[ Microsoft ]

Did Microsoft just screw Nokia with Windows Phone 8?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief June 21, 2012 · 2 min read

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The earlier announcement of the Windows Phone 8 received mixed reactions. One — that it’s time for MS to add those features WP7 should have had in the first place and; two — that all existing WP7 handsets will not be upgraded to WP8. In the middle of it all is Nokia which just released their new line of Lumia WP7 smartphones.

Usually, with major mobile OS upgrades, entry-level to mid-range smartphones are normally bypassed on the updates (mainly due to hardware support). However, Microsoft’s final decision that all WP7 handsets are not getting a taste of WP8 will send a chilling message to a lot of consumers.

Stop. Wait. Don’t buy yet.

Among all the partner handset manufacturers, Nokia seems to be affected the hardest. They just launched a slew of Nokia Lumia handsets, starting with the really affordable Lumia 610 and Lumia 710 to the more high-end Lumia 800 and Lumia 900.

But now that people know these handsets are doomed to not get WP8, it will be hard sell for Nokia to trump its newest and biggest phones yet. As some sort of consolation, Microsoft promised an incremental update to Windows Phone 7.8 (why they skipped WP 7.6 and WP 7.7 is a matter of consumer psychology) which will bring some of the cosmetic goodies of WP8. Then, it stops there.

I don’t think Nokia can really complain to MS. Besides, Microsoft is paying Nokia billions of dollars to adopt WP7. Maybe Microsoft is dangling yet more money just to keep Nokia happy and continue to produce more WP8 phones.

Will existing Windows Phone 7 handsets be upgraded to Windows Phone 8?

No, Microsoft decided that all WP7 handsets will not be upgraded to WP8.

Which company was hardest hit by Microsoft's decision?

Nokia was affected the hardest, having just launched a new line of Lumia WP7 smartphones.

What consolation did Microsoft offer for WP7 users?

Microsoft promised an incremental update to Windows Phone 7.8, bringing some cosmetic features of WP8.

React to this article:

microsoft windows phone 8 nokia lumia windows phone 8 nokia lumia wp8

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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149 Comments

Ratheon7000 · 14 years ago

I dont think MS screwed Nokia. Theyre probably cutting their losses by using plan B. Plan B which is WP8. Lumias werent selling like hotcakes like they expected, with the their paltry specs and the release of big boys like HTC One X and SGIII, there was really no contest. If your know your going down, why not cut the cord that’ll drag you down and bring out the fresh goods or news of a product that will keep the current titans at bay.

Lezure2010 · 14 years ago

Lol, anu ba yan. Ang dami nagcocomment sa grammar ni sir abe. Yung windows at nokia nalang ang pagusapan natin. Hahahaha.

Sir Yuga, lupit mo sa TV. Haha, napanuod kita sa ANC.

Anyway, given the money, I would just wait for the WP8 handsets. This is coming from someone who’s wanted to get their hands on a nokia WP since it’s announcement. I’m a loyal nokia fanboy.\m/,

aa · 14 years ago

meron ba app para sa lumia 900 na kaya mag play ng .mkv vids?

thanks po

Sonofa · 14 years ago

well, we have to see the updates first bago mo masasabi na nadaya or hindi…

if madaming features na di naman cpu hungry ang di umabot sa 7.8 then you can say na nokia was screwed…

Jess · 14 years ago

Sa mga nagyayabang ng android phones nila, pwede ba subukan niyo muna ang WINDOWS PHONE. Mamamangha kayo sa bilis at smoothness ng Windows OS.

Kaya isaksak niyo na lang sa mga baga niyo ang super laggy na android phones niyo.

Guest · 14 years ago

Hahaha. Nakakatawa naman ‘to. Masyadong apekatado. Phone lang naman yan.
Galaxy Y ba nasubukan mo? Try mo kaya mid range to high end. Walang noticeable lang.

Pero smooth talaga UI ng WindowsPhone, hands down. Pero pagtagal nakaka bore na agad mga tiles, ano ba yan.

Obob · 14 years ago

@Guess I own a Google Nexus S today and it’s far from the WP7’s intuitive and user friendly UI. My fist phone was a Mozart and I shifted to Android because WP7’s Developer Program sucks hard where I have to pay $99 annually compared to Android which is FREE and $25 one time payment for marketplace inclusion.

