Hopes for Windows Phone 7 Series

by Rod on February 23, 2010 · 10 comments

by Rod on February 23, 2010 · 10 comments

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Chris and I got together and came up with a short list of hopes we have for Windows Phone 7 Series.  We wanted to share some thoughts and hopes around Windows Phone 7 and ask you to share yours with us. We have many things we want to see in the new Windows Phone but we will start with these.

A little Zune Hope

1. I like that Microsoft is going the extra mile to build a device that does not require a PC. I truly hope this will extend to the Zune components. I want to be able to enter my Zune Pass information into the phone and have the option to download new content directly to my device.

2. I hope I will be able to create Zune DJ Playlists on my Windows 7 Phone or on my computer and have the playlists downloaded automatically without the need for the computer and phone to sync. This would essentially allow the DJ Playlists to be saved on the Zune servers and synced across devices.

3. This is my last Zune related hope. While the majority of podcasts are listened to on the web, I hope the Windows Phone 7 and Zune HD’s will get an option to add and update podcasts when mobile. While I did not like the limitation on the Zune HD, I did understand it. With a phone, you can always have a data connection. When that is the case, this is a must have feature.

Back it up

4. One of the major features of Android phones is the automatic online back-up. I hope Windows Phone will offer MSN, Live, and hotmail users an online back-up option. I know about Microsoft My Phone, but for this to be successful for 80-90% of the users, back-ups need to be automatic. I feel this should be part of the initial phone setup to avoid users that will just fail to back-up regardless of how many times they are told.

Build your own Device

5. Build a reference device. Microsoft did a fantastic job with the Zune HD and I really want to see a device consumers can buy that runs on all carriers. I would rather pay a premium to Microsoft for the hardware then worry about different carriers with different hardware. I am sick of watching Microsoft release new versions only to have devices never updated.  A device sold and controlled by Microsoft would push manufactures to address this need.

6. When I was asking many of my iPhone users about their favorite apps for the iPhone it was funny to hear maps was always mentioned.  I really want to see Bing maps support location sharing.  It is not enough for Microsoft to support sharing location details from Windows Mobile to Windows Mobile but they need to bridge the gap and provide a way to share you location to users of Google Maps or Bing maps.  I am not expecting a magic pill but I want to send a hyperlink location and know the user can open it up in Google maps or Bing maps.

Don’t forget the hardware

7. 3.5mm headset jacks on all devices.  As much as I have enjoyed using a USB to 3.5mm converter I will settle on a built in standard here

8. Take a page from the EU and adopt a single USB standard across all the devices.  While there is a revenue opportunity in a proprietery connector please avoid using one.

9. Proximity put the touch screen interface to sleep when placed to your face to prevent accidental button press.  The Blackberry Storm 1 had many calls muted, put on speaker, or even disconnected because it  lacks of proximity sensors.   I hope Microsoft avoids making this same mistake.  While software and address the flaw lets put the hardware in there from the start.

10. While Rod loves small phones and virtual keyboards make sure there is a line of devices with physical slide out keyboards.  Chris and Robb both prefer larger devices and like the efficiencies of a physical keyboard.

What would you like to see? Leave us your comments.

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Tagged as: Windows Phone 7 features, Windows Phone 7 ideas, Zune HD

  • Bastiaan

    I would like to see Microsoft go an extra step and prepare this brand new architecture to have the ability to use the RDP protocol. I would like to be able to use it to stream applications or application content to the device.
    The Snapdragon processor and and GPU out spec many an Thin Client. I hope that with the new version of MS AppV and HyperV Microsoft plans the hooks in this new Mobile OS

  • http://mopocket.com Mordy

    I dunno, it seems like some of these “concerns” have either already been addressed, or are hardware specific. Microsoft is NOT in the hardware business, as they’ve already said countless times….

    1. The current iteration of WinMo does not REQUIRE a PC. I use an Exchange Server for my work related email and PIM, and that’s all over the air. I realized about 6 months into owning a new computer that I had never even installed activesync/mobile device center. This is a myth.

    2. Ok, I’ll give you this one- it would be cute to have.

    3. There are already RSS applications capable of downloading attachments (ie. Podcasts) over the air for winMo. I haven’t used them lately, but they were around when I was into that 3+ years ago.

    4. Again- Exchange? MS really wants to push the amazingly useful and automatic sync options of exchange. MyPhone gets close, but they’re not going to give away all their goods for free, when Exchange is recognized as an industry standard (even Apple’s iPhone was forced to admit and offer support for it). Besides, if you don’t want to pay for it, Google offers a new activsync exchange spoofing solution- you can make your WinMo or iPhone “think” its connected to an Exchange server, but really it is syncing everything to your Google account over the air, just like Android does now.

