Windows Phone 7 not planned for tactile tablets

For tactile tablets, Microsoft will push their Windows 7 OS and Windows Embedded 7, not Windows Phone 7.

During the launch of the Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s new mobile platform, Greg Sullivan stated that the new mobile OS wouldn’t be used on tactile tablets, like what Apple had done with their iPad in using the same iOS as for the iPhone and iPod Touch, providing the device with the same application library.
 
He stated that Windows Phone 7 will remain dedicated to small screens like Smartphone’s, with its design not being adapted to large screens. Windows 7 and Windows Embedded 7 will be the two systems that will be used on such tactile tablets in the future.

We already know that Microsoft is counting on optimising Windows 7 for a tablet version, but we will have to wait for Windows 8 to have a version that is completely oriented towards such a mobile product. For Sullivan, tablets need to have ergonomics which closer resemble that of computers rather than Smartphone’s, with an adaptation which better responds to the limited battery life.


Windows Phone 7 not adapted to tablets?
The company is also moving away from the Android strategy, present on both Smartphone’s and the first tablets that compete against the iPad, with even Eric Schmidt – CEO of Google admitting that the user experience isn’t completely satisfactory with the current version and that we will have to wait for the next release to have better adapted ergonomics.

Having a full OS does provide greater communication possibilities with other equipment and allows for greater penetration into the professional market though, like what HP is offering with their Slate tablet.

We can note though that the iPad seems to have been largely shunned by professionals looking for a working tool, while Cisco is betting on their Cisco Cius Android tablet which will provide a form of videoconferencing when on the move.

Despite Microsoft shying away from releasing Windows Phone 7 on tactile tablets, some analysts believe that the new hubs interface is well adapted to these products and their larger screens.

This idea could be developed on new mobile products but Microsoft hasn’t wanted to distract from the more important topic of the moment: the launch of Windows Phone 7 on Smartphone’s.

In the meantime, Steve Ballmer promised last week that Windows tablets would be announced before the end of 2010.