[bkrodgers]

I haven't seen anything beyond speculation to indicate that a "legacy" or customizable version exists at all, other than HTC indicating that they're working to bring the "HTC experience" to WP7. That can mean ANYTHING...it could just mean they'll have some custom panels built in. I'm not saying it isn't happening, but I just am very doubtful. If you listen to Joe Belfiore's 20 minute video as well as some of Steve Ballmer's comments, it's clear that they are very interested in establishing the Windows Phone brand as something that means certain things. When asked about customization, his two examples were changing the background color of the tiles on the home page and changing from white on black text to black on white text. Maybe I'm reading too much into the examples he gave, but to me it sounds like this is how they want WP7 devices to operate. There may be customization, but I don't think they're going to allow the core user experience to be replaced, as was the case with TouchFlo/Sense.

As for this community and XDA, I give a lot of credit to everyone here, but I think we need to acknowledge a few things:

First, most of the chefs are assembling things from other devices' software, leaks, and applying a lot of registry edits. Many of those things may simply not exist to be included in custom WP7 ROMs. Yes, I'm sure there will be some hacking, just has there has been even with the iPhone. And the folks here will certainly surprise me. But the selection of "ingredients" at the "grocery store" may be a lot thinner than what we're used to.

Second, custom ROMs exist (at least out in the open) in no small part because Microsoft allows them to. They absolutely have the right to try to shut them down. Other than the fake guy who's tried to do that, there's no evidence Microsoft has given a crap. That's been part of their Windows Mobile strategy though -- deliver a platform and punt it to anyone who wants to license it with very little in the way of requirements or oversight. Allowing this community is consistent with that. But with the new vision of "taking more responsibility" for the user experience, they may frown on how easy this community makes it to change that experience. Whether they clamp down or how hard they do remains to be seen. But keep in mind, this is the same company that is about to roll out a feature in desktop Windows 7 that phones home every 90 days to see if your software is legal. Don't be surprised to see REAL takedown notices if they decide that's part of their "responsibility" for the user experience.