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PC Mag reviews iPhone OS 2.0: Still a niche player, Microsoft Windows Mobile remains Editors’ Choice
Friday, July 11, 2008 - 04:10 PM EST

Photoshop Elements 6 250x250"Welcome to the computing world, Apple iPhone and iPod Touch—we've been waiting for you. Distributed via iTunes and timed with the July 11th release of the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade opens up the iPhone and iPod Touch to third party software. That makes the iPhone—which has always had a PC-class operating system—into a true handheld personal computer, capable of doing many different things. The upgrade adds some other useful features, but the App Store is the big deal here and that is why you should upgrade immediately," Sascha Segan reports or PC Magazine.

MacDailyNews Take: Make that "Mac-class," Sascha.

Segan continues, "The App Store is, far and away, the best way to find and buy applications for a mobile device. By centralizing application discovery and putting it on every phone and in every copy of iTunes, Apple has made mobile apps easier to find and use than ever before."

"Even if you're not planning to add any apps (and why not?) there are still reasons to upgrade. The most important, for many business people, is Microsoft Exchange syncing. The iPhone syncs over the air, two ways, with Microsoft Exchange 2003 SP2 or later servers. We tried it with an Exchange 2007 server, and it gave us push email quickly and efficiently. You can turn on mail, calendar, and contact syncing separately," Segan reports.

"In terms of the smart phone operating system marketplace, the iPhone is still a niche player. Microsoft's Windows Mobile remains our Editors' Choice because it's available on a much wider range of devices, and has an even wider range of software and capabilities than iPhone 2.0 does. Nonetheless, the iPhone 2.0 upgrade is a must-get for any iPhone owner, who can download it for free, or even iPod Touch users, who must pay the reasonable fee of $10. The new apps in the App Store will make you look at both devices a whole new way," Segan reports.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Niche. They love the word "niche." It's all they have left. Using it makes them feel better about choosing inferior crap in order to save a nickel upfront.

With more and more people switching away from Microsoft garbage (desktop, notebook, and mobile devices), PC Magazine faces the very real prospect of becoming the equivalent of Typewriter Magazine. Our guess is that they recognize their perilous situation all too well. It's lucky for them that they love the word "niche" so much.

Microsoft's Windows Mobile is feces compared to iPhone's OS X 2.0. That's simply a statement of fact. Steve Ballmer couldn't get his 85-year-old uncle to line up with him in Redmond for one of those slabs of crap, much less generate hundreds of thousands of people lining up and camping out in countries around the globe!

Now, if being a so-called "niche player," bars one from gaining PC Magazine's vaunted "Editor's Choice" award, then why does Firefox warrant PC Magazine's "Editors' Choice", but Internet Explorer does not? Or, for that matter, why does Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard get an "Editors' Choice" designation from PC Magazine while Windows Vista goes lacking?

Logic can be such a bitch, huh, Sasch?

If PC Magazine is going to come up with lame-ass excuses for not awarding their "Editors' Choice," they ought to at least employ some consistency, lest they render their "award" completely meaningless.

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Jul 11, 08 - 03:15 pm Comment from: firstgasm

People are retarded, MDN.

And they are EVERYHWERE.

w00t!

Jul 11, 08 - 03:18 pm Comment from: Blue Dream

"an even wider range of software and capabilities than iPhone 2.0 does"

These guys pants are on fire...lightning is gonna strike.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:22 pm Comment from: Jubei

Awww poor fellah. Someone needs a hug. Quick call Ballmer, specially when he's all sweaty and overexcited.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:24 pm Comment from: HMCIV

We can take this review with a grain of salt. I hear PC World's sister magazine, $$ World still has Franny May & Freddie Mac as their Editors' Choice for top Mortgage Lenders.

