Microsoft, Samsung Take on Apple With New Smartphone Announcements

[diamond.g]

iPhone OS4 - imminent.

Hopefully, nothing too radical, as the current design works beautifully.

Refinements such as scrolling push notifications which include email, client integration, etc. will be welcome.

Yeah PNS on the iPhone is in serious need of help. I wish Apple would also look at how any sort of notification that pops up (especially SMS/MMS) has to be acknowledged in some sort of way before being able to continue on with what you are doing (and you can't even turn the SMS/MMS pop up notification off). It is annoying to be talking to someone on the phone and unable to hangup because I got a text message.


I also wish Apple would come out with one unified online system (like XBL). Shoot tie it to your AppleID. All these different services is just creating fragmentation.

 

[drwatz0n]

Sure, it wins the vaporware award for

No SPECS
No final feature set
No price
No actual delivery date

Ever heard of longhorn / vista?

Know why? Because this is an OPERATING SYSTEM, and not an actual device.

Microsoft has a set of minimum specs for devices that will use this phone (three hardware buttons, high resolution capacitive touch screen, etc.). So next time you say stupid stuff like this, make sure you're right.

And at least they have some sort of delivery date (Holiday 2010). Remember Push Notifications? Yea, I thought so.

 

[xraydoc]

I hope MS doesn't plan on selling to business people with a UI like that.
I don't think most suits care about the gamer tags and Facebook posts of their clients.

At least with something like Android, it can be customized (social-centric or not). But with this, it looks like social-centric or nothing. Of course, with the iPhone in its current state, there's very limited social-network integration.

Personally, I couldn't really care much less about social media integration. I need my phone to get work done and occasionally post on Facebook, not the other way around.

 

[NT1440]

Looks like MS have got a certain target phone in mind when talking about their new baby

What oddly familiar icons....

 

[dcranston]

I can't believe it...but Apple is bordering on playing catch-up. Apple missed a golden opportunity to unveil a new iPhone / Mobile OSX - for the iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch at the iPad event. Call it whatever you want (iPhone OS 4.0, Mobile OSX, whatever). I don't understand what they were thinking. The iPad announcement and presentation seemed rushed and un-Apple like, if you will.

So by focusing an event on a brand new product and not unveiling a new version of OS for the iPhone, Apple is now playing catch-up to an OS demo from MS that won't ship for another 8-10 months.

A "golden opportunity"? Give me a break. What part of this announcement seemed "rushed" or "un-Apple" like?

Then, a week or two later rumors surfaced that Jobs said in a company town hall style meeting that the new iPhone software is going to knock our socks off, etc. If the new 4.0 OS wasn't ready yet, the iPad should have been delayed as well. It should have been a package deal. Instead, Apple launched a "magical" NEW product with an OS that is essentially from 2007. I am an Apple fan, but even the most over the top fanboy has to admit this was misstep. The new OS better knock our socks off, because the competition is getting stronger from the other two powerhouses, Google and Micro$oft.

You're right. The iPad is doomed because the iPhone didn't get a software update as a "package deal". And MS's 10-month pre-demo without specs spells the death of Apple unless Apple "knocks our socks off". Next thing you'll be saying is that the iPad is doomed because MS already showed off Courier, a concept video. Hell, I'm still holding out for the Knowledge Navigator. Apple better step it up or Apple from the 1980's will beat the crap out of Apple! Knowledge Navigator had a freaking humanlike assistant built in! Come on, Apple!!!

I have an iPhone now and I'll say, flashy-front-screen aside, I'm pretty darn happy with how it's changed my life. A portable device that has fast internet everywhere I go, provides maps and GPS location on the fly, lets me interact with my social network at all times, stream radio stations from Paris while I walk down the street, answer emails while I'm playing hooky instead of being at work, always have a book and games in my pocket when I'm bored...

I'm not saying MS's new OS is horrible (admittedly, it's worlds-apart from past WinMo), but come on. Can you see everyone flocking to this from the iPhone because...you can see photos from your friends without a tap on a photos button? Wow, that just blew my mind. I'm selling my iPhone.

Reskinning does not a revolution make.

 

[ChazUK]

What oddly familiar icons....

Android and iPhone Os icons. I don't think Microsoft are using them tho, they were just referencing the competition.

 

[QuixoticFable]

You mean the same way everyone praised the iPad here? You are delusional.

Big difference. As most everyone here (and everywhere else) pointed out, the iPad, in it's current iteration is basically an iPod touch on steroids. People hated it so much because it didn't really add anything new. It was not the revolutionary, "magical" device that even Steve Jobs made it out to be.

I again say that if the iPad had come out with the Windows Phone 7 OS, Jobs would have truly had a device that made people sit up and take notice. It would have been so much more dynamic and interactive. The iPad would have had the same "Wow! What is that?!" effect that the original iPhone release did. I think a big difference here is that WP7 is an OS that will actually get better when it is scaled to larger devices, whereas the iPhone OS looks kind of silly on the iPad.

