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[MCD]

Anyone know what's with PNG support in WP7?

I can view them online but it convert them to JPG when saving them. And when I add PNGs via the Zune software my Sammy Focus can't see them.

 

[InaudibleWhispa]

it's not you, shazam works about 50% of the time, it was like that with my blackberry. some tips; make sure there's zero background noise, and try to catch the chorus of the song.

In the confines of my bedroom it works 100% of the time. I've thrown the most obscure stuff I've got at it, and even with just a single string note intro or a light beat it amazingly gets it every time. In realistic settings such as a party or club, it doesn't quite have a 100% success rate, but it's definitely higher than 50% for me.

 

[clav]

From a Windows Mobile 6.5 perspective, I always thought midomi worked better than shazam.

On the iOS, midomi is not free.

 

[snap0212]

From a Windows Mobile 6.5 perspective, I always thought midomi worked better than shazam.

I think Shazam is great! It sometimes doesn't work, but when it even recognized a song that was playing in a discotheque (a lot of background noise), I was totally surprised. Great App, imo.

 

[antiquegamer]

It works everytime now for me now that I figure out what the problem was. On the Focus if you don't use the headset that come with the phone (the one with mic built in) it would disable your microphone on the phone. Some report the mic/headset bug happen even with the mic headset or with bluetooth but I never have that problem.

I did know about the mic get disable when using non-mic headphone.It just happen eveyrtime I use Shazam in the past it was after I use my non-mic headset (usually when I am at home) so the mic was not working. (Duh!).

There seems to be a lot of bug with Focus from browsing various Windows Phone forum. Some people said the replacement phone they got was worst than the first so I am kinda wary about my replacement ... I am thinking may be I should have gone with the LG Quantum (it was my first choice actually before I saw the Focus suductive SuperOMOLED screen). There seems to be very little problem report with LG Quantum or may it is just because not many people have that phone ><

Strangly, now that I ask for replacement phone, my Focus have yet once reboot itself since. Though I did remove battery and re-seat the SD card since so may be that help.

 

[hoos30]

I took a running leap over the bleeding edge and got a Dell Venue Pro last week. Too early for true impressions, but coming from an antiquated Android G1, the DVP is completely awesome! Well, except for the actual purchasing part of it...that was quite harrowing indeed. When the strugglng, fourth-place carrier treats your device like a redheaded stepchild, Dell, you have a problem! For activation, I had a nice 30 minute conversation with "Anthony" in Bangalore. "Anthony"? Really? That's what you're going with?

Since unboxing, most things have been great. This is one sexy piece of kit and Dell needs to get these things in people's hands quick. The roundness of the edges has been the only hiccup so far as the thing sliped right out of my fingertips when I tried to take a photo with the side button.

Mine seems to have come from the latest batch, so I've only run into the Marketplace bug so far (knock on wood). I'll report back when I get more days with it and get some more apps loaded. Really in need of a password manager that can import..haven't found that yet. Also, does anyone know how can I definitively learn the build date of my device? I didn't see a sticker and I don't see it in the software yet either.

C'mon Mr. Softie, give us the update(s)!!!

 

[dallow_bg]

Got my phone on launch day and the honeymoon has been over for a while now.

Really need some more useful apps.
I find myself wishing I had my iPhone again.

Copy/Paste update can't come soon enough either....

 

[brotkasten]

Got my phone on launch day and the honeymoon has been over for a while now.

Really need some more useful apps.
I find myself wishing I had my iPhone again.

Copy/Paste update can't come soon enough either....

What useful apps do you miss?

btw, the HD7 is officially coming to Bell on February 10th and T-Mobile US is supposed to get the HTC 7 Mozart. It's good to see that the devices are finally getting around. I don't like this carrier exclusive bullshit.

 

[clav]

I think Shazam is great! It sometimes doesn't work, but when it even recognized a song that was playing in a discotheque (a lot of background noise), I was totally surprised. Great App, imo.

Have you used midomi though?

Never understood why for GSM phones there is a need for carrier exclusive market.

It should be a competition about service.

 

[Talon]

Never understood why for GSM phones there is a need for carrier exclusive market.

It should be a competition about service.

Phone lockdowns provide a more obvious competitive advantage for the consumer.

See: Motorola StarTAC, Motorola RAZR, Apple iPhone, etc.

