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?
