Paul Thurrott to the Windows Mobile Team: "Scew 'em!"

[Rocco Augusto]

http://www.twit.tv/ww51

"Hey, I have one very callous thing myself to say about Windows Mobile guys, which is screw them. No offense, but, seriously. I was there for the first version of Windows CE, Pegasus I think it was called, and I have watched as they have mismanaged the Smartphone market from day one. It has always lagged behind, it has not always been Microsoft's fault, I understand that part of it is the nature of the business. But you know Apple revolutionized the smartphone business, not just with the hardware and the software but also with the way they are now presenting this stuff to users and updating the system overtime. Providing new functionality. This is something that doesn't happen on other smartphones. It's the type of thing where I can go to a Microsoft event and they can announce a new version of Windows Mobile and I will not see that it in the store for another, at the time, 18 months. It's ridiculous! That's ridiculous! Screw 'em!"

I was listening to this week’s Windows Weekly podcast (Windows Weekly 51: In the MIX - 38-40 minutes in) and I was a little surprised to hear the above quote from the Windows Weekly co-host, and Windows IT Pro news editor, Paul Thurrott. Granted Paul goes on to say that in a pre-iPhone world, Windows Mobile was fine, and it was a lot like the other stuff, but the iPhone on a number of levels is a completely different device. Paul also makes it clear that he believes that in 3-4 versions, Microsoft might release something on the same level of the iPhone, but he isn't interested in following technology - as in copying it – he believes that it is more interesting to be there with the people that are innovating technology... And in other news, Apple licenses Microsoft's ActiveSync technology to "innovate" and bring push email service to iPhone users. How ironic that one of the best features announced for the iPhone lately is a Microsoft product!

In all seriousness though. Paul lays claims to several truths that we as Windows Mobile users see with each new release. Microsoft has had the opportunity time and time again to bring us something that leaves us drooling and wanting more, but with each new release it seems that we are constantly taking one step forward and two steps back. Since the iPhone's release last year, we have seen a handful of updates to phones operating system and each new update either fixes some outstanding bugs or adds brand spanking new features to the user experience. While it is true that a lot of these features are stupid things that should have been included with the iPhone from the get-to, we'll just ignore that little fact for a moment to focus on the important one - Apple is releasing update after update and I don't see them stopping anytime soon. Whereas Microsoft, if we're lucky, releases one new update a year... and we have to shell out hundreds of dollars to purchase a new handset to actually receive the darn update!

It's amazing how one moment Microsoft could be on top of the Smartphone world and then the next moment it feels like their doing nothing but scrambling to play catch-up. Maybe Paul was overreacting a bit when he said "screw 'em"... and maybe he wasn't. I love the Windows Mobile platform and do not see myself switching to another mobile operating system anytime soon. Lately though my Windows Mobile experience has just felt tired and dated. I would love nothing more than for Microsoft to breathe new life into our handsets but at the end of the day I fear that Microsoft will continue to just give us more of the same.

Who knows, maybe someone from the valley of Redmond is actually reading this article and we might actually get through to someone over there. So if you feel the same as Paul or even if you feel the complete opposite, let us know! If anything, we here at Smartphone Thoughts would love to hear everyone’s opinion on the subject.

[Rocco Augusto]

http://www.twit.tv/ww51

"Hey, I have one very callous thing myself to say about Windows Mobile guys, which is screw them. No offense, but, seriously. I was there for the first version of Windows CE, Pegasus I think it was called, and I have watched as they have mismanaged the Smartphone market from day one. It has always lagged behind, it has not always been Microsoft's fault, I understand that part of it is the nature of the business. But you know Apple revolutionized the smartphone business, not just with the hardware and the software but also with the way they are now presenting this stuff to users and updating the system overtime. Providing new functionality. This is something that doesn't happen on other smartphones. It's the type of thing where I can go to a Microsoft event and they can announce a new version of Windows Mobile and I will not see that it in the store for another, at the time, 18 months. It's ridiculous! That's ridiculous! Screw 'em!"

I was listening to this week’s Windows Weekly podcast (Windows Weekly 51: In the MIX - 38-40 minutes in) and I was a little surprised to hear the above quote from the Windows Weekly co-host, and Windows IT Pro news editor, Paul Thurrott. Granted Paul goes on to say that in a pre-iPhone world, Windows Mobile was fine, and it was a lot like the other stuff, but the iPhone on a number of levels is a completely different device. Paul also makes it clear that he believes that in 3-4 versions, Microsoft might release something on the same level of the iPhone, but he isn't interested in following technology - as in copying it – he believes that it is more interesting to be there with the people that are innovating technology... And in other news, Apple licenses Microsoft's ActiveSync technology to "innovate" and bring push email service to iPhone users. How ironic that one of the best features announced for the iPhone lately is a Microsoft product!

In all seriousness though. Paul lays claims to several truths that we as Windows Mobile users see with each new release. Microsoft has had the opportunity time and time again to bring us something that leaves us drooling and wanting more, but with each new release it seems that we are constantly taking one step forward and two steps back. Since the iPhone's release last year, we have seen a handful of updates to phones operating system and each new update either fixes some outstanding bugs or adds brand spanking new features to the user experience. While it is true that a lot of these features are stupid things that should have been included with the iPhone from the get-to, we'll just ignore that little fact for a moment to focus on the important one - Apple is releasing update after update and I don't see them stopping anytime soon. Whereas Microsoft, if we're lucky, releases one new update a year... and we have to shell out hundreds of dollars to purchase a new handset to actually receive the darn update!