 

[NeverhadaPC]

They just copied iPhone, added OLED display and removed iPhone OS.

Looks stupid with the L/R buttons.

 

[NT1440]

Android and iPhone Os icons. I don't think Microsoft are using them tho, they were just referencing the competition.

I think they're trying to do away with icons entirely, I just can't remember the last time MS directly referenced their competition. Though it is odd that their presentation has those icons, while they don't have a place in the UI at all, why even show them on THEIR OWN promo material?

Big difference. As most everyone here (and everywhere else) pointed out, the iPad, in it's current iteration is basically an iPod touch on steroids. People hated it so much because it didn't really add anything new. It was not the revolutionary, "magical" device that even Steve Jobs made it out to be.

I again say that if the iPad had come out with the Windows Phone 7 OS, Jobs would have truly had a device that made people sit up and take notice. It would have been so much more dynamic and interactive. The iPad would have had the same "Wow! What is that?!" effect that the original iPhone release did. I think a big difference here is that WP7 is an OS that will actually get better when it is scaled to larger devices, whereas the iPhone OS looks kind of silly on the iPad.

Why would WP7 scale better when bigger? For christ sake one of the design elements is the castration of text! Why would this even be put on a larger device?

 

[cmaier]

Why would WP7 scale better when bigger? For christ sake one of the design elements is the castration of text! Why would this even be put on a larger device?

Big giant monochromatic squares!

 

[dcranston]

Sorry but I've got to respectfully disagree. The iPhone OS is very much in badly in need of a major overhaul.

-the PNS is totally broken since there is no list of the ones you have missed and is completely invasive by taking over your screen

-there is no multitasking and at least MS has Pandora built into WM7 so it can stream in the background

-no lockscreen info so constantly have to unlock the iPhone to quickly view info

-no background wallpaper (though the iPad's 3.2 indicates it's coming)

-no shared documents folder similar to photos and videos (there are rumors this is coming)

So you list:

a) somewhat subjective minor UI gripes
b) multitasking (but apparently pandora is your real concern)
c) shared documents folder

Definitely sounds like a major overhaul. Just like Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X. Definitely not just a feature update. Way more crazy.

 

[*LTD*]

Microsoft again opts to stick to the fragmented mess model (a la Google) which is designed up to appeal to everyone but the end users.

 

[tonyhunterajh]

What competition? That's what Apple started 3 years ago. If that Samsug is real it's a total iPhone OS rip-off.

I agree!!! I think MS came to the conclusion: "If you can't beat them... Copy them!"

 

[supmango]

Windows Phone 7 looks like a winner, I watched some of the demos. It is a new unique interface that does in fact makes the iPhone and Android look dated. Microsoft is really coming out swinging here.

It looks pretty much like the iPhone to me. I am not sure what you saw that makes the iPhone look "dated." I actually was thinking just the opposite when I saw the videos. Maybe it's just a bad after-taste from years of having to use crappy windows mobile products.

 

[tuhoops]

You're right. The iPad is doomed because the iPhone didn't get a software update as a "package deal".

I never said the iPad is doomed. I believe it will be a success. They just missed a chance to unveil their new "mobile OS". I shouldn't have to point out that the iPad and the iPhone both run the "iPhone OS". As it went, the reviews after the iPad event were dominated by "it's just a big iPod Touch" comments...if Apple had used that opportunity to launch the iPad an introduce an new mobile OS, the buzz would be at an even higher pitch than it is now...

 

[lincolntran]

Let's see

Apple said they had 5 years on the competition in 2007. I think MS have their measure in 2010.

After watching the video I think it's clear they've got something pretty special here, even if the over-run text isn't to my taste either. MS has been publicly shifting their view towards tighter hardware and software integration to drive better user experiences and this seems to show that.

If they ensure this device is nicely configurable for a wide range of users it's going to be a hit. If business users can turn off all those Xbox, facebook, twitter and other tiles they won't use and enter some panels showing news, mail, information and some location services I think they'll have a spectacularly good communication device.

I think you have some good ideas here. Please send it to microsoft so they can implement it. I don't know if they think that high.

Competition is good! Just think, if Apple didn't come out with the iPhone and it's touch screen operating system and the app store a few years ago, we (I) would still be lugging around and using clunky, crappy windows mobile and the same old Rim cell phones. I'm no Apple fanboy, but they single handily caused every mobile handset and software manufacturer to get off their collective asses and innovate or be left behind.... I cant wait to see what's around the corner...

+1000.


Regarding the Windows 7 phone, I give some props to MS for being brave enough to not copying people this time. I also think I like the idea of "hub". It's a new idea from microsoft. This is a lot coming from microsoft. Another prop I can give is unlike other crappy phone, the scrolling is very smooth, just as smooth as the iphone. HOWEVER, I see some potential drawbacks in it also. With "constant updates" from many things, it will put a huge strain in battery life. The guy in show-and-tell already has the low battery warning on his phone. Next, the home page is very very "blue" and huge. Only a few squares and they already took up all the screen real estate. Next, "white on grey" is every where. I mean everywhere. I wonder how long will the MS fanboy get tire of seeing white on grey. Does that remind anyone of the DOS screen? With the iphone, at least the color is up the the designer of apps. They can be very pretty as we've seen. Photo? Why do we have to wait for the photos to refresh after going from screens to screens of photo. Why can they just instantly refresh like the iphone?

