Thank God Apple supports their iPhone, Microsoft abandons Windows Phone users

[boomhower]

I can certainly understand cutting off older hardware but this is nuts. What got them in the bind to start with was only allowing single core CPU's for way to long. They tried to be Apple-like and it's bit them on the rear. The OS looks nice but they are alienating a whole bunch of people.

 

[M5RahuL]

Wait, how come the 3GS didn't get the retina display?

Just JB and download *Retinize* to magically overcome the hardware limitation [/s]

 

[boomboom2]

Microsoft should have just called the Windows 7.8 updates Windows 8 as well. Most new apps are still going to be compatible with Windows Phone 7, albeit some apps won't have all their features available for older hardware.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Not sure why you quoted me on this one...

Your response seemed to indicate that the 3GS getting the retina display was a reasonable possibility...

 

[pmau]

No, not clueless. Windows 7.5 phone users will miss out on many windows 8 only apps.

One only has to look at Android 4.0. Those still on gingerbread can't install Chrome for Android, which is very fast. Chrome is only for 4.0 operating system.

It's going to be the similar thing that's going to happen to Windows 7.5 users. We are talking about very newly released devices (less than 2.5 months old here).


And iPhone 4 received almost everything iPhone 4S received with iOS5 (with exception of Siri).

iPhone 4S will received almost everything iPhone (sixth gen) will receive with iOS6.

A company needs to support their devices at least 12 months with essential software upgrades. Not some neutered skinned update to make it look like the real thing.

+1

That's obvious for Android, but I did not anticipate that MS would do the same stupid thing.

Think about Apple in any way you like, but they support old hardware and, even more important, they keep the prices constant.

This means you can buy Apple products anytime you like, because you don't have to worry it's cheaper 8 weeks later.

The bottom line is: If you don't sell enough units you have to cut off people more aggressively. They need to upgrade, otherwise it's too expensive to produce...

 

[lordofthereef]

Your response seemed to indicate that the 3GS getting the retina display was a reasonable possibility...

LOLWUT? Please read it again. There is nothing about what I said that implies this at all...

 

[Technarchy]

Windows 8 looks pretty slick. Tragic that current adopters won't get all the features, but Windows phone really needed the bump.

 

[aneftp]

Windows 8 looks pretty slick. Tragic that current adopters won't get all the features, but Windows phone really needed the bump.

Yep. Windows 7 phone has grown on me. Microsoft has copied Apple in terms of how the mobile OS functions. It "freezes apps" like iOS. Things run very smoothly in Windows Phone OS.

I am the techie for all my friends and do all the recommendations.

I've been recommending the Lumia the past couple of months to my friends who are tired of Android and don't want a smaller iPhone screen.

So Windows was the perfect recommendation especially at the Lumia 900 $99 (or lower at certain resellers) subsidized pricing.

Now the Lumia 900 and Titan 2 and Samsung focus 2 are basically lame ducks. I am not sure how any honest sales person (with integrity) can recommend one of those phones based on what Microsoft not providing a Windows 8 upgrade path.

All these current Windows phones sales will tank (not that they have been selling, outside of the Lumia 900's big promos).

Microsoft is going to see sales tank for the next 4-5 months or however long it takes for Windows 8 phones to come on board.

Honestly, I had a feeling this was going to happen (no upgrade path to windows 8). And I didn't bother using my upgrade to buy the Lumia 900. I actually brought it full price at $450 but than returned it cause the camera was driving me nuts. But Windows grew on me for the 2 weeks I had it. So I saw a great deal for $280 on craigslist at the beginning of May. So I picked it up again.

And I love using the Lumia 900 with it's LTE speed. Battery life on LTE is so much better than any Verizon LTE phone I had (I have both ATT and Verizon).

Don't know why Microsoft decided to announce it's decision today. They could have waited so there is less lag time in between new windows 8 phone. But it's going to be a long 4-5 months in the Windows phone world.

