I'm interested in hearing from anybody, who has similar experience/information about a possible systematic discrimination from Microsoft on who gets to review Windows phone.
Already the earlier WP7 reviews seemed a bit too positive when you think about all its lacks and defeciencies - and of how few has been sold.
So ... anybody out there with any information on this?

By the tone of your emails you dont seem to be a Pro Tech reviewer. I would not give you phone either.

you sir, sound like a cry baby...with such an ego i imagine your head must be quite big! if the case was that getting WP7 phones to review was a problem generally encountered in the industry, this post might have (almost) been a reasonable read, but as there are probably hundreds of reviews for the said 'Mango' OS most of which are very positive, you just sound like a spoilt child throwing tantrums when you dont have your way...disgusting! Granted WP7 (and bing) have an uphill task in catching up to android (and google search), but if you did any research instead of sulking, you'd see they are on the right path.

right path to what? obscurity? agreed.

Looks like a case of sour grapes, Mr.Boulton. The WP7 phones are awesome - just because you are not able to lay your hands on one, doesn't make Android or iOS any better. Good luck with your Android and its losing battle with patents, returns & plethora of legal issues.

i have to say i totally agree with jakes when he says you dont sound like a pro tech reporter...you honestly just sound like another fanboy and not a proffessional of any sort. The mobile industry is a very volatile and competitive place but for what microsoft has not achieved yet in WP7 sales, it has achieved quite a lot in user experience, number of apps (many of the most common apps on other platforms are already on it and its already started having exclusives); and user satisfaction (even when most, if not all, can agree its not 'complete' yet, it still beats android in user satisfaction). Not to mention that with its partnership with Nokia some analyst are already predicting it will overtake the iphone in a few years. Yes bing is still making huge losses but in case you have not noticed, its revenue has been steadily rising (reaching $662 million this last quarter - a 17% increase over the last quarter) they have certainly done a lot to differentiate themselves and not to mention how they are cleverly integrating it into WP7, Xbox, Facebook etc. i, for one, find myself using it quite often nowadays (it is my default search provider on IE9 as google search is my preferred search provider on chrome)

Give me a second while I file your comment under "there's a silver lining in every cloud."

I agree with dude....I've been a loyal Windows Mobile phone user for 6-years now and I'm so, so tired of Microsoft dragging their feet. I'm at a point where I'm ready to throw in the towel and go with an Android phone. I wish Bill were back....the mobile phone division at Microsoft needs a fire under them....they need leadership and a General George Patton mentality.

very true...even though i believe you're just being sarcastic. a few years ago who would've believed microsoft would have such a strong position in the console wars?...who would've thought nokia would need to partner with anyone (and totally discard their own OS) to stay relevant?...who would've thought android would become the success it is today (especially after its slow start)?...who would've guessed apple would ever reach these heights before the ipod? there is no guarantee WP7 will become a resounding success...they have quite a task ahead of them but as far as i can see they have taken the right approach by creating a really good unique user experience and not tried to be another me-too phone. and before you jump to conclusions, no, i do not own a WP but i have toyed extensively with my friends samsung focus and seen videos enough to know microsoft have done a great job here (it honestly makes the iphone 4 look outdated besides it) and i'm eager to get a WP7 when mango comes out even if its not a nokia phone. you are meant to be objective and report facts and not let your judgement be clouded by emotions (or pride, for not getting a phone to review).

Ummm. This is my blog, where I'm free to express whatever I feel when I feel like. And it hasn't hurt my pride. I'm just shocked that a company with Microsoft's size isn't begging more people to review its excellent work. Being denied a review of an android device -- which seem to fall off trucks at a dime a dozen -- would hurt my pride!

Look at it another way. If you had such a supposedly quality OS as WP7, wouldn't you want the world to know about it and to have it compared with Android and iOS, both of which are obliterating the rest of the field?

Let me save you some time. Just write the negative "W7 sucks, Google Android rules" review you were going to write after you got the unit, queue up Don Reisinger to write the "10 Reasons Why Mango and Microsoft are Doomed" piece, and let Wayne Rash know that he'll need a "Why Clint and Don are wrong on this" 10-15 pages. See, no eval phone required!

I do admire your efforts to get a $1000 contribution to charity from MS though...

I think MSFT realize that you would be about as objective as Walt Mossberg when reviewing WP7. So the limited number of handsets running Mango will go to professional journalists that haven't got a huge chip on their shoulder and have an open mind. FWIW, adding "please" to your emails wouldn't hurt either.

I actually just spoke to a Wagged spokesman. Traditional, trite manners wouldn't help me get a phone no matter how mich I ingratiated myself, begged or pleaded. It's a supply-and-demand issue. I have demand and they have no supply.