 Windows Phone 7 - Reviews
Read on for an overview of using the WP7 operating system, including the main features and hands on reports.
Integrated social media, all in one place
People Hub integrates Facebook, Windows Live and Gmail contacts, putting all their updates into a 'what’s new' feed. The People Hub does not contain all of the Facebook functionality, but makes contacting people simpler and the whole social media scene more useful and less distracting. Facebook and Twitter apps are available seperately for all the other functionality.
Automatic collation of all contact details
No 'contacts' feature as such, just a list in the People Hub. You have the option to add all your contacts to the People hub, from your email contacts through to facebook and other social media contacts. You can still add individual contacts to your contact list.
Inbuilt music player
Uses Zune -which, for those not familiar, is an iTunes equivalent - where you can store all your music and videos and sync easily between phone and PC. If you have a 'Zune Pass' you can listen to new music wherever you are, as it allows you to stream music you don't own. The display can get a little confusing as sometimes it is not clear if you own the music or are just listening to a preview.
Radio
There is a built in FM radio.
Camera (with flash)
All Windows Phone 7 devices have at least a 5 megapixel camera, with LED flash.
Pictures
All pictures are kept in the same place - the 'Pictures' hub. This contains camera photos, wallpapers, and your albums from Facebook. Filter images by date and add favourites.
Multiple email accounts directed to the same inbox
No, although on reflection we're not sure if we really want to see work emails alongside messages from friends, and mixed in with spam from an old account from 1996. You can add additional inboxes as extra apps and even add these as dynamic tiles, so you can access other inboxes easily should you require.
Email
Easy to set up, and enables you to sort by unread messages, as well as permitting multiple message management so that you can quickly tidy up your inbox. After deleting a message, you are returned to your inbox not to the next message. It has a good search - but only searches messages downloaded to phone. No threaded messaging. Black text on a white background makes it simple yet elegant.
Calendar syncing (Google / Exchange)
Can sync with Outlook/Google Calendars, but can only sync with one Google Calendar at present.
Internet browsing
Uses a bespoke, lightweight version of a mix of IE 7 and 8. Slightly slower than iPhone 4, zooming in smooth, zooming out is messier. Gives you the option of 'pin to start' - making a tile for webpage, as well as bookmarks option. You can have up to 6 tabs open at once, and they refresh independently. Websites don't yet detect that it is a Windows 7 Phone, so display WAP versions instead of tailored ones. Address bar doesn't disappear in portrait as you would expect, only in landscape.
Maps with local, useful information
Uses Bing Maps (unsurprisingly), but an adapted version for the mobile user that shows pins for local search results, and where tapping gives more information without redirecting to a website. This cleverly provides useful information quickly, such as phone numbers and opening times.
Uses satellite imagery, and real time traffic info. Slightly less accurate than Google at location fixing if in poor GPS signal. 'Directions' gives you a split screen of map and instructions, and you can choose your mode of transport from car or pedestrian.
Office applications pre-installed
Of course, we would expect Microsoft to be supplying their own programs, but for those us who will intend to use this phone for business it is handy to be able to access documents sent as email attachments, and to create or modify documents on the go.
Whilst there are some apps that can be downloaded for the other platforms, it is good to know that this one is ready to go out of the box.
Application multitasking
Windows Mobile 7 will be able to play music in the background on release, with full multi-tasking on the roadmap for future development. As application multitasking has only just been released on the iPhone 4 (and is still not fully working for some 3rd party apps), Windows aren't really too far behind.
Copy and paste
Copy and paste is not yet functional in Windows Mobile 7. There have been rumours that this is something which Windows are working on to hopefully release in October time, although this isn't guaranteed. As with application multitasking however, Apple has only recently added this feature so they are only a few months behind the major players at present.
Non-disruptive new message alerts
Getting a text message or email does not need to disrupt your current activity, as the alerts show at the top of the screen. As this phone is designed to integrate with Xbox, then it is understandable that interruptions would be kept to a minimum. This is also great if you are in the process of replying to an email or editing a document, you are not distracted by incoming messages.
Flash compatibility
There is no flash capability expected on the first release, however it seems that Flash compatibility is being developed, and should be released on one of the first few updates.
HTML5 compatibility
No HTML compatibility as yet. This is a bit of a surprise, as it does mean that users cannot access YouTube. We expect that this will be included in a future update.
Preview info on the homepage
With home page features such as the 'People', 'Pictures' and 'Games' hubs, Windows have taken advantage of the clear boxes to offer snippets of useful information, such as the number of new emails, a friends status update or perhaps an update on how many of your Xbox friends are online.
Updating/Syncing
Uses Zune, which is a more robust and easier to use system than Active Sync. This can even be done over a wireless network. As with Apple, you are required to use and register your computer for synchronising.
User interface
'Metro' UI is much more intuitive than 6.5, with a simple design of blocks of colour and text, configurable 'tiles' on homepage, then apps and 'hub' of useful links.
The interface is less app-centric than the other smart phone. With Windows Phone 7, Windows have tried to make things more logical and smooth. The phone is people focused, making communicating easier. The start screen is very flexible and can be set to display not only favourite apps, but people, websites and even music tracks.
Navigation
3 buttons:
Start - takes you back to start page,
back: takes you back a step/page and
Search: Either searches in the app you are in, or brings up Bing.
In an app, there is an 'app bar' which shows button icons for the 'actions' of the app, such as write a message, refresh or add. There is an ellipsis, which allows you to extend the app bar and see other options, such as settings. Sometimes you still need to use a long press to get to some of the available functions and settings however.
Settings
Global 'Settings' menu allows you to change settings for any application.
Games
With Xbox integration, there will be the usual 'app games' as well as Xbox games which should enable you to play your favourite titles on the go.
Marketplace / App Store
In the Windows Phone Marketplace, music is available as a category, and is not separated as with other OS. However clicking music takes you to Zune, and likewise clicking 'games' takes you to the Xbox marketplace. Easy to search or browse. After purchasing your app gets installed, but no notification - it just appears after a while.
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