This is the latest post in our series, Technical MashUps, which focuses on the various technologies that are being leveraged to improve and redefine our lives.
Microsoft is one of the elder statesmen of the mobility space. The company first introduced its mobile OS in April of 2000. The initial release was Pocket PC 2000, which shortly there after was, renamed -- Windows Mobile operating system. The initial mobile OS was designed for use on a
or what Microsoft called a Palm-Size PC. The Pocket PC did not have many applications:
- Pocket Word
- Pocket Excel
- Pocket Outlook
- Pocket Internet Explorer
- Windows Media Player
- Microsoft Reader
- Microsoft Money
- Notes, a note taking application
- Character recognition support
- Infrared (IR) File beaming capability
By today's standards this is an anemic list of applications for a mobile OS. As a reference I have counted 64 native applications on the T-Mobile Vibrant.
Fast-forward to 2010 -- Windows Mobile enjoyed an eleven-year run but Microsoft has decided to retire the Windows Mobile OS product line. With the advancement of mobile technologies -- case in point smartphones -- Microsoft has decided it's time for a new development approach. The company has been hard at work developing the successor to Windows Mobile -- Windows Phone 7. This mobile OS is a departure from its predecessor -- in both philosophy and technology.
Yes, Windows Phone 7 does have a fight on its hands. Microsoft is a distant third in the smartphone landscape. Currently, the space is being dominated by RIM -- with Android (Google) nipping at Microsoft's market share.
As of May 2010 -- Top Smartphone Platforms (
)
- RIM -- 41.7%
- Apple -- 24.4%
- Microsoft -- 13.2%
- Google -- 13.0%
- Palm -- 4.8%
Can Microsoft reclaim its lost title with Windows Phone 7 -- well let's take a look at the technical preview provided by
.
The hardware was not the focus of the preview; mostly it was just the canvas for the OS platform to operate on with some basic specs. So don't get too hung up on the appearance or capabilities of the phone, but rather the Windows Phone 7 interface. Microsoft did mention, however, that there would be certain minimum requirements for their OEM companies to have on their equipment to be able to run WP7. Specifically, a minimum of a 1Ghz processor, and at least 512MB RAM. Also, each phone will have the same 3-button layout on the bottom, under the screen (Back, Windows Home, and Search).
Walk-through and interface
You can see that Microsoft decided to depart almost entirely from their previous mobile environment, and for anyone who has used the WinMo platform will attest to, that was needed. WP7OS takes a minimalist approach to the mobile market, by using very subtle color elements, but keeping the transitions and fonts modern. If you are familiar with the Zune, this is very much a relative of that interface, and the music side of this OS is the same
The entirety of what you would consider the 'desktop' or 'Home' are two main screens, an 'Applications list' and settings, and another 'Tiles screen' where you can place (Pin) animated informational icons (kind of like advanced shortcuts) of your calendar, phone, individual contacts, or links to applications. There is a feeling of supreme efficiency in that design. I would only assume that future applications would allow for their 'Pinned' widget to provide graphical weather maps, or dynamic content on the 'Tiles screen'. But the main reason for this is to have an action wall of information most important to you. Animated contact icons display the person's picture, name, and their latest social media status update.
As of this release, there are only two background color choices, white and black, plus 10 accent colors available on these screens. Background images are only on the lock screen, mind you, and I do expect that to change once consumers get their hands on it. The keyboard is really good, and has suggestive text as well and auto-correct. All manufacturers should just adopt Swype and get it over with.
Once you go into some of the native applications, you will see the Zune-like fonts at the top, tapering off to the sides to indicate there are more screens if you swipe to that side. It takes a little getting used to this approach, because we are all so familiar with formal screens and menus. While it does become more normal as you use it, perhaps the amount of space these font cues take up would better be utilized by the actual content of that application.
Initially, I really didn't know what to expect from Windows Phone 7. I live on my iPhone, use the Blackberry for work, and test the Android OS on a regular basis, so I didn't really see where WP7 was going to fit in. After spending a few days with the product, I can say that it is really growing on me. There are some dark corners of the environment I hope they fix, and some features I would love to see expanded, but overall this is a very fast, beautiful, socially connected Operating System. Microsoft's biggest mistake was not doing this sooner.
You can follow Zev Green on Twitter: ZevMo and read the full review on DadsOnTech.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.