The purpose of today's WP8 event was not to announce the new OS's end-user features but to discuss the "plumbing" being developed to enable them. I understand that current handsets not getting WP8 in all its glory is a bummer, but Microsoft made the decision they felt they had to for the greater good -- to give the forthcoming OS the wings it will need to really fly. The new kernel, aligned with W8 and W8 RT, will bring a real synergy to the table that the Windows platform -- nor any other -- has ever had. It will mean more cross-platform apps and games of higher-quality, a far more seamless user experience, and the ecosystem growth it will need to properly compete with Google and Apple over the next 10 to 20 years.
As far as the new Start screen is concerned, I love it. I thought the negative space to the right of the home screen was cute and hip for a while, but I soon grew to feel robbed of my screen's God-given real estate. I also like the new small tiles. It's an option I didn't have before, and it's not like they're being forced upon me, so I can keep things exactly as is should I choose to do so. Chances are, there're a number of yet-to-be-seen new goodies in store (such as the ability to read a preview of a text's contents in a "double-wide" Messaging tile). Personally, I hope they add some type of "folders" functionality, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Everyone seemed to be expecting Skype to be "integrated" with WP8. Well, they didn't, so now everyone is poo-poo'ing them for it. The truth is, they did one better by integrating VoIP, which means that any app developer (Skype, Tango, Google or otherwise) can now "plug in" and take advantage. Sure, the carriers probably won't be thrilled, but the idea is -- again -- that the WP8 development team have been busy working toward ENABLING the new platform, which I personally think is a super, super smart move.
Adopting Nokia's NAVTEQ mapping tech into WP8 Maps? Awesome! Bing maps aren't all that great, and Nokia's Drive is, in certain ways, a more sophisticated and more comprehensive system. Hopefully, by combining they two (Bing Maps meets Nokia data), WP8 Maps will offer a very compelling set of mapping tools, complete with off-line maps and navigation, turn-by-turn directions, traffic, transit, and more. Further, giving developers full access to the new mapping system will be key to achieving a more integrated experience.
I'm excited. Though I doubt they will, given their alignment with Nokia, I'd love to see them announce a Surface for Windows Phone 8! If my software's gonna' match, why shouldn't my hardware, also? *pant pant pant*
As far as the new Start screen is concerned, I love it. I thought the negative space to the right of the home screen was cute and hip for a while, but I soon grew to feel robbed of my screen's God-given real estate. I also like the new small tiles. It's an option I didn't have before, and it's not like they're being forced upon me, so I can keep things exactly as is should I choose to do so. Chances are, there're a number of yet-to-be-seen new goodies in store (such as the ability to read a preview of a text's contents in a "double-wide" Messaging tile). Personally, I hope they add some type of "folders" functionality, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Everyone seemed to be expecting Skype to be "integrated" with WP8. Well, they didn't, so now everyone is poo-poo'ing them for it. The truth is, they did one better by integrating VoIP, which means that any app developer (Skype, Tango, Google or otherwise) can now "plug in" and take advantage. Sure, the carriers probably won't be thrilled, but the idea is -- again -- that the WP8 development team have been busy working toward ENABLING the new platform, which I personally think is a super, super smart move.
Adopting Nokia's NAVTEQ mapping tech into WP8 Maps? Awesome! Bing maps aren't all that great, and Nokia's Drive is, in certain ways, a more sophisticated and more comprehensive system. Hopefully, by combining they two (Bing Maps meets Nokia data), WP8 Maps will offer a very compelling set of mapping tools, complete with off-line maps and navigation, turn-by-turn directions, traffic, transit, and more. Further, giving developers full access to the new mapping system will be key to achieving a more integrated experience.
I'm excited. Though I doubt they will, given their alignment with Nokia, I'd love to see them announce a Surface for Windows Phone 8! If my software's gonna' match, why shouldn't my hardware, also? *pant pant pant*
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