“With the iPhone, Apple put together an extremely simple modal interface that works, one that people of all ages and backgrounds understand right away…Microsoft’s approach is completely different. Instead of becoming another me-too cellphone, like Android and the rest, the Windows Phone 7 team came up their own vision of what the cellphone should be. In the process, they have created a beautiful user interface in which the data is at the center of user interaction. Not the apps-specific functions-but the information itself. At some points, in fact, it feels like the information is the interface itself.”
Link: Windows Phone 7 Interface: Microsoft Has Out-Appled Apple (gizmodo.com)
It can sometimes be difficult to have a discussion about Apple or Microsoft without it degenerating into a fanboy flame war, but regardless of history, and personal preferences, I think most people would agree that it’s good to see companies daring to be different from the market leader.
Personally I think this is a very strong UI direction to go in, and possibly counter-intuitively may actually make app development easier.
Well done Microsoft.