Microsoft's Windows Phone Is Now Bigger Than BlackBerry

Business Insider ^ | 05/16/2013 | Jay Yarrow

[SeekAndFind]

We're not sure if this is a good sign for Microsoft or a bad sign for BlackBerry, but Windows Phone is now the third largest smartphone operating system, according to IDC.

Since we're optimists, we'll say it's a good sign for Microsoft. It's trying to catch up to Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems. It has a very long way to go before it catches either of them, but it had to start somewhere. Perhaps this is the start of the most unlikely come-from-behind victory in history.

Here's the IDC numbers, via All Things D:

[SeekAndFind]

[BereanBrain]

I have one. (lumina 920).

It has three buttons.

I often find myself having to hold down the three buttons for 20 seconds. (this is the windows phone equivalent to ctrl-Alt-del).

If you miss blue screens, hangs, reboots, tacky graphic design, too many clicks to do one thing, and assumption that you are there to serve the hardware rather than the hardware serve you, then you are all set for...>>WINDOWS PHONE!!!

Also, don’t forget new Windows Phone OS revisions often lead to having to throw away the phone (now compatible updates). Unlike Apple/android where you can run the new stuff on an old phone...Very handy when you signed a 2 year commit, and 8 months later the NEW WINDOWS PHONE software does not support your 8 month old hardware. (this really happened).

Anybody that KNOWS anywhing or pays their own bills or is not REQUIRED to own a windows phone will not.

[Sparticus]

Huh. My Android phone freezes up and/or crashes all the time, too. Go figure.

[longtermmemmory]

(s) but when I hold my iphone, i have the magical ability to walk on water and heal the sick...(/s)

[Stentor]

Huh. My Android phone freezes up and/or crashes all the time, too. Go figure.

Do any tinkering? Note 2 runs like a racer.

[ConservativeInPA]

BB is being dropped like a brick. They really screwed themselves. Enterprises have to run two versions of BES, one for legacy BB devices and one for BB 10 if they want support their legacy devices and new BB 10 device. While BES 10 supports some management of Android and iOS devices, it doesn't have the track record of MobileIron, AirWatch and other enterprise mobility platforms. Plus, BES 10 does not support Windows Phone 8. A lot of large enterprise have a strong Windows footprint. They want to leave Windows Phone 8 as an option.

Meanwhile, BB has how many BB 10 devices? One with another on the way in the US. How many BB 10 tablets? Zero.

[stuartcr]

mine did too

[null and void]

I’m on the raggedy edge of getting a Lumia 822. You give me pause.

[Da Coyote]

“(s) but when I hold my iphone, i have the magical ability to walk on water and heal the sick...(/s)”

But you forgot the ability to apply stealth to my car.

Be that as it may, and as a totally EX-Microsoft user, none of my Apple computers/Ipads/Iphones has had problems. If they do, I’ll change.

[Wiggins]

My Android Phone use to freeze and crash all the time too. I got a Windows 8 phone now and I love it. It works fine for me and synchs up nice with SkyDrive.

[wyowolf]

I have been looking at the new Z10 when my contract is up. My EVO has been OK, but so far not as impressed with Android as I thought I would be.

Wife has an iPhone and its about the same as mine.

[Noumenon]

Samsung Galaxy Note 2. That’s my next smarty-pants phone.

Finally - a convergence of phone and PDA that makes sense.

[Erik Latranyi]

Most of the negative posts about Windows Phone come from non-user trolls.

I have a Nokia Lumia 920 and it is fantastic. Pictures are incredible, the OS is reliable and the phone works as it should.....not an afterthought.

[dangerdoc]

I picked up a galaxy s4 this week. I was going back and forth whether to get the Note 2 or not.

So far I’m pretty happy.

I will probably have regrets when the Note 3 comes out.

[X-spurt]

Lucky I did not read your post before I got my Nokia 920.

The 920 does have a few pesky issues, like slightly poorer reception in rural areas, but have never had the experiences you say.

Being my first smart phone, I listened to friends who had both iPhone and AnDroid, besides being significantly smaller than the 920, they all had lots of complaints.

[dangerdoc]

Windows phone looks OK on a phone, I was a little angry when they forced the interface on my new computer.

[Erik Latranyi]

Windows phone looks OK on a phone, I was a little angry when they forced the interface on my new computer.

I have the Surface Pro and it is fantastic interface for a tablet.

If you upgraded a desktop or laptop, then I can see the issue with not having a touchscreen.

They are making Version 8.1 that will allow you to boot into desktop mode.

Should be out within 90 days.

[dangerdoc]

I spent $5 and bypassed metro myself.

My laptop has a touch screen, Win 8 implementation is not great IMO. I have a two year old Asus Transformer and the combination of keyboard and touch screen is more intuitive and easier to use. I do a lot of work that requires filling in check boxes on web screens, it always works on the Transformer, it is hit and miss with Win 8.

[JCBreckenridge]

This post wins post of the day.

[Billthedrill]

I'll be looking for a new phone in September, and I'll definitely be considering a Windows phone. I have an Android now and have owned an iPhone, but I'm tired of dealing with big corporations.

;-)