Microsoft Considers Allowing Android Apps on WP8

[exfileme]

Could this help or kill the Windows Phone platform?

Microsoft Considers Allowing Android Apps on WP8 : Read more

 

[NightLight]

that's big. Altough msft lagged behind in the software department, that gap has now been reduced. Hardware sales aren't that bad either. it's certainly not a bad feature to have imho.

 

[jhansonxi]

That didn't help OS/2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS/2#Windows_3.x_compatibility

 

[Tomas650]

I'd definitely consider a windows phone if they allowed this. Content was the only thing holding them back.

 

[JD88]

I'm not sure why Windows Phone even needs to exist. Microsoft should focus on creating excellent software and services for the platforms that exist. If it wants to sell phones, just use a Skinned version of Android to begin with. It can't possibly think it's going to make any money off Windows Phone licensing fees.

 

[alxianthelast]

What is an Android loyalist. Get me out of here! Only using Android because they have apps not hardware.

 

[Deleted member 1353997]

I'm not sure why Windows Phone even needs to exist. Microsoft should focus on creating excellent software and services for the platforms that exist. If it wants to sell phones, just use a Skinned version of Android to begin with. It can't possibly think it's going to make any money off Windows Phone licensing fees.

Yes, let us all remain in and focus on the past.
Why innovate? Why create something new?

Just focus on the things that already exist and stop progressing.


Seriously, though:
Guess what, friend. Microsoft was in the smartphone market even before the iPhone was even a rumor.
I owned a Windows Mobile 2004 device. Awful thing that always crashed, but it did exist and was made by Microsoft.

You want Microsoft to focus on the things that already exist? They're doing it already.
Windows, Xbox, Windows Phone.

Do you really expect them to give up on the Xbox One, just because it's currently not doing so well compared to the PS4?
Do you really think they'd ditch Windows, if Apple ever managed to dominate the desktop/notebook market?

Not likely, son. Not likely at all.

 

[Blazer1985]

Lumias had some great selling point for me (european user). If you travel a lot and can't use data services abroad, offline maps and translator are a must. Plus it has a nice interface although user experience REALLY needs to be refined in some cases.

 

[bmacsys]

This worked out great for BBM 10 too. LMFAO! Why write native Windows phone apps then? Its a huge admission of failure. 4+ years and Windows phone has went nowhere in the USA or Europe. The one hope they have is if the didn't charge licensing fees like Android. That would possibly jump start things.

 

[bmacsys]

I meant BlackBerry 10. Not BBM 10.

 

[tcb1005]

I hope they don't allow the thousands of malware-filled applications from android onto Windows Phone.

 

[JD88]

I'm not sure why Windows Phone even needs to exist. Microsoft should focus on creating excellent software and services for the platforms that exist. If it wants to sell phones, just use a Skinned version of Android to begin with. It can't possibly think it's going to make any money off Windows Phone licensing fees.

Yes, let us all remain in and focus on the past.
Why innovate? Why create something new?

Just focus on the things that already exist and stop progressing.


Seriously, though:
Guess what, friend. Microsoft was in the smartphone market even before the iPhone was even a rumor.
I owned a Windows Mobile 2004 device. Awful thing that always crashed, but it did exist and was made by Microsoft.

You want Microsoft to focus on the things that already exist? They're doing it already.
Windows, Xbox, Windows Phone.

Do you really expect them to give up on the Xbox One, just because it's currently not doing so well compared to the PS4?
Do you really think they'd ditch Windows, if Apple ever managed to dominate the desktop/notebook market?

Not likely, son. Not likely at all.

Actually, they will more than likely sell Xbox in the near future. Also, despite the fact that you owned a Windows mobile device in 2004, they still only have less than 3% market share 10 years later. Sounds like a fail.

The problem is that Windows phone doesn't innovate anything. It offers no improvement whatsoever over current offerings. The future is in open source operating systems with cloud based applications, not more proprietary garbage that exists just to exist.

 

[tcb1005]

I'm not sure why Windows Phone even needs to exist. Microsoft should focus on creating excellent software and services for the platforms that exist. If it wants to sell phones, just use a Skinned version of Android to begin with. It can't possibly think it's going to make any money off Windows Phone licensing fees.

Yes, let us all remain in and focus on the past.
Why innovate? Why create something new?

Just focus on the things that already exist and stop progressing.


