Microsoft CFO says 'we'll have much more to say' about WinMo 7 in February
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 29th 2010 8:11PM
posted January 29th 2010 8:11PM
Every indication we've had out of Microsoft is that Windows Mobile 7 is on track for a grand unveiling at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month, and indeed, Fox Business has none other than CFO Peter Klein on record saying as much -- the closest thing we've had to a confirmation outside of Robbie Bach's analyst remarks a few weeks back. At the 4:07 mark of the video, Klein says that the company is "heads down" on WinMo 7 and expects to have "much more to say" about the product out in Spain, which would mark the one-year anniversary since the announcement of 6.5 at the same venue. Considering the brutal response that last version endured over the better part of 2009, let's hope they're coming to the table with something much, much more delicious this time around.
@(Unverified)
Windows 7 would like a word.
@(Unverified)
No, no, no, you have your manufacturers mixed up. Apple makes the iPad, not Microsoft, and yes, it is very disappointing.
@Ordeith
Even vista wasn't sucha disappointment.
Of course i am well aware that i am one of few people that had hardly any trouble with vista.
Anyway, were we not talking mobiles??
@ClarkyAC I have had no problems either
in fact i'm using vista right now
my netbook with xp crashed more than my notebook with vista
-surprising? yes but ipad? no
@University of Pi
same with me I bought a gateway like 7months ago with vista on it... It's never crashed, had problems or slowed down and I don't just use my pc for internet but games and media management... From what I understand people who upgraded there xp computers to vista hated it... But people who bought computers preinstalled usually did not
Let's hope Microsoft can pull a "Palm", for competition's sake.
@RockNStuff
interesting, as i was just about to say that.
basically, microsoft needs to hit it out of the park with winmo 7. they're not at all on the brink of financial disaster, so their life doesn't really hang in the balance quite like it did for palm, but if winmo 7 is any worse than outstanding, they may not be taken seriously in the mobile space ever again.
so it's great that they'll "have more to say" later in february. but if what they're gonna say is only mediocre, well we'll have to see...
@spasewalkr if it follows the hype of its desktop brother it should do extremely good i know i can wait right now im using winmo 6.5.3 on my tp2 and i like it but its not great.
@RockNStuff
Microsoft does not need to pull a Palm or an Apple. What Microsoft needs to do is get the answer to the following questions right...
What does the consumer of a Microsoft smartphone want in a device?
You see Palm and Apple don't set the bar. What they have done is proven that they can fall short of consumers' expectations or we wouldn't be waiting for the next great device to step into the light. Apple didn't create the perfect smartphone when they brought the iPhone to market because if they had we wouldn't now have the 3G or 3GS. (Some don't even consider it a smartphone.) Take a look at the new iPad unveiled this week and you can clearly see that Apple has left a lot to desired in such a device. Perhaps the sixth generation iPad will get it right but in the five years leading up to that time I'll be looking to other companies like Microsoft to get it right first.
@RockNStuff
If they start trying to follow Apple with this no multitasking rubbish, then its likely to fail.
@RockNStuff
Its either going to be a Palm or a Face-Palm. The ball is in your court MS.
OK, I may be going FAR out on a limb here but I predict a One-Two punch with WinMo7 AND MS Courier. MS CES Press Conference was so LAME, they have to make it up.
@DaveBach You obviously don't have an iPhone. I'm a MS fanboy and I know my WM6.5 device is disappointing compared to my iPhone 3GS. This I the first phone I see myself having for a long while.
@RockNStuff
I don't think it's all that hard - honestly. Their strategy for a consumer and then power user is pretty smart in my mind. Consumer level phone can be iPhone esque. Limited user control, automated memory management, easy to use app store, etc.
The secret to Windows 7 is to do everything you do today but just make it better. Honestly, there isn't much a WinMo device can't do. We need better emailing and text, we need better integration with social networking sites. We need to devices to be responsive without gimping (iPhone) a users ability to do what they want when they want. These aren't new features, but enhancing existing features will go a long way towards appeasing the masses.
At the end of the day though I just don't think it will matter to folks like the writers on Engadget. Can't please them unless Microsoft comes out with the new iPhone. No matter what they do, they will be ripped endlessly. We've seen it with their treatment of 6.5 (which was a very solid upgrade over 6.1) and I'm sure we'll see it with 7.
@SumanC
You're right I don't have an iPhone...but I do have an iPod Touch that I won at a golf outing. I also have two Windows Mobile devices...one running 6.5 and the other 6.1. I think "bjsguess" summed it up best in his post above.
