There has been plenty of speculation about the new Windows Phone 7. I’ve reserved judgement for as long as possible to see what would actually happen with the device upon its release. But I’ve been asked to give my first impressions of the phone so I bring you this.
WP7 is entering a firestorm. Which could be a competitive advantage or a really really stupid move (note the emphasis on stupid). My biggest qualm with the WP7 is that it doesn’t have feature exclusive to its platform which will give consumers a reason to buy it. The biggest following this phone will get will be from existing Microsoft ‘junkies’ who love all things Microsoft and swear by them.
There are a number of features which have become pretty much a standard among the other major smartphone platforms which are missing in the WP7 platform. WP7 will not support expandable memory, or multitasking, along with copy and pasting.
The WP7 major selling points are it’s user interface and its ability to plug into Xbox Live. Two features which don’t really chime a need to get this phone (even for a hardcore Xbox gamer.)
Microsofts version of the app store, Marketplace, has a number of apps on the way but nowhere near the 150,000 apps boasted by the iTunes app store or the 30,000 apps available for the Android phone.
But like I said “time will tell.” Microsoft is an enduring tenacious company and people said the same things about them when they decided to enter the gaming market. But look at them now; they own the gaming market. I have absolute faith that the WP7 will not be a complete blow-out like the Palm. So, for now, let’s just sit comfortably in our seats and pay close attention to the feeds from our iPhones and Android phones.