Microsoft Shows Mac Users Love: Windows Phone 7 Connector
It’s not impossible, but highly improbable. Are you’re a die-hard Mac user who plans to use Windows Phone 7 (WP7)? If you are, you’re in luck, because Microsoft (unlike Google) isn’t leaving you out to dry while you figure out your own syncing solutions. Microsoft is actually offering Windows Phone 7 users downloadable software to make WP7 phones play nice with iTunes and iPhoto. Read on for the implications…
It’s officially called “Windows Phone 7 Connector” and it’s still in beta. But you can check out Microsoft’s site and get the download. Though there’s not much to look at, it has serious implications in the smartphone world.
As of now, there are a few 3rd party applications that strive to provide this iTunes + Non-Apple Device sync functionality. (DoubleTwist is one that comes to mind right away.) The only problem with these software solutions is that they don’t carry over DRM content (read: check your music bought before April 2009, before iTunes Plus became standardized.) Also, they’re not directly linked to iTunes, and we all know what happened when Palm tried to do that. Big no-no.
So basically, you have a layer of abstraction between the software and the device. That means things can get buggy or just plain not work at all. There’s also no guaranteed support for your device when the market is so fragmented (cough: Google). But Microsoft, I believe, is looking to change that.
An official WP7 Microsoft-developed and tested application means that WP7 users have a base of support for a device that many would’ve thought would not be supported on their hardware. Choice is always better than no choice, and that could mean greater adoption by Mac users who are dissatisfied with the iPhone, or just looking for something that isn’t Android.
Bottom line? Microsoft is smart. Added bonus? The WP7 Connector for Mac will even download and push WP7 updates to the phone. I’m sure there are a few Mac users who wouldn’t mind giving Microsoft a hug right now.
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