Windows Phone 7: no OTA updates plus carriers can block them

We know Windows Phone 7 updates are set to be delivered directly from Microsoft but how that’ll work isn’t as simple as we first thought. Though Windows Phone 7 dev units received OTA updates that won’t happen if you grab one from a shop. Instead, for the foreseeable future, Windows Phone 7 updates will be delivered via USB through the Zune software. And it seems carriers might be able to delay updates too. Oh dear…

We thought Windows Phone 7 would be free of the kind of carrier-inspired delays that have dogged Android but that may not be the case. Microsoft VP and director of Windows Phone Program Management, Joe Belfiore, told Windows fanboy-in-chief Paul Thurrott: “If a carrier wants to stop an update they can.”

That doesn’t bode well as carriers have an awful history of messing about with updates and taking their time leaving phone owners hanging for much desired updates. Let’s hope Windows Phone 7 updates don’t get into that painful cycle.

Let us know: have you bought a Windows Phone 7 device? What do you make of it?

Out now | £varies | Windows Phone 7 (via Ars Technica)

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