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Windows Phone 7: The essentials

Elena Santos

Elena Santos

  • Updated:

After Microsoft’s keynote on the new Windows 7 Phone, the future of the mobile platform developed by the Redmond company starts to take shape. Let’s take a look at the main characteristics of this new version.

Windows Phone 7: The essentials

First of all, Windows 7 Phone features a radically different design, much simpler than what we were used to see on mobile interfaces, and particularly on Windows Mobile devices. There are fewer icons and the screen doesn’t feel as ‘crowded’ as on Apple’s iPhone, Android devices or the last generation of Samsung phones; a decision taken and encouraged by Microsoft, which has criticized “those screens covered with miniature icons” from its most direct competitors.

The new Home screen in Windows 7 Phone is divided into several squared areas, each of them devoted to a different topic: calls, text messages, emails, social networks, and so on. These topics can be easily customized and adapted to your needs.

Windows Phone 7: The essentials

Besides the Home screen, Windows 7 Phone is built around 6 main hubs which, when put together, create your digital identity:

  • People: You’ll have all your online social activities gathered in a single area, from where you’ll be able to check on your contacts, share photos, and log in to different social networks like Facebook or Windows Live without having to open their websites.
  • Photos: Your image collection will include not only the photos you take with the mobile’s camera or the ones you import from your PC, but also those of your contacts.
  • Games: Access Xbox Live from your mobile phone and check the latest additions to the catalog of games and demos.
  • Music & Video: Windows 7 Phone includes the same features of the Zune interface to let you manage and enjoy your media files. You’ll also have the possibility to buy music directly on your phone.
  • MarketPlace: Microsoft’s answer to other app stores. You’ll be able to buy software for your phone, as well as games and music.
  • Office: The most serious and productive side to Windows 7 Phone. Have direct access to Mobile Office, Sharepoint and OneNote any time, any place.

Windows Phone 7: The essentials

However, some questions still remain unanswered even after Ballmer’s conference in the MWC. To begin with, nothing was said about multitasking – or at least the topic was not discussed at any moment. So feel free to believe any rumor you read about it! Flash was another important absence as well. It seems that the operating system will not support it natively. Finally, and unlike previous versions, Windows 7 Phone won’t support highly detailed customization. So, say goodbye to the additional graphic layers proposed by HTC.

If you want to learn more about all the new features included in Microsoft’s new mobile operating system, check out the video gallery on the official website.

[Via: OnSoftware FR]

Elena Santos

Elena Santos

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