Earlier this week the internet alarms rang loud with word that Microsoft had added an app “kill switch” to its upcoming Windows Mobile 7 platform. Of course, such a kill switch is not unprecedented, as both the Android and iPhone platforms have their own variant. A Microsoft rep recently relayed a message of peace to assuage fears, telling Ars Technica that the vast majority of app rejections won’t cause a remote uninstall, and it’ll only be used if the app “exhibits harmful behavior or unforeseen effects” — not that we’re entirely assured by the latter scenario, but wording aside, it does echo statements from the aforementioned companies that have so far been very conservative with its use (i.e. we can’t recall a single instance of its use). “While we hope to avoid this scenario,” he said, “we will make refunds available in such cases.” Only time will tell just how trigger happy Microsoft gets, assuming they ever use it. Hey, just be happy we know about it — remember the last time we were surprised to discover such a feature?
Filed under: Cellphones
Windows Mobile 7 joins the ranks of iPhone and Android with its own app kill switch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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