Windows Phone 7 = "The Microsoft iPhone"?

[Spud1]

Dissapointing news that I've been reading over the past few days..it looks like Microsoft have decided to virtually clone the iPhone (albeit with a different UI that the jury is still out on) with Windows Phone 7 :cry:

Lots of us have been waiting for WP7 for a long time now - since touch phones became mainstream really, and genuinely looking forward to a version of Windows Mobile that would finally be fully usable without the dreaded stylus. We saw great innovations with WP 6.5 that vastly improved upon the interface (the moving of the start menu to the bottom, larger buttons etc) and companies like HTC showed us how easy it was to build a touch friendly UI onto the WM core..but it all felt a bit "bolt on".

Details of WP 7 have now been shown, and there is an emulator available..but Microsoft seem to have totally removed all the features that made WM what it was - basically a fairly open mobile computing platform based on Microsoft technologies. It was the only platform where it was very simple to go off and customise exactly how you wanted it - your phone could have any number of UIs and functions. In the past i've used mine as a phone, PDA, portable office, web browser, web server (yes there are times when this is useful!), wifi router, fileserver, photo/video viewer, games machine, mp3 player..the list goes on. Its flexability was key, thanks to the .NET framework you could write an application to do anything and then just install away.

WP7 changes this, the big restrictions are:

1) No memory cards allowed. So that means no expanable storage (not a big issue) but crucially no ability to put in your digital cameras memory card, or to use your phone as a card reader..
2) No File system access..this is a huge one - so your phone cannot be a portable hard drive anymore, you can't copy accross your own photos/music without syncing it, you can't run 3rd party executables, you can't copy your own wallpapers etc either.
3) No "true" multi tasking. It will support limited backgrounding as does the iPhone, but only for approved applications..you can't run say a GPS app and then switch out to your email and back again to carry on where you left off - only one can run at a time.
4) No Copy + Paste at launch - this is a planned feature but V1 of WP7 won't included it..madness in this day + age
5) No 3rd party apps without vetting. Basically this means that you have to install apps via the marketplace, ala iPhone..and each application will be vetted by Microsoft. hmm

All of the above amounts to WP7 effectivly becoming an iPhone in a different skin, BUT crucially without "the Apple factor" that makes people want to buy it. That's what sold the iPhone, but that won't sell WP7. WM 7 is currently the geek and business mobile platform of choice for plenty of reasons..but Microsoft have just killed it imo.

Sure it will be hacked I am sure of it, but then so is the iPhone and that has not really helped it. I guess Microsoft have done this to try and compete directly with the iPhone and to meet operators demands of a more locked down device, so they can all make more money..but its a sad thing for them to do and one that will probably kill off Windows Mobile/Phone for good in a few years.

So, android phone for me next? Looks like the only other choice now!

[DeludedGuy]

If all of this is true, Android is the future.

[IBM]

Idiots. Don't see how any developer can afford to be so blind to consumer demands...

I have a Windows 6.5 and an Android 2....for sheer usability the Android 2 wins hands down. It's smooth, pretty, well thought out a pleasure to use. The Windows gets the job done, and it's not slow, but it never feels as though it's entirely comfortable and always gives the impression of being about to crash.

[Stringent]

Number 2 has me really concerned. I do not want to have to use some sync program like I have to for my iPod that will copy files over. I want to drag and drop videos, pictures, music etc over from ANY source.

Number 1, who uses their phone as a card reader?! It would be nice to have a card slot. TBH I never use it on my N97 the 32GB mass memory is fine for things I need.

3: I think it will work better than you think, but lets give it time to see how they do it. If I can switch to apps in a 'suspended' state without having to go to the home menu each time to load it (ala Apple), but like Symbian press and hold a button and the Apps running come up, then thats fine for me. Easy App switching. Heres hoping.

4. Yes an omission, but I think they have bowed to pressure from people who are up in arms about this, and therefore will release it in an update.

5. Good and bad, allows nothing to be released which could compromise their software, thus lead to viruses or something. Sure it takes away customization, but for a better experience? One that works?

