Engadget posts in depth preview of Windows Phone 7

[Petvas]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/windows-phone-7-in-depth-preview/

Engadget wasn't exactly impressed by this nearly finished version of Windows Phone 7. There are just too many things missing that give the impression that Microsoft rushed out to bring WP7 on the market.

It is really a shame but I get the impression that Microsoft is too late on this game.

[Tech Star]

Neither is BGR or cnet. :(

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/921652-bgr-and-cnet-microsoft-windows-phone-7-preview/

[Mr. Gibs]

That phone looks terrible =/ I understand its just a demo/test unit, but dam.

Also, I think everyone knew by now that the first version of WP7 will ship "incomplete" with more features getting added constantly over time. That's how it always has been in the mobile industry, the first iPhones shipped with a lot of things missing that slowly got added over time and Android was the same.

You can never really have a complete OS, unless you're saying that we're done with this and moving on. Take android for example, 2.1 was pretty good and had all the features one would expect in a phone and then suddenly 2.2 added a JIT complier that gives a major performance boost; now 2.1 seems like a unfinished product. What will 2.3 add?

Of course there should have been things added in from the very beginning of WP7, like copy and paste, but that doesn't mean MS is late to this game or this product will fail. Do I like WP7? Not at the moment since its just not aimed towards power users. Instead MS has decided to go down the general consumer route, and this first version will give them everything they want in a smartphone. Later versions should add more functionality, and at that time I'll make my decision whether or not its worth getting. Of course if MS fail to keep their promise of constant updates then well they'll have dug their own grave.

[Osiris]

That phone looks terrible =/ I understand its just a demo/test unit, but dam.

Also, I think everyone knew by now that the first version of WP7 will ship "incomplete" with more features getting added constantly over time. That's how it always has been in the mobile industry, the first iPhone s're hipped with a lot of things missing that slowly got added over time and Android was the same.

You can never really have a complete OS, unless you're saying that we're done with this and moving on. Take android for example, 2.1 was pretty good and had all the features one would expect in a phone and now suddenly 2.2 added a JIT complier that gives a major performance boost; now 2.1 seems like a unfinished product. What will 2.3 add?

Of course there should have been things added in from the very beginning of WP7, like copy and paste, but that doesn't mean MS is late to this game or this product will fail. Do I like WP7? Not at the moment since its just not aimed towards power users. Instead MS has decided to go down the general consumer route, and this first version will give them everything they want in a smartphone. Later versions should add more functionality, and at that time I'll make my decision whether or not its worth getting. Of course if MS fail to keep their promise of constant updates then well they'll have dug their own grave.

Whats wrong with the hardware of the phone? big screen, squarey, id buy it although id prefer to LG Pather.

Anyway +100 for the most sensible and smartest assesment of things.

[Mr. Gibs]

Whats wrong with the hardware of the phone? big screen, squarey, id buy it although id prefer to LG Pather.

I dunno, it just doesn't suit me. I guess I'm just too used to the way my HD2 looks (also Desire, Incredible, Droid X, Nexus one, Evo etc).

The phone just looks so much better with the screen literally taking up the entire phone, with minimal bezel around it. In this case, theres a gigantic Samsung logo right above the screen and then "wasted space." That said, the screen does look gorgeous and so does the OS when displayed on it.

I really want to see what HTC can come up with, since they seem to be the best at the moment when it comes to phone design.

[Tech Star]

I dunno, it just doesn't suit me. I guess I'm just too used to the way my HD2 looks (also Desire, Incredible, Droid X, Nexus one, Evo etc).

The phone just looks so much better with the screen literally taking up the entire phone, with minimal bezel around it. In this case, theres a gigantic Samsung logo right above the screen and then "wasted space."

I agree with the phone looking really ugly. Thankfully the design is never going to be released to the public and we have htc to make nice phones for WP7 and Android.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

I'm on the fence here, but I'm not seeing WP7 being a major deal...

We will have to see how smooth these "constant updates" are. Sprint has ALWAYS been VERY slow approving OS updates on their network. Is Microsoft going to get special treatment? If consumers will end up languishing in limbo hoping for Carrier approved updates or new product releases Microsoft is doomed.

