Windows Phone 7 Series - lack of key features prompts an online backlash

When Microsoft unveiled their newest mobile operating system at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, it came as a shock to everyone who saw it, because it was so unlike anything Microsoft had done before. Despite knowing that Microsoft wanted to break away from their old Windows Mobile heritage, few people were prepared for how clean and complete the break was, with the new operating system, Windows Phone 7 Series, being a complete departure from everything that had come before, in every conceivable way. 

However, as more details have started to emerge, a backlash has begun to form on the internet, against Windows Phone 7 Series, with people who were impressed at the original launch now showing disappointment with, or even disdain for, Windows Phone 7 Series and Microsoft.

To understand this, it's necessary to look at what Microsoft haven't included in Windows Phone 7 Series.

The earliest example of what has been left out was found during the official launch event, when Microsoft stated that Windows Phone 7 Series, unlike its predecessor, Windows Mobile, would not support third party interfaces. From the release of the new operating system onwards, Windows phones will use only Microsoft's own user interface, meaning that third party interfaces such as HTC Sense or SPB Mobile Shell will not work on the new OS. The lack of third party interfaces, while disappointing to many (probably including HTC and SPB themselves), pales into insignificance next to the more recent announcements, which have left many people, even those who were impressed by the official launch, wondering whether Windows Phone 7 Series will actually be a good operating system.

The most notable omission is true multitasking, something that Windows Mobile was fully equipped to do. Instead, Windows Phone 7 Series will follow a similar method to the iPhone, in that apps are 'paused' when in the background, rather than being in a live state. So, for example, where Windows Mobile was able t have an instant messaging client and a web browser running simultaneously, Windows Phone 7 Series will pause either of these apps if the user moves into the other one. It is unclear what effect this would have on, for example, conversations within an IM client. Will they be put on hold, or will your connection with the chat service be cut? Microsoft haven't provided an answer to that question, as yet, but one thing is certain: since applications such as the Zune music player can run in the background, people have been disappointed that Microsoft have taken the decision to block third party apps from doing the same.

Another omission is support for memory cards, according to many sources. This, combined with the lack of a true file manager (a file manager does exist in the source code, according to some sources, but it is disabled and not accessible by the user), means that people who use their Windows phone as a portable USB drive have been sorely disappointed.

Perhaps the most glaring omission, however, is something that the iPhone and iPhone 3G were also criticised for: Windows Phone 7 Series does not have a clipboard, and so, it will not allow the user to cut, copy and paste. It is this omission that has angered the most people, although Microsoft have commented on this issue. They have stated that rather than building in copy and paste, they have given the operating system the ability to detect things like phone numbers and addresses, and automatically open the appropriate app, without copy and paste being necessary.

There is also the issue of licensing costs. Because Windows Phone 7 Series is not a free operating system (unlike, for example, Android), manufacturers will have to buy licences to use it. This will lead to higher handset costs, and in turn, higher replacement costs for Windows phones.

Finally, however, it should be noted that these features won't be seen in Windows Phone 7 Series when it first comes to market. There is a possibility they will appear later, though, in newer software versions, as Microsoft have said they will listen to customer feedback, and update the OS based on what users' opinions.

This is a good thing, as right now, many people are saying that omissions are enough to cripple Windows Phone 7 Series before it is even released.