Microsoft offers up lengthy Windows Phone 7 Series video walkthrough
By Darren Murph 
posted February 15th 2010 12:39PM
posted February 15th 2010 12:39PM
[Thanks, Nathan]
posted February 15th 2010 12:39PM
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I really do like the look of the new Windows Phone software. Won't pass judgment on it until I actually hold it in my hand though.
@mbushnell
Very nice, Microsoft. Very nice indeed.
Curious to see what the Fruit Factory and Skynet will answer with, after seeing this demonstration.
@mbushnell
@ENGADGET
Where is Windows Phone 7 banner ???
when they* release iPad, you have the banner until now :(
the os looks nice, has a lot of goodies too, all it needs is nice hardware and this definitely has in it to be a killer! apart from apple, this is a phone that comes with an "ecosystem" that many of us long too..
@BuryTheCastle +1
this will deifinitely push the best to make it better and much better at that!
enough with all the integrated social networking already, if i want to know what my wife is doing i'll just ask her ffs!
apart from that it looks nice.
@mbushnell needs some touching up... screen doesn't seem that responsive and very slight laggish problems... but then awesome job microsoft!!!!!!!!
@rhezaganteng They will never have a banner for WMSS..........they probably won't make an app for it either.
@mbushnell
I like it too, especially since I use the ZuneHD so heavily, and have always loved that UI.
I'm guessing they just aren't ready to show it, but they never once showed the actual phone dialer, or any type of application "start menu."
I know there is a screenshot out there that shows a very basic phone dialer, but I'd love to see it's extra features.
This OS needs some type of app loader screen, since those tiles can only do so much for your 3rd party apps. I'm guessing they just haven't finalized it yet.
Overall, I'm very excited, and am glad that my AT&T Fuze contract ends in November, so I can get this new phone in December!
@mbushnell the thing is, will the HTC HD2 get an upgrade ?? :(
@mbushnell
This looks even cooler than my HD2 and my Hero put together.
my only doubt is that it looks very, very graphic intensive and I fear that such an interface would slow any hardware to a crawl.
On the otherhandside I refuse to belive that MS did not adress this issue.
I really hope they can pull off an OS capable of being as fast, versatile and practical as it looks cool.
If mighty MS can't pull it off nobody can (apart for Google of course)
@mbushnell
I think it looks like crap. But it's nice to see the anti-Apple zealots actually get excited about something rather than always complaining about Apple.
@MysticMaven
I doubt you think at all to be honest.
@Plexus If you've used a Zune HD which runs the Tegra 1 processor, you would see that a UI like this is easily handled by a good processor. The Zune HD has to have one of the smoothest interfaces of any gadget I've used.
I really don't think this holds a candle to webOS 1.0, let alone what Palm has cooking for Summer.
Kind of pathetic, especially with a Q4 release date.
@mbushnell
Looks nice but too early to tell.
Questions:
* Will the hubs support third party multitasking - i.e. can you switch third party apps in for the default apps?
* Flash will inevitably come for it but when?
* Is it touch exclusive or do the hardware parameters include keyboard support?
@mbushnell
I think the navigation for things is very clumsy, and it was registering some unintentional clicks judging by the video, but he was saving it by talking about what he just clicked into.
I really don't think this OS is going to be as robust as previous Windows Mobile OSes and I think they are going to lose a lot of people with this sort of "social" transition.
I was really hoping for something great as far as the OS goes, cause I really like to see Microsoft innovate in software, but I feel this isn't really any innovation, but a step back in the robustness that was available in previous versions.
Truly sad.
@BuryTheCastle I love it!
@unwynd yea being forced to use BIng, outlook, IE and xbox live? You really want that ecosystem? Oh please...
@Mack Stone Yeah iPhone UI is the best ... IF YOU WANT TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR DEVICE!!!
Note this is still a prototype. The UI is unfinished in my opinion. Well the buttons from the homescreen are kind of ugly.... put an interesting platform to say the least!
Very brave, Microsoft to ditch their ENTIRE app catalog, games and services to make a new OS! Good job!
P.S: Where are the registrys?!
@Mack Stone
"Where are all those people that hated on the iPhone for not having Multi-tasking, Flash and a hard keyboard?"
No body knows anything for certain regarding multitasking, Flash is being worked on, and MS doesn't do hardware. This was a single prototype phone running WP7S. There will be more phones in the coming months. Without a doubt, there will be some with keyboards.
Now, please stop posting irrelevant bull.
@Mack Stone
Who are these mythical people that did so? I've criticized the iPhone for what you've said. Many Windows Phone 7 models will have a keyboard (choice is a good thing). It sounds like Flash will eventually show up, although not being supported from launch is a bit disappointing. As for no multitasking that is a huge drawback if there's not a workaround, although if they implement a notification system similar to Apple's that does alleviate the problem somewhat.
Just because some people criticize Apple and some people praise Microsoft doesn't mean anybody is a hypocrite. In many cases they're different people, and in others there are logically consistent reasons for the way they feel.
@kyphem knowing ms, it isnt the same as apple, read not closed! you will see options to use your own thing if you choose to...
@MrJimlad lol
@Mack Stone
You know what? People may have different opinions, as there will be different Windows Phone 7 Series (nice software, but it's still quite a mouthful) devices. It will be most probable that some will have more buttons, and even more likely there will be at least a couple of full-qwerty WP7S devices.
@Plexus they have confirmed that the hardware requirements from manufacturers to run Win7 is higher, they arent letting them install WP7 on shitty hardware like they did with 6.x and older, the GFX accelerator and CPU and Touchscreen are REQUIRED for WP7 manufactuers, so that all of the phones that run it should all run it smoothly.
