Microsoft: AT&T NoDo update ready, WISPr protocol and address book support included

By Tom Warren, on 17th Apr 11 5:01 pm with 6 Comments

Microsoft confirmed on Friday that AT&T’s Windows Phone NoDo update is ready.

The software giant updated its where’s my phone update? page to reveal it is scheduling the update for delivery on AT&T LG Quantum and Samsung Focus devices. WinRumors exclusively revealed on Friday that Microsoft will push the update to both devices starting April 19. AT&T’s HTC Surround device is still undergoing testing and AT&T expects to deliver the NoDo update in mid-May. “We know we still have plenty of work to do,” explained Microsoft’s Eric Hautala. ”The HTC Surround, for example, won’t be joining the update party just yet. One of these third-party software “packages” earmarked for the HTC Surround needs additional testing by both Microsoft and AT&T. I apologize for the delay. As soon as I have more news, I’ll let you know.”

Hatula also revealed that AT&T customers will also get access to two special features as part of the NoDo update. The first is “WISPr” protocol support, which makes it possible for Windows Phone to automatically switch over to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots when in range. The update also includes support for AT&T Address Book, a wireless sync tool between your phone and online address book.

In related Windows Phone news, AT&T has started to sell 8GB Windows Phone 7 certified microSD cards. The cards are designed especially for AT&T’s Samsung Focus device. Microsoft also hit the news this week for offering a free Windows Phone to Barack Obama. The U.S. president was reportedly disappointed with the lack of cool phones at the white house. Microsoft stepped in over Twitter to cheekily offer him a free Windows Phone.

  • Jason

    While it is good that carrier specific bonuses can be added to WP7 I am not sure why the AT&T bonuses needed to be packaged with NoDo. Couldn’t they be included in a seperate update? HTC issued an update for its handsets through Windows Update, why can’t AT&T release an update in the same way. Thus the customers get on time Windows updates and carrier enhancements without annoying and unexplained waits.

    • http://www.seriousinternets.com Tim Smith

      That’s what I’ve been asking this entire time. Process should be:

      1) Microsoft develops and tests generic update.
      2) Release update.
      3) Works with OEM’s and carriers for firmware/phone specific updates.
      4) Releases those updates.
      5) Every user is happy.

      Of course the generic update will have a few phones that for some reason just don’t like it but that’s unavoidable with any smartphone. It’s just the odds. Still a much better scenario than the current one.

    • Jason

      Here’s hoping that the strategy for future updates (like Mango) is much more along these lines and less of the delays and blame dodging we’ve endured the past few months.

      Good that AT&T is actually putting in the effort to update their WP7 offering with new software features, albeit at the expense of NoDo promptness. It’d be nice if my carrier (Optus, Aus) actually put some effort in…

    • GP007

      Well the simple reason is that the timing matches up and they’d rather release it together instead of doing carrier stuff on its own since all updates go through MS in the end.

  • http://twitter.com/purevibz jack frost

    Tell me who needs at&t bloat ware anyway I will stick with my update

  • http://twitter.com/AntMan1010 Anthony Bermudez

    so why didnt ms do the same thing with tmo and uma calling???