104 replies to this topic

[Stoffel]

Will Microsoft, the Handset Makers, or Microsoft Support Upgrades to Windows Phone 8? Duh. No
There were some dueling stories about whether it would be possible to upgrade any existing Windows Phone handsets—including first generation Windows Phone 7 devices and newer Windows Phone 7.5 handsets like the Lumia 900—to the forthcoming Windows Phone 8. Allow me to set the record straight. No. It will not happen. Not for the Lumia 900, and not for any other existing phone. It won’t happen partially, through an update that will deliver just some features, and it will not happen for those who wish to pay for such an update. It simply is not happening. Sorry. But please don’t email me about this, I’m just the messenger. That said, please consider the following logic behind this decision, which doesn’t explain why I can be so emphatic about this topic—sources at Microsoft confirmed this for me anonymously after the company’s infamously hard to reach Windows Phone PR team belatedly offered up a “no comment” after repeated queries: First, there’s no economic imperative; Microsoft’s partners have sold very few Windows Phones and supporting a new platform on legacy hardware would be expensive. Second, the experience would be terrible; Windows Phone 8 is based on Windows 8, not Windows Phone 7.x, and requires headier, higher-end hardware with two or more core processors. Third, handset makers and wireless carriers would never support this upgrade; they want to sell new phones. And finally, wireless carriers would never, ever, ever, ever deliver this update to users. There is just no way this will ever happen. And that’s true even when you factor out that I know for a fact that this is not happening. Again. Sorry.

Source
http://www.winsupers...-20-2012-142888

[efjay]

Good luck to Nokia, thats all I can say. I personally wont have a problem as the other 2 are not options for me so I'll be on Windows whatever happens, but the average user who just bought a 900 or anything else wont be so forgiving. And you can bet the tech sites "cough" the verge "cough" will be all over this and the anti-MS fanboys too. If they thought the Kin was a disaster, the crapstorm that would follow this would make that look like lovers kissing in the park! Sadly though, Microsoft are stupid, they've proven it time and time again so I wouldnt be surprised.

[xeleraph]

Strangely enough, Paul was the one who argued, two years ago, that WP would get every update without fail, regardless of what the carriers wanted. His crystal ball definitely isn't the clearest one out there.

[Rudy]

That's a huge blow really

The old iPhone 3Gs still can run the latest and greatest iOS version, actually this makes the Android handsets look good (which is pretty bad)

[DrCheese]

Aye, this is why I won't give up my iOS devices any time soon. I know that I'll get at least 2 years of major upgrades (going on 3 for the 3gs) free of charge, day one of release.

I don't have to deal with the whole "Will they, won't they?" mess that Android/WP7 has. Nor do I have to deal with the stupidly long wait that OEMS/Carriers make customers wait if they do decide to even bother porting it.

It's utter junk that phones sold on a 2+ year contract are dropped before they are barely 6 months old.

[Jan]

DrCheese, on 20 April 2012 - 16:27, said:

Aye, this is why I won't give up my iOS devices any time soon. I know that I'll get at least 2 years of major upgrades (going on 3 for the 3gs) free of charge, day one of release.

I don't have to deal with the whole "Will they, won't they?" mess that Android/WP7 has. Nor do I have to deal with the stupidly long wait that OEMS/Carriers make customers wait if they do decide to even bother porting it.

It's utter junk that phones sold on a 2+ year contract are dropped before they are barely 6 months old.

I agree. It's a really tough decision personally to choose between a Samsung Galaxy S3 or an iPhone 6, if this is true than WP is a no go for me.

 Wuv you cheese <3 

[+primortal]

This is the same perosn that said Verizon Wireless was getting the Nokia 710 this month and so far no news about the 710.

Plus I posted this, http://www.neowin.ne...t__p__594812469 in that other sources say that the Nokia devices will get the upgrades. So until Microsoft makes a statement no one knows the fate of WP8 on older devices.

[Mohitster]

Ouch!

[-Razorfold]

And more rumors. Plus Paul has been wrong so many times before, especially with Windows Phone that's its laughable anyone would take his word for anything.

Quote

At this point we are just passing on rumours, but I am still sure many current and prospective Nokia Lumia owners will want to hear the latest one, which claims that the current Nokia Windows Phone range, including the Nokia Lumia 610 on the low end and Nokia Lumia 900 on the high end will indeed get the Windows Phone 8 update.

The news has been passed on by João Luis, who claims an extremely reliable insider source he trusts “200%”

Of course this rumour is not isolated, with Nokia India hinting strongly about an update and recent claims on a Chinese Windows phone forum that a Nokia Lumia 800 is already being tested with Windows Phone 8.

