So Microsoft only decided to bring Office to Android earlier this year when Android hit 60-70% market share...Yes, yes I do see Office for Android. http://phandroid.com/2013/07/31/microsoft-office-for-androi/
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How much apps does Microsoft, Apple, and BlackBerry write for their major competing mobile operating systems?You mean because Google is being a jackass and refusing to write apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 and refused API access? Then they threatened Microsoft to take down their Youtube app because it didn't display ads properly, so MS had to update the app so it links only to the site.
I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at.
How much apps does Microsoft, Apple, and BlackBerry write for their major competing mobile operating system?
Interesting...Oh wow, I knew nothing about this:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2056158/microsofts-webapps-fizzle-as-brands-pull-apps.html
Interesting...
I never knew that Microsoft was into the development of "fart"(that's basically what webapps are) apps.
I thought that was only a BlackBerry thing.
The fact is that it's not only Google doing this...Other major corporations and app developers are doing the same as well.
If they weren't, Microsoft would waste their resources in developing "fart" web apps.
Why should Google(or any other company in fact) waste time and resources developing apps for an operating system that is still in single digit market share in major places around the world?
Interesting how many people are calling Google evil while not doing the same for Facebook, Instagram, Vine, Photoshop, HBO GO, Dropbox, Flipboard, Firefox, CVS, etc...
How many apps does Blackberry have on Android? iOS? WP?I'm not sure I'd put fart apps and repackaged webapps in the same category. One of them actually has a useful purpose even if it's just a more convenient link.
Anyways, Google gets labeled as evil because they're more active in their lack of development. They refuse to let MS release a decent youtube app, they ended activesync (but did white-list WP until Dec), for awhile they wouldn't let WP devices access the HTML5 versions of their services despite them working fine.
Google is absolutely no different than any company out there. They are just as "evil" and ruthless. If you believe otherwise you are a moron.
Don't expect to see official Google apps on WP anytime soon. They will only do so when WP reaches a critical mass of users like iOS has. They have no intention of seeing WP succeeding and dethroning Android.
I agree entirely with these statements.Right, they're just behaving like any company in a capitalist system.
How many apps does Blackberry have on Android? iOS? WP?
How many apps does Apple have on Android? WP? BlackBerry?
How many apps does Microsoft have on Android? BlackBerry? iOS?
I don't see this much garnishing of teeth when it comes to Apple, BlackBerry, or Microsoft developing apps for their competing operating systems...Only Google it seems.
Google is more active in their lack of development than Apple, Blackberry, Facebook, Twitter, Adobe, HBO, Dropbox, Mozilla, and CVS? How so? Can you tell me how many apps those companies have developed for WP?
Many people seem to be fine calling Google evil while not doing the same for Apple, Blackberry, Facebook, Instagram, Vine, Photoshop, HBO GO, Dropbox, Flipboard, Firefox, CVS, etc...
Exchange ActiveSync isn't free. Google has to pay Microsoft licensing cost, along with paying support for it's users.
CardDAV and CalDAV are free and open standards. Zero licensing costs.
Don't blame Google for Microsoft's lack of support for them when iOS, BB10, and Android support the same open standards.
This is akin to my company deciding to cut costs by switching from Windows to a Linux servers. Yes, some people will be angry(for whatever reason), but if it helps my company's bottom line in the long run that doesn't matter.
Examples?
Them being able to demonstrate that "it works fine" doesn't matter.
See: the situation about Microsoft being forced to pull down webapps.
I don't ever expect Google apps on WP unless it becomes bigger than iOS which is unlikely.
What's the deal with iOS apps then?
Not only is not unlikely, it's inevitable.
What makes you say that?
A lot of things. Various market studies I've read through, how much MS has invested in this segment, the near doubling of WP sales over the past year, a hunch. I don't know if it will do it by, say, 2018 or so, but I think by 2020 Microsoft's share should be on par or ahead of Apple. Some analysts say it will happen as soon as 2016 but I'm not so sure. It's Microsoft's ball to drop.
I think most of that growth will come at Android's expense. I think Google will control around half of the market and Microsoft/Apple will get about 20% each or so leaving everyone else to split the remaining 10%.
