gadgets

The new Windows Phone 7 Series, set to be available locally by the end of the year, will "redefine what a phone can do for people", according to Microsoft.

The new offering will integrate the Web, applications and content in an intuitive way, and could potentially bring services such as music player Zune and games platform Xbox to the phone for the first time.
 
Customer expectations have changed and grown to embrace advanced mobile devices as more than just productivity tools. They expect these devices to connect them to their friends, the services they use every day and a world of entertainment.
 
But while phones continue to grow in capability, using these capabilities is often complex and results in customers not taking full advantage of the improvements. Customers want better, more capable phones all while reducing complexity, not introducing more.
 
This focus on simplicity will means that instead of fragmenting the phone experience into many different applications, Windows Phone 7 Series will use a holistic design system to bring together related content from applications and the web so everyday tasks are easier, with fewer steps. 
 
Visually, the new offering is strong, putting the content first and using motion and typography to deliver a striking experience for customers. Across the web, applications and services, related content is pulled into a single view called a “hub”. 
 
Windows Phone 7 Series phones include six hubs built on specific themes:
 
• People: brings together relevant content based on the person, including their live feeds from social networks, and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.

• Pictures: makes it easy to share pictures and video it to social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.

• Games: has the capacity and capability to deliver the Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE-enabled games, universal leader boards, and the ability to see a gamer’s Avatar, Achievements, Friends List and Gamer Profile.

• Music + Video: can create an integrated media experience that combines Zune, content from your PC, online music services, and even a built-in FM radio into one place.

• Marketplace: will allow the user to easily discover and load up the phone with certified applications and games. 

• Productivity: provides instant access to Office Mobile, SharePoint, and OneNote on the same phone that has your Outlook email.