Windows Phone 7 Series: everything you ever wanted to know

Microsoft just planted a massive flag in the ground with the debut of Windows Phone 7 Series. The company's new mobile operating system is a radical and potent departure from the past, and there's a lot to take in -- so we've gathered together all our knowledge and impressions of the device so far and rolled them into a single, concise guide. Of course, there will be plenty more to learn in the coming months, and we're going to be beating down Redmond's door for more details on this thing, but for now let's dive into what Microsoft has revealed so far about its latest and (potentially) greatest phone operating system.

Windows Phone 7 Series Interface

The basic facts

Windows Phone 7 Series is the successor to Microsoft's line of Windows Mobile phone operating systems. It's based on the Windows CE 6 kernel, like the Zune HD, while current versions of Windows Mobile are based on Windows CE 5. Microsoft announced the new OS at Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona, and says that the first handsets to run it are supposed to be released by the holiday shopping season of this year.

The visual and underlying differences in the operating system are almost too numerous to mention, including a completely (and we do mean completely) upended user interface, an emphasis on finger-based touchscreen input, deep social networking integration, fully branded and expansive Zune and Xbox components, and extremely strict hardware requirements for partners. A couple familiar touchstones from the past include plans for Outlook and Office support, as well as licensing to a wide variety of third party hardware vendors -- despite the name change, Microsoft still isn't building any phones itself.

Windows Phone 7 Series live gallery

Hardware

Part of what makes Windows Phone 7 Series a departure for Microsoft is that the company is taking a much bigger role in dictating what hardware is allowed to run the OS. While we still haven't seen an actual device produced by a manufacturer for retail (the demo unit being shown off is a prototype slab allegedly made by Garmin-Asus, but not a device that might ever come to market), Microsoft has a very clear picture of what they want these units to be built like. Still, while the company is laying down the ground rules in an attempt to create a more consistent experience across phones, it doesn't mean there won't be variety. You'll see variation in devices (yes, some with and some without a keyboard), but there will be a much more steady tone in the nature of Windows Phone 7 Series handsets. Here's a look at some of the minimum specs detailed to us thus far:

• Large WVGA screen with a single aspect ratio (which means BlackBerry-style devices won't be readily available to begin with)
• Five specific hardware buttons required: Start, back, search (a dedicated Bing button), camera button, and power -- no more, no less
• Capacitive multitouch
• CPU and GPU requirements (beginning with Qualcomm's Snapdragon as the go-to processor)
• WiFi
• AGPS
• Accelerometer
• FM radio
• High resolution camera

As we said, Microsoft is showing the OS off on unbranded prototype hardware. It's a simplistic slate phone with a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, what appears to be a front-facing camera (a point we haven't heard the company sound off on yet)... and not much else. We still have plenty of unanswered questions on hardware, not just about that camera, but storage specs, whether or not we'll be able to use microSD or some form of removable storage, and how we'll go about connecting these devices to our laptops.

What's the software like?

How exactly is Windows Phone 7 Series different than previous versions of Windows Mobile? The question is probably better phrased as "how isn't Windows Phone 7 Series different than previous versions of Windows Mobile." This isn't a coat of paint or a touch up -- this is a full-scale nuclear assault on everything you knew about Windows on phones. Basically, every interface paradigm you've seen in earlier versions is obliterated here, and the design has been utterly decimated (in a very, very good way). There's no longer a Start menu, drop downs, check boxes, radio buttons, windows, lists of icons... we could go on and on, but suffice to say this thing is just a totally different beast altogether. Microsoft clearly worked long and hard developing new ways to navigate a phone, and this doesn't even bear a resemblance to other phones currently on the market. There are no icon grids, no pull down menus, no card view, and no task manager (more on that in a moment).

Windows Phone 7 Series UI walkthrough

So what is it actually like? Well, it's a lot like the Zune HD. In fact -- it's just like the Zune HD... but more. Microsoft says it's drawn on its Zune and Windows Media Center UI concepts and come up with something it calls "Metro." A typographic and motion heavy interface based on primary colors and lots of minimal, negative space. Whatever you call it, however, it should be very familiar to anyone who's ever glanced at a Zune HD, because it incorporates all those weird interface tweaks that made it so distinct, such as large, bold text that trails off the screen, menus which move dimensionally in and out instead of just side to side, and the sense that you're panning over long, single pages of information, rather than a set of separate panels. Another way Microsoft refers to the look is "chromeless," which can best be witnessed in the clean, sharp "tiles" which dominate the home screen, completely lacking in any real world-inspired bevels, drop shadows, curves or textures, or the Tron-like calendar app, dialer, and alphabetical contact search grid, which look like they've been built out of spare parts from Tempest.

