The oddity of the UK marketplace - Windows Phone 7 General

WP7 has been out for about 10 months now. When I browse the UK marketplace I can't believe we barely have UK specific apps. I met a French friend the other day and his Optimus 7 had plenty of French apps to work with but here in the UK we have to rely on 3rd party developers. That's very odd, I wonder what's happening between Microsoft and the UK. We have what, Tesco, Yell, a few radio apps and that's about it.
Big absentees I can think of:
Amazon
Lovefilm
Argos
Metro
Sky
BBC
TVGuide
AA
Post Office
Sainsburys (coming I believe)
BT Phonebook
Jobcentre
Any banking app
Plus probably many more you can name. You can't tell me it's because of APIs either, most if not all of the apps above would be possible with WP7 v1.0

Amazon Kindle is available in the UK - but I agree the Amazon shopper app would be cool. I'd love to see an iPlayer app from the BBC but there's been no word of that and I too feel as though I'm missing out from a banking app.
To be honest, though, I think it's because most of these companies don't actually develop their mobile apps, they outsource to 3rd party companies who build the cross-platform apps for them. If those 3rd party companies don't build Windows Phone apps then there won't be a Windows Phone app for the main company.
It's something Microsoft could try and push (and who knows, they might be) but it might not be high on the priority list.
We do have British Airways though.

Yeah anyone can fly on British Airways so I'm not really counting this one. It's odd that the French have all sorts of French apps though, they probably use 3rd party developers too afterall.
I wonder how it is in other European countries where the marketplace is open.

Hasn't Microsoft recently released a UK only Bing app? I think in Germany there isn't any specific dedicated app at all. But to be honest here, I'm quite satisfied with the generic apps out there.

I came from Android and didn't really have these apps on there so I don't really feel like I'm missing something, but you do have a point.
Tesco Groceries and Tesco Good Food were available on launch but not much after that. I can see Sky coming soon.. The BBC apps are fairly new aren't they?

The BBC apps aren't official, the main one has been there since launch I believe. Most if not all of these apps are available on iOS and Android. Many are also on BlackBerry and the Ovi store.
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Peew971 said:
The BBC apps aren't official, the main one has been there since launch I believe. Most if not all of these apps are available on iOS and Android. Many are also on BlackBerry and the Ovi store.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Maybe I get you wrong, but honestly.. First lots of people were complaining about all those apps that were missing in WP7 but available for other mobile OSes, now you complain about a lack of WP7 exclusive apps? To be a little more precise WP7 exclusive apps that are limited to the UK? Hmm.. From a business point of view that doesn't make sense. Why should developers limit their apps - which generate income - to one single OS and on top of that to one single region?

dkp1977 said:
Maybe I get you wrong, but honestly.. First lots of people were complaining about all those apps that were missing in WP7 but available for other mobile OSes, now you complain about a lack of WP7 exclusive apps? To be a little more precise WP7 exclusive apps that are limited to the UK? Hmm.. From a business point of view that doesn't make sense. Why should developers limit their apps - which generate income - to one single OS and on top of that to one single region?
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He's not talking about WP7 Exclusives, he's talking about apps from UK Based companies like BBC, BSkyB or Barclays which are available for other devices but not WP7.

brummiesteven said:
He's not talking about WP7 Exclusives, he's talking about apps from UK Based companies like BBC, BSkyB or Barclays which are available for other devices but not WP7.
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Ah, k then. I already guessed I got him wrong. ^^ I didn't say anything.

No worries
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

I know for a good fact that banking apps are coming, the inlaw works in banking security and they are in the process of developing the apps for the UK.
Windows Phone sadly is taking up the rear, ive seen what they are working on with the iphone and android.

In all fairness it's because it's a new platform.
Hate to compare to android all the time, but I had a G1 and then a HTC Desire. Big apps, ports of big iPhone apps didn't even start surfacing until the Nexus One was launched which was about 1 year, 3 months after the G1. As I was leaving Android, Big UK Apps started to surface like Sky News etc. This was on WP's launch, around November 2010.
If we assume the timescales will be the same, IMO the Nokia Sea Ray (or whatever Nokia's Flagship WP device turns out to be) is Windows Phone's equivalent to the Nexus One.

Sorry to bring up an old thread.
I've noticed that theres alot of things I would like to add to my phone but can't as noone seems to be creating these apps for WP7
I used to use MoBank, as I bank with natwest. I've been asking them about an app for wp7 since december, they keep replying they're working on it, I've just found out that not only have they "updated" their iphone app, but have released a BB one as well . Also Mobank seems to have disappeared from the marketplace.
Anyone know of any good banking apps?

