Why can't Microsoft just take any useful steps to save the Windows Phone platform?

Windows Phone Operating System is an smartphone operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation with the motto of having Windows everywhere. They wanted an universal OS which will run beyond the PC. They developed a deal-breaking operating system. However, even after around 7-8 yrs of its initial release, Windows Phone is struggling to find its position in the market. Lets find out the reasons for which it is still struggling.

Where Windows Phone Lacks:

(i) Lack of Updates: This is the major pitfall of Windows Phone operating system. They don't provide updates so frequently unlike Android and iOS. In a year, they provide updates only twice maximum. Which is really a problem. Also their release of new operating system is too much delay. Its around 2 yrs we are waiting for Windows 10 mobile but still didn't receive it. Within that time, Google and Apple both have updated their operating system twice. So its really a disappointment for Windows Phone users that they don't get latest updates.

(ii) Lack of Device Support: This is another major pitfall of Windows Phone OS. Even after so many years of release, Windows Phone is still sticked to the Lumia devices. Microsoft is releasing so many lumia devices, but other brands are not so much interested in adopting Windows Phone.

(iii) Quantity of Apps: This is the most important reason behind Windows Phone's less popularity. There are not so much apps available in the Windows Phone's store as compared to iOS and Android. Developers are not so much interested in developing apps for Windows Phone. All developers and MNCs are developing their apps on either Android or iOS or both. But a very few are interested in developing windows phone apps. Which causes a real problem for windows phone users in daily life. For example a windows phone user have no youtube app.Users have to download third party app to stream youtube videos. Definitely users will never want this. Also due to lack of apps, a windows phone user has to browse web while android users can easily do it from apps. This is a major area where microsoft should pay attention. They should attract developer more in windows phone operating system. With the advent of Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile, Microsoft planned to make an universal system. Which is a slight ray of hope for windows phone users as more apps will be available on their phone. But still it would be far behind the Android and iOS.

(iv) Quality of Apps: With the very limited amount of apps, the added problem for Windows Phone is the quality of apps. The quality of apps developed for Android and Windows Phone are very much different. While android apps gives the ultimate alternative of the website by providing maximum functionality, feature-rich user interface. Windows Phone apps provides very basic level of functionality. For example, Facebook app on android  is very much feature rich having auto-playing capability as well as other features. On the other hand, Facebook app in Windows Phone is very much basic. It even doesn't  have the provision to change the profile picture. Picture uploading is also troublesome. News feed doesn't get updated all the time. Also messenger app is not that much spontaneous. In a twenty second century, fast world, who wants this type of bugs? This is the reason people are not interested in windows phone. All they want features. Microsoft's own app Office is still in very basic edition while in android and iOS they are providing all the latest features with upgraded interface. Hope in Windows 10 mobile Microsoft will provide the latest office app. Keyboard is also on the same piece. Youtube app is awful, probably the worst in the world. Map is also not as efficient as google map. They never provide local transportation details. There is no feature rich browser like Chrome. Internet Explorer provides very basic functionality with n0 multimedia support. Also, Windows Phone doesn't support feature-rich browsers.  So Microsoft should pay attention on improving the quality of apps.

What Microsoft can do :

First of all, Microsoft should make their operating system open source like android. So that other vendors can use it on their phones. This way they can increase the device share in the market.

Second, Microsoft need to pay attention on apps. They must know what people wants and what other platform are offering. They should request the developers to develop more and more apps on Windows Phone platform. Well with project Astaria and universal app paradigm, they have already started to do that. At the same time, they must put attention on the quality of the apps. If they want to crack the smartphone market, they must provide the best quality apps. Not with the basic apps they can conquer the smartphone market. The competition is very tough. So if they have to outsmart Google and Apple, they have to improve their apps a lot. They must distinguish between the low end and high end users. For example, they can have a separate Facebook app for low end devices and high end devices. In this way they can keep the simplicity as well as feature extensibility.

Another major area of concern is the updates. They have to provide updates a lot quicker. Minimum 4 to 5 times a year. They should also release the new os faster. Its unlikely people will wait for 2 years for getting an upgraded OS.

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Final Verdict:

Windows Phone OS has shown a lot of promise but Microsoft has to put it in right way to make it one of the best os in the market. The competition is very much tough and if Microsoft has to beat the giants Google and Apple, they have to do something special or something deal-breaking. Windows Phone has lot of potentials and its time to burn the flame.