We already knew Microsoft was working to build the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 anew, from the ground up and all. Now it looks like Microsoft is planning to push frequent software updates out to its Windows Mobile fleet, possibly via over-the-air (OTA) updates. A new job posting from the mighty Microsoft now hints at a new “Device Update” feature coming down the Windows Mobile pipeline, likely intended for the still-developing Windows Mobile 7.
The search for a new development team-leader to build out the core Device Update architecture all but confirms Microsoft’s intentions to compete with Apple’s easily, and frequently, updated iPhone. With Device Update, future Windows Mobile devices (again, Windows Mobile 7 and on) will be capable of grabbing updates through a “worry-free and easy-to-use” service.
Have you wished to see your Windows Mobile phone with new features “magically” show up without you buying a new one? Do you want to see greater and better quality and cool software delivered to your love ones’ Windows phones from just a click? If this is your dream, this is a place for you. Come join us to make this dream into reality! With the mobile industry’s strong growth and several competitors playing in the field, we are going to have a challenging but fun time to show customers what Windows phone can become in the next few years.
We are in Windows Mobile device update team. Our goal is to enable customers to anticipate and enjoy a predictable stream of new and improved capabilities for their Windows Phone via a Device Update service that is worry-free and easy-to-use. Broad scope and impact, deep technologies, engineering challenges, partner interfacing with OEMs and MS internal partners, and fast pace delivery are all part of our charter. In the agile development environment, you will be working with PM/architect/test and partner teams to deliver critical stack of the update solution. You will lead a team of smart developers to solve problems in mobile OS, PC applications, and interacting with web services.
It’s not clear if Microsoft is planning to enable OTA device updates, but it would make sense for a next-generation smartphone platform to support OTA updates in 2010. Apple’s iPhone can only be updated through a data cable, which leaves room for Microsoft to one-up Apple with an OTA software update service.
Given Windows Mobile 6.5’s late-stage development status, we’re not likely to see Windows Mobile Device Update going live anytime before Windows Mobile 7 (the next major revision of the Windows Mobile platform). As the world waits to get their hands on Windows Mobile 6.5, those “in the know” will secretly (or not so secretly) be waiting for Redmond to drop the WM7-bomb on the smartphone world!
[Via: PocketNow]