MS has been working on a more direct update model as seen in the unused “Windows Update” app in the settings group of most wm6 devices (unless removed by oem). Last i heard they were trying to get it up and running in WM7 to allow for immediate core system updates such as the AKU updates that were hit or miss a while back. Fingers crossed.

Yeah, they should be able to do something that allows updating certain parts of the operating system without breaking things. However, maybe the carriers don't want to risk trusting it because they wouldn't be able to certify the updates.

Maybe the carriers could host the updates themselves after certifying them and the OEMs would point Windows Update to the carriers' download sites. (That may even be how Windows Update works now for all I know.)

Steve

P.S. I don't think that Windows Update was really new to WM 6. I've found registry hacks that enabled an Updates settings applet back in WM 2003, I think. On my WM 5 iPAQ hx2795, it's at HKLM\Control Panel\Updates. If you have a pre-WM 6 device, try renaming the Redirect key to something like RedirectX and resetting your device. See if an Updates item appears in your Settings pages.

Personally if Microsoft did make a “ZunePhone” the Windows Mobile updates would happen every Tuesday as they are more in control of the hardware/software workflow, and because of this? it would make the Big OEM’s pick up the pace of updates if they want to remain competitive, but somehow I think there must be a reason as why this has not happened in the past?, maybe when the big Cell companies buy the software from Microsoft? They might have an agreement that Microsoft not compete with them?

I don't think you understand the Windows Mobile ecosystem. The OEMs are the ones who license Windows Mobile from Microsoft. They try to sell devices they create to the carriers.

As far as I know, no carriers build their own Windows Mobile devices, so they don't negotiate with Microsoft at all. Of course, the carriers do negotiate with the OEMs to get certain things added (like branding, links to their sites or other software) and deleted (like WiFi or GPS).

So I wouldn't start a conspiracy theory about Microsoft and the carriers.

Steve

MS has been working on a more direct update model as seen in the unused "Windows Update" app in the settings group of most wm6 devices (unless removed by oem). Last i heard they were trying to get it up and running in WM7 to allow for immediate core system updates such as the AKU updates that were hit or miss a while back. Fingers crossed.

It may not be MS's fault, but it is their problem. And I do think that they share some blame - there were many non-phone PPC devices in the past that never received upgrades despite the fact that the hardware matched the upgrade's specs. This is not a new problem for the CE platform.

The question listed was "Do you think Microsoft will ever make their own player?"
I assume the real question was "If Microsoft will ever make their own Phone"

Personally if Microsoft did make a "ZunePhone" the Windows Mobile updates would happen every Tuesday as they are more in control of the hardware/software workflow, and because of this? it would make the Big OEM's pick up the pace of updates if they want to remain competitive, but somehow I think there must be a reason as why this has not happened in the past?, maybe when the big Cell companies buy the software from Microsoft? They might have an agreement that Microsoft not compete with them? Sort of like if Ferrari sold their "Engines" to another manufacture that made better cars, and then they would stop making cars and just sell "Engines"?
Just a thought? But might be a good question to ask "Bill Gates"?
I am sure it has to be a "Bottom Line Dollar" reason? Otherwise it would have been done long ago; Microsoft does have the resources to do so.

one thing is for sure, microsoft is really f'd if they can't figure a way for updates to reach winmo phone users faster. why? because the speed of innovation does not run at the speed of wireless carriers. it runs faster. :-)

As an owner of a WM 6 Standard edition phone, am I puzzled that there is not update to 6.1? Not surprised, but still puzzled why it is not a priority. Let’s just say that Microsoft, my carrier, and the handset manufacturer are doing nothing to persuade me to stick with the platform when it is time to upgrade.

I don't think you should blame Microsoft here. They've released WM 6.1 Standard, and some OEMs and carriers have released it.

For example, I believe the BlackJack II on AT&T, the Motorola Q9c on Sprint and the Motorola Q9h/Global on AT&T (I think) have WM 6.1 upgrades available.

So if your phone doesn't have one (like my Motorola Q9m on Verizon), blame the OEM or the carrier. That's who I blame.

Steve

I think that they should, but not a WM phone. Do a Zune Phone, perhaps with an NT/XP/Vista kernel rather than CE. As an owner of a WM 6 Standard edition phone, am I puzzled that there is not update to 6.1? Not surprised, but still puzzled why it is not a priority. Let's just say that Microsoft, my carrier, and the handset manufacturer are doing nothing to persuade me to stick with the platform when it is time to upgrade.

With some carriers, that's true. However, Motorola's original Q didn't get WM 6 updates (on Verizon, Sprint or Alltel), and I assume that's because Motorola didn't want to create them. They were already working on the Q9m/c/h, so why help those of us who supported the first model?

Regarding Microsoft producing a phone, I wonder what they'll do with Danger (the Hiptop/T-Mobile Sidekick company). I've heard they're going to beef up the specs for their Premium Mobile Experiences devices, but it sounds like OEMs will still make the phones.

Here's what Danger says on that linked page:

Danger will continue to build great, intuitive client software for mobile handsets connected to powerful hosted back-end services that fosters rich consumer experiences in communication, media sharing, entertainment and personalization.

So it sounds like Danger is out of the hardware business.

Steve

When MS comes up with a WinMo update, they hand it off to the device manufacturers that tweak it for each device. It's then handed to the cellular carriers who generally bloat it up a bit with their logo and useless software while removing anything deemed "too useful." Seriously though, the carriers are usually the culprits when it comes to really slowing down WinMo updates as they have to do a lot of network quality testing and, if they happen to be AT&T, they have to test features that weren't even part of the original devices like their Push-to-Talk.