Many people have wanted Windows Mobile 7 for some time, since the lacklustre release of Windows 6.5 (which was tied in to the release of Windows & for the PC) there have been smartphone users all over the world waiting for something a little bit more.
And finally, after a long wait, at the MWC 2010 in Barcelona, Microsoft took to the stage at their annual conference to not announce Windows mobile 7! Instead Microsoft announced Windows Phone 7 Series – the new, improved and renamed windows mobile series.
Firsts things first, Microsoft are keen to make this new product accessible to all Microsoft users, they have renamed the games section as Xbox Live (after its hugely successful online gaming community) and rebranded the music and media features as Zune (after its successful but predominantly USA based media service) so that regular users of these products can cross reference their product knowledge.
On top of this Microsoft will be embracing the Internet based culture we are currently living in, by having all Windows Phone 7 Series handsets come with an incorporated Bing button on the main unit. Bing is Microsoft’s newly improved internet search engine that is aiming to lure some of Google search engine customers. The Bing button will allow the users to quickly open and search the internet at the click of a button.
Windows Phone 7 Series
OS wise, the biggest draw of the Windows Phone 7 Series will be its interactive start screen which aims to run a real time download system of updates from all your favourites -Messaging, Email, Social Networking and update feeds. This will present itself in a tile form, keeping you up to date with all that’s happening in the world on your home screen.
The Tile system also allows you to access Contacts and once selected, the user can the select the Contacts Info, Pictures and Status updates for the associated Social networking sites. Cool huh?, but remember who your trustworthy friends are as lending your Windows Phone 7 Series handset to a friend could lead to some serious mischief.
Windows Phone 7 Series will also implement a Hubs system, Hubs will take several areas of similar content and place them all in a collective area that can be all be downloaded to the 6 set areas. The 6 Hubs are:
People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.
Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.
Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.
Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.
Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.
Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, stay productive and up to date while on the go.
And as for the phones that will run Windows Phone 7 Series, well most of the big name brands are already signed up to support it, with Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, HTC, and Microsoft to ship the first handsets in America as soon as Summer, then Orange will be bringing it to Europe sometime later this year.
Popularity: 26% [?]
Tags: 7, announced, HTC, LG, Microsoft Hubs, mobile, phone, samsung, series, Sony Ericsson, windows, xbox live, Zune
