Theres a reason I’m mentioning these three products right now. They are the three biggest products Microsoft will release later this year (IE9 will be in beta form, but almost complete, basically).
First off, I’m really excited for IE9. IE8 is a terrific browser. Although, it is missing a few key features and could use a huge speed bump (which is what half of IE9 is all about). IE9 promises to deliver a modern and competitive browser, and with Microsoft updating IE9`s rendering engine, Trident 5.0, every 6-8 weeks, I cant wait to see how much further they’ll improve things going beyond the beta.
The second product, is the biggest one for me, on a personal level. Going back to 2009, I was hoping for Windows Phone 7 (WP7) -what was then called Windows Mobile 7- to be Microsoft’s one and only ultimate answer to iOS and Android, and to the smartphone market at large. It wasn’t.
Instead, its the beginning of something far more larger and important than the iOS and Androids of today which may not exist in the far future, or at least, be as dominate as they are today. Windows Phone 7 is a bet for the long term future of the smartphone market. I was slightly disappointed and confused when they first announced Windows Phone 7, largely because it was almost nothing as I imagined it to be.
But then, I watched videos and read about the history of the group of (new) people who are managing the Windows Phone 7 team. It didn’t take long for me to discover that many of the people leading this team are some of the most important people in Microsoft’s long history. As months went by, I began to realize the beauty of the “Metro” UI design language in WP7. It was truly something unique and different, but more importantly; the beginning of something better and iconic.
Had Microsoft gone done the Google and Palm route of “lets just use the same style iOS has”, it really wouldnt be anything special. Instead, Microsoft, or more specifically, J Allard, hired a Nike shoe designer by the name of Albert Shum. It sounds crazy, and almost stupid. But then I watched videos of Albert talking about the Metro UI and how its relevant to a product like Windows Phone, and suddenly, my mind was blown. I couldn’t believe how wrong I was. It made me remind myself of the idea of being prejudice, and how wrong it is. After listening to what Albert Shum had to say about design and WP7, it was clear to me, this man and his team was responsible for creating the UI that will become as iconic and well known as the Windows UI.
A lightening bolt then hit my head; the only thing that matters about Windows Phone 7 is the people who are running everything behind the show. These people are dedicated, passionate, patient, and confident that they will change the world through the influence and inspiration of excellent design and the idea of mass market. Windows Phone 7 is so much more than the 2010 release happening later on, its the beginning of a silent revolution. Well, silent for now that is.
Anyways, to sum things up, I have fallen in love with Windows Phone 7, not because I forced myself to, but because I learned that its so much more than some v1.o release without copy and paste and multitasking. Its the “Metro” UI, combined with the fact that this is the first Microsoft product to combine all MS services and products, and even 3rd party services. Its something truly exciting and unique, I cant wait for this revolution to begin.
So Finally, another major and important product is Kinect. Its the first time the Xbox will be going mass market. I’m interested to see how it will do in the market and what it means for the future of other MS products (Windows 8). Im a little worried that the $299 bundling with the lower-end 4GB Xbox 360 S model might make casual gamers stare more closely at the Kinect-less, bare-bones $199 4GB model. But, its still a system that gets sold, regardless.
I can’t wait for Windows Phone 7!