Here we go...Maybe!

Now, my first inkling was my morning bow to Redmond in the East to see if 7.8 was finally available. Lo and behold, various sites were posting that devices ranging from the Lumias we were all expecting, to the HTC Radar, which we were not, were receiving the 7.8 update.

Later today, I had to check my gmail account for info for my trip to Princeton this week, and there in my email was an exciting new newsletter about the Fujitsu/Toshiba phone: "Here is how you update to WP7.8" Wow! The gods may have been listening. If you click the Windows Phone Japan link, you notice no real change, but there. In the center. The first post since September! Follow that link, and you arrive at information on how to update the AU Fujitsu IS12T. Great looking screen!

Even more interesting to me, is the link you can follow from the original email. Wait! It is gone now? it was a link to more information about Windows Phone 8. I did not imagine it, as it featured, with Japanese on the page, the HTC 8X and 8S. No word they were coming to Japan, but info on how to use the devices in Japan. Strange. Stay tuned...more to come?????

So, tonight....busily cutting my WiFi and trying to force the update. I am encouraged as on another site, a Titan user noted his unlocked Titan had received the update.

Thank you Zeus.

Still waiting in Japan...

It is hard to narrow down my "waiting" now. Originally, this blog was set up as I was waiting for the introduction of Windows Phone to Japan. But now there is more to it, going from simply too bad, to ridiculously bad:

• Microsoft Japan introduced, with KDDI Au, the very first Windows Phone "Mango" handset in July of 2011. At that time I was getting excited, but as time wore on more wary. I traveled through central Tokyo to attend a Windows Phone event, only to be told that while they wanted to add more carriers in Japan, they mainly wanted to export the Fujitsu phone. Epic fail on both accounts.
• At the same meeting, I was told Japan would never become part of the Zune - now XBox music service. After all, there were plenty of music services in Japan.
• Finally, in December I had had enough. After visiting my carrier I was told that even if I bought an unlocked phone in Japan, they could not add it to their service. When I did break down and purchase my HTC Titan unlocked and Sim free, they said they would not swap out the Sim card from my iPhone 3GS. So sorry.
• But Did it myself and love my phone.

Now fast forward to 2012. In June of this year, Microsoft announced the upcoming Windows Phone 8 (Apollo). Accompanying that, as now it was revealed they were not going to move that update to existing phones, they were pleased as punch to announce Windows Phone 7.8. This would arrive shortly after Windows Phone 8 and the new handsets were to be announced.

I understand the wait. I am sure thousands of customers have opted to move to the new handsets, better memory, higher quality screens, NFC, etc that is required to run WP8 and additional applications. No word on WP7.8. 

• But....leaked devices (later discovered to be prototypes and developer handsets) from Nokia DID recieve 7.8.
• Quickly noted that 7.8 would come out in "early" 2013.
• Now, we know most if not all Nokia phones will be getting 7.8 at the end of this month.

However, those of us with HTC, LG, Dell, Samsung handsets are rumored to be getting this update as late as March. While I guess that is still early, rumors swirl that even my 1-year old Titan may not receive the update at all.

Meanwhile, it was announced in November that WP8 intro into Japan was "postponed." And with the carriers now trotting out their Spring collections, the plethora of Android phones is not only annoying, it is downright criminal.

So. I am still waiting in Japan. Windows Phone 7 is dead in Japan. The Fujitsu handset with its great memory, but mediocre screen, with its 13.xmp camera, with its paltry 3.8" screen can be had for under 100 bucks on Amazon, but is essentially nowhere to be seen on store shelves. One could still have it if you asked on AU, but why? Last year's news. NTT Docomo is partnering to bring low-cost tablets and Smartphones to enterprise. I had heard it would be Microsoft-centric. But instead, I see a low-cost Android tablet. Microsoft Japan appears to be joke, as the exec who was taking classes from my company said, "People appear to like Android." 

People have been given no choice.