Related

Is Google blocking YouTube and Google Maps for WP7

I was wondering why we could not have a decent official YouTube application (there are some alternatives, LazyTube, SuperTube or RealTube).
Samely Google Maps is still not proposed for WP7, which can be a problem for customers outside UK/US who are stuck with the Bing Maps.
It seems that there is an answer here, and the problem may possibly come from Google according to Brad Smith, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Microsoft:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsof...voice-to-concerns-about-search-in-europe.aspx
Microsoft is filing a formal complaint with the European Commission as part of the Commission’s ongoing investigation into whether Google has violated European competition law.
According to Brad Smith, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Microsoft, [...] in 2010 and again more recently, Google blocked Microsoft’s new Windows Phones from operating properly with YouTube. Google has enabled its own Android phones to access YouTube so that users can search for video categories, find favorites, see ratings, and so forth in the rich user interfaces offered by those phones. It’s done the same thing for the iPhones offered by Apple, which doesn’t offer a competing search service.
Unfortunately, Google has refused to allow Microsoft’s new Windows Phones to access this YouTube metadata in the same way that Android phones and iPhones do. As a result, Microsoft’s YouTube “app” on Windows Phones is basically just a browser displaying YouTube’s mobile Web site, without the rich functionality offered on competing phones
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-calls-out-google-poor-youtube-windows-phone
arturobandini said:
I was wondering why we could not have a decent official YouTube application (there are some alternatives, LazyTube, SuperTube or RealTube).
Samely Google Maps is still not proposed for WP7, which can be a problem for customers outside UK/US who are stuck with the Bing Maps.
It seems that there is an answer here:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsof...voice-to-concerns-about-search-in-europe.aspx
Microsoft is filing a formal complaint with the European Commission as part of the Commission’s ongoing investigation into whether Google has violated European competition law
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-calls-out-google-poor-youtube-windows-phone
I can't believe this is true. It is totally against basic competition rules and only the customers pay the consequences.
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if your browser can access the serviced, you're not blocked. next case.
ohgood said:
if your browser can access the serviced, you're not blocked. next case.
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You have heard of User-Agent?
I think google has more and greater things to prioritize rather than making and supporting apps for wp7 who has a small userbase. Haha, idk...
Relevant paragraph
Unfortunately, Google has refused to allow Microsoft’s new Windows Phones to access this YouTube metadata in the same way that Android phones and iPhones do. As a result, Microsoft’s YouTube “app” on Windows Phones is basically just a browser displaying YouTube’s mobile Web site, without the rich functionality offered on competing phones. Microsoft is ready to release a high quality YouTube app for Windows Phone. We just need permission to access YouTube in the way that other phones already do, permission Google has refused to provide.
peacekeeper05 said:
I think google has more and greater things to prioritize rather than making and supporting apps for wp7 who has a small userbase. Haha, idk...
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That's true of Google Maps but as for Youtube all they have to do is authorise it.
htc youtube works just fine
and supertube is amazingly flawless for downloading 720p videos for nothing. Heck I got quite a few anime and tv shows on my phone
now if I can find dr. who on there...
What's wrong with HTC branded YouTube app? The only thing I haven't figured out is how to post videos to FB with it. Other than that I think its great.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
soopablake said:
What's wrong with HTC branded YouTube app? The only thing I haven't figured out is how to post videos to FB with it. Other than that I think its great.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Mainly you can't click a youtube link and have it open with that app.
soopablake said:
What's wrong with HTC branded YouTube app?
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erm... it's only on HTC phones?
Edit: No need to bring up hacking or sideloading, natively it's just on HTC phones.
MS doesnt want gmaps since their bing-maps is "the solution"
youtube app exist for htc(official or semi-official, not sure) but i suspect that google has anything to do with "lack of support"...
They are blocking MS, not third parties.
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pasp1001 said:
MS doesnt want gmaps since their bing-maps is "the solution" (bingmaps doesnt work for many euro countries bu still MS insists on them-
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My God... To me Bing Maps is one of the major weak point of WP7, which indeed sometimes makes me regret I did not chose Android.
But it's only MS' fault if Bing Maps is such a crappy app outside UK and the US. I don't even know if MS really realize how pathetic the service can be in my country. It's definitely a shame.
arturobandini said:
My God... To me Bing Maps is one of the major weak point of WP7, which indeed sometimes makes me regret I did not chose Android.
But it's only MS' fault if Bing Maps is such a crappy app outside UK and the US. I don't even know if MS really realize how pathetic the service can be in my country. It's definitely a shame.
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yes i know and i agree 100%- bing maps is useless piece of zhit for many(me included)
i was just being sarcastic for the google-haters, cause frankly the truth need to be told
MS- DOESNT WANT GMAPS
Guys, remember Bing maps will improve once they integrate Nokia's Ovi maps as that's part of their deal. But like most things WP7 I don't think it will come until at least a year from now.
soopablake said:
What's wrong with HTC branded YouTube app? The only thing I haven't figured out is how to post videos to FB with it. Other than that I think its great.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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My jaw continues to drop...
First of all, it's only for HTC phones. Dell, Samsung, and LG devices don't have that app.
Secondly, there is still a functionality gap between and Google [Android] YouTube Apps. Not sure what Microsoft has in store, but I can't imagine it would be any worse than what HTC put out.
Perhaps they should use this time to deliver to us a decent WLM Client?
The issue Microsoft are having with Google are probably similar to the issues they had with Twitter that stopped them from delivering Twitter in People Hub to us on release (yet Samsung was interestingly able to integrate it into Samsung Social Hub... these things continue to baffle me).
There is also word going around that Google is intentionally being slow authorizing Android phones that are being released with Microsoft Bing as the default search... BTW...
ohgood said:
if your browser can access the serviced, you're not blocked. next case.
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Unless the jurisdiction's competition law considers quality of access as well as access. Which the EU and USA both do.
If I stop you from listing your goods on an online marketplace in categories because you are my competitor, but do let you list them untagged, will I be liable? Certainly.
Bad analogy.
You should perhaps read the complete article/letter in the second link of the OP.
It's no surprise that Google is quite anti-competitive, and for those complaining about Bing Maps, understand that Bing is funded by Ad Revenue for the most part (from the Search Engine) and in Europe Google has 95% of the Search Market. Since Google is so dominant in Europe, it means Bing Maps in Europe will not be as good as in the US/UK because the funding from Europe is terribad compared to the US - thanks to Google.
I think it's about time the Government does what it should have done a long time ago and classify Google as a Monopoly in the Search Market...
If Microsoft was doing this, regulators would be calling for their heads.
N8ter said:
My jaw continues to drop...
First of all, it's only for HTC phones. Dell, Samsung, and LG devices don't have that app. er...yes we do...youtube 2.0 xap has been on xda for a while
Secondly, there is still a functionality gap between and Google [Android] YouTube Apps. Not sure what Microsoft has in store, but I can't imagine it would be any worse than what HTC put out. Can we really say what microsoft has in store considering google blocked microsoft access
Perhaps they should use this time to deliver to us a decent WLM Client?for the last time, miyowa is the official msn client. Developers of li'messenger is coming back in Q2 with a new client, but for now, miyowa is here to stay
The issue Microsoft are having with Google are probably similar to the issues they had with Twitter that stopped them from delivering Twitter in People Hub to us on release (yet Samsung was interestingly able to integrate it into Samsung Social Hub... these things continue to baffle me). again similar to htc, samsung is not microsoft
There is also word going around that Google is intentionally being slow authorizing Android phones that are being released with Microsoft Bing as the default search... BTW...
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Rumor doesn't really surprise me. Hi google, you're the big brother Microsoft couldn't be
There is definitely something that Google is preventing Microsoft from doing correctly. If you take a look at any Microsoft app, it is at least pretty and it works. The Youtube app is just as ugly as it can be. There is no obvious explanation to this other that MS vs Google.
As for a decent WLM app, I am almost sure they already have it, its just a matter of getting multitasking out there first. No multitasking, no chat is worthy.
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Microsoft, please give users not in the US/UK a full featured Windows Phone

