Why Windows Phone cannot rebound

[PaulGo]

I don't wish Microsoft to be unsuccessful in this market, but if this causes them to focus and improve desktop Windows...

Why Windows Phone cannot rebound

The latest Kantar Worldpanel numbers for smartphone market share may not be surprising, but they are grim indeed for Microsoft. In the heart of the Windows empire in the United States, Windows Phone’s market share dropped from 4.7% to 3.6% between May 2013 and May 2014. In Germany, the decline was from 6.2% to 5.9%. In Brazil, the share remained flat at 5.5%. In China, Windows Phone saw a collapse from 3% to o.6%.

Windows Phone market share: Crash and burn | BGR

 

[Brink]

I've used both Android and now Windows Phone 8.1. I must say that I like Windows Phone 8.1 much better than Android.

 

[ThrashZone]

My niece has a win-8 phone she says she likes it too,
Of course her last phone a old flip phone
So I suppose it texts and facebooks okay about all she does anyway,
I guess now she can facebook now
I don't believe her flip phone could do that ?

 

[andrew129260]

I've used both Android and now Windows Phone 8.1. I must say that I like Windows Phone 8.1 much better than Android.

Apps are where its at.

TBH I do not like android that ships with most phones. Now custom roms like cynagemod or car vs driver, or stuff from xda are my jam.

If you like apps-android.

Otherwise windows phone is just fine

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I actually LIKE the windows phone system -- these sorts of surveys aren't really IMPORTANT at all -- what % of people in the Car market have Ferraris -- do they care if it's under .01% -- not a bit of it.

Windows phone needs some more decent apps on it though.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[HerrKaLeun]

Hi there

I actually LIKE the windows phone system -- these sorts of surveys aren't really IMPORTANT at all -- what % of people in the Car market have Ferraris -- do they care if it's under .01% -- not a bit of it.

Windows phone needs some more decent apps on it though.

Cheers
jimbo

But cars can all drive on the same Street, they are compatible. If cars would require a car manufacturer approved Street, we would not have niche brands like Ferrari.

I think the downfall really is they didn't have large screens, which is where Apple is/was weak. And of course their tiny market share did not foster many apps. chicken-egg problem.

 

[Boozad]

Windows phone is hardly the Ferrari of the phone world that only .01% of the population can afford.

 

[jimbo45]

Windows phone is hardly the Ferrari of the phone world that only .01% of the population can afford.

Hi there.

That's a different argument entirely -- the point was to say just because a product has a very low market penetration does not always mean it's a failure even if it doesn't even make any money. By buying Nokia Ms is buying into Nokia's customer / client lists and has a ready made hardware base and supply chain from which to develop other stuff (not necessarily phones).

Ms is absolutely HUGE these days in the very fast growing Robotics market too -- some of the hardware base in phone chips can be used in robotics such as the motion sensor stuff, remote control and communication, embedded OS, very high quality but very small cameras etc etc.

Android while still used by the majority of mobile phones out there has some serious problems -- security virtually non existent, apps don't have any decent change control -- almost impossible to restore previous versions of apps if upgraded ones either don't work or you prefer the old version, minimal QC from the google play store etc. Even Samsung is now about to design its own phone OS.

Windows has a much better infrastructure than Android and once they can sort the apps situation out I'm sure there IS a future for Windows phones - although in the longer term. What is clear though is that the whole RT system should be killed off stone dead.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[whs]

I've used both Android and now Windows Phone 8.1. I must say that I like Windows Phone 8.1 much better than Android.

Absolutely - same here. I think the W8P is a great device, especially at $69 without contract.

I have no contract but use VoIP which works very well. Then I use it for navigation and as a portable PC. It provides nearly all the functions of a PC including Office.

 

[HarriePateman]

I find it hard to believe that phones can be just as powerful as computers.

Belongs they text and call im happy.

 

[whs]

I find it hard to believe that phones can be just as powerful as computers.

Belongs they text and call im happy.

Some phones are actually more powerful than some computers if you compare the specs. Those also cost more. The main problem is the small screen and the lack of a keyboard. But if you attach a BT keyboard and a big screen, you can do quite some work with it.

Here was an early example of that: Breakthrough device of CES: Motorola Atrix = Phone + PC - TechRepublic

 

[JerometheGiraff]

Windows Phone is better. I knew this from day one, at the time, everyone denied my suggestion.

 

[Gornot]

Switching from an Android from Sony to a Lumia 520 was the best thing I've done this year so far, not including all the awesome games I got on the Steam Summer Sale lol.

Now I can finally say I have absolutely nothing to do with Google, except having a YouTube account (and, by force, a G+ account) and I can sleep soundly at night lol

I registered as a dev to get WP8.1 early and, to be honest, I don't even remember what WP8 looks and feels like anymore lol
Can't wait to get the final version. I set the phone to the US region so I've got Cortana, and it's amazing, even though I'm in Central Europe.

 

[RoasterMen]

Windows Phone 8 OS Could be of better use if it has many apps, I remember Rockstar Games releasing San Andreas for Mobile phones but the Cloud Saving for WP8 was cut.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

That is the only difference between WP & Android the Apps, then again how many apps do you need ?

 

[whs]

That is a good point. The apps I use in Android are quasi the same as the ones that I use with my W8Phone. Android does have a lot more apps, but if you don't need them, it does not matter.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

I'd like to get a Windows Phone, not sure if I can due to other circumstances
I've always been, and always will be a strong advocate for Windows Phones, over Andriod. I hope Microsoft does not kill it, as I read they are making an Android version.

 

[whs]

I'd like to get a Windows Phone, not sure if I can due to other circumstances
I've always been, and always will be a strong advocate for Windows Phones, over Andriod. I hope Microsoft does not kill it, as I read they are making an Android version.

How about the Lumia 521 for $69 without contract. I use that without a contract and do all my calls with VoIP @ 1.2 cents per minute.

Buy Nokia Lumia 521 No Contract for T-Mobile - Microsoft Store

 

[PaulGo]

I personally prefer the Android platform. One reason I chose Android (I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and my first Android device was the Samsung Captivate) was the freedom it offered in customizing the interface and choosing applications. Aside from the Google Playstore I use an Amazon App store which offers a free app a day. Some of the apps offered are junk but many are quite good and useful (both games and productivity apps are offered). I also really like the Google search and Googly Maps integration on the Android phones.

 

[4wd]

The numbers, see page 2 > http://uk.kantar.com/media/743400/kantar_worldpanel_comtech_smartphone_os_barometer_30_06_14.pdf Seems there is hope in some countries, and close to zero interest in others. But some quite good percentage here and there, so maybe.... I personally like the idea of an alternative to the 'big 2', and the lumia's I've tried have left a positive impression. Nokia knows how to build phones, and the OS is evolving.