Android/iOS Capture 96.4% Of Smartphone Market, Windows Phone Shrinks

[bassoprofundo]

I guess it depends on the user. I know at most 2 Windows phone users (1 is first time smartphone user, the other was ex-Android user). Both of them like it so much that they're staying with it.

This has been my experience as well. Anyone I've turned onto WP who wasn't a diehard devotee one of the other ecosystems (and a few who were) have stuck with WP. Again, it's just hard to get folks to take a look at something new when their current setup is fulfilling their needs.

 

[Roland00Address]

Windows phone does not exist to make money on devices.

It used to make money on devices by selling licenses to OEMs, but this idea has not really worked ever since the Iphone 3G start of Android timeframe.

Every since the Android timeframe Windows phone exists to extort licenses fees from the OEMs when they make money selling other non windows phone devices. It was designed to encourage the vendors to still consider licensing costs a legitimate expense and thus vicariously keep value on other software in the microsoft foodchain like Window OS cost for desktops and laptops and the cost of office.

It cost money to add new features, it cost money to have all those talented workers on staff, and if you do not have vision and philosophy having so many workers does not lead to results.

----

Microsoft is now transitioning to a service based economy and trying to be a mixture of Google and IBM. To do that though they actually need to spend money to make money.

Yet the bean counters that have run microsoft for so long do not want them to spend money, they do not want them to develop new features for features cost money and time. Thus you need to have both more vision (which is a rare commodity) and enough talented workforce on board.

 

[Imaginer]

Recently, Samsung also had their ATIV SE. I really want to get that because of being able to add on a microSD card plus one can emergency swap a battery. Problem is, it lacks a physical camera button and I am not sure I am completely on board of the physical Windows icon button.

HTC, had a good phone form with the 8X. It was nice to hold, nice to pinch and zoom with my index finger and thumb, cradled in my hand, the power button is where it should be, and had a physical camera button. It also survived two drops without a case. Had a screen protector, but forgone it because really it was not necessary.

Problem is, is Verizon or HTC or both have been slow with firmware updates or OS updates - possibly in a passive aggressive way to encourage those on the phone to pursue other phone options (as bassprofundo mentioned - even if one needs it, the salesrep would ACTIVELY push in that direction).

HTC is releasing that new Windows Phone (really a reuse of a form for Android) but like Samsung, from the pictures I seen, it LACKS that camera button. I am not sure why newer phones have lacked this or at all, but it can be really annoying. I can take pictures on my 8X without unlocking my phone by a hold of the camera button from screen off. That is a good thing. My only option for that would be to go with the Icon from Verizon (switching services like a whore is a pain) or a proven 928. But even then those two models aren't as compelling, lack of the card slot or a user serviceable battery.

Plus, the UI runs fluid and organized more logical than multiple screen swipes of icon arrangement of clutter versus tile and Live tiles at that and a scrollable, alphabetical all apps screen that one can search or zero down by starting letter. Forefront live tiles can be had upon turning on my phone and now with 8.1, a notification slide down. If I can press the Windows icon to invoke a refresh of Live tile information, this would make me like the OS more.

Also, has black background to light and soft text versus iOS and Android of stock (and can be changed on an Android end i hope) white with black text. I always said Windows Phone is more easy on my eyes for quick information access and quick information push, and I mean it in their Modern interface.

It is a push to a two party system, much like the damages have been done (off topic) to a bipartisan system of our political party of the US.

On an enterprise front, there is a VPN and Workplace options. I am not able to comment on that, only other than notice this from my settings screen. So, it is possibly improving on that front - but again needs to be proven and tested within an IT department (but I don't think anyone has actively done so or discussed about it from what I seen).

On a whole unified app leverage front, I would like that a bit. I have a calculator app, and feel that if I can leverage the same function across what amounts to be similar devices and have the same software level access, it would be better. In the past, there was not such with Windows CE/Mobile/etc either so it is a good thing to unify development into a single process on a very backend code wise and library wise.

App wise, I cannot think of anything to fumble through a haystack for when I have practically what I found and needed (Waze, Yelp, Foursquare, banking apps, map functionality, Facebook (throw your tomatoes at me folks - AT has had a dislike for these things) and camera.

Speaking of camera apps, Microsoft's Blink makes things a bit easy for making animated gifs. All I had to do is use a saved .gif from Onedrive to convert it for certain sites that are limited in file size.

Too long, didn't read: My next phone would be another Windows Phone. Ease and function for what I need it for.

