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It’s been an exciting month since we officially launched Windows Phone 8. Devices are in stores, reviews are out, and ads are appearing on TV. Feedback so far has been great, and we’re really enjoying seeing how much our customers love the new Start screen. It’s especially fun to see people posting screenshots of their Start screens all over Facebook, Twitter, and sites like http://mytil.es and http://whatsonyourstartscreen.com. As you’ll quickly notice, each is as unique as its owner; the new Start screen is one of the easiest ways to make the phone reflect your style, your passions, and your personality.
Reviewers agree:
“It’s not a stretch to say that Windows Phone 8 has the best home screen — the perfect combination of flexibility, design, and simplicity — of any major platform right now.” –The Verge
“Someone who glanced over my shoulder and looked at the user interface of Windows Phone 8 said, ‘That's a really pretty phone.’ He was right.” –Wall Street Journal
“The live tiles and the distinctive user interface remain Microsoft's biggest selling points for Windows Phone.” –Associated Press
But it’s not just Windows Phone 8 users that get to enjoy the new Start screen. As previously announced, with Windows Phone 7.8 we’re also bringing the feature to existing Windows Phone 7.5 devices. During the development process, I used builds of 7.8 on my Lumia 900 and it felt like a completely new phone: resizable Live Tiles totally change the way I do things, providing faster access to more of my favorite people, photos, and apps.
Windows Phone 7.8 also includes some other cool stuff. It doubles the number of theme and accent colors—to 20—so you can make your phone even more personal. There are also new lock screen features: the option to automatically display the Bing Picture of the Day plus the ‘A1B2C3’ PIN/password challenge to prevent accidental device wipes on phones connected to Exchange accounts.
And there are new apps coming for Windows Phone 7.5 and 7.8 customers. The hugely popular Words with Friends and Draw Something are already available, while Angry Birds Space and Angry Birds Star Wars are on the way.
New models running Windows Phone 7.8 are beginning to launch in many countries around the world, strengthening the ecosystem by bringing more Windows Phones to more people. These devices will typically be sold at a range of lower price points, meaning there will now be Windows Phones for everyone’s budget and need. This is incredibly important for broadening the reach of Windows Phone across the globe and ensuring we have the right product for every market.
Speaking of broader reach, Windows Phone 7.8 also expands the number of markets where customers can buy apps and use the Xbox service. Testing of this rollout is ongoing, but we’ve already managed to increase our global service coverage by over 30%, to 95 countries—a number that should continue to rise.
We know you’re eager to get the Windows Phone 7.8 update, and we want you to know that we’re working closely with our hardware and carrier partners to get it tested, approved, and rolled out to as many devices as possible in early 2013. As we work to quickly get this in the hands of our loyal users, we’re also striving to deliver a high-quality release and ensure a smooth transition for our widely expanded services.
Thank you for your support of Windows Phone.
-Terry
Corporate Vice President, Windows Phone
Nice, but I'm Lumia 800 user and I don't feel good with this update, specially for the limitation in multiprocess. The real multiprocess in a mobile device will be like Symbian^3 or others device do. Applications running process in background!
I feel like I wasted my money, sadly not recommend to my friends to buy Windows Phone now, one year with my Lumia and now will be abandoned. It is illusory to think that developers will make apps for WP7 when WP8 is the most updated.
Sad slap for users, I have a very nice terminal but in a couple of months will not have the applications I want because everything will be just for WP8.
Wow I am thrilled and all the 7.8 is coming. but this is not an update to what we already know. You just re-iterated what everyone already knows. We know we are gettign a new startscreen and colors. but what else? Please restrain form updating us on windows phone 7.8 when you can actually tell us all the features and stuff we can look forward with 7.8. For example what happens with xbox music / video ( its a nightmare right now on windwos phone 8 where I cnat sync the same music I have on my zune client on windows phone 8 because of drm issues. I have a windows phone 8 device and a windows phone 7 device), Do we need to use the ridiculous horrible windows phone 8 tool to sycn our device. Are we going to be loosing features, Will upgrading to 7.8 allow for an easier migration to windows phone 8; such as transferring setting and text messages across devices. are we gaining any real features. Please guys give us some news, this that is posted is not news.
disappointed. extremely disappointed. beyond extremely disappointed. the first WP78 announcement was in June of 2012. 5 months later, we still don't have it. why you guys bother making announcements and then making us wait 6+ months to get it ???
does WP7.8 also include the more languages available in WP8 ... if not please bring the languages in WP7.8 as its not a feature dependent on kernel... this can done pealse MS please
@Frank H- Was the June "announcement" an announcement or an info leak? My understanding was that 7.8 would come after WP8. I didn't know when, but after.
Not good.
6 months after being told about it? Sounds like HP/webOS story all over again.
Was excited in June, now just disappointed. My next phone is an iPhone.
I thought you were going to release it today, so bad! Is the HTC Surround (AT&T) getting the upgrade?
Will there be an update to the WP7 part of the SDK to allow apps to take advantage of the new Tile Sizes and Templates?
