I don't like Microsoft nor Windows so I won't use them no matter how good the product. I will say some friends of the family all use Windows phones and they seem quite nice smooth, fast and decent quality to boot.
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Mobile OSs Why do people dislike Windows Phone?
- Thread starter albertfallickwa
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Tried it, ditched it. Lack of apps being the main reason. I think it does have a future with Windows 10 being around the corner, but personally I'm perfectly happy with my iPhone and its iCloud services, apps and design.
I'm less confident that windows phone has a future. I really do question Microsoft's dedication to the platform. While I understand the recent moves (follow where the money is), providing their apps and services to both Android and iOS removes the few things that made windows phones special.
With the ability to run android apps on the windows phone will have a negative affect on the platform - developers will not be motivated to develop native apps.
Finally, I think with the new CEO running the show, he's shown that MS is (mostly) a software/services company and the phone handset business does not fit this.
I have a Lumia 830, its a nice phone, I had an earlier build of windows 10 on it, but it was too early, very unstable so I rolled it back. I like what it had to offer, but I do think the hand writing is on the wall for windows phones.
The app gap is a real issue, and people don't want to lose their favorite apps for a new platform.
Then there is the brand of Windows itself, which puts off a lot of people because 90% of the time all their bad computing experiences are probably tied to a Windows product.
Then there is the brand of Windows itself, which puts off a lot of people because 90% of the time all their bad computing experiences are probably tied to a Windows product.
Developers are already not motivated to develop native apps, but now that Microsoft is making it way easier they could change their minds I believe. It depends on how the port from Android or iOS will be quality-wise, but I thought it would be good. And they could have those apps running across not only smartphones running Windows, but also every other Windows device. Seems like its worth the effort to me.
Only time will tell of course, but with Windows being the most populair desktop OS and Windows 10 running seamlessly across all Windows devices, it might just gain enough momentum to gain some popularity again.
There is absolutely no reason to port an android app, so I highly doubt that developers will take the time and energy when it works. The same exact thing happened to IBM, they allowed windows apps to run natively in OS/2 back in the day. What little development that occurred in that platform dried up.
iOS is a different matter, they have some cool porting tools and that could be a game changer, it would have been more so if MS didn't have the ability to run android in windows 10
iOS is a different matter, they have some cool porting tools and that could be a game changer, it would have been more so if MS didn't have the ability to run android in windows 10
I don't know, I kind of like their strategy. Entice a lot of users to use WP because now they can have their android/ios apps on WP. I'm sure developers will track what devices their app goes on and if they see a significant portion going to WP they may just be tempted to build a native version. Don't forget the unification of all windows platforms for developing, so that native app the dev makes will be good for tablets, and for the full desktop. This will carry over well with continuum because who wants an ios or android app blown up on their desktop? I sure as hell don't. But a native WP app will scale and change properly to work on a desktop, and scale back down to a tablet, then a phone.
If anything this illustrates the primitiveness of ios/android apps, much more so ios though. Once you blow them up onto a 24" monitor with a keyboard and mouse, well then what the hell do you do with that app?
But it's all a numbers game and MS will still make money off of the OS license itself, just as they have for a long time. Once they have the numbers I'll bet they will differentiate the WP version of Office, OneDrive, Skype, etc all the great platforms MS has, to make them an advantage to have on WP. MS still has the desktop market, they are just trying to break into the mobile space late in the game.
Lastly don't count out a surface phone, I'll bet that would be a huge hit. There HAS to be one under development, MS can't be that blind.
For me it is apps
The OS seems well enough, kind of a mix between iOS and android. Feels more efficient than android, but not as restrictive as iOS. Could be a very happy medium, but the app problem has kept me from really getting to know the platform. The lack of google services, which is google's fault and intentional, is a problem for me.
The OS seems well enough, kind of a mix between iOS and android. Feels more efficient than android, but not as restrictive as iOS. Could be a very happy medium, but the app problem has kept me from really getting to know the platform. The lack of google services, which is google's fault and intentional, is a problem for me.
Lack of apps, that's pretty much all I don't like about it. Seems fine and fresh and funky to me otherwise. They offer nice hardware.
What apps are missing?
