The title says it all. The bad news comes from an interview given by Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region. The reason is that the HD2 doesn’t have the Home, Back and Search keys which Microsoft mandates for all Windows Phone 7 devices. Instead, the HD2 has Call, Home, Start, Back and End/Power controls.
Sounds picky. But it’s up to Microsoft, which lately is becoming Apple-esqe in asserting control over phones using the Windows 7 Phone OS. Perhaps understandable given the Wild West that Windows Mobile had become. If you want Wild West now, go Android. Though per jkOnTheRun, Google may soon reassert control too.
Also, per Slashgear, another Microsoft rep indicated that the HD2’s hardware may have other Windows 7 Phone upgrade shortcomings. Though what they may be likely will be unknown until the full, official hardware profile for WP7 devices is outed at MIX 2010 starting on March 15. Update: Another confirmation from a Microsoft rep.
If this bad news holds – I don’t consider it 100% yet – then it nixes my thought of getting an HD2 through T-Mobile USA. Why pay a lot of $$ for a device destined to have an obsolete OS by the end of the year? Can’t imagine TMo is too happy either.
Of course, the cooks at XDA may cook a Windows 7 Phone ROM for the HD2. May? More like probably. Still, for all the $$ you’re paying for an HD2 …
[picture credit BGR]
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more bad news as far as win7 goes? sounds like they’re locking it down more & more.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361377,00.asp
win phone 7, that is
Yep. I’m going to be posting on this soon. Not sure I like the Windows 7 Phone Series. Sounds like M$ is going Apple on us
ahhhh, what is this madness — no copy/paste? i was actually considering coming back to the dark side. :’(
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/16/windows-phone-7-series-wont-have-copy-and-paste/
I’m pretty much impressed with the stability of Windows 7. It is better than windows Vista which hogs my memory and cpu.*-’
I’m pretty much impressed with the stability of Windows 7. It is better than windows Vista which hogs my memory and cpu.~,*
Microsoft is no stranger to having partners galore in the phone business, however its lineup of manufacturers for the upcoming, surprisingly promising Windows Cellphone 7 launch is not any less impressive. After loads of rumoring, Microsoft has confirmed that Dell and HTC will be making Windows Cellphone 7 telephones, along with ASUS, LG, and Samsung who had already been confirmed. All of these companies ought to have their stamp on hardware by the tip of the year, with the launch of the OS still vaguely slated for the “holidays” We’ve got little doubt that all 5 manufacturers can build some compelling, sexy hardware, however we’re notably enthused to see Dell really getting into the sport after the spectacular Streak and that drool worthy leak a little while back. learn extra at http://www.wp7forum.com fans group.