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[kehs]

So I can access the entire device in WP7? This is news to me.

Spoiler

I thought my post implied favoritism towards Android.

Seems I misread your post.

 

[clav]

Seems I misread your post.

It's ok. I guess given my posting history you may seem to think otherwise.

<3

The first thing that comes to my mind is updates. Will Google adopt Microsoft's update philosophy starting from Ice Cream Sandwich? This seems to be a perfect opportunity.

I know how to root as I've had experience unlocking bootloaders for Windows Mobile phones and a few Android phones. To a certain extent, I'm kind of sick of doing that.

 

[Vanillalite]

Main thing you'll miss is the way the home screen is setup. Beyond just the typography you'll be missing the whole metro based live titles. It's just a totally different feeling user experience.

 

[ralexand]

What gets me about stuff like this is not that I like to see the platform finally getting some good pub, but where has this all been? Hardware and software wise the Nokia phones aren't doing that much different than anyone with a launch Samsung or HTC phone updated with Mango. Did everyone just forget about WP7 until now, and they are finally getting a taste of the platform again?

It's the only wp7 phone with a stellar design, ffc, LTE, a fairly large screen and all the little extra exclusive apps Nokia includes. Of course, the Titan has alot of those things but its cased in that boring shell.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

I like the os but there are several things I want from Apollo.

- task switcher needs to go beyond five and/or allow fast resume from app list and start screen.
- a central hub for notifications. copy android/ios 5 if need be.
- apps. not really in microsoft's hands though as the tools are there.
- phone management. backups, updates, app management. things that itunes does.
- folders. please. some sort of better organization for apps.
- screenshots
- better cloud support. full size photo support in skydrive. wireless backups. ota updates.
- lock screen notification shortcuts. if i get a text i should be able to get to it directly from the lock screen. third party app support too.
- separate ring tone and media volumes.
- custom alert sounds.
- system wide search.

Can I please add that if MS is adamant on manufacturers having these goddamned capacitive buttons, please give us options for a tap and hold threshold to go back,search/go home and/or doubletap options instead of accidentally tapping one of those capacitive buttons and messing everything up.

Spoiler

I was typing a really long post on NeoGAF, accidentally hit the back button, and there was no way for me to go forward ;_;

 

[kehs]

It's ok. I guess given my posting history you may seem to think otherwise.

<3

The first thing that comes to my mind is updates. Will Google adopt Microsoft's update philosophy starting from Ice Cream Sandwich? This seems to be a perfect opportunity.

I know how to root as I've had experience unlocking bootloaders for Windows Mobile phones and a few Android phones. To a certain extent, I'm kind of sick of doing that.

Yea, I thought for a second that's what you meant.

 

[clav]

Some other thoughts:

With ICS, does every phone now have the fast picture taking ability or is that restricted to the Galaxy Nexus? Does it take a long time to load the camera app? WP7 seems to take in consideration that the phone can take pictures with a camera button, and not every Android phone has a camera button. Android did implement unlock to camera app, but it seems like WP7's implementation is faster.

Battery life. I bet my Windows Mobile setup is similar to those of Androids users. Disable auto sync for background applications. Sync at a certain # of hours. Use Exchange push for Gmail. I don't think this has improved with ICS since I have yet to play with ICS on a mobile phone, but I would like to hear some opinions. WP7 seems to have taken care of battery management

Spoiler

minus AT&T and microcells

.

I keep seesawing between Android and the WP7 platform. Just don't know what to decide.

I know for Android, there's the power of Google that I use every day. It's just a lot of the platform reminds me of my current phone.

Main thing you'll miss is the way the home screen is setup. Beyond just the typography you'll be missing the whole metro based live titles. It's just a totally different feeling user experience.

Is Metro live tile really that much better though from a push notification system?

It seems to be conveying very small text in a tiny box that can strain the eyes.

This is a phone we're talking about. I can see it working in a bigger screen estate.

 

[zedge]

So I can access the entire device in WP7? This is news to me.

Spoiler

I thought my post implied favoritism towards Android.

