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October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time

By | October 10, 2010, 6:05pm PDT

Just blocks from the New York City GooglePlex and Apple’s flagship West Village store, Microsoft and partners will be launching Windows Phone 7 on October 11.

“Launching,” in this case, is not synonymous with shipping. The first Windows Phone 7s are expected to debut two weeks from now in Europe, and not until November 8 (on AT&T) and mid-November (on T-Mobile). But Microsoft will be showing — and sharing more about — the coming phones on Monday, starting with a 9:30 a.m. ET kick-off here in New York.

I’ll be at the launch, as well as at the Fall Consumer Open House, also happening tomorrow. A few other members of the ZDNet blogging crew will be there, too, to bring you updates on Windows Phone 7 devices that will be coming here and abroad. If there are any Windows slates on display, we’ll be bringing you more info on those, as well.

If you want to watch from home, Microsoft is webcasting the Monday morning keynote, which will feature CEO Steve Ballmer and Ralph de la Vega, President & CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

In the interim, here are a few past Windows Phone 7 links that may be of interest:

Microsoft: Bring on the Windows Phone 7 Developers, Developers, Developers

Microsoft Makes the Business Case for Windows Phone 7

Games to be front and center for Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7 will be GSM only in 2010

Angry Birds developer claims Microsoft jumped the gun

Windows Live portal for Windows Phone 7 teased again on video

Windows Phone 7 likely to benefit from low expectations

If there are any specific Windows Phone 7 or consumer-focused questions you’ve got, send them my way and I can try to get more answers tomorrow…. (If you don’t want to leave a Talkback below, send me a confidential e-mail using the form at the bottom of my site.)

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Topics

Microsoft Windows Phone 7, Microsoft Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Mary Jo Foley

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Disclosure

Mary-Jo Foley

Freelance journalist/blogger Mary Jo Foley has nothing to disclose. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). I do not own Microsoft stock or stock in any of its partners or competitors. I have no business ventures that are sponsored by/funded by Microsoft or any of its partners or competitors.

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 25 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
dfwekrwe1101-24353652615775224194447765996912 Updated - 10th Nov
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No slate = half the market
gjafg Updated - 10th Oct 2010
What is exact the reason Microsoft doesn't put WP7 on a slate? Android 2.2 is working on small slates (eg Galaxy Tab) without any slate-specific modifications. Why can't it happen now? Doesn't Microsoft trust WP7 on a slate?

Having no CDMA halved Windows Phone 7's potential market (in the US). Having no slate has halved it again. There's not much left!

PS - hopefully Microsoft doesn't regurgitate its old Tablet PC idea again, as its desktop OS is not good on a multitouch slate interface, and doesn't work on the ARM processor.
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Win 7 phones... don't buy em
Uralbas 10th Oct 2010
Why, cause they are made by MS, and if you trust MS for your computer you know how bad it can be.

Buy a Win 7 phone at your own risk.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Rahul Mulchandani 10th Oct 2010
@Uralbas
Why judge even before its out? MS has been making some really cool products over the years - Win 7, Office 2010, Xbox, Bing, Hotmail, etc etc..
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Windows has less security vulnerabilities than linux or osx
Johnny Vegas 10th Oct 2010
so we can expect WP7 to have less security vulnerabilities than android or ios.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
GuyDye 10th Oct 2010
@Uralbas

I will. Thanks, Uralbas.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
anilmujagic 11th Oct 2010
@Johnny Vegas
This "Linux more secure than Windows" thing is starting to be boring... really...
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Pete "athynz" Athens 11th Oct 2010
@Uralbas Really, so I can correlate the performance of my Windows machines running Windows 7 with how the WP7 will be? In that case perhaps I was a bit hasty when I said they won't do as well with WP7...
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Why should they trust your opinion, Uralbas?
Mister Spock 11th Oct 2010
It would appear Microsoft is not the one hiding behind a fictious screen name.
plain
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
razzledazzle 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst
Microsoft would love to see Windows (not Windows Phone 7) on the slate. They see it as a higher revenue product, plus all the ecosystem tie-ins, existing apps, etc... But they need to figure out the UI and battery life issues first. I agree, WP7 should be a no-brainer technically and from a UI perspective. I think you will eventually see something like that on a slate, but in the meantime it will most likely be a windows desketop. But we'll see I guess.
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Your "analyst" opinion? the slate market is as big as the smartphone market
Johnny Vegas 10th Oct 2010
And MS can make windows run on arm whenever they want. The HAL is a very very small piece of the code. That's why they've been easily able to port it to MIPS, ALPHA, PPC, Itanium. There have been numerous reports of them running it on arm for a few years now. MS just knows the intel experience will be much better for consumers.
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How long did it take Apple to get the iPad together? hmmm?
Wolfie2K3 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst
Answer: Roughly 3 1/2 years from the time the first iphone launched.

