So it is now in the Marketplace (!!!)
Called gMaps. Works.
it is not google maps... Google Maps have for example Latitude.
it's not a bad app, but i think that Bingle is better more features and scrolls smoother
there is a map app called Bingle Maps, it uses google maps... slow though...
Bingle > gMaps
http://mobilitydigest.com/bingle-mapsbing-and-google-maps-in-harmony-on-windows-phones/
Of course it's not original Google Maps.
However it's engine is based on Google so in the places where Bing is basically a joke
gMaps works.
There are several apps based on Google Maps available on the marketplace (TA Maps, Bingle Maps, gMaps, Advanced Maps Viewer, Cartes Pro or Maps Pro...)
But unfortunately there are all very slow. No StreetView, no Latitude. Most of the time the search function does not work at all.
My understanding is that, whatever the maps used, Microsoft force the developers to use part of the Bing system, the "Microsoft Bing maps control", which is so mediocre.
This is why maps images take such a long time to display.
This is why there is no cache memory that saves the last map image, etc...
Strangely I noticed that A-to-B is the only soft that display very quickly the map. Why?
Also Outdoor Navigation is a great app (using OpenStreetMaps), but still a bit slow. But search function works fine.
I believe we will never have Google Maps on WP7.
This is so unfair.
I hate Bing.
Why would you buy a phone with an OS from a company with a full services stack (PIM, Maps, Search, Productivity/Office, Media, etc.) and expect their main competitor to release basically a clone of their most prized app from their platform on it?
I do feel sorry for people who are stuck with Bing maps in areas where it's coverage isn't good, but... really... Why? I'm generally interested...
Microsoft and Google are fierce competitors. Don't expect any decent apps from Google outside of Google Search and Carriers Locking the browser search to Google on WP7 devices...
They won't do it. It's not even a good business decision from their standpoint, especially in their market position.
I'm sure some iOS/Android users would love Office Mobile, ZunePass, and XBL on their phones - but does it make sense? Well, for iOS they may eventually get it. Microsoft seems to love porting their stuff over to Apple's OS these days
N8ter,
Remember, Google Maps was available on WinMo... And it was pretty good.
At least there should be an official Google Maps for WP7.
It does not need to include all the features available on Android, of course, but at least the main characteristics.
To me Bing and Bing Map ruin the overall WP7 experience and makes me a disappointed customer.
I will not change my device now, but if only I knew few months ago that I would be stuck with Bing Map only then I would have probably chosen an Android device rather than WP7 My fault.
I actually made some use of Bing Maps the other day to get to a concert I was performing at and I thought it handled it really well.
It did a good job of tracking my location along the route, and listed landmarks at points to let you know you were on the right track. Was a real cool perk.
I have a whole different beef with the Maps app though, and that's that it doesn't do public transit directions. Which sucks, as the Bing Maps web app does.
arturobandini said:
N8ter,
Remember, Google Maps was available on WinMo... And it was pretty good.
At least there should be an official Google Maps for WP7.
It does not need to include all the features available on Android, of course, but at least the main characteristics.
To me Bing and Bing Map ruin the overall WP7 experience and makes me a disappointed customer.
I will not change my device now, but if only I knew few months ago that I would be stuck with Bing Map only then I would have probably chosen an Android device rather than WP7 My fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...It does not need to include all the features available on Android, of course, but at least the main characteristics.....
why the heck not ? less features is now a positive ? wtheck ?
The "funniest" thing is that you have Bing on every damned OS
and Google Maps also excluding.... WP7.
It doesn't make sense.
Anyway for those who love WP7 and doesn't want to switch those gMaps are good enough
to find a place and get position tracking. BTW this app is quite fast.
I don't think it has anything to do with Google being in competition with MS, it's because of WP7 lack of market share. That's why you see Bing on competing devices & Google Maps on iOS. The Bing team for example doesn't care about making WP7 look good, their goal is to get as many people using Bing as possible.
I bet there are divisions and people within MS that would like nothing more then to have WP7 fail, like the Windows group, so they will be able to put mobile under their control.
arturobandini said:
N8ter,
Remember, Google Maps was available on WinMo... And it was pretty good.
At least there should be an official Google Maps for WP7.
It does not need to include all the features available on Android, of course, but at least the main characteristics.
To me Bing and Bing Map ruin the overall WP7 experience and makes me a disappointed customer.
I will not change my device now, but if only I knew few months ago that I would be stuck with Bing Map only then I would have probably chosen an Android device rather than WP7 My fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep and without tbt navy and feature disparity compared to the android version. Unless ur a latitude user binge maps is superior to Google on winmo.
Still have my HD2. just checked them.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
phoneguy 4567 said:
I don't think it has anything to do with Google being in competition with MS, it's because of WP7 lack of market share. That's why you see Bing on competing devices & Google Maps on iOS. The Bing team for example doesn't care about making WP7 look good, their goal is to get as many people using Bing as possible.
I bet there are divisions and people within MS that would like nothing more then to have WP7 fail, like the Windows group, so they will be able to put mobile under their control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes bit the its version is missing the same features the android version is. Lots of people get android because of the free turn by then and add on apps like tracks which are missing on non android devices.
Google also doesn't update the non android versions as well.
Microsoft should have release wp7 binge maps on feature equality with the wm version and just updated it when they switched to .ovi. There was nothing preventing them from doing that.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
My understanding is the WP7 team came up with their own version of Bing, which is separate from what the Bing team is working on. If MS doesn't care that WP7 has a worse implementation then competitors get why would Google care about WP7?
The problem is that Microsoft has better implementations for competitors products like wlm for ios, but Google would never allow a division of their company to support ios/android over or better than android. Microsoft does allow this apparently.
It doesn't help consumer confidence, and its just plain dumb.
That's why a Google maps app would only be about as good on wp7 as bing is right now, only using Google data (which would help some users). Google never release apps on other platforms on feature parity with their android apps.
