Windows Mobile 7: What we expect and what we are hearing

zune%20phone.jpg

Okay everyone, time to put on your rumor helmets (they're similar beer helmets, just filled with vodka). Hither's what nosotros are hearing most Windows Mobile 7 from various sources (none of which has been announced past Microsoft).

We'll spill the beans on what we're hearing about supposed various versions of Seven, 2 WM7 devices including total specs (the LG "Apollo" and HTC "Obsession") time-frames and fifty-fifty features.

At that place'due south a lot beneath, and we demand to start with a disclaimer. What follows aredetails and speculation from anonymous sources. Some of the details have been corroborated by other sources, just even that doesn't mean they'll end upwards existence truthful. Other parts have to be taken with a grain of common salt, as they seem to be likewise good to be true, and they may well be. So continue that in heed as you read this piece. Fact is until Microsoft or its partners announce annihilation, zip is for certain.

Also note that none of the images below are "new," but rather are recycled images from earlier stories that relate to or approve the accompanying information.

Now onto the goods ...

Software

Nomenclature

First, information technology'due south not Windows Mobile vii simply just "7," and then that's how we're going to refer to the OS from now on. Also the phrase "Microsoft Zune Phone Experience" may exist tossed around.

2nd, nosotros are hearing at that place will be two versions:Business edition and Media edition— those aren't necessarily the names nosotros'll encounter them launch with, only different branches of development. We believe this partially explains some of the seemingly contradictory rumors about release dates, as they are not on the same release track.

Windows phone Vii Concern edition (BE)

Windows%20Mobile%207%20and%20Office%20Mobile%207.png (Image 1068)

The business edition is the version that is nearest in completion, simply one we might not see bare naked. It'due south a more than stripped down version of Seven and while information technology can still do media, it has less thrill than the Media edition (see below).

This is also the version that most likely volition see OEM overlays on top of, like HTC'south Sense UI.

This version will also feature the power to sync "to the deject" with multiple devices, including your dwelling house PC. This won't be so much every bit syncing though as live manipulation of data — meaning y'all tin can piece of work on and edit a Give-and-take document stored on your PC or piece of work figurer remotely. It reportedly likewise volition let multiple user admission, meaning two or three people tin can all view and edit the same document dynamically, from dissimilar computers, including your Windows telephone. You can even take a photo on your telephone and embed information technology to the document directly.

For about consumers, that's no big bargain. But for business users, it promises to be astonishing. In fact, Office in full general is suppose to be an entirely new, extremely impressive experience — which is really something we would expect.

Why a more than stripped down version of Windows Mobile? Elementary.

It allows OEMs more flexibility on customization.
It makes the device less resource-intensive, saving processing ability, RAM and battery for deject services and business applications.

The HTC HD2 reportedly is able to run this version currently and information technology is slated for a possible October/November upgrade. Too, the HD2 reportedly runs Vii with "minimal lag" at this very early stage of porting.

Minimum resolution for programs on 7 is 800 pixels by 480 pixels (WVGA), which if authentic puts today's pinnacle-of-the-line Windows phone at the bottom of tomorrow's specs. Unfortunately, without bodily images, describing the Os seems to be a fleck of a challenge. The closest we've heard is

Retrieve TouchFLO (slider tabs) meeting up with a stock SPB Shell (lots of data on multiple screen) mixed with a very well integrated message and app launcher — well-nigh a 'fun' BlackBerry interface. Seems similar the stock shell is more like a really proficient BB theme than iPhone or Android.

Windows phone Seven Media edition (ME)

This is the large kahuna. The one that Microsoft is really banking on. The one that is not yet about equally consummate, and, yes, if there was one we probably won't take in our hands till 2022, it'south this version.

Information technology'southward also probable the version we'll encounter snippets of in Barcelona next calendar month at Mobile World Congress.

Expect portions of this version to be demoed on either a hitherto unseen seen LG or HTC device (more on that below).

What portions of the OS volition exist shown off at Mobile World Congress? Nosotros're hearing HD video, a Zune-similar music player, and maybe streaming TV. As well, $.25 of the command panel and other aspects of the UI may exist shown. Because it is not complete, we won't see the whole Bone in action.

