Windows Phone 7 has already caught up and surpassed Android and iOS on features. There are only two places where WP7 falls behind it's competitors, when judged objectively, and no I am no including sales volume as a criteria.

1. App numbers. Now, we can argue that the total number of apps is irrelevant, which it is. Total apps means nothing, good quality useful apps is what matters, but even so, iPhone leads the pack with Android finishing second and Windows Phone 7 a distant third.

2. Hardware, which is also mostly irrelevant, because Windows Phone 7 runs on slower processors but out performs Android and iOS on the few tests where it doesn't match them.

But, the public perception of fewer apps, and weaker hardware is a problem for Windows Phone 7.

Windows Phone doesn't need 8 to match the Android or iPhone. 7 already did that. Windows Phone needs to win in the arena of public opinion, which it isn't going to do if it isn't given at least a fair shake by the carriers. AT&T has never pushed Windows Phone 7, and Verizon carries exactly one model, and you'd barely know it was there.

I wish that I really saw the signs that Microsoft, Nokia and AT&T were really pushing the Lumia 900, but if MS really wants to get Windows Phone 7 off the ground, they need to get the kind of committment AT&T has promised (not delivered yet) from Verizon. With a bigger committment from the two biggest carriers, it might have a chance in the US.