brotkasten
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Windows Phone is Microsofts latest smartphone operating system. Build from the ground up, with touch controls in mind.
The first thing you will notice about Windows Phone 7 is that it doesn't use the "wall of icons" interface popularized by Apple's iOS platform. Instead, you will see "live tiles" which correspond to specific functions and "hubs". Hubs are groups of related applications that work in tandem with one another. Examples of standard hubs include Xbox Live, Microsoft Office, and Music + Video.
Live Tiles automatically update on your home screen with information. In addition to applications and hubs, you can set individual bookmarks, contacts, maps, songs, and more as their own tile for quick access. With the upcoming Mango update, Microsoft takes the concept of Live Tiles even futher.
The software is linked to your Live ID, much like Android phones are linked to a Google Account. If you have Xbox Live, Hotmail, Live Messenger, or one of Microsoft's other services, you already have a Live ID to use. By using your Live ID and linking it with social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, etc. many of your built-in hubs like People and Pictures will automatically pull from and push to those services.
With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft aims to simplify the workflow for the most common functions people use their phones for. It integrates services as they make sense rather than relegating everything to its own specific application. It's a phone that lets you do what you need to, then put it away so you can get back to your life.
Zune is an essential part of the Windows Phone 7 experience. Much like iTunes on the Mac, Zune is the way to interact with your media and your Windows Phone on your Windows PC.
You can buy or rent music and movies from the Zune marketplace, buy apps for your Windows Phone or just stream the entire music collection from the Zune marketplace with your Zune Pass.
With Zune right built into the Music + Video hub, every Windows Phone 7 becomes a Zune. You'll be able to purchase music and apps from your device and with Zune Pass you can stream millions of songs over WiFi and 3G.
For the first time since the launch back in 2006, the Zune music service and marketplace will be available to consumers outside the US. However, the service won't be the same in every country.
Zune Pass:
The Zune Pass subscription service offers unlimited music streaming and is available in following countries:
USA ($14.99 per month, keep 10 DRM-free songs per month)
UK, France, Italy, Spain (£8.99 / 9.99 per month)
UK, France, Italy, Spain (£8.99 / 9.99 per month)
Zune Music:
The Zune Music marketplace offers over 10 million DRM-free songs and is available in:
US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany
Zune Video:
Video purchase is available in:
US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Movie rental is available in:US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Podcasts
The Podcast section of the marketplace is only available in
US, Canada
A workaround is available in the FAQ.To prevent the fragmentation that plagued the old Windows Mobile operating system, Microsoft has now specific hardware requirements for the manufacturers.
All Windows Phone 7 devices, at minimum, must include the following:
Capacitive, 4-point multitouch screen with WVGA (800x480) resolution
1 GHz ARM v7 "Cortex/Scorpion" or better processor
DirectX9 rendering-capable GPU
256MB of RAM with at least 8GB of Flash memory
Accelerometer with compass, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor and Assisted GPS
5-megapixel camera with flash
FM radio tuner
6 dedicated hardware buttons - back, Start, search, camera, power/sleep and Volume Up and Down
1 GHz ARM v7 "Cortex/Scorpion" or better processor
DirectX9 rendering-capable GPU
256MB of RAM with at least 8GB of Flash memory
Accelerometer with compass, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor and Assisted GPS
5-megapixel camera with flash
FM radio tuner
6 dedicated hardware buttons - back, Start, search, camera, power/sleep and Volume Up and Down
OS:
Anandtech: Windows Phone 7 review
Engadget: Windows Phone 7 review
Gizmodo: Windows Phone 7 Review: Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have Ourselves a Race
Neowin: Windows Phone 7 review
PCMag: Windows Phone 7 OS
TechChrunch: Review: Windows Phone 7
WSJ: A Review of Microsoft's New Windows Phone 7
Phones:
GSMArena: Samsung I8700 Omnia 7 review: A whole new galaxy
Engadget: Samsung Omnia 7 review
Gizmodo: Samsung Focus review
PCMag: Samsung Focus
Brettison on NeoGAF: My Windows Phone 7 review (coupled with the Samsung Focus)
Engadget: HTC Surround review
PCMag: HTC Surround
Engadget: HD7 review
Engadget: HTC 7 Mozart review
Engadget: LG Optimus 7 review
Engadget: HTC 7 Trohpy review
Will it run old Windows Mobile apps?
No. Windows Phone 7 was built from the ground up and has nothing in common with the old Windows Mobile operating system and is not backwards compatible with Windows Mobile applications.
How do I install apps?
You can only install applications over the marketplace. You can access the marketplace with your phone or the Zune software client on your Windows PC. You can not use Microsoft Points to pay for applications.
Who will distribute the system updates?
Microsoft will handle all updates for the operating system. If you buy an unbranded phone (Open Market Device), you'll get the update as soon as it's released. Locked phones still have to go through carrier verification tests. To install any updates you have to use the Zune software client.
Do I need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to use Xbox Live on the phone?
No.
I can't find any podcasts in the marketplace
Microsoft restricted the podcast marketplace to the US and Canada. However, you can unlock this section in the software by simply launching this reg script, provided by Rafael Rivera, author of the WithinWindows blog.
I have a Mac. How can I sync my files?
Microsoft released the Windows Phone 7 connector for Mac on the Mac App Store. You can find it in the download section.
Which codecs are supported in Windows Phone 7?
Windows Phone 7 supports following codecs:
AAC (.m4a), H.264 (.mp4, .m4v), MP3 (.mp3), MPEG-4 Part 2 (.mp4, .m4v), WMA (.wma), WMV (VC-1) (.wmv)
AAC (.m4a), H.264 (.mp4, .m4v), MP3 (.mp3), MPEG-4 Part 2 (.mp4, .m4v), WMA (.wma), WMV (VC-1) (.wmv)
How can I sync Audiobooks with my Windows Phone?
Unfortunately theres no official audiobook support in Windows Phone 7.
What you can do: Rip the book as mp3 file, change the genre to podcast and copy the audiobook into your podcast folder. That way, the book will show up in the podcast section and will support audio bookmarks (continue where you left off).
What you can do: Rip the book as mp3 file, change the genre to podcast and copy the audiobook into your podcast folder. That way, the book will show up in the podcast section and will support audio bookmarks (continue where you left off).
I downloaded/updated the Zune software and now every time I try to play an MP3, the software is using 1 GB RAM or more. How can I fix this?
It's a known bug with v4.7 and the Zune team is working on it. What might help is to reset your media collection database.
DL: Zune media collection reset tool
DL: Zune media collection reset tool
Zune Software Client
Windows Phone 7 connector for Mac
Windows Phone 7 SDK
Petzolds Programming Windows Phone 7 (free eBook with code samples)