Microsoft's MWC digs come together, 'Ready, Set' is the theme (and Steve Ballmer's hosting)
By Chris Ziegler 
posted February 10th 2010 2:12PM
posted February 10th 2010 2:12PM
If you're as curious as we are about Microsoft's plans, here's when the event (which you can bet your bottom euro we'll be liveblogging) kicks off on Monday, February 15:
03:00AM - Hawaii
06:00AM - Pacific
07:00AM - Mountain
08:00AM - Central
09:00AM - Eastern
02:00PM - London
03:00PM - Paris
11:00PM - Tokyo
[Thanks, Javier M.]
Update: We've gotten email confirmation from Microsoft today that none other than the head honcho, Steve Ballmer, will be hosting the press conference -- which means we need roughly 20 percent less coffee before showing up than we would otherwise.
Really looking forward to this...
I wonder if there'll be a phone that's 4.0". We have the Nexus and iPhone in the 3.something range which is fine...and then we have the HD2 which is 4.3"...a monster. But nothing in-between.
WM7 better be full of win. How long does MWC last?
@Steven Don't worry, for Microsoft, 7 seems to be that magic number.
@Steven Is a phone at .3 less of an inch really going to be *that* big of a difference beside an HD2? Besides, the HD2 is thinner than the iPhone, and that's where it really counts for povketability. Now if they'd just make the camera flush...
@Palomino
I agree, unfortunately I've never been able to hold an HD2 for myself, but I do have big hands so it doesn't matter. 4.3" just seems massive.
I'll wait to see what gets announced.
@Steven
Small bezel and thin form factor make the 4.3" pretty comparable to the iPhone in size.
@Steven
This is pretty exciting. Is it a brand new device? Or just new WinMo 7 software... Maybe both?!?! *shrieks*
@bjsguess
Just to back you up, people keep saying the HD2 is massive. It is pretty much no bigger than an iphone - its just that the screen is 16:9 and comes much closer to the bezel. My brother just bought one and we compared it to his old iphone 3gs. Also i would like to mention he hasn't regretted his decision to swap. The protruding camera also only protrudes a very short distance i doubt most would notice.
4.3" seems massive?
That's just too easy.
@werty1432k That and 360...
@wraypa1 Screen not 16:9, but your right about the minimal bezel.
@Steven
Have you not heard of the sony ericsson x10? It has a 4" screen. It may not be the phone you want, but it has a 4" screen nonetheless.
@Steven Everybody is! 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. New info: http://bit.ly/winmo-7-leaked-info
Windows Phone 7
"Ready, Set . . . Zune?"
@Smart People Play Tuba lol
Ready, seORANGE SQUARE
@Alex
and "Ready Se[blue square]"
@Alex haha I just noticed that, your comment ftw! +1
@Alex
All I see from the theme is no "Go". The "No Go" idea doesn't have me thrilled.
@afrovballpride
The Go is only on 15th..
Looking forward to Windows Mobile 7, if it's anything like Windows 7 it's going to be pretty awesome.
@Chris7197
+1 Agreed
@Chris7197
Haha, sadly, it will be alot like Windows Client. That's cuz MS doesn't get Mobile operating systems. It will also have a 3.5" floppy drive.
@Wesscoast That would be a massive win if Ballmer came out with a massive brick of a phone with a 3.5" floppy drive taped to the back of it, saying "Here's what we've been working on! HAHAHA! Just kiddiing, folks!"
Big hopes for Winmo7 or Windows Phone 7
Better not let me down Steve! /shakes fist
WinMo 7 and a microsoft branded Zune phone. Do it.
@Nitesh
for business: put a snapdragon processor in a phone that will do video out in addition to supporting bluetooth keyboard and mouse while having native office integration (a la iPad - maybe not a totally stupid idea).
I wonder if we'll get a complete history article to read the day before the event like the iPad....
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/
@PlatinumSkeet
Most Likely Not. That would go against everything this Site Stands for
@SetThemStraight :
No it wouldn't...
We've only had a couple of rumours about WM7 (vs. the tablet, which was what, a decade's worth?)
A roundup would be nice, but that was an entire decade's worth.
I still want to see some hype for this! After Apple's stumble, we need something to look forward to :/
@PlatinumSkeet: Sure, just use the iPhone tag.
Nexus One vs. iPhone vs. Zune Phone..
let the war begin
@beckhams777
vs. Pre..? maybe?
I hope it's a farce, and they release the beloved Courier.
(If I'm right, can the good folks at Engadget spot me the cash for one? Pretty please?)
@Davin Black, I'm excited by Windows Mobile 7, but yea the Courier would steal the show if they were to show it off.
@Davin Black
That would be awesome. A release date would be fine too.
Actually, It's "Ready. Set."
With 2 periods, not a comma.
@ClippinWings Correct -- mentioned that in the post. Just looked too weird for the headline. :)
@Chris Ziegler
Then why quote it "Ready, Set"?
@Chris Ziegler "Ready[,] Set[...]"
Just playing, but yea a quote should include the periods probably.
Would be funny if they showed the Courier off a different time slot than Windows Mobile 7. Chris is there a chance they have two time slots or would it have to be shown off at the same time? You probably have a better understanding of how the timing works MWC.
@JXCGunrunna
he already answered that, and who the F cares!? you know what he means. it's not that big a deal, quit trying to be a smart-ass.
@ClippinWings
want a cookie?
@iroq d mullet
sure, chocolate chip please.
I guess I'm just a stickler for accuracy in reporting. My bad.
@iroq d mullet
Someones panties are all up in a knot. If you take everything more light heartedly in the comments, the internet is a much happier place. Chill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmjZ8kLSRdQ&hd=1
I wonder if they did it intentionally or not, but Set happens to mean Seven in Catalan.
Si non è vero è ben trobatto
@VargasBrown
mind=blown. good work, soldier.
Why in the bloody hell did they change the branding to 'Windows Phone' when 'the phone' has now become so much more than just that?
'Windows Mobile' was right on trend as our interconnected services, (and all of them it would seem) are increasingly carried right along with us.
I fear it was a move to take away the bad taste of a few Windows Mobile's prior to 7, but I really don't think that this marketing change really help matters in the long run...
Changing the name won't make it good, being good will make it good!
@LRawlins Maybe it will be such a big shift from their old Windows Mobile UI that they want a new name to distinguish it better in people's minds. To be honest, I know a lot of people who were scorned by WM in the past and hate hearing that phrase... they should have called it Zune OS ;)
@technogecko6 Right, but after the global ball-ache that was Windows Vista, they didn't start calling it 'Doors'.
All they need is a good product, then the damage can be undone, and a bit of integrity restored. What do you think ditching 'Mobile' says to all those users who believed the hyperbole of past promises and stuck with what has now been illustrated a sinking ship? You think they're going to jump on 'Windows Phone'? Let's face it, they're not going to be issued a free upgrade for their misguided loyalty are they.
I just don't think it was good call personally. Windows Mobile was an established identity, a much broader identity, it just needs an iteration worthy of the stamp.