About a year ago, I wrote a post here explaining why I left iOS and became a Windows Phone owner. It was because of my brother's Lumia 900. I joined the WP ranks in 2012 with a Lumia 920. In the years since, we have been Windows Evangelists...Cheerleaders and remained steadfast fans. Through the app gap, we were comfortable in the knowledge that we didn't need all of the apps the other platforms had; that there were good substitutes to get us though, and that if there wasn't, we didn't need those apps anyway. Kind of like when less attractive people are the ones that say beauty is on the inside, or the people with no money are the ones that say you don't need money to be happy (which can be true, but you get the point).
As the years ticked by, we were hit over and over with disappointing headlines of this company, or that company, dropping support for Windows Phone. For every three that left the platform, there seemed to be one that would jump onboard, which kept the hope alive, albeit barely. Just give it more time, we thought, and everything would be great. The next round of phones will turn things around! I'm a regular listener of Windows Weekly with Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley. I've listened each week with excitement and anticipation for whatever was new and exciting in the world of Windows Phone. As market share dropped steadily to 1%; as Mary Jo switched to an Android device, and hearing Paul continue his ever-sarcastic remarks I've always hated (and now know that he was just giving a weekly dose of reality), I knew I had to switch. It's not going to get better anytime soon.
There's so much more I want to say, but I'll get to the point. I never thought I'd say this, but Windows Phone has ultimately been a disappointment. This may be due to Microsoft, the developers, or a combination of both. There are great things about the platform, but ultimately, they are overshadowed by broken promises and unrealized potential. I was faced with either going back to iOS, or trying out Android for the first time.
I chose to go with a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I. Love. This. Phone! (My brother ended up going with a Nexus 6P). My brother put it best when he said that going from Windows Phone to Android is like going from living in black and white, to living in color. I now have an app for my credit union, my actual job, my bank, my dating app (Don't judge!
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), among others. Google maps, and turn by turn is the best! "Okay Google" tops Cortana and the quality of the apps that ARE available on Windows Phone (Words With Friends, Ruzzle, Facebook, One Note, Word, WhatsApp, etc...) are FAR superior on my S7! This is pretty much what owners of iOS and Android devices have been saying for years, but I always thought they were just being haters and trolls or something.
Would I ever come back to Windows Phone? I might, but the phone would have to really be something special, and I can't help thinking that by the time WP gets to that point, Android (and probably iOS) will be even MORE far ahead! Anyway, this is my li'l journey...