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Sigh.

I've been an MCSE for nearly 20 years, and I've always been very pro-Microsoft.  I even used Windows Mobile as my cell phone for nearly ten years between 1999-2009, and I zealously promoted the platform as the best, first smartphone.  In fact, it still has features not matched by newer smartphones.

But, in the last 5 years, Microsoft has been making serious mistakes in the mobile space.  I applaud the total redesign of Windows Phone to try something different, but not at the expense of features.  When Windows Phone 7 first came out, I was shocked how, hmm, un-powerful, the platform was compared to Windows Mobile.  Newer versions are only marginally better.

Thus began my multi-year embarrassment to be a "Microsoft Certified Professional".

This thread is a perfect example of Microsoft's problems.

I think we can safely state that Microsoft is in distant third place within the tablet and phone markets.  If Microsoft is serious about being a major player in these markets, why don't they fix these problems immediately?

Another example:  I was wondering around Best Buy a couple weeks before Christmas.  No less than 5 people arrived to buy Surface 2 tablets.  But, they are sold out.  You can't find them in Microsoft stores, Microsoft.com, Best Buy, or any of the reseller's listed on Microsoft's website.  They are simply not available.  All five of those shoppers at Best Buy bought Android or Apple tablets.

If I was running Microsoft, I would have made damn sure that Surface 2 tablets were plentiful.

Microsoft will never gain significant market share if people can't buy their devices.

If Microsoft continues to neglect known problems (like this thread), then they don't deserve to gain market share.

In many ways, Apple and Google are just as unresponsive to problems as Microsoft.  To be successful, Microsoft needs to be better than Apple and Google.  They cannot be classic Microsoft.

If Microsoft strived to make the best operating systems and fix every problem ASAP, then they would emerge as the leader.  Hopefully, someone at Microsoft will wake up and realize this.

... But, I don't think they are truly serious about mobile.  They are too distracted with other projects (e.g., XBOX, Office, Bing).

Thanks for your time.

I agree with you on most point but don't think fleeing to Apple will be magic.

Apple has their own ball busters built in.  Consider:  when your iPhone fills up with photos and there's no more room to take any more (see this commonly on phones owned by non-techie folks) then try to figure out how to transfer them off when you sync with iCloud.  They only copy to a PhotoStream, can't be viewed in iCloud on the web and even if you install the iCloud control panel onto the Windows machine you still have to figure out how to delete the photos from the phone once they're in PhotoStreams.  You can only do that on the phone one photo at a time - otherwise attach a USB cable and delete them from the DCIM folder on the phone.  Oh, and if you think syncing with iTunes give you any access to the photos, think again.  Can't see them there & can't delete them either.

But it all works for Jerry and Jane Sixpack if they buy Apple computers as long as they keep that USB cable handy.  Apple is still living in the 90's with their proprietary cables and software.  And they all go to lots of trouble to keep you inside their own ecosystem/walled garden.  Apple is going to be the next Nokia if they keep making up their own cable standards in order to live off the income from proprietary cables that change every few models.

Come on Microsoft.

All I want to be able to do is synchronise my Outlook Calendar on my desktop, with my Outlook Calendar on my MICROSOFT (not a competitor) tablet.  I also want to be able to sync my contacts.

I don't want to have to go through another application that doesn't quite link correctly (outlook.com).

I don't want to be told that my file has more than 500 contacts (I know that already) without being given a solution.

I don't want to be told Microsoft is working really hard on this but that they have absolutely no idea when, or if, it is going to be fixed, and they look forward to my response.

I don't want to have to wait an completely random amount of time on the off chance it will "usually sync".

I don't want to have to go through a process of exporting a file containing the contacts, and saving it to a memory stick, and manually importing a file, and then then doing the same thing the other way.

I synchronised all this 15 years ago with my Palm Pilot by putting it in the cradle an pressing a button.  Simple.  Quick.  Reliable.  Everything Microsoft is not.

I will NOT be recommending any Surface product to colleagues, friends, acquaintances, or the people I fall into casual conversation with in shops.  Quite the opposite.

I am considering, much against my better judgment and principles, getting an Apple tablet and an Apple phone, and ditching Microsoft as far as I can.

Perhaps is the Calendar app had basic CalDAV functionality this wouldn't be an issue.  The real problem is lack of compatibility with basic protocols.  In my case I can't even sync my Google Calendar.

Come on Microsoft, you implemented CalDAV with Windows Phone 8, why not Widows 8.1?

This 8.1 Widow is still waiting.  Unless Microsoft removes their collective head from where the sun don't shine I will refuse to support any of my clients who buy Surface products unless they're willing to rely on browser access.  Outlook is so very 1995 and slow and buggy especially in mailbox searches.  No way am I going to go back to using Outlook after many years of freedom.

Even Apple has no problem supporting CalDAV.  Wake up and smell the coffee Microsoft.  Customers don't want to be in the middle of prissy slap fights between vendors.  And your tactics have been noted and discussed.  Come on and be reasonable... or be left behind.  Someday the business golden goose that's funding Microsoft will move on and by then it may be too late for Microsoft to be much more than one large patent troll.

Best regards,

The Widow Norton

Perhaps if the Calendar app had basic CalDAV functionality this wouldn't be an issue.  The real problem is lack of compatibility with basic protocols.  In my case I can't even sync my Google Calendar.

Come on Microsoft, you implemented CalDAV with Windows Phone 8, why not Windows 8.1?