So much for that.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:25 pm Comment from: ElderNorm

Hmmmmm
""In terms of the smart phone operating system marketplace, the iPhone is still a niche player. Microsoft's Windows Mobile remains our Editors' Choice because it's available on a much wider range of devices, and has an even wider range of software and capabilities than iPhone 2.0 does"

While I "can" put a saddle on a wide range of animals (elephant, sheep, alligator, llama, etc) our preferred animal is a horse (apple ?)

And as for a wider range of software and capabilities.... Hmmmmm maybe. But me and most of the world have never heard of software for windows mobile phones that we can load and use. Bill must be keeping that stuff secret. grin

en

Jul 11, 08 - 03:25 pm Comment from: SCY

Even if the folks at PC Mag don't like the iPhone, naming Windows Mobile as Editor's Choice is a joke...the Blackberry is far superior to Windows Mobile

Jul 11, 08 - 03:25 pm Comment from: Crazylegs

What would expect from PC Magazine?

Jul 11, 08 - 03:27 pm Comment from: HMCIV

Oh and while I'm at it, why does MDN need to compare iPhone and Windows Mobile to determine Windows Mobile is feces? Why not just compare Windows Mobile to Bird $hit?

The answer will stay the same.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:29 pm Comment from: eMax

Look, if windows mobile didnt have more stuff available currently for it then the iPhone 2.0 did at launch then there would be a huge problem.

iPhone has just hit warp speed and its going to blow by everyone else in no time flat.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:29 pm Comment from: JAYGEE

Google's Android will be on a wide range of hardware. Should be interesting to see if the editor changes his choice from Windows Mobile, to Google's Android.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:31 pm Comment from: Bunsen Honeydew

You know what else is the editor's choice?
• Being insane
• Denial
• Delusions
• Steaming Hot Crap
• Blue Screens
• Retaining employment under the name "PC. . . . ".
• Camping out for a week for an HTC, even though . . . . . you know what I mean

Dickwaad!

Jul 11, 08 - 03:34 pm Comment from: Zune Tang®

Finally someone with the guts to tell the truth. Thank you Sascha for courageously setting the record straight. All of those glowing reviews of I-Phone 2.0 from illiterate astroturfers were making me sick. Truth is the puny market share I-Phone is about to be trounced by mighty Windows Mobile. On phones with real buttons that work in the enterprise. Suck it, MAC dorks, nobody is interested in your Windows Mobile wannabe phones. Anybody can wait in line. Is anyone actually buying these pieces of crap?

Your potential. Our passion.™

Jul 11, 08 - 03:35 pm Comment from: Bunsen Honeydew

oh . . . . I forgot

Also on the editor's choice list

• phones with 1.5"X1.5" screens and buttons

(Yeah i've been loving using my razr between selling my 2.5 and buying my 3g. Makes me feel at home)

Jul 11, 08 - 03:36 pm Comment from: R2

MDN destroyed his argument by finding those other Editors' Choice awards.

Sascha Segan is usually cool but he's a dick for that one.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:39 pm Comment from: Richie

Duh. iPhone is considered a Smart Phone which is a nitch market. Editors choice should be for the phone that is best in the catagory, not which platform is available on the most phones.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:41 pm Comment from: Goople

slippery thig comparing Windows Mobile to iPhone...one is software one is a device. A nice psychological marketing scenario that SJ has set up....like MAC vs PC. People aren't going to go shopping for Windows Mobile, they are shopping for phones.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:41 pm Comment from: Alex Mckenna

Windows Mobile is NOT "feces"....

It's FAECES... faecal matter... Poo... plop... shite... excrement!

Now I will shut my potty mouth

Jul 11, 08 - 03:42 pm Comment from: dd

And who wouldn't want Mobile Viruses?

