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...