Those complaining about binge search can use the Google app that may get pulled from marketplace soon since I think its just a webpage lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
P.s. Google would care about Wp7 because mining data from 1000001 users is better than mining data from 1000000. Google entire business model is built around monetizing user data. That's why they wasted no time in releasing their happy little Google search app and they have deals with carriers like t-mobile to lock the browser search to Google...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
same you "it is not google maps... Google Maps have for example Latitude."
gmaps is sloooowwww
Related
If there is one thing I regret from my old HD2 running WM6.5.3 it's Google Maps.
I just cannot stand Bing Maps. This soft is just terrible and totally useless for customers outside the U.S.
The maps are not accurate, and doesn't even include basic Local Search.
Try to search the word "Hotel" in Paris and Bing Maps will find you some cities named Hotel !!!!!!
Fair if Microsoft wants to impose Bing instead of Google in its WP7 devices, but only if the soft is ready to use and decent. Outside the US it is NOT.
So, did anybody find a good alternative soft that could replace this crappy Bing Maps?
Any chance we will have Google Maps on WP7 in the future?
Thanks.
Not any at this time. It depends if Google desides to make an app or not.
Ok, thanks for the answer
I hope Google will do that, because I definitely think Bing maps is a real mess (at least in Europe, I don't know if it's the same in the US).
Am pretty sure google will do a version for it, its a market share they need and co-pilot will be working on a nav system for it. If they can include iOS they will include us.
Only thing for google at the moment is the net version :s
This guy here seems to be working on a few things which might come good by merging bing with google
http://cid-a47796b098a35137.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Documents
Google will develop an app, they have one for just about every other mobile app platform.
I have no problems with Bing Maps, but I live in the US....so yeah. I'd love to see GMaps on WP7 (and there should be at some point).
MS needs to get Bing Maps up to par in markets outside the US.
lordcanti86 said:
I have no problems with Bing Maps, but I live in the US....so yeah. I'd love to see GMaps on WP7 (and there should be at some point).
MS needs to get Bing Maps up to par in markets outside the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works awesome in Canada...
Cant you just make a shortcut tile from a google maps page?
I love bing maps, im in the UK.
I'm in Poland and Bing Maps (on WM) is terrible.
Even the search engine is crap.
arturobandini said:
Ok, thanks for the answer
I hope Google will do that, because I definitely think Bing maps is a real mess (at least in Europe, I don't know if it's the same in the US).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bing is great in the US. In the future o put "in Europe" in the thread title so I dont waste minutes of my life reading it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've had no issues with it in the UK.
All loads quickly and works fluidly.
The only thing I miss is latitude, that was genuinely useful for meeting up with friends in an unknown place.
Apparently, Bing Maps indeed works fine in the US and UK.
But in France it's a real mess. The search engine is the worst I've ever seen.
(title of the post modified)
Irish version of Bing is pants. They have NO poi data, ie restaurants, amenities, etc. However, they do have lots of satellite imagery, and birds eye views for many of the larger cities.
And when you hit the search button in Bing Maps in WP7, you don't get any local results for the map. ie it's not possible to find an address on the map.
If someone would release an app with most of the bing imagery and UI, but would Google data laid over, that would be ideal (Google does have local data for Ireland).
Freypal said:
I've had no issues with it in the UK.
All loads quickly and works fluidly.
The only thing I miss is latitude, that was genuinely useful for meeting up with friends in an unknown place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree I love Bing, and would use Bing maps (in the UK) if it was up to scratch. It's business/POI data is sparse at best.
ITO functionality it has a log way to go before it even comes close to the functionality google maps provides on WM6.5
Bing Maps is the same useless papermap in Germany as in the rest of mainland Europe, no POIs whatsoever.
Plus, it doesn't show me which way I'm facing. I thouhgt there's a compass built into every Windows Phone 7 Device !?
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20101021/workaround-local-listings-voice-search-wp7-australia/
Can you try this and see if it changes anything?
I tried exactly the same search with the word "McDonald's" in the center of Paris, and Bing Maps suddenly displayed a world wide map with absolutely no result. No POI, no address, nothing.
Maybe McDonald's restaurants are not famous enough for Bing?
It's ridiculous.
Also the quality of the graphics is so poor. The streets are all so blurry. The location is wrong. It takes minutes and minutes to download the full map.
Yep have to admit there are a lot of things I'm not so happy about with certain win phone 7 phones, but bing maps is the only reason I am holding off.
I have been trying to use Bing maps on my pc to try and get used to it, but it is useless.
I am in Australia and confirm that yes it does have ALOT of POI's (not as many as google but enough), BUT it is near impossible to use. It is not intuitive, if I am zoomed into my location, then search "Indian Restaurants", it will zoom out and go to india. I have to choose businesses, and enter a location such as "Indian Restaurant Brisbane Australia".
On top of that it seems very unreliable with results, The same search but move the map slightly in one direction removes a bunch of points on the map and generates new ones elsewhere. I was looking directly at a point, zoomed into it and it vanishes.....right...
NoWorthWhile said:
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20101021/workaround-local-listings-voice-search-wp7-australia/
Can you try this and see if it changes anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unbelievable, Bing Maps DOES have POIs here in Germany!
Thanks a lot!
Any word on whether Google's working on a WP7 Google Maps app?
There's this: http://dotnetbyexample.blogspot.com/2010/10/google-maps-for-windows-phone-7.html, but of course, Google's TOS won't allow that to become useful.
There's also a suggestion in Google Mobile's product ideas page: http://productideas.appspot.com/#9/e=cf&t=windows+phone+7+maps
Bing is fine in parts of the U.S., but I'm sometimes in Mumbai and other cities around the world, where Bing Maps is atrociously poor.
I am hoping that either Microsoft improve their map service or Google brings their maps service to WP7.
so it's impossible to go to m.google.com/maps on a wp7 device and download google maps?
