Will Windows Phone continue to avoid to make a File Manager?

[vish2801]

Did you understand his post? Where did he say that not being able to set an mp3 as a ringtone is acceptable?

Why are you so intent on having a file manager? What do you mean keep an eye on your files? What exactly is there to see?

I was pointing out lack of features, not labeling him.
And what kind of question is this ?? Do you want to know what I want to do with my personal files ?? A lot, you can do a lot. Don't wanna put a list here.

 

[OzRob]

2nd most of WP users are converted from symbian

Are they? Do you have a link to any stats or data that supports this?

they always seek those basic features in their new shiny phone but when they can't they don't like it

I think you can surmise from the reaction you have gotten to your request for a file manager that not everyone is seeking 'those basic features', as you have defined them. For you it would seem a file manager is essential on a phone. For others it may well be insignificant.

WP8 is good but still need features and asking basic features is never wrong thing.

I agree with you here. The only caveat is that the definition of 'basic features' is a very individual thing, particularly on a 'smart' phone, which by definition is a wildly powerful device that can have thousands of features, each of varying relevance to different people.

People always complain about iOS that it has too much restrictions but how WP is different from it ?? We do have some more freedom but that's not enough. Some freedom is very much necessary and it's not like MS can't do that, it looks like they don't pay much attention on WP.

iOS' restrictions are both its strength and its weakness, as is Android's lack of restrictions. If freedom is very much necessary then Android is the OS of choice. The downsides, however, are obvious if you poke around the Android forums for a while. So getting the balance right between freedom and restriction can be a tricky thing, and as someone more famous than I once said "you can't please all of the people all of the time". You are quite wrong, though, when you say MS is not paying much attention to WP. Indeed the success of WP is one of the pillars that MS is staking its future on and there's been a massive amount of resources being directed at WP. We can argue whether they are putting those resources in the right place, but WP is certainly have attention lavished on it by Microsoft at the moment. Obviously they aren't putting the resources where you would like.

Bottom line is, Microsoft has not put a traditional 'file manager' into WP for a reason and there's been no indication that it feels it necessary to change that. The lack of any file management capabilities certainly leaves particular capability holes in a number of areas (attaching files to emails being one). I think that MS will address some of those holes in various updates as the OS matures. But as others have alluded to, this might not be via a traditional file manager program.

 

[a5cent]

Where did I say I need File Manager for setting music file as a ringtone ??

I quoted the part of your post that lead me to believe that is what you were suggesting. That is still what it sounds like to me. Anyway, this thread is about a file manager, so why ramble on about unrelated things?

Beyond that, your argument boils down to: "My old Symbian did X by way of Y, so my new WP should also do X by way of Y". If that is how you think OS' function, then I can't help you.

I'll concede you one thing though: although WP and Symbian are very different, their security models are surprisingly similar. Microsoft would need to alter WP's platform security, but wouldn't need to throw it entirely overboard to realize something resembling a Symbian like file manager. On the other hand, that would also require the participation of all app developers, because such a Symbian style file manager would be completely useless until app developers updated their apps accordingly. I could be wrong, but I doubt that is what Microsoft plans to do.

At this point I've lost interest in this discussion though, so I wish you good day.

 

[vish2801]

Are they? Do you have a link to any stats or data that supports this?

--> I was talking about my country and here iPhone has no marketshare, most of people had symbian or S40, pretty much Nokia dominated and so I can claim it firmly that most of WP users are converted symbian users.

I think you can surmise from the reaction you have gotten to your request for a file manager that not everyone is seeking 'those basic features', as you have defined them. For you it would seem a file manager is essential on a phone. For others it may well be insignificant.

--> Insignificant ?? If it's significant for some which restrain them to buy then why don't we have it, people considering insignificant won't use it.


I agree with you here. The only caveat is that the definition of 'basic features' is a very individual thing, particularly on a 'smart' phone, which by definition is a wildly powerful device that can have thousands of features, each of varying relevance to different people.

--> True.


iOS' restrictions are both its strength and its weakness, as is Android's lack of restrictions. If freedom is very much necessary then Android is the OS of choice. The downsides, however, are obvious if you poke around the Android forums for a while. So getting the balance right between freedom and restriction can be a tricky thing, and as someone more famous than I once said "you can't please all of the people all of the time". You are quite wrong, though, when you say MS is not paying much attention to WP. Indeed the success of WP is one of the pillars that MS is staking its future on and there's been a massive amount of resources being directed at WP. We can argue whether they are putting those resources in the right place, but WP is certainly have attention lavished on it by Microsoft at the moment. Obviously they aren't putting the resources where you would like.

I pretty much observe android, too. I just got my Nexus 4 IN india from canada. And I believe if you want to use android, Nexus is the best device. Other plastic craps are underpowered with outdated GB or overpriced while WP gives same experience on all devices. And MS is the largest software maker in the world still it cannot give you full featured OS in time, that's ridiculous. I remember after launching WP8, one of its engineer made a statement that they wanted to add notification center but ran out of time, now it's almost 6+ months and no sign of it in GDR 2.
And you accept it or not, Nokia is the responsible for WP's current state. If nokia wouldn't be there,WP would be in limbo. That's the truth. Here nobody knows about WP but people know about Lumia.

