The head of Windows Phone at Microsoft, Joe Belfiore, took to Twitter today to announce the birthday of the company's mobile platform. Windows Phone indeed turns 3 today. That's not all, not only has it been three years since the first Windows Phone, but also since the Metro (or now "Modern") UI was released into the world.
Back in 2010, Microsoft announced Windows Phone 7 at that year's Mobile World Congress (care to check out an old podcast to relive some memories?), with device going to market in October. Fast forward to today and Windows Phone is everywhere (not in terms of sales, mind you). Xbox, Windows 8 and Microsoft's general approach to design stems from the Modern UI, which was first implemented on the mobile platform.
Since initially released, the platform has grown. Gone were the days where market share reports painted bleak pictures with Windows Mobile being difficult to surpass. Nokia jumped on board in 2011, launching its first Windows Phone, the Lumia 800 in September of that year. We've been called out for favouring Nokia over other OEM partners, but it's incredible how much Nokia has provided the platform - marketing, brand awareness and a superb Lumia line of products.
HTC HD7 / our old website - bringing back memories?
Back then there weren't many apps around and you found yourself continuously playing "Spot the Windows Phone owner" when out and about. It has also changed for developers too. You could release an app and it was much easier to get featured in the Windows Phone Store than it is today. That said, the array of tools and quality of apps have both significantly improved. The best part of this story is that we're not yet done.
Microsoft is in the process of snapping up the devices and services division at Nokia. We've also got Nokia World 2013 just around the corner where tablets, phablets, phones, accessories and more will be unveiled to the world. So that's three years scored away, here's a toast to the next three.
Have you been with the platform since the beginning? What are your thoughts on how Microsoft has evolved Windows Phone, as well as its other products? Be sure to sound off in the comments.
Source: Twitter
Reader comments
Happy Birthday, Windows Phone; Microsoft's mobile platform celebrates its third year
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Yep, I've been a user since the beginning! Start on a good ol' LG Quantum with a fantastic physical keyboard. Loved WP ever since.
Being a WP owner since day 1. First with HTC Trophy, then Lumia 900 and now proudly sporting a 925. Never ever used iOS or Android and never will. Happy Birthday my dear WP baby, you are 3 & growing up well ;)
I got the HD7 around release and since then I have had the Focus Flash, Focus 2, Lumia 900, 8X, Lumia 820 and a Red, blue, black and now yellow version of the Lumia 920 looking to get me a 1020 soon, I might even be willing to trade my Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 for it... If the offer is right that is....
Happy birthday windows phone, the live tiles is very useful, I hope wp8.1 update will give us a big surprise! Add oil and go ahead to be a world famous phone OS :-)
I've been with "ModernUI" since the Mango release. HTC HD7 baby was the first. Owned the 900, 822, and now the 520
So what do we get? A prize? If not IDC. 3 years of dragging there feet. Congrats. Glad im on the Nokia boat now, making it at least a little easier to deal with.
having come over from the dark side ios, i will take the L920 anyday. my wife has the new ios7 and it is a mess.
check out the apple forums. lets see does skydrive sync yes, do all my contacts sync between the cloud, my phone and my windows 8 computer yes. does the calendar do the same yes. if you have a outlook account or outlook 2013 does it sync yes. WP is headed in the right directon imo.
What's the weather app on the yellow lumia?
Owned Windows Phones since the launch of the HTC HD7S after having to visit two AT&T stores, since one of the employees at the first store got mad at me, yelled, and refused to sell me one and pushed for an Android device instead. I then got an HTC TITAN, and then a Lumia 920, and I traded the 920 for a Lumia 1020 at the Microsoft store. :) #MicrosoftLife
Been with it since the Lumia 800 and I still play "Spot the WP user." So sad. Young kids are frightened to stand out and miss out so still go with the iFlock.
But happy birthday anyway. Stay strong..
For design is OK, I concern for the capability of the OS. From my experience using Android and now I use Lumia 520, Android is better than Windows Phone. Here are the lack of Windows Phone:
1. Windows Phone can't read document Word or Excel from microSD. Say, it can do it by installing Kirik SD File Viewer, it is paid, while in Android, if the smartphone doesn't has built-in file manager, just go to Play Store, download one of file manager for free.
2. Email. Just has image option to attach file, for music files should go Music+Video, for Word or Excel should go to Office, it is uncommon way and can't do multiple attachments and can't attach .zip files. Android can attach those above.
3. Download and upload. Internet Explorer can't download universal, should use UC Browser and can't upload, while in Android, the browser can upload file because of file manager. Using Internet Explorer, open http://gmail.com, login and compose, touch attach a file, it can't do that.
4. Apps. Apps like WeChat frequently doesn't receive incoming messages automatically, and many features are miss. Skype I notice here is not good as I think, owned by Microsoft itself but the the Skype itself is better in Android version than Windows Phone version. I use Lumia 520, my Skype doesn't receive incoming message automatically so I should open Skype first, in Android it doesn't happen. I think developers are prefer make Android apps than Windows Phone apps. WhatsApp is better but always "WhatsApp has detected an issue with your phone Push Notification issue. Please reboot your phone". If it is happens because of my operator and my phone, why did in Android it's not happen? UC Browser is not as good as Opera Mini, I use UC Browser frequently face force closed. Again, I will say Android is better.
5. Office can't edit 2003 format. In Android, Office Suite 7 or Polaris Office or Quickoffice can do it.
6. Can't change ringing ringtones with ringtones that avialable in microSD. I should add ringtone by transferring ringtone using PC or download ringtone using UC Browser, set is as my ringtone in downloaded section or I install an app in Store. In Android, very simple go to file manager, find ringtone inside microSD.
