It's true that the main apps are cloud based, but cloud based isn't the same as open. The fact remains that apps come to iOS first, Android second, and Windows Phone sometime between months later and never. This is a real problem for Windows Phone users, especially when it comes to messaging apps. If all your friends are suddenly using Snapchat/WhatsApp/<new hot messaging app> you're going to be left out if you're on Windows Phone. In fact, you yourself refer to this phenomenon when you say, "people had friends with programs and games". Replace programs and games with messaging apps and social networks and you have exactly the same effect.