The latest mobile operating system to come from Microsoft is Windows Phone 7, which launched in Europe and Asia on 21st October 2010.
One of the key features of this system is the new user interface. The home screen is comprised of ‘Tiles’, which can be personalised to suit the users’ needs. Windows Phone 7 also has the interface advantage of being specially designed accommodate for social network integration. This lets those using social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter, to combine their phone data, such as photos and contacts, with the data they can access via such online social networks.
The Windows Phone 7 web browser is also particularly notable for its ability to display up to six tabs, as well save pictures from web pages and stream videos directly from the YouTube. In addition to this, Adobe has also announced that its Flash Player 10.1 will also be released for use with Windows Phone 7.
Multimedia and gaming abilities are also given a high priority with the system. Windows Phone 7 offers Xbox LIVE compatibility, and a gaming experience which more closely resembles console gaming than one would usually find on the majority of phone operating systems. Versions of popular games such as Guitar Hero and UNO are currently available.
All Windows phones on which this operating system is installed are required to have a search button on the front of the handset. This will allow users to search web sites, news, and map locations using Bing, as well as features within the individual phone’s applications. Hardware makers willing to conform to this and other regulations include brands such as Dell, Sony Ericsson, LG and Toshiba.
There are several mobile network operators which now use the Windows Phone 7 OS, including AT&T, Orange, and Vodafone. Mobile network operator [O2] have also announced their exclusive offer of Windows Phone 7 on the HTC HD7 phone. This, and other Windows Phone 7 devices, must fill the specification requests, which include a 4-point multi-touch screen, 256MB of RAM with at least 8GB of Flash memory, a 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash, as well as six dedicated hardware buttons and various other facilities.
As with most mobile operating systems, Microsoft plans to deliver software updates, which it will do via the innovative Windows Phone Update feature. For larger updates, users will be asked to attach their phone to their computer, so that the software can can be updated directly from the internet. Third-party applications can also be downloaded (and updated) from the Windows Live Marketplace, all of which must conform to Microsoft’s polices concerning explicit content.
Since its release, Windows Phone 7 has received praise for it’s virtual keyboard and impressive utility. Although still in its early stages and likely to undergo significant future development, this mobile operating system looks to be a serious contender in today’s competitive smartphone market.
