Microsoft "Pink" specs leak out: Tegra, Snapdragon, OMAP 3, oh my?
By Nilay Patel 
posted May 12th 2009 3:39PM
posted May 12th 2009 3:39PM
Ready for some more delicious Zune / Windows Mobile rumors after today's June Zune letdown? Well buckle up -- the always-sharp Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet says she's got specs for Windows Mobile 7 Chassis 1, the heart of that rumored "Pink" smartphone, and they're pretty wild. According to the list, Chassis 1 phones will all have 3.5-inch or larger multitouch displays with ARM v6+ processors and OpenGL ES 2.0-compatible graphics hardware, 256MB or more of RAM and 1GB or more of storage, as well as at least a 3 megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, a compass, and accelerometer. Oh, and glory be -- a 3.5mm headphone jack is required. Here's the kicker, though: NVIDIA's Tegra platform is specifically listed as meeting the core CPU requirements, as well as TI's OMAP 3 platform and "Qualcomm 8k," which sounds to us like Snapdragon's QSD8xxx-series chips. If you've been following along, you know that all three of these (Tegra in particular) have been bandied about as potential Microsoft phone platforms, so it makes perfect sense to us that Microsoft's giving its hardware partners a choice of currently-available high-powered platforms for Chassis 1 -- especially since we've been hearing lots of whispers of hardware based on these chips in the works.Here's the thing, though: we've also always been told that "Pink" is the codename for Zune software and services on Windows Mobile, so something tells us that Chassis 1 phones running Windows Mobile 7 will feature a strong dose of Zune flavoring -- a plan Steve Ballmer's repeatedly confirmed in the past year. So how do we think this all fits together? Well, we'll slightly revise our previous totally crazy, off-the-wall prediction: we think "Pink" is the codename for a new consumer-focused version of Windows Mobile that integrates Zune services, running not only on a touchscreen Zune HD, but on several third-party phones. Are we crazy? Yes, absolutely -- but you've got to admit the pieces are coming together.
As long as they integrate some XBL functionality in there too. Microsoft has all these great pieces (X-Box, Zune, Windows) they need to start combining them.
a tie-in to xbox arcade should be natural. XDNA is already available and allows people to distribute their games to xbox 360 users. Now extend that to mobile phone users and you got a great media/game distribution platform. It is certainly what apple is going for.
Or if you could "call" someone on your friends list (ie, enter a private or party chat), that would be hot.
"Oh, and glory be -- a 3.5mm headphone jack is required."
Over at HTC:
"SHIT SHIT SHIT THIS IS THE DAY WE ALL DREADED"
100!
Engadget is reading way to much into this.
The requirement is an ARMv6 or higher CPU. ARMv6 is just the ARM11 series, NOT the next-gen ARM Cortex-A8 that is used in the Snapdragon, OMAP3, etc. The new ARM Cortex series (Cortex-A8 and multi-core Cortex-A9) uses the ARMv7 instruction set.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKIDdIaFyE
I got yer ZunePhone swingin', tools.
CDMA or GSM?
This looks like a standard set of hardware specs that WinMo 7 phones will have to meet- there's no reason for them to limit it to either CDMA or GSM, that will probably be the manufacturer's decision.
It will obviously be both depending on the carrier. WinMo like most mobile platforms are independent from the carrier network.
OLED please.
Zune June! let's call the ZuneGuy!
uses a slacker G2 radio player now...
If they want us to hold off on buying a Pre they better show us the phone, pronto.
If this is true, it is almost enough to make me wait just a bit longer.
I don't see how this could relate to the imminent release of a phone to be announced in june. If this is meant for wm 7 we're going to be waiting a long time. 6.5 hasn't even reared its head yet!
By that time this sort of hardware will probably be standard fare in most smartphones.
Having said that it would be a major win to get something close to this in 2009
If the phones look like those Tegra pictures then I'm interested!
I'll take my Pre in a month or less. with OMAP3 built right in, so spec wise it should be on par. But the software is where the magic is :) do not loose sight man, hang in the wait for the Pre with me :)
As some folks have already mentioned, even if they start working on this now, it's not going to be out in a month like the Pre. I will probably just pick up a Pre and then if this comes out later on, I will consider it. I don't particularly feel like waiting to upgrade forever just so I can make sure I have the latest and greatest. Pre ought to be an excellent device and if someone comes out with a kick-ass new device built to this new spec and running on some insane Tegra platform with WM7, then it will probably be next year. Plenty of time to enjoy the Pre and consider whether I want to try something new in 6-12 months.
