With just 1% market share, why would anybody make Windows phones?
Microsoft is retrenched, Windows' mobile market share has drastically declined, and the fan base is increasingly frustrated.

However, despite a poor consumer response to the Windows Phone platform over the years, persistently negative outlooks by the media and justifiably frustrated voices from fans, a growing number of OEMs are investing in the platform. Many people who have been along for the ups and downs, shifts in the platform and broken continuity may be asking, "why?"
Why would OEMs choose Windows 10 Mobile when:
…the market is saturated to the point that the entrenched leaders are striving to find areas of profitability?
…many smartphone users are locked into their ecosystems of choice?
…the developer community has shown little consistent support for the modern Windows ecosystem of Store apps?
Well, just as Noah built an ark on dry ground, it may be that OEMs are placing their confidence in a solution that is preparing for what's coming rather than trying to meet present conditions that are on the verge of a shift.
Change is inevitable
We have moved further into a personal computing world where most people in developed regions have a smartphone; intelligent cloud computing manages our experiences and our phones have become in form and function, our computers.
If in 2006 someone had told us that in less than a decade a seismic shift would occur in personal computing where phones would dominate our social interactions, we may have scorned that person for such a preposterous prediction. To believe in a future where our collective heads would be bowed perpetually toward a 5-inch touch screen pocket computer, from the perspective of a flip phone-dominated world — a world where smartphones were clunky and the rare tool of business executives — would have seemed unlikely.
OEMs may see Continuum-powered Windows 10 Mobile phones as the next bend in the curve.
Yet, in less than ten years that shift has occurred.
As quickly and comprehensively as we have gone from a smartphone being the tech toy for geeks and business types, to the essential hub of our digital lives, the next shift may be just as unexpected and complete. One thing is sure, especially in technology: nothing stays the same. Satya Nadella said this of the current smartphone paradigm:
"…we have to be on the hunt for what's the next bend in the curve. That's what…anyone has to do to be relevant in the future…We're doing that with our innovation in Windows. We're doing that with features like Continuum. Even the phone, I just don't want to build another phone, a copycat phone operating system, even."
I think it is this vision of the next bend in the curve that may be winning some OEMs to Windows 10 Mobile. Those critics whose eyes are squarely on the present may cry, "Surely, OEMs must know Redmond's rocky history, see the diminishing market share and recognize the ever visible app quantity and quality disparity between the Windows store and the app stores of rival platforms." I concede it is certain they do. But it is also certain that Microsoft is selling something different in a market where PC sales are declining and smartphone sales, supported by an outdated warehouse of apps model, are stagnating.
Seeing beyond the desert
OEM partners, have recognized the value of Windows 10 Mobile devices that are supported by a Universal Windows Platform and Continuum and that offers a solution to the challenges facing both PC and phone manufacturers.
From the perspective that things are the way they are and will remain that way, an investment in Windows 10 Mobile may indeed seem foolish. However, a forward-looking view at the direction toward convergence (at least in part) that the smartphone and PC industries are headed paints a different picture. This meeting of PC and phone technology, driven by increasingly complex mobile computing, user behavior and digital experiences managed by an intelligent cloud, highlights the strengths that Microsoft brings to this potential future scenario.
A potential convergence of PC and phone technology highlights Microsoft's strengths
Microsoft ranks second in Cloud technology, has inspired an industry explosion of context sensitive 2-in-1 computers, pioneered the first unified platform which provides consistent development and UI experiences across devices. Additionally, to date, Microsoft, with Continuum, is the only company that provides a platform-wide solution of turning a mobile phone experience into a desktop PC experience. These are appealing core strengths to both PC and phone OEMs who are finding it increasingly difficult to differentiate from competitors and profit in individual, PC or phone, markets that are now saturated.
For some OEMs, the phone as a PC that a Windows 10 Mobile phone promises, is an early investment in what they may see as a potential growth market. Thus, some OEMs have embraced high-end Windows 10 Mobile devices that support Continuum.
Still, other OEMs find it difficult to compete in a low-end space saturated with cheap Android smartphones. For these manufacturers, an investment in affordable Windows 10 Mobile devices is a means to offer differentiation and options to consumers looking for an affordable device. This at least helps to get the platform into the market the Redmond's key differentiator, Continuum, is not part of the offering.
Finally, some OEMs offer a diversified portfolio with both a high-end Continuum supported phone as well as a budget device.
Pioneering a future-focused platform
As a community of users and observers, there are many views regarding the merits of Microsoft's mobile prospects even with the support of a growing number of OEM partners. In Microsoft and the duo user part V we briefly looked at 13 OEMs that are bringing 17 Windows 10 Phones to the market. Though many may find it hard to reconcile, these OEMs likely see the future of their mobile strategy tied, at least in part, to a platform that they feel is best equipped for the future.
Now that we know why manufacturers may be choosing Windows 10 Mobile lets take a brief look at these 13 OEM partners and the 17 devices in question.
Acer
Based out of Taiwan, Acer's been in the PC game for a long time, so a Windows phone seems like a natural fit. Their Jade Primo was the first Windows 10 Mobile phone announced with support for Continuum, and Acer has built an ecosystem of accessories around the feature that position it more like a PC than a phone.
Alcatel
Alcatel has produced numerous low-end Android phones (and a few higher-end ones), but they only recently embraced Windows 10 Mobile. They produce two Windows 10 devices — the Fierce XL phone (which does not support Continuum) and the Pixie 3 LTE tablet — and are working on a higher-end Pro phone. Alcatel's design, marketing, and price have traditionally targeted younger "millennial" customers. Alcatel's Chief Marketing Officer, Dan Dery articulated it this way:
"Millennials want to have fun, but they also want those experiences to be simple, meaningful and authentic"… "Because both quality and price are important to millennials, we feel that Alcatel — with our DNA of making innovation accessible to everyone — is uniquely in tune with their needs."
Coship
Coship is a China-based PC manufacture who first announced a partnership with Microsoft for Window 10 Mobile during Mobile World Congress 2015. China, of course, is one of the world's largest markets for smartphones. Coship's support with both the affordable Moly X1 and the Continuum supported Moly PcPhone W6 allows this PC manufacturer to bring a differentiated product portfolio to a saturated market.
Covia
Covia is a Japan-based smartphone manufacturer that has recently embraced Microsoft's mobile vision. The Breeze X5 is the company's affordable Windows 10 phone that is set to compete with a growing number of other Windows phones introduced in the region. The Breeze which cost's ¥24,800 (about $226) does not support Continuum, but with Microsoft's withdrawal of first-party phones from the low-end it is a budget-friendly alternative to a low-cost Android phone.
Cube
Cube is a China-based manufacturer who is not new to making devices inspired by Microsoft's Windows 10 family of devices. The company has already introduced a Surface-inspired 2-in-1: the Cube i9. The company is now reported to have a nearly seven-inch Windows 10 Mobile phone in the works. It will be interesting to see how this tablet-sized phone running Continuum, thus capable of being a phone, tablet and PC will be positioned and received in the market.
Freetel
Freetel is a Japan-based smartphone manufacturer that offers a range of Android smartphones. The Katana 01 and Katana 02 are the company's first foray into the Windows ecosystem. These affordable Windows phones, which do not support Continuum, are likely a reflection of the company's attempt to expand its portfolio beyond a very competitive Android space. Unlike many of the smaller manufacturers who seem content with their regional reach, Freetel has global ambitions with the intention of reaching more than 20 countries.
Funker
Funker is a Spanish manufacturer who is bringing two Windows 10 Mobile devices to the market. Funker is in a unique position as the only Spanish manufacturer of Windows 10 Mobile phones. The Funker W5.5 Pro and the larger, better specced, Continuum-supported Funker 6.0 Pro 2 look to offer a good representation of the platform in that market.
HP
HP is an American corporation with a global footprint in PC, printer and enterprise products and services. The high-end HP Elite x3 is their second attempt in the smartphone space; Windows 10 with UWP and Continuum offers a strategic advantage they didn't have during their ill-fated webOS venture. HP's experience in bringing PC and IT solutions to businesses large and small around the world will help to create a platform and IT solution around the HP Elite x3.
Lenovo
China-based Lenovo is one of the world's most recognized brands in personal computing. They acquired IBM's personal computing business in 2005 and Motorola Mobility from Google in 2014, and they're already the largest smartphone vendor in Mainland China. The Softbank 503 LV is a mid-range Windows 10 Mobile phone without Continuum and is the product of a collaboration between Lenovo and Softbank. Lenovo's strong globally recognized brand may help to position this device favorably in the market.
Mouse Computer
Like a growing number of PC manufacturers, the Japan-based Mouse computer has made investments in the smartphone space. The mid-range Madosma is the company's first Windows 10 Mobile device. Though it does not support Continuum it is yet another Windows 10 Mobile phone in the Japanese market which should provoke competition and innovation.
Nuans
Nuans is a Japan-based company that seeks to bring a new experience to the smartphone with the Continuum-supporting Nuans Neo. They present themselves as bringing "The answer to a comfortable digital life." Nuans creatively "side-stepped" the software customization limitations of Windows 10 Mobile by allowing broad customization of the hardware with an assortment of interchangeable casings. If this proves to be a popular feature (though a poor Kickstarter response suggests otherwise), other OEMs may mimic the solution.
VAIO
VAIO is a Japan-based manufacturer of personal computers. The Phone Biz is the company's first Windows 10 Mobile phone, and its svelte high-end design and specs with Continuum support make the phone an appealing complement to the company's portfolio of personal computers. Sadly this beautiful device won't be making its way to the US.
Yamada Denki
Yamada-Denki is one of Japan's largest consumer electronics retail chains. The company will likely leverage this position to provide exposure for the Every Phone, the company's affordable Windows 10 Mobile phone. This device does not support Continuum but offers yet another Windows phone option to consumers in the region.
Wrap Up
The mobile component of Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform has a rigorous and uphill battle ahead of it. Not only because of its entrenched competitors and the flawed "more is better" approach to apps, but also because Microsoft is approaching the personal computing industry with a holistic solution which requires a change in perception of the industry of consumers and developers, followed by their acceptance of what the UWP offers.
And changing minds is not easy.
Will more OEMs invest in a more mature Windows 10 Mobile in its second year?
Additionally, Window 10 Mobile is enduring growing pains and its initial lack of polish on expensive devices like the 950 and 950 XL, and the expected frustrations with Insider preview builds have left many faithful fans with a sour taste in their mouths (but then, they're the ones that decided to install beta software). Many argue that Windows 10 Mobile is not yet ready for prime time. Thirteen OEM partners have placed their bets on the hope that it is. Naturally, the hope of the platform cannot rest on a mere 13 partners and a maturing OS.
It is reasonable to assume that as Microsoft has left a vacuum in the Windows phone space with its retreat to offering only aspirational high-end devices and that potential partners are weighing their options and evaluating the software. Many OEMs who did not jump on board in the first year of Microsoft's new platform may find a more mature platform in the Red Stone 2 Windows 10 Mobile update, and with that a better investment.
Finally, it's worth noting that many of the 13 OEMs we've looked at here are offering their devices to consumers. This is a positive manifestation of Microsoft's strategy, through partnerships, to developing a presence in the consumer space. Contrary to popular opinion Microsoft has not abandoned the consumer. Their undog position simply requires a strategic return to the space through partnerships and the enterprise.
So what do you think? Are these OEMs a foreshadowing of more OEMs to come, or are they the swan song of a dying platform? Do any of these phones appeal to you or are you waiting to see what Microsoft brings to the table in a possible Surface Phone?
Let us know what you think — sound off in comments and on Twitter.
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Jason L Ward is a columnist at Windows Central. He provides unique big picture analysis of the complex world of Microsoft. Jason takes the small clues and gives you an insightful big picture perspective through storytelling that you won't find *anywhere* else. Seriously, this dude thinks outside the box. Follow him on Twitter at @JLTechWord. He's doing the "write" thing!
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Well folks thanks for reading! Windows Central has done a great job covering each of these devices in the past. I wanted to bring them together and answer the question why OEMs would invest in a platform that, according to some, has nothing going for it. As I state in the piece, Windows 10 Mobile is future-focused, looking beyond the current paradigm. Can Microsoft ride it out for however long, it will be before the anticipated shift (along with fruit from the app bridges and an anitiipated moved toward bots as apps) in industry perception of the advantages of a unified platform and single, ultra-mobile PC device. As rivals continue to push the industry toward the current model of incremental hardware improvements and an app model that is not well-engaged, consumer awareness of the benefits of Microsoft's UWP will need to break through the "noise." The level of OEM adoption we've seen is helpful, but like the common chicken before the egg conundrum shows, some OEMs won't may not jump on board until they see a broader consumer desire for Microsoft's UWP srategy. Is Microsoft doing enough to educate the public? Do you think other OEMs wll get on board? Who who you like to see a Windows phone from? Well, LET'S TALK!!!
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Another great read. I think Microsoft is approaching this correctly. Microsoft owns the desktop market and so I think making mobile devices that can replicate that environment is a good move.
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Yes they do but they are moving way too slowly with 'things'. Other driving Ferrari while MS settle for Ford.
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But i love my ford lol, no really i love my ford most reliable car i have ever had. What would you consider a Ferrari if you think the windows phone is a ford?
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anything that doesnt suck like a ford really :)
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^This
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Well, my main point was at speed, lol
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Considering Microsoft the time it takes from the reboot of the OS (WM10) up till now the coming Redstone 2, they are travelling at the speed of light.
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I'm going to agree with you about the Ford. I don't know when, but their vehicles have proven to me to be well built. I have always been a foreign car owner, and still favor the BMW, but situations caused me to get a Ford...and I'm impressed and happy.
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Ford owns bugatti, so they are faster aren't they?
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Volkswagen owns Bugatti. Bought them in 1988.
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Yeah. My bad. Got confused between ford and vw
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Ford own's Jaguar! Best sport car ever made.
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Tata Motors owns Jaguar not Ford.
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Ford USED to own Volvo, so Fords are safer.
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If you can think of a faster way to make it happen I'd love to hear it. Bonus points if it's not something silly like "Microsoft just needs to pay everybody off!"
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Microsoft just needs to pay... Me off? With lots of monies!
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I really dont care what microsoft does with windows phone, I am happy as long as they Polish every corner of the OS (Its inevitable) and it is fast as wp8.1.
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Might be a Ford Fiesta right now, but Windows Mobile is reaching F150 status, next would be Raptor SVT.
Ferrari can only take you so far till you need to go off road, then it's sitting on the side of the road waiting to be stolen. And that Ferrari has been showing it's age for a long time now.
You do realize you can pick up a used Ferrari for next to nothing in terms of cost. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Used+Cars/Ferrari?endYear=2017&f... I will wait for the Raptor SVT and climb mountains. I have been saying for a long time, that many people cannot, will not, plain refuse to see what is coming in Windows Mobile. Already, you will see Andriod and iOS trying to play catch up. -
I'm a big WP fan, but you sir are delusional
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some fords can go as fast as a ferrari though.
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Wish WM was a Ford, one of the top selling products on the planet
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@bobsentall Thanks! I think Microsoft has a great strategy. Now execution and communicaton are key. ;-)
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I stopped reading at "However,"
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lol
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Well, @maktabem thanks for your faithful participation in the comments! :-) I would encourage you to read the piece however.(no pun intended lol) I'm certain that even if you disagree with the points made, you can present a well articulated rebuttal to the assertions in the piece. You are the best, and often only, representative of yourself. A well articulated intelligent response would better represent your perspective and contribute MUCH more to the conversation! :-) Bring your "A" game! :-) However, (pun intended lol) if you're satisfied with not reading the piece and commenting with cynical a blurb, that's your right as well. ;-)
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Maktaba, why do you choose to publicly display your stupidity? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I read the title only.
