Microsoft officially launched Windows Phone 7 Series (previously referred to as Windows Mobile 7, Windows Phone 7, or even Photon) on Monday, dropping the gauntlet on what will shape up to be a mighty mobile battle come Christmas.

A whole new OS

Windows Phone 7 Series Phones, as the new devices will be officially known (yikes), will be a complete departure from the Windows Mobile devices we are all familiar with and feature a brand-new, possibly revolutionary UI. The Start menu? Gone. Touch elements designed for six-year-old fingers? Gone. In fact, Microsoft’s new OS is aiming to change the mobile phone paradigm by shifting away from an app-centric model to an experience or task-based system that groups your personal data, social networking streams, location-based services, and media sources into what Microsoft calls ‘hubs’ (more later)

Reflecting their determination to re-define the relationship between end-user and their phone, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced at the Barcelona 2010 Mobile World Congress:

“In a crowded market, filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. Windows Phone 7 marks a turning point toward phones that truly relfect the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people and all kinds of seamless experiences.”

Joe Belfiore, vice president of Windows Phone, said it was time to stop thinking about mobile phones like PCs:

“A phone is not a PC, it’s a smaller, more intimate device,” he said. “Too many phones are made to look like PCs. We wanted to come up with a user design that was different, that moved beyond the metaphor of the PC.”

Live Tiles

This ain’t your daddy’s Windows Phone. Microsoft has taken advantage of the fact that it is so late with this product to properly think out how people use their mobile devices. They have no doubt heard for years now about how un-finger-friendly Windows Mobile is and how counter-intuitive it can seem compared to its competition. They’ve seen people complain about icon overload and the app-to-app routine on the iPhone (one app for Facebook, one app for twittering, one app for YouTube, etc); The result? Live Tiles.

The new home screen on WP7 devices will consist of several vertically-scrollable live tiles. The main screen shows 5 live tiles: Internet Explorer, Phone, Text, People. Each of these boxes is “live” and auto-updates with real-time information from all of your various info sources. So when your friend updates his Facebook page, that update shows on the Friends tile. If you miss a phone call, the Phone tile updates to show the number of missed calls, and your most recent photos fade in and out in the Pictures tile.

Hubs

Clicking on any of these main live tiles will bring up the corresponding Hub. There are a bunch of default hubs that will ship with WP7: People, Games, Xbox Live, Pictures, Music & Video (with support for more than just Zune accounts), Zune, Office (with support for multiple exchange accounts), and of course the Marketplace. These hubs pull in data from all of your various sources and present it in a task-oriented manner, rather than using a separate app for each service you use.

For example, the above pic shows the People hub. The first screen you will see when you click on the People tile is the ‘Recent’ screen. Scrolling right will give you all of your peeps, scrolling right again will show you the What’s New tab, which lists all of your friends’ most recent social media updates,

Similarly, when you tap on the Music and Video tile, up pops the Zune menu. Scrolling to the right brings up your History, continuing to scroll brings up the “What’s New” tab, and then Apps that are music or video related. Hubs create an easy way to browse all of your data – both on-device and online – by topic or experience. Very cool.

X-Box and Zune Integration

While Microsoft’s mobile lately may have missed the mark, they have had remarkable success with their X-Box and Zune line. The X-Box model has been a decade in the making and Microsoft has earned a very respectable share of a competitive market – something it needs to do with WP7. The Zune HD was released last year to terrific reviews and great critical, if not commercial, success.

Microsoft is finally taking advantage of these successful platforms and fully integrating X-Box Live and Zune with Windows Phone 7 Series devices. Mobile gaming might be limited initially, but expect this to be a major component and battle ground in the coming year or two, and Microsoft (for once) has a clear advantage over rivals like Palm and Apple here.

As for Zune integration, you can almost thank the Zune for the new UI. Internally at Microsoft, the UI for the Zune HD was referred to as Metro; the same name they use to discuss the Windows Phone 7 Series interface. Beyond that, expect to see complete integration with the Zune service and any Zunes you might have lying around.

Manufacturers and Carriers

Just as with Windows Mobile, Microsoft has lined up a top-notch list of manufactures who are eager to start putting out Windows Phone 7 Series devices. The list includes longtime Windows Mobile supporters HTC, LG, Samsung and Toshiba, as well as Garmin-Asus, on-the-fence Sony Ericsson, and even Dell.

Unlike with Windows Mobile, however, and this is absolutely critical, Microsoft has imposed a Chassis requirement for all WP7 devices. This means that all WP7 phones will need have a minimum hardware spec that – so far – includes several mandatory hardware buttons (home, search and back), CPU and screen size/resolution requirements, plus an accelerometer, GPS, camera and other goodies.

This Chassis system should help maintain a good user experience and avoid manufacturers putting out shoddy hardware that gives Windows Phone 7 devices a bad rap.

Carriers will include all of the Big Four US carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon – as well as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, SFR, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telstra, and Vodafone. Rogers and Telus haven’t made any comment yet.

