Windows 7 O/S Arrives In Oz
- Five handsets released
- Telcos scramble with exclusives
- Tiles can be created from content
Microsoft has released five handsets with its much-anticipated Windows 7 mobile operating system, and is making a play for marketshare in an arena that has been dominated by Android over the past 12 months.
Handsets being released include the HTC 7 Mozart, LG Optimus 7Q, Samsung Omnia 7, LG Optimus 7 and the HTC 7 Trophy.
Windows Phone 7 is claimed to help users find and consume data, information, services and applications.
The operating system’s start screen is customisable with live tiles that let users add their own content instead of just having a collection of icons, as well as being able to see how many emails or calls they have received or upcoming calendar events. The tiles ‘come to life’, with real-time updates from the web such as news, appointments or the status of friends. New live tiles can be created from content such as applications, websites – even photos and music.
Windows Phone hubs are a hallmark experience for organising information on a phone, bringing together a related set of applications, services and content:
- People hub: Enter social central to scan Windows Live and Facebook feeds and photos, in addition to dialling or texting friends in the address book
- Pictures hub: Share photos from pictures saved to the phone, Facebook and Windows Live. Go from pocket to picture in seconds with a press of the camera button, and then send photos from the hub to friends or post to Windows Live or Facebook.
- Games hub: Play games with friends, track scores and wins in the gamer profile. With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.
- Music + Video: Play video and music quickly. Enjoy custom playlists, listen to podcasts and recommend favourite songs to friends.
- Office hub: View, edit, share and sync Microsoft Office docs. Create a note in OneNote Mobile then sync it wirelessly to the web. Collaborate with co-workers through SharePoint Workspace Mobile.
- Marketplace hub: Get quality applications – games, music, entertainment, news, sports, social networking, productivity, travel and many more. Apps are tested and certified to deliver a consistently great experience. Marketplace is also accessible through a PC client that is integrated into Microsoft’s Zune software.
Windows Phone 7 allows Xbox Live into the palm of your hand with a line up of game titles from award-winning publishers. As part of Microsoft’s managed portfolio of Xbox Live titles, all EA games for Windows Phone 7 will be Xbox Live-enabled. EA will deliver a portfolio of titles that offers something for every mobile gamer, from casual to core, including Need for Speed Undercover, Tetris, and The Sims 3.
Search is easier with a dedicated button to help you find what you need on the phone, whether in contacts, in Marketplace, in email or on the web and from the Start screen, the Search button delivers Bing for mobile.
Support for Windows Live brings the cloud to Windows Phone 7, helping manage pictures, Windows Live calendar, OneNote Mobile and more. The new Find My Phone service on Windows Live can remotely ring, lock, erase and show a phone’s location on a map.
Globally, Windows Phone 7 handsets will be available from leading mobile operators in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, with 60 mobile operators in 30 countries worldwide committed to bringing Windows Phone 7 handsets to market.
RRP
HTC 7 Mozart – $0 upfront on a $49, or higher, cap plan
LG Optimus 7Q – $0 upfront on Telstra’s new $129 cap plan.
Samsung Omnia 7 -$0 upfront on the $79 Optus Cap
LG Optimus 7 – TBC
HTC 7 Trophy – TBC