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MS is overpricing stuff no one wants. not a good recipy for success !!
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How about Apple and its macOS?
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The difference: Apple overprices things people want.
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macOS is a Desktop Operating System while his comment was for Mobile OS. So if you talk about iOS, iPhone might be overpriced but atlest people want it and love it... And Developers support it fully including Google & Microsoft. Same can't be said about Windows Mobile. Even Microsoft doesn't support its mobile platform...
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That bit about msft not supporting own platform, so sad but sooooo true.
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Soooooo true? Will you care to elaborate on how MS hasn't supported their own platform?
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All the apps they release to ios and not windows. Pix being the latest one.
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Sometimes what is released in an "app form" on other platforms is already available in W10M (baked in or already as an existing app, like cortana or some of the features that exist in the Pix app for iOS). Also, they definitely do not release appps JUST for iOS/Android.
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Er, I've been waiting for Sway -- the latest member of the Office Suite -- on my Windows Phone for 18 months since they released an app for iPhone and announced they would be releasing a Windows Phone app Soon™. Then they fell silent, and all attempts to get them to say what's happened to the Windows Phone app have fallen on deaf ears. Looks like we've been hung out to dry again.
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Tried Sway, seems unnecessary, so don't much care for a mobile app. But lets talk about photo app, in WP8 there was Lumia Storyteller. There is nothing on W10 that even comes close to that… Why? Cause MSFT don’t care.
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pix is blink and nokia smart cam as lenses. window has it before ios.
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Do you need examples of Microsoft not supporting their own platforms? Ask WP7 and L900 buyers how well they were supported. Ask Windows RT buyers or all the WP8 devices Microsoft didn't update. What about already killing support for Skype on WP8! Microsoft doesn't have a great track record of supporting their platforms. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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So does the iPhone 3 still get iOS updates? Oh it doesn't! When the older iPhones get updates do they run decently or do people instantly wish they hadn't done it? Oh wait on several releases that is exactly what has happened. Do people upgrade their phone every couple of years? Oh that's right most do. Therefore WP7 users just bought their next phone. Devices not getting W10M, of FFS cry me a fricking river, see previous comment, most would just upgrade. With the OEMs bringing devices and 950/XL getting decent discounts or being available 2nd hand for cheap because of the admittedly not-read launch W10M - but not it is working well.
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I am not sure what iPhone has to do with Microsoft supporting it's platforms but the iPhone 3 received updates for quite some time. It wasn't abandoned weeks after release the L900. Apple didn't drop support for basic apps like Skype. Microsoft has a history of dumping platforms and devices prematurely. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I got a 900, and it wasn't dropped from support weeks after. Are you being serious on that number, or are you trying to make a point? Also, why would Apple drop support for Skype? They... Don't make Skype? They did, however, try to replace Skype with Facetime. You seem to be switching between hyperbole, and seriousness.
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I got a 900 weeks before it was announced that it wouldn't be upgraded to WP8.1. I was gutted, sorry, but I was. Then guess what, Skype (owned by Microsoft) announced it would not be able to run on WP7.8 because it would have needed a whole new OS update to alter the code cooked into the OS. Again I was gutted. After Skype stopped working, I bought a brand new Lumia 1020 just under two years ago. I was very happy when I was told I would get the update to Windows 10 on it... You know what happened next. Same has happened to my 1020 as happened to my 900. And guess what, the same game with Skype being made redundant on my phone. This time the excuse isn't that the code is embedded in the OS -- because they made a separate app precisely to prevent this kind of thing happening again. Now the excuse is that the app is too old to update, even though old iPhones will still get an app that can run Skype. The excuse is ridiculous. If WhatsApp and Viber can still support WP7.8, the idea that Skype can no longer support WP8.1 or even W10M Threshold, is just ludicrous. Fool me once...
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I think he means they suck at supporting the mobile platform. Which they do in comparison to other platforms. That said, I haven't really seen one Microsoft made Universal app that I thought was really good and well polished. As much as I'm a huge Windows fan, even Windows 10 is only now just starting to feel more polished. Microsoft are good at supporting the PC OS, but they actually are pants on mobile. Fact!
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Wordflow on iOS 99% way better than on w10m. You can add themes! And office on iOS is better too!
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Not the case at my location, at least for windows mobile. You can't get the same relatively smooth experience of using windows 10 mobile on android or ios within the same price point. I got my lumia 640 for around $180, and no android phone can replace it at the same price; they are either slow as hell or deteriorate on performance over time. I still use my 640 and it's still as fast, if not faster, than when it first came out.
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The Moto G will run circles around the L640 for $180. The 640 is a fine $30 phone, but it cannot compete with $180 phones. It can be smooth (not always with W10) but it certainly isn't fast. It is similar to other $30 Android phones but without the apps. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Or... the spam.
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What spam? Windows apps have just as many ads as Android. I am not sure what exactly you are talking about though. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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lol too funny, even my Galaxy S7 has a hard time even keeping up with my Icon or 1520 running Windows 10.
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The SD800 is a good chip but the SD820 will crush it in games and heavy apps. The 950XL can't hang with the S7, no way those older devices will. You confuse long smooth animations with speed. https://youtu.be/DcDXf_Y7qUs Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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sorry but that YT video was not done fairly! first of all, the apps were opened prior on the S7 in the comparison video and secondly it was done like 3 months ago and win 10 wasn't optimized like it is on this last update... I would like to see him do it again but this time more fairly...
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Thinking that Windows mobile will run same app or game faster than android on same hardware is sily. There is no such thing as lag gap. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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It's not over priced, as much as it's priced to allow room for other OEM's to compete. MS isn't Apple...it doesn't want to be a hardware manufacturer. MS wants to be a software developer...and will make hardware to showcase said software.
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If its correct or not (aka going to win) only time will tell. But I like the road this approuch is leading us, and I hope its going to stick for years to come. I remember when Apple was roumured to announce the iPad I thought I will only consider it if it comes with a desktop OS, but no it came with a mobile OS. I do not see that as the future. All can be said for locked down optimize dmobile OS's but on the long run we all need open platform that are flexible and scalable with a high level of security. Windows is the one on that level. So I am sticking untill the day MS gives up or move away from the open platform it is (Tim Sweeny believes so) as they were with Windows Phone 7. But Windows phone 8 took the steering wheel and pointed it in the right direction again. Now with windows 10 we are getting to the point, its a good feeling.
To bad they listened to many to reviewers and consumers on the way leaving some great features and vision behind. I hope they dust those off in the future again (hubs for example)
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You understand that with linux at its core Android is scalable to secure servers or to power a supercomputer. All the tools exist Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Android is perfectly capable and likely to dethrone windows on pc as well as mobile. The operating system company got beat down by a search company dabbling in operating systems. Haha
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I presume you are very generous to trust your data with Google that owns Android and other things in full transparency with the gov. which may do whatever it feels like with your data. Worst part is, you've already agreed to it on every single level of your fandom play with Google.
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It also became a loose stacked building. Just like Windows had become. The road to the rebuild is paved with the bricks of the fallen building of Windows XP. Linux and the there on top of build Android that have been redecorated in the last years is becoming more of leaking structure than the Linux base is. Because its to many layers tied together. Its the same problem MS has with its Windows. Windows 10 with is Universal Core is the first major work done to get a proper new foundation in place. The Android platform still needs such a major step. And its open source roots may just be the hold back to ever getting one.
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Oh look, the lagdroid fanboys come trolling on a Windows Mobile article, maybe because their preferred platform has nothing to offer.
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Android has nothing to offer except a variety of phone options and a lot more apps. One of the worst attempts at trolling ever there buddy...
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Nobody who matters is on board with windows. Alcatel and hp? They're nobodies in this market and they're the two best known. Windows 10 outside of desktops is DOA, and that's 100% on MS for terrible support, marketing, investments, pricing, and management (like wtf is with wallet?!? Like how could you have repeatedly screwed that up any worse than they did?). I like my windows phones. All 10 of them I've owned. But that doesn't change the fact that it is a dead platform. As long as apps are king, 10 is dead.
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Who exactly makes other iPhones? Oh wait nobody but Apple. Asides from Google, Samsung, OnePlus and HTC name a company that the general poplace might know that makes Android phones? Games are launching soon on XBox and Win10 simultaneously - with universal apps and games things may yet blossem. If you believe the platform is dead why do you continue to buy into it? And seriously 10 Windows phones? Do you break them regularly or something. I like WM too and I've only had 4 including my current 950XL.
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He meant 'Windows 10 phones' not '10 Windows phones'! LOL!
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They said and I quote - "All 10 of them I've owned" - my understanding of that to be they had 10 Windows phones is correct. If they didn't mean that then they have a poor grasp of grammer.
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You're correct. I meant 10 windows phones.
To answer your original question why I still buy in? I don't. I own a 1520, but don't buy new phones for full cost, and am not sure my next phone will be a windows phone. I haven't had a contract for a cell phone for many years. Maybe when i can grab a 950xl for 199$ CAD i'll pick one up. But the reality is that the market is stagnant, and there is no real reason to buy a new phone. I don't use any apps, just a browser, email, and calculator/clock/etc.
If i wanted more i wouldn't buy a windows phone. Garbage like pokemon go is moronic.
games are for children. as well, buy once play anywhere is doa, and won't do anything for MS's ecosystem -
Sony, Acer, Asus, Motorola, LG, Lenovo, Huawei, OPPO, Xiaomi...to name but a few. The only manufacturer of merit on the Windows Mobile list is HP - who are making one niche phone. (I have also owned 8 Windows Phones for varying reasons. This is the first time where I feel like the platform is at a dead end....and where there really is v.v.little point in sticking with it. Apple owns the quality experience, Google owns the mass market. Microsoft just doesn't have a role in mobile)
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And if you walking down the street and asked people what do OPPO, Xiaomi, Huawei do I bet they don't answer with make Android phones - those names are not big. The rest may be big but more in the PC landscape not in the mobile, aside from Sony. So you raise a couple of names that are big and people would know. But really general Joe Bloggs off the street who doesn't get a Apple or Samsung is not going to specifically get one of those others, in other words the fact that there aren't a lot of "big" names making Windows phones is irrelevant.
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those companies you list are among the top five globally. They're huge monsters, just not in North America. Luckily for them North America isn't the world. Asia is a MUCH larger market, and they own it. Microsoft is a nobody.
Sony doesn't make pc's. The fact there is no Samsung Windows Galaxy absolutely matters. -
Question of the Year and Best answered by Jason Ward. You made my day.
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@Raytiger, thanks! Glad to be of service. :-)
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You lost me at Noah.
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Great article.
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Problem is Continium links to a PC, for most consumers on the planet now, the PC is redundant. No one in my family uses a PC anymore, it's all phones and tablets.
Hopefully this will be a hit with corporate though and WM will carve themselves out a nice niche, but unless the apps follow it will never float with consumers, the others are too deeply entrenched. -
Just about everybody I know uses tablets for casual browsing but none of them have ditched their PCs which continue to be the real work horses in their homes. Pcs are still significantly more suitable for some computing tasks than tablets and probably always will be.
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You are hilarous Continium links to an HDMI display.
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Idiot
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My phone in 2006 was the Nokia N91. Trust me... Everyone thougt it was odd that I had 4GB of music and back then... 4GB of music was HUGE!!!
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Windows is dead, i will buy a android galaxy 7 next year. Waited to long for Microloser.
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Me too, going for an Nokia android next year
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Whatever you say guys. Just make sure to buy a phone with a spell checker, eh?
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They will buy whatever they want with or without spell checker. Do you realize that people like me and probably them never have been in a country where english is an official language. I don't speak english with anyone. So, sorry for our little mistakes. I am sure you'll understand it. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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People can buy whatever they want and I wasn't going to comment on that, but your argument makes no sense. Who cares if you live in an non-English country. I have both English and Spanish languages installed on my phone, they change with a swipe on the spacebar in W10M, and I use the Spanish keyboard/spell check to autocorrect whatever words have an accent, that way I don't have to worry about looking for it. Whether or not you are in a country where they speak English, the spell checker is a useful tool.
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Verdade Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Well, it can't be worse than "windows swipe" or whatever they call it .. uh..
.. "Flow" -
Same here dude bcz of Nokia i buy this piece of ****
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Me too
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nokia android for me too..
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I would rather go for a nokia windows 10 mobile phone. A dream come true. But chances are less they would make it!
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Nokia are loosing money left right and center right now, Nokia themselves will not be making any phones, they will be just the nokia name plastered on yet another android oem to compete with the other 1000 android oems. Good luck with that.
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Nokia no longer has any factories, experts or resources in mobile phones, so their products will be no different than any Chinese android phone.
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We'll see
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Well, they do have Juha Alakaru back at his spiritual home...so if you value imaging (like Microsoft does not), then Nokia is looking good right now; http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsofts-lumia-imaging-guru-juha-alakarhu-...
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marlasota you should read more
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Android Chinese peice of junk with a Nokia badge, congrats
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Remember to update your browser bookmark when you do to androidcentral.com so you can read and talk about Android there.
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If they are such losers and you hate them, then why are you here?
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This. Haters gonna love to hate.
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Because they leech on the attention. Just don't give it to them and ignore their comment :p
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Correction: Windows survives, not dead. Go ahead, do what you like...
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Windows 10m is a zombie. It's a walking dead Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Going to Android? Cool. Now take your useless comments to AndroidCentral.com where it's relevant.
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If only all of those OEM's were available everywhere just like Android then people might just see it 'everywhere' and buy it ! This actually happens in many stores. I've seen it myself. People look at so many android phones on shelves and very few Windows devices and then come to the conclusion, let's go with the majority. I know its tough to go all in but is there any good solution left ? I'm a fan and my hopes are kinda going down. It's sad. I hope the Elite X3 changes the mindset of the people !! :)
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iPhone 7 will do that not HP x3. It's just a very obscure gadget noone knows about. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 Phones were widely available and were made by larger companies like Samsung, LG and Huawei. Customers didn't buy them then, and they won't buy them now.
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It honestly boils down to one thing.
APPS the app Gap and Google playing Hardball killed Windows phone. Posted via tandy color computer -
When there are users, there will be apps. When there are apps, there will be users. That's the dilemma.
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Well said brv
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Funny, on the day Google release an Apple itunes update for the YouTube app - which couldn't use airplay - where as my windows phone was able to play the youtube movie to the LCD panel using the microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. App Gap <> Functionality Gap.
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Ummmmmmmm, that's 3 things.
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Yes, major manufacturers made windows phone devices and were carried by major markets. However the windows products were never front and center, and they were never pushed by the sales clerks. You mention you are interested in a new device, swiftly you will get Android this or Iphone that. Never a “We just got in this great windows phone”. Also you rarely ever see signs in the store pushing the windows platform phones. I am not sure this is an error on Microsoft, the manufacturer, or the cell service carrier. Until carrier’s push the windows devices I don’t see a change, however I do feel windows flagship devices are on par or better hardware wise with iphone and android flagship devices, the general consumer base doesn’t know it, because they are buying a name or what is recommended by the clerk or their friend.
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You've hit right on the head, marketing is awful! Carriers(verizon) only offers 1 phone and it specked lower than my my Lumia 928, which is about 3 yrs old!
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It's Microsoft's fault. Sales people sell phones they know have the apps people want and the bonuses sales people want. Ms had TERRIBLE bonuses and no apps.
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Sales people are also biased in what they recommend. Microsoft can't control what individual people do. If anything, in an ideal world, carriers need to better educate/train their sales representatives so they are more objective in how they sell phones. However, that's also a disadvantage for the carriers as they will want to continue to sell what's popular since that's what makes the money. It's a tough uphill battle.
