Why Windows 10 *might* fix Windows Phones Biggest Problem...
Was reading this article and couldn't help but feel that the author believes things to be too cut and dry. As I said in the title of this post, I don't think Windows 10 will be guaranteed to fix anything. And I don't expect it to be a silver bullet. But, I also don't expect it to be a dead end.
The author of the linked article basically argues that Windows 10 would ONLY benefit Windows Phone IF there were apps that existed in the Windows Store that didn't exist in the Windows Phone store.
Clearly this is a flawed way of thinking because Universal Apps have already boosted development and many new apps have been written since that announcement. What makes the assumption so flawed is not immediately obvious. Most of said new development actually happened on Windows Phone and NOT on Windows.
And the reason is actually obvious if you think about it. Windows isn't restricted to one source of applications. You don't NEED to go through the Windows Store, which means that there is a LOT more competition on Windows desktop than Phone even relative to the increased user base, and many apps already have a desktop solution, even if only 10% of the code needs to be rewritten it is 10% I don't need to invest right now so I won't. Also, it is generally well known that the Windows Store on desktop is almost never used.
Look through his list and anything which has a yes in the "Website" column works on Windows and may or may not work on Windows Phone in that form.
But the point is the article is looking at things backwards. You're wrong if you think that the Windows Store is going to bolster Windows Phone. If anything, it is the other way around if you insist on looking at it from the perspective of one platform helping the other. However, That isn't likely a major factor either.
Universal Apps give more incentive for developers to write Windows Phone apps (soon to just be Windows Store apps). Having that easy extra market to expand into makes it easier to justify making a Windows Phone port. You may not actually make the leap to desktop immediately or even ever. It is simply the fact that it is so much easier to do so. Bottom line; Microsoft doesn't need to fix Windows on desktop. They are still dominant in that area even without the help of the Windows Store.
And the reason to target Windows Phone first is the opposite of the reason people don't write Windows Store apps today. On Windows Phone you MUST go through the Windows Store to get your apps. There is no side-loading or alternate means of coding or anything. Like iOS and to a much lesser degree Android, there is only one way to the consumers and that means a more or less even playing field for new entrants.
Of course the big problem is proving where the growth comes from. We know developer interest and activity have increased since Universal Apps were brought in. We just don't know how much was just a normal uptick and how much was directly motivated by what Universal Apps deliver. Similarly, while I would expect growth as a result of the further merging of both the Windows Stores and the OS, since most of the new dev in Windows Store will likely come from the phone side of things it won't be easy to draw any valuable metrics because you won't see much cross from Windows desktop first and then to the phone.
If you follow Windows Phone, take a look at the lists in the linked email. Many of the apps and games that are present on Windows Phone were either released after Universal Apps or were abandoned for years and only ever updated/touched again after Universal Apps. I don't think that is purely coincidental.
I also don't think Windows 10 will immediately reverse either platforms trajectories. Those lists still paint a grim picture. Even if developer interest in the platform picked up 100% it would probably still mean a long wait for that list to look like it favours WP.
So, while apps are not likely to start popping up on Windows desktop first in the Windows Store before making their way to the phone, Windows 10 may still indirectly help the phone by dangling a potential easy to move into market in front of those interested in developing for the phone.
The author of the linked article basically argues that Windows 10 would ONLY benefit Windows Phone IF there were apps that existed in the Windows Store that didn't exist in the Windows Phone store.
Clearly this is a flawed way of thinking because Universal Apps have already boosted development and many new apps have been written since that announcement. What makes the assumption so flawed is not immediately obvious. Most of said new development actually happened on Windows Phone and NOT on Windows.
And the reason is actually obvious if you think about it. Windows isn't restricted to one source of applications. You don't NEED to go through the Windows Store, which means that there is a LOT more competition on Windows desktop than Phone even relative to the increased user base, and many apps already have a desktop solution, even if only 10% of the code needs to be rewritten it is 10% I don't need to invest right now so I won't. Also, it is generally well known that the Windows Store on desktop is almost never used.
Look through his list and anything which has a yes in the "Website" column works on Windows and may or may not work on Windows Phone in that form.
But the point is the article is looking at things backwards. You're wrong if you think that the Windows Store is going to bolster Windows Phone. If anything, it is the other way around if you insist on looking at it from the perspective of one platform helping the other. However, That isn't likely a major factor either.
Universal Apps give more incentive for developers to write Windows Phone apps (soon to just be Windows Store apps). Having that easy extra market to expand into makes it easier to justify making a Windows Phone port. You may not actually make the leap to desktop immediately or even ever. It is simply the fact that it is so much easier to do so. Bottom line; Microsoft doesn't need to fix Windows on desktop. They are still dominant in that area even without the help of the Windows Store.
And the reason to target Windows Phone first is the opposite of the reason people don't write Windows Store apps today. On Windows Phone you MUST go through the Windows Store to get your apps. There is no side-loading or alternate means of coding or anything. Like iOS and to a much lesser degree Android, there is only one way to the consumers and that means a more or less even playing field for new entrants.
Of course the big problem is proving where the growth comes from. We know developer interest and activity have increased since Universal Apps were brought in. We just don't know how much was just a normal uptick and how much was directly motivated by what Universal Apps deliver. Similarly, while I would expect growth as a result of the further merging of both the Windows Stores and the OS, since most of the new dev in Windows Store will likely come from the phone side of things it won't be easy to draw any valuable metrics because you won't see much cross from Windows desktop first and then to the phone.
If you follow Windows Phone, take a look at the lists in the linked email. Many of the apps and games that are present on Windows Phone were either released after Universal Apps or were abandoned for years and only ever updated/touched again after Universal Apps. I don't think that is purely coincidental.
I also don't think Windows 10 will immediately reverse either platforms trajectories. Those lists still paint a grim picture. Even if developer interest in the platform picked up 100% it would probably still mean a long wait for that list to look like it favours WP.
So, while apps are not likely to start popping up on Windows desktop first in the Windows Store before making their way to the phone, Windows 10 may still indirectly help the phone by dangling a potential easy to move into market in front of those interested in developing for the phone.
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