Microsoft unveils details on Windows Phone 7 Series development

By on Mar 15, 2010 at 3:05 PM
News March 15, 2010

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Microsoft kicked off MIX 2010 this morning with a keynote that revealed some juicy details for developers waiting to dive into the Windows Phone 7 Series platform. As expected, Windows Phone 7 Series will make use of Silverlight for application development and XNA for game development. Features available for developers include:

  • Accelerometer support
  • Microsoft Location Service to provide developers with a single point of reference to acquire location information
  • Microsoft Notification Service for pushing information to the phone, regardless of whether or not an application is running
  • Hardware-accelerated video with digital rights management (DRM)
  • Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming for the industry’s highest quality content viewing experience
  • Multitouch
  • Camera and microphone support

To get developers on board quickly and easily, Microsoft is offering a suite of free developer tools which include Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone 7 Series, a free add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC, XNA Game Studio 4.0, Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for application testing, and a version of Expression Blend for Windows Phone. Microsoft is also stepping up its game in the app store department by offering a panoramic design (it will look sleek), try before you buy option, one-time credit card charges for app purchases, mobile carrier billing and ad-supported applications. Lest you think the app store will be a barren wasteland at launch, the list of application partners is impressive and include media moguls like Associated Press, gaming giants like NAMCO and EA Mobile, streaming media stars like Pandora and Sling, popular start-ups like Foursquare and Seesmic, and a host of others including Weatherbug, PopCap games, SPB Software and more. Anyone else get the feeling that Microsoft means business this time around?

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  • Batman

    I think it looks cool. Get me some gamer points while im waiting in line for food stamps.

    • Konklifer

      It seems like Microsoft is actually bringing something exciting and significant to the marketplace. Right now, I’d seriously look at this as a comparison to my iPhone long before I’d look at Android.

      • AusFest

        iphone has got nothing on andriod. Windows 7 is on the right path to really put out an OS that can compete.

      • StevenGlansburg

        Besides using my namesake to post on here, what else is so special about Android? The fact it is more or less and iphone OS emulator with a task manager?

      • IT&T

        @Steven. Didnt you dump your iphone for a droid?

      • AusFest

        OK steve. Use your namesake, really. Douche Bag

      • TypicalVerizonDBAG

        I don’t think people realize that Android would be nothing with out Verizon. After all Android really is DROID and would not be popular with out the DROID. Also, without Verizon you can’t take advantage of the data features that DROID has.

  • ZoidZoid

    Just when I was ready to switch from WinMo to Android M$ comes out with something that looks like it might be decent. Guess that’s the good thing about not being able to upgrade for another year. Of course, something better will be “almost ready to launch” by then. Ya just can’t win.

  • Ken

    yes this will be really nice. I can’t believe Apple is sticking to this one carrier only model in the US. I wonder what would have become of Android if they made a CDMA iphone for Verizon a year ago. now with windows phone 7 presumably available on all carriers, Apple’s decision is looking ridiculous and petty. of course that could change in June, but I it’s not looking like it. i really want to go back to Verizon, ATT’s network is not getting better in SF. maybe 3G data is improving, but call drops have actually increased for me in the last couple months and I’m always on Edge. 3G is no better recently either.

  • IT&T

    Ive read that the first phone will be from l.g. I wish it was htc or moto and would launch much sooner. Im sure I will be off to android land long before it comes out. Not It&t,s Butchered version , but real android.

  • gquaglia

    And in other news, Blackberry continues to fall farther and farther behind.

    • rederikus

      As a confirmed BlackBerry head, I cannot wait for Windows 7 mobile to hit the streets. I wil likely wait for hTC to launch a phone and buy that.

  • Will

    I take it they’re still not officially confirming nor denying the HD2′s upgrade potential to WM7 series? Still, sounds like the new phones will be pretty impressive. Sux for the purchasers of the HD2 and upcoming TP3 tho.

