Windows Live Mobile Search hits v2...but we are still unworthy

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KevDaly

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Topic # 14671 15-Jul-2007 09:40

The Microsoft mobile blogs and other outlets are announcing the release of a new version of Windows Live Mobile Search...but they completely fail to mention that it is yet another product that is available for US/UK only.
The fact that the initial release had this restriction was galling, but for it to be retained on the second release indicates that in all probability it will never be available for those of us here in New Zealand (after all, even the Aussies don't get it, and they have US Mini-Me status).

This cultural/regional chauvinism (perhaps they're assuming that nobody outside US/UK speaks English?) seems to be a common feature in the Windows Live offerings, and frankly it's getting right up my nose.

As a developer it's making the Linux/Mono world look more attractive by the day.

freitasm

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Reply # 78142 15-Jul-2007 09:42

Yes. Microsoft has a very US-centric approach, unlike Google. Microsoft always releases things in the US, and sometimes users outside never see the thing happening.

Just download the Google Maps for Windows Mobile and use it...

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Mostly Harmless

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Reply # 78851 19-Jul-2007 19:36

If it's any consolation, the USians are convinced we speak US English over here, and we need to wait months for European releases of games. So it's not all roses.

Google aren't much better - a lot of features were rolled out to US GMail users long before the rest of the world saw them. The GLM applet was available for the US first of all, with everyone else following somewhat later. Yahoo did similar things with their mail upgrade, and you'll find plenty of beta tests limited to US users. So one can hardly single out MS for blame (although it certainly doesn't make it right).

On the upside, the new Windows Live Mobile is very good, at least in London. Somewhat heavy on the button presses, but very nicely integrated and returns a good range of results.

Nightwyrm

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Reply # 78853 19-Jul-2007 19:55

Would that be like when you're encouraged to register your Windows Mobile, you get the email saying you're eligible for cool things, you follow the link to the MS site, and there they tell you US only?

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Mostly Harmless

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Reply # 78855 19-Jul-2007 20:00

Quite possibly - I do believe you're the first person I've ever encountered who has actually registered!

freitasm

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Reply # 78856 19-Jul-2007 20:00

First I never register anything... Why bother?

Second, I don't mind when a product feature is launched in one market only, then expanded... But Microsoft seems to never expand things - or takes a long time to.

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KevDaly

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Reply # 78857 19-Jul-2007 20:01

I believe the feeling we experience on reading those ever-so-polite "Sod off, non-US person" messages is what the word "Garn!!!" was invented for.

Nightwyrm

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Reply # 78858 19-Jul-2007 20:07

Mostly Harmless: Quite possibly - I do believe you're the first person I've ever encountered who has actually registered!

D'oh!

register = false;
IF (Me = (WM n00b || Someone who thought it'd make a difference || Gullible Sap)) THEN
register = true;
return register;

Post-geek, opinionated mediaphile, and natural born cynic. Jack of all genres, master of none.