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[Raistlin]

W7 update looks nice. It's nice that Microsoft have been using webOS devices. I'm awaiting Apple to rip off the OS at WWDC next week.

Wtf is this shit?

 

[Blackhead]

Just out of curiosity but the tethering you are talking about is what I am assuming is the "free" stuff that has been hacked on various phones? Going off my experiences from my pre.... I had the capability to use it but realistically only ever used it 2 or 3 times and even then I didn't need to use it.

Personally I don't see that type of tethering lasting very long on any current platform..... android oem's are already trying to block it due to pressure from the carriers. The carriers want their insane extra fee for doing it legally.

I personally don't see the use of tethering from my phone.... The only place I need it is while on the road and my phone's browser is good enough for that time. Otherwise I am on wifi.

I used it all the time on my pixi and (when it was eventually available) on my pre2. Others don't use tethering that often but consider it a lifesaver when traveling to a place without cheap wifi or when their home internet connection is broken and it takes a couple of days to fix. At that unexpected moment when you need tethering, it might be too late to switch to a platform that supports it; better to be safe and sure imo.

 

[Wilester]

Sold.

T-Mobile are doing an unbelievable offer for the Omnia 7 starting from £15.54 for a 24 month contract with the text and optional booster (e.g. Internet). 600mins for £20. Why the massive drop? It was retailing for around £35 a month last time I checked

Snap it up. I'm paying £30 a month after paying £150 upfront. The joys of being an early adopter.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Snap it up. I'm paying £30 a month after paying £150 upfront. The joys of being an early adopter.

I'm trying to, but I'm tied to a current contract. It ends this November so i'm trying to negotiate with them. Expecting a call back soon about it

 

[VanMardigan]

I used it all the time on my pixi and (when it was eventually available) on my pre2. Others don't use tethering that often but consider it a lifesaver when traveling to a place without cheap wifi or when their home internet connection is broken and it takes a couple of days to fix. At that unexpected moment when you need tethering, it might be too late to switch to a platform that supports it; better to be safe and sure imo.

I agree, you can go weeks without needing to tether, and then it can be a lifesaver. My home internet can suck it up sometimes and we don't have a lot of wifi coverage where I live. Plus, my work internet is heavily blocked. I traveled a few months ago and used tethering extensively because there was no internet access in the home. *hugs Nexus One*

Still, there are hacks for most if not all WP7 devices that allow tethering, and I expect that to be the trend moving forward, just like it is on all the other leading platforms, where you can hack your way to tethering if need be.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Does the Omnia 7 have a feature enabled where you can find it if it's on Silent Mode, like you see with HTC phones?

 

[D4Danger]

Sold.

T-Mobile are doing an unbelievable offer for the Omnia 7 starting from £15.54 for a 24 month contract with the text and optional booster (e.g. Internet). 600mins for £20. Why the massive drop? It was retailing for around £35 a month last time I checked

is that a good phone?

that is a really good offer. I'd seriously consider getting this myself knowing Mango is coming to all Windows phones.

 

[VanMardigan]

Does the Omnia 7 have a feature enabled where you can find it if it's on Silent Mode, like you see with HTC phones?

If you hit the volume up key, you'll see an icon on the top right that will indicate if you are on silent or not. It's global volume, so you don't control that for individual apps. You can also use volume up to quickly pause/play music.

edit: oh wait, I think I read your question wrong. If you mean the ability to ring your phone even when its on silent because you can't find it, then yes, there's a website (windowsphone.live.com) that you can go to and it tells you where it is, you can call it remotely, lock it, wipe it, etc. It's a free service.

 

[jagowar]

I used it all the time on my pixi and (when it was eventually available) on my pre2. Others don't use tethering that often but consider it a lifesaver when traveling to a place without cheap wifi or when their home internet connection is broken and it takes a couple of days to fix. At that unexpected moment when you need tethering, it might be too late to switch to a platform that supports it; better to be safe and sure imo.

