We’ve tried our best to ignore it, but right now Windows Phone 7 is getting a bashing. Fellow Microsoft MVP’s James Kendrick and Matt Miller have already written some high-profile articles off the back of disappointment from LG. Matt quite rightly points out the lack of sales information too. Until now we’ve only had news on how many phones have sold to networks, not to actual customers. James also referenced the LG story quite a bit but I’d have to agree with Matt and not take this as a sign of complete failure.
Paul Thurrott news editor at Windows IT Pro author of “Windows Phone Secrets”, has now also started to chip in with concerns, suggesting that perhaps Windows Phone isn’t being pushed hard enough in this recent blog post.
It’s definitely a hard one to judge. The handsets work well, the interface is good and apps are arriving in the Marketplace regularly. When we reviewed the new OS it was so much better than Windows Mobile 6.5 and had stacks of improvements over the ageing, stuck-together-with-glue predecessor. It also paved the way for updates to be rolled out automatically and without barriers from networks. If something is broke, Microsoft can fix it. If something needs improving, it will improve. An update is expected any day now which will add the copy and paste functionality and Microsoft have indicated to us many times that they’re in this for the long-haul.
Mobile World Congress will be a good indicator on how well the all-new OS is doing. In 2010 the event seemed to be dominated by Google Android. Will 2011 see Microsoft elbowing their way into the limelight with more Windows Phone 7 handsets and perhaps a look at their new updates? Or will Windows Phone continue to get fairly mild, often negative news articles?
So what’s wrong? Why does bad press seem to plague an OS which, at the end of the day, isn’t at all bad? Put simply Microsoft and Windows Mobile got labelled. Windows Mobile was left far too long to stew and Microsoft lost a lot of existing and potential new customers as the previous OS remained largely unchanged. The hill Microsoft had to climb with Windows Phone 7 became a mountain, and regaining that trust, interest and excitement is going to take some time yet, no matter how good the product.
Links – ZDNet (James Kendrick) – Matt Miller – Windows Phone Secrets
Give me USB and WiFi tethering and I’ll be even happier with my HD7
I recently switched from Android to Windows Phone 7 (mainly because Orange were essentially giving away the HTC Mozart compared to £150 upgrade for the Desire HD) and so far I’m loving it! Personally it feel its a much more polished experience than Android is at the moment. As a techie I might start missing the development possibilities you have with Android down the line – but hey, I can always switch back in 18 months!
I am aware that there was also some backlash in some PC Pro / Advisor Magazines about the phones as well. The other obstacle that M$ need to do is convince people that have probably invested in APPS is “what makes their phone & OS better and positive reasons to move”?
For me, iPhone and all the Apps I have do what I want it to do. Android users may feel the same. I think its poor that M$ have not announced just how many hand sets have been sold! I do not think its right to slate the product unless you have used it. I was lucky enough to play with one of these, and it seems good, but I have no real justification to move off my current platform. Sorry.
WP7 isn’t exciting for phone makers. They cannot do anything with it, like they can Android.
Is there also a market for it? Why would I go the WP7 route when iPhone (locked in) and Android (technical) offer me much, much more apps?
I am with Pete on this one – I switched from an iphone 4 to WP7 and I love it. But, where is tom tom for WP7, or memory map (ordnance survey based gps app), and where oh where is the update?
I find I use my WP7 phone less as a toy (as I did my iphone 4), and more of a communication device, because the information driven metro interface is a joy to use. I just hope that this os is not left to fester as they did with WP6.
Great comments on this guys. 🙂
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Leigh Geary (Gears)
http://www.coolsmartphone.com
I dont understand all the negativity towards WP7. I switched from Android to WP7 and dont regret the choice one bit. I have everything i need from my new phone and i like the fact its different.
To me it seems that people either jump on the moaning bandwagon or its blinkered fan bois showing misguided loyalty to a big corporate who treat them as a cash cow. People need to understand the fact that all companies see you as a cash cow and you should choose a phone that meets your needs.
I wanted WP7, but I also wanted it on a specific handset (HD7). However, with the HTC devices all involved in network exclusives it meant I couldn’t get the device – O2 signal bad at home and tariffs not particularly affordable, presumably due to no competition.
So what did I do? Upgraded to the Desire HD on my current network. I really wanted to move to WP7, and I really love the look of it. But there was to much compromise required. They need to ensure that there is enough choice for consumers, as well as give it extra push. I really want it succeed, so that come my next upgrade, perhaps I can move over.
I becoming disapointed in the mostly negative adds/ articles I see on this site about Windows Phone 7, I used to love this site – WP7 just rocks, and when the updates start rolling out it will be ALL that and more… It will succeed, Sales are Up, Apps are growing in the market place and rapid pace, the developer tools are GOOD, and likely in the updates to come to get Better.. Sure I can understand why someone might hold off the move due to app investment, was in the same boat with WP65, sometimes a reset is Good, just like cars, they eventually devalue. Anyway this is america, you have a right to choose, there will be a place for WP7 – I predict that the big Smartphone OS’s of the future will be WP7, iOS and Droid, probably in that order 😉 (Kiddding). If you surf wmpoweruser.com and compare the articles with coolsmartphone.com regarding WP its too negagive here, and more balanced there! Just my feedback!!!
I agree with you! I used to be an avid follower of this site but over the last 18 months coolsmartphone.com have become very biased towards android so any article related to WP7 comes across slightly negative. All these doom and gloom articles on WP7 are really over exaggerated.
The biggest joke is how LG have been disappointed with WP7 sales when in fact it’s because of their ugly 80’s looking handset! While both HTC and Samsung have had success with their devices!
I think WP7 looks great and would be a perfect solution for many people. But the reason I stick to Android is the perfect Gmail and Calendar integration. Exchange support just isn’t the same thing as a fully featured native client.