Despite being out for over a year now, Windows Phone still struggles to pick up the market share Microsoft would undoubtedly like to see the platform have. One challenge the company continues to face is how to introduce potential new users to all the operating system has to offer; there’s probably a good chance that many current iPhone and Android users have never picked up a Windows Phone device to really play with it and see how it works. Microsoft is hoping to lower the bar on that barrier to entry, making it easier than ever for users of other smartphones to see what WP7 has to offer with the introduction of a web-based simulator.

The demo supports iPhone and Android browsers; we haven’t heard specifically about how well it might work on other platforms, if at all. Navigate over to the site on a compatible phone, and you’ll be faced with an interactive version of a Windows Phone device, letting you swipe, explore, and see if Metro might be to your liking after-all.

Admittedly, this effort doesn’t go anywhere near as deep as a real hands-on experience with a Windows Phone handset, but if it entices just some users enough to actually make it down to their local retailer and check out some of the phones for themselves, then Microsoft has accomplished its mission.

Demo site: http://aka.ms/wpdemo

Source: Microsoft (Twitter)

Via: Engadget