7. The update is very slow. Said that GDR2 will arrive by end of September, in fact till today, there are some countries don't receive it yet. If Microsoft can't promise the exact time, why should tell end of September?
8. The system. Some people experienced, using SD card low class experienced restart, I faced the same too. When I used Galaxy Ace 2, I use no class microSD, the smartphone didn't restart with no reason.
It is far Windows Phone is called smartphone. In my opinion Windows Phone is still a phone, not smartphone. My denifition, smartphone is phone that smart, do many things without need of PC. If Windows Phone is called smarrphone, why should using PC to transfer video files to be available in video section in Music+Video? Why does add ringtone it suggests using PC to add ringtone? Why can't copy paste, move, remove files, create folder, in microSD? The user voice suggestion in Windows Phone website I think almost useless, many people shouted, but Microsoft team just say the same copy paste answer. Why didn't say the truth or admit Windows Phone still lacks of many function, for example if there is user requests for customize sound, Microsoft team can say, " we have added this feature in next update (GDR3), we have made sure the low end like Lumia 520 can have this feature". Or if there is user says the update is so slow just for minor update, Microsoft team can say, " actually we have sent the update for all countries, but we can't make sure for the date because every country is different in testing the update first before give to user. "
Spam.
It's not spam. It's my experience using Lumia 520 that I share. Nothing perfect, all phones have advantages and disadvantages. Today I turn on wifi my phone got hang, can't be touched, I should press hold power on/off and volume down to make it restart. Will you call Lumia free of hangs if you experience this? My friend from India said to me he took out his microSD under class 10 more than 1 month ago, result his Lumia 520 never restart and hang again. If Lumia phones are good phone why does I insert no class microSD, sometimes my Lumia restart and hang?
Wp7 user since launch with the HD7. Now on L920 after being tempted to jump to BB Z10. What a mistake that would have been! People still assume my 920 is an Android from time-to-time, but now when I say its a Nokia 920 people will just as often know it's a WP. Anecdotally, 2013 awareness of WP increased dramatically.
Started with the first focus, now on the Lumia 900, but it seems that 7.x is long forgotten by app developers and Microsoft. No way to treat the early adopters who don't have money to purchase without carrier support. Do I want to upgrade to 8.x? Yes. Will I? Not for the full unsupported price and get screwed again.
Can't argue with you there... But android is also cluttered and unorganized
Haha Mike Rowesoft. I've jus hopped on the windows phone team after the 8x released, I recently played with an android (Galaxy Note 3 to be exact) phone and was actually upset at the lack of innovation in developing due to Googles patents and restrictions, It was really the tipping point since im looking for a new phone. Apple has been a turn off simply because of the boring-ness and simplicity of the os as a whole, despite all the privacy-invading features. Seems like the Lumia 1020 is next up. I love windows phone from the live tiles to the developers effort to make it as enjoyable as possible while adding on extra features you can't get with any other phone.
Yeah I have been with windows since winmo 6 with my Samsung blackjack 2, I'd like to be able to customize my tiles more say like each tile being a small part of a bigger picture...
Happy birthday Windows Phone!
It all started with a little phone called HTC Kaiser, used to be addicted with ROM flashing lol.
I was anticipating windows phone for so long. I got the HTC HD7 on release and have since had an 820 and now a 920.
I love WP does exactly what I want it to do.
As for my old HD7? The wife used it before taken ownership of my 820 and has since been passed to my son. Its still going strong.
Been with MS for as long as I can remember. Started with HTC, a couple 8225's on Winmo ? I can't remember the version, think v5? Met XDA and ROM flashing. Went through a few more devices such as the Fuse, Tilt and Tilt II before jumping on Windowsphone day one with a couple HD7's. Then I discovered the build quality of Nokia with a couple 920's and now a couple 1020's. These guys make a nice device and have definitely won over an old HTC fan.
Guess I'll just keep waiting on the platform to mature since I'm not interested in anything else. Heck we're finally getting custom sound events for SMS soon and Lord knows we need support for the enterprise yesterday.
It's been a long slow haul and I wish they could twinkle their noses to get caught up, but I'll be here until they do unless something major changes the game.
MS knows how they screwed the pooch getting behind and what they must do to be a player again. Lets hope the focus and manpower is in place to make it all happen, soon.
Peace to all my Windowsphone friends and Happy Birthday to Windowsphone and MetroUI!
I talk about it so much several people around me now have them. Getting 2 of my kids the 520 soon
What about your other kids?
same here but now everyone come's to me to ask how to do stuff and set thing up!
3years and after the Focus, Lumia 900,and Lumia 920 I bought the 1020 yesterday.
One of the best WINDOWSPHONE
HD7..
Overall WINDOWSPHONE has achieved a lot, MENZi remember when I preordered my hd7,I was so excited about it..hahaha
Im still loving WINDOWSPHONE,im still rocking my lumia 900 with 7.8.
I cant wait to have WINDOWSPHONE 8.1
I've been a Windows Phone user since day one and have developed for platform since before its public release.
While there is so much more room for improvement, Microsoft's Windows Phone development team are doing it right.
Happy alleluja :-)
I started with an focus wp7 from there I went to an titan wp7.5 and from there to an focus S cause I went thru 3 titans so att gave me the S, and then I upgraded to a 920 which I love, I've enjoyed the ride, I even brought a surface so I can say am I fanboy for MS. I'm patiently waiting for the 1520, I'm in this for the long haul. Yup I been with MS since the beginning...