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It's like this. Samsung used to give sales reps nice kickbacks for selling their phones. These minimum wage earners recommend those Galaxy phones for the bonus. Do that long enough and not only have you given the reps an incentive to learn the OS, but created a larger installed base in the process. MS needs to pay bonuses like Samsung. I think it's a better use of marketing dollars.
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Hm interesting, I didn't know about that with Samsung. So it was a deal Samsung made with each carrier then? Was this before the galaxy phones got super popular?
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Somehow my edit button disappeared on my pc, but to edit my comment slightly. I wanted to edit my last question to: was this before android phones got more popular?" I can't remember the exact timeline of when android started becoming more popular/when they introduced the galaxy phones
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I bought them. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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No one was advertising WP except for Nokia. No one is advertising now.
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The elite x3 which isn't marketed to consumers by a company nobody buys phones from? Good luck on that one.
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Well. Exactly.
You see - There is something called large business companies or the enterprise market.
We just need the initial increase in market share.
Apps will follow.
Consumers will follow the trend AFTER the above happens. -
haha no. never happen.
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Let's hope for a Surface phone, and see if that ups the market a lot. The Surface Pro itself did very well and still is, well enough to get Apple and Google to make something sorta simular. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Windows 10 Mobile is colossal failure, almost unprecedented. One year after launching unit market share is ~ 0.1-0.2% and moving south.
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The x86 empire is over. No flawed java like universal app container will save them. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Disagree completely, the 2 in 1 is a multi-billion dollar business and its growing much more than ARM smartphones in terms of marketshare every year. 2 in 1 cost in average $750 and more companies which previously bet all their efforts on ARM like Huawei and Samsung made huge investments in x64 fanless devices with flagship build quality and state of the art storage (PCIe SSD) The high end smartphone market has reached a peak, and now is all going down the hill. And I'm talking about flagship smartphone market (aka iPhone, Galaxy S7 and those luxury phones). There is an article in the Verge telling how the third largest smartphone in the world (India) has only 3 of 100 having an iPhone, this tells how far the high end smartphone market has suffered in the last year.
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India is a very poor country. People don't have money to buy iPhones. But i know that in a galaxy far far away in a planet named earth there are lots of powerfull android devices for all budgets. I own a Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 that cost me 150 dollars. It's an amazing device for its price. The majority of people wants value. Flagships are ostensive market products. I am young, healthy and girls like me. I don t need an iPhone. I need a gadget that fits all my needs. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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lol, and you get the comment of the year. Trying to impress commenters on your hate for WP devices while playing the 'girls' like you, lol. Good one. My side are in space.
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I don't hate Windows Phones. It's just a gadget. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Fernando Bernardo - I don't like you, LOL! Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Thanks Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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"Girls like me." LOL. Did you type that and think that will help legitimize your argument?
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The iPhone doesn't sell in India because people are poor and Apple is a luxury brand. If the low iPhone numbers in India were based on consumers simply not liking the product, your post would have some merrit. That's not the case though.
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There are probably more affluent people in India than there are in the US. There are many poor people as well, but don't assume that the whole country is poor. With 1.3 billion people, there is a huge market of people that can easly afford an Iphone but they refuse to do so. The reason is because people in India are very cost conscious. As a gross generalization, they regaurd value more, and thus if a product is priced lower, but offers similar features, they will buy the lower priced product as it carries more value. Sure there will be some that buy for the status, but that likely represents an even smaller number. Apple products tend to be very over priced. That is why they do not sell as many Iphones in India.
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Besides that day dreaming of running apps on PCs and x86 code on phones is like continuum . It's solving a problem noone has. When they wake up all the important, once exclusive Windows software will be coded for arm processors. Like linux Windows will lose all its value then. This is already happening. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Good luck with Android or iOS or ChromeOS on the desktop, you're going to miss a lot Windows, Linux or OS X.
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I also use Windows, Linux, bsd and others. I am not a good example of a normal consumer. Yes I live with what we have today. Look of course arm processors aren't ready for prime time on desktops. But back in 2006 what could a Phone really do? I Certainly I can see a future where power users, people who need professional hunger applications and gamers will be the only ones using Intel like cores. Microsoft was sleeping last time now they really are in panic. A Monopoly that might end in a niche. A big one but orders of magnitude smaller them they once were. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Those other systems are no less constricted than using a phone with Continuum.
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So true. There is an os that runs on every hardware: Linux. It might be The answer Microsoft doesn't want to hear. I'm not talking about Android. Linux never was properly supported but if eyes start to look at it it will be a very fast growing os. Rough edges will be liked and that would be The end for Windows. Microsoft is really in a very complicated path. They even could jump on Linux and try for themselves. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Oh you're talking about the magic unicorn year of the linux desktop that trolls have been harking on about for what 2 decades? more? Linux is free and even with global meltdown in 2008 it still hasn't gained any significant marketshare. It never will because a lot of the tech savvy crowd that love it so much act like arseholes whenever questioned about it.
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Do you know why it didn't? The answer lies before you with Windows Phones. App gap. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Dude, how many machines is Windows 10 on? How many is Linux on? How long has it been around?! Get a f**king life, already! Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Linux like Windows is just another os. Guess what I don't have feelings about oses. I like The strenghs of each one. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I hope some indian company would build a windows 10 mobile soon
We don't have options here
Either 950 or 950XL -
Micromax may be... But other acclaimed OEMs from Japan, China and other markets will soon have their phones sold here. Why do you think there is something called Marketing? Moreover HP Elite X3 is here. Who would want to miss the second largest smartphone market? Unfortunately msft did, having an Indian-born American CEO. That's a shame, don't you think?
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Yes. At least in markets where people hesitate to try new smartphones, they should release low and mid end devices!
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TL;DR short answer is business customers (good example is NYPD) need security and flexible manageability, and most importantly, deep platform support and compat with LoB apps, such as Barcode scanning, Field Service, etc.
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That's couple of thousands. Where to find rest of the millions, LOL
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It's included in the 350 million.
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Ofc, but we are talking phones no lol
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If rumors are to be believed, Windows Central took over the factory in Finland, and now Daniel Rubino has stacked 2 million of them in his basement.
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Lol
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Actually @Windows 10 Fan, you should finish reading the entire piece. Commenting on anything without hearing it out leaves your response partial and doesn't give you the opportunity to best represent your thought in relation tothe piece since you don't know what the rest of the piece says. . .:-)
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Actually @Windows 10 Fan, you should finish reading the entire piece. Commenting on anything without hearing it out leaves your response partial and doesn't give you the opportunity to best represent your thought in relation tothe piece since you don't know what the rest of the piece says. . .:-)
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Early morning, gotta hustle. A partial comment is better than nothing, I can always add another comment when I find time to read this in the evening.
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"A partial comment is better than nothing." I couldn't disagree more.
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You did not state a reason, so that's a partial comment.
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A partial comment is better than nothing? Thats debatable - have to agree with Jason on this one. Too many people writing down comments that make *zero* sense. No offense intended, btw.
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My comment offers my opinion upon seeing the title. The article is mostly about reasons why OEMs would make Windows Phones. My comment offers what I myself believe to be as a reason, doesn't mean I'm trying to ignore the points in the article, just offering my thoughts.
If you're just saying this because you think I'm being negative about Windows Phone and that is a bad thing, then go away, you're no different than an Apple iSheep sticking up for whatever Apple does. -
Well at least you dislike iSheep +1
Not reading the full article but still comment -1
Stated reasons why posted comment +1
Not really offering much to further the discussion -1 If my math is right I score your comments as a 0
Which is good, it could have been -4 -
I love your poetry. I always read your articles. We have a say here in Portugal: The worst blindness stays with the ones who don't want to see. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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@Fernanado thanks for the comment about my poetry. I need to get back to writing more. I'm probably about a quarter through writing my book. (So many projects) Also thanks for supporting the articles. I enjoy analyzing and presenting analysis. Thanks for being part of the discussion! :-)
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I can get Microsoft, Google, Amazon, BlackBerry, and some Apple services on my android phone. So why would I restrict myself to a platform with less services?
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Tiles, or something. Or the ability to blow up your phone apps to desktop size, even though you probably already have a desktop or laptop. /s
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yea tiles is amazing feature if only the was a custom launcher with tiles available
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If tiles were actually amazing, then they would be replicated with widgets. They are not that compelling when you can have more functionality. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Squarehome2 on Android replicates the tile interface
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^This guy gets it. Nadella os working towards me using my Apple/Android phone with MS services seamlessly with my XBox and Laptop. Windows Mobile is just an afterthought.
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Because you should value your personal data, security and reliability
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That's why I don't have a Microsoft account. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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But you have the most insecure phone their is, lagdroid. With scroogle services you and your data are the product google seeks, they monetize your data as they are nothing but an advertisiing company.
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I don't have any google software on my android. I'm running a custom rom. Don't worry about my Phone security. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Even better on iPhone. I get all Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Blackberry services :) Games run best on iOS.
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Windows mobile will be fine. I have a Lumia 650 and love it. Next up will be a continuum device, that will be a bit down the line tho, no need quite yet with a perfectly good tablet which it would replace. They are brilliant communication and productivity devices. Android... Unsecured mess....ios over priced over hyped devices. Windows is the between ground I'm happy with... Secure but not silly expensive.
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An unsecured mess and yet the most secure devices available are running Android. The only phone to pass security testing for Obama is running Android. Sure, some Android phones maybe less secure than others, but that doesn't mean they all are. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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There are countless issues with Android security. Take even today for example, news that snap dragon processors have a flaw that can be hacked. Tell me.. My Samsung galaxy tab 4 still running kitkat... Will it receive this security fix? Unlikely. This is an experience many will have.
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Again, if you are worried about security, then the most secure phones are running Android. Because your old Galaxy Tab might not be secure, doesn't mean every Android phone isn't secure. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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No lagdroid is secure so easy to hack or give virus or malware
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Yes it does
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Android is not as secure as WP and IOS, the security can be improved with OEM hardware encryption and ensuring downloads only from Play Store. By the way, have you read the news today, only 900million Android vulnerable devices around, phew my S7 is not one of them - yet!
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Then why didn't iOS or Windows Phone pass testing for Obama? He carries Android because it was the most secure and was able to pass their requirements. Android makes the most secure and the lease secure. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Old! I bought it two months ago! Another significant issue, low cost Android still runs kitkat.
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You bought a two year old device two months ago. I hope it wasn't more than $50 and in that case it was a good price for what will give a fine experience with plenty of apps available. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Go search for 'quadroot', some news that just came out. It is the exploits at the interaction between Qualcomm chipset and Android, which means all.
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Not all Android phones have Qualcomm chips. Either way,it will be caught by Android when you install an infected app if you have 4.2 or newer. You would have to literally choose to install an app after it has warned you it is infected. That is if it is actually ever seen in the wild.
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The majority of Android phones are as easy to crack as a walnut. And this is even discounting the security loopholes sitting deep in Androids genes that get published more or less once a week, with QuadRooter being todays specimen. Finally, making a phone OS being secure and staying secure are two entirely different games.
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He says he got a 650 just because his 650 is fine the whole windows mobile platform will be fine . Haha
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Good point... Good user experiences mean nothing.... Really? Is that the best you have got in response. If your gonna troll at least have the decency to be good at it.
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"iphone overpriced"? Really? In my country, the lumia 950xl was MORE EXPENSIVE than the iphone 6s +. Android security issues happen when the user does something dumb. Wbut, if you enjoy windows mobile its good. But you dont have to be loyal unless ms is paying you :). Though glad you happy with MS. your choice
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@ahmedamash That's one way to twist his words.
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Wow... Ok....
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The reply wasn't to you Wbutchart :p sorry for the confusion, but I wasn't trolling your comment :) annoying part of this app is you get a notification for a reply to your comment, and notification for a reply to somebody, who replied to you. Gets confusing at times lol (I replied to ahmedamash who twisted your words)
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Android on a Sony phone is top of the quality Software, and this is coming from a former Windows Phone 8.1 user. Sony's Android apps for Music, Video, Photos and apps like TrackId show why great developers are coding for Android platform. I agree that not all Android companies are good, but Sony is an exception.
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No android is good phones for little children
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No. Android is fantastic for power users. Specialy if you are a Linux tech guy. Windows is a closed no fun platform. Just because it doesn't fit your needs you should not make these childish comments Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I think he meant chrome os. Jk ;)
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Even Microsoft apps are better on Android, just changed from WP due to lack of new quality models.
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I see this tech behind continuum having a lot of potential. MS is going for the IP in this and is definetly going to make a lot of money from patents. I don't think the MS has the execution, leadership and Vision necessary to bring about this change in the industry. I see Google or Apple or some other new company dominating in future.
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Can't we have a competitive market with some players and not dominated by a single one? This is business not religion. Monopolies are the worst thing for consumers. Windows XP decade stall is a proof. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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The IP? This Continuum thing isn't new. Motorola did it years ago. Microsoft, as usual, is late even to this party. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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In other words, a bunch of companies that no one's heard of, and they can try Windows 10 Mobile because they don't have much to lose.
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You've never heard of VAIO, Alcatel, Lenovo or HP?
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OIn the mobile side, I hadn't heard of VAIO phones, Alcatel makes cheap but decent Android phones, Lenovo bought Motorola and is burning it to the ground, and HP bought Palm and burnt it to the ground. Of those, I'd call Alcatel a "success." The rest are either failures or not known outside their home countries.
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yea also have heard tha VAIO failed and Sony kicked them out,Alcatel is bad quality and Lenovo install some great rootkits
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Alcatel is pretty good for the price, from what I hear. They add some genuinely good features on top of Android, which makes me confused as to why they'd try a platform they can't add anything to (Windows).
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Because you can't make a **** into a cake even of you try hard
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Alcatel phones are actualy very good. I owned one. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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@Tom Westrick I answer the question why in the piece. ;-)
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Continuum is a useless feature for consumers AND enterprise. Everything else that Windows Mobile offers can already be done with an Android.
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More likely one or two Chinese ODM factories that no one has ever heard of who will slap your name on anything if you send the company logo and a check for your batch of product. These companies have little to loose marketing these phones because they for all intents and purposes just spot buy the product so why not dabble in the void left by MS/Nokia...
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The Future is BRIGHT
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What is that 2nd dock pictured in the article? I don't remember seeing it before.
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Very hopeful. What makes me use widows 10 mobile is this. It's improving almost every month. I love to see new stuff coming to my phone.
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You would be overwhelmed by the other platforms.. here even apps improve on a monthly basis and most features are actually already there. especially with all the unique charactersitics being shut down on windows phone/mobile
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Maybe if there were any mainstream apps it might sell
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No, that wouldn't help. People also don't like the user experience or branding. Windows isn't a cool name and forcing every phone look exactly the same isn't going to compel manufacturers to make phones. They want their phones to be different. It is a myth that apps are the issue with Windows phones. It is a combination, if apps was the only issue, then they would have been able to grow with WP7 and WP8 and by now they would be relevant enough to encourage developers. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Lol you could even sell this much bullshit
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Once aupon a time I bought a Windows 7 Phone. Everybody just asked me WHY?? Some of them looked scared of even being close to it. I'm being honest. I liked The Phone but people just hate Windows outside PCs. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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"many smartphone users are locked into their ecosystems of choice?" are we really? I can perfectly use a Android/Apple smartphone without buying anything else. I can use windows PC perfectly with my iPhone. Plus, ALL microsoft service are on the other platforms
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Continuum is an answer for a problem noone has. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I know a lot of folks that bought plenty of apps in their OS store and I understand that they don't want to "throw away money" by switching to another OS. I've invested a lot in android when it comes to buying icon packs, music players, launchers and RSS readers etc. and I still love the W10(M) experience better, so I have no regrets. But yes, by switching OS you bluntly said just "threw away money". I don't agree with it, spending 2 dollars on apps I've used for 3 years with monthly updates and support is money well spent in my eyes.
