1. Microsoft deserves a lot of credit for rebooting its mobile OS. It’s all too rare for a company to admit that its existing product isn’t good enough and be willing to bite the bullet and start over. You just wish they hadn’t taken so long to come to that conclusion.
2. Hardware isn’t the story here. Generally speaking the first few Windows Phones are a bit underwhelming -- most are essentially WP7 versions of handsets we’ve already seen running Android -- but there are a couple of standouts, like the Venue Pro, Dell’s qwerty portrait slider, and the HTC Surround, which has a mini simulated surround sound speaker that slides out.
3. The OS itself is pretty great. It has the polish that Android lacks so far, and has the same kind of thoughtfulness and ease-of-use that we’ve come to expect from iOS. There are some glaring omissions -- multitasking and cut-and-paste come to mind -- but the team that built WP7 got lots of little details right, and it’s those details that go a long way towards an exceptional user experience. One caveat: WP7 requires plenty of swiping and scrolling to get around, and it’s conceivable that a lot of users might not love that about it.
4. The games I’ve demoed on it are impressive, but take a surprisingly long time to load. Not sure if this is something that will get better over time as developers acclimate to the platform, but it’s something that I’m sure users will gripe about.
5. In the grand scheme of things we’re still in the early years of mobile, but WP7 is coming late to a very crowded party. It’ll be harder to stand out than it would have just a couple of years ago, and there a number of challenges Microsoft faces. They’re doing a decent job getting manufacturers on-board -- and believe me, they had plenty to grumble about after years of dealing with Windows Mobile -- but they’ll also have to attract mobile developers who already have iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and webOS competing for their attention. This won’t be easy, but getting a rich library of apps created as quickly as possible -- and it’s really about quality here, not quantity -- is absolutely critical.
6. An even bigger challenge is going to be marketing. Microsoft has plenty of experience attracting developers -- don’t make me pull out that old Ballmer clip -- but I think they’re going to have to work very hard to convey to the average consumer why they should pick a Windows Phone over the alternatives. During the Windows Mobile days Microsoft generally stayed in the background and let the manufacturers do the messaging, but with so much at stake I don’t think they can afford do let anyone else define Windows Phone 7. While Monday’s launch event was jam-packed with details about the OS’s new features and UI, I don’t think they’re doing enough to articulate what is really different or distinctive about WP7. Just compare the text at windowsphone7.com -- “Say hello to Windows Phone, the only phone with Live Tiles” -- vs the text at iPhone.com -- “This changes everything. Again.” Which one do you think makes a stronger impression? The funny thing is that Microsoft can legitimately claim to have changed everything here. I’d say it’s the only mobile OS out there that might make iOS’s “screen of icons” UI feel a bit dated, so I’d go all out on trying to communicate how fresh WP7’s approach is and that the key is that you’re going to have a delightful experience. Why go to all the trouble of creating a novel interface if you’re not going to make a huge deal about it? Being able to edit Office docs on your phone is nice, but right now Microsoft should be trying to win hearts, not just minds.
7. Microsoft cannot afford to lose. Yes, Microsoft makes most of its money right now from Windows and Office, but it’s increasingly clear that mobile is the future of computing and that they need to be a top 2 or 3 player if they’re going to stay relevant. Owning the desktop OS won’t matter if all the growth is in smartphones and tablets.
Bonus thought: I’d really love to see Windows Phone 7 on a tablet. They kind of painted themselves into a corner with the name, though, right?
Discussion about
Seven Thoughts on Windows Phone 7
Good points. It was an interesting release and WP7 is a brilliant OS, i've been playing with the beta since early this year and we've just started looking at moving some of our iOS development across.
Cut and Paste is apparently coming in January - at least that's what we've been told and it will be a proper OS fix so it will work on most existing apps as is.
We have a couple of issues with it as a development house, the first is it's hard to see how it going to break the iOS/Android stranglehold no matter how good it is. Although it's early days not many of our corporate clients even knew this was coming when we suggested porting their Apps across, although they did get quite excited after we pointed them to the video.
The biggest issue for us as a developer though is Microsoft's Marketplace. It's $99 a year to develop for, same as Apple, and you can release as many paid apps in that time as you want however, unlike Apple, you can only release 5 free apps. After that you have to pay an extra $19.99 per app. I know they have a whole trial system built in, and that's fine for games and certain other apps. But we do quite a lot of Charity apps, they're good for publicity and we get to help out some truly deserving causes. We don't charge for making the apps and this hasn't been an issue before because we could release as many free apps as we wanted, but in the MS marketplace it will end up costing us money.
