20 Things Need To Be Fixed For Next Version of Windows
Microsoft has gotten much better in listening to its customers and they want user feedback. Here are some of my thoughts and suggestions about how to improve the next version of Windows. By next version of Windows I also mean Windows Phone. I might use Windows and Windows Phone interchangeably.
This is not an exhaustive list, nor it's from a tech enthusiast or a pundit. Theses are issues faced by a day-to-day user, an average Joe (Not your Joe Belfiore).
Since this site is full of Softies (Microsoft apologists), I want to clarify one thing before the hate start pouring down. I am not from Trollville. I have never owned an Apple or Android product (unless you consider my wife's Android phone mine). I have been an early adopter of windows 8 and have used Windows Phone since its very early days, Samsung Focus. I am personally responsible for 15-20 windows phone purchases for my family/friends. I have even purchased and shipped Windows Phones to my family members overseas. I have probably done more for the Windows Phone than AT&T (just kidding). I know slightly more than the average users, but these issues can even torment a hardcore fan, let alone a new/average users. Lastly, I think Metro (Modern) design is one of the best designs out there, but it still needs some maturing and polishing to do.
Here is the list, not necessarily in order or importance, but probably based on daily usage.
1. Maps: Offline map was one of the main reasons I stuck with windows phone, but we deserve a better mapping experience in this day and age. Currently, there are at least 3 versions of maps with Windows Phone (Here Drive, Here Maps and Bing Maps) that don?t really talk to each other. All these maps need is to merge together to make one uniform user experience. Yes, I know the differences. I also understand that Here Map replaced Bing Map, but the latter still exists, which could be a cause for confusion. For example, if you click on an address from a site, you will be taken to Bing map, which is not the primary mapping App. If you use Bing map with Windows (PC version), you can?t access your favorites in Here Drive/Maps. Here Drive is great when it comes to offline usage, but still feels half backed. It should be able to give us the route details at any moment (not just at the beginning), different route options, and arrival time in minutes (not just estimated time of arrival). There is a huge disconnect between the Here Drive and Here Maps. If I am using Here Maps, I can?t "save location". I have to open Here Drive and then add that location to my favorites. However, once a location is saved, I can?t organize it in different categories in the Drive; I have to go back to Here Maps to assort it. Lastly, the map(s) seems to give wrong direction at times, which is point of embarrassment in front of my wife, who then uses her Android to save the day. I feel like I need to learn 3 different Apps whereas only 1 should be enough. I get jealous and embarrassed when my wife's Google Map, gets things right the first time. If it is difficult tomerge these maps, then there should be a way to switch between them quickly from within each App, after all they are all made by the same people.
2. Xbox Music: I didn't realize how good Zune was until I start using Xbox Music. The new App(s) is very buggy, not intuitive, slow and does not synch properly. I have used file explorer to add media to my phone, but then unable to find or play that media in my phone. The space is still taken, but I can?t find the media. Worse yet, there are two versions of Windows Phone App, the Metro (Modern) and the desktop versions. Again, both are supposed to do the same thing, but in a very different and confusing way. Why can't we have a single working version? Lastly, using Podcast is a travesty in its own right. Unless you like and find a Podcast in the Store, you are unable to add a Podcast to your device. Maybe there is a way to add outside Podcasts, but I have been unable to find a way to copy and paste a Podcast link to the Music App.
3. Dialer: I miss the days of Windows Mobile where I could see the contacts' names as I typed the name or the number. This function is currently available on Android (probably iPhone as well), but it still a mystery why Microsoft can't add this back to Windows phone.
4.Lock Screen Access: Speaking of Windows Mobile, why can't we access our voicemail or reply to messages directly from lock screen like we used to with Windows Mobile. It feels like Microsoft has taken 2 steps forward and 1 backwards.
5. Email: The idea of mail App in Windows (Phone) is great, but the execution is very poor. I love the ability to link different emails and name them whatever I want. However, Mail App in Windows is very slow and unresponsive. I can't even add my work email (Exchange) to the Mail App, but it works perfectly with my Phone. Other issues with the Mail App include, inability to open web links from within email or problem with synching with different folders (Sent, Draft, Deleted folders etc.). I almost had a heart attack once when I was unable to access my Draft folder on my phone to send a very important email. I have tried every trick in the book, but to no avail. This is unacceptable. I have seriously thought about switching to third party mail Apps, but I really don't want to.