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@imo Many Smartphone users are locked into their ecosystem of choice for various reasons. Less so as the cloud becomes more of the computing environment, but still users do get in as they buy peripherals or accessories that only with an iPhone for instance. Or if a user buys an apple watch that won't work with an Android are Windows phone. Or a Samsung Gear that wont work with an iPhone or Windows Phone. Or certain iPhone users that have frends and family that use FaceTime religiously, to leave the platform for Android or Windows phone means cutting oneself out of that circle in that regard. Or the various VR Goggles that works with Android phonesm but not Windows Phones, would also be left behind if the person moves to Windows phone....These are just some example of what I mean by locked in. First and third party support of the ecosystem through accessories and services that a user would lose is they bought phone on another platform. So, Apple and Google/Android OEMs, to diminish the chances of users defecting, try to loc users in with these things or relationships with third-party support. Thanks for contributing! :-)
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Those third party services aren't choosing Android or iOS support over Windows for nefarious reasons or back door deals, they're not supporting Windows because Windows doesn't have enough users or features to justify the costs of development. You mention the VR support, does Windows support VR at all? Google Cardboard has been a platform for two years now, and Android is building VR support directly into the OS with Android 7.0, so third parties have had SOMETHING to work with regarding VR. Windows doesn't have this baked in, so third parties would either have to A) somehow build their own support libraries into Windows - resulting in a lot of expense for a (probably) bad experience, B) wait and hope Microsoft adds it to the platform or C) don't support it because the platform has less than 1% of the global market.
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I'm not convinced we'll be able to pull through. What you have to remember is that Microsoft is not seen as cool, it's seen as a colossal failure, and that it's a dinosaur that needs to die. The thing could give you $10b a nanosecond for the rest of your life and make you immune to all diseases and stuff like that and people would still refuse it because Microsoft.
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i hope this changes soon bro. i like ms since the 2000's. the same way i like firefox since 2004 and my so loved debian since ever hasuhausashuhas'
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I do agree that there are those that will always have animosity to MS no matter what. However, I feel they have begun to turn around that perception. With Balmer gone and Phil Spencer at XBox and Sayta at the helm of the mother ship they've been creating a positive vibe. It takes time, but I feel they are moving in the right direction.
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Veeeeeerrrrryy slllooowwwlllllyyyyyy Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Dont worry. Google is slowly taking over the evil spot now.
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Wow I didn't realize that there were so many OEM's making Windows Phones.
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You're welcome :)
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OEM's are their job very well, now it's time for DEVs!
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They are? These are basically small OEMs that are just throwing W10M on their Android phone. They are not widely available and they are not pushing them very hard. Just look at the NuAns Kickstarter or last quarter sales numbers to get an idea of how these devices are doing in the market. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I would be tempted to go for the Lenovo or the VAIO.
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I find the windows mobile hate side funny. Most of my friends and family have iphones or Android phones and they often tell me how much better their phones are than my Lumia 950xl and how many apps I am missing out on. For me it's not an issue as I have never and never will be a massive app user as I don't use my phone in that way. For me continuum is what Wm10 is all about I had a surface RT to pro 3 and I loved the device but when I got my Lumia 950xl sold my surface 3 as a test to see of continuum can do what I used my surface 3 for and it dose. I can edit my web side, work from home with or without using remote desktop. For me it shows I don't need a pc at home for what I do. The only thing I really want now is a nexdock with usb c or the HP X3 laptop shell to come out and it will save me having a monitor setup on my table at home. I also had a few people I know move from IOS and Android to the Lumia 950 and XL because they wanted something different and were sick of the OS they had. I said give Wm a go explained about the missing apps like snap chat but they not fussed about that got the phones and not one of them have said they hate the device.
For me I think wm/continuum will be a bit like the surface line where Ms will show the way and by the 3rd one have it spot on for what people want and people/3rd party's will take note and start to production of some great hardware. For me the phone market is boring now nothing new and who has been done by Samsung, apple, htc ect. The new LG G5 is interesting but not something I want. I do think MS are onto something good with WP though and I do think over the next 3 years it will start to gain market Shari again. -
You're the man!
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I love the idea of being able to select from a variety of Windows Phones. I just wish the mobile phone providers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) supported this platform more.
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Microsoft can't even provide a decent apps for their own platform. Awfully most of the apps developed by Microsoft are buggy for quite some time and they still silently removing functions that are left by Nokia legacy. Seems like they are going backward. Time to hope for Nokia android phone then.
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The problem is the idiot that wrote the contract for the purchase of Nokia. Microsoft gave $7.8B without acquiring patents. Microsoft just practically just bought time (2 years) for 7.8B.When that time lapsed, Microsoft pulls out all the apps that Nokia wrote. They could have probably done better by just handing out that money to Nokia with the string attached of Nokia continuing to develop for WP.
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They never purchased Nokia
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Now these OEM's must do some heavy Marketing....(Samsung style). "You don't need Snapchat to be productive" could be a good headliner.
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Productivity ads works for business, but I don't know how much they would work for personal use.
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I agree with you. BlackBerry was not very successful with the "Tools, not toys" campaign. Posted via my Moto X Pure Edition using the Windows Central App for Android
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any top10 companies?
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The problem is easy to fill. Just negociate $$$ with the developers to have the apps in windows store and the market will bounce back. Forget about 3rd part apps. Most of the users wants oficial.
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MS already did that and the developers and companies left the apps to languish or tried to hold MS ransom. "Keep paying us or we'll pull our app" was the result. Now if they had other monetary incentives that weren't outright payoffs, that would probably help.
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So Well looks like all deva hate MS
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It's just a matter of going where the customers are.
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yep.
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Availability, perhaps..? It's hard to find a Windows Phone outside US.. (I'm stucked with 720..)
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Only one part? :P
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Wait, did he finish the other series? :D
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It's an universal art. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Continuum could be the best part of Windows. I recently got the Lumia 950 and can say that Continuum would be a wonderful selling point if it functioned better. The interface is missing many simple nuances that the standard OS has such as minimize and close buttons. Plus Miracasting Continuum is just awful and laggy. Fix the interface and make it feel more desktop, bring a customizable startmenu (this means that the Continuum startmenu can be rearranged and show different tiles then the phone menu), and fix wireless viewing would make this a near perfect solution.
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With all the bugginess, Lack of Apps, Removal of features and non-exixtant Microsoft Apps & Services, Continuum might be the only feature for WIn10 Mobile.... Nobody in their sane mind can suggest Win10 Mobile to friends/family... It might be something 5 years in the future... But why waste the present on some future promise that might not be be fulfilled (looking at MS's history in consumer space).
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My brother hated windows phones, was stuck on Android. He gave Lumia 630 a try for a week and never got back to lagdroid
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this is what usually happens, i can't get my friends off of Windows Phone. But its hard to get anyone to move platforms. Google is very restrictive about android and tightening more and more.
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This is a nice analysis, which might sound strange to people who are still immerse in the current (and already old) paradigm of spec-arms-race/app store. This is dying already, and Apple and Samsung's latest 2 or 3 flagships are a testament to that.
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Apple was never engaged in a specs arms race. Their specs have always been underwhelming, their focus is more on premium feel/aesthetics and a simple UI. As to the App Store - apps get you a user base. Microsoft is already painted as having no apps. It's difficult to turn that ship around especially when apps that weren't there 4 years ago are still absent.
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The thing with Apple's or Samsung's arms-race is that it's not even against others, nor each other. Especially in the case of Apple putting out a new phone that has to be better than the one they released a year ago is something they need to come up with to justify themselves, to sell In relation to apps, the availability or not of apps in a store (what happens with Windows) is precisely a problem that's inherent to the very concept of the store. I think this will fade with time and the emergence of a new paradigm. For example, you don't have web pages that are only available for a browser. Think about services and what the apps do instead of the app, which in the end it's just a small part of what one does when using an app. It's just the UI/UX. I adhere to the paradigm of bots or disposable apps that I've read about. But it could be something else, for example, the OS being a sort of app generator or interpreter of services into "apps" (things with an IU you can tap at). Sure, maybe for games it's different, but that's always been the case. In any case, platform exclusives are also something that will be fading away quickly, I think.
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Apple has always had the fastest or one of the fastest SoCs, fastest available RAM and storage (although little of it).
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Cool story but this is the reality: http://mspoweruser.com/windows-phone-slips-category-less-0-5-market-shar....
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Hi @theefman The reality was actually actually acknowledged in the intro paragraph. lol :-) "Microsoft is retrenched, mobile market share has drastically declined, and fan base is increasingly frustrated." Still the success of Windows Mobile will have a reliance on partners just as strategy analytics points out as core to the success of Android in India: "deep portfolio of hardware partners, extensive distribution channels, and a wide range of low-cost apps like Gmail.” This article actually addresses Microsoft's attempts to build that portfolio of hardware partners and build those distribution channels through those OEMs. Though this article didn't talk about MS first party apps, we have talks about them in the past. So thanks for pointing out Strategy Analytics report on Microsoft's dropping share and Googles success with their hardware partners, but its just that strategy that this piece addresses MS facilitating, and that too is the reality. An uphill battle as I acknowledge more than once in the piece, but it is the strategy and also the reality:-)
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Microsoft is the next Yahoo
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You are showing your lack of intelligence comrade...
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Correction: the SoftBank 503LV does support Continuum.
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I've heard of maybe four of those companies and I'm sure I'm not alone. None carry much weight within the mobile space either, unless there's one that's popular somewhere... So I'm not entirely convinced. You have a consumer base which is used to getting the popular apps when they come out, WM is usually a maybe. The only way things will change is if people don't want that. At this point in time, I don't see that changing. Nothing against WM but the market isn't there yet so we're looking some time out still until people change, if they ever do. On top of that you have the problem with Google bringing out Android for their Chromebooks and I'm sure Apple is up to something as well. Soon the other players will have a 'Contiuum' type of experience as well. Then what?
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I love my Windows Mobile, but sadly I should recognize that it's death
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Hey, what steps do we need to become Microsoft's OEM?
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To me is just a question of apps. The OS is quite nice and very modern (no candy colorfull icons). The only problem is apps ans more apps and so on....seriously I love this phone but I'm really thinking of getting a android very soon. Sadly I'll be leaving the ms mobile very small ecosystem.
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There is no thing like a mobile ecosystem
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At this point windows sales will not increase at least in my country India here android totally dominates, there are Chinese companies like lenovo & Xiaomi have strong sales in budget segment there android phone are more powerful and premium. You see, who will buy cheap plastic lumia with snapdragon 202 processor with 1 gb ram if there are phones with snapdragon 650 processor with 3 gb ram in a metal body just because windows os is better than Android in security and performance Nahh thats not gone happen here until Microsoft don't change because in India majority of phone are of budget segment and microsoft have to introduce stronger budget phone. it will be rocking to have a windows phone with 3 gb ram running on snapdragon 650 in a metal body in 15000 ₹ .
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That's exactly what should be happening, but education plays a role here
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I rather enjoy my Lumia 950xl and I hope the next one will be even better
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Personally, I like having one platform for everything.
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If you make a great product people will buy it...MS hasn't come with a product that will wow the consumer and deliver on that wow...made lots of mistakes and now it seems as an uphill task to sway consumers to WP Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Lol Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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"Additionally, Window 10 Mobile is enduring growing pains and its initial lack of polish on expensive devices like the 950 and 950 XL, and the expected frustrations with Insider preview builds have left many faithful fans with a sour taste in their mouths (but then, they're the ones that decided to install beta software). " No. My Lumia 950XL came with the beta OS called WM10. Don't shift the goalposts. The first two months of WM10 Official were hell.
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They were, FOR YOU. Not for me
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Has your selective memory forgotten all the negative reviews that device got? Even Daniel conceded that the release OS wasn't up to par. How deluded must you be to not acknowledge that? Jason Ward levels of delusion.
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To your point that your 950XL came with an unpolished OS I actually state that in the excerpt you copied and pasted... Please offer a point for point rebuttal to the points as to why OEMs are investing on Windows 10 Mobile. Before you jump in also watch the videos in the piece by Acer, HP and Nuans and read the interview I did with Alcatel in Windows Phone isn't dead Part V, and then as I presented a well articulated, source supported argument for my analysis please do the same...name calling, well that's just immature, and ineffective at making an intelligent point. Thanks for participating!:-)
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Superior write-up, Jason... Let's examine the Big Three: Apple: Steve Jobs introduced the iPods/iPhones/iPads. Everything Steve touched turned to gold. He made imagination a reality, and it took the world by storm. So, there is no way to argue against Apple having the jump on everyone. Now, with the passing of Steve Jobs; usher in Tim Cook. I compare Tim Cook to Steve Balmer - no imagination, no innovation, nothing new under the sun, business as usual - the magic is gone. So if you think the frustrations amongst Windows 10 Mobile users is bad - pay attention to the Apple fan-base. They want more than just the same-old-same-old. The only thing keeping Apple alive right now it the popularity of the iOS platform and the app base. Apple's days are numbered and if they don't impress with the iPhone 7 - and I doubt they will. They have removed the headphone jack, the forever ongoing lack of MicroSD card expansion in the device, and far too many 'dongles' to attach a single device, which is cumbersome and far from portable, I sincerely believe this is the beginning of the end for Apple. Android: A disaster of an open-source mobile operating system that is consistantly plagued with issues. For every device made, there is a variant of Android just for that device. Also, OEMs customize Android with their own programming. There are very few "pure" Android devices, so when new versions of the OS come out, 9 times out of 10, users are unable to upgrade (eg Kit-Kat to Lollipop to Marshmallow etc..). With a staggeringly high percentage of apps that are harmful to Android devices, let alone your privacy and security - phew - it;'s a zoo out there! Not for the faint of heart these days! Microsoft: Late to the game, the underdog, yet the most powerful mobile devices on the market. Satya Nadella is this generation's Steve Jobs. From the inception of Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, the Insider Program, Surface, Hololens, Xbox, UWP, Continuum, and a growing OEM and app-based, Microsoft is poised to attack and attack big. A fresh look, a unified platform for ALL devices, a dev platform that makes it incredibly easy for developers to port their apps with very little effort - none of competitors can deny any of these facts. Microsoft is back with a vengence - and as the adoption rate continues to grow (all-be-it slowly), Microsoft is earning back the trust of it's users, OEMs, and developers. It will take time - but I am convinced following the trends that within the next few years, Microsoft devices will have a much larger chunk of the pie. Cheers!
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You say Android is so bad, and yet people continue to buy them in greater and greater numbers. If the experience was even remotely as bad as you say, do you think that would happen? It wouldn't. After such a terrible experience, people wouldn't buy another. Obviously the experience is just fine. If Android is so bad, why does it outsell Windows phones 150:1? Obviously, whatever issues Android has, are no where near as bad as Windows phone issues. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Justin Beaber sucks but still sells albums and fills stadiums. Sales do not equal quality. Quality does not equal sales. Popularity has nothing to do with what's best, never has. Popularity is a passing fad. Android is large because of low cost. Apple is smaller because of high cost. Microsoft lost ground because users of Android or Apple never really saw microsoft.. Very few carriers pushed them, little to no advertising... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android.. But waiting for the HP Elite so I can get rid of this junkie Galaxy S5...
