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T-Mobile Dumps MS SmartPhone
burgburgburg writes "It seems that T-Mobile International, Europe's second largest mobile phone operator, has decided against introducing a Microsoft SmartPhone after all. T-Mobile had announced their plans in February to introduce the MS SmartPhone this summer. Industry insiders say that the software for the phone continued to have 'fundamental problems,' leading to a high failure rate. French mobile carrier Orange introduced a MS SmartPhone, SPV, late last year. It initially had software security problems which Microsoft has claimed are patched."
....That a french cell phone would surrender so easily.
Just wait for version 3.0 to come out. That'll probably be good enough to whack Nokia and Qualcomm around. Think about it: Windows, Pocket PC, Tablet PC, etc. All of these products didn't really do well until version 3 rolled around. MS usually tries to get a product into a niche just to get experience there. They then spend the next few years figuring out means to really grab hold of the niche, and then they dominate it. That's how it works with them. Not a bad business strategy at all. In fact, it's really good one.
iRooster, the Mac OS X a
I have to admit I'm a little skeptical about it having "security problems." After all, Microsoft is very pro-security. I highly doubt it was their fault that there were security problems.
Last I heard you couldn't even make the phone dial a number straight out of Pocket Outlook.
DUH.
Something went very wrong in the QA chain between Microsoft, the 3rd parties and the mobile telcos when they were trying to rush this out.
I'm sorry, but I'm not really enthused by the idea of having to download "service packs" for my cell phone to protect against some little script kiddie trying to mooch off of my free minutes, or whatever it is that he's trying to get at.
Jesus, it's a frickin PHONE, I can see PDA's, I can see embedded OS's, but trying to cram as much as they are into a phone the size that it is then springing the Microsoftian "security through service packs" is one straw too many.
I'll stuck with having slightly bulging pockets, thanks.
This is a more accurate story entitled "T-Mobile has NOT dumped MS Smartphone, just delayed it a bit".
Also, RCR says:
a T-Mobile spokesman said the carrier had never set a definite date, only that it would begin selling the phone sometime this summer. Spokesman Philipp Schindera said there are software problems with the phone, and that T-Mobile, manufacturer HTC and Microsoft are working to fix those problems. He said the phone has not been delayed, because there are still several months of summer left.
Read reviews of shopping cart software
It initially had software security problems which Microsoft has claimed are patched."
:)
Yeah, connect your smartphone to the SmartWindowsUpdate via GPRS. It only takes about several megabytes(every week) of download(yes in fact that's entire OS replacement) and in view of the present strikely *low* GPRS rate (US$1/kbyte) it won't be too much hassle, will it?
I have seen a MS smart phone being demoed at a recent MS product launch here in Sydney. The phone, apart from working as a standard GSM mobile, uses a GPRS internet connection to also connect to an exchange server (best with MSX 2003). (again this is carrier independent) Besides, for those who have used the XDA (a WINCE with mobile built in) can tell that the difference is only superficial, from a distance anyway)
So, I not exactly sure what this news is all about. It's probably in relation to launching the phone with some extra value-added services usable only with the smartphone.
I wouldn't read too much into it.
According to a study done by our crack research team, people like the color blue. That blue screen they keep talking about is not a reliability problem, it's a feature.
"hi mom" *CLICK*
Your phone has crashed, please restart and run disk check up before using your MSPhone again Error 8H
At the end of the msmobiles article:
" Make no mistake: Microsoft is on track to enter cell phone industry big time, and these initial teething problems will be soon over. "
The style is reminescent of perpared speeches and a certain Al-Shaf. Interesting.
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/720.html
If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
Cell phones require far more resilience then organizers or pocket PCs. For example: Compare the Treo to the Nokia Communicator. While the second is designed as a cell phone with added functionality, the first is primarily an organizer with crammed in phone functionality. I know a number of happy Communicator users, while the number of happy Treo users I know of is precisely zero.
