HTC HD2 and Windows Phone 7 Series: Just tell us no, Microsoft
By Paul Miller 
posted March 4th 2010 12:29PM
posted March 4th 2010 12:29PM
Dear Microsoft,We've had it up to here with these shenanigans. You're jerking us around, and we're sick of it. We get it, you have a very particular concept of what sort of phones you want running your new Windows Phone 7 Series OS. Not only do we get it, but we're kind of proud of you for sticking up for yourself for once and ensuring some sort of sameness across your platform. Unfortunately, it's not the holiday season yet, so we can't buy one of these fancy WP7S phones yet. Meanwhile, on the other end of town, HTC is bringing the HD2 to T-Mobile in the US this month. Sure, it runs your soon-to-be-outdated Windows Mobile 6.5 OS which nobody wants, but it's also pretty much the best hardware we've ever seen. Bar none.
This brings us to our plea: Microsoft, please put a line in the sand and tell us if the phone will be upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 Series. Of course we know why you won't, you don't want to "Osborne effect" the sales of your one last hope for Windows Mobile 6.5 success, and you don't want to harm one of your most loyal handset builders. But what about your consumers? You've recently pushed out a number of statements about the device, full of wimpy non-line-in-sand-ers like "We currently do not have plans to update the HTC HD2 to Windows Phone 7 Series." Sure, you're not telling us to get our hopes up, but you're also just cruel and calculating enough to leave room for hope. We're pretty resigned at this point to receiving our Windows Phone 7 Series update on the HD2 from our good friends at xda-developers, but we'd just like to hear it from your mouth. Or better yet? Just get WP7S on there yourself, caveat it as "non-preferred" or whatever makes you comfortable, and save us all from this paralysis.
See you at MIX!
I don't understand why they can't just repurpose the Home button as a search button, forget about the FM radio that nobody ever wanted in the first place, and let it be upgraded.
Unless of course there's a real technical reason why they can't install 7 on there. If the HD2 is running an unsupported screen resolution or ratio then it would probably be more trouble than it's worth for an official update, but assuming that's not the case there isn't much excuse.
@Chefgon The HD2 has an FM Radio...
@Steven get it already. xda will do the dirty work.
I wrote the same article yesterday. http://www.xdaroms.com. I agree 100%! Get your head on straight Microsoft!
If MS doesn't confirm I'll just wait for the Android version of the HD2 which I know will get all the upgrades.
or people could just come down to reason again and realise that win 6.5.3 is actually a decent os working quite well, and serving you very well on the HTC HD2 with the skin on top. a great phone in a great setup easily deserving to be bought, unimportant if you can upgrade or not later. it simply isn't important.
@davepermen
It depends on what you value in your smartphone. I tend to agree that WinMo 6 is actually a pretty solid OS overall that is *extremely* underrated, and HTC's skin makes the core of the OS interface at least as modern as anything else out there, but if you're a person who values a wide variety and large number of applications then WinMo 6 will probably feel lacking. It has a lot of good applications available right now, but its potential for future growth in that area is pretty grim and you're unlikely to see very much innovation on the platform at this point.
By the time WP7S releases, HTC will bring in HD3, which will take over the position of iPhone. Everybody will line up in stoes to get HD3 throwing their i or a phones!
HD3 Spec
Snapdragon : 1.2Ghz
1GB RAM
4.8" capacitive and resistive touch screen
0" bezel.
3 buttons
WP7S
@TechAndOnlyTech Nice :)
WP7 isn't coming to the HD2. Part of it seems to be the button configuration, but I think it more has to do with Sense. Microsoft has made it pretty cleare no overlays will be allowed on WP7. So no Sense, no Touchwiz, nothing. So if WP7 got on the HD2 it would be completely different from the previous software. Like jarringly different. HTC probably doesn't want that because they would have upset customers who were used to their old look and feel. MS doesn't want it because it doesn't adhere to their strict standards and they don't want to fall into the fragmentation pit that Android is skipping happily into. So it isn't happening.
