Windows Mobile 7 to be motion-based

 

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Posted on 7 Jan 2008 at 15:41

Windows Mobile 7 will be built around touch and motion recognition, according to Microsoft documents reportedly leaked onto the internet.

The documents, which come courtesy of InsideMicrosoft, suggest Windows Mobile 7 will utilise a touch interface in a similar manner to the iPhone, with users being able to swipe, tap and scroll items on the screen.

However, unlike the iPhone, Mobile 7 will also include a motion interface which will allow users to "shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone," with mooted applications including tilting the handset to switch through tabbed windows, or shaking it to wake the phone from hibernation.

The report also suggests that users will be able to "doodle" on the lock screen and play with the screen saver, causing a picture of still water to run by shaking the phone for example.

Microsoft is apparently moving away from gyroscopes and other mechanical devices for this, preferring to employ the phone's camera to detect motions.

While information on possible developments continues to swirl around Mobile 7 Microsoft has yet to give a release date, and when we asked the company for comment we were told it does not respond to rumours.

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Author: Stuart Turton