Can Windows Phone 7 Series succeed?

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Windows Phone 7 Series seemed like it was going to change the face of Microsoft’s mobile platform when it launched at Mobile World Congress (MWC) back in February.

It certainly looks like an impressive platform, with new additions such as an Xbox Hub, Office Hub to keep all your business documents and apps together, a renewed People Hub and Music Hub that uses the Zune’s interface and compatibility with computer software.

However, as more details have emerged, the platform’s potential to dominate the smartphone market could be flawed.

Hardware

Oded Ran, head of consumer marketing on the Windows Phone 7 Series team, told us that any devices designed to run Windows Phone 7 Series would have to meet a number of hardware standards.

These include a capacitive touch screen with four touch points, a set number of hardware buttons, including a Start, to launch the menu, a search button that can be used in any application, such as Bing for searching the internet, the People Hub to find certain contacts or Gaming to find a contact connected to your Xbox LIVE account.

Other requirements include guidelines for GPS and the accelerometer.

Apparently, there will be no microSD card slot for hot swapping memory (or at least none that is accessible without removing the battery and backplate), so we expect to see a large amount of internal storage.

The reasoning behind having minimum hardware requirements is to make a Windows Phone 7 Series user feel familiar with their phone whichever manufacturer made it, according to Ran.

“We made the decision [to have minimum hardware requirements] and the feedback we're getting is really positive with developers and mobile manufacturers," he said. "When you get a PC, which 90 per cent of users do, you don't want to find there aren't CTRL, ALT and delete buttons.”

No upgrades

Because of these minimum hardware requirements, none of the Windows devices currently on the market can be upgraded to Windows Phone. This is sure to disappoint many existing Windows users.

For example, the range-topping HTC HD2 features a capacitive screen, GPS and an accelerometer. However, its hardware button configuration doesn’t match the guidelines set out by Microsoft, so it therefore won’t be upgradeable.

Not the same as Windows Mobile 6.5

However, Windows Phone 7 is designed to appeal to a different market compared to Windows Mobile 6.5.

For starters, it’s for gamers and multimedia junkies, with its integrated Xbox platform and the Picture Hub to make viewing your photos a breeze.

However, Ran was quick to stress that it’s not just about consumers.

“There will be apps that will be more focused on music, video and games,but the productivity side will be very strong too. The Office Hub will be the best in class experience for Word, Excel and SharePoint for business users," he said.

The Office Hub may be there for business users, but it’s nowhere near as business-focused as previous Windows incarnations were.

Marketplace

Another revelation that has popped up regarding Windows Phone 7 Series is that applications for Windows Phone 6.5 will not be compatible with Windows Phone 7 Series.

Considering Windows Marketplace has only just launched, this isn’t a major issue, but it will come as a disappointment for those who have paid for a wealth of applications on Windows 6.5.

Much of Microsoft’s plans for Window Phone 7 Series is that it will become a platform for developers to create new and exciting applications. Just like Apple, then.

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