NEW YORK -- In the market for smartphones, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 system is barely there. It's dwarfed by Apple's iOS and Google's Android systems in both attention and sales.
But over the past few months, I have come to appreciate many of the software's innovations, which rivals would be wise to consider. More features are coming through an update that Microsoft is expected to showcase at its Build conference in San Francisco next week.
By no means is Windows Phone 8 perfect. Despite the "8'' in the name, it is actually a second-generation system with room to grow. Although its app store is getting bigger, there are still annoying gaps, including the lack of apps for my bank and for a wine-recommendation service called Vivino. I'll expand on the shortcomings later.
First, I'll point out that Windows Phone 8 is not the same as Windows 8, the operating system for tablets, laptops and desktops. Although the two share design elements, apps for one won't work on the other. But both emphasize touch-screen controls, making Windows 8 awkward on traditional computers with keyboard and mouse controls, at least before some promised improvements that Microsoft may also elaborate on next week. Even on touch-screen computers, it feels disruptive having to reach your arm out to move a cursor.
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