3 ms·

As for updating the phones, the ARM embedded platform has a bewildering array of SOCs I thought only Qualcomm SoCs (or just a particular SoC?) was certified fo

by bergie 14y ago

As for updating the phones, the ARM embedded platform has a bewildering array of SOCs I thought only Qualcomm SoCs (or just a particular SoC?) was certified for running WP7? That doesn't sound like a bewildering array. From http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2011/05/20/nokia-to-use-st-ericsson-u8500-soc-for-its-windows-phone-8-devices/ http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2011/05/20/nokia-to-use-st-er... As you already know Qualcomm is the only certified SoC manufacturer for Windows Phone 7

rogerbinns 14y ago
My quoted statement is true - I didn't mean to imply that WP7 is supported on a wide variety and it is effectively just one small family. But I believe Windows 8 hasn't been ported to that SOC, and making each ARM port is significantly more effort (especially logistical) than x86. Windows CE drivers won't work, so they'd essentially have to do most drivers from scratch. And such a port would only be pertinent to the "legacy" installed base of WP7, and not to the shiny tablets Microsoft is obsessed with today. More accurately this is what I think Microsoft would have to do in order to provide a WP7 upgrade: * Reimplement drivers for the SOCs and other hardware used * Provide a compatible system initialization mechanism (aka boot loader). Note "secure" UEFI being used for Windows 8 but not WP7. * Provide an upgrader program that downloads your data, wipes the device and puts the new operating system back on with a close to zero chance of bricking should anything go wrong during the process. (This is very hard.) * Put your data back onto the device, including conversion of file formats where the app implementation is different between WP7 and WP8. * Ensure reasonable continuity of system apps between WP7 and WP8 * Refund all app purchases since WP7 apps won't work on WP8 (or store credit) * Implement a DRM mechanism compatible with WP7 content * Do lots of testing to make sure the OS and apps don't break in the more constrained hardware of WP7 devices which predate WP8 hardware specs by about two years. This is a huge amount of work for little reward. In their shoes once WP8 is released and devices available then I'd go to existing WP7 owners and provide a simple upgrade path (eg trade in your device and get $200 credit to a WP8 device). But I wouldn't announce this in advance otherwise people would take advantage of it.
- jinushaun 14y ago
  You say a lot of work for little reward, but the cost of them giving a big "fuck you" to WP7 early adopters is a much higher cost than the salaries required to pay programmers/managers to port WP8 to WP7 hardware. Why would anyone buy a WP8 device after this debacle? They basically killed WP8 before it even started. In order for WP8 to succeed, they need early adopters and loyalists to evangelise WP for them for free. They've killed any loyalty anyone might've had for the WP platform. These users will ditch WP when their contract expires and tell all their friends and family members to buy Android or iPhone. As I see it, MS has only two choices to save their WP platform: priperly port WP8 to WP7 hardware, or give WP7 users free WP8 phones.

by bergie 14y ago

rogerbinns 14y ago

My quoted statement is true - I didn't mean to imply that WP7 is supported on a wide variety and it is effectively just one small family. But I believe Windows 8 hasn't been ported to that SOC, and making each ARM port is significantly more effort (especially logistical) than x86. Windows CE drivers won't work, so they'd essentially have to do most drivers from scratch. And such a port would only be pertinent to the "legacy" installed base of WP7, and not to the shiny tablets Microsoft is obsessed with today. More accurately this is what I think Microsoft would have to do in order to provide a WP7 upgrade: * Reimplement drivers for the SOCs and other hardware used * Provide a compatible system initialization mechanism (aka boot loader). Note "secure" UEFI being used for Windows 8 but not WP7. * Provide an upgrader program that downloads your data, wipes the device and puts the new operating system back on with a close to zero chance of bricking should anything go wrong during the process. (This is very hard.) * Put your data back onto the device, including conversion of file formats where the app implementation is different between WP7 and WP8. * Ensure reasonable continuity of system apps between WP7 and WP8 * Refund all app purchases since WP7 apps won't work on WP8 (or store credit) * Implement a DRM mechanism compatible with WP7 content * Do lots of testing to make sure the OS and apps don't break in the more constrained hardware of WP7 devices which predate WP8 hardware specs by about two years. This is a huge amount of work for little reward. In their shoes once WP8 is released and devices available then I'd go to existing WP7 owners and provide a simple upgrade path (eg trade in your device and get $200 credit to a WP8 device). But I wouldn't announce this in advance otherwise people would take advantage of it.

jinushaun 14y ago
You say a lot of work for little reward, but the cost of them giving a big "fuck you" to WP7 early adopters is a much higher cost than the salaries required to pay programmers/managers to port WP8 to WP7 hardware. Why would anyone buy a WP8 device after this debacle? They basically killed WP8 before it even started. In order for WP8 to succeed, they need early adopters and loyalists to evangelise WP for them for free. They've killed any loyalty anyone might've had for the WP platform. These users will ditch WP when their contract expires and tell all their friends and family members to buy Android or iPhone. As I see it, MS has only two choices to save their WP platform: priperly port WP8 to WP7 hardware, or give WP7 users free WP8 phones.