Eric Willard is a moron.
Billy Gates is a moron.
PC Mag Editor is a moron.
♫♪♪♫♫♫♪

Jul 11, 08 - 03:47 pm Comment from: NCIceman

Note that their only detriment with the iPhone OS is that it only runs on the iPhone. A silly statement, to review the OS separate from the device. Together they are the best mobile platform out there, period. Windows Mobile might be more portable currently, but that doesn't make it better.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:47 pm Comment from: SCY

I never understand these people that get so worked up about these things like ZuneTag, what are you a shareholder or something. If you dont like it dont buy it. Imagine somebody getting this worked up over a DVD player, pick-up truck or lawn mower. Buy what you like and save the tirades for the psychiatrist's office.

In any case these are the facts

Q1 2008 Smartphone Marketshare:
Palm: 13.4%
Apple: 19.2%
RIM: 44.5%
Other (includes Windows Mobile, Symbian, etc): 22.9%

Jul 11, 08 - 03:48 pm Comment from: Raving MacHead

iPhone is great for those who need it!

Go for it. But price wise take a look at this.

$30 one time payment for a phone and less than $20 a month for minutes if you use them and as you use them.

Use your laptop for nearly everything the iPhone does and more.

No monthly payments, no destroyed credit if you miss a payment.

Wouldn't a iPhone of this nature be prefect for nearly everyone?

1: A cheap flip iPhone

2: Present version

3: Deluxe version with larger screen, computer functions and more storage/memory/performance.

4: All on pay as you use minutes, from iTunes. Charge it up and go!

DREAM ON!! Apple could rule the mobile market with this approach.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:49 pm Comment from: NCIceman

PS had lunch with a Microsoft employee today, asked how they liked Monkey Boy being in charge...that nickname was news to them. Apparently Ballmer has always been a sweaty hyperboy, we just didn't get to see it until they made him ringleader of the circus.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:49 pm Comment from: Richie

General Motors (GM) is Editors Choice for the best cars in the world. They make the most cars, therefore, they have the best cars.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:51 pm Comment from: Zune Tang®

Finally someone with the guts to tell the a bold face lie. Thank you Sascha for courageously showing everyone that fear is running high and the cover from the storm is quickly being ripped away. All of those glowing reviews of Windows Mobile from illiterate astroturfers were making me sick. Truth is the puny market share Windows Mobile is about to be trounced by mighty iPhone and its revoluntionary app. store. On phones with real flexibilty in GUI minus the little plastic buttons that break and now the iPhone works in the enterprise-BEWARE RIM. Suck it, PC dorks, nobody is interested in your iPhone wannabe phones. Anybody can wait in line trying to find software for a Windows Mobile. Is anyone actually buying these pieces of crap?

Your potential. Our Blunder.™

Jul 11, 08 - 03:51 pm Comment from: Woot!

writen on my new iPhone. Awesome smile

Jul 11, 08 - 03:52 pm Comment from: Eric

To be perfectly frank, though I have never owned or used regularly, and never will, a Windows Mobile Device, if there are thousands of business class applications, or even a couple hundred...

Even with all the HIGHLY obvious flaws in Windows Mobile, it does deserve the PC MAG Editors Choice award TODAY, simply because the majority of the apps on the iPhone are novelties and little more... Most I have tried out so far are rather weakly implemented, badly designed novelties and a few are riddled with siome rather lame flaws that make me wonder if anyone at Apple actually tried them at all before approving them.


However, that said, I think that it is VERY likely that over the course of the coming months, this will radically change. salesforce.com's tool alone is an excellent example of a serious business tool that sets the bar (for the moment) and will surely be surpassed soon.

Windows Mobile is already far behind on user interface design, usability, and ease of obtaining applications, upgrading, managing, etc. It's just going to take a few months for the worthwhile iPhone apps to roll out and the current ones to improve...

Is the game over? Hardly. The fact that there are two devices running iPhone OS X 2.0 currently does mean there is an edge for Windows Mobile, and will certainly restrain the iPhone's growth in many corporate environments, but we're now only on day 2 of the iPhone saga and I doubt Apple will rest on the seventh day like some lazy imaginary supreme being.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:58 pm Comment from: john

Lets face it, Apple locks down the app store so not anyone can sell apps for the iPhone, supposedly to ensure that quality is maintained, yet that same iron grip on the iPhone has led to a massive failure in the iPhone registration system today....

