Windows Phone 7 Series at MIX10
by Brian Klug on March 16, 2010 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Mobile
Three Handsets
Thus far, we've seen three handsets from different hardware partners.
The most common of which is the ASUS-built but completely unbranded handset Microsoft is using for most if not all of its demos and hands-ons. I understand this is what Microsoft is distributing to its team internally for development and day to day dogfooding. We've seen this device before numerous times.
There are also now two new devices: First, an LG device with full slide out keyboard. Unfortunately, its battery was dead on-stage and we haven't seen it turned on. This device was first shown during the Engadget show some time ago.
Next is a Samsung handset with no slide out keyboard and a large rear camera.
Nothing further has been said about either of these two new hardware designs, but there are definitely more coming. Curiously absent is Microsoft's traditional major Windows Mobile partner, HTC. We can only assume much more hardware is eventually coming down the pipes.
Demonstration Software
Microsoft emphasized the differences between the Silverlight and XNA framework applications are largely transparent to the user, and showed this off using a number of relatively impressive programs. AP's Mobile News reader, Jackson Fishmarket's Hush Hush Diary, Colorizer, Seesmic, and Graphic.LY were amongst the selected demo applications, with references to many more existing in contextual menus within hubs.
But perhaps the most intriguing and potentially killer application for the handset was Netflix. Since Netflix already heavily relies on Silverlight for streaming media delivery, it's an ideal showcase for Phone 7 Series. Instant playback worked flawlessly. If carriers don't explode at the notion of users streaming the Netflix catalog over already close-to-saturation 3G networks, this alone could be a potentially killer application.
Final Words
Microsoft has answered many of the questions lingering after Windows Phone 7 Series' announcement at Mobile World Congress, however much more remains to be covered at MIX10. Stay tuned!
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Tanclearas - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
Awesome! So all I have to do is purchase a Windows Server license, and probably some other Microsoft platform/framework/service license to install on it, and probably client licenses for each phone needing to connect, and ...zicoz - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
Well this is a system for companies to install their "Special programs". If you only want to install it on a few phones, you can just use the "beta solution".cknobman - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
So I cannot develop my own personal software and install it on the phone?Everything has to go through their approval process and be placed ont the app store?
Please tell me this isnt the case. What about the thousands of developers that want to develop their own app for whatever reason but have absolutely no desire to make it public?
Im hoping I misread somewhere.
Reklats - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
For the specific scenario of a developer wanting to write a program and install it on their phone, this should be doable already. Development is done using Visual Studio (express version is free), which allows for USB deployment of applications for debugging and development. Since I don't have any hardware to try it out with, I'm making an assumption that a deployed app will still run without the debugger attached.Given that the basic functionality exists, I would not be surprised to see someone release a utility to deploy compiled applications via USB. If there is enough demand, I expect Microsoft to release something aside from it's enterprise business offering.
MonkeyPaw - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
If MS doesn't allow you to run private enterprise apps, then they are really missing a big chunk of their market. I can easily see an inventory program that would really benefit from GPS and the ability to sync to a server immediately. At the same time, I wouldn't want that app to be up for purchase by my competition. If you could develop privately, you could really boost your small business.straubs - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
Not only that, but it costs $99 PER APP, in addition to the $99/year developer fee.http://developer.windowsphone.com/Help.aspx">http://developer.windowsphone.com/Help.aspx
zicoz - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
I think I read somewhere that as a developer you can "unlock" x number of phones and install your programs directly.QuietOC - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
"480 x 800 being 4:3 aspect ratio"800x480 should be a 5:3 aspect ratio.
nerdtalker - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
Thanks, that's what I get for trying to do math late at night ;)Should be corrected soon!
Cheers,
Brian
HighTech4US - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - link
Isn't the only SOC ARM design with GPU DirectX 9 acceleration the nVidia Tegra.