Android is good, but I am still unsure. I guess its my Nokia Symbian roots, having migrated away twice and regretted it, but I do feel Symbian is passed it.

[Rob_B]

Firstly, to go through your points..

1) Shocking that this would be implemented, cost can't be an issue but they may have looked at Apple seen that they can sell higher capacity devices to cater for some users, problem is MS you don't have the cred of Apple to get away with this.

2) Shocking, it's one of the few things Windows Mobile had going for it over the last few years.

3) Not such a biggy for me, I'm still unsure just how many people actually want this apart from people on internet forums/tech sites. I really don't believe it's a massive turn off for the 'general' consumer looking for a phone, the iPhone is surely proof of this? Would be nice to have but it wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

4) It'll be implemented by the time I come to get a new phone so I'm ok, strange to leave it out considering the hoo-ha Apple got themselves into with it.

5) It'll get jailbroken upon release, seems MS are attempting to grab some of that app revenue but assuming that they offer useful apps in their marketplace (ie the ones Apple ban for doing things better than they can) then it might not be a big deal for some people.

You have made some assumptions in your points though 'not being able to copy wallpapers etc across without synching' is this a fact or just what you think is going to happen??

I'd disagree with calling it a 'Windows iPhone' the hardware choices will be huge compared to Apple and although there are minimum specs they can go in any direction with them over & above those.


I'm waiting to get rid of my iPhone, I've never used Android but no hardware currently grabs my attention (or wallet). I'm waiting for the next iPhone release + WP7 phones to come out then I'm passing judgement on which is the best, I think anyone would be mad to buy a new handset of this ilk before then.

[Lord Midas]

Spud1, I noticed you had nothing positive to say about Win Phone 7. It can't be all doom and gloom.

Fully customisable home screen with multiple scrollable widgets.
Will have more powerful hardware than apple.
Full Xbox Live intergration, with 3d gaming
Looks better than previous WinMob offerings (goodbye 'Start')

I do agree that not being able to have your own SD card and use it straight through Windows explorer are BAD. But it's still about 5 months away so the fully skinny is to be experienced. I'd be surprised if you couldn't hock it to you PC via USB and just drag and drop within Explorer.

Sorry Hexus, but Engadget have a great piece on the complete hands on of Windows Phone 7

I'm waiting to get rid of my iPhone, I've never used Android but no hardware currently grabs my attention (or wallet). I'm waiting for the next iPhone release + WP7 phones to come out then I'm passing judgement on which is the best, I think anyone would be mad to buy a new handset of this ilk before then.

Rob, I ain't mad but iphone and wp7 aren't the be all. I know you say you ain't used Android but their version 2.1 only came out, what, 2/3 months ago and it seems very good indeed. Many say it's just plain better than OS3 and WinMob. I have the HTC Desire with Android 2.1, 1GHz Snapdragon 480x800 multi touch AMOLED screen. It's powerful, fast, great to look at, has a shed load of functionality, widgets and programs built in and something like 30,000 on the market place. Cost nothing on a £30 a month contract.

I know apple has something like 170,000 apps but meh, even 30 thousand is more that enough for the average user (me).

Don't be too hasty to dismiss the stunning hardware on offer with Android on it. 5 months is a long time to wait for WP7 and iPhone 4 will cost the Earth.

I'm happy to wait. The big draw for me is Xbox integration on WinPhone7.

[Spud1]

Spud1, I noticed you had nothing positive to say about Win Phone 7. It can't be all doom and gloom.

Only because from my (personal) point of view..there is not much positive to say about it, but there are lots of negtive things.

Hardware changes are unrelated to Windows Phone - thats down to the manufacturers like HTC etc, and 3D gaming likewise - plus you can do that anyway with WM 6.1, 6.5 etc if your hardware supports it.

Fully customisable home screen with widgets - well again we've had this already from microsoft themselves with WM 6.5 (CHome has widget support), and from HTC with Sense, and from other manufacturers like Sony with their Panels et al. So nothing that new and in any case HTC will likely replace that UI if they can with their phones.

