Another new phone, another new platform
November 15th, 2011, 9:48pm by KelvinBeen spending the week getting acquainted with an HTC Arrive, my 3rd phone in the past year running my 3rd mobile OS. Such is life for the webOS diaspora. For all of webOS’s shortcomings, and there were many, it was really fun to use, in a way that Android was not. Android was very powerful, very functional, but not really fun or elegant. WebOS was thoughtful, and while I didn’t always agree with their choices, I could usually see the thinking behind them. Android is just haphazard and inconsistent; too often, a commonly used feature was hidden in a menu, which just drove me crazy.
Enter Windows Phone 7. Now of course, the obvious question is why not just get a Sprint iPhone and be done with it, but there were 2 things in WP7’s favor– physical keyboard, and it’s cheap. I was able to get my QWERTY- toting Arrive for $160 used off contract. Basically a no cost side-grade after I offload my old Shift.
So far, I’m loving WP7. It’s cohesive, fun and buttery smooth. yes, the app landscape is only slightly better than that on webOS, and the lack of recognition by websites is reopening a lot of old wounds. Both the Board and Flickr, for instance, serve up the full website rather than the mobile one. But overall, I’ll take my lumps, hoping that Microsoft goes forth and evangelizes.
BTW, this Word Press app on WP7 is awesome.
November 15th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
I’ll see what I can do about The Board, but it’s up to Jake to fix Flickr.
I just read something about Nokia’s new WP7 phones, which the reviewer gushed about, saying that they were the first “real” WP7 phones like the Nexus One was the first “real” Android phone. Despite that, I still wonder if it’s too little too late.
November 16th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Thanks, I knew I could count on you.
I really don’t see how the Nexus One was the first real Android phone. The Droid was a much bigger seller and put Android on the map. But to your point, the fact that Windows Phones have sold so poorly despite doing so many things right may indicate that indeed, there is no appetite for a third platform at all. But since it’s so easy to switch, I don’t think either Apple or Google can rest on their laurels. People will buy the best product on the market, regardless of OS. Android can be replaced as fast as it grew, if they don’t watch out. I don’t know any one who is particularly loyal to Android (seems like people tolerate it more than they like it).
November 20th, 2011 at 1:33 am
There is a Flickr app for Phone 7, and it’s supposed to be good. Check that out. Agree with Kelvin on the platform thing… there just isn’t the same lock in. With a great OS, strong carrier backing and outstanding hardware, I think a newcomer could take some serious market share. Not sure how Phone 7 measures up on those counts. Of course, with Apple & Google battling now, their race makes it tough to leapfrog them. Especially on the OS side, the competition from Android and even the Pre (initially) pushed Apple to accelerate their development to stay ahead.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:50 am
@Kelvin — Give it a shot now. Hopefully it’ll work from WP7.
November 29th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Anyone curious about WP7? Try out this demo from your iOS device (might work with a Blackberry?).
http://m.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/demo/index.html