MikeAdams wrote:
Not knowing how to PROMOTE it? They not only don't feature it in the stores, but every time I have been there -- they always direct people to either apple or android. I don't know, maybe they make more on the other phones -- but I have seen several times where they avoid selling Windows Phones.
Personally, I think they MAY steer people to Apple/Android phones simply because the Windows Phones may not have the same functionality as the other phones currently have.
They MAY see how people use their phone/what apps they rely upon and seeing no equivalent option on a Windows phone don't want to feel the wrath of people making the switch, coming back furious when they no longer can utilize an app which they had come to rely upon with Apple/Android devices.
This is certainly why I have been hesitant in giving a Windows phone a try again. I have wanted to try the new Windows Phones for quite some time, but I have been unwilling to make the jump simply because too many of the apps I routinely use are not available on the Windows Phone platform. I was plagued by that problem with my last foray into Windows Phones. I plan to wait until the app offerings are more similar in the future, if they ever are.
When apps for Windows Phones become more plentiful, I think you may see a higher rate of adoption. Until that time, though, I think they will continue to stay in 3rd place for smartphone OS popularity.
The problem is that developers will not build apps for Windows Phone because it's not popular enough and Windows Phone cannot be popular without said apps 
If Microsoft is dedicated to Windows Phone ecosystem and wants to dominate the market they have a powerhouse of developers and should work with companies that are lacking Windows Phone apps, develop the app for them and turn over the code to the company once the app gains in popularity.
Plus Microsoft needs to advertise, the Siri vs. Cortana ad is a start but they need much more advertising.
primortal wrote:
The problem is that developers will not build apps for Windows Phone because it's not popular enough and Windows Phone cannot be popular without said apps
If Microsoft is dedicated to Windows Phone ecosystem and wants to dominate the market they have a powerhouse of developers and should work with companies that are lacking Windows Phone apps, develop the app for them and turn over the code to the company once the app gains in popularity.
Plus Microsoft needs to advertise, the Siri vs. Cortana ad is a start but they need much more advertising.
When android was first introduced, the app selection was but a tiny fraction of what was available for iPhones. Now there is little difference in offerings.
This is why I held off on purchasing an android phone when they were first introduced. After the offerings became more plentiful, I purchased my first android phone. The apps have got to be there if Microsoft wants to improve the popularity of Windows Phones.
primortal wrote:
Heck, VZW doesn't even have the apps for Windows Phone that they have for Andriod and iOS.
The same USED to be said for iPhones as android is its most popular OS. Recently, though, VZW has been catching up and offering more of its apps on iPhones.
This is ALSO a problem that the apps have to gain approval from Apple/Microsoft before they can be offered in the respective app stores.
A manufacturer DOES NOT have to give approval for an app to be offered in the Google Play Store.
primortal wrote:
The difference today is that Andriod/iOS has been around a lot longer than Windows Phone, so they have a huge advantage in the app realm. And yet in the beginning, iOS had a huge advantage over android in the app realm. Not so anymore.
The key is VZW been playing catchup on iPhone and ignoring Windows Phone. What provider wouldn't devote more time on an OS which a FAR GREATER amount of its user base currently uses? It would be crazy for VZW to do anything else.
Why is it a problem that apps need approval from Microsoft? Because it takes MORE time for apps to be offered, meaning MORE time for app store parity to be achieved?
I'm glad that Apple/Microsoft approve the apps first before they get to the store. This prevents the problems that Andriod has, mal/spyware; granted this goes mostly for apps that get installed outside of Google Play. Still a black mark against the OS.
Apple already had a huge offering of apps BEFORE the first iPhone was even introduced. This is not the case for Microsoft. That may be a stumbling block for them.
primortal wrote:
VZW wanted Windows Phone to be the "third ecosystem" (http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/19/2960427/verizon-windows-phone-third-ecosystem). If that's the case devote some time to programing for it.
Who's to say they aren't, but being a fraction of the user base it is also a fraction of the manpower most likely.
primortal wrote:
Developers have no problem doing this for Apple so there shouldn't be any complaints for doing it for the Windows Phone Store. With the introduction of Universal Apps I expect the application gap will close quickly.
Except there is a large user base on the iPhone, not a luxury Windows Phone has. Is a developer going to spend more time on a platform with a 100,000,000 unit user base or on a platform with a 1,000,000 unit user base. I know which one I would spend more time on. As a result, it takes more time for the Windows apps.
primortal wrote:
That's because Apple knew what they are doing. They had to have a good selection of apps otherwise the phone would be useless... Microsoft doesn't get that hence where they are today.
Nothing I haven't been saying all along. Get the app selection up, the users will follow, possibly even myself.
rcschnoor wrote:
Nothing I haven't been saying all along. Get the app selection up, the users will follow, possibly even myself.
Then start pestering the companies that are lacking apps on Windows Phone. Show you support instead of flapping your typing about the lack of apps 
The apps I'm missing the companies get Tweets/Facebook posts and emails monthly expressing my interest.
grafixguy wrote:
The "app gap" for most users is non-existent. I've used plenty of iOS and Android devices but Windows Phone is far superior, for my needs. Most of the apps in all of the app stores are junk anyway. The major apps are on Windows Phone and getting updates. It's way smoother, way faster and the battery life, at least on my Icon is amazing. While my iPhone toting friends are running around looking for power outlets, I'm looking for places to take great pictures.
I stand by my statement. The biggest problem with Windows Phone is the lack of promotion. I hope that once 8.1 is fully deployed that all of the carriers and MSFT will do a better job. I think it's essential for MSFT to make sure that the holdout apps are added even if it means paying the developers to create them.
It seems we simply have a difference of opinion. I see a large "app gap" for myself and many other users.
I don't necessarily agree that Windows Phone biggest problem is the lack of promotion. I see more Windows Phones placed in TV/Movies than iPhones and android devices. I see almost as many Windows Phone ads on TV as iPhone/android ads, too. I am well aware of the Windows Phone offerings, as I have had PLENTY of promotion about the platform. Additional promotion isn't going to make the apps I use appear on the Windows Phone app store, though.
grafixguy wrote:
It's going to depend on your needs. I don't think most users need 15 apps that all do the same thing. All I know is that everyone I show my Icon to is pretty impressed with it.
I don't have 15 apps which do the same thing, but I do have multiple apps which do different things. Yes, there are some apps available, but I don't plan to get bitten again with promises of apps arriving and never materializing. That happened in my last foray into the Windows Phone arena. Trick me once... This time I will wait until they arrive. I also have the same policy with other operating systems/phones. I don't purchase a phone with a "promise" of an update or "future capabilities". I wait until the update is available and the phones are ALREADY capable.
grafixguy wrote:
Give it time.
I have NEVER disagreed with this. Some, it seems, are not willing to do so and instead complain about how the providers are sabotaging the OS. I simply say "give me the apps I want" and more people will make the jump. As you have said, that will take time.
