Windows Mobile 7 and Zune Phone could be one and the same

January 22, 2010 | By l3v5y

Freyberry from XDA-Developers has put in to words something I think may well be the case with regards to Windows Mobile 7.

There are numerous rumours around about things like the “Zune Phone”, and WM7 “Business” and “Media”, but what if the two are interrelated? The “Media” edition could well be a specific build for a Microsoft/Zune branded device.

I don’t think it will be two versions, rather two “experiences”, which means there will be phones with custom UIs like HTC Sense and other phones with Microsoft’s UI plus additional services (a bit like what Google does with the Nexus one, but in the case of WM7, the Microsoft controlled phones will probably offer additional features).

So, the Microsoft hardware could well be marketed as the “Zune Phone” and be heavily linked with the Zune services, with OEMs free to continue as they are with WM ad custom UIs. The Microsoft build could also have some of those limitations that are mildly worrying like no multitasking (seems logical given the Zune HD doesn’t support it).

Would Microsoft doing what Google have done be suicide for the platform, or could it boost sales of their much improved mobile OS? Would you by a Microsoft Phone?

About Olly Levett

Tagged windows 7, windows mobile 7, wm 7, wm7

Lorin

No i wouldn't buy it. HTC all the way. And its boost sales not sails

http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

Hehe… Thanks for pointing that out!

What would an HTC device do that an MS device wouldn't? We may even see HTC manufactured Zune Phones like the Nexus One (though I doubt it).

Lorin

Ok, if the zune phone is made by HTC, sure… But i wouldn't trust Microsoft with the design and build quality. I mean, take the HD2 for example. What a great piece of hardware! Can Microsoft build the same thing? I don't think so. How much experience do they have in terms of hardware design?

Mike

Have you ever used Microsoft’s keyboards and mice? Same goes for the Zune HD. They’re made so well and if Microsoft were to take their lessons from the Zune HD paired with the fact that phones are subsidized in the US allowing them to spend more on the hardware… well, you’ve got yourself a pretty interesting device.

I think the HTC HD2 is an amazing device and I personally love HTC devices, but Microsoft has a lot to offer as well especially with all the stuff in Microsoft Research for interfaces in recent years. More choices means more competition which means better products for us at cheaper prices.

Mark Jonson

I really hope they don't ruin the Windows Mobile platform. Aside from the 6.5 disaster, I've always been happy with Windows Mobile. If they don't allow multitasking or if they "dumb down" the UI to look or act like the iPhone I will switch to a Blackberry or Android. I admit Windows Mobile could use some improvement, but it will be truly shameful if they remove functionality or customization options just to "compete" with Apple and Google.

http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

WM doesn't actually need a new UI. Sure, it's not the prettiest OS, but people don't by WM because it's pretty, they buy it because it does the job.

This could be the reason that 6.X will continue for some time after WM7 gets released.

Peter

The moment I read they gonna have Media Edition and Business Edition I tought exactly same. They gonna put Media Edition on Zune (Zune Phone) and a Business Edition will be a replacement for 6.1 and 6.5 WinMo.

Which make sense. Many people just want phone and also some media and fun in the side and not more than that. In this case Zune and WinMo Media Edition is perfect. For the reso of people who wants Phone, Fun, Media and Business application then there is Business Edition.

This way others like HTC, LG, SUMSUNG, etc have their own market (perhaps their own UI as well) and Zune has it's own market. They target different markets this way.

Personally I prefer one edition do all of these but if Microsoft wants to enter to Hardware business this is the best option to keep it in different market and have their partners as well.
Craig S

If they're going to have separate versions, they need to do it like Windows 7 and not like Vista.. where one version is a feature superset of the other. I want Zune on my phone but I also want great Office integration with cloud sync and all that. I'm guessing they're going to let OEMs segment by feature at market time, but I'm going to really need some sort of WinMo 7 Ultimate edition that has all features on it and lets me customize

http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

I'd guess that the main difference would be the UI.

The underlying OS is still the same, so I'd guess you could run anything on either platform…
GP007

I think the difference will just be the UI and the services MS has set for you upfront. That said if you have the "business versions" as with any MS OS or software in general, it shouldn't be hard to add/install the parts missing, or even just turn them on if all MS has done is leave them off. More choice and custimizasion ftw!
clint

I too would want an "Ultimate' edition. I want the eye candy silky smooth interaction but all of the power and business features that I already enjoy in my current WinMo phone.

The iPhone has a nice experience but it is too restrictive for my liking.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Lennard Lennard

yup, ultimate all the way
trevor hopkins

I agree, and yet disagree. I am perfectly happy with more choice and competition due to Microsoft having a custom build of the OS on a "Zune Phone." Let them push the envelope all they want, and leave HTC and its competitors to change WinMo all they want on a more basic version. It's the only way really, because HTC has spent years developing their TouchFlo and Sense, and are entering a big push now, trying to market Sense as one product across many OS's. No way they give that up, while trying to build their own brand. However, Microsoft cannot afford to play hands off. They have the money and talent to build rich features into Seven that will standardize a good experience and image to the public, and they do not have the time or lead to just back off. So, let them go. Let the market decide which feature set is better, and let WinMo profit from it.

