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[jagowar]

That looks hideous. WP7 need something like SBSettings on the iphone.

It really does look horrible.... sad thing too is android users probably think that is all there is to wp7 (and those using the other wp7 themes).

 

[kehs]

It really does look horrible.... sad thing too is android users probably think that is all there is to wp7 (and those using the other wp7 themes).

I certainly don't think the primarly launcher defines the entire os.

As far as the launcher goes, it pretty much is though.

 

[YuriLowell]

is there any talk of a verizon wp7?
I cant find anything.

 

[cool_dude_2049]

is there any talk of a verizon wp7?
I cant find anything.

AFAIK, there's been speculation of the HTC Trophy releasing on Verizon since the beginning of the year. The last known release date is April 15, but it seems that it's been pushed back because of an offer giving to microsoft employees, which was extended to May 5.

I don't think Verizon ever officially announced anything.

 

[brotkasten]

is there any talk of a verizon wp7?
I cant find anything.

Verizon HTC Trophy, launching ... God knows when. It was supposed to come out in three or four days, but has been pushed back to May.

 

[clav]

Verizon HTC Trophy, launching ... God knows when. It was supposed to come out in three or four days, but has been pushed back to May.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/wpcms_production/resources/images/000/044/945/large/vzwmay.png

Still debating if I want the Sprint HTC Arrive phone. I don't like how it lacks a true GPS TTS and tethering feature. That's honestly what is holding me back.

GPS TTS is guaranteed for Mango, right?

As for tethering, has no one figured out how to do it unofficially? It seems like NoDo broke the previous hack.

 

[impruv]

So a week ago I got my phone (Samsung Omnia 7 16GB), and I love it. Started using Nodo straight from the start.

However there's two things which annoy me...

Why can't WP7 have a toggle feature like Android? It would make enabling and disabling things a billion times more convenient.

And another thing is conversations, why can't I end a conversation and open a new one with the same person? Since I got the phone a week ago, I've been texting someone, and it's come up to over 150 texts, and having that many texts in one threaded view is just annoying... Although I am impressed there's still no slowdown.

It will start slowing down at about 1000 texts.

 

[clav]

So a week ago I got my phone (Samsung Omnia 7 16GB), and I love it. Started using Nodo straight from the start.

However there's two things which annoy me...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3226360/Atrix/1301690634223.jpg

Why can't WP7 have a toggle feature like Android? It would make enabling and disabling things a billion times more convenient.

And another thing is conversations, why can't I end a conversation and open a new one with the same person? Since I got the phone a week ago, I've been texting someone, and it's come up to over 150 texts, and having that many texts in one threaded view is just annoying... Although I am impressed there's still no slowdown.

Somewhat unrelated.

Why are you subscribed to Engadget? Read BGR instead.

Engadget's reviews are like:

If product == Apple
score = 9 out of 10, perfect, flawless
else
score = 6 or 7 out of 10, not Apple

 

[Milly79]

It will start slowing down at about 1000 texts.

I think it's a little less than 1k. I've been texting a few people since January and I know I'm relatively close to 1k, but not there. Keyboard slowdown and text bubble popup are really noticeable.

 

[brotkasten]

Somewhat unrelated.

Why are you subscribed to Engadget? Read BGR instead.

Engadget > BGR

At least until half of the staff left.

Engadget's reviews are like:

If product == Apple
score = 9 out of 10, perfect, flawless
else
score = 6 or 7 out of 10, not Apple

http://www.engadget.com/motorola/atrix-4g-review/

 

[clav]

Engadget > BGR

At least until half of the staff left.

Engadget was the first tech blog I followed, and then AOL came in to mess up everything.

I read TechCrunch and CrunchGear from time to time, but sometimes I don't feel like reading verbose articles, so I switched to Gizmodo for a short while. Then, I didn't like their format especially the website and how their feeds rendered in Google Reader, so I switched to BGR.

http://www.engadget.com/motorola/atrix-4g-review/

You know what I mean.

 

[giga]

Somewhat unrelated.

Why are you subscribed to Engadget? Read BGR instead.

Engadget's reviews are like:

If product == Apple
score = 9 out of 10, perfect, flawless
else
score = 6 or 7 out of 10, not Apple

Not all Apple products get a 9. Either way, this is really petty and the reason I hate review scores.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/macbook-air-review-late-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/apple-tv-review-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/07/ipod-nano-review-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/apple-magic-trackpad-review/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/macbook-pro-core-i7-review/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/03/apple-ipad-review/

 

[brotkasten]

You know what I mean.

I know what you mean, but it's really not that bad. Heck the original iPad god a 7/10. I think it's more important that the "bias" is not reflected in the usual reporting. And if that's not enough, they get better scoops than BGR.