Sounds good. It'll be interesting to see what's announced in June.
me two.
This sound sexy!!! I always thought Windows Mobile should branch out more to non-business users. They should still keep WinMo but come out with a somewhat different mobile OS that's geared towards casual users 'cause even though WinMo is a good enough mobile OS, sometimes its a burden to use because of the way its designed for business users.
They will announce that it will be a handheld gaming device.
It's not just good - it's fantastic from Microsoft's perspective. This is just what they needed - a set of hardware requirements to make sure all WinMo 7 phones meet a certain standard and developers can write applications optimised for one input method, with guaranteed hardware support for features such as GPS.
Well done, Microsoft - they're showing good platform management that's been lacking in WinMo for some time.
I'm sorry to pop your reality cherry guys, but Microsoft does this EVERY TIME they announce something. They say 'this is going to make water become 100 proof vodka that tastes like rainbows and puppy kisses', and then they put out some shite product that has to be equalized by third party apps.
Look, I claim no party, I am not a slave to the brands, and on the flip side, this whole announcement and the hardware specs and even the mock up pictures look amazing and I already want one, but I'm having to reel myself back in, because again, Microsoft's whole game is to create as much hype as they possibly can, shove their product out the door, then try and patch things up later (which they somehow never seem to accomplish).
Want an example?
Windows 7, the greatest thing since the Red Light District....nothing like it was touted to be. It was supposed to be so fast that Vista would seem like it was locked up...guess what? It's slower than Vista. Boohoo. These are facts people, not my opinion. Yes, yes, it's only in RC status, and I understand it's not supposed to be out until at least the end of the year, but I'm not holding my breath for any significant improvements by launch date. RC means exactly that. That it could be released 'right now' and fly as a complete OS.
Something that's been bothering me....If RC means Release Candidate, doesn't that mean that they should have other candidates? And why haven't we been able to test those candidates? Seems only fair, doesn't it? I mean, maybe Microsoft is holding back the really super awesome RC and giving us the grissle and fat OS? I'd like to think that the programmers in Redmond have these helmets on that allow virtual reality 3D computer desktop interfaces. Or something...
Maybe that's what Apple does, and Microsoft is still working in a virtual monopoly.
Ah, to hell with them both, I'll stick to using linux.
@sotec_productions
Vodka is legally (at least in Russia) mandated to be 80 proof, you can't have 100 proof vodka.
@ sotec: no. Windows 7 IS faster than Vista, I'm using it right now. It boots faster, at least. The thing about 7 was that it was supposed to have a smaller memory footprint than Vista, and it does. They cut out like 300MB of RAM useage from a fresh install. The "other candidates" you speak of are the previous betas, and have been tested privately and publicly. I have been using Windows 7 since a few days after I got my new laptop. The laptop was giving me plenty of issues, one of which being terrible wireless. Drivers were up to date. Installed 7, everything works properly (aside from any Asus drivers I haven't installed yet). It even downloaded and installed the latest driver for the GeForce 9800 automatically, then TOLD ME it did so, along with which version it was. Windows 7 has a lot of small tweaks that are very welcome, and Aero looks better.
What you said AREN'T facts, and ARE your opinion.
@ Mark: Does that mean Devil's Springs isn't vodka? Because it's like 180 or 190 proof?
@sotec_productions
yeah, no. Windows 7 is faster in every single way compared to Vista. Every single one of my computers that had to be saved by installnig linux so they would run at a decent speed have all been wiped and have the Win7 RC on them and are running better then ever.
Windows 7 is faster than Vista = fact. sorry
"Windows 7, the greatest thing since the Red Light District....nothing like it was touted to be. It was supposed to be so fast that Vista would seem like it was locked up...guess what? It's slower than Vista. Boohoo. These are facts people, not my opinion. Yes, yes, it's only in RC status, and I understand it's not supposed to be out until at least the end of the year, but I'm not holding my breath for any significant improvements by launch date. RC means exactly that. That it could be released 'right now' and fly as a complete OS.
"
Wait, what.
bahahahahahahahahahahahah
microsoft will deny this, but they deny everything.
Microsoft just put out a press release denying this comment.
No we don't.
Of course they will, they think their products are the best when Apple is taking the computing industry by storm. Apple's innovation lead Microsoft to copy the Mac OS, then the iPod, and now the iPhone.
i hope not ikurt, that would mean they would start making expensive yet poorly made operating systems and players :( that would certainly turn the market away from microsoft.
Man, has it been a crazy day or what ! I just finished reading how MS denied those tweets (which did not need Einstein to figure out, they were fake) now this.
