Why Microsoft believes latest-gen Windows Phones are 'killer hardware'

The sheer number of apps in the Store is far from the most important thing. "It's a balance; definitely there is magic that occurs in that long tail of apps, [you get some] delightful things... but it is also true that working with these incredibly popular mobile apps is important as well."

Windows Phone 8 is the future and it's getting all the marketing love at the moment, but Windows Phone 7 is far from dead. Myerson assured us. "We're going to have more to say about 7.8 in the coming weeks," he promised.

"I would expect both platforms to exist for quite some time, from a global point of view. Windows Phone 7.8 devices will span much lower price points than windows phone 8 devices, initially, and given the application compatibility across the platforms, it makes the ecosystem stronger to have more device and more price points. We value every 7 and 7.8 customer we have; we'll continue to work for them as well but it is true that Windows Phone 8 is our future platform."

Of course that only matters if Microsoft can finally start selling Windows Phone devices in significant numbers. Just as Steve Ballmer promised you wouldn't be able to escape Windows 8 ads, Myerson promises what sounds like an advertising blitz, focussing on Windows Phone rather than on the handset makers.

"This holiday it's very important to us to get out there and tell the Windows Phone story: how we do have this amazingly unique point of view, the smartphone that can be so personal and reflect your interests and the people in your life. Telling that in the most pure sense without confusing them which brands we're talking about is important. We need consumers to understand and love Windows Phone."

More advertising money

Certainly Microsoft has promised to advertise Windows Phone better before, without much to show for it, and Myerson seems happy to admit it.

"We weren't out there with same experience as Windows, even we though shared the same brand; we didn't have all the right teamwork in place with our partners on the go to market, and we were not advertising the product. We were not out there telling the story to consumers - and that changes now. We will start telling our story. We are going to go out there and advertise the product and tell people."

What's different now? In a word, Windows 8 – but also more operator support. "It's a special time. We have a great product that expresses this unique differentiated point of view, that we are the most personal smartphone, we've got killer hardware from partners and we have a great partnership with the mobile operators.

"The fact that they've ranged so many phones at such great price points is fantastic. And of course having Windows out there at the same time is exciting; making the experience familiar to users and being the best phone for Windows; if you're a Windows user, this is the phone for you."