Windows Phone 7 Series hands-on and impressions (updated with video)
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted February 15th 2010 11:56AM
posted February 15th 2010 11:56AM
First the look and feel. The phones are really secondary here, and we want to focus on the interface. The design and layout of 7 Series' UI (internally called Metro) is really quite original, utilizing what one of the designers (Albert Shum, formerly of Nike) calls an "authentically digital" and "chromeless" experience. What does that mean? Well we can tell you what it doesn't mean -- no shaded icons, no faux 3D or drop shadows, no busy backgrounds (no backgrounds at all), and very little visual flair besides clean typography and transition animations. The whole look is strangely reminiscent of a terminal display (maybe Microsoft is recalling its DOS roots here) -- almost Tron-like in its primary color simplicity. To us, it's rather exciting. This OS looks nothing like anything else on the market, and we think that's to its advantage. Admittedly, we could stand for a little more information available within single views, and we have yet to see how the phone will handle things like notifications, but the design of the interface is definitely in a class of its own. Here's a few takeaways on what it's like to use (and some video)...
Start screen: the Start experience is completely revamped, now focusing on sets of tiles which represent links to applications or contacts. It's a completely contextual experience which can be customized both by users and carriers, and allows people to "promote" items higher up in the list. To the right of this screen is a long, vertical list of all your apps for quick jumps. It will take some time getting used to this layout; one or two tiles per line, and that long list which goes up and down rather than left and right, but honestly -- this does have some advantages. Things seems less out of reach in this configuration, and Microsoft swears that they'll be working closely with developers to build widgets that make use of the concept.
General phone navigation: If you've used the Zune HD, you know what this is like. Lots of bold text on the device, lists with text cut off on the sides of the phone, and additional screens to the left and right driven by arrows pointing you in either direction. For the most part this works, though in instances like email, it feels like there's a bit of wasted space. Everything else is super stripped down -- the calendar app looks like vector line art (and weirdly one of our favorite parts of the phone), the browser seems to be using the bare minimum to show its content (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and the phone application is essentially monochromatic. On the other hand, you've got a beautiful and robust photo app (with pinch to zoom, as in the browser), and the Zune end of things is perfectly integrated... but what did you expect? Oh, and never mind that this is the first time Microsoft is bringing Zune to the rest of the world.
The sheer minimalism of the interface is striking, and we're really impressed by how many risks Microsoft is taking here. It's hard to believe that just a year ago this company was showing off WM 6.5, which now looks ages behind what they've turned around with today. We're not sure if someone was just let off the leash or if we're seeing a newer, smarter, more agile Microsoft, but the 7 Series concept definitely shows that this company is learning from its mistakes.
It's not a flawless experience. There are still some points that need polishing, and we saw our share of missed touches and weird behavior, but in comparison to another new OS we just saw (Bada), there's not even a competition. The browser also still needs a bit of work -- page rendering isn't as snappy as we would have liked to see, though it does seem to be true to page layout, which is a great step in the right direction. It's clear that the team we met here in Barcelona is still hard at work on refining and perfecting the work they've started. And honestly, for the first time in a long time, we're excited about Microsoft in the mobile space. If they can deliver on the promises of 7 Series, this could change the current landscape of the smartphone market... but that's a lot to deliver on. Hold tight, because things are really starting to get interesting.
@Ariel Bender
Flash is all-but-confirmed to be in the works for WP7 Series, it just won't be out by launch.
As good as it sounds and looks and Im sure it'll have the backing it needs to provide the apps for the app hoarders and touchy feelly users but what about physical keyboards and phones without a touch screen interface. have they built windows 7 phone series to be used in those situations well enough.
I'm all for touch screen but I do still like my physical buttons and/or slide out keyboards :)
Great to seee a much revamped mobile os from microsofts. here's hoping it works well.
I'd love to see Nokia re-imagine their symbian OS too and more work down on the blackberry os. competition is great.
@Punk well they did say they are specifying a minimum hardware requirement, although they will handle different form-factors. I really hope W7M will be available on none-touchscreen phones.
Saw the entire conference (still happening):
I like how clean and "expensive" it looks, like WebOS and iPhone. Android still has this "cheap, basement OS" look to it. The animations, the consistency in UI, the font...etc. They all look like something you pay for, something beautiful and well supported.
