Windows Phone 7 gets 'goodie' update
Don't get excited. Microsoft isn't
Windows Phone 7 users – both of them? – are about to be treated to their first software update. But even Microsoft admits that it's no big deal.
"Starting today, some of you might see something new on your Windows Phone: A message announcing that a software update is available. Woo hoo!", effuses Michael Stroh on the Windows Phone Blog.
He then calms down a bit. "Now, before you get too excited, let me explain," he writes. "This isn’t the update you've probably been reading about or perhaps waiting for, the one with copy and paste (but that's coming soon)."
This update, in fact, is merely an update that improves the process of updating. As Microsoft's new Windows Phone update history webpage explains: "We made some improvements to the way we deliver software updates to ensure that the process keeps working smoothly for you."
Stroh is a wee bit more enthusiastic: "... while it might not sound exciting," he writes, "it’s still important because it’s paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates."
At last week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed that the much-anticipated cut-and-paste update, NoDo, would arrive in March. The first comprehensive upgrade, Mango, isn't scheduled to arrive until late this year.
This first updating update, announced Monday, will be rolled out in waves. As Stroh explains: "... it won't be sent to everyone at once. So you might see an update message before your spouse, co-worker, or neighbor (or vice versa)."
The update won't be sent over the air – you'll need to hook your phone up to your computer using a USB cable, then run either Zune software for PCs (Windows XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7) or Windows Phone 7 Connector for Macs (Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later).
One final note: Stroh cautions that the update process may inform you to update those apps first. "Just follow the on-screen instructions, restart the software, and then connect your phone," he says in his italics-happy way.
For more help – although we sincerely doubt that any Reg reader would need any assistance for such a simple operation – check out Microsoft's Phone updates webpage. ®
COMMENTS
Ding dong, the show has begun
An update that is a prelude to The update. This is amazing Microsoft, with all the gloom going on you still find it in you to entertain us with your silly little ways.
Thanks very much.
Can't wait for that copy & paste update. Will it be coming in two separate updates too? Maybe paste first for greater hilarity?
Zune?
Really? What's wrong with ActiveSync that's built into Win7? Now I'm going to have to install some silly music hungry app that goes around my machine looking for all media it can, ingesting it into "libraries" and all the other insane things that these programs do. I don't have a Zune. I don't want to Zune.
THIS is the future?!?
This has FAIL written all over it. In fact, it's papered with FAIL wallpaper, then had FAIL graffitied over that, only to be boarded up and have FAIL tape covering all the entrances.
Getting excited about cut and paste.
Amen to that
Number 1 reason I grew to hate my iPhone was iTunes reliance. Similarly, being able to drag and drop on my HTC Desire from any laptop, including my work machine, is a god send. Zune sounds like a bad move.