Nokia of course has the most to lose with the rumours that there will not be any Windows phone 8 upgrade for current Nokia Lumia owners, and I suspect there will soon be a strategic video “leak” from inside Nokia which will erase all doubt.

So like I said again, until Microsoft says anything nobody knows anything. It's all just rumors, and Microsoft are right now too focused on Tango to start talking about Apollo.

[virtorio]

Well Microsoft, setting this precedent on your platform is one way to bury it. Nice job guys.
I just hope this is another one of Paul's classic "I really don't know what I'm talking about" moments.

[pickypg]

People need to stop reading what Paul has to stay because Paul is an idiot that does not understand the technical components that he is discussing. His explanation makes no sense whatsoever.

Windows 8 was demonstrated on a single core, 1.2 GHz Quallcom ARM chip last June 2011 at Computex 2011. That alone suggests the true reason that Microsoft has mandated Quallcom-only within the Windows Phone ecosystem. It makes sure backwards compatibility can be guaranteed in a stable way similar to console development (limits the scope and complexity of development).

Furthermore, that was the full blown Windows 8 OS running. Windows Phone 8 will share the same kernel, but it will not require the same number of services to be running because, well, it's a phone. If Apple can get a pared-down version of the Mac OS X kernel to run smoothly on an underclocked, single core 600 MHz ARM chip, then Microsoft can certainly get their Windows 8 kernel to run on 800 MHz (Tango) processors, and certainly the 1+ GHz processors in non-Tango phones.

It's as if Paul has not even paid attention to many of the goals of Windows 8. Less processes, lower memory requirements, and higher throughput. It's exactly what weaker, battery powered devices need.

I am not sure if Microsoft is going to put Windows Phone 8 onto existing phones or not, but I do know that I will not continue to be a WP7 user if they do not (nor will my Lumia 800-toting girlfriend, nor will my Lumia 900-toting brother). I also know that whatever excuse they might dish out would be nothing but an excuse, just like the excuse people forward for Apple with regards to Siri being iPhone 4S-only.

[M_Lyons10]

So, another person not from Microsoft has a say. Shocking. I honestly can't stand all of these people "making news" without the ability to actually say who has said this or that... I think we should really hold off until we actually hear something from Microsoft. In addition, this guy seems to get a little too much enjoyment from giving people this news, so I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he did this more for the clicks than anything.

[jakem1]

Rudy, on 20 April 2012 - 16:21, said:

That's a huge blow really

The old iPhone 3Gs still can run the latest and greatest iOS version, actually this makes the Android handsets look good (which is pretty bad)

While I think MS should offer some people an upgrade I also think they should do everything they can to avoid a repeat of the dodgy upgrades that Apple puts out. I've lost track of the number of times I've heard that iOS upgrades have left an older iPhone barely running because of performance issues.

As posted above there seem to be lots of rumours about at the moment suggesting the MS are testing WP8 on current Nokia phones. I think I'll wait for an official statement before I believe a blogger who's a little late to the WP-upgrade-rant party

[M_Lyons10]

jakem1, on 20 April 2012 - 16:52, said:

While I think MS should offer some people an upgrade I also think they should do everything they can to avoid a repeat of the dodgy upgrades that Apple puts out. I've lost track of the number of times I've heard that iOS upgrades have left an older iPhone barely running because of performance issues.

As posted above there seem to be lots of rumours about at the moment suggesting the MS are testing WP8 on current Nokia phones. I think I'll wait for an official statement before I believe a blogger who's a little late to the WP-upgrade-rant party

Agreed. Though honestly, I don't see Microsoft releasing an update to WP that would be that much more demanding. Their goals thus far have largely been to keep demands low. I just don't see it happening. Keep in mind too that WP8 will be targeting the low end hardware that Tango is targeting as well. So it has to be able to run on that.

I like how people keep saying that WP8 will be Windows 8 and will be so much more demanding (When that's not what's happening at all). As modular as Windows is, the Kernal from Windows 8 being used in WP8 is not going to mean anything to the user experience other than more features. The UI and everything is still just for WP8 and the services that will be starting with the phone will be totally different as well.

[CentralDogma]

M_Lyons10, on 20 April 2012 - 17:02, said:

As modular as Windows is, the Kernal from Windows 8 being used in WP8 is not going to mean anything to the user experience other than more features.

Keep in mind that Windows Phone transitioning to the NT kernel is still a rumor. It makes sense for Microsoft to do so, but it's not confirmed yet.