Joe Belfiore just wrapped up his Reddit AMA, here are the highlights

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore just wrapped up his starting time AMA on Reddit. Information technology's an informal Q&A session with folks in that belong to the Windows Phone section of Reddit. He shared a lot of insight nigh the current state of Windows Phone. Joe also gave usa glimpses into the future. We learned that an official file manager was coming to Windows Phone 8.1 sometime during this month (and even got a first wait at it!), nosotros learned that Microsoft is courting Snapchat, nosotros learned about big updates coming to Skype and Facebook and then much more.

Below we've pulled out all the info that Joe shared from his AMA. Just sit back and read all his answers right hither.

Joe Belfiore on the feature gap between Windows Phone and iOS/Android:

"As you folks know, MS' mobile strategy had a big reset dorsum in 2009 when we changed our model for WP7. At the time, the iPhone had shipped with a new approach to mobile-- touch enabled, big screen, and new functionality.

To react to this we had to implement a new system -- a new UI, a whole bunch of apps we hadn't built ourselves (interestingly: the old "Windows Mobile" that MSFT shipped didn't fifty-fifty take a dialer-- it had to exist built separately by each OEM!)... And in that location was a LOT of work to get the aforementioned set of features built.

Then... I'd say nosotros've best-selling plenty of times over the past few years that we've had features missing relative to iOS or Android. Some of this was intentional decisions to be focused-- we did NOT focus on Enterprise/Corporate at starting time-- but and so we did.

I'd say with WP8.1 the characteristic gap is Near completely airtight. As mobile is much more mature now, it'southward less likely that Whatsoever platform will have ALL the features of its competition -- and that's what makes ane platform fit certain people amend." (Source)

Joe Belfiore on why the enthusiast program (Preview for Developers) took then long to come out:

"We sure as heck attempt non to break promises. The matter that'south tricky is WHAT Y'all PROMISE.. And information technology'southward astonishing how much the net gives things a "life".

Final summer we said we'd enable developers to become updates separately from the carrier-approval process. It took united states longer than we would take liked to roll -- this out... just the reason for that was a combination of piece of work nosotros had to exercise to implement the program AND the fact that the updates we were shipping early in the year wouldn't have had as much value for existing phones.

We knew we had BIGGER updates coming subsequently-- the Update iii last year not simply had some solid features in it for everyone (rotation lock, driving style, storage sense updates) but also carried Update 2 with it. BY And then it really mattered to get it out. Plus we knew eight.i was coming, so we wanted the system upwards and running.

In this case I'd say it took us longer, but I wouldn't say it was a "broken promise" (though I can see how people felt that way for some months)." (Source)

On whether or not Windows Phone is a second-grade citizen within Microsoft:

"Microsoft DOES Not treat WP equally a second class denizen! We have a very senior, well-funded team that has amazing support from our senior leadership and from other groups.

What does happen time to time is that teams who are working on cross platform piece of work brand prioritization decisions (or are express past the nature of WP itself) such that features show up on other platforms first -- we are a company nigh devices AND SERVICES and when you remember well-nigh something like Skype it's of import that they remain compelling and competitive on other platforms equally well.

As a general rule, we work with teams to make certain WP users aren't defective in benefits... and all the teams here are getting improve and amend at this... Skype at present has WP-specific benefits, the Remote Desktop client is out, etc." (Source)

What'due south Microsoft doing to improve apps that accept been 'ditched' after being launched (Flickr) and what are they doing to improve their ain apps (Skype)?

"At that place'due south no silver bullet hither... Apps, like most things in software development, are a marathon, not a sprint. And I'thousand not challenge we've nailed information technology - as y'all point out, there is more than piece of work to do. Fundamentally, the ISVs who write these apps are making business concern decisions about how they can make the most coin-- and equally WP has grown, and as MS has invested fourth dimension & money in the apps, and as the platform has gotten better/stronger... more and more apps have shown up.

And then -- sitting in 3rd place, it'due south tougher for u.s.a. to go the apps-- but I practice think that we've fabricated neat progress in the concluding couple of years. We're non resting on our laurels. We (and not merely nosotros.. I) are visiting ISVs, looking for ideas that can aid them abound their book and user engagement, providing them with funding and development aid - and in some cases we are even using our own team/devs to write apps ourselves.

You're seeing these results through both well-known apps SHOWING UP (Instagram last twelvemonth) too equally higher boilerplate user ratings per app on the store - nosotros look at ALL sides of the issue. Right at present nosotros're MOSTLY focused on continuing to GET the key apps-- although lately with more than of these present, we've shifted a bit towards improving the current ones.

You mentioned Skype and FB -- on Skype, we take new version in development that our squad (and me) take been using and it certainly helps with performance-- we'll keep going-- and on Facebook, we've been working with FB on an update to that app too, targeted for the June timeframe - this update brings improvements to performance, having full-width photos in the newsfeed, and seeing photos & comments at the same time." (Source)

What feature practise you think volition make people choose Windows Phone over competing platforms?

"Correct now, it's not ONE Feature. It's the mode the whole system is designed and what information technology's about. We call up WP is the MOST PERSONAL SMARTPHONE– and that'due south a combo of features, starting with live tiles and at present Cortana makes it fifty-fifty more personal. This is kind of a mantra for the team-- nosotros're serious about this. We're balancing a unique, attractive visual appearance with letting the user customize it a ton. Nosotros really want your phone to feel like your "fingerprint" ... better than any other phone." (Source)

Volition Cortana come to Windows eight?

"Nothing specific to announce, but Cortana herself is always telling us she's a fan of PCs herself." (Source)

Will Cortana e'er be able to toggle actions (such as turning off Wi-Fi when you lot leave a place)?

"You tin plough Wi-Fi on/off by speaking in the developer preview at present, but cool proposition to do this automatically based on location." (Source)

Why are games listed in the chief app list in 8.1? Will this change in a futurity update?

"This was a shut phone call for usa –- this kind of situation happens a lot in design... I telephone call information technology a "45/55 thing". In this case, nosotros made the modify (to the "55" :) because nosotros found through usability testing quite clearly that NEW USERS to our platform sometimes had a hard time finding games.. so we chose to optimize for these new users. It's reasonable to propose having an option for this in the future... something we'll explore." (Source)

Star Wars or Star Trek?

"Star Wars. Sorry fribbley." (Source)

How long can Google continue non developing official apps for Windows Phone?

"We think we've developed an crawly platform with Windows Telephone, and definitely look forward to welcoming Google's apps on it. We have these apps high on our "want listing" and then it'due south something we've invested in (ahem, YouTube) and are admittedly willing to keep investing in.

Unfortunately, the apps are Google's and I tin't say when they will human activity. Only our friends in Mountain View know timing.

You should ping them! (Often!)" (Source)

There'south currently a long time lag between announcing a new phone/OS and having the product actually available. Is Microsoft doing anything to address this?

"The time-lag affair is tricky. It depends on: - what LEAKS. (We can't prevent these, and they make people outset looking for stuff that may be a ways off). - When we ANNOUNCE. We have to balance early on announcements (improve for ISVs to become apps prepare on the new platform) against waiting to announce close to availability (more than fun for end users considering you hear about something and then, poof, it's set up to go. Also -- done right, this tin can help sales because people will hear excitement and then head to a store and observe a phone set to buy.)

We are trying to strike this balance in a amend way -- with WP8.1, the announce was aimed at devs and just days afterwards we had the developer preview in everyone's easily, so the MOST motivated users (and there are a LOT of you!) can become the software quickly.

Nosotros look to keep our step of updates similar to what we did last yr-- we are pretty proud that we shipped iii software updates last year, and we're already working on some absurd stuff that I know you'll similar.

