Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.8
The question of what Microsoft would do for those current Windows Phone users who have generation 1 and generation 1.5 devices like the HTC Titan or the highly popular Nokia Lumia 900 for Windows Phone 8 has finally been answered.
Windows Phone 8’s main features involve new hardware like multi-core processors, NFC and higher resolution displays. Phones like the Lumia 900 cannot take advantage of these new features but Windows Phone 8 also brings additional changes to the Start screen which current users can take advantage of.
In able to ensure that current customers have the best and latest from Microsoft, the company is officially offering Windows Phone 7.8 as an OS upgrade. Windows Phone 7.8 will still be based on the CE kernel and won’t enable advanced Windows Phone 8 features like app and games that use native programming, but it will give current users the new Start screen and appearance of Windows Phone 8.
The new Start screen in Windows Phone 8 has three new elements, including
- Variable tile sizes, including user customizable selection between small, medium and so-called “double wide” tiles
- Removal of the “gutter” aka “the gap” known as the off-centered space to the right of the Start screen. The gutter was a carry-over from the Zune days but now Tiles will be evenly distributed on the Start screen
- New tile colors – yes, while the 10 + 1 model of Accent colors for Windows Phone carried us for nearly two years, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.8 will offer a wider selection of colors
Although not being able to directly upgrade to the new NT kernel of Windows Phone 8 may be a bit of a letdown for current users, the Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade should offer new Windows Phone users nearly the same experience considering their lack of advanced hardware.
Update: Nokia just announced Play To DLNA support, Counters for data information, Nokia Music 3.0 and Camera Extras for all current Lumia phones
Do you think it’s a fair compromise and are you satisfied? Let us know in comments.
Reader comments
Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 7.8 update for current hardware
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Sir My Phone HTC Orange Window Phone This is Not Update But I need update so Please Tell Me to Updation
Where is the update we were promised this month? Why announce release dates you can't live up to. Just one more misrepresentation from MS
I recently bought a HTC Titan II and really want to like the WP operating system, but it is only a toy. The OS is not reasonably open to third party developement so you are pigeon holed into the little locked down marketplace. The Office 365 and SkyDrive have a very long way to go and should only be an option not a requirement for accessing files. Cellular service is to spotty and unreliable to not have your files stored locally on the device or only accessible through the Zune software rather than being able to use it like a flash drive. I really want to like this WP, but it is just a toy with Facebook, XBox being a high priority, no VPN support, the locked down carrier butt kissing design and limited avenues for allowing third parties to build on it. Based upon my present experience with WP7.5 I might have to consider a Android Desktop OS if this is a sign of things to come from Microsoft.
So this will run on my Lumia 710?
I'm actually a LONG time Apple Mac user. Never thought I'd be excited about a Windows product, but I actually love the start screen on 7.8!
Coming to the WinMo game kinda late, I'm cool with having the new upgrade, cause 7 and 7.5 were a bit anemic. Just bought the Focus with the 32Gb Sandisc so we'll see how happy I am in a few months.
Very unsatisfied
Common people, what is all the bitching about not getting wp8 update! Do cars get replaced when a new model of an exciting car is updated to a new model? Does android update all of their exciting phones to 4.0? Will Samsung replace my 60inch 3D LED TV with the new model next year or update it with their new software? I doubt it! Is a natural cycle, new ones get build and old one get replaced by the new ones, common, stop crying and buy a new phone when it comes out if not than get the latest greatest phone now and the heck with wp8 update. Lets not forget that MSF has been around for a long time and has been making more money than all of us here put together. If this move is to fail, they don’t really care as all of their other products drive the company to higher and higher levels. Also, at the end of the day MSF just buys Nokia and uses its patents to make ever more money, MSF will make money. Don’t get me wrong, I love wp7 and it would have been great to get the wp8 into my Nokia but I get it, its just not compatible. WP7 is beautiful and I will buy a new one in December and that is that
Hi all,
I'm excited by the recent announcement coming out of MS. WP8 and W8 are welcome additions to this user. I am a user that purchased an HTC HD 7 the day it came out. I'd love a full upgrade to WP8 so I'm slightly disappointed but still very happy with my current phone and its performance.
I realize my device may not support WP8 in its current form and I look forward to getting the new Start Screen. Hopefully we will see other features such as the wallet that, minus the use of NFC could centralize some of my current finance and reward card app or even transmit data by current means. In addition, I hope some of the popular titles will still arrive on the older phones. Based on past experiences I am probably 18 - 2 years away from upgrading. But then, perhaps somehow, "fortune" will find me and damage will come to my phone. In that case, I'll definitely upgrade sooner.
Have they confirmed that 7.8 only gets a new start screen? There are absolutely no new features? There is no cut and paste? There is no MS Wallet of any sort? No browser upgrade?
Makes no difference to me. I will Love it on the Nokia Lumia 900 but was going to get one of their new Windows Phone 8 phones regardless.
Anyone that doesn't get that WP8 is a whole different OS, should do some more reading.
MS simply can't keep developing 2 OSes at the same time. They needed to move to a Win NT Kernel now because they're trying to unify PC / Tabs / Phone apps.
That's brilliant if you ask me!
So stop complaining, and read to understand what's happening..
Now there's something that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere..
If the WP7 "gap" on the right is gone, is the app list still accessible with a swipe to the the left??
anyone know anything about that?
Yes, the app list is still there.
I'm glad MS hasn't forgotten the 1st generation users. I'm quite happy with the 7.8 idea. If I needed the the full WP8 OS I would buy the new ones.
I'm not reading all the hundreds of replies, but only saw ONE person mention this so far -
This is all very well, but AT&T has already skipped the 8107 update, AND stated they will NOT be providing any more updates to legacy devices such as the Samsung Focus etc. So this whole thing is moot. No matter MSFT is putting out 7.8 - if your carrier can't be f***ing bothered to action the update, you aren't getting it anyway. This whole discussion is pointless.
Already absolutely committed to leaving AT&T as soon as the contracts expire. They are way more expensive than the competition, their customer service is awful, they have no interest in their customers past the initial purchase/contract, and clearly favor iFluff devices over WP and always have. And now because it effectively prohibits them from selling me another device right away, something I don't want or need, they're going to keep a useful update from me AGAIN.
The 7.8 update bypasses carriers m8.
I wish people would stop complaining about what their phones only being upgradeable to WP 7.8. I was a little upset for Lumia 900 owners (I still have my HD7) at first but then I realized that there are hundreds of features that MS has yet to unveil that will probably make it into WP 7.8. The only limitations are hardware so far. So Xbox music, Xbox Smart Glass, new messaging and email abilities, new people hub functions, new marketplace abilities, picture hub, etc. may all be included in your update. MS hasn't even announce all the changes they've made. From NODO to MANGO was about 500 updated features. Why should this be anything different? What we saw at the summit yesterday was geared more towards developers than consumers. The big "feature unveiling" will come soon and with it, the knowledge as to what 7.8 will include. If your Lumia 900 doesn't have certain features, its only because it requires the newest hardware to run the latest OS. Give it a chance.
