Microsoft Gives a Glimpse of the First Windows Phone 7 Model

Microsoft has given the world an early look at what will be one of the first models running the recently-announced Windows Phone 7 operating system.

This LG device won't be on the market for months, but Microsoft apparently wanted to give potential customers an idea what they can expect for later this year.

The hardware requirements for this OS mean that is will have a WVGA (800 by 480 pixel) capacitive touchscreen, to which LG is adding a landscape-oriented sliding keyboard.

Despite its large keyboard, it will have a design just slightly thicker than an iPhone.

It will also include a 5 megapixel camera, and will surely meet the other Windows Phone 7 requirements of a 1 GHz processor, Wi-Fi, a GPS receiver, and an FM radio.

LG has not yet revealed the name of this model, which could debut as early as September, but might not be on the market until November.

More about Windows Phone 7
Despite its name, Microsoft's next smartphone operating system has little in common with its predecessors. It will have a completely different user interface and apparently won't run applications written for the earlier versions.

Its focus has moved to consumers, and its UI emphasizes social networking, pictures, games, etc. It has also been redesigned to be controlled with a fingertip.

Just about the only significant similarity between old and new is that both include Microsoft Office Mobile and support for synchronizing with Microsoft Exchange.

Source: Engadget