Unless you have been living in remote areas, such as Mars or under a rock, you know that Microsoft likes to dabble in technology. In an effort to make a splash in the smartphone community, the company introduced its trademark Windows Phone operating system to be placed on various models of cell phones. A unique OS for phones, you may be wondering what to expect from Windows Phone 7.
November of 2010 saw the launch of Windows Phone 7 in several regions worldwide. The user interface of choice has been dubbed Metro and it features a home screen dubbed the Start screen, similar to its Windows PC brethren. The Start screen comes equipped with sort of widget hybrids named Tiles. These little graphics represent links to apps, internet updates, and other functions customized by the user. Real time updates are available to Tiles, providing instant alerts for stocks, emails, or weather forecasts. Users are able to manipulate the Tiles to fit their needs by adding, deleting, or rearranging them.
Windows Phone 7 organizes certain features with similar characteristics and capabilities into Hubs. Online and local content is integrated especially with social network sites such as Facebook and Windows Live. For example, the People Hub accumulates contacts from Gmail, Facebook, and Windows Live and displays them all in one place, making it easier for the user to organize his or her contact list. The Video and Music Hub is integrated with Zune for multimedia functions. This Hub actually looks and operates similarly to Zune. The Games hub is integrated with Xbox LIVE and there is also a Windows Phone Marketplace and Microsoft Office.
In order to surf the web, Windows Phone 7 uses a browser that is a version of Internet Explorer Mobile that falls somewhere between IE7 and IE8. Favorite sites and home pages can be linked back to a Tile placed on the Start screen. Six tabs operating parallel can be supported by this version of Internet Explorer Mobile. Using email, users can share other web pages with friends and the browser offers inline search capabilities. Adobe has also indicated that Flash Player 10.1 will be offered on Windows Phone 7. The browser allows YouTube streaming, providing storage of video in the Video and Music Hub.
Windows Phone 7 is an operating system designed to streamline all of the features afforded by smartphones and smoothly integrate them with online activities. It is unique and is built according to the trends and tastes of current smartphone customers. Windows Phone 7 is a large and competent statement from the developers at Microsoft.
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