It’s still shocking that Microsoft just couldn’t come up with a decent third option at all. Goes to show that Windows only exists out of pure inertia at this point, and Microsoft is now incapable of building successful consumer products that people love using.
I had a windows phone. It was really good, it had all the functionality apps, it could run emulators, but it didn’t have the user base. Good compatibility with windows 8/8.1. But people hated those OSs. Microsoft was too late to pick up blackberry’s failing market and too early to capitalize on windows 10s popularity.
I love my Windows Phone! So much so that I literally still have it in a drawer full of out-of-date tech - it works fine but is no longer compatible with my cell service provider :-/
I would totally consider a Windows phone if they could actually pull it off.
I only run one hands free Linux system now, but a Linux phone would also be cool. It would have to be compatible with Google Play apps though as I need certain things for work.
Linux phones can already run Android apps and Google Play using WayDroid. You’re going to have a problem if anything you use requires it to pass an integrety check, though, like some banking apps have.
The thing that made Microsoft the de facto computing platform for several generations was the sheer laziness of IBM. Basically nothing about the model 5150 PC was proprietary to IBM; it used lots of off the shelf components, and they even arranged a non-exclusive license for DOS from Microsoft. The only thing IBM actually owned any intellectual rights to was the BIOS, and the minute Compaq made a compatible but non-infringing BIOS it suddenly became not IBM’s platform, it was Microsoft’s platform. No other system at the time did that especially in the reach of small businesses and ordinary citizens; the closest was CP/M which still required machine specific versions of the OS, software, even data disk formats weren’t interchangeable.
That led to mass adoption, then “This new Windows computer can still run your DOS software” followed shortly by “AOL Keyword TRENDY” and look where it got us.
It’s still shocking that Microsoft just couldn’t come up with a decent third option at all. Goes to show that Windows only exists out of pure inertia at this point, and Microsoft is now incapable of building successful consumer products that people love using.
They did, about three times, each time abandoning it before the ecosystem could stabilize.
Admittedly, the last time nobody even wanted to buy in because everyone expected them to drop the OS within two years. Which they promptly did.
They never build something with the attitude “Let’s make the best thing for the consumer!”
It’s always “Let’s make the best thing for the consumer… Buuuut we also need to integrate this fuckery here!”
It’s no way to break into a market where you are far behind. You need to put consumer needs first. Period.
The last Microsoft product that actually is good is VS Code. It was build with the end user in mind and quickly took up steam.
In today’s climate with so much competition, you can’t half ass things, just because “you’re a big player”. Microsoft refuses to accept this reality.
Windows 11 is the next step in the process of them fucking up big again.
I had a windows phone. It was really good, it had all the functionality apps, it could run emulators, but it didn’t have the user base. Good compatibility with windows 8/8.1. But people hated those OSs. Microsoft was too late to pick up blackberry’s failing market and too early to capitalize on windows 10s popularity.
Visual Studio Code is quite well liked
IMO MS for consumers and MS for developers are two totally different beasts. Typescript is also a beloved tech.
Good point.
I love my Windows Phone! So much so that I literally still have it in a drawer full of out-of-date tech - it works fine but is no longer compatible with my cell service provider :-/
I would totally consider a Windows phone if they could actually pull it off.
I only run one hands free Linux system now, but a Linux phone would also be cool. It would have to be compatible with Google Play apps though as I need certain things for work.
Linux phones can already run Android apps and Google Play using WayDroid. You’re going to have a problem if anything you use requires it to pass an integrety check, though, like some banking apps have.
Current Linux phones have a lot of problems but surprisingly Android compatibility is not bad.
You will soon need to watch a 30 second commercial to change your screen dimming.
I love my (newish) wired Intellimouse! It’s never connected to a windows computer…but I love the mouse.
The thing that made Microsoft the de facto computing platform for several generations was the sheer laziness of IBM. Basically nothing about the model 5150 PC was proprietary to IBM; it used lots of off the shelf components, and they even arranged a non-exclusive license for DOS from Microsoft. The only thing IBM actually owned any intellectual rights to was the BIOS, and the minute Compaq made a compatible but non-infringing BIOS it suddenly became not IBM’s platform, it was Microsoft’s platform. No other system at the time did that especially in the reach of small businesses and ordinary citizens; the closest was CP/M which still required machine specific versions of the OS, software, even data disk formats weren’t interchangeable.
That led to mass adoption, then “This new Windows computer can still run your DOS software” followed shortly by “AOL Keyword TRENDY” and look where it got us.