Former Windows Phone general manager Charlie Kindel started a debate in the blogosphere today about why Windows has not grown as fast as Google Android. The primary argument that Kindel makes is that Google makes too many concessions with carriers and device manufacturers at the expense of end-users while Microsoft has a draconian approach with their hardware partners. Since the device manufacturers control the cost and strategy of marketing the devices, they have more of an incentive to promote Android phones. In my opinion, Kindel is right in some ways and wrong in some ways. Below is what Kindel wrote on his blog and I wrote my opinion about it below that:

After 21 years at Microsoft, Windows Phone general manager Charlie Kindel is leaving the company to launch a startup. GeekWire reports that his final missive to the Windows Phone team said, “I may stop using some Microsoft products now that I’m out of here. But not Windows Phone. The BEST product Microsoft has ever built.” Kindel isn’t revealing the nature of his next venture yet, but confirms that the company is angel funded and has “a great core team” and “a great idea.”