The Windows Phone experience is just better than Windows 8

[davidvkimball]

I've used Windows Phone since it launched in 2010 (and before that, Zune). I've seen it grow and absolutely fell in love with the platform from the start.

When I discovered that Microsoft was featuring the Modern style interface in Windows 8, I got very excited.

After the dev preview and consumer preview, some of that excitement waned. Crashes, slow apps, etc. The small bit of hope was that it would improve in the final release.

I've had Windows 8 for just under two months or so. And the metro-style part of the interface is pleasing...but I can't help but wonder if Microsoft didn't make the right decision. My experience on Windows Phone is just so much better than on Windows 8.

Take any of the built-in applications for example...the People hub. A fully-featured, highly detailed contacts management application that's seamlessly integrated with social media. A captivating experience on Windows Phone, and not quite so much in Windows 8. The People application on Win8 feels incomplete and disorganized, and even LACKS features seen in Windows Phone. Changing pictures + groups + fine contact detail editing...what gives? You know it's bad when I go to my phone to make changes and never touch the People app on Windows 8 to make serious changes.

Maps feels the same. How are there SO many more options on a mobile application than a desktop application? Save location as favorite, see+do, etc.

Unfortunately, Windows 8 seems all about compromise to me (despite Steven Sinofsky's earliest claims about the OS) and just lacks too much of the fullness of Windows Phone. I didn't want it to be that way, but that's just been my experience.

On the desktop side, it's great. Using it as an "upgraded Windows 7 machine" works well for me, I have no complaints. And I don't HATE the start screen....I just don't really use it.

I just can't justify using a WordPress app or Pictures app if I could just navigate to wordpress.com on a browser or direct File Explorer to "My Pictures"? Otherwise, I'm using a compromised version of the otherwise fully-featured app/program I could be enjoying.

On the other hand, I am happy with Office 2013. It combines Metro UI, the ribbon, and other features of desktop applications very well.

Am I being cruelly unjust? Or is anyone seeing what I'm saying here?

 

[ParasValecha]

Windows 8 rocks but Windows Phone is better.

I do like the Metro apps. Been using a few like Xbox Music, Metro IE 10, Mail, Calendar, the Bing apps, Xbox games, a few 3rd party apps etc. The Start screen and the live tiles look beautiful and are functional. The search experience in Windows 8 is unmatchable. Just start typing on the Start screen and search the crap out of everything! The desktop is better and the overall performance is, drastically, better than Windows 7. Metro isn't that useful at the moment but I'm getting myself to use these modern apps on purpose because this is where Windows is moving & I hope that this experience continues to get richer. As of now, Windows Phone feels a lot more 'complete' because stuff like social, hubs etc. are much more polished compared to Windows 8. Windows 8 has a lot of missing features & many shortcomings which I hope will be addressed. Overall, Windows 8 is a step in the right direction & I'm enjoying the new OS.

 

[Mystere]

The thing you have to realize is that the phone is more of a closed ecosystem. The things you complain about, People, Maps, etc.. are tightly integrated into the phone, because they're necessary for key features like the phonebook and navigation. You aren't going to see third party versions of these apps.

Microsoft wants to encourage third party development on Windows 8, and they always have to walk a line between giving you a basic product and giving room for third parties to provide value add.

 

[Coke Robot]

My thoughts exactly.

I've been using Windows Phone for a while now, and with Windows Phone 8, it's feeling like that excels the design and function over Windows 8. I love using Windows 8, don't get me wrong. But yeah, the People app versus the hub, WOW. Just overall better design and somewhat easier function. Xbox Music and Video apps on Windows 8 SSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK versus Xbox Music+Video hub on Windows Phone. Just holy crap better! I don't have sematic zoom or letter jumplist on Windows 8, so I have to infinitely scroll and rescroll if I'm going to too fast as the app has to recache some of the images it seems. It's too difficult to filter artists or albums easily whereas Windows Phone is quick and simple. The Zune Software is SO much better than the apps on Windows, both design and functionality. It's upsetting. I'm using Music Info on Windows 8 until the Music app is improved. What's with the tile being orange in Windows and green on Windows Phone? Just make it green! It's a poor job of the metro design. I'm using Music Info until that's sorted out, it's like a cross between Zune and Xbox Music+Video on Windows Phone, it's rather nice.

