Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer hasn’t stepped on stage at Mobile World Congress yet, but already the Big M has spilled the beans on Windows Mobile 7, now known as Windows Phone 7 Series. Want the details? Read on – we’ve got them all!
Windows Phone 7 Series offers “smart design and truly integrated experiences” says Microsoft. The big news, however, is that Xbox LIVE games and Zune music and video marketplaces are coming to Windows Phones.
Microsoft already has partners building phones with Windows Phone 7 Series inside, in Europe the first to confirm its involvement is Orange, which says it’ll be making handsets with all of Microsoft’s new gaming and media skills inside, as well as Orange TV and Orange Navigation services.
The first thing you’ll notice about Windows Phone 7 Series is the new Start screen. Instead of shortcuts or even a Start menu, Windows Phone 7 Series uses new Live Tiles, which update to show content from the web automatically.
It’s a lot like the Android re-skins we’ve seen popping up from HTC and Sony Ericsson. Microsoft’s system lets you create a Tile for a friend, and automatically see that person’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start Screen. Windows Live is integrated, naturally, but so is Facebook with Microsoft mentioning it throughout today’s launch.
Windows Phone 7 Series is multi-touch enabled too, finally putting Windows Mobile head to head with the iPhone.
But it’s not just software that Microsoft is tweaking. Any manufacturer making a device with Windows Phone 7 Series inside will need to design a hardware button to access Microsoft’s Bing search engine into the device.
It’s a jab square at the jaw of Google, which already demands a search button in the design of Android phones.
However, Microsoft has pushed Bing a little further on Windows Phone 7 Series, delivers “intent-specific results”, which show you web search or local results more tuned to the things you type in. Yes, Windows Phone 7 Series tries to read your mind.
Another new feature is Windows Phone 7 Series’ hubs. They’re themed around People, Pictures, Games, Music + Video, Marketplace and Office. Think of them as themed homescreens which pull together all the content on your phone in a sensible way.
Most interesting is the Games hub, which offers the “Xbox LIVE experience on a phone,” says Microsoft. It includes Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile.
Stay tuned, we’ll bring you first impressions of Windows Phone 7 Series as soon as possible.
TBC | £TBC | Microsoft
