Kevin Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer (COO) made fun of Apple and its iPhone 4 problems while giving a keynote speech at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), which runs through Thursday in Washington, D.C. Of course, by calling the iPhone 4 "Apple's Windows Vista," he was also slamming his own company.

Turner's gibe at his own company was about Windows Vista, the OS version between XP and 7. It was met with strong criticism over its performance and system requirements, and was even criticized by Microsoft's own executives in emails, which was later revealed. It was not one of Microsoft's best moments.

With regards to Apple, Turner said, "It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that." He added, "One of the things I want to make sure you know today is that you're going to be able to use a Windows Phone 7 and not have to worry about how you're holding it to make a phone call."

In reality, since Windows Phone 7 is just a platform, we'd really have to ask the OEMs who put it into their phones if they are going to use an external antenna system like the iPhone 4's. The famous "death grip" problem is primarily exhibited when a user holds the phone in such a way as to bridge the gap between two antennas.

Of course, there have been quite a few who say they see no issue at all, and that it can be solved with software, while others disagree.

Windows Phone 7 is currently scheduled to reach retail in the U.S. this November, on a number of smartphones. Microsoft has high hopes for it, but not all are so high on the new platform. It has not just the iPhone, but Android to surmount, among the latest smartphone platforms.