In case you weren't aware,
Mobile-review's Eldar Murtazin is somewhat of a living legend around these parts. The Russian-borne phone guru manages to get his hands on an ample number of then-unreleased devices and juicy scoops -- but he's also been known to get things dead wrong from time, so keep that in mind. This time he might've just outdone himself with some apparent hands-on time with
Windows Mobile 7. Here's what he's saying via Twitter: the OS has been built on scratch, and none of the old WinMo 6.x apps worked. There's "a lot of horizontal movements, a lot of additional info by clicks... for WM users it will be a great step ahead. For market it's a copycat of Android 3.1/3.2 [sic] or iPhone." No direct comparison to Zune HD, except to say that it's a simpler UI than what he was seeing here, and also no clue on the kernel underneath. Still, the lack of legacy compatibility is either a huge bummer to the fan base, or if not that then Microsoft is preparing for a two-platform WinMo world. Then again, this is a purported early build (and while we're at it, an unconfirmed hands-on), so who knows what's bound to change before the final release. There's a lot of other details if you're willing to check his feed, or just head over to
WMPoweruser for the abridged / "good parts" version. Boy, February just
can't come soon enough.
posted January 17th 2010 3:18AM
This is clearly why the engadget App for Windows Phones isn't available yet.
Doesn't that headline cover *any* new version of Windows for *any* platform?
Sure seems like it.
tinwop
So Ballmer threw your WinMo apps under the bus, big deal, quit yer whining! Be thankful you can leave all that trash code behind, maybe even start working for a living again. Momma just kicked you out of the basement apartment and yeah, it's a cold day - deal with it.
iPhone and Android have some free hot coffee and donuts just down the street...
Honestly trying to stay backwards compatible is Windows Mobile failed.
This is a great step towards raising the quality of the Windows Mobile platform, the old platform was not good.
Microsoft should go out of it's way to help WinMo developers port their code to the new platform.
But what I want is for Microsoft to try and "Embrace and Extinguish" Android. There is no reason Microsoft couldn't build a phone that is "Windows Mobile 8" and also most Android apps. They already started putting good JVMs for J2ME on WinMo, and it helped keep the platform alive for a couple more years.
Hopefully this mean that the Zune HD OS is actually Windows Mobile 7 secretly. Microsoft did say they were bringing the Zune Marketplace to Windows Mobile 7 so they could be starting over and release the SDK to developers next months. If that does occur, that mean the Zune HD will get much more apps.
If this is true I’m all for it, Get rid of those old apps and start building stuff for the 21st Century, you know finger friendly.
I've been using BB since 2004 and I’m about to jump ship. I’m thinking Android or WM, although I love the Pre but the screen is just too small.
Hopefully the Zune team is creating something just as compelling as the UI on the Zune HD.
maybe this means an awesome app store with large developer support is on the way?
unlikely.
Here's a simple question: why doesn't MS simply buy Palm? Then they'd have WebOS.
It just keeps getting better with winmo, doesn't it?
This is a smart move by Microsoft. No one wants to run these crusty old legacy apps. Breaking backwards compatibility forces developers to move forward and support a modern SmartPhone OS/UI. If you really want legacy apps just don't upgrade. Eventually everything will be ported. Anyone who is still committed to WM development is going to embrace WM7 quickly. Within 2 years I imagine most of the good software will be ported and much better as a result.
You get a brick!
If you buy a Windows Mobile (6.x) phone today, you'll soon be left with an expensive brick. It appears you won't be able to upgrade it to WinMo 7.
Well MS confirmed last year that it was in fact going to a two-platform mobile OS strategy.
Specifically, MS will continue with WinMo 6.5 and forward. MS will NOT be abandoning all of us who, for example, bought the very expensive TP2.
In another direction MS is coming out with WinMo 7 that will be ONLY for phones that it will call "Windows Phones." Near as I can tell, these are phones with processors fast enough to operate WinMo 7. WinMo 7 will NOT work on phones that are running WinMo 6.5. They simply can't handle it.
So this is not surprising. The Net has been discussing this back in July-August 2009, back when people with T-Mobile Touch Pro2 or European TP2s were complaining that the rumored WinMo 7 would not run on our phones.
But MS announced via an Asian symposium last year that WinMo 6.5 users were not being abandoned, they would be supported with updates and upgrades, but we will NOT be WinMo 7 users.
It was on this news that I bought my T-Mobile Touch Pro2 on a one year contract because I wanted the HD2 that will be work with WinMo 7.
WinMo 7 is going to be a pretty big deal in the mobile world.
Oh... forgot to say, it only makes sense that since WinMo 7 is an entirely new mobile OS that it will not work with apps meant to work with WinMo 6.5+
Users should fear not. Their apps will work on their WinMo 6.5 phones.
It's up to developers to make apps for WinMo 7 and ultimately the user to decide if he or she wants to move to the WinMo 7 platform knowing that most if not all apps will not work on a WinMo 7 phone.
This should be nothing all that dramatic. I had to make these decisions when moving from Blackberry phones (7100t, Pearl, Curve) to Android (G1) and then to WinMo 6.5 (Touch Pro2).
Now I will have to decide if I want to move to WinMo 7 (HD2) or stick with my TP2.