I am a fan, and owner of a Windows Phone 7 device. However, living in Germany (or anywhere else outside of the US/UK) limits the features of my phone. Please Microsoft, allow users outside of the US/UK to have a full featured device, like it is advertised. This is hurting your product. If I change regional settings to English (US or UK) I get local results for Germany, but with regional settings on German I don't! This is no good, give us access to what is already there, and build it up. Now with Local Scout, there are reports of this only working in the US and in the UK, we in the rest of the world want these features too! As an International Corporation, would it not be a good idea to invest in everyone equally?
I have therefore created a Facebook group, not much I know, but its a start right?
Please join this group if you feel the same way I do. Maybe if enough join, we can show Microsoft that all users want the same experience, not fragmented and dependant on location!
You will find the group here! Please be fruitful(?) anways please join!
+10 to you...nice post
no zune pass,no local scout and etc.......for australian devices.Furthermore, the apps here are F**king expensive.
pacman championship price= angry birds + tiny wings + infinity blade on iphone...epic fail pricing
Same here in Portugal! We don't even have access to Indie Games on Xbox Live
Talk to your governments.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
sbrownla said:
Talk to your governments.
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Our governments sure don't block Microsoft from releasing a finished search engine (not bing beta which is actually live search) nor do they have anything to do with whether you can get local results etc. on the phone.
The only thing that I understand is that MS does not offer the Zune Pass in Germany because they would have to pay several cents for each song we stream.
UK isn't exactly fully featured either.
Freypal said:
UK isn't exactly fully featured either.
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Something is always better than nothing.
And governments have nothing to do with what Microsoft decides to release or not... unless you are in Libia or some weird dictatorial regime.
Freypal said:
UK isn't exactly fully featured either.
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But its more featured than the rest of the world
I'd rather talk to Microsoft about it, but they probably don't to talk to me...but that won't stop me from trying!!
LOL. In Germany you have at least Marketplace access The ONLY way to have paid apps on your phone in Bulgaria is to pirate them. And then MS talks about software piracy
It's complete joke. In my country you have Apple Appstore, Android Marketplace but no Windows Marketplace. Not even with Mango. Maybe we have to wait for a Banana update to have Marketplace as a popular joke is that we are the Banana Republic of the EU
I fully agree and fully subscribe to this thread.
I am really fed up with the US-centric MS services.
I am in France, not a small country, I have no local search and Bing Map sucks... Unusable. And Microsoft pretend to be a global company?
I think microsoft is too greedy,they want to gain 100% profits in here....Since they know that Bing is not good in other countries,they should give us an option to use google map...Like Apple,they are not operating any search engine or map businesses,therefore until now,they still using google map and iphone still selling good...
arturobandini said:
I fully agree and fully subscribe to this thread.
I am really fed up with the US-centric MS services.
I am in France, not a small country, I have no local search and Bing Map sucks... Unusable. And Microsoft pretend to be a global company?
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Excellent glad your with us!
I hope those Bing stations opened in Munich and Paris I believe start churning out better support!!
The funny thing is that Bing actually has Local Results for Germany, not good but still its there, we just can't access them! Only if we change browser and search language to english (US or UK). Giving us the option of Google Maps would go a long way, but in the end Microsoft wants to build up its Bing. They are, but it's just taking a while. With Nokia onboard hopefully we get there map data soon!
sylau90 said:
I think microsoft is too greedy,they want to gain 100% profits in here....Since they know that Bing is not good in other countries,they should give us an option to use google map...Like Apple,they are not operating any search engine or map businesses,therefore until now,they still using google map and iphone still selling good...
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Microsoft is NOT stopping Google from making Google Maps for Windows Phone so I don't see how this is Microsoft's fault.
day2die said:
Microsoft is NOT stopping Google from making Google Maps for Windows Phone so I don't see how this is Microsoft's fault.
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their fault is that they did not negotiate and cooperate with google before WP7 is released.They should use google map as the stock map app especially both bing(countries outside US) and wp7 still in a premature stage.
sylau90 said:
their fault is that they did not negotiate and cooperate with google before WP7 is released.They should use google map as the stock map app especially both bing(countries outside US) and wp7 still in a premature stage.
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Lol.. the most hilarious post ever.
So.. why don't apple puts windows on their macs as it's better and it's more used than mac os ?
Why don't google stop developing android as it suck and invest in WP7 as it's better ?
Or would you invest milions in something and than ask your biggest competitor to use their solution instead ?
TheOnly1 said:
LOL. In Germany you have at least Marketplace access The ONLY way to have paid apps on your phone in Bulgaria is to pirate them. And then MS talks about software piracy
It's complete joke. In my country you have Apple Appstore, Android Marketplace but no Windows Marketplace. Not even with Mango. Maybe we have to wait for a Banana update to have Marketplace as a popular joke is that we are the Banana Republic of the EU
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Same "Banana" feeling here -.-
LoL at you????
For me,I won't bet my reputation since I know Bing is not good in other countries at this time,I rather use the better options for this critical stage since the OS is not perfect I won't risk the map and search engine apps as well.....As I mentioned,WP7 is in pre-mature stage,thats means just use google map temporarily,not forever
Furthermore,Thanks for bringing mac OS into this topic,you just make your mind look hilarious and awesome...I know that and thats why I LOL at you...
Do you know that mac OSX has a function called dual boot or boot camp?????this is because Apple knows their operating system still need more efforts to catch up the windows in terms of games and apps...therefore they offer this function....So,whats wrong???If WP7 use google map for this critical period since the bing map is not as good as google map in other countries in this world????In case you don't believe,I can tell you that in my university 1000+ imacs are dual booting windows XP...In this case,Apple at least gives their consumers an option,but we have none in WP7.
Moreover,you should know that Apple still securing their mac os well,so no pc can run mac os legally because apple didnt sell their license and it is a premier OS.M$ can do the same here,they can not license out the Bing map or search to other mobile devices.
After you read this,you should LOL at your post...
you make my day mate.
...I dont believe that Microsoft deliberately blocks any features to annoy users outside of the USA/UK. The questions is rather if they can. There are hundreds of regulations within each country and even more within the EU which prevents them
from doing this or including that. Just take the country codes on DVDs. Just take the uproar in Germany when Google started streetview. And lately the problems with collecting location data, which among others would be necessary to enjoy the features of "Local results"... One has to make a choice between protecting his privacy and using services based on data collections....
FTC said:
...I dont believe that Microsoft deliberately blocks any features to annoy users outside of the USA/UK. The questions is rather if they can. There are hundreds of regulations within each country and even more within the EU which prevents them
from doing this or including that. Just take the country codes on DVDs. Just take the uproar in Germany when Google started streetview. And lately the problems with collecting location data, which among others would be necessary to enjoy the features of "Local results"... One has to make a choice between protecting his privacy and using services based on data collections....
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Well MS tracks the location of phones in every country. And again, I understand that MS cannot offer the Zune Pass in Germany because of local laws but there is nothing stopping them from releasing voice search or a final bing engine or the upcoming bing vision and such stuff.
No zune pass in Canada, and make the Microsoft points good for Zune, Xbox live, etc
Sent from my T9295 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Developers are stepping up!

