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Topic: Windows

Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

Summary: Dilbert creator Scott Adams posts the results of a challenge by Microsoft to try a Windows Phone handset.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

A few weeks ago Dilbert creator Scott Adams took up a challenge offered by Brandon Watson, Senior Director of Windows Phone Apps - Try a Windows Phone handset, and if Adams didn't like it, Watson would donate $1,000 to charity. Today Adams has published his thoughts on Microsoft's mobile platform.

Note: For background read Uncommunication Devices and Windows Phone Challenge blog posts over on Adams' site.

Adams compares thee handsets:

  • iPhone 3GS/AT&T network
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android/Sprint network
  • Samsung Focus/Windows 7.5 (Mango)/AT&T network

So, what does he think? Here are his results:

CALL QUALITY

  • Samsung/Windows/AT&T: GOOD
  • iPhone/AT&T: FAIL (dropped almost every call over a minute)
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android/Sprint: FAIL (no dropped calls, but always garbled)

USER INTERFACE

  • Samsung/Windows: GREAT
  • iPhone: GOOD
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android: POOR

ONSCREEN KEYBOARD

  • Samsung/Windows: FAIL
  • iPhone: FAIL
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android: FAIL

BATTERY LIFE

  • Samsung/Windows: GOOD
  • iPhone: GOOD
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android: FAIL

APPS

  • Samsung/Windows: OKAY-ISH
  • iPhone: GREAT
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android: GOOD

INTANGIBLE COOLNESS FACTOR

  • Samsung/Windows: NONE
  • iPhone: GOOD
  • HTC EVO 3D/Android: GOOD

It seems that Adams likes the Windows Phone handset:

If you want a smartphone that is easy to use, performs well, has a good battery life, and doesn't frustrate you, the Windows phone is the best choice of the three options I tested. All you give up is some hipster credibility and access to lesser-used apps.

But that lack of coolness bothers Adams:

However, the intangible coolness factor is impossible to ignore. Even the names Microsoft and Windows feel dated. And the home screen of the Windows phone is great from a usability standpoint, but lacks sizzle. I'd be lying if I said that didn't matter to me.

It seems that Microsoft doesn't have to donate the $1,000 to charity. A win for Windows Phone.

One data point, and Adams himself admits that his 'situation is not typical' but it's interesting nonetheless.

What do you think?

Topics: Windows, Apps, HTC, iPhone, Microsoft, Mobile OS, Operating Systems, Smartphones, Software

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64 comments
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  • To each his own

    The man does write good comics though :)
    oncall
    Reply Vote

    • True......But.......

      @oncall
      I just dumped ATT because the service was so bad, both on calls and customer support. I tried several platforms, and Windows phones just plain s***. Apple was too expensive for what I needed, so I got an android and I have no issues with it so far.

      Ask someone else and they will have yet a different experience. This is a non article, just click bait.
      linux for me
      Reply Vote

    • What I don't get is why if he doesn't like vkeyboards he didn't get a Dell

      or one of the others with a physical keyboard. At least with WP there is that option
      Johnny Vegas
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @oncall
      an iPhone 3GS. How many years old is that? Didn't dare give him an iPhone 4.
      jorjitop
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

        @jorjitop

        My thoughts exactly. What's with the apples to oranges comparison?! Or rather, the apples to old moldy oranges comparison, considering the iPhone 3GS is almost 2 generations behind (iPhone 5 being almost at release time).
        josh92
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

    Try a HP webOS phone!
    mrye@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @mrye@... I was thinking the same thing.
      jgm@...
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @mrye@... The one that got canned today? haha. Even if it is a good OS, it's done.
      rlorenz
      Reply Vote

    • I wouldn't advise it

      Given the bad news about them dropping it. >_>
      Michael Alan Goff
      Reply Vote

    • A what? A deadOS phone?

      Thatd be as smart as buying a deadOS tablet. Maybe Best Buy will be giving those away soon since they have 100s of thousands that won't sell even at half price and 1000s more being returned. Sometimes it just seems like Leos skull is full of dirt. Sad for the once great HP.
      Johnny Vegas
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @mrye@...
      Too late!!!
      jorjitop
      Reply Vote

  • Windows Phone risks being discontinued

    All sales figures (eg Gartner) show that Windows Phone sales are small, and falling. The platform risks being cancelled. Then Microsoft would cut services to the phonr, like it did with Windows Mobile, Sidekick, Sine and Kin..
    Vbitrate
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @gjafg

      <i>"The platform risks being cancelled."</i>

      Are you serious?
      Rich Miles
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

        @Rich Miles After seeing what happened to webos, anything is possible..
        netguyvikas
        Reply Vote

      • At least...

        @Rich Miles
        it outperformed Kin. Single digit market share isn't going to cut the mustard for long term viability.
        jasonp@...
        Reply Vote

    • Like Google is getting out of search and Oracle is getting out of the DB business

      You'd have to be beyond stupid to believe that. You have to have a severely malfunctioning brain.
      Johnny Vegas
      Reply Vote

    • Not likely......

      @gjafg
      Microsoft is too stubborn to give up a product until hope for that product is long gone. How long did they hang onto Zune? Everyone called for Microsoft to give up on XBox because it was such a loser...Only recently it has turned around and is doing well.

      No...Microsoft will keep it's mobile for some time now.
      linux for me
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @gjafg : In your dream lol ... Microsoft Windows Phone is the smartphone future...
      EricDeBerg
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Scott Adams passes judgement on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone

      @gjafg : Microsoft will at minimum let 10 years of Windows Phone OS to see the performance of it...


      Don't boader, Microsoft will not Drop Windows Phone... don't be worry ... Microsoft is not a PC Machine builder so they risk nothing like HP ...
      EricDeBerg
      Reply Vote

  • Don't get the choice in UI

    Win Phone's UI is dated and horrible. Huge tiles and cut off text does not make good usability. Motorola tries it with the Gingerbread Droid X update and I hate it there too.

    I do agree Apple needs to do something about iOS's UI - it is looking dated. Android get's it 80% of the way there but I think there is a middle option that would be perfect.

    About the only thing about the Windows phone he liked was the UI and most of the world doesn't like it judging by the abysmal sales numbers.
    itguy10
    Reply Vote
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