In one fell swoop, Microsoft leapfrogs Sony and Nintendo in handheld...

Windows Phone 7 Series will be the handheld platform to complement Xbox 360, and the tie in is a lot deeper than PSP + PS3 or DS + Wii.

First of all, WP7 phones are going to be a lot more powerful than PSP, featuring nVidia Tegra or Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors. Anyone with a Zune HD can already see how the graphics blow away the other mobile gaming platforms.

Secondly, they will all have aGPS and 3G data. Combined with Xbox Live, we're looking at location-based, always-on multiplayer gaming--that neither PSP nor DS deliver. Xbox Live will also always be on, so you can send/receive messages and invites, and even earn achievements on your phone.

It's going to be slick.

Its a phone which means there are going to be fees. The userbase has instantly been segregated. Imagine that.

I Saw the video (lame 3 minute commercial actually), and I wasn't impressed.

There was no gaming shown, just avatar watching and spotlight. It's just a way for them to hurt Apple and the iphone, that's all. They want a slice, just like the ZUNE did to ipod.

We'll see how it plays out this Xmas when it's due, but the one commercial available didn't impress. It was just a phone.

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Also, congrats on the "one fell swoop, leapfrog", the DS came out in 2004, the PSP in 2005, and this thing isn't due to Holiday 2010. It's a phone, like the iphone. I don't see it competing on the same level as traditional handhelds. It's just a phone, it will have the tech older crowd, that's it.

Zune HD has far less games (up to about a dozen?) than Iphone, and iphone isn't killing the DS or PSP.

Its a phone which means there are going to be fees. The userbase has instantly been segregated. Imagine that.

ActicEdge

Is it Natal integrated? I bet it will be, just so they can make a profit on people breaking them.

Saw the video, wasn't impressed. There was no gaming shown, just avatar watching and spotlight.

We'll see how it plays out this Xmas when it's due, but the one commercial available didn't impress. It was just a phone.

SolidTy

That would be nice but who knows if the phone is supported in my area.

Kind of wish Microsoft would release a handheld so I could have some of those titles that Microsoft would acquire. Halo, Fable, and some other titles on the go? Yes please.

Windows mobile isn't a very good os. At this point in time it is the laughing stock of cell phone operating systems. I don't know if it can overcome that perception.

It isn't a gaming device; it's a phone. I don't care how powerful it is; no buttons, not sufficient for gaming.

[QUOTE="ActicEdge"]

Its a phone which means there are going to be fees. The userbase has instantly been segregated. Imagine that.

UnnDunn

This was never about the Zune so no.

you saw how that iphone gaming affects ds and psp??? no? now shrink that "effect"by 90%, that's how much MS iphone wannable will affect DS and PSP.

A few fancy features isn't going to get Microsoft any where in the mobile gaming arena.

BTW, the ZuneHD has a whopping 12 games available for download...

It isn't a gaming device; it's a phone. I don't care how powerful it is; no buttons, not sufficient for gaming.

jimkabrhel

My thoughts exactly. It's primary function isn't gaming. So it's not a handheld... (Reminds me of the N-Gage TBH)

I Saw the video (lame 3 minute commercial actually), and I wasn't impressed.

There was no gaming shown, just avatar watching and spotlight. It's just a way for them to hurt Apple and the iphone, that's all. They want a slice, just like the ZUNE did to ipod.

We'll see how it plays out this Xmas when it's due, but the one commercial available didn't impress. It was just a phone.

--------

Also, congrats on the "one fell swoop, leapfrog", the DS came out in 2004, the PSP in 2005, and this thing isn't due to Holiday 2010. It's a phone, like the iphone. I don't see it competing on the same level as traditional handhelds. It's just a phone, it will have the tech older crowd, that's it.

SolidTy

Er sure, but doesn't Windows Mobile 7 suck the huge one?

Except their no GAMES for it......And yo have to buy a crappy windows phone. This announcement is a trainwreak to me.

[QUOTE="SolidTy"]

I Saw the video (lame 3 minute commercial actually), and I wasn't impressed.

There was no gaming shown, just avatar watching and spotlight. It's just a way for them to hurt Apple and the iphone, that's all. They want a slice, just like the ZUNE did to ipod.

We'll see how it plays out this Xmas when it's due, but the one commercial available didn't impress. It was just a phone.

--------

Also, congrats on the "one fell swoop, leapfrog", the DS came out in 2004, the PSP in 2005, and this thing isn't due to Holiday 2010. It's a phone, like the iphone. I don't see it competing on the same level as traditional handhelds. It's just a phone, it will have the tech older crowd, that's it.

Zune HD has far less games (up to about a dozen?) than iphone, and iphone isn't killing the DS or PSP in the slightest.

Doctor-McNinja

All 12 of them? :shock:

Wow, this thing sounds worth it. The iphone practically killed the DS and PSP market, this thing will kill the iphone, I'm sure of it.

Windows phones are awesome too, to boot.:P

I spend about $300 on a new cell phone every couple of years, and I'm not spending my money on windows phone. It sounds like the Zune HD may be a sound investment for those that want Audiosurf, Lucky Lanes Bowling, checkers, and Vans Sk8: Pool Service. :)

It's going to be slick.

