"I believe in idea that Microsoft could unify it's platforms"
I really can't understand how that could ever be possible. Win32 API is fundamentally incompatible with touchs as all of the GUI-components have been designed for pixel-perfect pointing devices with a cursor. Ofc you could build a decent touch-interface with Win32 API, but there is no remedy that would magically transform old Win32-applications to touch-friendly apps. Every single application ever created for Windows needs a new UI to be usable on a touch devices. And if you can't transform old GUI's to work on touch, then what would be the benefit of "unifying" the platform? It'd be just like bringing OSX to dualcore A9 touchscreen device... You absolutely need software to be created from scratch to be usable on ARM / low power touch-devices.
This is why Metro was created. It's Microsofts platform for touch. Like iOS is Apple's.
I don't think Windows 8 failed per se. It's just that once you launch a new API / platform with completely new "everything" it takes years to catch up with the competition. Current Windows RT is for Windows tablets what Android 3.0 and older was for Android tablets. Horrible, because it needs customised applications. At least Win RT metro runs nicely instead of being choppy as hell like android was before project butter. It took years for Google. It'll take years for MS.
Just stick to metro / modern ui, forget desktop usage, wait a year and Windows 8.x is going to be mostly fine for tablet usage. Regardless if it's RT or "normal". Windows 8 tablet with addon-keyboard and a pointing device will functions as a laptop as well, if you are into such things. Apparently quite a few people aren't, as pc-sales are tanking.
WP8 still suffers from lousy multitasking that even Apple fixed some time ago, but other than that, I'm starting to believe that the app-selection and general usability is starting to reach the "good enough" plateau. What are the real problems for you not to be able to use WP8 as a smartphone? For me it would be the lousy appsupport for SSH / SCP, but I'd assume that it's not a problem for most people.
Personally I run Nexus 4 with stock rom, 3rd gen Ipad and and 15" MBP dualbooting OSX/Windows with Windows and Linux VM's as my PC. All of the platforms excel at different tasks.
I'd like to second one of your points (although I agree with most of your post). Be specific, Brian! I believe you when you say there are showstoppers and missing apps within Windows Phone 8, but I would like to know what they are. Every now and again on the podcast when you dismiss WP8, give some reasons. Thanks! Keep up the great show, and I'm looking forward to the 1020 review, as well as more podcasts.
Hmmm... the purpose of "a smartphone is to drive you to the desktop" makes no sense. If that is the case no one will buy a Windows phone just use a Windows desktop and buy a Android or iOS phone. I have an iPhone and I only use as a smart phone (browser, searches, games) when I am moving fast. At home or on the road I usually use a tablet. Or during work hours I use a laptop/desktop.
I don't agree with this idea at all. I use my Lumia 920 way more than I did my iPhone. And with my iPhone I constantly had to go to my computer for music because I didn't want to buy music through iTunes or use iTunes to manage my library. I had a Zune music subscription that was wothless on the iPhone and awesome on my windows phone.
also on iPhone your browser constantly gets redirected to cut down crappy smartphone websites and that doesn't happen much on IE10 on my windows phone. Especially because you can change your user agent to desktop mode.
I agree with the above poster. Every podcast you guys talk about windows phone you call it a feature phone and have a "long list" of missing stuff. Can you please ever get specific? You guys deserve the negative "fanboi" responses you get when you never once get specific about what you dislike.
The lack of detail on the windows phone commentary just reminds me of Anand's criticism of Tesla Model S reviews. The reason I've read this site for a decade is the quality of thorough reviews.. Which hasn't happened at all for windows phone. Its just a weird stark contrast.
sell me on android! Tell me what it has that windows phone doesn't! Something I would notice, not CPU specs or apps I don't use. I almost purchased an HTC One X but decided not to due to 16 GB of storage. Now I have windows phone. I could switch next purchase but I need reasons to do so. Not anecdotes.
examples: -the lack of quality xbmc remote apps means I still use my iPhone to control xbmc -my bank USAA doesn't have a win phone 8 app so I still deposit checks with my iphone -google services are poorly supported (lack of exchange sync) so I switched to outlook.com instead if Gmail. Although they implements googles replacements in GDR2 which I don't have yet
This is exactly why I just unsubscribed from this "podcast" and website because I really don't want to be brainwashed by some Apple & Android fanboys who can't be specific what's wrong with the platform.
I just got through listening to the first part (episode 22) of the double header. I really appreciate the smaller file size. There is virtually no difference in quality, and now I take a smaller hit to my data cap on those occasions I'm downloading over LTE on my HTC One and not via passthrough or WiFi.
Also, I listened to the two Brian Klug podcasts with Rene Ritchie of iMore. I like the cross-platform discussions and roundtables, it would be great to see more inter-site podcasts and discussions about technology and where manufacturers and developers are taking us in the next few years.
