As expected, nearer the Mobile World Congress gets, hotter the rumor mill becomes. This round of rumor comes from a PPCGeek user and is all about the much talked about Windows Phone 7 aka Windows Mobile 7. The source seems to have gotten hold of detailed information in terms of the features that the next iteration of Windows Mobile will bring. These details are next to official, which means we might be onto something real. Features listed after the jump.
Windows Phone 7 likely features
The feature list which is quite exhaustive and long has the following highlights:
- At the Mobile World Congress event on February 15th, 2010, Windows Phone 7 will be unveiled, although at this time plans are only to unveil the user interface of the new platform . Specific in depth functionality of the device will most likely not be shown.
- The User Interface is based upon codename “METRO”. It will be very similar to the Zune HD User Interface with a complete revamp of the “Start” screen. The UI is “Very Clean”, “Soulful” and “Alive”
- Unfortunately there will be no Flash support at the get go as there was not enough time to implement these features.
- Windows Phone 7 will only support application installation through service based delivery. (i.e Marketplace). Application installation via storage card will not be possible.
- No Multi-Task support as we mentioned before. Applications will “Pause” when in the background, however will support notifications via push notifications.
- Marketplace will now support “try before you buy” as well as an API
- No NETCF backwards compatibility. This means the original rumor of no backward compatibility for applications holds to be true. That being said, there are high hopes of porting the NetCF to the newer platform easily.
- Microsoft is confident that devices will be ready by September 2010
- Full Zune Integration
- Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Zune software to take over syncing via PC.
- OEM Interfaces will not be allowed to run on the device. Say goodbye to Sense UI / SPB Mobile Shell / Point UI / Infinity, etc, etc.
- Full XBOX Gaming Integration (Gamer tag, achievements, friends, avatars, merchandising, etc).
- Full support for social networking.
Assuming this feature list is the real one, I am a bit disappointed. The reason being Microsoft hasn’t adopted the go all out approach for its upcoming Windows Mobile OS. The lack of multi-tasking and Flash alone says it all. If the Redmondians had included both of this, who knows their mobile division could have put up a better performance since both of these features are also missing from the Apple’s premium gadget, iPhone.
If I understand correctly, they said Flash functionality couldn’t be completed in time, that’s why it’s missing. So the only other thing it could mean is, its definitely on the WinMo 7 agenda.
Let us see how it turns out at the MWC which is all set to kick off on 15th February in Barcelona.