Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 upgrades will be possible, up to OEMs to make them happen
By Vlad Savov 
posted February 25th 2010 8:22AM
posted February 25th 2010 8:22AM
Alright, keep your socks on here, this is as noncommittal a statement as Redmond can make on the matter, but when asked directly about the likelihood and possibility of Windows Mobile 6.5 phones being transitioned to the new hotness that is Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft's Alex Reeve had this to say:As the Director of the company's UK Mobile Business Group, he's well positioned to know what's going to happen after said early days, and it's encouraging to hear that at least Microsoft won't be putting up any barriers to that HD2 upgrade we're all dreaming about. After all, the Chassis 1 specs we keep hearing about tend to sound an awful lot like HTC's 1GHz Snapdragon-powered bad self, so let's keep our fingers crossed and our minds open.It's early days yet, and that's really for our hardware partners to think about.
Win.
@Jeff
I hope so cause my hd2 is on it's way...
@d3ac0n
oh engadget, why you rotate the image ?,
the first one seems better.
@d3ac0n If it is possible, XDA will port it over...
@Jeff
How? Upgrading from an OS that has multitasking to one that doesn't?
@Kurian They've stated that there IS some form of multitasking in WP7. They're going to clarify exactly what it means in March.
@Jeff
dows.
I got your back...
@UberLaff
thanks dude haha
@Jeff Yes, Basing from the reviews and sideglances on the Windows Phone 7, it appears its a bold yet refreshing way for a mobile OS
to start. I think MS has done a pretty good job to show 'simplicity' over this platform. Let's see how this one rolls out to the public! Opinions: http://bit.ly/win7-phone-reactions
@Jeff
HTC didnt upgrade US HD2 ROM to 1GB for fun or cuz they had money to burn.
Bottom line is.. March 24th = SOLD!!
@Jeff - Win x2 **as he drools and wets his pants**
@Jeff I think this is merely a ploy by Microsoft to continue selling win 6.5 phones (licenses). A lot of people would like to wait for WP7 thinking 6.5 is dead anyway. This statement would make them optimistic.
In the end, Microsoft will just say "well we told you, it was up to OEMs to upgrade", and OEMs would just bring out a "new" WP7 phone.
Same thing happens with Android. Why should HTC upgrade Hero and others to 2.1 when they have new Desires and Legends to sell?
If the user were to pay to upgrade than that would be a separate discussion.
@Jeff Not a win unless it's upto OEMs & to consumers.
I just don't understand what is so interesting about WinMo7. It looks like some half-baked OS with those dull blue icons and square areas.
Android and WebOS looks much-much better, support multitasking and upgrades already.
@sola
I honestly don't know where to start replying to you.
You disgust me.
@Saad As a die hard windows mobile fan, i can seriously say im dissapointed with windows phone 7. Its nothing like i expected the interface is ugly imo. I'll be making the switch to android now.
@sola
Let's just forget the fact that this is a very user friendly layout.
You can't see that Microsoft completely revamping their mobile OS to something BETTER is a big deal?
It shouldn't matter what OS you fanboy for, it's a company listening to its consumers. You should be encouraging it.
@Wiizer I'd also point out that we're bringing Xbox LIVE to the phone. Certainly it's not something that'll excite everyone, but for those who enjoy gaming it's a huge win. :)
@ratchetnclank
Android looks terrible compared to Windows Phone 7 series IMO...WP7 has a minimal futuristic and clean look and it works in combination with the beautiful animation...its not as "empty" as someone could think...
There are always different opinions between design schools of course...
@Saad:
"You disgust me."
Wow. Heaven forbid someone not share your unquestioning rapture for all-things Microsoft. Newsflash: there are *plenty* of us who think the WinPho7 interface to be far more style that substance, and potentially a daily usability nightmare - more hipster calling card than functional tool. I guess we all disgust you. *eyeroll*
@Bobot I can understand the appeal of it for people but i've always been a fan of minimalist with some empty/negative space, Windows phone 7 homescreen to me is like having a desktop that is full of icons, i can't stand it xD
@gameozymandias
They're bringing the Xbox Live....logo to the phone... anything more than that has yet to be announced... Hold your horses.
@HotFuzz
Mr. HotFuzz, it's not his "opinion" on the design that disgust me, but it's his comment on that the OS is "half baked" without him even using the damn thing. And then he goes on to compare WebOS or Android to WinMo7, again, without even using this yet to be released OS!
If it was a hardware spec, then make fun or hate the thing, but jeez, it is a software that you will need to use to judge, and it's not even out yet!
@gameozymandias
I enjoy gaming. However, XBOX Live integration does nothing for me as a PSN user.
I find it exciting MS is trying to integrate a couple of their products into one device but I don't know a single person with more than one Win device (360, Zune, Win6 Phone). Just seems like a niche market.
@sola
Actually for programmers it's far far better. Having silverlight 3 means we can write one application and have it usable on both PC and Mobile. It's also screen resolution independent (unless you force it not to be) so it's far easier to future proof your program.
@sola Don't feed the troll, please.
@sola Isn't this type of synergy what Apple does? It's worked for them, so it should work for Microsoft, especially since some of their products also have a large following.
@HotFuzz: "there are *plenty* of us who think the WinPho7 interface to be far more style that substance, and potentially a daily usability nightmare"
Considering that the tiles are live, and contain updated information, and can be re-arranged based on a users need, and on frequency of use, I don't see how, OBJECTIVELY, one could find that less usable. Having used all the major smartphone OSes on a regular basis, I'd say that phones with Sense UI, and possibly WebOS, may be more usable. From the demos, it appears that WP7S will be easier to 'get' the metaphor of than WebOS, the latter which takes a bit of getting used to. Android is easy to grok, because it has the simplicity of classic Palm (or the sea of icons), combined with widget, the best of which are available with the Sense UI.
