"Microsoft doesn't often get version one releases right, but this time, it has got the release very right indeed."
He loves the interface, says SMS is the only feature MSFT screwed up, dev tools are good but could create sloppy UI in apps if MSFT doesn't address.
His major complaint is missing features, says the features that are there are executed brilliantly.
Play by Play:
- "The styling is uncompromising. I love it." Smoothness major cool factor.
- "Hubs" feature is major differentiator, applications can data share - example facebook data / photos imported into contact list.
- Built in apps are solid, email client is "very, very good".
- "correction and completion mechanism is good" better than iphone, maybe not as good as android.
- Browser is good, HTML5 support is lacking.
- Music is just like ZUNE.
- Maps is a "solid, well thought-out application" but lacking turn-by-turn GPS.
- Camera itself will change by OEM but the interface " works well, and it's particularly pleasing when you've taken a picture"
- Office itself not much of an update from 6, nothing exciting to see there.
- Games integration is lost on the author (not a gamer), the avatar integration was the only thing on the phone that felt "sluggish"
- "The SMS application is the one area where I think the platform really falls short" - he says SMS functions are lacking inbox style sorting, no message counter, etc.
- Marketplace is easy and straightforward to get new apps. Not a lot of apps, but apps there work and have integrated into the design style.
- Syncing is done over the air, even for small firmware updates.
- Mac syncing gets a "alpha-quality sync client"
- Windows Live support lets you do fun things like lock the phone, wipe it, geo-locate it, etc. but no SMS backup.
- Before launching into complaints he says ""I have grown to like Windows Phone 7 a hell of a lot, and I'm certainly going to be using it from here on out."
- Complaints: Can't take screenshots on the phone itself, no copy-paste until early 2011, no multi-task, no manage files, no connect to VPN, no transfer files over bluetooth, no sharing 3G over Wifi etc, no ability to act as mass USB storage.
- He counters his complaints with "I would imagine that. . . Microsoft has serious plans for multitasking, tethering, VPNs, and corporate security policies, etc"
- Microsoft's communication on missing features is making early purchasing decisions difficult, they could stand to improve communication.
- Some interface issues he doesn't like, in particular BING search doesn't search phone in its entirety.
- "The integration of Facebook and Windows Live is fantastic".
- Media management isn't awesome, highlights major problem with the integrated HUB is that MSFT must choose to support apps and standards which means most apps wont work, notably twitter not integrated yet.
- Curious that there's no native windows chat client.
- Windows 7 Mobile dev tools are good, but not great. Notably lacking ability to access camera, and compass, bigger concern is that the cool Windows 7 interface cues are missing forcing devs to recreate, making some apps look clunky and could cause repeat of Windows app clunkiness.
- He thinks the naming strategy is stupid, should have gone with ZunePhone, too tied to single release but clearly piggy backing on Windows 7 desktop success.
- Major complaint is missing features, features there executed brilliantly.
- "Windows Phone 7 looks great, works well, and is a treat to use."
Phew.