smoledman
Banned
I reiterate, unless MS is willing to pour a billion into WP app development(bribe the iOS devs), the app gap will stay forever.
Let's not exaggerate here. Facebook, and some 3rd party apps are all its going to take. 1 billion is a ridiculous number.I reiterate, unless MS is willing to pour a billion into WP app development(bribe the iOS devs), the app gap will stay forever.
Let's not exaggerate here. Facebook, and some 3rd party apps are all its going to take. 1 billion is a ridiculous number.
Microsoft has not been "making a play" at platform convergence... they've simply been "playing"... and those who wanted them to succeed have been "played". Their greatest effort in platform convergence has been to put "Windows" in the name of every operating system.I'm surprised so many around here are so down on the prospects of WP considering the strides that the platform has made to this point. A really tough crowd lol.
What I see here is a platform that continues to take its lumps from almost every angle and yet continues to grow. Its still a small % world wide, but the numbers are trending up, not down. MS basically started from scratch when Apple and Google were starting to dominate and have been able to scrape and claw their way to a decent spot considering. MS just needs to stay aggressive with updates and improvements. We have seen many recent changes that point to them trying to move quicker and be more flexible in rolling out things like app updates. The 'app gap' will remain for quite a while, but I think we are near a point where the gap will mean less and less. There is a positive trend of app developers either bringing an app over, or new developers bringing out quality alternatives. That just needs to be fostered by MS as much as possible.
I see people commenting on MS' lack of commitment to sticking to a platform, but I really have to wonder what they have been looking at. MS has clearly been making a play for platform convergence across WP and Windows. The first step in that process was the WP7 to 8 move. It definitely was not pleasant and it certainly fueled the argument that MS was just abandoning users again, but I think it setup MS for a better long term position. The next step was universal apps. I have seen no evidence that MS will need to make such a move again. WP9 will bring it and Windows even closer together (not to mention see WP and RT merge) and should prove to developers that MS is in it for the long haul, not lacking commitment.
WP definitely burned people that favored the WM platform, and clearly Android became the spiritual successor, but I really have trouble believing that WM represented a platform that could carry MS forward into this current era of smartphones. WM was considered the 'old school' smartphone OS and I don't see it faring much better against Apple or Google. MS chose to reinvent the platform around a less robust set of features, but something that is more inviting to the average smartphone user. We have seen robust features start to make their way back in over the years though and I think the path of joining with Windows will see much more of that returning. Its been a rough road, no doubt, but at least MS seems willing to take the lumps and spend the money to suffer until they reach their goals. This will still be a long road, but it doesn't seem so dire to me at this point.
Microsoft has not been "making a play" at platform convergence... they've simply been "playing"... and those who wanted them to succeed have been "played". Their greatest effort in platform convergence has been to put "Windows" in the name of every operating system.
Microsoft apparently restarts their mobile platforms every 4 years (if history is any indication). To your credit you acknowledge that this has happened. You have chosen to give them a pass. Consumers-at-large haven't. Why should they?
You said that you don't think that MS will need to make such a move to restart again... that is the same sentiment expressed by others over the years every time MS re-booted their mobile OS.
Microsoft isn't new to the scene. They've been at this thing (mobile operating systems) for over 14 years. It is painfully obvious (to me anyways) that their mobile goals are different than what many expect.
As much as I'd like to see another player, I do think WP will fail. Just go into any store, they push iOS or Android. WP is market share is non existent in Canada. The Amazon deal was probably the best alternative they had so they can focus on enterprise. While I like native apps, in the grand scheme of things, as long as my Google Maps continues to work, then the Android runtime was well worth it in the end.
Posted via the WPC App for Android on BlackBerry Z30
Microsoft has not been "making a play" at platform convergence... they've simply been "playing"... and those who wanted them to succeed have been "played". Their greatest effort in platform convergence has been to put "Windows" in the name of every operating system.
Microsoft apparently restarts their mobile platforms every 4 years (if history is any indication). To your credit you acknowledge that this has happened. You have chosen to give them a pass. Consumers-at-large haven't. Why should they?
You said that you don't think that MS will need to make such a move to restart again... that is the same sentiment expressed by others over the years every time MS re-booted their mobile OS.
Microsoft isn't new to the scene. They've been at this thing (mobile operating systems) for over 14 years. It is painfully obvious (to me anyways) that their mobile goals are different than what many expect.
I mean, honestly, if Microsoft lets Windows 9 be free to Windows 7 and 8 users, then that'll bring the install base of Windows 9 to maybe 50%. By my math, that's 750 million people. With that many people, Windows will never have an app problem ever again and the convergence with Windows Phone with 90% shared APIs and universal apps will mean that the app gap will mainly be closed.
Most users utilizing Win8/8.1 are using metro apps because that's the biggest reason to upgrade, so to answer your question, a lot are utilizing the Windows app store for Win8/8.1. Why would you use Win8/8.1 and not utilize any metro apps?
Those that feel ripped off about paying a lot should be frustrated with themselves for waiting so long to upgrade. I only paid around $20 for my upgrade, but the key is doing it as soon as it comes out to take advantage of the promotion.
Most users utilizing Win8/8.1 are using metro apps because that's the biggest reason to upgrade, so to answer your question, a lot are utilizing the Windows app store for Win8/8.1. Why would you use Win8/8.1 and not utilize any metro apps? Those that feel ripped off about paying a lot should be frustrated with themselves for waiting so long to upgrade. I only paid around $20 for my upgrade, but the key is doing it as soon as it comes out to take advantage of the promotion.
According to adduplex stats Windows 8 user aren't using the store.
Metro apps are competing with the web in PCs. For example why the Facebook, Twitter or CNN metro apps optimized for touch are better than the websites optimized for keyboard and mouse?
MS has to find an advantage to defeat the web.
In mobile the web sucks for many reasons, so native apps dominate.
No, most users with W8 have it because it came pre-installed on whatever hardware they purchased. And I only have Windows 8 because I build my own computers and at the time, Windows 8 Ultimate was cheaper in India than Windows 7 Ultimate.