901am

New Media News Every Morning

Devil’s Advocate: Why You Should Choose Windows 7 Phone Over iPhone, Android

By

It’s official! Today Windows 7 Phone has made its debut with Steve Baller appearing on the Today’s Show expressing giddyness about the device (despite skepticism from NBC).

Unfortunately for Microsoft, the smartphone space is a little crowed with Apple and Google dominating the space (mind share wise at least), not to mention RIM’s Blackberry Torch (which one of my friends chose instead of an iPhone–go figure).

Despite being an iPhone geek, I do like what Microsoft has done with their latest and greatest smartphone, and while I have yet to leave Steve Jobs flock, here are 4 reasons why you should choose Windows 7 phone over the competition. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 11, 2010 @ 2:08 pm

Is Windows 7 Phone Headed For Disaster?

By

Despite receiving rave reviews by numerous tech geeks, it looks like Windows 7 Phone will not shake the mobile-sphere this October (and unlike rivals it has nothing to do with their app store).

Rather it looks like Microsoft will be facing the same dilemma as the Blackberry Torch, whose sales were “okay,” albeit still underwhelming.

Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone carrier, won’t sell handsets with Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone 7 operating system when it debuts this year, a blow to the software maker’s efforts to reach a broad market.

Verizon Wireless won’t offer a device at the planned fall introduction or at any point this year, Brenda Raney, a Verizon spokeswoman, said today in an interview. The carrier plans to support the new operating system and will probably release a phone in 2011, she said. (Businessweek)

Thus far it looks like AT&T will be the only carrier launching Windows 7 Phone, which means that Microsoft will be pitted against the mighty iPhone, dooming it from the start.

Although other carriers will probably pick up Windows 7 Phone later on in 2011, Microsoft’s attempts at gaining market share could be thwarted if Apple releases a Verizon iPhone this January (or even one across all carriers).

While Windows 7 Phone could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, unless they can find someway of increase the “cool factor,” they may have to settle for the bronze (behind Apple and Android, respectively).

Originally posted on September 17, 2010 @ 1:31 pm

Windows 7 Phone: See You In 30 Days

By

After receiving hints about an October launch date, it looks like Microsoft will be launching its much blogged about smartphone less than 30 days from now.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Pocket-lint that Microsoft will launch its new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7, on 11 October 2010.

Pocket-lint has learnt that the Redmond-based company will use New York as the global stage for the launch, which will be beamed around the world.

Although none of our sources were prepared to be named, all are senior figures within the industry that we know and trust. (Pocket Lint)

With Apple and Google carving up the mobile landscape all to themselves, Microsoft will have a difficult time matching the success of its rivals (let alone surpassing them).

Unfortunately it looks like Microsoft is making the committing the same mistake as Blackberry by launching the phone on AT&T (who holds exclusive rights to the iPhone in the US).

Unless the company launches with a vibrant app store, Windows 7 Phone may not attract much interest from consumers (even if it does indeed launch with FaceTime).

Originally posted on September 9, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

HTC’s Windows 7 Phone May Have The Greatest Speaker Ever

By

In their quest to take on Android and the iPhone, Microsoft is preparing to release a slew of Windows 7 phones later on this year.

While Samsung is rumored to come out with an “iPhone clone,” it looks like HTC went the creative route and instead outfitted the speaker.

In case you needed any more evidence that AT&T is going all-in with Windows Phone 7, take a gander at this little beast, a phone known only as the HTC T8788 at this point (rest assured, you’ll get a snappy, memorable, trademarkable name by the time it’s on shelves). Though it’s a landscape slider, it doesn’t slide to reveal what you’d normally expect — a keyboard, that is. Instead, you get a speaker, an unusual (though not unprecedented) concept that should make this a decent media device… and the kickstand around back should help with that, too. (via Engadget)

There is still no word on when HTC will release this phone to the masses, although thus far it looks like the company is making the same mistake as the Blackberry Torch by launching upon AT&T (the iPhone’s exclusive US carrier).

Carrier choice aside, the phone does look impressive, and hopefully we will receive some more tech specs in the future (either from HTC or Microsoft).

(via BGR, Image Credit: Engadget)

Originally posted on August 24, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

Watch Out Android: Microsoft Windows 7 Phone May “Embrace FaceTime”

By

Despite Microsoft’s belated entrance into the smartphone wars, it looks like they actually might have a decent competitor to the mighty iPhone 4.

While its doubtful that Windows 7 phone would dent Apple’s sales (due to the latter’s immense app store), their upcoming smartphone could make Android’s Evo white knight all but irrelevant.

Samsung Cetus is a smartphone based on Microsoft Windows Phone 7 . It uses 800×480 4.0″ AMOLED with full touch screen, and it has 5MP camera and secondary VGA video call camera. Other features include SMS (threaded view), MMS, e-mail, instat messaing, HTML, Inter Explorer browser, Stereo FM radio, GPS, Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and microUSB v2.0. (Official Bluetooth SIG Member Website)

Note: Emphasis mine.

With the upcoming Samsung phone sporting a VGA video camera (just like iPhone 4), we may see the Windows 7 phone embrace FaceTime which would give Microsoft leverage over every Android device currently on the market.

Microsoft is planning on introducing the world to their Windows 7 phone this October, although hopefully by then their employees will have created enough Win7 apps to provide some decent competition against the smartphone Goliaths.

(via MobileCrunch)

Originally posted on July 30, 2010 @ 2:45 pm