Windows Phone 7 has recently launched with a multitude of great phones, namely the Samsung Omnia 7, Samsung Focus, and LG Optimus 7, with the soon-to-be-released Dell Venue Pro and HTC 7 Pro definitely bringing in new customers. However, there are many doubts about the success of Windows Phone 7, and I'd like to clear that up.

Well, for one, what about the stiff competition it faces: Android and iOS? Well, Android too was once a small child, slowly gaining momentum. It wasn't until phones like the Nexus One where it got some real attention. And all iOS did was conventionalize the smart phone for the regular user, so it immediately got massive attention. However, it's popularity is dwindling as more and more mainstream options such as Android and now WP7 hit the market. So, Microsoft is fighting an uphill battle to gain a place within the smartphone podium, but I guess Microsoft knew that. They were prepared to dig in and slowly advance on their competitors. Again, this is Microsoft we're talking about, the multi-million dollar giant. They have plenty of emergency reserves to let WP7 live. After all, Windows Mobile has been living, although not popularly, for all these years.

Which brings me to my next point: the negative press Microsoft receives. For example, Vista was supposed to change up the Windows formula completely, which it did to a certain extent; however, with Vista also arose many more problems, namely the many bugs and crashes, as well as smaller problems (the downgraded Windows Movie Maker). However, Windows 7 remedied that by adding many needed patches. WP7 is often looked down upon because of it's Windows branding. It leads many to believe it's another Windows Mobile, and they do not want to be disappointed again. However, what the general consumer doesn't realize is that this is a whole new beast. It features a slick new interface, with a totally new design philosophy, and buttery smooth performance. It's vastly different from Windows Mobile. It's not that convoluted mess that we used to know. It's simple, like iOS, and with the proper additions, can be as customizable to fit your needs as Android.

So, what does Microsoft need to succeed? Well, for one, they need to appease those geeks that actually read the online reviews on operating systems and want to research on their next purchase. By adding in the key features that Windows Mobile had (to please the business power user) andthe key features of Android (to please the geek which wants it his way), WP7 can be a success. It already has that simple user interface that iOS users have been accustomed to for so long. But, if it can add options for a business user and those for extreme customization (while staying within the parameters Microsoft set itself for the whole project), then it should be a very pleasing OS.

Key features that Microsoft does need for WP7 are:

1) Copy-paste and multitasking

This will allow even the simplest of applications to have an underlying business utilization. Copy-paste's uses are immediately recognizes and multitasking is the norm these days. Even if it doesn't have true multitasking like Android, it can have something similar to iOS with the freezing of apps.

2) Email unified and ability to send .pdf files

As of now, there is no unified inbox. While for the general consumer, like me, that doesn't have more than two emails at once, it doesn't seem like a big deal. But for some people, having five or six different emails is often necessary. Therefore, the unified inbox is a nice way to tidy up a mess without overpopulating the main screen, since each email gets its own tile.

Also, the ability to send .pdf files is almost necessary. You can receive, forward, and open .pdf files, but once you open them, they save to your phone. After that, any .pdf files you may have stored on your phone are stuck forever. You can do all that, but you can't send from your phone? What if you created a .pdf file on your computer, sent it to your phone for later use, and needed to send it? Well, you can't because Microsoft left out that functionality.

3) Mass storage mode

If you want to send anything between your computer and the phone, you need to use the Zune client, similar to how an iPhone works. But what about those things I can't send with the Zune client, such as any Word documents I create on the phone? Well, too bad. Your phone cannot be recognized as a USB storage device. Fix that, and allow us to be able to view our phone's internal files through a mass storage mode. I don't want to have to rummage through random garbage to find that one hidden file that cannot be accessed through normal means.

4) Improved Microsoft Office capabilities

Currently, only OneNote runs using the cloud service. Excel and Word are limited to the phone's memory. While Excel and Powerpoint accomplishes its tasks, Word does not. Excel can create tables and do all that other fancy stuff I never got around to doing. Powerpoint can view Powerpoint files (like you need to create a Powerpoint on your phone anyways). However, Word being a dedicated word processor has very limited options. You cannot change the font, font size, are given a limited selection of colors, and cannot create bullets. Add in some more functionality and it may be of use. Plus, allow everything to be sent through the cloud. It's silly that a phone based on the cloud has some stuff not connected to it.

5) Universal search and consistent search button

To search for an app that is not pinned to the start, you must swipe to the right and then scroll through a never-ending list of apps. Some people out there like to load their phone with tons of useless apps. Others with useful apps. Either way, they need a way of finding an app quickly. All you have now is to scroll through the gargantuan list. The other option, which isn't widely known, is to hold down the Windows key, which brings up the voice search, which is like a voice-activated universal search. However, I don't want people to know what I'm doing and sometimes breaks the silence and makes it all awkward.

Also, the Search button needs to remain consistent. When I press the Search button, I'd like it to default to the Bing universal search (when it's added). If an app has it's own search engine, then allow it to remain near the bottom with all the app-specific buttons. Make it distinct, like instead of having it bordered with a circle, it can be smaller and without a border, off to the side. Or when you press the "..." key, it brings up a search bar as well as the descriptions of the keys. Just find some way to make it consistent. I can see how it can get annoying.

6) Added customization

I like the Metro UI, and anyone buying WP7 must too, unless they just want to upgrade Windows Mobile. However, add some more personalization. Please. Custom ringers is optional, but I can see some people wanting it. Instead of choosing from a bunch of pre-selected accent colors, let us choose through a color wheel. That is more convenient and allows more personalization. No need for a custom background (as that gets rid of the entire design philosophy), but I'd like to have a light background with black tiles. It just LOOKS good.

Also, allow folders so we can group similar apps. Opening a folder basically opens another start screen, with the tiles placed inside rearranged accordingly. Let us also have the choice of the status bar at the top remain consistent, whether you think it fits or not. A power user might need to know his need-to-know's on the spot. Plus, allow us to have a percentage, so we can get an accurate estimation of how much time left before recharging. Hint, place it in the battery symbol.

There's so many more additions out there, but these I feel are the top priorities.

And finally, in order to bring WP7 up-to-speed with the competition, start a new advertising campaign. Since an unknown factor has arisen (people associating it with Windows Mobile), you need a new ad campaign. Make commercials to allow consumers to knowingly differentiate it from Windows Mobile, so they don't get the negative perception they think. In fact, most people thought opposite when they tried it. The ad campaign currently also seems lackluster. I've barely seen any commercials compared to Droid, and for a day or two, Microsoft took over YouTube's front page. Take it up a notch. WP7 has gotten rave reviews, take it to the next step.

That's about it. Hope that clears things up a bit, and Microsoft, if you are reading, take some suggestions from the fanbase. I for one will be a WP7 customer when my contract ends in June, but I don't want to be disappointed.