Rumor: First Windows Phone Update will "do what took Apple three years"

[Adan Galvan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/11/30/first-windows-phone-7-update-will-do-what-took-apple-three-year/' target='_blank'>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2...ple-three-year/</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1291213094.usr681.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>For those of you patiently waiting for Windows Phone 7 updates, you may be glad to hear that the first one could be substantial. Developer <a href="http://twitter.com/tomhounsell" target="_blank" title="Tom Hounsell">Tom Hounsell</a> has recently been tweeting some information that has directly indicated that the first Windows Phone 7 update will allow Microsoft to "do what took Apple three years". Microsoft has already publicly stated that copy and paste will come sometime in early 2011, but Tom seems to hint at some other much requested functionality such as multi-tasking. Microsoft <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/30/microsoft-reiterates-copy-and-paste-is-windows-phone-7s-first-u/" target="_blank">responded</a> with the following official statement:</p><p><em>"Microsoft is committed to delivering regular updates to the Windows Phone experience. Our first update will make copy &amp; paste available in early 2011. In addition to this first update, all Windows Phone 7 users should expect to see additional updates delivered in the future as part of Microsoft's ongoing update process."</em></p><p>Stay tuned for more information and leave your most wished items in the the comments below!<em></em></p>

[Fritzly]

Just to start:

Tasks
Categories
Unified Inbox
Agenda and Week Calendar views
In the "Month" view an excerpt of the appointment title not "Welcome to Seattle"?!?!?!?!?!

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks

[bartw78]

Unified inbox, seriously get this one sorted!!!

Tasks

Multi-tasking

Messenger app. Think Whatsapp, but integrated. Be able to send a (data-) message to any contact. Hell, buy Whatsapp!!

All appointments of the current day on the lock screen. Not just one. Or make it an option

[Adan Galvan]

Tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks tasks

Something tells me you want to see tasks added??? :P

Seriously though I'd like to see better multi-tasking. Even tomb-stoning (that phrase has been thrown around a lot recently) would work great for me. Just give me a way to get back to an app without having to completely reload it!

[rone0001]

Something tells me you want to see tasks added??? :P

Seriously though I'd like to see better multi-tasking. Even tomb-stoning (that phrase has been thrown around a lot recently) would work great for me. Just give me a way to get back to an app without having to completely reload it!

Actually it does support tombstoning (returning to the previous state of the app) by using the back button. It works for most apps, just back into it and you will not have to relaunch it. I was pretty happy to find this feature as it is very useful. It works for most apps. Here is a link for more info.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2010/07/15/understanding-the-windows-phone-application-execution-model-tombstoning-launcher-and-choosers-and-few-more-things-that-are-on-the-way-part-1.aspx

I am really enjoying the new OS :)

[egads]

Tasks and multitasking would be nice, but I want to sync with my OutLook via activesync. Hell Apple, Android, and BlackBerry sync with OutLook!
I was ready to actually slap some $$$ down and get a WP7 device and someone told me it did not sync with OutLook (I know it sync's with Exchange). Told them they did not know what they were talking about and come to find out they were right.

I was dead set about not ever getting a WP7 phone till I actually played with one. I won't use the WP7 phone for email that much, more with the PIM side of OutLook. This is a deal breaker for me, I'm really bummed!

[Sven Johannsen]

Tasks and multitasking would be nice, but I want to sync with my OutLook via activesync. Hell Apple, Android, and BlackBerry sync with OutLook!Sadly I really believe the corporate mindset at MS is that everyone using Outlook is using it with Exchange. If that were true, then of course there would be no need for Outlook sync. Everyone not using Outlook with Exchange is using web based PIM; Live, Google, etc. That is covered fairly well. (I've migrated to Live, syncing both my Outlook and phone to it independently) Between those two camps, 95% of customers are covered.

[randalllewis]

All of these ideas for updates to WP7 are good- except the unified inbox. If Micrsoft adds that, it should be as an option only so those of you who want all your e-mail in one place can be happy. I most certainly do not want my three e-mail accounts all in one inbox. I don't think I am alone. Somewhere in all of the pre-launch publicity there was a comment from a Windows Phone executive that their market research showed most customers did not want a unified inbox and that is why it wasn't included. It certainly makes sense as an option.

[Don Tolson]

All of these ideas for updates to WP7 are good- except the unified inbox. If Micrsoft adds that, it should be as an option only so those of you who want all your e-mail in one place can be happy. I most certainly do not want my three e-mail accounts all in one inbox. I don't think I am alone. Somewhere in all of the pre-launch publicity there was a comment from a Windows Phone executive that their market research showed most customers did not want a unified inbox and that is why it wasn't included. It certainly makes sense as an option.

