Resco can be considered one of the grandmasters of Windows Mobile – their applications have scored extremely well in TamsPPC reviews in the past, and are recommended for every power user.
As the boys have recently moved into enterprise and developer components as well, I felt that they are more than qualified to discuss Windows Phone 7. Here is what Ivan Stano had to say:
Please tell us more about yourself and your company
Resco, founded in 1999, is a privately held company based in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is one of the global leaders dealing with Windows Phones, Pocket PCs, smartphones, and mobile devices. Resco has 3 divisions that cover the demands of current mobile market: Enterprise Solutions, Developer, and Applications Division. I am responsible for marketing and PR of Developer and Enterprise Divisions.
What were your initial impressions after the launch of WM7?
The release of new Windows Phone 7 is highly expected at Resco. Based on what I could see so far, Windows Phone 7 has the potential to compete successfully with the competitors like iPhone, Android, Blackberry and others. I would like to point here to the fact that Windows Phone 7 is strictly consumer based product. I believe the user experience and GUI is attractive enough to succeed within this target group. The new technology — Silverlight — will put new challenges for developers and effects Resco as well. We are working hard to launch new mobile controls for Windows Phone based on Silverlight technology and integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio in Q4 2010.
But there is another big group of mobile solutions users—business. It covers industries like field services, scenarios including bar code or RFID scanning, etc. This group will stil use devices running Windows Mobile 6.5.X and the same technology—WinForms.
Did you expect Microsoft to do something different?
The GUI concept is very subjective. Personally, I like the idea of panoramatic screens and hubs. The thing to consider is the scheduled release. As far as I am concerned, Holiday Season could be too late to catch up the leaving train. Especially after the new iOS was released, not even mentioning the progress of Android over the last few months.
I think it is still too early to consider Windows Phone 7 from technology point of view. There is still 6 months ahead of us.
Windows Mobile was popular for its downward compatibility. Are you unhappy to see this go?
When I look at it from end-user perspective, it is not a big deal. I believe the most of the end-user customers are not programmers that would have an unconditional need to upload their custom made apps to the new Windows Phone 7. They rather use ready-made, optimized apps they can rely on.
The other group of users: software engineers or programmers can stick with Windows Embedded platform line. This one will remain open and it will continue to support developer tools used in building applications.
Given that you are in enterprise, how have your customers reacted to WM7?
Many of our customers demanded info whether Resco will support new Windows Phone 7 with the mobile components. I am pleased, I can announce that my collageagues are already working on a new toolkit optimized for WP7. It will be a new technology — Silverlight and WPF — therefore they had to start from scratch. The release is scheduled for Q4 2010.
Do you expect Windows Mobile 6.5 to stay around for long?
I would say so. Furthermore, the news from Microsoft that came directly from Steve Ballmer indicates that the WM 6.5.X under name Windows Embedded Handheld platform will be supported and updated at least for another 2 years. Paralelly will be developed a new platform, named Windows Embedded Compact. But this one will be based on Silverlight technology already and will offer rich user interface and enhanced functionality.
If there is one thing you could change in WM7, what would that be?
I would definitely include support for databases.
How does the consumer division think about WM7?
The platform has got rid of the main functionality admired by geeks and the business segment and is friendlier with users that are new in the smart-phone market, or to users that are interested in cool looking devices and that don’t care about the advanced functionality. It is of course a logical step, especially when comparing to the iPhone’s success because the target market is a lot bigger than the current Windows Mobile one.
We believe that there is a potential in this platform, but we will have to wait for the final specifications and development tools.
What is your favorite WM7 device so far?
Based on what I could have seen so far, I like Dell Lightning the most. It has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, OLED display and a lot more under the hood.
Anything you would like to add?
The new Windows Phone 7 seems to be a potential platform that can play a significant role in the mobile market. The only thing I have a little doubts about is the timing of the release. Holiday season might be little late.
All in all, I hope Microsoft will make it.
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