Things missing vs other platforms that keeps me from coming back

Wow, amazingly civil thread. Can't really add much to what has already been said. I haven't left WP, have a 950 daily driver and a 950XL for insider builds. Been on Windows mobile platform since my HP Jornada PPC. Things I'm missing are a real Starbucks app. There are numerous ways you can pay for SB with a WP or a Band for that matter. What I can't do is reload my card with the tap of a button. You'd think Starbucks would want to make that easy for me. I would like a Smart WATCH. I have a Band 2, it's fine. Does what I need, but I don't need fitness (well I do, but I don't want it). I have an Apple Watch and a Moto 360, and the iPhone 6S and Nexus 5x to go with them, but I prefer WP, hence I'm wearing my Band. MS makes every darn thing for iOS and Android, how about making WP talk to my Android wear devices. I would like A (singular) decent home control system. Insteon sucks. Probably fine on Android and iOS, but on WP, and Windows, the app is dismal. Other options are spotty on what is supported. It would be nice if MS pretended to care about WP. I understand that the cloud customers are on iOS and Android, but don't make stuff for them and not for WP. Don't make theirs first and better. Help us believe that you believe in the platform. Show developers that it actually is possible to make apps for WP.

My optimism thought for the day is for developers. I apologize for MS throwing you under the bus in the past. WM6.x, oops dead, WP7 is the new thing. Oh wait, WP8 is much better....until W10Mobile. I think the good news is that is unlikely to happen again. With the core of the OS, mobile, desktop, Xbox, IoT, HoloLens, all being the same, I can't imagine the mobile track being scrapped for a different direction. (scrapped entirely, maybe) So the good news is if you follow along, yet again, or get into it for the first time, you are probably safe from the biannual slash and burn concept of progress.

In closing let me provide some wisdom to WP users from eastern philosophy: To increase contentment, decrease desire.
Or in my own philosophy of life I call pessimistic optimism. If you don't expect too much, you'll never be disappointed.

Originally Posted by SvenJ

In closing let me provide some wisdom to WP users from eastern philosophy: To increase contentment, decrease desire.
Or in my own philosophy of life I call pessimistic optimism. If you don't expect too much, you'll never be disappointed.

That approach provides no incentive for Microsoft to do any better-though iOS is not my preference, I appreciate Jobs taking the opposite tack with the iPhone and helping to push all smartphones to where they are today.

Originally Posted by elitewolverine21

Tubecast is better imo than the official youtube app on any platform.

Gotta check it out! ^^ But does it have that feature where you can use phone for typing when using youtube on console?

Though I have an iPhone for most things, I also have a 950 that I believe in strongly enough to use on a weekly if not daily basis and keep active.

I want...
contactless payment
more reliable Cortana control for things like music playback
to be able to use my People data from inside maps to get directions

On the App front...
Chase
an app that lets me see the schedule of my coworkers (Exchange/Office365...on iOS I can use the OWA app for this)
Freshdesk
Starbucks

on the app side, I could get by without most of them, but the OS features are what I'm holding out for. I believe in the next 2-3 years that I will probably have moved to WP because they are evolving all the missing features and the strategy to get apps through the Windows 10 strategy seems to be making progress.

The good old days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQZEkXCE_fY

Even Xp Lauch were good old days... But I prefer newer ones. Life goes on

Of course but I'm talking about the functionnalities that were present and are gone like the People Hub. I know why they removed it and made the platform what it is now, it's just a shame.

The reality is that technology is becoming a larger part of our everyday lives. Smart home security systems, smart thermostats, banking apps, payroll and hr apps, car systems with apps on your phone and the list goes on and on and gets longer all the time. If you want to be a part of the technological revolution you need at least an Android but preferably an iPhone.

This "revolution" you speak of is mostly wasting time doing things harder. Turn on the security when you leave home--what else do you need? Set a programmable thermostate. Done. I would argue banking on your phone is asking for security problems, but even so what does it give you that you don't have in a browser on your PC? Payroll and HR again should not be done on the phone for security reasons, and at my place of work we all do it on our PCs. Using phones in cars is just plain stupid! Many studies have shown that just talking on your phone is dangerous. Don't do it! When driving, drive. The list goes on and on. We are born with brains, and for many of us they work better than our phones.

Originally Posted by Ten Four

This "revolution" you speak of is mostly wasting time doing things harder. Turn on the security when you leave home--what else do you need? Set a programmable thermostate. Done. I would argue banking on your phone is asking for security problems, but even so what does it give you that you don't have in a browser on your PC? Payroll and HR again should not be done on the phone for security reasons, and at my place of work we all do it on our PCs. Using phones in cars is just plain stupid! Many studies have shown that just talking on your phone is dangerous. Don't do it! When driving, drive. The list goes on and on. We are born with brains, and for many of us they work better than our phones.

