Tag Archive for ‘Windows-Phone-7’
The new LG Optimus 7 is the new phone that comes from LG’s long list of great phones over the years. However, it is one of the most special phones in that list because it is the first phone from the LG stable to be featuring the latest operating system from Microsoft, Windows Phone 7.
The new Windows Phone 7 operating system is a revolutionary OS from Microsoft and the 3.8 inch touch screen of the new LG Optimus 7 makes it a delight to use it. This is because the touch screen is capacitive in nature and brings the best out of multi-touch functions like pinching to zoom. The phone is well-made and is great to hold in your hand. The phone feels solid and does not feel plasticky. The LG Optimus 7 comes with a 5 megapixel camera, with HD video recording facility that makes the best use of the great social networking connectivity that the new operating system offers.
The camera in this phone has a brilliant LED flash and other intelligent scene and picture modes that is sure to make the whole experience, incredible fun. The phone has 16 GB memory internally to store the various photos and HD films that you might have shot with the camera. There is 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity that also let you download more if you have not done so. The presence of DLNA connectivity is one of the phone’s party pieces. The DLNA is a technology that lets you connect two devices wirelessly. The phone has a 1 GHZ processor that runs the OS and all other applications with ease.
The LG Optimus 7 has been launched in the UK. It is now available for purchase with various contract options. Vodafone are offering the phone on a two year £20 a month deal.
Tags: 5-megapixel, LG, LG-Optimus-7, Wi-Fi, Windows-Phone-7
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
With all the press covering the Windows Phone 7 updates, it is a wonder why coverage of the device actually making a phone call was nonexistent for a while. Lucky enough, it can call other mobile phones. Sure, this sounds like a silly thing to debate on, but with the release of two big (and very disappointing) announcements, a lot of people held their breath.
First would be the lack of multitasking support for Windows Phone 7. How can this be? Microsoft has seen fans trying to convince Apple to release multitasking for its iPhone. Just when rumors start circulating about Apple bringing multitasking to their iPhone operating system version 4.0, Microsoft decides to follow the older, incomplete Apple business model that lacks multitasking. That would have been a huge asset for Microsoft, seeing as they are still new to the market, but they passed it up.
Now another disappointment rears its ugly head with the lack of a copy and paste functionality for the Windows Phone 7. This is very interesting news indeed because the Windows Phone 7 has a plethora of business apps courtesy of Microsoft Office. Instead, users will have to settle for a “smart linking” feature wherein addresses and phone numbers are identified by the phone and will be ready to transfer by double clicking on it. What this means is say goodbye to user-friendly Office applications and say hello to tedious amounts of text inputs.
At least the Windows Phone 7 demo units are able to call each other. And Microsoft has confirmed that a simple tap on an icon would expand into options such as speaker phone, mute and conference calls, although as of now those functions are not available yet.
Since Windows Phone 7 is only in the horizon and not launching anytime soon, Microsoft still has time to revise their plans and include the previously omitted functions. We will just have to see how things go.
Watch the Windows Phone 7 demo video at Engadget.
Tags: Windows-Phone-7
Microsoft just landed an enticing two hit combo with a wide array of developer tools and the priming up of the Windows Marketplace for WP7 applications. Developers would certainly appreciate getting all the needed tools and the preview of where their apps will be sold.
While as consumers, we do not really have much concern for developer tools -but it still provides us with a pretty good insight into the features and limitations of an upcoming system. In the case of WP7, it is already confirmed that the new OS will not be able to run old apps for WinMo 6.X.
This is confirmed by the dev tools as well, the new Visual Studio version used for coding adds an additional functionality that allows apps programmed for WP7 to run on other devices such as the computer or the Xbox 360 –something not possible with apps for previous versions.
The XNA Games Studio on the other hand brings full 3D into games. This also shows that the hardware requirements on WP7 devices would all be capable of delivering high end graphics as well as a pretty fast processor.
The Marketplace itself looks pretty different on Windows Phone 7. It follows the new large screen format that users will be panning around to navigate. Microsoft is also giving users a chance to try out apps before actual purchase –a feature that many would certainly appreciate.
So far, it is hard to determine which WP7 device will be coming out first. The LG Panther is a definite favorite with its slide out QWERTY keyboard and according to reports the phone will be set for release by September. There is also a newly announced Samsung WP7 device with a super AMOLED touch screen.
Find out more about the Marketplace for Windows Phone 7 series at Know Your Mobile.
Tags: Windows-Phone-7
Straight from ZDnet, a podcast reveals the three different chassis types for WP7.
The type 1 chassis will feature the regular touch screen smart phone look. This will most probably be the standard for all WP7 devices as the user interface will need a large capacitive touch screen to be used properly. It is what we commonly see with the recent WP7 user interface screenshots. All in all, this is pretty much expected already.
The type 2 chassis is only slightly different than the type 1. Type 2 will come with a slide out QWERTY keyboard which makes it a great choice for users who are heavy message senders. The type 3 is rumored to be a candy bar phone, though that hardly matches the style suitable for the new UI.
In any case, regardless of what chassis will be coming, the general prediction is that the device will be running on a Qualcomm processor (possibly the Snapdragon 1GHz CPU). Since Windows Phone 7 series seems to be heavily reliant of high loading speeds and heavy animations, the processing power of the Snapdragon will make for a perfect fit. It has also been reported that Asus will be working with Microsoft to create the very first WP7 device.
WP7 is shaking things up in the mobile platform industry by delivering a new OS that could potentially surpass the Android and the iPhone OS. Though with the launch if the iPhone 4G coming soon, the title is still up in the air.
So far, no confirmed release date for the OS can be confirmed. While it has been said during the presentation that the device is expected by the holidays, some reports are pointing to an early October release.
Get to know the new Windows Phone 7 series and get to see the different chassis on Softpedia.
Tags: Apple-iPhone-3gs, Windows-Phone-7
Windows Phone 7 series totally blew away when it was presented onstage at the mobile world congress. While the user interface was outright impressive and the new features are outstanding, no word has been given on the actual hardware that will be running the OS –aside from the fact that it will be relying heavily on Qualcomm chips.
The big screens used by WP7 are far larger than the display screen, requiring users to pan around to see the rest of the menus and delivering a quasi-dynamic appeal with the artistic bleeding effect and the fully customizable tiles. At this point, it is likely that WP7 device will be running on 1GHz CPUs as well as pretty impressive hardware for graphics. Animations and dynamic transition elements are plenty in the UI.
Now, what about the actual phone form factor?
According to an Australian podcast, there are currently three basic chassis types that will be used by WP7. The type 1 chassis is already a familiar sight to us all, it is a touch screen form that we all know from other smart phone, and it is also the same device being shown on the screenshots of the WP7 UI. Three basic navigation buttons are also present on the device; a “back”, “home” and another unknown context button are present on the bottom of the screen.
The type 2 chassis is also a familiar form; this one comes in the touch screen with slide out physical QWERTY keyboard look. It is pretty familiar look that we have seen in many other successful smart phones such as the Motorola Milestone. The Type 3 chassis is reported to be a candy phone form.
It has been reported that Asus will be working with Microsoft on the new WP7 device and it is expected to come out sometime after October.
Read more about the new Windows Phone 7 device at Engadget.
Tags: Windows-Phone-7