Not denying that but can you really not go a day or two browsing only on your phone? That was I eventually realized was the few times I actually made use of it I really didn't need to.... I just thought I needed to do something on my laptop when I would have been just as functional on my phone. I understand it from a feature check off point of view but in practice I really don't think it matters.... esp when the carriers will charge you more for it.

 

[Joel Was Right]

is that a good phone?

that is a really good offer. I'd seriously consider getting this myself knowing Mango is coming to all Windows phones.

The best WP7 on the market here according to GAF

 

[VanMardigan]

In my case, I'm doing online coursework, so it's not just about web browsing.

 

[Husker86]

Not denying that but can you really not go a day or two browsing only on your phone? That was I eventually realized was the few times I actually made use of it I really didn't need to.... I just thought I needed to do something on my laptop when I would have been just as functional on my phone. I understand it from a feature check off point of view but in practice I really don't think it matters.... esp when the carriers will charge you more for it.

Why accept limitations when you could have something better? The carrier restrictions are also pretty much just in the US.

 

[antiquegamer]

You seem to be more offended than I am. I'm just saying that the basis of reference should be with current-gen hardware. I don't see how that is an unfair point. If someone is in an iPhone thread and says, "I've used Android for 18 months, iPhone 4 is SO MUCH BETTER," but I find out that he was using a MyTouch 3G (released around the same time as the 3GS), there is cause to question if that comparison is a valid comparison of the capabilities between Android and iOS.

Actually, I don't know what you are rambling on about. He is the one with 18 months using iPhone and currently using android and used WP7 for several months until it's untimely demised. He is compare it from his experience that he prefer WP7 browser and how would you want him to compare to some phantom iPhone 6 or even the iPhone 4 that he doesn't have. You Apple defender are really a nut job.

Anyway for what it worth, I use iPad and while the big screen is definitely a big plus, it's often stutter and pause when browsing. While I don't think IE on WP7 is the super awesome sauce, it is smooth and quick and often time that make for a better browsing experience.

By the way I actually use and prefer Chrome on my desktop so I am no IE fanboy (if there is such thing).

 

[brotkasten]

Microsoft will launch a Web Marketplace with Mango.

The Web version of the Marketplace will launch alongside Windows Phone Mango later this year. “We continue to invest in Windows Phone Marketplace to make it more accessible and engaging,” said Microsoft’s Todd Brix. “We remain equally committed to ensuring a great developer experience based on fair and transparent policies, as well as steadily improving the shopping experience for customers.”

http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-unveils-web-version-of-the-windows-phone-marketplace

 

[jagowar]

It also looks like they are moving the "my phone" stuff there.... the whole devices.live.com part. Never did make sense that you had to go there to get to the phone stuff.

 

[Blackhead]

Not denying that but can you really not go a day or two browsing only on your phone? That was I eventually realized was the few times I actually made use of it I really didn't need to.... I just thought I needed to do something on my laptop when I would have been just as functional on my phone. I understand it from a feature check off point of view but in practice I really don't think it matters.... esp when the carriers will charge you more for it.

A jailbroken iPhone, or an Android Nexus phone... I could make do with only that device for a few days or even a week or two. A webOS phone, or a WP7 device, just doesn't do enough.

 

[Firestorm]

Not denying that but can you really not go a day or two browsing only on your phone? That was I eventually realized was the few times I actually made use of it I really didn't need to.... I just thought I needed to do something on my laptop when I would have been just as functional on my phone. I understand it from a feature check off point of view but in practice I really don't think it matters.... esp when the carriers will charge you more for it.

As mentioned:

1) Not all of us live in the US. Carriers don't charge for it in our countries.
2) Sometimes it can be a lifesaver. For example, when Rogers and Bell repeatedly fucked up and left me without internet for about 3 weeks.

I also used it when I was doing contract work for a company. Couldn't connect to their network, no wifi I could connect to nearby, and so I tethered for internet.

 

[Raistlin]

So any chance MS would actually approve a WiFi hotspot app if someone made it? It should be possible with the newly available API's.

