Microsoft’s quest to introduce Windows Phone 7 series to the world continue with the demo at Microsoft Tech Ed Middle East. The 2 demos are how Live Tile works and as cross platform game playing in phone and Xbox live.
I prefer this to be Live Tiles demo instead of multitasking demo as some suggest - The panelist explain the concept of Live Tiles, and demo creating Live Tiles from one of IE’s web pages, and pin into the start menu. The website which now appears as Live Tile will get updated real time, as the web site updated. Live Tiles can be many and each will get updated real time. Erm, sound like multi tasking anyone?
Cross Gaming Platform - This is one of the sought after feature in Windows 7 Phone Series that yet to be demoed so far. So in this video, a game was played in a smartphone (with accelerator and touch demoed as well) and stopped. When the same game played on Xbox, it resumed back from the spot it stopped before in the smartphone. Looks promising right?
With Windows 7 copies selling skyrocketing beyond Vista, it is a matter of time before Microsoft put an end to Windows’ older version. It’s not surprise to see that support to Windows XP SP2 32 bit will end by 13th July 2010, while 64 bit has longer lifeline until 18 April 2014.
Support to Windows Vista without service pack will end in about a month as well, or precisely 14-April-2010. This radical move is timely when Microsoft is still struggling to force Vista users to upgrade to Vista SP1 which is more stable and secure.
The end of support will means no new update such as bug fix or security update will be released for these operating system. This pose security threat to the machines still running this OS version which vulnerable to attack from virus, spyware and etc.
Microsoft is recommending every computer running older version of OS to upgrade to Windows 7, but not every computer are compatible with Windows 7 especially older computer. Upgrading from older OS version also is a pain process, when usually clean install is the best way to get your computer running efficiently.
Beside hunting for wonderful Windows 7 themes on Internet, interestingly there are also hidden themes does exist in Windows 7. The hidden themes are originally meant to visible for certain countries only based on their folder name, but by using this workaround, you can have and activate the themes for your own usage as well.
Here are the themes called Australia, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom and United Kingdom. In less then 5 minutes, you have 5 additional themes to delight your day.
It is time to give your Windows 7 computer another fresh looks. By default, most Windows 7 only provides 8-10 themes like what I had in my computer. That is just to fewl.
There are tonnes of gorgeous Windows 7 themes out there, but if you prefer to spend your time on something else, you can get the news themes directly from official Windows 7 theme gallery by Microsoft.
As of now, there are 58 themes available to choose from, including 6 new themes such as ‘Samsung Winter Sports’, Valentine and Year of Tiger. New themes usually released in accordance of any events such as Olympic or festive season such as Chinesse New Year.
If there is one thing that Microsoft should have done years ago, it’s none other than Windows Phone 7 series. That’s what I feel and also some respond that I read about the newest mobile operating system that Microsoft just unveiled yesterday. The Windows Phone 7 Series is on the class on it’s own, stated by Endgadget in one of it’s post.
As excited as you’re, I have followed the Engadget’s live blog (coincidentally I work at night GMT+8 time, so no problem stay late) to witness the new beginning, of what I can say is the true contender for the next generation mobile operating system.
It’s totally awesome I have to admit. The UI concept is moving away from the common UI mobile OS in the market, which pretty much doing what iPhone has invented, slide left an right or up and down, and with big move-able icons on each page, some with customize background.
Windows Phone 7 Series UI is giving new perspective of what Mobile OS should be, although the main interface remain ’slide up an down’ concept. Called Metro, the shortcut to program is like tiles, as they were actually called ‘live tiles’ with 1 or 2 ’tiles’ at each row.
Well, you know, photo is always the best way to describe the beauty, so here is the Windows Phone 7 series Start Screen. It’s almost similar as Zune, but as most non-US folks never had chance to use Zune, consider this is new, at least to us in other part of the world.
Hub is what they called each section in this phone have. Among the hubs are
Music & Video Hub for music, videos, podcast and live streaming.
People Hub which keep the relevant contact detail along side integration with their social networking feeds.
Pictures Hub
Marketplace Hub - Like app store
Games Hub - For Xbox LIVE integration
Office Hub - Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace and Outlook Mobile
Some features that each Windows Phone 7 Series going to or might have. This is by far that I have read on.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series will have 3 button - Home, Back and Search
No UI customization is allowed, which means all Windows Phone 7 series will have same looks regardless the manufacturer.
Xbox LIVE Integration
Zune Integration
Office Integration
Windows Mobile 6.X applications will not compatible with Windows Phone 7 series
Capacitive and multi touch is a mandatory on each phone.
Microsoft will not manufacture and sell it’s own Windows Phone 7 Series.
Again, it’s best to let official videos from Microsoft to tell the features and demo the new mobile OS.
Windows Phone 7 Series Feature Videos
Windows Phone 7 Series Demos
Windows Phone 7 Series Promo Videos
Microsoft is not alone in bringing Windows Phone 7 Series to the world. AT&T has been chosen as be US’s premier partners. Other carries include Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. Manufacturers likes Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc are among that Microsoft has team up to manufacture the phone.
The first phones will be available by holiday 2010, which means by December 2010. So until then, stay still with your current phone. Hopefully the final product will deliver the same or higher excitement than what was demoed today. Microsoft can’t afford to fail again this time.