@Mack Stone
It will have keyboard phones. If you actually watched the video you would see they discuss that.
In addition, Adobe is working on and there will be flash its just not done yet.
I don't know 100% about multitasking, but if you look closely in the video the Calendar App has 'exit' in the menu.
Obviously you are a troll, did not watch the video so you actually hate the platform without even looking at the facts. You have a predetermined opinion that is not based in facts or reality.
@Mack Stone Excuse me? It is about CHOICES. If someone wants a total touch phone (like my boyfriend) then they have that choice. If someone wants a phone with a keyboard, they also have that choice.
I imagine HTC will keep the tradition of making identical phones, one with keyboard and one without. Which works great for me since I want a keyboard and my boyfriend does not.
Obvious Troll is still Obvious Troll
@Mack Stone You don't even KNOW if it the hardware will sans a keyboard or not. No one knows, yet here you are trying to preach hypocrisy. Preach on, preacherman.
@KennyB123 Yeah, the application menu was something I thought was missing, too, but when I went to the official product page, they showed that if you slide right or touch the arrow on the home screen, there is a straight up application list. I was really worried for a second.
@MarkAnderson
So, you did not see the video!
@KennyB123 Amen! I too am stuck with an AT&T Fuze. Unfortunately I don't know if I can wait that long before making the switch as the Fuze is a horribly put together piece of hardware (and software!).
That being said, since I already have a Zune HD, I don't want a phone that is going to be very similar to it cause I don't see the point. By comparison, if I had an iPod Touch, I'm not sure why I would get an iPhone rather than something that offers a bit of variation like a Droid or Pre. However, I do LOVE the Zune HD interface. Super responsive and sexy as hell. Looks like they have improved the soft keyboard as well which is the worst part of the Zune HD experience.
@Mack Stone He was very clear when asked about Flash, that while there was no initial support, he was, by no means, opposed to it. Also, Silverlight is more than capable of replacing Flash. It just lacks the developers using the platform, which is completely free, open, and readily available for all major browsers and OS's. I'm not concerned about it.
@BuryTheCastle
I love your comment
and I am so excited for the future of windows-phones only gripes I have are actually about the press conference and not the device...
-they didn't show how notifications work outside of the home-screen
-they didn't show how to customize the phone
-they didn't mention how the phone pauses apps instead of killing them, (a feature that I don't mind only because it makes sense for the interface and is just like multitasking, although it is a huge step down from my pre on paper)
-they didn't show us if you can download movies from the phones zune marketplace.
p.s: is anyone else replacing there zunehd with a windows-phone???
:-)
@Mack Stone
"you WILL be hating on any Windows Phone without a hard keyboard, right?"
You are entirely missing the issue there and why it won't compare. Some windows 7 phones will have keyboards - so there is the choice many of us with iPhones didn't have when we bought ours. I like my iPhone just fine, but would like a physical keyboard very much. Further, the Zune HD UI is very slick and I love that too. (I have one and like it a lot more than the interface on the iPhone. You cannot tell me the iPhone music and video menus are nicer looking or acting - they simply are not.)
@Mack Stone Wow... You really are a delusional iDiot aren't you.
Face the Facts: Apple has sat far too long on the 'Romper Room' (Read: so simple a 2 year old can use it) inspired laurels of their mobile OS, and now MS has taken the (very forward-thinking) ZUNE HD GUI to the next level, and made them look like Apple's wares are remnants from the previous century.
Deal With It!
@MarkAnderson
The video stated that a keyboard was not a spec'd minimum requirement. The manufacturer has the option.
@mbushnell - yeh - its sooo cool and easy to use that it takes a friking 22 minute video to explain it. Give me a break! It looks like it was designed by someone with ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder. And worst of all, its friking MSFT! People are sooooo tired of being screwed by this company and now that there are so many better alternatives to them in this space they are going to continue to slide down. They have become irrelevant!
@Mack Stone yup, sheep-people..
@rhezaganteng
LOL they DIDN"T release it yet.
@nytenyte It seems exactly as my iphone 3G as far as lag and unresponsiveness goes - not bad considering its a prototype. And if you remember back thdn in 2008 everyone was oooh and aaah over the iphone and how "fast" the UI was.
@mbushnell Basing from the reviews and sideglances on the Windows Phone 7, it appears its a bold yet refreshing way for a mobile OS
to start.
I think MS has done a pretty good job to show 'simplicity' over this platform. If they can improve the marketplace of this phone then I believe this could set a new tone for the mobile industry: http://bit.ly/windows-phone-7-opinions
OMG Windows Phone,
its definetely EPIC WIN!!!!
@rhezaganteng no.. its not.
@rhezaganteng
screw the phone. MS needs to develop a tablet version of this and kick apple while it's down.
@rhezaganteng
Epic win? i feel like the phone isnt geeky enough. On another note I also feel like they have an epically overclorked processor running on that.
@rhezaganteng
Yup, definitely epic win!!
@Oldarney That is a big chunk of the logic behind it. They will happily partner up with any hardware company, but they are going to be strict demanding in terms of minimum requirements to play ball. You won't find it running on a device that isn't a powerhouse.
@Oldarney
You've obviously never experienced the smoothness/fluidity of the ZUNE HD GUI - No over-clocking required, just a great processor paired with precise software/hardware engineering.
@DaHarder
Um, Oldarney never made the claim that the processor was over-clocked, as you imply. He said it was "overclorked". There's a HUGE difference. :P lol
@Oldarney
Don't be offended. Everyone makes typos. I'm just being an opportunist. :D