Apple is its own worse enemy.

Jul 11, 08 - 03:58 pm Comment from: Grifterus

@Eric,

I'll tell you as soon as I try Salesforce.com on my iPod Touch.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:05 pm Comment from: BC Kelly

"Typewriter Magazine"


THAT's a good one MDN


wink


(damn, can't get the silly emoticon thingys working :-(



BC

Jul 11, 08 - 04:05 pm Comment from: collie

You just sound angry.

Great job reporting.

I'm a big mac fan - don't get me wrong. But did you ever think that people think we're ridiculous rabid fanboys because all our news sources tend to counter logical arguments with 'oh yeah? well here's some irrelevant facts, ASSHOLE.'

Sorry. Try being an actual journalist in the future so people will care.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:09 pm Comment from: Macromancer

He's also recommending Windows 95 and Syquest drives for removable storage.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:11 pm Comment from: Macromancer

"it's available on a much wider range of devices"

that all have crappy interfaces

", and has an even wider range of software and capabilities than iPhone 2.0 does."

but you can't really use it well because the interfaces suck.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:13 pm Comment from: dd

Typewriter Magazine

Love it. :D

Jul 11, 08 - 04:14 pm Comment from: Macromancer

"I never understand these people that get so worked up about these things like ZuneTag,"

Perhaps that's because you haven't been here long enough to realize that Zune Tang is satire. He does it deliberately for a laugh.
The outlandish nature of his comments should make that clearer over time. In the mean time, enjoy his humorous take.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:17 pm Comment from: SCY

Aah...satire well I'll just shut up a read from now on

Jul 11, 08 - 04:22 pm Comment from: Petey

I wonder how much Microsoft paid PC world to write this crap.

I get the impression the the alleged 'journalist' is a PC coolaid fanatic.

I sense jealousy and fear in his writing.

Just gotta love people who stick their head in the sand.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:26 pm Comment from: Gabriel

I'm convinced that there are technology writers out there whose minds are frozen in a 90s mindset. Back then, they decided that Apple (if it managed to survive) would forever be a "niche" player. I'm sure there are still plenty of these folks who would, with a straight face, still describe the iPod as a "niche" product. They simply can't understand or admit just how dominant Apple really is with the iPod.

As an example of this, there was a recent study done showing that the first-generation iPhones were being sold primarily to people who already owned an iPod, which prompted analysts to speculate that Apple was having difficulty marketing their products beyond their existing customer base. The word "niche" wasn't used, but it sure seems like that's what some of those analysts were thinking - even though they had to be aware of the fact that Apple has a dominant 70% of the portable music player market. I'm convinced it's another example that 90s "Apple = niche" mindset.

These are the same tech journalists who seem to think that the Zune is newsworthy, and cover news on the Zune as if it were the #2 player in the market after the iPod, when it's barely even in the top 5. The flipside of "Apple = niche" is "Microsoft = dominant", and this assumption likewise underpins much of the tech journalism I see.

So, the bizarre logic Sascha Segan uses to award the Editor's Choice award to Windows Mobile doesn't make any sense when you put it next to past recipients of PC Magazine's Editor's Choice awards, as MDN points out - but it *does* make sense if you assume that Sascha, like many other tech writers, is stuck in the dual mindset of "Apple = niche" and "Microsoft = dominant".

Either they'll wake up to reality as the world changes around them, or they'll be replaced by those who can see things more accurately. Either way, it's quite interesting to watch.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:27 pm Comment from: John C. Randolph

It doesn't take comparison with anything else to realize that Windows Mobile is crap. It sucks in a vacuum.