@Kamal .. Courier as a product doesn't exist. It was an R&D project and there is no guarantee it will ever see the light of day.
@DaveBach Well said.
However at least Palm does meet expectations with multitasking, much better UI than iPhone with the same amount of fluidity as iPhone. iPhone is pure planned obsolescence from day one. This iPad as it stands is a joke and only the most hardcore blind Apple fanboys would think it is anything but a glorified iPod touch.
Bring it MS!
@southern78
Damn skip. People have this conception that MS has been on some sort of luck streak since the $50K DOS purchase and it's been all gravy since.
There's a little panic in Redmond these days, and these guys are not idiots, so I get a feeling they're gonna deliver.
Been looking forward to it just hope it won't be another joke. 6.6 or 6.7. We need a revolution and not an evolution.
@(Unverified) It's very likely to be a Zune feel interface. Even Win7MC has that style of UI now. Would make sure that MS would translate it on to their mobile devices too. If so, it should be excellent and a breath of fresh air from the MS team.
@SimplyAdam They better revamp everything about the web-browser and the OS in general. My Zune HD, though awesome, has a lot of hangs where the screen doesnt work for 5-10 min, the web browser isn't HTML5 compatible, and the apps take forever to load. It's still a step forward, but not really the amazing leap that Win Mobile needs.
@SimplyAdam Actually, The "Twist" UI used in the Zune originated in Media Center, not the other way around. The NXE dashboard on the Xbox 360 uses a modified version with more visual effects. In any case they found out it was just a really good UI and decided to implement it across the board, one of the best decisions they've made in recent years.
How would you compare this announcement to the iPad. If Steve Jobs was the person who announced it, would we be peeing our pants like school girls?
@n0ne I'm pretty sure nobody peed their pants over the iPad.
I had a Moto Q for 3 years and loved it. I've got a Pre now but miss WinMo. If 7 can provide some real competition for Android, WebOS and OSX then I'll consider switching back.
@sweet greggo
Competition against OS X? I doubt Microsoft would attempt this.. Hang on a sec..
@sweet greggo It will compete but Froyo (when it comes out) will kick its ass
Can't wait to see a epic fail :D
That's the only reason I love Microsoft, or as I'd like to call it, Biggestfail inc.
@mtnDewFTW
Your definition of fail must be why you haven't been as successful.
@Ordeith
Well, judging by his name, I'd say he's either 13, or he has a tattoo around at least one bicep and says extreme a lot.
@mtnDewFTW Your attempt at Trolling fails.
They are going to branch it off into two versions.
Win Mo Consumer
Win Mo Enterprise
@redhotlama I doubt it. The difference between their enterprise software and personal is just a few extra things wouldn't make sense in a mobile sense. Simple additional code packs and accessories usually determine what the device will be used for.
Developing for Windows Mobile once and a while at work for scanners and other devices is ridiculously simple they just need to add a little nicer UI and some standards like they have done. 480x800 display for instance tegra 1 or faster.
@(Unverified) This was from a conversation with someone for microsoft working in the enterprise space.
@(Unverified) RedHotLama is right. It will be branched out in different versions. There was an article on that not too long ago.
@redhotlama, oh. Must of missed that article.
(been focusing on looking out for Courier news more than WM7 lately)
Your definition of fail must be why you haven't been as successful.
Thank you more another non iPad article, could we bat for 3 out of 3 please?
Go thing MS and other sites hasn't been over-hyping WM7. Not like some other recent product that was over hyped that when it was revealed it was a big disappointment. MS is having great consumer products with Xbox 360, Windows 7 & Zune HD and soon WM7, Office 2010, Natal and Halo REach. Maybe this is the beginning of the end for Apple and the rise of Microsoft.
@mailbox01
Why does it have to be the end of one and the rise of another? Why can't each company just make their own products and try to sell them to the market they know they have?
I'm tired of the whole "X-company has to lose for Y-company to win". It's perfectly possible for each company to just create products that people love (or hate).
@maddawg579 Yet with decisions like the iPad you cant help but silently agree...
I honestly can't wait for this! =D
Its nice to see MS news instead of .... well you know what im talking about already...........
@AcE17
What? What are you talking about? I don't get it!
@Gad Get
iDO
@Gad Get
Tell me, is there A/c In a cave these days? i mean how hot does it get?
"we'll have much more to say' ...
Its better TO BURN OUT, than to FADE AWAY!!
@psycros
There can iBe only one
Microsoft has become a sad sack.
@(Unverified) What the hell do you mean?