Microsoft Launches Windows Phone 7 in NYC
Microsoft lost the mobile industry -- defeated pound per pound by Nokia, RIM Blackberry, Apple iPhone and Google Android. Microsoft had it coming... it was their fault.
For a multi-billion dollar company, it is surprising to even figure that Microsoft can be schooled by a young player in the mobile business. The approach of Apple to aggressively penetrate the mobile market with iPhone paid well to surprise even the leaders at that time such as Motorola, Nokia, RIM and Palm to name a few. Further pushing Microsoft's Windows Mobile efforts down and out of the game.
On the 11th day of October year 2010, Microsoft announces its second take to building a name in the mobile industry. It is an entirely new brand. It still has the underpinning of Windows in its name, but Windows Phone 7 is taking a completely different direction in terms of how Microsoft is used to doing it. They are expected to announce the devices, services and dates of releases in this NYC event.
To say the least, Microsoft is following on the mobile footsteps of Apple and Google... combined!
Microsoft is not manufacturing its own device like Apple. It is not expected that Microsoft would do the same mistake as Google did with Nexus One. So Microsoft, instead partnered with device manufacturers to support or exceed the minimum hardware specification for Windows Phone 7. This is an important strategy. Starting anew with 5 years already behind the competition, it is important for Microsoft to make sure that everything is right the first time... right to the smallest details as much as possible. Initial hardware partners include HTC and Samsung.
Apple's iOS and Google's Android are app-centric. In order for Microsoft to differentiate themselves, they designed Windows Phone 7 with the Metro UI, which they are marketing as offering a content-centric experience. However, testers actually find it more task-centric which is consistent with Microsoft's other software products. Still, the content-centric aspect of the Metro UI makes it unique.
Windows Phone 7 is like Zune
in a smart phone. Its Metro UI hub can give the user a feeling like the screen is larger than it really is. A hub is like a panoramic view. In order to access more content in a hub, the user can scroll left or right. Generally, the concept is new in a smart phone but should be easy to learn by Zune, Windows Media Center and XBox 360
users.
New applications for the Windows Phone 7 are available through the Windows Phone Marketplace which seems to publish around 1000 apps as of this writing. The Windows Phone Marketplace is an application available in different hubs in Windows Phone 7. In the Games hub, the Marketplace lists game content. In the Music+Video hub, the Marketplace is like Zune's. The new Marketplace follows on Apple's iTunes in terms of content reviews, monitoring, censorship and management.
It is expected that Windows Phone 7 would launch initially with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.
For a multi-billion dollar company, it is surprising to even figure that Microsoft can be schooled by a young player in the mobile business. The approach of Apple to aggressively penetrate the mobile market with iPhone paid well to surprise even the leaders at that time such as Motorola, Nokia, RIM and Palm to name a few. Further pushing Microsoft's Windows Mobile efforts down and out of the game.
On the 11th day of October year 2010, Microsoft announces its second take to building a name in the mobile industry. It is an entirely new brand. It still has the underpinning of Windows in its name, but Windows Phone 7 is taking a completely different direction in terms of how Microsoft is used to doing it. They are expected to announce the devices, services and dates of releases in this NYC event.
To say the least, Microsoft is following on the mobile footsteps of Apple and Google... combined!
Microsoft is not manufacturing its own device like Apple. It is not expected that Microsoft would do the same mistake as Google did with Nexus One. So Microsoft, instead partnered with device manufacturers to support or exceed the minimum hardware specification for Windows Phone 7. This is an important strategy. Starting anew with 5 years already behind the competition, it is important for Microsoft to make sure that everything is right the first time... right to the smallest details as much as possible. Initial hardware partners include HTC and Samsung.
Apple's iOS and Google's Android are app-centric. In order for Microsoft to differentiate themselves, they designed Windows Phone 7 with the Metro UI, which they are marketing as offering a content-centric experience. However, testers actually find it more task-centric which is consistent with Microsoft's other software products. Still, the content-centric aspect of the Metro UI makes it unique.
Windows Phone 7 is like Zune
in a smart phone. Its Metro UI hub can give the user a feeling like the screen is larger than it really is. A hub is like a panoramic view. In order to access more content in a hub, the user can scroll left or right. Generally, the concept is new in a smart phone but should be easy to learn by Zune, Windows Media Center and XBox 360 users.New applications for the Windows Phone 7 are available through the Windows Phone Marketplace which seems to publish around 1000 apps as of this writing. The Windows Phone Marketplace is an application available in different hubs in Windows Phone 7. In the Games hub, the Marketplace lists game content. In the Music+Video hub, the Marketplace is like Zune's. The new Marketplace follows on Apple's iTunes in terms of content reviews, monitoring, censorship and management.
It is expected that Windows Phone 7 would launch initially with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.
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