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0 pointsck213y ago0 comments

Windows/Metro on mobile has terrible sales.

Why would they want to unify DOWN to that level?

It's crazy how much a lead Microsoft had with personal computers in the 80s and how far they've fallen. Once arm starts becoming powerful enough for desktops, Windows is pretty much done and the days of the wintel tax are over. We're almost there, give it about 3-4 years.

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4 comments · 2 top-level

corporalagumbo13y ago· 2 in thread

Did WP7 sell poorly because of its interface and styling - i.e. because the product itself was bad? Or did it sell poorly because iOS and Android are monoliths and MS was late to the smartphone game and - dare I say it - didn't put their full weight behind WP7 because maybe they had their eye on a more distant goal and maybe WP7 was just a warm-up for their full product-line revamp?

Do you really think Microsoft is so stupid that they would expect WP7 to become an instant runaway success against their competitors, without putting even a fraction of the necessary effort into pushing it? They're realistic about their products. How do you know that Microsoft didn't achieve all of its internal goals that it set for WP7? Visible market success is only one possible goal for a company as large as Microsoft, especially with a small and isolated product like WP7. And Microsoft has clearly been driving towards it Metro-revamp for a while now (Zune HD, WP7, W8). They're a big company after all and I'm sure they do analyse likely long-term trends in technology and make plans for how to navigate the future. WP7 is only one move in a long-term maneuver.

polyfractal13y ago

So true. I have a WP7 and love the hell out of it. I can't stand using my girlfriend's iPhone - it feels clunky and designed for an elementary school child. I have several friends and family that also love their WP7 dearly.

WP7 is a great OS. Unfortunately, it has been stigmatized and beat down because A) Microsoft B) Not Apple, and C) poor marketing/strategy

actsasbuffoon13y ago

>> They're realistic about their products.

I've worked with two ex-Microsoft developers, and they've led me to believe otherwise.

Neither of them worked on the Windows team, but they were around when Vista was released. From their descriptions, management seemed very confident that Vista was going to be a resounding success. Apparently a lot of the rank-and-file developers had serious doubts about the product, and management didn't want to hear it.

Granted, that's anecdotal and things could have changed since then. Somehow I doubt it though.

tedunangst13y ago

Once arm starts becoming powerful enough for desktops

Hysterical, considering the very first arm machines were desktops.

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