It seems like most of the buzz about the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 series has been negative lately. Most writers are focused on its deficiencies. It won’t support full multitasking (apps hibernate unless more RAM is needed and then they are terminated) nor copy-and-paste out of the box. These features may be added later. Do we need to be reminded that the current iPhone didn’t support these features either upon release and still doesn’t truly multitask? For those who haven’t see videos of Windows Phone 7 Series, you might want to view Microsoft’s official video. Also, if you haven’t see the home screen “tiles,” click the thumbnail below.
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I almost never write about Microsoft products (once or twice I have) but I think Windows Phone 7 Series looks very promising. Maybe the mid-to-late 1990s antitrust issues with Microsoft have permanently soured some towards the company. Are people still bitter that Microsoft effectively killed Netscape? I was recently reminded that a decade has passed. Microsoft could have a different ethos. Afterall, we’re going to get a cloud-based version of Microsoft Office later this year. Who would have thunk it? Windows 7 wasn’t such a disappointment either. One problem with Microsoft is that it still relies on the “old” model. It still primarily sells things in boxes. It doesn’t give things away in expectation of recouping the cost in advertising revenue and good will. Nonetheless, I think if you approach Windows Phone 7 Series objectively and disregard whatever beefs you may have with Microsoft, it looks like a revolutionary, new phone OS. It’s not the dated WinMo that’s been patched and updated over the years. It might do cool things and do them well. We’ll know more after the CTIA this week.
I’m not really sure why I’ve seen 20+ articles dedicated solely to the copy-and-paste issue this past week. Some are writing that Microsoft Windows 7 Series doesn’t have a place in the market. I wish more people would be open-minded about this OS. Favorable reviews won’t mean that Apple, Google and RIM have “lost.” Competition benefits all of us and monopolies often become complacent. If this new phone OS were designed by a start-up, I think we’d see more excitement and fewer people ripping on it. Windows Phone 7 Series looks pretty darn good to me. (I just hope it integrates well with Gmail or I can’t even consider it. :))
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[...] The Windows Phone interface is funky with asymmetry on almost every screen. I like the “tile” layout which is a nice departure from the mundane world of gridded icons. In this regard, perhaps the KINs offer a glimpse inside of the core elements that will likely become Windows Phone 7. [...]