I have been waiting for quite some time to be able to say this….. Microsoft has reinvented the Smartphone again. There were so many rumors and thoughts floating around. What the interface was going to look like other companies getting bought (RIM). I loved the ones that were saying Windows Phone 7 was going to be delayed when there was not even a releases date. All of a sudden Microsoft brings the wood.
It almost reminds me of the buzz that was existing when Windows 98 was releasing. That was a crazy time and so is this. Let’s look at some of the features.
When everyone suspected that Microsoft was going to use the Zune HD interface no one realized that it was going to be reinvented as well.
Phone Concepts Reinvented
Start Screen
For starters the awesome tiles that exist on the Zune are also available on Windows Phone 7. The difference is that the tiles are dynamic. That is to say that the information in the tiles will update automatically. For example, if your wife updates her Facebook it will show up in your wife’s Facebook tile.
Hubs
There is also a new concept called Windows Phone Hubs. Hubs allow for related content to brought together on the phone. Web applications, and services are all in a single view.
Here is the explanation of Hubs from Microsoft
Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people:
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, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.
Contacts
Last week Rod and I hashed out our favorite features on the Zune HD. One of the features we mentioned was the ability to press and hold on the letter separators and you would get an alphabet grid. This feature was added to the contacts. Great thinking here.
Productivity Features
Chances are if you use corporate email you are on Exchange. And if you use a Windows Phone you use Outlook. Well even Outlook mobile got an update. And it looks bigger and bolder.
The Calendar has taken a nice update as well. The biggest part of the calendar update that I like is the differentiation between personal events and corporate ones via color code.
Social Features
Games have become a huge part of phones and Windows Phone 7 did not miss here. They have added support for XBOX Live and games on the phone. Even the Avatars will be supported and they will be animated just like on the XBOX.
Of course social networking has become a huge part of our lives. and Microsoft is making sure that they close the loop on compatibility. With this feature you can type in your update once and check the box for which Social Networks get updated. Looks like Twitter and Windows Live are up first.
A few additional notes.
I was able to talk to a few of my Microsoft contacts and found out some more info. For those of us hardcore fans that wanted Microsoft to do the hardware as well as the software should know Microsoft is not getting into it. However what they have done is created a minimum spec for vendors to follow.
Here are a few
- 5MP Camera
- Accelerometer
- GPS
- 480×800 Screen Resolution
- 60 Frames per second
- Capacitive Touch Screen
- Hardware Search Button
Also Bing Search is all throughout the phone and is context sensitive (if you are in contacts is will search contacts)
All in all this phone looks like it is going to be unbelievable. According to Microsoft we can expect to see them on the market by Christmas this year.
