Staff Choices: Windows Phone 7 Devices

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 offers a unique situation for Windows Phone users. Windows Mobile phones offered a wide range of Windows Phones with all sorts of tweaks and customizations. Windows Phone 7 phones will be more consistent with regards to the OS.  Even the designs will have certain requirements and, to an extent, restrictions.

Out of the gate we will see three options from AT&T; the Samsung Focus, HTC Surround, and LG Quantum. Shortly thereafter, we'll see T-Mobile join the scene with two phones; the HTC HD7 and Dell Venue Pro.  Sprint customers shouldn't give up hope.  In 2011 the HTC 7 Pro should be headed Sprint's way.

So, which phone do you choose? Will you wait for a certain model or switch carriers to start enjoying Windows Phone 7 sooner?  If you're with AT&T will you get the Focus or wait for the LG or HTC phones?

The WPCentral Staff has given this some thought and over the next few days we'll share our choices with you. To see what my first Windows Phone 7 device will be, ease on past the break.

I've been with AT&T back since the days it was called Bellsouth Mobility in my neck of the woods. I won't have to consider changing carriers so I'll be choosing from the Focus, Surround and Quantum. But do I take the plunge with the Focus on November 8th or wait a few weeks for the Surround or Quantum?

I'm going to go ahead and rule out the LG Quantum. The keyboard just seems too narrow and every Windows Phone I've owned has had a physical keyboard. I'd like to try a keyboardless phone for a change.

So the choice is narrowed to two and the slightly thinner form factor of the Samsung Focus gives it the nod. I like the sliding speaker of the Surround but I'm not much of a multi-media afficinado. I use my phone mainly information (appointments, email, calls, etc.) and a little gaming.  If I opt to watch a video, I think the super-AMOLED screen of the Focus will make up for the lack of Yamaha speakers just fine.