I bought my HD7 at launch. Came from Palm (Treo 600) then 3 blackberry devices from 2005-2009. IPhone 3gs in 09' then finally HD7. Titan 2, now Lumia 920
I joined August 22 2011, enjoyed it. Now rocking the 1020. Could not Be happier.
My first Windows Phone was a Lumia 920 which I picked up on launch day last year in the UK. I'm now using a Lumia 1020 and can honestly say that it is the best phone I've ever had.
My first foray into the world of smartphones was a Nokia 5800 XM in 2009. I've since tried other Symbian phones and a couple of Android phones but Windows Phone is the best OS for me. I can't imagine myself bothering with Android again in the future and will stick with Windows Phone from now on.
All it needs is for MS to double their efforts to bring the features and functions that people are screaming out for.
Started with the DVP, moved on to the HTC Radar and then got an 8x on launch day. Felt I was missing something so got a Lumia 925 on launch day. Just ordered an unlocked Lumia 920 I'll use as a work phone. Yea, I'm invested in the platform...
Three years and still face no Facebook app?
Yes there is.
look further than your nose and you'll find it!
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/facebook/82a23635-5bd9-df11-...
i too started with the HTC Mozart after a disappointing start grew to love the UI and the live tiles. hearing of the pending lumia 920 i waited impatientley for it's arrival to be disappointed again! by microsoft/nokia's exclusive carrier (EE) not only limiting the lumia's potenial but windows phone's chance to make an impact on the market!!!! anybody who wanted a 920 on a carrier other than EE Orange or T-mobile had to wait 6 MONTHS, and those who did'nt(could'nt) wait like me have regreted it ever since!!!!!! still ony 12 months 23 days til i can tell EE where to shove their contract. And hopefully (on knee's praying) the next break through windows phone won't be exclusive to EE, if it is iPhone here i come!(can't believe i just put that!).
3 years on the market and everything it's moving around Microsoft. For me always only Nokia no matter which OS because every of this are not perfect when try to spy everyone of users who operate any OS. "CFR" by the way.
I've only started using Lumia and WP8 this year and had nothing but joy, fun and ease of use. Happy 3rd Birthday Windows Phone!
Happy Bday WP!
It all started back in the days with WinMobile 5.0 for me, since then it's been all Windows phones. Loving my Lumia 1020 right now!!
Sounds like we came from the same era. See my comment several below.
I started my WP experience with the HTC Mozart, great phone, then the 710, the Mozart was so much better than the 710, I thought i had made the wrong decision going back to Nokia! But then i got the 900 and my faith was restored. I now have the most amazing phone ever, the 925. It started off with a few glitches with GRD2 already loaded but after a couple of minor updates, it works a charm, bl**dy super amazing phone. All that said, I'm slowly loosing the faith. I love my WP8 I really do but there's just not the apps. WP has come a long way but when I'm with my mates and they are using their iphones, that's when i quietly sneak my WP back into my pocket as they are either on a game or app that I don't have. WP is getting there but not quick enough. Someone made a comment on this thread earlier that slowly slowly wins the race, sorry mate utter rubbish. In the technology world you have to be fast fast and be at the front or you lose, simple. On another note, I personally don't think the purchase of Nokia is going to help either, especially if its true that the Nokia name is to be replaced by Microsoft. I bought my Nokia for three reasons - exclusive apps (they done well but not as good as I thought with the exclusives), WP operating system as its the best one out there but most of all for the Nokia name. I have been a Nokia man from the beginning, way way back, jumped ship briefly to LG and HTC when they had that horrendous Symbian operating system but I'm back. A lot of people are on WP not because they wanted WP but because they wanted a Nokia. Nokia is a trusted name, not saying Microsoft isn't, but in bigger scheme of things Microsoft is seen as a software developer and Nokia a leading phone manufacturer. Example I work in a office of around 150 staff, we are split up into groups, our team has 8 people. Because i have been bigging up my Nokia there is now half of my team (ha me and 3 others!) on WP. One of the team wanted to upgrade her Asha and wanted to stay with Nokia, i advised her to upgrade to a new Nokia which she did, she wasn't keen on WP to start with but with guidance she is getting there. Another got a Nokia, again through my recommendation of Nokia, changing from her iphone, she liked it at the start but found a lack of apps annoying, it was buggy, kept freezing and kept randomly playing videos that she watched a few days earlier (my 925 done this when I first got it but with updates no more random videos playing at 3am). The other team member was getting tired ios and wanted a change, i advised Nokia. She hates it, constantly finding fault, comparing it to iphone "it doesn't have this" "it doesn't have that". She has both her iphone and WP on the desk but mainly using the iphone. All three got WP through my recommendation but only because i suggested a Nokia, not WP and two are not happy because of the lack of apps. Funnily enough we are the only team to have WP, the rest of the department has ios or android, only one on blackberry bless! Unfortunately with the moans and groans of the converted WP, I don't see any one else getting WP unless they Microsoft get their act together and obtain the leading apps at the same time as other operating systems, or maybe even get them first! I also hope Microsoft reconsider keeping the Nokia name because if they don't it will be a major step backwards in the success of WP. All that said though, I may be losing the faith but I'm going to stick with WP just a little longer, I'm used to and love the WP os, I don't like the other os's, so lets see what happens. I just hope with the help of the Nokia name that WP see's the continued rise in sales around the world (USA lagging behind a little) and that WP will be recognised for great os that it is and not just the os that comes with a Nokia. Happy Birthday WP you can do it.
LG optimus 7,Htc trophy, Nokia Lumia 800, HTC Titan and now Nokia Lumia 920 that just rocks!!!;)
Happy Birthday WP
I got the HTC HD7 as an early adopter & enthusiast. Now rocking a red 920. Future.....1520!
