Windows Mobile becomes Windows Phone
AT AN EVENT to show off upcoming Christmas goodies, Microsoft let slip to the INQ that Windows Mobile 6.5 is to be re-christened Windows Phone.
This, says Vole, is an effort to unboggle the minds of the consumer with all the "6.1" and "6.5" business that exists now, and which they're afraid will get even worse when Windows Mobile 7 arrives.
The name change also "reflects the upcoming desktop operating system release where people away from their PC can have the same experience everywhere," says Microsoft. Are you suitably un-boggled?
The name Windows Phone applies to Windows Mobile 6.1, 6.5 and multitouch Windows Mobile 7. At least something in the Windows universe is forwards and backwards compatible.
Features of the new platform (that is WM 6.5, aka Windows Phone) include back-up of all SMS and email content into Vole's cloud, remote disabling of the handset and inclusion of an Itunes-alike Windows Mobile software repository called Market Place.
If this sounds like a phoney story to you, it did to us as well but we have this confirmed in a video which should be around on Friday, included in a first look preview of the final version of Windows Phone µ
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Windows Mobile - Windows (On a) Phone - WOP?
Windows Mobile - Windows Phone - Phoney?
All sorts of interesting acronyms... :-)
Isn't it all just Windows CE in the end?
I'm still waiting for AutoPC to come out...
At least they didn't call it iWindows or iPhone (oops the 2nd one was already taken).
Therefore, we can all go back to the best abbreviation of it all:
Wince.
Microshaft copies everything Apple does, so "wPhone" would have been a better name It will be an exact clone of iPhone.
This isn't news at all - Microsoft announced the rebranding at the Windows Mobile 6.5 launch at MWC back in February.
they talked about this six months ago ... do a basic Bing search.
Russia's space launch in 1957 of Sputnik led to feelings of inferiority in the U.S. that helped fuel the U.S. space program and the rush to be the first to the moon. Similarly Android, iPhone have pulled MS into making WindowsPhone or one can say its not MS choice but deterrent.
Maybe Mobile-Windows-7 will never show up Microsoft would surprise all us saying, u forgot singularity !?! here is desktop windows7 patch, it will unlock smartphone install option in Installer. Rememeber in windows98 Installer !?! their was specific option for laptops called "Portable"
http://www.directron.com/windows98guide.html
"Portable (Windows will be setup with options that are useful for portable computers)". Their might not be any Windows-Mobile-7.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1051781/ultramobile-oqo-seeking-buyer
And when it crashes and reboots it will hence forth be known as a "hangup", "disconnection", or "termination of connection".
If have try to peddle crap, and can't improve it, just give it a new name and let the marketing dept sell it as NEW.
HB
Wow these comments are all so clever. Rob you must be so proud to have such a erudite following. Of course calling Microsoft Vole is the cleverest of all -jeez you're so funny.
man, that's retro... just in time for the
transformation of phones into mobile
(internet) devices??? haven't the iphone sales figures shown that phones are dead and MIDs are IN???
they must figure it'll work again with winmo.
And Microsoft STILL hasn't figured out how to match one of the most important things that Apple is doing in the mobile space, namely enabling the end-user to easily (and for no charge) upgrade to the latest version of the OS.
Since Microsoft licenses the OS, and manufacturers customize the OS for each specific phone model, they need to license upgrades to manufacturers for free AND the manufacturers have to customize and QA the release and then provide the upgrade to their customers.
[url=http://vanand.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/htc-s710-windows-mobile-6-phone.jpg]Is this the Windows phone?[/url]
or is this the one?
a href="http://www.unwiredview.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/samsung-sgh-i780-blackijack-2.jpg=" windows phone /a
SOrry not that familiar :(
They changed the name for one simple reason - To distance themselves from Windows Mobile, which has been getting a worse and worse reputation over the past few years...
This is exactly the same reason they dropped the Vista name (and the Windows XP name).
Eventually people will catch on that these name changes don't change the fact that the underlying technologies are essentially the same.
Perhaps Microsoft might work as hard to bring their application strengths in Gaming and Office applications to their Windows Phone. Its about the applications not the technology. Think about their progression, iPod, iPhone, iPhone Apps. They are progressively engaging the consumer from the MOBILE applications perspective. Apple seems to understand that consumers are becoming more mobile in their lifestyles and this mobility will drive consumers requirements for mobile applications not technology. The applications that Microsoft seems to understand to some degree is Office applications and gaming. That is where they might start to engage customers.