At the MWC 2010 keynote, Microsoft officially announced Windows Phone 7 Series, the latest iteration of the Microsoft’s mobile platform. For the first time, the OS previously known as Windows Mobile, has seen a complete overhaul from the user interface to the concept behind the OS. The is not your typical plain jane Windows Mobile phone but is more like the Zune HD on steroids. Some the hightlights of the new OS as well as hardware requirements include:
- High resolution, capacitive, multitouch display with gestures that are similar to those in Windows 7 PC operating system
- Each handset will have the same three dedicated buttons: start, Bing search, back button
- UI is touch-friendly throughout the entire OS, no stylus is needed
- Personal and business information is integrated on the handset, emphasis on the dual function of the handset as a personal and business device
- New scrolling, tile based interface for the start screen that dynamically displays updated content and can be customized to display the tiles relevant to each user
- Phone/address auto-detection that links to dialer and map application
- Application bar at the bottom of each application that gives the user quick access to the most used functions within an application
- Bing search with geolocation to provide local results, directions, and business/restaurant reviews
- Focus on efficiency that minimizes the number of touches to perform actions
- Web browser is based upon desktop Internet Explorer code with improved text rendering technology to make web browsing easier
- Focus on the phone as an integrated device with different experiences organized into seven core hubs including
- people (social networking integration)
- pictures (view/share pictures between phone, desktop, and social networks)
- games (Xbox live games and service)
- music + video (Zune)
- marketplace (application store)
- office/productivity (Sharepoint/Exchange support)
- Tighter control over the phones with a minimum hardware definition for handsets to provide a consistent design experience for the user while allowing manufacturers and operators some flexibility to customize the handsets without changing the underlying core
- Windows Live service integration
- No Adobe Flash support in version 1 of the OS
- Close partnership with AT&T and Orange
Several handset manufacturers and mobile operators have jumped on board the Windows Phone 7 including AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm. Additional details on Windows Phone 7 series application development will be revealed at the MIX10 conference in March. The first Windows 7 phones will be available by holiday 2010. Hit the jump for a promotional video from Microsoft.