Это полная шляпа!Зачем надо было парить мозги об апгрейде до 8 при продаже 900 нокии.Уроды!
I'm excited for 7.8. It will make my phone seem new again. I knew there would be a really good chance that WP8 wouldn't be available for my HTC Trophy considering all the new tech the new OS is bringing. I think offering the 7.8 upgrade for legacy phones is a great solution for us ealry adopters and shows MS does have us in mind. Heck, they could have offered nothing and left us high and dry.
Two thumbs up for MS!
Microsoft made a huge marketing blunder. They should have told people they were receiving Windows 8, but that all features would not be accessible due to hardware limitations. Why call it Windows 7.8?
3GS will run iOS 6, that's been on the market for 3+ years.
'nuff said.
Will Zune be removed with WP 7.8?
I am already feeling regret of supporting MS
I am already feeling regret of supporting MS
Just now i shifted to android again.this stupid ms provide benefit only new customers it doesn't care about old one's.in our 7.5mango no pure multitasking is there.it is a waste os.if we buy apollo also with in less time they provide another 9 version.apps wil not perform background in this stupid mango.android is far better than this ms.
I want it all of course, but I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the l900 the way it is, so all updates and new apps just adds to my happiness. Thanks yall!
I've got a DVP. So I knew that Windows 8 would be a no go upgrade for me. To have Windows 7.8 as an alternative is all good for me. I'm sure the ones who have bought new WP7s within the past 6 months may feel robbed. However, this is the industry. All the other os's do the same. At least there is something....
Goodbye WP, goodbye MS. Definitely won't buy a new WP8 device just to find out that WP9 or new apps will not run it in less than one year time. Will moving to an eco system which has a roadmap that doesn't change every two minutes.
You should remember. If Microsoft didnt make this move, we would be running on limited hardware forever. Windows Phone 8 hardware gives us more power to do the things we complained it didnt do.
I dont think that will happen again. WP7 runs on the ancient Windows CE kernel. With Windows 8 ecosystem (desktop, tablet, phone) everyting will be using the same core Windows NT kernel. This also means the DirectX will be coming to WP for gaming and how cool is that!
Source: http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/21/3105314/windows-phone-8-directx-mobile-gaming
So cheer up, it's not all bad!
If people want portable gaming they would buy a Nintendo DS. The WP software lacks support from corporations designed to be a toy with Office 365, SkyDrive, XBox, locked down design, no VPn support, and no confidence from IT depatments who happen to recommend hardware for both work and personal use. Don't get me wrong the gaming and social networking is cute, but there is a reason why Android stepped back from that type of design and opened up the doors for third parties. Since then the Android market has grown and this Titan II I bought, because I wanted to give WP a chance is never going to be anything more than a toy that gets tossed to the side. I am just glad on bought the phone rather than got it with a contract.
I'm ok with this, I think Microsoft aren't leaving us behind...it's fine
I think it's fair.
I knew that WP8 was coming when I bought my Lumia. I've had several months of a great phone, and with the 7.8 upgrade I'll be happy until my contract comes up for renewal. I wouldn't have missed out on my Lumia for anything.
I think we will continue to see apps and updates come out for the Windows 7.5 devices, at least long enough to hold me over until I can get a WP8. Besides, I'm pretty doggone happy with the apps I have. Oh - and happy with Words with Friends and Draw Something coming out for WP soon. They talked about those during the "Legacy" section of the program, so I'm pretty sure that it'll run on my phone.
I know Win 8 devices are coming out; I knew that when I bought my Samsung Series 7 Slate, and I'm going to put Win 8 on it and I won't be sorry I bought that either.
Purchased my HTC TItan in December.
Not long after it was obsoleted by the HTC Titan II.
On the carrier side, AT&T has yet to release visual voicemail, and no OS updates, including a fix for the disappearing keyboard or a patch for the SMS security problem reported earlier this year.
... and now this.
I've enjoyed using the WP operating system, but the overall owner experience has been unacceptable in such a competitive market. I'm returning to Apple and will stay there permanently. iOS 6 will support the 3+ generation old 3GS; at least there I will not be abandoned 6 months into a new contract. Shame on Microsoft, HTC, and AT&T.
I see it this way: I jumped the gun early KNOWING WP8 was around the corner, but I wanted the Lumia 900. Is this still pretty bad? Yes it's disheartening and in some ways surprising, but I think people should wait and actually see what will and won't be supported at the time of release. To mention, if I'm so upset with what's happening with the current gen of devices, I'm more than sure that the low-end WP8 devices will be reasonable enough to buy off contract if I so badly want the WP8 full experience. But again, I'll wait and see what's all that is missing in 7.8 versus pouting and packing up my phone
I got my Titan (I) for 99 cents on the Saturday after Black Friday, and haven't looked back. I'll take 7.8, and when I can I'll upgrade to the latest after Apollo has been on devices for a while. And a PureView WP8 device sounds like it'll be great.
It happens on other platforms as others have pointed out. My sister's original Galaxy S was the flagship at release, and now it barely works. My old iPhone 4 was given to my oldest daughter as a glorified iPod touch, cause my wife wanted Siri. My Titan's design is so elegantly simplistic, I'll probably pass it down to one of my younger girls once I ween them off our old beater 3GS fruit-phones they use for iPod Touches now as well. They have to grow up sometime!
So glad i waited and didnt get a 900. it was rough.
so does that mean people will stop buying lumina's? does that also mean that the current lumina's price will drop like a brick? I still have my 2010 HTC WP, it might be worth getting a lumina for a few months until WP8 comes out.
This seems a fair and conscientious approach by MS. As someone who's been in from the start I'd say in satisfied (to be fair though, I might be singing a different tune if I'd just bought a L900). Will be curious to learn details of full extent / content of the 7.8 update. I'm really not convinced about the start screen changes (mainly loss of the gutter), even though I like the customisability & extra functions. May be a tough call for me whether to upgrade or not if 7.8 is primarily just the UI changes. Anyway fair play to you MS for the continued innovation - just don't forget the unique foundations of WP as you charge ahead. Onwards & upwards!
I've got mixed emotions (Tu)
Releasing WP7.8 for Lumia 900 and all other WP7 is much appreciated. Big THANKS to Microsoft and Nokia.
