Rumors on WM2005

[riuster]

On other forums there is a rumor of WM2005, and I was on MS website, and there is no mention of this and no mention of WM2004.

Does anyone else have information on this?

So lets see, we buy a PPC now, with WM2003 SE, then they release this WM2005 by next year...lets say June 2005....What the hell do we do with with our old OS. Its ROM based, so an UPGRADE is not possible?

We have to live with our WM2003SE for the next 2 years until we buy an entirely NEW PPC.

I also see on other forums that there is a MAJOR change from 2003 to 2005 and most likely many software companies for PPC will not have any new software that works on this OS, IMO so I guess its not a big deal.

Post your findings and thoughts....

[Don't Panic!]

ROM upgrades are possible, The question is will your Manufacturer offer it and will it be small enough to fit on to your existing ROM.

On the rumor front I heard that the WM2005 OS for PPC will have built-in USB toaster oven support for those mobile professionals who need their bagels on the go. J/K :devilboy:

[mscdex]

On other forums there is a rumor of WM2005, and I was on MS website, and there is no mention of this and no mention of WM2004.

Does anyone else have information on this?

So lets see, we buy a PPC now, with WM2003 SE, then they release this WM2005 by next year...lets say June 2005....What the h-ll do we do with with our old OS. Its ROM based, so an UPGRADE is not possible?

We have to live with our WM2003SE for the next 2 years until we buy an entirely NEW PPC.

I also see on other forums that there is a MAJOR change from 2003 to 2005 and most likely many software companies for PPC will not have any new software that works on this OS, IMO so I guess its not a big deal.

Post your findings and thoughts....

Good luck getting an upgrade from HP.

[yankeejeep]

Since the ROM reflash would need to include the specific hardware drivers for each particular device, and given the general lack of WM2003SE ROM upgrades, I would not hold my breath that a ROM update for a new WM OS would materialize. A few device makers made the SE update for their latest models (e.g. Toshiba made ROM images available to reflash the 400 and 800 lines) but the general trend was to put out a "Sorry" announcement and then hope folks who wanted SE badly enough would buy a new device. Expect the same treatment with WM2005. Since it is something that will be pretty device-specific, I wouldn't anticipate much success forcing a ROM image from one device onto another, even from the same maker.

[riuster]

Since the ROM reflash would need to include the specific hardware drivers for each particular device, and given the general lack of WM2003SE ROM upgrades, I would not hold my breath that a ROM update for a new WM OS would materialize. A few device makers made the SE update for their latest models (e.g. Toshiba made ROM images available to reflash the 400 and 800 lines) but the general trend was to put out a "Sorry" announcement and then hope folks who wanted SE badly enough would buy a new device. Expect the same treatment with WM2005. Since it is something that will be pretty device-specific, I wouldn't anticipate much success forcing a ROM image from one device onto another, even from the same maker.

right, rom updates, wm updates....wishful thinking....just buy a new PDA...period....SORRY!!!!

[Darius Wey]

right, rom updates, wm updates....wishful thinking....just buy a new PDA...period....SORRY!!!!

Believe me when I say this, but back when WM2003SE was new, there were a lot of people complaining about the decisions made by high-profile companies such as HP and Dell to not provide updates to WM2003SE for their pre-existing devices. Meanwhile, Toshiba users were jumping hoops since they were given the opportunity to update their existing device. Now a lot of people feel as though that because of this move, an update to WM2005 may not be provided, so some of us (me included) are waiting for WM2005 devices to be released before we decide to jump on the bandwagon looking for a new Pocket PC to replace our old WM2003 or pre-WM2003 devices. However, what will actually happen in terms of updates has yet to be seen, since WM2005 is still very much in the making.

[sheik]

The lack of upgradabilty for mobile devices is a serious problem.

I've always thought it would be worth a try for a company to specialise in renting gadgets. I'd consider signing a six month contract for a Pocket Loox 720 (or whatever), pay, say £40 a month and at the end of the contract decide whether I wanted to swap the device or renew my contract for another 6 months at a reduced rate (eg: £30, all figures are just for the sake of argument anyway).

I'd be happy to pay roughly the same amount per year that I already do, without the hassle of trying to sell my old PDAs. Currently, I upgrade probably every 18 months, but by renting I'd have the advantage of getting newer models earlier.
The company would make money from people who couldn't be bothered to upgrade immediately and also by selling returned devices.

The alternative is shelling out £400 every time I want the latest OS :evil:

/\dam (whose Ipaq 2200 can't even be upgraded to WM2003E :roll: )

[yankeejeep]

What I have found very frustrating (and I'll go out on a limb here and say I may speak for one or two others) is that the hardware has been inherently upgradable since flash ROM was introduced as the standard OS repository with WM2002. For me, that was when I moved up to a Jornada 568 from a 548, which lacked reflash capacity. Since the issue is seldom one of ROM space, it boils down to a combination of manufacturer interest in creating an upgrade and their dependence on the hardware component makers to provide compatible drivers for the new OS.

I didn't get upset when it was time for the Jornada 548 to go away since its OS was on a proprietary chip. But when HP decided not to release a WM2003 update for the reflashable 568, I was ticked. At least with my Toshiba e805, a WM2003SE ROM was released, though I suspect that will be the end of the ROM upgrade line for the e800 series. I have learned to wait on buying a replacement device until the OS has sufficient enhancements to keep me satisfied for at least two years.