Microsoft has been late in adopting the smart phone market with it’s own version comparable to Apple’s iPhone or Google’s Nexus One. But now with Mobile World Congress (MWC) starting from 15th February 2010, it is almost inevitable for Microsoft to release it’s long awaited Windows 7 Phone. Even though no one is sure about the precise name Microsoft will give to it’s smart phone but the specs have been leaked in the wild.

Windows 7 Phone seems to follow the same path as Apple by making it’s apps market a “closed garden” that is, only allow apps to be purchased, demoed and downloaded from it’s own App Store, the Microsoft App Store? If we look at the better side then we expect an improved and enhanced gaming experience with full set of features from XBOX including gamers, tags, achievements and avatars etc.

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What Windows 7 Mobile Does NOT Has:

  • Multi-tasking
  • Flash support

Were not these the only two reasons why there was such a backlash from Apple’s current iPhone, iPod touch and the latest iPad? Microsoft has not learned any lesson at all.

So what Windows 7 Mobile Does have?

Here is the list of leaked features:

  • The User Interface is based upon codename “METRO”. It will be very similar to the Zune HD User Interface with a complete revamp of the “Start” screen. The UI is “Very Clean”, “Soulful” and “Alive”
  • Unfortunately there will be no Flash support at the get go as there was not enough time to implement these features.
  • Windows Phone 7 will only support application installation through service based delivery. (i.e Marketplace). Application installation via storage card will not be possible.
  • No Multi-Task support. Applications will “Pause” when in the background, however will support notifications via push notifications.
  • Marketplace will now support “try before you buy” as well as an API
  • No NETCF backwards compatibility. This means the original rumor of no backward compatibility for applications holds to be true. That being said, there are high hopes of porting the NetCF to the newer platform easily.
  • Microsoft is confident that devices will be ready by September 2010
  • Full Zune Integration
  • Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Zune software to take over syncing via PC.
  • OEM Interfaces will not be allowed to run on the device. Say goodbye to Sense UI / SPB Mobile Shell / Point UI / Infinity, etc, etc
  • Full XBOX Gaming Integration (Gamer tag, achievements, friends, avatars, merchandising, etc)
  • Full support for social networking