14 DAY TRIAL // It’s not a secret that Windows Phone (either version 8.1 or Windows 10 Mobile) is ignored by some developers who prefer to concentrate their efforts on Android and iOS, so users are willing to show them they’re wrong with petitions that total thousands of signatures.
One such example is a petition that calls for Microsoft and Nintendo to bring Pokemon GO, a game aimed at Android and iOS users, on Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile.
Currently signed by nearly 4,000 users, the petition was launched almost 10 months ago but is quickly gaining increased support these days, after Android and iOS users received it in the United States.
“The community composed of millions of loyal fans and users of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile humbly request Pokémon GO creators, Niantic, Inc., The Pokémon Company, and Nintendo Co., Ltd., to release Pokémon GO on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile alongside their Android and iOS counterparts,” the petition reads.
The second most popular OS in some markets
Given the fact that it was launched 10 months ago, the petition includes some older facts that seem a little exaggerated right now, although they aren’t exactly false.
For example, it states that “Windows Phone 8 is the third most popular mobile operating system in the world, and Windows Phone holds the position of the second most popular operating system in numerous markets.” And while this might be true, it’s also worth noting that Windows Phone has dropped significantly lately, with the latest stats putting the platform at 0.7 percent, which is one of the lowest market shares in the last years.
On the other hand, with Microsoft now pushing so hard for universal apps, the opportunity to tackle a growing number of users on PCs and mobile devices with the same app is there, so developers have a solid reason to code for Windows 10. It remains to be seen how Nintendo reacts to this idea, but it’ll be really difficult to convince them to bring Pokemon GO on Windows Phone with so many other developers leaving the platform.