Microsoft Puts Apple, Google Services In Its Mobile Strategy Sights

[Brad Wasson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/07/windows-phone-7-cloud/' target='_blank'>http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010...-phone-7-cloud/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It's clear the software giant is shooting at the cloud in order to target a major weakness of Apple and a major strength of Google. Microsoft is offering consumer-oriented cloud services that Apple lacks, while providing enterprise features, such as remote wiping or locating a missing phone, that are not built in to Android."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1279159858.usr110171.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Brian X Chen, writing for WIRED'S Gadget Lab, has provided a nice summary of some of the key focuses of Microsoft's Mobile Strategy associated with their new Windows Phone 7 platform. He points out a number of the key aspects to be aware of. These include over-the-air Wi-Fi syncing and a feature to track a missing phone, a free website for publishing content and syncing, and a Find My Phone service. On the surface, these appear to be a fairly competitive set of features heading out of the gate, but we'll have to see how they perform in actual use before we commit to a final judgment.</p>

[mmidgley]

> "enterprise features, such as remote wiping or locating a missing phone, that are not built in to Android"

Should always read up on the competition before writing about them:
"Device policy management APIs allow developers to write applications that can control security features of the device such as the remote wipe,..." (http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/05/android-22-and-developers-goodies.html)
i-mate had remote wipe from their website, which was nice to have when I was using their 9502 but didn't have an exchange server.

Windows Mobile has had applications for locating a missing phone for quite some time now. I guess its nice to have built-in.

> "Microsoft will launch Windows Phone Live, a free website for Windows Phone 7 customers to automatically publish their photos and sync their contacts"

Is that the Kin effect? I never used Microsoft's contact/sms/whatever backup system--is this an enhancement to that system, or yet another duplication (with some enhancement)?

> "sum up the most frustrating thing about being an Apple customer in three little words: ‘Connect to iTunes`"

I'd agree there, having spoken with iPhone users. I often will intentionally wait to use wifi for a large transfer, but I like having the choice if I want to use cell carrier data.

> "Gadget Lab will soon receive a Windows Phone 7 prototype for testing. We’ll keep you posted on our impressions this week"

we'll be watching...

m.