WinMo 6.5 Handsets Not Upgradeable to WP7S

WinMo 6.5 Handsets Not Upgradeable to WP7S

Techtree News Staff, Mar 02, 2010 1759 hrs IST

Includes the HD2 as well

There is still a confusion regarding the probability of a few existing Windows Mobile 6.5 based handsets being updated to Windows Phone 7 Series. While Microsoft officials had said last week that upgrades are really for the hardware partners to think about, this week, they are saying something else! A senior Microsoft official, Natasha Kwan, has asserted that since WP7S phones need to be compliant in terms of the hardware bits, NONE of the existing Windows Mobile 6.5 based phones will be able to run WP7S. This includes the HD2 as well which has the hardware to run the OS but comes sans the back, home and search hardware keys that are mandatory for WP7S devices.

As of now, there is no indication from HTC if it intends to somehow officially bring a WP7S update to the HD2. It could be a possibility via unofficial channels though. One thing that is possible is the upgradeability of the HD2 to Windows Mobile 6.5.3 the latest version of the Classic OS. We had also reported earlier about the fact that Windows Mobile 6.5 will continue to be shipped on basic, low-end smartphones considering it is still a strong player in the enterprise scheme of things. It would, however, be reamed to Windows Phone Classic.

We wonder what is taking Microsoft so long to make an official announcement and clear the air regarding this long standing, much discussed issue?