Day 1 owner here. HTC HD7 was my first, then Nokia 800, back to HTC 8x on wp8, now as of yesterday Nokia 925. I love wp, and will probably stick with Nokia from now on.
As a long time android user the switch to windows phone has been amazing. The lag free experience compared to my android is big plus. Most people buy androids and ios due to lack of awareness about windows phones. Almost everyone on my office uses android. Most of them are not even aware,something like windows phone exists and when they try my lumia 520 they are surprised it performs much better than their androids which are twice more expensive than my phone.
Or awareness of the lack of apps...
I joined in with the HTC Titan back in 2011. Shortly afterwards I found I loved WP.
Installing apps to micro sd is not good ...your sd card will be corrupted..
Ahh 3 years ago with my old HD7. I walked into Orange and after playing with WP for 2 minutes I was in love. Its a shame we've gone backwards since Zune with handling media, but I'll keep patiently waiting for someone to wake up and smell the coffee... like you have to most of the time with Microsoft.
HD7 at launch in 2010. Then Titan, Now 920. Wife HD7, 710, now 820. WP not perfect but hey what is ? And lets look at the alternatives. BB = dead. Android = google marketing (i don't like being their product). IOS = fine but totally dull and i like to be different. I love WP and it has come a long way. Happy birthday ! Ha ha
And after three years no good apps for Facebook, whatsapp, YouTube... Shame
And whose fault is that?
Yay!
Switched over from android about a year and a half ago and I do miss certain aspects of android but I love the smoothness of WP. Yeah we don't have the custom roms or the high volume of apps but we do have a smooth, stable, beautiful os that's growing everyday. Happy birthday windows phone. Here's to hoping there's many more. Cheers!
Stuck on WP 7.8 for believing in MS too early...
I really enjoyed the ride with my 920 since release, but if i dont get bluetooth on par with ios/droid in the next update i'm going to switch to the dark side :(
I started WP7 with an LG Quantum. It still works well today as a backup for my Lumia 920. Makes me miss the old slider keyboard sometimes. The platform has grown substantially in 3 yrs IMO, but I think most of us Zune users still miss that experience. Of course, Zune was the true ancestor of the Metro UI.
If you really want to use the term "true ancestor" then it's Xbox live
Been using the Samsung Omnia with Windows Mobile 6.1 for 4 years. Refusing to switch to anything else than a Windows Phone. I wasn't here in WP7 but the Lumia 620 broke me into this fantastic world of Windows Phone. Happy Birthday everyone!
HBD!!! :-)
I hope to see an article from the team comparing the last 3 yrs with the first 3 years of the other OSes
Took a risk with 800........now, 520, 720 and 1020 later and im still in love #takerisks
I hate that MS takes too long for updates/improving the platform. 3 yrs and no notification centre -should be here already-, better multitasking, video editor like imovie -video trimmer not enough-, can't install apps in microsd card, no custom live tiles colours. I love WP OS so hopefully wp 8.1 jumps high!
I totally agree with you! I can't wait until they really hone down the WP Platform!
Anyone notice that the one on the right is running 7.8 but made to look like 7.5i just found it funny
Been playing with WP for a while now. In my personal opinion, the UI is smooth, the Apps is great (i prefer quality over quantity of apps)
Last but not least, the camera is super duper awesome on my L1020.. Yes, the WP OS is yet perfect compares to other OS, but let's all together have faith n support Microsoft for the best to come on WP!..
I can create playlists in xbox music and i am not being sarcastic.Lumia 920 user running nokia amber here in India :)
Been with WP since my HTC Pure running windows mobile. My only disappointment was when Zune or at least a Zunelike experience was left out of WP8. Love my 920.
Been here all three years! First phone was the Samsung Focus. Then a Nokia Lumia 900 - 920, and now a 1020! Love the platform!
I bought a Samsung Focus on day one. It was around noon when I went, and I was only the second person to buy one at that particular AT&T store. Not exactly the best start, but I haven't regretted making the switch once.
Yep, bought a WP since day one of release. Samsung Omnia 7!!
What a coincidence! It's my birthday as well.
Happy birthday! Yay!!!
No VPN support, no toggles, no notification center... and still unreliable push notifications
Happy birthday, my dear Windows Phone.
Xoxo,
Windows Mobile
Go WP! Personally bought 1 HD7, 2 Dell VP, 1 HTC Titan, 3 Lumia 900's, 3 Lumia 920's, 1 HTC 8X and 2 Lumia 1020's. Damn, I just realized how many phones I've either been thru or purchased for family members.
Schmappy birffday!!!
Three years later and the people commenting on WP still make me want to lobotomize myself. I mean, maybe then I'll understand why it's a problem that WP isn't Android or iOS. Until then, I'll love the WPs I've enjoyed since the first day they were available in Canada.
Can we get a series of articles from you guys that goes over the lackluster parts of WP instead of fawning over some arbitrary "Birthday" for an operating system that was ditched in two years for it's bigger better cousin?
When I see articles like this or how WP has gained .02 marketshare in uzbekistan, it reminds me how far WP still has to go. Microsoft if a MONSTROUS company with a warchest in the tens of billions with some of the brightest minds on the planet, but they focus on things like "broadening the hardware compatibility" and "penetrating growing markets".
How about broadening the feature set of my chosen OS and penetrating my device with fluid compatibility with ALL windows devices. The fact that I cant use my phone to control my Win8 laptop hooked to my TV via Smart Glass is mind boggling.
