Windows Phone support
There are a few people out there who are not stupid. But, days after it first started getting attention and days after Microsoft has publicly stated that Windows Phone 8 devices were built to be upgraded there are still new posts all over the place claiming that WP8 users are screwed after 2014 and some even saying people shouldn't buy these phones for this reason.
If you believe this, you are an idiot.
First, let's start with the simplest angle to attack this at. Let's say the FUD is true (it absolutely is not, but let's presume it is). When you purchase an Android device how long are you promised support? Oh wait! You're not promised anything. In fact, many Android devices, especially, but not limited to entry level devices will NEVER see any supported upgrades for their device. For those counting, that is 0 months of promised support for all Android phones. If you need to root your device to upgrade it that IS NOT a supported upgrade.
How long does Apple promise support? Truth be told I don't know. I can't say I've ever seen an official published term. In general I would say from experience that Apple tends to support their operating systems for about 1year. What people are not understanding is this is OPERATING SYSTEM support NOT device support. Apple lately has been releasing a new version of iOS every year or so, and once they release a new build support for the prior build quickly disappears.
And this is the heart of the argument. Microsoft is NOT saying that current generation Windows Phone 8 devices will stop being supported in 2014. They are saying that the Windows Phone 8 operating system will cease to receive regular, incremental patches and upgrades after that time. And, in fact they are only saying that is the planned end date. It isn't unheard of that support get extended. It happened with Windows XP. Microsoft plans on having a new mobile OS version out well before that time, but if they are late, expect an extension. This is just Microsoft being professional and stating the expected support period up front. Something, as I've stated above Android is unable to do and Apple doesn't do.
To further the lunacy of this FUD. Microsoft has publicly stated that the reason for migrating to the same core as Windows 8 was done to make the OS more easily upgradeable. If Microsoft release a Windows Phone 8.5 or 9 and current gen phones receive the update Microsoft will support that new version of the OS for their standard 18 month period from the release date.
Stop the lunacy. This long after this news broke there are plenty sources explaining this. There is no excuse at this stage for claiming Microsoft is leaving you high and dry and even less of an excuse for blindly thinking that Apple or Google have you covered any better.
If you believe this, you are an idiot.
First, let's start with the simplest angle to attack this at. Let's say the FUD is true (it absolutely is not, but let's presume it is). When you purchase an Android device how long are you promised support? Oh wait! You're not promised anything. In fact, many Android devices, especially, but not limited to entry level devices will NEVER see any supported upgrades for their device. For those counting, that is 0 months of promised support for all Android phones. If you need to root your device to upgrade it that IS NOT a supported upgrade.
How long does Apple promise support? Truth be told I don't know. I can't say I've ever seen an official published term. In general I would say from experience that Apple tends to support their operating systems for about 1year. What people are not understanding is this is OPERATING SYSTEM support NOT device support. Apple lately has been releasing a new version of iOS every year or so, and once they release a new build support for the prior build quickly disappears.
And this is the heart of the argument. Microsoft is NOT saying that current generation Windows Phone 8 devices will stop being supported in 2014. They are saying that the Windows Phone 8 operating system will cease to receive regular, incremental patches and upgrades after that time. And, in fact they are only saying that is the planned end date. It isn't unheard of that support get extended. It happened with Windows XP. Microsoft plans on having a new mobile OS version out well before that time, but if they are late, expect an extension. This is just Microsoft being professional and stating the expected support period up front. Something, as I've stated above Android is unable to do and Apple doesn't do.
To further the lunacy of this FUD. Microsoft has publicly stated that the reason for migrating to the same core as Windows 8 was done to make the OS more easily upgradeable. If Microsoft release a Windows Phone 8.5 or 9 and current gen phones receive the update Microsoft will support that new version of the OS for their standard 18 month period from the release date.
Stop the lunacy. This long after this news broke there are plenty sources explaining this. There is no excuse at this stage for claiming Microsoft is leaving you high and dry and even less of an excuse for blindly thinking that Apple or Google have you covered any better.
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