Totally cool by me. I just want to make sure I'll have some kind of connectivity with windows 8. Like push to phone stuff.
My wife and I both have Lumia 900's...
No disappointment here... I had an HTC Arrive prior to this and am more than happy with the Lumia 900 and it's improvements.
The 7.8 Update will get us by until our contract is up at which point Gen 2.5/3 devices will be coming to market and we will be ready to make the jump to much improved devices.
What makes this even easier is that I will have my Surface device to fill that void. :-P
I'm in the acceptance phase now. I'm honestly thinking about just keeping my Lumia even though I just bought it and could return it. I love this phone and even if it will be running an old OS in the fall its still a tremendous phone.
I m happy that hv not bought new device.
So I will be waiting for the updates.
The question is when the updates will available?.
Will we also get the new browser with the 7.8 update?
I think it is fair and great. However, when might we see it? Bigger questions, how about the Tango refresh as when asked about my HTC Radar phone, I can almost say it is a perfect experience. I cannot due to: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/winphone/forum/wp7-wppics/wp75-chooses-data-connection-over-wifi/9a618d7b-6ac9-4c43-8181-28482fb207b6
Being the owner of a Lumia 900, I can understand why they went this route. Im still not happy about the soon to be sudden lack of app support as i rely on apps and love picking up new games. Though i dont feel bad because my Lumia was free. Everyone who bought a Lumia during the first month it was out got reinbursed by Nokia for that signal drop. So in that respect, getting a brand new phone that is still nice to use for free Im ok with 7.8. I just feel that the Lumia being so new is now a legacy device is kinda upsetting. Come Win Phone 8 time Ill see what i want to do.
Its a better update for old phones than I expected actually. I thought it was obvious that older phones wouldnt be able to run wp 8. Ive been holding on to my Focus and waiting (patiently?...well no) for wp8 before upgrading. Hopefully a Pureview phone will be in the first batch of wp8 phones or I will keep waiting and make do with 7.8 for a while.
Well we all knew Apollo was coming, its a new phone OS tbh, and is keeping up android and ios by having dual-core, multi-core and even 64 core. Also NFC. None of the 7.5 mango phones have these capabilities, so why are people so butthurt that they won'tbe getting this new OS? it would be like putting a bugatti engine in a camry. But Microsoft have given everything they can give into 7.8. I think thats very fair and is alot better then just mango forever. Im looking forward to having it on my Omnia 7!
Well im truly satisfied with this news. I can't complain about anything. I knew from the get go that current phone won't support much feature. At least they thought about us and say hey we can't forget about you guys so here's WP7.8 and that will hold me off until im due for an upgrade from ATT. I still love my lumia 900. By the time I upgrade there should be a bunch of cool new WP8 devices with all the good specs mentioned
For the love of all that's Holy WHEN are they going to introduce a phone backup! I mean ALL of the phone, so you can do a factory reset and then restore. I have had one complete Factory reset happen on my HD7 and I was rightfully P@##ed off that I had to manually re-install and re-configure everything. There's no excuse for this. Not EVERYTHING is saved to the Cloud!
grrrrrrrrr
I'm fine with the changes. My user experience with WP7 has been great so far, especially considering that with every update (esp. Mango) my device go even more smoother/faster when using it (I got an Optimus 7=gen1 device a year ago) and no crashes/reboots.
I just hope the future apps made for wp8 will run on wp7.8 too. Overall I like the way where wp8 and w8rt (on tablets) and the windows live ecosystem is headed. I have my (big) doubts however on non-tough devices and w8.
I'm gonna be on a Lumia 900 shopping spree this fall! =oD
Its not like anyone will scroll this far down but you can color me disappointed (it closely resembles cyan, hint hint). The hardware limitations are obviously not anything they can change, but it is possible to write a new Win 8 Kernel for recent devices, they have simply chosen not to. With device integration being so key to the future of WinPhone and Win 8, dead-ending the current crop of phones is u wise and disappointing. Think of how this contrasts with Nokia's actions to address the initial problems with the L900? In less than 2 years MSoft will have deadended my brand new and expensive HTC HD2, HD7, and L900. That's a very poor way to treat the few Customers you have.
If WP7.8 devices will have App integration with the Surface RT and Win8 PCs than this is less of an issue, but as they were silent on this it seems unlikely. If I were MSoft, I would take a leaf from Nokia's playbook and give a voucher to everyone who bought a WinPhone in the 12 months before WP8 is released. That would by them Brand Loyalty others would envy.
i scrolled here.
This is so true. I've been touting my phone since I got it and have been such a loyal fan, but this move is horrid. I feel betrayed and ripped off that a premier piece of hardware is launched this close to a new OS upgrade and won't be able to update. I can't tell if it's laziness, terrible market strategy, piss poor PR, or all of the above.
Oh well, learned my lesson.
Windows is making a fool of its users. They could have easily done a strip down port (removing the extra features which will not work like NFC, Dual Core etc) of the WP 8 to old WP 7.5 mobiles (man these devices have every minimal requirement Processor, RAM, Graphics accelerator). They won't do, cause new features are not that cool which may insist old users to buy new WP. I don't know how good is Microsoft's marketing strategy, when it is competing with Android, iOS, and nevertheless new Blackberry 10 OS. I don't see a single chance for Microsoft nor nokia. Alas! I wasted money on buying Lumia 800. However I can atleast play with my old Galaxy S II, and thanks to the opensource android project, I can install any version of android on my device even if the phone manufactirer decided to stop providing. :)
So my loyalty gets me a tweaked UI, hm? I think we're done here.
It is a huge mistake by Microsoft. The right way would be to continue wp7.x as a parallel branch. They could rename it WP CE and release WP CE 8.0. The number 7.8 is very close to 8.0 and leaves little space for subsequent updates. They might release 7.9 update someday but that's it. It has upper limit and expiration date written all over it
Oh and my Xmas present off my missus will be a Surface RT.....HAPPY DAYS :)
While im due for an upgrade in the "Fall" ill be happy to pass on my 7.8 Omnia 7 to the kids to play with! Ill be upgrading to Nokia by the way, maybe the Lumia 2!!
I am okay with it, I knew it going in getting the lumia 900
Thats something that has not been addressed anywhere yet. Its getting said about the 7.8 update, coming in the coming months, aren't we supposed to get Tango first? I am sure I read somewhere on this site that some where starting to ge that update as of today?
As for apps, if you heard them talking, all apps on 7.5 will work on 8, when they did the example for the word game, they had to do a minor change. So I am sure they will still make the apps for WP7.8 if its only a small change to get it to work on 8.
Why all the complaints? rumors have been running around on this site for a while now about the chance of no upgrade to WP8 because of hardware limitations, so if you knew, why get a current gen phone now, then complain when the truth came out?
I personally am looking forward to my HD7 to get upgraded to 7.8, I just hope we get some other features that are in WP8 apart from the core things which aren't obviously compatible.
Update: Ok so just read that WP8 apps won't be backwards compatible, well I hope they make them for the WP7.8 phones first if they are easy ported to WP8
As a Lumia 800 owner I'm really excited for 7.8 and all the other additional updates Nokia will be bringing.
Of course I'd of loved to have Windows Phone 8 on my device, but it'd be naive of me to believe it would ever really happen.
For current gen devices to have WP8, then the OS would of had to of been seriously handicapped and I don't want to see that. I want WP8 to be as good as can be so that it can succeed in the marketplace.
I'll happily take 7.8 and then no doubt do an early upgrade to a WP8 device asap.
For those who love WP, but are complaining, think of it this way:
Handicapped WP8 = Market Fail = no more Windows Phone = go get a Droid or iPhone
:)
holy crap some of you guys are a bunch of cry babies...the Nokia 900 will be, and will continue to be a great phone for 2 years..then you can get another. If you want vanilla stick with apple. if you want to be lied to about a phone that will have huge delays in updates becuase of manufacturers and service providers get android. If your always gonna cry when something newer and greater comes out don't ever buy a phone cause something bigger is going to come out every six months.
Given that the hardware requirements have changed and in order to make it work smoothly this makes sense. It is a good compromise and gives current users an opportunity to take win 8 for a ride. Also early adopters are ready or will be for an upgrade by time the phones are released, with apps from win 7.5 operating on 8 makes for an interesting transition. Can't wait for my upgrade.
Not fair at all. I just gave up my upgrade for a Lumia 900. It is completely unacceptable that a phone that is currently being hyped out the yinyang is going to get only a dumbed down version of the updated OS. Time to start saving pennies to go back to Apple...
It's a phone - and a good phone at that (lumia 900). WP7, WP8 - what the heck does it matter. The OS works great. The new OS (skin) will be great. If the upgrade cycle is 2 years anyway - who cares. Apple doesn't give all of the bells and whistles to from their new OS to the old phones - why should MS.
It is a huge mistake by Microsoft. The right way would be to continue wp7.x as a parallel branch. They could rename it WP CE and release WP CE 8.0. The number 7.8 is very close to 8.0 and leaves little space for subsequent updates. They might release 7.9 update someday but that's it. It has upper limit and expiration date written all over it
Probably still plenty to come before release. Besides the start screen I'm sure there will be lots of new features in the hubs, and I'm thinking MS are trying not to tip off the competition too soon. Most of it should be hardware-independent, and will probably be in 7.8 as well.
Is this update going to be on the first Gen Samsung focus as well? Im on custom flashed rom 7.10.8773.98 wonder if we first Gen wp7 users will see the update?!
Despite having a Titan for only a month now, I gotta say it really puts me off, but then again I could always buy a new one since mobile technology here in NZ is so late, I'm talking about a year late. So if there's a new this and that in EU or US, it'll come a year later here in NZ where it will be marketed as brand new when really its almost a legacy device. So yeah, I guess I can stick with my titan for a year more and half before buying a full pledge Apollo phone.
It's understandable because of the necessary hardware, but it does suck a lil. Time to save up.
Uhm. So some of our phones are equipped with NFC ... supposedly for some future wallet service. If it's built into the device wouldn't it be nice if we were able to use it? I'd like to see wallet service as well as better skyDrive integration and a less restrictive zune.
You cannot improve hardware via software. But does that mean you've to make software which cannot run on previous devices? Creating drivers for new kernel is generally the hard part. But WP could have had done that quite easily since most of their smartphones have almost idential hardware, thanks to no-fragmentation:
Gen1: Qualcomm 1ghz, 512mb, 800*480
Gen2: Qualcomm 1.4ghz, 512mb, 800*480
Low-end: Qualcomm 800mhz, 256mb, 800*480
They just had to support these configurations. Now wp8 marketshare will again rise from 0. Heck, iPhone 4 runs at 800mhz (underclocked) and will be able to run iOS6. Other than true multitasking, wp8 is no way more demanding than iOS6.
Microsoft is rather now supporting new reolutions. How significant is the difference between 768p and 720p? Rather just stay with a single aspect ratio at 15:9 (800*480 and 1280*768) and apps will continue to look good.
And the 7.8 users may not be able to install any windows8/wp8 metro apps, since the kernel is different from windows phone 7.8.
I think it is great. I look forward to having it until I can take advantage of upgrade prices at the end of my two year contract.
All positives aside, this will kill sales of WinPhones until WP8 arrives.
Same could be said of every phone. Galaxy S3 will kill the sales of S2, Iphone5 will kill sales of iphone 4s. Its just a part of the cylcles.
Heys guys! I'm late to the party here. But I just read an article at wired.com that developers will be developing apps for WP-7.8 and WP-8. So it 's not AS bad is it seems. Believe me, I was pissed as well after learning that my New Lumia 900 was only going to get a new start screen! But there will be apps coming as well.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/windows-phones-to-get-new-start-s...
This is the best anyone could have hoped for. Seriously what did people expect? To suddenly grow a second core on the phones so that they can run more processor demanding apps? With the exceptions of a few games and apps that require native code we will still be able to do anything that a windows phone 8 will ( not count NFC but that is irrelevant to 90% of the world anyway) I'm getting my lumia 900 next week and 4 or 5 months from now I will sell it and get an ever more awesome Nokia windows 8 phone with pureview ;)
Couldn't be happier with this news.
I'm not upset at all. I bought my HTC HD7 in January of 2011 and knew not to upgrade until Windows Phone 8 came out. Now my patience will be rewarded. In the mean time I won't feel jilted by getting served up 7.8 as I know it offers the best my current phone can support.
So reading most all the comments on here tells me that most of you don't understand that getting full WP8 still wouldn't give you any of the other capabilities that new phones will have because the phone you have now doesn't have the hardware. So it is great that they are doing what they can for existing phones. If you need the new capabilities then buy a new phone when they come out.
I'm psyched for this update, when should we expect it? And im assuming this will be in conjunction with the Refresh aka Tango update?
Disappointed, very disappointed with Microsoft.
I bought my HTC Surround when they first came out. I will upgrade to 7.8 and since my contract us up at the end of the year, an upgrade to WP8 is a no brainer. I'm happy.
They should have done what iOS, does. Call it WP8 for everyone but not all features available to all models of phones.
This is truth. Apple takes the better strategy on this kind of thing.
I will take the update, simply because I didn't think WP7.x devices were going to get anything, but it sorta sucks that the phone that pretty much put WP back on the map (NL900) is getting shafted. I understand why, so I can't complain too much, but still.