MS can't win. People say they should innovate and accuse of having nothing new. When MS comes out with something radically different people complain that the OS won't work with their phones. That's not a valid complaint anyway since MS says it will continue with WinMo 6.5 upgrades, updates and support.
If people want to stick with their current handset they can. If they want to move to a new touchscreen only, super fast platform, they can.
Anyone saying that a current WinMo 6.5 device will not be able to upgrade to WinMo 7, you are making incorrect statements.
WinMo 7 is a different OS from 6.5 Saying one cannot upgrade from 6.5 to 7 is like saying one cannot upgrade from Android to Apple. No kidding.
See my posts, MS will still be providing upgrades, updates and support for WinMo 6.5 users. For anyone happy with a WinMo 6.5 device, all this WinMo 7 talk is irrelevant to you.
For anyone wanting to move to a WinMo 7 device, that's a decision you have to make, just the same as decisions you make about buying a new handset with a different OS or platform (WinMo, Android, Palm, etc.)
So quit with the criticism that MS is somehow doing something wrong by coming out with two platforms. It will continue to build and improve 6.5, but for power users who want to use a handset as a true mini computer there will be WinMo 7.
Can I post links in here? I can show you where MS talked about its dual platform strategy and plans.
Quit with the Windows Mobile 6.5 + attempt to install WinMo 7 = Brick. That's silly talk.
I hope this link will work, if not, type in Google (without quotes) "Windows Mobile will have dual platform strategy"
After reading all the links I assume some of you whiners will stop with your whining (besides, you are probably all cheapskates who want and expect everything for free. E.g. when the iPhone debuted you wanted it for $100).
http://www.google.com/search?q=windows+mobile+will+have+dual+platform&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1
Here is the story that made the most sense. It came from handset manufacturing sources (I suspect Samsung and HTC talking to MS):
Digitimes (An Asian publication) July 2009 :
Microsoft plans to adopt a dual platform strategy to promote its Windows Mobile OS (operating system) so as to take aim at both Android- and iPhone-based platforms, according to sources at Taiwan handset makers.
Microsoft is expected to officially launch Windows Mobile 6.5 on October 1, 2009 and add an upgrade version with a touch interface in February 2010, the sources indicated citing Microsoft road map.
Microsoft will not phase out Windows Mobile 6.5 from the market but will lower the OS price, when it launches Windows Mobile 7 scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2010, the sources added.
The dual-platform strategy will allow Microsoft to compete with Android-based platform using Windows Mobile 6.5 and also compete with iPhones leveraging Windows Mobile 7, the sources asserted.
need an apps market.
i had 6.1 was a peice of sht. had to search hours to get a simple paint program that even worked.
The lack of information about winmo 7 is strange, since there are leaks for windows 8 http://www.windowsmidori.net/windows-8-concept-video/
Its not like Microsoft to be so silent. Lets hope they're cooking up something delicious.
The original Palm OS had thousands upon thousands of legacy apps that its dedicated user base used every day. However, when it was time for Palm OS to die, it was time for it to die. Period... including all of its applications. Imagine webOS if the bulk of its apps were from Palm OS. It would be like a brand new OS with old, ugly apps. This is the same thing. Windows Mobile, as it stands, is old, disgusting, ugly, and unusable --believe me, I just got rid of my Win Mo phone with no pretty skin overlay-- and the new Windows Mobile will be a huge break away from what's out there now. Naturally, when you scrap something old and make something new and innovative, you're not going to keep all the old apps no matter how useful.... and really there weren't THAT many worthwhile apps on WinMo that actually allowed you to do much. I'm extremely excited to see what Microsoft has to offer in WinMo 7 and, for that matter, what Nokia has to offer with this new, upcoming Symbian. After we get both of these OSes to market all of the smartphone operating systems will be modern (yes, BlackBerry OS is absolutely modern and is still user-friendly). Can't wait for Engadget @ MWC '10!!
@dstafford72
Oh and don't forget about that "Classic" application for webOS that allows you to emulate the old Palm Garnet OS. This might be a route that Microsoft, or some developer, is planning to go with the new WinMo. Just a thought.
WinMo 7 is only a big deal if I was living in an alternate universe where no other technology companies exist. In this universe, however, when most of your device makers are focus on adopting your competitor's OS, all the while telling you that they don't see a viable consumer market for your OS....well.....nice going Balmer.
Oh yeah, iPhone 4.0 is gonna make WinMo7 look like it's 1989.
@MSwillDie : Cool. Continue to let Apple rule your life.
I hope it starts from the ground-up. I heard it will be based on WinCE 7 which would kinda mean a new start.
People should be happy if this is true. It's time for the next generation of WinMo devices, which will move the platform forwards, not backwards.
For those that may worry about app compatibility, don't worry. WinMo 7 might have a way for WinMo 6.x users to run old apps through emulation software, because MS generally likes to hang onto legacy apps. If WebOS can have a free emulation apps the old Palm OS, why can't MS do something similar? Also, WinMo 7 should cover pretty much most of your utility apps, because it would make little sense to start a fresh OS, and not pull in better built-in features that will make WinMo7 a solid stand-alone OS. You should also be happy with your current 6.x phones, and upgrade later if you'd like, which should have any bugs and compatibility issues dealt with by then.
Can't wait to see what this finally looks like in February.