It looks as though history is repeating itself. Windows Phone users have become used to coming third in line behind iOS and Android when it comes to getting hold of the latest and greatest apps and the same thing has just happened once again with Vine. While the iOS and Android versions of the app have been updated with an exciting new messaging feature, Windows Phone users will have to keep on waiting — but there’s no knowing when the update will hit their handsets.
In a blog post announcing the availability of the update on two of the three big mobile platforms, Vine — the app famous for its short video clips — introduced Vine Messages which allows for messages to be sent to anyone you know. If your contacts are using Vine the Vine Message (VM) will be delivered via the app, but for anyone else SMS and email will be used.
But Windows Phone users will not be able to take advantage of this feature. Why not? Because, once again, Microsoft’s mobile operating system has been forgotten, or allowed to fall to the bottom of the todo list. It’s the same old story.
It’s disappointing to see that such a big name is treating the three main platforms differently. The amount of interest surrounding the Windows Phone 8.1 announcements at Build shows that this is an operating system that has a devoted following. Sure, it’s a following that isn’t as big as the two market leaders, but that’s not really the point.
All too often Windows Phone users are left waiting, often with no idea of when — or, indeed, if — a particular app or feature might make an appearance. In the case of Vine, the Windows Phone app has not been updated since December. It’s a strange state of affairs, especially when you consider the fact that it really is no harder to develop for Windows Phone than any other platform.
Something needs to change, and there’s a chance that Windows Phone 8.1 could be the push the platform needs.
We have reached out to Vine to find out when we can expect to see an updated version of the Windows Phone app, and we’ll update this post as soon as we hear anything back.