In addition embrace and extend is a philopsophy, which rightfully has zero credibility in the phone business. It's all about (meticulously respected) standards.
ich bin der musikant
mit taschenrechner in der hand
kraftwerk
As the ex-owner of a Psion Revo+ (replaced with a Zaurus), I will say that I expect symbian to dominate the cellphone market.
The Symbian OS (formerly known as EPOC) was designed from the ground up for small devices with small screens. Even the older version that my Revo ran was more feature-rich and polished than any other PDA OS I've touched. Most importantly (for cellphone use) the OS itself was rock solid. I can't remember a single time when I was forced to reboot.
Simply put, Microsoft is offering too little, too late. Most of the major cellphone manufacturers has signed on for Symbian.
Life is too short to proofread.
From cellular telephones to console video games to Operating systems. Is there anything they don't make?
It's a little know fact that Microsoft used to make vacuum cleaners. In fact, it was the first product they made that didn't suck.
Ugh, I'm probably gonna regret that tomorrow.
From Reuters
Here is Microsoft's proud announcement of their partnership with BMW.
... just when I was looking sooooo forward to getting the blue screen of death while on the road!
"He who throws mud, loses ground." - proverb
First, MS has only been successful in things that they can bind to Windows (prime example is MS Office which generates about 40% of MS revenues, a phyrric victory is IE which generates no revenue but was also pushed by the Windows domination), everything else is losing money.
All the following projects have been canceled:
- Windows/Mips
- Windows/PowerPC
- Windows/Alpha
- "HomeR" Project
- Modular Windows
- "Otto" Project (SW for cars; 1992)
- MMOSA (Set-Top-boxes Operating System
- WebTV
- Blackbird/Internet Studio (1995)
- proprietary MSN (Microsoft should have become the sole ISP, remember?)
- COOl (C++ Object Orientated Language)
- PenWindows
- Microsoft Bob
- Ultimate TV
- Hailstorm (2001 - 2002)
Those projects are losing money:
- XBox (revenues declined by 40% in Q1 2003, losses nearly doubled (+96%) http://www.golem.de/showhigh.php?file=/0305/25460
- Non-proprietary MSN
- Mice, keyboards
- Cell phone OS (Stinger)
I don't know where all the "MS will win automatically" people crawl from, if you look at their track record, they have lots and lots of unsuccessful projects.
If you look at the big picture, MS is currently being stripped off everything except their core business (x86-desktop). And wether MS is really able to make the 64-Bit transition is questionable. They are so incompetent in producing something 64Bit that they will lose a lot of people to Linux/Athlon64, even on the desktop.
In the non-graphic embedded market, Linux is already the standard, on cellphones Symbian is the standard and Linux is coming, leaves only PDAs, where Microsoft is still holding out (but there Linux is coming, too).
I'm confused.
I underatand why Microsoft's operating systems and word processors and stuff might be buggy: they have to provide legacy support and the hardware configurations can be complex.
However, considering their resources and (I'm assuming) talent... shouldn't they be able to do something like this and have it be pretty sound technology?
I think nowadays even to non-technical people, Microsoft has come to symbolize a product that will work but also let you down in so many ways in terms of quality, security, bugs, price, etc.
Thank you for purchasing the Microsoft Smartphone. Be sure to activate your phone online within 60 days else your phone will be permanently disabled. Also please sign up for our .NET Passport SmartPhone service*
*Disclaimer:
Although we use the terms "security" and "privacy" in much of our press releases, we can guarantee neither. Your personal details and credit card numbers will be safely stored on our secure system which is roughly equivalent to leaving your keys in your car's ignition.
