Growing steadily, but still far behind iOS, Android
Several weeks into the Windows Phone 7 launch the number of available apps stands at 4,274, with an average of 104 new apps each day.
Although the numbers do appear to be growing steadily, it is worth noting that four thousand apps over the first two months really don't seem very impressive when compared to competing platforms.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Paramount rolls out Silverlight-enhanced movies for Windows Phone 7
Why simply download a movie when you can download a movie app? That's the thinking at Paramount, at least, which launched it's first Silverlight-enhanced movie app, School of Rock, for Windows Phone 7 devices this week.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Windows Phone 7 Hits Verizon, Sprint in January
Sales haven't been great, but WP7's slow and methodical approach reminds one of Android
One underemphasized point during the launch of Microsoft's much ballyhooed Windows Phone 7 operating system was that it was only available at launch on two networks in the U.S. -- T-Mobile (America's fourth largest carrier) and AT&T (America's second largest carrier). Noticeably absent were WP7 offerings from Verizon (America's largest carrier) or Sprint (America's third largest carrier).
But the good news for prospective buyers is that according to Neowin.net, sources are confirming that WP7 will become available in January to Sprint and Verizon's 100 million+ customers.
One underemphasized point during the launch of Microsoft's much ballyhooed Windows Phone 7 operating system was that it was only available at launch on two networks in the U.S. -- T-Mobile (America's fourth largest carrier) and AT&T (America's second largest carrier). Noticeably absent were WP7 offerings from Verizon (America's largest carrier) or Sprint (America's third largest carrier).
But the good news for prospective buyers is that according to Neowin.net, sources are confirming that WP7 will become available in January to Sprint and Verizon's 100 million+ customers.
Will Microsoft update Windows Phone 7 on a monthly basis?
Following the first update to Windows Phone 7 in January 2011 at CES, which will introduce copy and paste functionality, Microsoft is planning to unveil a second one the following month at the Mobile World Congress. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will hold a keynote at the event, marking one year after the company first unveiled the rebirth of its mobile operating system.
Microsoft's second update will be a significant one as it will introduce enhanced developer controls for applications. "The update includes some great new features for developers, Windows Phone 7 apps in 2011 will certainly become more interesting," according to an anonymous source quoted by Winrumors. Microsoft will reportedly open up several new APIs that will allow improved multitasking, in-app downloads, and better customization.
Microsoft's second update will be a significant one as it will introduce enhanced developer controls for applications. "The update includes some great new features for developers, Windows Phone 7 apps in 2011 will certainly become more interesting," according to an anonymous source quoted by Winrumors. Microsoft will reportedly open up several new APIs that will allow improved multitasking, in-app downloads, and better customization.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Windows Phone 7 Devs Receive Copy/Paste at Last
Microsoft's post-holidays present to customers looks to be off to a fine start
Customers who have picked up a Windows Phone 7 device or are thinking of buying one may not have to wait much longer for copy/paste functionality. The company rolled out an update to developers implementing the feature.
It took Apple two years to implement copy/paste on its iPhone (the feature was first released in 2009 with the availability of iOS 3.0). Today, Apple's implementation is widely regarded as the gold standard, as it is accessible throughout the interface and relatively easy to use. Android, by contrast, has copy/paste, but it's not accessible in some parts of the interface (e.g. emails, messaging) and it's somewhat clunky.
Customers who have picked up a Windows Phone 7 device or are thinking of buying one may not have to wait much longer for copy/paste functionality. The company rolled out an update to developers implementing the feature.
It took Apple two years to implement copy/paste on its iPhone (the feature was first released in 2009 with the availability of iOS 3.0). Today, Apple's implementation is widely regarded as the gold standard, as it is accessible throughout the interface and relatively easy to use. Android, by contrast, has copy/paste, but it's not accessible in some parts of the interface (e.g. emails, messaging) and it's somewhat clunky.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Highlights from the Windows Phone Really rally road trip with Rob Dyrdek and Minka Kelly
Rob Dyrdek and Minka Kelly celebrated the launch of Windows Phone 7 on a cross-country trip. They started in New York, stopped in Chicago, Kansas, and Las Vegas, and ended at the Maroon 5 concert in San Francisco. They were on the look out to see if better phone design can help curb bad phone behavior.
Glance and Go with Ellentv.com and Microsoft
Ellentv.com has partnered with Microsoft to show Ellen fans that "seeing is better than searching". From now till December 24, 2010 Ellentv.com is giving you a chance to win a Microsoft Windows Phone, all you have to do is see the word "FUN" on this page, click, and enter to win. Start seeing now!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
TV Network Content Coming to Microsoft Devices
There's talk that Microsoft may launch a TV service on the Xbox 360, however it's possible the service could expand to the PC and WP7 devices thanks to Silverlight.
Monday unnamed sources told Reuters that Microsoft was currently in talks with TV networks to create a new subscription-based TV service on the Xbox 360 gaming console. The new service would reportedly rival Apple TV, Google TV and even Netflix. Microsoft would even have the upper hand, as the required hardware for the supposed service already exists in millions of households nationwide.
Monday unnamed sources told Reuters that Microsoft was currently in talks with TV networks to create a new subscription-based TV service on the Xbox 360 gaming console. The new service would reportedly rival Apple TV, Google TV and even Netflix. Microsoft would even have the upper hand, as the required hardware for the supposed service already exists in millions of households nationwide.
Windows Phone 7 jailbreak pulled
Developers leant on by Microsoft
The creators of a jailbreak for Windows Phone 7 have pulled their creation after a stiffly worded letter from Microsoft ruined their day.
According to Ars Technica, ChevronWP7, was released last week. It was billed as a tool to allow development and installation of Windows Phone 7 applications on any phone, without having to go through the Microsoft approval process. As far as tools go, it was not well-received.
The creators of a jailbreak for Windows Phone 7 have pulled their creation after a stiffly worded letter from Microsoft ruined their day.
According to Ars Technica, ChevronWP7, was released last week. It was billed as a tool to allow development and installation of Windows Phone 7 applications on any phone, without having to go through the Microsoft approval process. As far as tools go, it was not well-received.
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