NowI have to wait for some WP8 goodness for 16 more months.
I like it all. Forget the old phones bring on the new ones. New everything, step up Microsoft. You can take my money. I need a surface and winPhone8.. Can't wait..
This update seems all well and good, but are they going to fix the WiFi issue?
Any idea as to when the 7.8 update will roll out for consumers?
Wondering the same, answer our questions WPCentral!
How come a phone launched 3 months ago like the lumia 900 is considered "limited hardware"?
Why doesn't Microsoft make the effort to put the kernel on existing devices? Windows runs on single core chips, why is NFC and multicore needed to have the WP8 kernel?
Nigga please
I dont understand it either. They probably save money and ressources with this choice. Then, on the other hand, we are talking about MSFT, who bought Skype for $8.5 Billion and that other app-maker for $1 billion recently. And they dont have money for THIS? Seems so ridiculous.
I think it's all about drivers (firmware) for devices and Samsung etc. don't want make an effort to develop it again for "old" devices... I understand this for 1.gen of devices but for Lumia 800,900... it's sad..:-/
Nokia will support us.
I'm not satisfy! What about IE10, new maps etc... I hope that this new screen isn't all in WP7.8...
This was a conference for developers, to show what they will be able to do with there apps and how they will look on Wp8. We'll see more closer to consumer release
That's true...I'm little bit afraid of the list of apps that was not seen (no right arrow) is still there? :-/ .....sorry english is not my mother tongue
Only the app situation upsets me.
It will suck never being able to get a new app after WP8 is released. No one will code WP7.8 apps anymore.
Yes that's my biggest worry also. No developer will do double work to release apps for WP7.8, so we'll be forever stuck with current backdated apps. Microsoft could've easily supported just the WP8 app APIs on current devices. But they couldn't care less about us. I'm sure they will regret this decision in the future. You can't anger your most loyal customers and get away with it.
Why would developers build apps that can only run on the new platform with far fewer potential customers. Release Windows Phone 7.X apps first and move development to Windows Phone 8 SDK when the deployed device count is higher and people have retired older phones.
Thats a little optimistic. I would rather think devs would stop NOW to put work into 7.x apps (except those who are sponsored by MS or Nokia), wait for WinRT and then start again. Why would they maintain what is in essence 2 separate apps (almost 2x workload) for an OS with 3 or 4 months expiry on it, no future and 2% marketshare? Seems to me that would be the dumber choice.
I'd sleep better if MS confirmed that the new start screen is not the only new user feature in 7.8.
I.e. the current lack contact sharing in wp7.5 is laughable. The could at least give us the sharing menu minus the "tap" method.
IE10 would also be nice. With some usability improvements. IE9 is fast but that's like the only good thing about it. Doesn't even have autocomplete for forms or login.
http://olivermills6.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/windows-phone-8-announced/
Here's my blog on the big release.
Of course it's fair. People expect Microsoft to offer the same experience on old phones as their new phones... what would be the point in that? People would just stick to their old phones. This is a good compromise - the start screen is a good (and iconic) feature of WP8 and I'll be happy with it for the first few months until I can get my hands on a new WP8 phone. Nokia or HTC, which should I go for?
Not being able to group tiles will be a deal breaker for me
I just bought my Lumia 900 last month on a 2 year contract. I will get stuck with it with no updates for 2 years. Why couldn't they give us all the software updates? I don't need hardware specific features like NFC etc. Just give us all the updates that can run on current hardware. Also, they could've allowed the WP8 apps on current handsets. Going forward, when new WP8 will start to appear, we will be stuck with backdated apps. Is this how Microsoft treats their loyal and enthusiast early adopters? Good luck with attracting new users then. I had expected much better from them, seeing as they are underdogs in the smartphone market.
My sentiments exactly.
Uh. Does my Gen 1 focus qualify for Wp7.8? I watched the summit and they said updates supported for 18months from LAUNCH. It will be longer than that when 7.8 gets released
That's for WP8 devices... they will continue to get updates for 18 months from their launch. 7.8 is a different kettle of fish and we should all get it. It's still not clear if the carriers still have to push it out, or if this will be completely up to MS.
Right, and they actually said "at least" 18 months. More than likely wp8 phones will be supported for 2 years. I think saying "at least 18 months" is a way of them protecting themself incase they can not do so for 2 years (which is the life of a new phone).
Thanks. I hope your right!
I don't understand the people whinging about buying a Lumia on a 24 month contract. We ALL knew Apollo was coming and most likely would get a crippled experience. Why lock yourself into a 24 month contract at a time when Apollo was less than 6 months away from release (now 3 months)? I do feel sorry for people new to WP who would'nt know that, but for those who upgraded you've only got yourself to blame.
My phone will be 18 months old when WP8 phones come out in 3 months. I'll either give my phone to a family member, or use it to test custom ROMs. I don't see any point in selling it... it's served me well! But then again I don't sell any devices - I still have my original C64, Amiga, Xbox, numerous PC's, and 3 mobile phones :)
everytime these kiddy discussion about legacy phones, that won't get real Phone 8 update. jus wanna ask whether SIRI is working on 3GS or 4 devices? Same issue...no discussion.
What if the iPhone 4 is unable to run newer games because it's written in a different code & not because of outdated hardware? Siri is just one app.
This is fair enough with the hardware restrictions on legacy phones. I am happy :-)
First I LOVE Windows phone 8 and some of the integration and possibilities of integration with Windows 8. Second, if you are a fan of this site most of this stuff is not a suprise. We knew dual core was coming as well as NFC and Nokia Maps integration. So, since we knew hardware was going to get faster and better, I really didn't hink we were going to get 8. Particulalely if Microsoft really moved the software forward.
I'm not happy that we didn't get WP8 but happy we were not forgotten. Most of all I LOVE where all this is going.
Well this was expected... or what? people complaining expected microsoft to upgrade your phone hardware with an update? well... lol at you.
Im glad they will bring the new start screen to windows phone 7.x users, anyway windows phone 8 sounds really good, and hopefully i can have money for it. too many good stuff announced today.
I wasn't expecting my screen to suddenly display in 720P. I was expecting my Lumia 900 which I bought last week to be able to use Apps and features that would be released for the next two years until I could upgrade again.
If you got it last week and really want WP8 you may still have time to return it... just saying...
So what "features" are you not going to be able to use? You don't have a NFC chip in your phone and the screen is 720p as you noted, so what are you not going to be able to use?
Current users wont be able to use any apps that target new WinRT apis or native code - which will be the majority of the new apps. Welcome to a deadend ecosystem.
I would call this worse than not getting any singular feature from wp8.
