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[dLMN8R]

My fiancee got a Samsung Focus and she loves it. Though she's never had a smartphone outside of a Blackberry Curve so it's quite a huge change for her. She was also extremely hesitant on the software keyboard, but she got used to it really quickly.

From her perspective, it's absolutely amazing how much stuff the thing does. I played around with it a lot and can't believe how blown out of proportion the back button thing is. It's always worked perfectly for me and done exactly what I expected it to do at any given point.

Downloading apps is weird in that it doesn't take you to the app when you're done, so you need to browse through the alphabetical list remembering the exact name of the app you downloaded in order to fine it. Hopefully they push out better app organization in some earlier update rather than it taking a while.

The camera functionality is fantastic.

Some reviews took issue with the build quality - it's true that it's very much plastic, and feels a little cheap especially with the way the back cover snaps off. But honestly, it still feels great and hefty enough holding it in your hand that it should be plenty durable.

The screen is fucking gorgeous, sheesh gorgeous. Even set to the lowest brightness setting it's nice and easy to use.

The voice search works fantastically well. Whether it's something like "1-2-3 north main boulevard, seattle, washington" or a regular word phrase, it's always recognized things perfectly.

Facebook integration worked really nicely, especially the option to filter contacts. She had 100-some contacts on her SIM card ported over from her old Blackberry, so when using the filtering option, it gathered Facebook information and pictures only for those 100-some people instead of cluttering up the entire thing.

 

[thirty]

real quick about the hd7. what i thought were front facing stereo speakers on the top and bottom are not speakers, just design accents. correction, the top is a speaker and theirs a pretty good speaker on the back of the unit as well. i'll be back with more detailed impressions later.

 

[antiquegamer]

Me and a friend both got the focus yesterday.... We were advised at the store to not put the card in but we went ahead anyways. Have not had any issues so far. I really did not want to wait and then have to redo all the customizations when ms finally gets around to fixing whatever the issue is so I went ahead and gave it a try. We both got the 16 gig card from the at&t store (sandisk). I know it cost a bit more but I assumed that if I went ahead and got it from the at&t store there would be less of a chance of getting a bad quality card.

Ok, good to know. Althought I did a lot of stuff on the phone already that going to have to be redo since I know adding memory will reset the phone to factory setting.

I figure out how to remove some unwanted contact and linking them together and now People list actually pretty neat and compact. Still I wish you can do favorite (I know you can tile them and put them on the front but a favorite list would be nice to have or let you group people such as work contact, family and friends).

Facebook intergration is amazing though I have one wierd bug where for some reason it did not sync in one of my friend on Facebook (who is also in my Live contact). I resync several time but he would not show up. I am not sure why (may be WP7 sensed his hatred for all thing from Redmond, he does loath all thing Microsoft).

Another quick question, what headphone (with mic and volume and pause stop) would work on the Focus? I bought a Sony headphone for iPhone/iPod but only the pause function would work on it so am I missing something I thought these thing are universal.

Thanks again guys and I am really like the phone though compare to iPhone4, MS still have a huge task ahead of them but they are off to good start. As far as UI, once you figure out how things work they are really good and more intuitive than iPhone. (I used iPhone since they came out). One other gripe is that unlike iPhone which are uniform in hardware and (now) have many companies making accesories for it, the Focus acccessories are really slim picking...

 

[Firestorm]

How did you remove the unwanted contacts from Live?

 

[antiquegamer]

How did you remove the unwanted contacts from Live?

There's three little dot on the bottom side if you click on it, it will give you option to delete them.

 

[Firestorm]

There's three little dot on the bottom side if you click on it, it will give you option to delete them.

I probably won't be getting my phone until next year, but does this remove everyone not a contact on your SIM card or do you have to do it individually?

 

[antiquegamer]

I probably won't be getting my phone until next year, but does this remove everyone not a contact on your SIM card or do you have to do it individually?

Individually. You can also remove them from your Live on your computer in batch. Getting this phone help me clean out my contact list and remove a lot of duplicated and outdated stuff. Again there should still be option for you to include and exclude whoever you want from your people list. There are several Facebook contact that I don't care to have on my phone (I guess I could un-friend them...)

