If the Lumia 928 had this would you consider it?

[omniusovermind]

an App store with around 400k apps or more. Currently Windows Phone 8 has around 145k apps which is far below Android and iOS's app stores. But what if it was closer? would you strongly consider switching? I have to admit, I would give it some very serious thought. WP8 has some certain flaws right now that need to be addressed but OTOH is's still quite good even with those flaws that if it was paid the same attention by developers as Android and iOS I'd give it a run.

The main stopping points for me right now are:

• music playback and playlist functionality isn't very good
• multitasking is weak - many apps don't save their state in the background and there's no way to close them in the multitasking screen, unlike both Jellybean and iOS
• WP8 shares iOS's siloing structure. Unlike Android, the interactivity between apps to each other as well as the OS isn't as good as Android due to the closed nature of the OS
• The notification handling is weak and barebones.
• No universal search
• No volume profiles

I read an interesting article about the strengths of Windows Phone 8 and how well they're done but also that the reason the platform is struggling is that those strengths don't address what most people use smartphones for. The high end Lumias for example usually have incredible cameras. Cameras get (over)hyped a lot on forums like this and media blogs but taking pictures accounts for one of the least used smartphone features on average in a typical day. Other strengths of WP8 in general that are often advertised is MS Office integration, security, "people" hub etc. All well and good but also not what most average users demand, which is social networking, internet surfing, talk and text, games, and apps. WP8 does some of those as well as but not better than - existing established platforms. Hence no compelling reason to switch. However it's way behind in apps, games, and social networking functionality.

A larger app store would give people who won't switch a reason to. My reasons for saying I'd consider it are that I just like the "Modern UI". From what I've used of it myself and seen reported elsewhere, it's currently the fastest and smoothest UI on the market, even surpassing iOS 6.x now in terms of speed+stability. Some don't like it but I also find it visually appealing. I also like the fact that WP8 phones do NOT use manufacturer overlays (ie. "touchwiz", "Sense", "Motoblur" etc). You still have to deal with carriers for OS updates but at least the OEM is cut out of the equation for updates. I also like the Live Tiles. They're not as functional as widgets but they're also not as taxing on memory or battery life.

 

[Virginx]

I would not be able to get one, isn't it only exclusive to Verizon user?

 

[Aquila]

I would not. Many reasons, but while this would take it from like 5% desirability to maybe 10%, there are just so many other options out there that I feel are better.

 

[gorwani12]

I still would not consider.

 

[sting7k]

Total number of apps in the various app stores mean nothing IMO. I don't know why people are so hung up on them. In both the App Store and Google Play there might be 50,000 useful apps tops and many hundreds of thousands of pieces of garbage that no one is ever going to download. Microsoft shouldn't get caught in the numbers game and focus on high quality top name brand apps that people want. Having 5 dozen flashing apps in your app store doesn't make it "better" than the other guy's app store.

You are right about most of your points about WP8 though. And for just about all of those reasons I couldn't bring myself to use one again.

 

[omniusovermind]

Total number of apps in the various app stores mean nothing IMO. I don't know why people are so hung up on them. In both the App Store and Google Play there might be 50,000 useful apps tops and many hundreds of thousands of pieces of garbage that no one is ever going to download. Microsoft shouldn't get caught in the numbers game and focus on high quality top name brand apps that people want. Having 5 dozen flashing apps in your app store doesn't make it "better" than the other guy's app store.

You are right about most of your points about WP8 though. And for just about all of those reasons I couldn't bring myself to use one again.

I understand, and that is a popular argument on WPC and CB. But it's not how it works which is why those folks are wrong. The size of the app store matters for a couple of simple reasons -

This is just a generic example so bear that in mind rather than tunneling into the specifics:
Let's say I want a really good car mode app. So on my 100k app store it turns out there's only one. And it's not very good. The chances of there being 6 of those apps to choose from are far greater on iOS and Android's app stores. Therefore the odds of getting a really good app from those sources is also greater. I could say the same thing about fitness apps, or many others. important note: It's not the facebooks, instagrams, etc that make up the backbone of an app store. The 2nd tier indie developers make the meat of the app stores.

Another point to note is that small app stores means little to zero niche apps. WP as a platform has been around for a couple of years. To this day, my bank - which isn't small - will not develop for WP, in any version of it, and have said so in writing. This also applies for specific retail store apps, special interest group apps etc.

Both are very compelling reasons why size matters. Those "nothing but fart and flashlight apps" arguments are not only old, but also apologist excuses.

 

[Outrager]

I don't know why, but I prefer not using Microsoft's cloud stuff.
Even with Windows 8 I rather not sign into my GamerTag.
And since that's the case using a Microsoft based OS just wouldn't suit me.

 

[tommykim1987]

never consider nokia ,if they would not product any android device