That's the future, of course, but I don't think there's any doubt that Microsoft will catch up to Apple. It's just a matter of how fast they'll get there.
A lot of things. Various market studies I've read through, how much MS has invested in this segment, the near doubling of WP sales over the past year, a hunch. I don't know if it will do it by, say, 2018 or so, but I think by 2020 Microsoft's share should be on par or ahead of Apple. Some analysts say it will happen as soon as 2016 but I'm not so sure. It's Microsoft's ball to drop.
I think most of that growth will come at Android's expense. I think Google will control around half of the market and Microsoft/Apple will get about 20% each or so leaving everyone else to split the remaining 10%.
That's the future, of course, but I don't think there's any doubt that Microsoft will catch up to Apple. It's just a matter of how fast they'll get there.
Facebook app on Windows is a glorified webapp, is it not?I think you misunderstood my point. Most companies when asked about Windows Phone apps say some generic line like "Nothing is planned at this point." or "We're always evaluating new opportunities". Google on the other hand, has actively blocked WP from their services more than a few times. They've got every right to do that, but to say they're on the same level as a company that just says "no comment" is wrong.
I don't ever expect Google apps on WP unless it becomes bigger than iOS which is unlikely. I think anyone who buys phone from one company and expects their competitor's services to fully support it is loony. Also, from your examples, Facebook, Twitter, Adobe, CVS, Instagram, Vine, Flipboard all have released or soon to be release WP apps.
The fact is MS supports more OSes than anyone right now. They have to if they want to grow. Expecting that from anyone else is silly but it would be nice.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print...-s-7-2-billion-nokia-bet-not-luring-apps.htmlMicrosoft Corp. (MSFT)’s $7.2 billion pairing with Nokia Oyj (NOK)’s handset business is failing to win over the software developers who are crucial to its success.
Consider Tommy Palm and Jeff Smith. Palm, who oversees development at smartphone-game maker King.com, and Smith, who runs music-application maker Smule Inc., have long avoided building apps for devices using Microsoft’s Windows Phone software. Closer ties with Nokia haven’t swayed them. Both say even after the acquisition closes, Microsoft still won’t have enough users to make it worth the time and money.
“With or without Nokia, Microsoft needs to demonstrate that they can capture a material segment of the mobile market,” Smith said in an interview. “We will wait and see.”
While Microsoft has struggled to lure developers since Windows Phone debuted in 2010, the plight has taken on new urgency since Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced the acquisition of Nokia’s handset unit last month. Microsoft, which had close ties with Nokia through a 2011 partnership, is counting on the deal to boost its share of the $280 billion smartphone market and to lure makers of games, productivity tools and other apps, who view the company’s mobile software as an afterthought compared with Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iOS and Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android.
High Hurdles
Yet interviews with more than a dozen developers show that the odds remain stacked against Microsoft -- even with the Nokia deal, which is set to close in the first quarter of 2014. Developers said that while Nokia’s handset business gives Microsoft a ready pipeline of Windows Phone devices, it isn’t enough to overcome a lack of users, or the cost and confusion related to the technical specifications of writing for the company’s phone and tablet devices.
Ultimately, it comes down to where developers can make money -- and that’s not with Microsoft, said William Hurley, a co-founder of Chaotic Moon, a maker of apps for companies including Walt Disney Co. (DIS) He said the company’s most recent game, “Dragon Academy”-- which is free to download, with consumers paying for upgrades -- generated more in one hour of sales on Apple devices than was made through all of Chaotic Moon’s releases globally for Windows Phone in the past year.
“What basket would you put your eggs?” Hurley said, adding that Chaotic Moon chose not to make “Dragon Academy” for Windows Phone.
Big Lag
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, currently has more than 175,000 applications for Windows Phone, compared with more than 900,000 for Apple iOS and more than 1 million for Google Android -- and even those apps that it does have typically come to its platform later than for rivals.
News-reading app Flipboard Inc., for one, debuted on Apple’s iPad in 2010 and joined Android in 2012, yet has no immediate plans to release a version for Windows Phone. Other notable apps missing include Pinterest, Instagram and Uber.
The paucity of applications has impeded gains in Microsoft’s smartphone market share. The company had 3.7 percent of the global smartphone market in the second quarter, compared with 79 percent for Android and 13 percent for Apple, according to IDC.