I hate how there isn't a Me tile on Windows 8 with the People app. Actually, shoot, the People list on Outlook.com is better to use than the app to do contact managing.

In general, some apps, like Newegg, The Weather Channel, and USA Today have awesome Windows Phone apps. On Windows 8, the apps are just lukewarm looking and aren't richly designed. USA Today had a nice Windows app before they updated it, now there is more scrolling and having to go through the different subcategories versus seeing the top headlines like on Windows Phone. Newegg is better done on Windows Phone, as well as The Weather Channel, at least from the Nokia Collection. I have a large tile that shows me the current weather temperature and a three day forecast; and when I open the app, it looks rich and nice and easy to use. On Windows 8, it's the opposite.

But seeing as how the metro design concept of live tiles and typography originate from Windows Phone and later brought to Windows, it's expected. Windows 8 will be getting an update called Blue later this year that brings the small tile size to Start, which should be MUCH nicer to use. There will be app updates for the Microsoft set and quicker too. Xbox Music should be getting an update soon this month. Windows 8 is good, but will get better as time progresses.

 

[R0bR]

I'm a big Windows 8 fan but Microsoft should have taken the opportunity to make THEIR Apps a representation of what Apps on Windows 8 SHOULD be. Starting with their poor excuse of a Music App. I can understand these core Apps having to be released as they were but I expected them to have gone through quite a few upgrades to improve their usability by now.

 

[Mystere]

They have been steadily improving the apps. They release new versions of many of them every so often. I know the mail app has come a long way, and the people app has improved quite a bit as well.

That's one nice thing, these apps can and do get updated.

 

[davidvkimball]

My thoughts exactly.

I've been using Windows Phone for a while now, and with Windows Phone 8, it's feeling like that excels the design and function over Windows 8. I love using Windows 8, don't get me wrong. But yeah, the People app versus the hub, WOW. Just overall better design and somewhat easier function. Xbox Music and Video apps on Windows 8 SSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK versus Xbox Music+Video hub on Windows Phone. Just holy crap better! I don't have sematic zoom or letter jumplist on Windows 8, so I have to infinitely scroll and rescroll if I'm going to too fast as the app has to recache some of the images it seems. It's too difficult to filter artists or albums easily whereas Windows Phone is quick and simple. The Zune Software is SO much better than the apps on Windows, both design and functionality. It's upsetting. I'm using Music Info on Windows 8 until the Music app is improved. What's with the tile being orange in Windows and green on Windows Phone? Just make it green! It's a poor job of the metro design. I'm using Music Info until that's sorted out, it's like a cross between Zune and Xbox Music+Video on Windows Phone, it's rather nice.

I hate how there isn't a Me tile on Windows 8 with the People app. Actually, shoot, the People list on Outlook.com is better to use than the app to do contact managing.

In general, some apps, like Newegg, The Weather Channel, and USA Today have awesome Windows Phone apps. On Windows 8, the apps are just lukewarm looking and aren't richly designed. USA Today had a nice Windows app before they updated it, now there is more scrolling and having to go through the different subcategories versus seeing the top headlines like on Windows Phone. Newegg is better done on Windows Phone, as well as The Weather Channel, at least from the Nokia Collection. I have a large tile that shows me the current weather temperature and a three day forecast; and when I open the app, it looks rich and nice and easy to use. On Windows 8, it's the opposite.

But seeing as how the metro design concept of live tiles and typography originate from Windows Phone and later brought to Windows, it's expected. Windows 8 will be getting an update called Blue later this year that brings the small tile size to Start, which should be MUCH nicer to use. There will be app updates for the Microsoft set and quicker too. Xbox Music should be getting an update soon this month. Windows 8 is good, but will get better as time progresses.

I'm excited about this update. I hope they can afford to make the applications more fully-featured.

The thing you have to realize is that the phone is more of a closed ecosystem. The things you complain about, People, Maps, etc.. are tightly integrated into the phone, because they're necessary for key features like the phonebook and navigation. You aren't going to see third party versions of these apps.

Microsoft wants to encourage third party development on Windows 8, and they always have to walk a line between giving you a basic product and giving room for third parties to provide value add.

Interesting....so how do they balance having usable applications, making them decent, AND attracting third party developers? Seems like it's an uphill battle for Microsoft.