 

[Firestorm]

Facebook you can actually make it only import the information for who you already have on your phone. It seems to be Live that's the problem. Ugh. I think I should unlink Facebook and LinkedIn from my Live account first, then go through and figure out my MSN list. I haven't cleaned it in 8 years or so.

 

[antiquegamer]

I'm really not into cases for my phones, but I really don't want to damage the Focus's drop dead gorgeous screen. I also have phone insurance through ATT, which covers drops. Should I still go for a case? If the insurance covers drops, then I'm hoping it would be easy to replace if necessary...but I'm still anxious. Anyone get a case for their Focus?

I can't find any case that I like (and don't add bulk to a very slim and light phone which I was the one of the reason beside the beautiful screen that I pick the Focus over the Surround). I am getting one of those Invisible Sheild type and see how that work, I never used them before but my brother swore by them. I just got a generic leather case and so far it works fine when I need to clip the phone to my scrub otherwise the phone just go into my jean pocket since they are so light.

 

[antiquegamer]

Facebook you can actually make it only import the information for who you already have on your phone. It seems to be Live that's the problem. Ugh. I think I should unlink Facebook and LinkedIn from my Live account first, then go through and figure out my MSN list. I haven't cleaned it in 8 years or so.

I didn't know you could screen out your Facebook contact .. where is that option. For some reason it screen out one of my friend that I actually want to have on my phone...go figure.

 

[antiquegamer]

Not overblown at all, I owned an 8GB 2G iphone and constantly had to remove apps/music/videos to free up space. On an 8GB Pre right now and have the same issues. These manufacturers are just cheaping out on the storage, it would cost them next to nothing to add more. Honestly, 8GB is a dealbreaker for me. I'd prefer 32 but could live with 16, however, I'm not paying more than $199 for a phone with 16GB of storage.

I have to agree with him, 8gb is pretty small for today smart phone especially one that tauting Xbox Live game hub as one of the feature. I will add 16gb into the Focus, warning be damm..I need more space.

 

[TylerD]

I forgot about the *369# to find out if you are eligible for an upgrade. Looks like I will be trying to pick up a Focus here in a couple of hours!

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Still nothing on 'jailbreaking'/HardSPLing these phones. I'll probably wait out a bit longer, since I'm sure it just hasn't reached the right hands yet.

 

[Fatalah]

Don't forget to check out the NeoGaf mobile site. (There is a thread that wrongly calls it an iPhone app)

www.secondapps.com/neogaf/

 

[DrFunk]

I have a feeling that the Venue Pro is gonna be really hard to find. There's talk of them being delayed in the UK, because of supply/component issues....my guess is the AMOLED panels :/

 

[kazinova]

I have to agree with him, 8gb is pretty small for today smart phone especially one that tauting Xbox Live game hub as one of the feature. I will add 16gb into the Focus, warning be damm..I need more space.

I think everyone that harps on the storage forgets that the Focus also touts expandable storage. Well, when we get that update it will?

 

[TylerD]

I think everyone that harps on the storage forgets that the Focus also touts expandable storage. Well, when we get that update it will?

My brother installed a class 2 32gb Sandisk card when he first got the phone and hasnt had any trouble at all. I told him that it wasn't recommended yet but he said that he will risk it.

 

[Walshicus]

Don't forget to check out the NeoGaf mobile site. (There is a thread that wrongly calls it an iPhone app)

www.secondapps.com/neogaf/

It's a shame the interface there is designed to emulate the iPhone's.

 

[Walshicus]

Figured out how to do accents - hold down the letter you want to give an acute to in the virtual keyboard, and a list appears...

 

[Vanillalite]

I'm just gonna ask for a larger 16 gig class 4 card for x-mas. It'll be easy cause I'll just link them to the one I want from Amazon and said get me THAT so we have no issues! :lol

Anyways count me in l8mnr's camp in terms of the back button. I never quite got what all the fuss was about in the reviews so much so that I thought I was confused by what it was or wasn't doing. In my experience it does what I think it'll do. You know go back a page. :lol

 

[thirty]

i just sync'd some albums and movies over to my 16gb hd7 and now i only have about 5gb left.

those worried about 8gb should seriously go with a phone with more memory or make hack a larger card in there. i did try to squeeze in 2-3 hd movies in there but the zune software will convert the file for you to best fit your screen. at least that's what i think it's doing because it sure takes a awful long time to bring movie files over to phone.

