For the first time I'm not starting this with an author's note! Oh, wait. Damnit.
So, we've finally got some concrete details about the future of Microsoft operating systems on mobile devices. I'm impressed with some of what Microsoft have done; Requiring minimum device specifications is clever, and stops underpowered devices giving WP7S a bad name. A greater focus on usability and interface is a no-brainer, and the Zune and Xbox Live integration is a godsend. However, I see a lot of potential flaws and downsides that mean my next phone won't be running a Microsoft OS. And that kinda sucks for them, because I'm a young consumer, the exact kind of market Microsoft should be targeting. Then again, I'm not exactly normal.
Firstly, the name. “Windows Phone 7 Series.” It's... actually kind of terrible. Not only is it a bit of a mouthful, with an acronym worse than “L4D2”, but it's slightly confusing. It implies that this is the 7th generation of Windows Phone, which is technically true, but doesn't represent the clean break they are trying to make. Additionally, the “series” part makes it seem like there's going to be multiple versions, something they haven't mentioned. A “series” would be better as branding for a, well, series of high-spec devices Microsoft want to promote. It might be that Microsoft were trying to build on the success of Windows 7 by using the 7 to make people associate the new OS with the first universally hailed Windows OS for some time, but if that was the idea, they'd have been better going with “Windows 7 Phone”, as it suggests a direct relationship, something Microsoft would be wise to promote. As it is, “Windows Phone 7 Series” just seems too confusing and wordy, especially compared with the likes of “WebOS” and “Android”.
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