UnnDunn

if its the graphical equivalent of a zune then i consider myself not impressed. psp can pump out better graphics imo.

Better late than never I guess:lol:.

Better late than never I guess:lol:.

KH-mixerX

Wait...

Microsoft said that I will be able to upgrade my HTC HD2 to Windows Mobile 7... Will I not be able to play the games since it does not have a Tegra GPU in it?

Or am I completely lost and Windows Phone 7 is something completely different?

I think I speak for us all when I say nah.

The specs are nice.

I'm refraining from jumping on the "Windows Phone 7! OMG!" bandwagon until I see some games though. That's always where the handheld war is won or lost, after all.

Tegra's awesome, but we're going to need more than that to have a quality gaming device....

wont Live on phones not only be available on the win mobile platform which means im not intrested as i have my trusty nokia which i have had for a while and i dont game on my phone so even less intrest from me tbh unless they could do really cool things otherwise im not intrested tbh.

I think you're exaggerating a bit.

Realistically though, we're starting to see hints of the Xbox Live platform being expanded. THAT, to me, is a bit more exciting. Achievements on portable games are cool, as is the prospect of having a single ID across all pieces of hardware, and being able to use the same points whether I'm on the 360, Zune or Windows 7.

I think that's kinda cool. Of course, let's reel this back in a bit. It's nice, but nothing to get excited about just yet since we're at the beginning stages with a long ways to go.

Tegra's awesome, but we're going to need more than that to have a quality gaming device....

Teufelhuhn

Yeah, like actual hardware buttons and a couple of analog sticks.Rikusaki

I think you're exaggerating a bit.

Realistically though, we're starting to see hints of the Xbox Live platform being expanded. THAT, to me, is a bit more exciting. Achievements on portable games are cool, as is the prospect of having a single ID across all pieces of hardware, and being able to use the same points whether I'm on the 360, Zune or Windows 7.

I think that's kinda cool. Of course, let's reel this back in a bit. It's nice, but nothing to get excited about just yet since we're at the beginning stages with a long ways to go.

VoodooHak

What else is System Wars for, if not to completely over-exaggerate the potential impact of everything Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo do?UnnDunn

[QUOTE="Teufelhuhn"]

Tegra's awesome, but we're going to need more than that to have a quality gaming device....

Rikusaki

iPhone games seem to be overcoming that....starting at least. Some are passable by on-screen d-pads, but others like Spider and Jewel Quest Mystery do a good job of overcoming the iPod's hardware limitation.

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]Yeah, like actual hardware buttons and a couple of analog sticks.musicalmac

I expect to see the same people who defend the iphone as a gaming device attack this.

[QUOTE="UnnDunn"]What else is System Wars for, if not to completely over-exaggerate the potential impact of everything Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo do?musicalmac

And at the RROD phone joke.Could we see another translator guy or RRRRRRRIIIIDDDDDGGGGEEE RRRRRAAACCCEERR (which i still find funny)

[QUOTE="UnnDunn"]What else is System Wars for, if not to completely over-exaggerate the potential impact of everything Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo do?musicalmac

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]Yeah, like actual hardware buttons and a couple of analog sticks.musicalmac

Wait...

Microsoft said that I will be able to upgrade my HTC HD2 to Windows Mobile 7... Will I not be able to play the games since it does not have a Tegra GPU in it?

Or am I completely lost and Windows Phone 7 is something completely different?

Rikusaki

Wow....seeing posts like this really puts things in perspective with the technology in Japan. They have 14 year olds writing stories on their phones that sell for thousands. We are still accepting the Wii as next gen hardware. I just don't understand.

[QUOTE="KH-mixerX"]

Better late than never I guess:lol:.

DeadMagazines

Personally, I think they should of entered the handheld market a long time ago. And doing it through mobile phones is the best way possible to do it IMO. That way the iPhone would be it's closest and most direct competitor. Now, taking Apple head-on like that may seem foolish at first, but MS has one big advantage; XBL. XBL is an already established and well known entity. It'll give them a substantial higher ground I think. Plus it interacts directly with one of the most popular consoles in history; the 360. Apple still has it's own advantages though. Like the Apple name and the already proven gaming platform. It'll definitely be an interesting rivalry to keep an eye on in the coming years.

And FYI, I'm not a lemming. I'm completely neutral when it comes to SW. I own both consoles. So don't go throwing the lemming label at me like I know some of you will. I'm not talking directly at you DeadMagazines either. In case you thought otherwise.

Wow....seeing posts like this really puts things in perspective with the technology in Japan. They have 14 year olds writing stories on their phones that sell for thousands. We are still accepting the Wii as next gen hardware. I just don't understand.

CoreoVII

at the time it was launched when you think bout it in a weird sense the wii was next gen cause it tried a totally diffrent approach to gaming.Im only upset that most of the games i own on the wii are things like wii sports or tiger woods cause i see potential for it with a lot of genre's even RTS games i think it could do a pretty good job at that even tho it sounds weird.

If companies tried to innovate with it instead of firing out guff then i think the wii would have even more potential than it already has.

[QUOTE="musicalmac"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]Yeah, like actual hardware buttons and a couple of analog sticks.Teufelhuhn

May I ask you an off-topic question? Why do most mods have two mod labels under their names? An orange and purple one. What's the difference?