Paul Thurrott confirms no Windows Phone 8 for any current handsets

posted by Michael H. / Apr 21, 2012, 11:39 AM

Paul Thurrott confirms no Windows Phone 8 for any current handsets

There have been conflicting rumors recently over whether or not current Windows Phone handsets would be getting the update to Windows Phone 8 when it hits later this year, but Paul Thurrott wants to set the record straight once an for all. A few days ago, the question was brought up whether or not current handsets will get the upgrade to Windows Phone 8, but we seemingly had confirmation that it could when yesterday it came out that the software was being tested on Nokia Lumia 610 and 800 handsets. Unfortunately, Paul Thurrott does not have good news for anyone with a current handset, not even the new flagship Nokia Lumia 900.

Paul Thurrott wants to set the record straight, and do it convincingly:

No. It won’t happen. Not for the Lumia 900, and not for any other existing phone. It won’t happen partially, through an update that will deliver just some features, and it won’t happen for those who wish to pay for such an update. It simply isn’t happening.

You can't get any more clear than that. Thurrott forced a contact with Microsoft to reveal this info and has three reasons why it won't be happening. First, the economics aren't worth it. The current Windows Phone ecosystem is pretty small, and will probably have fewer than 20 million handsets sold by the time Windows Phone 8 is planned to launch. The small size of the ecosystem compared with the cost of building Windows Phone 8 to support those handsets apparently isn't worthwhile for Microsoft.

Second, Microsoft wants to push forward the platform. Windows Phone 7 was still based on the Windows CE kernel, but Windows Phone 8 will be running the Windows 8 kernel. Microsoft wants to have this platform span from smartphones to tablets and tie-in to desktops, so the hardware needs to be more powerful than before. Microsoft has kept a very tight ecosystem with Windows Phone 7, but now it needs to push into multi-core CPUs and HD resolution displays. Optimizing that hardware is the priority, not making the system scale to old hardware.

Lastly, Thurott claims that carriers simply would "never, ever, ever, ever deliver this update to users." Thurrott doesn't really explain this claim, just saying that he knows for a fact that it will never happen.

Of course, Thurrott has been known to be wrong in the past, but he also does have some very solid contacts with Microsoft, so it's hard to say whether this is all true or not. It does make sense, and we've seen similar things happen with both iOS and Android, where older hardware had to be left behind in order to push forward the platform. We'll just have to wait and see if it's true.

source: WindowsITPro via WMPU

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107 Comments

1. rk9flame

Posts: 6; Member since: Apr 21, 2012

I understand, and yet I'm still infuriated. I left android for this sole reason. (Cliq xt owner) Guess that feeling is never going away. We better get an amazing "feature pack" for WP7 when WP8 launches. Or have WP8 delayed until mid 2013 to make me feel better. On a side note, I find it strange that MS is pushing WP7 so hard right now, only to completely dump it 6 months later. I just can't imagine that happening.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 11:49 AM 7

5. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

I can. It's the MicroSuck way of doing things. Part of the reason I am trying to ween myself onto all opensource products. Screw paying for something that is going lose support 3-6 months later. At least with Android we can rely on the Devs to get us on the newest software.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 11:59 AM 11

16. jubbing

Posts: 150; Member since: Aug 20, 2008

Really? That's dumb.. when has Microsoft EVER been known to drop support for a product so quickly? Heck they're still supporting Windows XP and that came out in 2001! Android HAS to reply on dev's to get you upgrades. Get your facts right. .

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 12:58 PM 5

20. phatride4ever

Posts: 33; Member since: Mar 01, 2012

Wrong! What about WonMo 6.5, you know....Microsoft's last platform. They left all of those users too and closed down the Marketplace. Microsoft only looks for new user and doesnt support their current users. Wake up jubbing!

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 1:12 PM 11

28. jubbing

Posts: 150; Member since: Aug 20, 2008

Um, hello? They're closing the Windows Mobile market next month? Windows Phone was released in October 2010! They've supported it 19 months after they released their new platform? Maybe you should get your facts! 19 months, that's much more than some Android devices are officially supported!

