Legacy PHones no Apollo Update, will get 7.8 update

[rockstarzzz]

What part of people FEEL deserted was misunderstood. It doesn't matter much what might really happen. Microsoft was quite vague on the whole thing. This is the real issue and that lack of communication feels like desertion to many. No post here will change that. Microsoft needs to provide some reassurance as to what the future SHOULD hold for current devices.

End of story. People will continue to gripe and feel this way until Microsoft provides further details on what exactly will, or will not be in the 7.8 update.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

How should anyone be actually concerned for what an update holds? Say if the update only brings Siri with it, how isn't it not making your phone better than what it is without Siri?

Giving us even 5 features out of 100 features from Windows Phone 8, that work without any issues AND add value to the current flagship phone IS better.

Now why would anyone deny that?

I've noticed one thing here and on XDA and other WP related forums that those who think they are not getting Windows Phone 8 upgrade are only confused by the numbers.

"I am getting a 7.8 and not 8" - Yes because even though Lumia 900 is sexy, flagship phone of April 2012, the hardware is from 2010 Android phones. MSFT wants to move away from 2010 hardware, get 2013 hardware on board with Windows Phone 8 Kernel and apps that do justice to the hardware. As far you getting 7.8 goes, yes it isn't leaving you high and dry because you don't have that 2013 hardware, 7.8 will bring features that old hardwares will support. No, before anyone asks, old hardware won't support the potential of Windows Phone 8 NT Kernel. Now anyone who is into developement knows what a pain in the back side it will be to get that new kernel designed to run on multi-cores, run on a single core.

Imagine this: iOS6/iOS5 running on iPhone2.
Imagine this: ICS/Gingerbread running on HTC Dream (G1).

Even if you throw those phones against the wall, their lag will haunt you and leave scars nothing can heal.

 

[Daniel Ratcliffe]

Umm, what I wrote (that the iPhone 4 is getting the new Maps app) wasn't an "analogy." It's a fact. The two are not interchangeable. It's like if I say that the Lumia 900 comes in cyan. That's not an "analogy" to anything.



I didn't make any claims about what it could or could not handle. What you're missing is that the issue is WP8 not supporting very recent (April 2012) "flagship" hardware, not that it also doesn't support the 2010 WP7 launch devices.



Your facts don't establish this. The iPhone 4 launched in June 2010. iOS 6 is going to be released about 27 months later, with the average phone contract here in the U.S. (for the iPhone) at 2 years. Meanwhile, MS isn't even supporting the Lumia with new software for the duration of its warranty, much less the length of th typical contract. Now, Apple does this too, but the difference is that while the iPhone 4S and the new iPad (both launched concurrent to or before the Lumia) both support iOS 6 without limitation, even the brand-new Lumia doesn't, even though it was released after MS knew that WP8 would not support any previous generation hardware.

The problem here is that this whole deal makes MS look shortsighted. Some say "MS had to do this for the good of WP8", but I'm wondering why MS didn't do this from the start, instead of (apparently) rushing out WP7 using a platform that lasted exactly one generation. It makes me glad the platform didn't sell that well, thereby reducing the number of people that got the short stick here.

And as much as the platform didn't sell well, I was recommending Windows Phone out the wazoo under the assumption we were getting WP8 (as nowhere had I read we were not gonna get it but I had read that we were going to get at least major upgrade). My dad, and my fellow colleague both bought 2nd Gen devices, now they're not getting a single major upgrade (I consider Mango a major update, not NoDo/Tango). So, us three have now all been lied to by Microsoft. Guess it's my own bloody stupid fault for being so gullible... One of my iPhone friends has already started digging into me for this stupidity as it is seriously drawing me towards iPhone. But like I said, I'm going to give Microsoft a chance to correct it (and no, that doesn't mean they have to give me WP 8, but they have to bring all the WP 8 features minus new resolutions and dual core, and perhaps the new kernel also to WP 7.8). Otherwise I'm going to feel like a right twat...

 

[Kredrian]

No, a lot of what is currently missing has to do with OS and API features. There are very few apps out there that need to use native code. MS hasn't said what features that 7.8 is or is not getting.

I think people are blowing this out of proportion until MS actually details what 7.8 is including.

Yes, people are going to erupt until they know what they are going to really be getting. It might have been prudent for MS to just let it all out and detail exactly what will be in the 7.8 update right now to appease people before they jump on Ebay and put their phones up for sail.

Personaly, after several hours to think about it, and a few beers, and reruns of All in the Family (Since Archy knows almost everything and I go to him when I need a Zen moment) I am ok with how things are. I mean, its not like my phone stopped working yesterday.. I didn't lose all my apps, they will still work, my phone still works, and the L900 in white is still sexy as ****.