Doesn't this all look very similar to the anti-trust suites that occurred over Internet Explorer being bundled with Windows? I can't really see how having the MS service embedded into the OS doesn't break the same rules that IE was apparently breaking as a stand-alone but pre-installed program?
Hopefully we'll end up with a choice on first-run between Bing, Google and anyone else that wants to play so we can decide who we have integrated into the OS.
paulrockliffe said:
Doesn't this all look very similar to the anti-trust suites that occurred over Internet Explorer being bundled with Windows? I can't really see how having the MS service embedded into the OS doesn't break the same rules that IE was apparently breaking as a stand-alone but pre-installed program?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it doesn't because Microsoft has nowhere near the marketshare on smartphones that Windows has on desktops. And I think it's possible for Google to write and submit a Google Maps application for WP7 and in my opinion Microsoft will allow the application in the marketplace (because otherwise there will be a long discussion online that may affect the image of WP7 negatively).
paulrockliffe said:
Hopefully we'll end up with a choice on first-run between Bing, Google and anyone else that wants to play so we can decide who we have integrated into the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the most likely scenario.
I am expecting Google Maps on WP7 a lot, because I can't deal with Bing Maps.
In France and some european countries Bing Maps is just crap.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=823953
Google just announced it. BTW, why would you want Google maps? I can't stand it compared to Bing on Phone 7.
There are 2 things I want from Google:
1. IE search to be changed from Yahoo! to Google (on the HTC HD7 in the UK), with search as you type and image search.
2. And of course, a fully featured YouTube app.
Bing is a decent mapping platform. The only feature it lacks is streetview.
kenikh said:
Google just announced it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If true, it's great
Bing Maps is slow, terribly slow outside the US
Bing Maps has no Street View
Bing search is inaccurate and uncomplete outside the US. It misses most of the things I'm looking for, and Google finds it immediately.
Google includes images search.
Why doesn't Bing have image search on WP7?
well at least now you can have Google Search on your Windows phone 7. http://www.phonedog.com/2010/11/08/google-search-app-for-windows-phone-7-now-available/
kenikh said:
Google just announced it. BTW, why would you want Google maps? I can't stand it compared to Bing on Phone 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for Europe, Poland, Bing is worse than Gooogle, especially in searching streets etc.
Where are you ppl coming up with Bing Maps for WP7? I have looked and looked all over the web and cannot find where Bing Maps (turn by turn nav) is. It isn't built into the Bing search app on my new HD7 nor is it available at the Market.
Press the Search button at the bottom right of your phone??? Works fine for me...BTW, wanna sell that HD7 you are sending back? Sux AT&T has crap hardware.
scroll to the right (the app list)... do you not have a "Maps" application there? It was built into my phone, it should be there for yours.
Bing would be alright, if they had public transportation built into their maps. That's why i love google maps lets me know when the next bus comes.
f1restarter said:
well at least now you can have Google Search on your Windows phone 7. http://www.phonedog.com/2010/11/08/google-search-app-for-windows-phone-7-now-available/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great that Google search comes to WP7 . At least we will have the option to search for some images (Bing doesn't even include this basic feature).
Hope Google Maps will come soon.
kenikh said:
Google just announced it. BTW, why would you want Google maps? I can't stand it compared to Bing on Phone 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Google maps yet (just a general Google search app).
As for why-- because Google Maps has vastly superior map and point of interest data in many, if not most, parts of the world than Bing Maps.
Apparently, somebody has already compiled Google Maps for Windows Phone 7. You'll still need a developer account to load it though.
day2die said:
Apparently, somebody has already compiled Google Maps for Windows Phone 7. You'll still need a developer account to load it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my phone at the moment (and of course WP7 can't do anything with files), but I'd guess that's probably the same deal as this: http://dotnetbyexample.blogspot.com/2010/10/google-maps-for-windows-phone-7.html
If so, that's just pulling map tiles from Google-- not enough to actually do anything useful, and Google's TOS doesn't allow it anyway.
So I've finally joined the club and boy am I stoked. So, what are the first things one should do e.g. apps to get, slight customisation, games etc, help your fellow comrade.
I don't know if this thread has been done before, if not, maybe it could be a sticky?
the first advice i could give to you is: read the forums
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
APPS?
download OEM apps.
download what you need. Marketplace got almost everything
customization? you mean changing the color of the tiles? LOL
radeon_x said:
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
z33dev33l said:
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the problem is that the more you feed the trolls , they keep coming back for more.
i just realize that he is using a sgs...
eww.
saldawop said:
I guess the problem is that the more you feed the trolls , they keep coming back for more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's pretty much a greek tragedy how incompetent these android users are "LOL my phone OS is better than yours *tap 3 times before an app finally pulls up then swipe left or right and watch the lag roll in* Yup, totally better, I troll you."
Ha. That wasn't really a troll. I just meant there's no setup or critical apps you need to get the phone running. Just grab whatever catches your eye from the market and you're golden. I like that aspect of the platform compared to Android. Until you want your phone to do something a specific way, it's bliss.
Sent from my GT-I9000M
kappo78 said:
So I've finally joined the club and boy am I stoked. So, what are the first things one should do e.g. apps to get, slight customisation, games etc, help your fellow comrade.
I don't know if this thread has been done before, if not, maybe it could be a sticky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the world of WP7. Care to share which device you acquired?
MartyLK said:
Welcome to the world of WP7. Care to share which device you acquired?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it, aren't you the one who was pushing the WebOS users to outvote everything on that poll?
If you only get two games, get...
Ilomilo
Aphajax
Both will blow your mind into little wobbly pieces of grey blancmange and raspberry sauce. And all will be well in the world.
Wait! Someone's just put QUORUM down on a TW! Bastard!
radeon_x said:
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on how you look at it.
