PC Advisor readers offer three reasons that they believe Windows Phone 8 is set to be a big success.
Can Windows Phone 8 succeed? PC Advisor readers certainly think so
Yesterday we published an article in which I opined that Windows Phone 8 was doomed to fail in the consumer space. In 'What's the point of Windows Phone 8?', I argued that WP8 is neither sufficiently different, nor amazing enough, to lure away Android and iPhone users.
It's fair to say plenty of you disagreed, and in amongst the trolls there were some really interesting points and analysis. I've taken some of the more interesting comments to show why, according to PC Advisor readers, Windows Phone 8 will be a success. Don't forget to have your say in the comments on this story, and on 'What's the point of Windows Phone 8?'
Why Windows Phone 8 will succeed: ecosystem & apps
One persistant criticism of Microsoft's nascent platform is lack of apps. But some of you seem to think that this is less of an issue than is made out, and that the ability to interact with PCs, laptops and tablets running Windows 8 overcomes this. Personally I think that at least the key apps need to be present, although Microsoft would argue that IE10 offers an app-like experience. And long-term iPhone or Android users are unlikely to want to move to a platform without the apps they are used to.
Here's what our readers have to say about the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem:
cld9731: "Apple's iOS ecosystem is very good. Google's Android ecosystem is pretty good. In both cases it took time to move the platform forward and get lots of apps. The Google App Store was initially a big joke. It will take time for Windows Phone 8."
Adrian: "It fits in to an ecosystem...and a very good one at that. The mistake must tech writers make is 'seeing' through their own eyes while seemingly completely missing the big picture. They did the same to iPhone and Android when WM had the big app store.Windows phone 8 is actually v 1 which just runs 7* apps. Android and apple actually have a bigger problem in that their now need to do something new...UI has run its course. Whereas WP8 has stacks of headroom . Typing this on my Nokia 920, which is an awesome phone now and will just get better and better."
Why Windows Phone 8 will succeed: business use
Possibly a more compelling argument on Windows Phone 8's behalf is the possibly of taking BlackBerry's crown as the business smartphone of choice. It makes sense: as BlackBerry's popularity wanes, a gap is opening up. With handsets that are attractive to consumers, and the ability to run a secure ship from the server side, Windows Phone 8 offers more than Android or iOS.
postulation: "Most reviewers like the OS and the new HW is much better. If Microsoft keeps at it and eventually leverages its enterprise experience, they are going to be alright."
Observer: "I think one of the point of Windows Phone 8 is for those of us, professionals, which happen to work for a corporate with an investment in Microsoft technology. I'm using MS Office, I collaborate with my team on SharePoint and Lync, I send emails using Outlook & Exchange.
"WP8 integrates with all of these technologies elegantly. It's also very easy, and doesn't take a genius to do so. This statement comes from an iPhone user for 4 years (iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4S) until I decided to switch to WP8 recently, when I went to Apple store and tried out iPhone 5. As a longtime user, I don't really see significant improvements other than a larger screen.
"In my office, everytime I pulled my phone (Lumia 920), people start to ask about it, some had hands-on, and they are pretty impressed. They are using iPhone and Android devices. Two of my colleagues have decided to bought WP8 soon after. I believe more will come. Just a side note, I'm working for an engineering corporation, with around 78,000 employees worldwide.
"The point is, there are use cases and people who use phones the way I do. I personally see the potential of Windows Phone 8."
MorrisE: "Possibly, is it going after corporate sales, taking over from BB - can it link to exchange?. I really would like to know some positives as well - we all know the hill Microsoft is going to have to climb. We cant even port WM5/WM6 programs to WM8 - not sure about WM7 apps.I look at the store... & think I am going to have write my own app to handle my tasks.
"Good news for developers, maybe.As somebody else is saying, you are not as restricted in media as with Apple - the desktop app can link to iTunes or Windows Media; you can download stuff from skydrive or many other cloudy places. It has got some sort of Office integration, so there are positives..."
Why Windows Phone 8 will succeed: it's just great!
But my basic argument - that Windows Phone 8 is good, but not good enough to convert smartphone users who are
michaeljustgreat: "Have you used a Nokia Lumia 920? As if Google Android or the Apple iOS were the end of the matter on smartphones! It is a competitive world and more competition means better smartphones.
"The truth is that, software and hardware-wise, the Windows Phone 8 are as good and, for a few features, better than both Android and iOS.
"120,000 apps for the Wndows Phone OS instead of 500,000 for another platform? What's the big deal! The Windows Phone 8 has the first 46 out of 50 most popular apps that are available on the iPhone and on Google Android!! And many apps are coming on the Windows Phone.
"How many apps did the iPhone have when it started the first year?!!
"As Microsoft gained hegemony on the OS for computers with Windows and the Office suite, it is now the beginning of the hegemony of Microsoft on the OS for smartphones.
"Make no mistake, it is the beginning of the end for both Google Android and maybe also for Apple iOS!
"It will take years for Microsoft to reach the first place but, at the end, Microsoft WILL reach the number 1 spot for the OS on smartphones."
cld9731: "On the question of why Windows Phone 8 - the answer is a much better UI than both Android and iOS. I use an iPhone (your supposed Nirvana). Reality is Windows Phone 8 has a better UI. We moved away from 1990s icons on a screen to interacting live tiles that provide realtime information."
