I still remember the first Windows Phone I ever bought- it was Christmas 2009, and I had some extra money to buy myself a present. I chose this HTC Surround that came with a pull out speaker- this was before BoomSound became a thing, but that speaker was nonetheless impressive. To me, Windows Phone 7 was an amazing OS for its time, and I thought it would be Microsoft's first step towards a bright future in mobile.
Fast forward five years later. Along with the Surround, I've gone through a Samsung Focus, an HTC Radar, and three Nokia Lumias- a 900, a 920 and a 1520. The OS is great, but the list of things I can't do with my phone are outweighing the things I can do. I can't hold out any longer for Microsoft to become a serious contender. This morning, I took my SIM card out of my Lumia 1520 and inserted it into a brand new OnePlus One.
For now, at least, I'm done with Windows Phone
I was pretty hesitant to do so- after all, I have had my OnePlus One for almost a week now, and kept telling myself, "I'll change the SIM out today." I've put it off all the way up until today, and even now as I complete the transition, it feels like an awkward breakup. Save for a used Blackberry and a Nokia Symbian years ago, Windows Phone has been my platform of choice as long as I've owned smartphones. I've watched the OS grow and get better since day one. Cortana is amazing, the hardware is solid, and I'm impressed that it runs smoothly on entry level phones and flagships, but it's never taken that one pivotal step it needs to be a true competitor.
Where does it falter? It's obvious- the apps.
Apps are the lifeblood of any operating system. But when you don't have them, you create a vicious circle. You need apps to get users, you need users to get market share, and you need market share for developers to create apps. Windows Phone touts that it has nearly all of the Top 50 apps in the iOS and Android app stores, but there's a caveat they don't mention- most of those apps aren't maintained and updated as frequently, and thus are missing features we've grown accustomed to. Instagram on Windows Phone has been in beta for over a year and doesn't include video posting or Instagram Direct. Amazon Kindle doesn't have X-Ray or allow you to buy books directly from the app. Trivia Crack lacks multiplayer and doesn't show your current XP level. These are things that were implemented ages ago in the iPhone and Android versions of these apps, and still have yet to come to Windows Phone. Breakout, white hot apps are either nonexistent or late to the party. Snapchat and Tinder are nowhere to be found. Candy Crush Saga just arrived last week after being available elsewhere for two years, and when recommending this phone, a number of people have asked me if Candy Crush was available on, only to brush me off when I had to tell them no. Like them or not, popular apps matter to people, regardless of how temporary their star shines.
I'm someone who likes to test new tech, and being on Windows Phone is a problem. I just installed Automatic, a dongle that plugs into your car diagnostic port to provide metrics about how you drive. I'd never be able to see those metrics real time on my cell phone without an iPhone or Android device. Other smart technologies like Philips Hue, Nest, Insteon, and the Wink Hub all require the use of a smartphone to monitor metrics- only Insteon offers Windows Phone support.
But what may be the most damning stat (and my last straw) when it comes to Windows Phone is how Microsoft has shot itself in the foot with its own apps. Microsoft properties like Skype and Office are updated less and perform worse on Windows Phone.As someone who has stuck with the platform for five years, that's the equivalent of my parents rooting for the other team at my soccer game. I'm disappointed that Microsoft has taken this stance on their properties, but it's not my company. All I can do is put the facts out there and make the best decision for me.
I'm still going to keep a close eye on Windows Phone 10 to see what tricks Microsoft has up its sleeve. Until then, my trusty Nokia Lumia 1520 will be in my desk drawer waiting for Microsoft's next move.