Before haters hate I've owned an HD7, Radar 4G, and currently a developer unlocked 920 on TMOBILE. I'm about as invested in the platform as anyone here and even I can recognize that, like someone said above, it is absurd to have to go through two pages to toggle wifi, bluetooth, etc. HOW HARD IS IT TO LET A TILE DO THE WORK FOR YOU?!!!?!
/rant
This site is a jerk fest for Windows Phone and you want them to criticze their bread and butter? Windows Phone Central thinks everything about WP is so great there is nothing to criticize. WP is not going to get anywhere with the attitude that MS has and it doesn't look like they're going to change anything.
Why are you here then? Go jerk off somewhere else and leave us alone. Everyone here knows what's missing with this OS but it's still a far better and unique OS than stale and boring ios and crapdroid..
Just to tell u there are shortcut tile apps available for wifi and Bluetooth
HBD Windows Phone!!!
Had a HTC Mozart from day 1, upgraded to a Lumia 920. But, where are my official apps? Where are my apps to be released on all platforms at the same time. Everyone can say im being nitpicky, but at the end of the day, what sounds better to the general consumer and not a wp fanboy like myself... Does it have Instagram? Yes but its not the official app. Does it have snapchat, yes but not the official app. People like official. Anyway, Lumia 920 then an upgrade to whatever Nokia flagship next year. Il always stick by wp and its awesome developer community, because without them, we wouldn't have official apps OR apps to fix that situation!
What is the weather app that is shown on the yellow lumia 1020 in the picture?
My first one was the Lumia 800 (Nokia is the only WP manufacturer here in Brazil) back in 2011. Broke it 3 times until I got tired of being left in the dark with WP7.5 and now became a proud owner of the Lumia 925 *-*
Such a beautiful love story.
Been there from the beginning. Despite the many naysayer's, WP has continued to march forward. While it seems the U.S. is in a general iPhone fog, the rest of the world is starting to take notice!! While with most WP users I had or have some wishes or concerns, overall I am very pleased with my WP. Long live WP!!
I started day one with a HTC HD7, moved to a Samsung Focus then to a Dell Venue Pro (miss the keyboard) to a HTC Titan. Now I have a red Nokia 920. It has been a slow and lonely road for WP but I still find myself unable to move on from it
I got a Lumia 800 on the day they came out and haven't looked back. My 920 is a great phone!
Xda Neo with Win Mob 6 to 820 now. Lots of win phones in between. Things have really changed since then.
Three years of irrelevance. That's one sad, unhappy birthday, Windows Phone.
Being here with Focus, Focus S and now rocking Lumia 920, next phone: Lumia 1520 (also some relatives, wife and friends)
Skimming through most of these comments I can only think of one thing, one very frustrating thing... Microsoft IS SO CAPABLE of making WP8 so feature packed that it is frustrating how they haven't.
I mean look at Windows 8 and 8.1 for the perfect example... they heard the criticisms they said ok here's what the users want lets make a list, lets start checking off items off that list as we implement them on 8.1... less than a year later (WAY less if you used 8.1 beta) and they added more than 50+ features.
That's insane man and frustrating to see them do that and you know they have the man power to do the same on WP.
But hey that's Microsofts history, they learn the hard way. I am almost 99% positive that WP 8.1 is receiving that man power right now, that feature list is getting checked off as we speak :)
Heres the list for Windows 8.1 if anyone is curious
http://www.intowindows.com/50-best-new-features-in-windows-8-1-must-read/
Where's the cake?
I want CAKE!!! :-)
Yeah! Not even a Birthday For WP8
WIndows CE is NOT Windows NT
The Windows Phone 8 is not even year old
so no birthdays yet!
I think they mean in terms of operating system design. They are not that different. The only thing that separates wp8 & 7 are quite literally things that intertwine with is integration on a deeper level.
Been with MS since WinMo 5. Metro was such a beautiful interface change. I am guessing we will be seeing WP and RT merge at some point in the not too distant future.
I would welcome that.
That would be great for use with my Surface. But the weird thing is identical apps on RT and WP8 are priced differently sometimes. So maybe app prices would increase or u would have pay extra to have an app sync between phone/tablet.
Windows Phone Rocks!!!! no doubt about it. ihate ios 7 and those icopycat iphone users
Happy Tile Birthday!
I have used windows mobile since version 6.1 on Tytn II aka Tilt. Then I moved to 6.5 on HD2, which I have then flashed android and WP7 on. I use both android and windows phone switching phones every now and then. Currently rocking a Lumia 920 and HTC One X.
3 years...still lacking tons of features I had on Symbian for 10 years.
And 2 of those years were WASTED on Windows Phone 7.
If they don't start working harder and faster to deliver an OS at least on pair with Android/iOS (iOS6 mind you. Not iOS7. We don't want the Blue Screen of Death back on Windows stuff, thank you lol) they risk that they won't have another 3 years...(well...you know how I feel about that. Without Nokia they won't have 3 more years of growth anyway).
I remember buying my focus the first day of Windows phone 7's official release. Was so happy to ditch my iphone 3g that had been the biggest pain in my ass of any smartphone that I had ever owned lol. I had been out of my 2 year contract for a year at that point, and saw nothing interesting or compelling from android. I went with WP due to the excellent, fast UI that I constantly wouldnt have to tinker with, and integration of services I already used. Since I switched, my entire family switched as well after seeing how smooth and capable WP was. 3 of us own 920's and one owns an HTC 8s. Several friends of my family have switched to WP as well after seeing what ours can do.
What I love most:
*The consistent design throughout the OS- I disliked the design of Android, and hated the philosophy behind it that I should have to download a 3rd party launcher (that didn't match the core OS menus) to get a decent experience. WP offered a gorgeous UI that matched in every facet of the OS.
