Windows Phone Classic to coexist with Windows Phone 7
'Cos 'Coke Classic' and 'New Coke' went so well...
Windows Mobile 6.x is to be known as "Windows Phone Classic" once its replacement launches, and apparently isn't to be taken out and shot as might have been expected.
When Steve Ballmer announced Windows Phone 7 Series, he did emphasise that Redmond wouldn't be pulling the plug on Windows Mobile just yet. Instead, Microsoft has told iStartedSomething that the not-quite-redundant-yet platform will continue to exist under the "Classic" moniker.
But Windows Mobile, even version 6.5, is aimed at mobile phones, and it's hard to imagine many manufacturers will be interested in launching "Classic" handsets once the new all-singing-all-dancing 7 Series is on the shelves. A few diehards might prefer the mobile-computing capabilities of Windows Mobile, but they will be a vanishingly-small minority.
So this assertion that the Classic version will continue is more likely a sop to those manufacturers who've spent the last few months developing such handsets, or have plans to launch them soon. Microsoft wants them to have hope that the platform isn't going to disappear overnight.
It's hard to imagine Microsoft running two application stores, maintaining two developer communities and tolerating the inevitable confusion that keeping Classic going would entail. So for the moment it's "Windows Phone Classic", but don't expect the moniker, or the platform, to last for long. ®
COMMENTS
Do Keep up
"isn't to be taken out and shot as might have been expected"
Who expected that ? Not me, because I've been paying attention. It was very clear from the licensing deal that MS did with BSquare back in November 2009 that there would continue to be WinMo 6.x licences and WinCE licences available.
God knows I don't blame you for not reading the comments on your own stories given the current quality of commentard and the fact that we're always so mean to you, but come on guy, GIYF.
"But Windows Mobile, even version 6.5, is aimed at mobile phones"
Not necessarily, no, it is designed for mobile devices with cellular radios, which is not the same thing. It was shoe horned into being a phone OS, a task at which it is notoriously unsuited due to it's PDA focussed heritage.
"A few diehards might prefer the mobile-computing capabilities of Windows Mobile, but they will be a vanishingly-small minority."
Erm, the vast majority of installed winmo images aren't in phones, but in various other handheld devices, bar code readers, stock systems, logistics kit, vehicle tracking, etc, etc. Always have been, always will be. Compared to those, it is the consumer WinMo phone market that is actually "vanishingly small".
Epic Fail, I'm afraid.
It's a good job someone's paying attention
Well done for spotting the most ridiculous piece of non-story in the history of forever!
WinMo 6 is going to be around for some time to come in all those supermarket and warehouse barcode scanners and mobile terminals.
I can't see someone in a Barcoded warehouse having to confirm all their latest friend requests on their terminal before getting on with their picking schedule
Nokia
Has lots of 'Classic' phones. My mum is on her second.
Taken out and shot
Taken out and shot is far too quick and merciful an end. No, it should be tortured and made to stick around next to its (presumably) non-abominable successor. Finally, when it begs for mercy, then it should be taken out and shot. Along with IE6.
Classic - XP?
"So for the moment it's "Windows Phone Classic", but don't expect the moniker, or the platform, to last for long"
Like XP vanished immediately when Vista was launched? Or more like how XP vanished immediately when Win7 was launched?