Not denying that but can you really not go a day or two browsing only on your phone? That was I eventually realized was the few times I actually made use of it I really didn't need to.... I just thought I needed to do something on my laptop when I would have been just as functional on my phone. I understand it from a feature check off point of view but in practice I really don't think it matters.... esp when the carriers will charge you more for it.

The issue is that more and more devices are online devices, and many people opt for WiFi only versions because it's simply unrealistic to pay for 3/4G on 3 or 4 different devices at the same time.

It's not so much for use with a laptop (though obviously that is one) like the tethering of old, as it is for use with your tablet, eReader, portable gaming system, etc.

I think most people would consider paying more for it - they just want it centralized and obviously not as expensive as numerous separate contracts.

 

[Wazzim]

Sold.

T-Mobile are doing an unbelievable offer for the Omnia 7 starting from £15.54 for a 24 month contract with the text and optional booster (e.g. Internet). 600mins for £20. Why the massive drop? It was retailing for around £35 a month last time I checked

Windows Phone prizes dropped drastically in Europe, I bought a Optimus 7 last week and it costs me less then my friend's Galaxy Ace.

 

[brotkasten]

If you need tethering in a "life saving situation", then you can always switch to tethered mode in the phone's diagnostic menu.

So any chance MS would actually approve a WiFi hotspot app if someone made it? It should be possible with the newly available API's.

I read that Achim Berg, VP of the WP business (I think) admitted that WiFi hotspot should've been in Mango, but didn't make the cut. Makes me think that Mango is feature complete, but not code complete (probably the reason why we didn't see every new feature yet). I doubt that Microsoft will allow such apps in the marketplace, because it would piss off the carriers. Homebrew is another story.

 

[Commodore]

Oh man, the two Microsoft employees doing this live demo are cringe worthy.

http://apps.facebook.com/wpwhatsnext/

If there's one thing they don't seem to understand is conveying an image, and marketing. Blech.

 

[Captain N]

can you have mp3s as ringtones?

 

[PG2G]

can you have mp3s as ringtones?

In Mango

 

[brotkasten]

Update on tethering:

@Advocate - I appreciate your pain around tethering (using your device as a modem) as this has been something that I've used in the past. Tethering, in the past was something that we managed independently of the Mobile Operators (e.g. AT&T, Orange, Verizon). In recent years, the Mobile Operators have now taken ownership of this functionality x-all platforms (e.g. our competitors as well as us). We are continually working with them and our OEM partners to enable this functionality for our devices, but at this time there isn't an announcement that we've made in regards to rolling out this feature. Stay Tuned!

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_...er-news-beta-mango-tools-available-today.aspx

It's crazy how carriers are holding back everyone. They can detect if you're tethering via phone, so just charge extra when someone does it. Geez.

 

[kehs]

Update on tethering:


http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_...er-news-beta-mango-tools-available-today.aspx

It's crazy how carriers are holding back everyone. They can detect if you're tethering via phone, so just charge extra when someone does it. Geez.

"Taken Ownership" such bullshit, all the OSes are making it easier for the carriers to see what is routed through tethering.

 

[SeanR1221]

I wonder if Mango will allow the battery life to always show, pulling it down is stupid.

I also wonder if it will have compass support and show you which way you're facing in maps (unless this has to be built into the hardware).

Anyone know?

 

[brotkasten]

I wonder if Mango will allow the battery life to always show, pulling it down is stupid.

I also wonder if it will have compass support and show you which way you're facing in maps (unless this has to be built into the hardware).

Anyone know?

The battery meter is by design and I don't think if they'll change that.

Every WP7 already has a compass, but there was no support for it in the SDK. The Mango update and the new SDK changes that.

 

[Commodore]

The battery meter is by design and I don't think if they'll change that.

Every WP7 already has a compass, but there was no support for it in the SDK. The Mango update and the new SDK changes that.

One thing I do hope they'd change is giving the battery a percentage, or at least an option. For some reason I like seeing exactly how much juice I have left, rather than a minuscule change in a small icon.

 

[Klocker]

I wonder if Mango will allow the battery life to always show, pulling it down is stupid.
.

