Windows Phone 7 Will Lack Flash, Multitasking, CDMA at Launch
by Nicholas Kolakowski
Windows Phone 7s GSM Support
Windows Phone 7 will appear first on GSM-based cellular networks such as AT&T’s, moving later to CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) carriers such as Verizon in the first half of 2011.
No Tethering
Microsoft executives confirmed in September that Windows Phone 7 will not support tethering, which would have made the smartphones a Web hub for any nearby devices.
No Adobe Flash Support
At launch, Windows Phone 7 will apparently lack in-browser support for Adobe Flash. However, Microsoft and Adobe executives have suggested Flash support will come later.
No Cut-and-Paste
Windows Phone 7 will initially lack a cut-and-paste function.
Lacking Full Multitasking
Windows Phone 7 will lack full multitasking at launch.
No Stylus
Unlike previous versions of Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7 has been designed with finger touches first and foremost in mind. This means no need for a stylus.
Tight Control
Microsoft is keeping a tight rein on its manufacturing partners, dictating that Windows Phone 7 devices be restricted to a single, multi-touch-screen form factor. So (perhaps for the moment) alternate devices with features such as physical QWERTY keyboards will not be available.
Lack of App Support
At launch, Windows Phone 7’s marketplace will lack the hundreds of thousands of apps present in both the Android Marketplace and Apple’s App Store. However, Microsoft is hoping its app store’s size will rapidly increase in the months ahead.
Tight Third-Party Apps Rules
Users will not be able to download third-party apps through any channel except for Microsoft’s Marketplace.
IE 7 Browser, Not IE 9
Windows Phone 7 will lack a mobile version of its upcoming Internet Explorer 9. Instead (again, at least for the moment) the platform will rely on a Web browser based on Internet Explorer 7.