High-end devices to run a Media Edition of Windows Mobile 7

27th January, 2010 by adina
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According to some sources, Microsoft would launch a rebranded version of Windows Mobile 7 and two very high-end handsets to be powered by the operating system. The rebranded version would be named Windows Phone 7 and would be split into two different releases.

The Media Edition would have elements similar to Zune in its media player and deep tie-ins with Microsoft: Mediaroom for IPTV, in-browser Silverlight and the social side of Xbox Live.

Twitter and Facebook are part of this new version and would be present on the home screen, but it is not known if this would be integral like the MOTOBLUR from Motorola or would be optional like in the case of HTC’s Sense UI widgets.

A basic Business Edition is intended for companies to modify to their own goals, such as the Sense UI of HTC or the panels of Sony Ericsson. All versions would sport the mapping features in iPhone and Android by using Orion, a geolocation platform from Windows 7 desktop supporting cell tower triangulation and Internet checks to obtain a position lock much faster than older versions of Windows Mobile, potentially in as little time as one second for a quick fix.

As a part of the Windows Phone 7 launch, Microsoft’s chassis program would also include two very high-end devices that would carry the operating system.

The LG Apollo would sport one of the fastest ever mobile processors, a 1.3GHz Snapdragon, and a 3.8-inch, 720-pixel (1,280×720 resolution) AMOLED screen with multi-touch features. It would also have a 10-megapixel camera and dual-mode CDMA/GSM that would make it available for Verizon or Sprint networks and would support roaming in other countries. The phone would perhaps be the first Windows Phone 7 handset to ship. Shipping is scheduled for August or September this year.

The second phone, the Obsession of HTC, less ambitious than the first one, would sport a 1GHz Snapdragon and a lower resolution 3.7-inch AMOLED screen. A 5-megapixel camera and the use of GSM-related standards complete the configuration of the handset that would resemble the Imagio.

There is still enough room for some changes to the strategy or for some doubts about its efficiency. However, the information shows the strategy is an aggressive attempt to regain the smartphone market after some companies dropping Windows Mobile 6. The outdated interface and technology of the Windows Mobile 6 have reduced the market share for Microsoft and have affected some companies unintentionally punished for still supporting the platform. Both LG and HTC have recently signalled they would rely mainly on Android although still being loyal to Windows Mobile.


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Readers Comments

  1. Henry Tsau says:
    January 28, 2010 at 1:44 am

    Is that all there is? 2 WinMo7 devices? I guess that’s all the iPhone has too, but with Microsoft dependent on licenses, I would have expected more.

    What will happen to today’s Windows Mobile Classic? I imagine that no consumers will want current Windows Mobile handsets when a new platform will replace them. Every Windows Mobile phone on the market today is obsolete.

    Though there could be some corporations who have old applications who couldn’t be bothered rewriting them for WinMo7 who will want to keep a supply of previous-generation handsets around.

    I think this strategy is fraught with danger. When migrating to a new platform, not everyone is going to want to go across. Corporates will stay with the old OS. Consumers may jump to Android or iPhone. That just leaves the di-hards and fanbois to use the new platform.