Microsoft's Platform
I've been thinking on the Windows Phone and Windows 8 thing for a while. In some ways they seem empty and in others ways they seem extraordinary. I really liked the notion with Windows Phone 8 around 'Live Apps' taking over your lock screen and making your phone more personal.
It's all just a catch-line of course. But there is a hint of truth to it, anything that enables more customization and personalization allows you model your device more after what matters to you. And in Windows Phone 8, Microsoft brought more of that while maintaining the sort of control which brings security and conformity to the platform. Which brings me to my next point. Why didn't they go further with that notion? I argued a while back that there are many ways to make an operating system customizable. It is not necessary to go the route of Android and allow the operating system code to be changed. One does one need unlimited freedom. Microsoft has shown some semblance of acknowledgement of this fact in their Live Apps.
This all got me thinking. Why doesn't Windows 8 allow for this as well? Microsoft has taken a lot of freedoms away from developers with the Windows Store. A way to draw in developers would be to enable the new apps to do new things. A unique experience that can only be achieved via the new model. The toasts and badges which can be seen from the lock screen are more of a necessary evil in light of what was taken away. A live lock screen on the other hand... would be something that wasn't even there in Windows 7 for desktop apps. Windows Phone shows that the talent and vision is there at Microsoft to deliver on such a solution. And it is a seemingly small item, but personalization is a topic which consumers care deeply about. It motivates people. And what motivates people, motivates developers.
But why stop there? The model has been proven. Why not allow me to choose an application that alters the experience on the new start screen as well. Options for background styles are limiting. Options for colors are limiting as well. I understand the motivation behind controlling these things. But if this is a truly personal computer, then there should be ways to extend the amount of customization in the system.
I believe the term is called dog-fooding your solution. If Microsoft can't achieve the levels of customization and control it needs with its own SDK, then what makes them think it offers enough for developers? After all, the idea behind an SDK is that your developers are going to want to try and do thinks with your OS you couldn't dream of. If your SDK can't even deliver on your dreams, does it stand a chance of fulfilling the dreams of your partners?
Aside from perhaps allowing 3rd party stores into the eco-system, I think things like this would provide the biggest boost to development support. We like shiny new toys too.
It's all just a catch-line of course. But there is a hint of truth to it, anything that enables more customization and personalization allows you model your device more after what matters to you. And in Windows Phone 8, Microsoft brought more of that while maintaining the sort of control which brings security and conformity to the platform. Which brings me to my next point. Why didn't they go further with that notion? I argued a while back that there are many ways to make an operating system customizable. It is not necessary to go the route of Android and allow the operating system code to be changed. One does one need unlimited freedom. Microsoft has shown some semblance of acknowledgement of this fact in their Live Apps.
This all got me thinking. Why doesn't Windows 8 allow for this as well? Microsoft has taken a lot of freedoms away from developers with the Windows Store. A way to draw in developers would be to enable the new apps to do new things. A unique experience that can only be achieved via the new model. The toasts and badges which can be seen from the lock screen are more of a necessary evil in light of what was taken away. A live lock screen on the other hand... would be something that wasn't even there in Windows 7 for desktop apps. Windows Phone shows that the talent and vision is there at Microsoft to deliver on such a solution. And it is a seemingly small item, but personalization is a topic which consumers care deeply about. It motivates people. And what motivates people, motivates developers.
But why stop there? The model has been proven. Why not allow me to choose an application that alters the experience on the new start screen as well. Options for background styles are limiting. Options for colors are limiting as well. I understand the motivation behind controlling these things. But if this is a truly personal computer, then there should be ways to extend the amount of customization in the system.
I believe the term is called dog-fooding your solution. If Microsoft can't achieve the levels of customization and control it needs with its own SDK, then what makes them think it offers enough for developers? After all, the idea behind an SDK is that your developers are going to want to try and do thinks with your OS you couldn't dream of. If your SDK can't even deliver on your dreams, does it stand a chance of fulfilling the dreams of your partners?
Aside from perhaps allowing 3rd party stores into the eco-system, I think things like this would provide the biggest boost to development support. We like shiny new toys too.
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