I would just like to point out the amazing jobs developers are doing in the lead up to Mango. Over the last 2 weeks we've had many official apps people want on a platform and hopefully this will last up to and beyond the Mango release. Also hats off to Microsoft as I'm sure they have something to do with it (close release dates can't just be a coincidence). A few examples of official apps from various markets released only in the last 2 weeks:
- IM+
- NBC Nightly
- MTV News
- Evernote
- FoodSpotting
- VH1 To Go
- Steven Colbert's The Word
- StubHub
- Best Buy
- AmazonFresh
- L'Equipe
- i>tele
- Larousse Francais
- Tele 7 Programme TV
- Telerama
- Dictionary.com
- Allrecipes
- XE Currency
- Photofunia
- KiK Messenger
- Weight Watchers
- National Park Maps
- Qype
- Plants vs Zombies
- Angry Birds
Now if only Mango would come very very soon we'd be a happy bunch .
Peew971 said:
I would just like to point out the amazing jobs developers are doing in the lead up to Mango. Over the last 2 weeks we've had many official apps people want on a platform and hopefully this will last up to and beyond the Mango release. Also hats off to Microsoft as I'm sure they have something to do with it (close release dates can't just be a coincidence).
.
.
.
Now if only Mango would come very very soon we'd be a happy bunch .
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Yeah, WP7 is really moving on now. Some of the apps you mentioned are not available over here in Germany, but the ones I happened to have tested are really nice. Especially because of the ease of use that the metro ui offers. I'm really looking forward to what kind of apps mango will spawn.
Yeah they all seem well made and not just lazy ports from iOS/android. I missed a few too like Gowalla for instance.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Yep, the app offering is getting quite better (if we aren't concerning too much about increasing spam).
Feels like all the traction needed for the 'real' launch of wp7 will be there only with the Mango/Nokia binome, though
andycted said:
Yep, the app offering is getting quite better (if we aren't concerning too much about increasing spam).
Feels like all the traction needed for the 'real' launch of wp7 will be there only with the Mango/Nokia binome, though
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There are a few good apps that do a better job filtering out crap apps than the official marketplace. WP7applist and Marketplace search are two that I have used.
yes it's good
ryude said:
There are a few good apps that do a better job filtering out crap apps than the official marketplace. WP7applist and Marketplace search are two that I have used.
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Yep, I know, but the point of building a marketplace _late_ and from the ground up, was -I though- avoiding the errors made by those who arrived first. At this point I'm still uncertain if they managed it, when I see 20 cloned apps floating in the new section now and then, apps that track one single guy achievements in a single game (20x times) and such things. But that's another argument.
I use Top Apps 2, which sorts apps/games based on reviews and not download count and has a nice set of filters.
andycted said:
Yep, I know, but the point of building a marketplace _late_ and from the ground up, was -I though- avoiding the errors made by those who arrived first. At this point I'm still uncertain if they managed it, when I see 20 cloned apps floating in the new section now and then, apps that track one single guy achievements in a single game (20x times) and such things. But that's another argument.
I use Top Apps 2, which sorts apps/games based on reviews and not download count and has a nice set of filters.
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Very true, and if you really think about it, we only have about 1,000 apps that are worth using. The rest is crap.
ryude said:
Very true, and if you really think about it, we only have about 1,000 apps that are worth using. The rest is crap.
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I'm not totally against marketplace opening. But it's clear Microsoft has absolutely no policy on app content or rather non-content.
Having an RSS app for every RSS feed out there makes zero sense, but they're not concerned by that.
Peew971 said:
Yeah they all seem well made and not just lazy ports from iOS/android.
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I wouldn't mind if they ported all the apps over, then started fixing them.
Even more official apps today like American Airlines or E! Can't list them all but WP7 is on a roll at the moment.
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All it took was the Nokia announcement I guess...
Still going on today with some new official apps (mostly European). I'm hoping for a non-US Amazon and Audible soon .
Some official apps released today: Fox News, Marmiton, DC Comics, Voyages-SNCF, Sky Italy TV Guide.
VEVO was also released today!
wow im loving the pace of the way things are moving with wp7
the dc comics app is gorgeous.
man im loving this pace...its been app after app after app.
Foursquare is back by the way, totally revamped.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
There is a trend on wp7 which is quite different than android. it's both good and bad in my opinion.
Games which are not xbox-live, even good ones, aren't really promoted on the platform. The same goes for apps that aren't 'official'.
This isn't bad per-se, meaning big companies with good resources can provide very polished good apps, like the ones you mentioned.
On the other hand, independent developer are left with their own means, with the menace of ever increasing spam and invisibility.
The 'featured' section is confined to 'official' apps like the ones you mentioned and the games section official promotion/visibility is monopoly of xbox.