I know many people state it is the lack of apps. But what are the apps that you use that you can't find in the Windows app store?
I realize that both iOS and Android have a boatload of apps. But I don't care about the boatload, I only care about the ten or so apps I actually use.
My guess is that there are probably fewer than 100 apps that 98% of people use. It seems it would be pretty simple for Microsoft to subsidize the development of these 100 or so apps.
I don't hate it. I actually loved the Metro UI since the Zune HD as far back as 2009! Just the apps. It either lacks them or the WP version is noticeably worse. Try using Viber, MXPlayer, and the Netflix app. Worse versions compared to the Android and iOS versions. And there is Candy Crush Saga but no Soda? No Plants vs Zombies 2 on WP but they charge PvZ 1 when there is a free version on Android? No SwiftKey either.
But I do agree with you on one thing, that Nokia Lumia 635 had AMAZING battery life for a little device with "4.5/480p/1840 mAh. It outlasted almost every smartphone I had except a few including most iPhones and overpriced flagship phones. Snapdragon 400 was a popular and low consumption SoC that I really liked. I eventually got the LG G3 Beat with "5/720p/2540 mAh because I needed Android for my gesture swipes, Nova Launcher Prime, TubeMate, and several other functions not found on WP. We lost the Lumia 635 a couple weeks ago from a snatcher, and my gf really misses that phone for the battery and loud speaker. Maybe I will buy two of them when I return to US or get the 640 instead because the 635 lacked a good camera, had no flash, no selfie cam, and only 512 MB RAM.
If it came down to sub-$100 segment for just BASIC smartphone needs, I think WP offers more value than several laggy budget-friendly Androids in that range. Smoother and more cohesive experience where everyone can get updates at the same time unlike the fragmentation of Android. But in the $150-$250 (mid-level) which is my sweet spot at buying smartphones and paying anything higher than $300-$400 is overdoing it, I think there are several better options on Android.
I was checking the reviews of the HTC One mini 2 and I would have loved to get that if I never got the G3 Beat. But my choice was better for me because the cam and battery is a little better and the latter is removable. Plus the selfie cam with word commands and hand fist gesture is more fun to use and One mini 2 lacks double tap to wake. But One mini 2 is better than Sony Xperia M2 which lacks an HD screen.
Acer Liquid E600
ASUS Zenfone 2 & 5
BLU Studio Energy (5000 mAh)
Huawei Honor 4C & 4X
Huawei Ascend Mate 2 (3900 mAh)
LG G3 S (aka Beat, Vigor)
Motorola Moto G 4G
Xiaomi Redmi 2
Too many good sub-$200 Android smartphones out there. I can even get a Sony Xperia M2 which retails for $250 and get it second hand with LIKE NEW conditions for half price in my country's Craigslist called OLX. There are even local brands (generally rebranded Indian phones made in China) that offers a digital TV tuner and Lollipop. The Starmobile Up Max was announced here with DTV, Lollipop, and thinnest profile for a 5000 mAh on a "5 display. It sounds too good to be true priced at under $170 since I don't personally trust local brands, MediaTek, and Lollipop's known battery drain.
For under $100, WP.
For mid-level, Android esp from the Chinese.
For premiuim, Apple or Samsung.
I always shake my head when an Apple fanatic complains about Microsoft's business practices.
Hypocrisy at its highest.
Plenty are missing, games for one. I'm happy you have a few apps that you like, for me I would be thinking why am I missing out here???
Last night, I was downloading more The Three Stooges episodes which included one with a young Lucille Ball. I also had to see the rack on Alexandra Daddario again in True Detective after not realizing she was on that new San Andreas movie I recently enjoyed for the spectacular action scenes and visuals. Her bra's elasticity, Android's elasticity, and IMDb is all the reminder I needed on why I feel Android is still superior to Windows Phone. Now WP has apps like MetroTube to save files but it doesn't work as well as TubeMate which can get videos from non-YouTube sites like DailyMotion.
If I am NOT downloading videos using TubeMate to store into my hard drive, I am using Opera Mini. We have this prepaid promo deal in my network which offers 30 MB internet data for less than 25 US cents for one day. Now 30 MB is pretty much laughable but it can actually last a good 4-6 hours just browsing for me (no video streaming) using Opera Mini's compression where I save as much as 75% or more in data. So if I used 120+ MB in a default browser, I probably can hit the same data usage on Opera Mini using only 30 MB.
