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Microsoft confirms WP7 handsets updated using 'unofficial mechanisms' cannot get latest update
In case you were left unsure what a "non-serviceable state" meant when Microsoft warned users to avoid the ChevronWP7 updater, we now have further details. The company is in the process of rolling out a Windows Phone update charmingly called 7392, a post-NoDo improvement that does nothing other than fix some bogus security certificates on handsets. With no user-facing changes it's not really something users would probably be pining for -- except that many are now being told they can't get it, and of course we always want those things we can't have. Microsoft has confirmed that phones updated using "any unofficial mechanisms" to NoDo (which was 7390) will not be able to get 7392 via its very official mechanism: Zune. No big deal now, but it will be in six months when 7394 comes along and delivers the long-awaited addition of Microsoft Bob to the platform. No, Redmond's brightest aren't going to help you out of this mess you've created for yourself, but happily someone else is: the "clever bunch" who released the unofficial update in the first place. That bunch is said to be working on another unofficial tool that will help users get back onto the "officially supported path," a route that is slow and meandering but is, at least, quite unlikely to hurt you along the way.
Vodafone announces blockbuster 31-phone lineup
So, this actually went down a couple days ago, and we've been sitting here trying to process all the information ever since. The idea of any carrier -- let alone a non-Japanese one -- announcing thirty-one handsets in one fell swoop simply boggles our mortal minds. We take it so seriously, in fact, that we liken it to the discovery of penicillin or man landing on the moon; if a US carrier were to launch 31 handsets at once, we wouldn't be surprised to see it on the front page of every newspaper in North America. Alas, this isn't Cingular or Verizon with the announcement -- it's Vodafone, so let's get down to business. First up, Nokia is bringing six phones to the party: the 6070, 6151, 6234, 6288, 7390, and the N73; all but the 6070 are 3G, and you get your choice of cams ranging from VGA all the way up to the N73's monster 3.2-megapixel shooter. LG will be contributing its KU800 (a Chocolate variant) and L600V, both with 3G data. Motorola rolls deep with four models, the MAXX, V1100 (an HSDPA-capable Vodafone exclusive), MOTOKRZR K1, and V3xx. Sagem's got the my600V and my800V -- both lower-end 3G devices -- and the super simple myC5-3. We're starting to get a little fatigued here, but let's keep going; Sharp has their 770SH and EDGE-only GX29 in store with 1.3-megapixel and VGA cams, respectively. Sony Ericsson brings their K310i, K610i, K800i Cyber-shot, V630i (another Voda exclusive, hence the "V," we're guessing), and W850i Walkman phones, though no mention of the P990. Samsung wins the title of "World's Most Phones Launched By A Single Manufacturer In This Particular Vodafone Announcement," dropping the X510V, X680V, Z400V, Z540V, Z560V, Z720V, ZV40, and ZV50. Last -- and possibly least -- the Vodafone 710 inaugurates Voda's self-branding initiative, bringing 3G and a 1.3-megapixel camera in (what should be) an inexpensive package. All told, six of the new phones will rock HSDPA, and a total of 24 support some manner of high-speed data. Now if you'll excuse us, we need some milk of magnesia and a nap, but we hope we've brightened the day of a Brit or two among our readership. [Warning: PDF link]
Nokia 7390 fashionphone hustles through FCC
Nokia's first 3G phone to grace the lovely L'Amour Collection won't be seeing a US intro, of that we're quite sure, but that doesn't mean the FCC should be denied the privilege of putting its luxurious curves through their paces. Why do we say the FCC approval doesn't foretell a US release here? While it's true Nokia has no qualms with selling UMTS 2100-equipped phones in the US and marketing them as 2.5G models (the N80 being a prime example), the lack of GSM 850 is likely the nail in the 7390's coffin. Then again, its L'Amour stablemate, the 7380 is offered in Nokia's US flagship stores without 850 support, so when it comes to purchasing Nokia phones through official channels with the wrong bands for your region, never say never.
Nokia's L'Amour Collection adds three, sort of
True, the new 7390 is the first 3G capable phone to grace Nokia's L'Amour series of fashion phones, but other than that, we're not too sure what the fuss is about. The 7360 is being re-announced here, perhaps on account of its new color and design options, and the 7373 seems to be a dead ringer for its older sibling, the 7370, with the exception of a upgraded camera. Nokia is calling "tribal art and ethnic decoration" the inspiration for their latest designs, which will be offered in several colors (for those looking for something slightly, shall we say, less pink) when shipments begin this fall.