Android's taken a bit less - about 2 years.

WP7 hasn't launched yet. However, I'm sure there will be a WP7 slate somewhere in the future. Quit being so darn impatient.

As for CDMA... Given CDMA's distinct lack of popularity in the world, launching it on GSM first is the smart thing to do.

Consider that one source, CDG.org, says there are approximately 270 Million CDMA subscribers and over 1 BILLION GSM subscribers (worldwide). With over 1 billion GSM subscribers, the market for WP7 phones looks quite HUGE compared to one that's 1/4 of the size.

Kinda puts things in a better perspective.

@Uralbas
As a matter of fact, it can be just as bad on Linux or OSX. It all depends on the user, and how many stupid things he/she does with his/her computer.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
illegaloperation 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst
Don't you ever consider that Microsoft is working on a CDMA version of WP7?

Oh, you are a troll, nevermind.
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I beleive someone mentioned that he may work for Apple
Mister Spock 11th Oct 2010
or Google, and that the consensus is that he is paid to post here, nothing more.
plain
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Sultansulan 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst Windows Phone 7 = Windows Phone Kin

No system-wide file manager
No videocalling
Limited third-party apps
No Bluetooth file transfers
No USB mass storage mode
No memory card support
No multitasking
No copy paste
Too dependent on Zune software for computer file management and syncing
No music player equalisers
No Flash or Silverlight support in the web browser
No sign of free Bing maps Navigation so far
No DivX/XviD video support
No Fast app switching
No 16GB phones
Not Free and Open
No Firefox
Embarrassing voice program when compared to Android.

No thanks, I'll stick with Android, an OS that actually PAWNS competition.
0 Votes
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Enough reason to buy WP7
hubivedder 11th Oct 2010
@Sultansulan

Enough reason buy WP7 - No Google Apps crapware
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
g@... 11th Oct 2010
@Sultansulan
Few points:
Third party apps : 2000+ apps at launch

No multitasking : Limited multitasking, will only affect third party apps like pandora

No flash : flash will be available asap , few days after launch

No 16GB phones : Where did you pick that up? phones could have anything greater thn 8GB storage.

Not free and not open: Who cares?

No firefox: True, but IE mobile is pretty decent there will probably be other browsers( opera ) available
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
brianpeterson@... 11th Oct 2010
@Sultansulan
I'd have to say I would kill to have Voice Command on my Android. Android voice is not nearly there, yet.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Pete "athynz" Athens 11th Oct 2010
@Sultansulan While I'm not a huge fan of WP7 I just gotta respond to this...

Windows Phone 7 = Windows Phone Kin

Ummm, no. The KIN was marketed towards teens and those who use a smartphone for social networking more than anything else. They were also cheap units. WP7 is marketed towards old WM users who jumped ship to iOS and Android as well as WM faithful and pretty much anyone. While I have my doubts about how WP7 will sell, it won't go down like the KIN.

No system-wide file manager

So?
No videocalling

Again, so? There are what 3 Android devices, 1 iOS device, and a few Symbian devices that have this... what's the big deal here? This one is a bit nitpicking.

Limited third-party apps

Which is more Apps than Android and iOS started out with... again, nitpicking.

No Bluetooth file transfers

I'm not seeing the big attraction but then again my phone doesn't have that either and it's something that I just don't use. But that's just me.

No USB mass storage mode

Again, SO?

No memory card support

Perhaps not but according to this: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/basics/sd-cards-and-my-phone.aspx one really doesn't need it if there is a large (32-64GB) card installed. Oh wait, this would BE memory card support... FAIL.

No multitasking

And? There is a device that sold millions of units that "lacked" true third party multitasking...

No copy paste

This is to be released in the next update - hopefully it will be as elegant as the iOS implementation vs the unfinished way Android does it now.

Too dependent on Zune software for computer file management and syncing

I suppose one could say the same about iOS and iTunes... but whatever works, right?

No music player equalisers

And yet again, SO?

