Microsoft unveils 7 Series Windows phone

Mobile World Congress: Microsoft introduces new mobile phone platform

Live from the 2010 MWC, Microsoft’s CEO and Senior Executives keynote launched the new series of Windows mobile phones – 7 Series.

Completely starting from scratch with the Microsoft Windows Mobile software… and the look.

A stylish streamlined design, with just three buttons on the front (start, search, back) and the rest for the capacitive touchscreen. With an interface similar to the new Windows 7, with features such as pinch to zoom, and an advanced browser also based on the current desktop IE version, with Bing and Bing maps as the default search and maps.

Graphic tiles arrange pieces of information on each page, but not in small icons. Instead in large colourful tiles.

Your personal data is organised into “hubs”, with real-time data intergrated and updated, for eg:

• People – with combined details of all your special peeps at your fingertips – their contact details, facebook and other social networking pages etc. Constantly updating. Contacts etc also sync over the air.
• Pictures – categorised into existing library, recently synced and what’s new (again, from social networking arenas). Also has a Facebook picture upload built-in.
• Office – integrating One Note, SharePoint, Recent Docs etc, plus a new look easy to read Outlook.
• Music and Video – all 7 Series will have a Zune onboard, partnership with Pandora Radio and easy syncing for your music and videos.
• Games – wait for it… Xbox LIVE as a built in part of the 7 Series, but not much mention of games as yet (see more info below)
• Marketplace – similar to iTunes? Inforamtion sketchy at this stage but guess more will be know far before the launch.

“What else is coming for the 7 Series?”

Microsoft apparently recognises the need for more hardware consistency and plans to work closely with hardware manufacturers to make sure there is commonality in devices.

“There are more than a billion phones sold every year, and a massive shift over to smartphones. Partners can meet the diverse needs of customers. One size does not fit all. People want different phones, different form factors.” “We want to strive for synergy where the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.”  Andy Lees, Senior Vice President, Mobile Communications Business.

Hardware partners? Deals struck with Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba.

Next a review of the Service Provider partners.  Among others, Telstra is listed.

“Available when and where?”

Windows Phone 7 Series will be available the 2010 ‘holiday season’. Where though, as usual, is anyone’s guess.

… The PC, now mobile. We hope 7 is our lucky number!” Steve Ballmer, CEO

Get More Information

• CNET: How Xbox Live will work
• Gizmodo: Windows Phone 7 Series