WP7 wins hands down when it comes to OS. It doesn’t need a dual core procie to run smoothly. Twitter and Facebook is deeply integrated to the system while Android is a big Meeehhhh!!!

dimsum · 14 years ago

the good news is: current lumia phones prices will slide down drastically..hehe

cmark27 · 14 years ago

i think microsoft no longer cares because the nokia market share continues to dwindle as apple and samsung continue to dominate the smartphone market. kawawa nmn mga affected d2. pero i still own a nokia 5630 coz it’s very handy and i use it for calls/text,musicplayer and i use my galaxy s2 for everything else, gps, camera and apps :)

Jay Jay · 14 years ago

Hopefully the prices of the Lumias will go down.. way down so I can get one.. ahahaha

roiji · 14 years ago

ganito na talaga ang microsoft ngayon.. iniiwang naka bitay ang mga legacy… save for Windows desktop OS.

JM · 14 years ago

yeah microsoft totally screwed nokia on this release, its more on marketing strategies and money.

leemar · 14 years ago

sad naman to. i just got my lumia 800 from globe last april when it was launch. dapat pala nag galaxy note na lang ako that time. pero im happy with how flawless windows os is.

does anyone here able to upgrade to nokia’s latest firmware for lumia 800?

my firmware is still 1600.2483.8107.11501

there is a new version …12070 yata yun pero when i tried to update using zune it only says my software is updated. i think zune is for windows software only, how about firmware?

BON · 14 years ago

agree with the good news, Lumia’s price will go down for sure! =)

simplynice93 · 14 years ago

Bad news: Yes, Microsoft just screwed Nokia..
Good news: Lumia phones prices will definitely go down. Hopefully, Lumia 800 and 900 at 12k or below & Lumia 610 and Lumia 710 at 8k or below..

showbiz · 14 years ago

Hopefully the good news would happen so I can have lumia 900.

rhk111 · 14 years ago

I will definitely buy a Nokia Lumnia 900 for P12k just to try it out, but not a cent more …

rhk111 · 14 years ago

Its quite entertaining to watch how much in denial the Nokia employees are these days. LOL.

If a phone is going to be used only for call and text, why go for a smartphone in the first place? Why go for one with Windows Mobile on it?

The truth of the matter is that people want value for their money. If they want to buy a celphone, they want the best of what they can afford, whether they really use all the features or not. And it makes sense: Why sell yourself short, di ba?

As for Microsoft, it is now becoming obvious that they ARE screwing Nokia, and paying billions of dollars for it. First they cut off Windows 8 from Nokia’s latest flagship phones.

And second, and much worst, some analysts are now reporting that it seems Microsoft is developing its own phone. If it does, then patay na ang Nokia. They can try firing Elop, but that will only distance them more from Microsoft, not a good thing when the company’s future was already gambled on Windows Mobile.

Who knows, maybe Nokia will be happy in the future as a lower-tier phone manufacturer, competing with Alcatel and Cherry Mobile for a paltry share of the market. LOL.

Raul · 14 years ago

Exactly!

Why sell yourself short? If you’re set on Windows Phone and you buy Lumias now, sayang… Maghintay ka na lang…

And that drives home the point of the post, paano makakabenta ng madaming units ng Lumia na nandiyan na? And at that I haven’t seen indication na stop-production na sila of the current lines… So paano ibebenta ang madami pa nilang i-po-produce na units?

Imagine kung salesman ka ng Nokia… May kahirapan ito nang slight!

Raul · 14 years ago

I think Microsoft practically did.

I believe they did a lot of damage to potential sales of Nokia’s current Lumia line. Nokia is already struggling to make a significant footprint in the smartphone market and the recent announcement just set the entire ballgame in stone. Whatever gains made by Nokia in market share would probably plateau now, until they start rolling out the new windows phone 8 units. It’s already a hard sell for Nokia to push an underdog ecosystem to consumers and it’s going to be even harder knowing that the new apps for windows phone 8 won’t be backwards compatible with the current crop of windows phone.

As a consumer, it’s hard for me to imagine being convinced to buying into the ecosystem knowing that the unit I get NOW, even though it may currently be the flaghip, will not run the apps that are coming.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t doubt the capabilities of current windows phones. In fact, I think they’re kinda awesome (…And at that I’m a SGSII, SGNote, and IP4S user)

… Stew in this for a moment, “why buy Nokia’s new-ish Lumias when they basically told me they’re going to be outdated in a few months?”

My two cents…

Tommy143 · 14 years ago

Oo nga. May point ka. Mahirap ibenta ang alam mo nang outdated…. Maghintay na lang tayo dun sa susunod diba?

Jojo · 14 years ago

I know!

Sa shop namin mahirap na gumalaw yung winmo na units… Lalo pa ngayon siguro. E madami sa bumibili, pag namimili ng units nagbabasa ng internet bago mag tingin… Sana hindi nila mabasa ito… Para may chance na makabenta.

May stock pa naman kami na hindi naka consign!! Nakupow!

Obob · 14 years ago

> even though it may currently be the flaghip, will not run the apps that are coming

apps will still run, it’s just that the hardware will limit some of the functionalities that some of the apps need but still the apps will work.

Tommy143 · 14 years ago

@obob

They were explicit about it, the apps written for windows phone 8 won’t be compatible with current devices. Watch the keynote.

It’s sad…

Aargh · 14 years ago

How do you expect WP8 hardware upgrades to be sent to existing WP7.5? Are you actually expecting that with the WP8 upgrade, the existing phones would magically get dualcore, sdcard and nfc? The 7.8 upgrade is basically WP8 features except those that require better hardware. This partial upgrade is similar to what apple has been doing since ios4/5/6. Microsoft could have done an apple and called the 7.8 upgrade a WP8 but they chose not to since its just a partial one.

marsha · 14 years ago

Android is the KING OF FRAGMENTATION, don’t flaunt the Android, at wag nyo kayo magsalita ng patapos about Windows Phone kung di nyo pa natry gamitin ok? or kung wala kayong masyadong background about the said OS. ok ok?

‘Em · 14 years ago

I don’t see anything wrong with this. I own a Lumia 800 and I’m enjoying it. WP7’s UI is the best. I don’t regret selling my iphone4 last year.

Edz · 14 years ago

And MS will continue to pay Nokia, although Bing maps uses NavTeq (Nokia-own) mapping data WP8 will be using Nokia Maps instead of Bing Maps. With that, the Redmond software giant will be paying the Finnish mobile manufacturer for licensing Nokia Maps.

PS: and daming taong napakaNEGATIVE, wag nalang magsalita kung wala din matinong sasabihin po sa comment :)

Edz · 14 years ago

William C · 14 years ago

Stephen Elop killed Meego (when it was brilliant and almost done), commit to Windows 7 (then Microsoft tell the world it’s a dead-end product, so soon after product launch). Nokia also probably have Win 8 tablets in the works (then Microsoft announced Surface).

Now Nokia is so cheap, that it’s shares are selling at a discount to the value of its assets (Patents, etc). Talagang yata Trojan Horse si Mr. Elop na pinadala ni Ballmer para mabili ng Nokia ng mura…

Or Microsoft doesn’t care about the only company that care to trust in their vision…

Sad to see Nokia fell from the top so quickly…

(Off topic: As for those Microsoft Surface tablets, hindi kaya Nokia ang gumawa niyan, kasi Magnesium something ang case, ala Lumia…)

diggory · 14 years ago

idiot, the nokia lumia line is using polycarbonate (plastic). magnesium is a metal

pabs · 14 years ago

And while you’re reading yuga’s blog, your pc or laptop OS is on windows….

nope · 14 years ago

I’m using 4.0.3 ICS Os with Overskreen browser.

Parang walang plan si nokia at microsoft, parang hindi sila naguusap.
Now microsoft also tie up with samsung and htc to produce wp8 handsets, sana lang maka sabay si nokia interms of specs.

pabs · 14 years ago

I’m just wondering why are you so concerned about the non inclusion of current wp 7 to wp 8 update. Windows is a great OS, so even if the Lumia remain at wp7, they’re still the best. Just like most PC’s here in the Philippines which still run thru the windows XP despite vista and the wp7 being available. Do you reallly think you will use the wp8 update on your cellphone? I bet most of you use it for calling and texting only. Most of the time it is still better to use the pc or laptop for surfing and of course your work sheets.

Karl · 14 years ago

I think you’re missing the point. If you had the money, would you buy a new phone that won’t be able to maximize the new features?

… Or would you look to the competitors… Or wait for the new devices?

What would happen then to Nokia’s current inventories? It would be harder to move them out… And especially since most consumers have either ios or android as top of mind.

Don’t get me wrong, I think windows phone is great… Mas mahirap lang ibenta.

jaiconruedas · 14 years ago

What you have said is subjective.
I have laptop but I always use smartphone. Smartphone is different to cellphone. I heavily use smartphone for multimedia, surfing and social networking. It’s for convenience.
Depende pa rin po yan sa gumagamit.

