My family thinks we all have "Cricket" phones because I made everyone switch carriers from Verizon. People don't know what the hell they're talking about. I tell my kids they're windows phones but they don't understand.
This is what $300k in college education(s) will get you folks.
Also, I think that the "problem" is not Microsoft branding per se, but Microsoft branding replacing NOKIA, the most important and recognizable phone brand ever for many people.
I agree, but not in the phone world.
Just a Windows logo would be nice. It has simplicity and recognizability. And as much as I hate the "it works for Apple" argument on UI, in this realm simply and recognizable has done wonders for the Apple brand. How many stupid apple logos are running around on people's vehicles?
I knew someone (now deceased) who refused to wear any logo wear clothing. His argument was simple. "They aren't paying me to advertise their product, so why should I?"
Here's something that might be interesting: the GrabTaxi app is quite popular where I live, but it is not available in Windows Phone so I resort to the other taxi app, EasyTaxi. Whenever a taxi driver asks why I didn't use GrabTaxi, I tell them because it's not available for my phone. Then they ask me what phone I have or what brand to that effect.
Back then when I had the L535, I'll tell them, "Microsoft" while showing them the logo and that would either be followed by questions such as "Really?", "Isn't that the computer?", "Is that Android?", "Is that iOS?" or by several moments of silence and distant glances...
But when I've got my L1020, I'll tell them, "Nokia" and that would immediately be followed by comments such as "Really? The Nokia brand is indeed good and reliable." - didn't even have to show them the logo.
could have said windows phone