It will be a tease, for certain.

The plan for this version on release is to take support for

Silverlight
Mediaroom
XBox Live (mayhap gameplay)
Facebook and Twtter interfaces (similar to Xbox)
Zune Music integration

Early reports mention syncing Twitter and Facebook right on your home screen (hardly a new invention) and that Xbox integration is well nether fashion, looking "crawly."

We're also hearing the Media Edition is still very dynamic at this point, with more features being added. Microsoft is really trying with this 1 to deliver everything we expect and demand.

While this isn't a "Zune phone" per se, it volition very much echo that design and experience.

Windows Sensor and Location Platform: 'Orion'

We learned nigh this long fourth dimension agone and haven't heard much since. But while we're dishing everything we've heard ...

"Orion" is a cloud-based assisted GPS system that is supposed to dramatically increase initial location-lock performance. This will guarantee rapid GPS operation across all future Seven devices, regardless of carrier support (currently, aGPS is dependent on individual carrier implementation).

The radio-interface layer (RIL) is being updated to support multiple-belfry betoken detection and trilateration (think Google's My Location service in Google Maps) and IP resolving. In add-on, information garnered from WiFi connections will also be used for faster location detection (also similar to Google Maps). All of this information is and then passed on up via API to tertiary-party software for ease of access and limited teaching sets.

Planned functioning for an initial lock (cold start) is targeted at less than one 2d and would find you lot within 300 meters. A hot or warm start is targeted at less than 0.25 seconds and would rail you at less than x meters.

What actuallyhappens with this location-data in terms of stop-user services is currently not known — that is we exercise not know how the Bone will utilize it for the the end-user experience. Come across the video from Channel ix for some hints.

Interesting tidbit: Orion already is a part of Windows 7 (desktop OS), office of the Windows Sensor and Location Platform initiative. Nosotros call back this is pretty skilful evidence of the merging of Windows desktop and Mobile platforms, or perhaps overlap is more apt.

See "What is Orion Sensor device that shows up on Windows 7 PC?" and a video discussion for the big picture from Microsoft'south API developers on Channel 9.

Hardware

What would this article be without some data regarding what Vii hardware may wait like? Below are 2 devices that reportedly are launching this yr and will be the model Vii phones. Again, none of this is official or has been announced past Microsoft or any of its partners. It might not happen, and y'all know how it goes with device dates; after is more likely than sooner. This is but what we've been told.

LG 'Apollo'

The first Seven device that is expected to launch is the LG "Apollo." While we cannot confirm the beingness of this device with actual pictures (yet), nosotros practice have the supposed specifications. If it is to be believed, then this is truly drool-worthy.

To u.s., it sounds like something in the aforementioned course as the simply appear LG GW990.

Brand no mistake almost LG — it is a big player with Microsoft, having a team in Redmond working with it directly, releasing the first Snapdragon/pico projector/finger print scanner device in the U.S (eXpo) — LG is playing for keeps.

Launching: August/September 2022
CPU: Qualcomm QSD8650; ane.3GHz
CDMA + GSM (aka a Earth Phone)
EvDO + HSDPA
Device Size: 115 x 57.five x eleven.2 mm
Memory (RAM/ROM): 1GB/1GB
External Storage: MicroSD (up to 32GB)
Screen Size/Type: 3.eight-inch capacitive AMOLED "Multitouch Supported"
Screen Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 px
Camera: 10-megapixel with flash and autofocus; Hard disk drive 720p video@ 30fps
Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV), MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) H.264, DVR-MS4
Sound Back up: Windows Media Sound (WMA), Avant-garde Audio Coding (AAC-LC), FairPlay DRM, MP3
Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
Talk Time: Up to 7.5 hours
Standby Time: 288 hours
Internet Utilize: four.five hours (3G), 6.5 hours (WiFi)
Video Playback: ten hours
Audio Playback: 30 hours

We do question the Qualcomm QSD8650; 1.3GHz number, only because we know that fleck can do 1GHz, but not 1.3GHz. Qualcomm did recently denote a 1.3GHz Snapdragon, but it is the 8X50A, not QSD8650.