 

[clav]

Phone lockdowns provide a more obvious competitive advantage for the consumer.

See: Motorola StarTAC, Motorola RAZR, Apple iPhone, etc.

I don't get it. Can you please explain?

All I see is a sinking carrier can stay alive if it has the phone that everyone wants (i.e. iPhone). It makes a shitty service acceptable if the phone is good.

How is that advantageous to the consumer?

 

[killertofu]

I took a running leap over the bleeding edge and got a Dell Venue Pro last week. Too early for true impressions, but coming from an antiquated Android G1, the DVP is completely awesome! Well, except for the actual purchasing part of it...that was quite harrowing indeed. When the strugglng, fourth-place carrier treats your device like a redheaded stepchild, Dell, you have a problem! For activation, I had a nice 30 minute conversation with "Anthony" in Bangalore. "Anthony"? Really? That's what you're going with?

Since unboxing, most things have been great. This is one sexy piece of kit and Dell needs to get these things in people's hands quick. The roundness of the edges has been the only hiccup so far as the thing sliped right out of my fingertips when I tried to take a photo with the side button.

Mine seems to have come from the latest batch, so I've only run into the Marketplace bug so far (knock on wood). I'll report back when I get more days with it and get some more apps loaded. Really in need of a password manager that can import..haven't found that yet. Also, does anyone know how can I definitively learn the build date of my device? I didn't see a sticker and I don't see it in the software yet either.

C'mon Mr. Softie, give us the update(s)!!!

Were you activating a new contract, or re-newing? If you were renewing, how much did it end up costing you?

 

[Talon]

I don't get it. Can you please explain?

All I see is a sinking carrier can stay alive if it has the phone that everyone wants (i.e. iPhone). It makes a shitty service acceptable if the phone is good.

How is that advantageous to the consumer?

It's not advantageous for the consumer. It's just more obvious for a consumer to differentiate carriers by the quality of devices instead of the carrier's quality.

 

[antiquegamer]

Have you used midomi though?

Never understood why for GSM phones there is a need for carrier exclusive market.

It should be a competition about service.

It's the way for carrier to able to "customize" the phone since Windows Phone have strict requirement for uniform apparence there is no way for carrier to distinguish their phone.

Not that I don't agree with you, carrier should really be about service.

 

[hoos30]

Were you activating a new contract, or re-newing? If you were renewing, how much did it end up costing you?

I was renewing. I paid $265. Buying it through Dell put me at a disadvantage because I couldn't do the ol' threaten to quit routine and get the full discount. Not only did the Dell CSRs not care, they couldn't circumvent the software to give me a lower price if they'd wanted to.

I should have been more patient and waited until tmo started stocking them, but I've been on this "you only live once" kick lately so I just did it.

 

[dream]

In a surprise twist, smartphones running Microsoft's old mobile operating system grabbed more market share than new Windows Phone 7 devices did in the U.S. in the fourth quarter, according to data released by the NPD Group research firm this morning. Devices running the legacy Windows Mobile registered 4 percent of the U.S. consumer market in the quarter, down from 7 percent a year earlier.
Windows Phone 7 debuted at 2 percent.

I know it shouldn't be surprising because there are so many WinMo devices out there and WP7 isn't even on Verizon but that still seems so weird to me.

 

[VanMardigan]

Some info from Thurrot about the updates:

So what do these updates look like? I've discovered the existence of at least two minor updates and one major update, all of which will ship in 2011.

The first and most eagerly anticipated update, code-named NoDo, could arrive by the time you read this. It will consist of the widely reported copy-and-paste feature everyone seems to be clamoring for, significant performance improvements (especially for application load times), a more granular Marketplace search, and other features and fixes.

The second major update will include CDMA support, enabling Windows Phone on the Verizon and Sprint networks in the US, as well as other changes. This will be delivered by the end of the first half of 2011.

The major update, code-named Mango, is due for "GA + 1" or one year after Windows Phone 7's initial release and could be branded with a new version number (both 7.2 and 7.5 are possible).

This will include sweeping changes to the system and is, in the words of one Microsoftie who discussed the changes with me off the record, what the company wanted to ship initially but simply didn't have the time. I don't have a handle on all major feature changes, but you can expect encryption, better enterprise support, HTML 5 and Silverlight support in a new Internet Explorer version that's based on IE 9, and more.

