What happened guys? You used to be beautiful. This is a painful article for me to type but one that needs to be done. I was recently complaining that part of the reason that people have this bad view of Windows Mobile is the fact that developers are abandoning it. For example when the Slingbox first came out I jumped all over it. I was the first in my circle to get one. Add in the fact that SlingMedia came up with a client for Windows Mobile and you are talking about a killer gadget. The interface for the time was fine nothing different than any other Windows Mobile app. But then, enter in the Sling Player Mobile app for the iPhone.
What a beautiful interface. They completely reworked the app making it sleek and pretty. Take for example no more tiny buttons everything now is an overlay with huge buttons. Do you think these clowns have gone back and reworked the Slingplayer Mobile for the guys that helped them get popular. NO. What happened to us SlingMedia? Every time I launch the interface I get disgusted. But never in a million years would I have thought that Microsoft would have abandoned itself!
I am wondering how on earth could they develop the Bing Mobile app and make it look better on the iPhone than its own phone? Someone should be fired for this. When I launched the Bing app on my Tilt 2 I said okay, not bad. Big icons, no need for a stylus, check. Locate me, ok cool. Send my location oops!! Dropped the ball there. I forgive you. I call up Rod and he says how do you like Bing on your phone I quickly responded with not bad. My wife wanted to go to the movies, I popped in the title got all the information I needed. Locations, Times you know the works. I then stopped by Rod's house and he hands me his iPhone. I launched Bing and almost Launched his iPhone out the Window. I don' know if I was green with envy or green like the Hulk. Either way I was pissed to say the least. The interface is (input any infinite number here you want and it is still not enough) a zillion times better. Sleek, Smooth overlay screens just disgustingly pretty. Who does that? Who gives their competitor the better product? I am furious that SlingMedia hasn't created a new version for Windows Mobile yet. But I am back after my fifth shower after seeing Bing on the iPhone. This is the problem with Windows Mobile and it starts at the top. From start to finish there is no comparison.
Just take a look at the startup screen. Nice transition of a deep black as compared to plain old white.
Now take a look at the start screen. We get icons the iPhone gets overlay
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And I know some of you may be thinking well the SDK for the iPhone is better so they can not do overlay on Windows Mobile. I am here to tell you that is bunk. Because the HTC video app and Picture app both have overlay.
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Had enough? Don't tap yet because I have more. Both versions support Voice Activation but which one would you rather look at?
C'mon Microsoft I have taken a lot of ribbing over the last two years but this is indefensible. Why should anyone build a beautiful app when Microsoft wont? Now let's not panic yet. I am not switching I will just continue to hunt and find apps that are useful and simple. But I sincerely hope that Microsoft will lead by example.
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What a shame!! Chris, your not getting a metal or paid to run WinMo. Throw in the towel already. I know you lazy and slow to change
but they are making an excuse for you.
MS should take a page from Google and and showcase their stuff on their platform. Look at Google Maps Navigation, available only on Android. Google created a Google Voice client for the BlackBerry but it isn’t nearly as pretty as the Android version.
I recieved my Touch Pro2 in the mail and I am still not used to the WinMo platform. I have not had one in over 3 years. One thing I definitely noticed is the Bing app being a little fuzzy on my screen. Argh! Still working on figuring out how to do things but I still love my new phone.
Chris,
Hang in there! Your persisitence will pay off. Right now the I-Phone is symbolism over WinMobile Substance. Don’t let the glitter fool you! You will be rewarded (not sure how) for your loyalty.
This sums up my believe in the iPhone platform. Been using wm since 4 and hates every minute of it. Picking up the device felt painful.
I love my iPhone and even being a windows guy and developer, I approcate the apps design and ease of use. There are crap apps out the but you put the good ones side by side with windows mobile and it isn’t even a fair fight.
Microsoft is suppose to talk about WinMo 7 at some event early this year. I believe Mix. Either way the beat is marching without them. I am not sure Apple will be the big winner. My guess is Android will make a big impact and replace WinMo
I can say that I have never hated Windows Mobile/Phone and have liked each version that was released better than the previous. But I do get frustrated when I see stuff that just shouldn’t be happening. One of the cool things that I find is that the more I dig the cooler apps I find for Windows Mobile/Phone. So there is hope. And the Zune shows me that they can get it right if they buckle down. so We’ll see how it goes.
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