Rumours are swirling that current Windows Phone blowers will be denied an upgrade to the next version of the software.
With Windows 8 expected later this year, Windows Phone owners are itching to know whether their smart phones will be updated to the accompanying version of Microsoft's mobile operating system.
But according to The Verge, a source close to Microsoft has said that Windows Phone gadgets running the current version of Windows Phone (7.5, aka Mango) won't be updated to Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo).
That would be a rum do for anyone who just bought a Nokia Lumia phone for instance, as it would mean updates for that mobile drying up in less than a year.
Not everyone feels the same way, however. A video posted by WMPowerUser has a Microsoft 'evangelist' stating that all devices will get upgraded to the next version.
Microsoft has been cagey about responding to either claim. In a statement sent to CNET UK that doesn't really address the issue it said, "All apps in our marketplace today will run on the next version of Windows Phone.
"Beyond that", the statement concludes, "we have nothing to share about future releases."
So current apps will definitely work on Windows Phone 8, but the jury's still out on actual devices.
If Microsoft does deny the update to mobiles that are currently in the wild, that decision could be down to hardware requirements. The Windows Phone operating system currently only supports single-core processors, but the::unwired reports that Windows Phone 8 could demand dual-core chips and beefier screen resolutions, making existing mobiles incompatible.
If Microsoft is indeed planning on giving current phones the cold shoulder, it'll probably keep quiet about it to avoid putting people off buying Windows Phone devices in the meantime.
Do you think Microsoft will continue to support Windows Phones? Or will Tango be the last software version existing mobiles see? Let me know your predictions and thoughts in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 8
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anonymous 18 April, 2012 18:59
Existing phones will receive a substantial update but not pure WP8, a sauce close to my salt and vinegar - who didn't want to be named - has told me.
alfstar 18 April, 2012 20:07
That would be stupid. They might not update all phones because of hardware requirements, but I'm sure the top of the range devices like the Titan and the Lumia 900 will get updated. Microsoft is already desperate to have a wider market share, and the last thing they need is news about people complaining their phones' can't be updated.
jayce35 18 April, 2012 20:31
I thought. windows phone are supposed to be all. updated the same. If nokia lumina 900 is only supported for less than a year. talk about stabbing them in the back
anonymous 18 April, 2012 23:46
Thats made my mind up, getting htc one s & not Lumia 900 !
anonymous 19 April, 2012 07:42
@anonymous 23:46: So a purely speculative report from unconfirmed sources, reported by The Verge - of all sites - has your mind made up?
*shakes head*
NLips 19 April, 2012 09:59
"That would be a rum do for anyone who just bought a Nokia Lumia phone for instance, as it would mean updates for that mobile drying up in less than a year."
Not being able to upgrade to WP8 is not the same as WP7 never getting another update.
Mark Anderson 19 April, 2012 12:24
Err... I would point out that HTC aren't exactly the quickest when it comes to updating Android. Nor do they do it with all their phones.
Just sayin'.
I doubt we'll get full WP8, more likely a hybrid that supports the functions the existing hardware can manage.
krish 13 May, 2012 20:44
That's how they make a money, isn't it ?
Think about it. For instance, Nokia, do you really think they are going to give us WP8 for free?
Do you really think, they are going to miss their chance for making money?
I don't think so. They will definitely make the new one.
May be, you will get a substantial upgrade of WP8.
For instance, the name of OS, that's for sure. But, other that, it will be just same as WP7.5.
Probably you have to buy the new one eventually. You know why? Because they will make it sure you can't downgrade the OS once you install WP8. That's why.
Well, so far, everything here is just my imagination.