 

[TylerD]

But if you go from one app to another and hit the back button it will take you directly to the previous app you were in yes?

If that is the case, it is a great way to get around no true multitasking for now.

 

[kazinova]

But if you go from one app to another and hit the back button it will take you directly to the previous app you were in yes?

If that is the case, it is a great way to get around no true multitasking for now.

That is how it works.

The ideal scenario for this button's awesomeness is when you get the window shade for a text message and touch it to reply to the text you can hit the back button when you're done to go right back to where you were.

Another situation where the button is awesome: the official Twitter app doesn't have a built in browser like my old iPhone Twitter app. It loads IE when you click a link in someone's tweet, initially I was pissed and would hit the home button and navigate back to Twitter but simply pressing the back button takes you right back to twitter.

Faux multitasking.

Edit: Faultitasking or faultytasking?

 

[Anton Sugar]

But if you go from one app to another and hit the back button it will take you directly to the previous app you were in yes?

If that is the case, it is a great way to get around no true multitasking for now.

Yup! It works great.

 

[Robobandit]

Well, I took the HD7 back.

The battery life was terrible, the screen was a disappointment, the speaker was awful, the buttons were hard to press, and the 16GB (probably class 2) sd card was insanely slow for loading apps.

I'm going to try for a Dell Venue Pro next week..

 

[Vanillalite]

Oh yeah btw I too have one random Facebook friend that didn't sync. As much as I tried it wouldn't sync, and made me go WTF too!

PS: First post from my focus GAF!

 

[jagowar]

Oh yeah btw I too have one random Facebook friend that didn't sync. As much as I tried it wouldn't sync, and made me go WTF too!

PS: First post from my focus GAF!

I have 2 friends on facebook that will not sync.... I have a feeling they set some security option in facebook that will not allow their profile to be exposed to 3rd party apps or something.

 

[Tapiozona]

Are there any apps for tethering out yet? I use it for about 80% of my non-work related internet and it was real easy to get for Android so it's important that I have it with a windows phone. Also does anyone konw if there's been mention of Sprint getting a 4g version Windows phone?

 

[antiquegamer]

Oh yeah btw I too have one random Facebook friend that didn't sync. As much as I tried it wouldn't sync, and made me go WTF too!

PS: First post from my focus GAF!

Does this friend of yours also hate Microsoft because mine loath everything from Redmond so I figure that's why my new Windows Phone excluded him.

On a serious note I want to get a good replacement earphone ... the one that came with the phone is OK. I would like to have one that I can answer call and pause music/podcast and control volume.

 

[TylerD]

Just got back from the store with my Focus. Productivity is going to be nonexistent today!

This screen is just rediculous and buttery smooth is definitely the best way to describe the OS. The technolust is very very high right now.

edit: Oh, i went in with an open mind on the Surround and Focus. I thought the Surround looked better until I actually saw them in person. From the main menu the edgeless display effect that the Focus creates was impressive and then I went into the photo hub on both phones at the same time... Gameover! The focus is very sleek and understated and I am very happy with my decision.

 

[thirty]

i too have one facebook friend and his contact won't play nice in the people hub. suck cuz this dude takes great pics. come to think of it, he too hates microsoft and loves anything apple and google, hahahahaaa. guess i'll use the facebook app or the picture hub.

as to nice earphones, i've always had my eyes on these.
http://www.zagg.com/audio/smart-buds.php

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Are there any apps for tethering out yet? I use it for about 80% of my non-work related internet and it was real easy to get for Android so it's important that I have it with a windows phone. Also does anyone konw if there's been mention of Sprint getting a 4g version Windows phone?

I'm guessing apps like these will be carrier-specific in the future. With no multitasking it would be kind of inconvenient to run a third party app all the time, wouldn't it?

