Windows Phone 7, Microsoft's mobile platform which we are all impatiently waiting for, apparently has all that it takes to become a super hit, expect for one thing – tethering. Strange, because it includes all else people generally fall for – touchscreen display, 5MP camera, extreme gaming and of course, swanky application store.
Even a few days earlier, one expected that Windows Phone 7 would feature tethering, which would permit the particular device to connect other devices to the Internet . Developers were especially looking forward to this. Windows Phone 7 director, Brandon Watson, had given everyone the initial impression that the soon-to-come platform would come with tethering. But he was probably misquoted or misunderstood.
Spokesmen for Microsoft have now clearly stated that the company has no plans whatsoever to supply the feature in their future smartphones.
Windows Phone 7 is Microsoft’s endeavor to reverse its slow but steady decline in the smartphone market. They will first start with GSM-based networks, after which they will move on to CDMA carriers. Many developers believe that the lack of tethering will definitely affect Windows Phone 7’s success in the marketplace.
Developers also doubt that developing for this OS would do them much good in the long run. Their logic is very simple. Not too many of today’s smartphone users would use devices that do not support tethering. Hence, creating apps for such devices would not generate impressive sales and profits for them.
One would recall in this context, that Apple had initially refused to enable tethering, but considering popular demand, has allowed tethering on its devices. Now, BlackBerry and Android too include tethering.
In any case, Microsoft is hoping that developers will line up to create apps for the OS. The company has released its final version of the Windows Phone Developer Tools early this month. They have also included a software developer’s kit to allow developers to place ads into their apps.
The Windows Phone 7 platform is expected to be released very soon, as early as next month.
