Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’

Are Users Ready for Windows Phone 7?

July 20th, 2010

A hard hitting and scathing review of the Windows phone 7 was given out by the InfoWorld. The article was penned directly by Galen Gruman and gave out several reasons why the Windows Phone 7 would certainly not survive. As much as we appreciate the insight, the direct way that the article insisted that Windows Phone 7 should be scrapped would be nothing short of a journalistic tumble. After all, it is never a good idea to predict something that is not certain to happen.

We do agree with some of the key points of the article, like how the idea for the Windows Phone 7 seems to have been inspired by Microsoft’s earlier directions back in 2007 (the birth of the iPhone) and that the public is not used to having new navigational standards (such as bleeding or cut-off effects to imply that there is more content to be seen).

They did not even mention that certain features, such as cut and paste as well as multitasking would only be present in the device in a very limited degree. But if these things alone will be enough to take down Windows Phone 7, they are very much mistaken.

The public has room for one more large scale mobile platform, and Windows Phone 7 fits the bill. Sure, Microsoft is using a closed system, but the same can be said about Apple and the iOS. In fact, one can even say that Apple has more restrictions than Microsoft.

And Microsoft did not change their direction because of Apple’s iPhone, the reason why they did not push through with made for mass market UI’s was that they were concentrating on the business sector.

In any case, it has been reported that Windows Phone 7 and the first devices to use the new OS will be out by September. Which means it will only take a short while before we find out if Gruman’s predictions are on point.

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Windows Phone 7: Surprisingly No Multitasking Capabilities

July 19th, 2010

Microsoft has been lagging behind Google and Apple in terms of their existing operating system. It seems that the mobile industry is looking for a platform that is focused on innovation as well as functionality. The upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform is, no doubt, innovative. In terms of functionality, one of the prominent advantages of both the iOS4 and the Android platforms is surprisingly missing in the Windows Phone 7.

That missing feature happens to be third party application multitasking. Unlike Apple’s iOS4, there is no way to simultaneously use two apps at once. The moment that you launch a new app, the first once is automatically terminated. It is truly a surprise considering the fact that Microsoft is aware of the fact that a lot of consumers are after multitasking, not only in mobile phones, but also in personal computers.

The announcement came from Mr. Yochay Kiriaty of Microsoft. He said that only a single application will be able to run in the foreground and all other background apps will be terminated. Say a game app is open, once the user tries to make a phone call, the game app is automatically close. Even by simply launching a picture browser, your current app will be closed.

“When a user navigates away from your application, either to a chooser like picture chooser, or to a launcher like phone call, Windows Phone operating system terminates your application.”

The only good news is that the last state of a particular app will be restored when the program is launched again. This may work for simple applications but for games and music apps, the lack of a proper third party multitasking is truly a big blow.

Hopefully, Microsoft has some sort of trick up its sleeve to increase the hype for their upcoming platform. After how the Kin duo fared, they really need it.

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Windows Phone 7’s Newest Features

July 16th, 2010

Microsoft’s new mobile platform is loaded with plenty of features and capabilities. From being able to run apps and games across different platforms to integrated social networking, there is a lot to look forward to this coming September when the device finally launches.

For those who missed on key discussions during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference, here is a one impressive feature that was highlighted: the new Windows Phone Live service. This free service will be accessible for any WP7 user and will allow users to be able to secure their handsets.

To do this, users will need to register the device to a specific online account that will have special remote access privileges to the smart phone. This remote access can enable GPS, make the phone ring, lock it down, or in worst case scenarios, wipe out the memory.

This latest addition (reminiscent of the BlackBerry Protect; which is currently in closed beta testing) is meant to help out users who may have either misplaced their device (in order to retrieve it) or might have their device stolen (in which case, this service can be used to secure the data from being copied or accessed).

The service will also allow users to make routine backups over the air, allowing up to 25GB to be stored online. This creates an instant copy of any smart phone’s data for easy transfer to a new device should circumstances call for it.

According to reports, several new handsets will be ready for the Windows Phone 7 OS when it comes out this coming September or October. First up on the list is the LG Panther which comes with a WVGA capacitive touch screen display, a 1GHz CPU and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. The HTC Mondrian (HTC Gold) and Mozart are also expected to come out this Q4 2010.

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Microsoft to Offer Security Package: Just Like BB Protect

July 15th, 2010

Hot on the heels of the announcement that RIM is not moving to the closed beta testing phase for the BlackBerry Protect system, Microsoft has also let it be known that they will be offering a similar service for all Windows Phone 7 owners. And that is actually a good thing. Considering how impressive the BlackBerry Protect is turning out, having similar functions for other mobile handsets is a great idea and it is about time that Microsoft started jumping on the bandwagon.

According to the recent reports, it seems that there will hardly be any differences between the BB Protect service and what Microsoft is proposing.

