Where's all the good stuff like iPhone and Android have?!

[chrisaroz]

I've had a PocketPC phone for YEARS and am amazed at the lack of software! Sure there's a ton of productivity and customization stuff, and a few games here and there, but one look at the iPhone and Android and I'm dumb-struck!

These phones have been out just over a year (for the iPhone) and less that a month for Android and they've already surp***** Windows Mobile in terms of small/useful/creative/free apps. How is this possible? A quick Google of "Best iPhone Apps" bring up a list of neat little things that Windows Mobile developers have never even thought of, not to mention all the games that utilize the accelermoter. We have, what, 2 or 3 games that are actually decent?

As large as the developer base is around Windows Mobile, I have to wonder why there's not more compelling programs out there. Hopefully I've just been looking in all the wrong places and you all can prove me wrong.

[BigDiesel07]

You just need to look in other places... lol... There are many great WM apps out there that are free...

Kinoma Freeplay
Opera and Opera Mini
Skyfire
Google Maps
and many more...

The thing that sets Android and Apple apart from WM is that they have an App store that centrally locates all the apps for those platforms... Rumor is that Microsoft is developing their own App Store... Also, there are those carrier branded apps...

[coolguy949]

Other than Shopsavvy, i've pretty much found equivalents to the cool software on the iphone and g1. What apps are you looking for? Maybe we can help find them for you. I've had my Touch Pro for 3 weeks now and have been making some nice software discoveries since.

[Lylej2k]

Originally Posted by BigDiesel07

Rumor is that Microsoft is developing their own App Store... Also, there are those carrier branded apps...

XDA is putting one together called gecko. First runs are online now. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=436127

[dannzeman]

Originally Posted by chrisaroz

I've had a PocketPC phone for YEARS and am amazed at the lack of software! Sure there's a ton of productivity and customization stuff, and a few games here and there, but one look at the iPhone and Android and I'm dumb-struck!

These phones have been out just over a year (for the iPhone) and less that a month for Android and they've already surp***** Windows Mobile in terms of small/useful/creative/free apps. How is this possible? A quick Google of "Best iPhone Apps" bring up a list of neat little things that Windows Mobile developers have never even thought of, not to mention all the games that utilize the accelermoter. We have, what, 2 or 3 games that are actually decent?

As large as the developer base is around Windows Mobile, I have to wonder why there's not more compelling programs out there. Hopefully I've just been looking in all the wrong places and you all can prove me wrong.

Its not much help if you don't tell us what kind of software you're looking for. Good games is pretty subjective. Are you the tic tac toe/solitar gamer or RPG gamer?

And as far as all the apps that take advantage of an accelerometer, what was the first non apple phone with one? The Touch Diamond? Pro?

If your phone has GPS there a ton of cool apps out there for that. I'd start searching here and at XDA. Beyond that just hit other forums and general google searches.

[chrisaroz]

Originally Posted by BigDiesel07

The thing that sets Android and Apple apart from WM is that they have an App store that centrally locates all the apps for those platforms... Rumor is that Microsoft is developing their own App Store... Also, there are those carrier branded apps...

That may be it. Trying to find apps is half the problem, then when you find one you ahve to install some special software to make it work - .NET 2/2.5/3.5/Soemthing else - it's crazy! I guess more than anything maybe I do just want a central point to look at software that I KNOW works on my phone without having to install extra stuff. I'll try the link Lylej2k posted.

Some of the things I'm wanting are the shopping app where you scan a barcode and it pulls up prices in your area (I found one that did the weird square ones, but that's not helpful). Other apps are things like Facebook, GPS things for seeing where friends are and just fun GPS things in general, other creative, fun little things.

As far as games, on the computer I play first-person shooters, but on this phone I was really expecting more acceromter-based things. I didn't realize the Diamond and Pro were the first WinMO phones with one so I guess that explains it, but I was really looking forward to some games that used it - golf, bowling, racing...

And HotSheep, I would've bought an iPhone but I'm on Sprint and can't switch carriers.

Thanks for your help everyone, this is why I love PPCGeeks!

[Lylej2k]

Originally Posted by chrisaroz

I'll try the link Lylej2k posted.



Thanks for your help everyone, this is why I love PPCGeeks!

just remember, the program i linked you to is in its very first stages.

[syrguy1969]

Originally Posted by chrisaroz

Some of the things I'm wanting are the shopping app where you scan a barcode and it pulls up prices in your area (I found one that did the weird square ones, but that's not helpful).

Would you mind posting the 'weird square ones' that you found? I can't remember the formal name for them, and you can't really do a good search without SOMETHING to go on!!! LOL

Thanks, and like the others mentioned...there are equivilants to just about every i-app out there, if you mention some in here, I bet they can be found!!!

[Lylej2k]

i think he's talkin about the program inigma. it reads those "new" barcodes. well i don't know how new they are but anyway....

[coolguy949]

I beleive they are called QR codes.