 

[thirty]

any way to get my emails pushed faster to my phone. i emailed myself some links to bookmark and it can take up to 20 minutes at times, even to my live email. wtf? i guess i'm spoiled coming from blackberry.

 

[Gary Whitta]

Tested posted a video quick look at two of the new phones, I must say I really like the look of the UI.

http://www.tested.com/windows-phone-7-first-look-samsung-focus-htc-surround/47-197/

 

[Vanillalite]

any way to get my emails pushed faster to my phone. i emailed myself some links to bookmark and it can take up to 20 minutes at times, even to my live email. wtf? i guess i'm spoiled coming from blackberry.

Can't you manually update with the sync button?

PS: UI is the #1 reason to get a W7P

 

[PG2G]

any way to get my emails pushed faster to my phone. i emailed myself some links to bookmark and it can take up to 20 minutes at times, even to my live email. wtf? i guess i'm spoiled coming from blackberry.

Did you set the account to update as items are received? I think they poll by default, and some (yahoo) don't even have the option of as items are received.

 

[TylerD]

I am in love with WP7 and my Focus!

 

[jmdajr]

how are sales going?

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

how are sales going?

I recommended the HD7 to a friend, and it's all sold out in T-Mobile stores around here (Richmond area, VA)

I think the initial shipment was very, very low for the more attractive phones (Focus, HD7)

 

[brotkasten]

Could you lucky bastards with a WP7 take a look at the OP to see if something is wrong or missing or anything? That would be great.

 

[VanMardigan]

So I finally held a samsung focus...words cannot describe.

Thing is gorgeous and the amoled screen was made for this os. Took all my willpower to hold off. I told myself I'd wait until next year since I just got a nexus one this year, but damn that phone is sexy and the os is gorgeous and unbelievably fluid. Didn't stutter once.

 

[kazinova]

So I finally held a samsung focus...words cannot describe.

Thing is gorgeous and the amoled screen was made for this os. Took all my willpower to hold off. I told myself I'd wait until next year since I just got a nexus one this year, but damn that phone is sexy and the os is gorgeous and unbelievably fluid. Didn't stutter once.

Resistance is futile, once you touch it you can't go back! JOIN US! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.:lol

 

[TylerD]

how are sales going?

I had to call 4 different AT&T retailers to find one that still had the Focus in stock. They all had Surrounds and honestly I don't know how the Surround is going to sell at all when they place the black beauty right next to it.

I love racing and cars so it was an extra bonus that the back of the Focus looks kind of like carbon fibre. I was expecting it to feel a little cheap from other impressions but it has a good weight to it and i don't see any problems with the plastic construction. My brother has a loose back cover but mine seems to be just fine.

 

[Vanillalite]

Surround is gonna bomb when you see both phones side by side in store lol

 

[Anton Sugar]

edit: Oh, i went in with an open mind on the Surround and Focus. I thought the Surround looked better until I actually saw them in person. From the main menu the edgeless display effect that the Focus creates was impressive and then I went into the photo hub on both phones at the same time... Gameover! The focus is very sleek and understated and I am very happy with my decision.

Completely agree. Sounds pretty fucking cheesy, but it feels like the UI is literally in your hand.

I recommended the HD7 to a friend, and it's all sold out in T-Mobile stores around here (Richmond area, VA)

I think the initial shipment was very, very low for the more attractive phones (Focus, HD7)

I don't think it's going to blast out of the gate, but I think it will have legs. I do believe MS is "all in" and wouldn't be surprised if they just throw money at it to help keep it afloat and establish a position in the mobile world, like the original Xbox.

 

[dallow_bg]

I guess I'm the only one with the Surround. Focus' screen was super nice though.

 

[Windu]

http://www.bing.com/visualsearch?g=wp7&mkt=en-us

 

[dallow_bg]

http://www.bing.com/visualsearch?g=wp7&mkt=en-us

That's nice!

So much nothing though.

I'm glad Pageonce Finance is up though I hope a Mint app comes along.

 

[shantyman]

I guess I'm the only one with the Surround. Focus' screen was super nice though.

What do you think of the Surround so far? Any specific impressions?

 

[Anton Sugar]

So, which theme color are people preferring?