Windows Phone ditches the specs race

Microsoft: spec, schmeck

Microsoft, while never exactly seen as playing at the top end of the smartphone climbing frame, has confirmed that Windows Phone is not competing with other mobile devices on a spec-for-spec basis.

Speaking to The Verge, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore said that the user experience is more important in Windows Phone than cutting-edge specs or bargain-basement prices.

He said, "If you look at how we've built our team and the programme on Windows Phone we've really tried to focus our engineering efforts on a relatively narrow set of hardware so we can optimise it greatly.

"Over time, I think you can expect to see us expand the breadth of things we focus on. But for now, it's that narrower range."

Arms race

It's an Apple-style strategy, although Microsoft is sadly lacking in the apps and desirability departments, and it makes sense given the stranglehold Microsoft has over the OS's minimum tech requirements.

In fact, isn't it just Android manufacturers who are left playing the specs game? Apple does what it wants - sure, it could have come out with some kind of ridiculous mega-core iPhone 5 behemoth in last year if it had wanted to, but it wasn't ready so the company chose instead to focus on minor upgrades and usability features like Siri. But the iPhone 4S works, and that's the thing (just don't mention the battery...).

Meanwhile, Motorola, Samsung and HTC et al seem to be forever striving to the be thinnest, fastest, highest resolution, most number of cores, bassiest audio, best this, top that.

But what do most of us really want from a smartphone? You want it to look good, work properly, keep up with your fingers and for the battery life to last all day. And from that point of view, Windows Phone is doing all right.

From The Verge via The Next Web

Tags: Windows Phone, Microsoft, smartphones, Android, Apple, iOSTweetreddit!StumbleuponComment on this article  Your comments (2) Click to add a new commentobliquewordsmith

2 hours ago

2. On the contrary, my Lumia is the best phone I've had, outstripping the Android devices I've had in all respects. My iphone carrying sister is also looking to switch at the end of her contract.

It works, efficiently, smoothly and reliably. No lag, no freezes, no need to recharge if you dare to actually use the thing.

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munichlondon

9 hours ago

1. While I like the appoach from a user's point of view (I have the Samsung Omnia 7) I have to say that this is not an attitude that will boost sales.

In order to sell a product you need one or more USPs (unique selling points). Apple have their brand value (lucky them) and the Android phones, less focused in terms of brand but still featuring the Google-genes, have their high specs, which communicate very well. WP7.5, unfortunately carries the name 'windows' in it (no brand value at all) as well as having mediocre specs (screen resolution!!!!).

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