Archive for the ‘Microsoft’ Category
While it would be too much if we called foul, after all, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, one can also argue that Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7 did not deserve the outright slamming that it received from one of InfoWorld’s tech bloggers, Galen Gruman.
The issue he points out is that the OS is not even worth a lump a coal (or is only as valuable as one). Gruman lays out several points regarding this matter: first off, the OS style seems to be heavily theorized on the concept that Apple had last 2007 about making the user interface dynamic.
The UI is described as awkward and unsophisticated –which is actually odd. We have all seen video demonstrations of the UI where you can tap on anything on the screen and bring up a quick lists of tasks attributed to the content.
Click on a contact and you can choose to call, email, find the address on a map, or bring up a history of conversations with that person and more. Click on an image and you will have options to edit the file, attach it to an email, send it through SMS, or even upload it online.
It’s a simple one touch policy that brings it on the same level as the First ELSE (which was cancelled due to financial concerns of the developers and not because people are not interested in it).
Tiles are pretty hard to bash, after all, the sizes are actually quite variable (size is something that Gruman is so peeved about). And compared to widgets, the Tiles are far more convenient and easier to use. Maybe it is just us, but having 4 continuously live active boxes onscreen at a time is enough. Filling a touch screen with widgets just reeks of excessiveness.
Tags: Apple, FirstELSE, InfoWorld, Microsoft, Windows-Phone-7
Microsoft has come a long way to prove that the Windows Phone 7 operating system is far more than the stiff and hard to use platform that the Windows Mobile OS was. And since they have first revealed the new system at the MWC, they have been able to convince a vast majority of people in the tech industry.
Now, all they need is the big reveal.
Microsoft has been sitting in a position below Apple and Google in the mobile phone industry and the computer giant seems to have had enough of playing third place. With the Windows Phone 7, they intend to show the industry that they have the right system to change the way people use smart phones. From what we have seen in the tech demos, it is easy to believe that Microsoft might just be right.
The new OS sports features that have never before been used in other handsets. The ability to transfer an app or a game from the smart phone to a computer –directly, has never been done before. In fact, this could change the way people treat daily work. The Xbox Live Games is one thing, but being able to continue progress in an app is one thing, and so far, they have only limited the application of the technology to this.
If they make this applicable to Microsoft’s Office software and other features –they can create an entirely new user experience. Outside of gaming, phones can start to be seen as real complements to desktop computers in terms of work.
According to recent reports, the new OS is expected to come out a full month ahead of schedule. September is the expected launch date for the first handsets that will be using the new platform –such as the LG Panther and the HTC Gold/Mondrian. HTC have had success with their HTC Desire and HTC Wildfire handsets which use the Google Android platform, so it will be interesting to see what they can come up with for Windows Phone 7.
Tags: Apple, Google, Google-Android, HTC, HTC-Gold, HTC-Mondrian, LG, LG-Panther, Microsoft, Windows-Phone-7
The new Microsoft mobile platform focuses heavily on making phone functions smooth and dynamic. A recent video demonstration showed how easy it is to link from one phone functions to another in a smooth comprehensive manner.
The process often starts with the contacts list, from there, any contact can be emailed, messaged, called or just reviewed depending on the available contact information. When tied up to a social networking account or a Windows Live account, instant messages can be sent and the most status updates can also be seen. From there, users can opt to share Facebook content, leave a comment and more.
The calendar is also connected to various functions of the device as well. Users can create an entry that not only provides the time and name of event, but they can also specify a location which will be integrated to the map function. This allows a person to easily check a schedule, reference an event location on a map then make plans to visit nearby places of interest.
For the most part, the entirety of the Windows Phone 7 is expected to work in this same way. Many believe that the number of things a person can do in contacts will increase as more functions get added in. Sending specific files, inviting people to play games and other functions are expected to be available once the final product rolls out.
According to gamers, there is still not much to look forward to on this smart phone since there is still no lineup of games for the Xbox Live Service which has been announced months ago. With this, many might want to pass up on getting Microsoft’s new mobile platform and focus their budget on other products such as the MS Kinect or even better, Sony’s Playstation Move.
With many new games and accessories coming out later this year, Microsoft will be hard pressed to convince gamers of the value of their new mobile platform.
Tags: calendar, email, Facebook, games, Microsoft, social-networking, Windows-Phone-7
When Microsoft announced the Windows Phone 7 operating system at the Mobile World Congress last February, many of us in the industry were impressed with the way they have changed and evolved the older Windows Mobile OS.
Windows Phone 7 was dynamic, full of animations, new features, social networking integration, plenty of media support, a high potential for games, and stylish new look that simply changed the way we perceived operating systems and user interfaces. While there will never be a perfect OS, WP7 at least has the looks of one.
Now, recent news has once again re-confirmed previous announcement that the Windows Phone 7 will be getting support for Flash. This was a feature that was not counted in the many demonstrations of the OS –not when they showed off the multi-platform app compatibility, the 3D games, Silverlight support, the MSN new player and other features. But it is certainly as important as any of these.
Flash is a feature that will forever be a thorn on Apple’s side. As the Cupertino based company’s operating systems are unable to provide enough stability for Flash, it became Steve Jobs’ personal quest to rid the internet of Flash content. However, his recent move to stamp out Flash (by pushing Adobe aside) simply made the Flash developer to look for support from other companies. While Google made a very public show of support for Adobe, it appears that Microsoft was also quietly supporting the Flash developer too.
This does not change HTML5, or the eventual demise of Flash, but the fact that both the Android and Windows Phone 7 will support to older web format is a testament to the fact that Flash still has years of use ahead of it.
According to Microsoft, WP7 Flash support will not be included in the release version of the operating system. But a later update (expected to be around 2011) will be bringing both Flash and AIR to the new OS.
Tags: Adobe-Flash, Apple, apps, Google, Google-Android, Microsoft, windows-mobile-7, Windows-Phone-7
