Devices running the new Windows Phone 7 Series software won't hit store shelves until later this year, but Microsoft recently offered a peek into the upcoming OS at its MIX10 conference. The latest version of Microsoft's mobile platform promise a radical shift, with a new focus on social networking, the Web, and gaming (Xbox Live).
Metrics firm comScore recently reported that, of the 42.7 million smartphone users in the United States, Windows Mobile user adoption had dropped by four points from 19.7 percent to 15.7 percent between October 2009 and January 2010. During that same period, Apple gained just 0.3 percent to maintain its 25 percent marketshare, while Google's Android grew by 4.3 percent to take 7.1 percent of the U.S. market. RIM's Blackberry devices are still the most popular in the U.S., with about 43 percent of smartphone users.
The new Windows OS has several features designed to combat those shrinking numbers. For example, the Windows Phone 7 experience will be tightly integrated with other Microsoft products including Xbox; a new version of Microsoft Office for mobile devices that includes both OneNote and SharePoint Workspaces; and Windows Live Web-based services like Hotmail and Windows Live.
Microsoft will also place a greater focus on hardware by forcing manufacturers to ship Windows Phone 7 devices with just three physical buttons: Home, Search and Back. Device makers will also be prevented from changing the Windows Phone 7 user interface, and all handsets must have capacitive touch and multitouch capabilities. This makes it easier for users to switch to other Windows Phone 7 series phones without another learning curve.
Microsoft's announcements during MIX10 were targeted at third-party app developers. Microsoft's talks revealed even more about how Windows Phone 7 users will interact with their phones. So, here's what's going on with Windows Phone 7:
Windows Mobile Apps now with Apple-type goodness
Apps for Windows Phone 7 will be able to take advantage of some of the same frameworks that iPhone Apps can; including an accelerometer for motion control, location-based services (GPS), multitouch, camera and microphone, and push notification.
Push Notification? Shit!!
Microsoft has taken a few ideas from the iPhone playbook with Windows Phone 7, and lack of multitasking is one of them. Just like the iPhone, Microsoft's OS will only allow third-party applications to run one at a time (with the exception of Microsoft's core Windows Phone 7 apps, called hubs). Instead, it will offer push notification, which lets a server send information to a mobile application, like an instant messenger or e-mail program, as opposed to having the app run in the background and then regularly call the server for updates.
Microsoft has left the door open for multitasking to come to Windows Phone 7 Series in the future, but for now the company is too concerned about extending Windows Phone 7 battery life to allow it.
Marketplace
Windows Phone 7 owners will get their Windows Phone applications from a new Windows Phone Marketplace, not surprising. The new store will be the only channel to get apps onto your Windows Phone, and Microsoft, like Apple, will have to approve all apps before they become available in the Marketplace.
One interesting addition is that Microsoft's Marketplace will feature a 'try before you buy' option. There aren't many details on how it'll work, but blogs are reporting the length of the trial will be left up to the developer.
Apps, apps, and more apps
Just like any other mobile platform post iPhone, the success of Windows Phone 7 comes down to the apps. Microsoft says many familiar mobile applications will be coming, including the Associated Press, Foursquare, Seesmic, Sling Media, Shazam and more.
So, what do you think? Is Windows Phone 7 Series too late to the mobile party or entered the race just in time to still compete?
Metrics firm comScore recently reported that, of the 42.7 million smartphone users in the United States, Windows Mobile user adoption had dropped by four points from 19.7 percent to 15.7 percent between October 2009 and January 2010. During that same period, Apple gained just 0.3 percent to maintain its 25 percent marketshare, while Google's Android grew by 4.3 percent to take 7.1 percent of the U.S. market. RIM's Blackberry devices are still the most popular in the U.S., with about 43 percent of smartphone users.
The new Windows OS has several features designed to combat those shrinking numbers. For example, the Windows Phone 7 experience will be tightly integrated with other Microsoft products including Xbox; a new version of Microsoft Office for mobile devices that includes both OneNote and SharePoint Workspaces; and Windows Live Web-based services like Hotmail and Windows Live.
Microsoft will also place a greater focus on hardware by forcing manufacturers to ship Windows Phone 7 devices with just three physical buttons: Home, Search and Back. Device makers will also be prevented from changing the Windows Phone 7 user interface, and all handsets must have capacitive touch and multitouch capabilities. This makes it easier for users to switch to other Windows Phone 7 series phones without another learning curve.
Microsoft's announcements during MIX10 were targeted at third-party app developers. Microsoft's talks revealed even more about how Windows Phone 7 users will interact with their phones. So, here's what's going on with Windows Phone 7:
Windows Mobile Apps now with Apple-type goodness
Apps for Windows Phone 7 will be able to take advantage of some of the same frameworks that iPhone Apps can; including an accelerometer for motion control, location-based services (GPS), multitouch, camera and microphone, and push notification.
Push Notification? Shit!!
Microsoft has taken a few ideas from the iPhone playbook with Windows Phone 7, and lack of multitasking is one of them. Just like the iPhone, Microsoft's OS will only allow third-party applications to run one at a time (with the exception of Microsoft's core Windows Phone 7 apps, called hubs). Instead, it will offer push notification, which lets a server send information to a mobile application, like an instant messenger or e-mail program, as opposed to having the app run in the background and then regularly call the server for updates.
Microsoft has left the door open for multitasking to come to Windows Phone 7 Series in the future, but for now the company is too concerned about extending Windows Phone 7 battery life to allow it.
Marketplace
Windows Phone 7 owners will get their Windows Phone applications from a new Windows Phone Marketplace, not surprising. The new store will be the only channel to get apps onto your Windows Phone, and Microsoft, like Apple, will have to approve all apps before they become available in the Marketplace.
One interesting addition is that Microsoft's Marketplace will feature a 'try before you buy' option. There aren't many details on how it'll work, but blogs are reporting the length of the trial will be left up to the developer.
Apps, apps, and more apps
Just like any other mobile platform post iPhone, the success of Windows Phone 7 comes down to the apps. Microsoft says many familiar mobile applications will be coming, including the Associated Press, Foursquare, Seesmic, Sling Media, Shazam and more.
So, what do you think? Is Windows Phone 7 Series too late to the mobile party or entered the race just in time to still compete?
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