XDA may be able to port WP7 to the HD2. But even if not WinMo will still be around and still get some updates. And HTC will continue to release Sense updates for it. This is probably their last WinMo flagship device with their custom Sense UI so it should be well supported for awhile.
Microsoft EQUALS jerking EVERYONE around ALWAYS
which is why there is no freakin way i'm buyin this phone7 CRAP
Hear hear!
Hey, if it comes to it i'd be willing to pay $20-$30 for an optional upgrade specifically built for the HTC HD2.
@Rod +1
As if the 5 buttons was a real problem... The HD2 covers ALL Windows Phone 7 Series requirements, so bring it on damnit !!!! We are thousands out there waiting for this !!!
WP7S will be the mobile version - and disaster, Vista was for the desktop OS.
I have an HD2 and I don't want to be a beta tester for Microsoft's next mobile OS.
@d3ac0n
Vista needed to be made for exactly the same reason that WP7S needed to be done. No OS vendor can keep backwards compatibility forever because it totally cripples what you can do. See x86. If MS hadn't made the small break with driver compatibility that it did with Vista, Windows 7 would be utter crap. It remains to be seen if the WP7S launch will be plagued with the same issues that the Vista launch was (late, buggy, very little driver support), but assuming that the decision to break compatibility with vista was the WRONG decision to make is utter nonsense.
While I am very much on the side of this article, since I am about 95% sure I will be getting the hd2 on tmob when it comes out, and I am bitting my nails in anticipation, I have yet to have a phone that I have not rooted. You know XDA peeps will have it running on the hd2 in time.
Also while phones are starting to pick up speed in the upgrade game, I don't think there will be a device to challenge the hd2 spec/look wise until q4 or further out. I think mainstream is still stuck in tiny 3.8inch screen land :)
HTC unlike some other companies that make one phone with same boring look for 3 years - only minor hardware upgrades each time and call it innovation! – have many different types and looking phones.
Almost every 6 to 9 month they have few good looking phones with new technology and really some innovations in them.
By the time Windows Phone 7 Series is ready HTC will have some awsome phones ready for it.
Perhaps HTC will come with HD3 and they have two options for it. Same design as HTC HD2 with three required buttons and some improvement on hardware or totally new design.
HTC HD2 is the most powerful phone you can get right now with a very nice HTC Sense UI and also Windows Mobile 6.5 works very smooth and nice on HD2.
You can enjoy it now (at least for one year) and when Windows Phone 7 Series is out you have many new phones to choose for upgrade.
I know not everybody wants to buy new phone each year but it is very possible HTC will come with something even much better than HD2 by the time Windows Phone 7 Series is out which makes you want that new HTC phone and not being interested to upgrade your HD2 anymore.
@DigitalEdge
I've owned a whole series of HTC designed phones:
1. iMate JAM
2. T-Mobile Dash
3. ATT Tilt
4. HTC Tilt2
I now own an iPhone 3GS. From style and design it is FAAAARRRR superior to any HTC phone I've ever owned. The weight, the balance the responsiveness...just goes to show it's not about how many different designs you can do, it's about how well you can design that matters. The iphone 3GS is a fantastic device for anyone who has bothered to use it.
I am a HUGE tech fan and of every tech product I have ever owned the iphone is simply the best implementation and blend of design, performance, functionality and value. Nothing. The iphone and ipod Touch are the ONLY Apple products I believe are truly world class so I am not a blind Apple fan. But the iphone and ipods were excellent achievements by them.
There are 2 ways to look at this: First for us developers it is very important that HD2 is allowed the WM7 upgrade. We want to start developing silverlight applications and can't do so till we have WM7. I am sure that WM7 will be leaked before its release date so its really a developers race to get your hands on the first WM7 device so you can be first to market with your applications.
