Windows Phone 7 Series hands-on and impressions (updated with video)
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Feb 15th 2010 11:56AM
posted Feb 15th 2010 11:56AM
First the look and feel. The phones are really secondary here, and we want to focus on the interface. The design and layout of 7 Series' UI (internally called Metro) is really quite original, utilizing what one of the designers (Albert Shum, formerly of Nike) calls an "authentically digital" and "chromeless" experience. What does that mean? Well we can tell you what it doesn't mean -- no shaded icons, no faux 3D or drop shadows, no busy backgrounds (no backgrounds at all), and very little visual flair besides clean typography and transition animations. The whole look is strangely reminiscent of a terminal display (maybe Microsoft is recalling its DOS roots here) -- almost Tron-like in its primary color simplicity. To us, it's rather exciting. This OS looks nothing like anything else on the market, and we think that's to its advantage. Admittedly, we could stand for a little more information available within single views, and we have yet to see how the phone will handle things like notifications, but the design of the interface is definitely in a class of its own. Here's a few takeaways on what it's like to use (and some video)...
Start screen: the Start experience is completely revamped, now focusing on sets of tiles which represent links to applications or contacts. It's a completely contextual experience which can be customized both by users and carriers, and allows people to "promote" items higher up in the list. To the right of this screen is a long, vertical list of all your apps for quick jumps. It will take some time getting used to this layout; one or two tiles per line, and that long list which goes up and down rather than left and right, but honestly -- this does have some advantages. Things seems less out of reach in this configuration, and Microsoft swears that they'll be working closely with developers to build widgets that make use of the concept.
General phone navigation: If you've used the Zune HD, you know what this is like. Lots of bold text on the device, lists with text cut off on the sides of the phone, and additional screens to the left and right driven by arrows pointing you in either direction. For the most part this works, though in instances like email, it feels like there's a bit of wasted space. Everything else is super stripped down -- the calendar app looks like vector line art (and weirdly one of our favorite parts of the phone), the browser seems to be using the bare minimum to show its content (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and the phone application is essentially monochromatic. On the other hand, you've got a beautiful and robust photo app (with pinch to zoom, as in the browser), and the Zune end of things is perfectly integrated... but what did you expect? Oh, and never mind that this is the first time Microsoft is bringing Zune to the rest of the world.
The sheer minimalism of the interface is striking, and we're really impressed by how many risks Microsoft is taking here. It's hard to believe that just a year ago this company was showing off WM 6.5, which now looks ages behind what they've turned around with today. We're not sure if someone was just let off the leash or if we're seeing a newer, smarter, more agile Microsoft, but the 7 Series concept definitely shows that this company is learning from its mistakes.
It's not a flawless experience. There are still some points that need polishing, and we saw our share of missed touches and weird behavior, but in comparison to another new OS we just saw (Bada), there's not even a competition. The browser also still needs a bit of work -- page rendering isn't as snappy as we would have liked to see, though it does seem to be true to page layout, which is a great step in the right direction. It's clear that the team we met here in Barcelona is still hard at work on refining and perfecting the work they've started. And honestly, for the first time in a long time, we're excited about Microsoft in the mobile space. If they can deliver on the promises of 7 Series, this could change the current landscape of the smartphone market... but that's a lot to deliver on. Hold tight, because things are really starting to get interesting.
HOLY YES!!! SO EXCITED!
@HowardtheDuck Awesome! Engadget with the inside line, as always!! They post it right as Microsoft events starts, too!
@HowardtheDuck
precisely.
this is gonna be a winner, i think ms is on the right track with its recent products, zune/w7/wm7!
@HowardtheDuck
Goddamn Engadget I am so friggen Jealous!!!! It's half past midnight right now but I wanna stay up and watch the event unroll but I have work tomorrow D:
@HowardtheDuck
Weak sauce. It looks so plain like abstract web 2.0.
@unwynd You forgot XBOX360. Can't wait for XBOX360+ATT U-Verse. That's going to be great for my game/meadia/office room.
@unwynd
Can't agree more. Microsoft is pulling out a stream of awesome products, Xbox 360 (updates), Zune HD, Windows 7, Now W7 Phone Series.
This is getting better, and better.
There it is. My next Smartphone
@HowardtheDuck
TO: Zune Users
RE: Album Art & Content
I don't want it to do it automatically....in iTunes you can choose to add album art if you want.
