Windows Phone 7 to Hit Verizon During Holidays

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It’s a Christmas miracle!

Back in September Verizon revealed that it wouldn’t be getting any Windows Phone 7 devices at all until the start of 2011. Though the reason we wouldn’t be seeing any Verizon handsets until next year was initially not known, it later emerged that Microsoft had elected to produce GSM-only WP7 devices until 2011.

"We had to make some trade-offs," product manager Greg Sullivan said in an interview with CNet at the time. "Even Microsoft doesn't have unlimited resources. We had to prioritize doing fewer things, really, really well."

Windows Phone 7 Mass Storage Mode Revealed

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A simple registry edit turns your WP7 device into a USB drive.

MobileTechWorld has discovered that Windows Phone 7 can be used as a mass storage device. According to the site, there's no "hacking" involved, as the feature is native to Windows Phone 7 but turned off by default. Users simply need to alter the Windows registry on the PC to re-activate USB drive mode support.

Windows Phones Break Users' Memory Cards

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Yes, memory cards are supported, but Microsoft's latest OS seems to have a host of bizarre restrictions

There was much speculation over whether Microsoft would support memory cards in its Windows Phone 7 lineup, following comments by its project leaders indicating that it might not. Well the phones finally hit the market last week and some models did have memory card support. But perhaps it would have been better if they didn't.

Final Thoughts: HTC Surround Review

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Microsoft has learned a lot from Windows Mobile, and is dead set on not repeating history. Chief among those things is that differing experiences on every device running supposedly the same operating system results in chaos and confusion.

The result is that manufacturers making WP7 devices will differentiate their products in ways other than carrier skins. The HTC Surround is perhaps the best example of a manufacturer trying something different, placing a huge emphasis on sound. Given how much inspiration WP7 draws from Zune, it isn’t surprising. Like anything of course, the result is a trade-off; the Surround is thicker and heavier than the Samsung Focus, but doesn’t come with a keyboard like the LG Quantum.

Windows Phone 7 Success Tied to a Million in Sales

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Critics are already debating whether Windows Phone 7 is a flop, but the phone's true measure of success will be in how long it takes to sell one million units. It all started after reports that Microsoft's new handset platform sold just 40,000 units Monday, the first day of Phone 7 sales in the United States. The financial blog The Street reported the sales numbers after speaking with an anonymous market research source "who tracks phone sales."

Windows Phone 7 Devices On Sale Today in U.S

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New OS from Microsoft finally gets put to the ultimate test

Buy HTC Surround, HTC HD7, Samsung Focus and LG Quantum on Amazon.com

After months of speculation, a name change, a publicity stunt burying the iPhone and Blackberry, and an uncharacteristic press event held last month (followed by an unprecedented ad campaign that's been running since then), the cat is finally out of the bag today -- Windows Phone 7 devices are now officially available in the U.S.

Dell Staff Get Win Phone 7 to Ditch BlackBerrys

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Microsoft made headlines back in July when it gave out over 90,000 Windows Phone 7 phones to its staff. Now it looks like Dell is taking a leaf out of Redmond's book while supporting its own product at the same time.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Dell has revealed plans to move its 25,000 employees over to its own line of smartphones, giving them all Windows Phone 7-equipped Venue Pros in exchange for handing in their BlackBerrys.

Microsoft allows developers on Windows Phone 7 marketplace

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Late might not be better than never

SCRAMBLING SMARTPHONE OS VENDOR Microsoft has announced that it is opening Windows Phone 7 application submission to its apps store up to developers.

This means that anyone registered as a Windows Phone Marketplace developer will be able to submit applications for approval and ultimately end up with them on the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace. The late timing of this announcement comes as something of a shock, as many would have thought Microsoft might have established this facility some time before it launched its new smartphone operating system.

Dell Prefers Windows Mobile 7 To Android

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Easier to develop software

Microsoft's Windows Mobile 7 is easier to develop software for than Google's Android, according to Tin Box shifter, Michael Dell.

Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell, said that Dell had not got much experience with Android. While speaking at an event in Hong Kong, the Dell CEO said that according to feedback from developers, developing for Windows Phone 7 was less hassle than developing for Android.

Microsoft's 89,000 Employees To Receive Windows Phone 7 Handsets

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"You're getting a phone... and YOU'RE getting a phone!"

Microsoft is just coming off a strong Q1 showing, having witnessed a 25 percent increase in revenue to $16.2 billion thanks to strong Windows 7, Office 2010 and Xbox 360 sales.

Since Microsoft wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for its hard-working employees who help to develop and market these products, it's giving a little back just in time for the holiday season.