Anyway, we'll see - hopefully we will receive a test phone next week...
Cut and Paste is apparently coming in January - at least that's what we've been told and it will be a proper OS fix so it will work on most existing apps as is.
We have a couple of issues with it as a development house, the first is it's hard to see how it going to break the iOS/Android stranglehold no matter how good it is. Although it's early days not many of our corporate clients even knew this was coming when we suggested porting their Apps across, although they did get quite excited after we pointed them to the video.
The biggest issue for us as a developer though is Microsoft's Marketplace. It's $99 a year to develop for, same as Apple, and you can release as many paid apps in that time as you want however, unlike Apple, you can only release 5 free apps. After that you have to pay an extra $19.99 per app. I know they have a whole trial system built in, and that's fine for games and certain other apps. But we do quite a lot of Charity apps, they're good for publicity and we get to help out some truly deserving causes. We don't charge for making the apps and this hasn't been an issue before because we could release as many free apps as we wanted, but in the MS marketplace it will end up costing us money.
Anyway, we'll see - hopefully we will receive a test phone next week...
I'm considering diving into WP7 on release day (so long nokia). Oddly the thing I think will be awesome is oneNote.
I can see the potential in the desktop client, but getting the data into the program is my bugbear. I've been searching for (good) onenote software for my iPad/pod for ages to no avail.
I can see the potential in the desktop client, but getting the data into the program is my bugbear. I've been searching for (good) onenote software for my iPad/pod for ages to no avail.
I was a OneNote user, until I moved our company over to iPhones, and there was no app for it - that's when I switched to Evernote. I'm at a new job and on an Android phone, but I still use Evernote. It's not a one-for-one replacement to OneNote, there's about even trade-offs both ways, I think. Might be worth a look.
Two seconds of testing reveals that when I select a oneNote file on skydrive it attempts to download a zip file of it.
Even if it did, the abililty to record audio and capture stills wouldn't go. I think that's where its going to be killer.. Meeting notes with audio built in from a device I already have with me.
Even if it did, the abililty to record audio and capture stills wouldn't go. I think that's where its going to be killer.. Meeting notes with audio built in from a device I already have with me.
I gave the OneNote web app a try, and I really wanted to like it because I like the desktop app, but it lacks the ability to display inked (handwritten) notes in the web interface. I woundn't mind if you couldn't edit ink notes, but the fact that it can't even display sync'd ink notes fully is a deal killer for me.
I think this also limits its potential usefulness within the iPad's browser.
I think this also limits its potential usefulness within the iPad's browser.
I think your point about marketing is the single most important one. Part of the iPhone's marketing success is rooted in the Apple store. I think the public at large isn't willing to pay the high smartphone prices without being able to touch and experience one. I don't think the effect of people getting to play with iPhones before buying can be understated.
I'm an iPhone owner, but I'm really cheering for Microsoft's phone. I hope they are able to get the phones out in the public eye and let us test them out. Though our phones aren't our cars, we rely on them in largely the same way. When the cable is out it messes up our leisure time, but when our cars or phones aren't working, it can hamper all aspects of life: work, family, play. Just like our cars, we need to be able to test drive a phone. After all, we are typically stuck with them for a contracted period.
I'm an iPhone owner, but I'm really cheering for Microsoft's phone. I hope they are able to get the phones out in the public eye and let us test them out. Though our phones aren't our cars, we rely on them in largely the same way. When the cable is out it messes up our leisure time, but when our cars or phones aren't working, it can hamper all aspects of life: work, family, play. Just like our cars, we need to be able to test drive a phone. After all, we are typically stuck with them for a contracted period.
@TonyN really bring up a good point that many people forget. The power of holding something in your hands, pushing the buttons, seeing a screen and asking questions while getting intelligent answers back really is a plus in the iPhone world. You can not hope to get one on one talk time and touch time at a Best Buy or an AT&T/Verison/Sprint store. Microsoft has a few stores popping up but there aren't enough out there to service the "millions" of people they hope to have join the Windows Phone 7 parade.
