Microsoft To Shut Down App Store For Windows Mobile

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Microsoft To Shut Down App Store For Windows Mobile

Posted by Soulskill on Friday March 9, 2012 @01:52AM from the if-an-app-store-falls-in-the-forest dept.

angry tapir writes "Microsoft will soon shut down the app store for Windows Mobile, the phone platform it is phasing out. Starting May 9, users of Windows Mobile phones won't be able to browse, buy or download apps to their phones from the Marketplace, Microsoft wrote in a letter to customers. The move doesn't affect users of Microsoft's new mobile OS, who will continue to be served by the Windows Phone Marketplace."

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Windows Mobile? by BiggestPOS · 2012-03-09 01:52 · Score: 5, Funny

I'm sure both users are going to be really upset.

--
What, me worry?
1. Re:Windows Mobile? by Oswald+McWeany · 2012-03-09 01:54 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Well- I'm sure they wouldn't have done this before running it past Gates and Allen. So the two users are probably fine with it.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
2. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 01:56 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I still actually use Windows Phone 6.2 by HTC. It is actually really good phone and more open than any other phone platform, as you can run binaries for whatever source. Symbian used to be like this too, but it looks like everyone went the app store route in recent years.
3. Re:Windows Mobile? by mws1066 · 2012-03-09 01:59 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  You can run unsigned code on Android. There's an option you can enable in the settings. Then you can just drop a .apk onto the device via USB, wifi, whatever, and install it manually.
  
  --
  Nothing is more dangerous than a programmer with a screwdriver.
4. Re:Windows Mobile? by QuasiSteve · 2012-03-09 02:02 · Score: 0
  
  Well, I can't speak for the other one, but I won't miss it much. If anything, it was an atrocity that caused vendor lock-in and made it impossible to find some programs available elsewhere even from the authors' websites.
  Can still get plenty of Windows Mobile software from other websites, and new software continues to be made despite the platform's waning presence on the market.
  I do enjoy my Android, but there's plenty about Windows Mobile that I miss. inb4 jokes about crashes: haven't had one on my WM(5). On the other hand, the Launcher process on my Android sure likes crashing a lot. At least it restores itself automatically, I suppose.
5. Re:Windows Mobile? by mwvdlee · 2012-03-09 02:04 · Score: 2
  
  All of their users is.
  
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  Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
6. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 02:23 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  If the launcher process on your Android keeps crashing you should take it back. Android apps crash less than iPhone apps so if yours is having issues its because your phone is fucked up. Citation for trolls
7. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 02:27 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  I am no fan of Windows 3.1 (Android interface).
  What does that even mean? This is actually the second time I've seen this reference made in the last two days, and it is legitimately bothering me, in a "if it wasn't for my horse I never would have spent that year in college" kind of way. I'm literally staring at my phone right now trying to make the connection, and I just can't find it.
8. Re:Windows Mobile? by Tridus · 2012-03-09 02:30 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  It means they want to disparage Android in some way, but can't do it on the basis of sales since it's infinitely more successful then Windows Phone (and Windows Mobile for that matter, but unlike WP7 Windows Mobile was actually relevant in the market at one time).
  
  --
  -- "So they told me that using the download page to download something was not something they anticipated." - Bill Gates
9. Re:Windows Mobile? by sensationull · 2012-03-09 02:36 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Stacks of the UI just remind me of it unless you have some vendor skin on top of it. The icons on the home screen are just like the old program manager and it has distinctly a 3.1esk look in some places almost 16bitish in some ways.
  I know there are lots of differences but I just can't shake the 3.1 feel that it gives me.
  That and the buy top of the line or deal with aweful performance issues that many of the handsets have without needing to kill the default firmware to optimise for low ram/get rid of vendor filth.
10. Re:Windows Mobile? by sensationull · 2012-03-09 02:40 · Score: 0, Offtopic
  
  Hmmm, moded down for an opinion and a spot of MS bashing, this is the 'new' slashdot.
11. Re:Windows Mobile? by gstoddart · 2012-03-09 02:43 · Score: 1
  
  Hmmm, moded down for an opinion and a spot of MS bashing, this is the 'new' slashdot.
  Yes, now if you want to get modded up for bashing anybody, it's gotta be Apple or Sony. Everyone seems to have forgiven Microsoft.
  
  --
  Lost at C:>. Found at C.
12. Re:Windows Mobile? by sensationull · 2012-03-09 02:47 · Score: 2
  
  Oh I see, in which case it is Apple's fault and/or a conspiracy perpetrated by Sony... Better?
13. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 02:53 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I don't think every Android device will let you side load especially AT&T.
14. Re:Windows Mobile? by zrbyte · 2012-03-09 02:54 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  It had an app store? Wow.
15. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 02:56 · Score: 0
  
  That's why you don't use AT&T... they're crappy like that and not worth the money.
16. Re:Windows Mobile? by MobyTurbo · 2012-03-09 02:56 · Score: 2
  
  You can run unsigned code on Android. There's an option you can enable in the settings. Then you can just drop a .apk onto the device via USB, wifi, whatever, and install it manually.
  You can download CAB files, or use special EXE files, to install stuff outside of Microsoft's app store on Windows Mobile too.No option enabling required. In fact, before they made their app store, that was the only way to do it. The best app store for winmo is Omarket anyway, which offers tons of freeware for download instead of the expensive (especially in MS's store) winmo commercial apps.
17. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:08 · Score: 0
  
  Actually if you don't purchase your device from AT&T you will be able to. You just have to buy your device outright, offline, or directly from the OEM. Then the option will exist on the device.
18. Re:Windows Mobile? by Ucklak · 2012-03-09 03:15 · Score: 2
  
  I'm so glad I only buy things with the 'Plays For Sure' badge.
  
  --
  if you steal from one source, that is plagiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.
19. Re:Windows Mobile? by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · 2012-03-09 03:18 · Score: 1
  
  I thought they changed their policies on newer devices. In any case, all you need is superoneclick to change that.
  
  --
  Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
20. Re:Windows Mobile? by QuasiSteve · 2012-03-09 03:18 · Score: 1
  
  Well it's not so much the phone (in terms of hardware) as it is the Launcher - it's not the stock Android one but some HTC custom thing. I haven't gotten around to putting CyanogenMod on it yet to get the stock one on there. Then again, quick Google search points out that it's not devoid of crashes. I suppose it might be a widget that's actually interfering - but then I've never had a Today item on WM cause its parent process to crash.
  off-topic: apparently we can't have any dissenting voices essentially pointing out that for WM you didn't need an (official) app store - much like Android, although a recent news item pointed out already that Google would like a firmer grip there - and that there were aspects of WM that one can actually think were desirable.
21. Re:Windows Mobile? by hobarrera · 2012-03-09 03:27 · Score: 1
  
  Look like you've never heard of maemo.
22. Re:Windows Mobile? by hobarrera · 2012-03-09 03:28 · Score: 2
  
  AT&T? That's a new Android device I'd never heard of.
23. Re:Windows Mobile? by afidel · 2012-03-09 03:28 · Score: 1
  
  Rosy crashes and reloads when you run it out of memory. What I really want in an Android phone isn't quad core it's 2GB of memory.
  
  Back on topic this kind of sucks since WM6.5 is the only platform that you can completely manage using ActiveSync so I'm sure there are some organizations still using it.
  
