Windows Phone 7 Mango update

Well, Windows Phone 7 Mango update promises a lot especially since Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer mentioned that there will be 500 new features with the Mango update.



Well, the Mango update will make the smartphone smarter and easier for usage. (This is exactly the same direction as the iPhone and if I may say, Microsoft is definitely heading the right direction although they might be a little too late)

THE BIG QUESTION MARK...CAN MANGO SAVE MICROSOFT??


Anyway even though Microsoft claimed that there will be 500 additional features, the company only highlight 3 of the new areas of improvement:

• Easier to Connect and Share
• A Smarter Approach to Apps
• Web that Goes Beyond the Browser

Easier to Connect and Share
First of all, as we all know, Windows Phone 7 is deeply integrated with the social network such as Facebook and Windows Live. Now, LinkedIn has also joined in the fray as part of the social network integrated on the phone. So, now you can buzz with your mates as well as your work buddies, in the People Hub. As it is one of the Windows Phone 7 key points that differentiate from its' competitor, Microsoft focus on it in such a way that you could connect in Threads now...this is where FB chat, Windows Live Messenger and sms comes together. You could choose to either chat using text messages, Facebook, or Messenger. Besides that, you could also create groups where you could easily put in your favourites, your enemies, and etc. Updates of status and photos could also be seen easily in the People Hub. The integration of this has been the strength of Windows Phone 7 even from the launch and now with FB chat, it becomes even more interesting.

Then, there is a Smarter Approach to Apps...(something that I quite agree with Microsoft). First of all, the ability to multitask...(finally...this should be in from the first day of launching for WP7...anyway at least they are on the right track). Now, Microsoft even make sure that the ability to switch between apps are faster than iPhone. In iPhone, you'll need to double tap and switch between apps...as for the Windows Phone 7, all you need to do is press and hold the back button and you could switch between apps.
Microsoft also focus on improving the LiveTiles. This is definitely at the right direction since LiveTiles have also been the WindowsPhone 7 strength. However, the LiveTiles have a lot of improvement where you could see live updates on the apps that you put on your home screen.

Last but not least, it is the Web Browsing experience. Microsoft boast of the web browsing as one that is blazing fast. The Internet Explorer 9 is integrated onto the Windows Phone 7 as the default web browsing and as shown in the video below, the speed reading for Windows Phone 7 is at 30fps(frame per second). Obviously, this is the ideal phone for speed readers...the Torch is only at 5fps, Android at about 10 and it seems the iPhone could not even catch up with it.
The Local Scout is also one hell of a cool stuff. It provides a hyper local search results and recommend nearby restaurants, activities, and others. Not only that, when you use the BingMap, it is even better than the Google Map....BingMap has the capability of viewing the indoor maps as well.

Another cool feature is the Bing Vision...it is something similar to the Google Goggles but it works even more effective. Bing Vision could only search for text and barcodes. However, it is also because of this that the search result is blazing fast and from there, you could easily purchase books and find information using apps. The ability to integrate apps with search is also something that makes it stands above the iOS, Android and RIM.

I guess that's all for now. There are definitely more from Mango update...they have the Office that is extremely useful for the business user, the SkyDrive, XBox for gamers and maybe even more...Honestly, I'm excited about it and all the more so given that the Mango update is probably going to be the OS for the upcoming Nokia smartphone. Let's hope that Microsoft pull a great one this time and impress us once again after so long...

MeeGo - Alternative to iOS and Android?

For those tablets and smartphones fans, they might have heard of MeeGo, but nevertheless not many of us are aware that there is an alternative to iOS or Android or even the Windows Phone 7 in near future (or even now).

MeeGo is an open source, Linux project which brings together the Moblin project, headed up by Intel, and Maemo, by Nokia, into a single open source activity. However, due to the slow progress of MeeGo, Nokia defects to Windows Phone operating system in its future smartphone devices.


But despite Nokia's defection, MeeGo continues with its development and the latest version of MeeGo, MeeGo 1.2 is released on 20th of May. MeeGo currently targets platforms such as netbooks/entry-level desktops, handheld computing and communications devices, in-vehicle infotainment devices, connected TVs, and media phones. All of these platforms have common user requirements in communications, application, and internet services in a portable or small form factor. The MeeGo project will continue to expand platform support as new features are incorporated and new form factors emerge in the market.

The latest version of MeeGo features the QML application framework and extended Qt mobility APIs, including those for location, system, connectivity, and sensor (including haptic) capabilities aimed at rapid development. The telephony and wireless networking capabilities have also been enhanced with GSM, GPRS, and HSPA+ support, a SIM application toolkit, more Bluetooth profiles, expanded VPN and wireless authentication, data tethering capabilities and better multimedia support. MeeGO 1.2 supports netbook, vehicle and tablet UXs (user experiences) and has Linux kernel 2.6.37 at its core.

Rumour is that Nokia is preparing to launch its first MeeGo handset in the N9 smartphone soon. Get more of MeeGo project online at https://meego.com/.


With the emergence of MeeGo, we can expect a fierce competition in all smartphone and tablet devices, each operating system hopeful to become the standard in the smartphone and tablet realm.

