Five Reasons to Switch to Windows Phone 7

PCWorld ^ | October 08, 2010 | Tony Bradley

[SmokingJoe]

3. Try-Before-You-Buy. Microsoft lets you try out apps before deciding whether or not to purchase them. I have wasted a fair amount of money buying iPhone apps only to find out they don't really do what I need, or just suck at what they do. Even apps that are free place a burden on me to then uninstall them. Having the ability to check out an app before purchasing is a significant value for users, and will also benefit developers--at least the ones that make decent apps.

4. Email. Windows Phone 7 provides native Exchange access with Active Sync updates, and allows users to connect with multiple Exchange accounts. Windows Phone 7 also supports third-party e-mail such as Gmail

5. Integration. Windows Phone 7 is a platform that combines Office productivity, Exchange e-mail, Xbox Live gaming, search, music, and voice communications. Granted, that is not all that unique in a smartphone these days. In fact, it's more of a baseline requirement. But, Windows Phone 7 meshes the various elements of your digital life together more seamlessly and intuitively than other smartphones--especially for users that are already more or less Microsoft-centric in other areas.

[lefty-lie-spy]

I see a total 0 reasons in your article summary. ‘Nuff said. iPhone won a long time ago.

(yes, this is a flame.)

[tacticalogic]

(yes, this is a flame.)

'tis a damp paper match.

[EyeGuy]

Last I heard, Microsoft is not supporting the synching of their OWN devices with Outlook 2010.

[Erik Latranyi]

(yes, this is a flame.)

Not much of a flame with such a small wick!

[herewego]

ring ring ping

[lefty-lie-spy]

Touché ;)

[DesertSapper]

Not committing to any phone hardware or OS yet but WP7 is definitely on my short list.

I like the WP7 'hub' interface design - actually I'd like most anything but a screen full of tiny icons. I love the Office/Live/Zune integration. The ability to test apps before buying is a huge plus I'd not heard about until now.

That said, I'm wary of WP7's limited multitasking - a lot like iOS. It might prove to be no problem at all but would like to know more. Also, I'd probably miss cut-and-paste if that doesn't make it into WP7.

[Erik Latranyi]

Touché ;)

I would lose my comedian license if I didn't take advantage of that one!

It's not personal.

[Deagle]

People still use phones?

[ShadowAce]

[Erik Latranyi]

That said, I'm wary of WP7's limited multitasking - a lot like iOS. It might prove to be no problem at all but would like to know more. Also, I'd probably miss cut-and-paste if that doesn't make it into WP7.

Both multitasking and cut/paste will be in the next revision which you should expect to debut in less than a year.

[The KG9 Kid]

I ran an HTC Mogul with Windows Mobile 6.x for over three years. They suck donkey balls.

Anyone buying a Windows Mobile 7 phone will be just like the suckers who bought a Microsoft Zune. You get what you deserve.

Android or iPhone. One or the other. That's the only way to go.

[msgt]

After almost 2 years with an iPhone, just recently upgraded from 3G to 4, I haven’t found cut & paste to be that bit of a deal. I almost never use it, and it wouldn’t really impact me much if it wasn’t available.

I’m really looking forward to getting a WP7 - I’ll give my iPhone 4 to my wife and never look back. I’m REALLY looking forward to un-installing iTunes. I hate it. I also have a Zune HD, and the Zune software is much better than iTunes.

[WayneS]

DILLIGAF?

[longtermmemmory]

unless MS starts giving away their phones for free ala Netscape obliteration, I don’t see how they can catch up.

Google android is snoopy and intrusive on privacy in order to collect marketing data.

Iphone has a company store reservation.

But both now have loyal followings.

Why would an iphone or android user switch to Phone 7?

[SeeSharp]

Can you write your own apps and load them directly without going through M$?

[antiRepublicrat]

Both multitasking and cut/paste will be in the next revision which you should expect to debut in less than a year.

Showing how WP7 is still WAY behind. By then Android 3.x will be mature and shipping on all Android phones, and Apple will probably be at iOS 5. Microsoft, always forgetting to lead moving targets.

[B Knotts]

Hubs. The hubs concept is one of the smartphone paradigm shifts imagined by Microsoft. Grouping apps and functions based on general categories is an innovative and effective means of navigating the smartphone. Case in point--since Apple introduced the ability to nest apps in folders under iOS 4.0 I have essentially gone through and implemented a similar concept by creating categorized folders and housing the appropriate apps there. The iPhone version just requires more manual effort on my part.

Uh. My Palm Centro has this, and its OS has been around since the mid-1990s. Not exactly groundbreaking.

[antiRepublicrat]

Google android is snoopy and intrusive on privacy in order to collect marketing data.

I believe Microsoft was describing WP7 as an advertising cash cow. I wouldn't expect much privacy with WP7 either.