How Microsoft Could Have Saved Windows Phone but Won’t

Microsoft have effectively given up on Windows Phone.  Sure there is token support for it for the time being, that is not enough.  It is clear that Microsoft are focusing on the next device in their phone device line- Surface Phone.  It is a real shame as Microsoft had a great operating system that was stable and capable even on lower end hardware.  Windows Phone is definitely nearing the end of the 10 count but there is still hope, if Microsoft will make the right moves.

The most obvious way to turn Windows Phone around, at least from a developer’s standpoint, would be to open the platform up.  To EVERYONE.  That means dropping the whole “membership” fee to have apps and games listed in the Windows Phone Store, or whatever they are calling it now.  Opening up the operating system, including publishing options, to everyone without charge is a major step in turning Windows Phone around.  The problem is, it may be too late.

Had Microsoft done this early on though they might have been sitting in a different position right today.  Fans that showed up to support the Windows Phone platform love it, a few diehard fans of Android or iPhone hate it.  Can’t please everyone.  Nearly universal though is the complaint that there is a serious lack of apps and games.  This could have been avoided had Microsoft not been greedy early on.  If developers knew they could release their apps for free on a new platform they would have more than likely shown up whether the install base was 100k or 10 million strong.

Look at niche products like the Pico 8 device ().  It is free to release games on, program them, edit them, etc.  Sure, you can purchase a devkit for $15 or so but it is not required as far as I know.  There are a few hundred games released for it already and that thing is not all that old.  There are a few hundred more in development.

Microsoft could have really built something awesome with Windows Phone but they screwed it up.  Hell, Windows Phone 10 is not even out of beta phase yet for some reason.  I do not see anything showing proof that Microsoft is working to fix these problems for Surface Phone and the release of that is quickly approaching.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below.

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  • Welp, my friends dad found a HTC Desire 510 phone while metal detecting
    at the beach, was wrapped in a towel and buried in the sand.

    Called the guys home phone from a contact, was missing for 3
    months xD so he just said keep the phone. So I bought it for $35

    Now I can get rid of my shitty nokia lumia 610 with crappy windows phone OS.

    I gave it a shot, I really did. This nokia was my first smart phone, HUGE jump from my old nokia 6610 phone, I thought hey ill go for nokia agaion, they are built well.
    Well, they are still built well, this thing lasts me 4 years and is still working fine, just the OS support sucked ass.

    Android FTW! It actually has programs and games made for it that actually work!

    RIP Nokia & Windows Phone OS, You use to be cool, you will not be missed…

    • Carl Williams

      Understandable that not everyone is a fan of the operating system. I have to agree with you that the support that Microsoft gave the operating system, and the devices, was beyond lackluster.

      Have you seen the upcoming Surface Phone line Microsoft is launching next year?

      • Nah I have not, yet.

        But to be honest, I’m not really into the ‘cutting edge’ of phone tech.
        As long as my phone and call numbers and text, have skype/discord installed on it. Good enough for me.

        I don’t have the net on my phone, way too expensive, wifi or nothing. I have the net at home on my beast PC, thats all I need. i really don’t need to check and update my facebook status every 5 minutes on my phone ha!

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