03-12-2010, 07:22 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 497
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Well I have had a Motorola Droid through Verizon for about two months and I hate to say it but I just might be done with WinMo. We'll see
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HTC Thunderbolt
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03-12-2010, 07:33 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ntractv
Well I have had a Motorola Droid through Verizon for about two months and I hate to say it but I just might be done with WinMo. We'll see
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I'm curious to hear what WinMo would have to offer to win you back. I think that with Microsoft's complacency in the mobile area, many of us are taking a wait and see approach to the new OS, but it would be interesting to hear what other users think MS needs to deliver in order to compete in this market space again.
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03-12-2010, 08:26 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 214
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Microsoft would have to package a lot of free functionality that would cost money on other devices. Since they're calling this a consumer appliance, let's look at what consumers would consider as added value by choosing what is now the "off brand" (because Microsoft has let its product become the beggar at the table):
*Free navigation software with voice nav (which would annoy carriers who want to sell their $2.99 a day or $10 a month services). I think you can already get this with Android
*Google and Yahoo mail apps and a much better Facebook app
*Chat software that handles Google, Yahoo, AIM, and FB as well as MS.
*A browser that can do Flash web sites, including sites like Justin.tv and Ustream, as well as things like CoverItLive, not just YouTube
*An app for PC and Macs that lets you type on the screen of your PC or Mac when you are plugged in via USB, so you can answer text messages, or more easily enter logins and passwords.
*Fully functional weather app with radar and GPS ranging (but with remote location override)
--This might be accomplished by unifying all the Bing apps that can be map based into one, all accessible on the "Map", without separate directions, traffic, movies, gas prices, etc.
*Travel software so people can check flights or keep other travel info like hotels and confirmations in one place.
*Shopping software with UPC scanner that works with 1D, 2D and other scanner codes
*It would be nice if it came out of the gate with a working Pandora app, but at least make sure one is available for all of its phones
*Built in "Flashlight" app.
*Spec all camera phones to have a flash
Microsoft has a history of being extremely stingy with built in functionality. Maybe that has something to do with anti-monopoly issues, but since their market share isn't dominant, I can't see how that is anything but an excuse. Their "App Store" also has to be considered an integral part of marketing the platform, not primarily an optimized money making site for Microsoft. That means, taking a cut on paid apps, but allowing everyone to get apps on there for free if they're offered for free, assuming they're otherwise vetted. That vetting process means MS subsidizes testing of free apps as part of its marketing expense. Free apps sell phones. Cheap $1 apps sell phones. Those should be encouraged.
If they don't want to do these things, people will go with the "more established" (by the time WM7 comes out, Android will be considered much more established) platforms that give them the best bang for their buck. Also consider the situation of the iPhone being available on more carriers, so there will be competition where there is none now.
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03-13-2010, 01:38 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 62
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Death-knell for WinMo?
Locking down the system and making all your current customer's investments in programs is going to kill WinMo. Microsoft is too used to bullying people into buying new software when they want to by withdrawing the established versions (their OS' and Office products). Every now and then they get away with it, because most businesses have so much invested in Windows systems, but cell phone users can switch anytime they like. Why don't I have an Android system? Not enough Apps, and I have too much invested in my current suite of Apps. Add to that decent Outlook sync and I have a reason to stay. The iPhone is hopeless from the syc perspective and I don't want to ditch my Apps for Apple-approved and Apple-removable ones.
MS is really going to see their customer base migrate in droves over this. And does anyone REALLY think a locked-down MS OS will be competative? Maybe, if the competition stays still and doesn't offer multitasking and high resolution screens. Anyone expect Apple and Google to give up on product development?
And WinMo7 better be TOTALLY stable, no more memory leaks and locked screens or they will be at a disadvantage to their competetitors.
A locked down OS makes MS just an undesirable commodity in a comoditized market. Basic economics tells you all the rest you need to know.