As for the WP7 phone itself, it does look good:
But Zune hasn't had a great run at being the mobile media darling it was suppose to be. Playing XBOX live sounds cool, but I figure unless the graphic engine has enough power/battery maintenance you'll be playing a very luke warm version of Halo or Gears of War for a few minutes at best.
Apps still have power and as much as they talk about bringing your life to you on one screen, sometimes that can be over kill. Now on iPhone and already in Android phones, multitasking allows you to have the same feel, without the mess of stuff on your screen.
It's going to be a interesting time for Microsoft. Battle iPhone/Android for the hearts and minds, battle RIM for Enterprise, battle Palm/HP with the next new thing, and battle Nokia just because it's Nokia.
As for the WP7 phone itself, it does look good:
But Zune hasn't had a great run at being the mobile media darling it was suppose to be. Playing XBOX live sounds cool, but I figure unless the graphic engine has enough power/battery maintenance you'll be playing a very luke warm version of Halo or Gears of War for a few minutes at best.
Apps still have power and as much as they talk about bringing your life to you on one screen, sometimes that can be over kill. Now on iPhone and already in Android phones, multitasking allows you to have the same feel, without the mess of stuff on your screen.
It's going to be a interesting time for Microsoft. Battle iPhone/Android for the hearts and minds, battle RIM for Enterprise, battle Palm/HP with the next new thing, and battle Nokia just because it's Nokia.
I think the manufacturers are undecided on the platform, and are testing out different ideas to see what people will like, and how they will use the phone. That, at least, is the impression I got from devices like the Surround. My guess is, the next round of devices that are launched will be more impressive than what we're seeing here.
I'm no Microsoft fan. And that's an understatement. But I do feel Microsoft is changing tack. Whether Windows Phone 7 is going to be a success or not , it at least shows a company with guts to change things radically. Which is unlike the Microsoft I know. So this combined with Nokia's adherence to a limp Symbian, may give Microsoft a chance to become relevant again. thesecondopiniontribune.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-w...
I can't tell you how excited I am to try out WP7. I am so tired of the now stale iOS and all of it's copycats. From what I have seen so far, it looks great. I am a little bummed that you cannot preorder the devices from AT&T, however, I don't think there will be a line on Nov 8 like there was when the iPhone was first released. I think Microsoft is taking an interesting approach by taking what works from other platforms and making it there own. The closed down nature of the Marketplace makes it easier for consumers to get content on to the device (like iOS) and the different manufacturers putting out WP7 devices helps to create competition within the same ecosystem (like Android). Things will get even more interesting when the Chassis 2 devices start releasing next year. These are the devices that will look like Blackberry's, with a physical keyboard (not slide out) under the touch screen.
The biggest problem I can see so far is the confusion of purchases. Your Zune Pass is billed to you through Microsoft but your apps will be billed through the carrier? Can anyone confirm this?
I also don't like the fact that Microsoft does not support front-facing cameras on the devices. While the manufacturer is allowed to put a front-facing camera on their device, they have to build their own apps that work with it. No other apps in the Marketplace will be allowed to take advantage of this. This seems like an odd direction to go considering you could build this in to the MSN Messenger app and theoretically communicate to friends who are using the Kinect on Xbox. I think it is a missed opportunity to create cross pollination between services.
That said, I am still looking forward to getting my Focus on Nov 8.
The biggest problem I can see so far is the confusion of purchases. Your Zune Pass is billed to you through Microsoft but your apps will be billed through the carrier? Can anyone confirm this?
I also don't like the fact that Microsoft does not support front-facing cameras on the devices. While the manufacturer is allowed to put a front-facing camera on their device, they have to build their own apps that work with it. No other apps in the Marketplace will be allowed to take advantage of this. This seems like an odd direction to go considering you could build this in to the MSN Messenger app and theoretically communicate to friends who are using the Kinect on Xbox. I think it is a missed opportunity to create cross pollination between services.
That said, I am still looking forward to getting my Focus on Nov 8.
Zune Pass is currently done through a payment method of your choosing (credit, debit, pre-paid cards). I haven't heard a thing about a carried billed Zune Pass option, but I suppose it can be possible. The default method of payment for applications is carrier billing, but you also have the option to add a credit card to your Windows Live ID and use that for purchases.
What would possibly cause more confusion is the fact that Zune music/video purchases are measured in Microsoft Points, not a straight dollar-to-dollar amount. Apps though are not measured in Points, so I can easily see carrier billing for apps to occur (which was already stated would occur), but I don't know how it would work for music/video purchases, especially since the music store is part of the WP7 Marketplace.
