Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7  

Windows Phone 7 is the successor of the Windows Mobile 6.5 mobile operating system in development by Microsoft.

Microsoft officially unveiled Windows Phone 7 during Mobile World Congress 2010 (February 15) in Barcelona and revealed additional details at MIX 2010. Microsoft released a technical preview version of Windows Phone 7 on 18 July 2010.

The completely new user interface (UI), named "Metro", looks very similar to that of the Zune HD. The home screen (called the "Start screen") is made up of "tiles", which by default are links to important features, such as phone, music and videos, email, office, and contacts.

 

The User can customize the tiles, delete them, or add their own - by pinning an application (or "experience"), media item, favorite contact, or almost anything to the Start screen, it becomes a tile.

Tiles are dynamic and update in real time. Tile contents are organized via "hubs" which combine both local and online content. Windows Phone 7 will have a more friendly touchscreen UI than previous Windows Mobile devices by using multitouch technology.

Integration with popular social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Windows Live will be included. Windows Phone 7 also features integration with Xbox Live, Zune, and Bing services.
Adobe has announced that Flash 10.1 will be released for Windows Phone 7 within months after launch. He also stated that the browser is "halfway between IE7 and IE8 rendering engine." Its web browser will be a modified version of Internet Explorer 7, rather than being based on the current IE8.

Microsoft's hardware requirements stipulate that every handset must have a dedicated hardwired 'Bing Button' on the front panel. Bing will be the only default search engine on Windows Phone 7 handsets. Though users cannot change the default to a different search engine, Microsoft said it would allow other search companies to build an app for Windows Phone 7 if they wished.

WP7 can also search Bing by voice using the TellME, this can be activated by clicking and holding the Windows Button. There is no global search in Windows Phone 7, though hitting the search button while an app is loaded will result in local search in applications that choose to utilize this function.
Software updates

Microsoft has highlighted its intention to make Windows Phone 7 into an advertising platform. Microsoft's General Manager for Strategy and Business Development, Kostas Mallios, said that Windows Phone 7 will be an "ad-serving machine", pushing advertising and brand related content to the user.

The platform will feature advertising tiles near applications, and a sliding box known as Toast, which will bring updating advertising notifications. Mallios said that Windows Phone 7 will be able to "preserve the brand experience by going directly from the web site right to the application", and that Windows Phone 7 "enables advertisers to connect with consumers over time".

Technology publication The Register said that Microsoft's Toast is a radical departure from iAd and Google's web ads, in that it will push advertisements to Windows Phone 7 users even when there are no browsers or applications running.

Phones with Windows Phone 7 OS should start to hit the stores this (2010) Christmas season.

Categories: Windows 7 Tools