The new service will allow Windows Phone 7 users to sign up for the service and register their handset. After doing this, the online account can be used to remote access the smart phone. From here, it would be possible to shut down, lock or even completely wipe the memory of the handset completely clean. It is also possible to turn on the GPS on the device in order to locate if physically and have it ring or alarm if needed.

Naturally the device would need to be in an area with WiFi or 3G access for this to take place. If the phone is outside connectivity, then it is possible that the commands would not be activated in the handset.

Just like the Protect and the Apple MobileMe service, of Microsoft’s new service will also be able to upload and back up phone content online (with up to 25GB of storage space). Unlike the MobileMe, this service will be given free of charge (no word yet if Protect will also have fees).

Right now, this new feature from Microsoft is being called as the Windows Phone Live service, though it is possible that MS will give it a proper name change in the coming weeks.

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Windows Phones Coming Out in September

July 9th, 2010

Two new Windows Phone 7 devices have been added to the list of new smart phones coming out this September. Apparently, despite Microsoft’s move to bring out their OS one month in advance, many phone makers are still planning to keep up with the new OS.

Nokia’ E7 is one interesting WP7 device as the form factor is something that plenty of users would enjoy using. The phone is much like the LG Panther – it is also a type two chassis and comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard. However, the Nokia E7 adds in the extra feature of being used like a mini-computer; it folds in like the N97.

This new form is pretty good for users who tend to use Microsoft’s Office Mobile apps a lot as it makes typing and making documents a lot easier than having to hold the phone up the whole time.

The HTC Gold is a high end smart phone that will be using Microsoft’s new OS. With a rumored 1.2 GHz CPU, this device is expected to have other matching hardware specs that would put it on top of the WP7 food chain. As one might suspect, this handset is the same phone as the previously leaked HTC Mondrian. No word has been given on why the device has had a name change, but HTC Gold certainly has more charm. Though probably most well known for Android devices like the HTC Wildfire, HTC have worked with Microsoft platforms before, having released the impressive HD2.

It is a pretty large move for Microsoft to adjust their release date by a full month, but it is something that would make their fans happier. The handset has been announced since mid February this year and it has been a very long wait. Even with all the updates and details about the upcoming OS, it is about time that they committed a final release date. WP7 will be bringing together Zune, Bing, XBL Games and more.

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Countdown to the Holidays: More on WP7

June 22nd, 2010

Microsoft is pushing the advertisements and announcements regarding their new operating system further into the limelight. With the OS initially announced as early as February, keeping that raging fire of interest burning for almost a full year was bound to be tough, and in the credit of Microsoft’s press team, they seem to be doing well.

While it is still several months away from the holiday season (or October, as rumored to be the time when the first WP7 devices will be available), much time has passed since the Mobile World Congress and Steve Ballmer’s presentation. But until now, many people are still excited about the Windows Phone 7 mobile platform and what it will bring to the many smart phone users all over the world.

The new operating system is geared more towards casual users than enterprise clients –which are what the older Windows Mobile systems were all about. This new OS brings plenty of focus to live updates, social networking and connectivity. The device has customizable widget-like boxes called tiles which can be fitted with specific contacts or web pages and other content that allows a user to determine what is important and should be available in the front page.

Social networking is made easy as the handset allows users to update multiple social networking sites (like Facebook and Windows Live) at the same time with a single tap of the touch screen. Media such as photos and music can be uploaded to the internet by way of an instant commend menu which is available in the media library screen.

Microsoft’s search engine Bing will be accessible from anywhere in the device, allowing users to make use of the various search functions to get relevant information such as maps for address and similar data. Zune and Xbox Live will also be part of the services offered in the new OS.

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Microsoft’s Kin is Doing Well but the Ad is Revolting

April 28th, 2010

What does Microsoft want people to do with their mobile phones? If their latest Kin advertisement is anything, it shows that Microsoft think that most of the social networking types do nothing but party and flirt with each other all day –or so the video depicts.

Generalizing aside, there is one scene where a Kin user shoves the phone up his shirt to take a photo of his nipple (the flash on the camera allows for lighting). The image is then sent directly to another user using the easy use interface on the Kind device. While impressive for the phone, it is a very disturbing scene to watch for many people.

In many ways, Microsoft has indirectly promoted sex-ting, promiscuity and the practice of harassment (the young man better be content that his recipient seemed happy enough to see the image). Surely, the folks at Microsoft should have seen this one before allowing it to be released to the public for viewing. Nothing makes a commercial more distasteful than a brightly lit close up of a male nipple.

Despite the bad publicity that this ad is going to get, people are still looking forward to trying out the new Kin. Aside from being the first Microsoft branded smart phone, the two devices are well made and comes with impressive hardware to boot.

Or course, the OS inside is not the upcoming WP7 mobile platform, though the social networking bits are reportedly similar –which means that the Kin devices are the closes things to trying out Windows Phone 7 right now. The Kin One and Kin Two both come with touch screen displays, QWERTY keyboards and digital cameras (5 MP for Kin 1 and 8 MP for Kin 2).

Read more about the new Kin advertisement and see the video at the Register UK.

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