Detailed 17 Minute Walk-Through of Windows phone 7

[Jason Dunn]

<p><object width="600" height="360" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/j9F4QJK1wFs&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j9F4QJK1wFs&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" /></object></p><p>Sometimes there are advantages to living nearby to Microsoft - Chris Pirillo got some hands-on time with a Windows 7 phone via a walk-through with Microsoft's Greg Sullivan. Well worth watching!</p>

[Fritzly]

Interesting interview, I noted something wierd though: the phone the guy was showing did not have the "Office Hub". I wonder why.....

What I did not like is that it seems that users will only able to get applications through Marketplace; this is a pity because I really like the phone but if the lack of ability to use .cabs will be confirmed I will have to move to Android.

[drakescz]

I believe the green boxy interface is UGLY. Looks like it is supposed to be Geeky Cool.

I noted in this 17 + minute interview, no one mentioned the 800 lb gorilla in the room: Google. I seriously tried BING a few times after its launch. Just didn't feel right, didn't like the results. Went back to Google and haven't tried Bing for months. I use Google for just about EVERYTHING: searches, email, maps. This new Windows offering seems to be tied to Microsoft products. It even has a Bing Button.

At this rate, I won't be buying one. Microsoft seems to be making a lame attempt to copy the control freaks at Apple. Not let you out of the walled garden. Reminds me of AOL.

I've used MS smartphone through four phones. I am hoping someone comes up with an Android phone that I really like. Meanwhile, I'm hoping my HTC Touch Pro 2 lasts for another year.

Google seems on the right track, let the customer decide what he wants to do.

I see MS is saying they will continue to support OS 6.5. Hmmmmm, shades of Vista maybe?

[Jason Dunn]

Interesting interview, I noted something wierd though: the phone the guy was showing did not have the "Office Hub". I wonder why.....

It's not code-complete yet. If you recall during the live MWC demo, the Office Hub was a screen shot...it wasn't shown on the live device.

What I did not like is that it seems that users will only able to get applications through Marketplace; this is a pity because I really like the phone but if the lack of ability to use .cabs will be confirmed I will have to move to Android.

Yes, I believe that's going to be the case - all apps via Marketplace, and no cab file installs. Why is that a significant issue for you though? What are you using that requires cab file installs that can't be installed via the developer's release of their app on Marketplace? Freeware that will never make its way onto Marketplace?

[Pdaholic]

I know this Windows 7 is not in it the final iteration yet, but I have to say that sometimes when the demonstrator swipes, the animations don't look smooth. Android still has some issues with smooth scrolling, particularly while web browsing. iPhones seem to have the smoothest scrolling. Not that big of a deal, but just something I noticed watching the video.

I also have to say that the screens look a bit "jumbled" with different size boxes that are unevenly placed on the screen and differing fonts. I guess the aesthetics will have to grow on me more.

As for the marketplace and cabs, I have no doubt that Windows 7 will be cracked or "jailbroken" not long after it is released. Rest assured, Windows geeks will not let iPhone geeks claim all the glory. Of course, other issues arise from jailbreaking such as warranty voiding and so forth, but the user must decide how much it is worth to get more functionality from their phones.

[griph]

I too noticed the slow response to screen touches - not sure whether the device had a capacitive screen or not - but I beleive from my own experience that this is a significant contributor to responsiveness - this is a real strength of the iPhone where even just typing needs the lightest of touches to get a response. This may however just be down to the OS not being fully optimised yet - so will wait to see.

The screen real estate is IMHO bizzare. For some it is going to put them off WP7. But again I will need to see a working device up close and personal in order to come to a valid conclusion.

Marketplace only eh? I can imagine that this will be unsavoury for a significant minority of potential users but for the majority of users will simplify app finding and if following the App Store will also vastly simplify the issues with app updates. I haven't found a problem with relying on the App store so not sure that would be an issue for me or most potential users.

[Fritzly]

It's not code-complete yet. If you recall during the live MWC demo, the Office Hub was a screen shot...it wasn't shown on the live device.

Yes, I believe that's going to be the case - all apps via Marketplace, and no cab file installs. Why is that a significant issue for you though? What are you using that requires cab file installs that can't be installed via the developer's release of their app on Marketplace? Freeware that will never make its way onto Marketplace?

The issue I have with Marketplace is the same I have with the iPhone: I like to keep the software I buy stored on our server not in the so called "cloud".

If I decided to format the phone, or a computer, I prefer to have all the software I will reinstall available "in house".

I do not like closed systems where someone could dictate what I can use; I prefer the freedom of choosing......

[Eriq Cook]

I don't mind the start page, but I hope that we'll have the ability to put Outlook's full "adgenda view" on there and show more than one upcoming appointment. That's one feature I like a lot about the current WinMo platform. I like being able to take a quick glance at the entire day without fully going into the calendar, like the existing 6.x home screen.

The fact that apps can only be installed via marketplace doesn't bother me either. One of the advantages I see out of this is that we'll be able to update apps much easier. It may also force some developers to "get with the times" and release some updated software.

But I wonder if other small but extremely useful features will make it in WP7, like email/text auto-correct, auto-suggestions and VoiceCommand. PLEASE include VoiceCommand Microsoft! But how would VC work? There's only 3 buttons! On my TP2 I could invoke VoiceCommand by holding the left Phone button, but the dedicated phone buttons will be gone as well.

I'm bothered by the mandated 3 button rule Microsoft is forcing manufacturers to follow. At least give device makers the option to include more hardware buttons for quicker access to specific apps/features like making phone calls without having to press the Home button and then on the phone app.

Microsoft should hire me to do UI testing/discovery LOL. If an OS passes my standards we'll have a serious winner :D WP7 will loose major points if the other features haven't or won't be considered by MS.