I will miss things like the start menu as well, its just not "windows on your mobile" anymore..it's much more consumer orientated and much less power user/business focussed..which for me is a bad thing. As I think i've said above I recognise that this is what MS think they have to do to compete in the marketplace, but it doesn't mean that I have to like it We will see what the final interation is like but from all the previews etc so far its not looking great.

[Lord Midas]

Yes, you are correct that it appears to be more consumer centric rather than business user. However, I am the opposite of you. I want my phone to look cool, play cool. Business on my phone has no interest for me.

I suppose I might want to connect to an exchange account, which I can do on the Desire, but that's it.

(just wait, it won't be long before I need to look at spreadsheets and documents on my phone)

[patriciaculvert]

Windows Phone 7 is a major gamble for Microsoft that Apple's approach of tight hardware and software integration can work in a device-independent OS strategy. Many have contended that the decline of Windows Mobile has stemmed from an overly strong dependence on carriers and phone makers, many of which either couldn't take advantage of features or else would never get updates as carriers and designers decided that the upgrade wouldn't be worth the effort.

[ComputingData]

I have an iPhone and was considering wp7 (I used to have a htc w6.1 phone). But I don't like the fact that they are restricting what you can and can't release on WP 7. It's just as bad as Apple with the iPhone. Android deserves to win this format war battle, from what I've see there are some pretty powerful Android phones coming soon too - some of the apps that google are releasing look great.

[finlay666]

I have an iPhone and was considering wp7 (I used to have a htc w6.1 phone). But I don't like the fact that they are restricting what you can and can't release on WP 7. It's just as bad as Apple with the iPhone. Android deserves to win this format war battle, from what I've see there are some pretty powerful Android phones coming soon too - some of the apps that google are releasing look great.

Howso?

Microsoft are like Google in the sense that they provide clear guidelines on what can and cannot be submitted, as well as testing required before it goes onto their hopper. They also provide a lot more options (which will be reduced as you will not be able to install 3rd party applications on the device from other sources)

As the rules are published in advance it makes it less likely for one rule for one one rule for another with regards to submission of applications.

[Lord Midas]

Oh, I forgot, I WP7 will be fully business able. A full mobile suit of Office and Sharepoint applications.

A comparision of iPhone OS4.0 WM7 and Android 2.1

I personally think that WM7 will be WAY better than current Win Mob. I had an ETEN Glofiish X800 WinMo6 and just really didn't like it what-so-ever. The device was nice but the interface just put me off. I ended up sticking with my Sony Eric C902.

[dangel]

I can't see the point of panning what's effectively a new platform till it's available to play with. As a long term WM user I can see the shortcomings of a reboot, but also the huge gains that are possible too - and at the end of the day a phone is very personal and subjective choice for many. All MS will want to do is cover the majorities needs and I think they're bang on with their concept personally - and as some are pointing out it worked well for Apple (end to end integration/control).

In many ways, it's hard not to see this as a logical step forward - after all HTC (and others) have basically being doing a very similar thing in building a replacement shell for WM and WP7 (whilst nowhere near as shallow) is conceptually very similar - except of course WP7 will provide a whole stack of APIs and tools to allow other people to develop the platform further. The question is, is limiting access to the core of the OS (CE) actually a bad thing? I'd warrant not, but even if it was it doesn't appear like MS are anywhere near as draconian as Apple and are at least willing to consider serious requests for access to lower levels of the system. Why are they doing it this way? Well, probably for good reason - it's better to get people to universally conform to your new programming model it'll result in a better (urk) 'experience' for the user and better performance (or the perception of it). Again, this is like the iPhone and again we'd do well to note it's a phone OS, not a desktop OS and the requirements and use are radically different.

Overall, you can't help but see MS had no real choice - the archaic interface of their platform was killing it (ignoring arguments on performance aside) and the mere existence of things like Manilla, SPB, Home etc etc points to one thing - a big gaping hole in your platform's UI. What else would you have them do?

Other interesting question - why is manilla on Android? Do you think Android lacks a certain something too? Personally, having run android on demand on my phone I can't see quite what the fuss is over WM 6.5.x + Manilla / custom ROMs.