New promotional video show Microsoft lifestyle, Windows phone

January 25, 2011 | By Surur

Microsoft has uploaded some videos to their YouTube channel showing their variety of products working together to provide entertainment in a number of ways, and together they appear to make rather an attractive picture, at least in the video above.

Below the break is the hipster version of the video, skinny jeans and hat and all, but what that video really highlights, by showing a Windows 7 tablet, is how small and finger unfriendly most of the features of Windows 7 and its apps are, something which Microsoft appears to be recklessly ignoring.

See the second video after the break.

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged marketing, microsoft, video, windows phone 7

ryssfemma

Feels like this advertise is for pills to make u be without gas when you go out in the social.
I think
man1up

decent videos. putting them in t.v. spots would fair alot better than "really" adds- to actually show funtionality in real life situations.
http://garen.yondem.com/ Garen Yöndem

I think first one is way better )

smoothcrooner

+1

JT04

+2

http://twitter.com/RSWalrond @RSWalrond

I use a Windows Tablet every day and for the most part it works just fine. It's ok to point out the shortcomings of a Windows tablet but after using one you will see that it most cases the value far outweighs those shortcomings. It's funny how most of the things on my Windows tablet are easier to push then buttons on my tiny little phone screen, yet nobody complains about that. Microsoft has some work to do, no doubt but perhaps you should use a tablet for awhile so you can write about some of the good points instead of piling on let the rest of the lemmings.

Just like Windows Tablets, I found these ads to be enjoyable.

http://wmpoweruser.com wmpoweruser

I actually bought and used an HP TX2000 for about 2-3 years. It never lived up to the promise, and I only used the touch screen rarely for drawing in photoshop. The OS is just not designed for finger use. The elements are too small, and need too much precision. Thats way too much work.

I even downloaded the UMPC layer, to get a browser which supported finger scrolling. Again a major disappointment, as the browser was only single tabbed, and very limited.

To get finger friendly Microsoft started over with Windows phone 7. They need to do the same with their tablet strategy.

http://twitter.com/RSWalrond @RSWalrond

Microsoft doesn't need to start over with Windows, that would be crazy. With Windows Mobile they where not in a position of strength so starting over was easier. Windows 7 works quite well with touch, no need to download layers to get browsers to work anymore, IE works just fine with finger scrolling. The experience is not better than an iPad but it's different and offers some advantages.
Microsoft has already stated that Windows 8 will have a more touch friendly interface, what would you have them do until then? Abandom an OS that has a 90+% of the marketshare?

One other thing that drives me crazy, I see people creating keyboard cases and jumping through hoops to make the iPad more like a laptop and that makes big news, but it seems to much to ask to spend a few minutes changing the Windows theme to make things bigger and easier to press with our fingers.

WP7 is fantastic, I own 2 of them, but it has a long road to climb to catch IOS and Android, WP7 on a slate would have the same long road to climb, Microsoft needs to bring something more to the table, and a full blown OS with a more touch friendly interface that has all day battery is the only way they can hang on to the marketshare lead that Windows has.

IMHO

http://wmpoweruser.com wmpoweruser

Starting over is just a problem if you see tablets replacing laptops. If you see them as companion devices you do not need the full breadth and functionality of a desktop OS.

In the ideal scenario Microsoft would release a tablet with a great browser, Windows Phone 7 app capability (like the iPhone/iPod) but with strong integration with a desktop or laptop. Examples would include easy document and media sync via WIFI, the device should be a play-to target, with the easy ability to use it as a photo frame, it should be able to extend the screen when tethered via USB, and even better, if the platform is based on Silverlight and XNA, the whole shebang should be able to run as a layer on desktop Windows also.

With increasingly few people engaging in content creation, Microsoft's emphasis on a full desktop OS will only drag their efforts down. Full desktop operating systems are slower to develop, more vulnerable to viruses and other attacks, and invariable more complex. Unless Microsoft has some amazing vision, they seem to be heading down the wrong road.

http://twitter.com/RSWalrond @RSWalrond

But then I ask you, why would I buy a Microsoft Media tablet over an iPad? Which arguable will have more Apps and media to consume? Wouldn't that be another Zune?
You don't think Microsoft should try to get us one step closer to the one machine for all task dream? Why should I have to carry around 3 devices (Phone, Laptop & Media tablet) If my tablet is powerful enough to replace my laptop then wouldn't that be an advantage over say an iPad?
The thing that excites me most about Windows 8 on Arm is that the dream of one day carrying around a phone that is also my computer just by docking it on a dummy terminal or projecting it onto a surface. We're almost there now with this Attrix phone.

Microsoft needs to think beyond the now and not just release a platform that does exactly what IOS does but they need to leapfrog them into what we all see as the ultimate goal, of one device for all our needs.
http://wmpoweruser.com wmpoweruser

"But then I ask you, why would I buy a Microsoft Media tablet over an iPad?"