I understand all the positives for Android as a Windows Mobile user.



Uh huh.

Ya what ever.

 

[clav]

Ya what ever.

Is that all you have to say as a current WP7 user?

I don't even have a WP7 phone, and I'm making a case here what things WP7 does better than Android. That better list appears to be a few.

 

[zedge]

Is that all you have to say as a current WP7 user?

I don't even have a WP7 phone, and I'm making a case here what things WP7 does better than Android. That better list appears to be a few.

It doesn't do anything better, just differently if that makes sense. I am primarily an Android user.

 

[Ghost]

Stupid thing about the lack of a notification hub on wp7 is that there is a notification hub, its your me tile, its just worthless because only deeply integrated services can use it. If i could just let any app that sends me a toast message also write to my me tile the problem would be solved!

 

[Fjolle]

This ones odd, because if you get a text, you can swipe the notification blue bar away to the right, almost as though its an action that will trigger something - but then it just stays in lock mode :/

Don't you just dismiss the notification that way?

If i unlock the phone while the notification is there i get directly to the messaging app.

 

[Tomcat]

Don't you just dismiss the notification that way?

If i unlock the phone while the notification is there i get directly to the messaging app.

i think you have to touch it first

 

[antiquegamer]

I must be in the wrong thread...

 

[Psychotext]

I must be in the wrong thread...

It is starting to look that way.

I think it's time to unsubscribe for a while.

 

[giga]

True multitasking means everything's state is saved exactly as it was when you left it, on every app cached in memory, unless you run enough apps to trigger Android's memory management and it starts killing apps you haven't used in awhile. This is actually pretty unnerving to people who came from iPhones, because they're used to always seeing the app's home screen or front page when they relaunch it from the app drawer. The idea of the app's last state being perpetually saved, even if they return to the app the next day, is completely foreign to them. But that's what true multitasking is, and sure it means Android isn't as fluid, sometimes it stalls and chugs a bit even in ICS. But it's up to you if you value the concept of a smartphone OS that truly behaves like a desktop OS in terms of how it handles multiple applications or not.

Nope.

 

[VanMardigan]

I have both ICS and a wp7 device. The advantages of windows phone remain even through the improvements Google made: its smoother, better integrated with social services, still looks better, still is the only one with zune, office, and xbox live, and has the fantastic hubs.

Android now looks better and behaves more smoothly, but its still android. It'll still ask which of five programsto open a picture with, still force closes, still stutters, etc.

 

[runningjoke]

True multitasking means everything's state is saved exactly as it was when you left it,

what the fuck? Pausing a task so you can start another task, pause that task so you can resume the last task. How is this multitasking? As a Nokia N900 owner, I probably have one of the few actual multitasking phones, 2 or more applications running at the same time. No pausing/resuming bullshit.

 

[HollovVpo1nt]

what the fuck? Pausing a task so you can start another task, pause that task so you can resume the last task. How is this multitasking? As a Nokia N900 owner, I probably have one of the few actual multitasking phones, 2 or more applications running at the same time. No pausing/resuming bullshit.

Windows Mobile says hi. I could open flash videos in the browser and still have he sound of it playing when I'm in another app. I don't remember pausing apps in Windows Mobile. I acutaully kind of liked WinMo 6.5

 

[user_nat]

Kinda weird, since resetting my phone my battery life has more than doubled.

I use to have to charge overnight, every night and now I am at 70% after 24 hours.

 

[kazinova]

What thread is this?

 

[MCD]

Rumor: http://www.wpcentral.com/two-changes-coming-tango-includes-tile-grouping

Happy now, giga?

 

[Tomcat]

I have both ICS and a wp7 device. The advantages of windows phone remain even through the improvements Google made: its smoother, better integrated with social services, still looks better, still is the only one with zune, office, and xbox live, and has the fantastic hubs.

