Hasta La Gadget!

There are certainly advantages to rooting your Windows Phone 7 device, but there’s a heck of a downside too — Microsoft can’t update your handset to the latest and greatest build if you’ve unofficially patched your phone. Good to know, but what if you’ve already done the deed? That’s why you’ll want the application above, a ChevronWP7-tested, Microsoft-approved program for pulling your phone out of Bizzaro World and setting things right. Find it at our source link, follow the instructions carefully, and don’t fret if the official update doesn’t immediately appear after you’re done — developer Chris Walsh says availability of the build depends on carrier approval.

[Thanks, Brianna]

Microsoft-approved tool fixes your ‘walshed’ Windows Phone, helps you get official updates once more originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 May 2011 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Windows Phone 7 offering full Zune functionality and then some, the new mobile OS has clearly created a surplus of lower-capacity Zune HD devices, causing Microsoft to respond with a rather significant price drop. Typically, a discount would indicate an imminent refresh, but we doubt that’s the case here. The 16GB Zune HD has shaved off $30, to $169.99, and you can now grab the 32GB version for $199.99 — the same price you would have paid for the 16 gig before the drop, and nearly $100 less than the $299 you’ll spend on a 32GB iPod touch. The 64GB model is holding fast at $349.99, but with a $70 plunge on the mid-capacity model, you might have just enough cash left over for that tattoo you’ve always dreamed of.

[Thanks, Daniel]

16GB Zune HD drops to $169, edging closer to EOL? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 09:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If smartphone platforms are legitimized by a KIRF manufacturer’s tenacity to rip them off, then Windows Phone has truly arrived. Today we’re looking at a larger than life “HTC”-branded knock-off of the Omnia 7, replete with an 800 x 480 4.8-inch (!) capacitive touchscreen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Given the massive size of this phone, there’s plenty of room for features, which include Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS connectivity, along with a five megapixel camera, dual-SIMs and two microSD slots (for up to 32GB storage). Whew. Impressive specs aside, the device comes saddled with Windows Mobile 6.5 — which has been heavily modified to resemble WP7’s tile interface. There’s no word yet on pricing — just ask someone selling phones on a blanket the next time you’re in Shenzhen, okay?

Keepin’ it real fake: Windows Phone 7 debuts in China originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What’s this, a rollout hitting as planned? Believe it or not, the leaked memo we spotted a few days back has now proven true, with Microsoft’s long-awaited NoDo update (complete with copy-and-paste) being pushed out today for select LG Quantum and Samsung Focus users. The update itself has been looping around for some time, but this marks the first launch of it on AT&T’s airwaves. We’ve confirmed with the carrier that the folks in Redmond are indeed pushing it out as we speak, but there’s no word yet on how long it’ll take for everyone to get served. Let us know how the new build’s treating you in comments below… should you be lucky enough to get it, that is.

[Thanks, Sean]

Update: Microsoft also confirms this rollout, and says that the update is currently being tested on the HTC Surround. Thanks, Jeff G.!

Update 2: In case the upload speed is restricted on your updated Focus, wpcentral has published an easy how-to on reactivating HSUPA. Thanks, zblack!

AT&T affirms: Windows Phone 7 NoDo rollouts start today for Focus and Quantum owners originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking forward to April 19th? If you just so happen to hold a Windows Phone 7 device on AT&T, you are now. According to a leaked memo posted up over at Winrumors, Ma Bell has just wrapped up its testing of the famed NoDo update, and if all goes well, it’ll be pushed to end users on Tuesday. Owners of the LG Quantum and Samsung Focus will see it first, while HTC Surround owners will need to watch this video on loop until “mid-May.” Just think — next week, you’ll be copying and pasting this very article as often as you please. Huzzah!

Update: Microsoft’s Eric Hautala confirms that the LG Quantum and Samsung Focus are getting updates ahead of the Surround — both are “scheduling” now — as the HTC handset requires “additional testing by both Microsoft and AT&T” before it gets pushed out. Also, these AT&T phones will get somethign called “WISPr,” which is a protocol that will automatically connect to AT&T WiFi hotspots in range. Sounds pretty cool.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

AT&T’s Windows Phone 7 NoDo update coming April 19th? (update: ‘scheduling’) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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