Windows Phone is Microsoft's response to the Apple iPhone, exec tells NY Times
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According to the NY Times, when the Apple iPhone became a hot item, Microsoft executives realized that its software at the time, Windows Mobile, could not compete. In December 2008, a meeting was called by the head of mobile engineering for Windows and the decision was made to toss Windows Mobile and start from the ground up with something new.
In designing a new mobile OS, Microsoft made a decision to balance Apple's highly controlled system and the open source Android system. To eliminate the fragmentation that many have criticized Android for, Microsoft set strict specifications for handset makers who wanted to manufacture Windows Phone models. Early versions of the software had to be revised to get the thumbs up from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
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The Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia 900 |
Microsoft executives knew that entering market late would present special challenges and the hope for the Redmond crew is that with the coming wave of Windows Phone powered Nokia smartphones coming to American soil, things will start to improve for Windows Phone. But even U.S. carriers don't expect a miracle. AT&T executives are still cautious even though the carrier is combining with Nokia and Microsoft on a $100 million ad campaign to push the flagship Nokia Lumia 900, a model that will be displayed at CES this coming week.
source: NYTimes via AppleInsider
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31 Comments
1. drahmad posted on 08 Jan 2012, 13:01 6 8
i ave read the actual story on Ny times already. it was seeming like the writer was favouring apple.... e said almost noting positive above wp
3. Bluesky02 posted on 08 Jan 2012, 13:30 0 0
Yes they came late and they are not rushing which is good. The only downside is that competitors is gaining share, but better be later than never. Some people may not like the strict hardware restriction Microsoft has put. But I totally find it good. During an interview at Industrygamers a videogame developer said one of the reason that the iPhone games are better optimize and release first is because the iPhone is only one Phone with same spec and the iOS is fully optimize for the iPhone.
It is same comparison with console and pc. Where console games run with one hardware spec. Whereas pc game run with different processors, different graphics, ram, etc. Similar situation for Android and iPhone. But if you look at what Microsoft has done, most Windows Phones have practically same hardware even with different manufacturers. The noticeable difference is usually the screen. So its seems true Microsoft look a lesson from both Apple and Android.
4. bossmt_2 posted on 08 Jan 2012, 13:36 3 0
I think Windows phone is pretty cool. I'm sticking with ANdroid for at least a year since I just got the Nexus recently. but I can see why a lot of people would like Windows it's pretty simple but also complex.
5. rd_nest posted on 08 Jan 2012, 13:43 9 2
I thought it was a response to the Samsung refrigerator!!
damn, i was so wrong..
27. RazaAsad posted on 09 Jan 2012, 02:18 2 0
I like Nokia with WP and gonna buy 900 if meets my expectations but one thumb up for the funny comment :)
6. christianqwerty posted on 08 Jan 2012, 13:43 6 0
Moving from wp7 to an iPhone, I can say that wp7 is right on par with iPhone with smoothness and virtually no lag. But wp7 is so boring. iPhone is boring too, but at least it has a huge app selection.
7. Droid_X_Doug posted on 08 Jan 2012, 14:22 4 2
But don't you miss the exclusivity with WP7? I mean, you can probably go a whole month (maybe longer) without running into someone with another WP7 handset. I see people with iPhones every day.
8. Doakie posted on 08 Jan 2012, 15:18 4 1
I see what you did there. I have an HD7 and an EVO 4G but actually I do like the exclusivity of Windows Phone. When snobby iPhone owners turn up their nose and say "Why haven't you got an iPhone?" my response is "The screen is too small." I hold it up next to my HD7 and it dwarfs the iPhone in what looks like a full inch. Guy iPhone owners often get Little Penis Syndrome after that statement, it's hilarious how fast they fold.
9. FAW-Q posted on 08 Jan 2012, 15:25 1 7
I think it's more of a "My Penis is small, so I need a HUGE phone to compensate." kind of feeling for you.
10. Droid_X_Doug posted on 08 Jan 2012, 15:34 3 1
That is more of the Corvette as a response to mid-life crisis theme. I don't know if it transfers to phones. My response to the iPhone elitists is to ask them how fast their data connection is. LTE rocks and then you see them go green with envy....
11. FAW-Q posted on 08 Jan 2012, 15:50 0 3
3G is good enough to watch porn, I'm content.
13. Droid_X_Doug posted on 08 Jan 2012, 16:41 2 0
What do you do? Start the download in the morning and wait all day for the download to finish?
19. christianqwerty posted on 08 Jan 2012, 19:22 0 0
LTE seems nice, i haven't ever used it, but my iphone is very fast, average 5 mpbs in my town, which is wayyyy better than the wifi at my house ( 1 mbps)
18. christianqwerty posted on 08 Jan 2012, 19:21 0 0
Exclusivity is really nice, but most of my friends have iphones or ipod touches , so it is easy to imessage and facetime my friends.
12. Whodaboss posted on 08 Jan 2012, 16:23 4 0
How many apps do you have? How many do you use daily? Weekly? Monthly? Not at all anymore? People always talk about apps, but how many do they actually use is my question? I must say I'm guilty of that myself. I got many apps when I purchase my iOS device, but after a month (if not less) it was like blah. Is that it? But maybe it's because playing games on a cell phone doesn't do much for me, maybe that's the appeal for many. If you don't work for a living maybe that's all you do, but if you work when do you have time to play with all these apps. There was a study done a couple of years ago that showed only 1% of people continue to use of apps after purchase. Most neglect apps after a day or two. (This study can be easily found if you google for it).
This is why I don't buy the app argument. Personally I think it's overrated. But that's my opin.
16. christianqwerty posted on 08 Jan 2012, 19:13 1 0
i have 46 Apps, during winterbreak i downloaded many many apps, i use Twitter, Facebook, words with friends, pandora, instagram, tumblr and Netflix daily. I'm sure when school starts, ill use a lot less, but it is nice to have all the apps available. Im a teenager, school from 8-2 i have so much free time. the internet and phones are teenagers lifes. When i grow up and get a job i know i will not use my phone as much, but teens love apps.
20. christianqwerty posted on 08 Jan 2012, 19:29 0 0
This is also a good article to read about apps and its presence is CES 2012
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/01/apps-ces-2012/
14. Humboldt1 posted on 08 Jan 2012, 17:51 2 0
@Faw-Q - imbeciles like you are why people with any intellect dislike apple owners. You would camp out for a week in front of an apple store to by a piece of cow manure with the apple logo stamped in it,for $500.00.
15. snowgator posted on 08 Jan 2012, 18:17 1 1
This is the point of WP, to try and find the line between the open source and the closed, controlled system. With the exception of Christian Qwerty, almost everyone who thinks WP because it is boring really haven't spent time with it. Yes, you have tiles. That is your home screen. But what you get is the ability to bring any app, website, program, or contact to that home screen. That is your control. You want 10 tiles all apps? No sweat. Want 30 random tiles? You are in. I believe it is an amazing system for making it yours.
Slowly, WP is allowing manufacturers to add personality to their devices. Hubs are the start, but there is some great opportunity with WP 8. Nokia swears great stuff is coming, and HTC and Samsung are no slouches at improving their products.
I know this has been a tough roll out for WP, but the idea they had to better compete was always going to be a long haul war. It will not appeal to everyone, but everyone I have let play around with mine likes it. I love my WP. I think it will be at 100,000 apps by the end of 2012 or mid 2013, than the app argument becomes mute. WP is here to stay.