I get what you are saying and I understand the forward thinking but you then, are complaining about something that has not happened and may not happen. I'm just looking at it from the other side. Also just to point something out...not all apps on an iphone are availble to an ipad and vise versa....the same goes with android or blackberry if you want to throw that in there.
I'm looking at it from this side: Microsoft had a choice here - it would have been perfectly possible to come up with a WP8 kernel for current devices. They said in the presentation it is highly scalable (to the up- and to the downside). There will likely be WP8 phones with worse specs than some of the current phones. There will likely be WP8 phones w/o NFC, on low resolution, w/o SD-card and so on.
They just chose not to do it and not to invest the ressources neccessary for this. Alienating existing high-end users, fking over Nokia's current lineup, killing the 7.x marketplace perspective, and bringing devs in an unpossible situation. Microsoft may have saved some money with this decision, but strategically it is a terrible choice in my opinion.
Personally im not that affected, i got a cheapass 710. But people who bought a $500+ WP recently? Wont probably be the most loyal of customers..
I guess its fair.. I just expected more exciting features... :/ Only Thing really amazing was Skype and the start screen.
I believe they stated that they were not going to talk about end-user features....this was more for devs than it was for the end-user.
I'm actually really upset now. I just got my phone and now i have to go through the process of returning it and praying Nokia release a W8P that looks like the Nokia Lumia. Until then I have to use my shitty iphone.
I'm happy with that.
They needed to pull an Apple and get AT&T to offer early upgrades for Lumia 900 and Titan II purchasers. I think that would assauge anybody else who still feels burned by the limited scope of the 7.8 update, unless the consumer features of 7.8 include IE10 and the non-NFC parts of the Wallet Hub.
If I could upgrade to a WP8 phone at the fully-subsidized upgrade price, then I'd be very satisfied. Doubt it'll happen, though. Sigh.
What the Fnck!!! I just heard that Dodge is coming out with a new Caravan?!?! The Caravan I'm currently driving is worthless! The wheels are probably going to fall off! It will cease doing everything that it's done for me up to this point! It'll probably quit driving! It was awesome and now this!
Thanks a lot Dodge, screw you, you just lost a loyal customer!
LOL! Right to the point!!!!
that's exactly what I am hearing from the complainers.. well said...
Well this is b.s. :( My lumia 900 is an archaic pos now!!!! I could careless about NFC...I only care about not getting good games for my for my lumia 900...i'm totally pissed right now.
i think what MS did was fair. i think it is better than being left out in the cold. i dont own a WP device yet almost pulled the trigger a couple of times but i just wanted to see what wp8 will bring. now that i have my answer i will be picking up a wp8 device when they do come out
Wow. You sound like my 12 year old. Very grown up. I love the logic of a person who says a 2 month old phone is archaic simply because something newer is coming in 4 or 5 months.
According to Paul Thurrott 7.8 will include:
"Start screen. The Windows Phone 7.8 Starts screen will be changed to look like that of Windows Phone 8. It will fill the entry screen with tiles, and not leave a strange “white space” gutter on the right side, as does Windows Phone 7.x. (This was apparently the source of some great number of user complaints, the theme being that Windows Phone doesn’t completely take advantage of its onscreen real estate. Commoners.)
Tile customization. Windows Phone 7.8 will now support three tile sizes, just like Windows Phone 8, and not two like the current version. And apps can be written to support any of the three sizes, giving the user the ability to choose between them (as is done with Windows 8’s live tiles). In addition to the current Small (square) and Large (rectangular) sizes, Windows Phone 7.8 and 8 will also support a new Smaller size, which is a fingertip-sized square that is one-fourth the size of a small Tile. Mix and match as you please.
Windows Update. Windows Phone 7.8 will be delivered directly to all Windows Phone users, bypassing the carriers. You will be able to download and install Windows Phone 7.8 over Wi-Fi, at home or wherever else, and install this update. This type of updating will be made available in Windows Phone 8, as well, as given my long, loud, and lengthy complaining about the lack of such updating in Windows Phone 7.x, you won’t be surprised, maybe, to discover that Microsoft jokingly calls this “the Paul Thurrott feature” internally."
This is very fair when you look at the fact that current phones do not have multi core processors, higher ram, higher res screens, etc.
Those first two are the same one - the new start screen. Thurrott always gets confused though, so not surprising...
Awesome. Nokia is awesome
I'm very excited that my HTC Titan and all of the other devices didn't get left behind.
I was a little dissapointed to hear this news as I have not had my HD7 for a year yet and to find out that its not getting updated to WP8, maybe if I had it since launch, I might not be so bothered. Not everyone is going to be able to upgrade to WP8 due to various reason (price being mine).
I have to say I am glad in the way that we are not being totally left out, at least we are getting something in relation to WP8, I am not too bothered about WP8 to Win8 native support apps and games for 2 reasons, I don't use my phone to play games, just the odd one thats current on WP7 and the other is I will not be upgrading to Win8 due to the fact that I am not willing to to upgrade all my hardware in my house to accomadate the touch screen etc. I also do not have the funds for a purchase a Win8 tablet.
I do agree with a previous poster, I too would also like to know what current gen users are getting in regards to features other than the start screen etc.
When is it expected to arrive???
The current situation Nokia is in, I'm surprised they aren't complaining yet.
Well, it will be hard for them to sell the current Lumia devices now, so the stock might drop even lower and at some point, Microsoft will have to buy them (because if someone else does, it might be just for patents and the lumia line might die)
I'm sure they're aware of what's going on. I find it hard to believe that OEMs weren't aware of this product timeline for months. I have a feeling Nokia may have some sort of strategy to handle this. We'll know for sure in the coming months.
even if they did do wp8 for older phones, none of it would work. at least we old phone users get something.
Does that mean that with every major WP OS release, current phones are gonna get 'phased' out just like it is now?
There is only minor coding involved to make apps cross over??? I fail to see how apps won't be developed for both systems unless the developer is lazy in which case I don't see Microsoft allowing at least not for two years from the day 7.8 / 8 is released. Im totally shit grin happy with my titan over my old android.. Great battery life and its so much more functional. Oh and as far as iphail supporting legacy devices.. IOS 6 seems to be burning through batteries and locking up the 3gs that try to run it.... And the mango update on the focus and hd7 still are handling good from what I've read right?
iPhail?? You mean the OS and Phones which are spanking Microsoft to pieces are rubbish in your eyes and a failure.
You fool, another mindless drone trying to justify his purchase and be 'different'.
Go back to your hole.
I think it really depends on how quickly application developers move to building apps with Windows Phone 8 SDK. From some peoples point of view that is the logical thing to due, but in reality isnt the most logical thing to do is to create Windows Phone 7.5 apps and let them run on Windows Phone 8 until thier are enough Windows Phone 8 devices in the market?
