*Now, I've seen in the past people getting treating harshly for these thoughts - I hope it isn't the case this time. This is just an honest assessment & a request for you're constructive thoughts or experiences you may have for me & others coming to similar thoughts.
I'm a long time Windows user whether it's for home use, building computers, running servers, & dealing with network infrastructure. I still prefer Windows when it comes to my personal computer. I use a Surface Pro 3 & love it. A well built machine. I have used & enjoyed having a Nokia 920 & 1520. The Windows 8/10 OS's are nice Windows Mobile experiences. I've finally come to a fork in the road, especially since it was time to get a new device.
I find problems though as "I survey the land" so to speak...The ecosystem as a whole includes not only apps or hardware, but everything that is available or will be made available for that particular OS
Accessories:
I go to the store to buy accessories, like may be a nice watch & how many fully work with Windows Mobile? Maybe a fitness device for my wife. Basically none, except for the Band. The fitbit works for the most part, but it's still not fully compatible. I like the band though. I look around the accessories area & find many products that are made for iOS for controlling or monitoring various aspects of your home to even health equipment - I believe even blood pressure monitors. I usually don't even have a doubt in my mind that there will be many made for the iPhone. In fact, I'd be surprised if there wasn't one. If I'm looking for one for our Windows phones, my mind already almost always starts with a doubt I'll find one or there won't be many to chose from. Odds begin to be pretty high there isn't even one. I also know that usually if there's one I'm looking for, iPhone's usually have several competitors for you to choose from.
Apps:
I then see stores that I may frequent & see "check out our app" & I usually always at least see iOS. I have been waiting for things to change. I've had 3rd party apps, some very, very nice. Some you can totally feel like they are clunky & don't work very well. I've been very, very hopeful for things to change. I've even converted a few people to Windows.
Phone Device Hardware:
The 950XL is what I have had my eyes on to get - I was almost sure to get it...I have to say (& I don't think I'm the only one) It still isn't available. I know, I know you can order it at some places now. Most of the time I see Nokia/Microsoft hardware is superior when considering phones themselves...Great camera & being able to throw in a huge SD card is wonderful!! When someone tells me that MS has new Windows phone that has great hardware, I'm not surprised in the slightest! Of course they usually do!! I've gotten excited about it
Although, now I'm seeing other devices are getting better cameras, even Optical Stabilization is on the iPhone 6S+
Multitude of App:
Then I see the multitude of apps available for iOS, many may be junk, but there's this inner feeling that for certain you'll almost always find at least one good one. That inner feeling gives many people a level of comfort. Now tech enthusiast like myself don't have to depend on that feeling, but it still is nice.
MS Office...I love MS Office, there's a nice version on iOS not made by a 3rd party like Data-Viz, but made by MS themselves. Don't get me wrong, I used & liked Data-Viz software, even from the old Palm days. I know apps are a matter of taste & need. So, yes, you may see little to no 'app gap' or you may see this gigantic gulf that's so big the word "gap" doesn't describe it well. Unfortunately, I now see the gap.
Other Users:
I don't necessarily greatly care about what the guy next to me at the store is using or what he thinks about what I'm using... When it comes to friends & family - Usually there are many who have an iOS device. Also, even at work...I was the only Windows user. That didn't stop me from being a Windows user though.
Other Thoughts:
I've previously had 2 iPhone's before Windows. I took the jump to Windows. I feel like over & over it's a waiting game. I've rejoiced with updates, I've enjoyed being an insider most of the time. I like the concept of universal apps, but I don't really want my phone to be used as my computer instead of my Surface. Yea, it'd be nice for some small things. Maybe it's good for some business users on the go.
When getting a device like a phone, I consider not just the hardware, but the whole ecosystem. Yes, iPhone's are spendy, but look at the ecosystem. iOS is fluid & dependable - I do like the eye candy... Just like I like UI aspects of Windows Mobile & it's only getting better!! Although there's a comfort in my mind that I know there's probably an app available for some specific need for a project or even one for the store I like to on iOS. Tiles are a feature that would be great on an iPhone, but the lack of them isn't enough to stop me from moving on. I like the Apple support. I'm not saying MS gave bad support. The MS services I use are right there for iPhone. Battery life is reasonable on a 6s+- It's kinda hard to beat the battery life on my 1520. I'm not all into the arrogance of any companies fans... Every company has fans & then they have fans that go too far into some superiority complex. The iPhone just works.
