With the furore over copy & paste on Windows Phone 7 - or the lack of it - you'd think smartphone users spend their days constantly transferring snippets of text from one app to the other. Still, Microsoft have confirmed that the functionality isn't going to be MIA forever, and that in fact its absence in the first release of the platform is more one of timing than anything else.
We may have been looking to MIX10 for its juicy Windows Phone 7 series tidbits - and have you seen our demo videos of the latest apps and functionality? - but smartphones aren't the only think Microsoft want to talk to developers about. Today has been Internet Explorer 9's turn to take to the stage, with the focus on hardware-accelerated HTML5, a new JavaScript engine and Direct 2D technology.
There's no doubt that with the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series, that things are changing for Microsoft in the mobile market. They've decided to revamp everything, and that means the development process is getting a major face-lift as well. While they're hoping that the main stay of developers from previous version of Windows Mobile will stick around, they also want to make it perfectly clear that new developers can take full advantage of the new Silverlight development process. In the interview we conducted, we learned that Microsoft agrees with everyone else, in that the development process is just as important as the hardware and software, to the survival and success of Windows Phone 7 Series. We also learned how applications will be distributed, upgraded, and everything else in between. Oh, and we find out that some dreams are certainly going to be dashed.
It had to happen eventually. There's no telling how many devices are in production right now that are going to eventually run Windows Phone 7 Series, but we can certainly tell how many there are right now, at least. Up until about a month ago, we thought we were just seeing about two devices, the ASUS manufactured hardware that's been running the Windows Phone 7 Series software every time we've seen it since the official announcement, and the LG manufactured device that appeared a few weeks ago. But now, as we detailed earlier, Samsung has joined the game.
Twitter is one of those applications that has to be included on your phone, one way or another. And now that we're fully submersed in the world of application markets, Twitter clients are some of the most downloaded apps out there. Seesmic is one of those applications. The application has become synonymous with the micro-blogging service, and there's definitely nothing wrong with that. We went ahead and got some face time with the two biggest names in Seesmic's development process, Loic Le Meur and Mathieu Thouvenin, and we were lucky enough to receive some detailed information about Silverlight, and what it means for Seesmic.
The tiles on the Start screen of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series is one of those features that we just can't get enough of. Aside from the fact that they're interchangeable and customizable, you've also got the mix of live Hubs in there that just make them all the more interesting. In the case of the Game Hub, this live tile is always connected to your Xbox LIVE profile, which allows for your LIVE Avatar to pop his or her head up every once in awhile, just to let you know they're stuck in there.
![Microsoft Unveils Third Windows Phone 7 Series Device: It’s a Samsung [Update]](https://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Samsung-WP7S-280x420.jpg)
The hits just keep coming. After Microsoft's keynote about Windows Phone 7 Series and Silverlight during MIX10, Joe Belfiore decided to show off a little bit more. We were on the scene first-hand to check out the device, which makes this only the third device to be seen actually running Windows Phone 7 Series. So, what is it? It's a Samsung.
Foursquare has become synonymous with location-based services. While there may be some other applications out there, Foursquare managed to create a system that makes going places, and telling everyone you know that you're there, fun and entertaining. When Foursquare got demoed at MIX10, it showcased all of the great some features, but added that Silverlight flair that Microsoft is pushing full-steam ahead with Windows Phone 7 Series.
Twitter is one of those things that seems to be in the natural order of selection nowadays, and that's why we're not shocked at all that Seesmic managed to find their way onto the stage today at MIX10, and showcase their build of a Twitter client. Of course, this is the first "real" Twitter client showcased on a Windows Phone 7 Series device, but even with that heavy burden on its shoulders, Seesmic stepped up to the plate.
Despite the fact that the Windows Phone 7 Series has a bold new User Interface, and a brand new mobile Operating System outlook from the Redmond-based company, the big question on everyone's mind is whether or not the platform will have an App Store competitor. Thanks to MIX10, we can finally say with absolute certainty that that's exactly what Microsoft has planned, as they've officially named the Windows Phone Marketplace as the successor to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
Microsoft have been discussing Windows Phone 7 series' new "push notifications" system, which can trigger alerts to the user even when the app isn't running. The company took Major League Soccer's app on-stage at MIX10 today to demonstrate just how that works; with MLS, that involved selecting which events you're interested in - scores, when the game ends, etc - which will then be flagged up later.
Video demo after the cut
Microsoft have been demonstrating some of the software that has already been created for Windows Phone 7 series in Silverlight, including the Associated Press' news reader app and The Harvest, a 3D Xbox game which links the gamer's achievements into Xbox LIVE. The ongoing theme throughout has been how straightforward development can be, together with the strength of the platform (and the Snapdragon-based hardware, of course). Check out video demos after the cut.