Lacking the need for customization at a low level is good (Rooting to uninstall bloatware, etc.), but there are tons of instances where you have to hack the system up just to achieve trivial tasks. Adding Ringtons to you phone, accessing Camera Shutter options, changing the default Search Engine in the Browser (T-Mobile sets it to Google, and some Euro Carrier sets it to Yahoo!). Things like that. You can't even set a home page in the browser (so even though I can't stand searching through Google, there's no way to Set Bing as the home page and just open a new tab and search from there). The OS is literally devoid of options/settings that matter. Can't even toggle between EDGE and 3G to save battery without hacking the phone (and that hack doesn't even work for some phones).
These aren't deep customizations on any other smartphone platform, but for WP7 it requires going beyond rooting or jailbreaking an Android phone. It makes Android a bit easier to use than WP7 when you factor in OneClick Root apps and the ability to sideload applications without scouring threads/the internet for information to get this done (and installing a ridiculously big SDK on your computer - nevermind the fact that it requires a Windows PC as well).
Microsoft got it wrong.
The issue with Android settigs is not that there were too many. It's the way they are presented to the user. They're generally (especially in third party applications from independent devs) just thrown in the user face on one huge page. Decently organized options in groups or tabs... there's nothing wrong with that. They need to add tons of options for the system and stock applications, because making even trivial changes to some behaviors is impossible without going through more work than loading a custom ROM on an Android phone is right now.
Minimalistic is good if you do it right (iOS). Microsoft took it to the extreme and all it does is create a ton of usability faux pas.
z33dev33l said:
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you're trolling him.
He means that the stock functionality in the WP7 system is above and beyond Android and iOS. And it is. Everything comes from Microsoft, integrates nicely, and performs well. Aside from Microsoft and Manufacturer Apps (i.e. HTC, LG, Samsung Apps), there aren't that many apps that you need on a WP7 device to be functional - besides games. Twitter is missing in the People Hub, so that's a biggie, and the Facebook integration doesn't include all functionality, so you need that.
I suggest Twitter, Seesmic, Facebook (Seesmic because it includes both and is a nice hub to use when you don't need heavy duty FB/Twitter functionality). Microsoft has a ton of free apps that are useful. Your manufacturer (especially if HTC) will fill in many of the other gaps. Foursquare is in the Market.
Adobe Reader is in the market. Amazon and Amazon Kindle is there. eBay has a very nice App in the market. Messenger by Miyowa sadly I have to recommend it because it's the best of any Messenger app in the market at the moment.
If you have an HTC phone you don't need a weather app. The HTC Hub Tile is Live for Weather. If not, I recommend Weather bug or Microsoft's little weather app. Weather Channel is a 9MB app and I can't see how that ridiculous size is justified given how WeatherBug and Microsoft's weather app are both < 2MB (if not 1 or below).
Microsoft has a few free games to try out. AlphaJacks is like Words With Friends for Windows Mobile ("Try It" version is free forever, but Ad Supported). Haypi Kingdom is a nice strategy game that is multi-player (also available for iOS and Android, so there is no shortage of people to play with/against).
Office Apps aren't needed (Office Mobile)
NoteTaking Apps aren't needed (OneNote Mobile)
Exchange Clients aren't needed (In-Built Functionality)
Music Players aren't needed (Zune)
Radio Apps aren't needed (Zune)
Slacker and Last.FM exist for Internet Radio.
Shazam is available with Unlimited Tagging.
Microsoft has a List App in the market (and HTC has one in their Marketplace).
Poynt, AP Mobile, IMDb, Fandango are all there.
But there aren't many needed apps, TBQH. Most apps are slower to use than the web browser because they tend to take excessive amounts of time "Updating..." Loading a web browser or performing a voice search often outperforms them, IME.
I'd get the biggies. Personally I'd avoid crap that you don't necessarily need and use the space for stuff that matters (Music, Pictures, Documents, etc.).
You can save documents from SkyDrive to your computer by opening them up from the Office.Live.com website and saving them to your Office Hub in Office Mobile. OneNote Mobile Syncs perfectly. There is an option to keep your Camera Roll in Sync with SkyDrive (this can use a lot of data if you take lots of pictures).
N8ter said:
Actually, you're trolling him.
He means that the stock functionality in the WP7 system is above and beyond Android and iOS. And it is. Everything comes from Microsoft, integrates nicely, and performs well. Aside from Microsoft and Manufacturer Apps (i.e. HTC, LG, Samsung Apps), there aren't that many apps that you need on a WP7 device to be functional - besides games. Twitter is missing in the People Hub, so that's a biggie, and the Facebook integration doesn't include all functionality, so you need that.
I suggest Twitter, Seesmic, Facebook (Seesmic because it includes both and is a nice hub to use when you don't need heavy duty FB/Twitter functionality). Microsoft has a ton of free apps that are useful. Your manufacturer (especially if HTC) will fill in many of the other gaps. Foursquare is in the Market.
Adobe Reader is in the market. Amazon and Amazon Kindle is there. eBay has a very nice App in the market. Messenger by Miyowa sadly I have to recommend it because it's the best of any Messenger app in the market at the moment.
If you have an HTC phone you don't need a weather app. The HTC Hub Tile is Live for Weather. If not, I recommend Weather bug or Microsoft's little weather app. Weather Channel is a 9MB app and I can't see how that ridiculous size is justified given how WeatherBug and Microsoft's weather app are both < 2MB (if not 1 or below).
Microsoft has a few free games to try out. AlphaJacks is like Words With Friends for Windows Mobile ("Try It" version is free forever, but Ad Supported). Haypi Kingdom is a nice strategy game that is multi-player (also available for iOS and Android, so there is no shortage of people to play with/against).
Office Apps aren't needed (Office Mobile)
NoteTaking Apps aren't needed (OneNote Mobile)
Exchange Clients aren't needed (In-Built Functionality)
Music Players aren't needed (Zune)
Radio Apps aren't needed (Zune)
Slacker and Last.FM exist for Internet Radio.
Shazam is available with Unlimited Tagging.
Microsoft has a List App in the market (and HTC has one in their Marketplace).
Poynt, AP Mobile, IMDb, Fandango are all there.
But there aren't many needed apps, TBQH. Most apps are slower to use than the web browser because they tend to take excessive amounts of time "Updating..." Loading a web browser or performing a voice search often outperforms them, IME.
I'd get the biggies. Personally I'd avoid crap that you don't necessarily need and use the space for stuff that matters (Music, Pictures, Documents, etc.).
You can save documents from SkyDrive to your computer by opening them up from the Office.Live.com website and saving them to your Office Hub in Office Mobile. OneNote Mobile Syncs perfectly. There is an option to keep your Camera Roll in Sync with SkyDrive (this can use a lot of data if you take lots of pictures).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, no real apps to get doesn't exactly sound right. It makes it sound like anything released on this platform is bad.
To OP though, Ilomilo and Twin Blades are the only games I have that live up to my XBL expectations (and sadly I have most of them) there are other good games but Ilomilo overall. other than that Netflix is the only other one I'd deem necessary.
I knew exactly what he means when I read the post. Perhaps English isn't his first language, but it wasn't a hard statement to decipher...
Netflix is useless if you're not a subscriber, so I wouldn't deem it necessary at all. No one is going to subscribe to Netflix just to watch movies on a phone. Just doesn't make sense, IMO. If you're a subscriber, though, have it's nice to have...
The only necessary apps are those for social networking, and XBox Live Extras.
The Manufacturer Hub Apps (some/most of them) are a given.
TBQH, most smartphone OSes are like this. If the platform is missing something, like Android is, the Manufacturers usually add it in (ThinkFree Office, Amazon MP3, MobiTV, Exchange support, etc.).
One thing most of us forgot is Navigation Software. At this point if you want decent navigation with Turn-By-Turn directions, you're basically required to pay a subscription fee for TeleNav or whatever the phone comes with.
I've tried A-to-B Navigation. It's useless for all practical purposes.
Social Networking and Navigation Software are the only ones I'd say are necessary.
Also the Carriers are allowed to change the default search provider in Internet Explorer, so if you're a Bing user like me the usability of in-browser search is... terrible. T-Mobile Maps the Search button (and address bar search) in IE to Google and some Euro Carriers change it to Yahoo. Severely inconsistent and bad considering most people use the address bar to perform searches.
There is no option to change the default search provider. And performing that hack requires more manual labor than rooting and installing a custom ROM on an Android computer (and involves making registry changes, etc. on your Windows PC).
N8ter said:
I knew exactly what he means when I read the post. Perhaps English isn't his first language, but it wasn't a hard statement to decipher...
Netflix is useless if you're not a subscriber, so I wouldn't deem it necessary at all. No one is going to subscribe to Netflix just to watch movies on a phone. Just doesn't make sense, IMO. If you're a subscriber, though, have it's nice to have...
The only necessary apps are those for social networking, and XBox Live Extras.
The Manufacturer Hub Apps (some/most of them) are a given.
TBQH, most smartphone OSes are like this. If the platform is missing something, like Android is, the Manufacturers usually add it in (ThinkFree Office, Amazon MP3, MobiTV, Exchange support, etc.).
One thing most of us forgot is Navigation Software. At this point if you want decent navigation with Turn-By-Turn directions, you're basically required to pay a subscription fee for TeleNav or whatever the phone comes with.
I've tried A-to-B Navigation. It's useless for all practical purposes.
Social Networking and Navigation Software are the only ones I'd say are necessary.
Also the Carriers are allowed to change the default search provider in Internet Explorer, so if you're a Bing user like me the usability of in-browser search is... terrible. T-Mobile Maps the Search button (and address bar search) in IE to Google and some Euro Carriers change it to Yahoo. Severely inconsistent and bad considering most people use the address bar to perform searches.
There is no option to change the default search provider. And performing that hack requires more manual labor than rooting and installing a custom ROM on an Android computer (and involves making registry changes, etc. on your Windows PC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only that, but I wouldn't subscribe to any version of Netflix because of the cost. I watch maybe 2 to 4 rented movies a month. And some months, none. To have to pay a fee just to use Netflix is wasteful. Yet that's how NF works. I would, however, subscribe to NF if there was no fee. The only cost would be the rental charge.
I have to say the best game for Xbox Live is the Harvest. Feels like diablo with a sci fi twist. The bad thing though is if your a typical Xbox console gamer, you won't find much that will interest you on WP7.
I swear its a new puzzle or tower defense game ever week.
you can of course customise your lock screen, you could also install "pin to start" which apparently offers customised live tile (don't have it myself, not my type of thing". Apps wise, get the HTC You tube app if you have an HTC device, would also recommend pdf reader and the amazon kindle app (if you like books) beyond that, there are nearly 9000 apps to choose from - I think there are even a couple of "fart" apps if that floats your boat...........
I've already mentioned Adobe Acrobat Reader X and Amazon Kindle.
Not all applications have Live Tiles, and TBH without a Live Tile an app would have to be very important to merit a spot on you home screen (no one wants a home screen that scrolls for miles). I have issues keeping Seesmic/Twitter/Facebook on the Home Screen, for example, without a Live Tile. Games like AlphaJax are good cause the Tile is Live (tells you when it's your turn and how many games you have waiting on you, for example).
The HTC YouTube app is good, but it's only for HTC devices (I already said the Manufacturer apps were a given since they fill in obvious gaps in functionality i.e. YouTube, NotePad/List App, Flashlight, Attentive Phone, Live Weather Tile (HTC), Sound Enhancer, etc.).
The customization that I say is missing isn't really "customization" in the XDA-Developers sense.
Setting a Home Page in the Browser, Setting the Default Search Engine in the Browser, and Options for things like how long you want Toast Notifications to stay on the screen aren't any type of deep customization. It's simply a trivial setting that Microsoft needs to add. These things are missing all over the OS and need to be added in ASAP. It acually makes the OS a chore to use in many instances.
They also need to make carriers unable to alter the default search engine. It sucks for people who use a certain search engine, and makes it take 3x longer to perform searches if you don't want to go through Google. There just need to be an option for the three biggies (Bing, Yahoo, Google) or the ability to allow the bing homepage to set itself as the default search engine (or Yahoo, or Google).
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of all of those the only one I'd use is Adobe Flash. Bing maps is awesome they just need turn by turn navigation, opera and firefox arent going to be worth a damn once the new version of IE is out (on mobile anyway) Messengers are too impersonal, I call and text. I dont even think I've been on messenger in 4 months or so. Skype... well... I'd prefer windows come up with their own video chat app.
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Greg2k said:
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt they'd give in to the competitor like that...Not to mention I'd rather not have google spying on everywhere I go.
I like bing maps, but it needs turn by turn navigation. I do believe this is coming up in some update eventually. I did like the google maps for android though. Some needed apps are:
TELNET
SSH
FTP
RDP
VPN
However, im pretty sure the OS is the reason why we dont have these. I think they are opening those options in the coming update?
Havent we done this before?
Mainly:
- Google Maps
- A good GPS navigation software (Navigon or other)
But also:
- A nice translation software (Robert Collins or other)
- Last.fm app allowing to scrobble my music (the Last.fm app isn't even available in france)
- A simple flashlight using the led flash (I don't have a HTC)
Google Maps.
My experience on WM6.1 with Google was far better than I have had with Bing (so far). Pushpins (Can't find them on Bing though they're supposed to be there) that stay on the map (I work all over the place and need to navigate from and to different locations every day) especially.
Most of all though, I want the phone to automatically stay ON when navigating with what ever Map App I use. I know that there is a possible issue with Screen Burn but this is an imperative when driving.
Why do you need Opera/Firefox？
The stock browser works better than Opera Mobile/Firefox on Android
Unfortunately I believe we will not have Google Maps quite soon.
And I think I understand why Google refuses to release Google Maps for WP7.
Recently a developer told me that its app (similar too Google Maps for WP7) takes a very long time to display the map graphics because WP7 basically forces him to use Microsoft's web components to load the map images (i.e. the maps app provides URLs and then wait for the OS to get the images).
I think Google will never accept that the Google Maps experience on WP7 can be ruined this way, with map images taking too much time to load, just because it is forced to use Microsoft's web components instead of more efficient methods.
It's funny, since having Bing as default on my phone I've switched to Bing on my desktop and I much prefer it now. IE9 desktop is awesome too so I wouldn't be hasty to wish a 3rd party browser with a new IE mobile in the pipeline.
Bing maps could do with an update for outside of the US but I get on alright with it in the UK. Besides with the amount of legal spats / falling outs Google appear to be having of late I wouldn't expect them to be doing anything to help an MS platform regardless of their business strategy being built on advertising.
Messenger client with proper notifications would be great.
Flash may have it's uses but i'll see what develops with HTML5.
The one I really miss from WM6 is a decent turn by turn nav. Igo8 was superb.. better than any stand alone tomtom / garmin i've used.
provided the nokia deal stays firm, anything Ovi Maps covered will get integrated into Bing Maps making it a lot more viable option.
For those complaining about Google Maps, blame Google not Microsoft. Microsoft and 3rd party developers are not allowed to make a Google Maps API due to Google's restrictions. Google themselves have to do it. Till they do, we won't be seeing any Google love. So stop complaining that MS doesn't do it or 3rd parties don't do it, blame Google.
Also... as mentioned, this is like deja vu, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844117 contains a lot of this already...
Any instant messenger that can work in the background. ANY! #1 on my list
A better map that can do navigation
anything else
flash
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm. Only thing i would need is the ability for the browser to bring you to the youtube app and show you the video on the app (like it does on Android instead of playing it on the page eating up the battery and making it slow like hell)
Otherwise than that
MORE GAMES
That is all
arturobandini said:
Unfortunately I believe we will not have Google Maps quite soon.
And I think I understand why Google refuses to release Google Maps for WP7.
Recently a developer told me that its app (similar too Google Maps for WP7) takes a very long time to display the map graphics because WP7 basically forces him to use Microsoft's web components to load the map images (i.e. the maps app provides URLs and then wait for the OS to get the images).
I think Google will never accept that the Google Maps experience on WP7 can be ruined this way, with map images taking too much time to load, just because it is forced to use Microsoft's web components instead of more efficient methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you blaming google for microsoft's ruining of google maps ? (not sure i follow here)
Palringo
Skype (front facing camera phones as well)
Pandora
File Explorer
Opera
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. recent survey says that over 60% of internet is html5 compliant. I'll take flash as long as its done well (no flash adds, only click to start flash content).
2. I think IE9 will blow those out of the water (it already does on the desktop).
3. Sure, why not, don't use it, but I understand there are a lot that do.
4. No FFC so no need yet. I would rather have a skype app than a MS propietary one like apple has.
5. I think MS partnering with ovi-maps is the reason we don't have a bing tbt yet. I think once that gets integrated, it will be the top data based map app out there.
Greg2k said:
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think ovi-maps from nokia will solve a lot of that. I don't know how long though.
efjay said:
Havent we done this before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably 8 or 9 times.
nickallison said:
Google Maps.
My experience on WM6.1 with Google was far better than I have had with Bing (so far). Pushpins (Can't find them on Bing though they're supposed to be there) that stay on the map (I work all over the place and need to navigate from and to different locations every day) especially.
Most of all though, I want the phone to automatically stay ON when navigating with what ever Map App I use. I know that there is a possible issue with Screen Burn but this is an imperative when driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That can be added to any of the apps. The devs just need to add it.
ohgood said:
are you blaming google for microsoft's ruining of google maps ? (not sure i follow here)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm blaming Microsoft.
Navigation in Bing...
Bank of America
American airlines
U-verse for more than just at&t
Pandora
Fring or palringo
Skype
Engadget...
And then I'd be happy ....
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Stop moaning. You should have done research before.
The fact is that alot of apps that you are looking for needs time to make.
One little document to change something has to be signed of by way too many people and this slow the process down.
Be patient
Hello,
I have a sincere and honest question. I came to a conclusion but I hope I am wrong...
- I notice that several months after WP7's launch there is still no official Google Maps app, still no official YouTube app, still no Google Earth app, almost no GPS navigation apps with offline maps.
- All the non official Google Maps alternatives created by third party developers are pretty slow. I asked some developers why, and have been replied that the main reason is that Microsoft forces them to use the apparently sophisticated but very slow Bing map system based on Silverlight (for zooming). As a result the map image takes between 30 seconds to 1 full minute to display on my phone (what a shame). I tested and compared with two iPhone and Android phones using Google Maps, same place, same network, the map image appear in less than 10 seconds.
- Today Shape Services, the developer of IM+ announced that it will not have Windows Live Messenger support because Microsoft doesn’t allow it.
http://www.wpcentral.com/im-will-not-support-windows-live-messenger
Therefore I am starting to wonder why I cannot have Google Maps on my phone. Why so many GPS developers (such as CoPilot or Tom Tom) refuse to join WP7. Or why IM+ cannot have Windows Live Messenger support.... ??
And unfortunately my conclusion is that MS are maybe taking this terrible approach:
* MS refuse to allow apps that they think will duplicate functionality,
* Mainly MS actually want to impose their own services, such as Live Messenger, Skydrive, Bing and Bing Map, despite such services are either not available or mediocre in certain territories. In particular I am thinking of Bing Map which is so bad that it is almost unusable outside UK and US.
Microsoft have the right to take this kind of Apple's approach, ok. But then, as a customer, I would like to know it as soon as possible.
--> Practically does it mean that if I am using WP7 I will be forced to use Bing Map instead of Google Maps, MSN videos instead of YouTube, Bing instead of Google search, etc?
--> Practically does it mean that, as a customer, I will not have the choice between several alternative apps having similar functionality, just because MS will not allow them? For instance, does it mean I will never have the right to use an alternative Keyboard (Swype for instance) instead of the keyboard MS force me to use?
For instance does it mean that there will be no alternative player than Zune? (which also means no DivX|avi, the customer being bound to the only codecs MS will allow)
If so, I would like to know, because it's a weird philosophy, and a philosophy which I am definitely not ready to accept anytime soon... I don't want WP7 to be a new IPhone, even more locked down, with no freedom of choice at all...
Especially if I am totally not satisfied with the quality and efficiency of the various MS services such as Bing.
I probably made the wrong choice after WinMo and was maybe silly to stay loyal to MS.
Am I wrong?
Any clue?
It is google blocking its services from microsoft. They want android to succeed so they dont even give us the code for a youtube app (they gave it to apple for the origional iphone) let alone a google maps. Half of that is pure speculation so don't quote me on it but u try to watch a video in the stock YouTube app (the one in the market made by microsoft) and tell me how it looks.
Not sure why you are surprised, MS has made it clear that WP7 is going to be more tightly controlled than WM was but even then, they are not as draconian as you think. There is a gps program with offline maps available in Germany, Navigon. They have been asked several times if/when their program would be available elsewhere and their response seemed to indicate they were waiting for more users to come on board before releasing it.
As for youtube, MS recently filed a complaint in Europe against google claiming they are not allowing MS the proper access to deliver a better youtube experience. Even then, you have Supertube and Lazytube so I'm not sure what else is needed.
As for google maps, thats a google product and unless it is required that all mapping programs use bing (which is not the case, check GPS Navigator aSpass http://wmpoweruser.com/gps-navigator-aspass-provides-off-like-gps-map-caching/) that is up to google to make available. Swype wont be happening, been said a few time if I recall correctly.
Seems this time around MS it keeping a tight reign on certain categories of applications to ensure WP7 gives a consistent user experience. Just another factor to consider before purchasing a WP7 device.
Thanks for your replies,
So, i understand that WP7 will never have any official YouTube app or any official Google Maps app in the near future.
I can deal with LazyTube/SuperTube to replace YouTube
I cannot deal without the official Google Maps app, as all the other maps are too slow and too basic (no PoI, no Street View, etc).
And what about the fact that Microsoft refuses that Shape Services includes Windows Live Messenger support in IM+
And mainly, what about the fact that it seems almost impossible on WP7 to have:
- an alternative keyboard
- an alternative browser
- an alternative media player?
Whatever IE mobile is ok, whatever the WP7 keyboard is correct, it is a question of choice.
What about if people would like to use Swype instead of the regular WP7 keyboard, or Opera instead of IE?
At least would it be just possible to use such alternative programs? Or is MS' approach to forbid any alternative app?
efjay said:
Seems this time around MS it keeping a tight reign on certain categories of applications to ensure WP7 gives a consistent user experience. Just another factor to consider before purchasing a WP7 device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fine only if services proposed by Microsoft were available worldwide (which is not the case) and were decent (which is not the case).
Well about the browser, I can't remember where I read it, but MS said that they are not blocking any browser application (Surfcube is a example)
Newness and Nokia
Hi all
I think that the problems and limitations of WP7 are to do with the fact that it is a new OS. The Mango update will bring a lot of APIs which developers will use to make better applications.
Also, I don't think Microsoft will let WP7, or any of it's main products, fall far behind the competition and I think that part of the deal with Nokia is to bring better mapping/navigation software to WP7 specifically.
Android has clearly had a lot more investment but in a couple of years WP7 will be a serious competitor.
