Windows Phone 7! Such a beautiful start that’s, well, taking a bit of time to get better. Microsoft previewed some things that developers will get to dibble dab with in the next Windows Phone at MIX 11 and it includes:
• Application multitasking for background processing, audio and file transfer, and fast application switching
• Deeper phone integration so apps can, for example, take better advantage of the versatility of Live Tiles
• Access to the camera and Motion Sensor library so developers can build apps that incorporate device hardware and build augmented reality experiences
The new dev platform for WP7 will be available for free in May. The hope is that developers can deliver more engaging experiences to users by integrating with the OS better but still take advantage of Windows Phone 7 features, like live tiles.
Microsoft also previewed some of these ‘next generation’ app ideas for Windows Phone 7 that included Kik, Qantas, Plants vs Zombies, Layar, Amazon Shopping, and Skype. I don’t know about you, but it’s a little worrying when they’re showing off apps that are available on every other platform (though some of these apps do look lovely!) at their events. I still believe in Windows Phone but a little more urgency in updating their OS would go a long way. [Microsoft]