I just would like to know if I have the option...or is MS going to just automatically add it.
And do they sell TV Episodes, Music Videos, and Movies? IF SO that's AWESOME...
@InterfaceBurn:
Indeed...who would have thought, huh.
I'm all in.
@InterfaceBurn:
I'm so tempted to just drop my iPhone in the trash can and light it on fire right now. It's still winter, but Holiday 2010 can't come soon enough!
@TheLionOfAzzalle
You can turn off automatic album art updates in the software, and if you upload your own album art, the software will not replace it even if it finds their own album art.
@TheLionOfAzzalle
You can manage all the info including album art manually, or you can have it automatically add the info you don't have or you can have it automatically replace all your info with all of their info (which is not recommended, since it can misunderstand what a song is and put in bogus info).
I LOVE MICROSOFT...!!!... NOW, that is. :)
Eat that, Apple..!!!>..let's see what you can come up with..!!!!!!! :]
That Segoe UI font looks fantastic !
@HowardtheDuck
They fucked up by not allowing videos in the pictures hub. Sometimes you may go to some party or event and take both pictures and videos .. why do you have to jump from the Pictures hub to the Music+Videos hub to see the videos? The pictures and videos from a particular event or events should all be in the same place for easy browsing.
Can stuff be in two different hubs at the same time? It didn't look like it.
@HowardtheDuck
i can't wait to get my hands on one of these
Lovin' it! THANK YOU MS!
@HowardtheDuck
Very good Microsoft , New start, fresh constant UI, Zune and Xbox integration, combine this with a powerful hardware like the HTC HD2 and you got a winner...
PS: i really hopes that there is a powerful file manger, where i can see all my files, rename them,delete them, tag them,open them with any app i want,or just send them via email/Bluetooth/WiFi... etc. also can you install an App from outside marketplace, if not then it's stupid from MS side and the OS needs a jail-breaking.
@nobodiesfanboy "This phone is based very much on that OS. Guess what, check the top sellers on Amazon for mp3 players. This product is going to fail."
Great logic, bro.
@nobodiesfanboy
Funny how you open by talking about fanboy-ism, and then ignore all the facts so you can tell us about your imaginary world in which this is an actual phone. This is an operating system. It's not one product. Saying this will fail is like saying that all WinMo devices have failed. They haven't. Now, stop contradicting yourself about fanboy-ism, and go back to wherever you trolls come from.
@nobodiesfanboy Yeah sure, paint me this picture, because by your logic, you think that since this integrates Zune OS, and because the Zune itself isn't a top-seller on Amazon, it will not succeed. Rack my brain, I'll go get you a brush.
Now this is what I'm talking about! I love the Zune HD interface, and I was hoping that MSFT would continue their innovative approach with Windows 7 Series...it looks like they're on the right track.
360 integration, social networking, and Zune HD? Throw in an intuitive notification approach, threaded sms (or something even better), and a fast browser experience, and you can sign me up.
Now please :-)
@TheLionOfAzzalle They sell TV, Movies, Music and Music Videos. The only thing they miss is audio books. I would really love it if they could somehow integrate Audible into the Zune Software.
@unwynd
Thank you, finally not just another geek phone ... (Yes, I mean Android)
and finally there is a strong company can push Apple...(unlike webOS)
Kick Apple's ass and force them give use better iPhone...
Please try harder, thank you M$, I may not buy winphone7,
but I definitely will thank you!!
@InterfaceBurn:
Is it Segoe or Zegoe?
Going to go check on Photoshop, sec.
@Kirtay:
basically the same.
@HowardtheDuck - WP7 + HTC HD2 + BLOND WIG = MY NEW GIRLFRIEND! Sayin...
@HowardtheDuck
Please come to the HD2...
Come on! No psn tile? FAIL! Jk. It would be sweet if they could let that happen, or even if someone made an app to track all console I.D.s, and let you compair your xbl stats to my psn stats=) or even if Sony/Ericson picked up the w7p OS...... Or even....*wakes up*......"sh!t"
@HowardtheDuck
I am liking this device. This plus ZUNE pass! Now lets see what network it comes to!
@Jordan
This is nothing Apple couldn't do with a software update!
Apple controls their hardware and OS on the iphone and so can do whatever. However, MS doesn't control any cell phone hardware.
I say kudos to MS for the flashy UI but that ain't shit. They don't control the capabilities of the phone!
