chance to get it right.

This shouldn’t really come as a great surprise, however, when you consider Microsoft’s former attempts to create an original and functional mobile operating system that actually appeals to consumers and developers.  After releasing several highly unsuccessful versions of the Windows Phone Series Software, Microsoft finally recognized that generating sales would require them to rethink the software game—and overhaul the interface, functionality and performance of their current technology.  Trumped successively by Apple and Android, the Windows Phone Series operating system appealed most to business users, but in reaching this market segment, faced fierce competition from BlackBerry.  But no matter how disappointing Windows Phone Series was, that flop seems trivial in comparison to the utter disaster that was the (blink and you missed it) Microsoft Kin.  The Kin, a social networking phone aimed to enchant younger audiences was pulled off the market after just 3 months, and reportedly sold just 503 copies. Ouch.  We aren’t sure whose idea the Kin was, but we’re pretty sure they’re not working for Microsoft anymore.

In any case, given the history of the Windows mobile software, it isn’t hard to believe that this could be Microsoft’s last chance to get the Windows smartphone right.  As the competition between Apple, Android and BlackBerry intensifies, if Microsoft doesn’t at least get their foot in the door with this release, the former software pioneer could get left in the dust when it comes to securing mobile OS market share going forward.

Whether or not Windows scores a success with the new OS, the stakes are high for Microsoft, especially if this is, as some are speculating, their last chance to break into the already highly competitive mobile market.  To draw consumers in, it’s essential for them to break away from the bland, uber-corporate image they have projected for the last ten years.  If Microsoft does rise to the challenge, they stand to gain a huge boost from consumers, which could conceivably help the former pioneer re-enter the mobile software competition—but that’s a BIG if.