The OS's unlock screen is similar to the Zune's; a large photo that can be dragged upward to unlock the device, though it also includes time, date, upcoming calendar items, number of unread messages, and number of missed calls (imagine that -- information on a lock screen!). Behind the unlock is the Start screen, which is composed of user-configurable and movable "tiles" in a somewhat narrow strip down the middle of the screen, either in sets of two across, or longer single tiles. Tiles can be linked to an app (like Internet Explorer), a specific contact or website, a photo gallery, playlist, can function as a standalone widget, or reach out to one of the "hubs" which comprise the majority of the phone's functionality. In fact, there seems to be no end to what you might be able to link the tiles to (we'll wait for word on Microsoft though, because we suspect there is an end). The panels are live and animated, with changes coming in the form of status updates from friends, new photos, new messages, upcoming calendar events and so forth. Your most used or best loved tiles can be "promoted" to the top of this list, meaning that what you are most likely to reach for is easily accessible, but as your habits or use change, so does the arrangement of your Start screen, and the list of tiles is infinitely long. Infinite.

Windows Phone 7 Series first look

Hubs are where things really get interesting, however. Microsoft described it to us as an "app that makes sense of your apps." Instead of icon screens or just the applications themselves, Microsoft offers a weird kind of middle ground -- sections of the phone where further action can be taken. You're not diving down into obscure menus here, rather interacting with a subset of functionality within the OS or applications. When you jump into a hub, you land in a horizontal-scrolling interface, with a series of scrollable data streams and views in parallel that you can "pivot" to. Again, this should be very familiar to Zune users. The content in a hub is composed of both locally-stored data and cloud-sourced information such as photos, contacts and so forth, and each hub has its own particular emphasis. The cloud-connected content is interesting, because it means you'll be able to browse both locally stored data (such as a photo gallery) or a server-side collection in exactly the same way, with no break in the user experience or separate action required.

Core-functionality applications have a similar but more minimal interface, centered around a single task like SMS or email, while still relying on the swipe (or pan or pivot, whichever term you refer) motion to switch between views. At the bottom of the screen is an "app bar" that has a few icon shortcuts to common commands (like add calendar item or back and forward in the browser), but which also can be pulled up like a drawer to reveal further commands available to the user. Additionally, the search button is contextual, meaning that depending on where you're located on the device it can have slight variations on behavior. For instance, when you're in your contact list, tapping search will call up a contact search, as opposed to dropping you into a web or device search. Make no mistake about it though, Bing is your main avenue of search with this device, and Microsoft is pushing its engine hard, making it a central part of the user experience for both local (that is, local to the phone) and external content.

Also present in Windows Phone 7 Series is an all-new touchscreen keyboard (again, similar to its Zune HD counterpart), but with some significant auto-correction, along with the ability to tap a word you've already typed and select or type a correction for it. There's even a dedicated button to reveal a bevy of emoticons when updating your status, though this isn't unheard of -- Android features a similar set.

So how does it feel? Well right now it's rough. Overall things seem solid and connected, but there are clearly holes where this software is unfinished, and components of the interface that still require some serious debugging. The touchscreen in particular troubled us, as we saw inconsistent results from scrolling and tapping (sometimes there was no reaction at all, sometimes it went a bit crazy). There are also lots of pieces of this puzzle we haven't seen, such as notifications, and we still don't have a clear understanding of the nuts and bolts on things like multitasking (on that topic Microsoft is mostly mum, but the word is that this won't be true a "true" multitasking OS, rather something more like the iPhone), but it's relatively early on at this point. We have reservations about other things as well, little concerns such as the time it takes to jump from one task to another (we're hoping that the company gives us options to tweak animations and interface settings to some extent). Microsoft has the next six months or so to take what is an exciting and really fresh OS concept and put the polish on it that's required. We definitely saw plenty of bugs with touch sensitivity and UI behavior, and have a lot of questions to ask, but the raw materials are really impressive. You can't completely get a feel for something as complex as a modern smartphone OS in a couple of minutes or even hours of use -- it's the kind of thing you need to live with. We're hopeful about what Microsoft has shown us, and think that as long as they stay as aware and realistic as they've been so far with Windows Phone 7, the possibilities for success are strikingly high.