While this can produce a few good standard apps, I think Microsoft could work better with the plumbing necessary for indie devs. Right now they basically have no interest in putting some boundaries between a good indie app/game and a crap/cloned/spammy one. They just mention that the 'marketplace will decide for itself'. Seems a bit too little.
Yeah I know this isn't all that weird, but seeing stuff like doodle jump on xbox live and free clones that got to the platform months earlier, that are free and actually better than the original... I feel something is missing.
Personally, seeing the problems linked with the 'free' and 'new' sections of the marketplace, it seems to me that they had the potential for the ultimate best mobile marketplace ever, and they've blown it away following previous models and standards.
All this to say that it's excellent to see all these official apps coming out (whilte the title of the thread is wrong, since it's not 'devs' that are stepping up, rather it's companies that bought in), there are a few missed opportunities to have a mix of what is good on android and ios together.
Don't misunderstand me, I know wp7 is far closer to ios than android, at least for marketplace structure. And I would still take this marketplace over others.
I just think people upstairs care too much about numbers
[disclaimer] yep, I do develop indie stuff, like the game you can find on the signature, so my point of view is partial. At the same time I feel like spam, app quality and visibility is a big issue with the current marketplace structure, because it's still at 1/10 at other marketplaces size but already affected by similar problems (cloned apps, spam apps, non-content apps). I didn't expect it on a new system like wp7, but evidently it's normal.
streak continues..The New York Times official app dropped today, not too much of a biggie but its slick and for wp7 now
andycted said:
There is a trend on wp7 which is quite different than android. it's both good and bad in my opinion.
Games which are not xbox-live, even good ones, aren't really promoted on the platform. The same goes for apps that aren't 'official'.
This isn't bad per-se, meaning big companies with good resources can provide very polished good apps, like the ones you mentioned.
On the other hand, independent developer are left with their own means, with the menace of ever increasing spam and invisibility.
The 'featured' section is confined to 'official' apps like the ones you mentioned and the games section official promotion/visibility is monopoly of xbox.
While this can produce a few good standard apps, I think Microsoft could work better with the plumbing necessary for indie devs. Right now they basically have no interest in putting some boundaries between a good indie app/game and a crap/cloned/spammy one. They just mention that the 'marketplace will decide for itself'. Seems a bit too little.
Yeah I know this isn't all that weird, but seeing stuff like doodle jump on xbox live and free clones that got to the platform months earlier, that are free and actually better than the original... I feel something is missing.
Personally, seeing the problems linked with the 'free' and 'new' sections of the marketplace, it seems to me that they had the potential for the ultimate best mobile marketplace ever, and they've blown it away following previous models and standards.
All this to say that it's excellent to see all these official apps coming out (whilte the title of the thread is wrong, since it's not 'devs' that are stepping up, rather it's companies that bought in), there are a few missed opportunities to have a mix of what is good on android and ios together.
Don't misunderstand me, I know wp7 is far closer to ios than android, at least for marketplace structure. And I would still take this marketplace over others.
I just think people upstairs care too much about numbers
[disclaimer] yep, I do develop indie stuff, like the game you can find on the signature, so my point of view is partial. At the same time I feel like spam, app quality and visibility is a big issue with the current marketplace structure, because it's still at 1/10 at other marketplaces size but already affected by similar problems (cloned apps, spam apps, non-content apps). I didn't expect it on a new system like wp7, but evidently it's normal.
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You do have a valid point on how Microsoft handle apps visibility, it's a bit of a shame but I can understand that as a new platform they need to promote the known apps and games to prove that the OS is viable. Hopefully this will change soon enough and maybe the web marketplace will improve things.
As for indie devs, I think the issue too many have is that they don't try hard enough to offer something compelling and truly exciting. I generalise a lot mind you, there are lots of talented developers making WP7 apps. However when I see something like 4th & Mayor, an app so good they made foursquare remove then redesign their official app, I'm wondering why more developers aren't producing this kind of work (not to mention the 4th&M developer shares his work with whoever wants it). We also need more original content, not just clones. I mean, Chickens n' Vixens is nice and all but we knew from day one Angry Birds was coming and that it would obviously get all the attention from Microsoft and most consumers. The amount of work that went into that could have been put in something much more original, it's a bit like a waste of talent.
Then again I'm not a developer so I shouldn't criticise but from where I stand, if an app is excellent it will be recognised and featured as such.
dapoharoun said:
streak continues..The New York Times official app dropped today, not too much of a biggie but its slick and for wp7 now
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I've seen others actually like PEGI, Alitalia, Accuweather, France 24, 2 new WeightWatchers apps and more I can't remember.

