Editor's Desk: WWDC videos, Windows Phone 8 updategate, features, and more!

It's a public holiday in Montreal and the rest of Quebec -- St. John the Baptiste day or National Day, which is basically a provincial version of Canada Day or Independence Day. As with any summer holiday, I care only so much as it means barbecue and beverages, and I have an excuse to keep tonight's column brief. Ish.

First a quick congratulations to my friend Anthony who got his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu yesterday. It took him 11 years, during which time he got married, had a couple kids, won numerous medals, overcame numerous injuries, and transformed himself from student to competitor to teacher to so much more. Renzo Gracie once said, "a black belt is just a white belt who never quit". The truth of that statement applies to everything. To be great all you have to do is persist until you're great. The only secret is hard work.

WWDC videos

Speaking of hard work, we started posting the developer interviews Leanna, Seth, and I shot at WWDC 2012. Fantastic apps don't just make themselves, and the minds and eyes behind them are as fascinating to us as any director commentary or DVD extra, so we tracked them down and got them on video.

We have a few more to get up this week, but make sure you check these out if you haven't already:

  • Tapbots' Paul Haddad talks WWDC and Tweetbot
  • Ken Yarmosh of savvy apps talks Agenda ninja tips at WWDC 2012
  • David Barnard of App Cubby talks Retina Macs, iOS 6, and more at WWDC 2012 and Launch Center Pro as well.

Windows Phone 8 and updategate

Microsoft had an interesting week. The beginning saw the brief introduction of the all new Surface -- laplet? tabtop? -- and the end saw the unveiling of Windows Phone 8.

I've already written about the Surface, and how it needs to beat the iPad for Microsoft to remain relevant in the tech world, so let's turn our attention to Windows Phone 8 for a moment.

The software itself looks good. It's still extremely constrained by the tile and panorama metaphor, and that still makes it more app than OS, but a lot of the technology they showed off was well thought out and highly polished.

Not that existing Windows Phone users will get to use it.

That's right. In case anyone missed it -- current Windows Phones won't be getting Windows Phone 8.

What the hell is Microsoft thinking? They've been in the platform game for decades -- for longer than anyone with the exception of Apple. They know how to manage platforms, and they're the best company in the world when it comes to moving install bases from version to version. Or they were.

If you go out today and by a brand new, flagship, 2012 Nokia Lumia 900 or HTC Titan 2, you won't be able to upgrade it to Windows Phone 8 this fall. It's not that it won't get all the features of next generation Windows Phone 8 phones -- it won't get the new OS at all (it'll get a Windows Phone 7.8 update instead.)

Original iPad and iPod touch 3 owners are pissed enough that iOS 6 won't run on their 2010 devices. Can you imagine what the reaction would be if Apple announced that the 2011 iPhone 4S or 2012 iPad 3 wouldn't be getting iOS 6? There'd be shortages of torches and pitchforks the world over.

Yet because Windows Phone 7 has a small install base, it's suddenly okay for Microsoft to screw over those users passionate and loyal enough to form that install base? And yes, "screw over" is exactly the right way to put it.

Like it or not, OS updates are table stakes in a post iPhone world. API compatibility is necessary for any and all devices to enjoy next generation apps. And as I've said numerous times before, user confidence is a currency easy to spend but incredibly hard to earn back. Once it's gone, it's gone, and likely your business is gone with it.

There's absolutely no excuse for this, not from a company as big and smart as Microsoft. It's one thing to break compatibility going from one OS to another -- from Windows Mobile 6.x to Windows Phone 7, or from BlackBerry 7 to BlackBerry 10. But to do it again just one year into the new OS?

Given their relative position in the market, it's something Microsoft should have planned and prepared for and taken even greater pains to handle properly for Windows Phone users.

And a stink needs to be made about it so that, in a year or two from now, Lumia 1200 and Titan 4 owners aren't being told they can't update to Windows Phone 9.

Micro dock

Apple could be getting ready to ditch the traditional dock connector

iMore back on February 23:

TechCrunch on June 20:

Looks like Apple's going for it.

Google IO and Android 4.1 Jellybean

Google IO and Android 4.1 Jellybean

This fall is set to be a mobile blockbuster, what with iOS 6 and iPhone 5, Windows Phone 8, BlackBerry 10, and Android 4.1 Jellybean all competing for our gadget affection. Two weeks ago we saw iOS 6. Last week we saw Windows Phone 8. Next week at Google IO, it's Jellybean's turn. And maybe the fabled Nexus Tablet.

Our Mobile Nations sibling site, Android Central will be there, and Phil, Jerry, and Alex, along with party-crasher Kevin Michaluk will be there bringing us back all the action.

Podcasts

This week we started answering your questions on iOS 6, talked to former Apple iTunes designer Louie Mantia, and discussed the differences between Apple and Microsoft keynotes. Check them out.

Features

And here's what the week that was brought us in written form:

Recommended reading

Now back to that barbecue...

How to use Apple's Accessibility Assistant shortcut
A more accessible world

How to use Apple's Accessibility Assistant shortcut

Apple released new versions of their Accessibility Assistant shortcut for Mac and Apple Watch, joining the iPhone & iPad version. We cover how the shortcut works, plus provide links to the Accessibility shortcuts available in the Gallery.