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There's some unfinished, but clear documentation on this page:

http://developer.windowsphone.com/windows-phone-7/

In particular, this PDF gives a great flavor of designing for Windows Phone 7:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9713252

Overall, I'm quite impressed. They've aimed at a similar target as Apple did with the original iPhone. Make it fast, clean and strip away as many features as you dare.

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That would all be impressive if this was 2006, unfortunately, they are largely copying the iPhone with just a different graphic design theme. It is symptomatic of bigger problems in Microsoft's innovation lag.

Both the IPhone and Android are far from perfect devices. If MS can pull off an OS as responsive as IOS, be intuitive and simple, I could see many preferring it or at least considering it over other devices, despite less functionality. I'm not hugely familiar with the UI, but I do believe there are significant differences in the UI other than a different overlay. Also, the fact that they haven't already packed a billion features into the phone is a BIG plus in my opinion (as long as they have the essentials).

Simplicity and ease-of-use have become key in today's world.

> unfortunately, they are largely copying the iPhone with just a different graphic design theme.

Doesn't the same apply to Android as well?

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