WP7: Do or Die for Microsoft

By most accounts, it’s do or die time for Microsoft. For whatever reason, most likely because they simply underestimated the growth of the smartphone/mobile market, Microsoft hasn’t taken the mobile space very seriously for the past four or five years… despite being one of the first out of the gate.

By the time the first Windows Phone 7 Series device hits the market, we’ll be looking at a new iPhone, a new version of Google’s Android, and an updated webOS from Palm… very serious competition for Windows Phones. If Microsoft blunders, they might just miss the last train out of the desktop station.

Sprint has announced the launch of its new Samsung Intrepid. This little qwerty-keyboard, touch-screen device is a follow-up to the Samsung Ace, which was a decent performer for Sprint. Here are the Samsung Intrepid specs as we know them so far:

• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
• 2.5-inch touchscreen, 320×240 resolution
• WiFi b & g
• 3.2mp camera
• its a World Phone
• Microsoft Tell Me service on board

WMExperts reports it will also have a 528MHz Qualcomm processor and 512MB ROM/256MB RAM. The Sprint Samsung Intrepid is launching October 11th and is set to go up at $149. The full press release is after the jump.

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sprint (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the United States1, today announced the upcoming arrival of Samsung IntrepidTM smartphone, a dynamic Windows® phone that lets the customer be productive on-the-go using America’s most dependable 3G network (EV-DO Rev. A)2 domestically and through international roaming when traveling worldwide.

Samsung Intrepid features Windows Mobile® 6.5 Professional, and improves on previous Samsung Windows phones with a user experience that offers a customizable Today screen to display the features the user accesses most often and shows important information like new emails, text messages, missed calls and calendar appointments. It also has a richer Internet browsing experience and new personalization options including a diverse selection of designer themes and the ability to create an original look for your phone with the built-in theme creator.

Samsung Intrepid adds to Sprint’s robust line of international devices allowing its customers to leverage America’s most dependable network domestically and other high-performance, world class networks abroad. Global business travelers can rest easy knowing Sprint has a solution to keep people connected when they travel in the United States and abroad.

This device is a strong addition to Sprint’s business device portfolio and features a 2.5-inch touchscreen interface with 320×240 resolution, full QWERTY keyboard, 3.2 megapixel camera and camcorder, and combines a robust mobile office experience with all the must have Microsoft Office Mobile-capabilities like corporate email and the ability to view attachments and manage your calendar. Additional business features include:

* Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional with Microsoft ActiveSync® and Microsoft Office Mobile (edit Word and Excel® files, view PowerPoint®)
* Windows Mobile email (work & personal)
* stereo Bluetooth®
* multimedia with microSD slot (up to 32 GB)
* easy access to social networking sites, including Facebook®, Flickr® and Twitter
* instant messaging and threaded text messaging
* Wi-Fi
* Pre-installed SIM

It will be available on Sunday, Oct. 11 for $149.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement, and after a $50 instant savings and $100 mail-in rebate, at Sprint stores, Web sales (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), Sprint Business Direct and select third-party dealers.

“Combined with America’s most dependable 3G network and Sprint’s affordable rate plans, Samsung Intrepid is a great value for our customers who want a Windows phone with International capabilities,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “This phone offers the robust enterprise capabilities of Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, and a best-in-class email experience with smooth Web surfing and access to applications that are both useful and fun.”

“Samsung Intrepid makes it easier for people to do more on the go by giving them the choice to use voice or touch input on a sleek new Windows phone,” said Andy Lees, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Mobile Communication Business. “Samsung Intrepid on Sprint’s reliable network is a great example of how customers benefit when industry leaders rally around a common goal – in this case convenience.”

“Samsung is excited to have the Windows phone operating system integrated into the new Samsung Intrepid,” said Omar Khan, senior vice president of Strategy and Product Management for Samsung Mobile. “Intrepid’s global connectivity, Wi-Fi capabilities touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard options combined with document editing, imaging and messaging capabilities and enhanced multitasking make this device a perfect fit for international business and personal use.”

Innovative Features and Applications

Featuring Internet Explorer Mobile® 6, Samsung Intrepid offers powerful Web search capabilities with a touch-friendly user interface and Bing™ for mobile information while on-the-go, the ability to view Web sites in Mobile or Desktop view and better zoom, scroll and pan features for easier Web site navigation and an Adobe Flash Lite® plug-in that allows Samsung Intrepid users to enjoy rich Flash-based games, videos and other interactive Web content on their phone. Additional upgrades over previous Samsung Windows Mobile phones include:

* Windows Marketplace for Mobile offering a rich and integrated marketplace of quality applications for purchase using a Windows Live ID
* Lock screen allows users to receive calls, keep track of upcoming calendar appointments and view recent activities, all while the phone is still locked
* Microsoft® My Phone service allows users to access, manage and back up their personal information on their device using a password-protected, Web-based service

Samsung Intrepid from Sprint is the first device to offer Microsoft Corp.’s TellmeTM mobile experience, which allows customers to use their voice to dial a contact, compose a text message and search the Web using America’s most dependable 3G network. The Tellme application can search business listings, traffic, maps, driving directions, movies and weather, instantly with the touch of a button and a person’s voice. With Tellme, Samsung Intrepid users only need to push a button and say ‘coffee shop’ to get the location of nearby cafes.

