Microsoft launches Windows phone 7 for mobiles
Microsoft has launched the latest version of its mobile phone operating system, called Windows Phone 7 series.
The software has a redesigned user interface and incorporates many Microsoft services such as Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music service.
The software was introduced at an event at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
According to research firm Canalys, Microsoft’s software currently has around 9% of the smartphone market.
That puts it fourth in the global market behind Symbian, Rim (makers of the Blackberry) and Apple’s iPhone OS.
The new system follows the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5 in October 2009.
“This is obviously a huge step forward,” analyst Pete Cunningham of Canalys told BBC News.
“Microsoft have really struggled with windows mobile 6 and 6.5 and have been losing market share off the back of it.”
However, he said, the firm could not “rest on its laurels”.
“Although it looks good today and competitive today, the other other firms haven’t revealed their hand.
“It doesn’t launch for another eight or nine months and that’s a long time in the mobile world.”
For example, in a little over 30 months Apple has claimed 15% of the smartphone market, according to Canalys figures, whilst Google’s Android operating system has claimed 5% of the market in around two years.
Windows Phone 7 Series hands-on and impressions (updated with video)
Forget everything you know about Windows Mobile. Seriously, throw the whole OS concept in a garbage bin or incinerator or something. Microsoft has done what would have been unthinkable for the company just a few years ago: started from scratch. At least, that’s how things look (and feel) with Windows Phone 7 Series. This really is a completely new OS — and not just Microsoft’s new OS, it’s a new smartphone OS, like webOS new, like iPhone OS new. You haven’t used an interface like this before (well, okay, if you’ve used a Zune HD then you’ve kind of used an interface like this). Still, 7 Series goes wider and deeper than the Zune by a longshot, and it’s got some pretty intense ideas about how you’re supposed to be interacting with a mobile device. We had a chance to go hands-on with the dev phone before today’s announcement, and hear from some of the people behind the devices, and here’s our takeaway. (And don’t worry, we’ve got loads of pictures and video coming, so keep checking this post for the freshest updates). (more)
Windows Mobile 7 won’t Support Flash
Most of us know that Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 7 is expected to be announced at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2010 convention at Barcelona. Amidst details that are being reported everyday, we have a new, shocking news that might give jitters to everyone – Windows Mobile 7 will not support Flash! Says who? Adobe itself has apparently issued a statement confirming this news, reported Phonescoop.
The official statement issued by Adobe says:
“Microsoft and Adobe are working closely together. While the newest version of Windows Phone won’t support Flash at initial availability, both companies are working to include a browser plug-in for the full Flash player in future versions of Windows Phone. More details will be shared at Microsoft MIX next month.”
This confirms our news assuming Adobe means Windows Mobile 7 when it talks about “the newest version of Windows Phone”.
Categories: Mobile Phone, Windows
