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Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 7 Series
But enough about the new name. What's actually new in Windows Phone 7 Series? Quite a bit, it turns out. Microsoft has completely retooled the user interface, with the biggest difference being that the OS is now finger-friendly, which means goodbye stylus.
The home screen is new, the program launcher is new, and there's no desktop-style Start Menu. Overall the UI looks a lot more like the Zune HD user interface than it does like previous versions of Windows Mobile.
Windows Phone 7 Series also features integration with the Zune software for media playback. Basically, you get all the features of a Zune HD baked right into your mobile phone OS. You also get Xbox Live integration for gaming and management of your profiles, avatars, and other information.
Engadget reports that Microsoft is also taking much more control over the hardware requirements for the operating system. Among other things, Windows Phone makers such as Samsung and HTC will no longer be able to develop their own UIs to replace Microsoft's default user interface. In other words, while the hardware may vary a bit from phone to phone, the user experience should be quite similar no matter which Windows Phone 7 Series device you pick up.
In terms of hardware, that means each phone will have three buttons on the front, a high resolution touchscreen display.
One of the most surprising things is that there's no desktop synchronization software for contacts, email, or appointments. Goodbye ActiveSync and Windows Mobile Device Center. Hello over-the-air synchronization with the cloud. Music and video synchronization comes through the Zune Desktop software.
There are still some things we don't know. What will the web browser be like? Will Windows 7 Phone Series support multitasking? And when will you be able to buy a new Windows Phone? All we know for now is that it should be available before the 2010 holiday season.
This is the most radical change Microsoft has made to its mobile operating system in at least 10 years. What do you think? Is it enough to fend off competition from Apple, Google, Palm, and others?
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsDesmond PickardFeb 15th 2010 10:38AM
Who provides the cloud for regular consumers?
leenakaimoFeb 15th 2010 11:19AM
I agree, One of the most anticipated features is the ability for it to seamlessly use it with your ZuneHD just like iTunes. Other feasible rumors is it using TouchFlo and Sense and some dash of silverlight 3.0. For sure the MWC event will be exhilirating: http://bit.ly/the-windows-mobile-7-purported-view
Eric HFeb 15th 2010 2:14PM
Touchflo is not a feasible rumor, it already confirmed that they will no longer be allowed with Series 7.
RichardFeb 15th 2010 11:21AM
Any competition is good and it's nice to see that Microsoft have something which can, at least, start to step up to that challenge because - lets face it - it wasn't going to be Windows Mobile 6.x.
If this forces Apple and Google to raise their game, then everyone is a winner.
KeegdnaBFeb 15th 2010 12:25PM
Android, BlackBerry, WinMo7, webOS
I can't decide which one I like best at this point (currently using a BB Tour) but the fact that we now have so many highly compelling option that aren't the iPhone (not that I ever found it that compelling) says we're in for a golden age in phones. When every major player can compete, it only benefits the consumer.
on a side note...let's wait until sony comes out and says "Oh, we're totally adding PSN services to our phones. and we've TOTALLY been planning that for years"
thejackel777Feb 15th 2010 3:02PM
I think this is a great step forward for Microsoft and even being an iphone owner I am excited about this.
I created a pros and cons lists about windows phone 7 http://digg.com/d31IsZj?f
Todd McnickleMar 11th 2010 11:49AM
I am excited to see dramatic improvements from the Microsoft Windows Mobile front. These phones just get better by the months, instead of years.
I am a recent iphone owner. Yet, there are to main features I wish the iPhone had like the WM. Task and Multiple exchange accounts are missing. Without tasks, I'm at a loss!!!!
I am not sure how many of you with WM had headaches setting up the sync portion of exchange, but I spent many weeks with my tech guy ---(and many sleepless nights!!). He kept on wanting me to upgrade my server to 2008. Yet, we just purchased this system. Finally came across these flat rate guys. Boy, worth every penny. I think from start to payment it was only about 20 minutes. Check them out. By the way we tried the godaddy cert. not much help either. I suspect they can assist you with your setup as well. http://computerrepairservice.net/blog/activesync-iphone-2/