News - Microsoft will send OTA WP7 updates itself

[HEXUS]

Greater control over the platform offers a distinct advantage over the more fragmented Android ecosystem.

Read more.

[Brewster0101]

Certainly a nice idea in practise, but I can't see this working to well with operators and their own software. I bet this won't be the case and that operators will restrict the updates.

[BullDogg]

As a WP7 owner, I'm really happy about this.

I don't think carriers will - or can - restrict the updates, though. The only customisation allowed by either manufacturers or carriers come in the form of apps and the default colour scheme. Microsoft was almost as strict on that as it was on hardware specs, so pushing updates really shouldn't be a problem.

[kingpotnoodle]

Certainly a nice idea in practise, but I can't see this working to well with operators and their own software. I bet this won't be the case and that operators will restrict the updates.

The way in which software is installed on WP7 should stop this, handset manufacturers and operators are not allowed to customise the OS. IIRC they are only allowed to ship pre-installed apps at most , and much like desktop OS updates (service packs) those apps should work afterwards.

[usxhe190]

So WP7 is effectively iOS but offered by Microsoft??

[zoomee]

That great news! It's the ONLY thing that makes me dislike Android handsets - having to wait for the carrier to catch up - so many releases within one year - even the manufacturers can't keep up!

Not having to rely on either manufacturer or carrier will definately speed things up and taking into account WP7's current market position (i.e. beginner) this will be a definate boon.

Am still waiting on my HTC Mozart - COME ON ORANGE PULL UR FINGER OUT

Only two things that dissapoint me now about the WP7 platform:

A)- Lack of being able to install un-published applications (from a work perspective this is going to be a nightmare unless they come up with a device management solution to fit)

B)- I heard you can't plug in a WP7 device into a PC and expect it to act like USB memory stick - I hate reliance on other applications to transfer stuff.

I also noted Chassis 1 is the current standard but Chassis 2 is yet to be announced - I hope thats a more business related setup (i.e. no marketplace reliance)

[TheAnimus]

So WP7 is effectively iOS but offered by Microsoft??

Yup, but its much nicer to program for.

(thou certain APIs are missing until the next version)

[asposium]

two other annoying things about WP7 (I got a HD7 on o2 the sat after release)

there is no easy page refresh in the browser. one has to poke the small refresh icon

when playing zune, then going pack to the home page there are no player controls
HOWEVER
if the device is turned off then on player controls appear at the top of the lock screen
HOWEVER
these controls go away if the lock screen is swiped up

When playing zune i would like the ability to press the empty space top of screen and display the zune controls
A bit like pressing the time displays the battery, cellular status

on the battery front .....there is no battery status page
and i would also like a page of "comm manager"

other than that WP7 is fantastic, i like the simplicity
all i need now is TomTom and "talking tom" (the wife has talking tom on her iPhone.)

[TheAnimus]

you can see the play pause skip by tapping one of the volume directional buttons once, in any app, even full screen games etc.

The com manager thing anoys me, as does the lack of profiles, flight mode is waaay to much effort, and I can't help but feel they are missing a trick for the power off button (ie Press and Hold power should bring up a menu).

For the first version of a new interface thou I'm quite impressed, its also making me re-think how GUIs should be layed out in general. I do quite like the Zune software on the PC too... I never thought I'd say that.

[asposium]

yup, but would be "better" if i merely had to tap the empty screen space next to the time

not as if anything else is there

only a slight annoyance

the "biggest" test will be when TomTom or similar is released

being a third party app it (TomTom) won't currently* be allowed to run in the back-ground
SO
if one were using sat-nav, then took an incoming call, the sat-nav not being allowed to run in the back-ground would shut down!

* = I appreciated MS is going to relax the rules about third party apps running in the back-ground. let us hope this relaxing applies to sat-nav progs.

[TheAnimus]

A couple of things on the TomTom esk issue, it can now run whilst the phone is locked, before it couldn't.

It should be able to hibernate and resume with ease, however this means it can't interupt the call if you have a turning coming up say, but should be able to pop up again almost instantly.