Mac support for Windows Phone 7 Series: 'maybe'
By Chris Ziegler 
posted February 27th 2010 5:20PM
posted February 27th 2010 5:20PM
Speaking on The Engadget Show today, Microsoft's Aaron Woodman didn't commit to supporting Mac OS with Windows Phone 7 Series, but he certainly didn't close the door on the idea either. There are apparently "internal discussions" going on as to whether support will move beyond Windows proper, but one thing's for sure: seeing how WP7S uses the Zune client, there could be implications beyond phones alone if Redmond breaks down and loops Cupertino into the party. Saying that it partly comes down to a trade-off for time to market, Woodman concluded with a big, fat "maybe" -- but if they decide to make it happen, we're pretty sure they'd be pleasantly surprised at just how far and wide the love really goes.
It's nice to see Microsoft introduce something that looks promising. It's nice to see them introduce anything actually. Somebody referenced Apple having a slight complacency with the iPhone OS...I can't agree more. I'm all for Microsoft moving Zune Software/Windows Phone stuff Mac-side, but Apple really needs to pick up the pace this year.
@TJM
Good point. Since the 3GS was just a hardware bump, and everyone else got the software update (some for a small fee), sometimes we forget just how far we've come from the original iPhone.
This comment will look pretty funny when iPhone 4 goes on sale in the summer. What do you think Apple has been doing for the past year? Tweaking the iBookstore?
@Wesscoast No, they've been working on the iPad and that wasn't exactly "magical" now was it.
I know i'm a little hasty in my notions about Apple and the iPhone OS, but i'm eager to see what they'll do this summer, and frankly i'm impatient :). It's hard to be completely satisfied with what i have when i see all of these new Android devices coming out -- even Microsoft's [horribly named] new OS -- sure; if Apple blows everyone out of the water with a decent hardware and software revamp (newly updated core apps maybe?) then i take all of those pessimistic remarks of mine back.
@sonola777
That's been in development for a while now, and its basically the iPhone OS, so.. again, what do you THINK they've been working on.
iPhone 4, obviously.
This is what I need. No matter how awesome the Phone, I just won't switch away from OSX. However if they do manage to make WP7S (horrible name) compatible with Mac, consider me a customer.
Ehhh, support for OSX is an iffy want for me, I mean...I can easily live without it as I'm mainly a Windows person, but I do have a hackintosh partition that I work in for other a different type of workflow every so often (same goes for KarmicKoala). So, it'd be nice to have something to sync the phone on (assuming I get one), but still, if I find something I want, I'll make note and put it on my second HDD, or just on the Desktop of the Windows partition...
Definitely giving it the "don't know if want" type of reaction.
With the kind of push M$ is making with this new platform and the kind of success they're looking for, NOT supporting the Mac would be the stupidest move ever. To put it in perspective, what if the iPhone only worked with Apple PCs??
@Plazmic Flame
Here's a thought:
From their perspective, the abysmal failure of the Zune, exclusive to Windows, means they're doing something seriously seriously wrong.
They figure, 'if we can't even make money with 90% marketshare, what's the point of going after the other 10%?'
So what does the Zune fail so incredibly badly? Because it's going after the previous Gen iPod touch.
That's what happens when you copy. But MS has to copy faster.
With WP7S, they're going after the previous gen iPhone, which will have 200,000 apps by the time this thing launches.
Guess what. The Apple 10% US share won't help them if this thing bombs. The bottom line is this thing still has to prove itself before MS invests anytime in 'spreading around.'
@Plazmic Flame
You're analogy is totally backwards. Windows has the 90% share. When Apple reaches out to Windows users, they're basically reaching out to the whole world.
When MS reaches out to Apple users (eg. MS Office) they're hunting between the cushions for a spare dime/nickel.
I'm wondering about the numbers here. I'd be surprised if even a majority of the 8 or 9% of people in the US running OSX is Mac exclusive. I have a Mac (writing this on my MBP), but there is no chance in hell I'd replace my Windows PCs with Macs.
I'm thinking that MS knows this which is why it doesn't seem cost-effective to them. They are wrong, though. Most people running Macs own iPods. If you want to compete with the iPod, you have to take your product to Mac owners.
@cherryboom I don't understand your point. Why would I want MS to support my hardware?
Microsoft would be smart to support Mac on the Windows Phone 7 Series. Bring Zune to the Mac. That would be real competition for Apple. Other companies don't realize the iPhone isn't popular because of all the great features it has (if it were based on features, the iPhone would have never made it), but the app store and the fact that it syncs with one application, iTunes. iTunes is on the Mac as well as the PC. I am an Apple lover through and through, but I think its time Apple gets a wake up call to step it up or they're going to get ran over. So Microsoft, your on to something, give support to us Mac users, compete with Apple in the right ways, and you could very well be back on top!
@dponinski
The App Store is a pretty big feature genius.