 

[bearxor]

I believe Microsoft removed the requirement for a camera button along with several other changes so that manufacturers could use existing Android hardware and put WP on it.

 

[tsupersonic]

This only partially true. There are plenty of reasons to use WP over the others, but it could be said that there is no compelling enough reason for people to switch to WP from iOS or Android.

The UI, the hardware design, and the best-in-class cameras were what won me over. Those were pretty compelling to me.

Everyone has different needs, and my gripes with WP is not just about the apps, but it lacks just very basic functionality like the ability to get repeating message notifications. Microsoft is late to the game in terms of feature adoption, and the lack of true integration (think along the lines of iOS8 + OS X = Continuity) with Windows is just disconcerting. If all they're banking on is UI consistency (because that's all they have at this point), then oh boy MS has problems.

Re: hardware design. Subjective, but I don't find any of the Windows phones appealing. Hopefully the rumored One M8 WP will change that. Cameras, again, depends on user needs. Any high end flagship will have a decent camera. Smartphone cameras are still subpar compared to any sort of dedicated camera equipment. The only advantage they have is portability and you will likely have your smartphone everywhere you go.

MS has the talent and potential to make an amazing product. They have been a great software company along the years. But, they just don't get hardware. Outside of the Xbox series, they are having trouble with Surface, and WP (Nokia).

I want to root for MS, but WP has just lost in my eyes.

 

[rcpratt]

That's the stupidest plot ever.

 

[Bradtech519]

Very happy Windows Phone user here. Just switched back from an iPhone 5s and don't miss any of the apps that aren't on Windows Phone that I barely used anyways (local news stations). I get more out of the live tiles/people hub and getting status updates from a favorites group without having to go into facebook apps and search for users. I prefer the 3rd party apps for youtube and twitter over the stock twitter wp/ios apps.

Been let down by android on a couple tablets(lagging/apps crashing) I've had, and the phone I bought. It's been a while though and the Nexus lines or high end Android phones are appealing if Microsoft ever folds on WP. I am very pleased with the Lumia 1520 and battery life I get now with it over the iphone 5s. I jumped from WP7 to 8.1 and it's insane how much they've put into it and how many apps are now there that were not a couple years ago.

Everyone has different tastes. To some they hate/cannot stand the live tiles, and want the iOS/Android look. They want the newest apps and games that come out that others are playing. That was for me the reason I jumped to iOS, and then I realized the games/local apps I wanted didn't keep my interest, and I missed Windows Phone. I'd plug in my iphone 5s and just use my lumia 900 at home. That to other users on iPhone or Android might have the total opposite reaction.

 

[jpeyton]

People who try Windows Phone these days usually find something likeable enough to stay with it.

But getting people to try it is the challenge.

I don't think the right answer is gutting Nokia for parts. The Nokia brand name still has enough value to push units, especially overseas.

But Microsoft absolutely needs two things to see their marketshare grow:

1) A halo device. Call it the Surface Phone. It should be glass and aluminum, as thin and light as the best devices on the market, 5" screen, minimal bezels, HQ camera, full HD screen and a recent chipset. It needs to be available on all carriers with the exact same specs, and unlocked for a reasonable price.

2) Convergence between desktop and mobile Windows. Same apps, same login, one experience between your desktop/laptop/tablet and phone. I'm talking about Apple-like (or hopefully better) seamless integration between platforms.

Windows Phone in its current iteration may fail, but Microsoft won't abandon the mobile market at any point.

 

[Red Storm]

1) A halo device. Call it the Surface Phone. It should be glass and aluminum, as thin and light as the best devices on the market, 5" screen, minimal bezels, HQ camera, full HD screen and a recent chipset. It needs to be available on all carriers with the exact same specs, and unlocked for a reasonable price.

2) Convergence between desktop and mobile Windows. Same apps, same login, one experience between your desktop/laptop/tablet and phone. I'm talking about Apple-like (or hopefully better) seamless integration between platforms.

Windows Phone in its current iteration may fail, but Microsoft won't abandon the mobile market at any point.

If Microsoft were to make the halo device you describe, other OEMs would be pretty pissed off to see that happen.

I agree on the desktop convergence, if there's one place they could have pushed an advantage it was with the full Windows OS. Then again that's also the problem with Windows (desktop and mobile), they're trying to force two completely different markets down the same path.

 

[Commodus]

If Microsoft were to make the halo device you describe, other OEMs would be pretty pissed off to see that happen.

I agree on the desktop convergence, if there's one place they could have pushed an advantage it was with the full Windows OS. Then again that's also the problem with Windows (desktop and mobile), they're trying to force two completely different markets down the same path.

