Looks like some of the details of Microsoft’s highly-rumored and much-anticipated Windows Mobile/Phone 7, have already leaked ahead of its supposed introduction at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Feb. 15, 2010 in Barcelona.
However, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer and other Microsoft officials have hinted indirectly that the device will be released some time in 2010.
Market reports also suggests that Microsoft might end up showing only the user interface at MWC and will leave the actual developer/functionality stuff for the later date.
Leaked details of the Windows Mobile/Phone 7
With Windows Phone 7, one of the main concerns is that it will not support multi-tasking. Reportedly, it also lacks flash support. Anyways here are some of the leaked details of for Windows Phone 7:
- Windows mobile user interface will be similar to Zune HD.
- The browser will be based on IE7 codebase that will also include some of the IE8 functionality.
- Installation of apps only from the Marketplace and not from SD storage card.
- Xbox 360 gaming integration.
- It will provide support for social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
- OEM interfaces would not be allowed on the device.
As per rumors the Windows Mobile 7 devices are expected to ship in September of 2010 but nothing is yet officially confirmed.
Microsoft to restrict smartphone interfaces?
If rumors are to be believed then Microsoft is planning to set regulations to restrict carriers from uploading their own applications on its new Windows 7. By making such a move Microsoft wants to compete with its rival Apple in the smartphone market.
Analysts believe that this move by Microsoft could force both manufactures and carriers to drop the Windows Mobile operating system in favor of Google’s Android OS.
This development might force Microsoft to sell the phone directly to the end-users in the same way as Google is selling its Nexus One smartphone currently.
A broad file system might be dropped for more centralized and simpler storage area. The new OS will also easily tap into social networks, giving developers more option to write games using the same code as Xbox 360 games.
Apple is expected to unveil its new 4.0 OS in May 2010 for the iPhone.
i hope you guys know this is
i hope you guys know this is the zune phone.
Windows Mobile 7 = A Closed Platform
Two interesting factors emerge about Windows Mobile 7.
First, application compatibility will be broken. All current Windows Mobile applications are written in NetCF. These will all have to be rewritten in Silverlight to work on Windows Mobile 7.
This means all current Windows Phones are using a platform that is at the end of its life. When a platform dies (and in this case gets replaced), then there will not be new software for that platform.
The second intriguing thing about Windows Mobile 7 is that it will be a closed platform. You won't be able to download any applications you want, or install them from the memory card. Instead, you can only install applications from Microsoft's own online store (Marketplace for Mobile). Microsoft will decide which applications can be in the store, and which cannot.
I think there'll be a backlash over these issues, and Windows Mobile 7 will fail in the market.
In the same way that the
In the same way that the iPhone was a market failure?
Quite seriously, though, if Microsoft close off application distribution and UI development, that about kills it for me as a viable option. The only thing stopping me from buying an iPhone over WM7 would then be the non-removable battery and non-expandable storage. I currently have a WM2003 PDA and I love being able to write my own programs for it and install the programs I want from the sources I choose. One of the few things that keeps me using Windows Mobile...
Locked down
iPhone and Palm lock down the applications and they are doing just fine. However, Palm also allows for homebrew development. The difference, is that you can't charge for homebrew apps, only those found on the official Palm app store.
Post new comment