 

[lordofthereef]

Don't know why Microsoft decided to announce it's decision today. They could have waited so there is less lag time in between new windows 8 phone. But it's going to be a long 4-5 months in the Windows phone world.

WP is lacking sorely in apps. I suspect they want to get developers on the bandwagon. From my vantage point it's apps that are going to bring a mobile OS ahead moreso than anything else. MS needs to woo app developers in, and fast. The more time devs are given to get the ball rolling, the better.

 

[harcosparky]

A company needs to support their devices at least 12 months with essential software upgrades. Not some neutered skinned update to make it look like the real thing.

A company should be required to fully support any device for the length of the contract on that device.

Hell I also think phone manufacturers should be required to warranty the hardware for the length of the contract.


That would be two years.

 

[aristobrat]

Windows Phone 8 isn't just an incremental upgrade like going to each iOS version is.

Windows Phone 8 isn't an upgrade to Windows Phone 7, period. It's a complete freaking "do-over", ... again.

I'm not against "do-overs", but it does make it seem like perhaps they really didn't put that much "forward thinking" into Windows Phone 7, seeing as how they're having to scrap its basic architecture less than 2 years on the market.


Quoting Gizmodo, "Microsoft screwed this up pretty grandly out of the gates: WP devices have always been underpowered compared to their iOS and Android peers, because of Microsoft's iron grip. Strictly dictated specs kept the platform out of the horrible hell swamp of Android fragmentation, but they stymied the hardware; even the shining prince Lumia 900 is out of date on the inside. You getting "screwed" is how that gets fixed."

 

[Technarchy]

I like windows phone. It's incredibly responsive, and the user experience is top notch. I think it looks nice as well.

A Lumia 900 with a higher res, dual core, thinner body and windows 8 could replace my Wife's 3GS based upon what I've seen today.

 

[fertilized-egg]

Now the Lumia 900 and Titan 2 and Samsung focus 2 are basically lame ducks. I am not sure how any honest sales person (with integrity) can recommend one of those phones based on what Microsoft not providing a Windows 8 upgrade path.

It's still a good featurephone in a way. Very smooth, easy to use and the keyboard is excellent.

However after been using WP7 for about 6 months, I just can't recommend the phone to anyone in particular. The prices are really cheap if you look around for an older model but there are just too many restrictions and lack of apps to make things worthwhile. In a way, it seems the right decision for Microsoft to get away from the old WinMo base but I feel sorry for any Lumia users who paid the full price or under that contract.

 

[aristobrat]

I like windows phone. It's incredibly responsive, and the user experience is top notch. I think it looks nice as well.

A Lumia 900 with a higher res, dual core, thinner body and windows 8 could replace my Wife's 3GS based upon what I've seen today.

A Lumina 900 (announced five months ago) should already be able to easily replace the iPhone 3GS (announced almost three years ago), no?

 

[lordofthereef]

A Lumina 900 (announced five months ago) should already be able to easily replace the iPhone 3GS (announced almost three years ago), no?

Not with the announcement that it won;t be getting WP8, it shouldn't.

 

[Vegastouch]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/20/3...8-upgrade-no-windows-phone-8-existing-devices

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-unveils-windows-phone-7-8-for-legacy-devices/

Microsoft really knows how to make windows phone users happy with their announcement today owners of current generation Windows phones will not get Windows 8 upgrades. They will get "skinned" to look like Windows 8 but won't get the core windows 8 upgrade.

I have all types of phones (including Gnex/Nokia Lumia 900/iphone 4S). So am a phone junkie.

But this is a PR nightmare for Microsoft for current windows phone users. Not a good way to try to get market share.

Windows phone, if you haven't tried it is really a nice change from iOS and Android. Sure there are some must have apps that aren't there (Pandora, Chase bank etc). But there's no lag and a very fluid experience. But Microsoft may be losing all the steam with this kind of announcement.

