[Paragon]

Originally Posted by frankenbike

What they really need to do is change the backend so the GUI can be addressed completely separately without a ROM update at all. I mean, honestly, why should this be so difficult?

It's not difficult. Several years ago I was informed by someone from Microsoft that this was possible. In fact if I'm not mistaken someone at PPCGeeks recently posted a kitchen for cooking ROMs that allows you to change the build without effecting anything else including installed software and any settings. It is actually a ROM update but only flashes what is necessary....beyond my knowledge base.

Dave

[Paragon]

Originally Posted by frankenbike

What they really need to do is change the backend so the GUI can be addressed completely separately without a ROM update at all. I mean, honestly, why should this be so difficult?

It's not difficult. Several years ago I was informed by someone from Microsoft that this was possible. In fact if I'm not mistaken someone at PPCGeeks recently posted a kitchen for cooking ROMs that allows you to change the build without effecting anything else including installed software and any settings. It is actually a ROM update but only flashes what is necessary....beyond my knowledge base.

Dave

[eriqcook]

Originally Posted by Paragon

It's not difficult. Several years ago I was informed by someone from Microsoft that this was possible. In fact if I'm not mistaken someone at PPCGeeks recently posted a kitchen for cooking ROMs that allows you to change the build without effecting anything else including installed software and any settings. It is actually a ROM update but only flashes what is necessary....beyond my knowledge base.

Dave

Indeed this is possible......but it'll NEVER happen (main stream), unfortunately. Manufacturers and service providers want too much control over everything.

[adamz]

Originally Posted by eriqcook

Ineed this is possible......but it'll NEVER happen (main stream), unfortunately. Manufacturers and service providers want too much control over everything.

Did you see the Software Update control panel on the new ATT Windows Mobile 6.5 devices?

[JKingGrim]

Originally Posted by adamz

Did you see the Software Update control panel on the new ATT Windows Mobile 6.5 devices?

*image*

Whos point are you trying to prove? Because that supports what eriqcook said. Notice it says check the ATT server, not the MS server.

Not that I agree with Eric though. If WM7 achieves separation of the MS and OEM bits of the OS (which I think it has) it is possible. Of course OEMs and providers will fight it, but maybe if WM is popular enough MS will have more power and say so.

[Paragon]

Originally Posted by adamz

Did you see the Software Update control panel on the new ATT Windows Mobile 6.5 devices?

That update process is quite different from ROM flashes. It's talking about simple updates much like you would apply using a .cab file......or at least that's what we assume, since it has never been used.

Dave

[JKingGrim]

Originally Posted by Paragon

That update process is quite different from ROM flashes. It's talking about simple updates much like you would apply using a .cab file......or at least that's what we assume, since it has never been used.

Dave

Actually, windows update in WM6.5 is quite capable of updating the actual ROM. It has been hacked by those at xda developers and they are close (perhaps successful) to using it to do an in place ROM upgrade that leaves user data in tact. So while ROM upgrades via OTA download are already possible, the ROM must be device specific. Hopefully what MS has accomplished with WM7 is separation between the MS OS and the OEM bits (like drivers) so that they can send out an OS upgrade OTA that will work on any device since it will update only the OS and leave the OEM drivers in place. If that is done the only issue is whether carriers will allow it and if they can stop MS.

[Sven]

Windows Update is certainly capable of doing an entire ROM reflash, saw that in Betas, but that is not what the typical user wants. I would guess they would sort of want their data/personalization kept intact, like the iPhone updates. In defense of MS, Apple has exactly one platform with one version to worry about, and very limited user customization. By one version I mean a 3G with V2 is a 3G with V2. You don't have the Samsung version, the HTC version, the Motorola version the AT&T, Verizon,,sprint, O2, etc. versions.

Even with an entire ROM reflash though, I suppose an option might be to do a user backup via AS/WMDC (not a current feature), update and restore the user data. Unfortunately arranging for the new 'OS' to be backward compatible with all the previous settings, can limit the potential improvements.

So, beyond all the griping and conjecture about upgrades, any rumors about whether this is even possibly going to show up in legitimate venues?

BTW, I haven't even found a Windows Update icon on my Pure, just the AT&T one which doesn't seem to do anything, or if it does, doesn't let you know it did.

Another BTW, the Pure does not have an OK button. It has a Windows (Start) and Back (arrow). It does have a task manager accessible from the on screen OK button, similar to SPBs Pocket Plus. I can activate with a finger, but it is tough to do one handed, as are many of the old UI features.