HTC HD7 with Windows Phone 7: Sleek, Polished and Middle-of-the-Road
by Nicholas Kolakowski
HTC HD7
HTCs HD7, running Windows Phone 7, features a 4.3-inch touch screen (480 x 800 WVGA) and 1GHz processor.
Battery Life
The HTC HD7s rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for roughly a day before needing recharging, provided you go relatively light on the phone calls.
Camera
The 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and dual LED flash offers 720p HD video recording.
Kickstand
The integrated kickstand sets the HTC HD7 in landscape mode.
Lock Screen
Windows Phone 7s lock screen.
Passcode Protected
Unlike Google Android, which has its users draw a shape to access their phone, Windows Phone 7 takes the traditional pass-code approach.
Hubs
Windows Phone 7s interface centers on six subject-specific Hubs.
Apps
Users can pin new apps (such as the Facebook and Twitter apps, seen here) to their Start screens.
More Options
By flicking their finger to the right, users can access a variety of tools not present on the Start screen, including their apps.
Bing Maps
Windows Phone 7s maps, powered by Bing, offer a satellite view when zoomed in close to ground level.
Office Hub
Microsoft hopes its Office Hub will attract business users.
Document Editing
The Office hub offers light editing for Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel workbooks, as well as access to OneNote.
SharePoint
Microsoft is also betting that its smartphone platforms tight SharePoint integration will appeal to businesses.
Outlook Integration
Windows Phone 7 integrates fairly seamlessly with Outlook e-mail, at least in eWEEKs testing. Users can also add their Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail and other e-mail accounts to their phones.
Phone Calls
Windows Phone 7s interface for making phone calls.
Multimedia Phone
HTC and carrier T-Mobile are selling the HD7 as a multimedia phone, with a “T-Mobile TV” app and integration with the users Zune account. Netflix also exists as a preloaded app.
Calendar
Windows Phone 7s calendar interface.
App Marketplace
Windows Phone 7s app marketplace reportedly has close to 5,000 apps.
Xbox Integration
As befitting a Microsoft product, Windows Phone 7 features tight Xbox Live integration. Here, the users digital (and customizable) avatar.
Photos
Windows Phone 7s photo-taking interface offers control over effects, resolution, “Metering mode,” “Flicker adjustment,” and flash.
HTC Hub
Elements of HTCs Hub for WP7 bear a curious resemblance to Google Androids user interface, no?