Microsoft States: No Upgrade Path From Windows Mobile 6.x to 7

 

There has been a lot of hype about Windows Phone 7, since Microsoft's announcement.

Natasha Kwan, Microsoft’s General Manager for Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific market stated to APC tech blog: “Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable.” And that includes the HTC HD2. Despite the HD2 meeting many of the criteria laid down in Microsoft’s ‘Chassis 1’ spec – including a 1GHz Qualcomm processor, high-res capacitive touch display, 5 megapixel camera and 3.5mm headphone jack – the phone will be ruled out for the simple reason that it has five buttons instead of the three mandated for all Windows Phone 7 devices. There could be more to this than just the sin of having two buttons too many, however: Tony Wilkinson, Business Operations Director for Microsoft Australia, told APC that “there are some hardware components that the HD doesn’t have”.

We’re not sure what those are because Microsoft has not revealed its complete recipe for Windows Phone 7 devices – that’s due to take place at this month’s MIX developer conference in Las Vegas – but we’ve heard that a pixel-pushing graphics chip might be on the checklist.

“We think there are people who will want 6.5, and the 6.x platform has a lot of enterprise and line of business apps” Kwan says.

Microsoft will update Windows Mobile 6.5 to 6.5.3 before the Windows Phone Classic rebadging takes place, and Kwan says this will enhance the experience for 6.5 users.

“A lot of 6.5 applications have been built very much from the old paradigm of the stylus. Those legacy apps will be a lot more compatible on 6.5.3 because we have magnifier technology which lets you use your finger for navigating, even though it has a much bigger surface area.”

Perhaps this is one of the first, albeit painful, steps in a better Windows mobile platform experience for all.