Microsoft’s Mobile Hail Mary
In an effort to escape my abyss of obscurity in the mobile software market, if I were Microsoft, to distance myself from my embarrassing mobile past I would commit at least a thousand developers to perfecting the next release (including one or two who are actually on the payroll and not some random ugly website with Paypal donation links), I’d commit a whole lot of marketing geniuses to the project as well to help me come up with better ideas, I’d give it another name, I’d copy everything I could get away with copying from Apple including making it finger friendly and not multitask. That’s right, no more multitasking. I’d get it on different types of devices including phones, music players, mini PCs and tablets. I’d blend such devices into one device and call it Zune something and I’d blend its functionality into Windows 7 particularly with respect to music management like Apple and like Google I would tie in my company’s other services into it like Hotmail, Bing and whatever Microsoft’s now calling their imitation of Google Maps (isn’t it interesting how even MSNBC doesn’t use Microsoft’s Virtual Earth?). To give my reputation a clean slate, I’d prevent all backward-compatibility whether or not it was necessary in my implementations of a beefed up NetCF and Silverlight. I bet about 3% of my customers among the 4% of my share of the market even know what a cab is so who cares — no more backwards compatibility. Like it never happened. Record expunged.
I heard the Xbox has done well so I’d tie it into the Xbox somehow too and its online service if there is one. Makes sense considering all those iPhone advertisements I saw with people playing games with the g-sensor so I’ll support that as well. I’ll go all-out with g-sensor support. I’ll get my guys to discover another axis, we’ve got the money. I’d keep quiet, mostly, about the project in order to build up the hype and because I don’t want to dilute my number one pony’s presence in the media with something that has failed so stunningly in the past, my company’s mobile operations, particularly now that the mobile market share is a decked so heavily stacked against me. Just in case the operating system actually achieved noteworthy success, might as well wrap it up in Silverlight as much as possible as force feeding my answer to Flash and HTML5 to the world with one more little angle is about as, if not more, valuable than making this mobile operating system less of a joke for the sake of becoming a contender in that market. And that is why I won’t even include Flash support. Like both Apple and Google I would put a stop to this community hippy cab free-for-all nonsense and lock the OS into this Microsoft Marketplace thing which while I’m at it I would rename as well because we ought to be able to come up with name that’s more similar sounding to App Store that flies with the legal department.
According to all the rumors I’ve read, my hypothetical plan is more or less on par with Microsoft’s actual strategy. The rumors are consistent with each other, most of them, and come from sources many would regard as reputable. However Microsoft has done a good job remaining mute about this and the closest thing to first hand information that I found was a vague and poorly translated statement by some Italian who didn’t understand the nondisclosure agreement and a tweet, both of which were very positive. Many said Google had no shot of breaking into the mobile market as it was way too late. Most consumers had already had fallen in love with their iPhones, Blackberries and Symbian phones and you can’t just shake that up because you’re Google, but the nay-sayers were wrong. That said, I’m a nay-sayer against Microsoft making a significant presence in this market no matter how hard they recently started trying.
I’ll tell you another thing, on a more personal note: If they take away all my old cabs or my ability to multitask, I don’t care if it has all the eye candy in the world — byebye WinMo and hello Android. 
Doug Simmons
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Comments
Jeremy Couldn’t agree with you more concerning your last paragraph. If Windows Mobile goes the single-task route along with total lock-down, I’m out for good. Those are the main reasons I’ve stayed away from the iPhone, as slick as its interface is.
Android is the next thing, just give it some time to get out of the Google “beta” stage.
Oldtaku Ditto. You remove all back compat and you remove all obstacles I have to jumping to Android.
I’ve used a Zune. I’ve used an iPhone. My parents might want that on their phone, but I don’t.
Peter Sadly, I’m leaning that way myself, but I really like the idea of Zune integration (if they figure out what’s going on w/ the marketplace). I’ve played around a little w/ Android on my Fuze and it is pretty slick. Of course, regardless of what happens, I’ll be holding off because I can’t just drop a couple of hundred $$ each time some new phone comes out, no matter what the vendors want.
I’m really hoping that MS plans to go two ways w/ WM7 – consumer & business/professional – both sharing common underlying stuff, but with the professional route allowing software from outside the app store, storage cards, customization, and multi-tasking. I agree that most multi-tasking isn’t really needed, but being able to run mail/twitter/facebook/im/music in the background while doing something else is a really useful idea. It doesn’t have to take a lot of CPU, but would keep things somewhat up to date instead of waiting until that app gets focus before it connects and does stuff. Music’s just a given – keep listening while doing these other things.
