I have to admit that I'm a bit upset reading the replies in this article. I mean, for me, the loss of backwards compatibility is enormous; an absolute deal-breaker. I'm so heavily invested in the WM6.X apps that their loss is a big blow to me; hell, the last time that I was able to switch cell phones so easily was back when I used the Sony Ericsson S710 (not even a smartphone, so I couldn't invest heavily in it even if I wanted to).

So the thought that I'm in the small minority and the majority of of WM owners will have little to no issue switching (meaning Microsoft has little incentive to provide an emulator or at least some workaround to get older apps to work) to WP7S is a bit demoralizing, to say the least.

I have to confess: I've actually been thinking a lot of going to the dark side (iPhone). I mean, I typically despise Apple's products, and the iPhone's specs disgusts me (the 3GS is barely better than my 2008 smartphone), but it is the only platform in existence that is capable of replacing *every single* app I've used on WM with something that is either equal or even better. And, of course, the iPhone has a whole ton of apps which never saw the light of day on WM.

*Sigh* It's stressful being a smartphone user.

"Would Microsoft doing what Google have done be suicide for the platform, or could it boost sales of their much improved mobile OS? Would you by a Microsoft Phone?"

I'll buy it if's a good phone. Honestly, I'm getting tired of this whole Microsoft/Google//Zune/Windows/Etc-phone headlines.

To be honest, though, for every good thing I hear about WM7, it seems I'm also hearing a lot of negative things. The 'no multitasking' possibility is just the latest. Removing multitasking capability? What in the world?

I'm surprised so many people say the XDA forums is slow. In all the times I used it, the speed has never really been an issue for me.

Anyway, this is tremendous news, and I'm extremely happy XDA is finally doing it. Now maybe Samsung/Toshiba/Acer can finally become more competitive with HTC when it comes to Windows phones. I can't count the number of times I've seen people say 'I would like to own ::Insert Phone::, but I'm afraid of losing XDA support", so this is big news to me.

An XDA Marketplace would be great, but a bit too limited. XDA does a lot of great things, but I can't see the number of apps/games/tweaks/etc being very high. I note, though, that XDA generally post many freewares from other websites too. If a list can be compiled of general WM apps and not just ones made by XDA, it would be a lot more worthwhile.

Then again, if an XDA Marketplace is ever created, it'll probably come preinstalled on custom ROMs making the decision to install it or not probably moot anyway. :D

I'm not sure I can understand the reasoning behind what you said.

If I wanted to be display pride in my device, what I would do is say, "I own ::Insert Phone: and I am proud of it." Why exactly would I want to defend it against competitors? If someone else wants to use Android/WebOS/iPhone, that is their choice. If others are slurring Windows Mobile as a platform, then Microsoft may defend its platform if it so wishes, but Internet slurs has no effect on whether or not I use WinMo.

"So, are you looking forward to the day when Smartphones and “dumbphones” are indistinguishable in price, or would you prefer HTC to produce more devices like the HD2?"

Well, considering the HD2 is a one of kind release in a series of much poorer phones (which the 2010 roadmap seems to indicate is going to continue), I'm going to go ahead and say I prefer the price thing. As of right now, cell phones (especially smartphones) seems to be released at ridiculous prices that doesn't seem to reflect anything I can see.

In every other tech industry I know, technology increases while simultaneously going down in price. With cell phones, new devices get released, and priced the same regardless of what is actually inside the phone. I think it's kind of insane to see two cell phones released at exactly the same time with the exact same price, yet the tech inside could be worlds apart.

No need to hope for that with a release date of 2012. :D

By then, a new phone will come out that crushes the HD2 in specs.

Personally, I consider specs as a way to determine whether I got my money's worth. If I pay $700 for a cell phone and the only notable upgrade it has over my previous phone is a larger screen, then I'll probably feel as if I paid more than I should. My comment about the time is more due to the annoying feeling of seeing something superior appear right after you paid a huge amount for a smartphone.

I have to really agree with almost everything about your post, though. I have been fairly vocal about the lack of good phones HTC made compared to Samsung during 2009 and I was very happy (and surprised) to see the HD2 announced. Furthermore, you are right about the rest too. I love large screens, but even I have a limit as to how large the screen can go. I also never understood people's obsession with thinness, but at this point in time, phones already fit perfectly in my palm and pocket.

*Sigh*

It does not bother me whether someone fits the determined definition of a 'power user' or not. The main point I'm trying to get across is that most of the people on this website probably prefers Windows Mobile phones and, as such may be the case, that means that the HD as opposed to, say, the Motorola Droid is among their preferences.

Furthermore, I'm not sure why you think the HD2 is the slowest of the WinMo Snapdragon device. From the tests I've seen, it completely outclasses the Acer F1 and Toshiba TG01.

I think WMPoweruser made the right assessment. Among the 2010 phones so far, the HD2 seems like the best device, and the others just pales in comparison.

Admittedly, I'm a bit happy about this. This means I can purchase the HD2 without worrying that a superior WinMo device will be announced shortly afterwards.