Microsoft has begun to release more information about upgrading existing Windows Mobile phones to 6.5….and it ain’t pretty. As most of us who remember the bloodbath trying to get upgrades from Windows Mobile 5 to 6 anticipated, as far as Redmond is concerned ya can’t get there from here.

First of all, WinMo 5 or 6 phones? Forget about it, don’t even bother asking unless you want to hear a Microsoft Customer Service Rep laughing hysterically at you. Anyway, if you are still running Windows Mobile 5, it is time for a new phone anyway. Really, c’mon. Pull the trigger already.

Windows Mobile 6.1? SOME of you may have a chance….but not many of you. Read on to get the 411, or 911, depending.

Due to the fact that Windows Mobile runs on such a broad selection of devices, Microsoft leaves the onus mainly on the handset vendors and carriers to tweak and provide updates from 6.1 to 6.5. That said, not many are playing ball, and even those are saying “Maybe…someday”.

Here is the (very) short list of handsets that MAY currently be upgradable from Microsoft’s website, and a long line of “Date not yet available”s.

Microsoft does say that more phones may be added to this select few and to check back regularly (every day, baby, every damn day), but I wouldn’t hold your breath. I was surprised not to see more of the recent high end HTC models here or the Treo Pro, but then considering the door that HTC and Palm has both been slamming Microsoft in the face with repeatedly lately, maybe I am NOT so surprised.

Now the Pharos Traveler 137…THAT surprised me. Where the crap did THAT come from? I mean, no offense, but PHAROS? They are willing to create a whole damn ROM to upgrade the, what, seven Traveler 137s out there? (Editors Note: There are more than seven Traveler users) PUHLLEASSSSSEEEEEEE. I can just imagine the happiness excitement at Pharos HQ right now…”Oh look, Microsoft will Hey kids, let’s upgrade the Traveler 137! Quick, call our user. If he isn’t home, leave a message!” (Editors Note: Gag edited to make sense and be less lame. Move along, nothing more to see here)

If you seek justice, friends, seek it not in the world of mobile telephony.

Meanwhile I am on the lookout for a CAB of the new Mobile IE. Hey, ya do what you can.

Zealot (468 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

By day a department manager and writer for a major network device vendor...by night Zealot stalks the mean magnetic streets, striking fear into the hearts of bandwidth abusers and theme park mascots. Zealot has been involved with mobile devices for more than a decade now, starting off with dumb phones, moving to PDAs and then to smartphones, notebooks and netbooks with the odd PMP thrown in. Most of his mobile time currently is spent on a Treo Pro, Zune HD, Thinkpad T61, Gigabyte M912M or a Hackintoshed Compaq Mini 704. He proudly groks the Geek community and considers himself a Neo Maxi Zune Dweebie (thanks Will Wheaton!).