Windows Mobile 5.0 Upgrade for E-TEN M500 Officially Announced

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.etencorp.com/presscenter/press.php?pid=45&tid=0' target='_blank'>http://www.etencorp.com/presscenter...hp?pid=45&tid=0</a><br /><br /></div><i>"E-TEN Information Systems is pleased to announce a Windows® Mobile 5.0 upgrade program for its current E-TEN brand M500 Device. The upgrade CD will be available for purchase by users though regular E-TEN distribution channels in December 2005."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050611-M500.gif" /><br /><br />There's nothing here that you didn't already know, but we can finally put the rumours aside now that E-TEN has released a press release announcing their intentions to release a Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade for the E-TEN M500 Pocket PC Phone Edition. The English version of the upgrade should be available by Christmas, 2005. The CD will be made available through E-TEN's distribution channels.

[Raphael Salgado]

Any person with a pulse would easily figure out that the only reason for a December 2005 release is purely a marketing tactic.

With the impending release of the M600 which, by technical specifications, have the advantage of just Windows Mobile 5.0, integrated Wi-Fi, and a black chassis, you can see that E-TEN would rather sell a ton of new devices to recoup the hardware research, investment, development and production they put into conjuring the M600 than to sell a bunch of CD upgrades, with most of the profit being divvied up by Microsoft for their licensing, minus shipping, handling, and manufacturing of the discs, not to mention the possibility of someone finding a way to pirate the disc as they did with the Dell upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003.

I suppose it's still better than no upgrade at all, which is the piss-poor stance that HTC (and therefore, i-mate, O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Dopod, etc.) decided to take and shaft their current customer base in regards to the excellent devices that have already been proven by Microsoft themselves (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=715582) to have met the minimum requirements of Windows Mobile 5.0 (some of which have been forced on by desperate community members who won't take "no" for an answer).

[Phillip Dyson]

Any person with a pulse would easily figure out that the only reason for a December 2005 release is purely a marketing tactic.

With the impending release of the M600 which, by technical specifications, have the advantage of just Windows Mobile 5.0, integrated Wi-Fi, and a black chassis, you can see that E-TEN would rather sell a ton of new devices to recoup the hardware research, investment, development and production they put into conjuring the M600 than to sell a bunch of CD upgrades, with most of the profit being divvied up by Microsoft for their licensing, minus shipping, handling, and manufacturing of the discs, not to mention the possibility of someone finding a way to pirate the disc as they did with the Dell upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003.


Its true. Though I don't think this is unusual. In fact any of us in the same postion would probably make the same/similar decision. Something along the lines of getting the m600 out first.

Its likely that I will buy the m600 and give the m500 to my girlfriend. Though I'd be much more comfortable giving it to her with the upgrade then without. I just think its a much safer (read: more stable) and hopefully more usable device running WM5.0

I'm a little disappointed about having to wait so long, but not upset.

In fact, as long as the m600 hasn't come out yet, there's still a chance that some other devices will show up for me to choose from.

[snayar]

I agree, but remember carriers and OEMs are the ones who decide if a device get's an upgrade or not, not HTC (the manufacturer).

And I'm also wating for the release of the M600, however, today I found out about the O2 Atom, which looks really neat (not like the Wizard) and if the specs are similar to the M600 I will end up having a hard time deciding which one should I get... :?

[Phillip Dyson]

The Atom seems interesting, but there is not enough details for me to really add it to my short list. The reality is that mass market trends seem to be going in a direction that I don't want. Lower specs, slower processors, musical chair features like gps, wifi, expansion slots, and bluetooth.

The m600 is still the front runner at the moment for me. I'm keeping one eye on the Wizard, but for the most part I've rule it out. The processor may pan out after some benchmarking, but the miniSD card is a negative for me.

Might consider a keyboard, but I'm undecided about whether I would prefer a horizontal, vertical sliding, or a vertical ever-present one. As yet none with keyboards really fit the overall profile that I'm looking for.

Of course the true reality is that the ball is still in play until I actually lay down my credit card. Maybe even after that. :wink:

[zybler]

I agree, but remember carriers and OEMs are the ones who decide if a device get's an upgrade or not, not HTC (the manufacturer).

And I'm also wating for the release of the M600, however, today I found out about the O2 Atom, which looks really neat (not like the Wizard) and if the specs are similar to the M600 I will end up having a hard time deciding which one should I get... :?
I don't think so. The fact that no other HTC magicians (whether it is XDA II mini, I-mate Jam and etc) has an upgrade is a proof of that. If any of them has WM5 the guys at xda-developer could have extract the ROM and we can install it on our magician.. it will work since they all have the same hardware, just branded by different company.

[Jason Lee]

I don't think so. The fact that no other HTC magicians (whether it is XDA II mini, I-mate Jam and etc) has an upgrade is a proof of that. If any of them has WM5 the guys at xda-developer could have extract the ROM and we can install it on our magician.. it will work since they all have the same hardware, just branded by different company.

I know a few people with a jam running wm 5.0 and i've personally seen the blueangle running it. but i'm not sure it was an htc build or just the raw release from ms.

[Banners]

I know a few people with a jam running wm 5.0 and i've personally seen the blueangle running it. but i'm not sure it was an htc build or just the raw release from ms.

Really?! imate jam (htc magician)... (not K-jam or anything!!) Anyway we could be cheeky and get a rom dump from any of them? There's a world of magician owners out here trying to get this....!!!

Thanks, seriously - any leads are welcomed!

PM me if needs be!

[Jason Lee]

Really?! imate jam (htc magician)... (not K-jam or anything!!) Anyway we could be cheeky and get a rom dump from any of them? There's a world of magician owners out here trying to get this....!!!

Thanks, seriously - any leads are welcomed!

PM me if needs be!

i haven't really looked but xda developers web site would be the place to start. usually these rom images are not very functional, perhaps the phone might not work or the bluetooth. but i'm pretty sure those guys are out there working on something. I think i stumbled across a leaked beta of wm 5.0 for my sx66 (blueangle) out there. i think i would rather have my device functional though more than i'd rather try to hack wm5 on to it. :)

but if you really want to i'd start there.

[Banners]

Thanks Jason!

Sorry, should have mentioned - part of the xda crew - already tracking all those threads....

Just checking out any potential people with access to a wm5/jam combination!!!

If you DO know anyone thats willing to donate a copy - could you see if they'd help....!