6. Email Attachments: Speaking of emails, what is up with the inability to attach documents (Word, PDF etc) or Videos from the email? Yes, I know that I can share things, but what if I want to send 10 different items? Am I supposed to send 10 different emails?
7. Kid?s corner: I have to give it to Microsoft for coming up with this great idea. However, I would like to have a different password for the Kid?s corner. If my kid wants to use my phone, I shouldn't have to open it to him every time. I can make and show him an easy password where he can unlock the Corner and do his kidsy stuff. Android, who took this idea from Windows Phone has improved on it and gives the user the ability to have a different password for its ?Kid?s Corner?, but I hope Microsoft will implement this in the future.
8. Camera Button: The camera is probably the best and most loved feature of Window Phone. Keep up the good work, but please merge the Nokia and Microsoft cameras. I see a pattern of fragmented Apps with Microsoft. Also, the camera button is very useful. I understand the need for cheaper models not to have a dedicated button, but please don't get rid of the camera button all together. It's a very quick and easy way to launch the camera. I find it annoying whenever I use my wife's phone that I have to unlock it every time to take a picture. You don't appreciate what you have until you don't have it anymore.
9. Multitasking: Speaking of Android who ?stole? the idea of multitasking (2 Apps side by side) from Windows 8, it?s still a mystery to me why Microsoft hasn?tdone this for Windows Phone yet. I understand Windows 10 have the ability to have 4 ?windows? open at once, but I hope that is also true for the mobile version.
10. Internet Explorer: Have I mentioned lack of communication and homogeneity between similar Apps? IE desktop and Metro (Modern) versions, even though the same browser, can?t be any more distinct, which is very frustrating. The two versions should complement each other, not be at each other?s throat. The setting are totally different. You can?t do much with Modern version; can?t manage ad-ons. I have to resort back to desktop version every time I have to change something and use thedesktop version mostly for this reason. There should be a way to switch between the 2 versions quickly from within each other. Yes, you can switch from Modern to desktop version, but the reverse is not true, unless I am missing something. Also, why the Modern version so slow or why does the address bar and tabs take so much space at the bottom of the screen? Lastly, why IE, especially the desktop version, keeps crashing and has to ?recover the page?; very, very, very frustrating.
11. Ad-Block: Should I say more? If third parties are not willing to make it, what is stopping Microsoft from coming up with one? I don?t like to use Chrome and to a lesser extent Firefox, but due to lack of a good Ad-blocker, I am forced to use those two browsers. Yes, I know about the Tracking Protection List (EasyList) for IE, but those ad-ons are pathetic when compared to Chrome/Firefox Ad-blockers.
12. Keep switching back to desktop mode: I would like to use the Start Screen and Modern Appsmore often than I do now, but am forced to switch back to desktop for very simple and basic tasks. For example, if I am running a Modern App, then I need to use the calculator, I have to either switch to Start Screen and type calculator, which is relatively a long process or I can switch to desktop and click on my ?favorite? programs in the task bar. In addition, why can?t they have a Time/Date in the Modern view as we have have in desktop all the time? Yes, I can swipe from the right to see the time/date, but again it shouldn?t be a multi-step process to just look at the time. I hear that these issues should be resolved with the reintroduction of Start Menu and ability to see the taskbar at all times with Windows 10. Nonetheless, it is an annoying process at the moment.
13. Cortana: We were told that Cortana was going to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I am very disappointed. It was supposed to be a ?revolutionary?, not evolutionary product, but all I can see is a slightly better version of Siri and far inferior search engine than Google Now. Yes, she has her own personality, but what am I going to do with an assistant with a personality, but no substance. Sure, she can tell you that Bill Gates is her father or that ?the past, present and future walked in a bar and it was tense? but she seems to have only a repertoire of 10 or so jokes. She keeps recycling the same material over and over, which even made my 5 year old bored. Not to mention she can only provide a list of websites most of the times after a query instead of being an helpful assistant. She couldn?t even tell me show times for movie Gone Girl the other day.
14. Price: Microsoft, please don't follow Apple's price model. You will never be able to increase market share with ridiculous prices like we had for Surface RT (which was a below average product at best). Android owes its success to flooding the market with all sorts of phones with different price ranges. Most folks are heavily invested in the Apple and Android ecosystems, but they need incentives and a good reason to forgo all that investments. Provide them dirt cheap phones like the Lumia 520/530 series. Once they see the quality and fun, they will invest and upgrade to more expensive models. Now that the smaller devices are free of licensing fees, things are hopefully changing for the better.
15.Cloud: OneDrive is great and probably the best Cloud offering out there, but it has much room to improve. It takes forever to open or save a document at times. I experienced multiple issues of not saving the most recent version of my documents.
16. App Store: Once the new universal Store opens, things might get better, but as of right now the Store experience is very irritating. It?s very slow to open, then it takes forever to find the App you need (if it exists), then the download process is another drag.
17. Find a Lost Phone: Yes, I can log in to my Windows Phone site and see the general location of my phone, but I can?t get a specific address or location. What good is the info if it only tells me that my phone was registered in XYZ Street 2 hours ago, but can?t give me an address to go pick it up.
18. Update to window 8.1: Great operating system and much more practical than Windows 8, but had nightmares about upgrading. I have had multiple machines that I had to upgrade, but the experience was horrid. It took me almost 5 hours to update Windows 8 then upgrade to 8.1 for one of devices. Why do I have to download an App from App Store for Windows 8.1? Why can?t it be like every other updates?
19. Exclusivity: Microsoft, now that you own Nokia, please, please, please get rid of exclusive deals with carriers. It's not working. They do not promote or give attention to Windows Phone as they are supposed to. The bias against Windows Phone is not even subtle. The sales people will talk people out of buying a Window Phone. Having only one plastic model of a low end phone as a display is not helping either and it won't lure people away from iPhones and Galaxies. Hire or pay some people to be present in these "partner" stores all the time to sell your products.
20. More is Good (but not always): Bring Notification Center to Windows and give us the ability to swipe from left to right in Windows Phone for favorites or most used Apps etc. Give us the ability to organize items in the Setting of the Windows Phone based on usage or alphabet.
Before you even ask or in case you were wondering:
-I understand that some of the issues will be addressed and resolved with the new Windows. I also understand the solutions for some of them already exist, but it is probably not easily accessible or way too complicated for the average user.
-Yes, I have been to Microsoft stores numerous times to resolve some of these issues. The help I got would be modest at best, nothing to write home about. I find the store employees very respectful and friendly, but more often than not, the employee searches the web to find me an answer, which I had already done before getting there. The other day, I was at the Microsoft store and a customer wanted to know about how to change the alert sounds for different Apps (Voicemail, messaging, email etc); I seemed to know more than thestore employee. Maybe they need more training or need to use their products more often.
-No, I don?t use dial up or DSL. I have cable at home and at work.
-My wife likes Windows Phone, but I couldn't convert her due lack and quality of the Apps. Yes, there are almost all major Apps in the Store, but let's be honest, the quality lags far behind iOS and Android, not to mention lots of non-major Apps are still missing. Even Microsoft has releases Apps or updates for other operating systems before Windows Phone. Justified or not, Apps are still one of the main reasons some people wouldn't switch.
-Despite all these apparent 'flaws' of the Windows, I don't see my self switching to any other system.
-My devices: Windows Mobile -> SamsungFocus -> Lumia 710 -> HTC Titan -> Lumia 900 -> Lumia 521 -> HTC 8X -> Lumia 920 -> Lumia 1520 (very briefly) ->
-> Lumia 920 (Developer preview)
-Currently using Windows 8.1 at home and just purchased a Surface Pro 3 (still in the box)
-It?s OK to criticize or scrutinize things that are dear to us. It can only make things (and us) better and stronger.
PS: Sorry for the long list, but this has long been overdue. And can someone please forward this to someone in Microsoft or Windows team.
Microsoft has gotten much better in listening to its customers and they want user feedback. Here are some of my thoughts and suggestions about how to improve the next version of Windows. By next version of Windows I also mean Windows Phone. I might use Windows and Windows Phone interchangeably.
This is not an exhaustive list, nor it's from a tech enthusiast or a pundit. Theses are issues faced by a day-to-day user, an average Joe (Not your Joe Belfiore).
Since this site is full of Softies (Microsoft apologists), I want to clarify one thing before the hate start pouring down. I am not from Trollville. I have never owned an Apple or Android product (unless you consider my wife's Android phone mine). I have been an early adopter of windows 8 and have used Windows Phone since its very early days, Samsung Focus. I am personally responsible for 15-20 windows phone purchases for my family/friends. I have even purchased and shipped Windows Phones to my family members overseas. I have probably done more for the Windows Phone than AT&T (just kidding). I know slightly more than the average users, but these issues can even torment a hardcore fan, let alone a new/average users. Lastly, I think Metro (Modern) design is one of the best designs out there, but it still needs some maturing and polishing to do.
Here is the list, not necessarily in order or importance, but probably based on daily usage.
1. Maps: Offline map was one of the main reasons I stuck with windows phone, but we deserve a better mapping experience in this day and age. Currently, there are at least 3 versions of maps with Windows Phone (Here Drive, Here Maps and Bing Maps) that don?t really talk to each other. All these maps need is to merge together to make one uniform user experience. Yes, I know the differences. I also understand that Here Map replaced Bing Map, but the latter still exists, which could be a cause for confusion. For example, if you click on an address from a site, you will be taken to Bing map, which is not the primary mapping App. If you use Bing map with Windows (PC version), you can?t access your favorites in Here Drive/Maps. Here Drive is great when it comes to offline usage, but still feels half backed. It should be able to give us the route details at any moment (not just at the beginning), different route options, and arrival time in minutes (not just estimated time of arrival). There is a huge disconnect between the Here Drive and Here Maps. If I am using Here Maps, I can?t "save location". I have to open Here Drive and then add that location to my favorites. However, once a location is saved, I can?t organize it in different categories in the Drive; I have to go back to Here Maps to assort it. Lastly, the map(s) seems to give wrong direction at times, which is point of embarrassment in front of my wife, who then uses her Android to save the day. I feel like I need to learn 3 different Apps whereas only 1 should be enough. I get jealous and embarrassed when my wife's Google Map, gets things right the first time. If it is difficult tomerge these maps, then there should be a way to switch between them quickly from within each App, after all they are all made by the same people.
2. Xbox Music: I didn't realize how good Zune was until I start using Xbox Music. The new App(s) is very buggy, not intuitive, slow and does not synch properly. I have used file explorer to add media to my phone, but then unable to find or play that media in my phone. The space is still taken, but I can?t find the media. Worse yet, there are two versions of Windows Phone App, the Metro (Modern) and the desktop versions. Again, both are supposed to do the same thing, but in a very different and confusing way. Why can't we have a single working version? Lastly, using Podcast is a travesty in its own right. Unless you like and find a Podcast in the Store, you are unable to add a Podcast to your device. Maybe there is a way to add outside Podcasts, but I have been unable to find a way to copy and paste a Podcast link to the Music App.
3. Dialer: I miss the days of Windows Mobile where I could see the contacts' names as I typed the name or the number. This function is currently available on Android (probably iPhone as well), but it still a mystery why Microsoft can't add this back to Windows phone.
4.Lock Screen Access: Speaking of Windows Mobile, why can't we access our voicemail or reply to messages directly from lock screen like we used to with Windows Mobile. It feels like Microsoft has taken 2 steps forward and 1 backwards.
5. Email: The idea of mail App in Windows (Phone) is great, but the execution is very poor. I love the ability to link different emails and name them whatever I want. However, Mail App in Windows is very slow and unresponsive. I can't even add my work email (Exchange) to the Mail App, but it works perfectly with my Phone. Other issues with the Mail App include, inability to open web links from within email or problem with synching with different folders (Sent, Draft, Deleted folders etc.). I almost had a heart attack once when I was unable to access my Draft folder on my phone to send a very important email. I have tried every trick in the book, but to no avail. This is unacceptable. I have seriously thought about switching to third party mail Apps, but I really don't want to.
6. Email Attachments: Speaking of emails, what is up with the inability to attach documents (Word, PDF etc) or Videos from the email? Yes, I know that I can share things, but what if I want to send 10 different items? Am I supposed to send 10 different emails?
7. Kid?s corner: I have to give it to Microsoft for coming up with this great idea. However, I would like to have a different password for the Kid?s corner. If my kid wants to use my phone, I shouldn't have to open it to him every time. I can make and show him an easy password where he can unlock the Corner and do his kidsy stuff. Android, who took this idea from Windows Phone has improved on it and gives the user the ability to have a different password for its ?Kid?s Corner?, but I hope Microsoft will implement this in the future.
8. Camera Button: The camera is probably the best and most loved feature of Window Phone. Keep up the good work, but please merge the Nokia and Microsoft cameras. I see a pattern of fragmented Apps with Microsoft. Also, the camera button is very useful. I understand the need for cheaper models not to have a dedicated button, but please don't get rid of the camera button all together. It's a very quick and easy way to launch the camera. I find it annoying whenever I use my wife's phone that I have to unlock it every time to take a picture. You don't appreciate what you have until you don't have it anymore.
9. Multitasking: Speaking of Android who ?stole? the idea of multitasking (2 Apps side by side) from Windows 8, it?s still a mystery to me why Microsoft hasn?tdone this for Windows Phone yet. I understand Windows 10 have the ability to have 4 ?windows? open at once, but I hope that is also true for the mobile version.
10. Internet Explorer: Have I mentioned lack of communication and homogeneity between similar Apps? IE desktop and Metro (Modern) versions, even though the same browser, can?t be any more distinct, which is very frustrating. The two versions should complement each other, not be at each other?s throat. The setting are totally different. You can?t do much with Modern version; can?t manage ad-ons. I have to resort back to desktop version every time I have to change something and use thedesktop version mostly for this reason. There should be a way to switch between the 2 versions quickly from within each other. Yes, you can switch from Modern to desktop version, but the reverse is not true, unless I am missing something. Also, why the Modern version so slow or why does the address bar and tabs take so much space at the bottom of the screen? Lastly, why IE, especially the desktop version, keeps crashing and has to ?recover the page?; very, very, very frustrating.
11. Ad-Block: Should I say more? If third parties are not willing to make it, what is stopping Microsoft from coming up with one? I don?t like to use Chrome and to a lesser extent Firefox, but due to lack of a good Ad-blocker, I am forced to use those two browsers. Yes, I know about the Tracking Protection List (EasyList) for IE, but those ad-ons are pathetic when compared to Chrome/Firefox Ad-blockers.
12. Keep switching back to desktop mode: I would like to use the Start Screen and Modern Appsmore often than I do now, but am forced to switch back to desktop for very simple and basic tasks. For example, if I am running a Modern App, then I need to use the calculator, I have to either switch to Start Screen and type calculator, which is relatively a long process or I can switch to desktop and click on my ?favorite? programs in the task bar. In addition, why can?t they have a Time/Date in the Modern view as we have have in desktop all the time? Yes, I can swipe from the right to see the time/date, but again it shouldn?t be a multi-step process to just look at the time. I hear that these issues should be resolved with the reintroduction of Start Menu and ability to see the taskbar at all times with Windows 10. Nonetheless, it is an annoying process at the moment.
13. Cortana: We were told that Cortana was going to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I am very disappointed. It was supposed to be a ?revolutionary?, not evolutionary product, but all I can see is a slightly better version of Siri and far inferior search engine than Google Now. Yes, she has her own personality, but what am I going to do with an assistant with a personality, but no substance. Sure, she can tell you that Bill Gates is her father or that ?the past, present and future walked in a bar and it was tense? but she seems to have only a repertoire of 10 or so jokes. She keeps recycling the same material over and over, which even made my 5 year old bored. Not to mention she can only provide a list of websites most of the times after a query instead of being an helpful assistant. She couldn?t even tell me show times for movie Gone Girl the other day.
