Windows Mobile users complain about upgrade policy

From InfoWorld: While the answers a Windows Mobile executive provided to questions posted to a Facebook discussion provided very little information, the questions posed by 55 fans hint at what users want in the mobile platform.

Aaron Woodman, director for consumer experiences for Windows Mobile, invited anyone to submit questions about Windows Mobile on a Facebook page. When he began posting answers more than two weeks later, his most common response was along the lines of "nothing to announce."

More interesting, though, are the questions people posted. One common theme is that they want to be able to upgrade their current devices to Windows Mobile 6.5, the updated version of the operating system expected to hit the market later this year. Some, but not all, current generation phones will be upgradeable, and that process typically will be handled by mobile operators.

The reason Microsoft offers for not delivering such free upgrades to all users is related to its more complicated relationship with hardware makers and operators. In the U.S., Apple works with one operator and makes the software and the hardware. By comparison, Microsoft only makes the software, works with all the operators and partners with several hardware vendors.

"The upgrades will be determined by whether the hardware is capable, and then it is a OEM and mobile operator decision on whether or not to offer this and how," Woodman wrote in response to one of the many queries about the upgrade policy.

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