@Wesscoast
Your right. The app store is a big feature, but how long did it take Apple to roll that out? How long did it take Apple to put features on the phone that the flippin razor could do 5 yrs ago? Like MMS and video. They still don't have flash support (or at least on option to turn flash on or off
), multi-tasking, or built in turn by turn.
@cherryboom
Wow! Your a douche! If MS made a "Zune" or all-in-one application available for both PC and Mac at the launch of the mobile 7 series, there would be competition. This is a post on whether you think MS should support Mac. Maybe MS has figured out that the "shit talking" has gotten them nowhere and it's time to really put themselves in the game. I was just pointing out that the other mobile corporations that are trying to compete with the iPhone, haven't figured out exactly what Apple has on them, that is iTunes aka the SOFTWARE! Why do you think people by Macs? The average consumer doesn't walk into an Apple store and go "Sweet hardware!" It's more like "This thing doesnt get viruses?" or "I love how you can do this and that!" Which brings it back to software, how much money do you think Apple really makes off their hardware? Apple makes money off the fact that the OS is kick ass! Again software! The pretty design is only to have that "high dollar" look. Their isn't a company out there right now making that much money off hardware. It's all about the OS and the interface!
@dponinski
Huh? Windows already has a 90% share, and... the Zune is floundering.
Don't you get it? Windows users don't even want the Zune, that's why MS isn't bothering to do a Mac release.
All MS needs to do is to make Windows Phone 7 at least compatible with iSync. Syncing with iTunes is obviously unlikely, but any phone can sync with iSync (Symbian, Sony, etc) to sync contacts and iCal. All they need to do is make the plugin. In fact, syncing via iSync in a way is much easier since it supports syncing via Bluetooth, unlike iTunes syncing. Sure, no media syncing, but at least it's something.
Either that, or focus on OTA syncing like Android so the phone can be easily OS agnostic. Problem is, MS may prefer users to use their Live services.
I don't understand your point. Why should I expect MS to support my hardware?
Well Apple gave support for iPhones on Windows...
OS X has what percentage of the OS market globally? 5.16% in Jan 2010 according to Netmarketshare (http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8&qptimeframe=M&qpsp=132)
Why should Microsoft bother supporting a minority platform?
@JustThatNerdyGuy dude if they hadn't supported windows iphone would have failed.
@ajwoodhouse
Yup. Windows went back on the wife's PC in order to support her iPhone.
At this point, Apple is mainly a consumer electronics company that sells devices to Windows users. If Apple didn't accomodate the vast majority of the market still running Windows, they would be nowhere.
@ajwoodhouse So What, Microsoft is a software making company there's no reason they can't support Widows Phone series 7 on a Mac..
F....k mac!
A Mac desktop client might not even be necessary since syncing can be done in the cloud. Microsoft already has a free online backup service for Windows Phone: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/meet/secure-your-stuff.mspx
I guess Microsoft could just allow the phone to be mounted as a normal digital camera and storage drive for other uses.
@set
How many employees does MS have? Like 90,000? And your'e saying they're too lazy to code? Pathetic.
MS is pulling wool over ya'll eyes.
Mac users wont feel bad that Winmo wont connect to their computer- THEY JUST WONT BUY IT because it doesn't. Wow, look a that, a lost sale- but its the principal, you know? lolz. I would imagine that MS thinks that this wil make the mac platform look bad, OR- they don't want to compete with itunes....hmm...because they cant. What a great show their putting on.
People will only feel bad-so to speak -if they are missing out on a highly desired product- which winmo is certainly not.
Morons lol
@king_electric_warmonger
Last time I checked Zune Pass is a whole hell of a lot of better than iRipOffTunes and MS isn't afraid to compete with iTunes on the Mac. watch they will go through with it
@AlienSix
Zune Pass? who cares about that? Almost no one has a zune anyways, its worth something to you suckers who bought one lol
seriously though, you bypassed my whole point- thanks for reading, duuhhhhhh
PS- MA cant compete with itunes- anywhere( live breaking news, just for you!!).
@cherryboom I don't think there will be an iPhone mini because the iPhone form factor dictates that liberal screen. I do however, predict maybe a slightly larger screen, perhaps 3.7 inch, with some kind of video calling features. It might have some support for AT&T's 4G bands...which would work in one city in 4 years. But it will sell because it will be called the iPhone 4G....(even though the 4G network isn't around yet) I think iPhone firmware 4.0 might be a bit special...bringing more social media power and ease of use...perhaps a bit more open...like installing a Facebook app would allow a "Message on Facebook," or something on a certain contact's address book page.
and this wasn't tagged Apple, why? Get this shit off my appleless engadget.
If Microsoft does indeed fully support the Mac with Windows Phone 7 (i.e. not some half-arsed port of the Windows software with missing functionality) then I'd certainly consider a phone based on it when my current contract expires. If there isn't support for the Mac then I certainly won't consider a Windows phone. Simples.