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10 Thing Windows Phone 7.5 Will Have Before Nokia Windows Phone Arrives
By Mike Browne on April 27,
 2011 at 00:00,

Microsoft has said that it will be launching the Windows Phone 7.5 update later this year and that Windows Phone Developer Tools will be available in May. These tools will come with a bunch of new features. In light of the agreement with Nokia, we thought we’d check out 10 things Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 will have.

We have to say from the outset that while Microsoft and Nokia have penned an agreement to make Windows Phone OS the platform of choice on Nokia Windows Phone devices, it’s not been announced yet when the first devices will officially ship. However, with Microsoft offering a host of new features in the next major update we thought it worth checking them out.

Check out our Nokia Windows Phone roundup

1: Multitasking: This looks like being a big one, as it allows for the fast switching of applications, as well as allowing for functions to run in the background, such as file transfer and music player.

2: Live Tiles: Live Agents will run in the background and deliver real-time updates, such as Push Notifications and Deep Linking, which all sounds very important.

3: Better phone integration: Microsoft is claiming this has been greatly improved, giving developers greater flexibility to do more with their apps via Live Tiles.

4: Better Camera functionality: Microsoft is allowing developers access to the camera stack, which means Nokia will easily be able to add it’s camera top-tech without having to

5: Better Motion Sensor library: Developers will be able to develop apps and games that take into not only the camera but also the gyroscopic and compass, so we should see a host of augmented reality games appearing.

6: Internet Explorer 9: This will deliver a faster and cleaner browsing experience than ever before on Windows Phone OS.

7: HTML 5: This will allow for faster rendering of webpages and make life a whole lot smoother for developers and end users alike.

8: Windows Phone Marketplace: Microsoft are looking to make changes with a dedicated games Marketplace, better parental controls and even a new beta distribution service.

9: Angry Birds: Is coming to Windows Phone and will be available at the Windows Phone Marketplace beginning on May 25, 2011.

10: Skype: Another app that has been missing from the line-up will also be coming later this year.

By the time the first Nokia Windows Phone rolls of the production line most of these will be fully integrated into the OS. In the meantime let us know what you think about the changes Microsoft have planned for the operating system.

Via: Microsoft Venturebeat

Tags: Angry Birds HTML 5 Internet explorer 9 Live Tiles: Mango Microsoft Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Multitasking Nokia Nokia Windows Phone phone Skype Windows Phone
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  • http://n/a A Debono

    What’s not being mentioned , and which I believe is important from the outset, is the direct syncing from Windows Mobile to Windows Outlook i.e. NOT through the cloud/internet. This is one of the big pros that Nokia currently enjoys, be it through PC Suite or Ovi Suite.
    So, IMHO, I’m expecting that the first Nokia Windows Phones will have all the features currently available in the Symbian^3/Anna (full synchronisation with Outlook not through the cloud, OTG, etc.)

  • skeptic

    A little improvement to a crappy OS.

    But I still think they need to do A Lot of changes before I’m going to buy a phone with a Windows OS!

  • ScottW

    I agree with Skeptic that A LOT of changes will be necessary, including what Debono mentioned as well as carrying over many of the Nokia icons currently used, adapting to the Ovi suite. This one can actually go back to what Debonon said about syncing with the phone directly as far as functions of Outlook. But the big one they will have to get rid of is the tiles. Not too long ago I saw an article suggested by a writer that Microsoft could have cubes. I forgot the source.

  • enthusiastic

    I’m really looking forward to the Nokia/WP7 thing, but that’s not because I’m a nokia fan (I’m sure their great, but the last one I had was pre-smartphone era). This new update for the OS represents a *huge* step forward in terms of functionality, good for them. In perspective, they went from fledgling device to decent competitor far faster than any other device did. I don’t think anyone would call their progress “slow”.
    skeptic–I’m not really sure what more you’re expecting from a phone
    ScottW–That’s the most fundamental feature of the whole phone! You can’t expect them to change that, might as well wish them to make a Nokia clone.

  • Paul

    I’m looking forward to all these features. For a v1 I think WP7 is a great OS. Synching with the phone directly to Outlook is old skool. I synch to the cloud using Windows Mail Live for my personal stuff and to Exchange for my office e-mails. This is the way forward. Looking forward to the Nokia WP7 phones, they always made the best handsets so Nokia + WP7 is win!