    5. Agreed, but MS has said numerous times they just won’t do that. They want to license software, not support hardware. Xbox and ZuneHD are already more than they bargained for (Xbox actually loses them money- they make a profit only on selling games).

    6. *cough* Google Lattitude *cough*

    7. Let’s see… Samsung’s Omnia II, HTC’s Touch Pro 2, Touch HD and HD2, Palm Treo Pro, etc. ALL HAVE STANDARD 3.5mm HEADPHONE JACKS! In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a current generation Windows Mobile handset without it!

    8. Again, not really MS’s call on this, but what percentage of phones DON’T use a standard USB plug?
    Unless you’re using a handset by Palm or Samsung (who seem to avoid standards anyway), Windows Mobile phones have been using USB mini-plugs for the better half of a decade.

    9. Touch Pro 2 does this already. In fact, when I’m on speaker and the light of the display bothers me at night, I cover the proximity sensor with my finger so that it blanks the display.

    10. If HTC has something to say about this (and they will), we don’t have to worry. They practically invented the slide out keyboard.

    I think the problem with this post is that you are assuming Microsoft is going to have a hand in the hardware manufacturing. They are specifying minimum specs (button layout, processor, etc) but still don’t want to get involved in the hardware game, which makes much of this conversation moot. Also, it seems that the author has had very limited experience with a specific Windows Phone model. Most of these concerns have already been addressed before you mentioned them!

    • http://www.simplemobilereview.com Chris

      Mordy I think on some things you completely missed the point and others you are incorrect. I think the overall point is that there are many variations on capabilities of Windows Mobile/Phone. This has plagued the phone for some time. I know that MS said they are not in the hardware business but I am typing on my Microsoft Keyboard and using my Microsoft mouse. My wireless internet is on a Microsoft router (which they no longer make). MS also said there will not be a Zune phone. Just do a search for it and you will find at least 10 articles of MS denying it. Well that wasn’t quite accurate either. Also I am pretty sure that the Zune is Microsoft as well. The point is you can’t trust the “We are not in the hardware business because clearly if they feel the need they will be. Now we have all seen the demo and pictures of the phone and I think we can agree it is based off of the Zune HD. So pretty much all bets are off when it comes to saying what is in the next version. So just because one phone here or there has a feature (more on this later) doesn’t mean it will be a standard on Phone 7.

      So let me go through your points which I like that you took the time to make them but some of them are off a bit.

      1. Yes WinMo can do this without tethering. You misread the statement. We want the capabilities to be carried forward to the Zune components. The Zune cannot fully do things over the air and since it is the base of the phone we have no idea which way MS is going.
      2. I am glad you agree with this one because the Zune Play list creation is not as smooth as it could be.
      3. Yes There are a lot of apps out there I use Yomomedia and love it. The problem is there is a podcast feature built into the Zune. This is what we are referring to. the Zune can not do this over wireless. it must be tethered. And since the Zune Software is what will be used for syncing music and other media to Phone 7 it could be the same which would be a problem to me.
      4.I love Exchange and would consider it a standard already. However most organizations use BlackBerries. But I can’t imagine an Exchange Admin wanting his servers handling phone backups. The MyPhone service is very good and easy we just want it built into the phone and automated. Because the reality is most users won’t do it. The focus is not just enterprise users anymore. We have to gear features for the average consumer.
      5.MS does not have to build the phone to accomplish this. They are already specifying that every Window’s Phone 7 must have a search button, GPS, 400×800 resolution and other things so they can tell the builders to build it properly. What we are trying to do is avoid too much variation between phones. Think Google and Nexus One. HTC built the device.
      6.We want Bing to do it to ANY PHONE.
      7.Unfortunately this is where you are really wrong. I am sure the phones you mentioned have the 3.5mm jack but I can tell you for sure that the AT&T Tilt 2 and the ATT Fuze do not. Both are recent phones. They come with a dongle that converts from USB to 3.5mm. I own both. But your list of phones proves one thing, too much variation.
      8.I think you are looking at the wrong side of the cord. We are not talking about the end that goes into the PC we are talking about the end that goes into the phone. The Zune has a proprietary cable and we don’t want to see that on Phone 7.
      9.We love this feature and want to see it carried forward.
      10.I hope so. I can barely use a regular keyboard

      Microsoft has laid out minimum specs but they are not as small as you make them seem. I think it is pretty significant to say every phone must have

      5MP Camera
      Accelerometer
      GPS
      480×800 Screen Resolution
      60 Frames per second
      Capacitive Touch Screen
      Hardware Search Button

      for every company that is going to build a device running windows Phone 7. That is a deep hand in the process!