Time will tell, but I’ve been pretty disheartened at the idea that this new device might be WM7. A poor copy of the iPhone at this point and it will pretty much kill MS’ mobile offerings.
jimski Well that makes a lot of sense and it’s one of the reasons I believe (hope) some of the rumors in your first post are not true. Hell, they only saved GM so the CIA can drive Tahoe’s. Why would you want to remove all backward compatibility. It’s OK if you want to dumb down the OS and make a Home and Professional (Military) version, with the Home version only linking to Marketplace and being very uncomplicated. But otherwise it’s playing catchup, with too little too late.
If the prophecy does come true, there better be some dynamite apps built in, because by my count I currently have $372 in software loaded on my device (about $25 from Marketplace) and I am not about to start that over again.
Doug Simmons If the military has widely adopted Windows Mobile for years then it’s a safe bet there’s a lot of software from various developers tailored just for them that men of various ranks have grown very accustomed to using made by people who may not all be inclined to go on Amazon and buy a book on how to port their old software to Windows Mobile 7. So if there turns out not to be any backward compatibility with these phones not involving emulators or even special editions I would expect there to be a fork for the military (and maybe not just the military) for which Microsoft would provide the same support, whatever support it is that they provide, for any armed force.
After all that’s something to brag about for a software company, their products being used by military, military contractors and law enforcement, as it implies security and stability that was identified and selected by decision makers in the business of combat.
Worth noting that the PDF was written by a “Gold Level” partner of Microsoft.
Wow $372? That’s got to be a record. A bit curious what are some of the titles you splurged the most cash on and which of all the software you paid for would you pay those most for relative to the rest you bought regardless of what you spent on them. Could make for a good article. So could a list of any free software you have for which you donated back to the developer.
skyau Too little too late – as has been said already.
And no multi-tasking, no way – as has been said already.
Pissed off consumer is out, PEACE!
Matt It’s a shame this happens but Microsoft makes good on these rumors then they sold out their current market share. They basically told every consumer who valued their product to f*&% off and tried to copy everything apple did. Microsoft has never been known for their shining ingenuity, but they are some damn good copy cats. Will this be as awesome as our current, practically open, windows mobile? Probably not. Will it be better than the iphone? More than likely I’m going to say yes. If they get this UI everywhere, and it has the eye candy then with the amount of integration that’s possible they will create a new market for themsevles. Unfortunately that just means that the current market (all pissed off, current winmo users) will be searching for something new (obviously android) as redmond goes after Google AND most likely the feature phone market. New direction and all its crappy implications aside this may make business since for microsoft. It’s almost like they’re abondoning the smart phone market. So who knows? Maybe the debut of windows mobile 7 is the death of microsoft’s smartphone market?
jimski And aside from the military, developers have been creating Enterprise software solutions for; healthcare, point-of-sale, real estate agents and a bunch of other industries for many years. I remember seeing photos of iPaq’s in soldiers hands five or more years ago and used to read about it regularly in PocketPC Magazine, before they went all iPhoney. Actually, unfortunately, I believe Enterprise Solutions are one reaason the WM platform has progressed so slowly because of that need to maintain backward compatibility. And for that and other reasons, maybe it’s time to break off a branch that can cater to the masses (Pink, Zune, whatever) while continuing to support Enterprise. I can only imagine what a software developer might have charged the military to create a simple app, and what it would take to upgrade/modify those apps for a new platform.
Remember much of my paid software has accumulated over several years. But the number I posted only includes apps I currently have installed. There is probably at least another $200-$300 worth of software that was either useless, replaced with something better or has not been updated to support WM6.1.
Some of the heavy hitters include;
-Core Player – $29.95
-Lextionary – $19.95 (before Internet access was all that common)
-List Pro – $29.95 (only $19.95 at Marketplace now)
-NewsBreak – $19.95
-PhatNotes for Outlook – $19.95
-SmartReg – $19.95 (when I purchased, it was the only game in town – now you can get a reg editor for free, but it still works perfectly)
-SPB TV – $14.95
-SK Tools – $15.99
-Code Wallet Pro 6 – $14.99 (almost free at Marketplace)
-Launch Manager – $14.95
-MemMaid – $12.49 (I think this was an upgrade price)
-Pocket Atlas – $14.99
-ThumbCal – $13.95
and so on.
Shareware/Dontationware is in a separate category. To date I have sent donations for 12 apps/tweaks that I use regularly, totaling close to $100.
-Nitrogen
-iContact
-TICST
-TypeNote
-TF Detacher
-TodayAgenda
-MyCar Profile
-WiFi Remote Access
-Advanced Config
-Diamond Tweak
-Diamond TF3D Config
-NoniView
If I load some shareware and it’s still on my device after 20-30 days, I probably like it/need it and go looking for a donation link. It helps to encourage continued development and so far all but one has sent back a personal thank you. I have also found that it puts me at the top of the list for considering my suggested improvements. Not bad for the cost of a beer at a hockey game. If you don’t support the community, your just a user. It’s my version of “Pay it Forward”.