"At some point" Microsoft might be worried about cannibalization? It was the whole reason why they didn't port WP8 to tablets, and instead went with a more crippled version of Windows 8 (Windows RT), so they can charge $90 to OEM's for it, instead of $10.
But this has backfired anyway, because $90 licenses, and the more expensive hardware needed to pair with Windows RT, which makes such tablets very uncompetitive with Android tablets, and even iPads (which tend to have better specs at the same price, too - no "retina" in Surface RT? Really, Microsoft?).
The point about friction on windows phone is exactly the opposite of what I have found. I am surprised how often I don't bother to pick up my Android 4.1 tablet and use my Lumia 920 instead. The interface is better and I don't notice any speed deficiency. Android has a lot of friction to me, and it seems like some sites work well with one browser while others like another. In fact sometime I use my windows phone even when I am very close to a full blown pc. My wife even uses her old Samsung focus rather than picking up the tablet or using her pc way more often than I expected.
If you're using your phone, check out podcast apps which allow for streaming/downloading of podcasts specifically. If you're on Android, I recommend PocketCasts, but there are numerous options.
I disabled WIFI and had Synology DS Cloud syncing with my NAS... enabled over 3G...
in 1 hour the 3G syncing had swallowed 40% battery on my HTC One
I've had multiple experiences where the Phone gets extremely hot and the battery drains like 1% every 20 seconds ... mostly while browsing the internet.
The episodes has somewhat stopped after getting 4.2.2 - but the batterydrain is still extreme on the HTC One :-(
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dishayu - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
Why always on fridays? :(They are the best things to listen to during commutes but I don't want to wait till monday to listen to them. :\
xTRICKYxx - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
First World Problems....Death666Angel - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
There is nothing on this site that you cannot describe that way.REALfreaky - Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - link
My god...sherlockwing - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
Thanks for the podcast, I still await the 2 hour podcast with Ian to talk about Z87 motherboards, Haswell & 840 EVO.zepi - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
"I believe in idea that Microsoft could unify it's platforms"I really can't understand how that could ever be possible. Win32 API is fundamentally incompatible with touchs as all of the GUI-components have been designed for pixel-perfect pointing devices with a cursor. Ofc you could build a decent touch-interface with Win32 API, but there is no remedy that would magically transform old Win32-applications to touch-friendly apps. Every single application ever created for Windows needs a new UI to be usable on a touch devices. And if you can't transform old GUI's to work on touch, then what would be the benefit of "unifying" the platform? It'd be just like bringing OSX to dualcore A9 touchscreen device... You absolutely need software to be created from scratch to be usable on ARM / low power touch-devices.
This is why Metro was created. It's Microsofts platform for touch. Like iOS is Apple's.
I don't think Windows 8 failed per se. It's just that once you launch a new API / platform with completely new "everything" it takes years to catch up with the competition. Current Windows RT is for Windows tablets what Android 3.0 and older was for Android tablets. Horrible, because it needs customised applications. At least Win RT metro runs nicely instead of being choppy as hell like android was before project butter. It took years for Google. It'll take years for MS.
Just stick to metro / modern ui, forget desktop usage, wait a year and Windows 8.x is going to be mostly fine for tablet usage. Regardless if it's RT or "normal". Windows 8 tablet with addon-keyboard and a pointing device will functions as a laptop as well, if you are into such things. Apparently quite a few people aren't, as pc-sales are tanking.
WP8 still suffers from lousy multitasking that even Apple fixed some time ago, but other than that, I'm starting to believe that the app-selection and general usability is starting to reach the "good enough" plateau. What are the real problems for you not to be able to use WP8 as a smartphone? For me it would be the lousy appsupport for SSH / SCP, but I'd assume that it's not a problem for most people.
Personally I run Nexus 4 with stock rom, 3rd gen Ipad and and 15" MBP dualbooting OSX/Windows with Windows and Linux VM's as my PC. All of the platforms excel at different tasks.
TL;DR just my $0.02
evonitzer - Saturday, July 20, 2013 - link
I'd like to second one of your points (although I agree with most of your post). Be specific, Brian! I believe you when you say there are showstoppers and missing apps within Windows Phone 8, but I would like to know what they are. Every now and again on the podcast when you dismiss WP8, give some reasons. Thanks! Keep up the great show, and I'm looking forward to the 1020 review, as well as more podcasts.mebby - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
Hmmm... the purpose of "a smartphone is to drive you to the desktop" makes no sense. If that is the case no one will buy a Windows phone just use a Windows desktop and buy a Android or iOS phone. I have an iPhone and I only use as a smart phone (browser, searches, games) when I am moving fast. At home or on the road I usually use a tablet. Or during work hours I use a laptop/desktop.skiboysteve - Saturday, July 20, 2013 - link
I don't agree with this idea at all. I use my Lumia 920 way more than I did my iPhone. And with my iPhone I constantly had to go to my computer for music because I didn't want to buy music through iTunes or use iTunes to manage my library. I had a Zune music subscription that was wothless on the iPhone and awesome on my windows phone.also on iPhone your browser constantly gets redirected to cut down crappy smartphone websites and that doesn't happen much on IE10 on my windows phone. Especially because you can change your user agent to desktop mode.