Some blogs say the LG E900 (Optimus 7) will not be updated to Windows Phone 7.8, it is the truth or was an LG Service Center error? (Microsoft Word all first and second generation will receive the update) If anyone can give me some news I'd love, Thanks! :)
Thank you for updating a ton of windows phone 7.5 users who were waiting to hear something official, specially after a lot of rumors have been spreaded in a lot of websites. But we - as a windows phone 7 users - were the first who trusted the windows phones and supported the sales in the early launch so we deserve to get the new softwares as fast as possible which will not affect the new "windows phone 8" sales at all. I know that sales is the major company concern but put in your minds that early buyers have been patient with the early softwares errors and now it is time to get a new fixed more beautifull software.
@jjbowles
I guess, the root issue is that it is really hard to be a WP7 or WP8 fan when forced to wait for months and months with nothing but "in the coming weeks"
By 2013 i'll probably have a WP8 device, it's just too late Microsoft but i'm happy that u at least said something about it.
Thanks for the information. Good to know 7.8 is coming. Too bad it's not until "early 2013" whatever that means. I would hope 7.8 also includes screenshots and a few bug fixes. The keyboard closing on it's own when texting is a royal pain! Oh well, I'll have a new phone by "early 2013" anyway.
We as the early WP buyers & supporters deserve better than this !!!!! depressing
I was connecting my Windows Phone 7.5 on ZUNE to get the 7.8 update, no updates available.....
I hope on a christmas present for my Windows Phone 7.5 !
Greetings
James
Смысл данного обращения Терри Майерсона сводится к следующему: "Ребята, подождите еще полгодика, мы тут очень заняты...". Уж лучше б ничего не писал, чем кормить клиентов очередными "завтраками"...
This is really annoying. Microsoft does not seem to care about the people that chose WP7. Not only was my phone (Lumia 900) out of date one month after release in Switzerland, now I also have to wait forever just to get an update that doesn't deserve to be called a "major" update.
But what is most depressing, is that Microsoft keeps us in the dark. There is little to no information about WP7.8 available and it has been that way for months now.
Sorry 2013 for WP7.8 are you joking! The people who bought into Windows Phone in the early days are being treated like mugs. With what WP 7.8 has to offer it should be released now. I've supported Windows Phone as an evangelist since day one but the current thinking of Windows Phone team is pathetic, you have no details about supporting Windows Phone 8 in a corporate environment and treat WP 7 users with disrespect. You left the door open to RIM and Blackberry 10 when you could have slammed it shut. Short sighted, too little too late and too secretive.
Haven't you said in June that WP7.8 will be delivered directly to all current WP7 users without the carriers interference?
I find it appalling that we the loyal fanbase the 3% market share u guys had since wp7 launched still haven't been given a firm date on the wp7.8 update. The smartest thing would've been just to give us just the start screen back n June ... Lets not forget we have been your marketing team. I hate iOS but when they announce something the update is usually released quickly... On the other hand I salute Microsoft for Making the 7.8 update but u should've announced it until its ready ... This is where u could learn from Apple ... But more than likely I'll have an lumia920 before the 7.8 is rolled out
While I'm very excited for your progression, I am deeply dissapointed as a customer. By supporting you and your OS I expected that I would be valued and receive support for a minimum of a year. This is just a sad example of poorly thought out scheduling that victimizes your most loyal customers.
With this news I have decided not to go ahead with my plans to fully adopt your ecosystem (WP, Surface, Win8) and instead return to iOS. Thank you for letting me know how you felt about me as a customer.
This absolutely ridiculous...waiting all this time to be told that you have no real idea what we can expect...
Your Microsoft for Christ's sake...you've been able to come out with Windows Phone 8 and yet it's going to be longer to than six months to do 7.8? That is asinine. All I've done is tout how great this Lumia 900 with Windows and now this is how customers like myself are treated? As I sit here typing it is on Windows 8 Pro...I've got an Xbox 360 sitting upstairs and this is what I get in return?
Crap...complete crap Microsoft....
Unacceptable... By 2013 7.8 better come with all kinds of bells and whistles or you will have upset a lot of people who are already feeling neglected by microsoft as beta testers for the platform.
Really hoping this update gets pushed out directly and not via carriers - otherwise all of us Arrive owners on Sprint will never know the glories of 7.8... (without a trip down the alleyways of xda, of course...)
This is pathetic why would you tell us in June that we are getting an up date and say it will come out soon after the release of windows phone 8. I don't think that 3 + months is soon after. all in all i bought this phone right when the you said there will be an update and i have waited six months in anticipation. And signed a two year contract waiting for this now i just wish i got the android phone instead. they can at least get there updates to there customers very disappointed in your OS at this point and will never buy a phone with it again.
Please be more accurate and loyal to your customers. Windows is a big name, act as big as the name.
I usually don't like to complaint but I found the information in this post to be severely lacking, I appreciate the confirmation of some of the leaked features but I believe this post leaves more question than it answers. Features aside, there was no information about updates to de SDK to allow developers to take advantage of the double-wide tile on 7.8, which one would assume has to be part of it, but at this point you can't be sure since it was not discussed at BUILD.
