Windows phone is certainly turning quite a few heads and is commanding respect from critiques and fanboys alike. Though the OS is packed with features certain necessary functions and features are missing.
I'm not gonna waste your time with the usual 'integrate skype, bring in dual cores, get more apps'. Instead there are a few other vital changes that could enhance the overall user experience and improve functionality. So here's my wish list:Reduce accidents: the capacitive keys on most windows phones have caused more problems by those oh-so frequent accidental clicks, ruining whatever you've been up to. Forcing OEMs to use inly hardware keys is not the solution, because not everyone wants hard keys. Long Zheng came up with a wonderful concept that reduces these errors while complying with the metro UI design principles. Come on Microsoft solve this major headache at least by tango update time.
Metro UI: Yes, this is the best UI available in the Market at the monent. Refreshing and a nice departure from the rather boring icons and homescreen design. Bit for how long can it stay fresh? Similar sentiments were there about the iOS design, but now it's stale and sickening to use (at least for me). Metro UI involves a more animated interface, with more animations, thus providing a rather dynamic experience compared to other UIs. But for how long will it be so. Backgrounds and custom colors are a start. Perhaps some themes and a place for everyone to share their own themes. These themes can involve a custom chosen background, font colour, font type and background theme.
Improve The Task Switcher: The task switcher in the Mango builds thus far include a fast app switcher and not a task manager. The difference between the two is that in the latter one can close apps while in that view. Although Windows Phone Mango will be able to kill apps in the background a bit of control will be welcomed. The first presentation of windows phone mango in MIX 11 said something of the likes of a flick up to kill apps in the multi-tasking view (accessed by a long press of the back button) I would prefer this over a long press and then tapping a cross or a minimize button, as It's more fluid and ties in well with the design aesthetic.
In-app Purchases: This has been a major thorn in windows phone's battle to the top. Why the mango update doesn't come with this feature still beats me. It's already present in iOS and Android and is definitely more economical than a buy and use. There are a few advantages of in-app purchases: developers can unlock certain special achievements etc after a small payment or on something similar lines to generate sales of the app initially and to sustain interest in it.
The second is, this will reduce spam apps. How? The users will be able to download the app first (eg. A map of some state or country) and if they want another place a new app won't be necessary as they will be able to use this app to purchase what they want. Otherwise the developer must make an app for all the states and this would be considered spamming.
Cover More Countries: Mango has unleashed the market place to many more developers and customers many countries. But those places don't cover half of the regions iOS covers. This has certainly affected windows phone's marketplace. There is untapped talent in many regions and there have been comments in the Windows Phone blog where devs from Romania and other small Balkan states have been lamenting the lack of a market-place for their apps and about certain other registration issues.
If there are too many countries to bring in, create centres where people of a particular region can register and become official developers.
Bump Screen Resolution: I've said this before, I'll say it again and I'll keep saying it. Bump the resolution to qHD. Adapt market place apps for it. This will improve the browsing experience and the general UX as the metro UI focuses on font and text rather than icons
VPN: This present in iOS and its absence is definitely felt by many a folks, especially by those living in countries with a nosy government. This is just one of those things that make the user stay away from your OS. Correct it Microsoft.
Device Level Encryption: As much as WinMo was enterprise focused, Windows Phone is consumer focused,to such an extent that it doesn't support device level encryption. This isn't a good thing. Everyone would want to protect their device. Though a Windows Phone handset's memory cannot be accessed if you connect it to a PC or a mac, encryption would be appreciated by enterprises and others alike.
Tethering: The most logical addition to a 4G radio, apart from a gigantic battery, is Wi-Fi and/or USB tethering. This is a much loved feature in Android and iOS and it's absence will be felt by even those outside the data sharing crowd.
USB Storage Mode: Windows Mobile had it, why doesn't windows phone. Maybe it's because of the ability to purchase music from the Zune marketplace. Maybe Microsoft doesn't want you or anyone else to 'illegally' share the music you've bought.
The solution: a partition in the built-in memory that could be accessed by the Zune software to store files that we would want to take with us to perhaps transfer to another PC or mac. To prevent illegal sharing let this be unable to store music, video and WP app formats. In other words a pen-drive mode while connecting to the PC.
File manager: The above point desires a folder to store files in a different folder that will be invisible in general use unless you wish to see it. To see it on the phone a file manager would be necessary. And along with seeing, perhaps the ability to transfer via bluetooth or send by mail. Come on guys, you were the ones who created Xplore, weren't you?
Status Bar: Currently, the status bar vanishes after a few seconds forcing users to tap the top of the screen to see it. Some like it, some don't. There must be an option to permanently set the bar if the user desires to. This should have been there since day one. Fix it ASAP Microsoft.
IE 10: There have been reports that H.264 files are unable to be played in the Mango browser. Not exactly a complete IE9 is it? This isn't a 'full' web experience. If you're advertising on the PC engine of IE9 then as a PC browser it should be able to do such tasks as well.
Flash: Android failed. Apple didn't dare. Windows Phone has another niche to settle down in if they get this right. Flash, controversy has never stopped surrounding it. While everything about moving towards HTML 5 maybe true, right now flash is what majority of the web is based on. With proper hardware acceleration it can work just fine (the Galaxy S II). Using it to run advertisements is senseless. No one is interested in having flash advertisements open in a web page. Instead keep it as a plugin that can be used when required. If certain security measures are taken flash will prove to be a boon to help boost WP sales.
Spam apps: Focus on cutting spam apps. Let there be only 20k apps, but make sure they are top notch. Penalize developers by not allowing them to get revenue for spam apps and let the max app limit be 5 for a developer per day.
Integrate Google+: With google+ already making a big footprint in the social scene, it is only natural that it should be integrated deeply into windows phone as are facebook, rwitter and linkedin. This will be a slap on el googs face if the integration in android is any less spectacular.
Windows Live: Make Windows Live a get-together centre for Windows Phone users and developers: a socializing spot for all Windows Phone users. A place that allows interaction with the Windows Phone team and other developers for customers. A quick way to solve problems, answer queries and a way to share apps and themes between fellow users.
Music Playback During Calls: Believe it or not this is a feature present in my current Symbian smartphone (Nokia 5230). I often use this during calls to avoid uncomfortable moments during conference calls (which largely involve gossip about girls, music and football). Just basic multi-tasking. I'm sure this feature would be appreciate by all and missed by me.
Keep The Interest Alive: Push WP through the imagine cup, etc.: this year Microsoft used it's imagine cup to promote windows phone. While some may consider it unethical it certainly is a better means of advertising and Windows Phone is definitely worth advertising.
Advertise Better: If you are using dual cores, specify why these will be better than the android and apple bunch and focus on your main advantage: the people centric interface (eg. with all hubs getting individual advts) and your next biggest advantaged: complete hardware acceleration. And most importantly let everyone know that this isn't WinMo as Windows 7 isn't Vista.
So, is this it or do you want to see something else in the next major iteration of Microsoft's latest operating system. Leave some comments to let us know.