 

[numble]

Not all Apple products get a 9. Either way, this is really petty and the reason I hate review scores.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/macbook-air-review-late-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/apple-tv-review-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/07/ipod-nano-review-2010/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/apple-magic-trackpad-review/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/macbook-pro-core-i7-review/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/03/apple-ipad-review/

So which Apple products got 9s? Only the ones that generally got high scores elsewhere?

 

[giga]

So which Apple products got 9s? Only the ones that generally got high scores elsewhere?

iPad 2
MBP 2011
iPhone 4
iPod touch 2G and 4G
iMac 2010
Mac Mini 2010
iPhone 3GS
24" LED ACD

All pretty damn good products.

 

[brotkasten]

Speaking of Engadget, they reviewed the Nokia E7 communicator and the the hardware is gorgeous. I'd love a WP7 version of it. It's really beautiful and looks imo much better than the HTC 7 Pro/Arrive.

 

[VanMardigan]

Yeah, with no iPhone likely this summer, I think I'll hold my upgrade for the Fall and see what Nokia can produce.

 

[brotkasten]

Windows Phone fragmentation incoming!

According to sources familiar with the company’s plans, the new hardware specifications will allow device manufacturers such as Nokia to create cheaper Windows Phone devices. The announcement may be made as early as the company’s MIX11 conference this week. The new flexibility will offer device makers the option to use cheaper components to bring the overall cost of a Windows Phone down. Microsoft is understood to be open to flexible specifications in order to gain smartphone market share and eat into Google’s Android efforts.

Microsoft planning to announce new flexible hardware specs for Windows Phone 7?

 

[Raistlin]

Somewhat unrelated.

Why are you subscribed to Engadget? Read BGR instead.

Engadget's reviews are like:

If product == Apple
score = 9 out of 10, perfect, flawless
else
score = 6 or 7 out of 10, not Apple

What's BGR?

Granted I use Engadget for news, not reviews ... but I welcome some other CE sites to check out.

 

[brotkasten]

What's BGR?

Granted I use Engadget for news, not reviews ... but I welcome some other CE sites to check out.

Boy Genius Report (horrible name imo).
http://bgr.com

 

[clav]

Windows Phone fragmentation incoming!


Microsoft planning to announce new flexible hardware specs for Windows Phone 7?

Eh, we'll see what happens at MIXI. I really hope that doesn't happen.

Otherwise, I'll be on the Android wagon now. It'll depend how Microsoft implements it if true.

 

[Raistlin]

Windows Phone fragmentation incoming!


Microsoft planning to announce new flexible hardware specs for Windows Phone 7?

Not sure if want.



I'm curious, just what is the parts cost for the current min spec WP7 phone? And what will it be moving forward? I'd be surprised if the processing and RAM are really all that costly. The screen is probably more costly ... and they already have lower res as being available IIRC. Why not just go with the smaller screen and keep the HW? I'd think they could get them out at a good price, particularly as we move forward.

 

[Darth Tigris]

I know what you mean, but it's really not that bad. Heck the original iPad god a 7/10. I think it's more important that the "bias" is not reflected in the usual reporting. And if that's not enough, they get better scoops than BGR.

Well if you read 99% of their WP7 articles, you'd be done with Engadget on that merit alone.

 

[jagowar]

They already said there would be a spec lower than the current wp7 spec (for the cheap phone).... they just never announced it officially.

 

[dream]

Well if you read 99% of their WP7 articles, you'd be done with Engadget on that merit alone.

Huh?

 

[brotkasten]

Not sure if want.



I'm curious, just what is the parts cost for the current min spec WP7 phone? And what will it be moving forward? I'd be surprised if the processing and RAM are really all that costly. The screen is probably more costly ... and they already have lower res as being available IIRC. Why not just go with the smaller screen and keep the HW? I'd think they could get them out at a good price, particularly as we move forward.

I can see how the devices are not exactly cheap. WVGA screen, everyone uses 512MB RAM (min req is 256MB), 5MP cam with flash and auto-focus and the old first gen snapdragon probably costs as much as the second gen, due to the old 65nm manufacturing process.

They already said there would be a spec lower than the current wp7 spec (for the cheap phone).... they just never announced it officially.

Same HW requirements, except for the lower res HVGA screen and a BB-style keyboard.

 

[clav]

Huh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGF6ONJdrGU

Watch how Engadget plays with the Sprint HTC Arrive phone. He doesn't know the phone had a physical keyboard. Not to mention, he doesn't know all the details of copy and paste as he fails to mention you can double paste.

Engadget is so awful in reporting. Troll every product that's not Apple.

Speaking of Engadget, they reviewed the Nokia E7 communicator and the the hardware is gorgeous. I'd love a WP7 version of it. It's really beautiful and looks imo much better than the HTC 7 Pro/Arrive.

They said the phone was awful overall.