If this does come true and they do lay out clear reqmts for H/W, I think MS will do way better. The specs seem good, if only they included those resistive screens with capacitive abilities that was shown in the GSM Barcelona event earlier this year, they would have blown out everything else.
Anyways, here's hoping MS comes out with real good shite over the summer.
I'd love to hear the super-efficient power scheme that will allow phones carrying those chips to run for a day without charging. And also cooling that makes sure the thing doesn't fucking melt.
Sweet. We should see one of these on Verizon in 2015 with half the ram!
And no WiFi.
... and gps disabled unless you pay for the monthly VZ Navigator subscription.
And crippled bluetooth.
Verizon doesn't disable GPS in phones anymore douchebagel. But GPS is useless without a turn-by-turn application, that is what they charge you for. Only a few phones have the option of using a different turn by turn application. Luckily on my storm I can load up Garmin.
@Anticrawl
"Those in glass houses should not throw stones", or more specifically, Storm owners shouldn't call others "douchebagels".
One more me-too product from MS, what else is new?
But did anyone think it would take *this* long for MS to responds to the iPhone and iPod touch? It's been years, now. Talk about being behind the curve.
Of course, in usual Microsoft timing this will surely come out after Apple announces the MacTablet/iNewton.
Uh... these are minimum specs for manufacturers. Unless by 'me too' you mean 'choice of product' in which case I'm not sure who you would compare them to.
Cool, I didn't know Apple (because you are obviously a fanboy) had any products that could match what a Tegra based device could do, or what the Xbox 360 can do in the living room.
Have fun playing your games on your iPhone in between class, or waiting for your mom to pick you up from soccer practice.
yeah...good thing apple is not behind the curve with announcing a tablet in 2009....they got at the forefront of that revolution....and also gaming....there are a sh!t-ton of amazing titles to choose from in that mac compatible catalog.....they're right on the mark with establishing their computers as gaming machines as well as a place to house your mp3's....
"or what the Xbox 360 can do in the living room"
Die in a blazing red ring of fire?
"One more me-too product from MS, what else is new?"
What have you done with Jubei???
Hah yes, Apple doesn't even have a tablet on the market and I already own a multi-touch tablet. Apple is always hilariously behind the curve, they just know how to market their over-priced old-world tech to the ignorant masses better than anyone else.
@Anticrawl:
You mean like when Apple was "behind the curve" when they developed an OS that Microsoft later ripped off and called Windows?
Oh yea, you're right.
@cbw87
And how Steve Jobs stole it from Xerox...
@Anticrawl,
You boast about having a multitouch tablet but do you even use the multitouch feature of that tablet? I would guess now or very rarely. The thing is you can have the best hardware in the world, but running Microsoft software cripples it heavily. It amounts to nothing when you don't use those capabilities for anything or that they're so difficult that you don't feel like using it.
Apple might always be behind the curve in bringing out the latest fancy hardware specs in the market, but when they do, they teach a lesson in software usability to rest of the manufacturers who have been doing that for ages before that. That's what happenned with the iPhone, and that's what's going to happen with the Apple tablet as well. Tablet computers have been in existance for years, but Apple would teach the people how to effectively use it, just as they did with the iPhone.
This is coming from an owner of a lenovo multi touch tablet for over 2 years now. I can't say I have used the multitouch feature of that after the novelty factor wore out.
@Maddy
Here I have an image for you. http://cad-comic.com/comics/20021126.jpg
I've run Windows Mobile for years on my Samsung phones--it has gone from unusable to awful. The "upgraded version" still needs to be reset daily and loves to lockup when calls come in.
I've just downloaded and started using Windows 7. It's a bit smoother than other Windows products, but still feels an awful lot like them. The features that I've found frustrating on XP (and what little I know of Vista) still ooze through. MS expects users to know stuff we should not have to as consumers.
I guess my point is that MS, much like GM and Chrysler, has built crap for years. Chrysler thought they could put pretty packaging around their crap, but eventually the stink came through and people saw their vehicles for what they were. Is Pink really new? Is there going to be anything groundbreaking (and I don't simply mean more mega pixels or a larger multi-touch, or flexible architecture) in the product? For MS (and again...I'm an active user of two of their platforms) I hate to say that stability, consistency, and convenience would go a long way. I can't imagine they've come that far yet.
My wireless contract is up. Hmmmm....great to have choices. Can't wait to see what the next few months bring.
Is it really new? Hard to say..
Does Microsoft need to rebrand it some? Definitely. Which is what windows 7 and this is a few tweaks later.
