what is the difference between WM5.0 and WM6.0

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Tuned.mobi has been down since the day you posted it.

That's weird. It's certainly up now, though -- I'm playing something from it.

In any case, Tuned.mobi is just a portal to a few other sites, like The Stream Center in the U.S. and Canada.

Steve

[Peregrine]

Yea, I meant to post a follow-up. It WAS down for at least 4 days. It was up yesterday and I got it working.
I gotta' say: I am blown away. It is AWESOME!! I was listening to a classic rock station from Anchorage!

w00t! I LOVE this thing!! :D

[FourTwenSesh]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

I disagree. XP to Vista is a much bigger jump than WM 5 to WM 6. I think a better comparison would have been Windows 95 to Windows 98 (or WM 2003 SE to WM 5).

Also remember that, as I mentioned above, Windows Mobile is an embedded OS. This means the OEM takes care of many of the problematic areas (like hardware support) that Microsoft has to worry about with Windows. It would be like Dell releasing a "custom Vista" for their PCs that specifically supported upgrading their machines.

Finally, remember that those problem areas aren't as big in the Windows Mobile space. The Q supports far less hardware than does a PC. How many Q owners use anything more than a memory card and maybe a Bluetooth device or two?

Steve

Ok, fair enough, the embedded OS does make it different, but if the OEM takes care of the problematic areas, how come sprint/verizon have to do all these MOL upgrades to fix "bugs" why can't they just run the embedded OS as is, just like I still do? And as for the custom edition, it IS like a custom Windows Mobile edition is being released for each provider (my evidence for this is that i've NEVER done the MOL upgrades you guys have, and my provider hasn't required me to (DELL = Bell perhaps? )

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by FourTwenSesh

Ok, fair enough, the embedded OS does make it different, but if the OEM takes care of the problematic areas, how come sprint/verizon have to do all these MOL upgrades to fix "bugs" why can't they just run the embedded OS as is, just like I still do?

MOL updates are released because any complex software is never perfect. Look how many bugs Microsoft patches each month, for example.

Also, the MOL updates may not be in vendor-specific code. For example, MOL 1 added the Microsoft Messaging & Security Feature Pack (MSFP) which is what enabled Exchange push E-mail, and it also enabled framed browsing. So part of the MOL updates could be fixes for Microsoft bugs and new function.

By the way, Sprint and Verizon don't really do the updates -- the OEM does. I doubt Sprint or Verizon have the technical chops to update Windows Mobile.

Originally Posted by FourTwenSesh

And as for the custom edition, it IS like a custom Windows Mobile edition is being released for each provider (my evidence for this is that i've NEVER done the MOL upgrades you guys have, and my provider hasn't required me to (DELL = Bell perhaps? )

Yes, Motorola has to produce a custom version of Windows Mobile for each carrier that supports the carrier's configuration and possibly adds features specific to that carrier (like Wireless Sync for Verizon or custom carrier Home screens).

In fact, that was my point. The vendor is releasing a custom version of the software for each device, so they don't have to worry about supporting the vast array of hardware platforms and configurations that Windows does.

Steve

[NJREASON]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Sure, the carrier would probably prefer you to buy a new device. However, given how many people probably are in the middle of contracts and probably don't want to pay full price for an upgrade device, they do release upgrades.

Specifically, I know that Verizon has released upgrades for various Samsung devices (the i700 WM 2003 upgrade comes to mind, although it took a long time).

And look at the Q. We've already had two software updates (but not OS upgrades). I know some people have bricked their Qs doing an update, but Motorola and/or Verizon must have thought it was worthwhile taking the risk.

That's not to say the Q will get an upgrade, of course, but there is hope.

Steve

The great thing about verizon is this. verizon prides itself on testing everything so there isnt as many problems most the time to the point where phones will come out 6-12 months late. software is not different in this situation. i definately have alot of experience with VZW. No word has been released as of yet for there being an upgrade for the OS. and if there is an upgrade it wont be around until most the people who are in contract now are out.

[Timm Hamm]

From what I can tell, the only upgrade options MS is offering is for T-MOBILE customers who own the DASH. If you have a DASH (then why would you be on the Q site) then you can upgrade for free.

That's a good sign, because if T-Mobile will offer one, then hopefully VZW will eventually, just to stay competitive!

Just a thought...

Timm

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Sure, the carrier would probably prefer you to buy a new device. However, given how many people probably are in the middle of contracts and probably don't want to pay full price for an upgrade device, they do release upgrades.

Specifically, I know that Verizon has released upgrades for various Samsung devices (the i700 WM 2003 upgrade comes to mind, although it took a long time).

And look at the Q. We've already had two software updates (but not OS upgrades). I know some people have bricked their Qs doing an update, but Motorola and/or Verizon must have thought it was worthwhile taking the risk.

That's not to say the Q will get an upgrade, of course, but there is hope.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Timm Hamm

From what I can tell, the only upgrade options MS is offering is for T-MOBILE customers who own the DASH. If you have a DASH (then why would you be on the Q site) then you can upgrade for free.

Actually, Microsoft doesn't offer the upgrades; the OEMs and/or carriers do. Microsoft makes the code available, but OEMs have to customize it.

I've also seen several other WM 6 upgrades, although mostly for Pocket PC Phones, not Smartphones.

Originally Posted by Timm Hamm

That's a good sign, because if T-Mobile will offer one, then hopefully VZW will eventually, just to stay competitive!

As I've said, though, it's really Motorola that's the key. The Dash is made by HTC, which does seem to be making WM 6 upgrades available, but the Q is made by Motorola, so that could be a completely different story.

If Verizon demanded a WM 6 upgrade, that could get Motorola to make one, but everything I've seem shows Motorola being more focused on the Q9 series than upgrading the current Qs.

Steve

[garment69]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Actually, Microsoft doesn't offer the upgrades; the OEMs and/or carriers do. Microsoft makes the code available, but OEMs have to customize it.

I've also seen several other WM 6 upgrades, although mostly for Pocket PC Phones, not Smartphones.


As I've said, though, it's really Motorola that's the key. The Dash is made by HTC, which does seem to be making WM 6 upgrades available, but the Q is made by Motorola, so that could be a completely different story.

If Verizon demanded a WM 6 upgrade, that could get Motorola to make one, but everything I've seem shows Motorola being more focused on the Q9 series than upgrading the current Qs.

Steve

I will grow wings and fly to the moon before Verizon gives away anything for free. They are already offering the WM6 upgrade. Its called buy the new Q9M.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by garment69

I will grow wings and fly to the moon before Verizon gives away anything for free.

Verizon has given out free OS upgrades for a few Samsung phones.

Good luck on that flight -- wings won't work in space.

Steve