[Raa]

I must agree. Everyone was pushing WP7 as being the next biggest thing at the announcement early this year. Now it all seems to be falling in a heap...

Really, who didn't see it coming? With the changes they announced, it sounded more like a whole new platform than an upgrade - essentially it is.

[Mr. Gibs]

I'm on the fence here, but I'm not seeing WP7 being a major deal...

We will have to see how smooth these "constant updates" are. Sprint has ALWAYS been VERY slow approving OS updates on their network. Is Microsoft going to get special treatment? If consumers will end up languishing in limbo hoping for Carrier approved updates or new product releases Microsoft is doomed.

I think the update system works in two ways:

1. Minor version updates (bug fixes etc) will be OTA (and possibly even through the Zune client)

2. Major version updates will be through the Zune client

Hence even if carriers take weeks to approve OS updates OTA, a user can simply just plug it in and the zune client will update the phone accordingly.

[Tamilboy86]

I think WP 7 looks really nice and its different from the other phones out there...

[+LogicalApex MVC]

I must agree. Everyone was pushing WP7 as being the next biggest thing at the announcement early this year. Now it all seems to be falling in a heap...

Really, who didn't see it coming? With the changes they announced, it sounded more like a whole new platform than an upgrade - essentially it is.

Yep they threw the baby out with the bathwater. Only time will tell if throwing their existing Windows Mobile customer base off a cliff will help them or harm them...

At the very least it will give their competitors a large influx of customers (as many have delayed purchases to see how 7 shakes down) as many switch from Windows Mobile to something else...

They are starting not only the OS over, but their customer base too. Not to say it will make Windows Phone 7 a failure, but it definitely makes the success story a lot harder to achieve. And if they don't get strong sales early on they might run into a problem convincing OEMs and Carriers to pickup the platform.

They aren't too late, but they do need to be gambling wisely.

[M_Lyons10]

Hm... Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to give these previews a read... I do agree with the one mention that in the text messaging screen that your messages and received messages should be different colors... Hopefully Microsoft will take some of these suggestions into consideration for refinement before release...

[Osiris]

Unlike other companies MS has the dollars to play the long-game. This is the same sort of strat we saw for xbox and what I suspect we will see with WP.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

I think the update system works in two ways:

1. Minor version updates (bug fixes etc) will be OTA (and possibly even through the Zune client)

2. Major version updates will be through the Zune client

Hence even if carriers take weeks to approve OS updates OTA, a user can simply just plug it in and the zune client will update the phone accordingly.

We will have to see as this has been a tight area of contention with Carriers. Sprint, for instance, won't allow any phone on their network they haven't approved, same for updates (officially, of course). So I can see there be a lot of issues in the future with updates being banned by Carriers or delayed severely.

If this is a core part of their strategy though, constant updates, they will need to expose their agreements with Carriers early and honestly...

Unlike other companies MS has the dollars to play the long-game. This is the same sort of strat we saw for xbox and what I suspect we will see with WP.

For sure. Microsoft will be in this game for the win. WP7 might not be anything more than a flop (or a iPhone Killer who knows? I can't predict the market), but Microsoft knows their future depends on it. So like a prize fighter smacked across the head with a lead pipe. Microsoft is stumbling to recollect their composure and sense of the world and is throwing wild ignorant swings, but they will become more focused and powerful over time.

[guru]

so

1. its different.

2. its not finished and looks like it'll be a beta when launched. considering some important features are missing

to beat iphone and Android, MS has to be better than them. WP7 doesn't even match them :(

then there is the entire thing about, distribution channels. zune+xbox = win but when about apps, books, tv and movies ?

[George P Global Moderator]

The carriers have no say about OS updates, it's all done through MS, this was said early on and a few times already. Any carrier OEM updates have to go through MS first and then out to the phone, not the other way around. Just search for info on WP7 update process it matches that of desktop windows more or less. This also leads me to believe that we'll be getting frequent updates not having to wait a year for something like WP8.

