Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Is Not KIN Three
Last week Microsoft handed out the Samsung Taylor loaded with a near final version of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 to tech bloggers & journalists for review (Mossberg, Pogue seems to be left out of this opportunity…), the reviewers have published the first impressions, which offer fairly unbiased opinion but critical nevertheless.
Undoubtedly, Microsoft is under unprecedented pressure to launch a brand new platform for mobile device, knowingly getting to the mobile space is imperative for relevancy that fuels future success of the company.
Unlike all the previous major product and platform launches, the company is facing many obstacles including fierce competition, higher consumer expectation, absence of mindshare and especially after a series of mishaps notably with the demise of its KIN phones, killed off abruptly just few weeks after its launch…
Starting from scratch is exciting project for any developers, however this time, many consider Windows Phone 7 will be “make it or break it” as far as mobile venture from Microsoft.
Nowadays, to convince new users to adopt to new Windows phone as opposed to get an iPhone, an HTC Incredible, an HTC EVO or a Motorola Droid X should be a very daunting task to surmount. Especially, purchasing a smartphone is a minimum 2-year term commitment to that platform.
Microsoft understands what its new mobile platform needs to have to equal or exceed expectations: They included some of its winners such Xbox Live, a 25 million user community, Bing search, Bing Map, integration of Office suite, integration of Live Messenger and the integration of its less-known media platform Zune with its music subscription in addition to Facebook to its people hub. Facebook is the social platform that Microsoft is investing heavily in.
Judging from the reviewers, so far, all basic ingredients seem to be present: the UI speedy response time; the fluidity of the OS; the clarity of the new 2-D graphical interface called “Metro”, photo, email, music apps; Facebook integration, keyboard input, Web browsing experience, hardware buttons.. seem to please the reviewers. The lack of copy and paste or multitasking, surprisingly were not a major downer with the new dropdown panels.
The third party apps and Xbox live hubs are present but the contents are not yet ready. We hope all will be present at launch time, within next few months.
I am sure Microsoft will have to look into few more features before or shortly after its official launch.. the KIN Studio feature that we loved as well as features to answer to Apple Facetime; Google Voice command, Voice Input everywhere, GPS navigation… as well as hardware features such the high resolution display; multiple mics, gyroscope, multi-sensors, long battery life.. a better cheaper wireless plan for data, tethering, WiFi hotspot,… The mobile ecosystem is getting overly complicated, don’t you think?
Most first reviewers were pleased with what they have seen so far (as they did at PalmOS launch). The success of the platform is entirely a different story.
[Via reviews from ZDNet Engaget & Gizmodo]
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