[Mahmoud Hussein]

So I'm a Nokia huge fan, I have a WP now because Nokia made a WP. after two years using the OS I started to think that it's really a lost cause! I really like the OS but I am really disappointed with the market share, the app gap and popularity of the OS. And now Nokia is gone, no manufactures seem to have plans for releasing a WP! And Microsoft isn't doing very well! Where is the 925 successor? The 1020 successor? Are they even planing to release any High-end flagship soon? Or they're waiting for Windows 10 which I think would be a disappointment just like WP8! What do you think?

[ven07]

Flagships will be released after W10 has been announced and MS will need to get it right, because anything short of spectacular could hit them hard.. On the way there, we will most likely only see handsets for emerging markets and those are the handsets that really drive the sales. If you want a flagship then go for the 930 or 1520 you might be surprised at how well those handsets can keep up and even compete with handsets from the competition that have the latest specs. The WP platform is unique and W10 (IF executed in the right matter) will enhance our daily experience, but honestly you're calling quits after just two years? And why should the market share matter to an average user? Unless you're a dev..

Edit: Rumors are circulating that Nokia might jump on to the Android ship, so you have sth to look forward too :)

[Guytronic]

Clouds don't always mean it's going to rain.

[Mahmoud Hussein]

Flagships will be released after W10 has been announced and MS will need to get it right, because anything short of spectacular could hit them hard.. On the way there, we will most likely only see handsets for emerging markets and those are the handsets that really drive the sales. If you want a flagship then go for the 930 or 1520 you might be surprised at how well those handsets can keep up and even compete with handsets from the competition that have the latest specs. The WP platform is unique and W10 (IF executed in the right matter) will enhance our daily experience, but honestly you're calling quits after just two years? And why should the market share matter to an average user? Unless you're a dev..

Edit: Rumors are circulating that Nokia might jump on to the Android ship, so you have sth to look forward too :)

I have a 925 now and I like it. I care about the market share because it's the reason why we have this huge app gap! Nokia isn't the Nokia I loved since the 3310, not anymore and I really don't like Android.

[ven07]

Some have said this before and I agree with them.. The "app gap" is subjective.. There are many users out there that are quite content with the apps we have now and can mostly find another app to serve their needs if the one they're looking for isn't actually available. As the situation stands, WP isn't the place to be if you want the latest app/games on your phone (not yet)

[Laura Knotek]

Some have said this before and I agree with them.. The "app gap" is subjective.. There are many users out there that are quite content with the apps we have now and can mostly find another app to serve their needs if the one they're looking for isn't actually available. As the situation stands, WP isn't the place to be if you want the latest app/games on your phone (not yet)

I agree. I'm not a big social media user (only use Twitter and Instagram), and I don't have issues with the apps available for either. I also don't play alot of mobile games, since I prefer PC gaming.

[Scienceguy Labs]

I agree. I'm not a big social media user (only use Twitter and Instagram), and I don't have issues with the apps available for either. I also don't play alot of mobile games, since I prefer PC gaming.

Agreed.

[trekgraham]

Windows Phone does what I need it to, do I not want more and better apps? Of course but I don't feel I'd do better with a Android or iPhone

[EBUK]

The "app gap" is subjective.

Very true. As I am not a social media user, the only app gap I see is in what Android offers. There are apps I use on Windows for which I cannot find an Android app that matches or exceeds the functionality of the Windows app. In fact, nothing on Android came close.

I was reading articles last night that were written last year or the beginning of this year. They suggested that MSFT stop WinPhone development and instead fork Android. There are potential legal issues, but those aside, if MSFT forks android, they could develop it as they wish, but apps could be ported over with minimum of difficulty.

It sounds like a reasonable idea, but you're still essentially running Android with all its inherent issues.

[RichardBurt]

....instead fork Android...

Let's not start that topic again. Please.

[ven07]

@EBUK I was actually for the Android apps, but I understand the problems that option brings with it...

[tortex73]

Edit: Rumors are circulating that Nokia might jump on to the Android ship, so you have sth to look forward too :)

That would be amazing. I just bought my first Windows phone yesterday, the Lumia 830, and while I love the look of the OS, it does leave quite a bit to be desired compared to Android, IMO. What I'm really impressed with however, is the build quality of the phone. For a mid range device, this thing is just phenomenal. I'd kill to have a phone like this (albeit with better specs) running Android. I know that Nokia has an Android tablet coming out soon that is dirt cheap yet looks absolutely gorgeous. Also, Nokia released their own Android launcher called Z Launcher, and I really like it. It's completely different than any other launcher out there, and not in a gimmicky way- it's actually very well thought out and useful. I'd love to see what Nokia would do with a high end Android handset.

[Blkacesvf41]

That would be amazing. I just bought my first Windows phone yesterday, the Lumia 830, and while I love the look of the OS, it does leave quite a bit to be desired compared to Android, IMO. What I'm really impressed with however, is the build quality of the phone. For a mid range device, this thing is just phenomenal. I'd kill to have a phone like this (albeit with better specs) running Android. I know that Nokia has an Android tablet coming out soon that is dirt cheap yet looks absolutely gorgeous. Also, Nokia released their own Android launcher called Z Launcher, and I really like it. It's completely different than any other launcher out there, and not in a gimmicky way- it's actually very well thought out and useful. I'd love to see what Nokia would do with a high end Android handset.

My understanding is that because of the acquisition of Nokia's hardware division, by Microsoft, they won't be able to put out any new phones till 2017.

[tortex73]

My understanding is that because of the acquisition of Nokia's hardware division, by Microsoft, they won't be able to put out any new phones till 2017.

Well, that gives them plenty of time to enter the Android world with a bang.

[Nogitsune Micah]

Well, that gives them plenty of time to enter the Android world with a bang.