Seriously, though:
Guess what, friend. Microsoft was in the smartphone market even before the iPhone was even a rumor.
I owned a Windows Mobile 2004 device. Awful thing that always crashed, but it did exist and was made by Microsoft.

You want Microsoft to focus on the things that already exist? They're doing it already.
Windows, Xbox, Windows Phone.

Do you really expect them to give up on the Xbox One, just because it's currently not doing so well compared to the PS4?
Do you really think they'd ditch Windows, if Apple ever managed to dominate the desktop/notebook market?

Not likely, son. Not likely at all.

Actually, they will more than likely sell Xbox in the near future. Also, despite the fact that you owned a Windows mobile device in 2004, they still only have less than 3% market share 10 years later. Sounds like a fail.

The problem is that Windows phone doesn't innovate anything. It offers no improvement whatsoever over current offerings. The future is in open source operating systems with cloud based applications, not more proprietary garbage that exists just to exist.

I think they will eventually spin off or sell Xbox, Surface, and the Bing divisions to please investors. Microsoft is a software company, and many investors want to see it without a cluttered brand portfolio.

 

[MTWSD]

I rather like this idea but only to a point. What I think should be done is an easier way to port Android apps to WP. Perhaps enable the android apps to run natively, but require they package it in a metro interface and tile so it still fits into the WP environment while simultaneously lowering the walls devs must climb to port their apps. I think that would be a good middle ground and make devs more likely to post apps. Once they see a desire for their apps on WP then they would take the time to make it more and more native.

 

[qlum]

The problem with supporting android apps is that they will never work perfectly, they will always be made for android, running android apps worse and not getting any of your own apps will probably not be the best for your platform. Blackbery has its own exclusive apps and can sell you there but windows phone really doesn't. I don't think they can win it on interface and nokia alone, not when there are launchers that allow similarly great interfaces on android and other great looking phones.

 

[jimmysmitty]

that's big. Altough msft lagged behind in the software department, that gap has now been reduced. Hardware sales aren't that bad either. it's certainly not a bad feature to have imho.

I think in terms of a phone OS, MS has a better one than Android. A friend went from a Droid Razer Max HD to a WP8 and he said it is much smoother and faster. It might be a bit better CPU but it is still a dual core with 1GB RAM.

I think MS doing this might be a mistake as they need to define their own system.

 

[ethanolson]

WP8 has been far more responsive and battery thrifty compared to Android. I think if they had a better policed storefront then things would be awesome.I think they should have a compiler that would take Android apps and recompile them. That way you have maximum performance and security. Also, you could have a better policed storefront. That's something that Android and WP both need.

 

[XGrabMyY]

I'd be ok with this, provided that Android native apps get put in a segregated section of the marketplace so users can avoid them if they choose. And so native Windows Phone apps get the spotlight.

 

[czar1020]

Im in the 1% that got stuff with a windows phone for work... Please for the love of god give me decent apps

 

[czar1020]

Im in the 1% that got stuff with a windows phone for work... Please for the love of god give me decent apps

 

[Innocent_Bystander-1312890]

I switched to Windows from Android... I never really missed anything App wise, but then again, I'm not a teenager anymore and I have a computer for running applications and I mostly use my phone for communications.On the other hand, WP is a breath of fresh air compared to the "free" apps you get on Android... I like the try/buy approach a lot better than the ad supported wild west that (I am convinced) is killing Android.

 

[FloKid]

Why not? Just as long as they don't let the malware ruin the native environment.

 

[XGrabMyY]

I switched to Windows from Android... I never really missed anything App wise, but then again, I'm not a teenager anymore and I have a computer for running applications and I mostly use my phone for communications.On the other hand, WP is a breath of fresh air compared to the "free" apps you get on Android... I like the try/buy approach a lot better than the ad supported wild west that (I am convinced) is killing Android.

Agreed. I'm about to upgrade from my ancient Galaxy Nexus to the sexy new Nokia Lumia Icon myself. Have to pay full price to keep my unlimited data though, but thankfully it is a few hundred cheaper than similarly spec'ed smart phones.

 

[Bloob]

MS announced last December to have 200k apps, I don't think Android apps are needed.

 

[Camikazi]

I'm not sure why Windows Phone even needs to exist. Microsoft should focus on creating excellent software and services for the platforms that exist. If it wants to sell phones, just use a Skinned version of Android to begin with. It can't possibly think it's going to make any money off Windows Phone licensing fees.

You do know that MS has been in the phone OS business longer than both Android and Apple combined?