Bottom line is, Microsoft has not put a traditional 'file manager' into WP for a reason and there's been no indication that it feels it necessary to change that. The lack of any file management capabilities certainly leaves particular capability holes in a number of areas (attaching files to emails being one). I think that MS will address some of those holes in various updates as the OS matures. But as others have alluded to, this might not be via a traditional file manager program.

File Manager is an app I need to various task which I can't do right now, one thing is attaching files but if MS comes something with which I can do my those needed task then I don't need it but I see no replacement of it

 

[ohgood]

One of the very first things any amateur developer realises, is that for any given computing problem there always exists a huge number of potential solutions. Your notion that a certain problem can be solved in but one way (via a file manager) is something that even a beginning programmer could tell you is just plain wrong.

Surprisingly, the problem you suspect is impossible to solve without a file manager (setting up file associations) is easily and often solved without one. We need look no further than W8, where that is achieved using the "Set Default Programs" control panel app... not the file manager.

Most of your other opinions could be just as easily debunked, but I'll leave it at that.

i understand youi're trying to show possible ways of solving problems without a file manager, but that path of solutions is not available on wp8.

what is the solution for doing all the things people in this thread are requesting, on wp8 ?

 

[a5cent]

i understand youi're trying to show possible ways of solving problems without a file manager, but that path of solutions is not available on wp8.

I don't understand that sentence. What potential solutions are not available on WP8 and why?

what is the solution for doing all the things people in this thread are requesting, on wp8 ?

Again, you're assuming there is but one solution, when there are many.
I already provided a link to a post in which I described one possible solution, and a better description of the actual problem. You must have missed it.

 

[ohgood]

sorry, i've been told that highlighting, snipping, or editing a quote in any way is bad forum etiquette, which makes it difficult to show relevant points.

 

[a5cent]

^ I officially give you permission to snip away at my posts... ehemm...

Edit: of course changing/editing a quote, or taking it out of context is just douchbaggery, so that should always be off limits.

 

[anon(5335877)]

sorry, i've been told that highlighting, snipping, or editing a quote in any way is bad forum etiquette, which makes it difficult to show relevant points.

I do this often, especially if it's really long and there are multiple points to address. I'll break it up into its separate arguments/topics so that people know which parts of my response are addressing which parts of the post I'm replying to.

But, I think if you're snipping or editing out content or important context so that the poster you're replying to looks bad, I think that's a no-no.

 

[Dave Blake]

sorry, i've been told that highlighting, snipping, or editing a quote in any way is bad forum etiquette, which makes it difficult to show relevant points.

That's not accurate what you were told is if you snip a quote and in doing so change the meaning or flavor of the content of the quote or highlight content out of context then that is bed forums etiquette. Not to mention disingenuous and self serving.

 

[Priyanka Das Rajkakoti]

I'll tell you why it's required - firstly make an OS that suits everyone not just people who want a fancy phone to take some pictures. Some people like to do a lot more, including reading books... 1000s of books, on the go - while in the Metro, bus, or waiting in a lounge or when you don't want to have to download from the cloud all the time! WHAT ON EARTH IS THE USE OF 32GB OF STORAGE?

 

[chunky2055]

what ever People may say... but not having file manager is a big turn off for the users who want to shift from other platforms to WP. Plus that you can't even share vids with friends on blue tooth is just too annoying some time.i mean when u can share pic n music but cant send vids to ur friends is just bs..lol. other then that WP is just awesome n i m totally in love with it.

 

[neo158]

You all need to understand how apps and data are handled in WP8. Apps can ONLY access the data they provide and cannot interact with other apps and their data, what this means is that a file manager is not going to happen as this behaviour is by design. Functions like attaching a file to an email is done by a long press on the file in the relevant hub and using the share option.

Lets not make Windows Phone into Windroid Phone!!!!

 

[chunky2055]

I dont think just getting a file maneger or making vid sharing possible will make windows phone an windroid..lol. smart fones are meant to make or life smarter and easier. they must have these basic n useful things. for example when i show some funny vid to my friends on my 820... they praise it for its beautiful display and UI... but when they ask me to share this vid with then via Bluetooth ( easiest and most normal way) and i have say i cant... its like kind of start giggling...i mean what the heck. at least they shud provide and inbuilt file hub or something like that where we can see n manage our personal files without messing up with system files, i mean how hard this should be??? And that Email attachment issue with PDF file is really annoying some time when using ur smartphone for official mails or business .
other then these things and some lil bugs... i just love the way wp8 works...its just part of my daily life now... i am a heavy smart fone user... its in my hands all the time when i m not sleeping.

 

[ohgood]

I dont think just getting a file maneger or making vid sharing possible will make windows phone an windroid..lol. smart fones are meant to make or life smarter and easier. they must have these basic n useful things. for example when i show some funny vid to my friends on my 820... they praise it for its beautiful display and UI... but when they ask me to share this vid with then via Bluetooth ( easiest and most normal way) and i have say i cant... its like kind of start giggling...i mean what the heck. at least they shud provide and inbuilt file hub or something like that where we can see n manage our personal files without messing up with system files, i mean how hard this should be??? And that Email attachment issue with PDF file is really annoying some time when using ur smartphone for official mails or business .
other then these things and some lil bugs... i just love the way wp8 works...its just part of my daily life now... i am a heavy smart fone user... its in my hands all the time when i m not sleeping.

yep. a gps track or waypoint is equally annoying, when it c ant be shared with some os's.

 

[neo158]

I dont think just getting a file maneger or making vid sharing possible will make windows phone an windroid..lol. smart fones are meant to make or life smarter and easier. they must have these basic n useful things. for example when i show some funny vid to my friends on my 820... they praise it for its beautiful display and UI... but when they ask me to share this vid with then via Bluetooth ( easiest and most normal way) and i have say i cant... its like kind of start giggling...i mean what the heck. at least they shud provide and inbuilt file hub or something like that where we can see n manage our personal files without messing up with system files, i mean how hard this should be??? And that Email attachment issue with PDF file is really annoying some time when using ur smartphone for official mails or business .
other then these things and some lil bugs... i just love the way wp8 works...its just part of my daily life now... i am a heavy smart fone user... its in my hands all the time when i m not sleeping.

I agree with Bluetooth video sharing, that can't be that hard to implement. As for a File Manager that would be impossible to implement because, as I mentioned, apps can only access their own data. Now for phones that have support for SD Cards a file manager would be fine, but for phones like the flagship HTC and Nokia devices with no external storage a file manager would be useless. As for emailing PDF documents that is a definite issue that MS could resolve by updating the PDF reader app to support sharing via email. Luckily there is a workaround for emailing PDF documents, if you access the document through the Office hub it can be shared via email from the recent documents list.

 

[vish2801]

I agree with Bluetooth video sharing, that can't be that hard to implement. As for a File Manager that would be impossible to implement because, as I mentioned, apps can only access their own data. Now for phones that have support for SD Cards a file manager would be fine, but for phones like the flagship HTC and Nokia devices with no external storage a file manager would be useless. As for emailing PDF documents that is a definite issue that MS could resolve by updating the PDF reader app to support sharing via email. Luckily there is a workaround for emailing PDF documents, if you access the document through the Office hub it can be shared via email from the recent documents list.

What about other files which we want to attach but not supported by WP.MS can overcome that issue of apps can access own data by implementing its own file explorer and restricting others to do so or let Nokia to build one if they can't have resources to do so..... Seriously, that limitation of app using own data should exclude personal files, I mean I can't open 1 pdf file in other pdf reader, what the hell is this ?? Is it a smart phone or a dumb phone ???

 

[Robert Carpenter]

What about other files which we want to attach but not supported by WP.MS can overcome that issue of apps can access own data by implementing its own file explorer and restricting others to do so or let Nokia to build one if they can't have resources to do so..... Seriously, that limitation of app using own data should exclude personal files, I mean I can't open 1 pdf file in other pdf reader, what the hell is this ?? Is it a smart phone or a dumb phone ???

You obviously do not understand security. There is a reason an apps can only access their own files. If one app stores personal data or data that needs to be protected, do you want other apps to have access to that data? If Microsoft did what you want them to do, it would be easy for malicious apps to be created and have access to data they aren't supposed to.

You will probably think: "All apps must be certified and checked by Microsoft first so they can just look for malicious code to prevent that". But no. Microsoft doesn't need to worry about checking this stuff in their apps because of how they designed it. It's designed like this for security.

 

[neo158]

You obviously do not understand security. There is a reason an apps can only access their own files. If one app stores personal data or data that needs to be protected, do you want other apps to have access to that data? If Microsoft did what you want them to do, it would be easy for malicious apps to be created and have access to data they aren't supposed to.

You will probably think: "All apps must be certified and checked by Microsoft first so they can just look for malicious code to prevent that". But no. Microsoft doesn't need to worry about checking this stuff in their apps because of how they designed it. It's designed like this for security.

Thank you, that's exactly what I've been trying to say, not quite as well put as this I'll admit. This is also the key reason why a file manager won't and can't be implemented, this is also why file management options are integrated into the relevant hubs.

 

[wpn00b]

I guess as a consumer user I'm beginning to understand exactly what Microsoft has built here. With sandboxing like you all are referring to, secure booting in Windows 8 and I'm assuming WP8, and built in encryption options, they are walking a very fine line between an extremely beautiful, easy to use UI with *just enough* to keep consumers happy, but with what very well can become the defacto standard in enterprise security.