  --
  There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
24. Re:Windows Mobile? by awshidahak · 2012-03-09 03:29 · Score: 2
  
  I haven't gotten around to putting CyanogenMod on it yet to get the stock [launcher] on there
  Actually, CM uses ADW for it's defualt launcher, which also crashes from time to time.
25. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:35 · Score: 0
  
  You can run unsigned code on Android. There's an option you can enable in the settings. Then you can just drop a .apk onto the device via USB, wifi, whatever, and install it manually.
  Not on the Nook tablet once it's upgraded to the latest B&N software.
  You also can't see "your" purchased books as files anymore.
26. Re:Windows Mobile? by FreakyGeeky · 2012-03-09 03:41 · Score: 1
  
  What a difference 13 years makes. The Slashdot of 1999 wouldn't recognize itself.
27. Re:Windows Mobile? by MrManny · 2012-03-09 03:44 · Score: 1
  
  While I agree with your vendor filth statement, I can only agree to disagree on the UI part. Granted, my Samsung Galaxy S2 could look better. It's not that bad though, and the experience could be easily enhanced with the several launchers available on the Android market for you.
  On the other hand, I just recently got my Kindle Fire and decided to throw one of the several Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4) ROMs on it. I am very pleased with the new UI, maybe you should give it a try. No need to buy a device though, the Android emulator that comes with the SDK illustrates this perfectly well.
28. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:44 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  At&t doesn't lock them down lake that any more. On my latest phone, a galaxy 2S skyrocket, it's just a matter of enabling it in the settings.
29. Re:Windows Mobile? by roc97007 · 2012-03-09 03:56 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, the guy I gave my Windows Phone to is going to be pissed.
  
  --
  Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
30. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:57 · Score: 1
  
  Saying you can't do something on the Nook Tablet has very little to do with being able to do things on Android. You basically get a sandbox to play in with a Barnes and Noble logo on it inside of the Android park with a Nook
31. Re:Windows Mobile? by roc97007 · 2012-03-09 03:57 · Score: 1
  
  > You can run unsigned code on Android.
  ...and Blackberry.
  
  --
  Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
32. Re:Windows Mobile? by hoborg1 · 2012-03-09 04:00 · Score: 2
  
  You can if you install any other android os to your sd card. Sd is set to boot first. You can do whatever the hell you want with Cyanogen mod on your nook.
33. Re:Windows Mobile? by hairyfeet · 2012-03-09 04:02 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Yeah you THINK its funny, but we are about to get a ring side seat for the biggest trainwreck since....hell i can't even think of a trainwreck that big. Its gonna finally put those MS Bob and WinME jokes to rest, let me put it that way. I mean have you TRIED metro? Its a fricking smart phone UI that MSFT expects users to run on a fricking non touch enabled desktop! Even the Yahoo product shill who answers everything with "Buy it now! you should really buy it! Seriously buy it now!" after trying it said 'Uhhhh...you should probably wait until you have something touch enabled and get it then" which for her is "My eyes! the goggles they do nothing!" and all because every single mobile attempt by MSFT has been a disaster. I mean for the love of God they are gonna have Windows 8 on ARM! You are gonna have a version of Windows that won't actually run Windows programs! Do you have ANY idea how massive the returns on all those "Windows tablets" is gonna be?
  I think this just proves what I've been saying for ages, Ballmer is a shitty CEO that has zero common sense, much less vision, and that the mobile division should have been spun off so they wouldn't be held back by the lumbering PHB dominated desktop division as it would have protected them both from that dreaded buzzword "synergy". I mean his whole damned plan hinges on developers being so damned stupid they'll waste their time developing Metro apps just so they'll have something to sell on the WinARM app store! When we all know that for anything more complex than a fart app you're gonna have to write two versions, one for x86 and one for ARM as those two platforms are as different as night and day when it comes to IPC and memory constraints. And all so Ballmer can go "and with this we'll FINALLY get a big chunk of the pie now owned by Apple and Google and we'll be as sexy and hip as they are! yes we will! We really really will! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!"
  Allow me to end with this heartfelt apology to the Appleites: Remember when we all laughed our asses off when you were stuck with the Pepsi CEO, you know, the one that went from one lame idea to another, with just this big sprawling mess of fail? yeah well..I'm sorry alright? Jokes over, ha ha...its not funny anymore! Hey fairs fair, you got Jobs back, can we have Bill back please? The sweaty monkey has gone crazy!
  
  --
  ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
34. Re:Windows Mobile? by mcgrew · 2012-03-09 04:04 · Score: 0
  
  Pretty much any more. Bash ANY tech company, no matter how bad that company is (my favorite bogeyman is Sony but I'm no MS fan either) and someone will mod it troll or flamebait. Lots of MS and Sony fans (and Apple and every other tech company) and employees consider any negative opinion of their employer, their income source a threat. Of course they're going to mod you down.
  It doesn't matter if you get twenty upmods for every downmod and have great karma, except of course the annoyance of taking the time and effort to make a relevant post expressing your valid opinion, only to have it modded to invisibility and your efforts wasted.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
35. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:07 · Score: 1
  
  As one of the last holdouts of Windows Mobile 6.5, this bothers me greatly. It means that the next time I do a Factory reset on my HTC Touch Pro2, I won't be able to reinstall the free Office 2010 upgrade without purchasing the binaries from some other marketplace. Similarly, if I want to reinstall any of the products I purchased from them, I will have to repurchase the binaries from some other marketplace. It's not like I am trying to hang onto a Windows 95 machine and can't find web sites which work with Internet Explorer 5.5 anymore... This was the top-of-the-line Windows Mobile 6.5 phone just 3 years ago (or less). So would a new Windows Phone 7 Series be obsolete when Win8 mobile comes out this year? Personally, I'll never find out.
  Now if they would send all of your previous purchases on CD or something, that would be fine. I know how to install apps without a store front-end.
36. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:14 · Score: 0
  
  Amazon used it's clout to get them to change this policy.
37. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:17 · Score: 1
  
  Wow, that really is egregious... posting anon because I tried to rescue your post, though it was instantly buried again. Good luck, sir, as you face the combined wrath of many alts: pro-Apple, pro-Android, pro-Win3.1, anti-WP7, and anti-WP8. Not to mention the prudes who can't stand to see the word "fuck".
38. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:26 · Score: 0
  
  Funny - I say the same thing whenever I hear any bad desktop Linux news.
39. Re:Windows Mobile? by techsimian · 2012-03-09 04:53 · Score: 0
  
  At that point it's more about hardware specific issues. I'm still blown away by how many devices they support. There should be a tax on the AT&T's of this world to fund the CM team. It's sad but I bet the paper-clip budget for Nokia is many multiples of CM's entire expenditures to date.
40. Re:Windows Mobile? by unixisc · 2012-03-09 04:57 · Score: 0
  