It also mentions access to services but it does not details what part will 7.8 play on that, if any.
Finally, it mentions an early 2013 release, but that is too big of a margin for users of a product who have been waiting for months for any news at all, I feel they should have been more specific.
Again, I would be perfectly fine with this had it been posted a couple months ago, but the clock is ticking and users are not getting any happier. I feel it had to be much more detailed.
I still thank the Windows Phone Team for giving users at least a little more than just the Start screen and I still think 7.8 is somewhat of a good update, I just take issue with the way it was presented.
Much Love!
SERGIO
Well That is comforting! Knowing you guys at Windows , "early" 2013 probably means mid-end of March!
Get a grip guys , all those resources and you guys can't deliver an update to (not a lot of phones) people?
This might be one more reason for my friends to ditch their WP and go back to iOS and Android .
Untill WP8 gets it right I won't recommend it either.
You guys don't even have universal search yet! No more excuses, it's been more than two years!
I have Lumia 900, and while I can live with my device being made obsolete a few months after I bought it, I agree with the others - this post is pretty useless. Here's what we want to know:
1) What specific devices, on what carriers, will receive the update?
2) Will the WP7 SDK be updated to allow access to the new features in 7.8?
3) WHEN will the update be released?
Wow! I simply can't believe all the bitching going on here.. I can't wait to get the 7.8 update, and eventually move on to 8.0,, but IMO 7.5 still has a great user experience!!
Good job Microsoft... On a daily basis I still love using my sorry ass first generation Samsung Focus. This is why I'm waiting patiently.. I just love WP :D
Hi guys at MS,
My problem is that I spent a lot of Money buying a cell phone, in my case L900, and now I got noticed that in other countries the same phone, or a cheaper one, got a higher end OS than mine. You could be sued, I believe, with such practice.
disapointed too.
OMG! Why do we always have to wait so long for something on this platform? I'm now feeling the real cures of an early adopter. Too bad Windows Phone pioneers are being treated this way. Why Microsoft? Why? Early 2013 can be March, April or even June. I feel so wasted after all the support and love I've been offering to this platform and yet still Microsoft never make me feel happy. This platform is full of sorrows and pain and I really regret jumping here. smh :'(
Oh dear. How is loyalty to Windows repaid? I love Windowsphone but won't jump into a WP8 whilst there are still bugs flying around. So, I wait for the 7.8 update and now am told it won't come out until next year. Apple roles out updates like a kid on roller skates and that includes updating Siri to the iPhone 4. WP7 owners have heard the same rhetoric for months and are still left behind like unwanted friends. Microsoft have got it wrong in a big way and not a note of regret for the delay.
Typical big business practices here. Taking care of the new customers while all but ignoring the loyal ones. I've been with Windows Phone from the beginning (pre-NoDo) and vague posts like this have been the norm. I had hoped MS would be different and reward the loyal customers who have been with them for the better part of two years. It seems all of the focus is on WP8 and 7.8 is getting worked on when someone has some free time.
This is ridiculous!! An update announced 6 months ago and only in 2013 will be available?!?! For certain equipments?? We deserve some respect from Microsoft!
early 2013???? I'm completely disappointed! then you will tell something like "please wait some weeks more"! Now I hate Microsoft and I will never buy Windows Phone!!!!
Why not tweet @JoeBelfiore your thoughts about this announcement in the past he has responded to feedback via Twitter. Even if not positive you'll swamp his account with your feelings
Early 2013 ??????
Really Disappointing !!
But Lets hope we get more updates as you guys are gonna take almost 1 year to release 7.8.
Just wondering if Screenshot option is getting added? Because atleast this option is not Hardware dependent.
Very good news. Can't wait to update.
This is just very sad, Windows you can keep Jessica and Gwen, I'm going back to the iPhone.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe you're working hard to get it out. It's finished. You're sitting on it to try and make people upgrade to Windows Phone 8. Bad news though, I've not even had my Lumia a year yet, so there's no way I'm doing that. Sticking with you, but majorly disappointed on the 7.8 delay.
I swear to god if this update is pushed out by AT&T and AT&T only releases it to a "few" devices like they did Tango, I am going to scream bloody murder! I will be done with MS forever! It will be a long time run of Windows Mobile 5, 6, 6.1, 6.5, WP 7, 7.5....
Yes there is always the cab sender method to get this update and custom roms like I have on my Titan...but still, just the fact that AT&T and MS doesn't give a hogwash about other WP7 customers besides the 900 customers is downright sickening.
wow first announcement was on June still no update. I have a Lumia 800 and upgraded 3 months ago to the Lumia 900 thinking that WP7.8 was coming soon. I also think that you guys would not be implementing the Screen Orientation Lock and Screenshot which are already present on some apps on the marketplace. I do not understand why you guys can't do this. I will wait til the update comes and hopefully the two BASIC features are present else I am leaving WP for good. I will stop recommending your OS to my peers, really a big disappointment that you can update smartglass etc but cannot include basic features I have mentioned above. Hope you guys hire software engineers which would think of the basics first.
