5 Things You May Have Missed About Windows Phone

Microsoft's mobile operating system has been getting a lot of buzz among the media and consumers ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas -- some good, some not so good.

Here's a rundown of recent Windows Phone chatter in case you missed it.

UPDATES BACKLASH

PCWorld reported Friday that Microsoft was scrapping its "Where’s My Phone Update" site. The news wasn't received well by Windows Phone users who felt betrayed and abandoned by Microsoft -- especially after Microsoft has touted the fact that Windows Phone had a better updating model than Android.

In response, Greg Sullivan, senior product manager on Windows Phone, told ZDNet, "Nothing has changed in regard to how we work with carriers to deliver Windows Phone updates to our customers." He also indicated there's been no carrier push-back leading to the decision. Apparently, if Microsoft were to continue adding each and every new phone model and new carrier relationship, the Windows Phone Update table would have become unwieldy.

MAPS PATENT

Microsoft has been granted a patent to make its maps more pedestrian-friendly. Not so affectionately, though, the patent is being dubbed by some observers as the "avoid ghetto" feature.

According to CNET, in order to create suggested routes, Microsoft's GPS -- which will reportedly be inserted into Windows Phones in the future -- will use input from more varied and up-to-date sources, including crime statistics. This idea is leading some people to think it will be an insult to poor neighborhoods. The patent covers other things as well, such as helping pedestrians avoid "harsh temperatures."

NOKIA SMARTPHONE

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