Of course, one of the big and inevitable questions is whether Windows Phone is worth the effort. After all, credible market leaders like Google Android and Apple iPhone are already out there.

 

[snap0212]

The major update, code-named Mango, is due for "GA + 1" or one year after Windows Phone 7's initial release and could be branded with a new version number (both 7.2 and 7.5 are possible).

Do we have to wait for this update until we get good instant messaging or will it be possible earlier? Instant Messaging is a pretty big deal for me so unless MS makes it possible for devs to release (good) solutions I'll have to get the next iPhone when it comes out. That's exactly how long I'm willing to wait.

 

[jagowar]

Do we have to wait for this update until we get good instant messaging or will it be possible earlier? Instant Messaging is a pretty big deal for me so unless MS makes it possible for devs to release (good) solutions I'll have to get the next iPhone when it comes out. That's exactly how long I'm willing to wait.

Good instant messaging will require multitasking which I would not expect before the big update. It's possible they could add it before that but I would doubt it.

I know it shouldn't be surprising because there are so many WinMo devices out there and WP7 isn't even on Verizon but that still seems so weird to me.

I think this is very much a problem of it not being on sprint and verizon.... that is more than half the potential customers in the usa (and npd is only concerned with us sales).

 

[snap0212]

Good instant messaging will require multitasking which I would not expect before the big update. It's possible they could add it before that but I would doubt it.

Well, I'd be okay with an IM App that runs under the lock screen. There was some kind of restrictions that was preventing IM-Apps to even work properly, as far as I know. Microsoft should just allow the devs whatever is necessary to make proper apps. Give them the tools at least...

 

[besiktas1]

I'm just upset no one is mentioning flash It's like they're hoping we forgot about their promise.

I want flash baad. I need my streaming video.

 

[Firestorm]

Something that works as well as Windows Live Messenger or Office Communicator on BlackBerry would be very welcome. Amazing apps. Both Microsoft IM programs (although not developed by them I don't think).

I'm just upset no one is mentioning flash It's like they're hoping we forgot about their promise.

I want flash baad. I need my streaming video.

Fuck Flash.

 

[brotkasten]

Well, I'd be okay with an IM App that runs under the lock screen. There was some kind of restrictions that was preventing IM-Apps to even work properly, as far as I know. Microsoft should just allow the devs whatever is necessary to make proper apps. Give them the tools at least...

Li'Messenger can do that, but it got pulled because there were some copyright issues with the pictures, iirc.

Li'Messenger supports Multiple Points of Presence, but due to its direct line to Windows Live servers, it does not receive notifications. It will, however, run in low-power mode while your phone is in lock-screen.

I hope it will be back soon.

I think most devs are waiting for socket support before bothering with IM via http. I hope MS will address this issue at MIX11. They really need to update the SDK (which is imo more important than the OS update itself). That's the same reason we won't see Skype or Viber on WP7.

I'm just upset no one is mentioning flash It's like they're hoping we forgot about their promise.

I want flash baad. I need my streaming video.

Did they promise Flash? I think it was always something like "Adobe is working on it".

 

[clav]

I'm just upset no one is mentioning flash It's like they're hoping we forgot about their promise.

I want flash baad. I need my streaming video.

Flash can go die in a fire as how Adobe's treating it. Android's been out for over two years, and there still isn't a flash plug-in. I doubt we will see something for WP7.

Considering how much both Apple and Microsoft ride their browsing media platform on h.264, stick with that.

 

[brotkasten]

So it really wasn't Microsoft's fault, huh?

Yahoo’s IMAP server (winmo.imap.mail.yahoo.com) does not respond to FETCH requests correctly.

...

Yahoo is sending ~25 times as much data as it needs to. (This can also be read as: Your phone is downloading ~25 times as much data as it normally would, had you sided with another email provider.)

WithinWindows.com: Yahoo confirmed culprit in Windows Phone data usage overages

 

[Vanillalite]

God... really waiting till Nov? So they basically ARE going the Xbox route of Spring and Fall updates....

Damn... I never thought I'd say this, but with the new iPhone and the Atrix coming it might be bail out time this summer... A year wait for the main update = total fail

 

[element]

I'm just upset no one is mentioning flash It's like they're hoping we forgot about their promise.

I want flash baad. I need my streaming video.