I don't after today, the Lumia 900 or Titan 2 or other windows phone will be big sellers with basically EOL announcement by Microsoft.

Can you imagine if Apple said today that iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS will not get iOS6? Sales would tank immediately.

Why? The 3GS isnt going to get all the new features(dont think IP4 will either) and will probably have bad battery life. If i was a 3Gs owner, id just get the new iPhone with the bigger screen.

 

[chiefpavvy]

I agree with the general sentiment, but Microsoft can get away with it. In this particular case (in general they can't, legacy is a big problem there) but as so few Windows 7 phones were sold to begin with...not a big deal. It certainly doesn't instill any confidence, I agree there.

 

[scott craft]

As a current WP user I'm very excited about today's announcements. I agree it's not the ideal situation for those who just upgraded, but in the long run what Microsoft is doing with WP8 is going to be a good thing. I can't wait to upgrade in November.

Sent from my {HTC Trophy} using Board Express

 

[b166er]

I don't see what the big deal is. It's the same thing with computers and TV's and most gadgets. I agree it seems a little worse since Windows phones are relatively new to the market, but this is just how it is. Apple does it too.

 

[aneftp]

I don't see what the big deal is. It's the same thing with computers and TV's and most gadgets. I agree it seems a little worse since Windows phones are relatively new to the market, but this is just how it is. Apple does it too.

It's a huge deal. Cause Windows Phone OS is a brand new OS which is not backwards compatible with the older Windows Mobile 6.5 OS.

Now for the second time in 3 years Microsoft is saying there will be no upgrade path for Windows phone 7.5 users. Microsoft has currently less than 5% market share in the smartphone market. They have such a small base to began with and will alienate the early adopters.

 

[Technarchy]

Given the sheer amount of new features, many of which are hardware related, I am not surprised early adopters are only getting a piece of the action.

I want to see Windows 8 on a Krait S4. It already runs insanely smooth on a single core SOC. I can't imagine on better hardware. It will put android to shame.

 

[kimlo]

It's a huge deal. Cause Windows Phone OS is a brand new OS which is not backwards compatible with the older Windows Mobile 6.5 OS.

Now for the second time in 3 years Microsoft is saying there will be no upgrade path for Windows phone 7.5 users. Microsoft has currently less than 5% market share in the smartphone market. They have such a small base to began with and will alienate the early adopters.

It would be akin to the current Apple TV having apps and Apple releasing a new Apple TV that doesn't support the old apps so that they could make the platform much better. It wouldn't be a big deal because the userbase is relatively small.

All 125,000 apps STILL WORK. All apps that are made for Windows Phone 7.5 or 7.8 will work on Windows Phone 8.

Do you think developers are going to just code apps to work with Windows 8? Not a chance, every developer is going to make their apps for Windows 7 with some specific features only working on Windows Phone 8.

There will be some apps that are exclusive to Win 8 but that will be because the Win 7 phones don't have the hardware to support those exclusive features.

For example is there any games made to utilise the full power of the iPhone 4S in a way that wouldn't work on 3GS or 4? No because developers will cannibalise their sales that way.

IMO people are making this a way bigger issue than it really is, by the time developers start making exclusive Win 8 apps en mass the Win 7 phones will be well and truly outdated.

The current Win 7 phones will get the graphical update, so they will look and operate EXACTLY like the Win 8 phones, buttery smooth (same can't be said for the 3GS), beautiful and a heap of apps.

Windows 8 will be great and I admire Microsoft for not copying Apple and instead bring a completely new way of doing smart phones.

 

[aneftp]

It would be akin to the current Apple TV having apps and Apple releasing a new Apple TV that doesn't support the old apps so that they could make the platform much better. It wouldn't be a big deal because the userbase is relatively small.

All 125,000 apps STILL WORK. All apps that are made for Windows Phone 7.5 or 7.8 will work on Windows Phone 8.