  But this story is about the Mobile store for phone apps, right? So in this case, the Metro UI should theoretically be fine, since it's the phone we're talking about. So the other factors about why Windows Phone 8 is better should kick in. Namely none that I can think of.
  Question I have RTFA is this - will current owners of Windows phones, such as Nokia Lumia 7xx and 8xx be able to upgrade the OS on their phones from 6 or 7 to 8 for free w/o changing their phones? If the answer is yes, then it's not a big deal. But if the answer is no, they've just figured out yet a new way of pissing off their existing phone customers, who in this case are pretty loyal. Unlike in the case of PCs, where everyone gets Windows by default unless they buy Macs or specifically ask for Windows not to be pre-installed so that they can run Linux, here, customers already have the choices of Android and iOS, in addition to the one from RIMM. Yet they bought Windows Mobile phones. So anyone who does have a phone that runs Windows Mobile is someone Microsoft should be thankful to, for actually preferring them when there are viable alternatives available.
  Aside from that, I'm not seeing why phone makers would want to make Windows Phone 8 phones if they already offer phones w/ Android or WebOS or anything else. As you pointed out, it's not like they can run their existing Windows apps. The only place where I see Windows 8 make sense is for tablets based on Fusion or Medfield - ones which actually might be able to run Windows binaries if any way could be devised to install the app on such a tablet from a PC by connecting it to a USB cable and treating the tablets SSD as a hard drive. Other than that, I just don't see Windows 8 clicking as a desktop OS (which will now be more confusing since you will have both ARM and x64 based PCs. Apple at least made fat binaries in their software distributions, so that regardless of whether one was using a Power Mac or an x64 Mac, there was no doubting that an app would install and run. But here, MS went to pains to explain that ARM apps would only be available on app stores, not CDs, while x64 apps would presumably still be available on CDs. I understand the difference, but will the average Suzie understand it?
  If the point in time comes where Windows 8 gets released and actually becomes the fiasco you are predicting, MS is dead - even Bill won't be able to resurrect it. After all, the Windows brand - which has been the only reason that the Intel x86 CISC platform - a pretty mediocre microprocessor architecture compared to most others - has survived viable challenges from every one of those rival platforms - would have been trashed beyond repair - there would be no way for lay people to tell whether a particular version of Windows runs Windows programs or not. Once that aura about Windows is destroyed, I'll predict that all 3 of the markets - the PCs, tablets and phones - will be split largely b/w Google and Apple, w/ others like WebOS, RIM making up the remainder. I know it's hard to comprehend, but for MS, it'll pretty much be over - regardless of whether Ballmer stays or goes.
41. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  I think so, but I don't know which phones do this and which don't. At first it was like 3 phones and one tablet while the rest wouldn't allow side loading. They also have blocked wireless tether because they want to charge you extra for different data. The only reason I'm still with them, is they are the only carrier to have my area covered for the most part from all of those out in the country Alltel lines they ended up with when Verizon bought Alltel which I would rather have but I think they have no problems side loading but maybe do with tethering without charging extra for that. I've heard T-mobile doesn't do this but Sprint and T-mobile are rare outside of a good sized town.
42. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 04:59 · Score: 1
  
  No you wont because you wouldn't have service here. Verizon has yet to build much here and their service is spotty. T-Mobile and Sprint aren't here at all.
43. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 05:12 · Score: 1
  
  Well SuperOneClick might not do that. It doesn't work with HTC phones. There are other ways to root a phone. The point is, you shouldn't have to go to all of that trouble. I'm sure the newer devices have this unlocked now and they did change their policy but sometimes it takes a phone call to get that OTA that fixes that problem on older phones. They will tell you that you are not near a tower when you have line of sight to one and explain to them where the tower is that you are operating from. That was a pretty long conversation. Like you will have to call them again like if you do a factory data reset to update your software. It's annoying. AT&T should have not done this from the start.
44. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 05:13 · Score: 1
  
  I never was that great at English.
45. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 05:14 · Score: 1
  
  Well that's good.
46. Re:Windows Mobile? by morgauxo · 2012-03-09 05:18 · Score: 2
  
  I totally agree that you shouldn't have to do that. But... if it's the carrier that is creating the limitations for you, not the platforms themselves then there really isn't any value making comparisons of platforms. It's the carrier that sucks and you are just screwed by only being covered by one. In other words.. Old versions of Mickeysoft phone aren't the only platform that allows sideloading.. it's just the only one that happens to be available to you.
47. Re:Windows Mobile? by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:29 · Score: 1
  
  It is actually really good phone and more open than any other phone platform
  I can build Android from source, and run whatever binaries I find and want to run.
  
  but it looks like everyone went the app store route in recent years.
  Having an app store in no way precludes being able to run whatever you want. It just gives most users a far, far more convenient way to find software.
48. Re:Windows Mobile? by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:30 · Score: 1
  
  I fail to see any difference.
49. Re:Windows Mobile? by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:33 · Score: 1
  
  apparently we can't have any dissenting voices essentially pointing out that for WM you didn't need an (official) app store
  Probably because this is a completely retarded point. You don't need to use the app store for Android either. However, doing so makes finding software far, far more convenient for users. There's a reason why app sales never really took off until Apple had the integrated store on the phone.
50. Re:Windows Mobile? by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:35 · Score: 1
  
  On the plus side it does not actually need an app store as you can just get apps from anywhere but the supply of new apps is dwindling fast.
  Android doesn't need one either. But using it is far easier than having to search through random sites, hoping to find something close to what I want.
51. Re:Windows Mobile? by unixisc · 2012-03-09 05:43 · Score: 1
  
  Another thing I forgot to add above - I know that most CEOs are non-tech people, and I don't expect Ballmer to be all up to speed on the differences b/w Windows 7 & 8. But not knowing the difference b/w running on x86 and running on ARM? Seriously - this is someone who's been around for past architectural introductions, such as Windows NT, the support for RISC, the tiff b/w MS and Intel, the discontinuation of NT on RISC and he doesn't know that it's Wintel, not Windows legacy apps that have made it into a gravy train for MS so long that Bill Gates could try transforming fourth world countries w/ his philanthropy? How clueless can a CEO be to be this uninformed about his companies main product line?
52. Re:Windows Mobile? by MobyTurbo · 2012-03-09 05:47 · Score: 1
  
  My point exactly. The grandparent-post seemed to be indicating this was something you could do with Android, and not with Windows Mobile.
  Windows Phone 7, on the other hand, has to be jailbroken - because Microsoft seems to think copying Apple is a good idea now.
53. Re:Windows Mobile? by MobyTurbo · 2012-03-09 05:48 · Score: 1
  
  I should also point out that Google allows vendors to disable that option, and AT&T at one time had all of their Android handsets shipped with that option disabled.
54. Re:Windows Mobile? by 517714 · 2012-03-09 05:52 · Score: 1
  
  90%? Try 125% I bought a used WM6.5 phone on eBay to replace mine when it broke and the carrier offered me a WP7 or Android for free (not even a contract) to replace it. There is a lot of software for WM that is unlikely to ever be duplicated for iOS, Android, or WP; and most of it is free. Many of the programs I run have equivalents in other OS's but I would have paid more for those apps than I did for the phone and would still be missing some of my important apps.
  As to the app store closing? Who cares? I think I downloaded three apps from it. I hope the other user isn't too upset.
  
  --
  The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
55. Re:Windows Mobile? by 517714 · 2012-03-09 06:06 · Score: 1
  
  The MS Office app sucks anyway - get SoftMaker Office, it is heavy duty. You can download the .cab files by going to the store and installing the app, but when the installer program on your phone asks say no. The .cab file will be on your device and you can back it up. Always make a copy before installing as installation causes many programs to clean up after themselves by deleting the file.
  
  --
  The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
56. Re:Windows Mobile? by Archangel+Michael · 2012-03-09 06:07 · Score: 1
  
  Microsoft is "Windows", that is its business model, that is its focus. Microsoft is a Windows Company. It only knows Windows. Everything else it tries ends up with EPIC FAIL written on it. It tries to tie everything to Windows and just doesn't get why people aren't going Windows XP Tablet or Zune or ... whatever.
  Metro/Win8 is NOT going to work, because it is radical departure from what every stupid windows users knows. I don't care what their usability studies say, they aren't studying the "where is my Outlook Icon" user, that only knows WHERE it is, and never paid any attention to the icon itself (yes dear, it is right there, it just moved to that spot because you re-arraigned you desktop by name).
  And smart users don't want another layer of stupid on top of what they use. Yes, Metro cries "I'm too stoopid to know how dumb I am". Makes FisherPriceXP theme look intelligent.
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
57. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-09 06:07 · Score: 1
  
  No actually I finally got an Adroid Phone to side load but it took a phone call for 2) OTA's first. I think Symbian allows side loading but Nokia is going to abandon that.
58. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 06:42 · Score: 0
  
  First a disclsaimer; I have been a militant hater of Windows and the entire ecosystem with all of its problems 'till Windows 7 (added Window management, UI refinement and no more graphics driver BSOD's that were suposedly Vista problems). Before that I was a Linux lover and I still am. I hate Android, iOS and MacOS.
  That said I think Microsoft is the only sane company when it comes to tablets (not phones; seriously give Symbian Belle a try on a recent Nokia and you'll love it once you actually know the OS) because, as Ballmer sais, it's a damn form factor; not a different category of devices. You can use Metroid with HTMLv5 for on the go and Aero for your Office delight with a damn keyboard.
  That's the point.
59. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 06:52 · Score: 0
  
  I'm sure the people who do wine for Linux, BSD (including OS X) can do a version of wine for Windows too so you can run Windows programs on Windows. There is no reason you have to buy microsoft stuff and if you stop buying it Ballmer will be gone.He wants to win once before he goes but if he looses bad enough he'll be forced out. I don't use microsoft products now though I have in the past. I have to admit the X-Box is looking good but I am having better experiences with my tech stuff than ever. I don't use Apple either for several reasons though the quality is still there and it never really was with Microsoft. When GM started making cars you didn't want you looked elsewhere maybe VW or Mercedes,BMW. Windows XP was a fine if flawed product but microsoft is not the only game in town and it certainly isn't the best it may be infact the worst though it sells the most by far. Business people say they don't want to retrain the staff though every change in microsoft office requires that and every new version of Windows does too. I switched from Windows after using it for well over a decade because using Vista was costing me money and my sanity;changing the hardware didn't help but changing the software sure did.I have much better performance and the bugs are gone.
60. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 07:03 · Score: 0
  
  It had an app store? Wow.
  Apple should sue them.
61. Re:Windows Mobile? by sjames · 2012-03-09 07:57 · Score: 1
  
  AT&T used to make a half-assed effort to disable sideloading, but it was easy to disable their disable. You could still install via USB even with it. They don't even try to disable it now,.
62. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 08:12 · Score: 0
  
  so says the Tablet-As-A-New-Computing-Paradigm Denier.
63. Re:Windows Mobile? by I8TheWorm · 2012-03-09 09:18 · Score: 1
  
  It's defaulted to off though, and probably a majority of Android users don't know it exists or are locked out of changing it by their carrier (without rooting it) in the US.
  Pre WP7 there wasn't any code signing necessary, so deploying to WM6.5 and below was as simple as it is on a Windows PC.
  
  --
  Saying Android is a family of phones is akin to saying Linux is a family of PCs.
64. Re:Windows Mobile? by hairyfeet · 2012-03-09 11:03 · Score: 1
  
  Uhhh...you sentence doesn't parse, you DO know this correct? if you have Wine letting you run Windows on windows...how are you not buying windows EXACTLY? And while i give great credit to the Wine guys, unless you use the VERY small list of programs they've tested for (seriously there are millions of Windows programs folks) then you are really SOL unless you have some major programming and troubleshooting skillz, which just wiped out 94% of Windows users.
  More likely this will be Vista all over again, only replace XP with 7. Everyone I've talked to and the over 200 customers I've shown Win 8 to now have all said "We'll stay with 7, thanks' and its already been announced that Win 7 is supported until 2020 (most likely to give businesses a choice as they won't want Win 8 which is so bling bling consumer it ain't funny) so the OEMs will pitch a fit, Ballmer will have egg all over his face AGAIN, and maybe we'll finally see the end of the sweaty monkey. i mean they recently had their most profitable quarter in history, even with a dead economy, yet their stock has gone nowhere, why? because nobody has any confidence in such a piss poor CEO. Oh and you can give it up on apple, their desktop and laptops aren't subsidized like their phones and pads are and the average person isn't gonna spend $1500+ for a machine when they can get one that is just as fast for $500.
  
  --
  ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
65. Re:Windows Mobile? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 11:07 · Score: 0
  
  Microsoft seems to think copying Apple is a good idea now.
  Well it's certainly worked before.
  I wish the Ubuntu devs would stop trying to turn linux into macOSX, though... if I wanted a mac, I wouldn't be running ubuntu.
66. Re:Windows Mobile? by formfeed · 2012-03-09 14:08 · Score: 1
  
  I don't know about the other user, but my Axim X30 is doing just fine without an app store. I just installed opera and it runs better than ever.
67. Re:Windows Mobile? by sensationull · 2012-03-09 17:58 · Score: 2
  
  If you hate the productivity provided by actually being able to launch your preferred apps quickly then remove every single icon from your home screen and replace them with widgets. Or nothing at all. It takes less than a minute to do and I'm sure that's not too much of a burden since you will likely keep your phone for at least a year.
  I have a galaxy nexus and saying that anything on the interface looks "16bitish" in any way is pure lies.
  Design is subjective, I just get that feel from it, and yes I keep my phones while they are still useful, my current one is around 3 years old but I have been looking for a replacement.
  
  Have you ever considered the possibility that you're just an idiot? Because it has definitely occurred to me that you are probably the dumbest motherfucker on Slashdot today.
  Awwwww, how sweet, all ragey that someone has a different opinion than you. I bet you got kicked out of debate club with arguments like that.
  
  There are tons of middle of the road android handsets with 512 MB of RAM that are next to free on contract that perform very well. You are either a shill or you are a completely ignorant dumbass on here spreading FUD. Please remove your head from your ass.
  Well I don't live in the US or UK, our plans are much more expencive and it takes a while for the latest phones to get here so I outright buy my phones. I am not "completely ignorant dumbass", I just don't happen to live where you do. We may also have different views on 'very well', the UI lag on some of the phones I have seen with 512mb or RAM has been worse than my WM6.5 device. That seems like a backwards step to me, I don't care if it can compete with a tablet with regard to processing power, I want it to do its job quickly and not get in my way, is that so wrong?
68. Re:Windows Mobile? by PyroMosh · 2012-03-09 19:19 · Score: 1
  
  Even though Windows Mobile is essentially unchanged in terms of binary comparability since v1.0, they only introduced Windows Market with version 6.1 or 6.2 a couple years ago.
  When I stopped using my HTC Tilt 2 late last year, there were still only a few hundred apps (800?). By the time they launched, Microsoft had already announced that Windows Phone 7 would come out, and would break comparability with the 6.x and earlier Windows Mobile line.
  So if you're a developer, what are you going to do? Invest time writing or porting an app for Windows 6.x when you know there won't be any devices that are comparable produced after a year? The writing was on the wall. Everyone who was holding out moved on to iOS or Android, for the most part. Some moved on to Windows Phone 7.
  I suspect a lot more will move back to WP7 (or WP8?) once Windows 8 ships. But for now, most of the folks who liked Windows Mobile because it was so open and free (not in an OSS way, but in a "I can do whatever I want" way) have moved to Android. Look at XDA Developers.
  
  --
  Touch everywhere, even when inappropriate.
69. Re:Windows Mobile? by bkcallahan · 2012-03-10 05:30 · Score: 1
  
  Don't worry, one of them was at my house for dinner (Tostadas); I passed this article on to them :) (Oddly enough, this is really what happened)
70. Re:Windows Mobile? by EvilBudMan · 2012-03-13 02:19 · Score: 1
  
  Well yeah they just disable it in the OS. I don't think would have done it at all if millions of customers didn't call them and say I want my Amazon and apparently now you can't get on the regular Market anymore without agreeing to new Google TOS. Maybe Android will finally be OK when all are on 4.0 without crapware. Apple doesn't have crapware but you can only buy stuff from them,
It's a Shame by phrostie · 2012-03-09 01:56 · Score: 0

Someone couldn't set up an alternative app store like Cydia.
oh well, back to my Droid
1. Re:It's a Shame by ulricr · 2012-03-09 02:05 · Score: 2
  
  there are many windows mobile app stores, you can install apps from any source from the phone
2. Re:It's a Shame by ackthpt · 2012-03-09 04:02 · Score: 1
  
  there are many windows mobile app stores, you can install apps from any source from the phone
  That helps. Otherwise I'd credit it as the No. 1 reason not to buy anything Microsoft ever rolls out -- support going whenever they decide it's time. But they, and pretty much everyone else has done that for years. Best reason, still, to be very circumspect about Windows 8 phones.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
3. Re:It's a Shame by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:38 · Score: 1
  