Worry-free Pricing Plans

With its powerful data experience, Samsung Intrepid will benefit from the value of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, which gives customers unlimited mobile calling on the Sprint network to and from any U.S. wireless carrier, unlimited nationwide texting, email, Web browsing and much more, starting at just $69.99. For customers that want Sprint’s Simply EverythingSM Plan that offers a truly unlimited experience for only $99.99 per month, and they can save $1,200 over two years vs. a comparable AT&T iPhone® plan3. (All price plans exclude surcharges and taxes. Other exclusions apply.)

Sprint also offers great value on international service plans for Samsung Intrepid. The Worldwide Data plan gives customers email and Web access in more than 145 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other locations using CDMA technology, and with GSM/GPRS carriers abroad where Sprint has applicable roaming agreements. The plan is available for $69.99 per month, or just $40 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges) as an attachable to Simply Everything, Everything Data, Everything Data Family or Business Advantage Messaging and Data.

Sprint international voice roaming rates range from $0.59 to $5.99 per minute, depending on where customers are calling. Customers making frequent calls while in Canada can take advantage of a specific service plan for $2.99 per month which allows calls to be made and received at $0.20 per minute. Customers also have the option of using a third-party SIM for international voice and data services.

Sprint provides voice coverage in 195 countries and data coverage in more than 145 countries. The Sprint Worldwide voice plan (International Voice Roaming Discount Plan) enhances the value proposition for Sprint’s International devices like the Samsung Intrepid, HTC Touch Pro II and the Blackberry Tour. Customers can add the plan at anytime for $4.99/month; discounted prices available for more than 110 countries; discounts range from $0.10/minute to $3.00/minute with plan. For more information on Sprint’s International Services, go to www.sprint.com/international.

Sprint offers an additional value as the only wireless carrier to offer Ready Now with trained retail associates that work one-on-one with customers to personalize their Samsung Intrepid, set up features and demonstrate how it works before the customer leaves the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or they can schedule an appointment for a later time at www.sprint.com/storelocator.

The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 269 million people, 18,652 cities and 1,838 airports. The Sprint Networks (inclusive of data roaming) have more than twice the coverage of AT&T’s current 3G network and more than 20 times the coverage of T-Mobile’s current 3G network, both based on square miles4.

• TouchFlo 3D updated to improve speed and stability.
• Dialer application enhanced to improve the handling of incoming calls.
• Resolves an issue using the “r” and “w” keys on the virtual keypad.
• Improves contact searching performance.
• Includes a variety of minor bug fixes.

You can download the new HTC Touch Pro ROM here.

HTC has also released a hotfix for the HTC Snap boot-up problem. In their words, the fix:

“is designed to correct and prevent a memory block issue that can cause the Sprint Snap to lock up or freeze during boot up.”

You can download the HTC Snap boot-up hot fix here.

	T-Mobile ($549.99)	Sprint ($599.99)	Verizon ($489.99)
Phone’s discounted price	$349.99	$349.99	$199.99
Voice plan (basic)	$29.99	$69.99*	$39.99
– Number of minutes	300	450*	450
Data plan price (unlimited)	$24.99	Included	$29.99
Text messages	Included	Included	$5
– Number of texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	250
Total cost over 2 years	$1,669.51	$2,029.75	$1,999.51

Despite their mathematically-challenged writing staff, it’s a helpful article – check it out.

Rumors of a change to Sprint’s voice plans turned out to be true: Sprint’s new Any Mobile, Anytime plan includes unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to any mobile phone on any network in the US. Pretty economical in these tough times. Here is the full press release from Sprint.

Ooh an unboxing! Always exciting. Even more exciting is the fact that its a video of the unboxing of the Sprint (CDMA radio) version of the Palm Treo Pro. This device hasn’t been available in North America until now.

The Palm Treo Pro from Sprint comes loaded up with the newest version of Windows Mobile 6.1 which features the brand new Internet Explorer Mobile.

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Check out the great images after the jump for the rest of the leaked devices that you can start looking forward to!

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Thanks to some more leaked information, we now know that the Palm Treo Pro is on its way. The leaked image show us that it will be “available 3/11/09 at Brightpoint and 3/15/09 in Direct Ship” for $549.99, launching a few days earlier than Sprint’s official date (March 15th).

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Two new Windows Mobile phones have gotten official Sprint launch dates!

The long-delayed (due to apparent certification issues) Sprint Palm Treo Pro will now be released into the wild on March 15th. Next in line is the mysterious (and oddly named) HTC Cedar, a WinMo Standard (non-touchscreen) device that has a predicted launch date of June 2009. Nothing else is known at this time, but I’m sure we’ll here more about this pretty little blue handset soon enough!

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The folks at Gizmodo have brought up a very good question: Should Sprint drop the Palm Treo Pro with the Palm Pre on its way?

I would personally argue that they’re apples and oranges. They can both appeal to different audiences – WinMo fans, Palm OS fans, QWERTY lovers, and touch screen addicts. Why choose? Keep both, Sprint!

What do you think?

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