Windows Phone 7 Series UI walkthrough

Hubs and apps

Microsoft has made it clear that we haven't seen everything from Windows Phone 7 yet -- particularly in the application department -- but here's a look at what we have been given access to, and brief descriptions of the software's functionality:

People hub: Pulls in contacts from Gmail, Exchange, Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live and others, aggregating contact information, status updates, and contact images into a single view (or views, really). The main view of this hub keeps your most recently or heavily contacted people in first view dynamically (though this can be customized as well), and allows you to quickly jump to feeds of your recent updates from social networks aggregated by Windows Live. There's also a section here called "me" where you can view and edit your own statuses within your networks.

Pictures hub: An aggregate of your locally stored photos, cloud-based Facebook, Windows Live, or other connected picture galleries, and feeds of your contacts' recently updated images. The pictures hub will also allow you to upload and comment on photos on services like Facebook natively inside of the hub experience.

Games hub: Integrates with Xbox LIVE, including the housing of a miniature version of your avatar (in 3D and everything), Xbox LIVE games and achievements, Spotlight feeds, and the ability to browse gamer profiles. Microsoft hasn't shown any games yet, but has made mention of Facebook-style turn-based casual games being part of the equation. It's our impression that these devices have the horsepower to push pretty decent gaming experiences, and the integration with Xbox and its ecosystem is being taken very seriously by the folks in Redmond. We hope the fruit of this union will focus on more than just users hoping to play Sudoku on their phone. This should be an easy one to not screw up.

Music + Video hub: It's a Zune HD in your phone. Seriously. It's exactly like the Zune HD experience. You're able to utilize Zune Pass here too, including the ability to browse and download new music over WiFi and 3G. Video is a go too, and we assume that means rentals as well as purchases, but it's still unclear how this will interact with your desktop, Xbox, or Media Center setup. Furthermore, Microsoft is working with partners like Pandora to integrate with the hub, utilizing the Zune player to tap into Pandora's streaming service.

Marketplace hub: We've heard the least about this one so far, Microsoft is promising big things at MIX10, but we get the impression that when it comes to getting apps for these devices, the company is going to bring a much more Zune or Xbox like experience to the process. Based on the photos we've seen (which haven't been officially issued by Microsoft), the Marketplace looks nothing like the app-purchasing scheme on current Windows Mobile devices -- and that's an incredibly good thing.

Office hub: Microsoft's bread and butter, but so far we've just seen the hub itself -- none of its deeper functionality like document editing. There's an emphasis on OneNote and SharePoint Workspace that should be pretty interesting, however. Ultimately, based on the new UI paradigms and user experience directives of Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft is going to have to rebuild these applications from the ground up. As long as they're able to make them super functional while keeping the Metro look intact, this should be a real win -- we're still curious as to how the company plans to cram all that information into a UI which is focused on doing away with visual noise. Hopefully MIX10 will shed some light on this as well.

And all the rest...

Email: Relies on the pivot to switch between message views (unread / flagged / etc.), and has a color-coded system for differentiating between work and personal messages. Hopefully there's an option to un-mix multiple inboxes as well, but it's unclear so far. Multiple message management is onboard here, thankfully, though there's also a lot of negative space in the app, which is a bit of a concerning (if beautiful) trend throughout the UI. We don't expect any deep integration with services like Gmail beyond the contact syncing... though if Microsoft could pull labeling, archiving, and threaded messages off here, we can think of at least one editor who would be seriously inclined to switch to this platform.

Calendar: One of the odder apps visually, it almost looks like a DOS UI, with a white-on-black / primary color presentation. There are differentiations for specific types of data, such as red and blue notation for personal items and work. As we said earlier, this is weirdly one of the most striking applications on the phone, with lots of interesting functionality tied to its visual elements, like little lines in the day boxes which represent appointments when you're zoomed out to a month view.

SMS: It's barebones so far, but supports SMS and MMS, and it appears that the keyboard can be rotated to landscape for text entry. Let's hope that's an option in most places where input is required.

Phone: Even barer bones. Chromeless is in full effect here.