Android now looks better and behaves more smoothly, but its still android. It'll still ask which of five programsto open a picture with, still force closes, still stutters, etc.

i agree
in fact i a while a go i read a nice quote about the difference between wp7 and android

something like "i want to use my phone and not my phone use me" or something like that
maybe it was from balmer? i dont remember
anyone knows what i am talking about and what was the actual quote? lol

 

[VanMardigan]

claviertekky, to he honest, Sprint seems to he making the decision for you. They only have one wp7 device, the slowest iPhone on the market in terms of data speed, and powerhouse android phones. Although, if you care about updates, then you wouldn't buy any of those android phones either, and there aren't any ICS phones on sprint, maybe until the Galaxy Nexus hits.

And even then, my Nexus One was abandoned by Google in less than two years. Which means that, IF the launch windows phones get Apollo, MS will join Apple as the only OS vendors that support their phones for the full length of a typical contract cycle in the US.

And overall, the "what phone should I get" question is silly, since everyone has different priorities. All the phones have multi-tasking in some sense, all have apps, all connect to social services, etc. They differ in specific ways, like native apps and the look and feel and fluidity of the OS. Windows phone also is the most unique one in terms of look, although you can customize android to look like anything with effort.

 

[kehs]

What thread is this?

webOS thread.

 

[tino]

So according to ZTE (largest ODM phone maker), Windows Phone license actually cost as much as $20-30 per phone.

http://www.theverge.com/microsoft/2012/1/19/2718209/windows-phone-license-cost-ZTE

 

[derFeef]

Rumor: http://www.wpcentral.com/two-changes-coming-tango-includes-tile-grouping

Happy now, giga?

I just hope that folder and/or groups do still look like regular tiles. I like my clean homescren.

 

[MCD]

Wow guys, check out the new wpcentral app.

Slick update.

 

[clav]

I must be in the wrong thread...

It is starting to look that way.

I think it's time to unsubscribe for a while.

What thread is this?

See. This is exactly what I don't understand about WP7 users. Unable to defend the platform.

Is what I'm saying is what you're regretting about purchasing WP7? Seems like a handful of you own multiple devices and just pop in WP7 just to be different, not necessary better.

I thought about some things I don't like about WP7:

1. 2-step verification. Why not?

2. Microsoft Points. Why is this not implemented?

claviertekky, to he honest, Sprint seems to he making the decision for you. They only have one wp7 device, the slowest iPhone on the market in terms of data speed, and powerhouse android phones. Although, if you care about updates, then you wouldn't buy any of those android phones either, and there aren't any ICS phones on sprint, maybe until the Galaxy Nexus hits.

And even then, my Nexus One was abandoned by Google in less than two years. Which means that, IF the launch windows phones get Apollo, MS will join Apple as the only OS vendors that support their phones for the full length of a typical contract cycle in the US.

And overall, the "what phone should I get" question is silly, since everyone has different priorities. All the phones have multi-tasking in some sense, all have apps, all connect to social services, etc. They differ in specific ways, like native apps and the look and feel and fluidity of the OS. Windows phone also is the most unique one in terms of look, although you can customize android to look like anything with effort.

My speeds are the same, if not better, to the networks around here.

Any major phone upgrade will increase my monthly bill significantly, so I have a financial incentive to stay with my current phone.

Wireless plans in America are outrageously expensive.

 

[kazinova]

See. This is exactly what I don't understand about WP7 users. Unable to defend the platform.

What is your malfunction? Either stop being a dick or don't post here.

 

[VanMardigan]

Unable to defend the platform? Read any review on the internet about the OS. Its friggin fantastic. That's the bottom line.

No platform is perfect, check out any of the official threads in gaf and witness massive bitching. This thread is no different. The problem is that there is a difference between the useful critique and discussion, from say a user like giga, and the lame trolling from Copernicus or android soldier.

There is nothing to defend, for this or android or ios users. All are fantastic platforms with unique strengths and differences. Pointing out random missing things like you are doing is fine, bit is irrelevant in the grand scheme because all platforms have holes you could point to.

Whatever is important to you is all that matters, not what gaf fanboys have to say. If your primary goal is to not upgrade so you can continue to save money, why the hell does it matter that you can't use MS points to buy shit? You gonna use those points in android or ios?

