The Windows Phone 7 Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi & Brian Klug on October 20, 2010 7:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Windows Phone 7
- Microsoft
- Mobile
Updates
At Microsoft’s reviewer’s workshop for Windows Phone 7 the subject of software updates caused a bit of unrest among the press in attendance. To understand how Microsoft handles update delivery let’s look at how Apple and Google do it first.
When Apple updates iOS it first puts the software update through its own validation tests. These tests include regression testing to make sure that previously fixed bugs are not re-broken by the new update. The tests also include basic functionality as well as usage model tests to try and simulate real world use. AT&T also gets to test these updates, after all it is AT&T’s network. The final update is placed on Apple’s servers and delivered to you by Apple. Updates have to be installed over USB.
Google is very different. Android releases go through the same testing and validation process within Google, however given the wide variety of hardware on the market the testing isn’t done on every device. Google’s partners are provided with final code which they have to bring in and implement their customizations on top of (e.g. HTC Sense) before they’re released to customers. The OEMs and carriers have the final say on what Android versions come to their devices and when. This creates a bit of frustration as not all Android devices will get equal treatment when it comes to updates. It’s the downside to doing extensive UI customization, when Google delivers an update the OEMs have a lot of work to do in order to implement the update. Android updates can be installed by copying the update package directly to the device or downloaded over the cellular/WiFi network.
Microsoft’s update approach closely mimics Apple’s. Microsoft has its own validation that all updates must go through before release. Microsoft has even mirrored AT&T’s testing labs on its campus so that whenever an update rolls out, Microsoft already knows how it will fare on AT&T’s tests. The update code is then handed off to AT&T with a test report showing how the update did in Microsoft’s internal testing. AT&T then takes the update, does its own validation (which should mirror what Microsoft has already done) and finally pushes it out to end users.
Microsoft physically hosts the update, however it is the carrier’s call whether or not to release it to customers. Given the ban on UI customizations and the unified hardware support, there should be no technical reason for a carrier to prevent an update from going out. The fact that Microsoft will deliver, with every update, a list of how the carrier’s own validation tests will run should guarantee that any failure to push out said update would be negligence on the carrier’s part. Microsoft went on to say that while it’s possible for a carrier to prevent a Windows Phone update from going out, it doesn’t believe it’s a likely scenario. While Microsoft didn’t say it explicitly, the implication is that Windows Phone won’t have the update issues that have plagued certain Android customers.
Microsoft did state that it wouldn’t offer a direct download of updates. Similar to updating iOS, you can only update Windows Phones over USB. Updates over WiFi and the cellular network aren’t supported.
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Crono - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
A lot may not have been taken from the Kin One and Kin Two, but the square, multi page Start is the same concept that was implemented in the Kin phones.Looking forward to moving from my Kin One to the Surround. Microsoft is offering 3 months free Zune Pass for those who sign up to be notified about preorders.
heelo - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
You might be the only owner of a Surround.That thing has a "value proposition" that I'm really struggling to relate to.
peter7921 - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
I have to give recognition to Anandtech for another great review. I have been looking for a detailed review on WP7 and you guys delivered. Not only is it extremely informative but it's also very well written. I read through it all, not once feeling bored or skipping ahead.These types of articles are the reason Anandtech is my first source for all things tech!
Keep up the great work guys!
Confusador - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
OK, wow. I mean, even by Anandtech's unusually high standards that was intense. Just one thing I'm not clear on, though... am I reading this correctly?"WP7 calls presents its browser user agent as “Mozilla/4.0 ...""
If that's correct we've come a long way from the days I had to have Firefox masquerade as IE to be effective.
Guspaz - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
IE has *always* done this, including on the desktop. IE6 reports as as Mozilla/4.0 too. IE2 also did it (a different version of Mozilla, though). A quick search didn't turn up IE1 user agent strings, but I assume it also did.Spivonious - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
Remember back when IE was introduced, Netscape was king. Netscape is based on Mozilla. That's the only reason it's in there - so pages made for Netscape would load correctly in IE.arturnowp - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
IT seems strange that WP7 cannot pass test, has very slow JavaScript engine but still pages are fluid and displayed porperly. Maybe Microsoft renders pages remotely and serves them to the phne?UCLAPat - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
Wow! After reading this review, it makes all the other reviews look like previews. Definitely going to be considering WP7 when it's time to upgrade my phone. Still have time to burn on my current 2 year contract. By the time it's up, LTE should be up and running and Verizon will probably have a WP7 device for us to consider as well.Apps will come. But they're not a huge part of my life anyway. I want a rock-solid core experience for a phone. A smartphone has to nail the basic experiences first (calls, messaging, calendar, etc). I never liked the main screen completely filled with app icons. That reminded me too much of my old desktop computer before I cleaned up the desktop.
Belard - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
But very detailed... tells us pretty much everything anyone can ask.Thanks...
While I'm not exactly PRO-MS... its good to see good design.
I still like Google's a bit more and its shortcoming are easy to spot. Hopefully Android 3.0 will improve on its weaknesses.
The icon / naming is well thought out and is used by others... including Apple, but not on a phone.
silverblue - Thursday, October 21, 2010 - link
"...displays up to 8 tiles of people you’ve either recently communicated with or whose profiles you’ve viewed/stalked."LOL.