Microsoft Windows Phone To Be Enhanced Through Connected Services
Perhaps unlike the KIN, Microsoft has a lot of faith in their reboot to the Windows Mobile Operating System lineage. They're putting a lot of effort, on both the software side of things, as well as enforcing the hardware side of things, to make sure that the mobile OS they launch later this year is the best they believe it can be. And while relying on the Operating System itself for the majority of feature-driven aspects to attract customers is good in of itself, it's also the extra features that's going to draw in plenty of more folks to your platform. Andy Lees, Senior Vice President for Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business, announced some of those extra features at the Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington, D.C.
Having extra services accessible by your device is one thing, but creating a universe where those features are an integral part by showcasing the inherent connections from those services to your phone, or vice versa, is another. That's why Microsoft believes they are at the head of the pack, especially with the fact that they believe Windows Phone 7 will prosper based on its well thought-out connections between the phone and PC, Web, and a plethora of new mobile services. Two of those new features, which Lees announced today, is Find My Phone and a new Windows Phone Live site.
The two services are obviously different in their purpose, but the former will be accessed through the new site. You can guess what the new "Find My Phone" feature will do: device owners will be able to manage several different aspects of a lost phone: from finding it on a map, thanks to the integrated GPS, or even by making it ring remotely (that's a helpful feature, for sure). You will also be able to lock the device, as well as remotely wipe it if you know you're not getting it back any time soon. As for the Windows Phone Live site itself, customers will be able to utilize it like a media hub of sorts. Windows Phone owners will be able to upload pictures, sync their Windows Live Contacts as well their OneNote entries right from the phone to the Web.
Lees went on to add that Windows Phone 7 will be able to connect to your PC thanks to the Zune Software. But, just in case you're like us and you hate cables altogether, then you'll be happy to know that Microsoft's including wireless sync out of the box. That's right, you'll be able to connect via a WiFi connection to sync your music, video, photos, and other high-resolution files. And, obviously, the devices will be connected to the Web, which means you'll be able to use their feature-rich services, like email (which includes Gmail support), but you'll also be able to access the Zune Marketplace and your Xbox LIVE account.
No matter how many features you boast, or what you expect to come some time later, it won't matter until everyone can get their hands on a real Windows Phone 7 device, and actually put some time into discovering what the new mobile Operating System can dish out. All of these connected features, focusing on that landscape between the phone, the Web, and the PC is great. But, as we've seen in the past with almost everything ever conceived, some plans are just better on paper, rather than in physical execution. If you're curious, there's more information you can check out at Microsoft's Windows Phone Blog.