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Microsoft apologizes to "Smoked by Windows Phone" winner

Photo by Lynn La/CNET

(CBS News) Microsoft responded swiftly after a San Jose, Calif. man was denied a reward for beating the Windows Phone in the "Smoked by Windows Phone" challenge.

Full coverage of Microsoft at Tech Talk

The controversy began when Sahas Katta walked into a Microsoft Store in Santa Clara, Calif. to enter the contest, which challenged anyone go head-to-head with a Windows Phone. If the contestant's smartphone could beat a Windows Phone in a speed contest, they would win a $1,000 laptop. Losers of the challenge had the opportunity to trade in their phones for a Windows Phone.

According to Katta's personal account, he was told bring up the weather of two different cities. After his Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which runs on Android, beat out the Windows Phone, Katta was told he lost.

One of the reasons for the discrepancy is that Katta ran a search of two cities in the same state, rather than two states, a Microsoft Store employee explained. But, Katta pointed out in his blog that the reason he won was because he only had to perform one step to get the weather, where the Windows Phone required two.

Within hours, Microsoft PC evangelist Ben Rudolph replied to Katta via Twitter with an apology, as well as the prizes Katta claims he was denied.

"Hey @sahaskatta , @Microsoftstore & I want to make things right. So I've got a laptop & phone (& apology) for you. Email me!," @BenThePCGuy tweeted.

Katta responded via Twitter, telling Rudolph that he emailed him.

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