Windows Phone has a Ford Puma-like problem - everyone likes it but not many wants to buy it

Although the brand new Nokia Lumia 900 is selling like hot cupcakes at Amazon, it’s a fact that Windows Phone is still far, far behind iOS and Android. And while we’ve no doubts Microsoft will keep pushing its mobile platform, it’s still not clear that many users will jump on board. In fact, according to recent ABI Research’s survey, Windows Phone will grab meager 2% of app downloads this year with iOS and Android getting a lion’s share of the rest. So what’s the problem with Microsoft’s strategy?

Windows Phone has a Ford Puma problem

If you remember Ford Puma, you know what I’m talking about. It was (and still is) a beautiful car that everyone (or at least many) like but not many decided to buy. Windows Phone is very similar in that fashion – it’s a solid OS and it’s getting better with the day, but it’s a hard sell. The problem is that Google and Apple aren’t sleeping and are trying to make their respective mobile platforms better, as well. Add a number of apps and use cases and you see why folks are not that eager to go for Windows Phone over Android or iPhone. Most people have only one phone and if they had to choose, most will pick some HTC, Samsung, Motorola, LG or Apple-made product.

So how can Microsoft solve this?

It’s tricky. Ford never prepared a successor to Puma (as far as I know) because its sales were symbolic to say the least. Mobile phones are, of course, a different market but similarities are there nevertheless.

The question Microsoft needs to ask users is – what would it take for you to take Windows Phone device over some powered by iOS or Android? I’m not sure I have the answer, but I’m hoping Windows 8 will at least give us some clues… What do you think?

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

Bea S

If Windows 8 is the cue, then you wouldn’t want to buy any of the current Windows Phones that are incompatible with it.

Strange that Microsoft keeps “leaking” information about Windows 8 on phones, right at the launch time of Nokia’s Lumia 900, just to let people know what the next generation of handsets has, that this generation of Lumias does not.
- Anonymous
  
  All the apps in WP7 will work on WP8. Most average users won’t care about the new OS. Most users will buy a new phone when their contract is up and not wait for the next new thing (otherwise you end up just waiting and never buying).
  
  Also Nokia announced they sold 2million Lumias in the last quarter. That is very good considering their biggest market potential is the US and the Lumia only just came out a few days ago there. Also the device has not been launched in all markets and only recently in those that it is released in.
  
  I think the next few quarters are going to look even better. Remember this is the first time there has been some decent hardware vendor support and though they have a long way to go having this is a good start
- Anonymous
  
  Current Windows Phones are compatible with WIndows 8. In fact, I sync my Windows Phone regularly with a PC running the consumer preview of Windows 8.
  - Jimbo
    
    He’s talking about Windows *Phone* 8, not Windows 8, both of which are supposedly being released later this year.
    
    The scuttle butt about WP8 is that it’ll be a fragmentation issue; current owners of the Nokia Lumia likely won’t see any of the features or apps that will run on WP8.
    - http://profile.yahoo.com/GEH3OAKLSDZJ5463ZQ227FZ62Y Tommy
      
      What is a scuttle butt?
    - Anonymous
      
      “current owners of the Nokia Lumia likely won’t see any of the features or apps that will run on WP8.”
      
      Again, this is complete, baseless FUD.
      
      As I pointed out before, Microsoft has stated that each Windows Phone will receive two major updates. For the phones released last year, the first major update was 7.5 (Mango). Not only will new phones likely receive 8.0 as their first major update, but most prior generation phones will as well.
Dibyo

microsoft have already been asking users on the web that exact same question.
Anonymous

I do like the way it works and looks but something about it is a bit childlike/simplistic, a bit lego like, perhaps too simple? Its quite hard to quantify.. However if Windows Phone 8 has Windows 8 inside, hang the way it looks Id get it in an instant.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Gregory-Newman/100001803717276 Gregory Newman