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I don't like Justin Bieber either, but he is talented and people like him so they buy his music and go to his shows. People don't like Windows phones. It doesn't have anything to do with price. The 520 was dirt cheap and it did sell ok because of it. When it came time for those people to buy a new phone they didn't choose another Microsoft phone. They obviously weren't that happy with them. Microsoft did market Windows Phone 7 really hard. The commerical were all over TV and they had all sorts of promotions going. It didn't help sales at all. There is a reason they stopped marketing it. It proved to be a waste of time. Why Microsoft didn't go back to the drawing board at that time I will never understand. W10M is basically the same as WP7. Microsoft keeps pushing the same failed paradigm. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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150:1? Here in Canada (Toronto) it's closer to 100,000:1. Likely more. In the 9 yrs I've been buying Windows Phones I've seen less than 30 in the wild. Think about how crazy that is. In my company of 800 employees I am the one and only 950 XL owner. The company CEO mocks (in fun) for being loyal to a dead OS. Kinda like how I poke fun at Blackberry users. Yet I've still managed to convert a bunch over the years to WM. My mom uses a 640 XL and still loves it. My best friend has a Lumia 930 and praises it's build quality and how it's survived 100 hip drops. My dad ditched his old WM device years ago. A few other friends gave it a try for a few months and quickly went back to Apple or Android. Somehow I stayed so committed with the feeling that a comeback was also just around the corner. Regarding phone issues.. trust me, I've had my fair share of issues on this platfrom. I realize nothing is perfect but I've wanted to football spike my Lumia's at least a dozen times over the years. Windows Mobile 6.5 loved to wipe my contacts on occasion and a few times froze then reboot into a factory reset. My HTC Titan would crash entirely if the store was past 80% full forcing a hard reset. I think I dealt with that issue almost a dozen times. My Lumia had all sorts of random bugs. And my 950 XL took 10 months of updates to cure my daily reboot issues. Still a bunch of bugs that haven't been fixed. While I can agree Apple and Android have their own imperfections, WM is much further from perfect than those platforms are.
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I think you have a very narrow view of what people want out of their smartphone experience. It would be a mistake to count Apple out and I rarely hear anyone complaining about their iPhones who are fans of the platform. Unlike Windows Mobile. Not to say their perfect but Apple has a better track record. Android, again, not sure where your head is at. There's no such thing as a 'pure' android device, whatever that means. Not even a Nexus device is pure Android, it's 'Google's idea' of Android. Second as the person above me has stated, if Android was so bad why do they have so many users? They have over 80% ove the market. Please don't tell me it's about settling because that's what I see with WM10 users. Also with Android 7, the update system will change. So take it from there. Lastly, MS has a big hill to climb to change the mindset of people. They're trying to make people think of mobile devices in a different way. No issue there but the consumer market isn't there yet and neither is WM10. For some people WM10 does what they need, however the masses have spoken currently and they want something else. It will take time like you say but the mistake is thinking MS is alone in what they're doing. They're not. Maybe not the same but Google and I no doubt Apple are thinking 'differently' as well.
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Someone using his brain, finally
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You are correct that most Android devices don't get updated, but ummmm how many of the existing Windows Phones got updated to W10? You are correct that Apple for the most part doesn't innovate, but ummmm at least they take something from someone else and improve on it by actually making it work. And like somebody already said. There is a reason why people keep buying Android and iPhones. They just like it. Period. End of story. Microsoft has some great ideas, but they always lack in execution with the quality of the software.
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Paul Stoner, you summed up what I was thinking of saying. Last Saturday 6/8 my uncle need a new phone, his very old Doro flip died. This is just a phone. He is almost 70 and never used a cumputer in his life. As we were drving to the shopping center (Mall) he enquired if he can get a text phone? But you have text, i repiled, no i want the tv text, the News. Oh you will need a smartphone and they are hard to use. No he say's i'm determined to learn, i want one. Help! What to buy Him, as i was thinking of easy to use smartphone and a phone i can help him to use, i decided to go for either the Microsoft 550 or 650. 4 stores and no Microsoft phones on display? Oh we sell them, but don't buy one as their hard to use and will die out soon. OK i say, sell my Uncle a phone, The average sell! WAS don't buy a ios phone as they are over priced and will confuse a elder person, go with Android, one sales person took out their personal and totaly baffled him with swip and wigets? My Uncle looked at me for help, total confused look on his face ( i was just looking on) So i stopped the sales talk by asking, can that phone just have a few icons on the start screen. I then got a confused look from the sales ref. Well to cut a long story shorter, i then decided what my Uncle needed was a Windows 10 phone. I brought out my humble Microsoft Lumia 640 xl (not humble in size :) ) Did a backup to Onedrive. OH i had the insiders Ninga Cat as my start screen and i do have a very nice picture of my 2 cats looking out of a enclosed bed, just 4 very inquisitive eyes. i have no tiles on that part of the start screen, I have left a gap, on the back ground picture with 2 kittens with very inquisitive eyes. DTtW is on, DTtS is on, Glance is on, but i use night colours, ie: i enable nite mode for 23 hrs and 59 mins :) I was so fed up of this Sales Guy trying sell my Uncle a useless product and DDtT to wake, he was looking and now the Nigna screen was up, his eyes were poping, i kinda scrolled up then back a bit, is this the new ios phone he says, Then i filcked up to the start screen and the 4 mad cat eyes and the live tiles took him back. i think he named every phone manufacture but not Windows. i gave him the phone to play with, and went for a coffie. When we came back, he was still playing with the 640 xl and his 1st comment was, is this a computer?
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Nothing can stop me to use windows mobile. Even my 3.5 years old daughter can use windows phone
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Microsoft will stop you soon. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Nothing can stop me to use windows mobile. Even my 3.5 years old daughter can use windows phone
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Personally, I own a Sony Xperia M4 Aqua phone, instead of a Lumia 650. I really wanted to get a Lumia 950 or 950XL, but my budget only allowed me to pay $300 for a phone. However, I'm saving for Surface Phone in 2017, but it really has to acomplish 2 things so I can buy it 1) It needs to support full x64 CPU and support Continuum with full Windows 10. 2) It needs to have iOS bridge finished so all official apps like Snapchat, Youtube, etc are ported into Windows Mobile. If 1 of these 2 points is not fullfilled, I think Windows Mobile marketshare will be lower next year, perhaps 0.5% globally.
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It wont. intel has no chip in their development pipeline that operates at the combination of speed, price, and power envelope. Core M at an outside shot with a huge battery but they cost ~$300 for the CPU alone. No one is going to stomach $1,000 for a surface phone even if it does run X86.
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You'll be disappointed I'm afraid
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Just forget it. Intel intruction set is a monstruosity. They tried but they cannot win this war. Intel and MS Windows are two faces of the same coin. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I don't know about that, MS and Intel have A TON of cash and they said the next phone would be ground breaking innovation. Continuum is "interesting" but not ground breaking. And you don't know what Intel or MS is doing behind closed doors. I love my 6 inch phone and more and more people dont mind the bigger device. The problem is getting people to move platforms gets harder and harder everyday and MS let those percentages drop.
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Google and Apple will get here, with their user base, so what does MS do then? Are they hoping that apps come over fast enough before Chrome OS runs all Android apps? Because I think when that happens, and if OEMs make better Chromebooks, Windows is going to take a hit in the personal computing market for general PCs. Most ppl dont need intensive programs but they want the apps on their phones to be on their PCs. They may just not know that last part yet.
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Chromeos lol
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Beware. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Consumers the the key to any success . OEM can build all they want but if no body buys , they will drop the phones . Facebook started to move up and more and more merchants started to advertise on that site because the viewership increased dramatically because the CEO idetified the problem and went after it MS going backward . Mobile OS is a disaster because MS fired code chechers to save money . Now everything that comes out has huge bugs in it . The Mobile version 10 did Not even work on the 950 and 950XL and how sad it was and how much money was wasted on that . Maps is a diaster and company spent Billions on it instead of buying HERE + , a top notch software that retains its value . Nokia paid $600 miliion for HERE+ and sold it for $3.3 Billion . Consumers want Excellence . I rolled back to 8.1 to use HERE+ again and waiting for next Nexus phone
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...because the os is way better than ios and android!
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What are the chances that any of the major phone service providers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) will be promoting or even supporting these phones?
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Bad to worst Windows Phones. SAD.
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The windows 10 mobile platform is not dead in the eyes of future tech, it's only a matter of time before we see the relevance of the platform. The platform is focused on what matters not here to offer irrelevant tweeks like smile to capture features, we are getting things more personalised taking the PC and mobile strategy at another level. I still hope in Microsoft much as we've had the sour taste of it too.
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OK, time to dismantle another dream-infused article ;P (warning, long post). "OEM partners, have recognized the value of Windows 10 Mobile devices that are supported by a Universal Windows Platform and Continuum and that offers a solution to the challenges facing both PC and phone manufacturers." No. They have not. These "OEM partners" (and we'll get to them in a minute) have not recognised any value on WP10. What they have recognised is that they are mostly unable to offer anything on Android that could give them the slightest bit of chance of succeeding. So they're placing their bet on Windows Phone, not because they believe in it but because, from the business point of view, it's still a more conservative bet. They know their chances on Android were close to 0%. So having even a 1% chance of survival on Windows Phone is a better prospect. Of course, the real question is, how many of these will continue to support Windows Phone after these first attempts? My bet is on barely any of them. There's no consumer demand for Windows Phone. There never was. As I've stated over and over again these past few years (and history came to prove me right), the thing that ever moved Windows Phone forward was Nokia and the Nokia brand. Let us remind ourselved that in those days, this "OEM partners" strategy WAS ALREADY in effect at Microsoft. Samsung did Windows Phones, HTC did Windows Phones. Then Nokia joined in and crushed them all to smitherins. But that could very well happen again if another OEM with a strong brand arrived on WP. ____ Then let us address this "change is innevitable" thing. Yes, it is. However, what changes and has been changing is the hardware experience NOT the software. There were only two eras on PC. The pre-Windows 95 Era and the post-Windows 95 Era. That's why Windows is still the supreme ruller on the PC market. PC's have evolved a lot over the years. From big towers to all-in-ones to laptops to 2 in 1 tablets. HOWEVER, the operating system and the ecosystem around personal computing hasn't. Windows kept its ground. The MOBILE experience has also evolved. But, like PCs, you also only have two Eras. The pre-smartphone creation and the post-smartphone creation Era. Windows rulles the post-Windows 95 Era. And Android rules the post-smartphone Era. That will NOT change. The devices and the way we use them will change. But the operating system of choice in that platform and the ecosystem around it won't. There's also this idea of a convergence of the PC and smartphone experience. Again, that won't happen. And it won't happen because even today, people don't use a PC and a smartphone for the same things. It's not because you can pretend a phone looks like a real PC (as Windows 10 Mobile does with Continuum) that the experience will be the same and people will suddenly just use their phone. It will be many many years before the components of a real PC can be miniaturised to create a real hand-held device that is also a real computer you can put on your pocket. You will argue "most people use their PCs to browse and email and watch videos and all that can be achieved through a smartphone". Yes. SOME do. But all of those people also have a real PC they go to when they actually need to do something slightly more important than watch cat videos on Youtube. The experience people require from a smartphone isn't the one they require from a PC. Let us just think about things like Instagram, Snapchat or Pokémon Go. All of them are mobile oriented experiences. You have Instagram on WP10, sure. But it's a mobile only experience (hence why it's not available on Windows 10. And if you ever used Instagram on an iPad for example, you'll know how absolutely atrocious the experience is). Snapchat and Pokémon Go are also mobile-only experiences. There's nothing in them that aims at merging form factors. You're not supposed to Snapchat via a PC just like you're not supposed to work on Photoshop via a phone. That duality of experiences will not change. If indeed Microsoft is betting on it changing, they will lose that bet too. In a way, it's just like what happened with the introduction of the airplane for transportation in an attempt to replace transatlantics. They are two different experiences. If you want a faster, simpler way of travelling, you take a plane. But sometimes you may want a more comfortable and better way of traveling. Then you take a translatlantic ship. And when you want to go on a holiday, you may even use both! You take a plane from London to New York and then you take the cruise to the caribbean. They are two different experiences that compliment each other. You don't expect the same experience on both. The same applies to the PC and mobile. When you use a phone, you know you're getting a slower experience. However, you have a more mobile experiene. When you go to a PC, you know you're abdicating that mobility for the fastness and easiness of use. And now you say "well, but then Continuum is meant to merge those two and give you both in one device". Yeah. Except it can't. Again, phone hardware has evolved a lot but not enough to be able to replace a proper PC. ____ "Are these OEMs a foreshadowing of more OEMs to come, or are they the swan song of a dying platform? Do any of these phones appeal to you or are you waiting to see what Microsoft brings to the table in a possible Surface Phone?" So, going back to these OEMs. Let's take a REALISTIC look at them. 13 OEMs. How many of them are relevant OEMs? Maybe 3. HP, Lenovo and Acer. How many of them have a reputation on mobile? Maybe one, Lenovo. And even that one, most definitely not in the Western world. How many of those 13 OEMs have a brand that people recognise? Again, at most, 3. People know HP very well, they're also acquainted with Acer and a few are now aware of Lenovo too. ALL the other brands are absolutely irrelevant. This isn't therefore foreshadowing of anything. Having 10 no-ones releasing Windows Phones means nothing. The OS is free to install and as I've said, they're just betting on two bad scenarios. Even the likes of HP is doing that. HP, for all its brand recognition, is a company is a really bad shape. They just split in two recently and they are in a way in a similar position to that of Nokia back then. The big difference, of course, is that Nokia's move to WP was the result of the work of the Trojan Eflop. HP's shift is an attempt to create an HP ecosystem that could entice consumers back to their brand and away from the competition that has meanwhile arised. They're betting on Microsoft's promise of a "one OS" and ecosystem and since they produce Windows laptops, why not phones too? The thing is, HP knows that Windows Phone is a dead platform. Consumers don't want it. That's why they're aiming their Elite at enterprise. On enterprise, there might exist some appeal to the idea of the phone that can also pretend to be a PC. For businessmen, being able to connect a phone to a screen and get a larger Excel sheet can be useful. Except that can also be achieved with Android and iOS. HP's reason to bet on Windows Phone is therefore pretty similar to that of the smaller OEMs. They know on enterprise they'd have to compete with Android for Work devices. Samsung and Blackberry have now strong offerings for enterprise too. And on mobile, even Blackberry has a stronger brand than HP. So they decided to try to sell it as a comprehensive experience. However, it may not last for as soon as companies realise that these WP10 with Continuum don't do anything that Android devices can't do, they'll probably back to Android and iOS. Microsoft knows this. There's a reason why they now have their entire Office suite as well as many other Microsoft apps avaialable on Android and iOS and actively develop them. They want to be ready for when innevitably OEMs realise there's no future for WP10 and for when enterprises realise they can get the same done with the Microsoft apps on the existing robust mobile platforms. However, if there's a last bit of hope for Windows Phone on enterprise, on the consumer market Windows Phone is dead. Having a bunch of Chinese-based OEMs producing crappy WP10 devices won't entice consumers to buy them and the lack of apps will continue to keep consumers away. So yes. I do believe this is just the swan song of Windows Phone (well, rather the echo of the swan song, since the song has long been sung). There won't be a merging of the PC and mobile experiences. Consumers don't want it. I think the failure of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 more than proved that. Universal apps won't change a thing. Because, as I said, different form factors demand different experiences.
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You have too much time in your hands replying to this dreaming fanboy articles. Windows Mobile has been done since BUILD but this guy and worse the site keep trying to tell anyone aroud here that Mobile is alive when not even MICROSFT care one single bit about Windows Mobile. BTW, ASK them where is Joe Belfiore and his iPhone.
