Windows Phone is Improving, But not Quite There Yet

In October 2010, The world got to witness a new operating system for smartphones developed by Microsoft known as "Windows Phone 7" (The numeric "7" because this OS was the successor of Windows Mobile OS whose last released version was dubbed as Windows Mobile 6.5). Though, "Windows Phone 7" never intended to compete with Blackberry OS like its Predecessor "Windows Mobile" But was rather interested in giving "Android" and "iOS" a run for their money.

Surely, I have to admit that I was really mesmerized by the User Interface (UI) of the Windows Phone 7 when I first used it. The Metro UI with Live Tiles looked so elegant to the eyes with its neat and simplistic approach. But soon after using my "Samsung Omnia W" smartphone for just a few days, I realised it lacked certain basic abilities like ability to Copy/Paste text, WiFi Tethering, USB mass storage, etc all of which which were so basic that even my Samsung Galaxy Pop which ran on android gingerbread 2.3 at that time could do with so much ease.

Later in 2011, With the release of Windows Phone 7.5 update (Popularly known as "Mango" update) microsoft introduced the Copy/paste feature to Windows Phone OS along with tons of new features notably Twitter and LinkedIn integration in the People hub, FB Chat integration, Picture of the artist to be displayed on the lock screen when a music track is playing, Turn-by-Turn navigation and voice guidance in Bing maps. Though, despite these improvements this update still lacked that USB mass storage feature for which most users crave for in order to use their smartphones just like as a pen drive, at least in the developing countries.

The Windows Phone 7.8 released in Feb,2013 was more of a complementary release for the users of smartphones running Windows Phone 7.5 since they could not be updated to the then in works "apollo" update which would later be known as Windows Phone 8 OS due to changes in the kernel requirements and hardware specifications. This complementary release provided the user with the option to use WiFi tethering and to be able to customize their smartphones with "20" new accent colors for Metro UI.

In 2012, Microsoft released its most popular version of Windows Phone operating system yet the Windows Phone 8 OS, codenamed "Apollo". The most interesting thing about this new version was that it completely removed the need for "Zune integration" and brings in the much needed USB mass storage feature.
The Most recent Windows Phone 8.1 OS ("Blue" update) is all set to be unveiled by microsoft in just few weeks, probably in April and is expected to bring in new features like IE11 with HTML5 videos support, improved multitasking, Notification Centre, Support for On-screen buttons (Till now manufacturers have been using physical buttons to perform Back, Home and Search functions on windows phone devices), Support for VPN, Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth 4.0.

If you want to try a Windows Phone but have been holding the urge inside then you might want to take a look at what a windows phone is capable of-

- Windows platform is so lite and well performing that it does not require high specification for smooth functioning, Windows phone OS is so lightweight that due to which dual core processor can be use instead of quad core processor and without any loss to speed. Essentially, close to "NO LAG" is what I am hinting at.

- Camera/Photography -. Best camera you can find in a mobile device hands down (especially in the higher end Lumia's).

- Office Integration - In this department windows phones are quite ahead of its other competition as Windows Phone devices comes preloaded with MS office with is one of the most important software if you work on MS word or excel.

- Metro UI is definitely a treat to the eyes and is simple, clean and customizable as you can customize the live tiles according to your requirement ranging from small, medium or large.

But Surely all of the above points cannot justify the fact that the Windows Phone is still far behind the competition and lacks the following -

- Third Party Applications cannot be installed

- Launchers

- "OK GOOGLE NOW" or "Siri" like Voice Search feature (Though I know Microsoft is developing "Cortana")

- App count is no where near the apps available in the Apple or Google play stores.

- No Notification Centre (on Top Notification just come and go, hardly stays for 3 seconds, No way to access them later).

- It lacks notification lights (Though its more of hardware limitation but manufacturers can surely be more aggressive to make sexier Windows Phones, assuming notification lights make them look sexier or sleek and premium if thats not the word).

-No Rooting Access like in Android Smartphones(even the iOS can be jailbroken)

and it lacks many other essential features too but now I won't eat up much of your time and with that I conclude that while "Windows Phone is improving, But is not Quite there now" in the league of "iOS" or "Android" based phones Yet. Period.

Nokia Lumia 520 Running on Windows Phone 8