That one feature is called 'Desirability' which Microsoft eternally struggles with.Hopefully at some point Microsoft will come up with that one feature that people just have to have.
Most of you people are way off base, People want a good looking phone that has all the app's that their friends are using, they want to be like oooh look what I have, and you know it. I love the Windows phone OS and I'm not app crazy, it has all the ones I use, now I do wish it had more Local app's but I can pin the website and be fine with it. But oh my hell they make some of the most boring looking phones on the market, there has been a few like the 920, Icon, even the 640 that are ok but in general, wow, plain jane, yawn. I am the biggest Windows fan you will ever find and I would never buy the 950 or the 950 XL. I am really hoping HTC or LG comes out with a new Windows phone. Loving my M8.
Unfortunately I have to agree that most people just want a good looking phone with apps. A friend of mine just the other day was excited about her new iPhone because it was pink. My Android friends and iPhone friends are happy with their phones. They aren't clamoring for change. Hopefully at some point Microsoft will come up with that one feature that people just have to have. I had hoped that they could do exclusive Xbox features to lure in gamers and that never materialized. Now my hope is that they get everybody using their services on other platforms and then offer exclusives on windows. This has never and doesn't appear to be their strategy so I don't have my hopes up.
And this is tragic right here: Microsoft COO talks new products, future of technology | On Air Videos | Fox News
This is the Chief Operating Officer of MS discussing all the new products from MS. Guess what doesn't get mentioned at all? When you have a killer feature that no other competitor has (Continum), how can you not mention that? I realize this is FoxBusiness and their viewership is maybe 200K on a Sunday at best, but come on! A chance to tout your own products and you don't even mention it yet mention the Band 2? Good Lord...
This is why I say that MS is mostly to blame for their own WP failures more than anyone else and you blind loyalists ought to wise up and realize that you're supporting something that the own manufacturer doesn't even care if you support. If they do care, they sure don't act like it.
I don't use Facebook, but everything else you've stated is similar here in the US. I see ads for Surface all the time, especially during NFL games. I've never seen an ad for the 950 from AT&T, which is the exclusive carrier to offer it. AT&T advertises iPhones and Samsung Galaxy frequently. I've even seen AT&T ads for LG and HTC devices.Here in the UK I've not seen a single ad for the L950 or L950XL on TV or billboards. Odd for new phones and this close to Xmas. I see the occasional ad in my Facebook feed but I don't really see that as advertising.
The Surface on the other hand I see ads for all the time.
It does make you wonder.
Apps are by far the biggest issue for Windows Phone......
....This is where MS rests it's hopes on universal apps. A big question mark. It also hopes to attract iOS developers with it's 'easy' porting system. Let's see what happens.
I actually like Windows phones, unlike IOS and Android. Win Phone may be easy to use for us fans, but not for the average smartphone users. It is not for the average users, which may be part of the reason why it's 'not popular'. Learning curve. App gap, late and slow to market. Akin to any new automobile startups today. Ariel Atom, BAC Mono, Saleen. All are great vehicles with top power-to-weight ratios, the works. But you never see them around. All you see are Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc. Think of your Windows Phone as an Ariel Atom. . Now I feel smug.
MS better get their act together and make a uber premium phone. That Surface Phone can't come fast enough. I believe they should make it with removal metal bezel and back. And, include a polycarbonate back for those who want either type. Allow the user to adjust antennae power as well wouldn't hurt either, using software of course. Battery drains faster, but it'd be nice if your signal is spotty and you need to make an urgent call.
I can't remember seeing many ads for Windows Phone in general. It comes off as Microsoft having no passion for them, like they are merely a commodity that they sell and nothing more.I don't use Facebook, but everything else you've stated is similar here in the US. I see ads for Surface all the time, especially during NFL games. I've never seen an ad for the 950 from AT&T, which is the exclusive carrier to offer it. AT&T advertises iPhones and Samsung Galaxy frequently. I've even seen AT&T ads for LG and HTC devices.
As I've said before on these forums, we may be able to get away without certain apps but the world in general is getting locked down to Android and iOS. You see this when you go to something simple like print out a photo at your local Walmart from your phone and are suddenly confronted with having to download an app before it will let you even do anything. There may be alternative ways of doing things, but the idea of having a Smartphone is all about convenience and the moment they come across a show stopper like that they'll be looking to jump ship, if they haven't already.Apps are by far the biggest issue for Windows Phone. It still remains a crippling point for many adopters to the platform. Some people can live without certain apps but many get tired of being left out. You can forgive a phone or OS but lack of apps that your friends have or the ability to try out an app is what is killing the ecosystem more than anything else. Being a 'maybe' for developers will continue to kill WP.
This is where MS rests it's hopes on universal apps. A big question mark. It also hopes to attract iOS developers with it's 'easy' porting system. Let's see what happens.
I can't remember seeing many ads for Windows Phone in general. It comes off as Microsoft having no passion for them, like they are merely a commodity that they sell and nothing more.
I saw lots of ads when Nokia was promoting their phones. I even saw a few ads after MS bought Nokia. Now... crickets chirping
Now, I know what many of you are going to say. "I love Live tiles! Windows Mobile UI is so elegant and easy to use!" Yes that may be true to you because you're a ******, but to the general consumer, that is not the case. The majority of consumers who use Windows Phones the first time find it confusing as heck. The first time I used Windows Phones, I didn't know how to resize and snap tiles around. Nobody wants to go through a tutorial on how to use the start screen.
You're right I am going to disagree :grin: However I don't consider myself a Windows ****** either as I came relatively late compared with most in here and I certainly do not think it's without its faults. Tiles certainly aren't any more difficult to use than Android Widgets. Once someone is shown how to add and resize tiles, it's second nature, I mean I can't see how they could've made that any easier.Now, I know what many of you are going to say. "I love Live tiles! Windows Mobile UI is so elegant and easy to use!" Yes that may be true to you because you're a ******, but to the general consumer, that is not the case. The majority of consumers who use Windows Phones the first time find it confusing as heck. The first time I used Windows Phones, I didn't know how to resize and snap tiles around. Nobody wants to go through a tutorial on how to use the start screen.
I would think that with a new OS in general, you'll have to learn how to use it. My mom used Windows Phone and that was a learning curve, but so was Android for her. I doubt anyone goes in and instantly knows how to use it off the bat. It's a fair point, but it isn't one that only goes for Windows Phone/Mobile.
She didn't know what a widget was, or even how it works. Never mind the things that randomly pop up for her that have her considering if she should install something or not. For level of ease to learn/figure out, iOS surely wins, as you said.