*Not having to fuss with the phone- It integrated seamlessly into my social networks, pictures were automatically backed up to the cloud, and notes I took in class using one note were automatically synched to the device.
*Focus on an excellent camera experience- Even when I had an iphone, I took pictures like crazy, so A good camera was essential for me.
*Always performs smooth- My samsung focus was as fast as the day I first got it when I gave it away to a friend
My biggest gripes about the platform I hope it will fix soon in 8.1:
*Lack of global search- Grr, still cant search my text messages or other files stored on the phone. Can't believe MS has let this slip for so long. This should have been accessable from the search button on Day 1.
*Calendar UI needs to be vastly improved- It's a shame that my iphone 3g still had a better calendar (UI wise) than what I use on WP8.
*No built in timer- COME ON MS, HOW IS THIS STILL NOT BUILT IN??? I used the built in Timer/stop watch on my iphone 3g daily. It's a necessity for me in my daily life to this day. The lack of this feature was PAINFUL until mango came along, and even then, the 3rd party solutions still don't perform as well as what a native solution would have. With the 3rd party apps you have to make sure not to "back out" of it and accidently kill your timer, and some of the 3rd party apps are innacurate if you set a timer for more than an hour. I've had some thrash the battery really hard when using the timer for a long period. It's really dissapointing to see this feature overlooked for so long.
*Lack of voice controls for music- WHY DID THIS NOT CARRY OVER FROM WinMO 6???? I used this feature constantly on my ancient Tmobile Dash when connected to the bluetooth system in my car :(
Despite those gripes, im excitedly looking forward to the future of WP!
Kin two,DVP,Nokia 920,Samsung Ativ S.All my phones have been WP and always will be.
Has it been 3 years already? So it is possible live without android. Nice.
Happy Born Day to the WP Platform & Myself. I plan on buying a Surface 2 & save up for the next Nokia device on Big Red as a gift. Great Day to hear this news. Made my day today. Thx.
Can't believe I've had windows phone for three years already. That is when I dropped android and joined the Microsoft ban wagon.
+10
And still kickin strong.
Three LONG years and still nothing works. Live tiles = broken. Messages hub = Can't connect to chat. Notifications = a joke. Most official apps = MIA. SMH...
What's worse is someone who doesn't think anything works sticking around for 3 years.
I'll say this, windows phone progress speaking relative to updates and features has been slow. That does not stop me from loving windows phone.
I feel the same way but believe in 2014 that WP8.1 is going to be #2 by 3Q of 2014! iOS7.1 going to be #3 Android 4.4 #1.
By the time WP has it's 4th birthday it will over take iPhone @10% market share at that time point!
By its 5th birthday it will be @32% market share!
Market share will double every year from now!
2012 4%
2013 8%
2014 16%
2015 32%
Been with MS mobile OSes since the Journada PDA; I had the Motorola MPX 200 and many others till the HD2 with WM 6.5. Moved to WP with the HD7, then Lumia 800,900 and now 920.
I still have my HD2 though and it is one of the greatest device I have ever had When WM was completely abandoned MS really threw away the baby with the dirty water...
HTC HD7. Still have it, but I'm now on a Lumia 920. Want the Lumia 1520 as my next. Very happy Nokia came to Windows Phone. They make the best mobiles!
Happy Birthday! :)
Been very happy whole time started with the hd7 then Nokia 900 then to the 920
Kept a close eye on WP7 when it came out & tried to get a 16GB HD7 but couldn't find one so I got an Atrix .... Tempted to get a cyan Lumia 800 , but the speaker was disappointing, got an HTC 8X 9 months ago & couldn't be any happier .... Now when the time is right, I'll ditch my Xoom for an RT 10"+ tablet
Best Os since webos I love this Os and I'm staying with it not because it's perfect but because it's perfect for me ... I wonder if anyone else has anything positive to say today ??
Started out with an LG Quantum. Now I have a Lumia 920 and hope to replace it with a 1020 or a 1520(if my bank account allows it). Love the 920. Such a legendary phone. On the WM side I had an LG Incite which really made me crazy with the tinkering/ROM bug.
I have been with WP since the beginning. I have had Focus, Titan and now a Lumia 920. I really like WP but I think I might have to switch to a new platform soon. Microsoft has moved too slow on bringing new features and improving WP. The tiles are not very reliable and I hate to say it but the lack of apps that are on other platforms is starting to frustrate me. I really like WP and think it has the best visual design available on mobile. I just wish Microsoft worked faster to bring it up to speed with other platforms.
Totally agree. I choose Nokia Lumia devices, because i believe They know how to make a Phone) but... Apps kinda nowhere. Ill wait for the 8.1 then ill decide whats next
Same here. I'll wait and see how the next version is before I decide.
HTC TILT, HTC FUZE, SAMSUNG BLACKJACK, SAMSUNG BLACKJACK 2,, HTC PURE, HTC TILT 2, SAMSUNG FOCUS, NOKIA LUMIA 920 AND VERY SOON LUMIA 1520. OTHERS, BLACKBERRY CURVE, LG THRILL, IPHONE 4S, SAMSUNG NOTE 2, LG ESCAPE, MOTOROLA BACKFLIP, SAMSUNG SKYROCKET. BEST PHONES I'VE OWNED NOKIA 3310, 5110, 9500, N8 WERE ALL BRICKS.. LOVED THEM ALL..... AND MISS A FEW OF THEM.
Dude, cut it out with the CAPS already
Sorry was kinda bored.
Samsung Focus, Dec. 2010. Still remember the first lockscreen and the awesome text jingle from that powerful speaker.
