A few more thoughts:
I've always thought the Microsoft had the right attitude toward their OS by building a strong, multi-tasking base, a decent GUI, and enough basic features to get things going. The theory seemed to be that any additional functionality that was required could be done by 3rd parties. If Pocket Word isn't everything you need, there's always TextMaker. If Pocket Outlook isn't enough, there's always Pocket Informant. The basics are there and virtually everything is extensible. Even specialty extensions like the FITALY "keyboard" are possible by design, not by kludge. Inter-application messaging, cut-and-paste are also there, from the beginning, by design.
Along with the basic software, Windows Mobile also had considerable hardware support. Adding keyboards, external storage, and even external displays is pretty simple. I can't blame Microsoft when the OEMs choose not to allow certain of these aspects to be fully used.
In addition, there has always been the PC-based method and CAB file method of installing software. An app store may be neat for getting the software once, but if you want to keep a set of software that you install on each successive handheld, PC-based and CAB files are the way to go. Furthermore, most WM apps are buy once, use forever instead of pay for once a month like on some other devices.
Basically, it comes down to this: For most smartphones, especially the iPhone, you get the features the OEM decides to build into the device. With WM devices you can get a lot more because it's not that hard for 3rd parties to add functionality and they don't even have to get permission.
So why do all those other phones sell? I think it's because a lot of people don't think in terms of leveraging apps they might already have to their next device. They might ask about transferring their contacts, but that's the extent of it. Microsoft might do well by not just highlighting some of the neat features of their OS, but also showing how you might have gotten an application in 2000 for your smartphone and might still be using the same app in the WM device you own today.
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Sony Ericsson Experia X1a + 16GB micro SDHC
I'm sensing a theme among respondents. It appears that many have moved on while Microsoft is left standing there, flat-footed with a stylus in hand (well, except for one guy who doesn't like to get his screen dirty).
I'm at this very moment (well, over a couple months actually) debating my options. They are threefold and broadened by the fact that I have a heck-of-an-employee-plan with Sprint and my company uses AT&T. So I can
-- stay with my Touch Diamond (one nice little phone) and keep putting cooked WinMo 6.5 roms (or Android) on it until the cows come home.
-- get a shiny new Palm Pre
-- ask my company to give me an AT&T account and buy my own iPHone.
Total cash outlay/differential for me is negligible, one time charge of $200. So what I'm aiming for is usability and features.
Note that NONE of the options above involve buying NEW Windows Mobile Hardware. I won't do that until I see that it's worth doing. I'd even boot Android with Haret before I'd buy a new WinMo phone.
Windows Mobile is like driving stick, and iPhone is like driving automatic.
Just like the cars, most people prefer automatic. Windows Mobile will have to do a lot to win back the lost crowd.
I am surprised that WinMo cannot provide a better experience for things that we take for granted in 2008. Two things that come to mind are browsing and connecting to the WiFi network (especially the kind that you have at work with certificates). And what is with that smallish X or OK button in the top right corner, not at all finger friendly (how can they make menus bigger and not take care of that..duh).
WinMo 6.5 (once it comes out) has the potential to show that MSFT has some staying power. But WinMo 7 better come out fast and pack a punch.
I tend to agree with Russ. I think MS has the right idea in staying out of the UI business and sticking with building a solid platform for developers and industry-types to work with.
UI tends to be a very personal thing, and everyone has an opinion about what works best for them. Take me for example. I've tried Pocket Informant four times, and I still can't get my head around it, even though it constantly gets rave reviews from practically every other reviewer in the market. To me, it's just too busy and complicated.
My point is, no matter what UI Microsoft built, someone would have a complaint about it, and some other developer, like HTC, Toshiba, or Sony-Ericcson would have what they consider to be a better solution. Personally, I REALLY like what HTC is doing with Touch Flo. But I haven't had a chance to play with the UI on the Toshiba or S-E units yet. I absolutely HATE what RIM is doing on the Blackberries. But that's just me.
MS, you're on the right track. Stick to building a solid O/S that supports all the best features of the current and future capabilities of the phones. Leave the UI to the various manufacturers/vendors to duke it out.
Windows Mobile is like driving stick, and iPhone is like driving automatic...
I'd say until they do something better, WM is like driving a horse & buggy -- they really let themselves be left in the dust... Doesn't mean they won't someday catch up, but they should've acted sooner.
A few more thoughts:
So why do all those other phones sell? I think it's because a lot of people don't think in terms of leveraging apps they might already have to their next device. They might ask about transferring their contacts, but that's the extent of it. Microsoft might do well by not just highlighting some of the neat features of their OS, but also showing how you might have gotten an application in 2000 for your smartphone and might still be using the same app in the WM device you own today.
Huh...? Have you ever used an iPhone? Configured it with iTunes? At approaching 60,000 apps why would you infer that people aren't interested in holding onto what they've purchased? You don't sound familiar with use of an iPhone.
Apps are stored in iTunes, the install files are all listed there. If you purchase, or download a free app on your device it syncs the install file to your desktop version of iTunes. Within iTunes you select the option to 'backup store purchases to disc' and you have a backup-backup of your apps. A DVD can hold a ton of apps.
A more accurate summary of the situation would be that iPhone users don't have to think about restoring their apps to a new iPhone, they just click a mouse button
Windows Mobile is like driving stick, and iPhone is like driving automatic.
Just like the cars, most people prefer automatic. Windows Mobile will have to do a lot to win back the lost crowd.
Just remember that most enthusiasts prefer driving sticks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris Kumar
I am surprised that WinMo cannot provide a better experience for things that we take for granted in 2008. Two things that come to mind are browsing and connecting to the WiFi network (especially the kind that you have at work with certificates). And what is with that smallish X or OK button in the top right corner, not at all finger friendly (how can they make menus bigger and not take care of that..duh).
I've been operating my Omnia (which has no softkey or OK buttons) pretty much with my fingers since I got it 3+ months ago. Occasionally I'll use a stylus, and I do miss certain things with my fingers (icons in the title bar, scroll bars in drop-down lists, etc.), but it is possible.
As far as Windows Mobile improvements go, check out my Windows Mobile New Year's Resolutions. I have lots of ideas to improve the Windows Mobile experience.
I tend to agree with Russ. I think MS has the right idea in staying out of the UI business and sticking with building a solid platform for developers and industry-types to work with.
That's good in theory if the platform were solid. However, how many times have you heard about Windows Mobile locking up or having other issues (like alarms not triggering)? Some of the locking up might be attributable to software (my Omnia occasionally locks up when my Redfly disconnects, so that could be a Redfly driver issue), but users won't care.
And Microsoft makes some stupid decisions at times, too. When they finally released Office Mobile for the Smartphone, they made it so that you couldn't create new documents; you could only edit existing ones. Programmers created a hack for that, or you could just keep blank files to "edit" and save them as new files, but why should you have to?
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