-jcr

Jul 11, 08 - 04:28 pm Comment from: Scion

To quote the immortal words spoken by Edwina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous:

"I DON'T WANT MORE CHOICE: I JUST WANT NICER THINGS!"

(and yes, it was shouted)

Jul 11, 08 - 04:31 pm Comment from: mark

The PC Magazine award is completely meaningless.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:38 pm Comment from: John E

i see PC mag doesn't allow comments on this review. gee i wonder why. maybe because he couldn't explain just how the sad Internet Explorer on Windows Mobile utterly fails to measure up in any way shape or form to Safari on iPhone. oh yeah, right, the web isn't that important for a "smartphone" anyway ....

Jul 11, 08 - 04:38 pm Comment from: Fargle Somebutter

That headline needs editing.

"PC Mag reviews iPhone OS 2.0: Still a niche player, Microsoft Windows Mobile remains Editors’ Choice"

There you go.

Jul 11, 08 - 04:46 pm Comment from: It is still a niche player...

No cut and paste, picture messaging, and saving word and excel documents ON your phone and grabbing them off your desktop when you get home...

I like the iPhone, but COME ON!!!

I'm supposed to spend more money on apps that MIGHT do the same things just to give a developer a job?

Jul 11, 08 - 04:53 pm Comment from: Dvorak's Brother

PC Mag hasn't been significant in years. Nobody reads them. They will go the way of Byte (which sadly was actually a great magazine).

Jul 11, 08 - 04:58 pm Comment from: : - p

Hey - can you blame PC World? If Microsoft was your biggest advertiser and your meal ticket, wouldn't you derisively refer to the iPhone OS 2.0 as a "niche player" too?

Face it: however nascent the current set of apps may be for the iPhone, this will change quickly. And despite any problems today with activations, the iPhone will quickly change the mobile telecommunications and computer landscape. And that is making for brown underpants at in Redmond, Washington and Waterloo, Ontario Canada. So, if you were a chair-throwing CEO of a large international software conglomerate, what would you do? Why dispatch any of your 700+ PR minions from your corporate PR team and outside PR firms like Waggoner Edstrom and have them go on a FUD campaign with journalists and editors they with whom they have built cozy relationships.

Face it: they're desperate. And they'll spin this like mad.

In a couple of months, the PC Magazine review will ring hollow. In the mean time, I strongly recommend that you read a wonderful article from the Industry Standard, "The iPhone Naysayers, One Year Later". Here's the link:

http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/07/10/iphone-naysayers-one-year-later?page=0,0

Jul 11, 08 - 04:59 pm Comment from: KenC

It would be okay if Sacha had used some legit criteria for making Winmo his Editor's choice, but to create a false standard, that of Smartphone OS marketplace, is nonsense. Where is this smartphone OS marketplace where I can choose from Winmo, Android, Symbian, Linmo and OS X? No store sells it? What marketplace is Sacha talking about?

Is Winmo the Editor's choice just because more models are offered? That's a lame reason, totally lacking in logic, becuase what if all the Winmo choices suck? Why would Winmo 7 look so much like OS X, if Winmo 6 wasn't garbage? Why would so many new smartphones put a UI layer on top of Winmo 6 if it didn't suck, like the Instinct?

Jul 11, 08 - 05:04 pm Comment from: R

Gourmet magazine revealed today that ketchup is the best food ever because it is in most people's refrigerators and most people use it on the crap they eat at some point.

Jul 11, 08 - 05:10 pm Comment from: jocknerd

If you look at the reviews, the Windows Mobile Review was from March 31, 2008. Thats when it received the Editors Choice. This wasn't a comparison between the two platforms today.

I'm shocked that MDN would resort to this type of sensationalism. Not. MDN is a true student of Fox News.

Jul 11, 08 - 05:32 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

jocknerd,

"MDN is a true student of Fox News."

Can we get a few more brilliant witticisms from your brothers jockstrap and jockitch?

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