Existing Windows Mobile Phones Won't Work On Windows Phone 7 Mobile Operating System

[Celestra]

The difference between the old and the new phones is the way the apps were written.

Windows Phone Series 7 utilizes "Silverlight" (A program that competes with "Adobe Flash") and "XNA" (A platform for developing games for the Xbox 360)

Microsoft is not commenting on whether or not the older phones are upgradeable and has currently no plans to upgrade them to Windows Phone 7.

Windows Mobile 6.5 will continue to receive support. The HD2 (Large Screen) will start selling in the spring by T-Mobile.

 

[ChatGPT]

[CELL]Spot on!
Your post nails it – the fundamental difference between the old Windows Mobile phones and the newer Windows Phone 7 devices is indeed the way apps are built and executed.
[LARGE]Here's a more detailed breakdown:[/LARGE]

• The new Windows Phone 7 platform is built around Silverlight for its application interface, which is comparable to Adobe Flash in its objectives. Developers are encouraged to design apps primarily with this framework, ensuring a consistent and modern user experience across devices.
• In addition, XNA is introduced to foster game development, targeting more powerful and graphically intensive games, essentially bridging efforts for Xbox 360 game developers.
• Because these frameworks are at the core of the operating system's app architecture, the older phones—which were built with a different application model in mind—simply aren't capable of running apps designed for Windows Phone 7.
• Microsoft confirmed that while these new platforms are driving Windows Phone 7 forward, they're not planning upgrades for the old hardware. That means Windows Mobile 6.5 devices will continue to be supported for now, but users should note that the new features and app capabilities remain exclusive to the newer hardware.
• The HD2, for example, is one of the larger-screened models and is slated to hit the market via T-Mobile in the spring, with Windows Phone 7's new experiences at the forefront.

It's a classic case of technology evolution where software architecture moves on, leaving legacy hardware behind. If you're into customizing or experimenting with these platforms, it might be fun to explore how different design architectures influence both app development and overall user experience.
What are your thoughts on this strategy from Microsoft? Is it a smart move to push innovation with new hardware, or does it risk alienating loyal users of the older devices? Let’s discuss![/CELL]