Microsoft Comes Clean on micro-SD Support
The question of expandable storage for Windows Phone 7 devices has been going back and forth ever since the OS was announced. Originally we were told that there would be no expandable storage. Once hardware rumors started rolling out we were puzzled by the included micro-SD card slots. At the Windows Phone 7 Launch, the Samsung Focus was out in broad daylight showing off its expandable storage via micro-SD. Even HTC’s HD7 is in on the secret, though the card is harder to get access to.
We get a little more clarification this morning courtesy of Paul Thurrott of the Windows Supersite (and the upcoming book: Windows Phone Secrets). According to Thurrott, the micro-SD expansion capability isn’t officially supported by Microsoft, but is a carrier option. He adds that this was never intended to be something that a user does on their own, and that there are technical reasons why you shouldn’t just drop any random memory card in your phone. Apparently using low quality micro-SD cards can lead to major performance and stability issues.
The recommendation from Microsoft’s Charlie Kindel is to have this done by your carrier and there is a very good reason for this. This is something that the carriers are supporting; so if there is a problem, you should be able to get it taken care of by your carrier.
Does this make you think twice about getting a device like the Samsung Focus? Give us your thoughts in the comments.
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benjitek says:
I think they just want something to be the scapegoat when all the device issues start popping up, "Oh, he's got a bad microSD card, that's why it keeps randomly rebooting and working slow"...
Tim Ferrill says:
Are you a glass half-empty kind of guy by any chance? :P
redrings says:
I'm guessing that you would need a class 10 microSD card? I can't seem to find a 32GB class 10 microSD, at least on amazon.com
GP07 says:
The guy over at XDA put in a 32GB class 2 card and said it's been working fine, but then tech like this never craps out right away, it's always a slow process, so who knows.
I think it's clear, get the best card you can, class wise, and try it. If things go bad just swap back to the original card and see if it's working good again, then you'll know.
Sure it sucks cuz you spent money on the card, but hey, it's no different then buying a new HDD and having it go poof a month later or something. MS is just saying that they don't want to have to support things when they go wrong as far as swipping memory cards in and out.
jfa1 says:
I think thats good advice GP07 as far as best card you can
coolpoete says:
Since when do carriers offer hardware support issues on their phones? Before anyone runs to buy one of these phones thinking they can do that they better ask the carrier if they are going to be willing to put a card in for a customer. I want to see that written somewhere on my contract. The words "isn't officially supported by Microsoft" is all the carriers will hear and will shut you down.
I'm not really sure what you're getting at, but I know that Verizon at least has tech support that includes hardware support. If the hardware is determined to be faulty and the warranty is still good, they'll replace the hardware. You messing with the phone would probably void the warranty while asking them to "mess" with it probably wouldn't (as always, however, it's best to verify).
electricbopeep says:
Response from ATT exec:
"Thanks for your interest in our new Windows Phone 7 devices. We are very excited as well about this great new experience being delivered on some very cool devices on the nation’s fastest network. The devices will support the addition of up to a 32GB class 2 (or higher) microSD card. You need to insert the card before you power up the device the first time so that the operating system can map it as available memory to maximize its utilization. This is outlined in the Quick Start Guide you receive in the box. I encourage you to read this before you launch the device the first time to have the best experience with a microSD card.
Thanks again for your interest. I hope you like it as much as I do. If you have a moment, please let me know your experience.
Best regards
Jeff
Jeff Bradley
Senior Vice President Devices
AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets"
Source: http://forums.att.com/t5/Samsung/Samsung-Focus-usable-SD-card-specs/td-p...
Parrotlover77 says:
Charlie Kindel is, as usual, completely full of crap. I'm sure if you only buy el cheapo SD Cards from wal-mart you might run into a higher percentage of bad memory cards. But there is absolutely nothing preventing Microsoft from letting the user know this during run-time. It's not like the OS isn't aware of failing IO operations (or slow IO operations) and can't pop-up something to say, "The external memory card is failing; Please replace with a new card" or some such.
This is, yet again, an excuse wrapped in a lie wrapped in BS from a moron.
Mr. Kindel has brought out the "poor performance" excuse for other high-demand features, such as multi-tasking. We've had effective multitasking since the '60s and on the desktop since the '80s, but somehow the required 1GHz monster CPU required for WP7 is just too weak to handle it compared to its desktop brethren.
Be prepared for a lot more of these. The real reason MS doesn't want you to swap out SD Cards is (1) DRM and (2) protecting the OEMs. Pay some minimum wage dork to swap out memory at AT&T? How is that better? Any want to take bets on the chance of you getting to take home the chip they popped out?