I don't think Microsoft is worried about stepping on Windows Phone OEMs' toes the way it is with desktop Windows. After all, the bigger companies frequently put out one or two devices just to get Microsoft off their backs (the unofficial word is that it charges extra in patent royalties if you're pure Android) and to hedge their bets in case Android ever flops.

Right now, Windows Phone needs a smash hit device if it's going to enjoy a resurgence in the short term... no matter who makes it.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't think hardware is an issue at all. I have the Icon and it's a really really nice phone. Aluminum frame, soft touch polycarbonate back, curved glass, AMOLED display. 5 inch size is a sweet spot for many people. Other than no micro SD, it's almost perfect I think (I don't have a hangup on phones needing to be thin, I like battery life). Nokia is already providing the great hardware.

Unfortunately it sits in my backpack while I have my Note 3 or Nexus 5 in my pocket, because I can't find apps to do everything I do on Android.

I think Windows Phone issues are mostly to do with apps and slightly to do with reputation.

 

[jpeyton]

I don't think hardware is an issue at all. I have the Icon and it's a really really nice phone. Aluminum frame, soft touch polycarbonate back, curved glass, AMOLED display. 5 inch size is a sweet spot for many people.

The Icon is a brick compared to other 5" phones. Albeit a nice looking brick.

If Nokia shaved 2mm off the thickness and released it for all carriers, they would have a winner.

 

[pantsaregood]

I will begin by saying that I have been a fan and user of Windows Phone since Windows Phone 7. I've owned an HTC HD7, HTC Titan, and Nokia Lumia 920. They've all been great and I haven't had complaints with any of them.

Microsoft's only hope for the OS to begin gaining traction again is for free licensing to pay off. 2014 has, aside from the Lumia 930, been a horrible year for Windows Phone hardware. The Lumia 530/630 are pathetic excuses for new-generation replacements for the Lumia 520/620, and no other significant launches have taken place. The Samsung ATIV SE was released at some point this year, and it happens to be a beastly phone - unfortunately, no one even knows it exists.

The Lumia 520 was a successful device. A carrier-locked Lumia 520/521 can now be purchased for $40-$55, and they're both still extremely capable devices. The Lumia 530/630 aren't really upgrades over those devices - continuing to use 512 MB of RAM was a horrible misstep by Microsoft/Nokia. Going from a 1.0 GHz dual-core Krait with 512 MB of RAM to a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 with 512 MB of RAM makes for a terrible generational upgrade.

Windows Phone may manage to begin crawling back if some of the new OEMs can produce an entry-level device that falls in the same price range as the Lumia 520 did, but with more modern specs. I'd honestly have purchased a Lumia 525 (520 with 1 GB of RAM) instead of a 530/630.

 

[Eug]

The only people I know personally who have owned a Windows Phone in recent years are Microsoft employees and a phone company executive testing out phones.

Nobody else. Nada.

 

[Imaginer]

The Samsung ATIV SE was released at some point this year, and it happens to be a beastly phone - unfortunately, no one even knows it exists.

I did. I in fact am tempted if it wasn't for this silly thing.

I believe Microsoft removed the requirement for a camera button along with several other changes so that manufacturers could use existing Android hardware and put WP on it.

What is more difficult in adding another button on your board? HTC did so before on a smaller chassis 8X compared to the ATIV SE (and their new upcoming WP8 phone). Why is all of a sudden not wanting that uniform feature set a bad thing? Also, Android designs have a three haptic button layout, all it is a change is now you have the back arrow, Windows icon, and magnifying glass.

In short, OEMs are playing a bit "uncatering". Going back to a FTFY here...

Windows Phone may manage to begin crawling back if some of the new OEMs can produce a good level device that may falls in the same price range as the Lumia 520 did, but with more modern specs.

Samsung would have had it right in my eyes, satisfying the addable storage, battery removal option, and slightly larger screen with a smooth curved back similar to the 8X. If they had a physical camera button for the reasons I mentioned in my earlier post in this thread, I would have gotten that phone. But with Samsung's current offering, I have to go through the tile on the phone which equates to unlocking the device to access the Start Screen.

But too many OEMs miss the mark much like this comment mentioned.

MS has the talent and potential to make an amazing product. They have been a great software company along the years. But, they just don't get hardware. Outside of the Xbox series, they are having trouble with Surface, and WP (Nokia).

Neither do other OEMs in some cases.

This falls in mainly in marketing more than anything. It would explain the ubliquitous nature of Apple in itself in the "ooh shiny" and "prettiness" aspect.

