“Ardent Microsoft fan abandons Windows Phone”

Jan 17, 2017 06:31 GMT  ·  By

Aadharsh Kannan, a data scientist at Microsoft and huge Windows Phone fan, has decided to finally make the switch to Android, explaining in a lengthy blog post why the transition was the only way to go for him.

Specifically, Kannan goes back to the days when Apple introduced the iPhone, pointing out that he doesn’t think that Cupertino didn’t invent a revolutionary idea, but a revolutionary product. The ecosystem it created was substantially more important than the phone itself, he says.

“Jobs knew from day one that he was not creating a consumer product rather a multi-sided marketplace where the telecom carrier, developers, content creators (music, video etc.) and the consumers came to the same place. He was, however, sure that the one part of the marketplace shouldn’t feel the slightest of pain, the consumers; for they were the only ones who pay,” he writes.

iPhone hurt Windows Phone

The arrival of the iPhone had a big impact on Windows phones, as Microsoft was working at full speed on making the pocket PCs more important parts of our lives. Eventually, however, the software giant had to adapt to the new market started by the iPhone, so “we launched Windows Phone with a stellar UI and replicated virtually everything that Apple had made for iPhone,” the Softie says.

Kannan says that Microsoft lost ground in the mobile industry mostly because of developers because they “did not believe that they could make enough revenue if they invested in the Windows Phone Ecosystem.” This is exactly what Microsoft is trying to do right now with universal apps, and while the company’s employee admits that this approach is advancing well, it’s still not there yet on mobile phones.

Aadharsh Kannan goes on to praise some features of Windows phones, including live tiles, Cortana, and notifications, but eventually says he had to move to Android because one simple reason: apps.

The lack of apps

Windows phones are still suffering from the lack of apps despite Microsoft’s investments in universal apps, and developers still can’t find a good reason to invest in the platform. Furthermore, there are several big app makers who decide to leave Windows phones, simply because Android and iOS have many more users.

“In spite of being loyal so long, I am having to switch to Android because of the economy of scale that exists in their developer ecosystem,” he says.

“We have managed to embrace the Android (and iOS) ecosystem. Rather than trying to lure the users to our product (Windows Phone), we have come to meet the users where they exist,” he continues.

Without a doubt, this is how other users actually see Microsoft’s mobile strategy, and although there are so many people who can’t understand why the company focuses so much on Android and iOS, it’s very clear that Redmond’s efforts go past beyond Windows phones.