[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by alese

Actually there was some talk about the new "revolutionary" version of WM from Mobius (I think in fall 2006 - I guess Jason or someone else could be more specific about the time). Anyhow Microsoft supposedly showed some UI stuff that was supposed to go into the WM after the version 6. So in 2006 they were already working on at least some aspects of WM7...

I recall talk of Photon before WM 6 was released, but do we know it was anything more? If it was just planning and mock-ups, I don't count that as actual work being done. For all we know, Apple and Google had been planning mobile phones for years.

Originally Posted by alese

Just like Google and Apple didn't start from scratch, the same goes for Microsoft - the WM team already have built OS and for the most part what they have to do is build the UI and some applications (not all).
And I think they are actually in better position than the other two, not only they have the OS development in the house so they can work more closely with CE team, they have history going back to 2000, there is large user base, development tools and development community everything that the other two didn't have, or even still don't have.

The same does not go for Microsoft. As I mentioned above, Microsoft did start from scratch on Windows CE back in the 90s. True, the Windows Mobile team might not have had to, but Microsoft is obviously bigger than just the WM team, just like Google is bigger than the Android team and Apple is bigger than the iPhone team.

But I agree with your basic point. As I (and many others) have said, I think Microsoft rested on their laurels after overtaking Palm. That's why we haven't seen too much innovation going on.

Originally Posted by alese

Anyhow sorry for the long post/rant - don't get me wrong I want WM to be successful, I like the platform, I'm a fan and user from 2000, but it's so frustrating when you see how others are making big steps forward and all we get is threaded messaging and 3rd party shells like Touch Flo 3D...

I think most of us here probably agree with that.

However, I personally don't care if the UI changes much. I've been using it long enough now that I'm used to it and change would likely result in a new learning curve. All I want is a touch-friendly mode you can set (and that you can turn off to get WM "classic" mode, for people that like their styli or prefer more information on-screen).

I understand that your average Joe Six-Pack (or is it Joe the Plumber) want more flash, though.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by alese

Actually there was some talk about the new "revolutionary" version of WM from Mobius (I think in fall 2006 - I guess Jason or someone else could be more specific about the time). Anyhow Microsoft supposedly showed some UI stuff that was supposed to go into the WM after the version 6. So in 2006 they were already working on at least some aspects of WM7...

I recall talk of Photon before WM 6 was released, but do we know it was anything more? If it was just planning and mock-ups, I don't count that as actual work being done. For all we know, Apple and Google had been planning mobile phones for years.

Originally Posted by alese

Just like Google and Apple didn't start from scratch, the same goes for Microsoft - the WM team already have built OS and for the most part what they have to do is build the UI and some applications (not all).
And I think they are actually in better position than the other two, not only they have the OS development in the house so they can work more closely with CE team, they have history going back to 2000, there is large user base, development tools and development community everything that the other two didn't have, or even still don't have.

The same does not go for Microsoft. As I mentioned above, Microsoft did start from scratch on Windows CE back in the 90s. True, the Windows Mobile team might not have had to, but Microsoft is obviously bigger than just the WM team, just like Google is bigger than the Android team and Apple is bigger than the iPhone team.

But I agree with your basic point. As I (and many others) have said, I think Microsoft rested on their laurels after overtaking Palm. That's why we haven't seen too much innovation going on.

Originally Posted by alese

Anyhow sorry for the long post/rant - don't get me wrong I want WM to be successful, I like the platform, I'm a fan and user from 2000, but it's so frustrating when you see how others are making big steps forward and all we get is threaded messaging and 3rd party shells like Touch Flo 3D...

I think most of us here probably agree with that.

However, I personally don't care if the UI changes much. I've been using it long enough now that I'm used to it and change would likely result in a new learning curve. All I want is a touch-friendly mode you can set (and that you can turn off to get WM "classic" mode, for people that like their styli or prefer more information on-screen).

I understand that your average Joe Six-Pack (or is it Joe the Plumber) want more flash, though.

Steve