Windows Phone 7 Series preview, MIX10 edition

We just spent some quality time with the MIX10 build of Windows Phone 7 Series running on the same prototype hardware sourced from Garmin-Asus that we saw at MWC -- and apart from a few Murphy's Law-style demo hiccups, we loved what we saw. One thing that immediately caught our attention was the fact that lists of items "compress" slightly once you've reached their end -- something we hadn't noticed before. In general, it's pretty impressive how much attention Microsoft is paying to the finer aesthetic points of the platform, from the slight "tilts" of items that you've pressed to the 3D effects you encounter as you flip through photos. Another thing we've confirmed here is that the test units do have accelerometers, refuting an earlier rumor that had been spreading out in Barcelona -- we know this because the display auto-rotated while viewing a photo. Check out the full video -- along with a shot of the phone resting alongside its Zune HD cousin -- after the break.

[ahchar Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:27PM]

how does the back of the garmin-asus one look like???????

[piratestipo Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:49PM]

Its definitely got its drawbacks but its SO DANG SEXY

I might trade in my ZuneHD for one.

[Bengal34 Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:07PM]

@piratestipo

I plan on keeping both. My phone can be an active place and I like the option to just listen to music and tune it all out. Especailly while at the gym.

[WilliamG Posted Mar 17th 2010 2:58PM]

I'm amazed that Engadget didn't notice the "items compress" when you reach the end of a scroll. If's been like that since 7 series was announced/shown.

[OrsonX Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:13PM]

All I wanted was MY OWN home-screen & my 24CTU message alert tone (sad I know).... at the moment my frikkin iPhone FAILS on both accounts, looks like WP7S fails on one..... surely you'll be allowed your own message alert tones tho? Or are M$ really turning into Apple?

Android here I come, I want more freedom, not less!

[Bengal34 Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:12PM]

@OrsonX

You can do whatever you like with that home screen. It wouldn't be a huge issue developing a clock that would span multiple blocks or the same for weather, etc.

All the boxes don't have to be the same size on the zune so I don't see why it wouldn't be the same way on the phone. I don't think that the home screen is quite going to be locked down as much as people are thinking it will. Especially with the whole 'live tiles' concept where they display up-to-date information. The scale of the squares will be customizeable as well.

[Motlee Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:54PM]

Christ, it looks like a phone for people with ADHD.

[Draken Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:09PM]

The copy and paste thing sucks. Especially since it is going to have office apps. At least it better have some kind of copying and pasting within the office apps.

Multi-tasking I could do without. Its a phone come on... I am just going to be doing one thing at a time on it. I am betting you CAN listen to music and do other things etc.

If I want multi-tasking then that is what I use a computer or tablet (hp slate) for... not my phone.

[n1hmrd Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:32PM]

up to the moment i heard ms had not added multi tasking and cut n paste i was all for this phone IF MS IS LISTENING PUT IT IN THERE OR BACK for .... sake!,theres always something that messes up this time it could be this!!!

[TareG Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:48PM]

WP7S has copy paste:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnrwE3_OuCE

WP7S has background multitasking of 3rd party apps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5G-Jj33XQI

[Protbeatz Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:10PM]

The Zune HD already does the little thing at the end of the menu list where it squeezes the text lol, and if u go off of the screen or take ur finger off when its squeezed as far as it can, it will snap to opposite end of the list.

[Psarrism Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:16PM]

So many transition effects for simple things like the opening of IE, too many... And not very responsive, especially the first time he tries to scroll down home screen. I don't know, mixed feelings.

[Forza qC Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:54PM]

My enthusiasm for WM7S has officially been deflated, as much as I have hated recent versions for ruining some of the best hardware out there with its instability and lack of refinement, this is swinging to the opposite extreme and embodying the entire reason that I have no desire to own an iPhone, even though I am a Mac user. I guess Android and Blackberry will continue to be my platforms of choice, and whichever gives me touchscreen, 1GHz or more and a high quality keyboard first will be my next purchase.

[phillipaajohnson Posted Mar 17th 2010 8:43PM]

This is the best idea that Microsoft has ever had and executed. Pure Perfection.