You just have to LOVE the Apple business model. They don’t have to worry about silly stuff like this (New Windows phones won’t run current apps). Why, because they make their own hardware for it to run on. I have no doubt that someone will have a good laugh at my expense some day but ‘the future’ to me is building your own hardware and loading with your own software.

Can you imagine if BMW or Audi decided 30 years ago only to build engines. Every man and his dog could build the car, any car, pick a car…. Where would Audi and BMW be now. Well we are seeing the slow burn of the once giant Microsoft. I know, I will probably live to regret this prediction…… but hey, we all love a good controversial blog.

Microsoft has said its new software for smart phones, Windows Phone 7 series, is a “clean break” with the past. Now it’s clear just how clean that break is: The new phones, expected late this year, won’t run any applications written for older versions of Microsoft’s phone software.

It has previously also been revealed that those with existing Windows Mobile 6.5 devices will not be able to upgrade to the newer Windows Phone 7 platform with a software update.

In a blog post Thursday, Microsoft executive Charlie Kindel, who handles contact with outside software developers, said that jettisoning support for older applications was necessary to make the new operating system as powerful and user-friendly as possible.

Anthony Quigley