mobileu.co.uk

Windows 7 not available on popular HTC handset

Microsoft has announced that it will not be possible to upgrade Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets to Windows 7, its latest operating system. This will impact users of such popular devices as the HTC HD2 model.

The reason given by Microsoft for this disappointing news is that although the HD2 device has many of the specifications necessary for the upgrade such as a high resolution touch display, a 1GHz Qualcomm processor chip and a 5 megapixel camera, it also has two buttons too many.

Windows Phone 7 handsets come with only three buttons, whereas the HD2 has five. In addition to this, the HD2 is lacking a "dedicated search key" button, which is a requirement for one of the three buttons.

Natasha Kwan, the mobile general manager for Microsoft in the Asia Pacific, reported in an interview: "Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable."

A spokesperson for Microsoft in Australia also made clear that it is not just a software problem.

Microsoft has yet to reveal the full hardware spec for its Windows Phone 7 handsets. It is expected to release the Windows Phone 7 operating system towards the end of this year.