  The only problem is you have to go find them first.
4. Re:It's a Shame by ulricr · 2012-03-09 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  it's a bit dickish of microsoft to kill the store, but I think it was even more dickish to turn off the MyPhone backup service (it was like iCloud) basically, they gave cool things to Windows Mobile and took them away. They should have not bothered at all. Poor management, like the Kin.
There was an app store for WinMo? by bemymonkey · 2012-03-09 02:03 · Score: 5, Interesting

Holy crap, I used WinMo for years and never knew. WTF?
1. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by zephvark · 2012-03-09 02:41 · Score: 0
  
  Ya, I never heard of the mobile app store either. Score another amazing triumph for the Microsoft marketing department?
  The fact that it's being closed down kinda makes me leery of using any future Microsoft app store, though. The whole marketplace goes away at Microsoft's whim? Why would they do that?
  Reminds me of the old Microsoft "PlaysForSure" music store, or whatever it was called. None of those play at all any more, of course, Microsoft abandoned the format.
2. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by jonnythan · 2012-03-09 02:54 · Score: 2
  
  It was just being introduced when Android was getting big, back in mid to late 2009 IIRC.
3. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by bemymonkey · 2012-03-09 02:55 · Score: 1
  
  Ah OK, that explains it... I switched to Android as soon as it became viable. :)
4. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by zrbyte · 2012-03-09 02:56 · Score: 1
  
  My thoughts exactly. I repaced my WinMo phone just last december. Would have loved an app store, had I known about it :p
5. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by awshidahak · 2012-03-09 03:34 · Score: 2
  
  The fact that it's being closed down kinda makes me leery of using any future Microsoft app store, though. The whole marketplace goes away at Microsoft's whim? Why would they do that?
  
  Yeah, for a short while they had a marketplace for Vista that had all sorts of goodies in it, firefox, gimp even, and it got whut down after less than a year too IIRC.
6. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by Tharsman · 2012-03-09 03:49 · Score: 0
  
  It was introduced in response to Apple's huge success with their iPhone App Store. Too late really, was an attempt to keep their Phone OS at least somewhat viable until they managed to release their new "competitive" phone OS..
7. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by roc97007 · 2012-03-09 03:58 · Score: 1
  
  Probably because you didn't need the three or four apps that were in there.
  
  --
  Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
8. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by mcgrew · 2012-03-09 04:35 · Score: 0
  
  Reminds me of the old Microsoft "PlaysForSure" music store, or whatever it was called. None of those play at all any more, of course, Microsoft abandoned the format.
  Well, anyone with half a brain knew it was a scam. MP3s and oggs play for sure, as does any non-DRM content. DRM always means "plays for a limited time, if you're lucky."
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
9. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 05:25 · Score: 0
  
  it was out before the app store. everyone jumped ship before they got it rolling. too many delays and a market icon sitting there for no reason. cant imagine it will be missed.
10. Re:There was an app store for WinMo? by Voyager529 · 2012-03-09 06:03 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  There was, and the issue was the fact that it was about the worst implementation of a mobile app store I've ever used (and I've used Apple's, Google's, Amazon's, and the WP7 implementation).
  The first issue was the inherent problems of getting software for Windows Mobile in general. Windows Mobile 5/6 came at a time of some ludicrously awkward and diverse-in-a-bad-way hardware. Some devices had a resistive touch screen. Some had a keyboard. Some had both. Some only had hardware dialpads. Some had 2 hardware softkeys, others had four. Some had 240x320 displays, some had 240x320 displays, some had 480x640, some had 480x800. Some had barcode scanners. Some had IR ports. Some had Bluetooth. Some had Wi-Fi. Some had GPS. Some had a CompactFlash slot. Some had 200MHz CPUs and 64MBytes of RAM, others had 1GHz CPUs and 512MB of RAM. Try - just TRY - developing for a platform where you can't make a single assumption about input *or* output. There were essentially two ways that developers overcame this hardware diversity. The first was to develop for a handful of specific models. While this streamlined support and produced a standard of compatibility, it was problematic for the developer (whose market was limited by the phones available) and the customer (who either couldn't get a piece of software, or had to choose a particular phone/PDA based on the necessity of an application). The second route that could be taken was to have a developer extensively test as many handsets as possible, and develop the UI to compensate. While this made applications mostly consistent, I'm sure I don't have to describe the nightmare of testing (and debugging) dozens of handsets, and implicitly the fact that programs of this nature were typically much larger as the installation CAB file had to include all the different permutations. Even this second route led to the first to some extent. Some developers (notably SPB and Jeyo) sidestepped this a bit by making extensions to the OS itself and leaving the input/output/display to WinMo to figure out, but others like DeLorme had applications that would technically function (street maps for all of the USA for my laptop, and an export function for my phone so I can GPS for free without a data plan? yes please!), but in the most arcane way possible no matter what hardware you threw at it.
  So now that the nightmare of developing for WinMo has been established, consider the pathetic history of selling software for WinMo. I remember working at Staples, having a revolving rack of PDA software, priced from $9.99 to $49.99, that shipped on SD cards. Back then, the PDA software market used the retail model that PCs used, because back then, smartphones were considered portable desktops that did the core subset of PC functionality. The concept of buying apps on the fly made little sense when data was transferred over a serial cable, and later USB, from Outlook. On the flip side, the developers of mobile OS software were following the PC model as well; many listed their stuff on Download.com/Tucows/Softpedia, each of which had a mobile section. Other companies like Handango and PocketPCFreeware.net catered to the mobile crowd exclusively. This was, of course, in addition to developers hosting their own websites, taking care of their own transactions, and providing their own e-mail support.
  When Apple came out with the App Store for the iPhone, it wasn't entirely breaking new ground. Apps had been sold for mobile devices forever, Steam modeled a successful software distribution channel, Apple had plenty of success with selling songs and movies in their media store, and Installer.app and Cydia had been enabling the installation of software on the iPhone for nearly a year before. The iPhone and the App Store did help make a critical change in the way that the smartphone was thought of: no longer was a mobile phone the extension of a desktop that facilitated the sending and receiving of e-mail and integrating one's Outlook contacts with their phone. The Smartphone started to be looked at as its own pla
Still late to the game by mws1066 · 2012-03-09 02:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

The real question is how successful M$'s next app store/phone offering can possible become. Google and Apple are quite extensively entrenched in the market - Microsoft has its work cut out for it. They are VERY late to the game. I think the only place their phones likely will excel is in corporate settings, becoming kind of the new Blackberries. iPhones aren't corporate enough, Android phones aren't supported enough for corporate cronies to like them, so they COULD possibly fill that particular niche.

--
Nothing is more dangerous than a programmer with a screwdriver.
1. Re:Still late to the game by fast+turtle · 2012-03-09 02:23 · Score: 2
  
  Don't forget that Win8 has access to the same app store that WP8 uses. From what I've seen Ms is trying to consolidate WiMo/WP7 and all versions into one code base called Windows8 with the metro interface being the default for phones/tablets
  
  --
  Mod me up/Mod me down: I wont frown as I've no crown
2. Re:Still late to the game by semi-extrinsic · 2012-03-09 02:25 · Score: 2
  
  In my experience, both iPhones and and Android phones are being used in corporate settings. Both have decent Exchange-support, and reasonable enough security policies to go along with it. I know one large company here still clinging to Windows Mobile 6, but rumor has it they are slowly moving to Android instead. So I don't think the "corporate niche" exists for MS to fill; at the very least it is not big enough to make WP7/8/whatever sustainable.
  