In regards to front-facing cameras, as a fellow tech geek who loves to be on the cutting edge, I'd love my new Windows Phone 7 to have proper front-facing camera support, but we are most definitely in the minority here. It must have been a matter of feature priority for the WP7 team, and to be quite honest, if I had to make the choice to put off a few features, front-facing camera support would have been one of my choices. There are few people who understand how to use front-facing cameras, let alone people who actually use it (at least here in the US). It would be nice to have it, and I am sure we will have it in the future, but for right now, I understand why it's not there, and I know I certainly don't use my current phone's front-facing camera day to day, so I can live without it.
With all the shortcomings that everyone does not fail to point out every 10 minutes about Windows Phone 7, the fact of the matter is that for a first release, they've done a tremendous job and created an incredibly polished product thus far. With work like this, I can only imagine what Windows Phone 7 will become, and I cannot wait. November 8 cannot come any sooner.
What would possibly cause more confusion is the fact that Zune music/video purchases are measured in Microsoft Points, not a straight dollar-to-dollar amount. Apps though are not measured in Points, so I can easily see carrier billing for apps to occur (which was already stated would occur), but I don't know how it would work for music/video purchases, especially since the music store is part of the WP7 Marketplace.
In regards to front-facing cameras, as a fellow tech geek who loves to be on the cutting edge, I'd love my new Windows Phone 7 to have proper front-facing camera support, but we are most definitely in the minority here. It must have been a matter of feature priority for the WP7 team, and to be quite honest, if I had to make the choice to put off a few features, front-facing camera support would have been one of my choices. There are few people who understand how to use front-facing cameras, let alone people who actually use it (at least here in the US). It would be nice to have it, and I am sure we will have it in the future, but for right now, I understand why it's not there, and I know I certainly don't use my current phone's front-facing camera day to day, so I can live without it.
With all the shortcomings that everyone does not fail to point out every 10 minutes about Windows Phone 7, the fact of the matter is that for a first release, they've done a tremendous job and created an incredibly polished product thus far. With work like this, I can only imagine what Windows Phone 7 will become, and I cannot wait. November 8 cannot come any sooner.
While I agree that for a first release, it is a good job, my fear is the same that plagues Android - fragmentation. While I will be getting a Windows Phone on release day, it troubles me that if they iterate too fast, devices will begin to look outdated as soon as they hit the market. What your left with is a user base that gets scared to update to the newest version of the phone because they don't want to feel left out. As annoying as it is that Apple releases a new iPhone every year to the day, at least as a consumer, you know that you're phone is as good as it is going to get for an entire year.
Only time will tell. I wish Microsoft the best of luck and Windows Phone looks to be a major player in the market.I hope that the dreams of seamless integration between Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone pans out because Microsoft legitimately has 3 amazing platforms on their hands and the strength of them altogether, could really be amazing. Also with Office integration in the mix as well, this has the potential to dominate (if all the cards are played right).
Only time will tell. I wish Microsoft the best of luck and Windows Phone looks to be a major player in the market.I hope that the dreams of seamless integration between Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone pans out because Microsoft legitimately has 3 amazing platforms on their hands and the strength of them altogether, could really be amazing. Also with Office integration in the mix as well, this has the potential to dominate (if all the cards are played right).
Personally, I think Windows Phone has no audience other than the gaming / multimedia audience.
Let me explain, when I think of the iPhone, I usually tend to think more of the dumb people. The ones that are like "omg teh iphone so cools" (for better elaboration: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg&feature=pl...:)
Now, having owned an iPhone before, I know that's not the case entirely, but for the majority it's all there.
When I think of super nerds, modders, and so forth, I usually think of Android. Business? RIM.
But I can never, ever think of a situation when people tell me "Yeah I do this for a living" and I can recommend a Windows Mobile device, and I'm starting to feel that way about WP7.
Most of my friends are getting WP7 because it's "Zune HD" like, or because of the great Zune + Xbox Live integration.
Personally, WP7 should push more to the multimedia audience more than anything. With the current Xbox ecosystem, along with Zune integration, it can be a very light version of the "xbox phone" some of us have been wanting.
