Mobile Marketing, Mobile Applications and Services -

There are fresh reports that Microsoft might unveil Windows Phone 7 at MWC 2010.

Windows Phone 7 is very similar to the Zune HD player launched by Microsoft last year. There is a complete revamp of the start screen. “METRO” UI that is “very clean”, “soulful”, and “alive.” No multitasking and no Flash. Full Xbox gaming and Zune integration. The METRO UI is expected to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress scheduled from 15^th to 18^th of this month.

Anyday, Zune HD has more hardware firepower than the iPod touch. If only Microsoft had something as big and good as the iTunes Music Store the Zune HD would see considerably more sales. The future Windows Phone 7 will also make use of the Zune HD as well integrate Xbox gaming. The Zune HD UI is quite nice and simple and generally works quite well. There’s also a fairly large Xbox following. Taking advantage of just those two would be a solid start for Windows Phone 7. As, Apple doesn’t have an Xbox-equivalent gaming experience. Sure the iPhone and iPod touch can game but the experience falls short of an Xbox or a PlayStation

The METRO is codename for the UI that will be better than what you find on the Zune HD. But we are expecting that the METRO UI will be a worthy competitor to the iPhone OS or webOS. There is a long list of supposed features leaked with regards to the upcoming platform which are posted below courtesy of PPCGeeks.com

• The User Interface is based upon codename “METRO”. It will be very similar to the Zune HD User Interface with a complete revamp of the “Start” screen. The UI is “Very Clean”, “Soulful” and “Alive”
• Unfortunately there will be no Flash support at the get go as there was not enough time to implement these features.
• Windows Phone 7 will only support application installation through service based delivery. (i.e Marketplace). Application installation via storage card will not be possible.
• No Multi-Task support. Applications will “Pause” when in the background, however will support notifications via push notifications.
• Marketplace will now support “try before you buy” as well as an API
• No NETCF backwards compatibility. This means the original rumor of no backward compatibility for applications holds to be true. That being said, there are high hopes of porting the NetCF to the newer platform easily.
• Microsoft is confident that devices will be ready by September 2010
• Full Zune Integration
• Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Zune software to take over syncing via PC.
• OEM Interfaces will not be allowed to run on the device. Say goodbye to Sense UI / SPB Mobile Shell / Point UI / Infinity, etc, etc
• Full XBOX Gaming Integration (Gamer tag, achievements, friends, avatars, merchandising, etc)
• Full support for social networking