Xbox Live App released for iOS

Found it interesting that Microsoft just released an Xbox Live app for iOS users that does almost the exact same thing that our Xbox hub does. Is it me or did Microsoft just take away one of the coolest reasons to own a WP7?
Yes I know that you can't earn Xbox achievements on the iOS app, but one of the main things I loved about having the hub on my phone was to see who was online to play, something that made all my Iphone friends jealous.
Would love to hear feedback!
http://microsoft-news.com/microsoft-releases-xbox-live-app-for-ios-users/
Yes i feel the same way, I think Microsoft lost points on this one but i guess it was bound to happen. +1 for iOS
So what are the remaining reasons to buy a WP7? Office, and thats rumoured to be coming to ios. So then with a deficit in apps, mindshare, marketshare, what would be the reason to buy a WP7 device?
What a stupid, stupid, move and when WP7 dies, no one at MS should cry. (Probably all still be on their iphones, anyway).
The integration between Windows Phone and Xbox Live isn't good enough be that much of a selling point at the moment. The parts that are, games that add achievements and what not, aren't available on iOS.
You guys are complaining about something that offers the functionality that the xbox live website offers, who cares? You that mad that somebody can edit an Avatar? Read their Xbox Live Messages?
Let's complain when iOS gamers are playing games with people on Xbox Live.
PG2G said:
Let's complain when iOS gamers are playing games with people on Xbox Live.
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Microsoft being a software company I wouldn't be surprised to see them do that. That's where the customers are.
I think it's damaging to Windows Phone perception wise, iOS has already the best games and now they have an Xbox Live app. Even if the games are not Live enabled, that's not good for perception.
Peew971 said:
Microsoft being a software company I wouldn't be surprised to see them do that. That's where the customers are.
I think it's damaging to Windows Phone perception wise, iOS has already the best games and now they have an Xbox Live app. Even if the games are not Live enabled, that's not good for perception.
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Google has apps on iOS, doesn't seem to have hurt them too much.
Hell, I wouldn't mind Zune support on iOS too, haha.
Yeah Microsoft has been stupid with Zune, if they had made it multiplatform from the go they would own the streaming space now. Not sure Spotify would exist today. Typically Microsoft really.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/7/2...ve-app-for-ios-puts-a-little-windows-phone-on
The Verge has an interesting interpretation of this app... expose iPhone users to metro UI.
arkavat said:
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/7/2...ve-app-for-ios-puts-a-little-windows-phone-on
The Verge has an interesting interpretation of this app... expose iPhone users to metro UI.
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No it wont, just gives them one more reason to stick with their platform. Xbox Live may not have been a reason to switch to WP7, but being on ios definitely makes it easier for those users to stay on their platform.
Plus Xbox Live users are already exposed to metro through their console so that argument doesn't hold up.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Wp7 games already suck this gives iOS 1up on us while their fames are nice along with their ability to see their Xbox live account. Who cares if they can't achieve points on such games
Sent from my Venue Pro using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
They get their points in Game Center. This is just icing on the cake for them. I said the same thing about them releasing Windows Live Messenger and OneNote mobile on iOS.
I'm due for a new phone soon. This will be interesting.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I'm due a new phone since August. Been waiting for a decent Mango phone which never came. Chances are I'll keep my Omnia 7 on the side, upgrade to a Galaxy Nexus and buy an iPad. I'll give it until CES then decide but it seems to me Microsoft is treating iOS better than WP at the moment.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Thread is silly. This has been possible with apps on IOS and Android for years. Microsoft just made a official version for IOS.
boohoo they're trying to get more users. You have to understand MS is a Software company first.
vetvito said:
Thread is silly. This has been possible with apps on IOS and Android for years. Microsoft just made a official version for IOS.
boohoo they're trying to get more users. You have to understand MS is a Software company first.
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And what would have happened if Blackberry made an official BBM app for Apple years ago? Or if Apple had released Siri for Android too? The only difference is WP7 is too new to lose exclusive features, minor or major. 3rd party apps don't count.
uh, this has never been a exclusive feature. As stated apps have been available for years, get over it. Office, Zune are exclusive.
Software company wants more people to use it's software. Wow, who would've known.
Who didn't see this coming. Ignorance is bliss, I see.
Microsoft released WLM for iOS and made WP7 users wait a year for it while demanding developers like IM+ rip out the WLM functionality months before many users even got Mango.
They also released OneNote, which is literally the only part of Office Mobile that is better than iWorks and third party Android Office Alternatives like DTG, ThinkFree, and QuickOffice.
Then the Bing app with Vision and all that other stuff, and even updates it for other platforms when we have to wait for complete firmware updates to go from MS to OEM to Carrier to us for an update on that stuff.
Still waiting on PhotoSynth for WP7... It's on iOS, though...
Really... Why the suprised looks?
Microsoft is internally fragmented. The different devisions don't work together as well as those in Google and Apple. Google would never release a Maps app on par with the Android version for another platform, but Microsoft has no issues releasing OneNote Mobile, WLM, PhotoSynth, and ridiculously good Bing apps for other platforms. They have pretty much always done this.
The Windows Phone Team does not control what the XBox, Windows Live, and Office Teams do; and the management at Microsoft does not force them to give priority support to their own platforms, either, from the looks of it (looking back years even to Windows Mobile days).
www.xbox.com does the same thing, who cares.
And you can control your xbox with the controller. Who cares about that app?
Right?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Google releases great apps for non-Android devices and they're praised for supporting other companies and are making an attempt to take over the world through superior support and innovation.
Microsoft does it and they're the worst company in the world abandoning their operating system and are heavily fragmented.
Our app still does much more than the iOS app. Would a thread in this tone be created in the Android section if Google released a full-featured Google+ app for Windows Phone? Probably not.