Ignoring that the same can be said of Windows Phone 7, the answer should of course be because it works best with Windows. Microsoft should be playing to its strength. Even RIM is going after the corporate market. Apple does media. Microsoft should do a desktop extender.
http://twitter.com/RSWalrond @RSWalrond

"Ignoring that the same can be said of Windows Phone "
Exactly why that's going to be a long slow climb towards the top. Microsoft is already on top when it comes to Windows, no need to risk messing that up. One slick, powerful device is what the future is. Not yet another companion device that you have to carry around.

Either case it seems like we're going in circles, because I implied in my second post that Microsoft should attack from a position of strength, in fact your comment echoed exactly my reply on another site as to why Microsoft needs to use Windows and not WP7 as their tablet OS.

I guess we'll all have to sit back and see what Microsoft does. Either way as a developer, I'm looking forward to whatever Microsoft brings to the table.

Thanks for the conversation. Keep up the fine work!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=542557737 Jonathan Marston

You do realize that touch on Windows 7 is much better, don't you? IE8 on Windows 7 has very nice finger scrolling built-in, and the super-bar docked to the left is perfect for starting/switching apps quickly with your thumb. I have an HP TM2, and it has a 12", 1280×800, capacitive multi-touch screen which works great for touch when set to 120dpi.

There are issue with it though. Mostly around 3rd party apps (and even some Microsoft ones…I'm looking at you, Zune) not taking advantage of any of the touch APIs, and the kind of weird keyboard integration; though I've found that docking the keyboard to the bottom (yes, the keyboard can be docked, even though I've seen several reviews saying it can't), and adding the button to the super-bar to bring up the keyboard makes it very usable.

And I absolutely love the digitizer and handwriting recognition. Much easier than typing on any virtual keyboard…

http://twitter.com/incendy @incendy

Yeah, the Zune software is probably the most finger unfriendly software ever produced. Mostly I just use software that works with touch of the digitizer but unfortunately Zune doesn't have much in the way of alternatives when I am paying a monthly subscription to use it already.

James

I actually love the Zune software, but I agree it's touch un-friendly. I would LOVE to see a live-tile style GUI in the next version. It would look so sexy and sleek

chmun77

Hmm… The tablet did not show that it is running any OS from MS…. But well, I'm looking forward to MS future tablets, especially against Android Honeycomb….

Chris S

The tablet is actually Dell's Inspiron Duo Tablet/Laptop Hybrid. You can clearly see it runs stock Windows 7 in the ad but IRL it runs Dell's Stage software on top of Windows when in "tablet mode"

Tamarai

zzzz…. These aren't ads, they're waaay too long for that. Not sure what they are really, as most viewers would never make it to the end of them. The advertising quality since launch started out lacking, and is only getting worse
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1129472245 Max Magana

I enjoyed the videos. Both of them, to be honest. I like flash mobs.

Scan QR Codes, UPC, EAN, Code 39/128 or ITF barcodes on your Windows Phone 7 to find best prices online.

Enjoy slots? Blackjack? Video Poker? Play Crazy Casino FREE!

#1 FREE Solitaire on WP7

If your a fan of Pong then you will love this game. Heavenly Skies. Save the universe! Are you ready?

A rewarding mix of match 3 and tetris gameplay

Free, Live Tile support for Word Of The Day and so much more. Why NOT try it out?

Set up reminders with only two taps. Supports also text reminders and voice reminders.

Download the best puzzle game in WP7 Marketplace for FREE!

Are you a good Alchemist ? Use your brain to discover Atomic Energy, Chuck Norris, Angry Birds and 1400 more !

Fun puzzle game with over 150 levels!

Fully featured, beautifully designed WP7 YouTube app.

u.n.i MEGA PACK (FREE), the ultimate addictive top GAMES bundle for Windows Phone 7! 7+ and growing!

Highly addictive word game designed for adrenaline junkies. Practice locally, but then are you fast enough to compete online?

The smartest Google reader app.

Air Soccer Fever - Realtime Online Multiplayer casual soccer game for FREE

Beat the Story Mode. When your done Bring your skill online. Rank up by winning online matches. Have 1 on 1's with anyone! Global Online Multiplayer!

Newest devices leaks, online charts and ultimate performance benchmark for every Windows Phone.

Every day, get great app deals from Windows Phone developers pushed to you!

Quick Tiles, a fully featured live tile editor for Windows Phone.

Great sports app for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL. Pin scores/games to live tile on your home screen.

MobileFax gives you the opportunity to send fax pages from your mobile phone anytime, anywhere !

WP7 Exclusive version of Hanging with Friends

Fabulously fun, lovable, crazy! Bubble Pong Championship

A remake of the classic snake game. The snake wants to grow so don't wait and help her!

Promote your app on WMPoweruser.com