Anyone know?

minimalist, part of the Metro UI. I prefer it but options for everyone are always good.

 

[PSGames]

As soon as you get the mail.

Are you sure about that? Mine syncs every 30 mins (or whatever interval I select).

Edit: Also I see Hydro Thunder on the marketplace. Downloading now.

 

[PG2G]

This will be nice, I guess we won't be stuck with just yearly releases like we've had so far. This is exactly what WP7 needs.

"We should be launching new devices in a rhythm that might be every couple of months, every three months, something like that….We’re going to keep coming with new devices in order to have something to talk about."

She also confirmed that Nokia Windows phone 7 handsets were still on track for 2011, saying "Our target is absolutely still this year…and the target looks good.", saying the company is aiming to deliver a “small batch” this year.

http://wmpoweruser.com/nokia-to-deliver-first-batch-of-wp7-handsets-in-2011-and-then-another-few-every-3-months/

 

[brotkasten]

One thing I do hope they'd change is giving the battery a percentage, or at least an option. For some reason I like seeing exactly how much juice I have left, rather than a minuscule change in a small icon.

I know what you mean, I felt like that, too. But after a while, I saw the light in Belfiore's and Ballmer's eyes and ... err ... Seriously now, WP7 taught me to stop caring about the battery. I can see when the battery is full, I know when I have only 10% left (first low battery warning) and that's all I need to know. The battery still lasts an hour or two after the first warning and it gives me enough time to react.

Wow, I really sound like an apologist. It's kinda gross.

 

[SeanR1221]

I just hope the next phones have better batteries. It be nice to match the iPhone 4 in that department.

Looking forward to the compass support.

My plan is to pop my sim into my unlocked Focus once Mango comes out and use it for a couple weeks, to see if I can commit and not use iOS anymore. I think the only major app I'm waiting for is Beluga.

 

[brotkasten]

I just hope the next phones have better batteries. It be nice to match the iPhone 4 in that department.

Better battery life would be great. One of the reasons I got an Optimus 7 instead of a Mozart was the 1500 mAh battery. I hope HTC will learn from that. 1230 mAh wasn't enough for the HD2 and it's unsurprisingly not enough for the HD7.

 

[Commodore]

I know what you mean, I felt like that, too. But after a while, I saw the light in Belfiore's and Ballmer's eyes and ... err ... Seriously now, WP7 taught me to stop caring about the battery. I can see when the battery is full, I know when I have only 10% left (first low battery warning) and that's all I need to know. The battery still lasts an hour or two after the first warning and it gives me enough time to react.

Wow, I really sound like an apologist. It's kinda gross.

Heh, it'll be ok. It's just a leftover UI want from the my iPhone days.

 

[Raistlin]

If you need tethering in a "life saving situation", then you can always switch to tethered mode in the phone's diagnostic menu.

I read that Achim Berg, VP of the WP business (I think) admitted that WiFi hotspot should've been in Mango, but didn't make the cut. Makes me think that Mango is feature complete, but not code complete (probably the reason why we didn't see every new feature yet). I doubt that Microsoft will allow such apps in the marketplace, because it would piss off the carriers. Homebrew is another story.

But his insistence that he wishes it was in Mango makes me think they don't give a shit about carriers? So their only incentive for not allowing it would only be if they plan on adding it into the base OS later?

 

[antiquegamer]

http://www.wpcentral.com/mangos-are-orange-and-orange-now-mango

Not sure if this is just for the demo unit changing orange to mango (name only), I think they should just add more colors. The redish-orange theme they use for mango looks nice on the OS. (I try to imitate the color with accent changer app and replace that ugly brown with it).

 

[brotkasten]

But his insistence that he wishes it was in Mango makes me think they don't give a shit about carriers? So their only incentive for not allowing it would only be if they plan on adding it into the base OS later?

Did you forget? Windows Phone 7 is the most carrier friendly OS! :lol I think they'll try to implement it.

