Microsoft announces Windows Phone 7 Series dev partners and details apps: Sling, Pandora, Foursquare and Xbox gaming (video!)

Microsoft just dropped its first press release of MIX10 on us, and in addition to detailing the Sliverlight and XNA-based Windows Phone 7 Series development situation, we've also got a list of launch software partners and some screenshots of apps in action. There's some heavy hitters here, and everything from games to enterprise apps are represented -- notables include the Associated Press, Citrix, EA Mobile, Foursquare, Namco, Pangeonce, Pandora, Seesmic, Shazam, and Sling. We've seen a handful of this new software in action, so check out the full list and details after the break.

Updating with impressions (and video!) after the break!

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series apps

Windows Phone 7 Series app demos

First up is the Associated Press app. What's interesting here is that the AP app developers are hewing very closely to the UI paradigms of WP7S with a multi-panel system that lets you jump through various news stories and topics. Joe Belfiore touted the ability to view photos and video (utilizing some pretty slick animations) and also showed off breaking news alerts which allow you to jump to news stories as they break. We also saw a sneak preview of the monetization scheme for the AP, an animated, fly-over Ford ad that was actually a little troubling -- think annoying Flash ads... but in your apps and on your handset.

We also saw a prototype Netflix app, which was a bit of an unexpected surprise (see the above video). Full Netflix streaming on a smartphone? Yes, please. Netflix seemed intent on referring to this application as just a "prototype," but it's clear the devs have laid the groundwork for a proper app when the time comes. Microsoft also demoed the Windows Phone 7 variation of Foursquare -- a pretty slick looking implementation. All of these apps feature the "app bar" at the bottom of the screen, which places options in the same place in every app. Foursquare is pretty much Foursquare, only integrated with Bing maps. The company then showed off Shazam, which works... exactly like Shazam, only with the Microsoft's polished WP7S Metro UI.

Joe also demoed an application called Hush Hush, which is a kind of digital diary that incorporates links, photos, and video along with text entries. The look and feel of the app is decidedly different than what we've seen in Windows Phone 7, taking a more real-world approach to the fit and finish, replete with page turn animations, serifed fonts, and soft, creamy looking simulated paper.

We also saw a demo of an MLS app, which was the main demo for push notifications. MLS will have live stats, real time scores, and live clips of games in progress. You can set up notifications within app for things like your favorite team scoring a goal or winning a match, and the notification pops down from the top of the screen. You can then click on the notification and it'll switch you back to the MLS app. Yeah, it's a lot like the iPhone's model with app-to-app switching -- we'll have to see how this works with multiple apps open.

One of the more... er, humorous applications shown off was something called Marionette, which lets you skin an avatar and dress it. To the delight of the crowd, the demo featured a South Park-ish Steve Ballmer which was whipped around quite a bit. You can add audio clips to the on-screen characters and animate their mouths -- Terence and Philip-style. Used to great effect when they sped up and looped Ballmer shouting "developers." Pretty funny stuff.

We also had a glimpse of Seesmic for Windows Phone 7, which utilizes the same Silverlight code that runs on Windows and the Mac. Again, it's very similar to what you'd expect, just wrapped up in the WP7S UI.

In one of the more interesting (and though-provoking demos), we saw a function of what the platform can do with extensible applications that plug into the native components of the device. In this case, a photo editing extension that interfaces with the photo viewer on the device, allowing you to edit and tweak images within the gallery. Think plugins for Firefox and you'll be close to what these elements can do -- actually a thrilling concept considering how closed off most native smartphone applications feel comparatively.

After a quick demo of a custom app that fired a t-shirt cannon, Major Nelson took to the stage to demo some more gaming on the smartphones. He played with Goo Splat for a second -- which was ported over from the Zune HD -- before opening Battle Punks to show XBL integration (he called the title a "virtual button masher" -- ha!). The Major also rehashed the demo we saw last week at GDC of the same title running across a PC, the 360, and then the phone.

In what was probably the most stirring demo of the event, however, Joe Belfiore showed off The Harvest, a 3D Xbox title for Windows Phone 7 Series devices. We saw some of this game at GDC, but we got a much better look here at MIX. The game looks incredibly slick, with a Diablo-meets-Gundam feel, and not only does it feature full 3D, destructible environments, but it ties perfectly into Xbox Live, utilizing achievements and full gamerscore and leaderboard integration. We were a little blown away by how much it looks and feels like a true Xbox title. This could certainly be a game changer as far as the smartphone race is concerned -- bringing a comparable, connected Xbox experience to a mobile device will be incredibly enticing to end users, especially those already plugged into the company's gaming ecosystem.