It depends more on the new APIs. If you want to use them, you'll create a WP8 app.
The same thing happened with android, if you don't need the newer features you better target the older platform since no one updates (with ios, almost all devices are on ios5, according to some stats released)
The best solution will be to put most of the code in a separate library that can be used by both platforms (some are already doing this for cross platform dev with MonoTouch) and just have different UI projects.
I'm sure MS will allow devs to release different versions of the app for the different platforms.
I'm kinda in a weird spot at the moment. I upgarded my phone to a Lumia 900 last week and cans till return it. The thing is I really love the phone and while it stinks that I may miss out on new apps and better resolutions, I also don't want to give up my Lumia. I just don't know if I should return it and wait and see if Nokia comes out with a phone that is similar to the way the Lumia 900 looks.
You should return it. the new phones will be out in the fall, it's only a few months away.
Nokia's design was a success, I'm pretty sure their WP8 will continue in that same design and this things usually get better, not worse...
Yeah I probably will end up returning and using my iPhone 4 for a little while longer. This really sucks I love Windows Phone btu now I'll have to wait to use it again.
But you already accepted the resolution 'as is' when you purchased the phone. Why is it a concern now?
It's not just about the cosmetics, it's about the kernel, the core.
Wow, last month I decided Windows Phone would be a great development platform. I paid an early renewal fee and purchased what I thought would be a great investment towards the Microsoft Platform, the Lumia 900.
Now I'm paired with an obsolete phone that I can't even test native WP8 applications on for two years. I'll be stuck with the simulator when the development environment is released.
Thanks for nothing Microsoft. I've already put the device on Amazon so I can try to make my early contract termination fee back. Can't believe I had faith in your support for early adopters.
The lumia 900 isn't really early adopter. it's a 2nd gen device. which makes it being obsolete even worse.
If you're still in the 30 day window, return the phone ASAP...
I'm on day 45 : (
Think about it this way - WP8 won't be released until towards the end of the year. That means it's perfectly realistic to expect developers to support WP 7.8 and WP 8 for quite a while. By the time WP8 specific apps start to gain traction, we should be well into next year. By then, most current new owners will be nearing their upgrade cycle. So, hopefully, this isn't as big a deal as it seems right now because there'll be a long period of time when apps will support WP 7.8 and WP 8. It may offer little consolation, but hope it makes sense!
@ousooner314...Been reading your comments - very reasonable, rational, and logical - wish there were even more comments like yours on every site regarding Windows Phone 8!
I really hope that Daniel and Team weigh in on this in an editorial and echo your sentiments.
This is such a bad move by Microsoft. This platform is just starting to get momentum and you just screwed all existing users and made sure no one buys your devices in the next few months.
At least they announced it early enough to save those people some money.
Forget 7.8 with the start screen. Forget 18 months of updates for thw WP8 device I don't have. If I just got the Lumia 900 you were pushing so hard and I'm stuck with a 2 year contract, why would I stay with you when Apple's ios6 will run on the 3GS? that phone was out before you announced WP7...
What existing users will want is a solution for upgrading, for cheap/or free, to a comparable WP8 device. Otherwise those great ratings on Amazon might start dropping (great phone, but 1 star because it's already obsolete)
With Android, the lack of updates is usually the hardware company's fault. The fragementation there is caused by Google not forcing them to release updates for a window after launch. Here it's Microsoft itself.
And sure, all the new features will hide that fact since most of the stories on the web will be about the new stuff, but the reality is that for the second time in two years, MS is doing a reboot that hurts existing customers (only difference here is that the marketplace doesn't go back down to 0 apps)
I hope the folks at XDA will help us with some WP8 ROMs for existing devices
"..when Apple's ios6 will run on the 3GS?" - only features that are compatible with the 3gs hardware will run, and I guarantee you the experience will be less than stellar. And this is coming from personal experience when I owned a 3GS and upgraded to iOS 4. The lack of new features didn't matter, the lagginess was unbearable.
Similarly, in this case, all the features will will work on current gen devices are being packaged as WP 7.8. Except in this case, the user experience is also taken into consideration to make sure it looks and feels like WP8.
If you're worried about lack of backward compatibility of apps, now that's a fairly legitimate concern. However, WP8 isn't being released till the end of the year. Even then, you can be sure that developers will support 7.8 and 8, unless they're only trying to leverage new hardware. Even that won't realistically happen until next year. By then, most current Lumia owners will only be months away from an upgrade.
So, bottomline is it shouldn't be as big a deal as we're all making right now.
Maybe MS should have just called it 8.0 and then people would be happy. Or maybe they could have done what Apple does and "upgrade" the old phones so they're so slow that they become unbearable. I bought the 900 in April knowing that this was the likely scenario. I do not understand the gritting and gnashing of teeth. AT&T upgrades after 18 months or so and that will put me right in line for the WP9 phones next year. For now, I have a phone that I love so much more than I ever loved my iPhone. I would say the childish ranting is irrelevant, but in this case, MS actually does want the younger, less mature people to stay on board.
I think its fair.. they did the same thing with the last IOS ( more or less)
but do we have a launch date yet?!?!?!?!
I think what they've done is a great compromise. Microsoft needs to keep pushing Windows Phone forward to catch up to iOS/Android, so I don't want them expending a large amount of effort to get all the new features on phones that don't have what they need to take advantage of them. Having the new Start screen is certainly something. I bought my WP7 phone off of eBay so that if/when Verizon got better Windows Phones this year, I could do my contract at that point. Verizon seems very interested in Windows Phone 8, so I'm happy about my choice. I wonder if Santa will be able to fit both a Surface and a WP8 phone in his sack for me this year!
Eric
The actual problem is with the TPM chip. someone told me about that issue a few months back but I thought Microsoft will be able to work around it.
This means the security features mentioned today (mainly for enterprises) are the real reason existing devices won't support WP8.
They could've released a version without the TPM related features or the NFC features that still delivered all the other additions. just like the release that added support for front facing cameras was released to all devices when most didn't have one
Exactly
Excellent news I like my 900 and giving it the WP8 experience commensurate with current hardware is perfect until I update my phone later once I see Nokia WP8 phones as well as the other oems I will I will determine what device meets my needs
Something along the lines of 7.8 is what a lot of people (myself included) thought would happen. Although I dediced to hang on and not upgrade until WP8, I wouldn't be upset owning a Lumia 800/900/Titan II right now. It's a fair deal considering they'll essentially get the WP8 experience. . .
Maybe I should be glad Verizon did not get the Lumia 900....because I would be stuck with a outdated phone.