WM won't sell as a consumer smartphone. Create a new name and put some Zune into it.
What you are asking for really requires MS to jump into another round of Anti-Trust Lawsuits. Windows is as complex as it is because it is a technological platform. Atleast this is the way the EU and US DoJ view it and therefore it is very difficult for MS to add integration and ease of use while providing the rediculous amount of flexibillity they have to keep such lawsuits off their back.
"MS expects users to know stuff we should not have to as consumers."
- The interface while being a nice change is much more intuitive (not only on touch screen).
Almost all the comments you made are very skewed and for the most part cannot be used on the newer products that MS has been releasing. Sync, Windows 7, WinMo 6.5, all seem to be changing for the best and at a very rapid rate of development.
Your Samsung phoneS???
I wouldn't even touch another Sammy phone after borrowing a friends for a week a couple of years back. I use my HTC Touch every day to check 3 email accounts, surf via Opera 9.5, watch DivX and listen through A2DP, some mapping, game playing, minor document nonsense etc etc.
wm7 for ever
Sounds more and more like MS are producing a base phone for other manufacturers to base their designs off. If it means WM becomes more usable as a result of being on similar hardware then I'm all for it.
Curious assumption, given that MS has had their other platforms in the hands of developers for years, and their most recent major OS (Vista) was, not too well received. In fact, it could easily be argued that the most usable products (Mac and iPhone) come from a closed environment when the manufacturer has control over the OS, software and hardware.
I'll reiterate my above comment that I'm a WinMo and Win 7 user...just for perspective.
ppl blame Microsoft for Vista's flaws, but the majority of it is the developers. Microsoft gave developers vista at least a year before its release and but they slacked off to really support it until it came out and then the complaints started to role in. then it lands on microsofts shoulders.
i'd like to see how stable OSX is if they become open source.
but it's still win mo... which win blows.
are you 14? or just a recycler of 5 year old jokes?
Benjamin Blows
Benjamin sucks
...
And blows...
...
IMPLOSION!
where's the comment from tareX? im sure he would be happy to see this
I was making pizza.... this is pure gold. A tegra phone, be it WM7 or Android, would slash away any competition. This is a next-gen smartphone at its finest.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/mobile_games_demos.html
Wow! Apple really kicked off a firestorm of smartphone activity, when they launched the iPhone. Everyone is scrambling now. The mobile industry was kinda sleepy, before then.
I'm in the Android camp, but I still hope that Apple continues to be generously rewarded for lighting the fire. Consumers should win big time!
I agree. Apple should be commended for breathing a bit of life into a stale market.
Actually, It is more likely that this is ARM's doing. Apple merely waited till embedded CPUs actually started to gain some serious processing power. If ARM hadn't been here to provide a significant serious embedded CPU for years now, we would probably be stuck on x86 cpus for smart phones. Unfortunately being a non-consumer product company means no lime light for the real work they have done.
Careful Mark...positive comments from you about Apple could get your Microsoft MVP membership revoked. Not to mention the Engadget Winbot horde voting your comment down to the infernal pit (a place I suspect you have yet to experience, based on your consistent Apple haterade swilling).
Shayam D:
ARM (if you count StrongARM/XScale) already owned the phone market and the smartphone market before Apple jumped in. I fail to see how Apple's doing somehow changed the direction of phones from Intel to ARM.
MS should open it up and provide for the Zune software on both the Pre and the i-phone. But we know Apple would never go for that. OPEN, OPEN, OPEN.
This is msft's problem right now, is that they must make their software work on TOO MANY platforms. By limiting the specs that manufacturers can use they increase the quality of the end product they can produce. This is why game consoles have better looking games than their specs would suggest, because the devs know EXACTLY what they are programming for.
That being said, if they made a specific App for Android and iPhone that just did the music integration, that would be awesome, but the whole OS needs to stay specific to a few platforms to enable their devs to make the best use out of it.
Ultimately, I would like to see iTunes, Zune, Ovi, etc. music players & stores available on all smartphone platforms. That would offer the ultimate in consumer choice & it would create a great competitive environment.
I'll buy that. But I'm into Pre until something more concrete appears.
The specs sounds snazzy, but the idea of an OpenGL device from Microsoft makes me laugh when I think back to how much DirectX they have shoved down our throats.
Well man, you know, scaling of M$oft software has always been hard, no time to come up with new accelerated graphics API, they're already late and heck vista was/is barely useful in netbooks, besides now that open source is not THAT* bad (see http://ostatic.com/blog/reaction-to-news-of-microsofts-support-of-open-source-census ) for them they'll play ball...what ever keeps 'em profits... in the mean time i'll be looking forward to the P(INK)S.O.D. XD
Problem is I bet it will be 3-400 with contract.