Let me explain, when I think of the iPhone, I usually tend to think more of the dumb people. The ones that are like "omg teh iphone so cools" (for better elaboration: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg&feature=pl...:)
Now, having owned an iPhone before, I know that's not the case entirely, but for the majority it's all there.
When I think of super nerds, modders, and so forth, I usually think of Android. Business? RIM.
But I can never, ever think of a situation when people tell me "Yeah I do this for a living" and I can recommend a Windows Mobile device, and I'm starting to feel that way about WP7.
Most of my friends are getting WP7 because it's "Zune HD" like, or because of the great Zune + Xbox Live integration.
Personally, WP7 should push more to the multimedia audience more than anything. With the current Xbox ecosystem, along with Zune integration, it can be a very light version of the "xbox phone" some of us have been wanting.
YES, you nailed it. Iphone i wouldn't say is for the dumb people, but more the people who aren't tech savvy enough to go into a website on their own, and download an external app. Iphone users also have the biggest library of games. So iPhones main appeal is quantity of apps.
WinPho 7 users are just like you said, people who like Netflix, Zune, Slacker radio, Zune pass, and XBOX. People who lean on the side of, I don't care about apps, i just like quickly seeing info, then at the end of the day, spend the night listening to music, or falling to asleep with a netflix movie. Microsoft appeal is quickness, and quality of games, not quantity, like Apple.
Android, it's for the coders, the cell phone enthusiasts and the such, although, Android is becoming vastly more broad, obviously due to so many options out there, and so much customization. Android is almost to the point of me recommending it for my mom, not yet, but incredibly soon. Androids appeal is open, custom and efficient.
Blackberry, Business, and does it well.
Then there is Palm.......... Not yet shown much potential for sales, but have shown amazing ability in paving a truely innovative way of thinking about the mobile space. If it were up to me, I would absolutely love to see Palm and Microsoft as the two to compete with, there would be so much innovation bouncing back and forth, not just app counting.
So I hope Microsoft paves the quick and fun tag to their OS, it would seriously boost their image, and give a reason to own a WinPho 7 phone over the others.
WinPho 7 users are just like you said, people who like Netflix, Zune, Slacker radio, Zune pass, and XBOX. People who lean on the side of, I don't care about apps, i just like quickly seeing info, then at the end of the day, spend the night listening to music, or falling to asleep with a netflix movie. Microsoft appeal is quickness, and quality of games, not quantity, like Apple.
Android, it's for the coders, the cell phone enthusiasts and the such, although, Android is becoming vastly more broad, obviously due to so many options out there, and so much customization. Android is almost to the point of me recommending it for my mom, not yet, but incredibly soon. Androids appeal is open, custom and efficient.
Blackberry, Business, and does it well.
Then there is Palm.......... Not yet shown much potential for sales, but have shown amazing ability in paving a truely innovative way of thinking about the mobile space. If it were up to me, I would absolutely love to see Palm and Microsoft as the two to compete with, there would be so much innovation bouncing back and forth, not just app counting.
So I hope Microsoft paves the quick and fun tag to their OS, it would seriously boost their image, and give a reason to own a WinPho 7 phone over the others.
It wasn't until you stated it so succinctly that I realized I am in the "I don't care about Apps...spend the night listening to music" people. My BB Storm should have been proof of this, as I bought it originally with the idea of going single-device with a large SD card full of music. Soon after buying I had remorse when the process of loading new music was so cumbersome that I gave up. Originally I added a ton of apps to it, but they soon hork'ed the OS and I went back to a clean start.
Now I have a 120GB Zune (GOW2 edition) and take it everywhere I go. It is the car stereo, tune-out-noise-at-work and shop-at-Home Depot MACHINE! But the biggest seller is the Zune Pass, as I have over 12,000 songs. I dropped iTunes when I won the Zune (and realized that all the music I had spent years accumulating and thousands of $$ paying for was DRM'd up the ass and now useless to me). The Zune Pass fits my style. Now I don't have to choose between ABBA and Slipknot on payday, I can have both).
So I have always had 2 devices, phone and MP3 player. Now I can FINALLY move down to one device, albeit with a smaller storage size. My BB Storm is headed for the recycle bin.
Anyone have experience with the Zune interface and syncing/ DL'ing new music on the Windows Phone 7's yet?