    • 1jaxstate1

      They already said NO UPGRADE FOR THE HD2.

  • EKdizzle

    I dunno if it’s just me but that looks cluttered and and eye sore. I got bothered by just looking at those screen shots. It’s nice eye candy but I can’t imagine looking at that day in and day out.

    • IT&T

      I would think you could customize it to your liking.

  • benr

    Nice! It’ll have multi-touch .. I guess Apple can sue them too since it’s all about multi-touch and unlocking the phone with your finger.

    • Crim

      Yeah, that’d be hilarious to watch, Apple’s like 20 patents vs Microsoft’s 1000s. Game. Set. Match.

      • benr

        Apple do have thousands of patents as well. But we’re not talking about OS X vs. Windows here .. just Mobile OS vs Mobile OS.
        I also foresee Google buying Palm for theirs since Palm has enough relevant patents to apparently scare off Apple.

    • rederikus

      But CrApple invented all those things. Can you not see Microsoft raising one single finger in the direction of Jobs to try to determine if he invented the finger as well.

  • Blackberry Bold

    isn’t apple gonna sue MS for this?

    • IT&T

      Steve Jobs would sue his own mother.

  • Bry

    Well this is certainly a 360 from the original windows mobile. I remember restarting my Treo 700 at LEAST 6 times a day..

    • t_waly7

      you probably mean a 180

  • kingdondor

    I made windows 7 mobile phone and your gonna love it.

  • DigDug

    I don’t care for the various home screens that are all botched up/cut off and not centered correctly. Instead of “Applications” you might see “cations” with half cut off icons. Really sloppy looking.

    And until they improve W7mobile compatibility with other MS platforms, and also get more than a few dozen apps, I dont think this will be terribly successful.

  • Ken

    where apple is the totalitarian regime and Android is the wild west – I can see a path for Microsoft to carve out the middle and dominate this market. their strategy is looking good- some basic hardware requirements and probably much looser app store restrictions than apple but probably some kind of testing to ensure a virus/malware free environment. if they can execute on the promise of this os they can challenge rim for market dominance. this just feels like history repeating itself, esp. where apple is concerned. I can’t believe they are sticking to this once a year refresh for the iphone. get a 4″+ screen size already, add verizon and be done with it.

  • Kelly Hodgkins #1 FAN

    Kelly hogkins is sooo HOT!!!!!!!

  • StevenGlansburg

    Windows Mobile should have done what Android did and just literally copy the look of the Iphone OS and add a task manager. Android is truly innovative with its customizable backgrounds and lock screens. All other OS’s are now obsolete.

  • Gregoff VanBuren

    Microsoft Zune Phone looks crazy sick

  • StevenGlansburg

    F all you fools stealing my name!!

    • StevenGlansburg

      Will the real StevenGlansburg please stand up? Please stand up?

  • http://(null) caediackid3302

    Android is the new Linux! Fragmentation will kill the platform! WP7 and iPhone 4.0 will dominate! Everyone forgets Android existed! Enough said.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • MonkeyCheese

    Dear Microsoft,

    Why didn’t you do this years ago?

  • Ryanbackin86

    This looks pretty cool. XNA all the way! It seems that app’s will be pretty simple to write compared to other OS’s steep learning curves.

  • matt

    meh… comparing the iPhone OS to anything Microsoft is like comparing an American car to a German car. the American car runs, but there is no polish….

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • carig

    I got to play with the Zune HD for the first time today and I have to say the UI is just fantastic. Beats iPod touch/iPhone music player by a lot. If Microsoft can successfully translate that design to a full mobile OS then Windows 7 phones will be pretty amazing. Only thing is, I’m not waiting a year to find out.

  • longhairbilly

    I usually don’t give windows phones a look at all. I think they are going to change that. I am impressed with what I am seeing and reading.

  • http://www.webcamwithmicrophone.org John Smith

    nice post here

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