After seeing Windows Mobile 7, I have to say it really compliments Android as a serious mobile phone.  As Gizmodo said, it “out Appled Apple.” Not to say it won’t be an enjoyable experience, or a competitor in the mobile market, but it’s a different experience than the typical “Smartphone.”  The big question, then, is how does Microsoft’s new platform compare with Apple and Android–for users and for developers?

Windows Mobile 7′s interface and layout are the definition of simplicity. This comes as a direct challenge to the iPhone, which prides itself on a simple interface and usability. The WM7 user interface is about the easiest navigation I’ve seen and might be better than the iPhone because it has significantly more flexibility.

As I have said many times, one platform is not a substitute for another. This mobile operating system seems to target the market of iPhone users, who want a phone that “just works.” Microsoft is creating minimum phone specifications, ranging from screen size to sensors, to ensure that the phones run the OS smoothly. Because Android doesn’t have such standards (it provides more flexibility with the hardware), Windows Mobile 7 appears to be targeting the iPhone market share.

Unlike the iPhone OS and Windows Mobile, Android can be applied to a variety of devices. Android also has a virtually open application market, meaning developers can create what they want and deliver it when they want. So while the iPhone might own the mobile application market today, Android will really pick up steam as Microsoft and Apple create barriers for developers.  Such barriers seem inevitable for both Microsoft and Apple mobile operating platforms because both companies want a seamless interface and, unfortunately, don’t trust independent app developers to provide it.

With the thought of a hardware floor comes a nightmare of an application approval process similar to Apple’s. Needless to say, this would be extremely discouraging for developers looking to produce applications for the platform. The bright side–there’s always a bright side–is that Flash will probably be available soon on the Windows Mobile platform.. for those of you who care for Flash.

Adobe AIR, is a recent tool by Adobe which introduces cross platform development giving developers a universal market. While not all of the applications available are portals to web applications, the majority of them interface with on-line counterparts. When people think AIR, they are usually thinking about their favorite Twitter desktop client, however the potential goes far beyond just that as the platform will grow to provide what I think will be a corner stone to the future of development. Taking it a step further, Google developed their Chrome OS as a portal to their services for people on the go, specifically net book owners.

Chrome-OS, while an actual operating system, provides the same on line ideology of AIR (if not more). Chrome OS is a hybrid of hardware based technologies and cloud reliance. With Chrome-OS the idea is that the user will have a lightweight, almost instantly accessible operating system which connects applications (provided by Google and third party developers). Relying on Java, rather then operating on web based programming languages like PHP and Javascript. These applications, the life of your user experience, will require almost no overhead and will be ready to go within seconds of powering on your machine.

To me both of these products are huge. Thanks to AIR, I’ve been able to utilize a lot of the same applications I use on my desktop on my new Netbook running Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Meaning, that with almost no effort, I am able to maintain the same level of productivity without having to adjust to new interfaces. Looking forward to Chrome-OS, the ability to interface with my Google Accounts is a huge step forward because I already use Google’s on line solutions for email, documents, contact management and even Google Voice as my primary number.

On the back burner, a bit less hyped, is Microsoft’s new solution which is looking to provide a cloud based solution for application hosting. While I’ve broken free of Microsoft’s grips, in terms of M$ Office, I still am considering this a step in the right direction for those backing ASP languages. I’m still a bit new to the pricing structure, which seems on par with other cloud solutions, however backing from such an industry leader is a good sign. Conveniently they saw it fit to make the announcement the same day Google announced Chrome-OS.

While I’ve become a big supporter of cloud based solutions in recent months, I have to say that beyond the convenience of being “portable,” cloud solutions still worry a lot of people. The first question I hear is always, without fail, “security” followed with the question of reliability. My response to both of these is “I’m sure the tech who set up the servers hosting your information know more about the issue than you or I.” In the cases of Chrome-OS and Adobe AIR, you’re trusting little extra with the corporations then you are currently using their products and services. Ideally, you’d be sharing less because you are interacting directly with the server and not a document based interface.

Today, BoyGeniusReport.com posted Microsoft’s numbers for the first week of Windows 7.  Windows 7 outsold Vista’s first week by 243%, which I’m sure resulted in a lot more satisfied customers.

While my dislike for Vista has been well documented in many conversations and posts on various message boards, these numbers really surprise me.  Originally, I was convinced that the public would have been timid to purchase a new Microsoft release after the problems which ensued with its’ previous tragedy.

Flash support is huge and from what I know, it is a first for mobile phones. However, how many people utilize flash sites from their mobile phones.  I am drawing a blank trying to think of any sites I visit that use flash, without offering a separate mobile site. Still, it’s definitely a neat feature for killing time while waiting for your United flight delay to be over.  Still, as a selling point it tends to weaken while comparing the operating systems other features to what’s on the market in terms of other mobile OS options.

Apple’s hook line, “there’s an app for that,” is an extreme understatement.  Apple may have beat the line to death, however it’s also changed how people view the iPhone.  Android is like this too, while their App Market is still somewhat new, there is still an application that serves purposes I would normally use the mobile browser for.  Instead of checking CNN.com for hot news topics, I now just thumb the USA Today application on my phone and almost instantly get the top news stories.  If I am out of the house and get asked information about a domain, I just use “WhoIS” to see if it’s available, who owns it and purchase it if needed.  With an app for everything, it’s become a rarity that I use my T-Mobile G1′s wonderful web browser.

This brings me to my first issue with the Windows Phone OS (next to the iPhone OS name ripoff), the browser looks EXTREMELY similar to that of the Android phones. This wouldn’t have been an issue to me, whatsoever, but it’s one of many traits of the Windows Mobile 6.5 that throw me into the “where have I seen this before” mindset.  As the phone is getting put through it’s motions, I realize that many of the “new” exciting features of the phone are currently available on other platforms.  Microsoft “tag” looks so amazingly useful, but the fact is that both the iPhone and Android have apps for scanning QR Code in such a manner. Further more, Microsoft taking pride in their cloud computing solution for messages and contacts is something of the past for me.  Not only is it old news, but it’s a feature on the G1 that I’ve started taking for granted.

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