Telstra is super keen for Windows Phone 7 Series. How do I know? Because they sent out their official statement on the OS four hours before Microsoft sent their own press release.
The Microsoft press release mentions both Telstra and Vodafone by name as partners who have signed on for the new mobile operating system, so it makes sense that locally they’ll be the first carriers to launch Windows Phone 7 Series (henceforth known as WinPho7, because it’s easier to write than its actual name).
Meanwhile, Telstra’s official comment on the launch is below:
“Telstra is pleased to be the Australian launch partner for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Series, a further testament to the ongoing collaboration and partnership we share with Microsoft,” Mr Ross Fielding, Telstra Executive Director, Mobility Products, said. “With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft has developed phone software for devices that coupled with our Next G network provide a richer mobile experience for our customers.”
It will be interesting to see how Telstra deals with the fact that Microsoft have decided to do away with the custom UI, which will restrict the telco’s ability to push their BigPond services to the front of the phone…
Hi Nick
We wanted to let you know that, today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft announced the next generation of Windows® Phones. Windows Phone 7 Series offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications.
For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series.With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration.
Key features include:
· Live tiles: On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start;
· Dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone; and
· 6 Windows Phone hubs: an unrivalled set of integrated experiences on a phone, the hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks and are built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people, including People, Pictures, Games, Music + Video, Marketplace and Office.
Partners around the world have committed to include Windows Phone 7 Series in their portfolio plans, including Telstra and Vodafone, and manufacturers Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc.To watch the full replay of Steve Ballmer’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and to experience Windows Phone 7 Series through an online product demo, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/news/windowsphone.