Although the Windows App Store lags behind the Play Store in terms of quantity, what counts with apps is the quality and so far Windows phones have the basic necessities covered. Windows Phone is not an open source platform and Microsoft has a stricter criteria set than Google about which apps and games can populate their respective marketplaces.

Is it still worth buying a Windows phone? | Technology | The Guardian

As a result, the app store responds with superior and better apps, and cleaner options , than what Android apps can offer. They are consistent, gorgeous, minimalistic and in many cases, look better than they do on Android. Facebook integration on Windows Phone also makes it better than Android when it comes to tagging pictures. It also allows you to use your phone contacts as tags. You can switch between Facebook chat and normal text messaging with your contacts on Windows Phone. The mobile version is handy for on-the-go professionals. Android comes in so many shapes and sizes, so performance and quality are always a question.

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Windows Phone however works well on all levels of devices from the entry-level Lumia to the high-end Lumia without any noticeable lag whatsoever. Windows Phone allows you to check out your notifications from your lockscreen. Not only you can change Background pictures in Lock screen settings , but Windows Phones also allow the integration of live apps on the lockscreen.

Some of the better app integrations are Bing and Facebook.

Ecosystem wars

Bing displays the Bing Picture of the Day while Facebook displays photos from your albums. You can also choose from photos of yourself or create a selection of photos to be shown on your lockscreen. Another cool thing that you could do is to configure the lock screen to display artist information when playing music. Microsoft has worked hard to integrate Xbox functionality , meaning you can work with your console avatar to gain points, check your Gamerscore, message your friends and see your avatar.

All of the games run smoothly; even on the low end Nokia Lumia Phones, playing games is a breeze. Windows Phones allow users to pin whatever they want and how they want. The free upgrade also works with the Lumia , , , , XL, , and smartphones.

Is it still worth buying a Windows phone?

In fact, you could go one step further and enrol in the Windows Insider test program. In December, Microsoft said it was going to release a full version of Windows 10 for the fast eight-core Snapdragon processor. Traditional Windows software is written for Intel x86 processors, not for the ARM chips used in most smartphones. This approach is similar to the FX! Apple called it Rosetta.

Microsoft aims to enable PC manufacturers to create connected Windows 10 laptops with all-day battery life, but the could power Windows 10 smartphones and Microsoft HoloLens headsets as well. Microsoft already has Continuum , which enables a Windows 10 smartphone to provide a PC-like interface on a large screen display, but that only works with apps.

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Microsoft wants Apple iPhone and Android users to say exactly the same thing. In particular, Microsoft is integrating Cortana, its intelligent assistant, into these operating systems to help users to work seamlessly on documents when they switch between devices. The current battle is between the three major ecosystems backed by Apple, Google and Microsoft.

In an earlier answer , I wrote that: Both support only a very limited range of devices. By contrast, Microsoft is building an ecosystem that supports both on-premise and cloud operation, and that runs across all three ecosystems: It must cater for billions of iOS and Android users, not just Windows users. As you have noticed, there are not many Windows smartphones available.

Mobile options

This Android phone will be customised with Microsoft apps when you take it online. You could just buy an Android phone and do this yourself. I consulted fellow journalist Mary Branscombe, who is another happy user. She said: