Why Windows over Android?

[zliang68]

I would like Windows phone to have a C# Android runtime so that users can use Android's apps and Windows Phone's apps.

 

[Clive Rennie]

I agree with LaRUE its up to personal choice I have several Windows phones running W10 my favorite green L1520 plus a Nexus 6 marshmellow 6.0 all my ms apps on there the best of both world. The arrow launcher is great on the nexus 6 I'm biased toward Microsoft but I have no problem using a pure google device just put your ms apps on there I'm open to all ecosystems.

 

[rhapdog]

Could you send me one as well? Would really like to see it, thank you either way.

Since others seem to want it too, I'll go ahead and post a link so we can stop talking about it. I'd hate to derail the thread.
They are interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUvbUpU3291480

 

[rhapdog]

I'm a bit confused about security statement here about windows 10 and may be windows 10 mobile. I am using windows 10 on my PC right now and hugely surprised how much data is being used by windows 10 on my back. Even if i just keep PC on and not do anything, data is always being sent and received on wifi. and its really too much. I did a little digging online regarding this and found so many posts about all the used data being collectd by MS now. Cortana is there but even it keepa collecting all the data, which they say, is to improve user experience. But how do I know for sure what is being sent and for what purpose?

My statement was about why I came to Windows Phone, which was for the security. I didn't say anything about Windows 10 or Windows 10 Mobile. I don't know how the security will finally shape up on Windows 10 Mobile, though it is looking quite good. However, security on a desktop Windows system was no the factor, because it's an illusion.

We have heard on a number of occasions about how something had been discovered on Android to exploit (even within the last few days that hits their latest Android OS), and by using JavaScript code, a website can plant malware on a users Android phone without any interaction from the user. These are usually patched by Google when reported, but the manufacturers of the different flavors of Android don't forward the patches to their users, making them rather insecure.

With Windows Phone, if you visit a web site that attempts to do it, the web site can't get any further than your "browser instance." That means, it can't get to anything outside of your browser, because the browser runs in a sandbox. When you close the browser, any offending code is wiped from the phone memory and you're clean, and no one was able to compromise your device or steal your data without your knowledge.

iOS has had exploits as well. Windows Phone is the ONLY one that has never been completely cracked to the point of being able to exploit a user. That's why the statement about security.

 

[FaisalST32]

My statement was about why I came to Windows Phone, which was for the security. I didn't say anything about Windows 10 or Windows 10 Mobile. I don't know how the security will finally shape up on Windows 10 Mobile, though it is looking quite good. However, security on a desktop Windows system was no the factor, because it's an illusion.

We have heard on a number of occasions about how something had been discovered on Android to exploit (even within the last few days that hits their latest Android OS), and by using JavaScript code, a website can plant malware on a users Android phone without any interaction from the user. These are usually patched by Google when reported, but the manufacturers of the different flavors of Android don't forward the patches to their users, making them rather insecure.

With Windows Phone, if you visit a web site that attempts to do it, the web site can't get any further than your "browser instance." That means, it can't get to anything outside of your browser, because the browser runs in a sandbox. When you close the browser, any offending code is wiped from the phone memory and you're clean, and no one was able to compromise your device or steal your data without your knowledge.

iOS has had exploits as well. Windows Phone is the ONLY one that has never been completely cracked to the point of being able to exploit a user. That's why the statement about security.

Exactly! And wasn't some hacker recently quoted saying that Windows Phone was the "toughest nut to crack"?

 

[tgp]

However, security on a desktop Windows system was no the factor, because it's an illusion.

I like your post and I agree with your points, but yet there's something I don't understand: why is it that people who "preach" security still use Windows desktops? If security is so important, why not use something with less exploits, such as Linux or even Mac?

Android in mobile and Windows on the desktop are very similar. They are both wide open, you can do pretty much anything, and they both have almost all of the malware in their departments. Why for Microsoft fans is this acceptable on the desktop, but not in mobile?

I use Windows (primarily) on desktop and Android (again primarily) on mobile, because I'm willing to accept the perceived risks in order to enjoy the benefits of functionality. However, if I was as concerned about security as people here seem to be, I wouldn't use either of these OS's.

Either way, even thought the risk is many times higher on Windows and Android, it is still very low. 100 times virtually nothing is still virtually nothing.

 

[Petru Moldovan]

When apps are developed for Windows 10 and/or Windows 10 Mobile, is it mandatory that they are universal apps or are developers able to develop apps that are Desktop only?

They are not mandatory. You can build in Visual Studio an old style desktop application or a new style universal application (.NET or HTML5 + CSS3 + JavaScript or C++ plus DirectX) which can be installed only from the Microsoft Store or from an enterprise server (with AD). If you choose the universal app, you have a new style full screen application like in Windows 8. Then if you have the Windows Mobile SDK or XBOX SDK installed you can customize the universal app for those interfaces too. Let's put it straight, if you install Visual Studio without Windows Phone options your "Universal" app will work only on desktop/laptop because you can customize it on only one platform. Microsoft is not pushing aggressively the Windows Phone SDK in Visual Studio, so this is just an optional feature there.

 

[v535]

I would like Windows phone to have a C# Android runtime so that users can use Android's apps and Windows Phone's apps.

I think its entirely possible but also not impossible. Java & C# does have kind-of relationships whilst using some concepts. Since APK target all devs using the same file while WP targets per device providing optimized libraries or code that is tailored for each device.

 

[rhapdog]

I like your post and I agree with your points, but yet there's something I don't understand: why is it that people who "preach" security still use Windows desktops? If security is so important, why not use something with less exploits, such as Linux or even Mac?

Android in mobile and Windows on the desktop are very similar. They are both wide open, you can do pretty much anything, and they both have almost all of the malware in their departments. Why for Microsoft fans is this acceptable on the desktop, but not in mobile?

I use Windows (primarily) on desktop and Android (again primarily) on mobile, because I'm willing to accept the perceived risks in order to enjoy the benefits of functionality. However, if I was as concerned about security as people here seem to be, I wouldn't use either of these OS's.

Either way, even thought the risk is many times higher on Windows and Android, it is still very low. 100 times virtually nothing is still virtually nothing.

For me, there is a big difference between desktop and mobile when it comes to mission critical. There are really no choices for total security for desktop at this point, for one. However, by running a browser inside a sandbox behind a hardware firewall, I'm way more secure than Android could hope to be, even though even that isn't perfect.

Where is the difference? If my phone gets compromised and I'm having to do a hard reset, I may not be able to call someone for help. If my desktop is down, at least I can still make an emergency phone call. Running a report for a client can always wait or be delayed. I keep good backups. However, you can't always delay needing to make an emergency call.

As it is, I'm in the Insider program. It is a real hassle for me to go some place with Wi-Fi (I don't have it at home), then have to call my wife to let her know I'll be "unreachable" for the next few hours. What if something happens at home with the kids? I always worry. But, at least I can plan on WHEN I do this and can do it on my terms. If I were to have to do it at a very inopportune time, it would be the last straw for me.

Yes, for people who practice all the precautions and are knowledgeable about how to do so the risk is rather minimal, unless you are a public figure or have a certain job and you are being specifically targeted. I'm not that important. Still, as careful as I am, I have gotten 2 viruses within the last 10 years that were severe enough to warrant the entire HDD to be formatted. I'd say the risk would be the same or even greater using Android for someone who is careful. It's hard to know if that app you are about to install is nefarious. While Google is pretty good about what goes on the play store, a rare one can make it through undetected. At least if someone tries to write that nefarious app on Windows, they can't access all my other app data or plant code into the OS to take over the phone remotely in the way that the openness of Android can allow.

Now, understand I'm not knocking Android. Just stating yet another reason that, for ME, I'm more comfortable on Windows Phone. If Windows Phone ever becomes that insecure, then I may be just as likely to purchase a hotspot and a feature phone, and use the hotspot with my laptop. I think I could live like that. Maybe. Well, I'm not positive of that, but maybe.

 

[Petru Moldovan]

I noticed talk of security. Do you think that the Windows brand itself may have played at least a small part in Windows Phone lack of market share? ie Windows is often associated, rightly or wrongly, with poor security in a lot of users minds.

Windows used to be an unsecure platform until Windows XP SP3, so this thing is misleading. And Windows is still vulnerable due to desktop programs.
But Windows Phone is some sort of Windows RT which does not need an anti-virus program because it does need one. It is secured by design. You cannot infect it because you can install programs only from Microsoft Store or from your enterprise servers.

Common people do not understand these things. And most IT professionals are in love with Linux

 

[D Kerns]

I have always thought that androids os is a mess.
It is a phone in the first place and
For me I want my phone to be clean and organized iOS and windows phone accomplish this.
I wouldn't own an android phone for that reason alone. Just a personal preference to each his own.

 

[WinCoffee]

First of all.... These are opinions. But isn't that the reason why we choose our OS? I use Windows 10 Mobile and used Windowsphone7.5, 8.0, 8.1 Because in my opinion it's very good and unique. There's no "Best" OS. all Os:ses have some bad things and some good things. Opinons are usually reason why we choose our OS.

 

[colinkiama]

Ngl, the reason why I'm still on WP is because of the new full screen start screen. It's just soo cool

 

[7a2eer]

I thought I was the delusional one out here, but 7a2eer beat me hands down. Comparing continuum to the one available with iOS. Well buddy it's the same OS. So? Cortana on Android is an app. Well guess what, it's the same case in WP. Cortana will get deeper in Android? I won't even comment in that. Android doesn't have actionable notifications. And Skype integration on Windows 10 is still in its adolescence. So your argument is moot. I know you're just offering counter points but not all of these are correct.

Android has had actionable notifications since early 2013. I'm talking about retail too, not some preview for developers build.

Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile are two different OSes. OSX and iOS are two different OSes. Problem ???

I said Cortana on Android at a --client level perspective -- is functionally equivalent to what we have on Windows 10 Mobile. Do you not have a recent Android device to test this out on? As an end user the experience is the same when running Cortana on Android. Dare I say the app "seems faster" on Android??

Skype integration had to be made because of the previous, possibly current limitations of W10M. There simply was no way to develop a Skype WinRT aka "Universal" app. If you hadn't already noticed, WP no longer takes the "hub" approach. Less integration, more apps. Integrating Skype into messaging is not consistent with their new approach on mobile.

 

[fatclue_98]

In context, I have to agree with RumoredNow on this one. I like less apps as well. I prefer the browser if the site has a well designed mobile website. Websites that are clunky and difficult to load on a mobile browser are websites that just aren't coded properly. It's probably a sign of just being older, or old, or whatever. Maybe it's just the 50+ crowd that feels that way, but all the 50+ crowd I run with feel the same way. They don't use apps, or very few do. When many of them do (not me, but many), they have to get someone to help them figure it out.

Us 50+ folks use "bookmarks" instead of apps. I know I do. If I have 20 bookmarks on my browser, it's 20 fewer icons I have to scroll through. Eh, what do I know? I use webOS.

 

[fatclue_98]

You were in the HOV lane, in a limo full of friends. It was very much on topic, with an editorial feel.

Let's get back on the highway. There's a right way and a wrong way to address this issue, and this is teetering on wrong. Get the limo to a bar and we'll discuss over some cold ones, but not here.

 

[7a2eer]

Us 50+ folks use "bookmarks" instead of apps. I know I do. If I have 20 bookmarks on my browser, it's 20 fewer icons I have to scroll through. Eh, what do I know? I use webOS.

The only web apps I ever enjoyed using were on webOS.... RIP

I think having apps is important to the holistic experience of using smartphones, especially if you consume content like the average smartphone user.
For those 50+ people who actually have lives it does not matter nearly as much

 

[Jazmac]

I kinda like windows phone over that open source os. Hope that's fitting

 

[rhapdog]

Good idea. This thread makes me wonder does Android or WM have the best cat herding apps?

We need more cat herding apps like we need more fart apps.

Besides, I know WP has at least one. How many do we need?
https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...%2Fherding-cats%2F9nblgggzjhsv&token=PCUKStuD

 

[Adam Frix]

7. Don't need Cortana on Android. Google Now works just fine.

I have to say, Google Now on my wife's Android (Samsung Galaxy S4 running Android 4.x) does not understand my family name--but Cortana on my Lumia 635 has zero problems with it and dials the right family member every time.

So, I am wary about "Google Now works just fine". I am especially wary given the high end Galaxy S4 vs the low end Lumia.