The Microsoft Windows Mobile platform turns 10 years old next week (more on this topic next week). Mike Calligaro’s most recent blog item which bravely (Mike blogs about a lot of hot button topics on behalf of Microsoft) tries to explain Microsoft’s rationale for removing the ability to use ActiveSync over Ethernet (wired or wireless) reminded me of an interesting fact about Windows Mobile: It may be one of the few products that actually lost functions across a series of upgrades. Let’s take a look at just the features I can remember losing in no particular order (I don’t claim this is a comprehensive list. So, feel free to let me know about lost features I neglect to mention).
- ActiveSync over Ethernet
- Microsoft Access Database Importation
- Printing (with add-on driver)
- Microsoft Reader
- Creating a Media Player Playlist on the Device Itself
- Ability to Manually Disconnect from ActiveSync while connected over USB
- AvantGo Reader in firmware
- Menus at the bottom of the screen (replaced by two giant soft-buttons)
- Ability to add to Tasks on the device (Smartphone)
- Ability to encrypt Word or Excel documents/spreadsheets
- Backup entire device to PC using ActiveSync
- Pocket Money (add-on Microsoft application)
- Pocket Streets (add-on Microsoft application)
The Windows Mobile Pocket PC (perhaps soon to disappear in non-phone configurations based on sales declines) and Smartphone are still my mobile devices of choice. But, even with explanations from people like Microsoft’s Mike Calligaro about various design choices, it is difficult for an ordinary end-user like me to understand why I’m losing features and options (even software add-ons) which each new Windows Mobile generation of devices.
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2 responses to “Windows Mobile Loses Features With Each Upgrade???”
Ability to sync, or not, contacts based on category
Ability to reprogram (all) buttons for Media Player use, and select whether the change should be only when MP is in foreground or not.
Ability to select “Ask” on ActiveSync Conflicts.
Ability to count on alarms…oh wait that was always lacking. 😉
[…] Microsoft doesn’t need to create a Zune Phone. It just needs to improve Windows Mobile. I agree with Frank completely. But, it not only won’t happen, it has actually lost functions with each new version. Check out my earlier blog item: Windows Mobile Loses Features With Each Upgrade??? Microsoft is only responding to carrier and enterprise customer feature requests. And, that is, in fact, why I think the Zune group will create a consumer focused Zune Phone that needs to answer to carrier needs but not enterprise needs. As an aside, try this experiment if you have both an iPod and some Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone: Close your eyes. Then, take the iPod and navigate through various features such as volume control or going through a playlist (forward, backwards, pause, restart). Now, try the same thing with whatever Windows Mobile device using only one hand and, again, not looking. Pretty difficult, if not impossible, right? BTW, try creating a playlist on the Windows Mobile device? If your device is within two generations old, it is impossible. This feature was removed a while back. Now, try creating a playlist on your desktop/notebook and get it to your WM device. Cough cough. Done yet? Try it on your iPod using iTunes. Windows Mobile lost the race as a media device long ago. And, removing features didn’t help it over the past couple of upgrades. […]