Cheers
andrew-in-woking
arturobandini said:
Hello...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've expressed your issues with Bing Maps a lot here but as I said before Microsoft is probably waiting on Ovi Maps to integrate into the OS to make the services useful outside of the US/UK. So I think your frustration will last a little while.
As for Google services I would guess it's more about Google not being interested in WP7 at the moment and Microsoft being happy to have that pretext to promote Bing. It's a new OS so I'm sure that will change eventually. Also remember Microsoft filed a complaint about Google so I might not be too far off.
Copilot, Tom Tom, etc. not being there is just about them not seeing the point with a small user base, that should change too eventually.
Now choice I'm afraid will stay limited. I think clearly WP7 wants to be somewhere between Android and iOS but much closer to iOS (for now at least). I think they will want the OS to mature before allowing alternative solutions (Opera and Skyfire came a while later on iOS). So yes I think you bought the wrong phone as I doubt all this will change in the short term and maybe Android is what you need until WP7 is a strong player.
Personally I'm happy the way things are as WP7 aims to be an OS about integration and that's harder to make when there's too much choice. I'm annoyed about IM+ not having WLM messenger but after Mango that would have been redundant (I would have preferred to have it until Mango, they could have removed it later). Ideally they should be aiming to integrate all IM services to messaging (a huge task). Same goes for other services.
gremmmy said:
Well about the browser, I can't remember where I read it, but MS said that they are not blocking any browser application (Surfcube is a example)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surfcube is still IE at its core though.
gremmmy said:
Well about the browser, I can't remember where I read it, but MS said that they are not blocking any browser application (Surfcube is a example)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not completely correct. Surfcube - just like other browsers available on the marketplace - is built upon the IE engine. So all that's different from IE is the UI on top of the engine. Currently it's impossible to provide browsers with other engines like Opera for example due to the lack of APIs. I don't know whether this will change with mango or not.
As a matter of fact, Microsoft is at least partly going a way Apple has been going with their products for years. If you want a mobile device with an OS that you can tweak to your personal desires, you should go for an Android.
Remember, APIs for wp are in their infancy, mango will extend them, who knows how much. But a company like Microsoft push out they first party app and services first is fine with me. If they work right, I won't have to look for an app that does the exact same thing. I love the fact that I don't have to load a crappy Facebook app just to post one thing, or having a built-in upload to Facebook in the camera. And now with the new APIs with integrating apps into different hubs and apps, should "save us from our phones" more.
And for IM+ it could be API isn't available for Live messager.
I'm afraid we won't see any Google Maps before Ovi integration with Bing.
As for browsers all available now are just IE with different UI.
I remember Opera saying they are not interested in making a browser right now.
no loss there, who uses windows live anyway? I spent an hour on the phone a couple of days ago trying to explain to one of my computer illiterate friends how to use it. I eventually had to install it with him and discovered the incredibly horrible and terrible UI.. won't miss it one bit.
pillsburydoughman said:
no loss there, who uses windows live anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the most used IM client worldwide.
pillsburydoughman said:
no loss there, who uses windows live anyway? I spent an hour on the phone a couple of days ago trying to explain to one of my computer illiterate friends how to use it. I eventually had to install it with him and discovered the incredibly horrible and terrible UI.. won't miss it one bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why didn't you just have him go to www.live.com?
And as stated, its the most used IM in the world. Skype is second.
pillsburydoughman said:
no loss there, who uses windows live anyway? I spent an hour on the phone a couple of days ago trying to explain to one of my computer illiterate friends how to use it. I eventually had to install it with him and discovered the incredibly horrible and terrible UI.. won't miss it one bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
skype will have Microsoft logo soon..... and it will be on WP7 included in the OS...
and as someone said Windows live massanger is the most used IM in the world..
if the idea is to impose their own services they wouldnt have allowed flory (gtalk) and they would reject im+ (for using icq, gtalk, and many other non ms services).
if this was the idea they would have rejected shazam encore, since they are going to implement the same service.
unfourtunately i suspect that the issue with wlm is the deal they made with miyowa
as you can see they talk about a a "deal" between miyowa and microsoft for wlm
http://blog.miyowa.com/?p=1118
just search more posts and you can see they mention multiple times have some sort of agreement...
i know its far fetched but i think its more likely that the agreement they made included exclusivity until ms made their own native app. IMO this sounds more reasonable than not allowing duplicated functionality
edit:
personally i hate this, i would like to uninstall the miyowa app (its crap) and use im+ while we wait for native wlm.
revrak said:
if the idea is to impose their own services they wouldnt have allowed flory (gtalk) and they would reject im+ (for using icq, gtalk, and many other non ms services).
if this was the idea they would have rejected shazam encore, since they are going to implement the same service.
unfourtunately i suspect that the issue with wlm is the deal they made with miyowa
as you can see they talk about a a "deal" between miyowa and microsoft for wlm
http://blog.miyowa.com/?p=1118
just search more posts and you can see they mention multiple times have some sort of agreement...
i know its far fetched but i think its more likely that the agreement they made included exclusivity until ms made their own native app. IMO this sounds more reasonable than not allowing duplicated functionality
edit:
personally i hate this, i would like to uninstall the miyowa app (its crap) and use im+ while we wait for native wlm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might have a point there as everything gets dropped except Miyoma Messenger which is so crap I'd rather not have WLM rather than using it. They should be banned from making another app ever again.
revrak said:
unfourtunately i suspect that the issue with wlm is the deal they made with miyowa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or it may be with the way IM+ implemented WLM functionality. This could've taken some reverse engineering.
revrak said:
if the idea is to impose their own services they wouldnt have allowed flory (gtalk) and they would reject im+ (for using icq, gtalk, and many other non ms services).
if this was the idea they would have rejected shazam encore, since they are going to implement the same service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And don't forget that just-added official Evernote app, which kind of directly competes with the OneNote/SkyDrive/Mesh combo (and currently beats it, IMO).