I'm happy about the update on 7.8. Thank you! I'd also like to hear about the Phone Enthusiasts program that you announced at the Phone Summit:
channel9.msdn.com/.../Keynote
Makes me feel like with my Windows Phone the "beta test is over" was just marketing speak and not a real feeling around Redmond. I didn't expect all that WP8 had, but small updates, and also Xbox Music. The fact that Zune and iTunes can run, albeit slow, on a Windows XP machine but I can't get Xbox Music on Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7, both were the latest OSes until October, makes me feel like a chump for being the only guy with Windows Phone.
I'm a teacher and went to a technology in education conference yesterday and I saw so many iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks and I was the only Windows Phone guy there. I would've liked to not feel like the step-child of Microsoft so soon, when Xbox Music could have run on my PC and my phone no problem.
I think that Microsoft has handled the WP 7.8 upgrade situation VERY poorly. Microsoft should have done a much better job in providing information and support to it's loyal, early Windows Phone customers. I live in Seattle, so I thought it would be good to support the local team when I bought my Lumia 900. But I'm starting to regret this decision and am having serious doubts about moving forward with Microsoft products. It seems like MIcrosoft has just been stringing along the WP7 users. This has just felt like very poor customer service. If Microsoft want's to beat Apple and build a loyal "community" (like Apple's), they need to seriously improve their customer service to everyone in the Microsoft community.
This should be a bad joke?! 7.8 has get RTM status a week ago and you wait with it?! What's wrong there!
I actually have upgraded mine to WP8, lucky I was around my upgrade time from carrier X. Honestly everyone, I have a WP8 now, and there's no much difference on the way it behaves, except for speed based on hardware plus others. If you are concerned about a better camera, speed, audio and wireless charge, then upgrade your phone now, otherwise you simply keep going on WP7.5 until WP7.8 reach us sometime next year. If your OS is working fine, you simply don't want to get it 'messed up' do you... so let them work on it. I would do the same thing if it wasn't for my 'due upgrade'. If you had issues for 2 years, other that the one on the keyboard (granted!), or you simply don't like it then move over to a new device and leave us alone in our bubble. Really!? ;-)
Very disappointed...
Microsoft you are joking with your customers. And I'm so sad that you are not hearing us.
Only this features for your customers that still supporting you?
No screenshot (too difficult??!?), no Bluetooth file trasfer, no Club support, no Fast Resume? Nothing?
Apple are making much much better than you.
You left us in the dark for month.
We don't know the release date, what devices will be updated, what features will be included. Is there a mobile Platform that is making this? Nobody, only you.
Android that you despise so much is doing better. It will be my next choice.
So basically the hope would seem that most of us early adopters of WP7 (and lets not forget lumia 900 owners) have already jumped ship to 8 already. Since a update of an update announced in JUNE is all were getting this year. Why even announce an update if it wasn't even close to being ready for deployment in the same year. I think we as a user base could have settled on a "new start screen and more coming soon." more details later this year. Instead of this we working on something to bridge the gap between 7.x and 8 since we can't give you the later and will launch shortly after 8's release.That and what happened to the carriers being a non-issue for this update. Really all the info we wanted since June is a launch window or exact date of deployment what features and additions could we expect. Simple really and it feels like right now isn't the time to except everyone to wait around for you to be done with a mostly cosmetic update or upgrade to your next platform. In fact this may have a bigger backlash down the road and the waiting game may give your rivals some new and old customers who lost faith because of things like this.
Too little too late for me. I have been a windows phone user since day one. I told myself which ever came first for me: iPhone upgrade thru AT&T or Windows 7.8. My upgrade has arrived and still no 7.8 till "early 2013". Good-Bye Windows phone, hello iPhone.
I am going to update my htc hd7 with a hammer and get an iPhone 5.
Não era para hoje a atualização ? ? O que foi que ouve ??
Guys, it isn't April 1st yet. This is terrible. We should have this update by the end of December at the ABSOLUTE latest, not "early" 2013 (likely meaning late March). The 1st gen devices (HTC HD7, Surround, Arrive; Samsung Focus; etc.) better be receiving this update as well, and without any delay from carriers. I haven't received an update since Mango (Sept. 2011). Come on guys, get your act together.
Le voy a dar con un martillo a mi htc hd7 y me voy conseguir un iPhone 5.
non serve scrivere tanto
NOI NON SIAMO CONTENTI
Thank you Terry Myerson and the team ,, you are the best not leaving us behind
i did buy a HTC TROPHY in 2010 , sold now , i did buy a nokia lumia 800 in febuar 2012
hope that you bring c++ to the dev kit or upgrade the XNA with the HighDef profile wicth shood run perfect
on these devices ,,
then i have this for you all
www.youtube.com/watch
i have work on this for the past 6 years ,, coding upgrade, and more coding and so on
i really you are ready to resive for the developers ,,
so i get at the end of Q1 2013 i can release the source code to the public ,, and help on with create great games
as well ,, just a small demo ,, an OLD ONE ,,
no we can begin betting on YOU Microsoft that you are all in
Best regards
Michael Hansen
Exactly what I think most people would expect from Microsoft despite their promises. Early adopters shafted by being unable to get WP8, now being made to wait behind competitors and newer adopters for features and upgrades...how so?
