Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone

By now you've probably read our in-depth blowout of Windows Phone 7 (and if not, what are you waiting for?). But what you haven't seen yet is our exclusive sit-down with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore, wherein we talk about the ins and outs of the new mobile operating system. We grill the Windows Phone corporate VP about a whole stack of items, and do our very best to make him start crying like a Barbara Walters interview subject (spoiler alert, he doesn't cry). Still, we think there's some good insight here into what the company thinks of its odds in the smartphone wars, and what kinds of features we will (and won't) see when these devices launch this fall. Take a look at the video after the break -- you won't regret it.

[ronzorelli Posted Jul 20th 2010 1:25AM]

Dear Joe: Bon Jovi called. Wants his hair back.

[Soheil Posted Jul 20th 2010 3:20AM]

Doesn't he remind you of the villain played in the movie "Hackers"

[JMVR Posted Jul 20th 2010 3:46AM]

Does he looks like the Journey singer? Btw; I'm also waiting for the release; hoping it would be better than the iPhone.

[Flix C Posted Jul 20th 2010 6:06AM]

Zune Pass + WP7 >>>>> Pandora.

I bet they will offer a bundle with limited download (no DRM) and unlimited streaming for $9,99 or something like this.

[ravissimo Posted Jul 20th 2010 6:22AM]

I think the two things that really make this killer besides the excellent UI, which I really dig, is both Zune Pass and Xbox Live. If you listen to music and play games as much as I do, these are killer features you won't get on the iPhone or any Android device. Really want a WP7 phone, though I'd have to sell my EVO, which makes me a little sad :(

[Decoy Posted Jul 20th 2010 7:50AM]

So Microsoft is the long haired company now, and Apple has the crewcut folk?

Bizarro world.

[Johnny Tremaine Posted Jul 20th 2010 9:22AM]

Well, even though I'm never going to buy one and it's not for me, hopefully WP7 succeeds, if only to keep all the other players (Apple, Google, RIM and Nokia) on their toes and staying competitive.

The more competition is cut-throat, the more we consumers benefit. But yeah, this isn't up my alley, but maybe it'll float someone else's boat.

[TheHoldSteady Posted Jul 20th 2010 1:19PM]

That is one strange-looking head.

[Zaron3d Posted Jul 20th 2010 8:15PM]

Belfiore was quoted as saying : "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin', streelights people..." Cuz, you know... Cuz he looks like Steve Perry.

[FuzzyBunnySlippers Posted Jul 20th 2010 11:34PM]

Not surprised at the amount of people commenting on his looks instead of the content of what he said. Sad commentary about how people value form over function lately.

That said, I am happy to see the approach MS is taking when throwing their hat into this arena. There will be multitudes of companies and developers that will benefit from this new platform.
- (1) More h/w manufacturers will have an OS platform to rely on as a standard, with a great baseline for architecture.
- (2) More developers already fluent in writing MS apps will have a platform to write to, and be able to sell in a more open arena.
- (3) More IT departments will be able to open up their email/networks to these devices, instead of worrying about devices that lack even the basic security measures demanded by the enterprise.

(4) I'm enthused about the new UI. It is truly stylish and innovative.
(5) Copy and Paste may soon be an outdated way of thinking, given the possibility of a more intelligent method of the underlying functionality.
(6) I am glad to see MS taking steps to ensure reliable 3rd party multitasking app development.

[JonCha Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:44PM]

What's frustrating about this is that WP 7 seems so close to being a very good OS, but small omissions are holding it back.

And I hope MS actually support Mac users. WP7 looks more attractive than Android.