 

[dream]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGF6ONJdrGU

Watch how Engadget plays with the Sprint HTC Arrive phone. He doesn't know the phone had a physical keyboard. Not to mention, he doesn't know all the details of copy and paste as he fails to mention you can double paste.

Engadget is so awful in reporting.

That seems okay to me considering it's just a quick hands on at some event.

As for the physical keyboard thing...I'd imagine most people wouldn't think to check for one on a phone made in 2011.

 

[clav]

That seems okay to me considering it's just a quick hands on at some event.

He has a responsibility in saying the right information though. You can't excuse Engadget for mistakes like that as these guys get paid to do whatever they do. If it's just some small blog then whatever.

They don't apologize for reporting errors either.

 

[jagowar]

I can see how the devices are not exactly cheap. WVGA screen, everyone uses 512MB RAM (min req is 256MB), 5MP cam with flash and auto-focus and the old first gen snapdragon probably costs as much as the second gen, due to the old 65nm manufacturing process.


Same HW requirements, except for the lower res HVGA screen and a BB-style keyboard.

They never said (atleast I don't remember reading it anywhere) that they internal specs would be the same..... just that there would be a 480x320 screen. If they are dropping the screen resolution it would make sense they wouldn't need to have as much power behind it. Guess we will find out soon enough.

 

[Raistlin]

Boy Genius Report (horrible name imo).
http://bgr.com

Ah thanks!

I can see how the devices are not exactly cheap. WVGA screen, everyone uses 512MB RAM (min req is 256MB), 5MP cam with flash and auto-focus and the old first gen snapdragon probably costs as much as the second gen, due to the old 65nm manufacturing process.


Same HW requirements, except for the lower res HVGA screen and a BB-style keyboard.

But couldn't they move to a cheaper < 65nm chipset that offers similar performance but cheaper? Basically get a current (or next gen for later this year) 'low end' processor that's on par with the original snapdragon, use the min RAM of 256MB, and the small screen.

Spec-wise, I don't think you'll see any major low-end Android phones hitting below that going forward anyway. Seems like they'd be gimping themselves for no good reason. If this were to have been done last year maybe it would have made some sense (I still wouldn't like it), but to do it for phones that probably wouldn't even be hitting until the end of this year ... that's a bad move for the platform, with little gain in costs.

 

[element]

I want a WP7 on Verizon LTE. OMG! Fast!

This was on a Thunderbolt at Best Buy today.

 

[brotkasten]

They said the phone was awful overall.

No, they didn't say that. Did you read the review or at least the wrap-up? They hate Symbian.

5/10

The Good
Gorgeous hardware
Excellent battery life
Strong camera performance

The Bad
Symbian is a disaster
EDoF is a mistake
Low pixel density

After spending several weeks with the Nokia E7, there's absolutely no doubt that the it's one of the sexiest pieces of hardware we've played with in recent months. Perhaps it's not the greatest Communicator Espoo has ever bestowed upon us, but it comes close and offers the most balanced set of features of any Symbian device to date. This makes it Nokia's de facto flagship smartphone and Symbian's ambassador for the foreseeable future. Devoted Symbian fans will likely be unfazed by the official $679 asking price for the E7 (unlocked and unsubsidized) and will seriously consider picking one up (or its N8 sibling), but for the rest of us the E7 misses the mark. While providing excellent battery life, proper multitasking, and some unique functionality that will please power users, Symbian remains an unmitigated disaster, with a sluggish, frustrating, and cosmetically antiquated user experience. We just can't recommend the E7, especially in light of what the Google and Apple ecosystems have to offer. Dear Nokia, please give us an E7 with a higher pixel-density display, an autofocus camera, a current-generation processor, and a tasty serving of Windows Phone. Oh, and do it soon -- the sharks are starting to smell blood.

 

[Raistlin]

He has a responsibility in saying the right information though. You can't excuse Engadget for mistakes like that as these guys get paid to do whatever they do. If it's just some small blog then whatever.

Agreed. If you aren't sure, don't guess. I understand sites want to get the info first, but I think people would excuse a lack of specifics when it's a quick hands-on at an event or something. The expectations aren't the same as a review or similar report.

They don't apologize for reporting errors either.

This is annoying.

 

[Raistlin]

They never said (atleast I don't remember reading it anywhere) that they internal specs would be the same..... just that there would be a 480x320 screen. If they are dropping the screen resolution it would make sense they wouldn't need to have as much power behind it. Guess we will find out soon enough.

If the power reduction is literally only in terms of GPU fillrate - then that's fine. Anything that impacts performance in other areas however is not a good idea IMO. You want performance stability for the OS.

 

[clav]

No, they didn't say that. Did you read the review or at least the wrap-up? They hate Symbian.

No mentions about the keyboard in a review?

Let's not continue arguing on this. I still do not like Engadget. I really think they're sipping on the Apple Kool Aid and sun shades.

