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SylvieBarak
Do we really need MS to counter iCloud? I mean, Google is already jumping into ...
chanj
MS has been trying to get into phone business for a while. The first smart phone ...
No dual-core Windows Phone until late 2012
Sylvie Barak
10/21/2011 6:58 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO—Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone devices will likely not run dual-core processors or boast 720p Retina display-like screens until late 2012, according to a leaked roadmap.
The roadmap, published by the oft accurate MS_Nerd, author of a Microsoft whistleblowing blog, says the firm won’t be releasing “Apollo” – the codename for Windows Phone 8 (WP8)– or its associated advanced hardware until late 2012.
WP8 will be launched on devices sporting a chassis 3, which makes room for dual-core processors and improved HD screens, though by the end of 2012, those hardware features will be a full year behind devices emerging into the market over the next few months.
The current version of Windows Phone 7.5, or Mango, uses a chassis 1.5 (with a recently added front-facing camera), while the Tango update due out in early 2012 –possibly in time for CES—will sport a chassis 2 spec with added 4G LTE support.
Chassis 2 is also rumored to support 480x320 resolution, which would allow for the WP platform’s first non-portrait ratio device in a style similar to BlackBerry phones.
Apollo will purportedly sport 1280x720 resolution, which Samsung already has on its Galaxy S II HD.
MS_Nerd also claims support for Nvidia Tegra and TI OMAP chips won’t be available on the platform until the release of Windows Phone 9 in 2013.
Windows Phone SKUs are restricted heavily by Microsoft’s chassis guidelines, implemented by the firm in order to avoid the type of fragmentation seen between Android devices. While a more uniform chassis ensures Microsoft can push out operating system updates quicker to devices, it also has the unfortunate downside of lagging behind its competition in terms of hardware specs.
The roadmap, published by the oft accurate MS_Nerd, author of a Microsoft whistleblowing blog, says the firm won’t be releasing “Apollo” – the codename for Windows Phone 8 (WP8)– or its associated advanced hardware until late 2012.
WP8 will be launched on devices sporting a chassis 3, which makes room for dual-core processors and improved HD screens, though by the end of 2012, those hardware features will be a full year behind devices emerging into the market over the next few months.
The current version of Windows Phone 7.5, or Mango, uses a chassis 1.5 (with a recently added front-facing camera), while the Tango update due out in early 2012 –possibly in time for CES—will sport a chassis 2 spec with added 4G LTE support.
Chassis 2 is also rumored to support 480x320 resolution, which would allow for the WP platform’s first non-portrait ratio device in a style similar to BlackBerry phones.
Apollo will purportedly sport 1280x720 resolution, which Samsung already has on its Galaxy S II HD.
MS_Nerd also claims support for Nvidia Tegra and TI OMAP chips won’t be available on the platform until the release of Windows Phone 9 in 2013.
Windows Phone SKUs are restricted heavily by Microsoft’s chassis guidelines, implemented by the firm in order to avoid the type of fragmentation seen between Android devices. While a more uniform chassis ensures Microsoft can push out operating system updates quicker to devices, it also has the unfortunate downside of lagging behind its competition in terms of hardware specs.
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daleste
10/22/2011 12:03 AM EDT
Its interesting to see the computer and software companies move into the phone business. Apple was very successful at it. We will see if MS can do as well.
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SylvieBarak
10/22/2011 1:53 AM EDT
Well, they don't really have a choice. The world is going more and more towards a mobile computing model, with most of the third world skipping computers altogether to go straight to mobile.
I think Microsoft has a good chance, but it may take the company a few more fumbles before it finds its mobile groove.
I actually think that the first device maker that can come up with a smartphone with DAYS of battery life will be the ultimate winner. Shiny screens, powerful chips... it's all well and good until your battery dies!
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elctrnx_lyf
10/22/2011 3:51 PM EDT
Yeh, I agree with that and its a great point. This would be one reason why the windows running arm could be a real block buster.
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kinnar
10/23/2011 11:09 AM EDT
Besides the phone, pc and tab the worlds needs a strong platform with all devices standardization such that a designer can choose the os and devices easily and deploy a user friendly electronics device in a very small time span.
The standardized usb devices are very good example of this if it is getting very good back support like embedded linux it will help a lot to the future digital era.
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selinz
10/23/2011 11:45 AM EDT
It's interesting to see that Intel and Microsoft are still doing "very, very well thank you" even with so much mobile news. Content creation is still really done exclusively on PC's.
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SylvieBarak
10/23/2011 3:12 PM EDT
Selinz, you're right, and I think reports of the PC's demise have been wildly exaggerated, BUT, the fact that both Intel and Microsoft keep trying to break into mobile, and are investing so much time, resources and effort into it shows that they are a little worried that in maybe 10 years down the road, PCs may not be primary devices anymore (especially in the emerging markets), so they have to hedge their bets. What is clear is that PC sales are slowing down in the developed world, and once tablets find their proper groove, who knows? I'm not worried about Microsoft or Intel's financial health for the near future, but they do need to explore the mobile option, and that's what they're doing.
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Dave.Dykstra
10/23/2011 10:50 PM EDT
Both MS and Intel have been exploring mobile for some time now. This would just appear to indicate that MS recognizes they need to get it right this time to have a chance at catching up with the competition ( or maybe even getting ahead, even briefly).
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SylvieBarak
10/24/2011 12:07 AM EDT
Well, it will be tough for them to "get ahead" when their hardware specs seem to be a full year behind their competition in the phone market, but let's see. The Nokia/Microsoft team up may yet surprise us all.
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GREAT-Terry
10/24/2011 12:35 AM EDT
It seems that MS is still lagging much behind which is of course not good to its development. If the new OS and related hardware platform come a year later, it is really difficult to predict what will happen by then. Will MS come up with something more advance? Will the battery run time be suitably long enough? I think the performance (whether it is dual core or not) is not the main attraction (as least from what is reported so far) so we just can hope MS come up with something ground-breaking or it will lose the battle again.
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HVREDDY
10/25/2011 1:27 PM EDT
It has to be something revolutionary and not evolutionary. Microsoft and Intel both have the resources to do this... but being late in the game is always difficult unless you make the revolutionary jump. We saw what Zune did vs Ipod....Today Android apps download is more than IOS apps download. Unless Microsoft also builds a library of apps to counteract Google and Apple, it will be a big uphill struggle....
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selinz
10/25/2011 1:52 PM EDT
What Microsoft needs to do is to allow pc apps to run on their phone. Motorola's more advanced phones run allow you to run Firefox in full resolution when you hook them up to an HD TV. You can even hook up a $10 USB keyboard and mouse. The integration of desk/lap top and smartphones is progressing quite rapidly.
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chanj
10/25/2011 2:46 PM EDT
MS has been trying to get into phone business for a while. The first smart phone was actually launched by HTC using Microsoft Windows CE. It is also why HTC is in cell phone business. Nonetheless, the supporting technologies and consumers were not ready at the time. There were a few early bird; yet, MS smartphone has never become a major domination in the mobile phone market. Nokia was at the time with multiple simple but elegant looking phones.
MS is indeed playing catchup now. To do it right the first time would be difficult. I believe MS will take a few iteration to gain the market back. Selinz idea of allowing PC apps on phone is a good one. The answer to MS might very be a better integration of PC and mobile devices. Apple is trying to use iCloud to ensure data sync. What's MS offering to counter iCloud?
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SylvieBarak
10/25/2011 4:48 PM EDT
Do we really need MS to counter iCloud? I mean, Google is already jumping into the space, and there's Amazon's cloud... I really doubt MS has much value to add there
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