Windows Phone 7 Series Takeaway
by Brian Klug on February 22, 2010 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Mobile
Gaming, Gaming, Gaming
But perhaps most interesting is what role Xbox Live will play on this platform, which is prominently featured on the main start screen:
Interestingly enough, Microsoft was light on details when it came to how games, Xbox Live, and social networking are going to be integrated on the platform. Perhaps one of the most interesting lessons learned from the iPhone OS' App Store is just how much potential mobile gaming has. It's apparent that Microsoft understands that, and Windows Mobile 7 Series is part of an attempt to grab some of the growing smartphone gaming segment. In many ways, the iPhone is an established console in a gaming market that Microsoft is now entering 2 years late. Microsoft did it before, releasing Xbox a full year and 20 days after the PS2 debut, but time will tell whether the metaphor extends to a similar conclusion.
Microsoft has the interesting potential here of being able to leverage both Xbox Live and its connection with existing gaming industry partners to possibly deliver a unique experience the other platforms can't. Exactly what that is remains to be seen but ultimately the tightness of integration might make or break the Phone 7 series. At the very least, it will make or break the platform's draw as a mobile gaming contender. In its current incarnation, the games tab isn't fully fleshed out. In fact, the demonstration avatar shown on Monday was a static placeholder - the final release will feature the owner's fully animated 3D Xbox Live avatar:
It's little things like these that ultimately will define how Phone 7 Series differentiates itself from the competition. Perhaps an even bigger question is how Microsoft will leverage existing developers accustomed to developing for Xbox 360 or Windows Mobile. Already, details have leaked revealing that applications for Phone 7 Series will be developed using a combination of Silverlight, XNA, and .NET compact frameworks. XNA tools should stand out in particular given the preexisting community of both major corporate and indie developers accustomed to using it to create software for the Xbox 360 and Zune. Needless to say, having the same framework on Phone 7 Series makes it ripe with potential to become a serious foray into mobile gaming. No doubt more will be revealed March 15th at MIX10.
Of course, Microsoft already has a formidable and established online platform for consoles through Xbox Live, complete with its own social community. That said, at present users are restricted to a mere 100 friends, a limitation imposed entirely by legacy Xbox Live titles. Is it coincidence then that legacy support for Xbox Live is being discontinued this April? Could Xbox Live integration on Phone 7 Series somehow have forced Microsoft's hand? It seems more than likely that this is the case.
Already, the platform is facing pressure from a variety of independent developers devising their own solutions for delivering mobile online gaming. Take a look at Gameloft Live:
Server Browser
N.O.V.A. - FPS Title on iPhone OS
The success of this and other similar titles demonstrates that there's a huge market for online games on the smartphone. Even over 3G networks where latency is always a few hundred milliseconds. Microsoft clearly understands that presence in the mobile marketplace is critical for building out a community that will then invest in traditional consoles.
There's potential in the execution here. As it stands, social interaction with Xbox Live community takes place exclusively on the console itself; the experience is tethered to the TV. A platform allowing gamers to communicate, interact, and game online at the same time through their smartphones could be game-changing indeed. Obviously, if Microsoft delivers a phone targeted at consumers that sits right at the crossroads of mobile gaming, social network integration, and basic productivity, we could have something revolutionary. It could be the mobile platform for gamers Apple, Sony, and Nintendo can only dream about.
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poopyman67 - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
Am I the only one wondering what win7 series is gonna be based off of? I'm guessing winmo6. The only problem is that 7 is a HUGE departure from 6. This is where ms really hurts itself in my opinon. They don't have a system like Linux or unix that they can strip down. Then again, it seems to me a waste to write a new scheduler, file manager, etc. It seems to me at least that it's going to take a completely rewritten OS from ms to make 7 successful.Too bad they don't do the same on the desktop, but I guess that's comparing apples to oranges.
zicoz - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
They have Windoed CE, and I think that is what WinMo is based on, I think WM 6.5 is based on CE 5.x, and rumors have it that WP7 will be based on CE7ncage - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
You don't know that. Microsoft has some of the smartest people in the industry eventhough it seems very fragmented at times. I'm sure the people who wrote the underpinnings segregated into layers in the such that it would be easier to modify in the future. They aren't stupid and there are some damn good system architects there. I've heard from a few sources (engadget i think was one of them) that they totally scraped WinMo 6.5.x and started from scratch. While they don't have linux running i'm sure they have a lightweight OS at its core and then add to that.darwinosx - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
It's been a long time since it was cool to work at Microsoft. The best people are beat down by the layers of stifling management. Doing things the right way is not important. Feature lists and shipping dates are. Thats why Windows is still a mess after all these years. Quoting Engadget tells me you don't know much about the subject. That and your inability to write coherently. I'm betting you are a teenager who doesn't know jack.mlambert890 - Thursday, February 25, 2010 - link
Your handle, your ad-hominem attacks on that guy, your extremist myopia and your obnoxious arrogance all tell me (and probably everyone else) that you're an a-hole.lordmetroid - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
While they may have some geniuses. Statistically, a company that develops behind closed doors have an insignificant percentage of the all geniuses while a company that develops in the open and allows anyone to contribute can have all geniuses developing the product.Magius - Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - link
Let me turn that on you:Statistically, a company that develops behind closed doors have complete control of who develops its products (aka. geniuses) while a company that develops in the open and allows ANYONE to contribute can have all the opinionated idiots that think themselves geniuses (plus real geniuses here and there) developing the product.
poopyman67 - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
Oh I don't deny that they have smart people. They've done some great work in research. I just find that they like to take the fast and easy route. Think of windows and flight sim x. Vista was pretty bloaty and light sim x is terribly inefficient.I just think that a total rewrite is neccessary to make 7 series successful.
deputc26 - Monday, February 22, 2010 - link
Even Apple-Loving Engadget Has recently given an Android handset "Best gadget of the year" for 2009 as well as best smartphone and best gps.http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/22/the-winners-of-...">http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/22/the-...s-of-the...
sdhfkjsdhfksjdhfks - Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - link
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