      Also make no mistake we have been using Windows Mobile since the MPX 200. I will put my Windows Mobile knowledge up against anyone. The problem is not with our knowledge of Windows Mobile it is with your view of what MS is going to do. You think because a feature exist on some models and not others that is ok. You also think that “well I can go get an app to solve this problem” is the proper mind set. That is what put Windows Mobile in the state that it is. These things whould be standard. I am huge WinMo fan and you need to look no further than all of my posts on this site. Windows Phone 7 is completely a new device. This device is based off of an existing infrastructure for playing media. That is the Zune Marketplace and the Zune HD. Therefore there is no way you can assume that any features are guaranteed when the phone releases in December. But when it does I want it to DESTROY all other platforms. Thinking like you will not get it done!

      • Mordy

        Chris,
        I will accept that perhaps I missed your point on some concepts… notably, that the Zune can’t be used fully without a PC tether, or that it can’t currently download podcasts over the air. The problem with this article is that it implies these are all shortcomings of the current Windows Mobile platform, not the Zune. Like, “Wow, I always wished I could download podcasts on my Windows Mobile phone” or “I wish I didn’t need a computer to fully use my Touch Pro!”. You’re coming at it from a Zune perspective, which really is not clear from the get go here.

        Remember, as much as it resembles the Zune UI, this is “officially” (whatever that means) NOT called the Zune phone, but rather the successor to Windows Mobile 6.5. Personally, I would much rather they call it Zune Phone 1.0 instead of WP7, since it doesn’t have anything in common with previous builds nor Windows at all for that matter (more on my opinion of that here: http://www.mopocket.com/2010/02/windows-phone-7-series-this-aint-yo-mammas-pocket-pc.php ). Whatever the case may be, it would seem strange to assume this would have the shortcomings you mention.

        And as far as my being “REALLY WRONG” about some of those statements-
        (I can’t believe I’m going to do this again… I’ll just pick the numbers to address… heh)
        4. Most companies that use Blackberrys are actually using MS Exchange as their groupware server, and BES as their sync solution. BES on its own doesn’t do that much. The bulk of phone backups are actually already being handled by Exchange in these cases, and it would actually be even less overhead and resources if backed up straight from the phone to the server.
        6. Again- Google Lattitude. Have you used it? It works on just about all phones that can run Google Maps (WinMo, Android, BB, iPhone, etc). Unless Microsoft is planning to ban Google Maps from their new 7 series because of “duplication of services” with Bing, this already exists and works splendidly. I simply don’t understand the request. These statements are like saying “Please make sure it has MS Office, because the Zune doesn’t have office apps right now”. It may have the Zune UI, but don’t forget this is still a Windows Phone.
        7. Sorry, I still stand behind this statement. All modern WM phones have standard headsets. The Tilt is already considered 2 generations old, and the Tilt 2 from an OEM perspective is actually a generation old. Remember, the Rhodium was actually released overseas a year before it came to ATT as the Tilt 2, and back then they were just starting to switch away from proprietary audio ports. All of the next generation hardware from them (HD2, etc) as well as other manufacturers have headphone jacks ever since. In fact, since they had to rebuild the Rhodium with CDMA for Verizon and Sprint, those versions have a more modern reference design, and have 3.5mm jacks as well (basically, only Tmobile and ATT versions lack it due to the older model reference design).
        8. No, we’re talking about the same side of the cable. You know the hole you put your Tilt’s headphone adapter into? It doesn’t look standard because of the flat edge on one side. The flat edge is just the extra pins for audio. A regular mini-USB cable (from an external hard drive or digital camera) fits right in there for data and charging. Try it- you must just discover something useful. :)
        Case-in-point: I’ve used the same Micro USB car charger for my GPS unit, old school moto BT headset, Moto Q9, HTC Touch Pro, TP2, Mogul, 2125, Tornado and Wizard (MDA).

        There. I wasn’t planning on writing so much initially, but from your response to my last comment, it seems you are up for the challenge!

        That being said, I honestly don’t intend to turn this conversation into a contest, however this little tidbit made me laugh so I HAVE to comment:
        “Also make no mistake we have been using Windows Mobile since the MPX 200. I will put my Windows Mobile knowledge up against anyone. The problem is not with our knowledge of Windows Mobile it is with your view of what MS is going to do. You think because a feature exist on some models and not others that is ok.”

