My, how things have changed.
The UI carries a lot of similarities to the Zune UI, which I've had a liking to personally. The main thing they did was make it easy to use, keep your attention, and make it modern. This ain't the old Windows 98 desktop style of old. After getting hands on with it for a short time, I have to admit, it's fun to use. No longer do I have the urge to rip out my hair and try to throw the phone like a hail mary.
Live Tiles:
This to me seems like the Microsoft version of a widget for any of the phone functions. The tiles go in rows of two down the screen, and can be single squares or a two spot rectangle. These can be used for contact shortcuts, bookmarks, etc. They keep high-rez images of the site or image, and update live.
Camera:
Microsoft added a few tricks that caught my attention, and were nice additions. The camera function is always accessible through the shortcut key, even if locked, by holding down the shortcut button. The photos still stay private if the handset is locked. And to quickly access your photos from the camera app, simply swipe left to right. Quick and convenient.
Touch Keyboard:
Finally.....FINALLY.....a Windows phone has a good touch keypad. Any previous WinMo phones I owned I required a physical keypad because it was terrible. Response is solid, and it doesn't have the fat finger issue with me which is definitely a win.
Hubs:
These are kind of locations like you get on the Xbox. WP7 comes with 6: People, Pictures, Music+Video, Marketplace, Office, and Games. Each hub carries all related content. For example, Games includes any saved games on the phone, invites, your Xbox Live gamer score, and a place to change your avatar.
Marketplace:
Yes children, it finally has an app market. This was always one of the biggest annoyances of WinMo was trying to find an app. Occasionally you could run across a website here and there with a descent selection of apps. The problem is they tended to be heavily scattered about, and lacking in update support.
Internet Explorer:
It's still far from perfect and loses in speed tests to Safari and the default Android browser, but it is a huge improvement from previous mobile versions of IE. It's actually usable.
Xbox Live Integration:
- Avatars: Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or create a new one if you don't already have an Avatar or Xbox LIVE profile; take your 3-D Avatar and props with you on the phone with full closet access.
- Friends: Bring your Xbox LIVE friends with you everywhere; compare Achievements, challenge rivals to your favorite game, and even see who's online and what they're doing on their consoles, PCs or phones.
- Game access: Easily view and launch your full game library from a single location; find, try and buy new games either in the Marketplace or Games hub.
- Achievements: Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leaderboards and build your Gamerscore across Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 - every time you play an Xbox LIVE title.
- Messaging: Communicate with all of your Xbox LIVE friends, any time you want, through Xbox LIVE messages.
- Multiplayer: Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or the PC with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming.
- Spotlight: Access Xbox LIVE Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.
copy and paste (coming in 2011)
multi-tasking (this is for non microsoft apps)
turn-by-turn navigation (might get it later, but no one does it like android)
microSD card swapping (uses the card as extended storage for the OS, not external)