Getting a 7.8 update will be nice and will hold off most users for a while but at it's core, Window Phone 7.8 update is NOT Windows Phone 8.
I am glad I got my HTC Trophy off contract.....
I don't think it is that fair, especially as they are still selling current devices at full price, under contract, and leaving most customers unaware. They are still releasing new handsets (like the 610) with no regard for consumers. They are hurting the OEM's and the customers.
Those who purchased a 900 on contract won't be eligible for an upgrade until this time next year, which is ridiculous. Looking back at all the leaked stuff that came out in April regarding this they obviously knew this was their plan yet they decided to sell and market the 900. Either that or they did not tell their OEM's about this and let them spend money and time developing current devices.
This is either really poor planning by MS or just a dis-regard for their customers, either way those who support the platform the most (get new handsets when they come out) are the ones who are hurt by this.
The proposed compromise is horrible, it puts Dev's in an awkward position and it stifles the growth of the current marketplace. Most developers will switch to the new SDK and will develop for the NT kernels, which means that either app functionality on 7.8 devices will be hit or miss, or those apps just won't exist for us.
I myself feel cheated, by all this, I am now locked in a 2 year contract, because I wanted to support Nokia and MSFT, won't get many new apps, and look like a jackass to all the people I’ve been convincing to try WP. So thanks MSFT. Unless they offer a hardware upgrade path for customers of phones bought this year(early renewal, discounted renewal price, or something similar), I don't know if I will support them going forward.
*rant over
I am very happy with my HTC HD7. Just wish Microsoft would detail what features are coming in the 7.8 update besides start screen.
Not sure why the software can't run on older hardware I mean if the chip ain't there it can't use some function should be scaleable plus why not let me do a clean install
My brand new Lumia 900 will be old and useless soon!! A big thanks to Microsoft and Nokia!! With love, soon to be former windows phone user
It won't be useless at all. If you're worried about app support, you can bet that developers will support WP 7.8 and WP 8. Besides, WP8 won't be released till the end of the year, with WP8 apps mostly likely hitting MarketPlace the year after. By then, your Lumia is already over a year old and nearing upgrade anyway.
You can please everyone... Looking forward to WP7.8 & WP8... Awesomeness!
That's it Microsoft. I have defended this plattform long enough. You forced all manufactures to stick to one processor for what? Nothing. I bought an Optimus 7 in 2010, I bought an Lumia 800 in 2011. Guess what I will get next? An iPhone. At least Apple get their updates right and I know I invest money in a phone that won't be outdated in a few months.
I don't care about the 7.8 update, I just read that new apps may not be backwards compatible. I can't believe they are so stupid to create a new plattform just to throw over everything with the next version. I thought otherwise but this company is really directed by monkeys.
Seeya! Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out!
I'm not a hater: I like Windows Phone, I like my Lumia and I defended this plattform again and again. I rant because I think it's stupid to build up a new plattform like they did with Windows Phone 7 and then change everthing again (under the hood) with the next version. Do they really know what they do in the long term?
I think the reality is that they did know this 3 years ago, when they wanted to do WP7. The problem was that W8 was still 3 years away and they needed to get their WP platform up and running sooner than later. They only had Windows CE to work with and so that's what they launched a year later. All of the advanced features, even multi-core CPU's, would have to wait until W8 kernel was ready. Now 2 more years on the W8 platform is finally ready to be rolled out across the board - mobiles, tablets, PC's, Xbox's all unified on one platform.
I want WP8 because I want it to work with everything else that I have, or will own (Xbox, PC, possibly tablet). I will never own a Mac or an iPad, so the iPhone has absolutely no appeal to me.
It's an exciting time - the amount of apps available that will be available has absolutely exploded. The transition for a developer between Xbox and PC has been around for years - but now it's Xbox + PC + Tablet + Mobile. iOS & Android developers can port their existing apps to all of them at the same time... it's going to be VERY hard for developers to ignore and not to do everything they can to get on board.
You should understand that developers are more than likely going to support WP 7.8 and WP 8. Let's wait for more details to come through before jumping to conclusions.
Good luck getting a fully functional iOS update. Have fun with the same tired grid of icons and bland looking apps
This announcment means nothing for AT&T customers. We all know AT&T will not deliver any updates on their Windows phone. My HTC Titan is missing 3 updates since January that AT&T will not release.
I believe this update will be a combo one? :D
According to Engadget - "The update will be delivered directly to users, sidestepping carriers, and can be done over WiFi.".
Link: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-unveils-windows-phone-7-8-f...
Lumia 900 owners! Did we really expect an upgrade to Apollo after reading the device specs? Yes and no, but it's still a solid device. Glad I bought mine off contract but after having all those issues w the capacitive buttons, purple hue I have learned my lesson to wait before adoption. Sigh..
I'm going to be honest, as big of a fan that I am of WindowsPhone(Currently rocking the Cyan Nokia Lumia 900), I am not liking this "new" home screen at all.
That's fine - you can keep it looking exactly the same as WP7. It won't affect you at all.
agreed. i want my off-centre and arrow back
Simple solution to that. after you update, Make all icons size "LARGE".
You will feel like you never updated as far as the home screen layout goes.
I wish they'd have said more about what we will and won't be getting in 7.8. I thought Kevin Shields was going to enlighten us, but instead he crapped on about Nokia some more. Yes, I know he's from Nokia but I wanted to hear how it will affect the vast majority of us NOT on Nokia phones.
Multi-core, microSD, and NFC are obviously limited by hardware - but will we get IE10, Nokia Maps integration (for non-Nokia phones), and native code apps?
The article says native code apps aren't coming... but I didn't hear that in the presentation?
Extremely happy with today's announcement. Hello dual core Windows Phone 8!!!!
I really can't say I'm satisfied until we get the whole list of features legacy device owners aren't getting. A new start screen? Ehh. I'm not going to throw a tantrum like some on here because I'm smart and realized we were probably not getting WP 8. I do sort of kind of feel bad for those who bought a lumia expecting it would be upgradeable but then again you should be diligent in your research when buying a new product. There were so many stories involving the upgrade status of current Gen devices it should have been a red flag. Regardless, I feel that Microsoft is going to run into some hate for this. And probably for the surface rt/pro confusion that is inevitably to follow.
7.8 is useless if WP8 apps won't run on it.
Maybe there won't be so many WP8-exclusive apps at least for a while. As long as developers still want the legacy (I hate to use this term) userbase, they will avoid using native code as possible.
However, if Windows 8's strategy suceed (i.e., users do use Metro for most of the time instead of always going back to desktop immediately), WP7.8 userbase will be negligible comparing to billions of Windows Run Time users. At the time, WP7.8 will be completely crippled.
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