Achim Berg, the corporate vice president of Windows Phone marketing has told Pocket-lint in an informal chat that he has regretted not getting the Windows Phone 7 team to include tethering in the new Mango update detailed on Tuesday.

The revelation shows that Microsoft still has plenty to do ahead of the scheduled launch later this year.

“It’s been clear today that people want thethering support,” Berg told Pocket-lint after many journalists complained about a lack of Wi-Fi at the London VIP event at Millbank Tower near Westminster.

 

[Blackhead]

So... no posts from the Chevron blog or Chris Walsh's blog on the recent WP7 event... Where's that 'official homebrew' plan that was supposed to be coming from Microsoft?

 

[MCD]

http://wmpoweruser.com/complete-japanese-language-support-in-windows-phone-mango/

We reported back in January that Windows Phones will support Japanese Language in second half of this year. At MIX’11 Microsoft announced 16 additional languages support in Windows Phones including Japanese. What’s interesting to know is that Microsoft is not just slapping additional languages into its existing Metro Design as noted by Long Zheng. Long Zheng posted some screenshots of the Japanese Language support in Windows Phones. Here are some of those,

As you can see below, Microsoft have revamped the soft keyboard for this language.

Even the Japanese emoticons are supported ! !

Atlast, the important thing is the vertical text layout to be followed throughout the OS in places like panoramas, lockscreens,etc, to reduce the amount of text clipping that would occur more frequently.

Source: Long Zheng from istartedsomething.com

 

[gcubed]

Better battery life would be great. One of the reasons I got an Optimus 7 instead of a Mozart was the 1500 mAh battery. I hope HTC will learn from that. 1230 mAh wasn't enough for the HD2 and it's unsurprisingly not enough for the HD7.

HTC is the wrong company to hope for better battery life from

 

[jagowar]

http://www.wpcentral.com/mangos-are-orange-and-orange-now-mango

Not sure if this is just for the demo unit changing orange to mango (name only), I think they should just add more colors. The redish-orange theme they use for mango looks nice on the OS. (I try to imitate the color with accent changer app and replace that ugly brown with it).

They really should add more colors.... 50 shades would be enough (one of those hexagonal color wheels would work). A number of good colors are missing that I have used on my unlocked focus and look really good. A good dark shade of maroon, gray (which looks surprisingly good on wp7), etc.

 

[brotkasten]

They really should add more colors.... 50 shades would be enough (one of those hexagonal color wheels would work). A number of good colors are missing that I have used on my unlocked focus and look really good. A good dark shade of maroon, gray (which looks surprisingly good on wp7), etc.

Imagine the amount of focus testing Microsoft would have to do ... :lol

 

[plagiarize]

ordered my Trophy from Verizon, might get it tomorrow which would be nice. i've been waiting for one of these for a fair while. probably going to get Zombies!!! and Championship Edition DX.

any other games and apps i should think about?

 

[brotkasten]

ordered my Trophy from Verizon, might get it tomorrow which would be nice. i've been waiting for one of these for a fair while.

First impressions would be nice.

 

[plagiarize]

First impressions would be nice.

will do my best. i haven't had a chance to go hands on with a Windows Phone yet so i won't be able to compare it to anything of the others. you're mainly looking for impressions of the handset and signal/call quality type stuff?

 

[Joel Was Right]

Just got the phone. My People hub is a mess - its imported all my Windows Live contacts. I'll have to manually delete them on the phone or via the Live website, but I'd rather not. Is there a way to sync everything but Contacts? I don't want them on my phone

 

[dallow_bg]

I was about to go back to iPhone, still miss the apps I had on the go.
Mango looks really impressive though, I'll hold off until then though, need to see iOS 5 as well.

Visual voicemail makes me happy.

 

[Joel Was Right]

I got 300 minutes, 300 texts, Internet and Unlimited landline calls for £15.32. Offer ends on the 31st of May though, be quick if you want it

 

[plagiarize]

Verizon are already listing the Trophy as out of stock. mine already shipped, so that's good. dunno what their initial shipment was, but it's a good sign that they sold out before midday i think.