About Carrier issue, it is only applied on carrier branded phone, at least Malaysia is not in this type of business yet, we all have the Open market phone, except those who buy the singapore set might carrier branded. Anyway, carrier can only block 1 update cycle, means if they block feb update, they cannot block march update, and must push feb+march update in their scheduled time with MS. Thus if MS everytime push a pre update before any major update, then all of the user can get the major update guaranteed. at least for now.
Marketplace, currently MAL is not supported, and you still need to use some tricks to get ur CC working in marketplace...
Abt Battery life, with stock battery I can hold it for 1.5 to nearly 2 days without charging (until the critical battery notice) under below average usage, with 3 email acc that setting to receive update instantly, gps on, wifi on, and normal browsing activity, normal usage can last for 1 day+. Now changed to Mugen Battery, battery life significant improved for me, dunno others else.
About NoDo update, I can get it now without any hacks. Thus I think you can also get it now. Jz plug in to ur PC and open Zune software, VIOLLA! prompt u to install feb update, done, check update again, and VIOLLA AGAIN! march update available to install. ;-D
Added on April 16, 2011, 9:04 amCongratulations to u all who go smooth without any problems, I nvr say that the issue affected all the SAMSUNG phone, but it DID make some phone unbootable or even brick it. It is known that because Samsung indeed used some hardware spec that out of MS specification, at least for me, the extra speed does not take first priority when I can have a more stable choice in general. Furthermore, I am not trying to start a brand war, indeed I'm quite attracted by Omnia 7 when it is not yet launch in Malaysia. Don't forget that the reply you quote is actually for a possible WP7 user to choose Mozart and Omnia 7, I'm just telling him/her a possible consideration of mine is stability than speed, it is jz an advise, and might or might not affect the user choice.
Dont think Omnia 7 will be launched in Malaysia in near future, perhaps a newer model. There is another option for those who are considering purchasing a WP7, LG optimus 7. LG is very similar to Samsung, both using NAND memory. Hence the performance is definitely out performed other WP7. If compare to Omnia 7, the screen is not as good.