Idlelimey: "The point of Windows Phone is that it perfectly aligns with people who don't want an Apple product (we really do exist) and don't trust the Android platform. Having used both iOS and Android devices for extended periods neither are, in my opinion, comparable with the simple, seamless experience I get from my Windows Phone.
"On apps, it could be argued that the numbers available for iOS and Android address the shortcomings of the OS. I need very few apps to extend the functionality of WP as almost everything I need is baked in. App numbers are not a very good measure of a platforms relevance. Quality is a better measure and the Metro experience often makes good apps great!
"Then there's gaming. I like xBox Live and the functionality it brings to games. Only Windows Phone can deliver that with xBox achievements and leaderboards. Yes, there are competing platforms on other mobile OS's and perhaps a better article would be to ask what the point is in them. It's like comparing Shakespeare to a typing monkey.
"I understand why it's not the market leader, and is never likely to be but that's fine with me. Because the point of Windows Phone is that it fits some people like a glove. Where Apple underwhelm with an aging OS and Android is a UX nightmare (though this is improving) Windows Phone comes in dripping with simplicity and speed in use. And we're still only on version 2 (effectively)."
Jason: "I am a proud owner of a new HTC 8X. I'm in the technology industry and have used Android but not iPhone. The experience I have on my 8X is so intuitive. I really appreciate the thoughtful design that has gone into the OS. With that said, it will be very hard to get people to SWITCH to this phone. I think the Windows 8 Phone can really have an impact for people purchasing new although they will be influenced by all of their friends using Android and iOS."
WP7Mango: "The point of Windows Phone 8 is quite simple - offer the style, quality, performance and security of iPhone with the flexibity of Android. Basically, it bridges the rather wide gap between these two, whilst providing a unique and elegant UI at the same time.
"Whilst it might not be quite as flexible as Android, it's flexible enough for most people in order to personalise it how they want. In particular, the customisable tiles (3 different sizes) provides some order to the customisation chaos often found on Android.
"You also get a wide variety of handsets to choose from, mainly Nokia and HTC, plus Samsung. Again, not quite the wide variety of Android, but much wider choice than iPhone.
"With Nokia, you now also get advanced cutting edge technology not available on either Android or iPhone, therefore Windows Phone 8 currently offers the most innovative platform. Things like optical image stabilisation of the camera lens and the touch screen which can be used whilst wearing gloves are two examples of genuinely useful innovation on the Nokia devices.
"And perhaps the biggest point of Windows Phone 8 is to offer more choice and more competition. This way the consumer benefits, irrespective of which platform they choose."
Comments
Jim Howard-Birt said: My iphone contract runs out next month thank god Conveniently timed with the release of the lumia 925 Apple is bland looking forward to some WP action
Prasenjeet Sinha said: WP8 is very good OS No doubts about it But i need some apps like icici imobile app and sbi freedom Any letest news
Duke2010 said: I have only just got my Ativ S moving over from Android The UI on WP8 is a breath of fresh air Fast and simple Even up to Android 422 I still felt it was laggy Also as Android has moved on it feels like its turning more and more into a full computer OS Thats fine for a tablet I still love my Nexus 7 but its no good for a phoneAs far as apps are concerned I was surprised by how many WP has covered There are a few things missing but nothing so important that it causes a problem and thehigher quality of the apps over Android more than makes up for itI find Im enjoying this phone much more than the two Android handsets Ive owned Both SamsungI find WP is the much neater package out of the box The amount of time I wasted on Android with this and that Rom kernal and finding apps that will fix this and that problem With WP I dont see any need to play around with it at all Only thing missing from WP for me is emulators I used to like my old school games and wondered if a DOS emulator would work well on the AtivS being Windows based afterall But still not a bigissue I use my Nexus 7 for emulators anyway
Chas_713 said: Yeah Buddy I have been using Android for ever now And I saw the HTC 8x and was blown away Why the hell do I need 500000 apps to chose from when the fact is I wont look at 80 of them and the others I download for one day then delete the very same night because I am bored with it Windows Phone is going to blow Droid and Apple out of the water in the next coming years
Juppy501 said: A lot of people saying they carnt see w8 will pull people away from iOS yet it sounds like it is reading ur posts
Juppy501 said: Ive been iPhone user since they came out had a look a i5 not impressed Nokia 920 comes tomo
Mckot said: Remember ZUNE Not saying this is whats going to happen to WP however lets be real here iOS and Android have the advantagemicrosoft may be a little too late here I just recently got a Nikia 920 after being a short time user of an IPhone 3GS Nokia 920is a great phone however I missed the functionality of someapps from my old iphone What are the chances that the service providers willset up apps for yet another platform Demand is what dictates and at this point unless the market changes drastically IOS and Androidwill remain ahead
S471h said: Have been a iPhone user from the start till 4s till I saw the iPhone same phone 5 till I met the lumia 920 that is and it fits me perfectly cant quite see why I was so attracted to Apple Anyways windows wont be able to pull people away from android or iOS I dont think so Im long gone and I cant see me going back to dead battery apple or bb me android loooool