Second, regular users might like WM6.5 better at this point because it is better for every day usage. I think that WM6.5 with Sense is a hell of a lot nicer looking than WM7 tiles.
Microsoft,
We are your developers and demand the HD2 upgrade. Without us your WM7 OS is worthless.
http://www.xdaroms.com
@bowpay
Um what? As a developer, all I need is an API and an emulator. If you require physical hardware to do your job, you're doing it wrong.
@Delta Hey Delta, I agree with you when it comes to Mobile development on WM6 the issue with developing using an emulator is the advancement in technology. Adding sensors like proximity, light, gestures, GPS, Compass and G-Sensor make emulators very hard to actully develop against. I can't spend all day long trying to emulate in a virtual enviorment plus this doesn't give you a realistic usage of the phone so your tests won't be very accurate. I think emulators will be a thing of the past with develpoment on WM7.
not gonna lie...reading this was a tear-jerker
CMON MICROSOFT LOOK AT THAT POONUM!
The only difference between the HD2 and the WP7 hardware specs is that this has two extra buttons for call and end. That's it. If it's really a big fucking deal, disable the buttons or something. Seriously. This is the cutting edge of technology and you're giving it the shaft here.
And for the record, no, there are people who want Windows Mobile. Especially the significantly more capacitive multi-finger-touch screen friendly WinMo 6.5.3 with Sense. But yes, it is a dying platform, just like Vista was around this time last year. Either way, take it easy on the WinMo 6.x hate alright Engadget?
I just want an HD2 with Android......... :(
Honest question: what stops one who has knowledge and brainpower to port Android to HD2?
im buying this bad boy and unlocking it for AT&T!!!!!
Great editorial - right on the mark. Obviously, XDA will come through, that is not the point. To me, the more relevant point is that MS is trying to turn over a new leaf with WP7 - be a great company, dedicated to the mobile space. Be clear, be crisp - what are the parameters for upgrade vs. parameters for new devices? What they need to keep in mind is that the current leader in this space (iPhone) has the BEST track record for upgrading and Android is not far behind.
If the upgrade is possible, Microsoft should officially endorse it and work with HTC to make it happen. The success or failure of the HD2 launch likely depends on this clarity. I suspect the reason that no Canadian carriers have picked up the HD2 is because of this big question mark. I know I put my Telstra HD2 import plans on hold as soon as the uncertainty around WM7 official support came to light.
a) MS is lying to you
b) It's OBVIOUSLY not upgradable from WM'Classic'
c) If MS publicized this thoroughly, current WM6.5 sales would drop like a rock.
d) The moral and honest thing to do is to come out and declare that WM6.5 devices can't be upgraded to WP7.
The phone is really sexy
I talked to a Microsoft Rep at CeBIT today and he was like "well, we give MS Phone 7 Series to the hardware developers and it's their choice if they roll out an update, it's possible to remap the buttons..."
Also, i don't quite understand the problem here. There have been requirements by MS for new systems all the time. e.g. the 4-way d-pad on some qwerty phones for older windows mobile systems...
they are not going to say NO because they don't want to hurt sales
Phucin A right Paul!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll get the hd2 and if MS doesnt XDA will...either way...I win ;)
i wish vz was getting the hd2 or better yet some version of the supersonic; screw the iphone, who needs it.
who cares about the HD2 its been out for ages.
America doesnt even have the infrastructure required to make this phone value for money!
Let me know if I sound out of place, but isn't it possible for an HD2 branded by another carrier to run WinM7S. If Verizon was to get the phone, couldn't their version run WinM7S already installed. Or is that not possible. And chances are there will be a phone by the end of the year that rivals the HD2 anyway if people can wait.
Windows 7 looks like crap. I dont understand why you people are jizzing over it. and 6.5 Wasnt THAT BAD. WinMo7 = crap
@NoToApple
Unexpected awesomeness.
HTC Support says official WM7 ROM is green light.
This thread is now obsolete.
Sent from my HD2