Internet Explorer: This is a big one, and Microsoft claims to have something newer and more based on the desktop IE than the current Windows Mobile / Zune browser. Features include multitouch pinch-to-zoom, "tabbed" browsing, and a new text rendering engine that brings supports sub pixel positioning for text. It's not as fast as we'd like just yet, but Microsoft has more than half a year to work out the kinks, and at least the page rendering is accurate.

Bing search: Search has contextual use in most apps, but from the Start menu it pulls up a separate, dedicated Bing app. When you search, Bing will try to decide what sort of search you're doing and present an appropriate set of results -- local results instead of web pages if you're looking for sushi, for instance. You can pivot between views, naturally, and the results are presented in the standard Windows Phone UI instead of just a mobile browser version of Bing.

Bing Maps: Addresses throughout the phone are turned into hyperlinks that can pull up Bing maps (phone numbers and email addresses are also intelligently discovered by the OS and made linkable), which includes pinch to zoom navigation and an auto-switch from map to satellite view at a certain zoom level. Microsoft is really pushing geolocation here, though we assume users will be given an option on whether or not they want to be found.

Windows Mobile legacy

Microsoft hasn't directly addressed the issue of backward compatibility with old Windows Mobile applications, but based on rumors and chatter we've heard, it's looking like this is a clean break, or at least it would require significant tweaks to get old software up and running on the new platform. Also, few (if any) existing handsets will be eligible for an upgrade to 7, there's almost zero UI carryover (sorry, power users), and Microsoft isn't allowing any carrier or OEM skins on top of 7 either. Let that soak in for just a moment: no Sense, no TouchWiz, no SPB Mobile Shell. The company has hinted at "extensibility" of its framework to allow for some level of carrier or manufacturer customization, but it's clear that Microsoft wants a much more unified experience from device to device.

So, where does this leave existing Windows Mobile users? Well, your phone still works, and since Microsoft has eliminated any sort of clear upgrade path, we're guessing there will be a pretty vibrant community of non-upgraders who will develop for and support existing Windows Mobile devices for years to come. Microsoft itself is positioning Windows Phone 7 Series primarily for consumers right now, which means it also has an interest in keeping Windows Mobile alive and well supported for the enterprise -- not to mention the slew of new Windows Mobile 6.5.3 devices it's pushing at MWC right this minute. Any reports of the death of Windows Mobile are greatly exaggerated, but it's also not an exaggeration to say that Microsoft has gone "scorched earth" in developing toward its primary future in phones.

Partners and developers

Naturally, there are plenty of companies -- both on the hardware and carrier front -- on board for Windows Phone 7 Series, and so far support has been pledged by Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG (rumored to have a device ready by September), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba on the hardware end. When it comes to carriers, the list is even longer, including AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. Needless to say, there will be no shortage of availability when WP7 comes to market.

On the developer side, Microsoft seems to be acutely aware of how badly it needs to come big on the app and software front. Every indication we got from team members in Barcelona led us to believe that they are focusing a tremendous amount of energy and thought on what the next step for them from a developer standpoint will be. One thing Microsoft has always prided itself on was developer love (c'mon, we've all seen the video), but in recent years the company seems to have taken a backseat while Apple has been blowing everyone away with its easy-to-code, easy-to-market solution for software on the iPhone and iPod touch. Microsoft will have to deliver a solution here that is not only competitive, but more attractive than the competition. We were told countless times that we would get a clearer picture on a lot of the nerdier queries we had at the upcoming MIX10 (which happens in mid-March). Until that event comes and goes, we're not sure we'll get a lot more clarity on that.

What's next?

Live from Microsoft's Windows Phone press event at MWC 2010

Windows Phone 7 Series is official, and Microsoft is playing to win

Windows Phone 7 Series hands-on and impressions (updated with video)

Windows Phone 7 Series faces off against its Windows Mobile past

Editorial: Engadget on Windows Phone 7 Series

Microsoft's shown a lot, but in some ways it's raised more questions than answers. The biggest issue at hand is how Microsoft will treat app development: will it expect Windows Phone 7 Series apps to look and operate like the 7 Series UI? Will it allow open extensions into its hubs to expand the number and kind of supported services? How do you navigate your files on the phone? Is the Xbox Live hub going to be inhabited by the likes of Scrabble or Halo? Hopefully most of this will be answered at MIX10, where Microsoft promises to unveil its app and gaming strategy for Windows Phone (amongst other things). It's going to take a special blend of tools, encouragement, and market share incentive to get developers on board, but we have to assume Microsoft knows this as well as anybody.