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03-13-2010, 02:05 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 197
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I can see why the folks are turning to Android now. It's the same sort of reasons that I went with the HD2. Android is an open and extensible system with third-party apps appearing. The phones are high-end functional too. I'm seriously looking at the Android OS as an option in case WP7 really doesn't do it for me.
The more I read about WP7, though, the more I suspect that it will turn things around for MS.
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HTC HD2 US (unlocked) + 16GB micro SDHC (in holding)
HTC Evo + 16GB micro SDHC (in use)
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03-13-2010, 04:43 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
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Until MS wrestles control of upgrades from the phone companies, I will next purchase an Android phone. I am tired of having to purchase a new phone (and lock down my phone company for two years) in order to upgrad MS mobile. Now that Android is available, I have an alternative path than MS and I plan to use it.
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03-13-2010, 05:11 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 667
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Listen, those of us who are here are the most likely to not like MS changing Windows phones. We're the last disciples, but we're a dying breed. MS has lost absolutely all mindshare in the media and with users, so they had to do something drastic... and they are. While it may not be what we want, it certainly gives them a better shot at success than they would have if they continued with refinements to WM.
As to what it would take to win me to Windows 7. Well, as others have said, I have a huge investment in software and knowledge that I will lose when I change platforms so the first thing is that MS is on a level playing field with everyone else. I'll consider what works best for me, starting from scratch. So here's what they'll need to win me over.
Their whole thing is integration. Instead of an app-centric model, they are developing a task-centric model. They must do that exceptionally well and consistently to win me over. That is, it cannot be the case they they stick a few data links in for Facebook and Flicker, then consider their job done. Integration must be the culture and 3rd party apps should have a way to get in on the game.
What I am thinking of is something like this. I have my Gmail open in a native window that supports all the Gmail features (not an IMAP download into Pocket Outlook) and I have a persistent connection with Facebook, my images on Smugmug and my own ftp or web server or Windows Home Server. When I open that email, I should be able to see the images without clicking on a bunch of buttons and I should be able to flick a picture out of the email with one stroke and send it to any of my places with one more. (I'm thinking of the Courier video we saw recently.) I should be able to flip open a window to my WHS and drag in a Word document that I need with just a flick or two. I should be able to see flash and youtube natively in any web or email environment.
The examples go on, but the idea is that integration and task-based design is what they're selling us, and that could be hugely useful. They just need to really deliver.
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03-13-2010, 03:39 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
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I've been a WM/Pocket PC fan since the begining and I'm not sure I'm crazy about what I've heard about WM7 but I'll have to wait and see.
For me WM is almost perfect but the software is still buggy, the hardware is lacking enough memory to run programs like Sense UI and leave open memory to keep the phone running smooth and allplications are lacking. If WM locks down the OS where devlpers decided not to write programs the platform is doomed for the consumer.
If I could get the Droid on Tmobile with 3G support I might have dipped my toe into the Android market but I don't like the G1 and I still question Google's privacy policies.
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03-13-2010, 04:31 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,053
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I switched to Android on a G1 when it first launched over a year ago. I don't see Windows Phone 7 drawing me back either. I originally went with PocketPC 2k2 years ago because at the time, it was the most powerful thing you could get. I stuck with it after the iPhone came out because while it was showing its age, it also was far more flexible than the iPhone was or probably ever will be. But I finally moved to Android because I felt it offered a better blend of flexibility, modernity, and power.
Windows Phone 7 will probably do well. To the average consumer that's exactly what they want. They don't care (as the iPhone proves) about having a very flexible device. They just want an appliance. However I think that Android very easily fills that role just as well. Additionally its capturing the mindshare of people like us who don't want to be told how we can use our device.
WP7's only draw for me is the fact that it integrates Zune. But I actually like having a standalone player so I don't really have a desire to get the phone based on that. I think the market will eventually boil down to RIM, iPhone, WM7 & Android but I don't think WM7 will be competing for the top spot.
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03-15-2010, 01:35 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 123
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I think WP7 has the good, but
but I think now it's all about the hardware. I hope HTC, Samsung, and LG give WP7 their A game.
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