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.