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 2:02 PM 6

40. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

Umm, yes, they supported the MARKET for 19 months, but the MARKET is still supported on android all the way back to donut. However, WinMo phones that had only be out for 3-6 months didn't get the software UPDATE to 7. Which honestly, as bad as that metro style looks, it wasn't that big of a loss. Either way, they left the WinMo folks out to dry.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 3:07 PM 5

72. jubbing

Posts: 150; Member since: Aug 20, 2008

That's because it was an entirely different OS from the ground up! Unlike Android, where even ICS is changed up from Gingerbread.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 2:16 AM 0

48. chadrick0814 unregistered

As a previous HTC HD2 owner, I can tell you that windows mobile 6.5 support dropped within 6 months of purchase. That's a fact. Good luck to all which buy the lumia.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 3:57 PM 5

57. desmondmk4

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 21, 2012

Windows Vista. Case and point. Stopped all major support on the OS just a mere 2.5 years after its release. Then they moved on to Windows 7 and left all of us Windows Vista users with a buggy OS that crashed incredibly frequently. Help and support for Vista is a joke.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 5:49 PM 5

17. eaxvac

Posts: 328; Member since: Jan 15, 2012

lol fandroid

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 1:09 PM 7

33. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

there is no such thing as no fragmentation, if thats the word you want to use.. on any OS. You are just going to have to suck it up. Did your WP7 phone stop working? Is it suddenly not doing something you bought it for? NEVER buy a phone expecting an update other than bug fixes. Why do people think they are entitled to free anything? Did microsoft give you windows7 for free after you bought vista? nope. How many free Apple systems are there? The only one that gives it away for free is Google. The only thing i can say for this is "woops". hopefully MS puts a squash on this guy for the moment or 900 sales might start to plumit. Windows 8 needs stronger hardware since its going to be a full platform and not just a prettier iOS with widgets.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 2:39 PM 10

42. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

Actually, yes, many users did get 7 for free when the bought a vista computer. Do you really not remember that? Good grief, if your going to argue, at least do it with facts. It was after W7 was released in beta, but before it was "officially" out. I never said I wanted anything for free, I said I wanted the stuff I paid for to work. In which with MS I haven't had. I bought MS office 2007 and after sending my computer back for service and reinstalling everything after the third time, even though it was the same computer, I couldn't get it to work anymore without calling and spending countless hours on hold to get it "activated". I FREAKING PAID FOR THE CRAP AND IT WOULDN"T WORK. Yes, that left a horrible taste in my mouth on MS. That is when I started migrating to open source everything, as they are FREELY updated.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 3:13 PM 2

58. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

heres the difference genius. Those computers that got the free upgrade, BOUGHT IT WITH a promise and paperork from dell or whoever they bought it from that it was going to get the upgrade. They didnt buy it and then 6 months later demand a free upgrade because something new came out. Thats not how the world works. i dont know how many times i have to repeat this easy slogan. "NEVER assume your getting an update except bug fixes on the products you buy UNLESS SPECIFICALLY TOLD SO BY THE MANUFACTURER AT TIME OF PURCHASE". obviously, those that got the free windows 7 upgrade fall under the all caps section of the message.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 6:03 PM 3

65. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

Nice try at saving face. And thanks for noticing that I am a genius. Yes, they were sold with the promise of updates, but that doesn't change the fact it did happen. If you buy something, and the company upgrades software after a mere 3-4 months, then you should get an update. I HATE apple, but at least they support their products for a year+ after it comes out. (or at least they do on the mobile side.) Then, the android OEMs, for the most part, do too. And with the android community you have the option of upgrading anyway even if your OEM doesn't support it though the developer community. This is basically saying "hey, we just sold you a device we have no intentions of supporting 3 months for now, don't you feel special?" All I'm saying is that this is an idiotic decision on MS's part if this is their plan.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 6:47 PM 2

100. ceepyou

Posts: 65; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

I know that my HTC Surround got updated to Mango but asking a single core device to get updated to software that is designed to primarily be ran by multi-core processors could be like shooting yourself in the foot. We are all asking our phones to do more and Microsoft is trying to follow through with that request. The problem is that they seem to be noticing that the buttery smooth experience most of us enjoy on our WP7 devices may not be possible with the current hardware that they are offering to the market. Could our current hardware run the latest mobile OS from Microsoft? Maybe, but the real question is whether or not it will run it smoothly. If an update makes everyone want to throw their phone out the window of a moving car because the heavier software crippled their device, that would not be a very good move unless you wanted sell the customers new devices. Then again, it may be a wiser decision to skip that step all together and avoid all of the angry customers and require the purchase of a new device for a new user experience. It's all about keeping as many people as happy as possible. Microsoft knows that they are the underdog and have an uphill battle here, but why hurt all these years of hard work by keeping their software stagnant and limited to three year old hardware requirements? I want a new car, but I don't think GM will offer that to me without me paying something. Although, when they update the leather interior and make a more powerful motor standard, I will definitely complain about it on a forum and cross my fingers.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 3:29 PM 0

101. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

try at saving face? ask around. every time update whining comes up i repeat that exact same phrase " "NEVER assume your getting an update except bug fixes on the products you buy UNLESS SPECIFICALLY TOLD SO BY THE MANUFACTURER AT TIME OF PURCHASE"." And no, if a new version comes out a few months after it, you shouldnt be entitled to it. You pay for whatever device YOU CHOOSE with whatever OS is on it at the time. What you ARE entitled to is a little consumer education. 5 seconds of research reveals when the next update is coming out. If you want it so bad, then wait for a device that has that update or a manufacturer promised update coming to it.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 5:08 PM 0

67. RobotMan

Posts: 145; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

It is not just upgrade but my HP iPAQ 212 never get bug fix. I don't expected upgrade but update for bug, it a must.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 8:03 PM 0

70. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

iOS v. 5.0.1 kinda works on the 3GS and definitely works on the 4. Not even Apple plays the product obsolescence game as hard as MS is doing. MS might want to re-think their product obsolescence strategy if they want to increase their market share past the single digit range.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 12:05 AM 1

90. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

What I wanna know is.... Are ppl gonna be screaming ....FRAGMENTATION....with WP7 like they did, do with Android? Those comparing Apple....you cant. Every iPhone and iPad version has the same hardware and software. Much easier to support. If this turns out to be true..seems like hardware casues issues like this too. All having the same software might not help it. Some of us in Android land for a few years already know this. Droid 1 didnt get Gingerbread officially...due to the hardware. And for me GB ROMs didnt run as good as Froyo ones.Some phones that got updated to Froyo didnt get Flash due to hardware. IIRC the LG Ally was one. Ppl dont know about that when screaming fragmentation and Android. Something similar that Apple does and what Microsoft might be doing.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 8:31 AM 0

94. Gloamin

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 22, 2012

Edit: Never mind.

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 10:05 AM 0

97. jackhammeR

Posts: 1548; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

are you silly or what? If they itroduce apollo they will introduce new handsets as well. Windows hardware is tiught restricted. The have their reasons to do that. Windows 7 maybe was bore at night but not last night. There is not even an official prototype of handset equipped with apollo so why are you bitching to microsfot about abandoning current handsets? Look at android. Do every handset get a support and upgrade to a higher version? NO

posted on Apr 22, 2012, 11:35 AM 0

10. redrooster13

Posts: 110; Member since: Feb 20, 2012

"We better get an amazing "feature pack for WP7 when WP8 launches." The article states "It won’t happen partially, through an update that will deliver just some features." So I'm guessing that's not gonna happen.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 12:21 PM 2

51. chadrick0814 unregistered

Lots of people just got smoked by Windows Phone.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 4:05 PM 8

59. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

lolz ,

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 6:04 PM 1

27. jove39

Posts: 2137; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

They aren't dumping WP7...just want you to buy new device with WP8...messed up management!

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 1:46 PM 2

2. RobotMan

Posts: 145; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

Ha..ha..ha, I know something like this will happen. It still Microsoft.

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 11:53 AM 8

49. jellytime

Posts: 135; Member since: Dec 05, 2011

If you made a mobile os would you update all the phones to the newest version if they all got terrible sales and you lost millions and it only cost you more money to update the software? I don't think so

posted on Apr 21, 2012, 3:58 PM 1

3. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

That's really going to make someone buy a crappy windows phone. Heck, if windows really wants to make up market share that it lost to Android make SURE your OEM's update their phones for 18 months MINIMUM in a timely manner(IE, less than 4 months from the release). As a former WinMo owner, it's things like this that made me jump ship. So good luck with this plan Microsoft. I'm already on my way out the door altogether with windows due to the fact that they make it so hard to install software I have already paid for. I had to send my laptop back three times for service, and everytime I went to reinstall office I had to call in order to activate it, and waste HOURs of my time just to get a product I paid a couple hundred dollars for to work. Now I just use freeware, and am slowly in the process of abandoning Windows altogether.