Developer Yanks Unauthorized Windows Phone 7 Update Tool

Just hours after launching a tool that let Windows 7 owners grab smartphone updates directly from Microsoft, the developer pulled the utility from his Web site. This tool was called "ChevronWP7.Updater" was used to apply all available Windows Phone 7 updates, which included the "NoDo" update. The NoDo adds copy and paste functionalities and the February update that was designed to prepare the smartphones for the NoDo update. Windows Phone 7 updates have already had numerous issues, and customers have bashed Microsoft and its mobile carrier partners for the sluggish update roll-out. Experts have also bashed the company for not anticipating that these delays would make the users and fans upset and angry.

 Walsh's tool, which he had created over a span of 5 days, was released on Monday. It allows users to sidestep the carriers and to use the updates directly from Microsoft. But the tool's download link was removed from Walsh's blog later that day. His response to why he had done so was just that it was down for now, and that he would follow with more information. Nothing else, as to why he had taken the link down, has been said. Microsoft hasn't even responded to if they were the reason for why Walsh had removed the ChevronWP7.Updater...and if they were the reason, why? The only clues that have been retrieved are from a Facebook page of Microsoft's German team. They have basically warned that users who run Walsh's tool may not be able to retrieve future updates form their carriers.

The German team is also saying to use this tool at your own risk, if you are going to do so. Unofficial hacker tools can put the phone in an undefined state and not allow you to install future updates. They are saying that Microsoft nor the device manufacturer or the network operator is assuming liability for these types of consequences. As of now, there are mixed reviews from people who have used the tool. Some people are satisfied, while others are reporting problems and issues. Microsoft is saying that they are in contact with Mr. Walsh and intend on finding out his intent and any potential implications.

Again, another program/tool is released and no one wants to take responsibility for damage it may cause if users download it. Although it seems to be a mistake, someone needs to step up and take responsibility, and if not, do something about it. Walsh is obviously he reason for the issues though, so why is no one holding him directly responsible? It was clearly unauthorized, and he shouldn't have released the tool in the first place.

Article Name: Developer yanks unauthorized Windows Phone 7 update tool
by: Gregg Keizer
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215547/Developer_yanks_unauthorized_Windows_Phone_7_update_tool?taxonomyId=15