Is Telecom New Zealand going to release Windows Mobile 6.1 for its devices?
Microsoft has announced Windows Mobile 6.1 and I was curious to find out if Telecom New Zealand has any plans to release this updated mobile OS for its devices - the HTC Titan, the Okta Touch and the upcoming Samsung Ace.All these devices have equivalents on Sprint (Mogul by HTC, Touch by HTC and Samsung Ace respectively) and will be getting upgrades according to the U.S. release.
So I contacted the helpful folks there and here is the official information I received from Telecom New Zealand:
The Windows 6.1 Phone client has been released into the market, and customers will have access to this - and be able to download the client.
In terms of TNZ devices, we have every intention to provide this updated platform to our customers.
We are awaiting the matching back-end functionality/server platform to be released from Microsoft. This will enable us to test and approve a full end-to-end solution, that has been thoroughly tested on our devices. Timeframe for this part of the solution, is around mid year, with an additional testing leadtime.
Up until that time, customers who do choose to download the upgrade - without it being officially supported or tested by TNZ, may face operating issues, bugs or in some extreme cases - a loss of functionality on their device. This situation is not new, as many applications, software updates, and patches are released by Microsoft & OEM's currently - and should be downloaded or applied by customers at their own risk.
Very nice, providing a tested solution to the market. But it sounds like Telecom's system integrator Gen-i is running the show. I am sure IT Pros will be happy.
But what about the consumer market, those users who just want the latest OS to take advantage of all the new features and enhancements that do not require Microsoft Exchange Server or System Center Device Manager?
I have already heard of people running "cooked" Windows Mobile 6.1 ROMs in some TNZ Titan devices around the country. So this is a great opportunity to bring the official one earlier for consumer users.
Other related posts:
Windows Mobile 6.5.3 in the wild: advances in User Interface
AT&T LG eXpo Windows Mobile Phone with pico projector
AT&T LG eXpo Windows Mobile Phone first impressions
Comment by nathan, on 3-APR-2008 08:48
Lugh, thats a pretty good guess. Even the 750V (obviously a newer device than 700) only has an upgrade from WM5.0 to WM6.0 not to 6.1
Comment by westie, on 3-APR-2008 10:31
forget 6.1 I am still wondering if they will bring out the firmware upgrade for the titan so we can use the internal GPS in it, as Sprint has already released this for their Titan (Mogul) seems typical strange that TNZ hasnt followed suit.
Comment by rosswakelin, on 3-APR-2008 14:56
I've just loaded WM6.1 onto my Apache, seems to work fine. have a look on http://www.ppcgeeks.com for details.
Comment by Jandalz, on 3-APR-2008 23:17
I've got a "Cooked" WM6.1 running on an i-mate Smartflip (HTC StarTrek). This has breathed new life into the old phone. I might just hang on to it for a little longer now 
Comment by Geoff Densem, on 10-SEP-2008 10:17
Currently running SBS 2003 with exchange and intergrated WM5.1 on titans.
Anyone done an upgrade to WM6.1 on the titan and if so with what result.
Comment by dman, on 12-NOV-2008 15:51
any updates? as it well past mid year and I haven't been able to find anything on telecom's site about how to upgrade my Okta Touch to WM6.1
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Comment by lugh, on 2-APR-2008 17:44
Hmm, I'm guessing that the Treo 700wx will be out of scope for this upgrade with TNZ still selling this mobile running WM5