I agree with the above poster. Every podcast you guys talk about windows phone you call it a feature phone and have a "long list" of missing stuff. Can you please ever get specific? You guys deserve the negative "fanboi" responses you get when you never once get specific about what you dislike.
skiboysteve - Saturday, July 20, 2013 - link
The lack of detail on the windows phone commentary just reminds me of Anand's criticism of Tesla Model S reviews. The reason I've read this site for a decade is the quality of thorough reviews.. Which hasn't happened at all for windows phone. Its just a weird stark contrast.sell me on android! Tell me what it has that windows phone doesn't! Something I would notice, not CPU specs or apps I don't use. I almost purchased an HTC One X but decided not to due to 16 GB of storage. Now I have windows phone. I could switch next purchase but I need reasons to do so. Not anecdotes.
examples:
-the lack of quality xbmc remote apps means I still use my iPhone to control xbmc
-my bank USAA doesn't have a win phone 8 app so I still deposit checks with my iphone
-google services are poorly supported (lack of exchange sync) so I switched to outlook.com instead if Gmail. Although they implements googles replacements in GDR2 which I don't have yet
thanks
CroceaMors - Sunday, July 21, 2013 - link
This is exactly why I just unsubscribed from this "podcast" and website because I really don't want to be brainwashed by some Apple & Android fanboys who can't be specific what's wrong with the platform.CroceaMors - Sunday, July 21, 2013 - link
BTW. I have an iPhone 4 which is laying at my desk drawer but I use my Nokia Lumia 920 "feature phone" for my personal use.Crono - Friday, July 19, 2013 - link
I just got through listening to the first part (episode 22) of the double header.I really appreciate the smaller file size. There is virtually no difference in quality, and now I take a smaller hit to my data cap on those occasions I'm downloading over LTE on my HTC One and not via passthrough or WiFi.
Also, I listened to the two Brian Klug podcasts with Rene Ritchie of iMore. I like the cross-platform discussions and roundtables, it would be great to see more inter-site podcasts and discussions about technology and where manufacturers and developers are taking us in the next few years.
Krysto - Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - link
"At some point" Microsoft might be worried about cannibalization? It was the whole reason why they didn't port WP8 to tablets, and instead went with a more crippled version of Windows 8 (Windows RT), so they can charge $90 to OEM's for it, instead of $10.But this has backfired anyway, because $90 licenses, and the more expensive hardware needed to pair with Windows RT, which makes such tablets very uncompetitive with Android tablets, and even iPads (which tend to have better specs at the same price, too - no "retina" in Surface RT? Really, Microsoft?).
miahshodan - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - link
The point about friction on windows phone is exactly the opposite of what I have found. I am surprised how often I don't bother to pick up my Android 4.1 tablet and use my Lumia 920 instead. The interface is better and I don't notice any speed deficiency. Android has a lot of friction to me, and it seems like some sites work well with one browser while others like another. In fact sometime I use my windows phone even when I am very close to a full blown pc. My wife even uses her old Samsung focus rather than picking up the tablet or using her pc way more often than I expected.skiboysteve - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - link
Apparently you're in the majority of windows phone users... Which don't include Anand and Brian.Hrel - Thursday, July 25, 2013 - link
Is there a download link somewhere so I can listen to this in my car?ooddiittyy - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
If you're using your phone, check out podcast apps which allow for streaming/downloading of podcasts specifically. If you're on Android, I recommend PocketCasts, but there are numerous options.ooddiittyy - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
Also, at least in Chrome I'm seeing download links right below the main episode player.Montago - Sunday, August 4, 2013 - link
Hey Brian...I disabled WIFI and had Synology DS Cloud syncing with my NAS... enabled over 3G...
in 1 hour the 3G syncing had swallowed 40% battery on my HTC One
I've had multiple experiences where the Phone gets extremely hot and the battery drains like 1% every 20 seconds ... mostly while browsing the internet.
The episodes has somewhat stopped after getting 4.2.2 - but the batterydrain is still extreme on the HTC One :-(
flashbacck - Wednesday, August 7, 2013 - link
"Microsoft isn't slow, we're fast followers" <- Words spoken to me by multiple Microsoft employees. The Koolaid is strong over there.Lunk - Tuesday, September 3, 2013 - link
Did you just remove Podcasts from the front page? Is this the end of these fantastic podcasts?