On HARDWARE -- it'southward trickier. Up until now (welcome Nokia!) information technology was different companies doing this work, and they had to sync their schedules with ours. We exercise remember that for get-go political party phones, the acquisition will help with time to market... and you've seen united states already announce new phones at the same time equally announcing the software. I tin can't annotate on any new phones that might be coming-- just of grade Nokia and other partners have a bunch of stuff in progress.

Last -- we're doing plenty to assistance HW partners become devices to market faster in general. At build, nosotros showed some phone prototypes for India and China that partners took only a few months to get running.

Overall, we feel similar we have fabricated some progress in getting to a higher velocity, but we know we take more we can do, and I retrieve y'all will see usa keep to accelerate where we can." (Source)

On whether or not Snapchat is coming to Windows Phone.

"Yep, talking/" (Source)

Are there whatever plans to requite Xbox Music the beloved and support needed to bring it back to par to what Zune was capable of fifty-fifty before the advent of the Windows Phone 7?

"Music is a expert topic for this AMA... lots of interest!

At that place's a balancing act we're trying to effectively walk here... (i) We accept a super-valuable audience of subscribers who've been with us since Zune, and who value subscription, etc... And at the same time (2) we're selling the significant book of phones to people who are Not Xbox Music (Zune) subscribers and (based on needing to pay a monthly fee) aren't likely to get subscribers. They use music "simply".

And then ... we're trying to build an experience that runs cross device on your PC, your Xbox, your Telephone-- in a service-oriented way (think: cloud drove)... but simultaneously work for the hordes of people who manually sync content using the trounce or iTunes. Getting both of these right has been challenging.

We moved away from the PC Zune customer in the interest of serving the broadest telephone-ownership audition in the way they already knew. Nosotros learned that many people who ALREADY USED iTunes or the shell viewed learning a new Zune customer as a "speed bump" in the style of getting going on a new phone. So, nosotros inverse the structure to appeal improve to those people.

The new experience in WP8.1 Dev Preview will get usa to one system that works GREAT for "ordinary side loaders" (it works with the Windows Shell) AND for people who employ multiple devices and are more "deject-oriented". Information technology's re-architected to handle both of these well-- and in detail we're shipping it equally an app on the phone and take committed to regular updates which will brand a BIG difference over the next few months. You've seen 1 already and more are on the way.

Upcoming in the app: you'll see functioning improvements (nosotros hear you!), meliorate stability, UI improvements (some of you have been asking for a "swipe" to alter tracks), etc. etc. Do have a "months" time view of this, as at that place's plenty of stuff in the pipeline." (Source)

Any plan that Windows team will bring ALL the basic apps to Windows Telephone such every bit Alarm and Sound Recorder anytime soon?

"Nosotros'll do more ourselves-- but while WE are e'er working on various apps, I would likewise encourage you to work with the /r/windowsphone subreddit because I know there are devs on hither who are looking for ideas of what apps to build.

We honey seeing the customs add-value here also!" (Source)

Windows Phone viii.ane is really cool, simply is even so has a few flaws and needs fixing. Thoughts?

"Developer preview is NOT final... At that place's customer-side software fixes we're still making, when UPDATES get out to existing phones they will come with "BSP" (low-level telephone firmware) updates from the OEMs... and the Services (Cortana) are continually getting improved. And so... when y'all get an official update or purchase a new phone, it'll be more polished than what you folks have now.

In terms of timing... no specific dates to mention, and keep in heed that the software updates volition vary by phone and carrier. Practice proceed in mind our history last year with updates to get a sense of how we call up almost this.

In terms of the specific issues y'all hit -- the dev preview has gone very well from our POV, with hundreds of thousands of "devs" having downloaded it then far (smile), and we've been closely monitoring feedback on the platform, features similar Cortana, activeness center, etc.