Who? Why Android and not WebOS? I understand that there’s no WebOS phone currently with any worthwhile specs, but if there was a “webOS Nexus One” why would you choose Android over webOS?
Nafjan @Doug Well, you can always keep using WM6.5.x, which is not bad at all (it’s fantastic with Sense 2.5 and a bit of tweaking).
Microsoft is clearly branching Windows Mobile development by continuing to develop 6.5.x so it can keep supporting the applications for the power users, while developing an eye candy OS for mainstream users.
Who? It’s hard to say that Microsoft is “clearly” doing anything, considering our discussion is 100% based on speculation and rumor.
Doug Simmons Who?,
Firstly because it’s Google and I love Google. I firmly believe they will continue to tend to do the things they already do well even better over time as they continue to branch out into areas where they will do the same throughout my lifetime. Android showed up late in the game yet made a strong presence fast, releasing themselves of the term underdog, candy from a baby.
I think Android has legs, much more so than WebOS does, and I want to learn how to program for the young platform with the legs before it is saturated with developers. So I want to own the phone for which I’m trying to learn how to program. I’m such a fan of the company that I’m actually learning Python — just because Google uses it extensively in many of their operations. I want to have access to the latest goodies Google releases exclusively to Android like Google Maps with Navigation and whatever they’ve got in store for Android with Google Voice. I suppose I also fall into the category of respondents who say they want the OS with more third party software.
I guess in addition to removing the device from the equation you’d also have me remove the company as well and just have me pick based on the software alone. Not having tried any recent Palm devices but knowing that both Android and WebOS share similarities to what fuels my servers, tough to offer you much of an answer. I’ve actually only fiddled with a Droid for a few minutes and that’s my exposure to Android. I understand WebOS is a little more flexible in terms of what people now call hacking these days and I suspect it is not somehow deficient in its programming plus people seem to like its core software so that might seal the deal, the greater ability to get under the hood and mess with it, in terms of this hypothetical decision.
Having said that, I want a change of scenery now and my eyes are on Google.
Nafjan, I hear you, but I’m jonesing to take the dive regardless of these rumors.
derekkg I think this is all part of a game Microsoft is playing with us. They want us to get angry that they may not support multi-tasking, that it won’t be backwards compatible, etc. then when they release it/show it off, bam! they seem so great cuz they got all the multi-tasking, backwards compatibility, etc “working” even tho it was working the whole time and they only pretended it wasn’t. how hard will it be for them to have a spiffed up, nice looking, shiny OS on one side, with cool apps all neatly organized, and then have one section in an un-obvious, hard to find place, where all the old apps are and can run (maybe native, maybe on emuator)? Microsoft could easily do it, and if they can’t, somebody will find a way (probably somebody from xda)
who dis?! Microsoft would be doing you people a favor by taking away multitasking. That way you can spend the freed-up resources on psychotherapy to understand why it is you compulsively insist on both letting your life revolve around a telephone and subjecting yourselves to the putrid garbage that is Microsoft and AT&T.
Netcraft has confirmed it, Windows Mobile is dying. Jump ship and start covering other operating systems or you’ll die too.
Punks.
jimski Not while there is still one WM device left on this Earth. Someone has got to keep pushing the envelope so all other phone users can benefit.
who dis?! Better hope that the owner of that last remaining WM device doesn’t run AdBlock!
I look at you people involved with this site and the image that comes to my mind is an innocent naive girl desperately treading water and shouting for help with an enlarging weight chained to her leg.
The girl being you guys, the cries being what you just did right there, the enlarging weight chained to her leg dragging her under being Microsoft’s snowballing ball of cellphone failure and the waterline being the level below which no one is aware that girl still exists because they’re playing with their iPhones.
Suckers.
Joe Green Great article! I am all for a basic – non multitasking version to compete with the iPhone crowd. But let there be a registry entry that will turn it back on for us XDA folks, or I will just have to keep my Fuze for the next hundred years.
Peter Actually, I prefer WM over the iPhone, but realize that I’m in the minority. They’re happy. I’m content and can do everything I need to do.
As I already stated, I’ve been looking more at the Android devices being developed and will seriously consider one of those for my next device. I was hoping that MS would do something great w/ WM7, but if these rumors going around right now truly point to WM7, I’m disappointed. It doesn’t help and steps backwards quite a bit.
Anyway, different devices for everyone. Some like Blackberry, some like Palm, some Android, some Nokia, and some WM. It would be pretty boring if we were all alike.
rowdyc I don’t like “who dis” but he is somewhat right. Soon Windows mobile users will become Linux users. You can tweek on the cheap your phone as much as you want but there is a better product that’s being used by more people.
