Windows Phone 7 Series' cutting room floor is an extravaganza of bright colors and chunky fonts

It's hard to argue that Windows Phone 7 Series' Metro UI concept isn't utterly unique in the mobile world, but it was wasn't the only option Microsoft considered -- far from it, in fact. The company has published a bunch a design concepts it churned through on its wild, wacky journey to finalizing Metro as we know it today, and one thing's for certain: they'd clearly planned on simple, square lines, partially-obscured typography, and in-your-face colors pretty much from day one. After careful consideration of everything they've got here, we still think we like the production design best, but that's kind of besides the point -- why, pray tell, couldn't these have just been user-selectable themes?

Olé, Contoso: Windows Phone Marketplace will integrate carrier-branded stores

So we noticed this odd "Contoso" label on Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace press image earlier today, and we finally got to the bottom of it: Microsoft's Todd Biggs says it's a placeholder entry for a carrier-branded section of the store -- instead of having a separate portal and / or store, Verizon or AT&T or whoever can simply sell their content to customers directly through Marketplace. So why Contoso? Todd says it's a random trademark owned by Microsoft used in place of carrier names that doesn't actually mean anything, although we think it suggests adventure, white roadsters, and finely-groomed mustachios. And now you know.

Windows Phone 7 Series will be WVGA only at launch, HVGA later

Microsoft's driving home the point that developers are going to know exactly what kind of hardware they're targeting as they whip up Windows Phone 7 Series apps -- and naturally, a biggie is screen resolution since that affects how UI elements are going to be placed, how cool they can look, and how small they can realistically be. In a session at MIX10, Microsoft's Charlie Kindel has laid down the law that WP7S will be 800 x 480 -- just 800 x 480 -- at launch, a message we heard at MWC last month, but the new tidbit here is that there'll be 480 x 320 in the pipe for an unannounced later date. All devices will have precisely the same amount of available RAM and the same capacitive touch capability, and as we've already know, manufacturers will be able to tack on a keyboard if they like.

Microsoft: No Windows Mobile Compatibility on Windows Phone 7 Series

Microsoft has confirmed that there will not be Windows Mobile compatibility with the release of its next-generation Windows Phone 7 Series operating system; instead, Windows Phone 7 Series will make a clean break from apps. The good news is that despite the loss of a large app repository for Windows Mobile 6.5, the Redmond, Washington based software giant will be working with developers to ensure an easy transition as well as bring games and a consumer-centric feel to the modernized OS. For developers, Silverlight, XNA, and .NET will be supported for Windows Phone 7 Series. According to Microsoft, "If you are Silverlight or XNA developer today you're gonna be really happy."

The company is also going on record to state that Windows Mobile 6.5 will continue to appear and get support for many years to come. Businesses who rely on Windows Mobile applications can sit out the messy transition initially, at least until applications for their vertical markets get ported. Consumers can be excited with the Xbox integration and all the jazziness that the new OS presents. For now, if you're joining the Windows Phone 7 revolution, there's no looking back--at least as far as apps are concerned, and we're applauding Microsoft in making some tough, bold decisions and remain focused in the smartphone war.

Zune HD UI Makes a Peek at a Newer Windows Phone 7 Series Build?

It's uncertain if the new mockup of Windows Phone 7 Series that was posted on Charlie Kindel's Microsoft blog is a newer build or an older build of Windows Phone 7 Series, but the new shot does show that Windows Phone 7 Series and the Zune HD UI are closely related. The new mockup does not have the clean look that we've seen at Mobile World Congress, but for those that are complaining that Windows Phone 7 Series has a lot of wasted space on the main screen--particularly the black areas at the right edge and the bottom--the new mockup show that Windows Phone 7 Series make better use of available screen real estate, for better or worse.