The Telegraph: Microsoft “have a genuine chance at challenging Apple”

The Telegraph newspaper in UK has had a hands-on with Windows Phone 7, and like many have come away impressed with the OS.

Calling the OS “extremely slick, smooth and attractive”, they note it incorporates “the social networking capabilities of Android … (and) the simplicity and ease of use of the iPhone.”

An objection raised by some have been seeing their phone book overwhelmed by hundreds of facebook contacts.

Hunter Skipworth from the Telegraph however felt however that rather than feeling confusing the phone seems to develop a life of its own, as your contacts change so do the various applications and the home screen. This meant each time he look at the phone it is never quite the same.

He also praised the business potential of the OS, but felt in some ways the OS was so slick and sleek Microsoft risked giving the impression the OS was not suitable for business use.

Lastly, he felt Microsoft’s Chassis system and strict control over the amount of customization OEM’s did would prevent much of the fragmentation seen on the Android platform.

He concludes:

It shouldn’t be long now before we start seeing some of the many manufacturers associated with Windows Phone 7 showing off their handsets. From the looks of it Microsoft have built a genuine contender with Phone 7 and if the release hardware is up to scratch could have a shot at topping iPhone sales at Christmas.

Read his full review here.