Sources: current Windows Phone devices will not get 'Apollo' upgrad

[(Spork)]

Earlier today, a developer evangelist for Microsoft was quoted as saying that all Windows Phone devices would get an upgrade to the "next major version" of the operating system. Now, a trusted source close to Microsoft tells us that is absolutely not the case, that instead there will be no upgrade path from Mango to Apollo. This matches up with aprevious report from Mary Jo Foley and explains the particular language Microsoft used when it responded to the story earlier today, saying "We have stated publicly that all apps in our Marketplace today will run on the next version of Windows Phone. Beyond that, we have nothing to share about future releases."

The news that Mango phones won't be getting an update to Windows Phone Apollo doesn't bode well for everybody who just purchased a Nokia Lumia 900, to say nothing of the other phones that Microsoft and its partners have managed to sell. If there is a silver lining to be found in the dark cloud besides future app compatibility, it's that this major break could mean that Apollo will contain some major feature improvements over Windows Phone 7.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/17/2956439/windows-phone-8-apollo-no-upgrade

not sure what to think i read on the front page that apollo was coming but now i read this .. IF this is true i think nokia has just slit there own throats

[Mr. Gibs]

I doubt it. A few weeks ago "a trusted source close to Microsoft" said all windows devices would get it (with Mango + onwards getting most of the new features).

And then some random developer claims the same thing. And now some random "source close to Microsoft" says the opposite.

So until we hear something concrete from Microsoft (as a public release and not some random unnamed source), everything is pretty much just stupid rumors.

[Hurmoth]

I doubt it. A few weeks ago "a trusted source close to Microsoft" said all windows devices would get it (with Mango + onwards getting most of the new features).

Do you have a source for the first time it was said that all of them would get it? Mary Jo Foley's article is from March 2, a month and a half ago: "My sources have claimed that Apollo isn?t going to be pushed to existing Windows Phone users..."

Everything I've read until today suggested no update for the current Windows Phones. But I may have missed an article or two though.

The person from the earlier story today was a Microsoft spokesperson, at an event in Portugal, according to this article: http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/04/18/all-windows-phone-handsets-will-run-upcoming-windows-phone-8-update/

I bet that it was miscommunication and what this person meant was what we already knew, that apps will be compatible, but not devices.

[Mr. Gibs]

http://wmpoweruser.com/reliable-leaker-also-claim-windows-phone-8-is-coming-to-all-handsets/

http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-reps-claiming-windows-phone-8-definitely-coming-to-second-gen-handsets-probably-to-first-gen/

[Hurmoth]

http://wmpoweruser.c...o-all-handsets/

http://wmpoweruser.c...y-to-first-gen/

This says it all from the first one, "On the other hand MSNerd also revealed that he is in fact not a Microsoft employee, so, despite his track record we he could still be completely wrong."

As for the second article, one rep sticks with same old message and the other states some will get update, some won't. So your original statement, "A few weeks ago 'a trusted source close to Microsoft' said all windows devices would get it," is in fact false.

On top of that, as far as I can find, no other tech site (such as Engadget, BGR, etc.) reported this. Could it be because they questioned the legitimacy of these sources too?

[Mr. Gibs]

This says it all from the first one, "On the other hand MSNerd also revealed that he is in fact not a Microsoft employee, so, despite his track record we he could still be completely wrong."

As for the second article, one rep sticks with same old message and the other states some will get update, some won't. So your original statement, "A few weeks ago 'a trusted source close to Microsoft' said all windows devices would get it," is in fact false.

On top of that, as far as I can find, no other tech site (such as Engadget, BGR, etc.) reported this. Could it be because they questioned the legitimacy of these sources too?

Well that's the thing, there has been no official info. One rep says one thing, another rep doesn't say anything. Some guy "close to MS" says one thing, another says the opposite.

So until Microsoft comes out and actually officially states it, everything is just rumors.

I mean we've all seen it with the iPad, every year there's a billion rumors from "official" and "unofficial" sources claiming everything from the next iPad will have a quad core processor to the next iPad will take people to the moon. And 99% of them are proved completely false and inaccurate.

[Hurmoth]

Well that's the thing, there has been no official info. One rep says one thing, another rep doesn't say anything. Some guy "close to MS" says one thing, another says the opposite.

So until Microsoft comes out and actually officially states it, everything is just rumors.

I mean we've all seen it with the iPad, every year there's a billion rumors from "official" and "unofficial" sources claiming everything from the next iPad will have a quad core processor to the next iPad will take people to the moon. And 99% of them are proved completely false and inaccurate.

I won't argue with that, but I guess I tend to be very skeptical of sites, so I stick with ones I know have a great track record and Mary Jo Foley does and I tend to trust The Verge too. But, nevertheless, you're right, the article could be way off. IF it is true, though, Microsoft has just really screwed every single Nokia Lumia 900 customer.

[DevilsNotDead]

wp7 1st gen users are screwed for sure...

No custom mods too..

[Hurmoth]

Microsoft developer evangelist retracts claim that Mango devices will get Apollo

Microsoft developer evangelist Nuno Silva has retracted comments from an interview earlier this week, in which he claimed that every Windows Phone sold to date should be getting the upgrade to the next "major version of Windows Phone," contradicting our sources on the matter. Silva says today that he was merely attempting to make the point "that existing Windows Phone applications will run on the next version of Windows Phone," and that he "mistakenly confused app compatibility with phone updateability." It's not a total surprise given what we've heard elsewhere, but it's still sad to see a glimmer of hope vanish so quickly for Mango users. We'll be sure to let you know if anything changes with Microsoft's plans for Apollo.

[(Spork)]

Microsoft developer evangelist retracts claim that Mango devices will get Apollo

woah woah woah

[FloatingFatMan]

You can almost guarantee that the service operators are behind this decision. They REALLY didn't like Microsoft keeping control of the update process before, and you can bet they're no way going to allow MS to update old devices with the latest OS. If they allow that, people won't replace their phones.

[Hurmoth]

Paul Thurrott has this on his short takes for the week:

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.

Looks like there are several legit reasons for this. But if I had just bought a Lumia 900, I'd be rather upset that an update less than six months from now want support my brand new phone.

[+primortal Subscriber²]

Then you get articles like this.

More claims the Nokia Lumia range will get Windows Phone 8

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 Jo?o 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 rumors 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.

Source: WMPowerUser

So till Microsoft make an official statement everything is just speculation.

One has to ask why is testing being done on Nokia 610 and 800 if Microsoft isn't going to upgrade the devices to WP8? Unless there is new hardware under the old cases.

I guess being testing didn't start till the end of March it's too soon to make an official statement till they shake out second gen devices with the new OS.

More rumors from The Verge, http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/20/2962031/windows-phone-8-rumour-update

[Dc'1]

Ahh I wish Microsoft would just come out and say if it is coming or not, I'm really wanting to get the Lumia 800, but having no more updates after Tango would be a real drawback, and would hate to be on a 2 year contract with the exact same phone with no new features since I bought it, especially after coming from Windows Mobile and then Android and used to heavy customisation.

Hopefully if there is no update, that XDA could work their magic.