Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7

Shashwat Srivastava

Oct 16, 2010 — 3 min read

Microsoft Corporation has finally announced nine new Windows 7 handsets. These handsets will be distributed by more than 60 leading mobile operators in around 30 countries worldwide. It is due to be launched on October 21, 2010 in select European and Asian markets. Windows Phone 7 is basically a mobile operating system which is considered Microsoft’s successor to their Windows Mobile platform. The hardware manufacturers (in association with Microsoft) are Dell, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Toshiba and Qualcomm, while mobile network operators include AT&T, Orange, SFR, Vodaphone and few others.

Let’s have a look at some of the distinguishing features of Microsoft Windows Phone 7

The user interface of Microsoft Windows Phone 7 is codenamed as Metro where the start screen is basically made up of "Tiles". These Tiles serve as links to applications, features, functions, contacts, web pages etc with the facility for the users to add, rearrange or even remove them. These Tiles not only make it look more attractive but also it is much fun for the users, as they can view a live feed of activities of all applications without opening any application in particular; this saves time and effort.

Another exciting feature that has been included by Microsoft is the hub strategy. Using this the users can easily integrate their local and online content like those present on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter etc and can have access to thousands of data instantly. This simply means your content will not be restricted to the data you have uploaded on the phone. You can have a centralized hub of music, pictures, videos etc. Also the built in hubs like Pictures, People, Music etc provide you with the options to work on your social networks directly.

The built in keyboard is elegant and simple and even has different keys for inserting emoticons. It also has the auto correct feature. You just have to tap on a word misspelled and it shows you the options right there at the top of the keyboard, tap on it again and it gets replaced.

Apart from this WP7 also contains a dedicated search button which will allow users to perform any type of search using their default search engine Bing. Also pressing the search button when within an application can let you search in it e.g. pressing search in the People hub can let u search the contact list for specific people. However, Microsoft has not announced whether any other search engine apart from Bing can be used as the default or not.

Additionally, for gaming it is preloaded with Xbox live, which promises console like gaming experience by displaying a user’s avatar in 3D. You can expect some amazing Xbox live games integrated with the upcoming WP7 models.

Video: WP7 Gaming Feature

However the new MP7 lacks tethering, which is a serious drawback, but that's how it is. Tethering lets people connect their cell-phones to a PC to access the Internet via a cellular network, with the cell-phone acting as a modem. Even the apprehensive Apple allowed tethering after its users clamored about it and Blackberry and Android also allow tethering.

The phone also lacks the copy paste feature which according to Microsoft will be soon added as a free update to all WP7 in early 2011.

Some of the WP7 models that have been announced are: