Maybe when Windows 9 drops and the platforms are properly unified (don't screw it up M$) they will actually have a mobile OS that holds a candle to iOS and Android. For now they are still adding features that have existed in both for years.
I can't speak to Android but actually iOS is only now in 8 going to deliver a keyboard that can "hold a candle" to what's been in WP for a while, with multiple word choices instead of annoying, always-wrong guesses. And where are live icons? What about pluggable glance? Dark and light theme options? Heck, even the appearance revamp in iOS 7 followed, yes, Windows Phone.
8.1 compares in features to Android and iOS. 8.1 was the biggest single update i've ever seen to any mobile OS. Cortana also gets updated every two weeks, it's already surpassing Siri. And if you want anyone to take you seriously it's a good idea not to do that kiddy "M$"shit. It's not 2001 anymore.
As cool as that would be, I doubt it will happen any time soon. If it wasn't for the touch version of office not being ready I don't think MS would have even put the desktop on the RT devices. Maybe we will get to a day when we will get dock able phones and can take over a display using miracast or something and have a desktop that way... but I don't think we will ever see desktop on the phone itself.
The technology has been around for a while, but the software has been lacking. If Microsoft hadn't separated Windows 8 development into Windows Phone, RT, and desktop, but instead tried to unify them from the start, we all be using Atom-powered Windows 8 Pro phones right now. There are a couple that have been in development for a few years as I type this - the most well known being the i-Mate.
I'm guessing we won't see anything until Windows 9...
Have you checked out the developer's preview? It doesn't get you Cyan but it will get you 8.1. I've been using it with no issues on my 928 basically since April.
Same for my Icon. Verizon is just slow - and there is no reason for any carrier to delay beyond an official release because all that testing can be done in partnership with the manufacturer. This is something Microsoft does very well.
My understanding is that the downside of installing the dev review is that you will have to uninstall it to install the complete Cyan/Win 8.1 package. I haven't heard of any real issues with doing that, but have avoided installing the dev review "just in case". Probably a more conservative decision than the situation warrants. :)
agreed, that thing is becoming a mess. They need to make it like the desktop app list where you can sort by alphabetical, last used, or last installed/updated. Right now there is just no rhyme or reason... thank God for settings shortcuts in WP8.1, now I pretty much never need to touch that mess.
Folders have been available for a while now as an app, now it is getting included in the OS VPN support was added with 8.1 for corporate devices, and now they are opening it up to consumer configured devices with Update one.
Ya, so MS is a bit behind, but they also started very late to the game. But at least they are fixing things quickly, and have a roadmap. That is a lot more than Android and iOS have right now... seriously both of those platforms are stagnating. When color pallets and optional layouts that nobody will see due to 3rd party skins and apps are the big features then you know your platform is burning.
I went from iPhone to WP8. WP8.1 was enough to say I don't miss iOS. It may not have everything iOS or Android does but it has enough to use for work and home and it does have some features/functionality the others don't.
The VPN discussed in the article is Consumer VPN (VPN to public networks). There is already the ability log into corporate VPNs. And as noted folders were available already as an App but the folders discussed are better implemented in my view.
This whole "WP doesn't have every single feature of Android or iOS? Wow, they must be so behind!" mentality really starts to get old after a time. They're different platforms--they function in utterly divergent ways, and sometimes have less need for particular features. I have never found a want nor need for folders in WP for the simple fact that its start screen is so very much easier to organise than any Android/iOS device I've used.
Further, Android VPN support was added in ICS--2 years after Eclair. By my reckoning, this update will add consumer VPN support to WP within roughly the same timeframe after WP 8s initial release, whilst corporate VPN support has been present for some time now.
I enjoy my Nokia Lumia Windows 8.1 Phones (920, 920 & 520). Love that all OS features work on my 920 (which was considered a flagship device when it launched) and my 520 (which was considered the low end device when it launched).
Corporate VPN was late to the game and I would have liked that feature... But TeamViewer suficed in the meantime.
I've used some very nice IPhones and Android Phones... Windows is just another equally good alternative. Mac, Windows, Linux alternatives to do the same work. Why can't we just appreciate the three are just different flavors.
This is fabulous news really (for us WP users), it shows MS is committed to making and keeping WP not only current but seriously competitive. They are actually doing the scrambling to catch up that they needed to do, and have even surpassed the other phones in some features.
And the big bonus is that with WP8.1 we no longer have to wait for carriers to release the updates to the OS (will still have to wait for firmware updates, though). So all of these features become available for all users as soon as Microsoft releases them. Good stuffs.
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TreeDude62 - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Maybe when Windows 9 drops and the platforms are properly unified (don't screw it up M$) they will actually have a mobile OS that holds a candle to iOS and Android. For now they are still adding features that have existed in both for years.ABR - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I can't speak to Android but actually iOS is only now in 8 going to deliver a keyboard that can "hold a candle" to what's been in WP for a while, with multiple word choices instead of annoying, always-wrong guesses. And where are live icons? What about pluggable glance? Dark and light theme options? Heck, even the appearance revamp in iOS 7 followed, yes, Windows Phone.B3an - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
8.1 compares in features to Android and iOS. 8.1 was the biggest single update i've ever seen to any mobile OS. Cortana also gets updated every two weeks, it's already surpassing Siri. And if you want anyone to take you seriously it's a good idea not to do that kiddy "M$"shit. It's not 2001 anymore.johncbennett - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
You used a dollar sign to represent the fact that Microsoft is a money-making company! That's clever!mkozakewich - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I'm still waiting for an Atom smartphone that can boot into the Windows desktop.CaedenV - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
As cool as that would be, I doubt it will happen any time soon. If it wasn't for the touch version of office not being ready I don't think MS would have even put the desktop on the RT devices.Maybe we will get to a day when we will get dock able phones and can take over a display using miracast or something and have a desktop that way... but I don't think we will ever see desktop on the phone itself.
But it would be awesome if it ever did!
nathanddrews - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
Welcome to five years ago.http://www.pcworld.com/article/166170/xp_phone_sho...
The technology has been around for a while, but the software has been lacking. If Microsoft hadn't separated Windows 8 development into Windows Phone, RT, and desktop, but instead tried to unify them from the start, we all be using Atom-powered Windows 8 Pro phones right now. There are a couple that have been in development for a few years as I type this - the most well known being the i-Mate.
I'm guessing we won't see anything until Windows 9...
mkozakewich - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
(Whoops, I didn't mean to reply; sorry!)theNiZer - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
True, but I am still happy with my Nokia 820: cheap, efficient and outlook ready :)LeslieA - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I am still waiting for Verizon to update my Lumia 928 with Nokia Cyan and Windows 8.1.Drumsticks - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Have you checked out the developer's preview? It doesn't get you Cyan but it will get you 8.1. I've been using it with no issues on my 928 basically since April.Sabresiberian - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
Same for my Icon. Verizon is just slow - and there is no reason for any carrier to delay beyond an official release because all that testing can be done in partnership with the manufacturer. This is something Microsoft does very well.My understanding is that the downside of installing the dev review is that you will have to uninstall it to install the complete Cyan/Win 8.1 package. I haven't heard of any real issues with doing that, but have avoided installing the dev review "just in case". Probably a more conservative decision than the situation warrants. :)
Gich - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I hope they do something to the setting menu...inighthawki - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Like what?Gich - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
That neverending list hurts the eyes.At least sort it better with more submenus.
CaedenV - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
agreed, that thing is becoming a mess. They need to make it like the desktop app list where you can sort by alphabetical, last used, or last installed/updated. Right now there is just no rhyme or reason... thank God for settings shortcuts in WP8.1, now I pretty much never need to touch that mess.SirPerro - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
So the next version will include folders and VPN support. Is it really 2014? I guess I don't know a single person using WP for a reason...CaedenV - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Folders have been available for a while now as an app, now it is getting included in the OSVPN support was added with 8.1 for corporate devices, and now they are opening it up to consumer configured devices with Update one.
Ya, so MS is a bit behind, but they also started very late to the game. But at least they are fixing things quickly, and have a roadmap. That is a lot more than Android and iOS have right now... seriously both of those platforms are stagnating. When color pallets and optional layouts that nobody will see due to 3rd party skins and apps are the big features then you know your platform is burning.
mebby - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I went from iPhone to WP8. WP8.1 was enough to say I don't miss iOS. It may not have everything iOS or Android does but it has enough to use for work and home and it does have some features/functionality the others don't.The VPN discussed in the article is Consumer VPN (VPN to public networks). There is already the ability log into corporate VPNs. And as noted folders were available already as an App but the folders discussed are better implemented in my view.
samjoliver - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
This whole "WP doesn't have every single feature of Android or iOS? Wow, they must be so behind!" mentality really starts to get old after a time. They're different platforms--they function in utterly divergent ways, and sometimes have less need for particular features. I have never found a want nor need for folders in WP for the simple fact that its start screen is so very much easier to organise than any Android/iOS device I've used.Further, Android VPN support was added in ICS--2 years after Eclair. By my reckoning, this update will add consumer VPN support to WP within roughly the same timeframe after WP 8s initial release, whilst corporate VPN support has been present for some time now.
HardwareDufus - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I enjoy my Nokia Lumia Windows 8.1 Phones (920, 920 & 520). Love that all OS features work on my 920 (which was considered a flagship device when it launched) and my 520 (which was considered the low end device when it launched).Corporate VPN was late to the game and I would have liked that feature... But TeamViewer suficed in the meantime.
I've used some very nice IPhones and Android Phones... Windows is just another equally good alternative. Mac, Windows, Linux alternatives to do the same work. Why can't we just appreciate the three are just different flavors.
Sabresiberian - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
This is fabulous news really (for us WP users), it shows MS is committed to making and keeping WP not only current but seriously competitive. They are actually doing the scrambling to catch up that they needed to do, and have even surpassed the other phones in some features.Keep up the good work Microsoft!
SydneyBlue120d - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
Snapdragon 810 support?Houdani - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
And the big bonus is that with WP8.1 we no longer have to wait for carriers to release the updates to the OS (will still have to wait for firmware updates, though). So all of these features become available for all users as soon as Microsoft releases them. Good stuffs.Wolfpup - Thursday, July 31, 2014 - link
Hate how long these take to get (still don't have 8.1 on my Nokia 928 nor 520) but this looks like another nice update!Da W - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
You just know by the amount of comment in WP articles that more and more people are using it.