There is nothing really to get excited about.WTF! I blog before that these new mobile OSes like android and winmo mobile are only UI pimping.Flashy transitions and cool scrolls. Some of you will get sucked into that shit but not me. I'm waiting for the new iphone.
@cherryboom :
Sorry guy, but you couldn't be more wrong. With 7 series, Microsoft IS controlling the hardware, to an extent. They are setting strict requirements for minimal hardware. This will ensure that all series 7 phones are capable of everything.
The iPhone was the most flashy, scrolly phone of it's time. That's why people bought it (including myself). I'm ready to dump that shit. It sucks.
Enjoy your not so updated same re-hashed iPhone.
@cherryboom
Yeah thats right keep strokin that iPhone and pretending to be inpartial.
@Puggs In their presentation, they had both AT&T; and Verizon as US carriers, but I wouldn't be surprised if they get phones on every carrier
Hear me out :)
This is my initial impression but doesn't the OS seem a bit crowded and not as easy to use as webOS. I mean I know I could learn it fast but some people might struggle with it.
Other than that, It is nice. Brings Microsoft back into the competition. (Pressure on BlackBerry?)
@Jordan "The iPhone was the most flashy, scrolly phone of it's time."
You should check out this new phone os that's pretty flashy and is nothing but scrolling icons, it's called the Windows Mobile 7 Series. Check it out it's pretty scrolly.
@HowardtheDuck
All of the sudden the big guy that was in the back is now leading the pack! And it's worth saying it again, there's really nothing like competition!
@exaxxion:
You're right, it is pretty flashy and scrolly, however it is also useful. My iPhone feels extremely dated and I'm ready for something new. Point is, flashy and scrolly is what people bought up the iPhone for, why not buy something more flashy and scrolly?
@Ahmed Alzayani
I agree. I just got an iphone and i had no idea that i have to keep hundreds or thousands of photos and videos in one folder in a massive pool. I can't categorize them and sub folder them. I also can't use my 30 gig storage for saving files from my computer that i'd like to have on me all the time in case my house and pc burn down etc.
I've only had the iphone for a month but i'm ready to jump ship.
@Poita Sounds like you don't know how to use it because all of the things you've just said are very possible and not hard to do.
@Kirtay
finally a smartphone a true geek can love, this might make me go windows mobile.
@HowardtheDuck I bought my iPhone two years ago because the UI was new, fresh and clever (Compared to my dumbphone K800i). But now things have changed, Yet again. Now it's not just avout the way a UI looks, It's the degree in which the device is connected. So far my iPhone gave me nothing like that. I have to check 3 apps to read social network updates. And syncing contacts between the phone and the multiple social networks (especially Facebook) turned out to be a real pain.
I applaud Microsoft for this excellent social integration. I'm not sure about those blue boxes which double as quick contacts, I would go for a picture with a text overlay, but from what I've seen so far: I'm Switching!
@HowardtheDuck Holidays here we come! I believe one of the reason why the windows phone 7 series, is having a good welcome, is because of its simplicity.. If they can grow their MS marketplace, I'm sure windows phone can strike another change in the mobile industry. Ironically, it seems the prediction about the windows phone didn't materialize...
Reminiscing the almost windows phone 7: /windows-phone-7-series-hands-on-and-impressions
@unwynd
I always wanted a pile of BRICKS on my phone. And all I have to do is touch a BRICK and I can see this big wide page that is 4 times wider than the screen. Great UI. Maybe I could make a BRICK for you.
There's a BRICK for that.
@(Unverified) I have the same problem with my photos... You can use iphoto, or just have a master folder where you can't distinguish folders... Let me know if there is another way to do it.
UI looks fan-freakin-tastic. I love the look and feel of it. In my opinion the animations were slow as hell though. I'm hoping that's all just due to the beta-ness of the phone and software. Did I see available holiday 2010? Does that mean we have to wait almost a full year for the awesomeness?
@Poita Looks like you need to take a trip to the app store or do a little research all of the things you just mentioned are very possible
@HowardtheDuck
Gotta love this. Definitely an improvement over 6.5. I just hope that the simplistic UI won't get stale.
This seems like a phone for someone who wants to be in and out of there phone, not spend a lot of time on it, like the more interactive and customizable Android. I hope this goes places. HD2?
@hvakrg Zune does Audible, see: http://www.zune.net/en-us/promotions/audiobooks/default.htm