Or become the next blackberry.

[tortex73]

Or become the next blackberry.

Ha! Very true.

[EBUK]

Let's not start that topic again. Please.

Not trying to start that topic. As I said, the articles I was looking at are a year old now. Just mentioning that it had been put forward by journalists, not by anyone with insider knowledge.

[Hypnopottamus]

Honestly, you should really decide what exactly you need out of your device and then make a decision. Yes, there is an app gap. But do you REALLY use any of those apps, I know I don't so the "app gap" doesn't bother me much.

People always talk and compare platforms with the assumption everyone uses their devices the same or need the same things. I know several of my friends that have gotten the latest and greatest devices (Note, Galaxy, One Plus One, iPhone 6) just because it can supposedly "do everything." When it comes down to it, I observe how they use their devices and they are not even utilizing a quarter of what their devices can do! For example, the latest Note can do a "picture within a picture" app multitasking thing. The person I know that has it doesn't even know that feature exists! My other friend has an iPhone 6. They STILL don't utilize the cloud sync features to the fullest. Facetime? they don't use that either. Several of my friends have these new flagship devices and all they do is text, check facebook, and surf the internet. They don't game, they barely download any apps, and they don't even explore all the new "features" available on their devices.

Bottom line, don't let others persuade you to switch because of features you know you don't use. If WP is lacking in something you just have to have, switch to another OS. Decide what YOU want/need out of your device, not what other people "brag" about what their devices can do (and probably don't even use). If WP meets those needs, no need to switch. If not, do some research and find what other platforms offer you that meets YOUR needs.

[Bagzton]

Some have said this before and I agree with them.. The "app gap" is subjective.. There are many users out there that are quite content with the apps we have now and can mostly find another app to serve their needs if the one they're looking for isn't actually available. As the situation stands, WP isn't the place to be if you want the latest app/games on your phone (not yet)

I agree with this. App gap is subjective.

[luisfarelo]

I have found much better apps on WP than I had ever used on Android, examples: Nextgen Reader (much better than Flipboard), MyTube, Tubecast, etc. I have spent more than 20 euros in WP apps vs 0 on Android. I suspect there are a lot like me. So WP is not a lost cause. Carriers are not interested in an Apple/Google duopoly and will start pushing Windows harder when W10 arrives. People should just relax, this is the best we've ever been, we even have Candy Crush now. I'll stick with WP.

[MSFTisMIA]

It's not a lost cause fully yet. I mean the hardcore vets have been waiting since WM 2003, so another fee months and the next version of the OS being sold as the difference maker is something people have gotten used to hearing.

Posting 1+1 Style!

[hagjohn]

Flagships will be released after W10 has been announced and MS will need to get it right, because anything short of spectacular could hit them hard.

Which could be very bad for Windows Phone. Microsoft will have to keep a fast pace of updates, in order to stay relevant in the phone market. They will not be able to get a way with one update a year or every 2 years. I just hope they know that. This delay to have any new flagships until windows 10 (if that is accurate) is not going to be very well received.

[fdalbor]

I am an WP person though I use Android on one of my phones and I own 2 Android tablets. The long delay until Win 10 comes out is going to be even longer until it actually gets to a phone. This is not going to help. They have to do something to fill in that gap until then. Come out with a great phone using 8.1 and then upgrade it to 10. Even coming out with more low end phones would not hurt. BUT DO SOMETHING. Prospective customers are going to take the lack of something new (phone/os/etc) as a lack of development and not help the situation. We don't need the world; but maybe a little piece of it would not hurt. As far as Nokia comming out with an Android phone, there are already a million of them. What would a few more matter. I don't think they are that stupid.

[Tonfun]

People see android with access to a zillion apps and they think android must be better which is unfortunate. My complaint isnt over the lack of apps its how wp is treated like a ******* child due to its low market share. My bank doesnt offer an app for wp. I have geico insurance. No app. I drive a beetle and volkswagon offers an app for android to view my cars stats and unlock the doors. No such app for wp.

I love my lumia 1320 and prefer wp over android and IOS but it does get frustrating sometimes knowing wp is ignored by the market and what that means for us as wp fans.

[ven07]

Honestly, you should really decide what exactly you need out of your device and then make a decision. Yes, there is an app gap. But do you REALLY use any of those apps, I know I don't so the "app gap" doesn't bother me much.

People always talk and compare platforms with the assumption everyone uses their devices the same or need the same things. I know several of my friends that have gotten the latest and greatest devices (Note, Galaxy, One Plus One, iPhone 6) just because it can supposedly "do everything." When it comes down to it, I observe how they use their devices and they are not even utilizing a quarter of what their devices can do! For example, the latest Note can do a "picture within a picture" app multitasking thing. The person I know that has it doesn't even know that feature exists! My other friend has an iPhone 6. They STILL don't utilize the cloud sync features to the fullest. Facetime? they don't use that either. Several of my friends have these new flagship devices and all they do is text, check facebook, and surf the internet. They don't game, they barely download any apps, and they don't even explore all the new "features" available on their devices.

Bottom line, don't let others persuade you to switch because of features you know you don't use. If WP is lacking in something you just have to have, switch to another OS. Decide what YOU want/need out of your device, not what other people "brag" about what their devices can do (and probably don't even use). If WP meets those needs, no need to switch. If not, do some research and find what other platforms offer you that meets YOUR needs.

Lol so true!!! Somewhere along the way a lot of people have been convinced that they need the latest and greatest phones, just to keep up. It's becoming more of a "I need the latest gadgets, so I can belong" instead of actually getting a device that does everything you need. I see a lot of people around me shelling out a lot of money to get the latest phones and in the end simply using it for things they could have easily done with a cheaper phone... But if you have the money to spend, then by all means go ahead :P