DailyTech - Windows Phone 7 Will Not Support Tethering

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Gadgets Windows Phone 7 Will Not Support Tethering
Brandon Hill (Blog) - September 24, 2010 2:04 PM

61 comment(s) - last by bupkus.. on Sep 27 at 3:16 PM

The list of things that Windows Phone 7 can't do grows

Windows Phone 7 is shaping up to be more memorable for the features that it lacks rather than what new functionality that it brings to the table. The latest feature to be dropped from Windows Phone 7's spec sheet is tethering.

Some sites were reporting earlier in the week that the mobile operating system would support tethering due to comments made by Brandon Watson, Director of Windows Phone 7. However, a Microsoft spokesman contacted Boy Genius Report today to state that Watson was mistaken and that “Windows Phone 7 does not support tethering."

Microsoft's next generation mobile operating system, which recently went RTM, also lacks copy/paste and third-party multitasking. Both were features that Apple was long criticized for when the original iPhone launched in 2007. It wasn't until 2009 that the iPhone received copy/paste functionality, while full multitasking and tethering (in the U.S.) didn't show up until this year.

Microsoft's first iteration of Windows Phone 7 appears to be seriously lacking when it comes to basic smartphone functionality, but Microsoft still has time to add features at a later time. Microsoft has stated in the past that it wanted to make sure that the initial release of Windows Phone 7 was near perfect, and that things like copy/paste and multitasking could wait until a later date (possibly v7.5).

However, Microsoft has stiff competition in the smartphone market given dominate players like RIM, Apple and Google. Apple's iPhone has taken a nice chunk out of smartphone sales globally, and Google's Android operating system is dominating the sales charts in the United States -- Microsoft can't afford to be conservative this time around.

Despite Windows Phone 7's shortcomings and the presence of stiff competition, Microsoft has still boldly predicted that its latest mobile OS will crush the competition. The boys from Redmond held a mock funeral for the iPhone and BlackBerry earlier this month complete with caskets.

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RE: Not Good Enough

By mcnabney on 9/24/2010 7:28:59 PM , Rating: 2

You know 100 iPhone users?

Droid X just moved to Froyo. The only one left on Verizon is Ally, which is supposed to be soon.

My main point was that tethering is one of numerous shortcomings. If a company plans on launching a product a year late to market, they better make sure it is done and competitive. The ZunePhone was kicked out the door with half of its features missing. The tired excuse of "we'll fix it later" isn't going to fly. It isn't like they are promising future improvements that nobody has. They are promising future improvements TO CATCH UP. Only Apple can play that kind of game.

I wonder if ZunePhone will also offer a RRoD? That is a MS trademark feature!

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RE: Not Good Enough

By Alexvrb on 9/24/2010 8:56:47 PM , Rating: 1

"Ugh, just what does the new platform do that would make anyone want to buy it? "

The iPhone STILL lacks a lot of those features. It sells just fine. Would you rather they throw in every feature everyone wants, to the detriment of the more important features and basic functionality?

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RE: Not Good Enough

By bodar on 9/24/2010 9:04:21 PM , Rating: 2

Right, but iOS is not the underdog here. On what front does it expect to compete? Clearly not features, Android beats it there. Ease of use and "cool" factor are Apple's bread and butter, so good luck there. I'll reserve judgment til I see the phone for myself, but Microsoft has its work cut out for it. I love my Zune HD, but the Win7 home screen just looks awful, IMO.

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RE: Not Good Enough

By theapparition on 9/27/2010 8:19:59 AM , Rating: 3

Yep,
Cracked me up when the article mentioned that the iPhone supported true Multitasking. Really? When did that happen, rather than the half multitasking thing that they try to acomplish now.

But back on topic, I think MS is trying to hard to emulate the iPhone business model. That only works for Apple, and if they just have an also-ran, then why would someone pass up an iPhone for a Win7mo phone? Kinda like how legions of people gave up thier iPods for Zunes. Oh wait, that never happened. Shame too, because the ZuneHD is the superiour platform, just not that much better to cause people to switch from what they are used to.

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RE: Not Good Enough

By Da W on 9/27/2010 6:55:46 AM , Rating: 1

What WP7 have
1) Usability. I like it far better than the icon-apps way on the two others.
2) Cool music player. I cannot describe it, apple's ipod just seems ages behind.
2.5) If you're a windows user you don't have to use that shitty itune piece of junk.
3) Zune pass, rent unlimited for 15$ a month.
4) Xbox live connection, and a garantee there will be a lot of games.
5) E-Z to program for, uses Silverlight and XNA, there are a lot of programmers used to that.
6) Hardware is no problem, every cool android hardware is gonna hace its WP7 version.

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RE: Not Good Enough

By mcnabney on 9/27/2010 9:49:06 AM , Rating: 2

SO...
1. It acts like a Zune
2. It acts like a Zune
2.5. I hate Apple
3. It also has an monthly service feature.
4. Xbox Live - guarantees nothing
5. Far more used to Flash
6. Me too

I still don't see a compelling reason. Something new and desireable is clearly missing for a late market arrival. The only thing that they could do to be competitive to Android would be to come out in the same model with a lower price. Somehow, I don't see that happening. Is MS still charging $50 per license? If they do you can expect equipment manufactures to price the MS phones higher than the Android phones for the same equipment.

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"Folks that want porn can buy an Android phone." -- Steve Jobs