The rest is in the hands of Microsoft's developers, however. So far we've seen barely skin deep into the new OS, and witnessed plenty rough edges in even what was presented. We've been here before: Palm wowed the world with its revolutionary webOS UI, but a tight release deadline left quite a bit of functionality on the cutting room floor, and perhaps too many bugs, hiccups and slowdowns for a shipping OS. Microsoft has less than a year to pull this thing into fighting shape, and we'll be tracking every step of the way, with particular curiosity about the what sort of finished product we'll end up with on the other side.

Additional reporting and research by Paul Miller

[obobo Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:05PM]

couldn't be more disgusted and disappointed.. the emperors new clothes

[superberg Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:12PM]

So.. is Microsoft's new design philosophy to make sure text always runs off the side of the screen?

I guess tha
but it might
annoying.

[christexaport Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:14PM]

@superberg
Its actually pretty slick, since wherever the words fall off screen, you know you can slide that way.

[superberg Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:25PM]

@christexaport I suppose, but I always thought one of the reasons we made phones with bigger, higher-resolution screens was to cut back on the scrolling and the zooming.

[christexaport Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:13PM]

I wish Engadget had given Maemo/MeeGo as much pub, but anything Nokia gets the cold shoulder, even though its the people's choice and brand fave.

That being said, Microsoft has done alot right, and must be readying a PUSH system like Apple, which I think is a big mistake, instead of traditional multitasking. And the UI looks gorgeous, but I see small things that could hamper its use with real power users, like the small amount of contacts visible at one time in the list, or numbers within a contact. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed.

Here's the big question: Will the new WinCE kernel still support Qt as an app framework and graphics system? If so, maybe MIX news will be about Qt apps alongside its own plugins for certain Hubs. If Microsoft pushes the Qt development strategy and aligns with Nokia/Intel, its a win win win win win win win.....

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:14PM]

@christexaport

Very good questions that I'm sure will be answered in the very near future...

[TheLionOfAzzalle Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:17PM]

@christexaport

LMAO

"the peoples choice"

yeah in 3rd world countries and places outside the US which don't matter.

[thunderbollock Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:17PM]

@TheLionOfAzzalle
Europe doesn't matter? The Asian market doesn't matter? Either I have just been trolled or you need to travel a bit more amigo, you are just furthering the US stereotype.

Bear in mind that Europe has a larger combined economy than the US and that Asian market growth is nuts - just like your post.

[saposmak Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:26PM]

@TheLionOfAzzalle Think about this: Nokia completely owns the global smartphone market, and that's without the US market. Yes, you don't know what you're talking about.

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:13PM]

The element I appreciate most about WinPho7S is that it's so much more than merely some 'grid-laden' app/widget launcher...

Everything (so far) is so intelligently/beautifully integrated, lending the device the feel of going on some kind of virtual journey through the information (that is important to me).

Since buying my ZUNE HD, it's been disappointing to use any of my other devices because of the ZUNE HD's brilliantly realized interface and ZUNE Pass integration, and now that the same paradigm/functionality is coming to a smartphone, It's difficult to contain my excitement.

For me, this seems like the truly 'magical' device of 2010, and if/when this OS makes it to a tablet/slate, we might be looking at a real 'game changer'.

[ftyoo7 Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:22PM]

nice

[evans Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:41PM]

A New Hope

[Kid Red Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:43PM]

I can't stand the UI. It's so cluttered and annoying.

[Jonsson Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:01PM]

@Kid Red

How do you really know that from a few screen shots? Wouldn't be better to wait until you could get you hands on it and actually use it before making "dead sure" comments like that?

[derkaderka Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:20PM]

I wanted to buy a HTC HD mini with windows 6.3. Does anyone think I shouldn't do this? Should I wait for 7 or is the 6.3 just a piece of crap?

[mbarvian Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:16PM]

@derkaderka previous versions of WM are garbage

[cr8tive Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:40PM]

One of the most important things to remember here is that M$ has some pretty interesting and useful ideas.

The hub concept that allows data locally and in the cloud to be aggregated and accessible though an interface is pretty cool and logical. For example your photos are not just going to be stored locally, but in the cloud to.

You get the best of both worlds being able to access data stored in different places from an interface as oppose to opening multiple different applications.

Like some people have said, this is only a sneak peak and I imagine there is more testing/dev to do so it will be interesting to hear more.