Besides all the demos we had a chance to catch, Microsoft also handed out a list of current partners -- it's not staggering, but a healthy start:

• The Associated Press
• Archetype International
• AWS Convergence Technologies -- Weatherbug
• Citrix Systems
• Clarity Consulting
• Cypress Consulting
• EA Mobile
• Fandango
• Foursquare
• frog design
• Glu Mobile
• Graphic.ly
• Hudson Entertainment
• IdentityMine
• IMDB
• Larva Labs
• Match.com
• Matchbox Mobile
• Microsoft Game Studios
• Namco
• Oberon Media
• Pageonce
• Pandora
• Photobucket
• PopCap Games
• Seesmic
• Shazam
• Sling Media
• SPB Software
• Stimulant
• TeleCommunications Systems
• Touchality
• Vertigo Software

[mailbox01 Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:11PM]

Impressive

[treats Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:17PM]

Regardless of what platform you're a fan of, or what you think of past Windows Mobile platforms, any major app company not trying to work with MICROSOFT would be nuts.

[HerbieDerb Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:24PM]

WP7S.. SOLD!

or XDA'ed!

[mschmidler Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:25PM]

@treats Yep. Any developer still saying multi-platform development is nonrelevant should be laughed at IMHO

[brnkcv Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:36PM]

@mailbox01

For MSFT's sake, I sure hope they've worked around any Apple patents, because Apple will NOT take kindly to such a pretty, sure to be popular, OS.

[MrDiSante Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:40PM]

@mailbox01
I'm sure Microsoft has more than enough patents to threaten to counter-sue with. Also engadget, where's the live blog?

[Almo Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:41PM]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

[angermeans Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:49PM]

@davidmuful Lol that's what I was thinking or seeing a few others claiming android is better and open

[angermeans Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:49PM]

@davidmuful Lol that's what I was thinking or seeing a few others claiming android is better and open

[angermeans Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:51PM]

@brnkcv Apple wouldn't even try to sue Microsoft i am sure they have enough patents and lawyers to scare them off.

[Bean Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:58PM]

@mailbox01 My excitement levels are rising. I'm really impressed with the application previews - that AP reader looks nice!

I just got a Touch Pro 2, but this is making me want to bite that ETF bullet in a few months!

[Almo Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:02PM]

That 3D game, The Harvest?, that looked amazing!

[ElmanJo Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:14PM]

@mailbox01

If it can act like an Windows Media Center extender and/or support .wtv or dvr-ms files and have this support, too

= most impressive

[SmilinGoat Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:39PM]

@mailbox01

So much news, any mention of GPS? if it has it built in for free like android, then i'll pretty much be sold. getting rid of all apple products ASAP.

[Jollybee Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:43PM]

@mailbox01
i'm like that taskbar notification

[Templarian Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:44PM]

Shouldn't Luma Arcade be on that list. I think they are the developers of that game in all the videos.

(it's in their latest showreel on their site: http://www.lumaarcade.com/)

[Frankenstein Black Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:31PM]

@Almo - Machinarium next, Please!

[razr777 Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:04PM]

@SmilinGoat yeah, it has GPS for free and that was already announced at MWC a month ago

[Tekky Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:10PM]

EA should be porting some cool games to WM7....looking swell my friends!

[gameozymandias Posted Mar 15th 2010 5:22PM]

@Almo I've been lucky enough to play it myself on the phone - it's just as good as it looks in the video. Really shows off the 3D capabilities of the system!

[Sad Sack Posted Mar 15th 2010 7:17PM]

@davidmuful
Or even an iPhone defeater... the biggest advantage the iPhone has had over previous "iPhone killers" is their content available through the iTunes store. Microsoft has content that can compete with iTunes, though they are way short in apps, movies, and TV shows. On the other hand, who can play an XBox game on iPhone? Or even a game at that level? I don't think the iPhone will ever be "killed," but Windows Phone 7 Series is the greatest challenger yet (yes, Android fanboys, you still don't have the content that Apple and Zune/XBox Live offer)

[DrNDGo Posted Mar 16th 2010 1:24AM]

@mailbox01
Microsoft is really building the ecosystem they need to compete. Windows phone 7 series really ties together the different aspects of the company and unifies the direction in which microsoft is going. WP7S is a a huge step toward a solid Microsoft ecosystem. If only there were a cherry on top... like a "digital journal".

[MbZbuGSy Posted Mar 16th 2010 6:33AM]

@mailbox01
Most impressive!

[Enorgasm Posted Mar 16th 2010 7:10AM]

@mailbox01
yes, I for one can't wait for invasive advertising to finally make it to mobile phones. Bravo Microsoft!

[werty1432k Posted Mar 16th 2010 7:37PM]

@mailbox01 Time for Apple's response. Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition to make everyone work harder.

[miah360 Posted Apr 11th 2010 8:04PM]

@brnkcv

I believe I read that MS and Apple have a cross licensing agreement for patents to avoid them suing and counter suing each other all the time. They could still sue each other if they violate the agreement though.

[aaronbustillos Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:11PM]

damn...looking real nice there...