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This guy (????) uses the system in an enterprise environment and it just works. That's why I like. This guy also doesn't follow the shallow fashion wannabee's, who buckle to the idea that your life will improve immeasurably because you own an android / OS. I use iOS at home, I use linux at home, I use W10 in my offices. I'm not OS blind, I'm not a lemming and I am definitely not the type to buy a case with a hole in the back so you can be seen using certain devices. I thank you for your observations' into my blinkered and oddball musings, but I dont remember slating you or questioning your mental prowess. Finally, I do nt tend to argue with idiots as they tend to beat me on experience ;-)
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Also, Please @Richard and @DCJBS try to discern between analysis of what Microsoft is doing and the presentation from their perspective of their strategy and the desired or anticipated outcome of that strategy and "dream filled" or "dreaming" articles. My opening statements of this piece clearly acknowledge the dilemma MS is in, that is a reality. What is also a reality is that companies that have far more to loose than you or I have incorportated in their business strategy an investment of millions on Windows 10 Mobile. I acknowledge that reality. I also acknowledge that these OEMs have a reason for this investment, and to my knowledge no one else has really tackled that question in this way. I present the analysis of an observable reality (not a dream) that OEMs are investing in the platform. Then I close with a a probalble outcome and a question to readers, what you take is on this OEM support. That's not dream-filled at all. Simply an analysis.
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"I present the analysis of an observable reality (not a dream) that OEMs are investing in the platform." See, the problem is that you see them building WP as "investing in the platform". That analysis in itself is biased by your love for WP and your wish to see it happen, even after it died. That's why I counter-argued that what they're doing isn't really investing on WP, it's merely trying their luck with it because they know they don't stand a chance with the platform consumers want. Investment on WP would be if ANY of these companies were doing what Nokia did for WP. THAT was investing on WP, not only by adopting the OS but also by trying to make it appealing and better. You assume the OEMs are creating Windows Phones because they believe in the platform. I argued against that. You say that it's "observable reality" that they're investing on Windows Phone because they believe in the platform. I argued that. And I call it dream-filled because you rely too much on "IFs". "IF the use changes" "IF enterprise adopts Windows Phone", "IF the UWP succeeds", "IF OEMs embrace Windows Phone". An analysis based on a bunch of IFs is always more fueled by wishes than reality. Not to speak about how you use bits and pieces of what some responsibles at Microsoft said to try to justify your view of their strategy, even though the actions of Microsoft go exactly against the words. The current reality if, as you admited, that marketshare is shrinking and the remaining consumers are increasingly frustrated. An objective look at the state of WP will show anyone that: consumers rejected the OS itself, developers aren't interested in it either, UWP has yet to show anything significant in terms of adoption and even then, for mobile, developers will have to enable the UWP to work on mobile, and enterprises haven't shown any major interest on Continuum (and let's not fool ourselves here, Continuum has been out for long enough that if enterprises saw true benefits in it, they would have already acted on it). I understand that for the remaining WP fans the slightest glimpse of hope for the platform's survival will be enough. If 10 no-name OEMs produce a Windows Phone each, that'll be enough for them to hope that relevant OEMs like Samsung, LG etc join them. But the reality and history itself plays against the possibilities of that happening.
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Great post! Microsoft always have the greatest ideas, unfortunately the quality of the end product always ruins it.
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@DJCBS Actually, to your first point you ackonowledge that the OEMS see value in Windows Mobile, you simply attempt to diminish the value they see. How many of these OEMs have a brand that people recognize. I'd argue, all of them. Simply because they are not globally recognized does not mean that they ae not know or influential in the regions they serve. I made this analogy in a previous post: Barack Obama was known and influential in his position as a senator before entering the national and global stage. These OEMs have an influence in their local regions. As more smaller OEMs around the globe adopt the platform the collective benefits to the platform may be realized. That is not to say we don't want the big names, but one can't simply igmore the execution of the strategy and te benefits it yields at its current level simply because it is not reflect the preferred level of the support. The fact that you say that there won't be a convergence of PC and phone, as I asserted there will at least be n part, is already happening .That's why you can do things on your phone that was previously relegated to your PC and are beginning to do thngs on PCs, like getting text messages, notifications that were relegated to mobile platforms, showing missed calles and on Mac and eventuall PC answering calls. What you claim wont happening IS happening. Also you point out that HP sees value in Windows Mobile: "They're betting on Microsoft's promise of a "one OS" and ecosystem and since they produce Windows laptops, why not phones too?" First you state they see no value then you say they do. lol Anyway when I have more time I may give a better articulated response, at any rate thank you for a thoughtful, though I disagree with you, response. :-)
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@DJCBS Also, you state that HP knows that "Windows Mobile is dead". I include Video and Pictures to help tell the story. As such I encourage everyone to watch the HP video in the piece where the HP rep acknowledge that some people think that Windows phone is dead but then advocate why HP does not see it that way. I know that that your perspective as to what the OEMs intentions for investing in Windows 10 Mobile may be painted by your view that the investment will ultimately fail as you open with. So you "speak" for them with what you suppose their motive to be, which ultimately leads to your presupposed conclusion that it will end in failure. On the other hand, I've looked at the direction of the industry toward a converging of phone and PC technology (see above comments about features that were previously relegated to either phone OR PCs that are now on both). I've also intentionally included Acers video in the piece where they speak for themselves about the benefits of the investment in Windows Mobile, as mentioned above the video of HP in the piece allows HP to speak for themselves to that same end. My interview with Alcatels VP of marketing Jon Maron several months ago aslo gives voice from the OEM themselves. http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-phone-isnt-dead-part-v-alcatels-vp-marketing-john-maron-talks-windows-phone These words from the OEM themselves is consistent with the analysis I have presented about the direction of the industry and why OEMs are investing. Thanks again.
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- Regarding the HP representative: well, come on, you weren't expecting them, right after announcing the device, to go on record and say "yeah, we know WP is dead but it's not like we stand much of a chance anywhere else". Yes, there is the talk about the "benefits for the enterprise" but as I argued, the problem there is that you can get those same benefits out of Android for example. When Google launched Android for Work, it was exactly to address enterprise concerns regarding the openness of the OS and its security. HP is trying to do the same with a different platform because they're late to that game and enterprise is really the last shimmer of hope for the survival of Windows Phone 10 (I keep writting WP10 on purpose by the way. That's because it's basically what it is. A real "Windows 10 Mobile" would be a mobile version of full-blown Windows 10, ie. one that runs legally programs. Thought I should clarify that). - Well, my perspective is based purely on the history of the platform itself. We already had the "OEM partners" experience as I said. We already saw that fail. The aim of any OEM is making money, let us not beat around the bush. None of these OEMs cares for anything else.When they spend money making a WP10 device, is to try and make a profit. Be that on the consumer space or enterprise. And based on the history of Windows Phone, there's absolutely nothing that could lead to a significant change in the outcome of their Russian Roullette. - The Acer video is the same as the HP one. You can't expect them to say that the phone has no developer support, that Continuum's utility is arguable etc. They reiterate the Microsoft selling points regarding Continuum. But the reality remains: the appeal of Continuum, even for enterprise, is unproven. Microsoft has put forward that vision of Continuum over a year ago and very little happened there. You say argue "but only now are more options with Continuum arriving so only now will enterprise start to adopt it". To which I say, we will talk in another years time and we'll see how that went. Based on the history so far, none of those visions regarding Continuum that Microsoft put forward is working. - Regarding the interview with Alcatel's VP, I said it then and I said it now: we must not mix TCL's "Alcatel" with the Alcatel that was once relevant. TCL and its Alcatel line is a player as relevant as Lenovo or Acer (well, except they're still clinging on the recognition of a brand that was European and popular in the end of the 90's). So far we haven't heard any word from relevant OEMs. When Samsung, LG, Sony, Asus, etc come forward and actually invest on Windows Phones, then I might be inclined to believe they actually see any value in it. But all these small or insignificant OEMs that have spoken so far have done nothing more than repeat the story Microsoft told about Continuum in hopes that they can make a profit on the market with an OS that otherwise has already been rejected in the consumer space. I'd say these OEMs are basically gambling their luck with WP10. Which is why I also said that, in a years time, we will see how many of them continue to put out Windows Phone 10 devices and how many of them quit after their first experience. ;)
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- No, I reiterate that OEMs don't see value on WP. I expressely wrote that. What I recognise is that those OEMs are aware that their own value as a manufacturer isn't enough to compete in the Android market. In that sense, WP for them is a mere means to an end (staying in the mobile market). - I ask you: how many phones have those OEMs sold? For example, the Japan-based OEMs. We know they enjoy some "popularity" amongst the WP manufacturers. But what does it mean to be popular in a market where WP's marketshare is 0.5%? Even in those regions where those brands could be recognised, it seems to me they're not. Which is why I say they're trying WP. They're trying to diferentiate themselves from the other OEMs so that they may stand a chance of survival. If we use Nokia as an example again, when Nokia went with Windows Phone - according to Eflop - it was to differentiate. Nokia managed to do it because they are a known and beloved brand. And because of that, Windows Phone grew in 2 years (November 2011-November 2013) a substantial amount (up to 4-4.5% marketshare) even without apps. Why? Because Nokia was a recognisable brand. Microsoft knew they'd be able to grow WP with Nokia. With these OEMs though, not so much. I don't quite see the point of the Obama analogy? The election of Barack Obama wasn't a case of him being able to grow his influence from a senator to President. His election was mainly won thanks to a mix of the race-card, his quite good grasp of rethoric and populist tactics, the fear-mongering produced by the democrats after a disastrous Bush II administration and the fact that the Democratic party itself wanted to keep Hillary Clinton away from the White House then. These OEMs may have influence in their regions (and as I've said, I'd argue about that) but it would take an exceptional coalition of circumstances to make them either relevant or influential in the smartphone market, using Windows Phone. - I don't think you understood what I meant when I said the merging won't happen. I wasn't arguing that some things can't technically be done. I was however pointing that the merging will not happen because people don't want it to. Because the experiences they demand from the devices is different. Using the calls and messaging example you used: how many people actually reply to calls from their Macs or PCs? How many actually use that? Notifications. Yes, they can be useful. But people will still pick up their phones if they get them. The core experience on PC and mobile won't merge. A phone will not be able to replace a PC anytime soon and a PC will not replace a phone (you just have to think, for example, that you'll still need antennas to make calls and PCs don't come with antennas). - Again, regarding HP, placing a bet on something isn't recognising value in it. When HP thinks "why not phones too?" they're just being pragmatical in the same sense the small OEMs are. They don't believe in WP nor see value in it. But they know that the chances they have of selling some WP bundled with their other Windows devices is likely greater than if they tried to do it with Android. Specially when other PC manufacturers have already gone Android. Asus for example has been growing their Android userbase, despite being one of the biggest PC manufacturers around. If WP presented real value, Asus would have already, for example, reashed the PadFone which, at the time, seemed to be designed for Windows 10 (but ran Android and flopped). And you're welcome ;)
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If you don't care why does it bother you so much that you post this long, lame post?
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Windows 10 phone will extremely rules the mobile PC connectivity in future... The Surface Phone will do that..i hope
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Only the u.s. were still "dominated by flip-phones" in 2006
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So many brainless android noobs commenting
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What an argument! You have all my respect. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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I dont think they are brainless, they just have one view. That view being, how do I follow the crowd and stay popular with my peers whilst satisfying my ego and giving me the authority to slate / troll/ abuse / post on a Windows forum using said OS, and giving the impression that, by following the crowd, I am of a higher social standing than you / us who like to seek out horizons new...... Just my thoughts....I refer you to my post above about idiots and arguing with them. I guess these Android junkies need to look closer into the workings of Android, and the amount of data collected. MS get publicly villified for data collection, yet Google, the worst offenders, get little to no publicity. I guess being the biggest helps grease the cogs when required....
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I *love* the NuAns Neo. Sad that the kickstarter wont reach its goal. I already have a 950 xl but its an adorable phone. I wonder if Japan is going to keep WP going, at this rate. They seem to be doing the best with 3rd party oems.
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The tings i am going to say will not going to change in next 10 years 1)Microsoft will dominate in Pc & laptop world . 2) Google will dominate in smartphone world . Only God can change it ...............
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#factsoftechlife
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And in years Google will also dominate in PC/Laptop area too.
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That won't happen. They said the same about Apple when the iPhone came out. MacOS is still pretty much irrelevant. ;)
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Its too fast windows change nokia name into microsoft brand. Many people minded of nokia hardware ability and their waiting that with new OS. When the name changed, people lost their trust. However, I love lumia with WP OS. I want it, as younger, I want fun, price and quality to compare with people arround me of what i have in my hand. But lumia 950 cannot make it like iphone 6 or S6. Why? I dont believe microsoft doesn't have enough money to build such as precious mobile phone in design. Now, many microsoft shop is closed in my country, I cannot see and buy phone directly from shop, just available to buy online. How people will know microsoft mobile if showroom and shop is closed. Very sad, but I still wait for new mobile phone after 950. Hope, it is more in futuristic design, metal hardware case with low price to compete with apple and samsung. However, this is August. Still no news from microsoft for their new phone to change plastic design of 950 and it series.
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Name changed because MS had no rights to use Nokia brand. Nokia branded smartphones will be back soon though and running viable OS.
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As long as I can have a Windows phone, what ever the OEM, that is what I'll be using. I've used Apple and Android and frankly don't see what all the hype is about. There are just as many glitches and issues and they've had growing pains as well. I'm grateful we have a choice. Technology is a dynamic thing, changes constantly. And Microsoft has been here for a long time, and I for one appreciate they plan on being here for the long haul. The company is made of up of people who dare to put their money and vision of the future where their 'mouth' is, unlike some of the people who write senseless comments and predictions of doom purely out of spite.
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It was better to provide numbers about sale of each model Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Enyone can imagine the numbers.....low AF
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I just returned to Windows phone after a hiatus. What I found out, and what lead me away from the OS, were the "PARTNER'S" Microsoft chose. You walk into the stores and the lazy staff not wanting to learn the platform, steer you away so they can sell you 'their' favorite, and use this as an excuse for not making space on THEIR displays for the device you, the consumers, are looking for. With no local or closer Windows (or Microsoft) store you're kind of in the ocean a drift and alone. The price of mobile devices vary enough for people to experience and experiment the OS but to Immerse yourself with the full Continuum ecosystem you have to find an affordable laptop, desktop, or tablet to work with and that my friend is a costly investment for something you're not to sure of.
But I'm here til the wheels fall off (or I win that Blackberry Passport SE). I'm not one of those fair weather friends. -
There was a time when i used to Read your article. Now i just don't get the time.
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@Fire29 thank you for your support in the past. Hopefully in the near future you will find 10 - 15 minutes in your schedule so that you can return to reading these articles. Thanks for the comment! :-)
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Will try to. Thanks for replying, bro.
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And yet, here you are making a useless comment
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Great post....interesting read. I'll think I'll stay with WP. The OS feels perfect and natural to me , plus WIN10 looks Soooooo cool
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Great post! Microsoft always have the greatest ideas, unfortunately the quality of the end product always ruins it.
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Actually Nadella is the one who ruined it, but nevermind.
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@Engineers Thanks!
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I think it's interesting that for the most part, I've never heard of any of these manufacturers succeeding in smartphones. If you think about the titans in this space like Samsung, LG, Huawei, etc, they are not following suit. Clearly some manufacturers are placing bets that the future might change in Windows' favor, but the competition does not have far to go to catch up to Microsoft regarding the flexible phone/netbook experience for most tasks. Additionally, Microsoft is already offering good cloud services like Office 365 and OneDrive, so I really question how effective a differentiator continuum can be alone. Just hookup any old phone to a large screen and connect to cloud services to do your basic tasks. (That said, I have only seen continuum in videos, not in person.) Where I think Microsoft does have an edge is with inking tech. Perhaps that in combination with continuum could be a real differentiator, and very powerful productivity/creativity tool. A true portable, scalable electronic whiteboard.
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Huawei has wp devices
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Had: http://www.windowscentral.com/huawei-exec-claims-nobody-made-any-money-w...