And since you mentioned this, information technology's a good opportunity to mention our UserVoice site –windowsphone.uservoice.com. The team uses this site A TON to aid structure and prioritize feedback on what customers want to see in the production. Yes, I read it myself and I Frequently ship links to people on the team when I need help winning an argument. I of my favorite stories from a previous release about how nosotros employ UserVoice was how you tin can at present configure the button in the browser accost bar to practise what you lot want – e.one thousand. favorites or tabs. Everyone who voted on that feature, Thank you for making your voice heard." (Source)

What is the well-nigh outlandish/futuristic idea you guys have ever wanted to implement, merely technology is a limiting factor?

"Well, speaking for what I PERSONALLY would nigh like us to implement... a pocket-size phone that will fit in my small pockets... But that has HUGE screen size.

Possibly similar this... http://gifsoup.com/view/3168675/laia-hologram.html" (Source)

Does your squad realize the downside of limiting Cortana to the US for the beta?

"Cortana in other countries: We're definitely working to bring Cortana to other countries. She tells united states of america she'd like to travel. Nosotros've already announced that when we launch V1 after Beta, we'll be in China and the UK as well as the The states. Nosotros're too hoping to go other English-speaking countries (e.g. Canada, Commonwealth of australia) out relatively chop-chop equally well. The challenge in doing this is nosotros want the Cortana feel to exist EXCELLENT for everyone -– and this involves non Only delivering great vocalisation recognition for all the different languages, but besides making sure that we have a cracking regional experience with local content and so she doesn't experience like an American!

In the meantime, we're thrilled that people are trying it out in other countries and we use that data to train the arrangement. It's helpful to get accents and hear other queries, and we can detect WHERE these are coming from to assistance improve the experience later." (Source)

Why is the Settings screen yet an unordered mess, in 8.ane?

"Yep, I agree this could exist better -- it'south something we intend to address in the future. For at present, nosotros've tried to organize information technology past the most frequently used setting. But we realize that's tricky considering people are And then DIFFERENT in what they care most most. Activity Centre'due south configurable buttons helps with that-- and btw, nosotros hear many of yous request for extra buttons (e.yard. cell on/off) in Action Eye and I'chiliad optimistic nosotros'll be able to oblige... merely no promises hither." (Source)

Why is the local phone search via the Search push dependent on an internet connection?

"Although we practice always put you lot in the 'web' pivot when you lot do a search, you lot tin swipe over to run into results from your telephone – even when you are offline." (Source)

Why is the bear upon target for closing the activity center and then modest?

"Hadn't heard this issue below… as a tip, you tin also hit the back button to close the action center." (Source)

When will the Store search have whatever kind of filtering?

"Good feedback... We're always thinking virtually new ways to make our apps more than discoverable and by and large add the things people are request for most." (Source)

Any plans for a file managing director in Windows Telephone?

"Yeah! We are doing a File Manager for WP8.1! I know a LOT of y'all are looking for this (thanks for the tweets, I've read them all). In fact, I've been running a build of it on two of my phones for the concluding calendar week or then and it's getting to pretty good shape." (Source)

Are there any "Easter egg" on Win 8.i that nearly people don't know?

"Hmm... Easter eggs... Related to an AMA... possibly you should inquire Cortana if SHE'D ever do an AMA." (Source)

Nosotros seem to exist on a feature backtrack with our updates. 8.0 lost radio, eight.1 killed music, Me integration, Photo Hub integration, and Windows Phone pales in comparing to our syncing options nosotros had with Zune. What'due south the reason for this?

"Let's talk Radio get-go... FM Radio wasn't in the initial launch of viii.0 because it wasn't finished when we made the base of operations-level Bone change to the Windows NT cadre... and then it came in the get-go update. From your POV as a WP7.5 user, it "disappeared" (yeah) and so came dorsum. From our POV, nosotros swapped out the kernel and didn't finish this function of the work for a few months. This aspect is one of the tougher parts well-nigh software evolution, we sometimes accept to make tradeoffs in terms of features and time as a result of technical alter that has benefits that are WAY less visible to users.

