"Satya Nadella must kill Windows Phone and fork Android" Geez...

[anony_mouse]

The other problem is that most of the juicy bits of Android are proprietary. That is, Google owns the code.

AOSP as it stands is some sort of barebones framework.

It's true that a certain amount of 'Android' is proprietary - but are these the parts that Microsoft needs? As far as I'm aware, the proprietary parts mostly support Google services (Play Store, GMail, Google Now, etc) - although please correct me if I'm wrong. Microsoft would almost certainly replace these services with their own - as Amazon and many Chinese manufacturers have.

As I said, the Nokia Normandy (if it is a real product) will be very interesting.

 

[a5cent]

It's true that a certain amount of 'Android' is proprietary - but are these the parts that Microsoft needs?

That is a good question. Technically MS wouldn't need anything at all, but that isn't what this is about.

I don't think Normandy is viable if it can't make use of a large part of the Android app catalogue. If Normandy is just the start of yet another ecosystem with a sub par app selection, then it's basically just a fifth horse in what is already barely a three horse race. The only reason AOSP works in China is because most of Google's services are banned, so the Chinese wouldn't get the full Google experience either way. Amazon is the only company successfully selling AOSP based devices in the western world, and most don't see the Kindle Fire as an Android device, but rather as a portal to Amazon's content. The point is, it's because of that content that the Kindle Fire sells, not because it is based on Android.

So, for me, the big question is how much of the standard Android app catalogue runs on AOSP. Do any of the Android specialists out there know?

• How many of the apps in the Google Play store are able to run correctly using only what is available in the AOSP?
• How many of the top 100 apps in the Google Play store are able to run correctly with only the AOSP?
• How many of the apps that run only on the AOSP have actually been updated during the last year?

 

[may693]

Either MS or i would like to prefer java over android

 

[mspace81]

I use Apple, Android, and Windows, I favor no brand over the other. Everyone always talks about Google being evil and whatnot which makes me laugh. These companies do not have any of our best interest in mind...Their interest is MONEY and to think otherwise, is well not wise. I go for what works best for my needs right now. There is no best platform or device...it's all very subjective. I feel that if both Microsoft and Google would just make nice and work collaboratively, there could be some awesome innovations to be had globally.

Both Microsoft and Google go way beyond just mobile and both companies have a lot to offer. There are many things I like about both companies and often wish I could get a little blend of both, it would make things so much easier lol. All platforms are pretty much equal now. They all do the basic things, have the basic smartphone features, and have all the basic apps. Where the difference comes in are services offered, optimization, and UI. Windows Phone does have a ways to go to win over some folks. The foundation they have is definitely something worth looking at, but as of right now I couldn't make my windows phone my daily driver based on my needs. Windows 8.1 does look super sweet though.

I would love to see the day when these 2 giants collaborate. It'll be good for consumers and the advancement of technology.

Posted via the WPC App for Android!

 

[anony_mouse]

If Normandy is just the start of yet another ecosystem with a sub par app selection, then it's basically just a fifth horse in what is already barely a three horse race.

Agree. Reports suggest that Normandy will target Asian markets, where your point below applies.

The only reason AOSP works in China is because most of Google's services are banned, so the Chinese wouldn't get the full Google experience either way. Amazon is the only company successfully selling AOSP based devices in the western world, and most don't see the Kindle Fire as an Android device, but rather as a portal to Amazon's content. The point is, it's because of that content that the Kindle Fire sells, not because it is based on Android.

So, for me, the big question is how much of the standard Android app catalogue runs on AOSP. Do any of the Android specialists out there know?

• How many of the apps in the Google Play store are able to run correctly using only what is available in the AOSP?
• How many of the top 100 apps in the Google Play store are able to run correctly with only the AOSP?
• How many of the apps that run only on the AOSP have actually been updated during the last year?

I can't answer any of those questions, unfortunately. I don't think it's quite that black and white, though. Clearly, apps that make use of GMS (i.e. the APIs towards Google's cloud services, which are not part of AOSP) will need some porting, but this should be much much less work than rewriting the app for WP. Can Microsoft persuade developers to do this, for a platform that doesn't exist yet? That remains to be seen (if Normandy is actually real). Even for apps that run purely on AOSP, Microsoft will still have to get developers to submit their apps to the new app store - they can't just take them from Google Play.