TV and movies are part of the zune marketplace, and i'm expecting a kindle WP7 app/reader from amazon on the OS so that covers your books. Apps in the marketplace ofc, and games though Xbox, that covers everything so I don't see any problems with content distro in the least.

[adepower]

The review didnt seem that bad and it just picked on a few things that really arent that important.

[mad_onion]

This is just like the original xbox (which wasn't all that great) but it built a foundation. Microsoft is patient (and rich) enough that it can wait out years of losses. Plus, the refresh time on phones is pretty fast so when Microsoft does put out a really complete mobile os it will be picked up pretty qucickly.

[Vice]

I think it looks really unfinished. The entire UI is very basic. Just square boxes that come out of a black abyss. Microsoft is hoping that the transitional effects between applications and menus will offset the basic appearance but I personally am just not buying it.

The design of this phone right now looks like when you are making a design concept. This is the sort of design you mockup in a couple hours to show your boss how things would be arranged, not the actual end product. I could literally do the entire UI of this phone including every application it ships with in a weekend and that isn't a good thing.

And I'm not just talking about looks and appearance. There is usability issues with this. That home screen alone is going to become extremely cluttered when you start loading it up with apps. More to the point why are applications like Mail taking up so much space? Or why is the screen losing 30% of its volume on the right side just to let the user know that they can swipe sideways?

I truly believe this will fail after release I think Android will flatten Windows Phone 7 in the market not just from OEM's deciding not to get on the Win Phone 7 bandwagon but from consumers who just won't buy it because they do not like it. It is good to see Microsoft trying new things but this approach is just wrong and they should be focusing instead on taking the powerful style and usability that Windows 7 has (The Computer OS) and port that same intention and function to the phone.

[hdood]

I really want to see what HTC can come up with, since they seem to be the best at the moment when it comes to phone design.

It'd be funny if they decided not to.

[George P Global Moderator]

This is just like the original xbox (which wasn't all that great) but it built a foundation. Microsoft is patient (and rich) enough that it can wait out years of losses. Plus, the refresh time on phones is pretty fast so when Microsoft does put out a really complete mobile os it will be picked up pretty qucickly.

One thing of note, though I'm sure the reviews said this, or maybe not? But these aren't 100% done builds yet. MS is calling them tech-previews so who knows how much is still left to add/tweak/change. I also expect quick updates that will add things in throughout 2011.

[tender_boi]

I dunno, I think the UI looks cool. I like the way MS is going about UI's, if no one has noticed its very minimal...sort of reminds me of Moblin.

I might be in the minority but I also like Windows Mobile 6.5.

I don't think all smart phone consumers are as demanding as we are (tech community)....like others have said though, we have to try it out before any final judgment. Hopefully its great because theres no way I'm buying an iPhone 4 and my HTC Dream is getting ancient :p

[hotdog666al]

The UI looks very stylish... but not particularly usable. Very interested in trying this out!

[+LogicalApex MVC]

The carriers have no say about OS updates, it's all done through MS, this was said early on and a few times already. Any carrier OEM updates have to go through MS first and then out to the phone, not the other way around. Just search for info on WP7 update process it matches that of desktop windows more or less. This also leads me to believe that we'll be getting frequent updates not having to wait a year for something like WP8.

I have heard the same thing from Microsoft too, but I'm not buying it (yet). Sprint, at least, has made no intention of offering updates to any phone they sell without their approval. If they manage to get this deal ironed out with Sprint that would be nice, but they need to be very clear with consumers that they have this agreement with Sprint.

Most carriers are just as restrictive as Sprint. The only phone I know of that gets updates at their pleasure is the iPhone, but that is due to their tight contract with AT&T. Not to forget that even Apple has serious discussions with AT&T as they have released iPhone features that weren't allowed to work on AT&T until approval (like MMS and Tethering, at least)...

So I HIGHLY doubt Microsoft will be able to release anything they want at anytime they want. If they pulled that the carriers would just skip selling the phones period. It isn't like they have a shortage of smartphones to offer consumers and Microsoft has NO brand loyalty to tout to these carriers either...

[DanLeto]

No no no too many boxes and the fading effects don't make up for it, I also text a lot and that UI would just make me nauseous looking at it all day.