Microsoft and Whatsapp: one step forward, and one step back.

On one hand, I see Microsoft trying to reinvent itself with Surface Pro 3 and on the other I find MS losing its plot on some areas.

For the last 1 week, Whatsapp which is one the largest mobile messaging platform is no longer available on Windows phone. The reasons that they have given is due to the notification issues.

This has resulted in lot of very angry customers around the world.
  http://www.techtree.com/content/news/6290/update-microsoft-promises-solve-whatsapp-issue-windows-phone.html

At a time when MS and Nokia is trying to regain market share, having one of the key application would have surely resulted in loss of sales and worse customer experience.

After 5 days of the application being, Windows phone VP, sends cryptic tweets


No time estimates, no regrets.... just some vague answers. So is this how MS Program Management work ? Oh I guess Mr. Joe was too busy with his hands on experience with Surface Pro 3.


As an engineer , I am wondering how hard can it be to solve this problem. Do you have to completely rewrite your application, to make it working with the new API. ... and before you make drastic code changes, does it not make sense to do some backward compatibility check ?? Basic Software engineering....

And why does the app not work with phones having old versions OS?
At one time Windows used to coexist with DOS programs and now it is not compatible with last version programs. 

 Last I know Microsoft owned 10% of FB and FB owns Whatsapp. So what is the excuse MS has for not getting it out of the door faster.

I feel sad for Satya Nadala, as he has a major problem in his hands. Not only is MS loosing market space, no one seems to be taking responsibility either. 

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