No Flash or Silverlight support in the web browser

Flash blows. But if you want to see ads, by all means runs Flash and drain your battery while finding out you are 2,000,000th visitor to whatever website...

No sign of free Bing maps Navigation so far

So far - I'm sure there will be... if not Bing then something or someone else will come along with one.

No DivX/XviD video support

So?

No Fast app switching

And you can prove this how? Have you used one? Didn't think so...

No 16GB phones

Check my link provided in your failed SD card support point... it CAN be 16GB or more. Very nitpicky. Next thing is you'll say there isn't one in Pink or Mauve...

Not Free and Open

And not chock full of carrier crapware that not even rooting the device will get rid of. FAIL.

No Firefox

No FireFox?!?!? Really, that's one of your points? Dude, Firefox has been sucking out loud lately. And what about Chrome?

Embarrassing voice program when compared to Android.

Ummm, yeah. I'd much rather have Voice Command than that crap you Android Army boys are stuck with...


No thanks, I'll stick with Android, an OS that actually PAWNS competition.

The word is PWNS... if you are going to to try to use gamer speak at least get it right... and the competition is hardly PWNED.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
tonymcs@... 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst

Because we don't want a phone OS on a tablet. That's the same as saying you only want a consumer media device - liek the iPad.

CDMA was dropped long ago in Australia and Europe - catch up wink
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
g@... 11th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst
CDMA will come early next year & slates are not even in the smartphone market ,so quit your yapping.
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More questions for Bumbling Ballmer
gjafg Updated - 10th Oct 2010
-Can you please demonstrate how to use Office software when your phone has no Cut, Copy or Paste? How can you transfer text from one app to another without it?

-Tell us about the Native Development Kit called 'Iris', which was mentioned in The Register. Why don't all developers get access to this native code? Why only some?

-Do you see your job as being tied to the success or failure of Windows Phone 7?

-Windows Phone 7 is not feature complete (Microsoft's own words). Developers need APIs to write software, yet the Compass API, Video Camera API and PIM (Address book/Contacts) API is not finished. Also Copy-&-Paste, tethering and full multitask are not finished. Can you provide a Roadmap for when missing functionality will be restored? Will it be fixed before Windows Phone 8?

In March, 2010, MS Product Manager Larry Lieberman said backwards compatibility to Windows Mobile could have been achieved if there was more time and resources. BlackBerry has achieved backwards compatibility with QNX. MeeGo has achieved it with QT apps. Why not Microsoft?

-Microsoft is alone in the phone market, charging a $15 license fee to OEMs (manufacturers) for Windows Phone 7. Will you consider changing that licensing model in the future?
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Those systems allow insecure apps onto the phones.
Johnny Vegas 10th Oct 2010
Microsoft's won't. And all apps not designed for capacitive touch finger manipulation would give users a poor experience. Eliminating back compat in this case was a great decision which should never be reversed.

And no Balmers job should and is tied to the success of the entire company which is still making record revenue.
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Really?
zkiwi 10th Oct 2010
Microsoft's wares are the most hacked on the planet.
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No compatiblility caused Windows Mobile users to go to Android
gjafg 10th Oct 2010
@Johnny Vegas - Microsoft itself gave the reason there is no backwards compatibility to Windows Mobile: not enough time and resources.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
tick tock 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst:

I rarely see much of value in your posts, but I have to admire your persistence and your passion for anything anti-Microsoft. It takes a lot of energy to maintain all those personas in all those forums bitching down anything and everything about Windows Phone 7. You can change your names, but your writing style (a.k.a. relentless and consistent copy/paste) gives it away:

"Henry Tsau" or "IT advisor" or "Market Analyst" or "GAM3R" or ... - sorry, can't keep track of everything - you are that good wink.

Wonder why you feel the need to hide behind so many aliases if you are so confident in your message?