I don't like the tiles, which are nothing but widgets with little functionality. Some even aren't widgets, but icons/shortcuts. An incredible waste of screen real estate. Then again, I undestand how it's being geared towards the iPhone crowd. I wouldn't recommend an Android for my mom or sister. They would want to press on a large tile with the word "music" on it to reach music.
I think Android needs to up its UI game, with more eye candy and consistency. WP7 looks beautiful, and it looks expensive and supported.
One last thing: Android's notification bar, once again, proves to be a killer function for me. I love it.
Future Android Widgets by TAT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOGmnnGpoqg
Just watched the end of the Microsoft press conference, and during the Q&A session, someone asked about Flash... They replied: "No, not out of the gate" and Steve Balmer rebuts with "We have no OBJECTION to Flash (he literally yelled objection) but no, on "v1" there is no support"
Are they developing something? Or was that a round about way to skirt the question?
P.S. Steve reminds me of that school principle on Back To The Future... ;)
@BigTank2585 I think it's just because they're trying to promote Silverlight.
@BigTank2585
It's just that the OS v1 isn't finalized yet.
With Adobe's programing history (how long have they been working the bugs out on 10.1 now?), it's probably best MS leaves Flash support for at least v1.1 and they have tons of time to test it be release.
@PBB
MICROSOFT TOTALLY RIPPED THIS OFF FROM THE ZUNE INTERF-nevermind.
any phone os thats capable of making this kind of leap is worth supporting. im done with iphone.
Oh yeah, I see a HUGE donation made to the good ole boys at XDA for porting WM7 over to my HD2 or Dell mini 5 (which ever I choose to get)...Oh yeah!!!!!
So, how's the browser?
Will people be able to constantly upgrade their device's OS as new features emerge?
@huh They said it will be based on the desktop version of IE, so it will probably be 'OK', but not brilliant I guess.
It will probably display all your sites just as good as your desktop IE7/8/9/whatever tho, which sounds like a good thing.
Am I the only one that thinks this sounds an awful lot like a "bargain-bin smartphone OS"?
@Veraxus I dont see anything exciting either.
It may not sounds great on paper, but I think WP7 has absolutely nailed a unique look for a mobile OS.
Honestly, the distinctions between the iPhone, S60 5th, Android, S-Class, and now Bada were disappearing quickly and just like WebOS, WP7 is a breath of fresh air that seems to have much more life.
Of course no one knows if that will translate to a reliable day-to-day experience, but they've definitely got me hooked
@Veraxus Same here, looks like a dumbphone OS to me.
@Veraxus I was thinking that too. The graphics and text look kind of bland and the guy in the demo seems to want to skip over some things quite quickly. Time will tell though. I don't think I will be a early adopter (rarely am) but once the thing is polished and we see what it delivers on and doesn't I might like one.
It's official. I just wet my pants (dropped a bowl of cornflakes on my lap). I want one now. I don't care if I am holding a brick I love the UI. I wonder if microsoft will head in that direction for windows 8 on the pc/tablet. You can see the thought put into the UI it has a very simple hireachy that can be manipulated to suit various tasks. It marks a new way for people to other people rather than with tech. The iphone was just a menu with an app platform. Microsoft has taken a lot more ownership on deliverying a more broad ranging and fulfilling experience.
Someone in cupertino has just shit his pants :D
I only wish they could bring this to market earlier, holidays 2010 is still 9-10 MONTHS away!
By that time apple, android and symbian will have had a loong time to come up with something just as cool (or even cooler) :D
This is going to be an exciting year for mobile enthousiasts :D
@StarLite
Exactly. Android 5.0? They just gave the other guys lots of time to up their game.
@TareG Which is fine by me. If google, nokia, or hell anyone else on the market can create something even better, i'm fine with that. More choice is always nice to have.
@StarLite lol please Steve Jobs is laughing his ass off rite now. I would take a iPhone over this thing any day and I hate the iPhone.
whats the deal with the zune screen on the phone. Is Microsoft coming out with their own hardware + windows mobile phone?
zune phone?
because I know many other manufacturers like HTC and sony use windows mobile and I'm PRETTY SURE sony won't be too happy to have zune plastered all over their sony smartphones :P
@Punk: Well, maybe that'll force Sony to have a better integrated service. They're even worse than MS for that stuff, although MS started to get their act together with the Zune HD and Marketplace (if you're in the US).
They NEED to roll it out globally, which is seems like an inevitability given the tight integration with the phone.
The screenshots and mockups we've been seeing over the past 3 years have been FAR OFF.
@TareG haha definitly !! But they were what Microsoft was showing off as what 'Windows Mobile 7' would be, 2 years ago. I was at some private meeting once and that's what they were showing.
This 'new' Windows mobile 7 is just incredible !!!
This was good but didnt do it for me fully. I have an iPhone, but no other Apple products. Im not a fanboy. I just think it had to much going on in the UI. Sometimes, simpler is better. Got to wait until iPhone keynote to make a decision.
E71, I'd like you to meet your replacement.
Are those 3D transitions in the demo actually there, or just demo?
@Kirtay They are actually there. Apart from the HUBS, everything was demoed on an actual device.
@StarLite
:D :D :D
Not sure if this was posted, but a hands-on of the hardware at the Windows Phone blog.
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsphone/archive/2010/02/15/windows-phone-7-series-show-and-tell.aspx
ui video
I really like what Microsoft showed today, even though it's sort of a basic, "Here's what's coming," presentation. Thing is, making us wait until the holidays to get our hands on these babies? That's just crazy.
I've had my current 1st gen iPhone since February 2008, and I'm really itching to upgrade. I'm already pissed that Apple has shown jack in terms of what's coming with the next iPhone, the Nexus One isn't on Verizon until the spring and even then it's been having issues, and now this won't be available to consumers until November at the earliest.
I feel like I'm stuck in handset limbo because Apple hasn't talked new handset, Google went with a terrible provider right off the bat with the Nexus One, the Droid's hardware isn't what I want it to be, the Eris isn't running 2.0, and now Microsoft has a bitchin' offering but I can't get it for at least another 9 months.
Looks pretty awesome, but it's much too early to say that this will be my next phone. Things like text input, web browsing, and content are most important to me. This does look very promising though and it is fun to see the kids on here get excited with only a few tidbits of info being thrown out so far.
It looks like Microsoft is really on the right track this time by building a mobile OS from the ground up and not trying to shrink a desktop OS onto a mobile device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pniPBg668UE
I hope the browser has multi-window support.
@Fdo35 i just saw a hands on vid and it supports tabs..im sooo glad
The "Xbox Live"-logo blends in just fine.
I'm liking the look of this phone. Any clue what the developer experience will be like?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pniPBg668UE
This board loves the "WIndows Phone 7 Series". . .like it loved the Nexus One, the Droid, and the Pre, phones that were released, failed to sell in huge numbers, then made way for the next iPhone killer. This might end up being a great product, like those other phones, but the public won't care, so it won't matter.
@Perspective
This is Microsoft we are talking about. They have the power and marketing position to sell zillions of Windows Phones.
@Perspective
yeah this site loves every new shiny thing. They are in the new shiny thing business I guess.
I can't shake the feeling though that this is the Jones camp and not part of the rest of world.
I don't think the masses will be drinking the kool-aid being given out here today.
@Freakhead I agree. This is Ugly, buggy and just lame when compared to other options out there. I'm sure they will sell a lot of units, but xbox live integration does not interest me and it looks like thats the only thing this phone does better than others.
SOOOO... this raises the bar SUPER high for the next iPhone, next Android, Blackberry, Palm OS.... Cell Phones are becoming so fun now WOOT WOOT
The OS appears to have the styling of the recently updated Engadget website. Not a bad thing either in my opinion.
@4ENsic If you visually busy and un-intuitive, then I agree.
Too much reading to be done in this OS.
@GeekGirl: Meh. Nice hardware, but the Nexus One proved that the only good Android is an Android with Sense.
It looks like the silverlight facebook interface that you can download. Which is pretty cool looking, but doesn't seem as intuitive as you would expect. Theres not much in the way of object recognition, its just a mash of pictures and text. I guess it would flow better once you got your hands on it. What I mean to say, its not ugly at all, a great improvement on previous OS versions, but still clunky like the PS3 or xbox interfaces. It doesn't flow.