JKisaragi · 14 years ago

Not being able to update to WP8 aside, I think app compatibility will be the biggest problem:

Here’s a quote from an Engadget Editorial:

“apps designed for the upcoming OS update will not work on handsets running Mango — essentially rebooting the platform and burning the legions of “early adopters” who have signed up over the last 18 months.”

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/editorial-engadget-on-windows-phone-8/

“New applications compiled specifically for Windows Phone 8 will not be made available for Windows Phone 7.x devices.”

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-unveils-windows-phone-7-8-for-legacy-devices/

Obob · 14 years ago

Engadget Writers are not that technical enough to understand that WP7 apps will run in WP8. It’s just that there are some limited functionalities that might not run if the hardware does not support it.

showbiz · 14 years ago

if lumia 900 will be sold around 12k i’ll buy one for experience.

Paolo · 14 years ago

Time to sell my lumia phone in a few months

rhk111 · 14 years ago

Methinks Nokia’s biggest mistake was not adopting Android. Then again, seeing how good Samsung is now in terms of hardware, I doubt if Nokia with Android would’ve been enough to keep Samsung at bay.

eric · 14 years ago

napakaraming idiotic comments…pls research kau muna bagu nyu husgahan ang windows phone..comparing it to android lag phones and iphone expensive crap is disgusting..

John · 14 years ago

Mali lang ang pag advertise ng Microsoft..

bakit hindi nyo gayahin ang apple? they put ios6 on 3gs, pero ang dami kulang.. just like wp7.8 and wp8

dapat, wp8 parin ang tawag sa wp7.8, tapos sabihin lang, may mga hindi gumagana due to hardware limitation.. tapos. parang apple lang. hehe

reader · 14 years ago

haha you’re right! too smart..maybe microsoft should hire you on their next product launch!

steelicon · 14 years ago

The decision is FINAL! You are the weakest link!

Now we know the REAL intentions of Microsoft!

Micro=>Nokia<=Soft.

Just like Sendo, HP, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and a host of many other WinCE, WinMo, WinPho collaborators, whole companies and divisions dissolved, assimilated, bankrupt and dead.

Only hope for Nokia now is the 41MP Nokia 808 PureView, a ZOMBIE camera with a smartphone that refuses to die! Even without proper marketing and support, it will still live on as a 41MP sensor technological marvel, unrivaled probably for years and years to come, the FINAL SYMBIAN PHONE collector's item!

Grab yours now!

darryldose · 14 years ago

Siguro ung nokia pureview 808 na sinasabi mo na last na symbian phone, may asha na may irerelease nitong taon. ito ay asha 305, 306 at 311. baka yan na ang huling symbian phones ng nokia after ng mga asha series.

Epstein · 14 years ago

The Asha line does not use Symbian as an OS

failop · 14 years ago

Elop screwed Nokia.

Benchmark · 14 years ago

Another thing, what’s wrong ba kung hinde ma-u-upgrade ang OS ng phone? Hinde ka na ba makakatawag? Hinde ka na ba makaka SMS? Hinde ka na makaka surf or post sa fb mo or tweet?

I am an android user, gingerbread version, as long na ok ang phone ko and I can do what it supposed to do, then thats great…pero kung nagbabagal na or nag fli-flicker na, then its time to change the phone (not the OS)…

Just my idea, probably the reason why Windows didn’t upgrade it to WP8 eh para stable and smooth pa din ang paggamit ng phone. Di ba hinde naman din maganda ipagpilitan mo ang isang 486DX sa CPU mag run sa Windows 7.

I am not against it, yet Nokia can make another new set of phone that will run on wp8…probably next year….for now, enjoy your Lumias! Cheer up, its not end of life of your phone. :)

reader · 14 years ago

agree..we enjoyed our 8210 and the like without any software updates.it still serves its purpose.new OS are for new machines. buy something today that can give you the features that you need/want.if its not enough in the future then buy a new one.would you like to have a pc with celeron processor and CRT monitors running windows 8 now?