I'm with you... I have separate email accounts for a reason and don't want to see them all in one Inbox...unless of course, the Inbox itself could be separated and all 'outgoing' replies, etc. could be associated with the appropriate email account to which it was sent -- not to my phone.

Also add my voice for TASKS! (Still don't understand why MS left this out of the Outlook integration -- everything else seems to be there...)

[Fritzly]

All of these ideas for updates to WP7 are good- except the unified inbox. If Micrsoft adds that, it should be as an option only so those of you who want all your e-mail in one place can be happy. I most certainly do not want my three e-mail accounts all in one inbox. I don't think I am alone. Somewhere in all of the pre-launch publicity there was a comment from a Windows Phone executive that their market research showed most customers did not want a unified inbox and that is why it wasn't included. It certainly makes sense as an option.

While I agree that it should an option I cannot stop laughing when MS states that something was done based on the users feedback, market researches etc. etc.

After the mess they created with WHS and the removal of the drive extender functionality they should seriously consider a change in the pitch used to justify what they do.

[Fritzly]

I forgot a very important feature:

Give us back the ability to backup SMS as we had in WM 6.5!!!!

[egads]

Sadly I really believe the corporate mindset at MS is that everyone using Outlook is using it with Exchange. If that were true, then of course there would be no need for Outlook sync. Everyone not using Outlook with Exchange is using web based PIM; Live, Google, etc. That is covered fairly well. (I've migrated to Live, syncing both my Outlook and phone to it independently) Between those two camps, 95% of customers are covered.

Don't wanna use Live or Google, I want to use OutLook. I've looked at a few different ways of getting your contacts and calander info to WP7 and they all are hacks and not very seamless. Plus, Live only lets you have less than 1000 contacts (I have more than that). This is a deal breaker.

[randalllewis]

While I agree that it should an option I cannot stop laughing when MS states that something was done based on the users feedback, market researches etc. etc.

After the mess they created with WHS and the removal of the drive extender functionality they should seriously consider a change in the pitch used to justify what they do.



I know for fact that Microsoft does lots of user feedback and market research because I've participated in several such efforts, though none at all for Windows Phone. Sometimes this research is just a survey, other times it is focus groups, and in still others it is usability testing.

I can guess that the market research done on Windows Phone was significantly more comprehensive than for a niche product like Home Server. And then there is also the possibility that the type of market research they chose to do on WHS was exactly what they did: announce a change in the feature set and see what the reaction was.

It is a stretch to claim that the WHS issue is proof that Microsoft doesn't do the market research they claim they do.

[Rob Alexander]

All of these ideas for updates to WP7 are good- except the unified inbox. If Micrsoft adds that, it should be as an option only so those of you who want all your e-mail in one place can be happy. I most certainly do not want my three e-mail accounts all in one inbox. I don't think I am alone. Somewhere in all of the pre-launch publicity there was a comment from a Windows Phone executive that their market research showed most customers did not want a unified inbox and that is why it wasn't included. It certainly makes sense as an option.

I was worried about that with the iOS 4.2 update for my iPad, which added a unified inbox. It turned out to be implemented very well, though. In the list of inboxes, it just lists my three boxes and adds an additional choice of 'all inboxes'. If you want to see them separately, just tap the individual names. If you want to see it unified, just tap that one. The mail is actually still handled separately; it just displays as unified if you want. If MS did it that way too, then everyone could be happy.

On the broader topic of this thread, I learned long ago with MS, I'll believe it when I see it.

[Fritzly]

I know for fact that Microsoft does lots of user feedback and market research because I've participated in several such efforts, though none at all for Windows Phone. Sometimes this research is just a survey, other times it is focus groups, and in still others it is usability testing.

I can guess that the market research done on Windows Phone was significantly more comprehensive than for a niche product like Home Server. And then there is also the possibility that the type of market research they chose to do on WHS was exactly what they did: announce a change in the feature set and see what the reaction was.

It is a stretch to claim that the WHS issue is proof that Microsoft doesn't do the market research they claim they do.

I am very well aware that MS does a lot of studies and researches because I am part of some of them.

I personally witnessed a 180 degrees change of directions in some, still unreleased products because of the feedback by beta testers.


As for WHS MS specifically stated that they removed the drive extender based on users and OEM feedback; patently inaccurate because users are petitioning to have it back....... and HP has abandoned WHS.


How good the ones they made and, even more important, if they followed the input they received will be seen when MS will have to release sales numbers for WP7; it is interesting to note that while we already have such data for Kinect the silence about WP7 is becoming defeaning....

[humayunl]

Tasks!!!!!