- Google Android and Apple iOS users will get new Microsoft apps including XBOX Music, but for WP7.x users
- WP7.x early adopters now have to wait for an upgrade whilst new kit is surfacing with WP7.8 on board
- WP8 users will get patches and an Apollo+ release before WP7.8 users
You certainly know how to treat your customers - if you want them to leave the ecosystem that is! If yoo had any sense you would have concentrated your efforts on your own existing customers first, and then the competition, the cries for attention were long and loud and you FAILED to recognise or react to them.
I think the promises are as empty as they are protracted, and whilst I have the cash to buy into WP8 I was waiting to see if my suspicions were founded - all talk (since June) and no delivery. Therefore I have no faith that Microsoft have my best interests as a current or future customer at heart.
Bye Microsoft
Nexus4 here I come.
ciscomoto
I love Windows Phone 7 and was an early adopter (before nodo). Once Nokia was on board I managed to convince 12 of my friend and family to buy a Windows Phone 7, most of whom have only gotten one in the last six month... but there two things, two oversights people keep asking me about and they are little things have been fixed in Windows Phone 8.
The first is Font size.
It seems everyone over 40 with a windows phone can’t read their text messages or some live tiles very well... But they especially can’t read details in their contact list, such as email or phone number. This is because the text gets subsequently smaller as a stylistic choice.
This seems to be an issue that is affecting the silent majority who wouldn’t comment about the issue on socially media and forums.
The second is Multi File Select.
I am asked all the about a quicker way to email a bunch of pictures or deleted a bunch of pictures. I know this is something that has been fixed in WP8 and again it is a seemly small issue that seems to bother just about everyone.
I myself would like to see a few other small menu options from WP8 , such as screen shot and photo editing (rotate, crop) and the lock screen charms and Xbox music... but I think the last two issues are quite cripping for the platform is not resolve. As they are the two things that effect your everyday customer.
So I hope these two little things make it into 7.8. and just are not being spoken of because they're not headline grabbing features.
Early 2013? (probably March.) Are you kidding me ? This is really ridiculous ! I'm really disappointed on how they threat the early adopters of WP devices. They just delay the 7.8 update in order to persuade people to get a WP8 device in order to make some more money ! Thats not how you threat your loyal customers MS !!!
Bye bye WP !
Hello iOS/Android
Here's an idea, Why not just forget the WP7.8 update and allow current WP7 customers to just buy a WP8 at the contract renewal price right now?
I feel like I wasted my money on my Lumia 900. A new start screen that in my opinion does not look better than the old one is not a good deal to me. I'm done with the Windows ecosystem. I'm going to migrate to something else. It was fun while it lasted.
Oh Microsoft, i cant wait to get a few colors and a new tiles!
THIS GOTTA TO BE THE GREATEST UPDATE EVER MADE!
It's so useful and important to get that colors and different type of tyles! OMG! SO GREAT! OMG! OMG! OMG!
NEW COLORS OH MAAAAH GAAAADH!
A year ago I trust Microsoft and its OS - nice, fast and stable.
A year later, what we have:
- Skype in WP 7.5 its a joke - not even Works in background, and its so buggy that I prefer my tablete to use it - running android :)
- No decent apps: no instagram, no off-line maps, whatsapp is crap
- No updates !!!
Any more reason to not recomend and leave the plattform ? For me, thats enougth
What really surprises me is how many of you actually expected to get the update before 2013.. Lol. Give me a break! MS was strait forward with us.
1. First they announced WP8... That was good
2. Then they said 7.5 devices will not be upgradeable... Not good but understandable.. Minus buyers of the 900 :'(
3. Next they announced 7.8... That was good, and no other platform has backtracked to update old devices!
4. They said 7.8 would be available AFTER 8.0... Nobody had a problem with that!
5. They announced WP8 would be available in November.. That was good.
6. What fool could possibly think that MS would release 7.8 so soon after 8.0. MS and the carriers have to give themselves some breathing room between releasing updates.. I mean what if WP8 had serious issues, then 7.8 had problems with the update process?? All of this waiting is so that the update process goes as smooth as possible.
Let me remind you guys that Microsoft has done what neither Apple, or Google has ever done before. They have updated multiple devices, on multiple carriers, in multiple countries, at the same time, in a relatively timely manner. That's good work, and that's what they said they would do from day one!
Leave Windows Phone??
1. Go to Android?? Lol! Good luck getting updates.. Especially on older devices, and Android devices get old quick! Lol! Wait.. Lol.. See if the grass is greener on that side..
