Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

The I Started Something blog has run across a new job posting at MS that indicates Microsoft is getting serious about the Windows Update feature on a mobile device.

"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"

It is going to not only have to be as easy and worry free as the iPhone update mechanism, but as powerful as well. Apple has kept the iPhone users that originally purchased the device in 2007 up to date where the hardware allows, and the new 3.0 OS will still work on those original two year old iPhones with only minor limitations in capabilities. Contrast that today with a lot of Windows Mobile 6.1 devices that won't be upgraded to 6.5 due out this fall, giving their owners far less than even one year of having a device with the latest features.

The article indicates this feature won't be on 6.5, which may be true. 6.5 is probably too far along to have any major changes to it before the release date, so it may be 7.0 before we see this implemented.

HTC has posted a ROM update for the Touch HD, which, alongside the usual batch of bug fixes, improves the performance of GPS and emergency call connections, and updates the connection setup database. It's a free download, although you will need to provide your serial number in order to gain access to it.

I just received word back from an HTC representative that they are indeed going to be offering a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5 on both their Touch Diamond2 and the Touch Pro2:

"What I can say on the matter is that HTC has committed to offer a free upgrade from Windows Mobile 6.1 to Windows Mobile 6.5 for both the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2. I don't have details on timing by carrier or region - just that we will be offering the upgrade for free."

This fact had been assumed by some people, but every written comment I could find simply stated that these two phones were "upgradeable" to 6.5. As we all know, being technically upgradeable means nothing in this market - only a public comittment to actually do the upgrade is what matters. Now that HTC has made this comittment, you can go ahead with your Touch Pro2 and Touch Diamond2 purchases from our affiliate store. ;-)

Both the Samsung SGH-i780 (European version) and Verizon Wireless' XV6900 (HTC Touch) have finally been blessed with Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades. Visit our Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade thread for links to these upgrades, as well as many more.

There's no shortage of Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades available for download, so we've compiled and linked to (hopefully) all of them to make searching for that device upgrade just a little bit easier. If you know of any we've missed, hit us with a link and we'll add it to the list.

• Alltel: HTC Touch, HTC PPC6800
• ASUS: P527, P750
• AT&T: Motorola Q9h, Pantech Duo, Tilt,
• Bell: HTC Touch, HTC PPC6800
• HTC: Touch Cruise, Touch Dual, HTC TyTN II,
• i-mate: Ultimate 6150, Ultimate 8150, Ultimate 8502, Ultimate 9502
• Intermec: CN3, CK3
• Motorola: MC7090 (requires a purchased license)
• O2: Xda Mantle, Xda Orbit 2, Xda Stellar
• Orange: HTC TyTN II
• Samsung: BlackJack II (XP, Vista), SCH-i760, SGH-i780 (Europe)
• Sprint: ACE (SPH-i325), Mogul, HTC Touch
• Telus: HTC Touch, HTC S720, HTC P4000
• US Cellular: HTC Touch
• Verizon Wireless: Motorola Q9c, XV6800, XV6900
• Vodafone: v1615

"The availability of updates that include Windows Mobile 6 for Treo 750 smartphones will expire as of 10/31/2008. Users of these devices who want this update must download it before the expiration date."

HTC isn't the only one pulling upgrades. If you have an AT&T-branded Treo 750 and want to upgrade to Windows Mobile 6, you have a little over a week to do so.