Microsoft Won't Offer New IE Mobile To Existing Owners

Author	Gordon Kelly
Published	14th Nov 2008

Microsoft Won't Offer New IE Mobile To Existing Owners

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Now here - in a nutshell - is exactly why Windows Mobile has so much catching up to do...

Despite having a decent spec list there was typically bad news regarding Pocket Internet Explorer 6 today with the announcement that all existing WM handset owners will not be able to upgrade to the browser unless they cough up for a new handset.

Yep, that was the laughable news out of Redmond HQ this week after the Windows Mobile Team Blog confirmed it has taken the decision not to make '6 on 6' (as it is also now somewhat ironically dubbed) available for separate download. For any poor, neglected WM owners still paying attention (despite the undoubted ribbing and screams of laugher from your Symbian, Android and iPhone owning colleagues) here's the official reason why:

*Drum roll*

"Regarding making IE Mobile available as a separate download or update, the rich media experiences that IE Mobile 6 enables require more powerful, advanced devices. That is why it will not be available as an upgrade or direct download for current phones, but rather will be made available on new phones."

Ok, that just made the mocking laughter worse didn't it? I mean, really - couldn't Microsoft perhaps have just published it with a minimum spec guide? Oh and I'm sure new Touch HD, Xperia X1 and Touch Pro and Diamond owners will be thrilled to hear how incapable their handsets apparently are.

All I can say is: Haven't Windows Mobile users suffered enough?

Still, never fear - there's a solution at hand and it's not complicated and no hacking skills will be required. It's a one word solution too...

Opera.

Link:
WM Team Blog

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SRS said on 16th November 2008

"Internet Explorer Mobile 6" - Wow. That's like announcing that MS is finally bringing out a VHS video recorder.

Does anyone from MS own an iPhone? Or... more

Steve said on 16th November 2008

I bought a HTC Touch Diamond in the summer (it was my first Windows Mobile phone). I couldn't live with it. After a week I had sent it back. Never again!

Awf... more

Gordon said on 16th November 2008

@Steve - It's all about the software. I'm putting together an article on Android v the iPhone's mobile MAC OX S - should make for a good read ;)

Gavin Hamer said on 17th November 2008

Disgusting.

I wonder whether the real reason is some sort of cost, which can only be absorbed on new handsets. Does Adobe Flash Lite come with a price tag?

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