LG Quantum March 2011, L900 Sept 2012, waiting for 1520.
On board since the beginning. HTC HD7 I had and loved it. Now Lumia 920 and can't think of another mobile platform. Android sucks and iPhones are overrated and overpriced. The WP platform owns both of them because of the personal UI, integrations and ecosystem with SkyDrive, Office, Windows and XBOX. And many more cool stuff to come! Can't wait for WP8.1 :)
I'm happy about where we are as a whole and hopeful that progress moving forward will really pick up quickly. Its no reason why in 2013 we can't rent and watch movies directly on our phones let alone transport them from XBox Music and Videos. Let's get on it Microsoft. Happy birthday.
I came to windows from android and while the there could be more apps and a few things are not perfect, all my windows devices work as well as they did out of the box, the OS is smoothe fast efficient and reliable, compare to a galaxy s2, that phone ran great 2 years ago and now runs like s***. App selection is way better than it was and new features are coming, unlike Samsung and their shitty air gestures that are half baked and gimmicky and slow the phone considerably MS is taking their time and doing it right. Happy bday windows phone
I've been with wp since basically the start, and with wp7 there were more faster updates than there has been since going over to wp8. I'm really surprised by certain things like not having a proper way to close apps. They have this in win rt, why don't they have this on wp8 yet? that is really surprising, and i don't know why they are taking so long to bring it out. I still like the platform overall. i hate the apple eco-system, and don't particularly like how fragmented android can be, especially when you start tweaking things. so wp has the right balance, but it really needs to a fair bit of catching up!
Happy Birthday WP! Been here since WP7
..but Metro debuted on the Zune HD..
*Windows Media center, 2005
Nope, that was the Twist interface. IF that. Which I doubt. It was very different from the Vista/7 variants.
The OG Zune got an update to "Metro" as well
No it wasn't. It was updated to have a new font but the interface was still Twist. Metro is not a button based interface. There are no Subway typography icons on Twist.
This! It took long enough for someone to mention it here!
I bought my HTC HD7 on launch day. I was worried that there would be a long line with people sleeping in tents outside my local t-mobile store and I'd miss out on picking up my new phone. I don't remember if I was depressed or happy to find out that I was the only person there to buy one, and that I bought the first HTC HD7 that the store sold.
Previously I had a BlackBerry 8820, so it was a huge improvement. That phone lasted me until early this year when I tried to flash 7.8 onto it. When the phone would no longer work, I sadly marched into the AT&T store, soooo sadly...and purchased the 920. I love the Lumia 920, but I absolutely HATE AT&T. Pricing is terrible. But at least I've got better service at home. Whatever.
Happy birthday to WP, and happy anniversary to my committment to WP!
Jumped from Blackberry when Verizon launched the Trophy and never looked back. Since then I've gone through an 8X and a 928. Got my parents on board too, mom first with a Trophy then later my second hand 8X and dad with an 822.
Happy birthday WP!
My Nokia Lumia 920 was my first smartphone. I got it back in May this year. Love it and don't regret my decision to get it.
Been down since day one daring all the way back to windows mobile. Nextel i929?, Treo w/6.0, HTC touch, htc tp, tp2, HTC arrive, focus, nl920, and now a nl925. Still rockin n continue to rock. She may be missin some features but she is still the prettiest out there
Actually, it's been three years depresses me. They haven't done enough in three years.
From the day I got my 16gb zune HD I wished it was a phone. Then pre-ordered the Samsung focus, got the wife the Lumia 900 and then myself the 920. I use an iPhone for work (that's what they give us) and I literally laugh when I see ios7 sitting next to my 920 as the appeal is just not there looking at the start screen on my iPhone. Granted its an iPhone 4 vs 920 but wp8 is so much more informing at a glance that its not even funny.
Happy Birthday!! Here's to the next 3 years of Windows Phone.
"You often found yourself playing 'Spot the Windows Phone owner.'"
Umm, hate to be cynical, but I still find myself playing that game. Windows Phone has come a long way in three years, but we've still got quite a ways ahead of us, especially in places like the US market.
I'm in Boston ma and I actually see quite a few daily.
WP is thanks to Nokia.
I love Windows Phone... and now I can double tap to wake!
That's thanks to Nokia...not Windows Phone...;)
Too bad you can't double tap your iPhone.
I still play 'Spot the WP Owner'. I find a few here and there, and a local bookstore's owner also owns a WP7 device. Getting sick and tired of all the iPhone and Android users in malls and whatnot. Even so, the closest mall from me has an Apple Store, while you travel several miles from here, you have both an Apple AND a Microsoft Store (albeit on separate floors AND in separate wings of the place).
I loved my HD7. It was what made me leave Android. Great device for its time. Haven't looked back since.
Which weather app is that in the picture?
Amazing Weather
Thanks! I'm using Weather Flow but liked some small differences in the live tile.
Happy B'Day, WP
I got my first WP on April 10th, a Lumia 900, a few days after it came out. Thanks to Nokia screwing up, they gave a $100 credit, so it only cost me $99 oop. Great phone, which was also my first smartphone.
A little over a year later I paid the penalty to get out of the AT&T contract and bought a Lumia 521 outright on T-Mobile instead.
While I loved the Lumia 900 hardware, WP8 still makes the 521 a slightly better phone. Looking forward to getting something new within the next year. Happy birthday, WP :)
Happy Birthday Windows Phone, with you since Samsung Focus :)
Should start to grow as a platform at a more rapid pace, such as Android took around 3 years.
Hd7-Lumia 710-Ascend W1-Lumia 1020.
