Ever since Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer announced Windows Mobile 7 at MWC in Barcelona, everyone in the mobile tech world has been talking about it. Microsoft used to be a pretty big player in the mobile phone space, but recently they have lost massive market share to competitors like RIM's Blackberry, Apple's iPhone, and Google's Android. But is Windows Phone 7 going to save Microsoft and pull them back to the top? Although it is very possible, here are a few limitations that are working against them:
1. Late Release
Windows Mobile 7 was initially slated to be released by 2009. Now, Microsoft is saying that it will be released in late 2010. Instead, in 2009 they released Windows Mobile 6.5, which is supposed to be a brief holdover until the new software could come out.
The main problem for Microsoft is that the longer they wait before they actually release Windows Phone 7, the longer their competitors will have to build market share. In 2009 alone, they lost 13% of their market share. How much will they lose in 2010? Because smart phones are such a social device nowadays, this results in a worse experience for all existing Windows Mobile users.
2. Bad Reviews
The reviews for Windows Mobile 6.5 were definitely not favorable for Microsoft. This bad press doesn't lead people to sit on the edge of their seats anticipating Windows Mobile 7. The good news is that this has forced Microsoft to completely start over and build a new operating system from scratch. Hopefully they get it right this time.
3. Multi-tasking
One of the rumors going around is that Windows Phone 7 may not be able to multi-task. Of course, this is also a limitation of the iPhone, whereas Blackberries and Androids currently have multitasking capabilities. It is also rumored that iPhones will support multitasking with the release of its 4.0 software. If this is the case, then Microsoft could be left behind even before they begin.
4. Bing
Microsoft's Bing search engine definitely isn't bad, but most people still want to use Google. Most people find nothing wrong with Google, and they don't want to have to learn a new search engine when the one they have been using for a decade is perfectly fine. Windows Mobile 7, of course, completely integrates Bing. Users will have to jump through a bunch of hoops if they want to use Google. All the other phones integrate with Google because they don't have a search engine of their own to promote.
5. Upgraders could be left in the cold
People who are already using Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5 might find that none of the apps they bought work on Windows Mobile 7. Since Windows Mobile 7 was built from the ground up, backwards compatibility is unlikely. Microsoft has said that they will most likely release some porting tools for developers or an emulator, but this isn't a perfect solution.
6. Apps
When it comes to smart phones (and computers), it's really all about the apps. Apple will have had a 3 year head start on Microsoft, and their App Store currently boasts more than 150,000 apps. Google's Android and the Blackberry have been struggling to catch up for over a year. Microsoft hasn't even started.
7. Usability
Although this isn't a limitation YET, it is worth keeping in mind. Microsoft is normally very good at creating devices which can perform a lot of tasks and which have a lot of features. Where they usually fail is in the customer experience and the usability of their products. Hopefully they really concentrate on this aspect with Windows Phone 7.
Windows Mobile 7 looks like it could be a great device if Microsoft gets it right. Unfortunately, their competitors have a multi-year head start, and Microsoft will be climbing an uphill battle.
Chris Pine spends his days working in the trash can industry. In his spare time, he pursues his passion of reading and writing about a wide variety of topics, including science, philosophy, nature, and humanity. If you are in the market for trash cans or trash bags, please visit his websites at Automatic Trash Can and Red Trash Can.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Most Popular Free Android Apps
This list of the most popular free Android apps run the whole gamut, showing the range and the power of free Android apps in general. These apps can really turn your Android phone into a stronger and more helpful device. Surely, you wouldn't want to miss that opportunity? Here are ten of the most popular free Android apps available:
Compass
In a way, it would be very surprising if a run-of-the-mill compass app was on this list. Well, it's not and this Android app is far more than a mere tool to tell you which way is north. To name a few of the features this app brings to the table will be enough to sell most on the idea that it's a practical, handy app to have on their Android phone. Essentially this is a half compass, half GPS Android app. It tells you the direction, but it also tells you the speed at which you're traveling, the exact coordinates of your location and more things that can be used for fun or to potentially save your life if you're trapped somewhere.
Handcent SMS
Do you want to send SMS and MMS messages through your Android phone? Don't get what I'm asking? More simply: do you text? If you do, you need to get Handcent SMS for Android. Basically, it takes your phone to entirely new level and texting dimension. Trust me, when you've used this app for a while, you'll wonder how you lived without it for so long!
Facebook
I really shouldn't have to say a single word about this app. I do feel it's necessary to say that it's the *Official Facebook App for Android*. Enough said!
Ringdroid
Perhaps one of the most hands-on free Android apps, Ringdroid allows you to edit various audio files so you can create your own ringtones and alarms. Tired of editing songs to create your own ringtone? Well, they've thought of that too! You can create ringtones for your Android phone from scratch as well (using the Ringdroid app on your phone).
