Microsoft to Reportedly Bring Windows Mobile Over the Air Upgrades
Upgrading your Apple developed iPhone OS or the Google developed Android-powered G1 is a relatively easy task as the aforementioned upgrades are delivered over the air – the same cannot be told about Microsoft and the Windows Mobile operating system. With the Redmond software giant things could never as simple as letting users get their software via an over the air download.
For early Windows CE devices for example you could upgrade only after removing and replacing a ROM chip with another provided by the device’s manufacturer – which meant that the devices manufacturer got to decide when or whether you could upgrade. As time went by the process of removing the ROM chip was replaced with reflashing it, but this required you to purchase a ROM update from the manufacturer (you could also get a hacked version of the update), and the process was still not as easy as it could be.
It seems that Microsoft is finally getting to grips with the reality of how difficult it is to upgrade a Windows Mobile device, and is looking to provide the same over the air functionality that is taken for granted by iPhone and G1 users. This information has not been confirmed by Microsoft, but a job posting on Microsoft Carriers indicates the developer is up to something.
“Have you wished to see your Windows Mobile phone with new features “magically” show up without you buying a new one? Do you want to see greater and better quality and cool software delivered to your love ones’ Windows phones from just a click? If this is your dream, this is a place for you. Come join us to make this dream into reality! With the mobile industry’s strong growth and several competitors playing in the field, we are going to have a challenging but fun time to show customers what Windows phone can become in the next few years. We are in Windows Mobile device update team. Our goal is to enable customers to anticipate and enjoy a predictable stream of new and improved capabilities for their Windows Phone via a Device Update service that is worry-free and easy-to-use,” says the post (view full post here).
In related Windows Mobile news, another job post has revealed that Microsoft intends to bring popular FPS (first person shooter) game Halo to WinMo (details here).
For early Windows CE devices for example you could upgrade only after removing and replacing a ROM chip with another provided by the device’s manufacturer – which meant that the devices manufacturer got to decide when or whether you could upgrade. As time went by the process of removing the ROM chip was replaced with reflashing it, but this required you to purchase a ROM update from the manufacturer (you could also get a hacked version of the update), and the process was still not as easy as it could be.
It seems that Microsoft is finally getting to grips with the reality of how difficult it is to upgrade a Windows Mobile device, and is looking to provide the same over the air functionality that is taken for granted by iPhone and G1 users. This information has not been confirmed by Microsoft, but a job posting on Microsoft Carriers indicates the developer is up to something.
“Have you wished to see your Windows Mobile phone with new features “magically” show up without you buying a new one? Do you want to see greater and better quality and cool software delivered to your love ones’ Windows phones from just a click? If this is your dream, this is a place for you. Come join us to make this dream into reality! With the mobile industry’s strong growth and several competitors playing in the field, we are going to have a challenging but fun time to show customers what Windows phone can become in the next few years. We are in Windows Mobile device update team. Our goal is to enable customers to anticipate and enjoy a predictable stream of new and improved capabilities for their Windows Phone via a Device Update service that is worry-free and easy-to-use,” says the post (view full post here).
In related Windows Mobile news, another job post has revealed that Microsoft intends to bring popular FPS (first person shooter) game Halo to WinMo (details here).
