Why I despise the iPhone.

[bydandie]

May I ask how many people want WM to simply close the app down once they click the "x" button? I know I do, the only time I want multi-tasking is when running TomTom and making/taking a phone call at the same time. The iPhone does allow multitaking in certain situations, the music can still play whilst doing other things in on the device for example. From reading the latitude articale, it appears that the issue may be more a case of that google maps isn't updated yet on the iPhone O/S and you need to use the web apps instead which isn't setup for multi-taking.

Originally Posted by bydandie

May I ask how many people want WM to simply close the app down once they click the "x" button? I know I do, the only time I want multi-tasking is when running TomTom and making/taking a phone call at the same time. The iPhone does allow multitaking in certain situations, the music can still play whilst doing other things in on the device for example. From reading the latitude articale, it appears that the issue may be more a case of that google maps isn't updated yet on the iPhone O/S and you need to use the web apps instead which isn't setup for multi-taking.

That's where my vote would go all day long. It's not as if they have even made it easy to switch between the running apps!

The iPhone basically keeps the few essential low level tasks running together, phone, iPod, messaging notifications (including IM). That makes sense but otherwise it is pretty pointless

[Griph]

Conversely I have always hated the way WM manages applications. If you dont know what you are doing you end up with a load of apps running in the background not closed, and it isn't easy to see what is running - unless you go to settings/Memory/Running programmes (or whatever it was) unless you had the HTC add on - or things like Go. Personally I found multi-tasking a double edged sword, and to be honest I dont really miss it on the iPhone - as Bydandie says - the really important ones like phone, mail and iPod functions all carry on - the rest is all pretty much irrelevant.

I was/am not a typical WM user (mind you neither are you lot although I admit I am not in your league) but I used it at a much higher level of functionality than most - I mean most people dont even know how to put in a memory card or set up their on Pop mail accounts or install applications (unlike the iPhone) and just use it for Phone/texting and web browsing!!

For the vast majority of users the iPhone will be almost perfect - and to be honest the increase in sales on the iPhone and the drop in sales of WM pretty much reflects that - if the iPhone was crap - it wouldn't continue to attract so many users. You can try and convince your selves as much as you like, but the reality is that unless MS pull their finger out WM will just continue to slide and ultimately only be relevant to a small minority of guys like you. Apple have shown that they are willing to throw large amounts of money in markets where they perceive potential markets and come up with innovative solutions. Its a shame that MS have sat around for so long doing sweet fanny adams. But then ... I have already said all this ... so perhaps I am just wasting my breath!

[fowljr]

I think we're going around in circles now! I definitely think we all agree that it's horses for courses or a case of personal preference... I think the one thing that stands out is that we all agree that for the mainstream consumer, they just want a device that works, without having to worry about memory, closing applications etc.

What has become clear to me in this thread is the areas that Microsoft need to concentrate on to make Windows Mobile a mainstream consumer platform, and indeed improve it as a corporate platform as many corporate users will want it to just work!!

1. UI
2. Memory & application management
3. UI

I think if they can nail the UI, improve the memory management and management of apps to a point where you aren't actually aware it's managing them, there's a good chance that Windows Mobile may succeed in the consumer market...

[windows]

I think we all agree UI is where it counts, just look how much the majority of folks like the HTC Touch interfaces, or Spb Mobile Shell, and the excitement engendered with HTC Sense on the Android platform.

[Griph]

Originally Posted by windows

I think we all agree UI is where it counts, just look how much the majority of folks like the HTC Touch interfaces, or Spb Mobile Shell, and the excitement engendered with HTC Sense on the Android platform.

Definitley agree on the UI - no device is perfect - and there in lies the second most important issue needed to be resolved. To get back to a situation where ROM upgrades are a possibility and a fact. To be in a position to issues fixed and get more functionality from ongoing development, without having to purchase a new device each time!
posted via mobile portal

Originally Posted by Griph

Definitley agree on the UI - no device is perfect - and there in lies the second most important issue needed to be resolved. To get back to a situation where ROM upgrades are a possibility and a fact. To be in a position to issues fixed and get more functionality from ongoing development, without having to purchase a new device each time!
posted via mobile portal

Even more important as 18 and even 24 month contracts are now the norm

[windows]

Agreed, here's hoping MS are listening!

[boz]

Here is yet another reason why I wouldn't want an iPhone, eXpansys now have the iPhone 3GS 32GB unlocked listed, in black or white at the ludicrous price of......... wait for it.......... £919.99.

Yeah right, I would never pay that much for any device!

iPhone3GS

[johnston411]

that is nuts