For those curious to know how to do relentless astroturfing, here are some links to articles where our own Market Analyst comments using different aliases:

As "Henry Tsau":

http://gigaom.com/2010/09/11/and-android-will-crush-them-all-eventually/
http://tamsppc.tamoggemon.com/2010/05/30/microsoft-playing-with-windows-phone-7-sales-numbers/
http://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-wont-carry-windows-7-phones-at-launch-snub-for-kin-flop-2010-9?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+typepad/alleyinsider/silicon_alley_insider+(Silicon+Alley+Insider)
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/desktop_mobile/hp_windows_7_slate_video_suggests_trainwreck_in_making.html?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535
http://www.everythingwm.com/windows-phone-7-to-lack-html5-support/2010/08/04/

As "IT advisor":
http://www.betanews.com/profile/IT%20advisor

As "GAM3R":

http://msmobiles.com/f/viewtopic.php?t=26795

Kudos to you - I couldn't do it even if Steve Ballmer had stomped all over my kid's pet puppy.
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There's going to be a spike in anti-depressant sales
tonymcs@... Updated - 10th Oct 2010
@tick tock

A lot of people here are going to be very depressed when WP7 succeeds. I'm getting my WP7 phone as soon as possible
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
illegaloperation 10th Oct 2010
@Market Analyst
"-Do you see your job as being tied to the success or failure of Windows Phone 7?"

No, but you seem to be loosing your night sleep fearing that it would suceed.
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More questions for bumbling Market Analyst
John Zern 11th Oct 2010
1) can you read?
It seems you're blown out of the water on a daily basis, so I guess you can't read.
2) If you can read, can you comprehend?
It seems you're blown out of the water on a daily basis, so I guess if you can read, you can't comprehend what it is you're reading
3) are you paid to write your FUD
You put an awfull lkot of effort into writing fiction, so there has to be a logical reason for you.

Oh there's a whole list of thisgs we could ask you, but none have the ability to paint you in a flattering light, so I'll show mercy and save you the embarrassment of actually having to attempt to answer them... wink
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low expectations
theo_durcan 10th Oct 2010
seems to be the order of the day. After "THE WOW IS NOW" they don't want another fiasco. But we know low expectations is what MS users are used to. So it may work.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
rseiler 10th Oct 2010
Question: How is it possible that MS was caught so flat-footed by the smartphone market? As you know, they have had Windows Mobile for ages, so it shouldn't have been that difficult to do a lot better than that a lot sooner than late 2010, especially once they saw the example that the iPhone set several years ago. This is not an isolated problem for MS, since the same thing happened (and is still happening) with tablets. And IE. And probably other things as well.
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Win 8 = Lightweight Full Windows WP 7 Metro UI
jinishans 10th Oct 2010
MJ

I've a question. Can you find out whether below is true ?

I strongly feel, WP 7 Metro UI will be used for Win 8 and it'll be a lightweight FULL Windows.

i.e. when Win 8 launches, it'll be a lightweight Full Windows + WP 7 UI and the underlying OS for PC's, WP and Slates will be Windows 8 + Metro UI
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
bartw78 10th Oct 2010
This phone, like any other platform at the moment, will make or break with apps. Regardless how good the system is (my believe anyway) So here are a few questions I would like to know:
How many apps in the app store?
Who will have access to the apps? I.e. I am from Holland and the phone will be launched here. But rumour goes, there wont be access to Marketplace for us here. True? Can I siwtch to a US or UK Marketplace and get apps there?

Thanks Mary-Jo! wink
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Jesserocket01 11th Oct 2010
While it's all good that they will be bringing cdma phones out soon too. The future of CDMA is not good. It's only a matter of time before theybhave to scrap that system all together if they want to keep up with the cability of Gsm the rest of the world is already way ahead of us third world Americans
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Windows Phone 7 Browser Capabilities?
warren@... 11th Oct 2010
What capabilities will the web browser have on Windows Phone 7. I have been very impressed with what you can do on iOS and Android building web apps with offline cache, local storage, CSS animations and the like.

Regards,
warren@gallaghers.ca
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Windows Phone 7 Browser Capabilities?
warren@... 11th Oct 2010
What capabilities will the web browser have on Windows Phone 7. I have been quite impressed with the facilities to build web apps on iOS and Android using cache manifests, local storage, CSS transitions and the ability to add a shortcut to the launcher.
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Windows Phone 7: Next Of Kin
cyberslammer 11th Oct 2010
Feb 2011...the final flop.
0 Votes
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Cyberslammer's next of kin
John Zern Updated - 11th Oct 2010
want nothing to do with him!

He is the family's final flop as they castrated themselves so that they couldn't create an even bigger mistake. happy
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Copy and paste
Cylon Centurion 11th Oct 2010
Coming early 2011 in an update to all users of WP7.
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RE: October 11: All Windows Phone 7, all the time
Ole Rellik 11th Oct 2010
Business case for Win7 phone with Games front and center. Interesting combination. AT&T and T-Mobile still suck in Nevada except in Vegas. Can you tether this pig?
0 Votes
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