Microsoft executives said they are well aware of the shortcomings and said that adding Nokia will help. Joe Belfiore, vice president and manager for Windows Phone, said owning Nokia will speed creation of handsets with its software and result in a more cohesive marketing strategy.
He said that the takeover will also let Microsoft utilize Nokia’s sales team to educate more people about Windows Phone, especially the staff at retail outlets where people buy their devices.
Changing Perceptions
“If you’re not paying attention as a retail sales person, a customer walks into your store and asks about phones, you’re going to make your assumption about where Windows Phone is at based on the last time you paid close attention,” Belfiore said.
Microsoft also continues to lighten the cost of building apps for Windows Phone by paying for development and marketing. An example is Pandora Media Inc. (P)’s music-streaming service, which debuted this year. Microsoft built the application and keeps the software updated. Facebook Inc. (FB)’s Windows Phone app, which came out in 2010, also was made by Microsoft.
“We help them with development, whether that’s funding their own development or working with vendors,” Belfiore said. “In some cases, we’re doing development ourselves.”
Swaying Skeptics
Belfiore said Microsoft will do more promotions for developers once it owns Nokia, including having apps pre-installed on phones.
Some developers still need more convincing. Take Greg Kostello, CEO of video-editing application Givit. Last year, Kostello created an app for Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system and Microsoft’s Surface tablet. Given Microsoft’s success in personal computers, Kostello expected Surface to be a hit.
Yet after several months and little market traction, San Diego-based Givit pulled the plug, choosing instead to focus on the iPhone and Android devices.
Now with Microsoft’s purchase of Nokia’s phones, Kostello wants to see the marketplace emerge before committing resources. “We tried it, made a bet and didn’t see it take off,” he said. “We’re a little more gun shy.”
Other Repercussions
Attitudes like Kostello’s ripple beyond Microsoft’s smartphone endeavors to the tablet market now dominated by Apple’s iPad. Microsoft wrote off $900 million of unsold Surface tablets this year after lackluster sales. Microsoft won’t disclose how much it makes from mobile devices and services.
“The lack of applications that exists for the Windows platform is a critical deterrent in customer adoption,” said David Yoffie, a professor at Harvard Business School.
Many developers still want Microsoft to succeed in adding another viable outlet for their apps outside of Apple and Google.
“It would be great to have a third horse in the race,” said John Hayase, chief product officer for music service Slacker Inc. “If we see a third major mobile platform emerge, that would compel us to change organizationally how we do things.”
Making it easier to create applications that work across Microsoft’s smartphones and tablets will help developers, said Smith of Smule. Right now, the cost of developing for both isn’t worth it, he said.
Another area where Microsoft can focus is business customers, said John Arrow, chairman of Mutual Mobile Inc., which makes apps for companies including Citigroup Inc. Since many businesses already use Microsoft technology, the company is well positioned to expand with phones in the enterprise arena, he said.
Microsoft combined with Nokia “does not alter our thinking” in the short term, he said. “In the long term, this investment represents some unique opportunities.”
And Microsoft makes more money from Android than Windows Phone.
http://www.asymco.com/2011/05/27/mi...-income-from-android-than-from-windows-phone/
Though that's kind of dated. Maybe it's only 3 times more now
Facebook app on Windows is a glorified webapp, is it not?
Instagram...It's finally been announced, but it's not on the Windows app store yet.
Vine? It's been announced I think, but it's not the Windows app store yet.
Photoshop? I haven't heard a thing about it and it's not on the Windows app store.
CVS? Another glorified webapp. What good is it if you can't use their app to refill, or scan the bottles on your prescription by taking a picture?
Flipboard? It's been announced, but not on the Windows app store yet?
http://www.infragistics.com/communi...-ios-android-windows-phone-amp-windows-8.aspx
Keep in mind that some of the "Yes"(like Facebook) in Windows phone category are actually glorified webapps created by Microsoft and not real apps.
Also, no Candy Cush Saga? I don't play that game but that's the game I almost hear everyone talking about nowadays, including from non-tech/gaming oriented people that don't know much about technology or rarely play games.
What's your point? All I said is they are available or in development. Facebook is not a web app, it's a full featured app and that's the only one I personally care about.