I visit this site everyday to see what’s new or exciting for my Tilt 2. I want to change, add, and delete where I see fit and I will never get to a point of comfort to stop the changes. Iphoney people can’t and most don’t want to make those changes. This is the way PC’s evolved and this is the way smartphones will evolve. There will always be a group of geeks like Linux users that want to have unique functions geared toward our own needs and desires or maybe want something on the cheap. The mass like Apple and Window users want it easy, quick and always working.
Windows mobile will not die but one platform is all but history.
Doug Simmons Joe: It didn’t take long for our world to figure out how to emulate multiple video game platforms including Nintendo and Playstation for these phones, didn’t take /that/ long to port Android onto a handful of these devices originally intended for Windows Mobile, doesn’t take long for someone (Olipro) to figure out how to completely unlock each and every HTC phone for operating system manipulation and security unlocking, doesn’t take too long for people to get software of the WVGA phones of different hardware (resolution mainly) ported down to QVGA and VGA devices apparently, I think, without even having the source code somehow.
So I don’t think it will take too long for someone to figure out how to get Herm’s DogWhistle cab to fire up on WM7 if it is indeed not backward compatible. Worst case, I’d be surprised if someone couldn’t figure out how to flash a WM6.* rom onto a WM7 device quickly and I expect to see that happen.
On the other hand if Microsoft does shake things up in a way our crowd doesn’t appreciate they could create a slow exodus as many of us take the Android/WebOS/iPhone/Blackberry dive. If that happens, you’re going to have fewer Da_Gs, Olinexes, NRGs, at0mangs, Chainfires and xboxmods to help you escape any undesirable restrictions and limitations Microsoft surprises you with after buying a WM7 Zune.
jimski So who dis?, as you obviously don’t feel any “love” for WM devices, I would be happy to take any of your antiquated, inferior relics of your hands. TP2’s and HD2’s preferred. Wouldn’t want these complicated devices to cloud your judgement or corrupt your mind in any way.
Enjoy.
who dis?! jimski I appreciate the offer big guy but what would I have left to wipe my ass with
jimski You know, who dis?, in my 54 years I have found that most people who go out of their way to defend a position, usually don’t have a meaningful position to defend. So while mine are probably bigger than yours I don’t plan to run over to some iPhone site and prove it, cause I don’t have to.
And what do you need a WM device for anyway, I thought there was an app for that.
who dis?! That’s right people, FEED ME!
But all kidding aside, I know what life is like on the other side and I want so so bad for others to experience the iBliss. You can even sync with iTunes for free.
Can you think of a more effective way to save people than by going to sites like this and planting seeds of WinMo doubt?
sm0k3ydaband1t OMG YOU CAN SYNC WITH ITUNES WITH AN APPLE DEVICE!!! thanks for the revelation pal, im really doubting winmo now…
i would say if anything your doing quite the contrary, bringing up iphone discussion is just going to get all the reasons why not to get an iphone posted on this site and why you should get winmo therefore feeding the winmo confidence levels… do your apple faithful a favor and go home already.
Oldtaku Guys, he’s just trolling you. He doesn’t care what the position is, just that you respond angrily. If you respond, you lose. It’s like going on to Cute Overload forums and posting about making kitten sushi.
who dis?! Oh so now you people are resorting to name calling. Oh yeah, real cool, not childish at all. I guess based on your behavior here it’s starting to make sense to me that you are not in fact ready for a real phone after all and belong in buggy reboot land.
You complacent name-calling immature limp-wristed Microslaves.
Matt I just think it’s funny. What does Microsoft do in just about ever market? They find a succesful player, copy the crap out of them, and then typically come out more successful. Don’t you see that arguing about this is pointless. Microsoft is poised to release a product that directly competes with “who dis’s” iphone. Give microsoft two years in the market and with the number of windows machines out their, and the thousands of options for playing music in better ways than itunes, and apple will be back to its niche. I’m not saying I’ll like the direction, but if stupid people need cell phones then microsoft might as well oblige them. I’m just hoping, like every other person who is intelligent enough to use a reg editor, that microsoft doesn’t forget about all those who kept it floating till now. So don’t worry who dis. microsoft is coming to your rescure.
[...] set on seeing if Microsoft has finally figured it out with WP7, not only will you have to abandon all of the software you’ve installed and grown attached to since your first WinMo phone, you will have to say [...]
[...] set on seeing if Microsoft has finally figured it out with WP7, not only will you have to abandon all of the software you’ve installed and grown attached to since your first WinMo phone, you will have to say [...]
Maybe it’s time for HTC to develop their own OS. The more the merrier.