Yay! Now I can squirt calls to my friends! :D
Nilay, your theory isn't crazy. I'd say your spot on. It makes sense to put the Zune and WinMo phones on a common platform. It makes so much sense that we've seen it before: iPod Touch and iPhone.
I remember my last Windows Mobile device... a Toshiba e740. It was state of the art for it's time back in 2002... fast ARM processor, the first ever PDA built in WiFi, color touch screen, CF AND SD slots, and Windows Mobile.
Unfortunately, it sucked. It was slow as a dog, crashed constantly, had bad battery life, and often failed to sync properly. The few software updates that they released for it didn't help much, either.
It was a nice piece of hardware judging from the specs, but Windows Mobile killed it.
Until then, I make sure to read actual product reviews before getting excited about any Microsoft product.
I've not had so much trouble with WM itself as with the hardware companies running it on the barest minimum spec. On My Touch Pro it runs like a champ. No crashes, no out of memory errors, etc. On my old Mogul it was another story.
This seems like a great way to address their desire to license their software to whoever wants to buy it (unlike others) but somehow keeping a modicum of control over the specs necessary in order to ensure a decent experience.
This is how Windows works in an ideal world. There were those issues with Intel and the whole Vista fuss but for the most part I prefer Windows to other OSes simply because it has the polish of a commercial OS while not tying you to specific brands of hardware. If it can run, they will be glad to sell you a license.
If they can pull this off in the mobile space it should be a good thing. Strict required specs to make sure hardware companies don't cheap out on capability and no lock-down to ensure customer choice.
I want more info on this! I was going to get the new iphone refresh, but now I might have to wait for this thing to be announced.
Wow, if this is true, it pretty much rapes the new iphones specs.
Those are exactly the same specs as the rumored new iPhone.
Tegra? >256mb of RAM?
I would have to try it for a week before ever touching another winmo device, my previous experiences were terrible.
WM7 + Tegra + Multitouch.....
Wow........... Android, I don't know what to say. Unless the Tegra Android is equally mind blowing, I don't think my next phone will be an Android...
When MS gets things right, it's usually pretty awesome. Problem is... it usually takes them several generations before it's "right." My expectations for Pink are low. I'll wait for Pink v3.
Nilay! Nilay! Nilay! Nilay!
Tegra this, Tegra that, OLED this, OLED that blablabla
Why would you care about any of this when the average Joe needs the smartphone to be easy to use and robust like the iPhone? Seriously, you gadget geeks might cream in your pants speculating about this "me-too" product from Microsoft but the reality is that a smartphone should be easy to use. Microsoft, a "me-too" company, is basically trying to take a bite out of Apple but what makes you think they will succeed this time? Microsoft has a long history of customer dissatisfaction, and I wouldn't be surprised if they continued that as long as they exist.
Robust? Really? Ease of use I'll give you. But calling the iPhone robust is a laugh.
@iTurd...
Is the average Joe mentally challenged?
@ iTurd
Do you know ANYTHING about Tegra? If anything, it has the easiest and most impressive UI. Power and Might is incomparable to the iPhone.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/mobile_games_demos.html
honestly man, you're annoying as fuck.
and now go and play some monkey ball.
Wow, it's the new Plays For Sure. Snooze.
If you're honestly comparing PFS to what's described in the post, you really don't know much about PFS or you didn't read close enough.
Well looks like they've got the specs right, now how about the software? Cause really if the software is a pile of crap, the hardware doesn't mean a damn thing.
Here is what I want to happen:
1. WinMo7 chassis1 contains all requirements for it to run on a standalone Zune HD device. What got me thinking here is the 3.5mm jack. Not very phone-like, but it's a given on mp3 players. So, WinMo7 will be compatible with the Zune HD (again, what I hope, not necessarily true).
2. Microsoft makes minor alterations to WinMo7 chassis 1 and uses it as the Zune HD firmware. Data is carried over wifi hotspots instead of cellphone signal (that includes voip for calls), but otherwise it is the same. That means all WinMo apps and services are on the Zune, creating a nice backing for the device.
3. Microsoft fully merges the Zune Software Team with the Windows Mobile Team and only has to manage one mobile device firmware. Money is saved and Zune HD users get WinMo7 in disguise. Unfortunately, older Zunes with the old Zune firmware would probably be neglected, although they would be given access to the applications marketplace and other features. But the old firmware would no longer be the focus.