Microsoft Please Read! Re:XScale optimization

[JNGold]

If you guys who feel Microsoft is blameless think that the inclusion of the PXA250.....

And methinks that Palm's foray into ARM architecture and it's upcoming Version 5 OS had just a bit to do with MS giving the "silent approval" for X-Scale devices.

Just a thought....

[Bandung]

I think that there is more than enough blame to spread around and throughout this thread, just about everybody was implicated in some shape or fashion.

In terms of prioritizing blame, I would put Intel at the top. I'm certain MS knew about its woes far earlier in the game than some of us would care to think. I'm certain they signed off on them as well.

XScale or StrongARM, there are not that many MS apps that need performance boosts IMO. Tops on my list are 1. pocket internet explorer and pocket outlook. Their WMP player could probably use some work but I don't use it.

There are only a couple of other non MS apps for which I would like speed improvements. 1. my pdf reader (Primer) 2. Pocket Divx

The rest of my programs need feature improvements more than speed. A 3-5% decrease or increase in performance isn't going to bother me.

I think MS should be doing something to improve the performance of their development tools. Their so called XScale optimizations are a joke.

That said, I am still not over this XScale shock. It has caused me to re-think my next purchase decision in a profound way.

[imported_Wired]

Thanks again Derek for your answers. Guys it is time to move on. It is clear that Microsoft is not going to participate in XScale optimizations for at least a year (v7) if ever - and some here (without XScale PPCs) agree that is right. It is also clear that many parties are responsible for what we have today - I guess the difference is Derek has responded and the others haven't. Although it sounds strange, third parties may come up with solutions in spite of what we have seen here. PocketTV just got the video software of the year award at the Summit partially for their feverish work over the summer trying to optimize the function that Microsoft refused to.

Finally, I agree with Bandung, I am personally disillusioned and crushed by what has happened to "our" platform. For those who are completely disillusioned, your can vote with your wallets when the next PPCs are released although as intoxicated early adapters that may be hard. Amen...

[toshtosh]

Originally posted by pixelator
And for one last time, I'll say this:

If you guys who feel Microsoft is blameless think that the inclusion of the PXA250 in all the new PPC's had nothing to do with them (and that they were blissfully unaware of its issues), I've got bridges at half price for the lot of you.

Line forms to the left.

b

Who said they were unaware of its issues? Around SA206 performance with better battery life and more built-in features.

Just cause you're pissed off doesn't mean the world should have been deprived of Xscale units . Besides the PXA250 is just the first of many Xscales.

Right.. NOW the thread can die .

[AristoBrat]

Had to get the last word in, huh? <ducking>

[pixelator]

Originally posted by toshtosh

Who said they were unaware of its issues? Around SA206 performance with better battery life and more built-in features.

You mean slower, not 'around'. The battery life of my e550G isn't what I call even OK, and so far we see no advantage taken of those built-in features. Yeah, great deal.

Just cause you're pissed off doesn't mean the world should have been deprived of Xscale units . Besides the PXA250 is just the first of many Xscales.

Oh I would never dream of depriving anyone of a $750 iPAQ or $600 e740 that performs worse than a $250 Maestro. Wait till we start getting the new 300MHz editions that perform even slower! It's like progress - only in reverse.

Just because you're choosing to support bad business practices doesn't mean the rest of us have to.

b

[pixelator]

(dupe post - plz remove) - argh!

[pixelator]

(dupe post - plz remove)

[pixelator]

Originally posted by Bandung

In terms of prioritizing blame, I would put Intel at the top. I'm certain MS knew about its woes far earlier in the game than some of us would care to think. I'm certain they signed off on them as well.

What I think happened was, they knew PPC2K2 would run in compatibility mode and that devices would be slower. But they banked on the public being stupid - unable to tell the difference. Derek said so much himself in commenting on us being unique and atypical users. We know more and complain more and call them on more problems (like Pocket Word lacking tables and Reader having the memory bug).

What Miscrosoft DID know was, a device with 400MHz stamped on the box looks and sounds better than one with 206MHz stamped on the box. Truth be damned - they knew that the slower devices would still benefit from that false advertising. That's why they list 400MHz XScale at the top of all 'feature lists' on their website and other advertising.

THAT is what has me pissed off - and rightly so. We should all be. Microsoft has basically told us here: "Yeah, you caught us. The PXA250 is slower than the 206 SA. So what? Blame Intel! You're the only ones who see the difference and you're not like the majority of consumers - sheep. We're going to just go right ahead leaving the OS as-is and you'll take what we give, because we're more interested in maximizing profits and the new Smartphone line than you."

Let's say Ford made a new Taurus with a Yamaha engine, like they have in the past (SHO series). They contact Yamaha to build the new motor, but find out before production of the car begins that the new engines have 50 less horsepower than the previous ones. They get a little better mileage, but are obviously going to be slower. So what does Ford do? They lie about the horsepower output, actually bumping it higher in all their advertising, even though the car is slower than ever before. They sell lots of new Taurus models. A few people notice the difference and complain, so Ford blames the whole thing on Yamaha. Think that's fair? I don't.

Now, one difference is that Microsoft doesn't manufacture the hardware, but neither do many of the OEM's. Microsoft DOES however have control over the hardware that runs their OS. They've made that perfectly clear in recent years with the PPC2K2 generation.

Apologies to those who want the thread to die - I just think there are aspects of this people aren't seeing.

b

[AristoBrat]

Please don't confuse "not seeing" with not agreeing.