Despite my earlier grumblings about Microsoft’s strategy in light of new competition, the firm remains confident in its smartphone marketshare–even optimistic. I hope that it is true as I am still committed to the expandability and options of Windows Mobile. Reports on InfoWorld state that Microsoft is predicting 40% marketshare by 2012.

Worldwide last year, Symbian took 67% marketshare while Microsoft came in second with 13% followed by RIM with 10% of worldwide users adopting BlackBerry devices.

Do you think this can happen? If Microsoft continues to innovate and hardware partners continue to churn out more consumer-centric devices with better cameras, better battery life, and more intuitive overlays, like the T-Mobile Shadow’s homescreen, then I think this can be a reality. Microsoft had previously gunned for Palm in the handheld space before and achieved its goal.