Nokia’s Windows Phone 7 concept devices look like sexy beasts

February 12, 2011 9:41 AM
Devindra Hardawar

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July 9-10, 2013
San Francisco, CA

As expected, the combination of Nokia’s hardware expertise and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 software looks promising.

The concept picture, which was first published by Engadget yesterday, may not end up looking anything like what Nokia finally delivers, but it gives us a good sense of what the company is aiming for in its new partnership with Microsoft.

The hardware design looks like a clear evolution of Nokia’s current N8 and E7 smartphones, except with more curves and a Windows button on the front. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer mentioned that engineers at the two companies have been working together for some time, which is likely why this concept picture looks so final.

While at first it may seem incongruous to see a Nokia logo sitting above Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 interface, the design of the concept phones definitely seem more inviting than Nokia’s current offerings — which look great until you’re confronted with their creaky Symbian interfaces.

Unfortunately for existing Nokia device owners, the concept picture is a painful reminder that they’re stuck with Symbian. There was a vague possibility that Nokia might eventually upgrade the N8 and E7 to MeeGo, the next-generation OS it’s building together with Intel, but an upgrade to Windows Phone 7 is definitely out of the question.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS4DAXNE3G5L42EMG6PGBSQGIM Madan

want a high end nokia product on at&t.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_F2G7NM2LGV2RMG27LT7XMXZQBI milo

f yeah! I'm sold!
http://www.filhotesavenda.com Filhotes a Venda

it´s really great design and beautiful too but I still prefeer iphone or google android..
http://matrobriva.altervista.org matrobriva

I state that I have always used, recommended and admired Nokia products.Nokia produces mobile solid, durable and reliable.However, I think this accord is the greatest bullshit that he could do.Windows is a closed system that does not work well and full of bugs. Instead Android is fast, free and tested. I advise you to immediately cancel a lousy Agreement and thinking to customer satisfaction and not money that Microsoft will surely have “courtesy” offert to use their operating system of shit.ANDROID.ANDROID.ANDROID.Meanwhile, I rest with my Nokia 3410.
Crowd_Sorcerer

Sexy beasts? No. Just sad.Sad to see Nokia take the wrong turn, and head down a road that will see the company collapse.Everyone knows that Windows Phone 7 got off to a disappointingly “slow start” (to say the least), despite a massively funded marketing campaign. How is it possible that Elop bet Nokia's entire future on being a Microsoft distribution channel?These are just Photoshopped mock-ups. But as you can see on the interface, its Microsoft's same old interface. No differentiation from Nokia, unlike HTC and Samsung which provide their own interfaces.It is impossible for Nokia to win with Windows Phone 7. Microsoft's entire licensing model is doomed. Even Samsung's Bada is outselling Windows Phone 7, which proves that Nokia could have done better with MeeGo than WP7.Nothing makes sense. Why did Elop do it?
Jonny670

Those look killer!!! Windows Phone 7 is so much more advanced than Android and Apple. Way to go Microsoft and Nokia!
Jonny670

It is simply amazing how much better Windows Phone 7 OS is compared to iOS and Android. Android is glitchy, piece mealed together, you always feel like some sort of beta tester for their latest and greatest dessert named version of their OS. iOS is all ala cart. nothing works together. you have to fire up a half dozen things just to perform the already integrated features found in Windows Phone 7. which is why they have to push all their buttons to the front of the phone. it's just ridiculous. Nokia can finally provide Microsoft's stellar phone OS with some impressive hardware. An excellent move by both camps. Hopefully this will head off the scurge that is the little green trash can (Android) and let the apple offering begin to look tired as they over spend trying to be all things to everyone in a phone and end up just creating another tired iPhone which has played itself out is most serious circles.I'm looking forward to the new Nokia phones as I hope they give HTC and Sony a run for their money in Windows Phone 7 design. My Dell Venue Pro kills iPhone and Android phones all day long with it's seemless integration and multitasking abilities WHICH ARE ALREADY BAKED INTO THE PHONE. There are very little apps that you need to download.
http://www.devindra.org Devindra Hardawar

I think both MS and Nokia are well aware that they can't “win” the smartphone market — both Apple and Google will continue to rule the top spots — but they both desperately need to regain their relevancy. I made that point clear re: MS in this post (http://venturebeat.com/2010/11…/).Of course they're photoshopped mock ups. That's the first step towards delivering an actual device — everybody does it, so I don't understand the complaint. It gives us an inkling into Nokia's vision for its partnership, which is still plenty informative to me.The big problem with Windows Phone 7 thus far is that it hasn't had any flagship *must have* devices. Consider how Android really didn't take off until the release of the Droid, at which point Google had also updated Android heavily since its initial launch. Nokia has the chance to shine by adopting WP7, whereas it would be much more difficult for it to look different amidst the Android competition.
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