Yesterday I was surfing the web looking for information regarding Windows Mobile 7. Although not much details are available by this time I created a brief summary of rumors, leaks and announcements.
Official Announce and Preview
Mobile World Congress in Feb 2010 at Barcelona.
MIX in Mar 2010 at Las Vegas.
Editions
Business edition (expected in Q4 2010) is designed to give OEMs more control over customization.
Media edition (expected in Q1 2011) will be targeting the main consumer of cell phone devices, this version will come loaded with full support for Silverlight, Xbox Live, Mediaroom, Zune Music and Social media sites interfaces.
First Expected Phones
From LG in Sept 2010.
From HTC in Oct 2010.
Updates in Features
As reported Windows Mobile 7 will be the first release in WM history that totally breaks backward compatibility, so existing legacy code will have to be rewritten. However this is not official information and I expect to have this clarified during official preview at conferences in Feb and Mar.
New features and functionality updates include:
- New UI:
- Totally finger-friendly UI
- Multi-touch support
- Zoom support
- New menu system
- Based on Silverlight technology
- Hardware updates:
- Accelerometer
- Only two screen resolutions (WXGA and 720p)
- No suspend/resume power model. Device will always stay turned on.
- Smart Card support removed.
- Multiple folders and stores in Pocket Outlook Object Model (i.e. for contacts, calendar).
- Pocket Outlook Object Model will handle mail and note items.
- Task scheduling.
- Over-the-air updates like on iPhone and Palm Pre (user can update PIM without cradling device).
- Association Engine will allow to create custom voice commands.
- SmartSearch technology for better search experience.
- New photo API.
- New Office, IE, Media Player.
References:
Windows Mobile 7
Microsoft Zune Phone: Loaded With Windows Mobile 7 Ready To Kill iPhone
Windows Mobile 7 early build hands-on review, not compatible with old apps
Windows Mobile 7 Mockup
Windows Mobile 7 Exclusive Screenshots and Analysis!
Everything you need to know about Windows Mobile 7
Microsoft confirms Silverlight for Windows Mobile 7
A secret/hidden Windows Mobile 7 leak!
Windows Mobile 7: What we expect and what we are hearing
Windows Mobile 7: Fifteen New Details