Common Theme:
I don't believe in purely getting what is the most popular device. As I've been a part of this site, there is something very common in the Windows Mobile world. Common concerns/complaints, if you will. After a time of hearing the common words & seeing many things that validate them, you start to see the big picture. We have reminded ourselves individually or at least you've read it's spoken by others about fears of whether MS will continue or no longer support their own OS or devices...Why is this common? Why has MS had to reassure us as users that they will continue to support Windows Mobile? I know low market share can cause that concern, but also MS own actions cause those thoughts to arise. I know it also goes down to hardware and developers also. From what I see - Generally speaking - I don't see a lot of promoting of their own platform. I see a general ignorance AT&T of how Windows Mobile works - I was just there the other day helping out a friend & AT&T didn't really know what they were doing. And very few Windows phones available & there are several models.
Why has MS released their Office apps on Andriod or iOS, but not their own OS? Although we know they are coming, thankfully. Why is it now not surprising at all that they release some app for one of their services first on the iPhone or release a better version first? Even Cortana - Which is way better than Siri, they're developing an iOS version now.
Sure, making their apps & services on other platforms is very wise for business. But as a user, how does that support my "internal case" of why I should stick with MS Mobile? What it does is build a case of, you can still have those nice apps & services MS has on a device that is in an ecosystem that is more robust & broad. Even if wereI go to sell my 1520's that I have, how much resell value do they have - I know I can't expect much - Even though it's good hardware. I know generally iPhone's have a very good resell value (Surprisingly at times)
When it comes to my desktop/tablet experience I want full Windows 10 over OSX anytime. There are tons of apps that run on it, the ecosystem is very robust & broad - Very well established. I'll be sure they'll be accessories & competing devices. I'll be sure good support from MS (Most of the time at least for my Surface). I don't see iPad is as good for power/productivity like Windows 10, but it's surprisingly getting closer, esp since MS is helping make software for it. You can see Apple trying to make the iPad Pro be like the Surface Pro - Surface just blows it away.
Even if Apple were to lose all their popularity & dissolve away as a company, you'd be sure that would take years for that to completely happen. I'm thinking long-term here. I like the idea of a common interface between the phone & my Windows computers, but it isn't a must.
I'm a long time Windows user whether it's for home use, building computers, running servers, & dealing with network infrastructure. I still prefer Windows when it comes to my personal computer. I use a Surface Pro 3 & love it. A well built machine. I have used & enjoyed having a Nokia 920 & 1520. The Windows 8/10 OS's are nice Windows Mobile experiences. I've finally come to a fork in the road, especially since it was time to get a new device.
I find problems though as "I survey the land" so to speak...The ecosystem as a whole includes not only apps or hardware, but everything that is available or will be made available for that particular OS
Accessories:
I go to the store to buy accessories, like may be a nice watch & how many fully work with Windows Mobile? Maybe a fitness device for my wife. Basically none, except for the Band. The fitbit works for the most part, but it's still not fully compatible. I like the band though. I look around the accessories area & find many products that are made for iOS for controlling or monitoring various aspects of your home to even health equipment - I believe even blood pressure monitors. I usually don't even have a doubt in my mind that there will be many made for the iPhone. In fact, I'd be surprised if there wasn't one. If I'm looking for one for our Windows phones, my mind already almost always starts with a doubt I'll find one or there won't be many to chose from. Odds begin to be pretty high there isn't even one. I also know that usually if there's one I'm looking for, iPhone's usually have several competitors for you to choose from.
Apps:
I then see stores that I may frequent & see "check out our app" & I usually always at least see iOS. I have been waiting for things to change. I've had 3rd party apps, some very, very nice. Some you can totally feel like they are clunky & don't work very well. I've been very, very hopeful for things to change. I've even converted a few people to Windows.
Phone Device Hardware:
The 950XL is what I have had my eyes on to get - I was almost sure to get it...I have to say (& I don't think I'm the only one) It still isn't available. I know, I know you can order it at some places now. Most of the time I see Nokia/Microsoft hardware is superior when considering phones themselves...Great camera & being able to throw in a huge SD card is wonderful!! When someone tells me that MS has new Windows phone that has great hardware, I'm not surprised in the slightest! Of course they usually do!! I've gotten excited about it
Although, now I'm seeing other devices are getting better cameras, even Optical Stabilization is on the iPhone 6S+
Multitude of App:
Then I see the multitude of apps available for iOS, many may be junk, but there's this inner feeling that for certain you'll almost always find at least one good one. That inner feeling gives many people a level of comfort. Now tech enthusiast like myself don't have to depend on that feeling, but it still is nice.
