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Five Reasons to Switch to Windows Phone 7
PCWorld ^ | October 08, 2010 | Tony Bradley

Posted on 10/08/2010 11:00:20 AM PDT by SmokingJoe

It's not here yet, but next week Microsoft is hosting a media event where it is expected to unveil launch details for the highly-anticipated Windows Phone 7 platform. With Microsoft's virtual absence from the smartphone arena in recent years, and the rise of iPhone and Android, Windows Phone 7 may be too little, too late. However, there are a few compelling reasons to take a closer look and consider making a switch to Windows Phone 7.

1. Hubs. The hubs concept is one of the smartphone paradigm shifts imagined by Microsoft. Grouping apps and functions based on general categories is an innovative and effective means of navigating the smartphone. Case in point--since Apple introduced the ability to nest apps in folders under iOS 4.0 I have essentially gone through and implemented a similar concept by creating categorized folders and housing the appropriate apps there. The iPhone version just requires more manual effort on my part.

2. Tiles. Rather than a smartphone display filled with little app icons a' la iPhone, or Android (or a Windows PC), Windows Phone 7 uses tiles. These large squares let you see at-a-glance what is going on in your connected mobile world. How many e-mails have arrived, how many phone calls or voicemail messages have come in, or what's new on your social networks. There are apps and push notifications on iPhone and Android that perform similar functions, but not as clearly and intuitively as the Windows Phone 7 tiles.

(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: android; iphone; microsoft; windowsphone7; yeahright
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3. Try-Before-You-Buy. Microsoft lets you try out apps before deciding whether or not to purchase them. I have wasted a fair amount of money buying iPhone apps only to find out they don't really do what I need, or just suck at what they do. Even apps that are free place a burden on me to then uninstall them. Having the ability to check out an app before purchasing is a significant value for users, and will also benefit developers--at least the ones that make decent apps.

4. Email. Windows Phone 7 provides native Exchange access with Active Sync updates, and allows users to connect with multiple Exchange accounts. Windows Phone 7 also supports third-party e-mail such as Gmail

5. Integration. Windows Phone 7 is a platform that combines Office productivity, Exchange e-mail, Xbox Live gaming, search, music, and voice communications. Granted, that is not all that unique in a smartphone these days. In fact, it's more of a baseline requirement. But, Windows Phone 7 meshes the various elements of your digital life together more seamlessly and intuitively than other smartphones--especially for users that are already more or less Microsoft-centric in other areas.

1 posted on 10/08/2010 11:00:26 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

I see a total 0 reasons in your article summary. ‘Nuff said. iPhone won a long time ago.

(yes, this is a flame.)


2 posted on 10/08/2010 11:03:00 AM PDT by lefty-lie-spy (Stay metal. For the Horde \m/("_")\m/ - via iPhone from Tokyo.)
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To: lefty-lie-spy
(yes, this is a flame.)

'tis a damp paper match.

3 posted on 10/08/2010 11:04:49 AM PDT by tacticalogic
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To: SmokingJoe

Last I heard, Microsoft is not supporting the synching of their OWN devices with Outlook 2010.


4 posted on 10/08/2010 11:06:33 AM PDT by EyeGuy
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To: lefty-lie-spy
(yes, this is a flame.)

Not much of a flame with such a small wick!

5 posted on 10/08/2010 11:07:14 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
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To: ShadowAce

ring ring ping


6 posted on 10/08/2010 11:09:32 AM PDT by herewego ( Got .45?)
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To: Erik Latranyi

Touché ;)


7 posted on 10/08/2010 11:14:35 AM PDT by lefty-lie-spy (Stay metal. For the Horde \m/("_")\m/ - via iPhone from Tokyo.)
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To: SmokingJoe
Not committing to any phone hardware or OS yet but WP7 is definitely on my short list.

I like the WP7 'hub' interface design - actually I'd like most anything but a screen full of tiny icons. I love the Office/Live/Zune integration. The ability to test apps before buying is a huge plus I'd not heard about until now.