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A lot of my friend, nowdays are using apple. I ask them, what is the best thing for this phone while all is locked in their own world, no blutooth, not friendly in picture sharing, even songs and ROM space, no sd card. Simple they answer my question, " we want style, look precious, quality and design. Then, i show my wp mobile phone, i have no selling point to tell about my phone to them. Microsoft should study what youngers need in their hand.
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All for looks, popularity and the thought "I want to be like all the cool kids"
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I switched ti iPhone 5S (i know the camera and specs aren't great), but i got tired of Microsoft and its mistakes.
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I'm trying to decide which phone i want to switch too. I've finally let go of the dream I had for wp as the next best thing. I'm considering the moto z. I will hold on to my 950xl for backup, but it's pointless to have it as a daily driver when there are far better phones out there. It's been an adventure, thanks! #wpfansince2010✌
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Great read Jason. I was a huge advocate of Android, but, it has stagnated with very few, if any, worthwhile additions to it. The OEM's just keep rehashing the same old device with small improvements to hardware. Because the OEM's are busy fleecing consumers with, in essence, the same old drivel, they have to jazz things up with purely cosmetic changes. For example, curved screens etc, modular systems (lol) et al. Non of these devices have moved on from the form of a rectangular thing in your hand. Where else can it go? Apple have attempted , so called 'game changing' additions in software, and they have done quite well thank you very much. But what else does an iPhone bring to the party, apart from an aspirational device, that is still a rectangle in your hand?? Win10M comes packaged in a rectangular form, but it's the software that pushes the game changing feature. With proper development, continuum has the potential to be huge. As a business user myself, I enjoy the freedom it gives me. Phone in pocket, dock in pocket, Excel, PowerPoint etc. Yes, MS supply apps to other OS's, but could this not be seen as an attempt to get people used to them, and then 're-launch' continuum, with the OEM's on board? To me, that is a game changer in the mobile device scene. It hasn't been done, it doesn't involve curved screens, or a pocket full of modules. The BIGGEST problem is the WP monicker. It is / has killed the OS. This is probably where MS were quite clever by dropping out and retrenched. Now with OEM's on board, It's the OEM name on the device and running W10M. Will that convince the buyer that its not a WP? That remains to be seen, although with the unknown manufacturers, it would be a tricky proposition. There is another problem with a certain OEM. HP. I got hands on last week with the elite. Lovely bit of kit, but the brand is known for PC's, and in the consumer space predominantly as a printer manufacturer. I know it isn't for the consumer space, but if the get out in to the wild, that's what people will recognise. On top of which, having played with one for an hour or so, I'll stick to my 950xl's. The one thing I did like was the dock. Much nicer than laying your phone on the desk with the potential to send it in to orbit! Yes, there are a couple of known OEM's in the list, BUT, until one of the big boys jump on board, its going to be a long road. And there in lies another issue. Would the big boy OEM's be willing to risk investment? At present, if you can get away with minor improvements to your many versions of the same phone flagships, and convince / fleece the consumer, why would you do it? The only thing that could see the big OEM's having a go is the complete saturation of the Android space. Add in the fact that the OS is stagnant without any real changes since dalvik became ART ( and left many devices behind, you reading haters??). Who knows where we will end up. But you cant say the ride isn't interesting. IMHO, good things come to those who wait. I could follow the lemmings, and become a fashionista, but I'm an individual, and therefore have the capacity to make my own decisions. For me, W10M just works in my business!! The other two OS's didn't. It was a farce!
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A little reality check here. In India Windows Mobile has market share of 0.1℅ so roughly out of 1.3 million people only one of them will be having a WP, and globally market share is even less than 1 ℅ approx 0.7 according to last reports, so at least here in India by end of 2016 WP will be extinct in India. Android has 97℅ market share in India.. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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130,000. EDIT: Yeah, I got this astoundingly wrong. Move along, nothing to see here.... ;)
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Please do the calculation again :) India has a population of 1.3 BILLION. :) Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Now I get it, apologies, allow me to explain where I misunderstood; I did think the 1.3m figure was wrong, I presumed you mean that as the overall figure and that somehow you had come to the conclusion that 0.1% of that was one person. Obviously, that 1.3m figure was the answer to 0.1% - I jumped (I've had a lot of coffee) and for that I apologise - little embarrassing that I had that dumb moment! Fully willing to accept I got that monumentally wrong. So yeah, whoops and sorry. Fair points. :)
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It isnt long ago when windowsphone got +100 millions of users in Europe, now they are down to +100 tousands,LOL
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At most Windows phones were selling 8 million per quarter worldwide. They never even hit 100 million total devices sold. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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More fan fiction from Mr. Ward. Three factors that will thwart all of Microsoft's best attempts to catch up: (1) absolute market share dominance by competitors will allow them to be successful fast followers--they don't need to be first to beat msft; (2) Microsoft's brand is not strong enough to draw competitors' customers-- we're more likely to get teased than copied purely on grounds that the product is from Microsoft; and (3) competitors are doing a good enough job with their customers that they little incentive to unravel the branded services they have invested in. I think the more likely future is that Microsoft will lose its corporate software dominance (at my work in Seattle everybody wants an iPad pro) and settle into being a cloud company.
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^ I believe that this is the stupidest most uninformed comment so far! Obviously trolling!
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And yet you are unable to counter any of his points. He is most likely eight, that is why you have no rebuttal, just attacks. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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You're welcome. Not trolling though. Really meant it.
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@Lothar An analysis of an observable reality that OEMs ARE investing in the platform is not fan fiction. An analysis of WHY those OEMs investing in the platform supported by Videos where OEMs as Acer, HP Nuans and this interview with Alcatel's VP of Marketing : http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-phone-isnt-dead-part-v-alcatels-vp-marketing-john-maron-talks-windows-phone : also is not fan fiction. An presentation of what the desired outcome would be if these OEMs are successful and MS strategy which has been communicated to us pans out is not fan fiction. It is a presentation of the desired outcome of the strategy that is being analyzed. Finally the end of the piece ends with a question which clearly opens the conversation and does not assert that the desired outcome is a forgone conclusion. So though you may disagree with the analysis or you may even feel the outcome may not occur as Microsoft desire, an analysis of an observable reality and a presentation of that reality within the context of Microsoft's strategy does not qualify as fiction. Thanks for joining the conversation. Thanks for participating in the conversation! :-)
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The OEMs that are investing in Windows Mobile aren't exactly giving it their all. It is just a handful of no names throwing Windows on their Android phone. You know they are not pushing those devices as hard as the Android phone they have their own software and features on. Although there technically are some OEMs making Windows phones right now, they are not exactly receiving widespread release and none of them seem to be selling in any mentionable numbers. As you pointed out, the NuAns Kickstarter gives you an idea of what OEMs can expect. Why would they continue making devices next year? Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Microsoft's services and tools for enterprise are very strong, and are deeply rooted in the company cultures. It would take at least 20 years to see that change, and that's assuming quite a lot of **** ups from MS. Some laptops that are currently used in highly mobile and generally simple situations might be changed to smartphones or tablets (the latter being more likely) though; e.g. on-the-spot configuration of various devices. MS is well placed there too. For W10M I don't really see a demand for, a good push in enterprise might change that, but I doubt it.
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I agree with bloobed that loss of corporate would take a long time if it happened, which I hope it doesn't. Thank you bleached for recognizing the real troll. Also thanks to Mr. Ward for commenting--I respect how bravely you engage the community. As for "fan fiction," here's why I stick by my assertion... Your articles remind me so much of the "analysis" provided by sports fans who are trying to demonstrate how their mediocre team can make it to the championship the next year. They call out a handful of facts that support their perspective, and ignore the preponderance of data that might suggest otherwise. Like fiction there can be some truth to it, and it makes people who want to believe really happy. But it's not realistic. It's a type of truthy fiction that fanatics will enjoy. Yours in particular has a certain James Fenimore Cooper flavor. That's not my flavor, so I'll respectfully bow out and leave you to your fans.
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*Fenimore
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Two Things need to change. A) microsoft downright sucks in consumer marketing. B) if continuum is to become a real go to thing, they need to make it really portable. The current Lumia dock is a brick. They need to come up with a cheap and simple wireless technology that will become a standart in all display devices such as tvs and monitors, akin to apple airplay, simply come somewhere, connect to wifi and, find a screen and work. It has to just work. Currently, using a wireless display such as my year old samsung 64' is a laggy joke, not a breakthrough tech. I haven't seen any improvement in Continuum since it came out. Microsoft has the potential to throw any kind of money to make the OS great in a short period of time, but they just suck in their strategy and decision making. They cannot even market the good stuff they already have. They cant even get to market their services amd products globally, see surface and groove music pass in central Europe...
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That wireless technology you described is Miracast and it's a crap show
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WINDOWS PHONE RULES ¡¡¡¡
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It's all Nadella's fault...
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Except for screen size, OEM phones running W10M should be spec'd nothing less than 950 XL in order to experience the full capacity and features of the OS.
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So all should be high end??? I don't think so!
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Next year that will be midrange though.
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Does this guy get paid by the word??
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"Windows 10 Mobile is enduring growing pains"
In what universe is Windows 10 Mobile growing? -
@vhyr The universe where it receives frequent builds, helping it to mature from what it was initially to a more mature OS...growing. ;-)
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To attract pro developers, first of all Ms must stop asking 30% royalties, it s too much with a 1% market share, and it seems kind a sign of not caring about it at all (apple/Google ask less)....
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After four and a half years with Windows Phone I'm done. What did it for me was my 10+ months with my Lumia 950. This phone has had problems from day one, and continues to have issues to this day. Certainly, the phone works, but the glitches get in the way of core functionality. Overall performance also doesn't seem to be quite up to par with the processor in this thing. However, the most frustrating problem of all has been the fact that smartwatch functionality with my Band has never worked reliably. All this is in stark contrast to me 920. That phone was reliable. Touch felt more precise and the OS more responsive than in Windows 10. The tiles also updated more consistently. And I never had a problem with the Band on that phone. The phone was so good that I was able to tolerate the app gap. I had high hopes for the 950. It's been a long gradual letdown with that thing. I should have returned it when I had a chance, but I figured I'd stick it out to see if things improved. The OS did get more stable with the various updates, but the fundamental issues have never been addressed. So at this point I'm basically waiting to see how the iPhone 7 turns out. This is not to say that I think Windows 10 mobile is a lot cause. It isn't, at its core it's still a great OS. It just desparately needs polish and stability. More importantly, the market needs a viable third competitor. I'm just not optimistic about Microsoft pulling it off in a practical time frame.
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Windows Central. I know now why your logo's, buttons and all are pink. You constanly write articles with pink glasses on. It's a bit like those "Charms and no start button is a great evolution!" articles. And we all know how that went. Curious to see how the market changes over the next year now that more OEMs are aboard. Cause non tech users don't care about UWP and all those technical stuff. They want to continue doing stuff like they have always done it, with the apps they have always used before. I know tech people are eager to try new things but most casuals get frustrated by new things.
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@rufflow Please elaborate as to how an analysis of an observable reality that OEMs ARE investing in Windows 10 Mobile and that the analysis of the reasons why they are investing millions in the platform is looking at thing with "pink" glasses. It's seeing the world as it is. They're making the phones. They do have a reason. Rather than a comment that presents no rebuttals to the analysis, a better response would be to look at the points presented, the reasons presented for the investment OEMs are making Windows phones (while also viewing the videos where Acer and HP state their reasons and reading why Alcatel does here : http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-phone-isnt-dead-part-v-alcatels-vp-marketing-john-maron-talks-windows-phone ) and giving a clear rebuttal to the claims. I think the waters are so bitter for many readers that a simple analysis of the strategy that presents what MS is doing with their desired outcomes is immediately rejected by some, for the mere fact that it doesn't echo the emotions of those with a negative perception or the tone of the dime a dozen doom and gloom articles out there. Thanks for participating!
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No only thing I was hinting at is: it is not that because there are products being made that they are being sold or that they have a tremendous increase of intrest in the platform. I develop in Visual Studio, use and configure SharePoint, Exchange, SQL, CRM, Office365 and had an Xbox360. So I like Microsoft products. But Windows Mobile is just so handicapped I cannot recommend it, develop for it or support it. It is a bit like buying a TV. People don't really care about the software/firmware it is running to encode and decode. They just want to the opportunity to watch every program they like at any given time. As long as the app situation is not resolved I don't think producing new hardware is gonna fix the problem. Nor does making things universal with Xbox and Hololens. Sure they are nice new things. But as long they can't entice developers to produce apps, support them, have feature parity and same release sheduele of the competition it is a nogo. No matter if we actually need apps or not. As for the bitter waters... The WIndows Mobile crowd usually posts unreleastic, offensive and unfounded comments of their and other platforms on most websites. They are the most vocal of all mobile users. It's only normal that a lot of bystanders come watch the show while the house is on fire and like to throw some extra fuel. And stuff like that sells, making more "Abandon Ship!" articles everywhere that give the platform and it's users even a more bad name.
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I disagree with the people use phones as their primary Personal Computer. In terms of actual numbers of people who have Android or IOS it's nowhere near the Billions of individual Windows users on actual computers. Or Full OS. Almost all sales for new phones are always upgrades. No new customers. Hence why the market is saturated. I saw an estimate of around 100 million actual unique Android users and less for IOS. As opposed to nearly 2 billion Windows PC users as of July 2016. So I'd hardly say that's phones replacing Desktops. If MS can bring a full OS experience to Phones with Surface Phones then to be honest Abdroid and IOS just can compete. We are already seeing this with the tablet market. Where Surface and other Hybrids are rapidly overtaking Ipad. So much so even the mighty Samsung has built a Galaxy Tab Pro with full Windows 10. The future is not ARM Mobile OS phones. That's a model that will only decline from here on out. And something that will cause Google and Apple headaches, as they are already finding out in the tablet market.
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Of course i hope ms's strategy will pay off. However, of all the people I converted to windows mobile, 40% have moved back to android. Another 40% will switch to android when their phone dies. The remaining 20% will stay with mobile if the current apps they use don't get terminated. So that's an 80% drop in market share. Main reason for the switch is lack of apps. Due to losing these users I'm afraid mobile market share will fall below sustainable minimum, leaving MS no choice but to pull the plug.
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If my 640 dies my next stop will be that BLU/Amazon $60 handset. If Microsoft had lead the charge T-Mobile CEO style against $700 phones they might have had something. It was all me too and coming soon when they really could have disrupted the market.
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I think they eventually intend to get rid of ARM OS. And have x86 full os phones. They are positioned well for this. Others just aren't remotely ready.
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I own a 640 at present. If I plan to buy a new windows phone after say a year or so which phone do I choose? I want a phone that is within my budget. MS has announced that they would not manufacture anymore lumias. We have to totally rely on other companies. I don't see any major mobile company making budget windows phones at least in India. 650 and 640 are not very different in their specs. In some aspects 640 is better than 650. If we consider that the prices of 950 and 950XL fall they would still be phones that are 1.5 years old next year. And if Microsoft brings surface phones I don't see them focusing on older phones like the 650, 950 or XL and who knows they might even stop supporting them.
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This is my fear as well!
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Hats off to the Japanese
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Microsoft needs better marketing and better awareness of what Windows 10 Mobile is and can do. Now that they have retrenched from the mass mobile space, they should market the OS and its partners. Problem is that people don't know, and the usual negative view is because their information is limited. Every time I show people my phone and it's capabilities, they are always impressed. But I know they won't switch because they aren't aware of the support available, as they are aware of other manufacturers. That was way Nokia succeded to an extent, awareness of the brand. Also, iPhone has become a style statement, a representative of status that is associated with Apple/Steve Jobs. If people were aware of Windows 10 Mobile, even if they don't switch, at least they would be informed. Which is something that even caused sales representatives, who themselves didn't understand it, to not recommend Windows.