 

[Kredrian]

And as much as the platform didn't sell well, I was recommending Windows Phone out the wazoo under the assumption we were getting WP8 (as nowhere had I read we were not gonna get it but I had read that we were going to get at least major upgrade). My dad, and my fellow colleague both bought 2nd Gen devices, now they're not getting a single major upgrade (I consider Mango a major update, not NoDo/Tango). So, us three have now all been lied to by Microsoft. Guess it's my own bloody stupid fault for being so gullible... One of my iPhone friends has already started digging into me for this stupidity as it is seriously drawing me towards iPhone. But like I said, I'm going to give Microsoft a chance to correct it (and no, that doesn't mean they have to give me WP 8, but they have to bring all the WP 8 features minus new resolutions and dual core, and perhaps the new kernel also to WP 7.8). Otherwise I'm going to feel like a right twat...

And I am still going to recommend it, no matter what. A lot of people I know want a smart phone, but you know they don't care about specs, or even software. They want basic things like web browsing, making calls, texting, maybe a few apps here and there but nothing too heavy. And the current WP7.5 devices will fill that need far into the future. My phone still works today, and it will work six months from now. When the time comes that some must have app comes out and my phone won't run it, then its time to get a new phone, but that day is not today, and I don't see it coming with WP8's launch either. If a new feature is a must have for you, I am sorry you will lose out, but for the majority of people the phones and software we have now is really good.

 

[HeyCori]

I will also like to point out that (and I'm quite sure this will piss more people off) your "new" Lumia/Titan II isn't new. They're all Gen2 devices that came out in November of last year. Yes, by the time WP8 hits your phones innards will be over a year old. It doesn't matter when you bought a Gen2 device because you still bought a Gen2 device and you're stuck with its limitations.

You could have opted to play the waiting game until fall and see what new hardware/software was released. Instead you decided to buy a Gen2 device with year old (technically older) innards with the assumption that newer hardware wouldn't eclipse it. That's like buying an iPhone 3GS/4 right before the 4S came out and expecting all the 4S required hardware features to trickle down to weaker phones. Did 3GS/4 owners get an update? Yes. Are 3GS/4 owners getting all the updates and features? No. And it's up to developers to make sure their apps are backwards compatible with the old hardware. WP7.5 users are in the same boat.

Microsoft is still giving 7.5 users an upgrade but its overall sustainability will be based on whether developers want to make their apps backwards compatible, just like they're doing with the iPhone and Android. Fortunately, Microsoft has made it extremely easy for developers to make apps that will run on 7.8 and 8, partially guarantying that 7.8 will still have a bright future. Instead everyone's responding like the sky is falling and that the MarketPlace will dry up tomorrow. Not me. I'm going to continue to enjoy my 7.8, and I will enjoy newer apps, and when the day comes that my 900 can no longer keep up than I will upgrade to the latest WP8 or WP8.5 phones that are on the market.

 

[naplesbill]

To answer the question about features we don't know about, here is a quick shortlist:

1. will 7.8 have Skype integration like 8?
2. will 7.8 have any of the share capabilities with the surface tablet like 8?
3. will 7.8 be able to any of the changes to Xbox capabilities that are coming in 8?
4. What will 8 be able to do that 7.8 cannot, thing NOT hardware dependent?
5. How long before MS says no more support for 7.x devices?
6. Will there be any capability for map apps to run in the background or link through apps like 8?
7. Will there be any capabilities for VoIP apps to run in the background like 8?
8. Will in-app purchases be possible like in 8?

These are just off the top of my head. I am sure I could come up with many more questions. Microsoft should have been prepared with these answers.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

 

[inteller]

"I will also like to point out that (and I'm quite sure this will piss more people off) your "new" Lumia/Titan II isn't new. They're all Gen2 devices that came out in November of last year."

um, the 900 came out in April, don't know what time distortion field you are using.

 

[Ntropy99]

OK, so I have a HTC Trophy. It was old hardware when VZW finally decided to get in the WP game. Would I like 8, sure. Did I expect to get the new OS that would run well on old hardware? no. If I had bought the Lumia anything, I might be upset. But not really. Again, I would have bought what made me happy from what was out. I have read the arguments that talk about the iphones still being upgradeable to their new OS in the fall. What does that say about the progression of their hardware and their OS? To me, not much. And if I had wanted an iPhad, I would have bought one and not my Windows Phone. There is a reason we buy what we buy at the time we buy it. I like my Windows Phone that I have and I will like my new WP when the time comes to buy the next one (whenever VZW decides to release it).

 

[petersun21]

Microsoft Corp.'s overhaul of its smartphone operating system set for launch this autumn will change the basic software so extensively that won't be able to run on Nokia's new line of Lumia handsets. This could mean sales of the Lumia devices, which have so far failed to ignite, may flag further as customers hold out for the next generation's wow-factor functions.

 

[petersun21]

Agree. MS needs to answer those questions

To answer the question about features we don't know about, here is a quick shortlist:

1. will 7.8 have Skype integration like 8?
2. will 7.8 have any of the share capabilities with the surface tablet like 8?
3. will 7.8 be able to any of the changes to Xbox capabilities that are coming in 8?
4. What will 8 be able to do that 7.8 cannot, thing NOT hardware dependent?
5. How long before MS says no more support for 7.x devices?
6. Will there be any capability for map apps to run in the background or link through apps like 8?
7. Will there be any capabilities for VoIP apps to run in the background like 8?
8. Will in-app purchases be possible like in 8?

