Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Upgrading the Pocket PC Operating System
Posted by Jason Dunn in "THOUGHT" @ 02:30 PM
I've seen this question pop up dozens of times already, so it's time for a front page post. Whenever hints of the "next big thing" from the Pocket PC team start showing up, the question invariably becomes "I just bought a Pocket PC, can I upgrade it to the next OS?"
The answer is simple: since all Pocket PC 2002 devices have Flash ROM, yes, it's technically possible for you to load a brand new OS in there. However, if you've been in the technology industry for any length of time, you know that "technically possible" doesn't always mean it will get done.
When the Pocket PC team finishes up an operating system, they hand it off to the OEMs. The OEMs then build that OS into their new devices. At that point, each OEM also has a critical choice: do they decide to do the work needed to sell the OS to their customers who own older devices? Work they need to do includes tweaking the OS build for hardware compatibility and performance, drivers, manufacturing the CDs, setting up the distribution and sales channels, and testing their devices.
Each OEM has to decide whether or not it's worth the investment to do this. That's the harsh reality: some OEMs may decide that they'd rather sell new hardware, and they won't offer an upgrade. Other OEMs will feel keeping their customers happy is important, and they'll offer the upgrade. Microsoft can't mandate this - we "belong" to the OEM, not Microsoft.
So there you have it. Until the next Pocket PC OS is formally announced, and the OEMs formally announce their plan (or lack thereof) for upgrades, there are no firm answers.
The answer is simple: since all Pocket PC 2002 devices have Flash ROM, yes, it's technically possible for you to load a brand new OS in there. However, if you've been in the technology industry for any length of time, you know that "technically possible" doesn't always mean it will get done.
When the Pocket PC team finishes up an operating system, they hand it off to the OEMs. The OEMs then build that OS into their new devices. At that point, each OEM also has a critical choice: do they decide to do the work needed to sell the OS to their customers who own older devices? Work they need to do includes tweaking the OS build for hardware compatibility and performance, drivers, manufacturing the CDs, setting up the distribution and sales channels, and testing their devices.
Each OEM has to decide whether or not it's worth the investment to do this. That's the harsh reality: some OEMs may decide that they'd rather sell new hardware, and they won't offer an upgrade. Other OEMs will feel keeping their customers happy is important, and they'll offer the upgrade. Microsoft can't mandate this - we "belong" to the OEM, not Microsoft.
So there you have it. Until the next Pocket PC OS is formally announced, and the OEMs formally announce their plan (or lack thereof) for upgrades, there are no firm answers.
