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I think this fragmentation that is already present on Androids, but now becoming an issue apparently on Windows Phone, will just push more and more developers to use 3rd party Cross platform tools that do the basics such as read/write data (todo's, calendars, restaurant ratings), and have access to a common set of phone hardware across all platforms.

Specifically, something like Phonegap can produce apps that will make incompabilities, whether differences exist between WP versions, or between iOS, WP, Androids, a non-issue.

This is stupid. Windows Phones already suffer from huge lags in apps (whether you use them or not, the market wants apps - they made Windows more popular than other "superior" OSes). This just kills the platform.

What a bunch of cry babies! Just hack 'unlock' your phone and feel free to install any Nokia app you want!!!

What a bunch of cry babies! Just hack 'unlock' your phone and feel free to install any Nokia app you want!!!

Okay lets redefine fragmentation to exclusive apps as apposed to completely different and customized versions of an OS (Android). Big Stretch, don't ya think????

Okay lets redefine fragmentation to exclusive apps as apposed to completely different and customized versions of an OS (Android). Big Stretch, don't ya think????

ESPN and Groupon are not exclusive. They've been available in the app store for months before the release of the lumia.

Short term, zero-sum thinking on the part of Nokia. The WP7 platform is functionally, technically, and -especially- aesthetically superior to the ugly,clunky, restrictive iOS and the unreliable, often strange Android platforms.

If Nokia wants to make a real go of this, the first order of business should be to ramp up the presence of WP7 based on its superiority ... not get into marketing cat-fights with the other WP7 phone makers.

This is unenlightened marketing based on self-defeating micro competition.

Really stupid.

Last I checked, the whole point of Apollo is unification across all platforms. By definition that is the *opposite* of fragmentation.

Of course, current devices may not be compatible, but is that really a huge issue? People buy phones for what they are capable of now, not for a year down the road.

As a developer, I can certainly understand why current phones may not get the Apollo upgrade. It's rumored to run on a different kernel. The new kernel is leaps and bounds more capable than the current one. This is a good thing.

You can't have progress and perfect continuity at the same time. One has to give way to the other. Which would you prefer?

None of these apps are permanently exclusive. Most are for 3 months as others have said some of these are just different versions than the ones in the marketplace now. The important thing is to get the apps to WP at all. Each of the oems have their own apps they created that are exclusive to their phones. If Nokia is pulling the strings to get some of the big apps over to WP then they deserve a limited time exclusive on them. Samsung and HTC could have done the same thing a year ago or they could have even bothered to do some kind of advertising on their phones. They will benefit from the advertising Nokia is paying for even if MS is shelling out some of it and they will benefit from the apps.

Microsoft has stated that Windows Phone 7 apps will work on Windows Phone 8 when it gets released. It is just the hardware devices that may not be supported with WP8. Please stop the FUD.

@Anthonye3gz has got it right. People need to stop thinking of Windows "Phone" as something independent of Windows, which we're all familiar with. This will become much clearer with the release of the next version of "Windows" that runs on smartphones - Apollo. All devices will be running Microsoft Windows beneath the covers, albeit tweaked to address the particular hardware form factor and available features/functionalities. There is *no* fragmentation happening here from a Windows standpoint. Yes, oem's can "differentiate" themselves by providing their own custom apps, hw, etc -- just like it is in the rest of the Windows world, but the base operating system released by Microsoft will be the same.

The question for consumers will be: which ecosystem do you want to be a part of ? If you're an Apple user and run everything Apple at home, then you'll most likely get an iPhone. If you run Linux/ChromeOS and use all Google apps, then you'll probably feel better with an Android device. If you run Windows at home (including Xbox etc) and work, then a Windows phone will be a better choice. Of course, there will be apps that cross ecosystems -- for example, Windows-based smartphones have full support for gmail and there are apps for Google maps, voice, etc. So, if you have you're feet in other places but your primary OS is Windows, you'll be fine.

Gnostradamus, on 08 May 2012 - 04:43 PM, said:

Our business has over 40 Windows 7.5 phones. No problems setting up a new user, virtually no support questions or problems reported to IT, very positive feedback the week they were deployed to replace Blackberry's.

I suppose your "lack of Apps" comment is because you are an iPhone user or Droid user, under 23 years old or still not a grown up adult. Business clients don't want the phone loaded down with crappy apps, games, stupid stuff...the phone is a working device to get the job done. If you want a toy, get something else. Serious users appreciate the Windows platform, uncluttered. Similar as ordering a consumer laptop full of junk you need to blast away before using it in a business environment.

Nokia US President says:

“Both Nokia and Microsoft understand the importance for consumers to keep their devices fresh and updated. Without any announcements being made, we’re working to make sure people have fresh and updated experiences on any device they may have,” Weber said.

Which is just about opposite of the FUD Oswald says:

"If you own a Lumia or another Windows Phone 7 device, this means your phone could be totally obsolete in a matter of months. No more upgrades to new software, and apps will become incompatible with your device."

Windows Phone OS will not be fragmented but there may well be different buckets of apps beyond those in the Microsoft bucket. There's nothing wrong with that at all. A device can not be expected to always be upgradeable to the next OS version. I'll just but a newer device when I'm ready.

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This is absolutely untrue. WP seven and seven-five users will get next update Windows 7.8. Check out the announcements on channel 9: https://channel9.msd...s-Phone/Summit.

Moreover, WP seven and seven-five apps will run on Windows Phone 8. Microsoft would recompile all the applications on Clouds for WP8. Unlike 7 to 7.5 update, developers dont need anything to port their apps on next version. Developers can continue to build apps for WP7.5 and 8 in Silverlight for WP. BUT WP8 apps can be developed in SL, .NET, C/C++ and HTML5/JS which probably wont be supported in WP7.x.