No Windows Phone 7 Series upgrade for the HTC HD2

posted by Alan F. / Mar 16, 2010, 2:21 AM

No Windows Phone 7 Series upgrade for the HTC HD2

A bit of bad news for current and future HTC HD2 owners was something we reported two weeks ago, but was confirmed today by a Microsoft VP. The otherwise sleek and spectacular HTC HD2 will not be getting an upgrade to the Windows Phone 7 Series OS. The reason for this, which we did disclose in the previous story, is rather ridiculous sounding on its face. The truth is that the handset, with 5 buttons, has 2 more than Microsoft wants on phones with its new finger friendly OS. According to Engadget, Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore has confirmed that the HD2 does not comply with the hatrdware specifications demanded by the gang at Redmond. This obviously could put a crimp on sales of the HD2 when the unit launches on March 24th via T-Mobile. But according to Engadget, almost every Microsoft employee at MIX10 was carrying around an HD2, so it can't be all bad.

HTC HD2 US Specification | Review (European)

source: EngadgetMobile

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11 Comments

1. herbiederb

Posts: 275; Member since: Jan 28, 2010

Too bad for WP7S! 3/24... SOLD!!!

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:45 AM 0

6. imthatguy704

Posts: 33; Member since: Jan 26, 2010

I too am sold! I played with it for about five minutes this past Saturday and went ahead set up my plan. All I have to do now is pay then play come the 24th.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 11:05 AM 0

2. zZ INFINITY Zz

Posts: 27; Member since: Jan 22, 2010

*copy's his post from other site* People do not seem to understand why the HD2 is not getting 7 Series OS: - FIRST OF ALL, the minimum 'fingers' requirement that must work at ONE moment on the touchscreen, is 4. HTC has been using the ClearPad 2000 till now (I found that out while searching for info on the Nexus One touchscreen bug). The ClearPAd 2000 only sees/works with 2 fingers at a time. Not 4. The future ClearPad 3000 will support 10 fingers. So this may be one of the major reasons the HD2 does not get 7 Series OS. I still do not know for sure if the HD2 uses the same ClearPad 2000 touchscreen as the Nexus One. - NO SD CARD. Do we have 8GB internal memory? Nope. - The picture I saw over at XDA that showed what the minimum requirements are, showed 'CAMERA BUTTON REQUIRED'. Do we have that? No. - And last but not least.. we do not have the 3 dedicated hardware buttons (no search). So really, this is not just because of one button. Anyway, bad news for my HD2, good news for my future HTC Desire :D BTW, 7 Series does look beastly IMO. There are going to be some amazing apps on that OS.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 3:33 AM 0

3. mattkl

Posts: 255; Member since: Feb 01, 2010

Well first off if you check further you'll see that the Droid uses the same clearpad2000 and it supports more than 2 points, it's software limited not hardware. Although I still don't think it can do 10 gestures. And secondly from what I've seen I prefer 6.5w/sense over stock 7. And if the rumors at Redmond are true about wm7 locking out 3rd party apps that aren't on the market then I'll stick with the HD2.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 4:21 AM 0

4. ayephoner

Posts: 858; Member since: Jun 09, 2009

all this nonsense just makes me want to avoid winmo all together. i've always thought it to be an inferior OS and I don't see all that much in 7 that makes me think otherwise. being that they announced it 9 months before its release, other OSs will be using its features well before we see a 7 device. AND 7 devices will not reach potential until at least a few months after release. I wouldn't buy a winmo device for at least a year from now.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 9:19 AM 0

10. herbiederb

I agree with the WP7S part. I will be pleased with 6.5/Sense on the HD2 until Android is XDAed on to it. Dual boot would be even better.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 1:43 PM 0

5. Phullofphil

Posts: 1789; Member since: Feb 10, 2009

My droid recognizes atliest all five on one hand. But any wayI Think its good Microsoft is so series about what the hardware specs on the phone are suposed to be because I feel that that was the biggest problem with other windows mobile phones and windows os all together is that its being the same os across all platforms makes it hard to apeese all the different hardware that is out there. Apple defintly got it right but its one os with one phone. I think windows mobile should come out with a higher spec os every one ore two years that keeps pace with technology. With no phones getteng an upgrade. From what i hear the hd2 is a great phone as it is. The App store of microsoft needs to kick it in to high geer if it wants to compete better though because it seems that is what really matters right now. Android does way more than apple and microsoft does more than android but as far as the apps its revers order and thats the trend that is really headed. More cheap easy productive and fun apps. Oh and pleas microsoft make it easier to find an app. Try scrolling through a 100000 apps when your not sure what ou want

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 10:42 AM 0

7. behold--me

Posts: 679; Member since: Jun 22, 2009

What the hell. How does 2 extra buttons matter.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 11:30 AM 0

8. behold--me

9. zerglisk

Posts: 544; Member since: Feb 09, 2010

Still getting my HTC HD2 no doubt, but is still disappointed. It is always smart to get Win Mo 7 later of the years anyway.

posted on Mar 16, 2010, 12:05 PM 0

11. cansler

Posts: 136; Member since: Oct 07, 2009

I have faith, it will be retrofitted on the HD2 no doubt about it. Those guys over on XDA are awesome. I wish I knew how to program. The 4th button can definitely be mapped to function as the required Camera Button and I'm sure they will figure out how to both get 3rd party apps to work, and work out the 2 finger - 10 finger touch issues. Remember, WP7S (9er 9er eight doggy alpha tango alpha... uh charlie delta... I think I'll just tag it as W7) only requires 4 simultaneous, not 10. [Obi-wan ~ "XDA, Use the Force...!"]