 

[The Faceless Master]

true multitasking means i can idle on IRC for hours on my phone while also doing other things, and when i come back to IRC, i'm still connected and can read what i missed.

 

[bananas]

true multitasking means i can idle on IRC for hours on my phone while also doing other things, and when i come back to find my battery dead.

Fixed.

 

[clav]

What is your malfunction? Either stop being a dick or don't post here.

I asked some questions comparing WP7 and Android, but everyone here ignored them.

Unable to defend the platform? Read any review on the internet about the OS. Its friggin fantastic. That's the bottom line.

No platform is perfect, check out any of the official threads in gaf and witness massive bitching. This thread is no different. The problem is that there is a difference between the useful critique and discussion, from say a user like giga, and the lame trolling from Copernicus or android soldier.

There is nothing to defend, for this or android or ios users. All are fantastic platforms with unique strengths and differences. Pointing out random missing things like you are doing is fine, bit is irrelevant in the grand scheme because all platforms have holes you could point to.

Whatever is important to you is all that matters, not what gaf fanboys have to say. If your primary goal is to not upgrade so you can continue to save money, why the hell does it matter that you can't use MS points to buy shit? You gonna use those points in android or ios?

See above.

 

[VanMardigan]

I asked some questions comparing WP7 and Android, but everyone here ignored them.

Then google it.

 

[clav]

Then google it.

I'm sure you can tell me how fast you can access to your camera app and tell me details about subsequent picture taking that WP7 can do.

Also, you could tell me how useful those live tiles are compared to a standard push notification system.

 

[Fjolle]

true multitasking means i can idle on IRC for hours on my phone while also doing other things, and when i come back to IRC, i'm still connected and can read what i missed.

That's called a bouncer.

 

[JaggedSac]

true multitasking means i can idle on IRC for hours on my phone while also doing other things, and when i come back to IRC, i'm still connected and can read what i missed.

How can you miss anything when you're the only one on IRC?

 

[kehs]

Unable to defend the platform? Read any review on the internet about the OS. Its friggin fantastic. That's the bottom line.

No platform is perfect, check out any of the official threads in gaf and witness massive bitching. This thread is no different. The problem is that there is a difference between the useful critique and discussion, from say a user like giga, and the lame trolling from Copernicus or android soldier.

I haven't joked directly in this thread in ages, and the only people I quote to joke around with are brotkasten, cause he has a sense of humor.

I actually enjoy discussing differences between the platforms, but like claviertekky pointed out, in this thread it always turns into "I thought this was a WP7 thread lalala".

 

[D4Danger]

I'm sure you can tell me how fast you can access to your camera app and tell me details about subsequent picture taking that WP7 can do.

takes about 2-3 seconds to load when the phone is off. about 1-2 when it's on.

I'm not sure what else you're looking for. Is there a specific example?

here's the website with all the features -> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/camera-and-pictures.aspx

Also, you could tell me how useful those live tiles are compared to a standard push notification system.

I find them useful. I usually turn my phone on and scroll my home screen to see any new information before I load something. Takes me about 2-3 seconds to skim my apps and see if there's something worth clicking.

 

[VanMardigan]

I'm sure you can tell me how fast you can access to your camera app and tell me details about subsequent picture taking that WP7 can do.

Also, you could tell me how useful those live tiles are compared to a standard push notification system.

*Sigh*

I haven't timed how quickly I can get to my camera app, although I'm sure there are videos or figures out there. Its pretty quick, so with the move by the others to provide similar functionality from the lock screen, its probably a wash.

The benefits of live tiles is that apps can give you all kinds of data at a glance. Weather, flight info, message count, news updates, etc. There is no direct correlation on ios, and on android there are widgets that offer similar functionality. Large widgets can offer extended functionality, like scrolling through twitter posts.

Notifications are arguably better on competing platforms because they are stored up in the status bar, whereas on wimdows phone they disappear if you don't click on them.

 

[Label]

Can I please add that if MS is adamant on manufacturers having these goddamned capacitive buttons, please give us options for a tap and hold threshold to go back,search/go home and/or doubletap options instead of accidentally tapping one of those capacitive buttons and messing everything up.