Do you think developers are going to just code apps to work with Windows 8? Not a chance, every developer is going to make their apps for Windows 7 with some specific features only working on Windows Phone 8.

There will be some apps that are exclusive to Win 8 but that will be because the Win 7 phones don't have the hardware to support those exclusive features.

For example is there any games made to utilise the full power of the iPhone 4S in a way that wouldn't work on 3GS or 4? No because developers will cannibalise their sales that way.

IMO people are making this a way bigger issue than it really is, by the time developers start making exclusive Win 8 apps en mass the Win 7 phones will be well and truly outdated.

The current Win 7 phones will get the graphical update, so they will look and operate EXACTLY like the Win 8 phones, buttery smooth (same can't be said for the 3GS), beautiful and a heap of apps.

Windows 8 will be great and I admire Microsoft for not copying Apple and instead bring a completely new way of doing smart phones.

Tell me again how Chrome for Android will run on 2.3 (Gingerbread)? A "must have basic system internet browser" by Google themselves will not run on Gingerbread.

That's the same thing that will happen to Windows 7.5 users with Windows 8 only apps.

So no, moving forward is probably the right thing to do. But this is the 2nd time Microsoft has pulled the plug out of current Windows mobile/phone users by stopping the upgrade path.

Apple doesn't do this.

At least be transparent like RIM did with their BB7 devices. People know that's a dead end system OS. RIM announced it a couple of years ago.

If Microsoft were transparent...say back in 2011 when 7.5 was released.....yeah windows 7.5 will be the end of the current mobile system. Windows 7.5 users won't get the windows 8 upgrade and let consumers decide whether to buy it. But they didn't

 

[kimlo]

Tell me again how Chrome for Android will run on 2.3 (Gingerbread)? A "must have basic system internet browser" by Google themselves will not run on Gingerbread.

That's the same thing that will happen to Windows 7.5 users with Windows 8 only apps.

So no, moving forward is probably the right thing to do. But this is the 2nd time Microsoft has pulled the plug out of current Windows mobile/phone users by stopping the upgrade path.

Apple doesn't do this.

At least be transparent like RIM did with their BB7 devices. People know that's a dead end system OS. RIM announced it a couple of years ago.

If Microsoft were transparent...say back in 2011 when 7.5 was released.....yeah windows 7.5 will be the end of the current mobile system. Windows 7.5 users won't get the windows 8 upgrade and let consumers decide whether to buy it. But they didn't

Chrome is an app by Google which they are using as leverage to upgrade their OS.

How come Apple forces users to go to Lion to use iCloud? It's to force customers to push forward with new technology. Every company does it in one way or another.

Microsoft has given a warning, it will be 6 months, possibly a year from now till release and they're giving out an update that'll give it the same look and feel as Windows 8. Before anyone starts having issues with Windows 8 only apps on any real scale the Win 7 phones will be well and truly outdated and a non issue.

 

[aneftp]

Chrome is an app by Google which they are using as leverage to upgrade their OS.

How come Apple forces users to go to Lion to use iCloud? It's to force customers to push forward with new technology. Every company does it in one way or another.

Microsoft has given a warning, it will be 6 months, possibly a year from now till release and they're giving out an update that'll give it the same look and feel as Windows 8. Before anyone starts having issues with Windows 8 only apps on any real scale the Win 7 phones will be well and truly outdated and a non issue.

I think it's pretty safe to say, Microsoft would not have made this announcement (say less than 30 days after the biggest advertising blitz for a windows phone (Nokia Lumia 900) in April or May.

Microsoft purposely delayed this announcement. As far as I am concerned the Lumia 900, the Titan 2, and Samsung Focus 2 are dead end products.

Wow, look at the Samsung Focus 2 release date (circa May 7th 2012). People are beyond their 30 day return period for that phone also.

This was a well planned announcement to keep the majority of people from returning their phone within the 30 day period.

Because no one would buy that phone (or the Titan 2).