[SonicGA Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:41PM]

I'm on board for this one. Apple fans can just bite my Zune-packing ass. They have their device, it works well, and they should be happy for it. For the rest of us, there's Android, Blackberry, WebOS, and now Win Phone 7. Apple fans have two (and only two) places to go: Apple and AT&T. Meanwhile, Win Phone 7 users will have a "smartphone hardware buffet" to sample through: HTC, LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson. Also, don't forget about the other carriers they'll be able to go to for better service and coverage.

[c4rlob Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:32PM]

@SonicGA I've seen the $100-$200 so-called "buffet" that you're talking about. And it ain't much to write home about. For the same price I'll take Apple's two-course gourmet meal over a "buffet" of junk-food.

[SonicGA Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:38PM]

@c4rlob True, but I don't care about what's out now. I'm still waiting until 2011 to see what those 4 phone makers come up with AFTER Win Phone 7 comes out.

[c4rlob Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:52PM]

@SonicGA LG and HTC need to sit in an R&D room with Microsoft and not come out until they've laid a golden egg. Separately they all have amazing potential for greatness in software and hardware, the trick has always been getting these giants into the same room from beginning to end.

[SonicGA Posted Feb 18th 2010 12:54AM]

@c4rlob I doubt either one will come out with a "golden egg" device at launch, but they should spend enough time to get Win Phone 7 working properly on their next devices. I'll be upgrading this April, so I'll be fine with just a new Samsung and my Zune until then.

[wtgig Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:49PM]

I love wps7 I jsut hope that when it's available for consumers they market it correctly

[Sam73 Posted Feb 17th 2010 3:52PM]

We should also emphasize the fact that the canvas style UI is designed to work on many other devices besides phones regardless of screen size and resolutions, think MIDs or Slate tablets for instance. MS will revolutionize the whole ecosystem, this is just the beginning.

[youreanidiot Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:11PM]

I'm SURE it will be just as successful as the Zune was against the iPod.

[saposmak Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:19PM]

@youreanidiot Your screen name beat me to it.

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:15PM]

@youreanidiot < Indeed You Certainly Are!

Anyway...

Many find a full array of features, music subscription capability, true wide-screen OLED display, outstanding sound-quality, more capable processors, and a far more advanced GUI/interface the measure of true success in a portable media device, not how many sheep feel compelled to chomp on whatever rotten fruit that Stevie J tosses their way.

[logicbombde Posted Feb 17th 2010 7:10PM]

@DaHarder

Does MS pay you extra to swallow the whole batch, or do you just do it as a favor?

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 8:29PM]

@logicbombde

No, it's just that, unlike you, I see the 'logic' in the true progress represented by Microsoft's WinPho7s/Metro efforts.

It very forward-thinking, and will be instrumental in pushing the industry towards the future of mobile computing, just as Apple did some 3 years ago.

[c4rlob Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:12PM]

Biggest hints this will fail and not even come close to Android phones or iPhone:
1) The phone has no volume/mute buttons?
2) The "Phone" section of this review is one sentence!
3) They require an accelerometer, but everything shown runs in vertical mode!
4) White text on top of medium/light color squares is a dumb idea for a mobile device interface. Microsoft is showing off their design-immaturity yet again!

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:15PM]

@c4rlob

Sure... Whatever... Then Don't Buy One!

I assure you there are many, many that will.

[c4rlob Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:43PM]

@DaHarder famous last words. Remember we're talking about something that won't even be ready for a real device for almost a year. It's more likely that Microsoft will be spinning it's wheels at their drawing board while the mobile market passes them by.

I must admit that my favorite part of the interface is the sliding continuous panel effect. It reminds me of their Future Visions video that shows phones being used as a view-finder or window frame to the real world. IF they can truly achieve that sort of real-world capture and functionality then they'll hit magic.

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:16PM]

@c4rlob

As previously stated - 'Sure... Whatever'

[mr unverified Posted Feb 18th 2010 12:25AM]

@c4rlob

I am unhappy with this OS thus far due to is lack of multitasking. I am surprised the MS hasn't jumped on this in order to make this OS superior to the iPhone's.

[mbarvian Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:15PM]

great article.

but is it just me, or is the zune hd/windows phone 7 series interface so basic that it's not even attractive? it's literally text, boxes, and colors :(

i have a zune hd, and while I love the device itself, i can't stand the interface

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:17PM]

@mbarvian

Apparently you're unfamiliar with the adage: Beauty Is In The Eye of the Beholder.