These are just off the top of my head. I am sure I could come up with many more questions. Microsoft should have been prepared with these answers.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

The excuse that MS gave for not updating wp7 to wp8 is as dumb as it can be

 

[Corepc]

I am just glad we are getting an update after all.

MS could have decided not to give us anything at all.

At the end of day my phone is still a phone and still works that is all that matter really to me.

That is all that I have to say about that.

 

[selfcreation]

To answer the question about features we don't know about, here is a quick shortlist:

1. will 7.8 have Skype integration like 8?
2. will 7.8 have any of the share capabilities with the surface tablet like 8?
3. will 7.8 be able to any of the changes to Xbox capabilities that are coming in 8?
4. What will 8 be able to do that 7.8 cannot, thing NOT hardware dependent?
5. How long before MS says no more support for 7.x devices?
6. Will there be any capability for map apps to run in the background or link through apps like 8?
7. Will there be any capabilities for VoIP apps to run in the background like 8?
8. Will in-app purchases be possible like in 8?

These are just off the top of my head. I am sure I could come up with many more questions. Microsoft should have been prepared with these answers.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. everything. ( 7.8 is only a UI update nothing more )
5. when wp8.5+ comes out... lol its up to the DEVs to support wp7.8
6. no
7. nope
8. In app purchase is alredy available on WP7.5 .....

Listen to the Keynote + WPcentral PODCAST, all this is talked about...... or just read the news on the front page of WPcentral ....

 

[naplesbill]

Sorry but none of that has been discussed officially. If you care to link to official statements on any of these questions that would be great.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

 

[inteller]

in app purchasing is not in Windows Phone currently the way Microsoft has shown. Please don't muddle things.

 

[Daniel Ratcliffe]

To answer the question about features we don't know about, here is a quick shortlist:

1. will 7.8 have Skype integration like 8?
2. will 7.8 have any of the share capabilities with the surface tablet like 8?
3. will 7.8 be able to any of the changes to Xbox capabilities that are coming in 8?
4. What will 8 be able to do that 7.8 cannot, thing NOT hardware dependent?
5. How long before MS says no more support for 7.x devices?
6. Will there be any capability for map apps to run in the background or link through apps like 8?
7. Will there be any capabilities for VoIP apps to run in the background like 8?
8. Will in-app purchases be possible like in 8?

These are just off the top of my head. I am sure I could come up with many more questions. Microsoft should have been prepared with these answers.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. everything. ( 7.8 is only a UI update nothing more )
5. when wp8.5+ comes out... lol its up to the DEVs to support wp7.8
6. no
7. nope
8. In app purchase is alredy available on WP7.5 .....

Listen to the Keynote + WPcentral PODCAST, all this is talked about...... or just read the news on the front page of WPcentral ....

And if this is true... then they've really let the ball drop. Looks like I'm gonna have to suck it up aren't I, sell my TITAN for as much as possible, get my Curve 8520 repaired, wait until the new phones come out, and then buy one of them... If it is just a UI update it's a huge frigging slap in the face. Major update for every phone my rear end!

 

[selfcreation]

Sorry but none of that has been discussed officially. If you care to link to official statements on any of these questions that would be great.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-unveils-windows-phone-78-update-legacy-hardware

http://www.windowscentral.com/full-windows-phone-summit-video-now-available-viewing

http://www.windowscentral.com/wpcentral-podcast-windows-phone-8-and-its-future


its stated all over the place that wp7.8 is only a UI update.... wp7.8 is a update as where wp8 is a re-write. ( iish )

 

[naplesbill]

Yeah clear as mud. The only mention is to the effect of the start screen. Clearly that is not all and clearly it is stated that it was an early release that was previewed. Nobody has fully run it through its paces or fully compared changes.

We need clear, concise, and definitive answers. Not assumptions or quick observations.

Sent from my PI86100 using Board Express

 

[raven2751]

Does anyone know what the new features WP7.8 are, appart from the new start screen, cause I've seen nothing as yet.

 

[kylej1050]

All I want is a bluetooth API so my Metawatch can chat with my phone

 

[bear_lx]

The iPad came out in April of 2010.
The Lumia 900 came out in April of 2012.

There's kind of a difference, no?

yes there is a huge difference, the leap between ios5 and ios6 is minimal...

the leap between mango and apollo isnt, its all written entirely different using different kernels.

to get an upgrade of this magnitude is fantastic, both for developers and our ecosystem. tighter integration and better app develpment. i never expected to get windows 8 on my trophy. and for all of us that bought nokia's we knew there was a good chance we wouldnt get windows 8 on it either. all that being said, if it makes you that unhappy, just sell it on ebay and buy another phone, its that easy. i do it all the time