Let's take the social integration in 8.ane equally another good example of tradeoffs that some of yous don't meet without an explanation. When we had Facebook and other SNs deeply integrated into the OS code, it was very challenging (and we got a LOT of feedback from customers about this) on two counts (1) because we were missing a number of desired features –- like being able to "Like" a photo and (ii) because it express our ability to do not bad international support for the cardinal social networks effectually the earth. Equally you've seen on other questions here, when we finish up doing something that doesn't work worldwide, that causes users hurting likewise. There's an one-time phrase that's been used at Microsoft for a long fourth dimension about how creating big software projects is like ordering pizza for a million people.. and there's a lot of truth to that.

And then subsequently a few releases of getting feedback that people Dear the UX being integrated but are frustrated by the limitations… we decided to become with the app-powered model for social integration in 8.ane. This arroyo empowers the private services as well as individual devs. Now new social networks tin be added at ANY TIME via an app update, and thus a lot of people around the globe will get a feature they've missed entirely. Furthermore, by linking to the app, we have a mechanism for "deep users" to become access to "deeper features" in a nice, natural mode.

I'm not maxim nosotros got it perfect out of the gate – but at that place are existent advantages to the app-powered model in the long run. Besides what I mentioned higher up, it will get better over time as the apps get updated. For example I mentioned in some other reply that we're working with Facebook on an update to the fb app that improves performance, and that's in turn going to make the social integration experience amend. We're working with others developers on this as well.

I would encourage ALL developers to look at this integration as an opportunity – and piece of work with us together to make information technology ameliorate. Give u.s.a. feedback, write integrated apps, use integrated apps, give developers feedback, etc. etc. etc. Allow'due south brand it happen together.

On Photo HUB ... we inverse the pattern because we got actual telemetry data on what people ACTUALLY CLICKED. By far, the most clicks when people opened Photograph Hub were to become to the camera roll -- and merely .5% of clicks were to a 3rd political party app. The re-design in WP8.1 addresses this, putting the FREQUENT job correct up front and making the other tasks generally bachelor but in a dissimilar place." (Source)

How are yous working with other segmentation (Office, OneDrive, Xbox team and so on) on their hub/application on Windows Phone?

"We spend a TON of time with people from other divisions.

I have regular 1-1 meetings with my counterparts in Function, Skype, and Xbox. Our teams have a standing process at every milestone for jointly reviewing our work, and we use each other'southward products securely.

The environment at Microsoft has been not bad for us to become ameliorate and better at this... And although nosotros sure have room to improve, information technology's a place that I think has become a strength." (Source)

Windows Phone is so awesome, simply the carriers in Canada brand information technology hard to be a fan hither. Will Microsoft delight first selling Lumia Windows Phones unlocked on their online store? Apple and Google both give usa this option.

"Carrier Sectional phones...in the US and Canada, the carriers value having exclusive phones because they are reasonably looking for any bending to get people to sign upward for a long term contract. They are really selling contracts, and their method is to attract with a telephone that they promote aggressively. Every bit part of this model, they wait to and Exercise spend a LOT of money on marketing. When their business works this way, information technology's very hard for a hw maker to Non participate because you'd be competing confronting the money that the carriers themselves would spend on marketing and against the piece of work they'd do to sell other phones against yours in their stores.

We understand this creates a dilemma for end-users... you want to buy a phone but information technology'south not on the carrier you're already signed up with. Well, that's precisely the upshot the carriers are trying to create, they want you to switch. :)

In the higher-book ecosystems, you have seen this dynamic change... iPhones and Samsung phones are typically the same device across carriers. I look every bit WP usage grows and along with that as broader terminate-user demand begins to ALREADY Exist in the market place, the need for carriers to spend money educating people will diminish and the phones are probable to exist more broadly available.

SO... in the meantime... attempt expansys.com or zones.com to purchase unlocked phones." (Source)

How can Windows Phone be faster?

"The Main matter that will affect this perception is whether the apps you lot use accept implemented "Fast Resume". This was a new thing in WP8 (I think -- can't remember if that was the release we added information technology in) and an ISV has to "flag" their app to support it. This might involve testing and in a few apps it involves more work than but testing. Then ... ping the ISVs if you're feeling that apps come up slow. MOST PEOPLE don't say this.

