HTC releases WM 6.1 upgrade for Touch (EV-DO version) on Sprint in US...Telecom, your turn

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › HTC releases WM 6.1 upgrade for Touch (EV-DO version) on Sprint in US...Telecom, your turn

KevDaly

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#24261 19-Jul-2008 10:21

http://gizmodo.com/5026746/htc-releases-windows-mobile-61-update-for-touch-on-sprint

Via Gizmodo.

Isn't that the same version as the one sold as the Okta Touch here (even down to the omission of WiFi)?

If so, can we expect an announcement from Telecom on this subject shortly?

Pretty please? (and if there was one and I missed it, somebody let me know).

[Moderator edit (MF): Moved to Windows Mobile]

zocster

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#149423 19-Jul-2008 11:18

This has been covered here for some time. Don't hold your breath for Telecom.

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freitasm

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#150280 22-Jul-2008 14:13

Here is the official Sprint release information with all the juicy details:

Sprint Brings Enhanced Mobile Experience to Users of Touch and Mogul by HTC
Newly available software update enables Windows Mobile 6.1 and more
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 2008--Today Sprint (NYSE:S) announced key enhancements, including support for EV-DO Rev. A data speeds, as part of a software upgrade available for the Touch(TM) by HTC. The Mogul(TM) by HTC software upgrade will now support Windows Mobile 6.1.

Introduced in October 2007, the Touch combines the familiarity of Windows Mobile with advanced multimedia features for accessing business and personal essentials. The new software, along with downloading instructions, is available at www.america.htc.com/touchupdate. It enables:
EV-DO Rev. A - wherever EV-DO Rev. A coverage is available, average download speeds will increase from 400-700 kbps to 600 kbps-1.4 mbps and average upload speeds will increase from 50-70 kbps to 350-500 kbps. These increased data speeds provide customers the instant gratification of the ability to quickly download large e-mail files on their phone while in a taxicab, finish and send a sales report before their plane takes off, and wirelessly download music to listen to directly from a Sprint handset.
Enhanced GPS Capabilities - provides advanced GPS functionality allowing support of popular applications such as Sprint Navigation. Sprint Navigation provides audio and visual turn-by-turn directions, more than 10 million local listings, and one-click traffic rerouting, similar to an in-vehicle GPS system.
Opera Browser - Opera brings full Internet content and images to mobile phones and offers several new features for functionality, security, usability, customization, searching, saving, taking shortcuts and accessing Web content. Whether users are going to work, working from home, developing Web sites, or just looking for a quick, solid browser that can help users access the Internet, Opera delivers a superior Web experience for every aspect of your online life, with lots of tech tools for power users.
Onscreen 40-key QWERTY Keyboard - A new virtual QWERTY keyboard gives customers another option for easily responding to emails, text messages and inputting other information.

Introduced in June 2007, the Mogul is a premium Windows Mobile device and was the first EVDO Rev. A-capable handset. The new software, along with downloading instructions, is available at www.america.htc.com/mogulupdate. It enables:
Sprint TV - Watch live TV and video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound. Catch the latest news, sports, weather, entertainment and movie trailers on the go. Sprint TV provides more than 50 channels of live and on-demand video content

The updates on both the Touch and the Mogul include:
Windows Mobile 6.1 - brings new time-saving features, easier phone navigation and management, and stronger security safeguards. Users can get their phone set up and running easier than ever before and with mobile versions of the familiar Windows desktop applications such as Microsoft Office and Live Search, they'll have information they need, anytime, anywhere. Threaded text messaging enhances the messaging experience.
"Sprint is committed to matching customer needs with the technology that gives them the freedom to access and download the content they want and have a PC-like experience," said Michael Hahn, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint.

"Whether it's simplicity in setting up the handset, getting turn-by-turn driving directions, sending emails with large attachments or having a better Web experience, the Touch(TM) and the Mogul(TM) by HTC deliver all of that so customers can have what they want in an instant, from virtually anywhere."

The enhanced capabilities of the Touch and the Mogul, combined with Sprint's $99.99 Simply Everything pricing plan, deliver undeniable value to Sprint customers. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan offers customers unlimited voice and data and is available for any Sprint or Nextel handset. For families / group plan, "Simply Everything" includes an incremental $5 discount per line, up to five lines. Pricing complexity and concerns about overage charges are virtually eliminated, letting customers think more about how they can use their wireless device for work and play, and less about their bill. Existing Sprint customers can switch to the "Simply Everything" plan without extending their current contracts. New line activations require a two-year agreement.