Now I have a 120GB Zune (GOW2 edition) and take it everywhere I go. It is the car stereo, tune-out-noise-at-work and shop-at-Home Depot MACHINE! But the biggest seller is the Zune Pass, as I have over 12,000 songs. I dropped iTunes when I won the Zune (and realized that all the music I had spent years accumulating and thousands of $$ paying for was DRM'd up the ass and now useless to me). The Zune Pass fits my style. Now I don't have to choose between ABBA and Slipknot on payday, I can have both).
So I have always had 2 devices, phone and MP3 player. Now I can FINALLY move down to one device, albeit with a smaller storage size. My BB Storm is headed for the recycle bin.
Anyone have experience with the Zune interface and syncing/ DL'ing new music on the Windows Phone 7's yet?
I think the one part of the process that Microsoft nailed was the fact that they want to be available on all carriers as soon as possible. I'm a Sprint customer and want a Windows Phone 7 badly, but I can't blame them by going GSM first to get worldwide market share. Android has shown that if you go across all carriers and offer phones of all shapes and sizes it will be adopted if it's a decent product.
The vast majority of people shop for mobile phones simply by what's available on their carrier. Apple may want to think that tens of millions of people joined AT&T for the iPhone but hundreds of millions stayed with their carriers and were happy with Android, Blackberry, WiMo, Symbian and Palm phones. The early-adopters and change-your-carrier-to-get-that-new-phone crowds are a severe minority of the global market.
The key to mobile domination is carrier and handset diversity... and having a good operating system doesn't hurt either. Android surpassed iOS in less than two years with this business model, and things are only going to get harrier from here. Apple should have gone non-exclusive 18 months ago if they wanted to rise to the top. Their early 2011 switch to Verizon may be too little too late.
I know Apple isn't going to go anywhere, but their shot of surpassing Blackberry is over.
The vast majority of people shop for mobile phones simply by what's available on their carrier. Apple may want to think that tens of millions of people joined AT&T for the iPhone but hundreds of millions stayed with their carriers and were happy with Android, Blackberry, WiMo, Symbian and Palm phones. The early-adopters and change-your-carrier-to-get-that-new-phone crowds are a severe minority of the global market.
The key to mobile domination is carrier and handset diversity... and having a good operating system doesn't hurt either. Android surpassed iOS in less than two years with this business model, and things are only going to get harrier from here. Apple should have gone non-exclusive 18 months ago if they wanted to rise to the top. Their early 2011 switch to Verizon may be too little too late.
I know Apple isn't going to go anywhere, but their shot of surpassing Blackberry is over.
I agree with eveything said, i've supported microsoft products before there was Windows... They are in for the long haul, and this is version 1.0. Like Peter i give them credit for starting over, i've owned previous Windows Mobile devices some god some not so...
I am willing to give them a chance, please do screw it up Microsoft.
I won a WP7 device at TechEd 2010 last June, still waiting to get it... hopefully soon. Also hope it's a HTC Surround either way when i get it i'll post my feedback/ comments here.
I am willing to give them a chance, please do screw it up Microsoft.
I won a WP7 device at TechEd 2010 last June, still waiting to get it... hopefully soon. Also hope it's a HTC Surround either way when i get it i'll post my feedback/ comments here.
Ahhh, Microsoft, what would we do without you?
Well, probably pick on Nokia more......
Well, probably pick on Nokia more......
All good points on your list Peter. I really can't argue against any of them. I am pulling for Microsoft here, because they're taking some chances, and the fact that I think legitimate competition in the smartphone space is good for all of us.
Regarding the naming... no problem. Windows Tablet 7 when the time comes.
Regarding the naming... no problem. Windows Tablet 7 when the time comes.
Well organized comment Peter. If I may be soo bold to comment on a line-by-line, just from experience, not that I have a pony in this race.
1) First mouse is not always the one to get the cheese.
2) Secure kernels are highly dependant on the H.A.L.
3) Multitasking and cut&paste are the 2 highest suspects in buffer overflow and security issues. This is not a problem if your just a dink-dink looking for a mobile gamming platform or social "kudoos".
4) again, gameboy? and developer blackholes. Like physics virtual matter comes into existance by dark energy (exploits are more profitable than business apps). Even for serious business apps opening the API invites critical mass and once you pass the "Event Horizon" you are both dead and alive (Schrodinger's Cat).
5) Most manufacturers are looking for the business edge. Insider trading, competative advantage, or marketability of user information to make-up their profit. Probably not the best environment at a time when jobs and business could use a helping hand.