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I don't care if it is 1% or 99%. I will stay on Windows Mobile. I don't believe in a Surface Phone but will buy one when it arrivés.
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Wow you're a diehard man. I use l950xl everyday but honestly I've already lost faith with the Grandmaster Glitch Nutella and all his useless grimbots. I'm just being realistic with my expectation next year. I think surface phone is just a myth might as well believe a unicorn coming.
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the biggest mystake of Microsoft was lie about the update for every WP8.1 and has no premium phones...
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Actually, it never said which phones would officially get the update. And when it did, it released only a small early list. The Insider program was to test W10M and how it worked on different devices. A decision was made from that - MS never said that by letting some models test it they were guaranteed to get it.
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Sorry, but you are wrong. Microsoft did promise that all phones running WP 8.1 would get W10M. Evidence: https://youtu.be/L2vwjQLAN08
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Yes they did.... They lied many times to developers too, pushing us to invest on a platform they do not to support.
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I have been with WP since the launch of the Lumia 800. I am currently using the L950 as my daily driver and for the most part liking it very much. Just this morning I ordered a Sony Xperia X Performance, not to use as a L950 replacement but rather to start to learn how to use Android to be ready in a full on collapse of W10M.
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The story of microsoft :- Launch of windows 7 mobile- they says its the best mobile os ........... Flop. Launch of windows mobile os 8.0-they said it the smoothest os ever ........ Flop. Launch of windows 8.1 they said its the best os with combination of features and speed................Flop .......END OF NOKIA. Launch of windows 10 mobile - they said its the best they ever windows they ever make............Flop. END OF MICROSOFT MOBILE.
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If the OEMs cannot get Windows mobile rolling there's no way it's going to survive. Windows alone cannot do it. Let's give MS some time (24 months?) to try to get some traction. This year is a wash. 2017 will be important for Windows mobile.
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Windows phone is definitely not dying. There are still many loyal users out there and as long as Microsoft dominates the PC market, it will continue to survive.
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I take that argument with a grain of salt. Here's why: Based on previous "new technologies" that simply don't advance on the tech market, It is plausible to say that not every solution on user experience gets the momentum and user adoption JUST for beign something new. Take for example 3D on home TVs or google glass for augmented reality. The hardest variable to precognize is how people use technology and make it interesting, a trend. More than identifying necessities, it has to do with trends and desires, things that maybe last less time, but move millions of dollars while they do. From that perspective, There's still a lot of potential users who will make good use of what microsoft is offering, but still lacks on generating a new demand, to create an opportunity that generates desire. Like Steve Jobs did with the iphone but It's not an easy task, for sure. However, that doesn't mean microsoft will fail again on the mobile segment. But I think it's more likely to solidify itself on an enterprise level only, maybe becoming "the new blackberry" in the US, and maybe exploiting this perspective on mobile experience worldwide. On the common user end, however, it takes more than just resolving a necessity, making it more pratical, etc. More than often the path of sucess here demands inovation on things that aren't even noticeable, like, mergin pc and mobile.
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Many users? i think thats why microsoft hold 1% share in the market. Haha
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The Microsoft keynote last year for the 950's annoucement tricked me into thinking the Microsoft was finally dealing themselves back into the game. However, quickly did I learn after dropping almost $1,100 on my 9th Windows Mobile device (since 2007) that definitely they were even further from being dealt in than I thought. I've been beyond patient waiting for Microsoft to play catch up on features and specs. I'm exhausted of defending the OS to all the haters from the Android and Apple cults. Waiting for apps to appear years after launching on competitors phones is just gettnig ridiculous. How much longer can I defend this problem by pretending that a 3rd party app is just as good or better so who cares? Personally, I'm officially done with Windows Mobile. I gave it my all and more for way too long now. Waiting for WM 7.0.. then 8.0 to revolutionize everything. It didn't. Then it was supposed to be WM 10. Which just ended up being a buggy pile of poop on my 950 XL that cost me $1,100. I went from bragging to crying since last year and I've never looked more forward to switching over to a new OS than I do right now. I pre-ordered the Galaxy Note 7 and look forward to getting exactly what I am paying for. Maybe things will be different with the "Surface Phone" next year. But that's still a pipe dream in my opinion. Even if Microsoft nails it with a new phone next year it will take years to win some marketshare back.
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A lot more people than I thought came to post negative comments. I wonder if they're in the right site, or own the phone they want. If you don't like Windows phones or don't trust Microsoft's vision it's ok, but do not underestimate them.
There are those among us who see the big picture and beyond the blinding obviousness of small losses. The future is beyond that. Remember back when you killed the Surface? Oh, right, I didn't think so. -
@fdruid, I am concerned about the direction that Windows phones are taking, but I love my HTC One (M8) for Windows. I am running it with Windows 10. There are several important apps that are becoming/have become unavailable on the platform. However, I have looked at the 2 major alternative OS's and find them disappointing - phones are too small, security is questionable (real or imagined, there is a perception). Many of the apps are nonsense, and would never be used by me! So, give me a decent range of serious apps by November (when my contract expires) and I will be all over Win 10 phones again.
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While w10 mobile isn't perfect -or even close at the moment- whenever I use android phones I feel awfully bored it's the same thing everywhere and I can't help but feel that the main reason why most people use it is that it's everywhere and everybody is using it and that never lasts windows was a nice change and I don't regret it.
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People will just use what the majority uses, it's like that. I remember when everyone was using those ugly, clunky Blackberrys.
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A smartphone these days is like an appliance, like your toaster or your washer dryer; you don't expect to be constantly entertained by your washer dryer do you, by staring into the machine? It's supposed to do its job, by launching apps that are relevant to your day to day life, and be reliable in its performance.
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It should be noted that one of the Chinese manufacturers is making 2 Windows smartphones. These are rebadged by Coship,Yamada and Funker. So, what looks like 6 phones is actually only the same two phones.
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Sure it's an investment. But if no more handsets are going to be released people start questioning if It's trust worthy brand because no one else is making there phones. Plus developing countries where Microsoft store is not available these things makes condition worse. A stable build of windows 10 phone should be a priority too. Xbox one and PC ( Surface too) Microsoft is releasing products like every year. But phone is something where 6 months is I guess late but still and you should have at least a mid budget phone since no other manufactures' are there, figures are down as no phones are being released and no one in today's world I suppose will go to buy a year old phone. I am too supporting Lumia since 8.0 and wont give up. App gap will automatically be covered if, like Xbox phone also becomes a priority rather than an investment for past year which we are listening. Like brazil I guess we as windows community should try to file petition to bring new phones maybe that might effect. But something needs to be done. Stable builds, improved camera again as this was something which everyone was shocked of and new headsets. Posted from WC for Windows Phone
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Sataya Nadella sucks. So much money time supporting windows from apps music etc. This whole thing is so upsetting. Waste of my money the guy is making a lot of errors. I don't carry a tablet or computer everywhere I go. I want a genuine windows phone that you will keep supporting to go with my tablet laptop and xbox. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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When Bill Gates left the CEO chair, Microsoft derailed. Compared to Ballmer and especially Nadela, Gates is just genius.
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Sure, I guess. I just pre-ordered that Note 7, and I don't think I'm necessarily going to move off from Samsung Note again. So, that's nice.
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Galaxy Note 7? Good for BBQ, I heard.
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You don't abandon your fan. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Don't want a chineese phone. They have to copy us to make there phones. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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To answer the main question as to why use Windows Phone is just wait.
Wait while Microsoft itself doesn't believe in it's product, doesn't advertise it, released competitors versions first and gives some random excuse.
Firing almost all of Nokia employees.
Waiting to educate the public
Waiting for the public to become smarter and realize who's the better choice, yeah, when did that ever work? While you're doing that your competitors Can and will copy you and you will lose any small advantage you have Pokémon go was the last straw
My next phone will never be Microsoft's OS, I'll switch to android. Windows Mobile is going no where -
"If in 2006 someone had told us that in less than a decade a seismic shift would occur in personal computing where phones would dominate our social interactions, we may have scorned that person for such a preposterous prediction. " I did present that not as a prediction but as a forecast of things to come in 2005. It was actually well received. And don't make the mistake to think that nobody saw this coming. Apple saw it, Google saw it. Microsoft saw it coming but not by storm, not so fast and not from the iPhone. In fact they thought they had the time, that Windows 6 Mobile was enough or at least on the right track.
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Microsoft CEO Steve nedela caused Nokia to be sold and is a failure with Windows Mobile and should therefore be fired I'm calling for Steve to be fired.
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Satya
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Yeah he should be named Steve Nutella for his fuckingly love of Apple.
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Asians are the best at designing phones, I swear. All the Asian phones on this list were beautiful and so are all of HTC's phones. Posted via the Windows Central App for Symbian
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Right. Ben Avery, Hannes Harms and Mathias Hintermann are among the best Asians then. They designed HTC 10.
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Microsoft fired all Nokia employees and sold the phone division ot manufacturing rights to someone else. Windows Mobile is DEAD.
Sorry.
R.I.P -
Another problem from the last one I pointed out in the last fairly tale for windows mobile.... The MAIN issue here is the perception... People perceive windows as work related tool... So they won't allow work to interfere with their normal lives.... And this can not change any time soon.... Who told you that people wanna do on their phones what they do on PCs???
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It's not so much do on their phones what they do on pc. It's that for every app there's a fair better legacy software that does the same but much better and more features. Apps were purely introduced to mobile because mobile at the time could not run legacy software. A phone running full windows 10 with the ability to run any software from the last 20 years computing is so much better than ARM OS. I even have an android emulator for windows 10, that allows me to play Pokemon Go on my Surface.
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I will go back to windows mobile when continuum supports win32 apps, then it will be a killer device. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Like many here I've been riding the Microsoft train since the W7 launch. I've really enjoyed the progression (even if it was a bit slow). I recently switched to tmobile so I can use a much wider verity of windows phones but I'm not sure anything really interest me. Maybe I'll keep my eye out for a Lumia 950xl.
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Microsoft needs to make an Android Phone that supports UWP. Simple as that (well not that simple but...) Seriously, they have to come up with their own Android Launcher and phone that somehow supports UWP through their own store but at the same time supports the Play Store. That's the only hope they have if they still want to stay relevant in this Android/iPhone market.
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Or they could, in partnership with one of the Android OEMs, develop an open source component all OEMs (and perhaps users if possible) could use to enable UWP on Android.
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Until Google would kindly ask OEM to stop kidding if they want to keep earning with the Android.
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Iwant a Windows 10 phone under 5 inches, plenty of memory, storage, fast and reliable. Don't care about how many apps are available. There isn't one yet.
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Microsoft needs to bring back the app they have to use Android apps on Windows phones. Then everything will be okie dokie.
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Nope. Then they will be 0wn3d by Google.
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Imagine, a phone, a hard at the office. Going Home to relax, placing the phone in a dock, (or cable, Quick charge etc) pick up a pad
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Thank you, a good read.
Persevere. Don't be part if the problem. -
I'd buy a windows phone -- wait, I'm typing on a windows powered machine right now!
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I'd totally buy a Surface phone
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Kudos to Windows Central team for the article with the list of Windows Mobile from OEMs. Windows Mobile usability needs to on the following points. Stability, make productivity features (like Continuum, Windows Hello, etc.) a part of every Windows Mobile. The features like Continuum may not be possible to include in every phone (low-end to high-end) but if somehow included (ignoring the price margin) will help the Windows Mobile to gain momentum & wide spread usage among enterprises. Also, the phones should have a premium look. The Lumia 650 looks gorgeous with the metalic finish than the high-end Lumia 950. HP is come with a great looking device. More OEM's will follow the suite.
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Hey guys. I am a big Windows phone/mobile fan and hope this system succeedes especialy with continuum. But reading this artical I once again saw this picture of all the windows 10 platform formfactors. We hav the Raspbery Pi thing, the xbox, phones, laptops, 2-in1's, the HUB, and then I keep seing this wonderfull teasing device. That big phone small tablett (probably a 7") with pen. I would love to have a mini-surface, a note taking device. Maybee a 7" battery pack, with a QHD screen and a built in slit for the pen (all surface unites should have had a slit for the pen to carry it internali) and usb type-C. Using it as a external batterypack charging you phone will using continuum, giving you a bigger screen for OneNote note taking (this would bee amazing in meetings)...throw in a usb port and I would pay a lot for it, like surface pro a lot.
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I do understand what their vision is with Continuum and all of their work on UWP; however, my one concern is this, and it's a vaild concern. When will MS consider that it's not profitable enough to continue development of the mobile/IoT platform? They've made that decision many times in the past and discontinued products due to lack of consumer interest. The one product that I seriously got burned on was the Home Server, because I bought one just months before they announced that it would be discontinued, but to see the marketing, you would have thought that they were pushing this as the next big thing, and it was a great product with lots of potential, but due to lack of demand, they canceled development leaving everyone, who supported and bought into the technology, hanging.
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Jason do you actually use a windows phone? We are now 9 months after its release and it is still a working progress. I think the fact that there are OEMs building devices is the same as there are fans. They thought MS would deliver, but MS have not. Like the fans the OEMs are being shafted by a company that cannot deliver what they promise. The universal apps are a great idea but we read about these years ago, and only now are we seeing it. But do they have the developers on board, No.
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Microsoft vice presidents are using iPhones. You know, Scott Guthrie and others. But let's pretend we haven't seen it.
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I think we really just need a solid flagship from microsoft that doesn't look like a toy. Maybe an aluminum build with middle to high quality specs to get more interest from a broader consumber base. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
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Nope. HTC One M8, remember? HTC made great phone for Windows. Or, let's better say, allowed to install Windows on the best phone at the time. It didn't work.
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Honestly Microsoft needs a simple if not simply quick solution to get as many apps on the platform as possible. Without them no matter what hardware there is Windows Phone isn't going to sell and that includes the fantasy surface phone
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Instead of that they are in the process of purging the apps from the market. I think that's hilarious.
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I will buy a windows phone only when it runs a full windows already.
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So Microsoft is trying to entice people with the idea of your phone having the option of a desktop experience? You can already do this with a Android and iOS. In fact all of my Android phones had this ability for years...........but my recent Windows 10 phone LACKS the capability to do this. This whole Desktop experience with small devices is ALWAYS very limited in terms of performance and will cost several hundred in terms of stupid accessories like special $300-$400 hubs.........still very limited compared to an actual desktop PC where you can actually expand memory, mount and install whatever you wish, support multiple displays etc. And very likely the architecture inside the phones will limit stuff you can install like Windows RT did. And Windows 10 phone app market offers zero Google apps, nothing. And browsers don't even support Google web apps.
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As a WP fan I loved the article. The hardware industry is apparently anticipating, Unfortunately the software industry isn't. I assume it's because of the short term view. After all, a WP (or Universal) version can be developed in months as soon as the user base is getting interesting. This means that the same "appgap catch-22" applies for WP and universal apps, no matter how much hardware is on the shelves.
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A very well thought out and intelligently written article. Thanks, Jason.
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During the last 2 months the number of applications in Windows Market greatly declined. Because developers who initially invested into the Windows Phone market don't want to waste their time anymore and earning money with Android. They don't even maintain their existing apps. I was reading through the article, knowing that I am about to laugh when author will name these "OEMs" who "invest" into Windows Phone. And how right I was. Consumer Electronic Retail Chain. Like Tesco, just a bit smaller. That's the new frontier for Microsoft. And some outsiders, who are trying all markets like they are playing lottery. In my "stage of grief" I have reached the "acceptance" stage almost a year ago, but seems like there are still people whose denial is better to be paid. Because if it's free, it's just... Well, you know, not smart.