Now, for the MS fanboys, this phone is NOT multitasking, NO flash. I don't see you guys complaining at all. You may reason with silverlight, but last time I checked, silverlight can't play flash content either, just like html5. Why the double standard?

 

[Otaviano]

Big difference. As most everyone here (and everywhere else) pointed out, the iPad, in it's current iteration is basically an iPod touch on steroids. People hated it so much because it didn't really add anything new. It was not the revolutionary, "magical" device that even Steve Jobs made it out to be.

I again say that if the iPad had come out with the Windows Phone 7 OS, Jobs would have truly had a device that made people sit up and take notice. It would have been so much more dynamic and interactive. The iPad would have had the same "Wow! What is that?!" effect that the original iPhone release did. I think a big difference here is that WP7 is an OS that will actually get better when it is scaled to larger devices, whereas the iPhone OS looks kind of silly on the iPad.

Here's to people that talk out their ...

 

[cmaier]

I agree!!! I think MS came to the conclusion: "If you can't beat them... Copy them!"

Neither the samsung nor the iphone screen-of-icons looks substantially different than the palm os home screens.

 

[diamond.g]

I think they're trying to do away with icons entirely, I just can't remember the last time MS directly referenced their competition. Though it is odd that their presentation has those icons, while they don't have a place in the UI at all, why even show them on THEIR OWN promo material?

Supposedly the right arrow at the top of the "Home Screen" is what you would hit to get to all the applications. Which I would assume still use the traditional icon structure. The Hubs are about aggregating information that pertains to the categories. I see no reason why you still couldn't have a traditional application screen for apps that do not fall into those categories.

 

[jettredmont]

Tight social media integration is SUPER smart...something Apple has never really figured out.

Absolutely. I look forward to the day Microsoft creates a "buzz" group around the people I've called and the phones who have come within 5 feet of my phone's GPS, and a helpful world-visible page containing all the stores I've ever set foot in ...

Oh, that's right. Only Google would make that kind of gaffe. Microsoft never/i] messes up in its desire to monetize our personal information (<cough>Passport</cough>).

 

[QuixoticFable]

Why would WP7 scale better when bigger? For christ sake one of the design elements is the castration of text! Why would this even be put on a larger device?

.....um, on a bigger screen the text wouldn't be cut off? (Thus eliminating all the complaints whining about it)

On a bigger screen the OS would show much, much more. How it stands now, you have to horizontal swipe to see the different screens. On a tablet all those screens (or multiple screens) would be simultaneously visible.

Also, the blue boxes wouldn't become giant 3" squares across the screen.

You do realize that "scaled up" doesn't just mean "make everything bigger", right?

 

[pr5owner]

Yeah that Zune interface will be familiar to all 30 people who own a Zune...
I suspect this will be the same cluster as every other MS phone OS.

you keep thinking 99% of the people have ipods and that apple is the greatest, they arent, look at how many people are in this forum

http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/ (most popular on google)

then look at how many people are in this ipod forum

http://forums.ilounge.com/ (most popular on google)

it sure as hell aint a 9.9:1 ratio

 

[iRACK]

So this is it the BIG WM7series....

I dislike it a lot.

Check out the "hands on video" on engadget.com the software is laggy as hell. Usability seems undertakingly bbad, too.

I dont know, this seems like a stupid way to organize your phones content. It is more like a children´s toy.

When does it launch? End of 2010? That is a long time!

I dont´t know about you, but i certainly think this is not such a big innovation at all. It does look kind of nice but not very practical. I am highly excited about the imminent iPhone OS 4.0 presentation in the end of march and the iPhone 4generation in June/July....

We will see if WIMO7series is prepared to take on iPhone and Andriod after 3 long years of WMIOshit.

 

[iDarbert]

I don't hate it, but it looks way too minimalistic for my tastes.
I mean... white text on a black background? It's kinda odd for a modern smartphone isn't it?

 

[Povilas]

So this is it the BIG WM7series....

I dislike it a lot.

Check out the "hands on video" on engadget.com the software is laggy as hell. Usability seems undertakingly bbad, too.

I dont know, this seems like a stupid way to organize your phones content. It is more like a children´s toy.

When does it launch? End of 2010? That is a long time!

I dont´t know about you, but i certainly think this is not such a big innovation at all. It does look kind of nice but not very practical. I am highly excited about the imminent iPhone OS 4.0 presentation in the end of march and the iPhone 4generation in June/July....

We will see if WIMO7series is prepared to take on iPhone and Andriod after 3 long years of WMIOshit.

Dead before launch.