Now here's a provocative question, which I ask in the spirit of discussion - what prospects do MS have of ever making money from their app store? Would it be better to *include* Google Play and GMS, and concentrate instead on the UI and integrating MS's own services more deeply with the platform, alongside Google's. They could also look at making the phones integrate deeply with Windows PCs - which I suspect is where MS can add the most value.

 

[anony_mouse]

Good to see that Microsoft like my ideas! Microsoft is 'seriously considering' bringing Android apps to Windows- The Inquirer

 

[neo158]

Good to see that Microsoft like my ideas! Microsoft is 'seriously considering' bringing Android apps to Windows- The Inquirer

Hell no, if I want to use Android apps then I'll use Android. I bought a Windows Phone so I want native apps not some slow, bug ridden, virus infested Android apps!!!

 

[m3kk]

Hell no, if I want to use Android apps then I'll use Android. I bought a Windows Phone so I want native apps not some slow, bug ridden, virus infested Android apps!!!

my apps on wp8 is both slower and has more bugs than my android counter-part. Virus lol? I COULD be due to my android has 4-cores and 2gb of rams thou.. My Ativ S doesn't really match that. But so far wp8 has more bugs in apps :/ I agree with you thou, if Microsoft takes this road then the war is over and it ain't Windows Phone who won it

 

[neo158]

my apps on wp8 is both slower and has more bugs than my android counter-part. Virus lol? I COULD be due to my android has 4-cores and 2gb of rams thou.. My Ativ S doesn't really match that. But so far wp8 has more bugs in apps :/ I agree with you thou, if Microsoft takes this road then the war is over and it ain't Windows Phone who won it

Depends what apps you use and yes, Android has had viruses in apps on the Play store.

 

[m3kk]

Depends what apps you use and yes, Android has had viruses in apps on the Play store.

sorry I can't find anything about virus from play store app, althou found this:

http://antivirus.about.com/od/wirelessthreats/a/Is-Google-Play-Safe.htm

If what you're saying is correct on the other hand..that would be horrible.

 

[a5cent]

sorry I can't find anything about virus from play store app.

Then your search terms are poor. Try using the term "malware" instead of virus, which is just a very specific type of malware. There is tons of stuff on the web about malware infested apps in the play store.

 

[m3kk]

I can't quote you a5cent because my wpcentral app is buggy and won't let me but this is to you: yes I now searched "malware" instead of just virus and come over this link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/22/android_malware_badnews/
And it sounds really horrible.
In response to that I also find this: http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/google-dont-fear-android-malware/d/d-id/1111863
Which is on a little lighter note that they added automatic malware search in the play store, this should have been done much much sooner! How can one trust developers won't come up with another way of going around that one thou? This actually makes android much less attractive for me . One thing I furiously want on wp8 thou is adblock and the app that lets you view whole Netflix content for every region, those are the bomb! One thing that also really turns me off about android is that one site can have a popup ad that downloads an apk directly without asking. Off course you need to manually install it but still, I don't want it there . With all that said I don't think android apps on wp8 would ever have the permissions needed for them to be malicious/dangerous to the windows phone platform.

 

[a5cent]

How can one trust developers won't come up with another way of going around that one thou?

You can't. Malware developers will always find new ways of circumventing security on Android. Windows is the same. Simply due to the nature of how both operating systems were designed, there will always be more exploits in comparison to systems that are more "locked down". As a result, over the last decade, MS has been forced to engage in a very expensive cyber security arms race (a.k.a. Patch-Tuesdays). Although Android isn't exactly the same, Google does need to grapple with what are fundamentally the same issues.

It's good that you found those two articles. As you can see, some claim the end of the world is neigh, while others will keep a straight face while saying that there is no security problem on Android. The truth lies somewhere in between.

In regard to how the introduction of Android apps would affect WP security... I have no idea.

 

[winrayjay99]

What is with all this love for Google as of late? As a convert from Android to WP I will say Android is a buggy mess.

Sent from my HTC6990LVW using Tapatalk

 

[Musaib124]

For me widgets are nothing but a faster way to drain battery.. Wp n ios has ability to compete with android n sometimes gives better performance then android with less hardeare capability.. And both ios n wp gives better user experience as that of android thats y android sucks.