It is the same boat in the laptop arena as well. There are a plethora of options that some OEMs aren't able to push their designs thus resorting to more perceived value to gain notice (in some cases can be corner cutting). Even on the Tablet PC end, (off topic) not one would step up to produce something more compelling.

Again, I hate to point it out again but Samsung kind of did so in a Tablet PC, but lost me in the mechanical hinge dock keyboard that can wear over time and be loose in connectivity even after short ownership of it looking at user reviews. Hence a complete trade off realization for another way of handling (Surface Pros and Thinkpad Yoga).

Surface, it depends how you look at it. RT obviously has not done well on that side alone, but had it not been that push, I would have not the interplay of modern and desktop. Some things are nice on modern, but in many cases the desktop remains and for the better in many aspects on the back end and even front end (Live tiles in lieu of desktop icons array of limitedness).

Remember the first Xbox controller? That was rectified later on in the S controller and now evolved to the use and form of the 360 and One's controller.

 

[Imaginer]

1) A halo device. Call it the Surface Phone. It should be glass and aluminum, as thin and light as the best devices on the market, 5" screen, minimal bezels, HQ camera, full HD screen and a recent chipset. It needs to be available on all carriers with the exact same specs, and unlocked for a reasonable price.

The bolded is especially important. And not just from an availability standpoint but also be a viable presented point from the sales representatives too.

But I would slightly disagree with the "example" device. Nokia has that for awhile, but has been launched first with AT&T with their models first with other carriers trickling in after.

If anything, if the hardware form aspects I mentioned are addressed, to me that is more important than powerful specs (WP can run well with lower chips) but save that cost elsewhere, such as proper design that implements the user removable battery, camera button, and expandable storage with a nice grippable form (all metal chassis isn't gripping and actually more to overcome in EM shielding of its own antennas) that necessitates use of a bulky marketed as necessary case.

Apple, was the first to heavily market a metal chassis for a phone. Guess why now everyone is insistent on it? It isn't any more durable, if anything it doesn't cushion, leading to a need for bulkier after market cases which defeats the purpose of a slimmer phone that is pushed out to begin with.

2) Convergence between desktop and mobile Windows. Same apps, same login, one experience between your desktop/laptop/tablet and phone. I'm talking about Apple-like (or hopefully better) seamless integration between platforms.

That will happen no doubt if not already in the process. I like to see that direction. Desktop wise, I already have it in a sense on my phone via remoting, much like any smartphone nowadays.

Windows Phone in its current iteration may fail, but Microsoft won't abandon the mobile market at any point.

And given the stubbornness of entry of market (re: iPod), they possibly can (re: Zune).

 

[bearxor]

What is more difficult in adding another button on your board? HTC did so before on a smaller chassis 8X compared to the ATIV SE (and their new upcoming WP8 phone). Why is all of a sudden not wanting that uniform feature set a bad thing? Also, Android designs have a three haptic button layout, all it is a change is now you have the back arrow, Windows icon, and magnifying glass.

In short, OEMs are playing a bit "uncatering".

But you're missing the whole point of the decision by Microsoft. Make Windows Phone free. Make it easy to put on existing devices that have been manufactured.

If they put on a shutter button, that requires a new circuit board. New button. New casing. New accessories. If the put capacitive Windows buttons on devices, it means the a new front glass. New touch sensor. Maybe even a change to physical form factor to accommodate space for the extra buttons.

Microsoft wanted to let HTC or Samsung or whomever to take a bunch of their Android devices, set them aside and load windows phone on them. That's why there's no more camera button requirement and that's why on screen button are now a thing in Windows Phone.

 

[bassoprofundo]

...



Unfortunately it sits in my backpack while I have my Note 3 or Nexus 5 in my pocket, because I can't find apps to do everything I do on Android...

Not picking on anyone here, but this made me think of similar statements I've heard more and more lately and leads me to ask this... beginrant ->



"Am I the only one who still reaches for a more suitable tool (ex. -PC, tablet, DSLR, etc.) when the job requires it?"



I watch my wife put in her entire calendar and do a day's worth of email for her job tapping it out character by character on her iPhone while her Surface Pro 3 sits open in front of her wasting away. I watch parents "videotaping" their kids a mile away with a smartphone cam or, God forbid, an iPad when an entry level camcorder would give them a much better shot given the physical zoom. It just floors me...