  --
  for i in `facebook friends "=bday" 2>/dev/null | cut -d " " -f 3-`; do facebook wallpost $i "Happy birthday!"; done
3. Re:Still late to the game by Tridus · 2012-03-09 02:35 · Score: 2
  
  Maybe. Or maybe the negative reputation that Windows 8 is getting in the corporate world for the asstacular new desktop UI will cause decision makers to also shun it on tablets, particularly since x86 tablets won't have very good battery life and ARM based Windows 8 tablets can't join Active Directory domains anyway (nullifying one of the advantages).
  I don't see how it can take off as a corporate tablet OS at the same time as it's being shunned as a corporate desktop OS, and you're NOT going to see significant deployment of it in the corporate world over Windows 7 for a very long time (if ever).
  
  --
  -- "So they told me that using the download page to download something was not something they anticipated." - Bill Gates
4. Re:Still late to the game by chrissigler · 2012-03-09 02:54 · Score: 1
  
  The real question is how successful M$'s next app store/phone offering can possible become. Google and Apple are quite extensively entrenched in the market - Microsoft has its work cut out for it. They are VERY late to the game.
  You know, I somehow feel like I recall people saying how Apple owned the "app" market when Android was first gaining speed. Now, you could arguably point out various places where Apple still edges out Google with regards to apps, but we can now safely refer to them both as "extensively entrenched" and not think twice.
  Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft continues to flounder in their efforts, but it's not because someone else has a corner on the market.
  Google proved that if you have a decent product, a decent business strategy, and a whole lotta money, you can successfully enter this field.
  Microsoft has the money. Their modern mobile products aren't horrendous, though I still have yet to see one "in the wild" (devs don't count). Can they come up with a decent business strategy? We'll see. Here's a hint: mobile != office.
5. Re:Still late to the game by SadButTrue · 2012-03-09 02:57 · Score: 1
  
  As far as I know there have been exactly zero details about WP8 released. Although it is certainly reasonable to believe that MS wants to consolidate their markets it isn't clear that enough can be stripped from Win7/8 to make it work on phone hardware. And, it is a near certainty that no force on earth can push win7/8 down to the new 256MB ram devices that were just announced for the "tango" version of wp7.
  It also begs the question what will happen to the existing silverlight based wp7 apps. Win8 "metro" apps are, as far as I know. written against the new WinRT APIs. Even if the migration is quite easy it isn't clear that an app written for the desktop will work on the very limited resources of existing WP7 devices.
  
  --
  grape - the GNU free, open source rape
6. Re:Still late to the game by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:01 · Score: 0
  
  In my experience, both iPhones and and Android phones are being used in corporate settings. Both have decent Exchange-support, and reasonable enough security policies to go along with it. I know one large company here still clinging to Windows Mobile 6, but rumor has it they are slowly moving to Android instead. So I don't think the "corporate niche" exists for MS to fill; at the very least it is not big enough to make WP7/8/whatever sustainable.
  Not sure all corporations would agree that a phone/company that actively misrepresented what security it supported to the server to get connection is "reasonable enough security policies".
7. Re:Still late to the game by FreonTrip · 2012-03-09 03:10 · Score: 1
  
  Don't forget: as of the current preview build of Windows 8, you also can't add tablets to a domain. So they're REALLY shooting themselves in the foot by assuming that tablets are only consumer-level devices that will never find a footing in business.
8. Re:Still late to the game by oakgrove · 2012-03-09 03:34 · Score: 1
  
  Are you from the future because last I checked Windows 8 is still in preview and windows phone 8 hasn't been seen at all in the wild yet you're talking about this like it's after the fact.
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
9. Re:Still late to the game by afidel · 2012-03-09 03:35 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Nope, we know that WP8 will be based on the W8 ARM kernel and will run Metro apps, see here.
  
  --
  There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
10. Re:Still late to the game by afidel · 2012-03-09 03:44 · Score: 1
  
  particularly since x86 tablets won't have very good battery life
  
  Why do you say that? The specs for Ivy Bridges based ultrabooks are 10+ hours so I'm not sure how removing the keyboard to produce a tablet would make it any worse.
  
  --
  There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
11. Re:Still late to the game by DogDude · 2012-03-09 03:51 · Score: 2
  
  I found that the iPhones and Android phones don't do Exchange well enough (for me, at least). And, of course, there's the thing with trusting your data with Apple or Google, which I don't.
  
  --
  I don't respond to AC's.
12. Re:Still late to the game by SadButTrue · 2012-03-09 04:04 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks, not sure how I missed that.
  BTW, I would swap ballot and soap so that they are in order of effort.
  
  --
  grape - the GNU free, open source rape
13. Re:Still late to the game by UnknowingFool · 2012-03-09 04:20 · Score: 1
  
  Generally Intel x86 processors have at least an order of magnitude higher power consumption than Atom which has an order magnitude higher than ARM. Atom is getting better but still has some work. The current Sandy Bridge ultrabook Core i5 series has TDP listed at 17W which is good for that category but Intel Atom's lowest is 3.5W. The TDP for a Apple's A5 is 0.5W as a comparison. How manufacturers get more battery life is by putting in more powerful (bigger) batteries in ultrabooks.
  Using the Apple as an example as they have the most well known ultrabooks and tablets, MacBook Air 13 uses the listed battery at 54 or 55 Wh (some places list one or the other). The iPad 2 by comparison uses a 25 Wh battery. The new iPad will use a 42.5 Wh. I suspect the massive battery increase of the iPad is due to the new screens.
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
14. Re:Still late to the game by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:40 · Score: 0
  
  I don't think you know what "order of magnitude" means chief.
15. Re:Still late to the game by LDAPMAN · 2012-03-09 05:03 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not sure about Google but Apple does not have access to your data. The phone talks direct to the Exchange server.
16. Re:Still late to the game by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:40 · Score: 1
  
  And, of course, there's the thing with trusting your data with Apple or Google, which I don't.
  And if you're using Exchange, you don't have to worry. At least, no more than you would about having to trust Microsoft with your data.
Cool by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 02:06 · Score: 0

That's not fair.
Windows Mobile != Windows Phone by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 02:22 · Score: 0

Just to make that clear.
Theres no such thing as a fair fight by fluffythedestroyer · 2012-03-09 02:29 · Score: 1

Apple played their cards well in this battle.
forced user by spectrokid · 2012-03-09 02:30 · Score: 0

PHB shoved a HTC down my throat. Worst piece of crap ever. You would think the only thing they would get right is the sync with Windows, right? Nope. You couldn't even sent an SMS from your desktop through USB or bluetooth. Talk about feeling stupid sitting next to a full keyboard and screen, fumbling with the small keys on your mobile. Anyone knows if they got that right in the new OS?

--
10 ?"Hello World" life was simple then
1. Re:forced user by rootnl · 2012-03-09 02:40 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  After passing the problem through marketing, designers and handing it over to the project manager, who in return ordered a project leader, I can confirm your problem is solved. You will now be able to use the keyboard on your mobile to enter text on your computer.
  
  --
  
  We are the people our parents warned us about.
2. Re:forced user by Voyager529 · 2012-03-09 06:13 · Score: 1
  
  Windows Mobile 6.5 still has one of the most handy features ever implemented in any mobile OS (at least for me, anyway). If you are synced with an Exchange 2010 server via Activesync and have Outlook 2010 (yes, I realize how stringent those requirements are), it's possible to sent text messages through Outlook just like an e-mail, with full access to your contacts and mass sending. Also, Jeyo made two third party applications that were handy in this regard as well: MobileExtender allowed texting through outlook over USB, and Mobile Companion was essentially what Microsoft should have released if they wanted to compete with Nokia PC Suite - it's ActiveSync on a metric ton of steroids, and contains its own database for calendar entries, contacts, and the like.
3. Re:forced user by 517714 · 2012-03-09 06:18 · Score: 1
  
  You want SMS from your computer keyboard? You think that is really important? The feeling stupid part should have come from the desire to do it, not the failure to do it.
  