Ah, only perchance they forgot the "a"? See, there is a QSD8650A that does run at 1.3GHz.

However, there are other potential red flags:screen and camera resolution.

While we would seriously beloved to accept 1280x720 on a 3.8-inch screen, that almost seems out of bounds (and largely unnecessary) for today'due south technology. We understand that in that location is 720P video recording out in that location today, but nosotros have never heard of Samsung or anyone striking WXGA resolutions on an AMOLED screen nevertheless at that size.

Likewise, the 10MP photographic camera also is on the high end. Of course anything is possible, and LG seems to exist serious with competing against the likes of HTC, but even we are a bit skeptical. More probable is that we're looking at the maximum specs the processor will allow.

Devil'due south advocate : The Qualcomm QSD8650a does back up WXGA resolution, and there is a five-inch WXGA device on the market (encounter MyRacer Lisse T10 PMP).

A supposed easily-on report with the LG "Apollo" claims that this screen "blows away the HD2." It is a silverish, metallic slab device and is quite light.

The chipset is a CDMA/GSM hybrid and yeah, reportedly Sprint and Verizon will exist carrying information technology. Reportedly. We'll only have to see.

Is LG really sitting on such a monster of a device? Ane would expect that the kickoff Windows Seven phone to be a stunner, and this sure seems to fit the pecker. Time will tell.

HTC 'Obsession'

(Note: the in a higher place is simply an unrelated rendering, not the "Obsession")

This is the device we have a ameliorate chance at seeing at Mobile Globe Congress, equally the LG device is still going through some development pains. Think of the Obsession as a slightly smaller HD2.

And aye, HTC is working with Microsoft on Sense UI integration for 7, nosotros hear there is no tension between them on this feature.

Launching: October 2022
CPU: Qualcomm QSD8250; 1GHz
GSM HSDPA
Device Size: 112 x 56 x 11.7 mm
Memory (RAM/ROM): 512MB/512MB
Internal Storage: 4GB
External Storage: MicroSD (upwardly to 32GB)
Screen Size/Type: three.7-inch capacitive AMOLED "Multitouch Supported"
Camera: v.0 Megapixel AF with flash; HD 720p video@ 25fps
Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV), MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) H.264, DVR-MS4
Audio Support: Windows Media Audio (WMA), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC), FairPlay DRM, MP3 (.mp3)
Bombardment: Removable 1230 mAh
Talk Fourth dimension: Upwards to 10 hours
Standby Time: 240 hours
Cyberspace Use: 6 hours (3G), vii.5 hours (WiFi)
Video Playback: 7 hours
Audio Playback: 24 hours

The "Obsession" reportedly looks like the Verizon Imagio, which if truthful makes it a good selection.

Look for none other than T-Mobile to exist getting this ane, followed past other GSM carriers after on.

Conclusion/Analysis

So what to make of the above? We think a lot of this sounds legit and makes sense. Then over again, but because things brand sense doesn't make them completely accurate. And, once again, this is all highly unofficial and unannounced. Things probable volition modify somewhat.

Like you, we don't accept the benefit of actually seeing any of this with our own eyes. Still, when you stand back and look at all the information it starts to come together.

For one, we take seen quite a few "leaked" shots of Seven in the past and while very formal and business looking, they are not full of eye-processed. Nonetheless, nosotros go on hearing near Project Pinkish, radical overhauls, media- and consumer-centric branches, etc.

Together, all of that doesn't add upwardly, if you're expecting Seven to be just a unmarried operating system. Simply divide it into two branches, and it does make sense: Microsoft has one conservative version, built for professionals and that allows OEMs to customize. The other is the "Microsoft Experience" device, the Zune-telephone if you will.

It besides helps explain the seemingly contradictory release dates — some parts of the Os are more ready than others.

Yet, with but a few weeks left until Mobile Globe Congress in Barcelona, nosotros call back we'll know soon enough how much of this is true or not every bit we (and others) are convinced that Microsoft will reveal something nearly Seven during that event.

Finally, we are expecting more information to come forth in the coming weeks, so proceed checking back for updates.

[Cheers 'Z' and Anonymous]

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