The biggest chunk of eye candy we've seen
out of Microsoft's MIX10 event so far today has been the unveiling of the significantly-retooled Windows Phone Marketplace that'll debut in
Windows Phone 7 Series -- and needless to say, it's a looker. It's got support for credit card purchases, operator billing, and ad-supported content -- a hot topic right now with Google's and Apple's mobile advertising acquisitions -- and a try-before-you-buy scheme not unlike Android Market's policy (though WP7S devs can choose what kind of trial period they want to offer; Android devs have no such option). We've been offered some video of the new Marketplace in action, and it looks super polished and well-integrated with the typical WP7S way of getting around -- you're given a "panoramic view" where you can browse categories and titles, see featured items, and get details with ratings, reviews, screen shots, and pricing information. Purchased apps can be pinned to your Quick Launch screen, saving you a couple taps for your favorite and most frequently-used items. Watch the full video after the break -- and keep an eye out for the trick "tilting" of menu items based on finger location toward the end of the clip, something we haven't seen before.
posted March 15th 2010 2:00PM
Secondary phone might not be a blackberry anymore. Microsoft your my homey.
@shaze21 Seriously, in LOVE.
iPhone no more.
@Chizzed That AP app makes me cry tears of joy. I can't wait to shed my iphone for the Mini5 or a winmo7 phone
@victor Absolutely. I'm so stoked for both.
@Chizzed
Nope, this looks crap.
@frederick52785 yes it does...crap from the tech gods. I want my phone controlled shirt shooter now!!!
@shaze21
the MP interface looks sweet
@Chizzed Is it just me? ... and don't get me wrong, I plan to get one...
but isn't this starting to look more and more like the development team in Redmond just bought a bunch of iPhones back when they came out and said "Let's knock this thing off!"
Even the music in the demo seems like it was ripped right out on an iPhone spot.
@frederick52785 PHEAR the Windows phone, infant.
@Mack Stone Why so serious? It's a joke, like "My Nexus One is crying right now". If you actually BELIEVE it, then I suppose it's your own fault, not theirs.
@brettinsocal Well I mean, I think everyone borrows a lot of certain positive things from other devices/ideas. But I think they took it a HELL of a lot farther, and it rocks. Still simplistic, but way more interactive. If it's stable, smooth, and responsive like most of the demos have been, it's a real winner.
@Mack Stone Yes, because it's unfathomable that anyone who buys Apple would ever consider buying ANYTHING ELSE....EVER!
@Drayzthawts It is kind of a running gag now that every new phone is an "iPhone-Killer".
@Mack Stone I had an iPhone for about 3 months - gave it up for a lowly winmo6.5 phone so I could actually make and receive calls. I started to think it was the iPhone and not AT&T. However, win7 phone looks far cooler than the iPhone as long as they don't f-up the experience and make it laggy.
@brettinsocal. pretty much. although in this case, Microsoft seems to have dug around for what is being griped about the most with the App Store and went 180 from it. the UI is actually very simple and clean and nice. And from what I gather, Microsoft posted a much clearer set of rules about what apps will be rejected, probably based in part on Apple's App Store not being so upfront. Which is not a bad move
I don't think that this phone or store is guaranteed to kill the iphone but I do think finally we are getting a set up that is worthy of being an alternative for those that don't want or can't get an iphone, whatever the reason
@shaze21: Wow. The WPS7 UI so frakking ugly. But I do give MS credit for trying something that, unlike Android, doesn't look like a lock, stock and barrel rip-off of Apple. Barely.
@Ariel Bender
Android looks like the iPhone OS? Go back to sipping your kool-aid little (fan)boi.
@Charlik I don't think this will be an "iPhone Killer" (frankly the moniker needs no place in the advancing world of tech). I however believe this will be a successful launch and will gain good traction and provide more competition from the other platforms.
@Ariel Bender Let me guess, Iphone is the end all phone. Until 3rd party apps can run simultaneously on the iphone, i would not comment on phones that are better. Sorry thats just a big deal for me. I enjoy running pandora, engadget.com, and checkbook app concurrently. Did i forget responding to your senseless comment in another web app? How come its never cool if an iphone cant do it? Best of luck for multitasking june 2010.
@frederick52785 LOL this fool is in denial.
Can someone explain to me what I'm supposed to be impressed by?
Is it the typeface that is too big for the screen, so you can't read what it says? Or the half hour you have to wait as screen elements slide around while you are trying to navigate to a different page?
@brettinsocal
IT'S JUST YOU.
@shaze21
OK, the fancy animations and the UI pizzazz are kinda cool but nothing wow. What's different from the iPhone and Apple App Store?
Reserve my judgement until actual usage.
@Downpour I felt the same way about the Zune HD when I first saw a demo of the UI. But regardless I bought one and really the interface is amazing. It feels a lot more natural zooming between layers of menus instead of scrolling through menus. After using it for a few hours, going back to the iTouch feels similar to going from a calculator to an abacus. Thats my personal opinion though...
@Chizzed
Wait, so you seriously thought MS would not have a Microsoft AppStore?
Video not available
@techlord
me too
@theaussiepunk Same
@techlord
Works now =D
Currently watching the livestream at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/mix/liveEvent.aspx
Some kickass stuff shown off there.
@hq Thanks for the link! Awesomeeee
@hq I wonder if W7Ps will let me stream a feed like this in the future. My iPhone wont :(
Just don't screw it up like the zune hd app marketplace...Open this thing up to the devs
@cholly Agreed my zune hd needs some love, jenna jameson style.
@cholly they just did
I mean open up to devs not screw up!
@mikmik111 wait what? Source?
@mikmik111 I thought it was just open to devs by invite only ?? Unless i missed something
@cholly what do you really mean what they opened? I thought you mean the tools.
@eddieexe ahh it's available, i overlooked it, here's the link to the sdk http://developer.windowsphone.com/windows-phone-7-series/
@cholly ha! you guys didn't watch the live stream
Can't watch the video :(.
Refresh if you can't see the video.
The best feature in the world is the "try" option. :D
@Saad
yeah no one wants to buy a $999 i am rich app
No video.
A tablet based on this UI would be interesting ...
@Mikkis74
oh, it's going to happen methinks
thats nice, looks amazing
I can't wait to develop for this junt.