MetroTube to be disappearing from the marketplace on January, 1st.

A few minutes ago on twitter:
@LazywormApps
Today is a very sad day for us. We apologize for this unfortunate situation and promise to make it up to you all...
http://lazywormapps.com/
http://lazywormapps.com/letterToCustomers.pdf
http://www.wpcentral.com/metrotube-be-discontinued-after-january-1st
Honestly, that sucks ****. One of the best and outstanding apps for Windows Phone is gonna be pulled from the marketplace. Let me get this straight.. I don't blame the developers (LazywormApps), since they decided to follow the terms of service that apply to Youtube.com. I blame Google for not providing the appropriate API or at least allow the use of workarounds.
It think this is a pretty good reason to show our support, even though I'm currently now sure about how exactly. Maybe turn to Google support, or Microsoft? Or whatever. I'm sure if enough users help, things could change.
Pretty ****ed up :/
I wonder if google will ever release more APIs...
its a real shame
That sucks, Windows Phone gets a bit less appealing everyday.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Peew971 said:
That sucks, Windows Phone gets a bit less appealing everyday.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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I wonder if we are so app-centric in a people-centric UI!
What a lame argument, you can't get the experience you get from MetroTube without an app. Apps are important, those saying otherwise are just lunatics.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Google are the reason they are pulling it:
“Unfortunately, Google has refused to allow Microsoft’s new Windows Phones to access this YouTube metadata in the same way that Android phones and iPhones do. As a result, Microsoft’s YouTube “app” on Windows Phones is basically just a browser displaying YouTube’s mobile Web site, without the rich functionality offered on competing phones. Microsoft is ready to release a high quality YouTube app for Windows Phone. We just need permission to access YouTube in the way that other phones already do, permission Google has refused to provide.”
http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-our-windows-phone-7-youtube-app-sucks-because-of-google/
Peew971 said:
What a lame argument, you can't get the experience you get from MetroTube without an app. Apps are important, those saying otherwise are just lunatics.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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It's in no a way an argument! However the fact that absence of an app made it so unappealing should definitely be classified as app-centric user who knowing that the OS lacks apps should have bought an android in first place!
I wonder why metrotube did not mention Google Restriction on MetaData and said HD as the reason
And if that is so How did the App work ?
wpxbox said:
I wonder why metrotube did not mention Google Restriction on MetaData and said HD as the reason
And if that is so How did the App work ?
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If my memory serve me right, they used some undocumented api and some TOC violation to make HD video available to WP7, I didn't keep the source link, maybe someone here can help?
Lol that's my luck.....i just purchased it two days ago! I've typically just used the browser but heard so many good things about the app I figured I'd give it a shot. What a shame because it actually is a very nice app.
We want metrotube even without HQ/HD streaming!
Snake. said:
We want metrotube even without HQ/HD streaming!
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Go ahead and tell @LazywormApps
That's sucks, and I paid for this app.
Oh well, supertube will suffice. Lets blame Google.
I can't believe Google is STILL blocking wp7 from this. I really want to know why they are doing this, and even more how they are allowed to block only a single platform.
dtboos said:
I can't believe Google is STILL blocking wp7 from this. I really want to know why they are doing this, and even more how they are allowed to block only a single platform.
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What makes me wonder is the fact that there's a very well working YouTube app for XBox 360. So why is the API officially available for THIS specific Microsoft platform, but not for Windows Phone?
It could just come down to not wanting the competition to have a feature that you use as a major selling point. The Xbox platform doesn't compete with Android, but WP7 does.
With iOS, the contract between YouTube and Apple was established before there was an Android platform (and, I suspect, before the Google acquisition of YouTube was completed). But, since the contract is already in place, I suspect that Google's hands are tied on that front (at least until the terms of the contract expire, if ever).
RoboDad said:
It could just come down to not wanting the competition to have a feature that you use as a major selling point. The Xbox platform doesn't compete with Android, but WP7 does.
With iOS, the contract between YouTube and Apple was established before there was an Android platform (and, I suspect, before the Google acquisition of YouTube was completed). But, since the contract is already in place, I suspect that Google's hands are tied on that front (at least until the terms of the contract expire, if ever).
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+1
I have a samsung focus and an HTC flyer. I am amazed to see heavenly lag free browsing, no force closes, tightest social integration, apps managemnt with games going to Xbox category, all photos in one place, office, skydrive, etc etc on my focus. Mango is plain awesome. As for phone, I don't need an android phone after seeing the performance of my flyer vis a vis my focus. Though flyer is not bad in performance, I just wish there were mango tablets available in market. I will definitely go for a mango or tango tablet once it is available in market.
That's why Google is afraid of this new age os.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using Tapatalk
anyone tried supertube
can anybody try to capture the application? i think that could be the best thing. So in the future we could just deploy this app with a xap deployer.

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