Windows Phone 8 (Apollo)

[SuzyCreamcheese]

Originally Posted by minireza

The funny thing is, Microsoft Phone 7.5 runs beautifully on phones with measely specs, so imagine Windows Phone 8 with some grunt.

I think a lot of consumers buy products just based off a spec sheet, which has meant that Microsoft has lost out in that respect, even though their phones didn't necessarily need it, consumers don't realise that software optimisation is just as important.

It's true, but it some respect, for windows phone 8 is was justified.

I had a gut feeling that WP8 wouldn't support current devices, and the 480x800 res, which stopped me from getting a lumia 900. (i couldn't justify the price, for the nice looking, but so 2011 resolution).

But windows phone 7.5 is snappy, very snappy. It looks nice and is definitely the OS of choice were it not for the lack of future wholesome support and resolution.



I wont be surprised if some great artists steal a few design features from Microsoft pretty soon.

[minireza]

Originally Posted by SuzyCreamcheese

It's true, but it some respect, for windows phone 8 is was justified.

I had a gut feeling that WP8 wouldn't support current devices, and the 480x800 res, which stopped me from getting a lumia 900. (i couldn't justify the price, for the nice looking, but so 2011 resolution).

But windows phone 7.5 is snappy, very snappy. It looks nice and is definitely the OS of choice were it not for the lack of future wholesome support and resolution.



I wont be surprised if some great artists steal a few design features from Microsoft pretty soon.

No question, the resolution limit put on 7.5 was a massive blunder. However, I am very excited that Microsoft were ruthless enough to cut of 7.5 and effectively make 8 fresh. I have no dramas with that. It is for the greater good and I think people will see that come to fruition (hopefully)

[Baker]

I think everyone has missed the main part why WP7 phones can't be upgraded to WP8.. they're moving away from the CE architecture and going to the NT one .

I can't wait.. I think it will be awesome, and just think, code compatibility across phone, tablet, desktop, and console (Xbox 720)....

[minireza]

Originally Posted by Baker

I think everyone has missed the main part why WP7 phones can't be upgraded to WP8.. they're moving away from the CE architecture and going to the NT one .

I can't wait.. I think it will be awesome, and just think, code compatibility across phone, tablet, desktop, and console (Xbox 720)....

I havn't missed that part at all, it's what i'm most excited about! I am on a Windows 7 desktop, have a PS3, and use an iPhone 4

By the end of this year, i'll be on a Windows Phone 8, Windows Surface Pro (this may come start of next year) and then get Xbox 720 or whatever they call it when it comes out. I am very excited about that as my ecosystem!

[Danske]

Originally Posted by Baker

I think everyone has missed the main part why WP7 phones can't be upgraded to WP8.. they're moving away from the CE architecture and going to the NT one .

Wow I didn't know this. Interesting!

[SuzyCreamcheese]

Originally Posted by minireza

No question, the resolution limit put on 7.5 was a massive blunder. However, I am very excited that Microsoft were ruthless enough to cut of 7.5 and effectively make 8 fresh.

Oh, i think it's a great idea that they have cut loose, it's just that, knowing it was inevitable (for the sake of Microsoft cross platform support), and knowing that even if it did have WP8 support, the phone would be so outdated hardware wise (i know, its an inferiority complex) to the latest and greatest WP8 phones. I could never justify windows phone 7.5.

Why couldn't something with the hardware base of the lumia 900 run WP8 though. It's not like the phone series is changing to a new architecture.

It will be nice having such consistency across platforms. Theoretically web based apps were supposed to do all of this...

[minireza]

With windows phone, current or the impending release, are you able to use other music management software on your computer to sync instead of Zune? or is Zune the best option regardless?

[Baker]

Originally Posted by minireza

With windows phone, current or the impending release, are you able to use other music management software on your computer to sync instead of Zune? or is Zune the best option regardless?

It's tied into Zune, and it's the best option regardless

[Asteroid]

Yes sadly with the relatively small user base there has been no third party sync programs made as yet and as a result Windows phones cannot connect to a Linux pc at all. Zune works pretty well and there is an official OS X sync program too.

[Swinky]

FWIW I'll be upgrading my current WP7 (Samsung Omnia 7) to WP8, I think it looks fantastic and WP7, even with all of it's failings certainly has not made me want to move on to either android or apple. I've recently bought a Asus Transformer Prime and the OS has really, really made me appreciate the WP.

Ideally Nokia will release something that looks as lovely as the 900 on release for WP8 and I'll then jump on that bandwagon.

For what's it worth I'm not at all upset that my current phone won't be upgraded to WP8, I can understand why some people who only just bought a WP7 might be upset but it was never guaranteed and therefore a gamble if that's what they were hoping for. 7.8 should be enough in the meantime.

[dcyloo]

WP8 for me when it comes definitely.

The whole interface and usability of the system by far and away exceeds what you get in general use from any of the other two mobile OSs. Sticking the WP8 core into an NT base and having a homogeneous core with Win8 is going to make applications so much more readily accessible for WP8 porting.

New bit of information has leaked out on the rumour mill.
Nokia Lumia 910 is going to be the WP8 release.
http://www.bgr.com/2012/07/06/nokia-...phone-8-rumor/

Leaked Lumia 910 specs here.
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Nokia-Lumia-910_id6874
However, I hazard a guess that the specs of this phone are likely to be different at release given that it's specs are so close to the 900's already. It'd be weird that Nokia would release a phone which has specs that don't fall into the upper end of the WP8 hardware support bracket.

[SaTaN]

Originally Posted by Baker

I think everyone has missed the main part why WP7 phones can't be upgraded to WP8.. they're moving away from the CE architecture and going to the NT one .

that's not an engineering reason they cant upgrade the phones though, that's a marketing one.

[dcyloo]

Originally Posted by SaTaN

that's not an engineering reason they cant upgrade the phones though, that's a marketing one.

It's an engineering reason as well.

Apollo will support multiple screen resolutions, multi-cored processors as well as additional hardware which does not appear in WP7 phones like near field communication chips.

There are enough differences in hardware that WP8 supports that it doesn't fit with WP7 phones currently out in the marketplace. It means the justification to try and have WP8 be shoehorned into older generation hardware where so much hardware support is effectively wasted is very low, thus WP7 phones get the upgrade to 7.8 which gives effectively the same UI as WP8.

[clonex]

Is there similar custom firmware community for these like android phone? No possibility of someone modding WP8 to work on current WP7 phones?

[cvidler]

Originally Posted by clonex

Is there similar custom firmware community for these like android phone? No possibility of someone modding WP8 to work on current WP7 phones?

There certainly was back in the WM6 days (last time I was involved).

As for back porting, dunno I can't help there.