Opera Mini has its flaws and sometimes can't open certain sites as well but it can really be a data saver and faster on slower connections...
I like Windows 8 more on desktop than mobile. More specific apps are needed on mobile. On desktop, not really. I actually love my ASUS Windows 8.1 tablet if it wasn't for the overnight battery drain even with all live tiles OFF. This is why I cooled off with the Zenfones because of Intel. I returned to Windows Phone after a 3-year hiatus. I saw very little growth in its app market. And I might have BAD LUCK with WP. Twice I owned a WP and twice it got stolen from me within 3-5 months. Maybe WP isn't for me based on luck since I never lost an Android or iPhone like that.
I might stick to midrange priced "5/720p Androids for the rest of my life. I don't really game on my phone, so I don't really need that much GPU horsepower. I don't really need a large phablet with QHD since all my videos saved are 720p or below. I can actually see myself using my LG G3 Beat for TEN YEARS replacing its battery every 3+ years and swapping 64 GB memory cards in it. Decent cam, good sound, nice screen, good ergonomics/size, very good battery life, and enough storage. For most casual folks, that's all most people really need from a phone. I can see myself going back using Windows Phone but only as a cheap backup and I do LOVE Nokia that much for their good hardware at an affordable cost. I prefer if Nokia devoted themselves more to Android as they can hold their own vs the Asian OEM's but that's another story. Plus it is hard to support a mobile platform when less than 5% of the smartphone world is on it. Like 1 person out of 20 MIGHT own a WP.
If I am NOT downloading videos using TubeMate to store into my hard drive, I am using Opera Mini. We have this prepaid promo deal in my network which offers 30 MB internet data for less than 25 US cents for one day. Now 30 MB is pretty much laughable but it can actually last a good 4-6 hours just browsing for me (no video streaming) using Opera Mini's compression where I save as much as 75% or more in data. So if I used 120+ MB in a default browser, I probably can hit the same data usage on Opera Mini using only 30 MB.
Opera Mini has its flaws and sometimes can't open certain sites as well but it can really be a data saver and faster on slower connections...
I like Windows 8 more on desktop than mobile. More specific apps are needed on mobile. On desktop, not really. I actually love my ASUS Windows 8.1 tablet if it wasn't for the overnight battery drain even with all live tiles OFF. This is why I cooled off with the Zenfones because of Intel. I returned to Windows Phone after a 3-year hiatus. I saw very little growth in its app market. And I might have BAD LUCK with WP. Twice I owned a WP and twice it got stolen from me within 3-5 months. Maybe WP isn't for me based on luck since I never lost an Android or iPhone like that.
I might stick to midrange priced "5/720p Androids for the rest of my life. I don't really game on my phone, so I don't really need that much GPU horsepower. I don't really need a large phablet with QHD since all my videos saved are 720p or below. I can actually see myself using my LG G3 Beat for TEN YEARS replacing its battery every 3+ years and swapping 64 GB memory cards in it. Decent cam, good sound, nice screen, good ergonomics/size, very good battery life, and enough storage. For most casual folks, that's all most people really need from a phone. I can see myself going back using Windows Phone but only as a cheap backup and I do LOVE Nokia that much for their good hardware at an affordable cost. I prefer if Nokia devoted themselves more to Android as they can hold their own vs the Asian OEM's but that's another story. Plus it is hard to support a mobile platform when less than 5% of the smartphone world is on it. Like 1 person out of 20 MIGHT own a WP.
I spent a lot of time on a Lumia, setting everything up for my mum and helping her with issues. She actually likes Windows Phone a lot more than Android and I have to agree that Windows Phone provides a much better user experience for inexperienced users. The tile screen is simple, there is an app list a swipe away and a notification tray with quick toggles. You don’t have to worry about power management or closing apps anymore. In short, Windows Phone has pretty much the same sophistication as iOS.