[Sven Johannsen]

As for WHS MS specifically stated that they removed the drive extender based on users and OEM feedback; patently inaccurate because users are petitioning to have it back...
Well that would be a load of hooey. I would venture to say the average WHS user would have no clue what you meant if you said Drive Extender technology. Now if you said, we are going to remove the feature where you can just throw in another internal drive, or hook up and external USB and everything just works, and change it so you have to understand RAID Controller configuratuion, I think the average WHS user would likely vote no.

The rational I read was there was a push to extend DE technology to larger server platforms and that was proving to be quite a challange. That prompted a decision to cut back support/development on a 'non-scalable' technology.

I really think the issue is one that plaques MS constantly. They don't understand how to market their products. They let the OEMs/integrators do that. If people really understood what a WHS can do, and how simply it does it, there would be one in every houshold with more than a couple of PCs.

Back to Windows Phone 7 inaugural update though. I really hope MS comes clean soon with what is being looked at for the initial volley. Way too much speculation right now that will only result in disappointment when everything imagined doesn't show up.

[Fritzly]

The rational I read was there was a push to extend DE technology to larger server platforms and that was proving to be quite a challange. That prompted a decision to cut back support/development on a 'non-scalable' technology.

Back to Windows Phone 7 inaugural update though. I really hope MS comes clean soon with what is being looked at for the initial volley. Way too much speculation right now that will only result in disappointment when everything imagined doesn't show up.

Exactly: Joe Smith get a box where he can add an old HD rescued from a dea computer and everything works; he does not know, does not care to learn and less than ever to pay for esoteric RAID 5, 10 etc. On the other hand a company has different needs and can afford a a system built on Professional standards.

As for WP7 I share your concerns: a lot of the OS zealots have jumped saying that the update will make WP7 " like WP8". Such behaviour is very counterproductive for the platform because setting such high expectations increase the risk of the "Is that all?" reaction esponentially.
Sure if MS had been clearer about what to expect the issue would have been avoided but we will see......

[cshields1]

Anyone know if this early 2011 WP7 upgrade will have the on-device encryption (ODE) feature for EAS syncing? I cannot buy a WP7 right now until that is available. Cannot sync to our exchange servers as ODE is mandatory on phones as with most large companies, and small one's I'll bet.

WM6.5 has it, iPhone has it and Android has it, it being ODE. WP7 cannot be a corporate business phone until this ODE is resolved.

[mas98110]

I have a question for the brave souls who have the new Win Phone 7. What size micro SD card are you running and are you happy with it?

[Fritzly]

I have a question for the brave souls who have the new Win Phone 7. What size micro SD card are you running and are you happy with it?

16GB right now, HD7. I will get more storage as soon as I will buy a SIM Free Omnia. Right now 16GB are all right but I did not load all my pictures and music; I would surely be happier with more....

[Don Tolson]

I have a question for the brave souls who have the new Win Phone 7. What size micro SD card are you running and are you happy with it?

As far as I can tell, my HTC 7 Surround does not provide support for a user-installable storage card. HOWEVER, it does appear to come with 16G of storage built in (12G available for use).

[Sven Johannsen]

I have a question for the brave souls who have the new Win Phone 7. What size micro SD card are you running and are you happy with it?Same HD7 with stock 16G. Yes I'm happy with it. Over the years I have learned to be more judicious with my app loading appetite. Actualy I am more ruthless in removing things that don't live up to their potential. With WP7 that is dead simple, tap and hold, tap X, it's gone. This is my phone, not my entertainment device. It holds more than enough music and pictures and videos to entertain me in a pinch. I don't find myself standing in line with nothing to do for 2 hours very often, so only having one latest movie or 8 hours of my favorite music works just fine...I don't need to have my entire collection. The pictures can be accessed off of the cloud very nicely, and again, I don't find myself in a position where I am going to subject someone to a two hour family slide show.

Don't forget there is always a battery life limit too. Certainly you can carry a battery booster of some sort, but my Zune is smaller and lighter than many of those, so might as well carry it, if I want more media and play time.

[randalllewis]

I have a question for the brave souls who have the new Win Phone 7. What size micro SD card are you running and are you happy with it?


My Focus has a 16Gb Class 2 cheapy PNY card. Yeah, really. PNY. I have no issues at all with the phone. Snycing did slow way down on my initial sync with the PC when my music collection reached the limits of the internal memory, but it finished just fine and it wirelessly syncs my music now just fine.

Has anyone actually seen a report of something bad happening with any memory card in any of the WP7 models?

[Fritzly]

Has anyone actually seen a report of something bad happening with any memory card in any of the WP7 models?

So far the worst I heard is that the card is not recognized; also it seems that SanDisk are the ones that work best. Personally I have not tried yet but two friends of mine did.