Ever wondered why there is so little revealed about the complete features of Windows Phone 7.8, despite the outcry of users everywhere? Well, according to WPDang’s sources, it’s because Microsoft doesn’t know much more than we do: the Redmond gang is trying to finish Windows Phone 8 first, 7.8 later. If true, this is probably the facepalm moment of the year. But in engineer way of thinking, it makes good sense: implement the big picture first, then cut impractical bits off for low-end devices. Why not? It’s a lot easier than doing it the other way. Once past the Windows Phone 8 RTM milestone, the rest will be as easy as pie.
Although from a PR point of view, this can’t be any worse. Legions of current device owners are kept in the dark, while the developer of the OS doesn’t have any light to shed. Microsoft has fat lesson to learn about what to reveal, and what’s the best time to say it. Amen.
The negative side of the story is that Windows Phone 7.8 will be pushed to existing devices AFTER Windows Phone 8 release. We will see next-gen phones before anything else. If you are holding onto an old device and trying to decide whether to update or just ditch the whole thing for a thorough upgrade, it’s easier to make the decision now.
But there’s a positive side too: whatever features of Windows Phone 7.8 has been announced or leaked, there could very likely be more to it. As the downsizing project goes, there might always be someone hit by sudden enlightenment: “Hey guys, why don’t we keep this feature in Windows Phone 7.8? You know, it could run on the old hardware just well.”
Meanwhile, as the release date of Windows Phone 8 and its SDK draws near, Microsoft is right now calling its technical support teams in various Windows Phone market countries into Redmond for training, most likely on developer support. Aside from that, the training sessions may include Surface-related contents as well, for example the pricing and sales plan, interaction with Windows Phone 8 devices, and application compatibility across mobile and desktop platforms.
Source: WPDang