Not sure how old you are but I've noticed as I've gotten older I sometimes forget things. So having the ability to do things from my phone is helpful in case I forget.

As for banking, why not go to the bank instead of using a PC? That's about the same level of statement you just made if security is your concern. Having a banking app is handy, especially when you need access to the data and there's no bank or ATM around.

Mobility is a big aspect of life these days. People working from home and on the go. That's the whole point of Continuum and why MS is targeting it. If it wasn't big MS wouldn't be interested, along with pretty much every other IT service out there.

Also, I believe the car system they're referring to is the Android Car system which can connect to your phone. These are becoming standard. Also, how many people use the GPS and the music app on their phones when they drive? Lots.

Also, how many people use the GPS and the music app on their phones when they drive? Lots.

Lots of people get into accidents too! Lots. To help keep that ageing brain working use it--seriously--use it or lose it. Personally, I like to memorize a driving route for at least a couple of hours, and I can usually go all day without either looking at a map or a GPS. But, if I get confused and need a refresher it is far, far safer to take a rest stop and check things out properly rather than do like "lots" of people do and poke at a tiny screen. Even if it does nothing else, it forces your eyes to refocus away from where they should be focused down the road. Point being that just because you can do something with technology it doesn't mean that is inherently the best way to do it.

Originally Posted by Ten Four

This "revolution" you speak of is mostly wasting time doing things harder.

LOL!!!! Spoken like a true Windows Phone fan!!! We don't need no stinkin' apps, they make life harder.

I am trying to make it a day using my friends LG v10.

Camera is nice I Wilk say that and this hardware isn't bad.

But i swear to god android still sucks even on higher end flagship type devices. Goodness. Stutter here, stutter there. I hate play store layout and this notification overload is annoying.

I can't wait to get my Lumia back later today. Though I am glad to see he is enjoying my Lumia.

I feel like I am in the 90s with these icons. Even using windows phone launchers, it feels bad.

Originally Posted by phlamethrowre

LOL!!!! Spoken like a true Windows Phone fan!!! We don't need no stinkin' apps, they make life harder.

Do you do anything aside from making comments about windows fans? Learn to discuss the platform not the users.

Originally Posted by Nogitsune Micah

I am trying to make it a day using my friends LG v10.

Camera is nice I Wilk say that and this hardware isn't bad.

But i swear to god android still sucks even on higher end flagship type devices. Goodness. Stutter here, stutter there. I hate play store layout and this notification overload is annoying.

I can't wait to get my Lumia back later today. Though I am glad to see he is enjoying my Lumia.

I feel like I am in the 90s with these icons. Even using windows phone launchers, it feels bad.

Maybe that's true for v10 but I played with a LG G4, my god that thing was snappy, all apps ran heavenly. while my lumia 930 having hard times updating live tiles (I don't mean to mock the W10M but the tiles aren't updating).

Originally Posted by Nogitsune Micah

Do you do anything aside from making comments about windows fans? Learn to discuss the platform not the users.

I make comments about what a user says (posts) not about the user because some of these post are hysterical. And BTW, I agree about the V10 hardware. Does that thing feel solid or what??

Originally Posted by Ten Four

Lots of people get into accidents too! Lots. To help keep that ageing brain working use it--seriously--use it or lose it. Personally, I like to memorize a driving route for at least a couple of hours, and I can usually go all day without either looking at a map or a GPS. But, if I get confused and need a refresher it is far, far safer to take a rest stop and check things out properly rather than do like "lots" of people do and poke at a tiny screen. Even if it does nothing else, it forces your eyes to refocus away from where they should be focused down the road. Point being that just because you can do something with technology it doesn't mean that is inherently the best way to do it.

Of course I remember my usual routes and new places I like to go. I've moved countries several times so having a GPS is rather handy. I work in engineering so having a good memory is a necessary but life is busy and sometimes people forget things without meaning to and the older you get the more likely you'll forget things. It's a fact of life.

As for accidents, if you want to get technical, just having a radio or someone else in the car (probably a bigger cause of accidents) is a chance of accident. Also there are many many people who shouldn't be technically driving but some feel it's their 'right' to drive not realising it's a 'privilege'.

Self driving cars can't come soon enough if you ask me.

I never really had much of an issue wtih missing apps other than snapchat (i dont really use it, but alot of my friends do and I got sick and tired of hearing them say "get snapchat").

For basically every app I could need there is a third party alternative. I personally, could care less if an app is third party or first party. However, not having proper first party apps is going to be the death of the platform. I have to give props to Rudy for keeping the platform afloat with his 6apps, but unfortunately, nobody knows what 6sec, or 6tin is.