6) I distain marketing and the emphasis placed on it. Here too, I think you give too much credence to soapbaox carnival barkers. As for the name... Windows 7 Tablet, eh?
7) As much as Microsoft has suffered with Bill Freelancing in global affairs, "Monkeybone" (Ballmer, BTW does he look like "Young Frankenstien" or what!) although not the brightest kid in the sandbox is getting some corporate perks from Microsoft's restructuring that was direly needed.
Thank you for your review. It was decent enough for me to want to add comments to it.
Thanks.
1) First mouse is not always the one to get the cheese.
2) Secure kernels are highly dependant on the H.A.L.
3) Multitasking and cut&paste are the 2 highest suspects in buffer overflow and security issues. This is not a problem if your just a dink-dink looking for a mobile gamming platform or social "kudoos".
4) again, gameboy? and developer blackholes. Like physics virtual matter comes into existance by dark energy (exploits are more profitable than business apps). Even for serious business apps opening the API invites critical mass and once you pass the "Event Horizon" you are both dead and alive (Schrodinger's Cat).
5) Most manufacturers are looking for the business edge. Insider trading, competative advantage, or marketability of user information to make-up their profit. Probably not the best environment at a time when jobs and business could use a helping hand.
6) I distain marketing and the emphasis placed on it. Here too, I think you give too much credence to soapbaox carnival barkers. As for the name... Windows 7 Tablet, eh?
7) As much as Microsoft has suffered with Bill Freelancing in global affairs, "Monkeybone" (Ballmer, BTW does he look like "Young Frankenstien" or what!) although not the brightest kid in the sandbox is getting some corporate perks from Microsoft's restructuring that was direly needed.
Thank you for your review. It was decent enough for me to want to add comments to it.
Thanks.
I thought Ballmer wasn't very smart until I've heard him talk about business strategy. He's a bit low on charisma, and not a showman, but he ain't no dummy either.
Thanks, Peter.
Kudos for item 6, which takes care of the core of what the battle (if any) between Apple and MS is.
For now this heart/mind game is clearly dominated by Cupertino.
Timing apart, we'll see if the killer gun will give MS wisdom to do the right move.
bookmarked. :)
Kudos for item 6, which takes care of the core of what the battle (if any) between Apple and MS is.
For now this heart/mind game is clearly dominated by Cupertino.
Timing apart, we'll see if the killer gun will give MS wisdom to do the right move.
bookmarked. :)
I'm not so sure about it being clear that the future of computing is in mobile. I'd say maybe a half of it. I understand the general usefulness of being able to use apps on the go, but neither my phone nor a laptop (if I had one) will have a 20+ inch screen, or a super-fast processor.
I always work at home, though, and I imagine it's different for people like you, so I'll give you that half of the future of computing is going to be mobile :)
(Yes, you can get a very fast laptop with a big screen, but it's a desktop replacement, not a mobile computer.)
I always work at home, though, and I imagine it's different for people like you, so I'll give you that half of the future of computing is going to be mobile :)
(Yes, you can get a very fast laptop with a big screen, but it's a desktop replacement, not a mobile computer.)
The screen size problem can be easily solved by a monitor. You probably won't even need a cable, you can already glimpse the future by looking at emerging technologies like AirPlay, DLNA, or even wireless HDMI.
Processing power is always a non-issue when you talk about the future of computing. Ten years ago Apple was selling Power Mac G4 with 500 MHz processor, 256MB of RAM, and 27GB HDD for $3,499. The iPhone 4 now has twice the processing power, twice the memory, and about 1.2x capacity. All for only 20% of the cost. Oh, and the iPhone is also slightly smaller than the the G4. (www.apple.com/pr/library/2000/feb/16g4.html)
The only difference between what you consider a "mobile computer" and a "desktop replacement" resides in software. To that I say just give it some time, it's only been three years since the iOS was first released. There's a big difference between Windows 3.1 and Windows 7.
Processing power is always a non-issue when you talk about the future of computing. Ten years ago Apple was selling Power Mac G4 with 500 MHz processor, 256MB of RAM, and 27GB HDD for $3,499. The iPhone 4 now has twice the processing power, twice the memory, and about 1.2x capacity. All for only 20% of the cost. Oh, and the iPhone is also slightly smaller than the the G4. (www.apple.com/pr/library/2000/feb/16g4.html)
The only difference between what you consider a "mobile computer" and a "desktop replacement" resides in software. To that I say just give it some time, it's only been three years since the iOS was first released. There's a big difference between Windows 3.1 and Windows 7.
