Review: Samsung Focus with Windows Phone 7
The Windows Marketplace looks good and works fine, for the most part. Some of the menus could be redundant, but the Marketplace on the Samsung Focus groups apps by New, Featured and Top apps, as well as by categories, like Productivity or Social apps. Manufacturers can provide their own section, but the Samsung section is filled with worthless apps, like a network profile app or an app designed for customers of Europe's 3 network. This seems like a very lazy attempt from Samsung, and HTC offers a better selection to fill in some of Windows Phone 7's gaps.
Searching the app Marketplace can be a hassle. When you search for “Twitter,” for instance, you get a few apps that support the service, but not all of them. The official Twitter app was not available at press time. You also get a list of songs and album titles that use the word Twitter, since the Marketplace also offers music. This seems unnecessary. If I'm searching for apps, just give me apps. Keep the music separate.
You can buy an app and bill the cost to your AT&T account. Or, most apps offer trial versions with limited features or a time limit on their use. Unlike the Android Market, there is no refund for apps once you buy them, but the trial period should alleviate some of those concerns.
Windows Phone 7: Hands-On
Samsung Focus