14. Price: Microsoft, please don't follow Apple's price model. You will never be able to increase market share with ridiculous prices like we had for Surface RT (which was a below average product at best). Android owes its success to flooding the market with all sorts of phones with different price ranges. Most folks are heavily invested in the Apple and Android ecosystems, but they need incentives and a good reason to forgo all that investments. Provide them dirt cheap phones like the Lumia 520/530 series. Once they see the quality and fun, they will invest and upgrade to more expensive models. Now that the smaller devices are free of licensing fees, things are hopefully changing for the better.
15.Cloud: OneDrive is great and probably the best Cloud offering out there, but it has much room to improve. It takes forever to open or save a document at times. I experienced multiple issues of not saving the most recent version of my documents.
16. App Store: Once the new universal Store opens, things might get better, but as of right now the Store experience is very irritating. It?s very slow to open, then it takes forever to find the App you need (if it exists), then the download process is another drag.
17. Find a Lost Phone: Yes, I can log in to my Windows Phone site and see the general location of my phone, but I can?t get a specific address or location. What good is the info if it only tells me that my phone was registered in XYZ Street 2 hours ago, but can?t give me an address to go pick it up.
18. Update to window 8.1: Great operating system and much more practical than Windows 8, but had nightmares about upgrading. I have had multiple machines that I had to upgrade, but the experience was horrid. It took me almost 5 hours to update Windows 8 then upgrade to 8.1 for one of devices. Why do I have to download an App from App Store for Windows 8.1? Why can?t it be like every other updates?
19. Exclusivity: Microsoft, now that you own Nokia, please, please, please get rid of exclusive deals with carriers. It's not working. They do not promote or give attention to Windows Phone as they are supposed to. The bias against Windows Phone is not even subtle. The sales people will talk people out of buying a Window Phone. Having only one plastic model of a low end phone as a display is not helping either and it won't lure people away from iPhones and Galaxies. Hire or pay some people to be present in these "partner" stores all the time to sell your products.
20. More is Good (but not always): Bring Notification Center to Windows and give us the ability to swipe from left to right in Windows Phone for favorites or most used Apps etc. Give us the ability to organize items in the Setting of the Windows Phone based on usage or alphabet.
Before you even ask or in case you were wondering:
-I understand that some of the issues will be addressed and resolved with the new Windows. I also understand the solutions for some of them already exist, but it is probably not easily accessible or way too complicated for the average user.
-Yes, I have been to Microsoft stores numerous times to resolve some of these issues. The help I got would be modest at best, nothing to write home about. I find the store employees very respectful and friendly, but more often than not, the employee searches the web to find me an answer, which I had already done before getting there. The other day, I was at the Microsoft store and a customer wanted to know about how to change the alert sounds for different Apps (Voicemail, messaging, email etc); I seemed to know more than thestore employee. Maybe they need more training or need to use their products more often.
-No, I don?t use dial up or DSL. I have cable at home and at work.
-My wife likes Windows Phone, but I couldn't convert her due lack and quality of the Apps. Yes, there are almost all major Apps in the Store, but let's be honest, the quality lags far behind iOS and Android, not to mention lots of non-major Apps are still missing. Even Microsoft has releases Apps or updates for other operating systems before Windows Phone. Justified or not, Apps are still one of the main reasons some people wouldn't switch.
-Despite all these apparent 'flaws' of the Windows, I don't see my self switching to any other system.
-My devices: Windows Mobile -> SamsungFocus -> Lumia 710 -> HTC Titan -> Lumia 900 -> Lumia 521 -> HTC 8X -> Lumia 920 -> Lumia 1520 (very briefly) ->
-> Lumia 920 (Developer preview)
-Currently using Windows 8.1 at home and just purchased a Surface Pro 3 (still in the box)
-It?s OK to criticize or scrutinize things that are dear to us. It can only make things (and us) better and stronger.
PS: Sorry for the long list, but this has long been overdue. And can someone please forward this to someone in Microsoft or Windows team.
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