Jesus Christ this. So many times I have accidentally hit back or the windows button and it has ruined whatever it was I was doing.

 

[Fjolle]

I asked some questions comparing WP7 and Android, but everyone here ignored them.

I thought that you were asking questions about android, ICS and the GN.

 

[VanMardigan]

I forgot to mention that in mango, apps can now give you the ability to pin various parts into live tiles, so deep linking. That's unique as far as I know to windows phone. So you can pin a specific venue from maps, a specific flight from your travel app, specific people, directions, weather from multiple cities, favorite feed from your google reader account, favorite section of your news app, etc.

And each of those can have live tile functionality if the developer wants.

 

[lastflowers]

Jesus Christ this. So many times I have accidentally hit back or the windows button and it has ruined whatever it was I was doing.

The 710 does not have capacitive buttons.

 

[clav]

Thanks for the responses. Finally.

Would you say the text or picture choices how live tiles are handled are too small to convey on a phone screen?

I'm concerned about eye strain.

I don't know about you, but I browse GAF on a computer at least 150% zoom since the default 100% zoom hurts my eyes.

I know Android added recently a "large text" feature under "Accessibility."

 

[Fjolle]

Thanks for the responses. Finally.

Would you say the text or picture choices how live tiles are handled are too small to convey on a phone screen?

I'm concerned about eye strain.

I don't know about you, but I browse GAF on a computer at least 150% zoom since the default 100% zoom hurts my eyes.

I know Android added recently a "large text" feature under "Accessibility."

If i were you i'd get a professional to look at my eyes.

Personally i find that they work fine, but i don't have any other problems reading stuff, so it might not be the same for you.

(I can't find anything about large text. Also i think that developers can chose different sizes for their live tiles.)

 

[D4Danger]

Thanks for the responses. Finally.

Would you say the text or picture choices how live tiles are handled are too small to convey on a phone screen?

I'm concerned about eye strain.

I don't know about you, but I browse GAF on a computer at least 150% zoom since the default 100% zoom hurts my eyes.

I know Android added recently a "large text" feature under "Accessibility."

The text on the tiles looks to be a standard fixed size (maybe someone with experience using the sdk knows if you can change it?)

using the BBC News tile as an example it has about 4-8 words on. At the moment it just says "Kodak seeks bankruptcy protection" and I can read that clearly. The font appears to be a little larger than that used for the captions such as "Email" "Maps" etc that appear in the bottom left of a tile.

 

[lastflowers]

Thanks for the responses. Finally.

Would you say the text or picture choices how live tiles are handled are too small to convey on a phone screen?

I'm concerned about eye strain.

I don't know about you, but I browse GAF on a computer at least 150% zoom since the default 100% zoom hurts my eyes.

I know Android added recently a "large text" feature under "Accessibility."

I'd try to check one out in-store. I have no problems, but I have really good vision.

 

[ElNino]

Thanks for the responses. Finally.

Would you say the text or picture choices how live tiles are handled are too small to convey on a phone screen?

I'm concerned about eye strain.

I don't know about you, but I browse GAF on a computer at least 150% zoom since the default 100% zoom hurts my eyes.

I know Android added recently a "large text" feature under "Accessibility."

Since I came from a (non-touch screen) BlackBerry, eye strain is much better with my Focus as the screen is much bigger and fonts are easier to read. Getting reading glasses did help me a bit, but I don't need them for everyday use so I rarely take them out when using my phone.

Live tiles shouldn't be a problem at all since you aren't meant to "read" them as much as you just get "at a glance" info. If you need/want more info then you launch the app. Most apps I use have options to change font size or have large enough default that makes it easy to read.

That brings up another benefit to WP (and a big one for me). Almost every app/game I have looked at has a free trial and/or ad-supported version. I guess coming from Android it might not seem as important, but the ability to try every app before I buy it is a big deal. Case in point, I tried several Twitter apps before finding one that had the performance and font size I wanted (I use Birdsong).