Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
Summary: Prior to the release of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft made a lot of noises about things like updates that sounded to many like guarantees. Noises such as Microsoft would be handling the updates and not carriers, and that users would be getting a regular drip feed of updates and improvements. How times change when a product is released.
Prior to the release of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft made a lot of noises about things like updates that sounded to many like guarantees. Noises such as Microsoft would be handling the updates and not carriers, and that users would be getting a regular drip feed of updates and improvements. How times change when a product is released.
In an attempt to offer up some degree of transparency over the update fiasco that the Redmond giant has created for itself with Windows Phone, the company posted up charts outlining when WP owners in the US and internationally would be seeing their updates. The charts are somewhat vague and while not offering a timeline measured in geological terms, it does use the phrase 'several weeks' at one point. But still, it's something that should give WP handset owners hope. Right?
Maybe not.
Ars Technica's Peter Bright asked Microsoft Windows Phone support a simple question via Twitter:
"Is there any guarantee that the carriers will authorize the update before the next one is released?"
Simple question, to which Bright got a simple answer:
"We can't guarantee anything."
There you have it folks. Microsoft didn't sell you the handset (someone else did), and it's not making you any promises beyond what you've already got. Microsoft's not calling the shots with either the handset partners or carriers. Microsoft made the OS, sold an OEM license to manufacturers.
In other words, you get the updates if/when you get it.
End of story.
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Talkback
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
Funny...
Funny... Apple started with zero market share and didn't cave into the carriers.
And as far as MS goes... They have never guaranteed anything... ever. That's because they don't give a hoot about the user experience, they never have.
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
no they just launched with a single carrier that was willing to bend over.
WRONG! Apple did the same. Carriers also test ios releases prior to
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
@Johnny Vegas - The carriers are NOT involved with iOS updates otherwise MMS and tethering would not have been included with the updates until AT&T was good and ready for them to be... or did you forget that in your haste to troll?
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
How often do iPhone users get OTA updates?
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
Apple didn't sell OEM licensing to producers of their phones .. they are the producers. that gives them a bit more lattitude in what they can do. They don't have to deal with both the manufacturer and the carrier - just the carrier.
Please realize I am not a "microsoft Fan" never have been however I have seen a lot of blame get laid at their door that isn't theirs .. just like I have seen apple products get slated in the past by the uninformed.
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
Agreed. I feel carriers need a good clubbing and same can go for OEM's. I'll be patient as many people are not. I feel it is a bit of the turtle and the rabbit...
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
This is why I want the old bad microsoft back! The bad old microsoft would know how to talk to carriers and OEMs. The old bad microsoft would release update without "testing" by carriers. What the heck does "testing by carriers" mean anyway?
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
You are not a part of their customer base you are a part of their cash flow.
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
MS has done this before. How quickly everyone forgot Vista Ultimate. Remember all the promises of specials and extras, none of which materialised! MS has too much of a habit of promising high and delivering low.
This
Exactly what came to mind when the guy at T-Mobile tried to tell me that MS was 'going to add $FEATURE'. To that, I promptly retorted, "well, when they actually DO release the update with $FEATURE, THEN I will buy it."
I don't trust any handset manufacturer, OS designer, or carrier to provide updates. Either the phone comes with it, the community over at xda-devs ports it, or assume you'll never get it.
Never trust that kind of circus.
Joey
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
Carriers are the problem...it's that simple. They kick everyone around and nickle and dime us all. This applies to WP7, Android and IOS. Once they have you they suck you dry like a cheap trick.
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
I'm sure the carriers do affect how and what Apple puts into the updates. I have an Iphone 3gs from Hong Kong that has wireless hotspot feature that was not on my North American iPhone3gs. Apple may release annual software updates, but the carriers get to say what they want in the update. but MS is dropping the ball on WP7, glad I went with an HTC android phone.
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
RE: Microsoft to Windows Phone owners: 'We can't guarantee anything'
...and Microsoft slips further into irrelevance in the mobile market.