  --
  The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
M$ Fails, America wins! by poormanjoe · 2012-03-09 02:33 · Score: 1, Insightful

I've spent the last 10 years (since being found guilty of monopoly) avoiding the M$ tax, why would I start sending them money now just because "smart phones" are the current business model?

--
I want to be retired when I grow up.
1. Re:M$ Fails, America wins! by noh8rz2 · 2012-03-09 03:09 · Score: 0
  
  Why were you found guilty of monopoly ten yers ago?
2. Re:M$ Fails, America wins! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:28 · Score: 0
  
  I've spent the last 10 years (since being found guilty of monopoly) avoiding the M$ tax, why would I start sending them money now just because "smart phones" are the current business model?
  So you now prefer to pay the Apple tax or what?
  
  I want to be retired when I grow up.
  Yep, but it will still take some time...
Wasn't that useful anyway by Mithent · 2012-03-09 02:41 · Score: 2

Even when I used a Windows Mobile phone, I barely ever used Marketplace. It seemed to be rather empty, and was too little, too late for app distribution on that platform.
A bit off topic by Gazzonyx · 2012-03-09 03:07 · Score: 4, Insightful

A bit off topic, but please stop referring to Microsoft as "M$". It looks really childish and makes people think you're a troll.

--
If I mod you up, it doesn't necessarily mean I agree with what you've said, sorry.
1. Re:A bit off topic by Gazzonyx · 2012-03-09 03:23 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I run Linux. I'm the president of my local LUG. I have patches in Samba. Just because I think that saying "M$" looks childish doesn't make me a shill.
  
  --
  If I mod you up, it doesn't necessarily mean I agree with what you've said, sorry.
2. Re:A bit off topic by Zadaz · 2012-03-09 06:16 · Score: 1
  
  Besides, have you looked at the stock prices lately? If there was any snarky logic to it you should be writing Apple as A$$le.
3. Re:A bit off topic by Rakarra · 2012-03-09 06:25 · Score: 1
  
  I run Linux at home and at work.
  "M$" is a childish label that reflects more poorly on the person saying it than it does on Microsoft.
  Calling people on 'your side' out for being juvenile is not being a mindless shill for Microsoft. It means that you're not always proud of what your fellow Linux supporters say.
4. Re:A bit off topic by RocketRabbit · 2012-03-09 06:34 · Score: 1
  
  Wow, patches in Samba. Look out everybody!
  That's nothing. I have beaten hundreds of people up until they switched to Linux.
5. Re:A bit off topic by vux984 · 2012-03-09 07:35 · Score: 2
  
  A$$le looks like it should be pronounced Asshole.
  So yeah, that works for me.
Why is he at -1? He is correct. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 03:16 · Score: 0

I have a lot of GPL'ed software on my WM 6.1 phone. In fact, all phone software I downloaded except Opera is GPL'ed.
Sad to say, Windows Mobile 6.x is the only game in town if you are interested in anything remotely related to software freedom.
1. Re:Why is he at -1? He is correct. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:23 · Score: 0
  
  Why not Meego? It is more open than Android and like WM it suffers from the problem of its creators having abandoned it, but unlike WM it has actual source code to core components in an open license.
  I have an N900 which I don't use very much these days, but it's by far the most open phone I've ever used. I've heard stories about N9 being much more buggy.
2. Re:Why is he at -1? He is correct. by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:31 · Score: 1
  
  There's absolutely nothing stopping you from running GPL software on Android.
3. Re:Why is he at -1? He is correct. by ozmanjusri · 2012-03-09 13:36 · Score: 2
  
  Sad to say, Windows Mobile 6.x is the only game in town if you are interested in anything remotely related to software freedom.
  What a weird thing to say, given Microsoft's history.
  You can get the full source code for Android here http://source.android.com/.
  There's a repository of FOSS Android apps here http://f-droid.org/, it has a market-style installer to make it easy.
  The full SDK is here http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html, and there's an O'Reilly Cookbook available http://androidcookbook.com/home.seam.
  If Java/Davlik coding is beyound you, try MIT's very clever App Inventor RAD http://appinventoredu.mit.edu/what-is-app-inventor. It's quite cool.
  Note that all of these resources are gratis, and most are free as well.
  
  --
  "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
nothing to see here by Voyager529 · 2012-03-09 03:21 · Score: 0

testing to see if firewall lets me post.
I think the last sentence should read... by jrumney · 2012-03-09 03:30 · Score: 5, Insightful

The move doesn't affect users of Microsoft's new mobile OS, who will continue to be served by the Windows Phone Marketplace."
Translation:
The move should serve as a warning to customers considering purchasing a Windows Phone 7 phone about future support prospects, with the impending release of Windows 8 based phones.
Just one more way of many that Microsoft/Nokia have screwed up their marketing message
1. Re:I think the last sentence should read... by roc97007 · 2012-03-09 03:59 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  > The move should serve as a warning to customers
  ...and developers.
  
  --
  Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
2. Re:I think the last sentence should read... by HideyoshiJP · 2012-03-09 04:54 · Score: 1
  
  In all fairness, Windows Phone 8 *should* be a very different situation, as it's still of the same lineage as Windows Phone 7. Windows Mobile, however, is a different product, despite having an older version of the same kernel (CE). It does set an unfortunate precedent, however. I don't think it would be very difficult or costly to leave all those older Windows Mobile Marketplace servers sitting on one dusty old box in the corner for your legacy users, even if you disabled new purchases...
3. Re:I think the last sentence should read... by unixisc · 2012-03-09 05:21 · Score: 1
  
  The move doesn't affect users of Microsoft's new mobile OS, who will continue to be served by the Windows Phone Marketplace."
  Translation:
  The move should serve as a warning to customers considering purchasing a Windows Phone 7 phone ....
  Or for that matter, a Windows 8 phone...
4. Re:I think the last sentence should read... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 06:47 · Score: 0
  
  it's not just microsoft phone users that have to worry here, bucko... but users of all non-rooted devices with vendor lock-in.
5. Re:I think the last sentence should read... by Whuffo · 2012-03-10 04:48 · Score: 1
  
  Just remember "Plays For Sure" and you wont be fooled
How better than Android? by tepples · 2012-03-09 04:01 · Score: 1

True, Windows Mobile 6 supports free software better than iOS and Windows Phone 7. But how better than Android? Under Android, as I understand it, the core OS is free, and only the hardware drivers and the Gapps are non-free. None of this is free on Windows Mobile 6.
Re:Windows Mobile vs 'Plays For Sure' by TaoPhoenix · 2012-03-09 04:07 · Score: 1

Exactly.
MS has given me the impression that *none* of their consumer offerings are worth bothering with, because what was praised elsewhere as "MS kills dead products quick" is "MS first overhypes products that later get dumped, stranding users."
The question is what will become of the whole Metro thing. From this far back it feels like Vista II, but then I felt that way in 1995 about Microsoft Internet Explorer, and even Windows itself in 1994.

