So the phrase you frequently hear or read when Windows Phone comes up is that there's an "app gap" between this platform and Android and iOS. As a heavy user of all three platforms, I wonder if these reviewers have really taken the time to look at WHAT apps they're talking about.
Android : A good portion of Android apps involve one type of Android specific feature - customization. Since WP8 and iOS don't customize interfaces as much, these apps should NOT count. Think about how many "battery widget" apps and "launcher" apps there are on Android. Should it really count against Windows Phone that it doesn't have apps that change the UI in some significant way?
iOS : The one thing that seems to be plaguing iOS right now, and thankfully isn't as much present in Windows Phone, is "pay to play" apps. These aren't just games I'm talking about either. A LOT of iOS developers are giving away apps for free, yet severely limiting their usability until you do some sort of in app purchase. It's almost a "scam" in a way - they count on people having iTunes credit or a credit card on file and accidentally hitting a button to pay for something they may not want. If THOSE are the apps iOS gets that Windows Phone doesn't, that's fine by me.
Yes, Windows Phone IS missing some good apps available on other platforms - personally, as a fantasy football player I'm frustrated there's no official Yahoo fantasy app - though alternatives do exist. However, I don't think there's nearly as big a divide in the app quality or quantity as the "tech media" wants there to be.
Android : A good portion of Android apps involve one type of Android specific feature - customization. Since WP8 and iOS don't customize interfaces as much, these apps should NOT count. Think about how many "battery widget" apps and "launcher" apps there are on Android. Should it really count against Windows Phone that it doesn't have apps that change the UI in some significant way?
iOS : The one thing that seems to be plaguing iOS right now, and thankfully isn't as much present in Windows Phone, is "pay to play" apps. These aren't just games I'm talking about either. A LOT of iOS developers are giving away apps for free, yet severely limiting their usability until you do some sort of in app purchase. It's almost a "scam" in a way - they count on people having iTunes credit or a credit card on file and accidentally hitting a button to pay for something they may not want. If THOSE are the apps iOS gets that Windows Phone doesn't, that's fine by me.
Yes, Windows Phone IS missing some good apps available on other platforms - personally, as a fantasy football player I'm frustrated there's no official Yahoo fantasy app - though alternatives do exist. However, I don't think there's nearly as big a divide in the app quality or quantity as the "tech media" wants there to be.