Windows Mobile 6.5 Device Owners In For Nasty Surprise

According to published reports, Windows 6.5 devices such as the new HTC HD2 don't meet Microsoft's hardware criteria for Windows Phone 7 devices, and won't be upgradeable to Windows Phone 7. As a result, existing customers will likely have to migrate to Windows Phone 7 by purchasing new devices.

"Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable", Natasha Kwan, general manager for Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region, told Australia-base tech magazine APC earlier this week. Microsoft issued a subsequent statement claiming it can't confirm whether Windows Mobile 6.x devices that meet Windows Phone 7 hardware requirements will be upgradeable.

In any event, Microsoft partners believe it would be in Microsoft's best interest to more or less emulate what Apple has done with the iPhone in terms of exerting more control. One change Microsoft has made is to give hardware partners more guidance in hardware design, and the company's stated goal is for Windows Phone 7 hardware and software working together in optimized fashion.

HTC's HD2 does meet most of Microsoft's software requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series phones, just not all of them. The HD2 is being ruled out because it has five buttons rather than the new Windows Phone 7 standard of three. For HD2 owners who may be feeling buyer's remorse, the device does have a 1-GHz Qualcomm processor, a high-resolution capacitive touch display, a 5-megapixel camera and a 3.5 mm headphone jack; so don't let depression set in just yet.

Microsoft has reportedly drawn up three "chassis" for Windows Phone 7 devices. According to Microsoft blogger Mary Jo Foley, Chassis 1 will be for "big touchscreen phones," Chassis 2 will be for devices with sliding keyboards and touch, and Chassis 3 may be designed for candybar-style phones.

Microsoft has been falling behind in the mobile market and needed to take drastic steps to fix the situation. While Windows Phone 7 represents a major departure from the past, its arrival is probably going to create some difficult decisions for owners of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices.