Has Anyone Seen Windows Update Work on their Mobile Device?

[Kris Kumar]

<p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//spt/auto/1196821607.usr266.gif" /></p><p>One of the big Windows Mobile 6 features was its ability to check and install updates automatically. As a T-Mobile Dash user who received the free Windows Mobile 6 upgrade, I was hopeful like others that Microsoft will be putting out minor updates and patches just like it does for its desktop version. And that my Dash will remain free of glitches and improve over time. I was hoping that I might get a new home screen, or better patches to fix a couple of annoying glitches - like the <a target="_blank" href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=23421">alarm clock that can't be turned off</a>&nbsp;and the <a target="_blank" href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=22304">reminder that won't play</a> a sound in normal profile. I am sure there are other issues with the Dash and possibly with the other Windows Mobile 6 devices out there. But I haven't heard from a single ecstatic reader who said that his/her smart phone automatically updated itself and corrected an annoying problem. Other competing products that do not even have an auto update tool like Windows Mobile have seen plenty of updates. I know Nokia N95 has seen a lot of firmware update action, so has the media darling - the Apple iPhone. So does this mean that Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 is perfect? Who is at fault - Microsoft, the manufacturers or the carriers? Microsoft, please put this feature to some use. Show us that it works.</p>

[snowman5373]

I am starting to get tired of T-Mobile. No firmware upgrades, no WM6 updates, no 3g and the Dash is starting to show its age.

[Ed@Brighthand]

The ability to let users automatically download and install upgrades on their Windows Mobile devices in the same way they do on their PCs is wonderful... or it would be if it actually got used.

The recent release of Office 6.1 was an excellent opportunity to make use of this feature, but it didn't happen.

I'm disappointed this potentially very useful feature is apparently whithering on the vine.

[crashdau]

It doesn't work on the Q9M.....I get the "No updates available" also. I'm wondering if it goes to Microsoft or the carrier servers first to check. With VzW, I can see them breaking this feature even though they are supposed to be opening their network.

[Urban Strata]

It's up to each individual operator to decide if they want to push out updates using the Windows Update feature. Keep in mind that operators take months to test devices and ROM updates for their network; they would be infuriated if Microsoft began pushing out updates and changing their customers' devices without permission or thorough testing.

The N95 is a bit of a different animal because it's often sold unlocked; the iPhone, too, is different due to the extraordinarily unique relationship between Apple and AT&T. Granted, these are only excuses: I, too, would like to see more use of the Windows Update feature, just as I'm sure Microsoft would. We need to cross our fingers that the recent trend for network openness results in a more fluid relationship between Microsoft and end users. :)

[badbob001]

Apple must have the industry by the balls since they can spit out updates without seemingly any resistance. C'mon Microsoft, get some.

[Mechanicaldan]

Just had the alarm go off at the wrong time. I travelled time zones, and my alarm was going off at 1 AM now instead of 7 AM as it was back home. Then I turned it off, and yes, it still goes off at 1 AM.

Updates would be really nice, but realise that MS Mobile isn't MS XP or Vista. There is one build of XP or Vista for thousands of different hardware, so it's easier to upgrade the software.

Phones are different. The software is more customized to the hardware, which means that the software upgrades are harder due to the hundreds of custom builds. This will likely not go away in the near future.

Apple has 1 hardware, which means software upgrades only get applied to 1 platform.

Finally, product life is a big thing. Most people have a laptop or desktop for 3-5 years. People have phones for roughly 12 months before upgrading, because people are only signing 12 month contracts. There is no need to have manufacturers spend time on software upgrades for mobiles when they get disposed of so soon.

Software issues are likely only to get fixed when the software is updated before releasing new mobile phones.

Until phones have a longer life span, it's unlikely software problems will get fixed.

Although, competition is a great motivator, so the iPhone and Android may be blessing to motivate MS to fix the software bugs in Mobile.

[jeffpaul]

Windows Update for Windows Mobile is one of the delivery mechanisms for critical security fixes related to Microsoft software (in coordination with the device manufacturers and the Microsoft Security Response Center) in the event they are required.

Non security related fixes are provided by the mobile operator, and can be delivered to a Windows Mobile 6 device via the mobile operator’s device management server (Windows Mobile fully supports the Firmware Over The Air OMA-DM standard).

Jeffrey Paul
Group Manager - Windows Mobile Serviceability
Microsoft

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

[orgwizard]

Windows Update for Windows Mobile is one of the delivery mechanisms for critical security fixes related to Microsoft software (in coordination with the device manufacturers and the Microsoft Security Response Center) in the event they are required.

Non security related fixes are provided by the mobile operator, and can be delivered to a Windows Mobile 6 device via the mobile operator’s device management server (Windows Mobile fully supports the Firmware Over The Air OMA-DM standard).

Jeffrey Paul
Group Manager - Windows Mobile Serviceability
Microsoft

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

MS seems to be ignoring here that they've released a Mobile OS that has issues and needs to be fixed. If they fix an issue with the Mobile OS, and then leave it to the operators to push out, then likely those operators will not risk the update or better yet, leave the phone with it's issues so that the customers will get fed up and buy something new. The operator will benefit, cause if you do this while under contract, you don't get a discount, and you only get so long to return a phone once you buy it.
MS knows their mobile OS well enough to know what the operators are likely to customize and what core code needs to be fixed when a problem is found. I personally had high hopes for the MS based phones, especially with the improvements in wm6 and the thought that the update feature would be used to fix issues as is done with the desktop OS.
But alas, after my issues with the SDA and the lack of fixes to the issues with the Dash, I now have a blackberrry and will soon be replacing my wife's sda with a pearl.

