Try Windows Phone 7.5 on iPhone

Microsoft has a big problem. Windows Phone 7.5 is one of its best kept secrets. That's not a good thing. The operating system is fresh, remarkably different from Android and iOS and task-oriented. However, judging by US market share -- a puny 1.5 percent, according to Nielsen -- nearly no one knows about Windows Phone. In product marketing, secrets are very bad.

So, Microsoft is taking the marketing home -- to your competing handset. The Redmond, Wash.-based company has posted a live WP demo that Android and iPhone users can try in their mobile browser. I captured the screenshot right from Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket running Android 2.3.6. It's a clever marketing gimmick that also demonstrates the value of HTML5 (and JavaScript) -- after all, iPhone is an Adobe Flash-free zone.

If you've never experienced Windows Phone, please go to the demo on your Android or iPhone, try it and post your reaction in comments below. First impressions are everything, and that's all you really need share. The demo is a mockup, and while a pretty good one still not revealing enough about what Windows Phone could do for you.

I'd like the demo more, if it went further -- like selling something. Microsoft should offer option to buy Windows Phone from their carrier.

Really smart: Make gaining market share during the holidays matter more than moolah. Microsoft should offer extra carrier subsidies so that anyone who wants Windows Phone can get one even if otherwise ineligible for discounted, upgrade pricing.

Marginally related, I'll announce our Windows Phone contest winners early next week. Our panel of judges narrowed the choices with some difficulty and likely will choose the winner randomly among the best submissions. We had asked contest participants to explain what Microsoft's "glance and go" approach means to them. Microsoft graciously is providing a Samsung Focus S to the lucky winner. Everyone wins in my book, but we don't have enough prizes -- just the one.