[Jason Dunn]

I know this Windows 7 is not in it the final iteration yet, but I have to say that sometimes when the demonstrator swipes, the animations don't look smooth.

Optimization of code for speed is usually the last step - if you look at the speed of the Zune HD, you can see what Microsoft can do with powerful hardware. I'm certain Windows phone 7 will be fast and snappy.

[Jason Dunn]

If I decided to format the phone, or a computer, I prefer to have all the software I will reinstall available "in house".

But if all your software is readily and easily available in Marketplace, what's the problem? Are you concerned about something in particular happening? I've been impressed with Marketplace - when I pick up a new phone, and put in my Windows Live ID, I see the software I've purchased/downloaded and can easily download and install it again. It's fantastic! It's fast and easy, and I don't have to go back to my email, look up a registration number, or worst...email a developer a device ID. This is so much better than the older system, and developers are going to make more $$$ because it will be so much easier for people to buy software.

[Eriq Cook]

But if all your software is readily and easily available in Marketplace, what's the problem? Are you concerned about something in particular happening? I've been impressed with Marketplace - when I pick up a new phone, and put in my Windows Live ID, I see the software I've purchased/downloaded and can easily download and install it again. It's fantastic! It's fast and easy, and I don't have to go back to my email, look up a registration number, or worst...email a developer a device ID. This is so much better than the older system, and developers are going to make more $$$ because it will be so much easier for people to buy software.

Needing "Like" or "Thumbs Up" option to click on :-)

[Fritzly]

But if all your software is readily and easily available in Marketplace, what's the problem? Are you concerned about something in particular happening?

My problem is that what I bought is stored in a place I do not control. What if MS decides to pull an application? Here it is a quick example: Skype pulled the WM application and it is not available anymore, I have it in my computer and I keep using it.

[Jason Dunn]

My problem is that what I bought is stored in a place I do not control. What if MS decides to pull an application? Here it is a quick example: Skype pulled the WM application and it is not available anymore, I have it in my computer and I keep using it.

I agree that's a possibility, but how often does that happen? The Skype example is a high-profile recent example, but I'm hard pressed to think of another time something like that has happened. It seems like a small fear compared to the advantages that unified marketplace offers.

[Fritzly]

I agree that's a possibility, but how often does that happen? The Skype example is a high-profile recent example, but I'm hard pressed to think of another time something like that has happened. It seems like a small fear compared to the advantages that unified marketplace offers.

Well besides Apple pulling and, sometimes, reinstating apps I have some friends who have a Zune subscription and were complaining that songs suddendly disappeared. Granted a subscription to access music is not as buying something but no matter what: to get something from my house you need either an injunction or a burglar, when things are in the
"cloud" it is just a switch.

[Dyvim]

The issue I have with Marketplace is the same I have with the iPhone: I like to keep the software I buy stored on our server not in the so called "cloud".
All my iPhone apps, are stored on my computer (the one I sync with), including apps that are no longer available in the App Store. I think you might be confused about how iPhone and the App Store work (of course this requires 1 sync with your computer after downloading an app direct to your phone to back it up).

[Fritzly]

All my iPhone apps, are stored on my computer (the one I sync with), including apps that are no longer available in the App Store. I think you might be confused about how iPhone and the App Store work (of course this requires 1 sync with your computer after downloading an app direct to your phone to back it up).

Interesting, how do you do that?
I briefly used a 3G iPhone and, depending what the iPhone 4 will offer, buy another one.
I bought PocketInformant and I did not see an option to store the app on my computer.
Granted I did not jailbreak it because I bought it in Europe so it was "officially" SIM free.
If there is an option to store apps on my computer I am definetely considering buy a new one.

[Dyvim]

Interesting, how do you do that?.
Don't need to be jailbroken. It should just happen automatically when you sync. If you manually manage your device, then you can right-click on your device in the lefthand tree in iTunes and select "Transfer Purchases" and that should copy any media (including Apps) you downloaded on the phone back to iTunes. You can see all your locally stored apps in the Apps section of iTunes.

Most of the time I actually manage my apps from iTunes and not from the phone since we have 4 iPhones in my family, so I download and upgrade my apps from iTunes on the desktop and then each phone is updated with latest apps the next time it syncs.

Another nice thing about desktop syncing is every sync backs up your device, which includes all your apps and all their data. So that in case you need to restore (even to a new device) you'll get your phone back exactly the way it was, including all app-specific data.

[Jason Dunn]

Interesting, how do you do that?...I bought PocketInformant and I did not see an option to store the app on my computer.

When you sync with iTunes, it syncs the apps over. My iPod Touch does that. And so does my Zune HD. The Zune software hides the apps unfortunately in user/app data/local/microsoft/zune/applications, but all the little app files are there - and you'll work with them using the Zune desktop software, not at the Windows Explorer level. I'd expect Windows phone 7 to work in a very similar fashion in terms of downloading the apps to the PC when you sync with the Zune software.

[Fritzly]

Thanks to both of you; I reinstated the iPhone 4 among the candidates for my HD2 successor........ :-)

[TTown]

I am disappointed with what I have seen so far.

I do not like the new home screen. In my opinion, I think HTC could have come up with a better look. I will keep an open mind and see how things progress, but it seems the home screen isn't going to change much from what we have seen.

The programs screen wastes too much screen real estate. I guess everyone hammered them on the honeycomb look and they changed it again.

It will be interesting IMO to see how Google progresses in the next year. I think they have a better design now than what Windows Phone is planning on launching. Let the users configure the look how they want.

Maybe I am just venting. I have been a loyal windows mobile/pocket pc fan since 2000. From what I have seen so far, I may be jumping ship.