MS needs to pay attention, cause they're quickly going to loose this market. as it is they've been playing catchup to older more refined operating systems, such as on the blackberry and nokia phones, and if users are left with no choice but to wait for the next mobile OS version and then buy a new device, then most users, like myself, will just get fed up and move to something more stable. Imagine if Apple left the Iphone as is until the next versio nof the phone. How many customers do you think they'd have left? Ho Hum.

[Kris Kumar]

Windows Update for Windows Mobile is one of the delivery mechanisms for critical security fixes related to Microsoft software (in coordination with the device manufacturers and the Microsoft Security Response Center) in the event they are required.

Non security related fixes are provided by the mobile operator, and can be delivered to a Windows Mobile 6 device via the mobile operator’s device management server (Windows Mobile fully supports the Firmware Over The Air OMA-DM standard).


Thanks Jeff for clarifying the purposed of Windows Update.

Okay, even assuming that it is for security related updates. I am surprised that no vulnerability has been found in the WinMo 6 platform. Maybe the WinMo team should be leading the Vista/XP development.

Jokes aside. I see three categories for possible update:
- Security related
- Patch for a bug
- New features (home screens, Office, new application)

New features I can agree that carriers would not want to be pushed out because they want folks to switch to new handsets (even though as others have said Apple is able to do it).

But for security AND also bug fixes, Microsoft must have the control to host the updates. If Microsoft does not have that authority in this space. Then it should work with the carriers to gain that freedom.

The way I see it, handsets (aka hardware) come and go - the platform (software) is always remembered. If BlackBerry does something good, the users are bound to return to it for the next. Same thing with Nokia and Windows Mobile.

[Kris Kumar]

Phones are different. The software is more customized to the hardware, which means that the software upgrades are harder due to the hundreds of custom builds. This will likely not go away in the near future.


Phones are different, true. But the Operating System on the phone shares a lot of similarities with its desktop cousin. The OS is layered, the hardware is usually abstracted. I am absolutely positive that the problem with the alarm clock and reminders is in no way connected with the hardware, so the fix will not be affected by the variation. Also, the update server must be smart enough to understand the model of the phone (much like the Windows desktop OS version and type) that is hitting the update server, this way it can push the right update file(s) to the phone.

Bottomline, I think it can be done. But the carrier - manufacturer - Microsoft management politics or the lack of understanding of customer pains leads us to this situation - where a useful built-in update feature is sitting idle.

Also, Microsoft has (had - depending on how you look) an upper hand on the desktop. In case of Windows Mobile, it is the newcomers like Google and iPhone that are laying down the laws. Microsoft is relying too much on its partners.

[ajwalker]

Also, Microsoft has (had - depending on how you look) an upper hand on the desktop. In case of Windows Mobile, it is the newcomers like Google and iPhone that are laying down the laws. Microsoft is relying too much on its partners.

Microsoft has always relied too much on their partners, that's why they are seemingly being left behind.

I don't doubt they have a lot of great things going, but what's the point if it never sees the light or isn't delivered the way Microsoft designed?

That's the beauty of the Apple contract, they went in with their heads held high as opposed to with their hat in their hands and made a deal.

The Windows update should be available because Microsoft is the owner of Windows Mobile, not the carrier and not the device makers.

When Microsoft realizes they, and only they, have a vested interest in the performance and perception of their products, then, and only then, will they demand Apple treatment.

I've written other places that Microsoft needs to stop relying on their partners to toot Microsoft's horn. They need to start tooting their own horn loud and clear. Apple doesn't have this problem. Everything they do is the latest, greatest, most genius idea ever created in the history of all creation and everyone else is ripping them off, at least according to their PR.

Microsoft, use the built-in features of Windows Mobile and pump out any darn updates you see fit, when you see fit.

Why shouldn't we have the T-Mobile Shadow home screen pumped out as a free upgrade unless it is exclusively liscensed by T-Mobile / HTC?

Microsoft really needs to start taking their software more serious. Microsoft is like the parent who lets someone else raise their child. Would you do that? Then neither should Microsoft.

[Fritzly]

It's up to each individual operator to decide if they want to push out updates using the Windows Update feature. Keep in mind that operators take months to test devices and ROM updates for their network; they would be infuriated if Microsoft began pushing out updates and changing their customers' devices without permission or thorough testing.

Actually this scenario might be true in the US and even here not for everybody; I never bought a "Carrier locked" phone so T Mobile has no legal ground to tell me what I could have on my phone. As for the fact that Carriers take month for testing they better wake up and try to catch up with the rest of the World. I wonder what will happen when users will begin to realize how far behind we are here in the US.

[inteller]

like everything else wrong with Windows Mobile....it is the carriers fault.

Can't wait till Microsoft controls some 700Mhz spectrum and returns control of the device to them and the end user. We've been held hostage by the carriers for far too long.

[Eriq Cook]

Windows Update for Windows Mobile is one of the delivery mechanisms for critical security fixes related to Microsoft software (in coordination with the device manufacturers and the Microsoft Security Response Center) in the event they are required.

Then they should have named it to "Security Updates" or somethings because "Windows Update" is a bit misleading. When you name a feature in Windows Mobile the same name as its Windows counterpart, people expect it to work the same--as its Windows counterpart! Just one of those little things that Microsoft should have put a little more thought into.

I own a Windows Mobile Pro device and did a google search on "Windows Update not working" and ran across this thread. I always wondered why Windows Update never worked for the almost 2 years I've owned my T-Mobile Wing.

[Kris Kumar]

A very good point. Microsoft should have named it "Security Updates" if that is what this app was supposed to have done in the first place. The name is mis-leading.