--
My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
It was nice while it lasted by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 04:18 · Score: 0

Awesome I just dumped my old WinMo 6.53 touchpro2 for a galaxy note last Sunday; exquisite timing. I believe they had stopped accepting new apps into it some moths or more ago. There are still some things I liked about winmo that android and my awesome new note don't have out of box; found apps to fix most of it though.
Forgiving Microsoft by tepples · 2012-03-09 04:43 · Score: 1
Microsoft is forgivable for several reasons:
- Windows 7 is a distinct improvement in security and stability over Windows 98 and Windows XP for a couple reasons. First, Microsoft ditched the mentality of running as administrator all the time. Second, Microsoft has been moving more device drivers into user space and pushing peripheral makers harder to improve their remaining kernel-mode drivers.
- Microsoft's IE team has made more of an effort to keep up with the free web browsers in implementing useful HTML DOM features.
- Microsoft makes the only video game console for which individuals can develop games. Sony promised this, delivered to an extent, and later took it away in a firmware update. Nintendo is still vehemently opposed.
1. Re:Forgiving Microsoft by s73v3r · 2012-03-09 05:37 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Microsoft is forgivable for several reasons
  None of which really make up for the shit they did.
I read that as by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 05:01 · Score: 0

Starting May, 9 users of Windows Mobile phones won't be able to browse, buy or download apps to their phones from the Marketplace
10 LET M$ = "Microsoft": REM subject length limit by tepples · 2012-03-09 05:08 · Score: 1

A bit off topic, but please stop referring to Microsoft as "M$".
In comment bodies, I agree. But in comment subjects, it saves seven characters, especially seeing as M$ looks like it'd be the name of a string variable in the BASIC interpreters that Microsoft published as its first products.
Planned obsolesence by WaffleMonster · 2012-03-09 06:20 · Score: 1

This should be a cautionary tale for those who wonder what happens when a company no longer "feels like" supporting a previous version of their product shutting down the online services needed to support it.
The app store was not a big deal nobody used it and there were far better sources of windows mobile software.
With the new products your ONLY choice for installing software is the vendors online service.
No conflict of interest there...vendors gain financially by pulling the plug, retroactivly retracting value from the user and forcing obsolecense/upgrade.
Look at the back of any PS3 game... see that note about the company being able to suspend online play at any time when they feel like it and there is nothing you can do? Oh well sucks to be you...buy the new version.
I prefer to not have others dictate what I should spend my money on and I am prepared to make that clear by my purchasing decisions.
1. Re:Planned obsolesence by Rakarra · 2012-03-09 06:35 · Score: 1
  
  This should be a cautionary tale for those who wonder what happens when a company no longer "feels like" supporting a previous version of their product shutting down the online services needed to support it.
  Most people think "Well, Microsoft was never successful in this market, Apple is still strong there. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't happen to me," but this happened to me recently with the iPhone as well.
  I needed to install an app that required iOS 4. My phone 3G was running iOS 3.1.3 (I hadn't upgraded at the time due to the reports that iOS 4 was so slow when it first came out). Ok, time to upgrade iOS, right? Well I did the phone backup and update thing, and when it was done, I had iOS 4 on my machine, but no apps. Not unusual, you just need to sync apps back -- except they wouldn't copy over. I was flummoxed, why couldn't I copy my apps from iTunes back? The phone was authorized, the apps had all been updated. When I tried downloading them from within the phone, I got my answer "this app requires iOS 5."
  Oh, ok.. so I need to install iOS 5? Except that the oldest phone that Apple allows to run iOS 5 is the 3GS -- my 3G is out of luck. But nearly every app on the app store now requires iOS 5, and the App Store only carries the latest version. The ooooonly possibility left to me is to contact each individual app publisher and ask them to send me an older version, and that has a pretty low chance of success.
  So I'm screwed. I'm locked out of running apps on my phone, while yesterday everything worked fine on it. I have no backup copies of old apps, unfortunately. I would have made copies if I'd even known this could happen. Out of the 10 apps that I had, only one (the one that started this whole mess!) runs on my phone.
  My next phone will be Android. It ain't perfect, but I've tired of the completely walled garden.
2. Re:Planned obsolesence by pbjones · 2012-03-09 08:08 · Score: 1
  
  option/alt click 'restore' and you may be able to restore an old backup with your old software. You were smart, and you did do backups, didn't you?
  
  --
  There was an unknown error in the submission.
3. Re:Planned obsolesence by syzler · 2012-03-09 10:08 · Score: 1
  
  While I can understand your pain, this really is not Apple's fault, but the app developer's choice.
  App developers can set the deployment version of an app to iOS 3.1. Granted, newer API methods/libraries are unavailable, however it is easy for a developer to test for the presence of a newer API method with "-(BOOL)respondsToSelector:(SEL)aSelector") before using the method within the app. Granted this may not be possible for apps whose core functionality are centered upon the functionality of the new API interfaces, however if the app was originally released on older iOS versions, it is hard for me to imagine how not supporting older iOS revs moving forward is difficult unless that app has been re-written from the ground up.
  Disclaimer, I am actively developing a new database app and am running dev versions of the app on an iPhone1 with iOS 3.1. and other devices running iOS 4.3, 5.0, 5.1.
4. Re:Planned obsolesence by Rakarra · 2012-03-09 13:18 · Score: 1
  
  option/alt click 'restore' and you may be able to restore an old backup with your old software. You were smart, and you did do backups, didn't you?
  Yup. And the backups restored all my settings. But for some reason, the backups did not restore my apps, or my audio files, though that didn't concern me since they're all in iTunes anyway.
  I don't know why the backup refused to restore apps. I'd heard that apps don't get restored if you're restoring to a different version of the OS from what created the backup, but it should have been 3.1.3 both ways.
5. Re:Planned obsolesence by Rakarra · 2012-03-09 13:25 · Score: 1
  
  Oh I don't have any problem with app developers using new interfaces only available with the new OS. None of this is a slam on the developers themselves. I fully expect that if I'm running my apps on an older OS, eventually I won't be able to get updates anymore (and indeed, that's what had been happening).
  What I object to is -only- making available the most recent version (as far as I know, that's not a decision of the developers), and there being no system to allow older OSes to download the most recent version that still works with that OS. Every open source project I've ever used has worked that way, and a good chunk of commercial apps too. I could still install old boxed software onto a Windows 95 VM or something like that. Will I get any support? Of course not and I don't expect it -- not that I expect support of any kind for a $3 app.
  But the super-moderated walled garden experience is "you shouldn't have to worry about this, so you don't have the ability to fix it."
MS has no commitment by Nyder · 2012-03-09 08:38 · Score: 3, Insightful

You know why MS can't break it into the markets that Apple is dominating?
They have no commitment, no follow thru. None at all.
Zune? gone. Windows Mobile shit? gone. each generation didn't work with the next, and since they have no problem scrapping things, no one wants to commit.
MS Kin? Not supported when released.
MS tablets? they have those? rofl!
The only thing MS has had any commitment to is their main software. Windows OS and Windows Office. If MS showed the sort of commitment they put to those items in any other market, they might actually do okay.

--
Be seeing you...
1. Re:MS has no commitment by vandamme · 2012-03-10 07:22 · Score: 1
  
  And if they had a monopoly, it would help, too.
Dead platform by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-09 20:32 · Score: 0

If any of the almost non-existent user base of Windows Phone even notices, they will probably be too embarassed to say. Who wants to admit to ownership of a Windows Phone?
I was at the superstore last night, getting my regular weekly shopping, and I noticed they was a 'special offer' on the latest Nokia windows phone. Apparently they can't sell them, even at a huge discount, so they are now dumping them at less than about 60% of cost price (to the store).
Xdandroid ftw... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 11:17 · Score: 0

>Windows Mobile
Hell, I have a Tilt 2 and I flashed Gingerbread on it ages ago.
Apps to snag before blackout? by Bosconian · 2012-03-12 06:27 · Score: 1

Are there any "can't miss" or useful apps / games / utilities that aren't available elsewhere on the net? I have a 2006 HTC Wizard (came with WM 5, XDA'd to 6.5) that was a sturdy little computer for years, now a backup phone. But I remember getting one customizing program or util that was only available on the market, as the author's site had vanished and archive.org was no help. So I'm wondering if any users can recommend any Good Things that we should archive for posterity.

--
Scarce, scared, scarred, sacred... -Col. Bruce Hampton