Places Directory
This Android app does exactly what it sounds like. It allows you to find the nearest gas station, shopping mall, shoe store, movie theater, or even a great place for a burger. It is simple to use yet very efficient and effective: a must-have Android application!
Backgrounds
Do you want to keep your phone looking new and fresh every so often? Get Backgrounds, one of the most popular free Android apps that has more than 10,000 wallpapers for free. With this app, your phone will never look drab again.
Google Sky Map
Probably not the most useful on this list, but it's definitely one of the most interesting. The Google Sky Map is exactly that: a planetarium right inside your Android phone. What's more? No need to say more than it's a Google program!
Astro File Manager
You wouldn't know it from this app's name, but Astro File Manager is among the top most popular free Android apps. It is a task manager and among Android's best one at that. You will be able to manage files, read and open.zip files, send files, backup applications and much more with this amazing app.
Barcode Scanner
Perhaps one of the most ingenious free Android apps on this list, this bar code scanner app lets you access prices, reviews, and other related files by scanning the barcodes on various items in stores and elsewhere. Most importantly for Android phone users, it will easily decode the QR Codes attached to Android apps that you find all over many of the Android websites online. Just download this free app, click the icon and take a quick snapshot of an app's QR Code. Next thing you know, you'll be at the Android Market again, but this time at that app's info and download page!
Shazam
Everyone loves music; well most of us love it. I'm guessing if you haven't heard of Shazam and what it does by now, you're probably part of the minority. If that's the case, this app will nearly instantly identify songs playing, even in noisy environments. That's the core of Shazam, but luckily for all of us, it's spawned into much more than that! You'll just have to download it (for free) to see all of the possibilities!
Compass
In a way, it would be very surprising if a run-of-the-mill compass app was on this list. Well, it's not and this Android app is far more than a mere tool to tell you which way is north. To name a few of the features this app brings to the table will be enough to sell most on the idea that it's a practical, handy app to have on their Android phone. Essentially this is a half compass, half GPS Android app. It tells you the direction, but it also tells you the speed at which you're traveling, the exact coordinates of your location and more things that can be used for fun or to potentially save your life if you're trapped somewhere.
Handcent SMS
Do you want to send SMS and MMS messages through your Android phone? Don't get what I'm asking? More simply: do you text? If you do, you need to get Handcent SMS for Android. Basically, it takes your phone to entirely new level and texting dimension. Trust me, when you've used this app for a while, you'll wonder how you lived without it for so long!
I really shouldn't have to say a single word about this app. I do feel it's necessary to say that it's the *Official Facebook App for Android*. Enough said!
Ringdroid
Perhaps one of the most hands-on free Android apps, Ringdroid allows you to edit various audio files so you can create your own ringtones and alarms. Tired of editing songs to create your own ringtone? Well, they've thought of that too! You can create ringtones for your Android phone from scratch as well (using the Ringdroid app on your phone).
Places Directory
This Android app does exactly what it sounds like. It allows you to find the nearest gas station, shopping mall, shoe store, movie theater, or even a great place for a burger. It is simple to use yet very efficient and effective: a must-have Android application!
Backgrounds
Do you want to keep your phone looking new and fresh every so often? Get Backgrounds, one of the most popular free Android apps that has more than 10,000 wallpapers for free. With this app, your phone will never look drab again.
Google Sky Map
Probably not the most useful on this list, but it's definitely one of the most interesting. The Google Sky Map is exactly that: a planetarium right inside your Android phone. What's more? No need to say more than it's a Google program!
Astro File Manager
You wouldn't know it from this app's name, but Astro File Manager is among the top most popular free Android apps. It is a task manager and among Android's best one at that. You will be able to manage files, read and open.zip files, send files, backup applications and much more with this amazing app.
Barcode Scanner
Perhaps one of the most ingenious free Android apps on this list, this bar code scanner app lets you access prices, reviews, and other related files by scanning the barcodes on various items in stores and elsewhere. Most importantly for Android phone users, it will easily decode the QR Codes attached to Android apps that you find all over many of the Android websites online. Just download this free app, click the icon and take a quick snapshot of an app's QR Code. Next thing you know, you'll be at the Android Market again, but this time at that app's info and download page!
Shazam
Everyone loves music; well most of us love it. I'm guessing if you haven't heard of Shazam and what it does by now, you're probably part of the minority. If that's the case, this app will nearly instantly identify songs playing, even in noisy environments. That's the core of Shazam, but luckily for all of us, it's spawned into much more than that! You'll just have to download it (for free) to see all of the possibilities!
I own the Android Apps Finder site where you can find every Android app.
The main goal of the site is to provide everyone an easy way to read about all of the Android apps. Along with the apps, there's a great news section that will keep you up-to-date on the Latest Android App News
The main goal of the site is to provide everyone an easy way to read about all of the Android apps. Along with the apps, there's a great news section that will keep you up-to-date on the Latest Android App News
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