So, ok... I'm very familiar with the "best (fill in the blank) is the one you have with you" adage, but I fail to understand how/why folks try to do everything on a 4-6 inch screen with a touch keyboard. My phone is my communications tool and point-and-shoot camera when I'm on the go (and sometimes my game console when I don't mind looking like an idiot with my "I'm concentrating on destroying the universe here and can't talk to you" face). I've used every major platform out there, and I've had "zero" problems finding a way to adapt them to fit those roles and find apps to do the job. What else is it that people need to do on a smartphone that requires an entire platform shift? The only things that come to mind for me are work-mandated requirements (you can only use XXX phone), 3rd-party accessories (my Nike fuel band only works on iOS & Android), or possibly some specific banking apps (where iOS & Android are either the only ones with apps or with better featured apps).



Personally, my laptop, Surface Pro, iPad, camera, etc. are nearly always an arm's-reach away, and they're so fast and so much easier to use that I'd rather do this than shoehorn my smartphone into doing jobs they do better. So again... Am I the only one?

 

[vi edit]

If Microsoft were to make the halo device you describe, other OEMs would be pretty pissed off to see that happen.

What other OEM's are putting any effort into WP? HTC had one at launch and nothing since then. Don't care about the "One" phone as to this point it's still vaporware and a badge job. Same thing with Samsung. Anything they've done has been some rebadge of last years hardware. Who are they really going to piss off? They own nokia now and that's the only company that was making anything new for WP.

They've got enough R&D and patents in the way of Nokia to not have to put a serious amount of effort into things. Put the surface hardware team in charge of the design and nokia to put the guts in it and float it out there and see what happens.

The laptop is *still* the go to device for road warriors and many business professionals. An iPad or tablet isn't going to replace that any time soon. I think they've got a market they can tap by adding some convergence between that portable market and the phone.

 

[crashtestdummy]

I should start this reply saying that I am the owner of a Lumia 521. I like the device, but I also woudn't consider myself a "fanboy".

I don't think Microsoft is going to give up on Windows Phone anytime soon. Their future depends on mobile services, and they need the platform as a showcase, even if it doesn't hold market share.

That said, they're stuck on a treadmill, constantly running to catch up, but not actually getting anywhere. The real problem is that they're not going to get anywhere unless they provide something that the other platforms simply don't have. It's not good enough to simply be as good as the other competitors when you're this far behind.

With that in mind, here are two things I think they could do to set themselves apart in the short-to-medium-term:

1) Enterprise. My workplace still issues Blackberries, because Android isn't secure enough and iOS is too consumer-oriented. How Microsoft hasn't managed to fill this void is beyond me. They've really neglected enterprise features in WP 8, and while 8.1 is better, it's still missing a lot with regards to VPN connections and enterprise wireless. This one seems relatively straightforward to work on, and would give them guaranteed user base.

2) Unmoor themselves from carriers. Microsoft should not only stop selling exlcusives, but they should stop selling locked phones at all. It's not like they make much off of subsidized contracts, anyway, and that model is fading even in the US. They should just sell their phones like Google does with the Nexus, and make it so that you can take that phone you buy from them anywhere you want. This has the equally important advantage of allowing them to upgrade their phones on a much more rapid basis. No more waiting for carrier approval for firmware updates.

 

[biostud]

I don't think Microsoft is going to give up on Windows Phone anytime soon. Their future depends on mobile services, and they need the platform as a showcase, even if it doesn't hold market share.

That said, they're stuck on a treadmill, constantly running to catch up, but not actually getting anywhere. The real problem is that they're not going to get anywhere unless they provide something that the other platforms simply don't have. It's not good enough to simply be as good as the other competitors when you're this far behind.

With that in mind, here are two things I think they could do to set themselves apart in the short-to-medium-term:

1) Enterprise. My workplace still issues Blackberries, because Android isn't secure enough and iOS is too consumer-oriented. How Microsoft hasn't managed to fill this void is beyond me. They've really neglected enterprise features in WP 8, and while 8.1 is better, it's still missing a lot with regards to VPN connections and enterprise wireless. This one seems relatively straightforward to work on, and would give them guaranteed user base.

2) Unmoor themselves from carriers. Microsoft should not only stop selling exlcusives, but they should stop selling locked phones at all. It's not like they make much off of subsidized contracts, anyway, and that model is fading even in the US. They should just sell their phones like Google does with the Nexus, and make it so that you can take that phone you buy from them anywhere you want. This has the equally important advantage of allowing them to upgrade their phones on a much more rapid basis. No more waiting for carrier approval for firmware updates.

Pretty much this. Better integration with windows, enterprise and security.