2. Go get a iPhone 5?? OMG! Sure you will get your one update every year like clockwork, but selection of devices? Lol! No innovation lol!..seriously, I'm really cracking up over here! A grid of app icons? Seriously? REALLY?
It seems to me the smart OS to ditch 7.5 for would be 8.0.. With 8.0 we are promised a reasonable lifecycle of updates. Don't be a fool and ditch WP because of principle,, you are not doing yourself a favor!
Lol!!!!! Get a iPhone 5... That's a good one. Lol.. I love you guys, ya'll are something else. You know they say laughter can bring about good health. Thanks guys..
I think that Microsoft is losing hundreds of thousands of users around the World, just because windows phones (8.0 or 7.5) doesn´t have features found in any respectable platforms (IOS, Android) for Enterprise Environment like: SIP (Ex: extension mobility), VPNs, conferences, Sharing over BlueTooth, etc. Microsoft !!!!, What Happens ??
It´s a shame that after six month of its first announcement we receive today and official announcement telling us, that we need to wait another two months at least for 7.8, and the worse to confirm minimum changes in the 7.8 platform, like new theme colors !!!!!!!!!!!.
If Microsoft doesn´t take some quick actions, I think their gone to lose the short time window frame they have opened whit these real mobile O.S. (not considered Windows Mobile CE), in the mobile market.
It’s imperative to mention that particularly I´m a Microsoft developer since more than 20 years ago, I love what Microsoft is doing with its desktop and tablet operating systems, but don´t forget the mobile one, one of the biggest potentials that Microsoft has over any other competitor is its Ecosystem.
@Rodney...I agree with ya. I've been known to bitch a little but in the grand scheme of things, MS is doing something that Apple nor Google has ever done, inform people and try to accomodate the masses. They can't make us all happy and I understand that. Heck, even if 7.8 is released tomorrow, doubt I would see in for months because I have a rev1.4 Focus that is always the LAST to receive updates. I'm up for an upgrade at the first of the year. The more research I do, the more I'm leaning towards staying with WP. It gives me what I need and that's all that matters to me. Let's all lay off of MS a little. At least they're sharing information unlike Google and Apple.
Very disapponted, how long is it taking to get an update that is just a new home screen? Obviously WP7 users are not a priority here. So not only we get a minor update, but also a late one. :-(
@Rodney, Hawk...others...
If you are happy then fine I could not in turn be happier for y'all
Good luck with the M$ program, including the mooted Windows BLUE replacement you'll be getting on all platforms including WP8.
Me, I'll perhaps look again in two years time when I get tired of the Nexus4 - though somehow I think the chances of M$ listening and reacting to their existing customers are less than Apple releasing a Windows Phone.
;-)
very disappointed.
Just cant understand it...so much for this year.
thanks for nothing, wish the nexus wasnt in such sort supply...
Dissapointed and mad, switching to iPhone this Christmas. I am a Lumia 800 users and I feel that you treat your customers like the last scum-bags on the earth, I am (was infact) a developer of a great application for WP (Envato Stats), the truth is that 99.99% of the applications are pathetic, worthless, needless to say the rest of 0,1% of the apps lacks of features. The OS has no real background process capabilityt, poor multi-tasking (especially closing the apps), shitty wi-fi mode while the phone is locked.
Enjoy your Q2013 update, I won't be there for it.
Por favor, incluyan la opción de transferir archivos vía Bluetooh y personalizar sonidos, please!!!!
1st) I'm glad we are getting 7.8 despite the introduction of the 8.0. Also understand 8 was a priority for pre-christmas sales, and good to delay the update for early WP7 users to move into WP8. Let's face it, most that bought a Lumia900 or Titan2 are not likely to move to WP8 that soon, can easily wait a few months, whereas many of the original WP7 buyers are tempted to. As an early Mango buyer I'm ready to go WP8, but I'll keep my phone for other family members and I sure want the updates for them.
2nd) What I do hope though is for Microsoft to be nice and don't stop at the start screen. Some WP8 features do indeed require new HW, but there are many others that don't. I sure hope stuff like being able to type "real" emoticons (not text-based), the new groups feature, and full-resolution skydrive camera-roll upload are coming (could mention many more).
I bought my phone in December 2010, with the promise of rapid updates. 2 years later, it's still the same old story. I have a Samsung Focus on AT&T and STILL don't even have the first Tango update with the keyboard fix and ability to send video MMS. So after 2 years, this phone STILL can't do what my LG Env2 was able to do 4 years ago in sending video over SMS, or getting updates (I was able to bring my phone in and get updates WHEN they came out for my Env2), and this a SMARTPHONE? I learned my lesson, I will be moving off of AT&T, and waiting to see how the updates go for WP8 devices. If the carriers still block them, I'll be moving to the iPhone where they aren't blocked, or Android where I can root my phone and have updates like a normal technical person would want. It's sad, but as great as the OS is, your execution on updating is a major FAIL and inspires no confidence, just FLUFF.
Uh, this isn't an update. This is an abridged version of what's been known for months. How about a real update?