Agree with the comments about Microsoft's development. Windows 7 was slow but we got mango. Windows 8 painfully slow but at least we got Nokia. Microsoft need to run after and take over the competition not walk behind and stop for lunch! Major update every 6 months. Its also painful when we finally get updates carriers hold em back as well.
Spot the Windows phone. I still play this game. Its a lot of fun :)
Love WP8, don't care about 7 blabla. So, First WP8 in The Netherlands was a HTC 8X and that is my start for Windows Phone.
He called "Metro UI"... So we're not wrong for calling it metro
Happy Birthday Windows Phone!
+100
I got an HTC HD7 on launch day (upgrading from a WM6 Palm Treo). I also had my Tumblr app in the marketplace on launch day, having developed it on the emulator in the months before that. I still find myself playing "spot the WP user" - in the WP7 days I spotted two people with Windows Phones and asked them what they thought, and they both said "I hate it." So I stopped asking. The other day I saw a couple with two HTC WP8 phones and asked them and they said "it's okay, it's quirky" which wasn't the most glowing review either.
HTC HD7 adopter from release, glad I ever picked it up, from HTC radar & Lumia 710 to Lumia 810 to the all world ;) Lumia 925, this platform made me recognize android as a lesser OS and give appreciation of a "just works" and well engineered OS in WP...
Had the Arrive then it was the 900. After one it was the 920. Now writing this on my 925. It has come a long. I can still uninstall bloatware. Take that android.
Want to remove wallet, Xbox music and help and support.
From the Surround to the Focus to the Radar to the 900 to the 920, I've been here since the beginning. Although I see complaining on this thread about what the OS still doesn't have, keep in mind how far it's come in the past three years. THREE. Are we still mssing some apps? Yep. Can the OS get better? Absolutely. But Apple and Android have each had roughly six to get to where they are- Heck, Apple didn't get notifications until iOS 5- when Windows Phone was barely a year old.
Microsoft as a whole is going through a transition, and I think that the development of Windows 8, Surface, and just the general delay that comes with syncing all their devices and services held back the development of the OS this year. Now with Windows (Phone) 8.1 and the acquisition of Nokia, it looks like Microsoft has its ducks in a row. I expect big things in 2014!
That is what we said. Big things in 2011, big things with Mango. Big things with Tango. Then Apollo. Then 2012, 2013. Now GDR1,2,3. Blue. Then 2014. *yawn*
Got my Sammy focus bout 2+years ago, I love this phone but hate that wp lacks in apps and that I was stuck on 7720 until I manually updated. love it sucks when Microsoft talks bout the new os and your phone can't get it. I hope this is not the case with wp8, I would like to know if every wp8 will be to the latest os that the hardware lets it be. I know and understand why wp7 didn't get wp8 but when the carrier doesn't care and Microsoft does nothing about it, it gets frustrating.
Ya .. No Free App's.
Surround, titan, 900, 920. Will be a while for my next upgrade thanks to att adding six months to my contract.
All of the things Microsoft has done with WP so far are good but way too little for three years. And please don't anybody give me any crap about how im wrong. Its the truth and my recent update is too little too late. It seems like common sense just escapes Microsoft sometimes. But nonetheless I am a WP fan and will remain one. Happy Birthday..
Happy Birthday WP best OS ever
Happy Birthday Windows Phone
Started with the HTC Arrive, great phone, then Lumia 710, just upgraded to Lumia 920. I love the OS, just wish the apps were as polished and plenty full as on ios
No birthday present for us WP kids?
My first smartphone was the HTC 7 Mozart. Good times!
me too, I still have the phone as backup :D
Got my first Windows Phone in February 2011. It was an HD7 on T-Mobile. Served me well until I picked up my 8X on AT&T December last year. Very happy with WP8. Looking forward to a new Lumia 1520 next month.
Oh yeah, remembering my first wp7 HD7 phone
Ah, that momentous day in late October 2010 when I replaced my G1 (the original Android phone) with a brand new Samsung Omnia 7. I remember it well. I doubt I'll be jumping ship any time soon.
I got to watch DBZ Battle of Gods on my Lumia 810 today. Still don't know if you can do it on other phones.
3 years of pain, healing, happiness. Rinse and repeat. 3 years! The boat that's been barely floating is after all these fine years... still not really floating, but were not drowning either. My oh my.
The OS is maturing nicely, looking forward to the next series of updates. Just hope Microsoft can slug it out and go the distance I will never go back to Android.
Looking forward for successful times ahead. Happy b'day WP.
My first device is a Lumia 620...hope to see this platform succeed & get more frequent updates and popularity in India......hail WP :)
Actually back then I got an LG Optimus 7 and it was my fist proper smartphone (I was 19)...loved the phone and design...especially the 3 buttons (back, windows and search) were hardware buttons...I miss phones with those hardware buttons...so much less accidental pressing
Agreed on the hardware buttons preference. I went from LG Optimus 7 to an ATIV S now and constantly trigger the back or search buttons by accident. Wonderful OS though. Even iPhone users respect it a lot.
yeah, I almost went for an Ativ S too, but the screen was too big...I already needed time to adjust to a 4.3" device after I got my HTC HD7 after my LG broke.
I have jumped to Windows Phone recently (from crappy Lagdriods) & never looked back! Love Windows Phone!
People who are commenting on progress should go back & see when Android was launched & how much time it took to mature as a platform (ICS). Heck even iPhone released in 2007 became a bull in mid 2010. Ecosystems take time!
I see nothing but better days for WP, & i just hope it stays 'different' from Crapple & Lagdroids.
Happy Birthday WP!
Get on board people, the WP story is about to take off!!
Carpenters - We've only just begun :)
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