Mr. Abnormal · 14 years ago

^ Haha. Obvious Android user. What you see is what you get, wala ng support after that. Maswerti ka nalang kung makakuha ka ng phone tpos may software update in the future. Remember: 7% lang ng Android users ang naka ICS.

reader · 14 years ago

I have never used any android until now because I think they serve the same purpose with my ios device which I use because of the apps. I still use my nokia e7 a my primary phone due to its physical keyboard, good battery life and videocalls. I got a playbook from the recent singapore IT show and i use it mainly for internet and email. These things have a specific purpose for me and I dont care if they are updated or not. They still have the features that I want when I bought them.

nathan · 14 years ago

I have doubted Nokia and Microsoft succes since the day they came up with Windows-based Nokia phones. I go for Android.

benchmark · 14 years ago

Well i think naman sa daming magagaling na programer sa world, magkakaroon din dyan na tao na pede i-upgrade ang kanilang wp phones to other version…sa ngyn wala pa but soon. Kaya no worries pa din :) eh dati nga d ba un sa nokia 5110, may nakaka program na nun na iba fonts and everything…na hinde naman standard ng nokia…still nagawa! eh sa wp pa kaya! :)

Just my idea.

anime-cosplay · 14 years ago

nokia android 2013 XD

Ron · 14 years ago

screw is a a very negative word to describe this. nokia is aware of this limitation in the first place and if you will check the phone, it runs very smooth with its non dual core processor. Nokia chose WP because it will become the major player on this ecosystem = meaning when you hear WP, it will equal to Nokia ; if they chose Android, they will have hard time gaining momentum as there are so many players/manufacturers competing in this platform (Samsung, LG, HTC etc) and moving up is crucial, if not impossible to achieve their strategy.

remosa · 14 years ago

Did Microsoft screwed Nokia on this!? No..
they were briefed on WP7’s limitation.

john · 14 years ago

Source please

remosa · 14 years ago

@john here you go.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/21/jumping-off-the-burning-platform-nokia-knew-it-was-stuck-on-wp7-when-it-signed-on/

Name: IC DeaDPiPoL · 14 years ago

specs in-ratio with the price, Windows 7 phones are already screwed VS Android based phones without this latest news.

Kulam · 14 years ago

All a matter of what you need IMO. would you need WP8 features? if yes,then hold on. if not, well, go take your pick. Am getting my Dad a Lumia 900 for two reasons: its adequately big enough for him to type and see the screen properly (bad eyes) and the friendly user-interface (not that tech-literate). for me, Android is more suitable for my needs.

Kulam · 14 years ago

All a matter of what you need IMO. would you need WP8 features? if yes,then hold on. if not, well, got ake your pick. Am getting my Dad a Lumia 900 for two reasons: its adequately big enough for him to type and see the screen properly (bad eyes) and the friendly user-interface (not that tech-literate). for me, Android is more suitable for my needs.

Marjon · 14 years ago

Windows platform is starting to mature. They cant compete well other OS if they will not take risk. And what just Microsoft did to windows 8.

char · 14 years ago

eeerrr what happened to Yugatech baket ganito ang mga napa-publish na articles. im no grammar expert, pero na-nose bleed ako sa article.. na-hack ba ang yuga?hindi na ba si sir Abe ang nagsusulat or di ba nache-check man lang ang entries bago ilagay dito?

Tabbymon · 14 years ago

Just to express my opinion, lahat po tayo nagkakamali. =) Baka dahil sa pagod lang po, di na nacocorrect yung grammar. ^0^

Vinz · 14 years ago

Here’s another one, bakit di nalang natin intindihin ang article? Sana di na mag react sa grammar, pina-pairal ang pagka Pinoy. haaayz. Even native English speakers don’t mind grammar at all, tayo pa na di naman original language natin ang English. Siguro conscious talaga ang iba sa grammar pero sana wag na mag react!

nino · 14 years ago

naku windows phone is not worth my money.. yung price na 26k ng mga lumia mag iphone or android nalng kesa sa windows..

misterjon · 14 years ago

Nokia in the leadership of Elop knew this very well, but they needed to materialize their partnership pre WP8. and so they did, hence the current lumia line ups. It was a hard decision for Microsoft as well, but it’s the right path. Nokia is and was a willing victim.

seryosoka · 14 years ago

Did Microsoft screwed Nokia with Windows Phone 8?

“did” na “screwed” pa… wow!!

LOL · 14 years ago

Tao lang si sir abe :D

Vinz · 14 years ago

Stop being grammar conscious, please!

sweetscrazy · 14 years ago

dear yuga, how i wish you’d just push your content to a real writer to fix the coherence and grammar before posting it. i stopped reading your content after the asus zenbook review (‘nothing could be far from the truth’ *facepalm*). after that i just read the titles. but now even the title was wrong. having a writer will make your site look more pro and save you some time.

krazygarlic · 14 years ago

sweetcrazy – yuga’s content must be so compelling that you keep on coming back despite your abhorrence towards his writing style and imperfect english.