        I’ve been on the scene long before the name was changed to Windows Mobile back in 2003, and at one point about 5 years back I owned 4 different devices in a 9 month period. And I don’t even consider myself the greatest source of knowledge on this subject… Just a power user with a healthy obsession. So, if you really wanted to put your WinMo knowledge up against anyone, I assure you I can arrange for that to happen. But again, this isn’t a contest, I’m just saying. ;)

        Also, don’t forget- the device showcased at MWC was an HTC built piece of hardware. HTC has been working with MS on the design and function of WP7, just as Google worked closely with them for developing Android. HTC brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the table here- if you think MS isn’t aware of proximity sensors and other features HTC puts into their devices, I think you are failing to recognize the significance of the choice to use them as demo hardware.

        • http://simplemobilereview.com Rod Simmons

          I will be brief as I am not trying to rewrite the article
          I believe the problem is you assumed we said here a short coming of Windows Phone 7. I clearly said from a Zune perspective for several points but lets move on and keep it short.

          Point 4 Blackberry is the dominate smart phone in the US and for the most part for enterprises. Exchange is the dominate enterprise email platform. It is not a point to argue but focus is the consumer features hence why we talked about backup to hotmail or live. This is a consumer need not enterprise

          Point 6 Yes have used Latitude and it is a privacy concern to many. I have written several articles around this. The goal is simple share you location with others at a point in time not constantly. I could also use foursquare or many other social apps. This is oddly enough a powerful feature iPhone users leverage.

          Point 7 Just make it easy. The consumer should not worry that basic features are on this phone but not that one and potentially a generation behind.

          Point 8 Simple point here don’t use that stupid Zune connector. We should have stated that more clearly.

          We both love MS as a company and know they are on the ball with all things. That said this is a hope list not a short comings of Windows Phone 7. I know Chris is already in line at the At&T store to buy his Phone :) I am rather excited to see Microsoft finally respond to a market the had written them off as dead.

          I really appreciate you commenting. I can understand if you start looking at this as a short coming of WIndows Phone 7 it spins out of control. I am a Zune HD fan and have used every mobile platform. Windows Phone 7 appears to have so much right I just want to see some additional things.

        • http://www.simplemobilereview.com Chris

          I love the fact that you could not resist the urge to write back. Welcome to simplemobilereview :) . Ok now that you are coming let me bring you the rest of the way over. I am not sure how you did not get that it was from a Zune perspective with Heading that says A LITTLE ZUNE HOPE. “The last point starts out” “This is my last ZUNE Related Hope.” I would think that made it pretty obvious we were talking about the Zune features. We could have started ut by saying “I Wish” But headings are usually good enough.

          I can agree with you about the name but our list was not titles what we dislike about the Zune or WinMO. Because we love both. Nobody knows where they are going so we cannot assume anything. As much as I drink the WinMO Kool-Aid (Listen to any of our podcasts) even I know that there is a possibility to be let down.

          I can’t bring myself to do another list so we will do this in the paragraph. The Tilt 2 came out in September. I understand what you are trying to say but it is pretty common for phones to be released in Europe first but they usually don’t wait an entire year. So we will have to agree to disagree on this. Because the Tilt 2 and the Touch Pro 2 are based off of the same device. From the same generation, yet one has the jack and one does not. This was the call of the carrier and it needs to be handed down by MS to have a 3.55mm jack. Also I use Google Latitude and I use Bing. I want Bing to cross the bridge. I Don’t want to have to install a Google app for something the MS app could do. And I will say it again and to be clear, when it comes to talking about WinMO, how to use it, Apps, features, what’s good, what’s not, I will stand up against anyone. Finally we never said they aren’t aware of the Proximity Sensor what we said was we hope it’s on the new phone.

          I think I know what happened here. I think you are a staunch Windows Mobile/Phone guy like myself. And you may not be used to people actually giving WinMo a chance or any credit and you got defensive. If you stop and go back and read the post again take off the protection glasses, you will see that nothing about this article is stating what we dislike about Windows Mobile. But it does state great features that we would like to see in Phone 7 out of the box.

  • ThomasW

    4. Backup… its there please chck this site http:/myphone.microsoft.com/

    • http://www.simplemobilereview.com Chris

      Hey Thomas we know that the MYPhone service exists we mention it in the post. What we are to say is we want it built into Windows Phone 7 and automatic. Most users won’t go out and get it. We want consumers to have great experience with Phone 7.

  • Rob

    Love the wishes, here is one from the Gamer side in me. Please, please add the ability to hear voice messages sent on live at the very least. If I can at least click and hear the message left, then I can write back and a response and don’t have to wait until I fire up the Xbox later on. Might add this to Xbox.Com as well while your add it. Could also be cool to enter a Party via the phone and chat with people using the phone.

    • http://www.simplemobilereview.com Chris

      This might be one of the best ideas for this phone I have heard to date!