December 16, 2011 - 12:55 AMT
INTERVIEW
Karl Davies-Barrett:
Windows Phone changes the way people use the phone
In November 2011, DPE technical Lead for CEE Karl Davies-Barrett paid a two-day visit to Armenia to hold workshop sessions at Microsoft Innovation Center Armenia. In an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net, Mr. Davies-Barrett presented the advantages of Windows Phone operating system, foretelling coming developments in mobile world. He also shared his impressions about Armenian IT sector, hailing the country’s vast potential.
Today online media is filled with articles about different operating systems, their advantages and disadvantages. The main competitors are Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Why is Windows Phone better than Android or iOS?
Unlike other operating systems which show icons only, we focus on people. Window Phone gathers user information in one place.

Most of the magazines who reviewed the operating system are amazed by how it changes the way people use the phone. Anytime you wish, your phone will show you the entire activity of a contact, with all his/her notifications and application updates. In other words, we bring the information closer.

The feedback we had so far is amazing. I mean, the reviews of the user interface perspectives are great.

Do you think that Windows Phone will be as popular as Windows for PC-s?
I hope so. It depends on the number of devices and manufacturers we work with. We currently collaborate with HTC and Samsung; Nokia is our new partner. We are going to have many more devices that will help increase the number of users.

How do you see the future of smartphones? Will we have mobile operators or we will just call each other by Skype?
With acquiring telecommunication application like Skype, Microsoft can have a role of a telecom provider. Whether we will still need a telecommunication infrastructure is a different matter. I wish I could tell the future but I really can’t.

I always ask my interlocutors whether it is safe to trust cloud services?
To understand it, you should compare whether it’s safe to store data in your house or in somebody’s data center. It always depends on how much money you spend to make it safe and how carefully you manage that data. If you’re very lazy it’s going to be dangerous and your data can be stolen.

For example, if you take the Microsoft’s data centers they are first class ones. We spend a lot of money on physical and biometric security. We have limited access to the service ourselves. And we monitor all access to the data. Actually, data machines can’t talk to one another. So we make sure we keep your data safe. You can certainly store data in your own data center but it will cost you a lot of money.

Is there a big difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8?
It will be unfair to say that Windows 8 is built on Windows 7. In fact, our official statement is Windows 8 is the PC re-imagined. It has completely a different way of working with your PC. It’s designed to be fast and very efficient. It really is re-imagining the way a PC can work and it gives a Microsoft a flexibility to work on different devices.

What do you know about Armenian IT field? How would you assess it?
I have little idea about Armenian IT sphere. I’ve met two IT companies and I am very impressed. I can’t say their names but they are developing applications. And if you want to know my opinion, I was very impressed on the maturity of how they operate and manage teams. I am amazed by their ability to find solutions. IT sector in Armenia carries immense potential.

Lusine Paravyan / PanARMENIAN News