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Microsoft will update Windows Phone 7 in March
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Microsoft is readying a Windows Phone 7 (WP7) update for release in March.
The Vole was supposed to release its first major update to WP7 on 7 February, however that day came and went, leading to a new release date of 8 March according to Neowin's sources. The headline features of the update include copy and paste, CDMA support and performance improvements.
Neowin claims its source at a European mobile operator said the delay was due to last minute changes by Microsoft and phone manufacturers. Once those changes are implemented, a two to three week testing period will be required.
Microsoft is expected to talk about the WP7 update at next week's Mobile World Congress (MWC), where Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be giving a keynote. While Ballmer might mention the update, it is unlikely, says Neowin, that the update will be available before March.
Samsung's comments to WPCentral also chime in predicting a March release for the WP7 update, with a spokesperson saying that the company will confirm a release date at MWC.
Microsoft's first update to WP7 is being billed as something of a service pack for the operating system, bringing functionality that was expected but missing at its initial release.
What isn't clear yet is whether all WP7 handsets will have access to the update at its release or whether fragmentation will occur. µ
Tags: Microsoft
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Well man, you have all but confirmed that once you buy a device that comes with WP7 Microsoft all but owns it afterwards if you have to go to Microsoft for your updates.
So all phones become clones including that of the mighty NOKIA
You are aware that Windows Phone Seven offers exclusive marketplaces per devices in that it allows the manufacturer to essential release apps that utilize the differences between the handsets. Also, before calling someone out, make sure to have your facts straight. Microsoft is not taking the device away from the manufacturers at all. In fact the reason why NoDo has yet to be released is because the carriers and manufacturers keep stalling. And the update is something that can be done over the air. The phones automatically check the update server and will alert you when available, after which you connect to the ZUNE program, see Microsoft's proprietary software. You have the other companies sit in at the event because they have a vested interest in the product, that's common sense. It will work some what like service packs in that you will be responsible for downloading them and installing them yourself, when Microsoft releases them universally, not just to a select group of handsets, unlike Android.
Your analysis is completely hogwash.
Android allows the Manufacturers of devices, to customize these devices, as such a new version of the OS might brake the custom settings, which is why the vendors are responsible for propagating the updates. Conclusion, Android doesn't take over the vendors control.
Having to go to microsoft for updates essentially takes the device away from the manufacture and vendor and make all of them clones.
Secondly if it was something that could be done over the air without the manufacturer or vendor, then there would be no need to have samsung sitting at the event and making comments.
So get it right, this wont work like desktop windows service packs. They will be Oem installs
True enough, but the updates Apple have put out have artificially deprived owners of slightly older models of some new features. That's just blatantly cynical market manipulation. And they haven't always been smooth and trouble free either. That's quite a feat when Apple designed and built the hardware and wrote the software so SHOULD be able to get it right.
Lets see how well MS do with their first ever update. Get it right and I'll start believing that their shiny new mobile strategy is starting to look like a runner. Get it wrong and it'll be curtains.
In case anyone is wondering, this update is really really important to MS. If they can show a smooth upgrade to all WP7 handsets out there in the wild then they will have demonstrated the most important part of their strategy. It will mean that whatever the inadequacies of WP7 at the moment, it can be improved and deployed to users' handsets. They could then claim that buying now does not cut a punter off from future improvements, fixes, etc. If they can get that message across, people will start looking at it seriously.
Google with Android, on the other hand, has a near zero abitility to push new versions out to users in the field. They rely on the handset manufacturers and network operators to do that for them, and so far they've all been universally attrocious at doing that.
If MS's update goes well, the score will be WP7 1 : 0 Android.
What people are starting to want more than anything else in a shiny toy is to know that it will continue to get better whilst they pay off the expensive two year contract they're committed to. With the security on these devices becomming more and more important, smooth updates will definitely become foremost in people's minds. Apple have sort of got that in the bag. Google definitely haven't. Microsoft may.
Apple has not never ever charged anything for a software upgrade to an iPhone. Get your facts straight Mitchell.
Adding features to a phone is not a service pack. Service pack would be to correct problems. Be happy it wasn't Apple because they just call it a new OS and charge you for it.
If anyone used a windows phone 7 device they would see that cut and paste is not a deal breaker. Its been on my blackberry forever but I have yet to use it.
The only people who complain a windows phone 7 device are the people who never used one.