That said, I'm wary of WP7's limited multitasking - a lot like iOS. It might prove to be no problem at all but would like to know more. Also, I'd probably miss cut-and-paste if that doesn't make it into WP7.

8 posted on 10/08/2010 11:16:28 AM PDT by DesertSapper (God, Family, Country . . . . . . . . . . and dead terrorists!!!)
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To: lefty-lie-spy
Touché ;)

I would lose my comedian license if I didn't take advantage of that one!

It's not personal.

9 posted on 10/08/2010 11:20:30 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
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To: SmokingJoe

People still use phones?


10 posted on 10/08/2010 11:20:46 AM PDT by Deagle
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To: SmokingJoe; rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; Salo; Bobsat; JosephW; ...

11 posted on 10/08/2010 11:21:30 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: DesertSapper
That said, I'm wary of WP7's limited multitasking - a lot like iOS. It might prove to be no problem at all but would like to know more. Also, I'd probably miss cut-and-paste if that doesn't make it into WP7.

Both multitasking and cut/paste will be in the next revision which you should expect to debut in less than a year.

12 posted on 10/08/2010 11:22:26 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
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To: SmokingJoe
I ran an HTC Mogul with Windows Mobile 6.x for over three years. They suck donkey balls.

Anyone buying a Windows Mobile 7 phone will be just like the suckers who bought a Microsoft Zune. You get what you deserve.

Android or iPhone. One or the other. That's the only way to go.

13 posted on 10/08/2010 11:23:54 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: DesertSapper

After almost 2 years with an iPhone, just recently upgraded from 3G to 4, I haven’t found cut & paste to be that bit of a deal. I almost never use it, and it wouldn’t really impact me much if it wasn’t available.

I’m really looking forward to getting a WP7 - I’ll give my iPhone 4 to my wife and never look back. I’m REALLY looking forward to un-installing iTunes. I hate it. I also have a Zune HD, and the Zune software is much better than iTunes.


14 posted on 10/08/2010 11:25:51 AM PDT by msgt (Press any key to continue...Press any other key to quit.)
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To: SmokingJoe

DILLIGAF?


15 posted on 10/08/2010 11:26:28 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
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To: All

unless MS starts giving away their phones for free ala Netscape obliteration, I don’t see how they can catch up.

Google android is snoopy and intrusive on privacy in order to collect marketing data.

Iphone has a company store reservation.

But both now have loyal followings.

Why would an iphone or android user switch to Phone 7?


16 posted on 10/08/2010 11:32:18 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: SmokingJoe

Can you write your own apps and load them directly without going through M$?


17 posted on 10/08/2010 11:42:24 AM PDT by SeeSharp
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To: Erik Latranyi
Both multitasking and cut/paste will be in the next revision which you should expect to debut in less than a year.

Showing how WP7 is still WAY behind. By then Android 3.x will be mature and shipping on all Android phones, and Apple will probably be at iOS 5. Microsoft, always forgetting to lead moving targets.

18 posted on 10/08/2010 11:47:48 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: SmokingJoe
Hubs. The hubs concept is one of the smartphone paradigm shifts imagined by Microsoft. Grouping apps and functions based on general categories is an innovative and effective means of navigating the smartphone. Case in point--since Apple introduced the ability to nest apps in folders under iOS 4.0 I have essentially gone through and implemented a similar concept by creating categorized folders and housing the appropriate apps there. The iPhone version just requires more manual effort on my part.

Uh. My Palm Centro has this, and its OS has been around since the mid-1990s. Not exactly groundbreaking.

19 posted on 10/08/2010 11:53:08 AM PDT by B Knotts (Just another Tenther)
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To: longtermmemmory
Google android is snoopy and intrusive on privacy in order to collect marketing data.

I believe Microsoft was describing WP7 as an advertising cash cow. I wouldn't expect much privacy with WP7 either.

20 posted on 10/08/2010 11:54:09 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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