I'm done with this. I'm waiting for WP 7.8 update update too long. I'll not recomend Windows Phone never more.
Switching to iOS. So long and thanks for all the fish.
I would like to make clear my deep disappointment with Microsoft and the Windows Phone team, because today once again took (or take) them a kick!
The XBOX SmartGlass just been released for the iOS! Yes, a major competitor to Windows Phone, but for their own Windows Phone, here, nothing!
It is frustrating to have a Smartphone (and yet to be an application developer) a platform that does not support the users themselves! I do not want and I will not use U.S. account so you can get apps so they leave. But I remember very well that the XBOX Companion was released long ago, and not even he, we have here!
It is ridiculous to find an iPhone or an Android with an App that should come first in my Windows Phone, because heck, it is a resource, developed by his company, which interacts with products related to it; interact with my XBOX, but the not my Windows Phone!
This deters and discourages the developer (me and many others out there) know that the company that develops the product I study does not support the minimum entertainment device that can offer me! The impression I have is that the WP is only here and only just to develop apps for it and absolutely nothing else! The XBOX Music (service) was already released here, so why can not I do the streaming music like I did when I used an account at American WP? If the feature was enabled Streaming Zune and WP7 support but streaming music from Zune, then where is he?
We want to develop for Windows Phone? Yes! The platform is great and is really very simple and exciting to develop apps for it! But where is my motivation to use the phone to control a movie on XBOX when I'm just trying to relax and watch a movie?
Microsoft Brasil: Fail
Rodney E. Jones
Microsoft has been promissing since 2010 and keeps delivering half baked stuff.well you say you're happy with WP,good for you but as you can see from this blog most people are not.You Wonder why your marketshare is so small?
people don't worry so much about updates on other platforms,because those are mature platforms not the premature crap that WP is.
Keep cheering,while I wait for Microsoft to discontinue WP because of no consummer interest
What a load of garbage. As everyone else has said, keep treating your early adopters and "marketing helpers" and see where your market share numbers go! Makes me want to jump ship, but I can't stand Apple or Android. Funny though, they both have SkyDrive and SmartGlass Apps, so why not. I'm wondering, are you listening, Terry? Or do you just post this junk and then say to hell with 'em, let 'em complain. Any response on the poor update timeframe??!!
Ao pensarem que sem o Upgrade para os wp7.5 iriam vender mais wp8 estão bem enganados. Só com a confiança dos utilizadores e que poderão ser alguma coisa. Deveriam ter feito o inverso primeiro lançavam a actualização para os 7.5 de logo de seguida lançavam os novos aparelhos. Poderiam ter utilizado a actualização wp7.8 para ser uma montra do que poderia ser o wp8, e assim tinham utilizadores satisfeitos não só com a marca Windows porque sabiam que comprando um aparelho com este OS teriam um suporte decente e num futuro muito próximo poseriam vender muito mais. Como a Apple lançam autenticas cópias das cópias e mesmo assim vendem porque dão a impressão que nunca deixam os utilizadores dos Iphones mais antigos sem actualizaçoes mesmo estas não utilizem todos os recursos, o Android não se pode falar e open Source e actualizaçoes e Rom mudificadas e que não faltam. Se for mesmo verdade que vão lançar o wp7.8 terá que vir com muitos recursos exclusivos, sem vão lançar só o Live titles e as cores para o temas esqueçam, serei o primeiro a não aconselhar a compra destes tipos de aparelhos mesmo que mesmos façam tostas mistas. Ou então podem fazer uma coisa engraçada visto que os wp7.5 estão para morrer poderiam nos dar acesso root dos mesmos total liberdade no sistema como o poder de transferir qualquer tipo de ficheiro por Bluetooth, acesso as pastas de sistema, total Control do sistema, o futuro e open Source porque e que acham que o android e tão cotado além de poder contar com os melhores aparelhos do mercado ainda dá o poder aos utilizadores de poderem modificar melhorar ou em muitos dos casos descobrir novos recursos com melhorias no tempo de duração das baterias, meloramentos graficos etc...... E mesmo assim os utilizadores de android não deixam de comprar as ultimas novidades do mercado porque querem sempre mais e melhor, no caso da Appl é apenas status, normalmente um utilizador de iphone só sabem mesmo fazer chamadas e enviar SMS. Eu sei que o OS do WP ainda está no início e por isso so peço que não cometam os erros do passado. Lançem as actualizaçoes antes de lançarem novos OS, porque para o ano deve vir o WP9 e ai os WP8 vão ficar como os WP7.5, porque vão dizer que o WP9 e só para aparelhos com quatro cores.
ADVICE TO ALL
NEVER BUY A MICROSOFT PRODUCT UNTIL ITS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR 2 YEARS ATLEAST
Terry, I hope you take away from the tone of these comments that many of us find the community engagement and communication out of the Windows Phone team to have been staggeringly poor.
We all know that product strategies shift, usually for good reason. But Microsoft seems singularly adept at wasting whatever goodwill it manages to gain with early adopters, enthusiasts and developers through a stone wall of silence. This happened with Zune. It happened with Windows Media Center. It happened with Windows Home Server. It happened (to developers) with Silverlight. It's happened now with Windows Phone 7.
