Windows Phone 7 Series FAQ

We realise it's still early in the year, but we don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that the Windows Phone 7 Series is one of the biggest mobile tech stories to come out of 2010. Finally, Microsoft has delivered a mobile operating system that not only looks completely new and compelling, but also functional and competitive. However, there are still a number of unanswered questions, and ever since the big reveal at Mobile World Congress 2010, we've gotten a steady stream of reader emails about Windows Phone 7 Series.

(Credit: Flora Graham/CNET UK)

Instead of trying to answer each one individually, we decided to compile some of the most frequently asked questions and sent them to the Windows Phone team in hopes of getting some more specific answers for you. Unfortunately, at this time, Microsoft remains mum on a number of issues, but we've incorporated their responses below. In addition, we've included some of the latest information and rumours we've seen from around the web.

We'll be updating this FAQ regularly as more details are revealed throughout the coming weeks and months. In fact, you might want to go ahead and mark your calendar for 15 March, which is when Microsoft's Mix10 conference begins and where the company is expected to release more details about Windows Phone 7 Series. Also, keep sending in your questions and we'll do our best to get them answered for you. Now, without further ado, your Windows Phone 7 Series FAQ.

When will we be able to get Windows Phone 7 Series devices?

Unfortunately, Windows Phone 7 handsets won't hit store shelves till the holiday season. LG recently raised some false hopes after the company told Engadget Mobile China that it would release its first Windows Phone 7 smartphone as early as September. However, LG has since backed away from that statement and said its goal is to ship devices in Q4.

Who will make the devices and which carriers will offer them?

Microsoft revealed its Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and carrier partners at Mobile World Congress 2010. Hardware partners include Dell, HTC, Garmin-Asus, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba. Qualcomm will be the chip provider. Carrier partnerships include AT&T, T-Mobile USA, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Deutsch Telecom, Orange, Telecom Italia, SFR, Telefonica, Telstra and Vodafone.

At the official unveiling event, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer added that the company is working closely with AT&T and Orange, in particular, to have devices at launch.

What will the hardware be like?

While the new user interface was certainly exciting, one of the most interesting things we took away from the press conference was the fact that Microsoft is tightening its grip on what OEMs can and cannot do with hardware and software. With Windows Phone 7 Series, each handset will be required to have a Home, Back and Search button, and they won't be able to replace or skin the UI.

Microsoft said the reason behind this is to provide a consistent user experience across all of its phones, but added that their partners will still have opportunities to customise devices, as long as its "synergistic with what we have provided". In fact, when we asked HTC about this at Mobile World Congress, the company said that you will still see HTC Sense on its Windows Phone 7 Series mobiles, but just not in the way you're used to seeing it now.

All that said, there are reports that Windows Phone 7 Series hardware will come in three models. Chassis 1 will have a full touchscreen, 1GHz processor and dedicated graphics accelerator. Chassis 2 will feature a touchscreen and a dedicated keyboard (a la Palm Treo), but as SlashGear points out, the Treo comparison is somewhat strange since Microsoft has specific requirements for screen aspect/size. Finally, Chassis 3 is a mystery, though some suspect a candy-bar-type form factor. When asked about this, Microsoft said it does not comment on rumours or speculation.

Will Windows Phone 7 Series support non-touch devices?

No, it will only support capacitive screens and multi-touch.

How will Windows Phone 7 series handle multitasking and notifications?

Microsoft didn't get very specific about the multitasking capabilities of Windows Phone 7 Series, but did say that the OS was designed to provide a great user experience so you can do things like listen to music and search the web. Additional details about multitasking and notifications will be revealed at the Mix conference later this month.

Will Windows Phone 7 Series support Flash?

Adobe has already gone on the record to say that it is working closely with Microsoft to bring Flash to future Windows Phone 7 Series phones. However, it most likely won't be ready when the first batch of phones ship during the holiday season.

Editor's note: in the interest of not sounding like a broken record, I've combined the next three questions into one since they all have the same answer.

Will developers have to completely rewrite their apps for Windows Phone 7 Series? Will users be able to use apps they've purchased from Windows Marketplace for Mobile on the new devices? Will you be able to side load apps with Windows Phone 7 Series?

Microsoft is not sharing full details about the Windows Phone 7 Series Marketplace or the development platform. However, at a briefing with journalists on 4 March in San Francisco, Microsoft's Charlie Kindel revealed that XNA and Silverlight will be the main means of writing software for Windows Phone 7 series. "Overnight those developers become Windows Phone developers," Kindel said. "One of our principles is to build on the shoulders of giants."

CNET News reporter Ina Fried has the full story from the event, and you can read more about Windows Phone development in Kindel's blog here. Further, additional information about developer tools and opportunities will be announced at Mix in March.

Will Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones be upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 Series?

This has been a hot topic of debate. Some say it will be up to the OEMs, while others say it's flat-out just not happening. For the record, here's Microsoft's official statement on the matter: "For Windows Phone 7 Series, we are enforcing a strict set of hardware requirements to ensure a consistently great experience for end users and developers. While we cannot confirm that WM6.X phones that satisfy those requirements will be upgradeable, every Windows Phone 7 Series device will be upgradeable with improvements and features we deliver with subsequent Windows Phone 7 Series releases."

Somewhat of a non-answer, but if we were to read between the lines, it sounds like even though a device, such as the HTC HD2, meets some of specifications (1GHz processor, capacitive touchscreen, multi-touch) since it doesn't have the three hardware buttons, it wouldn't meet all the requirements of Windows Phone 7 Series.

Microsoft has now confirmed our suspicions. Following the aforementioned 4 March event, the company held a Q&A session via Twitter and responding to a user question, wrote "we have no current plans to support updating the HD2 to Windows Phone 7 Series". Kindel also wrote in his blog, "To enable the fantastic user experiences you've seen in the Windows Phone 7 Series demos so far we've had to break from the past. To deliver what developers expect in the developer platform we've had to change how phone apps were written. One result of this is previous Windows mobile applications will not run on Windows Phone 7 Series."

What will happen to current Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones?

Microsoft will continue to support Windows Mobile 6.5 devices when Windows Phone 7 Series handsets are available. In fact, Kindel said that the company will work with its partners to release new smartphones based on Windows Mobile 6.5 for years to come and writes in his blog, "it's not as though one line ends as soon as the other begins".

The company, however, has not made any re-branding decisions for Windows Mobile 6.5. In other words, it may or may not be called Windows Phone Classic.

Will Windows Phone 7 Series work with Zune Pass?

Microsoft has not shared details about the full Zune experience for Windows Phone 7 Series. Generally speaking, the Music + Video hub will allow you to access content from your PC, online music services, and even a built-in FM radio in one place. You will also be able to use Zune Social to share your media recommendations with others.

Will users be able to sync their music from Windows Media Player?

Windows Phone 7 Series will require the Zune client to sync content to the phone. Microsoft has not commented on Windows Media Player.