Microsoft today took to the stage at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to provide a long-awaited look at its next-generation mobile platform, dubbed Windows Phone 7 Series.
The software giant will hope that the platform, described by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as "a different kind of mobile experience", turns the tide in a mobile marketplace becoming increasingly dominated by rivals such as Apple and Research in Motion.
"Windows Phone 7 Series marks a turning point toward phones that truly reflect the speed of people's lives and their need to connect to other people and all kinds of seamless experiences," said Ballmer as his team demonstrated a Windows Phone experience like none seen before.
Using a revamped interface, codenamed "Metro", Windows Phone 7 Series devices will feature an a home screen adorned with real-time "live tiles" that provides users with instant touch-based access to common functions. The entire interface, using clean, smooth and simple effects, comes across as incredibly polished and visually appealing. No surprise, considering that the design is spearheaded by Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president and director of Windows Phone Program Management and previous vice president of Zune Software and Services - where the Windows Phone 7 Series interface clearly takes its inspiration.
The Zune-like interface is completed by what Microsoft has dubbed "hubs", a set of completely integrated experiences that target six common usage scenarios; People, Pictures, Games, Music & Video, Office and Marketplace.
Repeatedly stating that the phone can no longer pretend to replicate the personal computer, Microsoft hopes its hubs will create a new set of experiences where many PC functions are rolled into one. The People hub, for example, will combine contacts from multiple sources as well as integrate live social networking information from popular services such as Facebook. Similarly, the Music & Video hub will bring full Zune functionality to all Windows Phone 7 Series devices, along with a new API that will allow third-party services to offer Zune integration.
The Games hub, meanwhile, will offer full Xbox Live integration - along with the ability to earn achievements - and the possibility of cross-platform gaming between mobile, PC and Xbox 360 users.
Showcasing that the Windows Phone 7 Series experience also caters for the business crowd, an Office hub is present to provide instant access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspaces in one location. Full exchange support is, of course, included, as is a brand new calendar that looks both visually beautiful and functionally effective. Third-party Applications will also feature heavily in a sixth hub dubbed Marketplace.
Although likely to offer support for its own Silverlight technology at launch, Microsoft confirmed that Windows Phone 7 Series devices will not support the ubiquitous Adobe Flash format, at least initially.
Furthermore, whilst the software experience comes across as undoubtedly impressive, Microsoft will retain its current Windows Phone business model and continue to work with third-party manufacturers as opposed to launching an in-house device. However, whilst doubts remain over Microsoft's ability to deliver a unified consumer experience, it has confirmed that it will clamp down on third-party devices - ensuring all manor of Windows Phone 7 Series products conform to a certain set of requirements. These include a defined screen resolution, four-point multi-touch input as standard and a specific Qualcomm processor of a pre-defined speed. Microsoft has also confirmed that OEMs and mobile operators will not be able to provide alternate interfaces.
The first Windows Phone 7 Series devices are to become available prior to the 2010 holiday season, with Microsoft announcing manufacturer support from Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba.
First impressions? We've seen the term "iPhone killer" branded about numerous times since the launch of Apple's hugely-popular device in June 2007, but this is in our estimation the first rival launch potentially worthy of that description. We're looking forward to getting our hands on a 7-series Windows Phone, but in the meantime, check out a couple of Microsoft-provided video demonstrations below and share your thoughts in the HEXUS.community forums.
*Update* The Microsoft Mobile World Congress press conference is now available to view in its entirety at Microsoft.com.