However, I also noticed that the platform has many shortcomings. Ecosystem is vital, considering that you spend good money on a decent smartphone that you intend to keep for two years or more. Too often my mum complains about lack of apps or features. WhatsApp, for instance, does not support the call feature she loved to use on her Android device. Banking apps, shopping apps, travel apps – many of them are missing. Like on BlackBerry you will often have to resort to ‘fourth’ party apps to get access to your favourite services and I find the business ethics of many of these appalling. Some are filled to the brim with ads, some are very buggy, some are even downright misleading in that they charge you for barely working apps and some look so shabby that you think they are malware. You are constantly on your guard.
I also thought that Windows Phone lacks in many areas in which iOS and Android have simply matured a lot more. Decent mail, calendar and contacts apps, for instance. They are barebones on Windows Phone, which is particularly sad for a company like Microsoft. All of these apps are rigid and have almost no settings. For instance, on importing my mum’s contacts, all custom labels for contacts were discarded and replaced with meaningless ‘mobile 1’, ‘mobile 2’ labels. There were plenty of areas where I scratched my head and thought: how can it not have this?! Finally, I dislike the UI. It looks really confusing in many places, especially when menus are stacked horizontally and the clumsy, big titles are capped on the right side. There are many occasions were you completely overlook a link to additional settings as well, because the UI is so heavily text-based with almost no icons. The live tiles are also very bland and can’t be individually changed to make them more distinctive. The UI is just not thought through in many places.
However, I also noticed that the platform has many shortcomings. Ecosystem is vital, considering that you spend good money on a decent smartphone that you intend to keep for two years or more. Too often my mum complains about lack of apps or features. WhatsApp, for instance, does not support the call feature she loved to use on her Android device. Banking apps, shopping apps, travel apps – many of them are missing. Like on BlackBerry you will often have to resort to ‘fourth’ party apps to get access to your favourite services and I find the business ethics of many of these appalling. Some are filled to the brim with ads, some are very buggy, some are even downright misleading in that they charge you for barely working apps and some look so shabby that you think they are malware. You are constantly on your guard.
I also thought that Windows Phone lacks in many areas in which iOS and Android have simply matured a lot more. Decent mail, calendar and contacts apps, for instance. They are barebones on Windows Phone, which is particularly sad for a company like Microsoft. All of these apps are rigid and have almost no settings. For instance, on importing my mum’s contacts, all custom labels for contacts were discarded and replaced with meaningless ‘mobile 1’, ‘mobile 2’ labels. There were plenty of areas where I scratched my head and thought: how can it not have this?! Finally, I dislike the UI. It looks really confusing in many places, especially when menus are stacked horizontally and the clumsy, big titles are capped on the right side. There are many occasions were you completely overlook a link to additional settings as well, because the UI is so heavily text-based with almost no icons. The live tiles are also very bland and can’t be individually changed to make them more distinctive. The UI is just not thought through in many places.
I hear you and you certainly do have a point. I would miss google services mostly, I'm not sure if the third party workarounds would work for me, I haven't tried to be honest.
This is also my story. Except without the Surface Pro 3. I liked OS X better than Windows 7, there's no way in heck i'm using a half-baked tablet like a Surface Pro 3.
Well just in my case - daily apps on iOS & android
Google voice,
Google maps,
Google keep
Google Play Music
Google Photos
Google Play Newstand
Google Play Books
Hangouts
YouTube
Google drive
Adverts.ie
SuperValu Shopping
Permanent TSB
My Vodafone
ESB e-car connect
There just ones I use often on my other devices. Whilst there are third party alternatives to a couple, they are not of as good quality and often miss key features. Likewise for many there is no alternative meaning I end up having to carry one of my other devices anyway.
Google seemingly detests Windows phone. Chances of them being on the platform soon is slim.
Honestly, I feel pretty similarly here. I haven't had any real problem with the majority of the apps: Netflix and Hulu work fine, At-Bat feels normal to me, the Roku app works great, and the Calendar/Contact support is actually better than on Android/IOS, because you have access to iCloud and Google without workarounds. The integration of facebook into the people hub is also terrific.
I also don't use snapchat, tinder, etc, which have third-party apps that work fine.
The key is really shifting to Spotify or XBOX music, and using say, Amazon to buy movies instead of iTunes or Google Play. It's probably easier for me because most of the things I use I either stream or buy for one-time use. If you've loaded a ton of music or movies to the cloud and don't want to pay for a streaming service, it's a bigger challenge.