You'd think that those of us who ran out and bought the "flagship" Windows Phone last April (the one that was dead-ended in June) would at least be offered a token of thanks. Zune Pass subscribers got a Microsoft Points credit as thanks when Xbox Music launched, but even a statement from your team such as "Hey, thanks for the awesome support, you really helped us refine our strategy so we can do even better next time..." would go a long way.
The new Start Screen experience is probably great, and I'm sure my mom would love it, but most of us know that what really counts is app compatibility, and the lack of WP8 APIs means death to the WP7 app market.
There may be valid technical reason why there was absolutely NO WAY that WP8 could be made to run on the older Snapdragon chipsets, but if so you have failed to articulate it. Instead, we are left to surmise that you basically couldn't be bothered to do the necessary work, or that the limited customer base didn't warrant that level of engineering commitment.
Given where Microsoft is in the mobile space and how much the future of your company depends on a credible smartphone and tablet effort, I would be working overtime to make sure that EVERY CUSTOMER COUNTS. Every single one.
I have not yet seen anything by video if the IE10 adapted the text to enlarge the screen, anyone know if this will come in with the IE9 7.8 option
So this "Shortly after the release of Windows 8" turns into almost half a year away. Very disappointed since there are already roms to have windows 7.8 on phones when Windows itself can't release it till later.
Windows Phone 7 is little more than the HP Touchpad. At least we got a 7.5. But I think 7.8 will be vaporware, and I'm nearly certain more than a few phones will be left out due to the lack of interest and amount of effort it would take. My phone, for instance, is the HTC Arrive for Sprint. Sprint has sat out the Windows Phone 8 launch, so I'm all but guaranteed to not be getting the update. And even after all of that? I'm stuck waiting a few more months just to find out.
Should I forsake my Windows 8 laptop and Surface RT tablet, my Xbox 360 and my happy little eco-system, just give in, and go buy a Galaxy S3?
in early 2013 The Windowsphone 7.5 will get update for 7.8 ,are you kidding me ?okay ,i will not buy windows phone anymore,and my next phone is an apple !
This is a terrible announcement. With my Lumia 900 and now updating my laptop to Windows 8, I am a certified early adopter. Why? With that said, just bought a Windows 8 phone for my daughter - she loves it.
I bought lumia800 for WP and Nokia ,but next time just for Nokia.Go to hell,WP7.8
I had an early android phone, and they kept updating the OS to the point that the hardware was no longer able to run the OS effectively, essentially killing the phone. So I appreciate the thoughtfulness that seems to be going into supporting the older windows phone hardware. Thanks. And, I'm loving my windows phone, and looking forward to the update.
失望至极！希望微软不要继续愚弄用户。 I'm so disappointed! I sold my iPhone 4 for Lumia 800 and expected it could be upgraded to WP8. You say it won't. OK, I accept the fact. But could you move more quickly? Remember, we always have other choices, Android n iOS. Never consider your users to be fools.
能不能说的清楚点 中国什么时候更新 2013年初是开始发布还是推送，2013年初是指1月？还是2月？ 是一月的话是几号？ 微软怎么总是说的这么模糊 ，怕影响WP8销量吗
Microsoft never make me feel happy. This platform is full of sorrows and pain and I really regret jumping here. smh :'(
Kenzibit
This is not new to Microsoft...it always happens... but still waiting for it..
To me windows phone is just a way to make people use Bing.
Okay, for all the techies out there please do understand for WP8 it is now the same base OS as Windows 8. For WP7/7.5 they are not running on the same underlying OS architecture. So the engineering effort for 7.8, is to back-port selected features from WP8 on to WP7, and that I don't think is a trivial exercise. Would I like to have it sooner since I have a WP7.5 phone? Yes of course. But I am okay to wait another month or two. And having this announcement is better than no announcement at all. Peace.
I can't believe this. Are you guys kidding??. It seems to be lazy dev and QA , above all laziest management. Microsoft if you're listening please get things done asap.
One important note, please share the complete details of wp 7.8 including exact release date. Don't play with this secret game. Its so irritating ...
I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT ANDROID PHONE.
I am really disappointed about my decision of buy WP7 phone. Even being current user of WP, I am not getting advantage of using new OS. First MS abandon their WP7 user by not allow to upgrade to WP8. Than they promise to release 7.8 (like a consolation price. In fact it is a consolation price) but even one word not spoken of 7.8 feature or release date. Now they see WP7 user are really eager for 7.8 they are delay update release. AS if they are give a damn to WP current user!!!! It look like they are ignore current 7.8 user. In Future i am not gona bey WP. MS really really disappointed me.
very disappointing... Without advanced updates like android and ios windows phone is a novice or we can say its an utter waste!!! wat this microsoft doing out there on this update??? taking such a long time for minor updates!!! How can we compete with androids and ioss with this novice windows stuff???? really pathetic....