We have known that Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 updates have been originally delivered by Microsoft themselves at the moment (which is a good thing of course) but it seems that the situation may not be so simple in the foreseeable future. Microsoft dev units receive have been recieveing OTA updates, but it seems that this will not be the case if you get a device from a shop.
Instead of the OTA updates, Windows Phone 7 updates will be recieved via USB through the Zune software (which takes away the independence of the device for starters). As well as this it seems that carriers will be able to delay any updates if they wish (much to many’s annoyance I’m sure).
It was first believed that Windows Phone 7 would not follow in the footsteps of Google who allow Android carriers to delay updates to their phones if they wish. There are still plenty out there who can’t get Froyo because of this, even the huge Samsung Galaxy S has only just received the update this month. Microsoft’s Vice-President and Director of the Windows Phone Programme Management said that “If a carrier want’s to stop an update they can”.
This could cause some friction between Windows Phone 7 users and their carriers if this comes into effect. There has already been a lot of annoyance among various Android users on different devices and it seems Microsoft could get into this same pattern.
Via: Electric pig, Ars Technica