If I use a monitor, then it's not mobile computing, is it? And saying that processing power will stop being an issue in the future is like saying that 640kB ought to be enough for anyone -- proves nothing more than a lack of imagination.
I think that until we develop a way to plug into the visual cortex in a more direct manner, mobile devices will have small screens. Solutions to the problem of power consumption can only be taken so far with optimization of hardware (lower voltages), and even if we develop nuclear (or similar) batteries, heat dissipation issues will prevent us from using too much power.
I think that until we develop a way to plug into the visual cortex in a more direct manner, mobile devices will have small screens. Solutions to the problem of power consumption can only be taken so far with optimization of hardware (lower voltages), and even if we develop nuclear (or similar) batteries, heat dissipation issues will prevent us from using too much power.
Actually, I was thinking of the same "640kB ought to be enough for anyone" quote about you. In fact, in my G4 vs. iPhone comparison, I clearly stated that computers advance to become faster, cheaper, and smaller. I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but it seems to me you and your "lack of imagination" is arguing that "mobile computers" will never be fast or powerful enough for you to use.
Anyways, I don't see why using a monitor is not "mobile computing." But if you think plugging the iPhone into a monitor is equivalent of a "desktop replacement", then you are just kinda agreeing with me right? I guess the debate is settled.
Anyways, I don't see why using a monitor is not "mobile computing." But if you think plugging the iPhone into a monitor is equivalent of a "desktop replacement", then you are just kinda agreeing with me right? I guess the debate is settled.
I'm arguing that some computers will be faster than others, and that it will still make a difference, as it made when I had my first PC, and it still does now, to no smaller degree.
I'm sorry if I sounded harsh, I just meant that I believe we'll always find ways to be limited by computer resources. We'll have smarter UIs, more and better voice and video recognition, predicting intent from history, location and company, etc. There's no limit to imagination, so hardware will have to be the limiting factor.
I don't see why I shouldn't have a desktop computer that is more powerful, not to mention that it can automate my home and so forth. I also don't think there will be a single UI paradigm that'll fit all spaces, nor that I will want to use mobile apps to the desktop as anything more than widgets.
There will be no single computer that I'll use. My house will have a computer, and so will my TV, car, washing machine, and my dog's collar. Some will be mobile, other built-in, yet another will perhaps keep my data safe in a datacenter somewhere.
The future is computers everywhere, not just in our pockets :)
I'm sorry if I sounded harsh, I just meant that I believe we'll always find ways to be limited by computer resources. We'll have smarter UIs, more and better voice and video recognition, predicting intent from history, location and company, etc. There's no limit to imagination, so hardware will have to be the limiting factor.
I don't see why I shouldn't have a desktop computer that is more powerful, not to mention that it can automate my home and so forth. I also don't think there will be a single UI paradigm that'll fit all spaces, nor that I will want to use mobile apps to the desktop as anything more than widgets.
There will be no single computer that I'll use. My house will have a computer, and so will my TV, car, washing machine, and my dog's collar. Some will be mobile, other built-in, yet another will perhaps keep my data safe in a datacenter somewhere.
The future is computers everywhere, not just in our pockets :)
Well nobody actually showed the DLNa technology which I think it's really interesting first of. Second, this whole integration so far seems pretty limited. The thing here is that everything probably will be like with the first iphone / android / so forth - everything will depends on the platform, how it's going to grow, developers, applications and so on... we haven't seen any thirdparty applications running on WP7 so far, neither dlna presentation, thethering, some multitasking? browse the web, check mail, switch to calendar and receive a phone call - not so hard to do you know. For god's sake my 5 year old Nokia e60 probably can multitask more than all this. blah!.. want to see more of it...
I think this is a very good analysis. It is surprising that Windows may have leapfrogged Apple in the UI arena here. However, I think you go too easy on Microsoft for the underwhelming hardware. If you wait til Q4 2010 to have a legit smartphone on the market, it ought to be better than 2009 releases.
More of my reviews and rankings here:
brianshall.com/content/not-loving-windows-phone-7
More of my reviews and rankings here:
brianshall.com/content/not-loving-windows-phone-7
