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Windows Phone 7 Lacks Copy-and-Paste
theodp writes "In a behind-the-scenes look at Windows Phone 7 (photos), CNET's Ina Fried notes that Microsoft's new software has won early praise for breaking ground in some areas, but takes a step backward in others. In particular, it doesn't support features like copy and paste and multitasking that were already part of the old Windows Mobile. 'I think users use cut-copy-paste periodically,' said Microsoft exec Terry Myerson, '(but) there's other things they use more frequently.' Hey, tradeoffs had to be made — it was either copy-and-paste or Goo Splat."
Rumor has it they're selling hundreds of the first Windows Phone 7 handsets, the Kin, each month. It's a runaway hit. With all these new choices they might launch that up into the thousands. Watch out Apple and Android, Microsoft is back in the mobile game and they're ready to rumble.
It is a very fine article - do read it. Apparently the compass doesn't work, but it's required on every device. That's going to make it hard to have a credible mapping application. It retains Windows CE at its core. The project leader's biggest hope is to "survive the launch," not amaze us with their brilliance.
This comment from the article was particularly insightful:
by peterpulmonary June 17, 2010 7:12 AM PDT the only reason to allow this type of exposure is to reduce expectations.
Help stamp out iliturcy.
I know the iPhone has an enormous Apple logo on the back, but:
1) It's not and enormous Apple logo on the front
2) Some people think Apple is cool
The Windows logo instantly makes me feel like I'm at work. Seeing it on the front of my phone everytime I pick it up would sap a tiny percentage of the joy from my day everytime I picked the thing up. And why? For branding? They can't just put a stylized picture of a house, or a rounded square ( I've never heard of anyone being confused by the non-specific design on the iPhone's ONLY BUTTON )... a circle... a triangle... Maybe no icon at all!
I want my technology to look like it was sent from an alient future, or dug up from an alien past... with mystic runes and shit.
After Mickey Mouse, the Windows logo is the least mystical goddamn rune on earth.
Copy & paste is a tool of pirates and plagiarists. There is no legitimate use for Copy & paste.
I don't understand why such a simple, useful feature could be missed by both companies..
Microsoft didn't "miss" anything. Being unable to innovate in any respect on it's own, it is trying to copy the the iPhone model as closely as it can--including leaving out copy-and-paste on it's first generation OS.
This ain't rocket surgery.
"We had to choose between booting the device, or shutting it down. We decided to implement the shutting down functionality; though we realize some users use the booting of their device periodically"
All in all; sometimes you can't choose between functionality and simply need to implement all essential features.
-- Fr
"We've got a good product," he said. " I actually do believe that. I think we are going to actually have a lot of happy customers."
It's doomed.
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
Either this is a really pathetic attempt at a troll, or you should just turn in your geek card.
What's weird about that is if he had replaced iPhone with "Palm Treo" he would have nicely described what using that phone was like.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
MS should sit on Windows Phone 7 until they can make it feature complete.
If you wait until it's perfect you'll never ship product. Ship it now and improve it later. It's the One Microsoft Way. They can't afford to wait: they needed to launch this platform two years ago. If they had shipped then it would be "fixed" by now.
Seriously - they're doing great. Let's not give them any more help, ok?
Help stamp out iliturcy.
You sure seem to drink a lot of milkshakes, sir.