A lot of people inquire near TRANSITIONS and they assume the transitions "add time" to getting to the app. We've worked hard to make that Non THE CASE. What we've washed is made the transitions happen "while the app is loading" and then they give you lot something to see that fills the time just does Non irksome information technology downwards. (OK, maybe a tiny, imperceptible flake.) We would NOT NOT Non gratuitously make millions of people expect longer to show a turnstile... nosotros show you the turnstile while you'd exist waiting anyway." (Source)

The fashion windows telephone currently "multitasks" is inelegant and quite bluntly, bad. (Apologies if my terminology is not 100% authentic). Thoughts?

"Multitasking. This is the archetype "balance-striking" design claiming. What we've tried to do here is (1) make certain that REGULAR USERS (think: less sophisticated, don't tweak their phones that much) get GREAT AND PREDICTABLE BATTERY LIFE while (2) Apps can practise powerful things for everyone (and especially for power users).

The biggest killer of battery life is typically an app that'southward got some kind of runaway process. Usually this would be a bug if it happens-- and it could happen in any app. Thus to reach (1), you restrict apps to "runaway" and try to do as much on their behalf every bit you can.

At present, with that as background, know that we've Greatly EXPANDED the multitasking features in apps with every release, and nosotros'll go on to do that. As app developers are doing more stuff and equally we learn almost the gaps in our organisation, nosotros try to raise. I can appreciate you folks-- by and large power users-- hit the limits of this approach and asking for more... and we hear you.

On your TOMBSTONING question-- honestly I can't answer that myself, only I'll laissez passer it on. When we switched the activation model, we chose to make the APP decide so the APP could be sure to finer manage its own activation. Our intent is that users get apps with "instant resume", simply this is a case where we have to trust the ISV to get things right-- kind of like the full general topic above." (Source)

Why is Cortana completely useless without location turned on?

"It comes downward to this: we want to provide a Consummate EXPERIENCE for Cortana, and we desire that complete experience to be PREDICTABLY present and not vary too much. If you hear about something she does, nosotros desire it to be truthful on YOUR Telephone, in YOUR Land.

Cortana builds rich inferences past rationalizing across lots of different signals and content that you requite her permission to access. For instance, by having access to your location, within a few days Cortana figures out where yous live and where you piece of work and starts giving y'all commute inferences based on when you leave to get to piece of work or come home from work. Without location a agglomeration of the of import end-to-terminate scenarios wouldn't work or key questions couldn't be answered-- east.g. what's the traffic similar to domicile/work, remind me when I get at a location to do something, testify me great Caribbean area restaurants in Seattle, etc.

Our current view is that without location Cortana would "experience limited" and we don't desire to create a fragmented feel where some things will piece of work and some things won't depending on whether you give united states of america access to location. Part of this is that she'southward entirely new and we want her to develop a GREAT reputation, compared favorably to the contest. Over time, we might brand her more flexible so that we can attain BREADTH... but right at present the focus is on consequent quality." (Source)

Joe, you lot're a very admirable presenter with a laid back fashion. How do you prepare for these presentations?

"Luckily, I've grown more laid back every bit I've matured…"

Source: r/windowsphone

Xbox Insiders Update

This huge Xbox 'Quick Resume' update will give gamers more than command

Microsoft is adding a new feature to Xbox consoles, assuasive you to permanently store up to two games in a Quick Resume state at all times. The feature is heading out offset to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha testing band before hitting the general public.

Solid Foundations

ASUS ROG Strix X570-Due east is the best motherboard for Ryzen 9 5900X

The motherboard can show a approving or a hindrance when used with high-performance processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, depending on which you lot go for. We've rounded upwards the all-time B550 and X570 motherboards that are compatible with the new Ryzen processor.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/joe-belfiore-ama

Posted by: kennedyenone1944.blogspot.com

Share this post