As for Microsoft's Mero, you appear to be in the minority regarding its aesthetic appeal.

[DaHarder Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:18PM]

@DaHarder

METRO... that is

[thunderbollock Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:25PM]

@derkaderka
6.5.3 is pretty good, and with Sense UI it is very nice to use. WM6.x has a massive back catalogue of apps and great flexibility if you are willing to give it some time.

I don't think you can call it garbage. Vanilla WM isn't very suitable for casual users but with sense UI you will find it straightforward and slick.

[who Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:25PM]

Can you download Zune Pass (i.e subscription tracks) over wifi and 3G, or just paid downloads? I'm guessing it's the latter. If it's the former, then I may have to stick with WM. That would be sad, because I really want the Supersonic.

[saposmak Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:43PM]

@who Yeah, you can. That's the main draw of the Zune integration. Find a song you like, bam, download that shit.

[jagowar Posted Feb 18th 2010 12:31AM]

@saposmak you actually don't even need to download it.... you can instantly stream anything in the marketplace w/o downloading. Think pandora but you pick what you want to play.

[Nigeliciousx3 Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:27PM]

I think it's good that Windows isn't releasing or manufacturing a phone to call their own–at least, they aren't at this point. They are staying true to software, which is what made them what they are. I have a Mac, and love it dearly, but I can appreciate what Windows does.

They realized that the amount of money it takes to produce software is a lot less than any hardware, and they can sell it for the same price and so much more. They buy a few million CDs/DVDs, and they're rolling.

[AstroSeven Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:00PM]

I'm in love with Anne Weiler.

[OLight Posted Feb 18th 2010 10:08AM]

@AstroSeven -

I'm ashamed of us. Really. Utterly disappointed. It took wading through 7 pages of posts to FINALLY see that SOMEONE noticed this. We need to do better, folks. The quality of these comments is climbing at an exponential rate, and we're reaching a breaking point. :)

Oh, and nice OS. Definitely a step forward...and cause to re-evaluate a WinMo device (I'll still call it that, sorry Redmond) when it's time to replace the 3GS battle-axe.

[TechTerry Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:41PM]

I can see a larger iPad like device, using the same the Microsoft Phone 7 OS. With Office and browser capability, it would be a simpler alternative to a full fledged laptop/tablet

[saposmak Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:48PM]

@TechTerry I'll have to disagree. Just like a phone is not a PC, a tablet is not a phone.. They each require specific implementations and provide a different experience. This is, IMO, the main drawback to the iPad. I don't want the (necessarily limited) iPhone experience on my tablet. The limits should decrease as the size and power of the device increases.

[TechTerry Posted Feb 17th 2010 7:15PM]

@saposmak

I agree with you 100%, but for the majority of people I know [can not make full use of a tablet, laptop or even a PC] a over simplistic device is better. Too much tech is overwhelming to a lot of people.

I was hoping the iPad was going to be running the full fledged Snow Leopard OS. I was expecting something like the Axiotron.com ModBook. That Apple approved modified of a MacBook to tablet configuration.

The iPad dropped from my wish list for good once the details were released. I don't want a dumbed down device for myself. The iPad with a few exceptions is just a large iPhone. This is the perfect device for some, just not me, and sounds like it's not for you either.

But I thought those same people who may find the iPad useful, may like the same form factor for a larger Windows Phone 7 OS device.

Until Apple releases a true tablet running the latest full laptop OS, or a convertible [the keyboard that swivels behind the screen], I am not interested. I actually like the convertible which gives the best of both worlds tablet and laptop, for those times I want a tablet to hold when working in the tight confines of a data center.

[tompccs Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:45PM]

Looking forward to this. Kudos to Microsoft for bringing something new to the table. Good UI concept, but lack of notifications bar is troubling. Considering how hard it is to make people excited about Microsoft products these days, they may be onto something.

[TechTerry Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:46PM]

If someone else mentioned it, I have overlooked the post.

In addition to the five buttons mentioned, I would think there would have to be dedicated volume buttons. I know they don't absolutely have to be hardware buttons, but hardware volume buttons are almost certainly a must have, to adjust volume for ringer, radio, music, in call volume without having to drop down a menu in every application or take the phone away from your face to adjust call volume if the call is too loud or too quite.

[lakewell Posted Feb 17th 2010 8:57PM]

@TechTerry I noticed this and posted a comment before I replied to yours. External volume buttons or a rocker switch is a must have.