Windows Phone 7 "Mango" update

Well, there has been a lot of negative feedbacks on the updates to the new Windows Phone 7 device. This is probably due to the first time experience for Microsoft to develop and provide update for multiple different devices. I believe we should give some time to the company to adapt to the situation, since Apple first few updates have their own struggles as well. (remind us of the first few updates during the early days of Apple iPhone) 

Anyway, news of the "Mango" update for Windows Phone 7 is positive and from some of the leaked screenshots, it is quite certain that the "Mango" update is coming with support for Facebook chat (we can see the strong integration between Facebook and the Windows Phone 7 from the start and with this, it is quite clear that the WP7 is indeed the phone for social networking), Office 365 (comes along with SkyDrive and SharePoint...this will definitely help to attract business user) as well as a revamped hub for Games.
There are some new features as well, such as Automatic sync options, some nice lock screen that shows the album playing on your device, and also some new features for group messaging. 

Now, it is clear that Microsoft is aiming not only for business users but also targetting young people and young adults who are hooked on Facebook...and they are also aiming at gamers with Xbox Live integration. The question remains on the ability to challenge Apple's iPhone...

Hopefully, we will see more improvement on this device...it's definitely looking cool with the new interface and we are hoping that it comes out good!!
 

Windows Phone 7 to launch on October 21st 2010

While most people are still crazy about the new Iphone 4, let us not forget that the smartphone by Microsoft will be launch in about 2 weeks time, on the 21st of October 2010 in Europe while in the US, people will be expecting it to launch on the November 8th - unless of course if there is any major delay by Microsoft which is very unlikely as Microsoft has been very adamant in making a revolution changes to its Windows phone OS.


The bad news for Malaysian is however we still do not know when we can expect the launch of Windows Phone 7, however looking by the both launch dates in the US and in Europe, we can expect it to be between end of October to November time frame.


Several things we are still not sure about the Windows Phone 7 as Microsoft has been keeping it quite secret this time around, but one thing for sure, the new Windows Phone 7 is not the old Windows Mobile phone series where people has been complaining about the UI, and the laggy interface of Windows Mobile series phones that slowly allowed Iphone and Android phone gaining more market share that Microsoft used to dominate.


HTC HD3 will be renamed to HTC HD7 to mark the flagship OS, Windows Phone 7. Some of the details of a leaked HTC HD3 or now known as the HTC HD7 are it has a 4.3 inch screen, 1Ghz processor, 5 megapixel camera, a full complement of sensors, quad-band radio frequencies and many more. Perhaps the most disappointing specs of this HTC HD7 is the processor which could be the same as the HTC HD2 and the 5 megapixel camera.


Moving forward, I will blog more about the HTC HD7, but right now I logging off to watch I Will Always Know What You Did Last Summer....

Windows Phone 7 or iPhone??

It's funny because at one time, Windows mobile was a brand that most people would not look into as others prefer to look at Android phone, iPhone or even Blackberry. The smartphone industry is one that Microsoft has failed to penetrate into.

However, with the announcement of Windows Phone 7 series, the feedbacks and remarks have all been positive. The question now remains is whether the Windows phone could challenge iPhone in the smartphone industry. We have seen what Android phone has managed to do and the competition is getting tighter. It is not a surprise that Apple decide to sue HTC. It is after all a case of trying to dominate the market. But we have heard that Microsoft is ready to help these companies regarding the lawsuit.

That aside, Windows Phone 7 has been gaining praise for a few reasons.

1. Microsoft is willing to do away with the old UI and stylus style as the trend shift to touchscreen phone. The new layout that was presented to us last month was fantastic. The hubs available help made the usage of phone easier and smarter.
   
2. Then, there is the Microsoft Office Mobile, which is something that the company is very strong at. The inclusion of OneNote and the showing off of the Office function was fantastic, nice and adorable. It also helps with all the integration available via the internet.
3. Of course, Windows are also introducing a few new functions...we all know bout Zune player, Zune software on the computer and now Zune is coming to mobile phone. Well, it would be interesting to see how this is going to challenge the Itune of Apple.
4. Then, gaming is something that Windows know they are capable of challenging other companies. And it is true with Xbox. And now they are bringing the Xbox Live to Windows Phone. And more is to be told about the cool features available.
5. Social network integration is also a must as Microsoft recognize that.
   

With all these available, Microsoft is definitely ready to wrestle with Apple's Iphone. But then again, we are hearing about Iphone 4G or something like that. It would be interesting to see how the competition continue to develop.

The phone is not a PC

The phone is not a PC. That's official now that Microsoft has unveiled their next mobile phone platform, Windows Phone 7.
And using "the phone is not a PC" as the mantra, Microsoft seems to be sure that Windows Phone 7 would be a hit.
Apparently, the company is also certain that the "web browser" on the phone would be much more advance although no statement has been made regarding the version of desktop Internet Explorer it borrows the core components.
With Windows Mobile 7, you are seeing a totally different Windows mobile. No longer do we have the old and boring UI. But if you think it's just another make up for Microsoft, then you are wrong. With strong integration with Xbox live, Zune and social network as well, we are probably looking at the next mobile platform that will stand out. And if you are thinking that Microsoft is trying to create a competitor for Iphone, then you might only guess half of it. Microsoft is playing to win with Seven.

In the congress, this is how Windows Phone 7 series were introduced: "Phones kind of look like PC...and the phone is not a PC."

And Windows Phone 7 series is giving Apple and Google everything to be afraid of. From the beginning of the introduction of Windows 7, it has only been giving the "WOW" factor.

More updates on Windows Phone 7 series will be released here.