As soon as Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7 Series, one of the first questions asked was about which current devices would be upgradeable. There were some hopes that high-end devices such as the HTC HD2 would be able to run the new OS. Those hopes may now have been dashed.
According to Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region, no current phones may be upgradeable. She ruled out an upgrade for the HTC HD2 (with five hardware buttons) because “it doesn’t have the three buttons” mandated by the new OS. The same strict rules apply to other phones. According to Kwan, “Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable.”
Microsoft has yet to reveal many details about what will need to be under the hood for Windows Phone 7 Series devices. It is possible that there are other reasons why current devices will not be upgradeable. Perhaps these will be revealed at the upcoming MIX developer conference.