It's amazing how one moment Microsoft could be on top of the Smartphone world and then the next moment it feels like their doing nothing but scrambling to play catch-up. Maybe Paul was overreacting a bit when he said "screw 'em"... and maybe he wasn't. I love the Windows Mobile platform and do not see myself switching to another mobile operating system anytime soon. Lately though my Windows Mobile experience has just felt tired and dated. I would love nothing more than for Microsoft to breathe new life into our handsets but at the end of the day I fear that Microsoft will continue to just give us more of the same.

Who knows, maybe someone from the valley of Redmond is actually reading this article and we might actually get through to someone over there. So if you feel the same as Paul or even if you feel the complete opposite, let us know! If anything, we here at Smartphone Thoughts would love to hear everyone’s opinion on the subject.

[Jason Dunn]

Great post Rocco. It's all so very true...Apple is doing many things right, and Microsoft had years to do some of the very same things. And it's not that Apple thought up some amazing new things - they just delivered upon things in a way that Microsoft really has trouble doing. It's all rather disheartening...I want Windows Mobile to improve, but significant improvements seem to always be coming "later".

[mbranscum]

Originally Posted by Rocco Augusto

How ironic that one of the best features announced for the iPhone lately is a Microsoft product!

Ironic or not, the only reason Exchange was added was because the business end users asked for it. Apple is actually listening and giving end users what they want. Not what Apple wants to spoon feed us.

As a long time user of WM products, I also own an iphone. I say the say the same thing as the author of your referenced article. If MS wants to continue down their tired old path, then screw them!

BTW, don't feel too sorry for MS. They're making a killing off all those Exchange licenses' selling to Apple.

[Tim Williamson]

On a related subject...if you have a Dash/S620/Excalibur...there may or may not be a 6.1 ROM available at that one forum where the developers for XDA's like to hang out, and I've heard it's a bit of an upgrade to the standaard ROM (faster, more functionality, pretty Home Screen, etc.).

[pchop69]

I have had 2 Windows CE Palm-sized PC's, 4 Smartphones, 3 PPC/WM phones, and a $1000 CE2.0 Handheld PC.

Within 2 hours of the SDK/Exchange support announcement, I had an 8GB iPhone, and I spent the weekend kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Combine this with HTC's handleing of the TyTN driver issues, and I don't see myself ever going back to WM.

[Rocco Augusto]

Originally Posted by mbranscum

Ironic or not, the only reason Exchange was added was because the business end users asked for it. Apple is actually listening and giving end users what they want. Not what Apple wants to spoon feed us.

You hit the nail on the head there. A majority of the features and functionality of the iPhone are things that Microsoft thought for years had no place in the business market (mostly media). I'm sure this is like a huge smack-in-the-face-with a-smelly-fish for Microsoft to finally learn, if they are actually learning anything. Microsoft needs to learn that business users and consumers are... wait for it... ready? They're one in the same!

As I said before, I love the Windows Mobile platform and I don't see myself changing anytime soon... but I am having an awful lot of fun with the Google Android SDK and emulator

[Rocco Augusto]

Originally Posted by T-Will

On a related subject...if you have a Dash/S620/Excalibur...there may or may not be a 6.1 ROM available at that one forum where the developers for XDA's like to hang out, and I've heard it's a bit of an upgrade to the standaard ROM (faster, more functionality, pretty Home Screen, etc.).

::waves hand in Jedi master fashion::

These are not the ROMs you are looking for!

(please try to not mention anything warez related gang, we only like to discuss the official/legal ROMS. Thanks! )

[Kris Kumar]

Great post, Rocco!

Apple is keeping the device fresh. Without updating the hardware. It is always staying in the news. It is all thanks to the updates.

And somehow AT&T is not to keen about blocking the updates, and forcing Apple to release the updates on a new version of iPhone.

Why are the other products getting the cold shoulder when it comes to updates.

[Tim Williamson]

Originally Posted by Rocco Augusto

::waves hand in Jedi master fashion::

These are not the ROMs you are looking for!

(please try to not mention anything warez related gang, we only like to discuss the official/legal ROMS. Thanks! )

Yes master.

[alese]

I'm using WM 6.1 on my device and while it's actually better than 6.0 (faster) it's no match for iPhone (not even close). It is also a perfect example of Microsoft needing one year to bring out zoom in PIE and threaded SMS - two rather small features, something Apple would do in one of their (many) automatic point releases...

It's funny how I can load any program I want on my WM device to upgrade and/or enhance functionality of my device and no carrier can do anything about it.
That's why I don't believe that carriers are to blame for the fact that Microsoft doesn't give out SW updates and fixes directly to users like Apple - this in my mind is just an excuse and at best has to do with anti-trust issues.
It's really sad to see that iPhone is getting updates on the regular basis and we are stuck with what we get when we buy the device (with an occasional upgrade for a specific device/carrier here an there).

Lately I'm more and more convinced that Microsoft now is just another big, slow and birocratic international conmpany doing whatever it was doing for years, with no desire to change or innovate. True Microsoft never was particulary innovative, but at least in the past they did have a passion to go after the market doing anything (and more ) to overtake the competition and trying to deliver a better product.
I'm pretty sure that Microsoft from the nineties wouldn't need two years to deliver something that could (maybe) be on par with current iPhone, especially since people are saying that some concepts and ideas of what will be in WM7 was presented allready sometime in 2006.
But it's not just WM team that was caught with it's pants down, it just looks like whole Microsoft was, Vista is a similar mess, IE is again trying to catch the competition, their Web services/applications can't compete to Google and Zune is a copy of iPod's HW from a generation or two back (with WiFi), it's just sad
Seeing how slow or even unresponsive they are with fixing all this and with Bill G. gone I'm afraid that there are some very rough times ahead for them...

Sorry for a long rant.