Cut & Paste
Windows Phone 7 Series will not support cut and paste at launch!  What the?
Winner: iPhone

Apps
Not a fair comparison by any means, as the iPhone has had a multi-year head start.  Here’s a list of the partners at launch for Windows Phone 7 Series:
AWS Convergence Technologies, WeatherBug, Citrix Systems Inc., Clarity Consulting Inc., Cypress Consulting, EA Mobile, Fandango Inc., Foursquare Labs Inc., frog design inc., Glu Mobile Inc., Graphic.ly, Hudson Entertainment Inc., IdentityMine Inc., IMDb.com Inc., Larva Labs, Match.com LLC, Matchbox Mobile Ltd., Microsoft Game Studios, Namco Networks America Inc., Oberon Media Inc., Pageonce Inc., Pandora Media Inc., Photobucket Inc., PopCap Games Inc., Seesmic, Shazam Entertainment Ltd., Sling Media, SPB Software Inc., stimulant, TeleCommunications Systems Inc., Touchality LLC and Vertigo Software Inc.

Many of these developers already create for the iPhone and other smart phones so this is a good thing.
Winner: iPhone for the head start, likely iPhone long term, but too early to tell.

Here’s some highlights up front:

• Accelerometer support
• Microsoft Location Service to provide developers with a single point of reference to acquire location information
• Microsoft Notification Service for pushing information to the phone, regardless of whether or not an application is running
• Hardware-accelerated video with digital rights management (DRM)
• Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming for the industry’s highest quality content viewing experience
• Multitouch
• Camera and microphone support

Check out some detailed comments and info from BoyGeniusReport

It’s a shame that sometimes it takes so long for the US to get the good stuff, like this HD2 that when it finally arrives, it’s outdated.

Such is the case of the HD2.  While it still is going to sport some of the hottest hardware on the market, the software is yesterday’s news.  In fact, because it’s Windows, and it’s so painfully outdated, “yesterday’s news” is being kind.  That said, I love my Zune HD.  Yes, read that again, not only did someone place that in print, I Mac guy who’s owned every iPod since invention, love the Zune HD.  I am a sucker for a great UI and the Zune UI is dead simple and beautiful.  You’ve likely already seen the Windows Phone 7 Series UI and how similar.  I am smitten.  At least until I get my hands on one and get some serious play time…

It should come as no surprise that Windows Mobile/Phone takes the hit.  I have phones across platforms, and while I like the hardware, and some of the software on my Imagio, it really can’t compete with the Palm, iPhone or Android.  While you can’t exactly attribute the near exact loss of share and Google gain of share to everyone moving to Android, it’s not surprising.  The lack of iPhone growth is a little surprising.  That’s likely due to the necessity of one carrier..AT&T.  Open it up to more US carriers and that share would likely grow significantly.

That said, I love my Zune HD and I can’t wait for that UI to hit the new Windows Phone 7.  Despite years of Windows Mobile and disappointments, I plan to upgrade to 7.

We’re big fans of Evernote here at Apps4Phones.  In fact, whenever we get a new device, mobile or otherwise, Evernote is the first thing installed.  One thing I really, really like about the Windows version, is the ability to use handwriting with the stylus.

I love taking notes on my Windows Phone on Evernote!.  If you’re interested in learning more, check out their review here.

So far I am really pleased with the whole 15 minutes I’ve had to play and activate it.  I’m also impressed with Windows Marketplace.  Good early app choices, and frankly much better than the early options for the Pre.  Sorry Pre.

One thing I already noticed, is that the software keyboard is identical to the HTC Hero.  Guess that makes sense, given they are both HTC phones….

Clearly I am in the wrong business.  Knowing that some executive at an ad agency had the gumption to propose in a big Microsoft meeting; “Hey I got an Idea!  Let’s place large fluffy app icons on men in skinny white leggings and parade them around to follow our main character wherever he goes”.  I’m not sure what’s worse here.  The guy who had the idea.  The boss in the room who said “Yeah that’s the creative we’re going with”, the rest of the folks in the meeting without the guts to say WTF, or the folks at Microsoft for signing off on it at all.

After watching this however I want to buy a Windows Phone (Ha!).

I want this phone….

For the rest of us mere mortals waiting on a stronger phone, I can’t speak to the store or it’s goodness, or lack thereof.  Soon we’ll give you the scoop on the store and what it has to offer.  Unfortunately if you head on over to Microsoft MyPhone, all you’ll get is a “under maintenance screen at the moment.

Full video demo after the jump.  The phone looks great, and we’ve already talked about the features in recent posts.  I’ll be placing my order on the 6th.  Anyone else in?

Video after the jump…