SD Sync

There’s a lot of hubbub about the recently announced Windows Phone 7 device operating system. It sucks. Here’s why.

1. Zune Version 2

   The approach Microsoft is taking with the Windows Phone is the same one they took with the Zune. Out of the blue they proclaim they have “totally rethought” what a music device/phone should be and then they demonstrate a device with what the iPod/iPhone has already had for years down to the smallest details. They call this “innovation”.

   For instance Microsoft is bragging about the web browsing experience on the Windows Phone as having great zoom and tap to zoom. Great, iPhone already has it, what amazing “innovation”.

2. Different is Bad

   To prove that they didn’t just copy the iPod or iPhone they announce new concepts in the user interface and feature areas. The problem is, the iPod/iPhone got it right and the changes Microsoft has made end up making the experience worse instead of better.

   With the Windows Phone they have this strange wide or long page that you move through by swiping. You can tell there’s more interface because you see half of the unseen interface on your current screen. Sometimes the additional interface is up and down, sometimes left and right. It’s really confusing.

   To make matters worse, they don’t use the space they have very well at all. Everything is in a really big font so where on the iPhone you could see 15 names in your address book, on the Windows Phone you can see 7. On the iPhone you can see 20 apps per page, on the Windows Phone you can see 8.

3. Applications too Tightly Integrated

   Now there’s nothing wrong with including applications with a phone, that’s a good idea. Apple does it with iPod, Calculator, Maps, Photos, etc. Microsoft does this too, but the problem is their apps are so tightly integrated that they are going to make all 3rd party apps feel awkward. Apple apps are just like anyone’s apps, but Microsoft’s apps are all a part of one big thing that it will be hard for 3rd parties to participate in.

   Windows Phone has turned the contacts concept into one of “People”. While this might not have been a bad idea, Windows Phone does it horribly. They include Facebook right with address book. This might be great as long as Facebook doesn’t have to wait for Microsoft to add features (in which case the iPhone will be a better Facebook phone.) Also, what if Facebook isn’t as popular after a year or two. Remember Friendster or MySpace? I bet you’re glad those applications aren’t tightly integrated into your phone’s software.

I live right near Microsoft, I used to work there, and as usual you have people drinking the kool-aid. “Oh my god, the new Windows Phone 7 is so much better than the iPhone.” That’s just what they said about the Zune. They think this because they have no ability to tell the difference between good software and bad. That’s also why they still work at Microsoft, and why I and most of the other smart people once working at Microsoft have left.

We know at a glance that this device will not be a big hit even though Microsoft will surely spend billions to make it appear to be. On a related note phone makers such as Sony are expressing and interest in having their own customized phone operating systems to differentiate themselves. This makes sense, especially for devices. I think companies are getting tired of paying the Microsoft tax and then having to compete solely on price with their competition. That’s not a fun or profitable business to be in.