1. There are still a lot of Apps missing, and there is a quality drop off going from other platforms to WP7. The Twitter app on iOS is superior to the WP7 version or any third party apps on WP7 (which likely also exist on iOS, or they have superior third party offerings). IM is also still a sticking point for people who primarily use IM services that aren't Windows Live or Facebook (notwithstanding the FB chat notifications are volatile on WP7 compared to other platforms and Messages support is AWOL with laggy notifications in the Microsoft app). IM+ is still the best they have, which is nothing to rave about given its quality.
2. BT file transfer is an issue largely because of how the phone limits what you can send via Email and MMS. Really if you could attach PDF documents directly to emails and send Videos in Email and MMS the lack of BT file transfer would be much less of an issue for some users. But when you don't give those options (oddly), it makes deficits like the lack of BT file transfer a bigger factor than it otherwise would have been.
3. There are some interesting things developers can do with NFC hardware and support in the OS. We haven't really even started to see much of it yet. Look at the new Blackberry Tag stuff for those phones. NFC isn't JUST for paying for stuff at a store. You're limiting your interpretation of the technology too much, IMO.
4. Smoked by WP didn't touch on any of the areas where Dual Core processors could really make a difference, like on-device Video Editing and transcoding, or even image editing. You're also ignoring that all the best new GPUs for mobile devices come with the Dual Core chips. New Mango phones still use an ~2 year old SoC in them, a GPU that newer dual core devices like the Galaxy S II and iPhone 4S can run orbits around. Dual Core isn't just for the extra core. Other stuff that is clearly superior comes in that package.
Smoked by WP7... Nevermind.
The media is praising Microsoft because Android vs. Apple is boring. Blackberry is failing, and WebOS died. They need something to talk about. Apple vs. Android is just not "new" enough for them. No one wants a smartphone platform/ecosystem duopoly, even the sensationalist tech media.
Despite all that media praise, people are still going to Android for a majority of first smartphone purchases despite WP7 device prices falling down to a penny or free on contract and Apple still has the top 3 selling smartphone in the world. Even teh 3GS is outselling every single WP7 device Model.
I doubt the issue is purely perspective. There is something in those platforms that are driving people to them, be it openness or the ecosystem.
Microsoft has positioned itself in a hard place with WP7.
The OS has decent device choice - unlike apple - but hardware specs are such that every device is almost the same outside of looks and some external components. All their devices have low storage sizes and a majority of the newer devices actually only shipped with 8GB storage. Devices shipped missing components that went mainstream over a year ago (like FFC). The update experience on WP7 also isn't much to rave about compared to Android, IMO. My Vibrant got more updates than my HD7 has recieved.
On the other hand, their ecosystem is as closed as Apples, but they lack the development support and app quality that apple has at the top of their app ecosystem (having a huge app store makes bad quality apps ignorable because there is always a great "go-to app" in every category. WP7 doesn't have that. iTunes trumps zune for music, podcasts, and video - has a full client on both Windows and Mac, can hook into an XB360, and iPhones have native integration with iMac applications like iPhoto. The XBL getcha for WP7 hasn't really turned out to be as great as many thought. It's basically just a marketing moniker to many people, like the GameCenter tag on many iOS games.
I still think the lack of great devices (not just in looks, but also in function) and the lack of some functionality is hurting WP7. I also think ignoring the Business market was a huge misstep for Microsoft. They are allowing iOS and android to claim marketshare/markets that they should have been able to easily take from them using technology that already existed in their own products.
Basically I feel that Apollo after Mango will be like Win 7 after Vista.
1. About apps I do agree. But its surely behind iOS and Android. But what I see in MS's mind is divastating. Being of the opinion of the fact MS is the best software maker, with Apollo, it will make JavaScipt devr capable of writing apps for wp. They must be having some sure plan for that. But definitely that will take some time.
2. NFC, Bluetooth and WiFi standard - Yes I know wp lacks support for some imp protocols. But again and you must be heard the same - NFC and Bluetooth is on the way
3. Low storage size - no expandable memory option - I read somewhere, Apollo will address that with expandable SD storage.
4. About dual cores - again apollo will. But the fact that the dual cores on androids cannot beat wp on single cores for so basic tasks surely explains the capability of wp and something wrong with others. Again there are no much apps android that can take full advantage of dual cores (thats not my words, I read it somewhere, sorry for not producing the links this time
, oops). When wp will support multicores, that will be surely game changing, no doubt. Here is what my i7 is doing on windows. MS has got the capabilities.
about the fact that it is closed platform. I seriosly think its not the problem, since history tells that proprietory platforms done well (win on desktops and laptops and iOS on tablets and PCs, Android is the only exception).
Update experience on android from what I have read on cnet and zdnet isnt good. (links attached and bit convincing) Other authorative websites (like the verge and tehrepublic) too have same voice. You seem to be a geek so why the updates are ok with you, but sure they are not that smooth and user friendly as wp. Here are the definitive links telling Android update is surely a problem:
What the Android update consortium must do to help consumers | ZDNet
Google finally moves to standardize Android updates | TechRepublic
Google's own blog:
Official Google Blog: Android: momentum, mobile and more at Google I/O
Actually I feel MS has got many things write and it learns well and reacts quickly and in best manner. Here are few things that makes me respect MS's visions
1. MS developed Silverlight (rival for Flash) - successful platform to develop better web UI. Adobe thinking to abandone Flash.
2. MS developed XAML (markup language behind Silverlight and WPF, that generates text for shapes, animation etc) for supprting rich UI on web and apps. Soon Adobe decided to develop its on similar markup language for the same purpose.
3. MS, being aware of capabilities of HTML5, they made Win 8 developments possible in HTML5 and JS. Soon Adobe decided to work on HTML5 standardization and development.
2. Win Mobile OS badly duplicated desktop environment. Start menu on Mobiles! is perceived as the one of the biggest design mistake. The lesson - Metro UI - undoubtly the best touch-friendly design.
3. No need to tell how MS learnt and improved from Vista to Win7
4. Being aware of Cloud, MS quickly started developing Cloud paltform - Win azure, integrated its development in Visual Studio - the best IDE in industry. Now is a leading cloud OS
5. MS completely integrated dev support for jQuery in VS, even though its not developed by it.
One more
Again MS is aware of capabilities of node.js project and quickly started putting effortsin that directions.
MS integrating Virtualization support in VS with Virtual Lab. Seriously this is the big move. Other IDEs far behind that..
I personally learnt a lot from these things and feel that keeping with MS will make our lives happier. (Win did that for a decade)
By the way this is not to advocate MS. But just to take a glance at what tomorrows tech will be with MS. And just to figure it out if MS is seriously capable to do a great thing with WP.
So I feel Apollo will be great. Should come as soon as possible to have greatest impact. And Mango deserves.