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Microsoft just announced the Windows Phone 7 Series, and it reinvents the mobile user experience See this Youtube Video. It segregates apps through "hubs". According to Engadget

Microsoft has made it clear that we haven't seen everything from Windows Phone 7 yet -- particularly in the application department -- but here's a look at what we have been given access to, and brief descriptions of the software's functionality:

and the hubs are People, Pictures, Games, Music+Video, Marketplace, Office, etc.

I'm no fan of Microsoft. To be honest, I've always been the opposite. However, this concept is great. iPhone's computing metaphor, which is app-based is a good one. Windows Phone 7 improves it by collecting the apps and putting them on one hub. This way, when you are to do something, you don't go to the app. You just go to the hub that matches the context of the activity.

What do you think about it?

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3 Answers

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I'll believe it when I see it

I'm no fan of MS either, but in particular I'm definitely no fan of Mobile MS. They've messed up more mobile projects than they've had successful ones and that should really say something! They're just not innovative in the right way, or with the user truly in mind.

Apple and Google are all over them. It would have to be pretty special to divert the attention from those two imo, and MS don't have any track record in special. Check out the Zune for their sad attempt at iPod competition. It makes more sense for MS and Nokia to put their heads together because both are filed under 'mobile epic fail' on my planet ;)

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I agree with Nick... although I'm excited to see Windows Mobile move into the 21st Century, (and I think the hubs LOOK cool) we're still dealing with a company that makes pretty sad copycat attempts at UX-based design... (i.e. the Zune sadly trying to find a niche after not competing at all with the iPod) – Aevum Design Mar 4 at 22:45
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I like the approach. It differs from iPhone and Android and may seem strange at first but I think it's idea is good and user experience will be very pleasant. The great Gizmodo article Microsoft Has Out-Appled Apple describes this difference in detail.

The only question is with third-party apps. How exactly could they be integrated in this conception? I think we should wait till SDK announcement to get the answer.

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Same here. I agree that Microsoft has out-Appled Apple, though the idea is very difficult for me to suggest. You're right, the challenge is third-party apps. I'm looking forward to seeing how that would work. – Allan Caeg Feb 18 at 21:29
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It has clearly been "designed" (not designed clearly, however!), but it looks like you're staring through a porthole.

Luke W has posted a couple of articles about the Windows 7 Phone:

It'll be interesting to see how well side-scrolling works. I didn't think people liked it...

Edit: I've just noticed from the Engadget photo gallery that list items are ridiculously large -- you'll be flicking for ages to get anywhere! Doesn't appear to be any of the A-Z quick access functionality of the iPhone.

Addendum: Edward Tufte has commented

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