A perfect example of this: I was on 6tin and a friend came by and said "what the hell is 6tin?". Its an exact UI replica of tinder, and my average Joe non techy friend (who is an avid tinder user) couldnt figure it out.
The sad thing is, this is the reaction a few people have had when they stumbled upon me using tinder on my phone. They are going to open the app store looking for tinder, they will see 6tin thinking its a knockoff or a ****ty scam app.

Windows NEEDS official apps if its going to survive. And they need to be updated at the same time as the other platforms. Third party apps are only going to keep the enthusiasts happy. Also Microsoft needs to ensure that the APIs available allow developers to keep their apps on par with the android and iOS counterparts.

Originally Posted by Ten Four

This "revolution" you speak of is mostly wasting time doing things harder. Turn on the security when you leave home--what else do you need? Set a programmable thermostate. Done. I would argue banking on your phone is asking for security problems, but even so what does it give you that you don't have in a browser on your PC? Payroll and HR again should not be done on the phone for security reasons, and at my place of work we all do it on our PCs. Using phones in cars is just plain stupid! Many studies have shown that just talking on your phone is dangerous. Don't do it! When driving, drive. The list goes on and on. We are born with brains, and for many of us they work better than our phones.

For home Security, it is a whole lot more than just turning it on. If you are outside, and someone breaks in, you would be notified right away. You would also be able to access the security camera from outside too.

For bank apps, it is needed if you want to deposit a check by taking a picture of it. I have yet to see a bank website that lets me edeposit a check. Huge deal and a time saver if you have to deposit checks often as you probably know how the line ups are in banks.

As for the cars, gps is useful for many people, not necessarily because of the direction but it shows your real time location on a map. The technology is also improving to make sure that it is safer. A modern smartphone needs to have a full car integration.

Posted via the Windows Central App for BlackBerry 10

Originally Posted by Florin_Anghel

Maybe that's true for v10 but I played with a LG G4, my god that thing was snappy, all apps ran heavenly. while my lumia 930 having hard times updating live tiles (I don't mean to mock the W10M but the tiles aren't updating).

I've never seen that happen with live tiles but that's unfortunate. The v10 is newer hardware so no reason it should be this pathetic.

Originally Posted by elitewolverine21

Don't hold your breath just yet on the s7 Edge, I work in a carrier, so far I see daily S7 Edge problems. I love the phone, I have one actually. But 'smooth' 100% of the time it is not, in fact our phone has 0 user installed apps and it has 'lagged' a few times. Is it fast? It better, be its freaking a week old kind of thing. App gap, cant argue there. But it is pretty crazy that my 1520 with beta software is just as 'smooth' as the S7 with finished software. However, with all that said, have fun with the camera, that thing focus so freaking fast...I wont say anything about its 'picture quality' because so far my 1520 imo and pulling the dng's has matched it. I do recommend the S7 Edge especially to android upgraders, it is a sweet phone, imo a better leap than their last 2 phones when talking about generational leaps.

Thanks for the heads up! I haven't personally experienced any lagging but ive only had it for two weeks. Time will tell. Loving the camera thus far .... crazy fast. A pleasant change over my 950. I so wish Microsoft would figure that out in the future.

Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

I can edeposit a check from my PC to my Credit Union through its website. ;-)

i am satisfied with a few regular apps like UC browser, facebook, skype etc. and more than satisfied with the microsoft developed apps like office lens. but i admit the amount of apps as compare to android and apple are far less. one of the major app missing that i am very fond of is the pintreset, which is sad bcoz it previously existed and was dropped by the developers. the windows phone uses pining feature very similar to pinterest and the app could actually be incorporated very nicely within the windows phone. another problem is that the games are not up to date like temple run.

Originally Posted by Detfan100

I can edeposit a check from my PC to my Credit Union through its website. ;-)

Consider yourself one of the few!

I think it's a bit annoying when people knock down other people's needs in a phone. I don't know about some people, but if I travel a lot, I would love to know what is going on at my home, as someone that lives alone.

Originally Posted by libra89

Consider yourself one of the few!

I think it's a bit annoying when people knock down other people's needs in a phone. I don't know about some people, but if I travel a lot, I would love to know what is going on at my home, as someone that lives alone.

Yep as has been said before, the phone should serve you not the other way around :)

I don't want to be foolishly led into trying to keep up with the Jones'.

Think about it for a second. This is why most people have nothing (in the bank), eating out everyday just to say i have, buying the expensive phone to post on Facebook, driving a nice car. I am guilty too sometimes, but not with my phone no more, not with social media. Lets use social media and computing to improve the world, not boast about what i am doing, or being indecent to make money from the masses.