The Touch and the Mogul continue to be premium multimedia handsets in the Sprint portfolio, integrating the familiar Windows Mobile experience with TouchFLO(TM) technology on the Touch, a QWERTY keyboard on the Mogul, an easy-to-use interface and exclusive Sprint content like Sprint Music Store and Sprint TV. The Touch(TM) and the Mogul(TM) by HTC are available in Sprint stores, online at www.sprint.com and in Sprint business sales channels for $99.99 for the Touch and $299.99 for the Mogul, with a two-year service agreement and a $100 mail-in-rebate.

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#150281 22-Jul-2008 14:14

Also moved to correct forum...

stiggy

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#150744 23-Jul-2008 20:17

has anyone tried applying this update to an okta touch? if no is it a wise idea to try? i hvae one, and i may just be stupid enuf....

thoughts?

macuser

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#150748 23-Jul-2008 20:23

From Telecom:

Dear James

Thank you for your reply.

At this stage Telecom does not plan to release an upgraded ROM for the
Touch to update to Windows 6.1.
We are continually evaluating the possibility of upgrades to our current
device range to ensure that the products meet our customer's
requirements. As this upgrade could mean additional functionality for
our customers we are currently evaluating this option to verify if this
is a viable option for the OKTA Touch to ensure we are offering the best
devices with the latest features and capabilities.

Kind regards,

Tony C
Okta Support Team

So no, Telecom does not plan to release a new ROM at this time, we all need to write an email, see that there is a demand for the new ROM.

Email help@oktamobile.co.nz

KevDaly

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#150750 23-Jul-2008 20:35

Would I be excessively cynical in interpreting this as: "If we don't think we can get away with charging you extra for this we honestly can't be arsed".

As long as Telcos control the upgrade process then in my opinion the convergence of phone+PDA is and will continue to be a failure, and largely a disaster.
I'm leaning more and more towards the view that we would've been better off with straight PDAs with WiFi+Bluetooth using cheapo dumbphones as modems.

These still exist of course, but it's getting harder and harder to find one (this is of course why Apple left Bluetooth out of the iPod Touch, as I've said before).

freitasm

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#150751 23-Jul-2008 20:36

And that's why the Apple iPhone model is better. They control when to release the updates, not the operators.

Quic Broadband

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macuser

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#150767 23-Jul-2008 21:06

I would pay a small amount of money for it if it was sold instead of given away, say $30, for GPS, EVDO Rev A, and Windows mobile 6.1 without warranty being Voided

zocster

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#150819 24-Jul-2008 06:43

hmm my 2c/conspiracy theory?

I see these 'chefs' cooking different releases of MS 6.1 OS releases. Does MS leak them out for testing, and ppcgeeks have even build their own kitchen for it. Is the sprint release based on one of those chefs build? I am sure they monitor those forums closely? Them being the handset manufacturer and carrier.

Is that why they keep these forums alive as without them there will be no testing ground? I don't go to ppcgeeks often however on xda, they said they're allowed to be alive all this time just because they're allowed to reverse engineer these 'embedded' software.

Just my thoughts.

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stiggy

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#150931 24-Jul-2008 13:01

Hmm slightly longer response when i emailed them:

Our Response

24/07/2008 12:49

Dear Chris

Thank you for your email.

At this stage Telecom does not plan to release an upgraded ROM for the Touch to update to Windows 6.1. An upgrade to the OS for this device
requires testing and the performance of a Sprint ROM can not be guaranteed.

Regarding GPS, We are continually evaluating the possibility of upgrades to our current device range to ensure that the products meet our customer's requirements. As this upgrade could mean additional functionality for our customers we are currently evaluating this option to verify if this is a viable option for the OKTA Touch to ensure we are offering the best devices with the latest features and capabilities.

Kind regards,

Tony C
Okta Support Team

So let me get this translation correct:

"At this stage Telecom does not plan to release an upgraded ROM for the Touch to update to Windows 6.1. An upgrade to the OS for this device
requires testing and the performance of a Sprint ROM can not be guaranteed." - We cant be asssed testing because that would me actually working.

"Regarding GPS, We are continually evaluating the possibility of upgrades to our current device range to ensure that the products meet our customer's requirements. As this upgrade could mean additional functionality for our customers we are currently evaluating this option to verify if this is a viable option for the OKTA Touch to ensure we are offering the best devices with the latest features and capabilities." - Go away, we cant be bothered testing, youve got a working phone what more do you want?

Lol. Lame. Is it wise to try the sprint rom?

munchkin

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#150953 24-Jul-2008 14:06

Not unless you know what you're doing.