MS releases new Windows Phone 7 dev tools, we take 'em for a spin and you can too (video)
By Tim Stevens 
posted May 2nd 2010 12:12PM
posted May 2nd 2010 12:12PM
The biggest new addition this time is the phone interface, which delivers a visually simple but comprehensive and intuitive way to make a call. From here you can cruise through your contacts or punch up a number directly, and once a call is in progress you can then continue on to work in other apps, with the call status displayed in the top status bar. It's easy to set up three-way calling, send audio to Bluetooth or the speakerphone, and even to throw your conversation counterpart on hold. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any catchy hold music, but that could change before release.
Beyond that there have been some improvements in transitions. In general things look a bit cleaner and as they should, as we're getting ever closer to the release sometime before the end of the year. The video above shows off that new calling app, plus we take a look at the camera and PowerPoint apps that we skipped last time. Of course, just like before you can take this for a spin yourself if you like. The instructions we posted previously still apply here, so make sure you read that first, but the files you'll need have changed somewhat.
For this release you'll need the Windows Phone Developer Tools CTP Refresh installer from developer.windowsphone.com, and if you have some earlier dev tools installed be prepared for a lengthy (and largely manual) series of uninstalls. The next thing you'll need is the unlocked .bin file, which is available at the xda-developers forum link below. From there it's just a simple process of making a few shortcuts and a few clicks. Again, it's all detailed here, so make with the download and then get with the clicking and have a look for yourself at the future!
seksy...
@furquanatique hawt...
@furquanatique beewtifool
@furquanatique
georgious
Study or run this? I pick run this...
@hollis
OK, my problem is that the homescreen is extremely lacking. Also, when accessing other apps, how is a long vertical line that could ostensibly go on forever any more appealing than what apple has with swiping pages?
Im sure we will have folders at launch.
Lacking vs. what? 4x4 icons?
@brnkcv
Perhaps their universal search will include software like others or even their own start menu in vista and win 7.
@brnkcv
Agreed. Home screen looks unfinished, unrefined.
The long vertical App list is not better than Apple's. It's just them wanting to be different for the sake of being different than Apple, and everyone else. You also see they tried to offer a different layout with Apps in WinMo 6.5, offset spacing of the Apps. Just to show they're being different, not better.
@dave95 I predict hub-like folders for apps on the home screen. We already have office hub for productivity, xbox hub for gaming, people hub for social networking, so why not a custom hub for 3rd party apps? They've already said that 3rd party apps can make use of their own personal home tile. Seems like a no-brainer.
@dave95 lets just hope its different enough for Apple not to try and sue them.
@dave95 I agree about the home screen looking unfinished, they should add the time and date at the top. Maybe they should also think about adding a wallpaper to the background instead of having all that black. I don't know.... it's missing something.
@sonola777 kinda agree here about the wallpaper, maybe they should have transparent tiles, I am not saying i totally dislike it, to be honest as long as it works and is functional. What I am really expecting from windows 7 more than UI bling-bling is a TRULY reliable OS that is fast, effective, efficient and finger friendly. FINALLY no MORE WinMo 5.0 with lipsticks - let's hope MS delivers. As of now, I am in a state of confusion .... I don't feel that strong about Android, neither Mac OS X mobile, even less WebOS... I dunno... All these announcements really confuse me and depress me lol.... I am sure I buy X today and in one month something better than X comes out - c'est la vie, and the technology
@sonola777
Personally I'd prefer something like Pins for a home screen than these empty square empty bright colored boxes. Some like the XBox one reminds me of Flash banner advertisements with there live constant updates.
Take a look again at the Dell Lightning renderings(?). To me the Pins looks far more interesting from a UI design standpoint. May actually be part of the reason the phone got such a positive reaction!
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/dell-lightning-the-ultimate-windows-phone-7-device-leaks-out/
@dave95
I agree, the Pins are nice. The Pins, though, are the UI for Zune, remember? It was released with Zune HD, so it'll probably show up in WP7 as part of the Zune interface, too. The Dell Lightning may have just used that screen of the software because it's more eye-catching.
@dave95
Tubular is right. Dell just put that as a placement it won't actually look like that.
I hate all this smartphone competition! They make it so hard for me to choose a phone!
@Physicsguy89 No kidding, choices are great but suck all at the same time...
@hollis
I have had a Droid from the release date so at least I'm pacified for now. But You guys are right. I'm ready for some new tech and its really hard to make up my mind.
I wonder if "Fake GSM network" also drops your calls like crazy :P
@Alexicov
Woah woah woah, this isn't AT&T we're talking about!
Ah, MS developers will love the hell out of this, aka my brother Andrew Nguyen the super Microsoft developer man.
@ginubrian I know like 8 people named Andrew Nguyen. Seriously.
@jellotime91 hahah! dude, i bet they're all developers too.
@futurerheza hahaha internet police? lol :D
@ginubrian I'm lovin' it.
@SirSpam I love Spam. And I'm talking about the meat in a can! So does my brother Andrew Nguyen.
Camera gave me a seizure, thanks.
WP7 is coming together nicely.
IMO WP7 appeared a little shallow at its debut in Barcelona but with these updated videos and examples show it has a lot of layers and potential within it. Im very impressed. This is getting interesting to say the least. HTC will make us MS buyers happy if they match this with anything near the specs of EVO. Of course with out the 4G :)
@eminisp why couldn't it have 4G?
@Playos
WIth ATT at its current state, the WP7 wont have it (for now). Im sure it will in the future. If im not mistaken by 2011 or 2012.
@eminisp WP7 is coming out on all the US carriers, not just AT&T so it could very well have a 4G just like the EVO
@Danderson1389
I forgot. Thanks for reminding me and others. Ill be the first in line for a 4G WP7 phone!
Still don't like the OS. Looks too weird.
@Stevenk I can see where you're coming from, it does seem a lil' too austere. Some parts of it are stunning though.
@sonola777 Yeah, it doesn't look very attractive either..WebOS looks very appealing....but the iPhone OS just looks old.
@Stevenk
Agreed. I loved the design at first but then it grew on me.
The prompt to save before closing Powerpoint is troubling to me. It implies that it doesn't auto save. What happens If I get a call while typing in Word? It seems awkward at best to save your work before answering a call.
@greedycheese The app is suspended in the background so you won't lose your changes. Bring up the app again and it'll pick up where you left off.
I want to see wp7 on a sony ericsson phone............
@XRX Hey I agree!!! I love my SE phones and really would love get the Xperia X2,but I'm waiting to see if it can be upgraded.
I have no doubt that when this is released it will be top notch. Along with their high end hardware requirements it could be tough to beat.
@futurerheza
its like they want us to image the world has colors and isn't grey
Maketplace?
@dcoaster. I find your lack of Good Spelling disturbing
@Lord Vader I find Engadget's spell check not working.
@dcoaster Since when did Engadget do your spelling for you?
@sonola777 If you both actually read the article and saw the typo, you'd realize that I was asking Engadget what 'Maketplace' was. Just so we're clear... I know what the 'Marketplace' is, considering I use a Zune.
dear microsoft
prepare...for...failure
...again
@Darkroom Are you sure your Mac didn't crash when attempting to make use of Flash?
That could be the problem.