[SmilinGoat Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:37PM]

@aaronbustillos

I completely agree. I may be getting this phone in the fall, i have a contract with ATT so it will have to be a phone that is compatible with them, but yesterday when i brought my iPhone in for a software issue (i was already at the mall) i found out that the water damage test strips are exposed, and one of the 2 had been triggered, more than likely because i had a sweaty palm. i have never actually gotten the phone wet enough to get inside to anything important, the worst i have done is pick it up with a damp hand at the gym. they told my my warranty was void and they could only help me for $199. screw that. I even paid them $70 for apple care to make sure i could get it fixed quickly when i needed to. I fixed the software issue myself and now the phone works 100%, but the warranty is still voided. I cant believe they are allowed to put the test strip in an exposed area like that, how is there no consumer protection against practices like this?

anyway, android/winmo7 is going to be a hard choice by the looks of all these winmo7 stories.

[juanvaldez Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:12PM]

I'd like me some netflix or hulu partners for optimization purposes, but if it can do flash maybe I can live with that.

[juanvaldez Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:47PM]

@davidmuful I think adobe is actually already developing flash for it, it definitely won't be available at launch, but it's expected to happen. So, it's about the execution of said Flash, if it comes.

And my 2 cents, I think MSFT is interested in pushing Silverlight but making sure they don't have as closed a platform as Apple.

[versii Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:50PM]

@juanvaldez
netflix runs on silverlight. now just need studios to put thing onn streaming and stop being idiots....

[angermeans Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:53PM]

@juanvaldez I am pretty sure that netflix is working with microsoft they are big partners with xbox live and would be silly not to work with them on win phone 7

[the3rdpower Posted Apr 24th 2010 4:51AM]

@juanvaldez Netflix was there bro...

[boe Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:14PM]

I don'tk now if the HD3 is real or not but I sure hope Sprint gets it - just as much as I wished they had gotten the HD2.

http://www.phones-online.org/phones/smartphone/htc-cell-phones/new-htc-touch-hd3-picture-exposure.html

[fast Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:33PM]

@boe that one isn't real.

[Tullsy Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:12PM]

@fast Look at the specs picture: it says "1.5 GB SnapDragon..."

That doesn't even make sense.

[KennyB123 Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:17PM]

@boe

A guy on WMpoweruser.com mocked that up as his dream phone.

It's well done, but it's not real, as the above poster stated.

The HD3 should have a better processor and camera, but other than that, I don't want it to change. (Basically, I want the HD2 to be my first WPS7 phone.)

[boe Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:24PM]

@KennyB123

Thanks for the info - it would be great if it was what the HD3 will be. I'd be happy if I could just get the HD2 with Sprint but they don't tend to carry any of the pdaphones I want.

I'm sure even if HTC or the carrier doesn't release W7 for the HD2, someone at ppcgeeks will have it before the first w7 series phone is even on the market.

I've been using Windows 6.5.5 and even though it is basically WM6 with a lot of fixes it does a great job handling e-mail, calendar, contacts and voice command is great for dialing by name.

I would hope with WM7 or W7 series or whatever you call it -i'd like them to just call it WM7, will include multiple exchange e-mail accounts like office 2010 finally does. I think it would also help MS a LOT if they included voice command in WM7.

[M3 Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:14PM]

@davidmuful
It's not a single handset, but rather a platform like Android. So it depends. There may be cheaper variants that are more affordable.

[prasantv Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:16PM]

that AP Newsreel app looks amazing

[MasterCKO Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:11PM]

@prasantv agreed. I was just noting that myself when browsing through the pics. The polish on that app and the application of the ZuneHD/WP7 paradigm is just super impressive and works really well.

[papplay Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:16PM]

good stuff

[gamemanx Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:17PM]

omg did did people see the bing maps? :P

[Ganondolf Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:17PM]

i like the Associated Press app, its like a hub. I think this will be great as i thought apps could not be hubs but looks like they can :-)

[Rajivsri Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:19PM]

The Associated Press app looks awesome

[Ganondolf Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:20PM]

whats foursquare?

[Ariel Bender Posted Mar 15th 2010 12:22PM]

Wow. Just like apps on the iPhone. Only 3+ years later. I guess when introducing such an innovative new offering, these things take time. Oh, wait...

[NathanHeil Posted Mar 15th 2010 1:08PM]

@Ariel Bender
So.. because it didn't come out at the same time as the Iphone it's automatically bad?

[Ariel Bender Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:09PM]

@NathanHeil: Not at all. It's just the fact that there really isn't anything new from a user perspective with WPS7, or for that matter, Android. Sure, there are nuanced interface and functional differences, primarily to differentiate one OS from the other, but let's face it, there is nothing at all groundbreaking about Android or WPS7. They are just different takes on the iPhone OS paradigm with different business models than Apple's.

[preslove Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:38PM]

@Ariel Bender

Uh...

1). iPhone does NOT have Netflix. It took several years to get a sling app, and there is no xbox 360 integration. There are plenty of differentiators between this and the iPhone, you stupid fanboi.

2). "They are just different takes on the iPhone OS paradigm with different business models than Apple's."

GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apple's "business model" is to rip off consumers. I really just don't understand how people can be so emotionally attached to a corporation. They're not your freaking friends.