Rob Chisholm said: Topical article for me just choosing between Android LG Nexus 4 and WP8 Lumia 820 or HTC 8X It will NOT be Apple I am drawn to WP8 simply because as an illiteratetechnophobe logic tells me that it will work better for us in our business and be much more integrated I am now at the point where as much as I admire what Google have done via LG with the Nexus 4 I feel that it is no more than the best of a halfay house platform - one that Im happy to use for personal use on a tablet at home but at work I want and need something that just works the way its supposed toSo now I reckon its just a matter of Lumia 820 or HTC8X and Im leaning towards Lumia 820s 920s are more than needed perhaps they could offer an 820 that hasthe 920s display please
Son Of Belushi said: Cant synchronise with PCs Are you joking As Apple themselves always say theres an app for thatWindows 7 or Windows 8 my friendhow do I know I have both Granted its a beta and not terribly sophisticated but then how sophisticated does it need to be
Son Of Belushi said: What a hilarious buffoon you are Danny Typical of iPhone owners you talk about them like you invented them yourself and if anything else comes along as an alternative you go on the offensive and insult it like a petulant ignorant and spoilt child who thinks he has the best toy because its his Also the rebooting problem turned out to be nothing more than tabloid newspaper style sensationalism Im not saying my Lumia 920 is better than your iPhone but I am saying that unlike you and your Apple fanboy peers im open-minded I went to the shop played around with the iPhone 5 the Galaxy III and the Lumia 920thats right Danny boy I saw one with my own eyes and held it in my own hands
Mathieu LeFrançois Ⓥ said: I just switched back to the iPhone 5 from the Lumia 920 The lack of apps on WP8 is a huge problem and even though 46 of the top 50 apps are on WP8 I dont use most of those apps The fact that Google has pulled support for the platform is a telling example of why WP8 isnt ready for prime time yet Without Google services WP8 is a definite no for meThe tiles get old after a while and I got tired of the constant scrolling text in the tiles Id rather just have a good notification centreIve never been so happy to use an iPhone again as I have after using WP8
newyorkcitymale said: I started as an early adopter of Windows Phone 7 and recently upgraded to Windows Phone 8 and love it even more Im practically and evangelist for WP8 among my FB contacts
newyorkcitymale said: I cancelled both of my Gmail accounts today and made the switch to Outlookcom If Google doesnt want to support its users who own Windows Phones then why should I support themAnswer I wont
OSprogrammer said: WP8 will begin taking market share Preliminary indicators suggest it already has It will take market share from Android pointless to focus marketing efforts on iOS for now The apps will come once a tipping point is reached--I have heard 6-7 market share would be the key tipping point To get this market share they need to target cost sensitive shoppers in third world countries This is exactly what they are doing The idea is that in Mexico for example people would prefer to spend 99 USD for a smartphone instead of 450 on an android And I think they are rightThis is a much more robust well-designed and stable OS than Android Most people do not understand how difficult it is to write an OS Very difficult 30 yrs of writing OSs has helped MS become very good at this WP8 and Windows 8 are truly works of art under the surfaceAs for iOS their job is much simpler They already know the specs to the hardware for which they are writing an OS This makes it much easier and frankly much smoother The downside here is that only Apple can make iOS devices When Nokia HTC Samsung Sony etc are producing varied Android and Windows devices for a variety of different uses with different sizes and specs to accomodate different people Apple is stuck with only their own devices though they are spectacularly well integrated
Nicholas said: Im one of those that doesnt trust apple I didnt use to trust ms but at least all the debacles over the years have seen their attitudes to customers change somewhat Plus I object to paying whay I call the apple-tax same equipment and components just more expensiveI have considered andriod but it has never given me a compelling reason to go for it w8 does offer that and it offers a very similar experience to the desktop I useWith regards to apps what is the average number a user installsI dont know about anyone else but 100000 plus seems far too many never mind 500000 plus Obviously most of them are irrelevant for the majority of usersRegardless of whether I take the plunge or not I can see mss wPhone8 becoming a success will it overtake iphone and android All it needs is to be successful
Allan said: just got htx 8s fab phone much easier to use than my old android htcGreat integration with social netoworkslinkedin
Charlie said: WM8 is still as crap as WM7 still cant synchronise with PCs only with cloud and exchange Whereas some Android amp iOS devices do sync to PCs Bring back WM6
Pepe Marino said: I started as an enthusiast of WP Currently I have a WP75 71 and have many complains it crashes while listening to music the battery drains the search button does not work well after using the voice search the browser IE9 - mini performs poorly with CSS and javascript On top of that the waist of screen space I have seen WP8 and to me a veteran WP7 I am not convinced
Frank Fazzio said: Stock Quotes My Stock Quote app has a LIVE tile on the start screen It lists my important stocks and updates the quotes continuously without intervention by me My friends have to flip through their apps find the stock quote app open it and tell it to update the quotes I just look at my start screen The whole interface on WP8 is so well thought out so fast and streamlined so simple and functiional GOODBYE iPhone