Share Your Thoughts: The End Of Windows Mobile?
Mar 17th, 2008 by Tariq Bamadhaj
The first Share Your Thought article was about what users looked for in a Pocket PC. It was well received with many of you leaving comments on what you looked for in a Pocket PC. For those who have yet to read the article that consolidated all these comments, including mine, you can do so here. It went pretty well and I wanted to do it again. This time, the question I asked was: The End Of Windows Mobile? as I wanted to know what users thought about the Microsoft Licensing ActiveSync/Exchange to Apple and the iPhone’s SDK.
Unfortunately, due to the server problems I encountered last week, there were not as many comments as before. However, those that did leave comments gave rather insightful and well-thought out ones.
ActiveSync/Exchange License
For starters, I was curious why Microsoft would want to license ActiveSync/Exchange to Apple and spmwinkel echoed my thoughts when he mentioned that it was all business. With so many people buying the iPhone, it only makes sense to get a share of it, somehow. However, he also added that Microsoft would not be dumb enough to do something as major as this without having a backup plan for Windows Mobile. I too hope that is the case.
On another note, I feel that Microsoft could be doing this to reduce or even eliminate RIM (makers of BlackBerry) from the enterprise. Right now, it’s a toss up between BlackBerry and Exchange but if Microsoft had Apple’s support (in the form of the iPhone), it might not be long before RIM may just be forced out. Plus, their recent outages do not really help their case.
SDK
The SDK was really big news. Not only is it released, Apple is also pouring a large amount of money into encouraging developers to create new applications for the iPhone. And even though they will be getting a cut of profits, it would only be 30%. Now compare that to the 70% that Handango (which is supported by Microsoft) takes from developers and you can see why the grass is greener on the other side
spmwinkel hopes that these developers do not switch camps immediately and leave us all high and dry because it’s their software that makes us users of Windows Mobile. Instead, he hopes for continued support. However, in the event that they do switch camps, hopefully, it would be more of a gradual transition rather than an overnight thing. While I hope that never happens (they could always expand and focus on both Windows Mobile and iPhone), that would be the best alternative.
Xavier pointed out what many potential users were thinking as well: that now with the SDK, there is no reason for them not to come on board. There will be a host of applications. But what GBot says rings true as well: It would take a lot of 3rd parties currently supporting Windows Mobile like the hardware manufacturers and software developers to ’shrivel up and die’ before we see iPhone’s SDK crushing Windows Mobile. And in that timeframe, Windows Mobile has sufficient time to evolve and meet consumers’ needs.
So it looks like the SDK is a big factor in getting new users but it’s not the killer blow many are predicting that will wipe out Windows Mobile. Time is needed to develop the applications for Apple and with that time, Microsoft must work on Windows Mobile if it hopes to continue being a force.
iPhone Over Windows Mobile
Why would anyone want to buy one? Well for now it seems, they are going with the flow. But when the applications start coming out, it could be a different reason altogether. Xavier claims the iPhone can do more than what Windows Mobile does while spmwinkel says it’s more a case of ‘a history of third party software development, and an existing, experienced, consumer base’ and ‘lots of solutions/forums/software/tweaks are already available’ that are driving users to Windows Mobile.
For me, I say to always purchase a device based on your needs. Which means the iPhone, without a built-in GPS chip and keyboard, is out of the equation for me.
GBot mentions about the fanatism of iPhone users and becky couldn’t agree more. And I do see it in some users, though not all. The iPhone is a great phone, but it is not meant for everybody. Taunting someone if Windows Mobile can do this because the iPhone can seems rather immature if you ask me because it all depends on what I need it to do. I mean, so what if you can take an X-Ray with the iPhone, why would I need such a feature?
Microsoft & Windows Mobile
So Windows Mobile is still alive and kicking but Microsoft needs to do a lot more to get it going. For starters, where are the TV ads? I have seen so many of the iPhone and Apple ones but the closest I have seen for a Microsoft product is Sync. Where are the ads for Windows Mobile? Even Apple has more Windows ads than Microsoft (remember their Apple vs PC ads?)
So if Microsoft wants Windows Mobile to have a larger share, they have to go out there and advertise it. But that’s not all, they have to work on Windows Mobile’s system as well. Send us updates over the air (OTA). Don’t let it be done through device manufacturers alone. Look at the iPhone. Apple can upgrade it effortlessly and you should let your users experience that as well.
Conclusion
One thing’s for sure. The hype over the iPhone, while it may have been blown out of proportion in some cases, is something that Microsoft needs to tackle. They have a good base with Windows Mobile; it needs some fixing and standardization but nothing they can’t come out of if they play their cards right.
As to the impact of the licensing and SDK, it is not something that we will witness overnight. Rather, it would take several months or even a year or 2 before we start to see its impact on other platforms. In that time, let’s hope that Windows Mobile has evolved into something better.
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With regards to Apple taking 30% from developers; I’m assuming this will be through an official iTunes app store, or something like that. Certainly this is going to be good for the small developers, as they’ll likely get more attention from potential customers than they otherwise might.
But what about developers that don’t need Apple’s store? Is Apple going to allow installation of 3rd party apps without taking their 30% cut?
As a medical student, the first example that comes to mind is the medical software ePocrates. ePocrates is widely accepted as the “industry standard” for pocket medical programs, and many doctors are chomping at the bit to have it as an installable app for the iPhone (hell, the video at http://www.epocrates.com/iphone/compatibility/ is almost enough to convince me to get an iPhone).
But will ePocrates, or other similarly-successful companies, have to pay royalties for the “privilege” of supporting the iPhone, then passing the extra expense on to consumers?
It’s not hard to assume that iPhone will continue to be the luxury (aka more expensive) option, while adding little more than some eye candy and “hey, I sure am cool” factor. Eye candy which is, of course, easily imitated.
Windows Mobile; Think Different.
That’s a good question. I understand for the decktop Mac, there is no iTunes-like program so you could get your software from any vendor. But for the iPhone, it seems that you need iTunes to install packages (I could be wrong here) so there is only one place which every developer, big and small, must use and thus get a 30% cut.