[Clipped from MacInTouch 5/15/03]
Jimmy Grewal followed up on recent notes about a BMW computer bug that trapped the occupant inside his car:
I work for Microsoft (program manager for Mac Internet Explorer), and I own a 2002 BMW 745i. Though the underlying OS the vehicle is running is Windows CE for Automotive, BMW and Siemens VDO wrote all of the software that the car is running: [BMW iDrive press release]
I don't think Microsoft should be blamed for problems with the applications written by others on top of their OS, just as no one blames Apple for the problems users have with third party software on their Macs. Furthermore, the on board computer that is running WinCEfA is used to control the radio, tv, navigation system, telephone, etc (commonly referred to a telematics features). The engine management system, electrical, etc. are controlled by another set of computers that also manage emissions, diagnostics, etc.
The 7-Series does have a lot of issues that BMW needs to address, including major failures like this, but most of those are related to the drive-by-wire systems rather than the navigation/entertainment system that's running WinCEfA. It has its own problems, but those are related to confusing controls and an unintuitive interface
I work in the embedded market and it is the standard.
Our partner-company was a 100% Microsoft-shop and Linux is forbidden in the corporate LAN - yet they still chose Linux as their platform for *ALL* their new devices.
What about VXworks? PalmOS? QNX? Are these people quaking in their boots?
Yes they are. You can get big discounts from everybody.
What about all the special purpose real time OSes that many companies use.
Used in many existing devices, but for most new developments, a real OS is chosen for shorter development time. (the hardware is fast enough already)
Linux isn't the standard in the embedded market any more than it is the standard on the desktop.
Laughable. According to this study: here Linux (+ BSD) was running on 11% of existing systems in 2001, but was used for 50% of new projects.
I can only confirm these developments, Linux is already the de-facto standard on embedded systems.
Or rather, I've experienced no more bugs than I've had with various Nokia phones I've used in the past.
My only real issues have been:
1. Crap battery life. Just over 3 days standby if you're lucky. (But that said, it's got a backlit screen that's so bright the phone can be used as a torch!)
2. Adding a contact makes a noise when the "Silent" profile is selected.
3. Occasional problems synchronising emails and contacts with Arselook. Easily fixed by re-syncing and not really a problem because I don't use outlook.
4. Occasional menu lagginess
5. Playing MP3's eats battery life. But this is to be expected.
Of course, the bonus of having an SPV is I can play Doom on my mobile!
That said, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I see the good old BSOD!
27% is not 50%. But even so, 50% does not imply a standard, it just means it's the most popular. When 90% of embedded projects use linux, you'll have a case to make.
If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
Here where I live the Smartphone was officially introduced yesterday, and I've been using one for 24 hours now.
Say what you want about Microsoft, but this time I feel that their 1.0 product is very polished. I've not expirienced any instability, but perhaps I haven't used it enough yet.
Anyway, the user interface is much simpler, more to the point and more usable than competing Smartphone-ish operating systems, as the ones found on Ericsson P800 and Nokia 7650.
It's difficult to describe, really, but it's simpleness - with natural but (in this context) innovative functions as a home button and a back button on the keyboard - really makes it stand out. The browser "home" and "back" metaphor is uses throughout the OS.
I can't say I've often had this experience with a mobile phone (and I'm not sure that it's a good thing, money wise), but this made me _want_ to use it! *Much*. For mail (the Inbox is surprisingly good), for messaging (it has both SMS and MSN Messenger, as well as MMS), for contacts, for appointments, etc.
For years I've carried around both a Palm and a Nokia cell phone, but this is the first hybrid product that's a serious contender to the Palm.
The major gripe is Microsoft's ActiveSync software. I've never been able to make ActiveSync sync successfully with anything. It works the first few times, then it stops wanting to sync altogether. This happened with my HP Jornada 720, later happened with the original Compaq IPaq and now it happens with this phone.
It's a major let down. But the phone in itself is a joy to use.
They need a carrier to subsidize it so the price comes down.
The palm folks laughed but look at palms stock price now? It was $.80 a share the last time I looked! MS took over 75% of the market in less then 2 years!
