Windows Phone can't beat Android legitimately, so they cheat | Hacker News Reader

Windows Phone can't beat Android legitimately, so they cheat

skattertech.com

86 pointsmwilcox17 comments

IMO, the title is a huge link bait. It's not technically wrong but which is usually frowned upon in HN. As a WP user myself, I agree with the OP that he won. To be honest, based on the title, I was expecting some technical behavior which WP is not good at but cheats to make it better. But it could be only me though.

Edit - Grammar and sentence formation.

Yeah, looking at it now I realise that and I probably should have reworded the original one (I just saw this on twitter and posted it with the tweet as the title). In fact that title is probably what made me click it in the first place (I also expected it to be to do with the platform rather than a store dispute.) I would delete this if I could

Seriously people...who cares?!

This isn't even a tech story. This is the kind of tabloid content I expect to find in the grocery store or 9:00 local news.

I care, because this leads one to judge the credibility and integrity of a large company like Microsoft.

This definitely is a tech story, and it is definitely pertinent to a site like HN. Microsoft is a HUGE player in the technology sector, and reading the article goes to show you how they use these contests to -- dare I say -- scam.

I looked at your past comments. You are very critical of Microsoft. Is it possible you only support this rather sensationalist story because it fits with your viewpoint?

My criticism of Microsoft is well founded. I don't hold grudges, and I don't judge carelessly. If the Linux Foundation started doing stuff like this, I would see them in a new light (one that I might not like). I think it's too easy to point fingers and say "yeah well, you just think that because you don't like Microsoft". I'm not that naive.

I was looking at Windows Phone seriously the other day. The UI seems pretty nice, except for that bit about text running off the screen. I don't know why anyone would think not being able to read entire words is helpful.

The default apps are really nice looking. Some of the apps made by other companies also look very nice. The foursquare app screenshots look super nice. I also find the xbox integration appealing.

But if you take a close look at the app store, you see people griping about not getting updates, not getting features found on Android and iPhone apps. I couldn't find a decent task management app the quality of Things on iPhone or Astrid on Android. There's no Google Voice integration. If I wanted to make an app I would have to have a Windows computer, you can't do it on a VM.

I think Windows Phone's app store is about where Google's Android Market was just as the original Droid was released. You would really, really want to have a Windows Phone to put up with the dismal app experience. Some people don't really install apps. I know some people who have owned iPhones since 2007 and have bought hardly any apps. I think people like that could switch to a Windows Phone and be pretty happy, but I don't think I could. Not until I can make apps on a Mac at the very least. Also you can't sideload apps the way you can on Android. It just doesn't seem like a better experience.

Another person in the comments there won the contest when the reps asked him to change his Facebook cover photo, but they wouldn't honor the win because they actually meant profile photo instead. I'd be surprised if they really give up the prize to anyone.

The title is some seriously editorializing, as much as I do enjoy Android.

Shame about what happened, but I wouldn't have expected any less from official MS reps at an MS store.

I think the title is fair. The author won a competition by 'beating' the Windows phone with his Android at some task, but was cheated out of his prize. Yes, not paying up when you lose a bet is cheating.

It seemed like he only did one challenge but the rules state you must beat them with 5 challenges? http://content.microsoftstore.com/store/smokedbywindowsphone...

I think that's just the description, nowhere in the text it says you have to complete all 5 to win a prize. Since there's 10 winners per store, it looks like you just have to be in the top 10 per store in scenarios completed to win. So unless if there were 9 that completed 2 scenarios or more at the blogger's store, then he should be considered a prize recipient.

"Microsoft plays dirty" is the usual story.

Really?

Microsoft seems kinda humble these days.

Humbled, perhaps.

Regardless, I think it's a great phone I can't wait to renew my contract to ditch my Android phone.

Rather pathetic of them to run this challenge

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