Windows 7 Mobile

In the world of home computers and the PC, Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows software remains relatively safe from its most direct competitors, who include Linux, Apple, and soon, search engine giant Google. But in the fast-growing world of mobile platforms, its exactly the opposite, with Windows Mobile's market share fast eroding to its competition, particularly that of Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, and RIM's Blackberry.  The company has acknowledged this rapid movement away from Windows Mobile 6.5 and has decided that it's time for a makeover, and during their press conference at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, that's exactly what they're doing with the introduction of Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft seems to have fallen in love with the Windows 7-branding, and they can only hope that the upcoming ‘reset’ on their mobile operating-system is as well received as its home computer namesake, Windows 7.  With a slick new interface that discards the familiar Windows Button, Windows 7 Mobile looks to emulate the 'touching' experience of its competitors in not just aesthetic, but in experience, with stricter hardware requirements and new technology that should help level the playing field in the growing market of smartphone software development.  The new system represents the most comprehensive design shift since the launch of Windows Mobile back in 2002.

Windows Mobile 7 promises to better intertwine popular features from other Microsoft-branded software projects, which include the search engine Bing, Zune Marketplace, and will have significant features to help users better connect to a variety of popular social-networking systems.  The new OS experience will be built around six distinct ‘hubs’ that cater to different aspects of the mobile experience, including:

People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.

Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.

Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.

Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.

Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games. 

Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.

While the publicity photos and available video for Windows 7 Mobile seem to showcase a single unit, almost Zune-like in appearance and function, Microsoft is intent on keeping out of the hardware game, and will continue to license the OS to manufacturers (including LG, HTC, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson, among others) who agree to common standards and features, including screen sizes and compatible sensing technology.

Another feature of Windows 7 Mobile that Microsoft has been touting is the long-awaited inclusion of Xbox Live integration.  The company says this hub will deliver “the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile.”  Although, at this point, the mobile Xbox Live experience seems to be more about observation than participation.  Of course, this could change in the future with feature updates and further integration with the Xbox Live network.

Says Ron Pessner, general manager of Xbox LIVE Mobile:

“Windows Phone 7 Series was built from the ground up with entertainment in mind, and its unique design allowed us to bring some of the best gaming and community features of Xbox LIVE to the Windows mobile platform...It has always been our vision to expand the Xbox LIVE service to connect people to their games, entertainment and friends wherever they go, and the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series is an important step toward that goal.”

Microsoft plans an ambitious mobile rollout of the OS, with partners that include "AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, and manufacturers Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc."  Windows Mobile 7 should be available sometime in 2010, and the company is suggesting that anyone looking for updates should head over to the official site and register at http://www.windowsphone7series.com.

With its stylish look, integrated feature-set, and completely redesigned interface, Microsoft seems poised to reintroduce their mobile brand into one of the most competitive markets vying for users attention.  While the response to Windows 6.5 was anemic at best, combining the once-disparate media functions of their impressive product line appears to be the most logical evolution for the developer, and only time will tell if their latest move can help them reinvigorate the brand in a market that seems to have moved past the days of simple point and click.