;-)
According to this article from Gartner it's more like:
PalmOs: 55.2%
Windows CE (sic): 25.7%
That's as of January.
PC World has similar numbers:
PalmOS: 48.6%
Pocket PC: 30%
That's as of October.
What was your source of info again? And did you wash afterwards?
-chris
San Francisco values: compassion, tolerance, respect, intelligence
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It took them at least 5 major release to get DOS right finally with v5.5.
It took them at least 6/7 major versions to get C(C++) right.
Its taken then 9 or 10 versions to get windows right with XP (v1,v2,v2.2,v3,v3.11,NT,95,NT3.5,98,NT3.5,ME) and finally XP.
It took them 5 major versions to get IE right and they throw it away with version 6.
And these where their core products.
Something they've never got *right*, Office (Outlook,Word,Access), IIS, Frontpage Outlook/Exchange, J++.
In some cases they took-over a right product and still got it wrong, i.e. FoxPro.
As for Windows Media Player -- I'm not even sure what Microsoft's goals were for that. ;)
WMP is a multi-pronged strategy. First, it helps cut off the Apple publishing/video editing platform leakage. Secondly it cuts off the air supply to other video format vendors/producers (such as Real Networks) by making those external products surplus to requirements for the average user. The Window Media formats hold the potential to control the encodings and base formats of a large amount of digital video in the future and thereby increase vendor lockin.
Funnily enough, this is a very similar strategy to the IE vs Netscape strategy. Establish a base in the core product that displaces external vendors and acheive market share as a result. Expect the same sort of maneouvre with SQL Server 2000 (or at least parts of the core engine) - it's already been seen in several places (MS VS.Net, MS Visio).
Cheers,
Toby Haynes
Anything I post is strictly my own thoughts and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the opinions of IBM.
There is a fundamental problem in WinCE which causes 90% of all the issues people see with these devices. The problem is that WinCE has poor memory management. Theoretically the OS is supposed to manage all memory aspects from stopping running apps to free memory to dynamically loading and unloading DLL's. The most serious problem however is that it restricts the amount of memory available to a DLL to 16 MB. On devices like the HP 5450 and these T-Mobile Smart Phones, this becomes a problem because of the numerous integrated devices the OS has to support. The 5450 has WiFi, Bluetooth and Biometrics which fill up 12 of the 16MB of available memory. As a result, user applications like Adobe Acrobat do not have enough memory to load their linked libraries. The only solution is to jump through hoops managing the memory manually and to disable unused devices like Bluetooth or the Biometrics (which negates getting to the device to begin with!).
.NET comes out which is due sometime this summer.
A solution to this problem is not due until WinCE
Its unfortunate that this problem exists. It has apparently been caused by these PocketPC devices growing in size too quickly for the OS. Talk about growing pains...
I work in the embedded market and it is the standard.
I work in the embedded market, too, and me thinks you don't even realize just how big the "embedded" market is.
For your information, *most* embedded systems don't even use an operating system. They are developed based on microcontrollers and the software is designed to solve a specific functional problem, unit cost must be minimized, and operating systems such as Linux, PalmOS, or Windows are definitely not used--the cost of the hardware necessary to run them are too high for mass production where the difference between a 25 cent part and a 50 cent part can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit. Yes, I'm sure there are many "embedded" systems that use these operating systems, but to say ANY of them are the "majority" of embedded systems is far from the truth.
The majority of embedded systems run on OS-less microcontrollers.
To tell you the truth, I think calling Windows, Linux, or PalmOS-based systems "embedded" is to use the term liberally. I know that term is used, but embedded used to be low-level microcontroller stuff. Now "embedded" seems to mean anything that doesn't look like a computer but which has a computer inside. To me, if you're developing for Windows, Linux, or PalmOS you aren't really doing embedded development--your target system just happens to be small and/or appears to be something other than a computer.
Remember, friends don't let friends use Microsoft products.
According to this article the phone was delayed, not dumped... There is a difference.