WP Store does have much more apps from the actual vendor compared to last year. At the moment, there are still too many client apps, and most client apps suck. But it's good to see WP Store progressing, hopefully at a faster pace when 10 releases.
I am heavily considering the Lumia 640 for my next WP or maybe go back and get another 635 because the height is just about right for me. For any decent backup phone, it should have removable battery and micro-sd slot. Not pay service fees to keep around a cheap secondary. This is why I lost interest in the Motorola Moto E (2nd gen) so easily even if it seems like a great Android budget phone.
Budget phones is perfect for the Windows Phone OS though while midrangers is better for Android. I see lag and stuttering animation across every mobile OS including iPhones, LG, Samsung, and HTC. My LG G3 Beat stutters animation from time to time and has same SoC as my 635. That Nokia could easily be a Top 3 favorite phone ever for me if it wasn't for the RAM and lack of selfie cam, flash, and apps. But with budget WP, animation stutter isn't quite as evident like on iPhone 6 Plus. WP can really hide the lag. It might open the app slower and might hang sometimes but it doesn't show the micro-lag and animation stutter quite as evident as almost every Android out there across all price ranges or even on overpriced iPhones. I think WP is more fluid and smoother than the now bloated iOS if the specs are good enough.
If it could help get more apps, WP could easily be my primary mobile OS to use RIGHT NOW. I love the Nokia hardware for it and for the price. But the dealbreaker is usually the apps and lack of real customization and flexibility from WP.
No apps.
It's an iOS first world.
Android gets it when they finish the iOS app.
Windows is not even considered because of those two due to time. But the time they finish up the Android app, they need to get back to adding features and working out bugs in the iOS app.
Don't count on Windows phones being around much longer.
It's an iOS first world.
Android gets it when they finish the iOS app.
Windows is not even considered because of those two due to time. But the time they finish up the Android app, they need to get back to adding features and working out bugs in the iOS app.
Don't count on Windows phones being around much longer.
This sums up my view, though I feel the same way about Apple and Google as well. I barely tolerate Android, and only with a custom ROM.
I have given Windows phone many chances but there are just too many issues I have with it. WP may have 500k apps, but most of these are absolutely horrible. 3rd party apps ranging from useless to decent. And 1st party apps are either non existent, half baked or haven't been updated in ages.
When a new app comes out or someone tells you about one, guess what? If you have WP there's a very good chance you're not getting it. And your average 15 year old or soccer mom isn't going to want to bother with work arounds or 3rd party apps.
This platform has always been about waiting since day one.
"Devs are waiting for 7.5"
"They're gonna wait for W.P 8 before they do anything"
"More apps will come with 8.1."
"Things will get better with WP 10, there will be lots more apps then"
The newest flagship is well over a year old.
For me and most other people, there's just too many compromises and many are sick and tired of "Waiting"
Meanwhile, in this same timeframe, Google has gone from Android 2.3 to 5.1, and iOS from 4 all the way to 8.3 and both have improved exponentially compared to WP. WP has come a VERY long way and is vastly improved, but the changes are less drastic compared to it's competitors.
That coupled with the lack of any new flagships (I know, WP10, more waiting) is why people dislike windows phone.
When a new app comes out or someone tells you about one, guess what? If you have WP there's a very good chance you're not getting it. And your average 15 year old or soccer mom isn't going to want to bother with work arounds or 3rd party apps.
This platform has always been about waiting since day one.
"Devs are waiting for 7.5"
"They're gonna wait for W.P 8 before they do anything"
"More apps will come with 8.1."
"Things will get better with WP 10, there will be lots more apps then"
The newest flagship is well over a year old.
For me and most other people, there's just too many compromises and many are sick and tired of "Waiting"
Meanwhile, in this same timeframe, Google has gone from Android 2.3 to 5.1, and iOS from 4 all the way to 8.3 and both have improved exponentially compared to WP. WP has come a VERY long way and is vastly improved, but the changes are less drastic compared to it's competitors.
That coupled with the lack of any new flagships (I know, WP10, more waiting) is why people dislike windows phone.
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