[CopOnTheRun]

> Americans hate on Microsoft and so deprived themselves of the best mobile phone OS of ever.

I don't think that's a correct assessment for most Americans' opinions towards Microsoft.¹ I also don't think that's the reason Windows Phone never took off. When compared to iOS and Android, Windows Phone just didn't have the app ecosystem to compel people to buy them.

1 https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/2/21144680/verge-tech-survey...

[Spearchucker]

I believe the assessment to be true. Windows Phone was doing really well in Europe. It was Americans who refused to write those WP apps that were so desperately wanted.

[pilsetnieks]

Not even refused to write, refused to let them operate. Microsoft would have made apps for the major online services themselves, if they were allowed to. For example, they created a fairly decent Youtube app themselves but Google, owner of both Youtube and Android, simply refused it access to Youtube.

[jiofih]

> Windows Phone just didn't have the app ecosystem

Which is also a shame cause currently we have a torrent of crap in both app stores and nobody really bothers. All WP would need today is Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram and Maps to succeed.

[mjayhn]

I haven't used an Iphone since the Iphone 6 (2014) and I just got an Ipad a few months ago and I was absolutely blown away that the app store is still as bad as it was in 2014. I still have to go to 3rd party websites to actually filter out and find tags and the GOOD apps/games that don't make it to the front page of the app store.

It's wild. Maybe I have the same problem on android and I'm just so used to only using the apps I've known for the last 10+ years that I haven't realized it. I don't really game on Android like I do my ipad, that's where I started to realize I was just not finding things unless I went 3rd party site or found their name and searched directly for them.