MS Office...I love MS Office, there's a nice version on iOS not made by a 3rd party like Data-Viz, but made by MS themselves. Don't get me wrong, I used & liked Data-Viz software, even from the old Palm days. I know apps are a matter of taste & need. So, yes, you may see little to no 'app gap' or you may see this gigantic gulf that's so big the word "gap" doesn't describe it well. Unfortunately, I now see the gap.
Other Users:
I don't necessarily greatly care about what the guy next to me at the store is using or what he thinks about what I'm using... When it comes to friends & family - Usually there are many who have an iOS device. Also, even at work...I was the only Windows user. That didn't stop me from being a Windows user though.
Other Thoughts:
I've previously had 2 iPhone's before Windows. I took the jump to Windows. I feel like over & over it's a waiting game. I've rejoiced with updates, I've enjoyed being an insider most of the time. I like the concept of universal apps, but I don't really want my phone to be used as my computer instead of my Surface. Yea, it'd be nice for some small things. Maybe it's good for some business users on the go.
When getting a device like a phone, I consider not just the hardware, but the whole ecosystem. Yes, iPhone's are spendy, but look at the ecosystem. iOS is fluid & dependable - I do like the eye candy... Just like I like UI aspects of Windows Mobile & it's only getting better!! Although there's a comfort in my mind that I know there's probably an app available for some specific need for a project or even one for the store I like to on iOS. Tiles are a feature that would be great on an iPhone, but the lack of them isn't enough to stop me from moving on. I like the Apple support. I'm not saying MS gave bad support. The MS services I use are right there for iPhone. Battery life is reasonable on a 6s+- It's kinda hard to beat the battery life on my 1520. I'm not all into the arrogance of any companies fans... Every company has fans & then they have fans that go too far into some superiority complex. The iPhone just works.
Common Theme:
I don't believe in purely getting what is the most popular device. As I've been a part of this site, there is something very common in the Windows Mobile world. Common concerns/complaints, if you will. After a time of hearing the common words & seeing many things that validate them, you start to see the big picture. We have reminded ourselves individually or at least you've read it's spoken by others about fears of whether MS will continue or no longer support their own OS or devices...Why is this common? Why has MS had to reassure us as users that they will continue to support Windows Mobile? I know low market share can cause that concern, but also MS own actions cause those thoughts to arise. I know it also goes down to hardware and developers also. From what I see - Generally speaking - I don't see a lot of promoting of their own platform. I see a general ignorance AT&T of how Windows Mobile works - I was just there the other day helping out a friend & AT&T didn't really know what they were doing. And very few Windows phones available & there are several models.
Why has MS released their Office apps on Andriod or iOS, but not their own OS? Although we know they are coming, thankfully. Why is it now not surprising at all that they release some app for one of their services first on the iPhone or release a better version first? Even Cortana - Which is way better than Siri, they're developing an iOS version now.
Sure, making their apps & services on other platforms is very wise for business. But as a user, how does that support my "internal case" of why I should stick with MS Mobile? What it does is build a case of, you can still have those nice apps & services MS has on a device that is in an ecosystem that is more robust & broad. Even if wereI go to sell my 1520's that I have, how much resell value do they have - I know I can't expect much - Even though it's good hardware. I know generally iPhone's have a very good resell value (Surprisingly at times)
When it comes to my desktop/tablet experience I want full Windows 10 over OSX anytime. There are tons of apps that run on it, the ecosystem is very robust & broad - Very well established. I'll be sure they'll be accessories & competing devices. I'll be sure good support from MS (Most of the time at least for my Surface). I don't see iPad is as good for power/productivity like Windows 10, but it's surprisingly getting closer, esp since MS is helping make software for it. You can see Apple trying to make the iPad Pro be like the Surface Pro - Surface just blows it away.
Even if Apple were to lose all their popularity & dissolve away as a company, you'd be sure that would take years for that to completely happen. I'm thinking long-term here. I like the idea of a common interface between the phone & my Windows computers, but it isn't a must.
Last edited:
I probably should have buried that sentence in the middle of a 500 word paragraph. 
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