Microsoft Japan Newsletter

Here they go as they always do. Providing links to overseas Windows Phones, Windows Phone 8, and Windows Phone 7.8. I know 7.8 will be arriving in Japan, as our lone Windows Phone, the Fujitsu IS12T is not eligible for Windows Phone 8.

But they helpfully flaunt the new Nokia and HTC and Samsung phones. Let's see Microsoft Japan put their support and money where their mouth is. Bring us phone, even if domestic, to ALL carriers NTT DOCOMO and SOFTBANK.

Or not...

Scratch that. It appears there will be no mining for desired traits. It was a silly notion and I don7t want ANYTHING to delay WP 7.8. It will already be late compared to WP8, so bring on the other.

And that is the good news today: Windows Phone 8 has gone Gold - RTM. And with AT&T rumored to get the Lumia 920 October 21st, it could mean we are not that far a way from announcements of devices here in Japan. And maybe that is what the October 29th is all about.

Fingers crossed...waiting on Samsung, Lumia and Fujitsu.

New Hope for Windows Phone 7.8

I find 2 encouraging things regarding keeping my Titan past the first of the year.

My first concern was there would be so much missing from the OS compared to Windows Phone 8, which requires new hardware. There were several reasons I didn't want to switch hardware before my beloved Titan was even a year old. First, I love it, but HTC has let me down in a couple of instances. But even so, I do think the hardware is superior to so much out there. Here is what I love about my Titan:

• the 4.7 inch screen is about the right size. I was worried this would be too big after my iPhone 3GS, but I have fallen in love with the size.
• Even at the lower resolution, my screen is bright and beautiful.
• The cameral is great. My understanding is it puts the Nokia camera (Lumia 800, at least) to shame.

Reason to switch? Only 16GB. HTC Locations not supported in Japan. I find this odd, because there have been HTC handsets in Japan before. Go figure. But the second reason is just like last year, I expect to see more support in Japan and potential choices with my carrier and better hardware. The Samsung in particular looks great.

If 7.8  will have even just the new start screen I was counting myself happy but, if there COULD be more count me in. My wish list?

• Integrated Skype
• Updated IE 10
• Office 2013 support

Short list. Now here is why I am encouraged:

1. Nokia is rumored to be creating a new low-end 7.8 device for emerging markets. This would only be practical if Microsoft intends to add more value and potential updates to 7.8.
2. MS is asking what would be a wish list of items from Windows Phone 8. Again, this is only practical IF they have already included SOME of the features beyond the start screen. It is getting late in the game to be upgrading that OS as I think it HAS to launch near the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

So I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Death of the Zune Desktop software

Got your email on the "features" of the Zune desktop program? A laundry list of the things I will not be able to do. Microsoft better come up with a way for me to sync my Zunes, use my Zune passes, etc. Otherwise, big trouble ahead.

My phone is crippled here in Japan, but through PayPal, Xbox Points etc. I am able to enjoy my Zune passes. But I can7t sync anywhere except on my PC, and when I purchase with my Live ID, I better be able to play the content on my HD. Period.

Always waiting for something...

Well, the tension is building. On September 5th, it is expected that Microsoft and Nokia will be announcing Windows Phone 8 (Apollo) and 2 new Nokia WP8 devices. Hot on their heels, Samsung is bringing 2 WP8 phones to market and HTC (my current device) is announcing 3 new devices.

The question then for me (the most immediate) is when is Windows Phone 8 actually hitting the streets? There are a couple things to consider:

• The Zune client will not be used for Windows Phone 8. So, where is the replacement?
• Some say Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 will be joined at the hip, so no connection until October 26?
• Where does all this leave those WP7.5 devices waiting for the WP7 "Refresh" (WP7.8)?

This is my most immediate question. There is little doubt I will be switching to WP8 sometime, but not until I get a good look at the contenders. I may decide it is in my interest to stick with the HTC line, though I have no real reason to do that, other than liking my Titan. HTC is no friend of Japan and Japan is ignoring the Windows Phone completely, by all accounts.