I think Windows 8 will help because these Apollo class Windows smartphones will have all the high tech that the High end Android and Iphones have but what Microsoft really has to do is toeducate People about Metro tiles and tell People why they are designed the way they look and why they are better than dead Icons on Android and Iphones. People are less likely to look at Windows smart phones as being ugly looking if the know why they look that way. Personally I prefer metro tiles that can give information to the smart phone user than pretty little icons that show a person where to tap to get an app. I guess that’s all the imagination or tech some smart phone owners want oh well I am glad I not like that. folks Metro tiles are not going away the Window 8 operating system for Desktops, laptops, Servers, and Tablet computers will all have a Windows 7serie smart phone Metro tile like Start screen user interface. Get used to them. In fact Captain Kirk’s 60′s TV show Enterprise bridge uses Metro tiles to display data to the Enterprises crew. If you don’t believe me check out an old 60′s Startrek episode
http://www.nathanurbina.com/ Nathan

I was excited and I would have gotten a WP, but seems all the good ones are going to AT&T. Unfortunately, AT&T signal isn’t reliable here, so I had to move to an Android since Verizon only has a low end WP.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Scott/100002401159073 James Scott

I personally like the idea of being able to personalize my phones look to fit me, I can tell just by glancing at my N8 that it is mine, if you look at a Windows Phone and its Metro UI it could be anybody’s phone. The Metro UI really needs to allow more flexibility to personalize.
- Anonymous
  
  On my Windows Phone, my tiles are personalized to show exactly what I want them to show and how I want them to show it. The theme color flows very beautifully with the locks screen wallpaper and the color of the device.
  
  My Lumia 900 is truly my device!
  - Adrian
    
    In fact I can bet you $100 buck my phone and Gromanon phone looks nothing alike tile wise
- Steve
  
  Agree 100%. I use WP7 now but still consider going Android for the personalisation. Loosen up the WP7 and its complete for me.
Ryan Bordner

I agree with this article. I think the only thing wrong with the platform is the lack of flagship apps. And customization. Apps like, (Angry Birds Space, All Zynga Games, Instagram ECT) I think that if they had atleast 150,000 beautiful apps and all of the flagship apps, Microsoft would be able to come on top.
http://www.facebook.com/ThaddeusCJonesII Thaddeus C. Jones II

I’m just waiting for win phone 8 mainly because that will allow for more than 16GB of internal drive space. The current OS however is solid.. fast and fluid.
http://www.lovefreeiphone.com/ Free PS Vita & Free Gadgets

i agree there is an issue with windows phone sales
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Zahl/1670371040 Steven Zahl

People will naturally pick Icons over Tiles. It is a familiar thing to them.

Windows Phone = Learning Curve = Resistance
Droidfan

A year and half ago…the Metro tile look was fresh and sexy….now..not so much. And while it may be intuitive and easy and helpful and zippy and whatever other adjective you would like to insert..the look of a smartphone home page is still a big factor in peoples decision. And a big part of that look of a homepage has to do with the user making it uniquely theirs. Not just changing tile size, color scheme and moving them around. We’re talking pictures of the grandkids wallpaper and widgets to suit your every taste. We’re talking having as few icons or as many as you want. Folders if that rings your bell. And any combination and size and location on your homepages.

Now before you jump down my throat and say live tiles are the epitome of widgetry…that’s the thing…I have a specific widget from Beautiful Widgets that I have used since my og Droid. It sits in the middle of my primary home page. It has a clock, weather and day and date. All information I am keen to see first thing. Touch the time and it pulls up an alarm clock and a timer. Touch the day/date and my Google calendar comes up…with all the info I need about my day. Touch the weather and an Accuweather page pops up with all the weather info I follow and its up to date.
That my friend is choose and customization in a nutshell.

Which brings me to my final observation. WP7 is far more like an iPhone..than an Android phone. Which makes the iPhone its real competition. And that is the tough nut to crack.