There are some unmentioned details here though. A) Who do you think is going to build this "Zune Phone?" Not Microsoft. Perhaps LG, and theres a good chance HTC. So how do the OEM's lose? HTC could very well end up building the most mindshare capturing phones for both WM and Android.

Above all, I am very encouraged by Seven's progress. They almost lost me to Android recently, waiting on Seven forever. But I love my Touch Pro 2, so I wait. For the HD2 to hit TmoUS.

The only negatives I see are a) please God don't let them release those bs looking Danger phones leaked a few months ago, those are what scared me away from WM almost. Complete waste. Put Danger to work on WM7's unique features for the Media version. And b) if they lose multitasking they will be a laughing stock. Have two versions, but do not withold the killer features of either version.

http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

The Zune HD is an MS made device (probably manufactured by some OEM somewhere, but designed by MS) so they could well go down the in house route. They definitely have the funds and manpower to do so.

To normal people, the Nexus One is the Google Phone, not an HTC device, so they don't really have the mindshare for that one. I doubt LG would do something like this, as they've got a fairly strong set of devices out there/coming soon. I think it may be Microsofts.

I think those Danger phones were mockups, and never got in to any kind of production. The same goes for that Project Pink render that looks like a slightly done up Zune.

I hope multitasking is their, given that WM7 is built on CE, it will be there (CE is a multitasking OS) but it might take a little bit of work to enable it if it is locked down.

Paul

Yet another shakeup in the overall division being reported today, along with the establishment of a group wide technology group. Could be related. But sounds more like confusion versus coordination.
http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

Zune HD is a brilliant piece of hardware…

Lorin

That may be, but its only one device! I can give you several for HTC: the diamond 2, the tp2, the hero, the hd2 and so on. All great build quality. Even if they don't pick HTC as their OEM partner, the zune phone must have an excellent design to really shake the market and bring mind share and market share to MS, don't you think?

http://intensedebate.com/people/l3v5y l3v5y

So, what hardware has MS actually messed up?

I suspect any kind of Zune Phone will build on the success of the Zune HD!

Lorin

Well, i'm not saying they messed up, i'm saying the lack of experience on this part makes me worried and curios about what are they gonna come up with. I know i can't take into account the early mock ups, but if anything like that reaches the market everybody will laugh at MS.
I'm sure they are taking into account that they need to build on the success of the Zune HD and now they know the design plays an important role.

clint

I would have to say that Microsoft has always done a fantastic job with hardware. I personally have always prefered their mice and keyboards. I have an original Zune and it is top notch quality.

Rico

Why on earth would they remove multitasking? It’s one of the biggest advantages of the platform, and removing it won’t make WM devices easier to use because it’s not evident that WM multitasks to begin with. There’s no cool metaphor like on WebOS with cards. That’s something MS needs to change.

MWC needs to get here soon because some of these rumors are just ridiculous.

GP007

I fully expect MS to show off some nice and flashy way to multitask/switch tasks on WM7. WebOS does it nice, and some other WM task switches look good as well. I think some nice looking switching like the newer version of Alt+TAB in Win7 would be great with the live thumnail previews of running apps, then just swipe right or left to move around and tap once to bring that app up etc.

Only time will tell, but I agree, taking multitasking out makes ZERO sense.

GP007

I don't think they'll call it or market it as a Zune Phone. They've really put alot into the already going Windows Phone brand and marketing push. So while you could think of the media version as the Zune Phone, I really doubt it'll be called that. Zune though, as a brand, will be MS's media distro service and not a device. Think more iTMS vs iPod and you get the idea.

Besides I expect all the stuff in the media version to be in the biz version but turned off.
http://intensedebate.com/people/RezxerT RezxerT

"Would Microsoft doing what Google have done be suicide for the platform, or could it boost sales of their much improved mobile OS? Would you by a Microsoft Phone?"

I'll buy it if's a good phone. Honestly, I'm getting tired of this whole Microsoft/Google//Zune/Windows/Etc-phone headlines.

To be honest, though, for every good thing I hear about WM7, it seems I'm also hearing a lot of negative things. The 'no multitasking' possibility is just the latest. Removing multitasking capability? What in the world?
http://www.facebook.com/j.r.a.ellis John Ellis

For people like myself this would be terrible news- I am a UK zune user (something that's as rare as rocking horse dung) , Microsoft is to blame by not releasing the Zune around the world.

A Zune Phone under the same leadership could just end up with UK users being shafted again and ignored by MS completely- if it's a standard feature however there's a hope for it to come here.
John

Multitasking will be there. Most of these removing multitasking features are false advertising by Apple and Google fanboys. They always spread lies to trash others to advertise itself and cover their weak points.

Don't belive it at all.
@AABacon

I'd buy a Zune tomorrow if it had a 4.3" screen. It's the only thing holding me back. I might even get one with a 3.7" display. It's just a tad bit too small at 3.3" Stick a phone on it, with it's already awesome 3d gaming and hd video and "bing", you've got a hit. Have it integrated with "Windows Live", Xbox Live, Zune, and Orion. Perfect phone! :p