Is Microsoft’s “Teaching” Approach to Windows Mobile Working for You?
Posted on 07 March 2009, at 12:08 am, by Christopher Gavula
Not that long ago, we showed you screenshots of the new Windows Mobile 6.5 interface to be released on devices later this year. I, for one, like what I saw. But since that release of information, Microsoft seems to be going out of its way to “explain” their decisions to us.
First they explained about how design decisions are made in the manufacture of mobile devices, then they went on to explain the new “honeycomb” design of the WM 6.5 interface.
I’m of two minds about all this “explaining”. Either Microsoft is trying to share a little insight into their process, or they are trying to convince themselves (and us) that they’re making the right decisions. Either way, for me, the approach is a little too much like a parent talking to a child who doesn’t have the capacity to understand or think for themselves and needs to have things explained in simplistic terms. That paternalisitc approach is the same one they used in the “Windows Mojave” ads and personally, it feels a little patronizing and insulting.
If MS is confident in their approach and decisions, then I think they should SELL us on those choices – please don’t talk down to us. We’re consumers, not idiots.
Also of note recently, was a report that said that the number of iPhone apps has now exceeded the number of WinMo apps (I believe the figure was 25,000 apps to approximately 20,000 apps). What, if anything, does it mean that WinMo has been out for 9 years to the 18 months for the iPhone App Store. Will the new MS store help? Some bloggers made statements that the iPhone has mostly “crapware”, but they forget that that is also what makes up much of the WinMo software base, too – and it is true of nearly EVERY platform out there!
What do you think? Are you concerned, confused, insulted, or genuinely pleased with how MS is handling the discussion of their upcoming mobile operating system and the upcoming version of an application store?
Related posts:
- Microsoft’s new strategy: Windows Mobile 6.5 to compete with Android, and Windows Mobile 7 – with the iPhone
- 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 Smartphones by the end of 2009
- Handmark Launches New On-Device Store for Windows Mobile
- Microsoft Opens Windows Marketplace for Mobile Submissions
- Windows Mobile phones to finally get free Wi-Fi from AT&T
3 Comments For This Post
1 Trackbacks For This Post
-
abhinavgujjar Says:
March 7th, 2009 at 3:00 amBANG on Target : RT @GearDiarySite: Is Microsoft’s “Teaching” Approach to Windows Mobile Working for You? http://tinyurl.com/demp7h .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Did Apple or RIM have these types of discussions? I can't remember….
March 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
About the software.. Go ahead an cut in half the amount of actual iPhone Apps. You cant have trials so all the lite free versions should not count in that number but do. Now take away all the apps that are the same app such as DaysTo (40 versions) and CallX (just an icon you assign a number to) and the games that sell at different prices to give you different Points/starting money for poker or Mob respect or…… Now really if you want you can count the hundreds of apps that allow you to push a button to make a noise(s) but most of us dont really consider those real apps either(I could literally make 5K of them in less than a week). Im sorry, but the level of crapware is WAY bigger on iPhone! WAY WAY WAY!! or those other bloggers wouldnt be mentioning it.
March 10th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Now actually look at whats left. Most of the APIs are so locked down and you arent allowed to improve on duplicate functionality in most cases. And now look at the top of the line apps on WM like PIMs. Pocket Informant is finally getting there this week(with way less initial functionality than its big brother on WM) and only has really like 1 competitor( that isnt really even close) compared to like 5-7 good contenders that all do more on WM. Or stuff that updates the today or launcher screens, oh forget it, you arent allowed to do that… or ….
Yeah, its not the same, iPhone is getting some good game love, but they should not be bragging about this inflated to 25K number verses some made up 20K number(there are probably over 20K different enterprise WM applications alone out in the business world).