Posted on 02/14/2011 11:41:53 AM PST by SeekAndFind
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, Microsoft previewed a Wndows Phone 7 upgrade and continued to tout its new deal with Nokia. Among the new features coming to the mobile platform later this year will be a “dramatically enhanced” version of Internet Explorer 9, broader multitasking capability and the addition of Twitter to the “People” hub–one of the main areas of the WP7 interface, divided into subject-specific areas.
The first significant update–copy-and past-functionality–will be added in the next month. The upgraded IE9 browser will arrive in the second half of 2011. In a keynote address, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said the company is happy with the initial consumer response to WP7 phones. Nine out of 10 customers say they would recommend the phone to someone else, according to Microsoft. There are now 8,000 apps in the Microsoft Marketplace and 30,000 registered developers.
Ballmer confirmed the WP7 updates will also include CDMA support, with Verizon Wireless and Sprint–whose networks use that network technology–launching WP7 devices in the first half of 2011. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop also made an appearance, stressing that the alliance with Microsoft will give operators an option beyond Android or Apple’s iOS. The first major release of Nokia Windows Phones is set for 2012. Read more here
Finally, a phone that acts like my windows PC, yea. /sarc
Kind of sad watching MS try to appear relevant. They have been completely blown out of the saddle in the portable devices marker.
I gave my iPhone 4 to my wife and got the Samsung Focus - I think it’s a much better phone and I haven’t had any trouble with it, even after adding an “uncertified” 32GB microSD card, to give it 40GB.
I also love the fact that I was able to un-install iTunes from my computer - I HATE that program. Don’t tell me there aren’t any apps, either. I’ve got the Kindle app, as well as two other free ebook readers, both linked to my Calibre ebook server on my Windows Home Server, which I also have an app for on my phone. Not to mention the games linked to my XBox Live.
I also like streaming my Netflix to the phone, as well as downloading movies from my home server to the phone. This phone is great, and about to get even better.
The MS tech may be comparable, but MS is viewed as yesterday’s news by the youth (who are coveted by all marketing and ad companies). IPAD/IPHONE and DROID have left MS in the dust as far as the “cool” factor. This is very problematic for MS, as they can not brute force these two competitors out of the market.
And they aren’t likely to buy them out either.
can they be a bit more specific?
a five month window is pretty meaningless.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.