I'll continue to read this for amusement: http://engadgetsucks.wordpress.com/

Despite all the evidence that they're not?

Do you work for them?

 

[dream]

Let's not continue arguing on this. I still do not like Engadget. I really think they're sipping on the Apple Kool Aid and sun shades.

Despite all the evidence that they're not?

 

[numble]

No mentions about the keyboard in a review?

Wat. That's just the summary. They talk about the keyboard all over the review.

 

[brotkasten]

No mentions about the keyboard in a review?

Dude, it's the summary. Of course they mention the keyboard in the review.

We're really impressed with the keyboard on the E7. It's one of the best we've used in recent memory -- on par with the keyboard on the HTC Arrive, but with an aligned 4-row layout instead of a staggered 5-row design. Tactile feedback is fantastic despite the short key travel and, unlike the N97 and N97 mini, the space bar is centered properly.

 

[clav]

Dude, it's the summary. Of course they mention the keyboard in the review.

Summary should include strength, and that keyboard definitely is.

 

[dream]

Do you work for them?

No, I just think it's kind of weird that you think Engadget exists to write puff pieces for Apple products even after giga showed you a bunch of reviews that prove otherwise.

Although I guess they could just be writing shitty reviews of things like the Magic Trackpad and the original iPad to throw people off the scent...

 

[VanMardigan]

I still do not like Engadget. I really think they're sipping on the Apple Kool Aid and sun shades.

I don't think Apple-Kool-Aid-Sipping is exclusive to Engagdet. I just checked out BGR after you recommended it, hit up their 3DS review, and saw this:

Is the Nintendo 3DS portable? Yes, if you’re 10 and wear baggy sweatpants. But mobile gaming isn’t just for kids and a $199 iPod touch offers both cheaper games and a far more portable form factor.

eh....that's a really shitty intro.

 

[clav]

I don't think Apple-Kool-Aid-Sipping is exclusive to Engagdet. I just checked out BGR after you recommended it, hit up their 3DS review, and saw this:



eh....that's a really shitty intro.

Hm. Maybe it's time to switch tech blogs again.

All right you guys win. I've been defeated.

I don't really pay attention to reviews of portable gaming devices for sites that don't exclusively report gaming content.

Still debating if I want the Sprint HTC Arrive phone. I don't like how it lacks a true GPS TTS and tethering feature. That's honestly what is holding me back.

GPS TTS is guaranteed for Mango, right?

As for tethering, has no one figured out how to do it unofficially? It seems like NoDo broke the previous hack.

Anyone?

 

[dream]

I don't think Apple-Kool-Aid-Sipping is exclusive to Engagdet. I just checked out BGR after you recommended it, hit up their 3DS review, and saw this:



eh....that's a really shitty intro.

The thing about the tech sites is they write with a very specific audience in mind. For most of those people, there's far more value in an iPod touch than there is in a dedicated handheld gaming device.

 

[Commodore]

Windows Phone fragmentation incoming!


Microsoft planning to announce new flexible hardware specs for Windows Phone 7?

Hmm, isn't that how Nokia became the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer? I would be disheartened to find they are pulling back the specifications for all devices, instead seems like they are widening the net. More users, more support, more sway. Seems like good news.

 

[Klocker]

yea, it's been pretty much expected since the Nokia announcement that Ms would have to allow some lesser spec devices to meet Nokia's global demands and customers.

I was hoping that would be a Nokia exclusive however

 

[Chiaroscuro]

I am wondering how it will fragment the market...

If they establish a low-level phone that does not have most of the funcionalities (ie. 5Mpixel câmera, less RAM, low res dispaly) it could be a budget phone that does not run Live Games, in example. But if devs will be forced to program for 2 different plataforms, it could be a mess.

Anyway I guess it would be inevitable. In the mobile word, things envolve fast. Every year or year and a half the tech changes, and a more powerfull WP device (likely WP8) will arrive in time, fragmenting the market anyway.

 

[D4Danger]

If they establish a low-level phone that does not have most of the funcionalities (ie. 5Mpixel câmera, less RAM, low res dispaly) it could be a budget phone that does not run Live Games.

that'll boost sales

 

[PG2G]

Still debating if I want the Sprint HTC Arrive phone. I don't like how it lacks a true GPS TTS and tethering feature. That's honestly what is holding me back.

GPS TTS is guaranteed for Mango, right?

As for tethering, has no one figured out how to do it unofficially? It seems like NoDo broke the previous hack.

Turn by turn has not been officially announced for Mango. Only multitasking, twitter, and IE9 is guaranteed. There actually have been no rumors at all from the Bing team. I'm sure they are at work though.

 

[VanMardigan]

The snapdragon on these phones are already over one year old. By the fall this chipset will be ancient, they should just leave this as the low end to ensure Xbox compatibility. Maybe lower the ram for smaller screen sizes.