First Windows 7 mobile OS handhelds introduced in PHL

CEBU, Philippines - Microsoft Philippines geared up to bring the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system to the Philippine market in the form of two new devices, the LG Optimus 7 and the HTC 7 Mozart. Both handhelds are powered by Windows Phone 7, set out to enhance the digital experience of smartphone users by bringing the convenience and user-friendliness of the popular Windows platform to their favorite mobile devices.

“With the partnership with LG and HTC, the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system now has the hardware firepower it needs to provide a smooth and entertaining mobile experience for its users,” said Mae Moreno, Windows Client Product Manager, Microsoft Philippines.

The HTC 7 Mozart is the first Windows Phone 7-powered smartphone to become available in the country. It allows its users to have an all-around multimedia experience and boasts the new SRS WOW HD technology, enabling virtual surround sound for a richer listening and viewing experience, it is also the first in the Philippines to offer the Zune music experience on a phone where users can play their music collection, synced wirelessly from their PC. The HTC 7 Mozart also comes in a stunning aluminium body, ergonomically designed for maximum usability.

On the other hand, the LG Optimus 7 has also recently been introduced in the local market, sporting a TFT Capacitive Touch Screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE capability and supports 3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 5.76Mbps with 16GB of built-in storage. The LG Optimus 7 is also equipped with a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and is capable of 720p video recording, as well as other features such as the Mobile Echo Virtual Phone, Augmented Reality and DLNA function.

“One of the first things you will notice with the LG Optimus 7 is the tile interface, designed to make it easy for users to find applications. Its operating system is also set up so that users can conveniently receive live updates via a certain icon widget, without one having to open applications. Other impressive features include advanced touch screen, speedy interface, XBOX gaming compatibility, 5 mega pixel camera, HD video, 3G and Wi-fi networks,” says Richard Javier, Mobile Communications Head, LG Electronics Philippines.

The vibrant new start screen featuring Windows Live Tiles enables users to add their own personal touch to the phone. The Windows Live Tiles can be customized according to their preference making it easy to view their favorite applications. They can be easily created from whatever content users want, such as applications, websites and music, with integrated experiences built from Microsoft’s deep portfolio such as Windows Live, Bing, and Microsoft Office Mobile. The Live Tiles also provide the user with real-time updates from the Web such as news, appointments or the status and profile pictures of friends.

Everyday tasks become mobile with the Windows Phone 7, from web browsing with Internet Explorer Mobile to getting office or school work done using Microsoft Office Mobile applications such as Outlook Mobile for e-mails, calendar and contacts, as well as Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for managing documents.

Microsoft Previews Next Release of Windows Phone

Microsoft recently previewed the next major release of Windows Phone, code name “Mango.” It will deliver more than 500 new features to push the boundaries of the smartphone experience around communications, apps and the Internet.

• Threads. Switch between text, Facebook chat, and Windows Live Messenger within the same conversation.

• Groups. Group contacts into personalized Live Tiles to see the latest status updates right from the start screen and quickly send a text, email or IM to the whole group.

• Deeper social network integration. Twitter and Linked In feeds are now integrated into contact cards, and Mango includes built-in Facebook check-ins and new face detection software that makes it easier to quickly tag photos and post to the Web.

• Linked Inbox. See multiple email accounts in one linked inbox. Conversations are organized to make it easy to stay on top of the latest mail.

A smarter approach to apps

• Improved Live Tiles. Get real-time information from apps without having to open them. Live Tiles are more dynamic and can hold more information.

• Multitasking. Quickly switch between apps in use and allow apps to run in the background while helping to preserve battery life and performance.

The Mango release will also connect the power of the Web to the unique capabilities of your phone, such as location awareness, camera and access to apps, to present a new way of viewing the Web that is more localized, actionable and relevant.

• Internet Explorer 9. A browser based on the powerful IE9 and including support for HTLM5 and full hardware acceleration.

• Bing on Windows Phone. More ways to search the Web, including Bing Vision so it’s easy to discover and decide.

Finally, a Beta release of the free Windows Phone Developer tools that will be used to create the next generation of Mango apps and games will be posted for public download to Microsoft’s website within 24 hours of today’s events. More information about what Mango means for developers, the tools and a link to the public download page, is available at

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2011/05/24/developer-news-beta mango-tools-available-today.aspx. /JFV