Although the UI is a new iteration of the Media Center/Xbox/Zune crossbar, the small screen and 'overview' philosophy has existed since the days of the PocketPC, with the classic, though fugly, Today screen.
@EM1 I must be an odd duck then. I have 2 Win7 laptops, 2 X Box 360s, and 3 Zunes (one 30gb, 0ne 8gb, and one 32gb HD). I just like their stuff. If I had my druthers right now, I'd have an iPhone though because I HATE WinMo as it is now. WinPho7, however, would be PERFECT if it is everything it is promised to be. I love my Zune HD and think the UI is perfect for a Phone.
@petebob796
wasn't MS working on silverlight 4? so technically it probably would be silverlight 4 not 3...
I honestly don't get why people are so happy over WP7 either, in most ways it really is a downgrade from 6.5, limited form factors allowed, limited multitasking, no backwards compatibility, no more open platform where you can install what you want (now locked down to app store like iPhone) and no more custom user interfaces, and all we get in return for it is a relatively bland looking but touch friendly UI, of course 6.5 with a custom UI like HTC's sense flow is both much better looking and also finger friendly.
After the HD2 with 6.5 I plan on switching to Android because windows mobile is losing everything that made it worthwhile IMO and lets face it, if i'm going to switch to a new run of the mill non-opened locked down OS i'd rather a better established one that's not from a company that doesn't have the track record of always being one step behind the competition when it comes to mobile phones.
@ratchetnclank
I get a kick out of the "die hard" fans who want to jump ship based on early videos of an unfinished product.
If Bruce Willis was this "die hard" he would have been at home eating cheetos instead of kicking ass and taking names.
@Alan Strangis "Considering that the tiles are live, and contain updated information, and can be re-arranged based on a users need, and on frequency of use, I don't see how, OBJECTIVELY, one could find that less usable."
Perhaps because the UI takes up 1/8 of the screen just to tell me how many email messages I have??? OBJECTIVELY this is less usable than competing OSes.
A mail icon on iPhone/Android/etc. gives me exactly the same info in a fraction of the space.
Fashion over function. If Apple had come up with this UI, the Engadget commenters would have had a field day. But since it is Microsoft's work, everyone swoons (and downranks anyone who disagrees).
Typical.
@Saad
Man, you really need to get to your senses. The word "disgust" can hardly be used for other people's opinion, even if you don't agree with them at all.
As for trying out WinMo7, this is hardly possible just now. However, one can base an opininon on MS's marketing materials and "hands-on" reports of journalists. Based on that, my opinion is just the same.
@sandra
*golf clap*
Your comment sounds like it could have been written by me. My thoughts exactly! I don't get why people are drooling over WP7, it is a DOWNGRADE from the current WM. Yes, it's neater-looking and streamlined, but they're removing options & imposing new limits. Doesn't sound like not progression to me, more like REgression. It's a total step backwards. I blame the iPhone hype. Everyone's trying to make an iPhone killer, when in fact the iPhone *can't* be killed. As long as there are fanboys, the iPhone will lead the market, and people need to stop trying to copy it. I like WM the way it is now, it's hackable, custo9mizable, robust, and versatile. It meets my every need. I don't need real-time facebook & Twitter updates & Xbox live. I don't want cloud storage & some e-nanny deciding what I can & can't install. I'm not retarded- I can figure out how to work WM, I don't need an idiot-proof interface.
I'll keep running WinMo 'classic' as long as I can, then switch to Android. Damn Microsoft for doing this to us.
@ratchetnclank
and winmo 6.x is so pretty...
Single greatest reason to get a HD2.
@Rem DX
I think I can finally get one now! I wanted to get it from T-Mobile, but I wanted to make sure it could be upgraded to 7.
@Wiizer It's nowhere confirmed that you will get the upgrade ;)
Let me fix that:
"Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 upgrades will be possible, up to XDA to make them happen"
@Saad
I was about to say that. The OEM and carrier will not likely push to give a completely new OS to their phones. The support would be a nightmare.
I see the guys at XDA making this possible.
@Saad
If the tools leak XDA chefs are going to cook us excellent roms
I couldn't in my wildest dreams imagine a more crippled and restrictive 'OS' than Apple's very own effort. Congratulations, Microsoft. You've done it! And by the looks of it, you'll do well. There seems to be plenty of demand for 1st grade simplicity.. x_x
@stewie325 How can it possibly be more crippled you can install whatever you like it's not like apples app store.
@stewie325 Uh, there's no evidence that you won't be able to just drop cab files onto the OS and install stuff.
Yes, but do the "older" devices like HD2 have the minimum requirements for graphics and sound???
@Bobot: though the HD2 MIGHT be a little low on the RAM front, every other spec meets the long ago leaked Chassis One config... http://www.rgbfilter.com/?p=815
@Alan Strangis
US Spec won't be :)
576MB RAM, 1GB ROM :)
Not going to happen, why do people keep on. wm7 must have only 5 hardware buttons. 3 on the front (home, back & search) plus a power button and a camera button. hd2 has i think 8 buttons. also does the hd2 has 4 point multitouch? i dont know maybe, maybe not. also till we know the minimum specs how can anyone tell if the hd2 even meets them, it already does not meet the 5 button one.
@Ganondolf Microsoft didn't say it enforced a number of buttons they said it must have home, back and search buttons which can easily be setup on the HD2, this is to to fit in with the OS. There is no reason companies can't have more buttons e.g. volume, camera zoom... that would be a silly thing to implement