If you have a high compliant HTML5 browser then you really don't need flash for streaming video.

 

[besiktas1]

If you have a high compliant HTML5 browser then you really don't need flash for streaming video.

So does this mean I can stream my megapor-i mean-video?

 

[Vanillalite]

If you have a high compliant HTML5 browser then you really don't need flash for streaming video.

While this is true sadly we are fucked for a whole year with neither...

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

WP7 is a beautiful system, and everytime I see mockups of how it would look with some customization, tears come to my eyes.

Take a look at these:

(OK Not so much this last one, but you get the idea

Beautiful. Even more so if combined.

WP7 is on the verge of greatness, but slow updates + uncertainty of future is downright KILLING it.

 

[Firestorm]

God... really waiting till Nov? So they basically ARE going the Xbox route of Spring and Fall updates....

Damn... I never thought I'd say this, but with the new iPhone and the Atrix coming it might be bail out time this summer... A year wait for the main update = total fail

But that's exactly the wait you get with iOS?

 

[brotkasten]

Go to porn sites with H264 video?

WP7 is on the verge of greatness, but slow updates + uncertainty of future is downright KILLING it.

I get the complaints about the slow updates (I want a fix for the marketplace, kthx), but "uncertainty of future"? Really?

 

[Firestorm]

All but the first semi-transparent theme are ugly imo

 

[numble]

But that's exactly the wait you get with iOS?

There's going to have been 3 "new features" updates by end of February for iOS. This doesn't include the minor firmware updates that they push out for bugs and security fixes.

4.0 - Lots of stuff, at iPhone 4 launch
4.1 - Game Center, HDR Photography, TV Show Rentals, Ping
4.2 - AirPlay, AirPrint, Free Find My iPhone, Search within Safari
4.3 - Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Apps

 

[brotkasten]

There's going to have been 3 "new features" updates by end of February for iOS. This doesn't include the minor firmware updates that they push out for bugs and security fixes.

4.0 - Lots of stuff, at iPhone 4 launch
4.1 - Game Center, HDR Photography, TV Show Rentals, Ping
4.2 - AirPlay, AirPrint, Free Find My iPhone, Search within Safari
4.3 - Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Apps

While it's true that iOS gets more updates and has obviously more features than WP7, most of the stuff you mentioned is already in WP7 v1.0.

Game Center is already build in (xbox live).
You can rent TV shows on Zune and watch it on your phone (or am I missing something here?). You can only buy them, sorry.
The Zune Social is Ping, but better and it launched in 2007 or 2008.
"find my phone" is already free and build in.

Everyone is playing catch up in their own way.

All but the first semi-transparent theme are ugly imo

Oh yes, they are. The nice thing about metro is the simplified UI. When I saw Schaps' announcement of his TouchXperience shit for WP7 (3rd screenshot) I literally facepalmed. And if you want that kind of customization, get an Android device.

 

[numble]

While it's true that iOS gets more updates and has obviously more features than WP7, most of the stuff you mentioned is already in WP7 v1.0.

Game Center is already build in (xbox live).
You can rent TV shows on Zune and watch it on your phone (or am I missing something here?).
The Zune Social is Ping, but better and it launched in 2007 or 2008.
"find my phone" is already free and build in.

Everyone is playing catch up in their own way.

My comment was regarding a statement that Windows Phone 7 is being updated with the same wait time as iOS.

And I thought TV rentals weren't available on Zune.

 

[Firestorm]

I guess I just don't realize because most of that stuff isn't available for my iPhone 3G.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

I get the complaints about the slow updates (I want a fix for the marketplace, kthx), but "uncertainty of future"? Really?

I mean stuff like we've heard next to nothing about a second round of hardware or any features MS definitely plans on implementing besides C&P. It just seems like, ads aside, MS has been kind of quiet about WP7.

I am a prowd WP7 owner and even I wonder about whats next for the system. I don't even have decent GPS yet, and have heard next to nothing about that 'issue' being fixed anytime soon.

 

[dream]

I think Microsoft being adamant about not putting WP7 on tablets is kind of telling.

 

[element]

While this is true sadly we are fucked for a whole year with neither...

It is true. I personally think it is silly to provide a full featured Netflix app, but a super crappy Youtube app that just directs you to the mobile version.

99% of the time with my phone I just want to show a clip of someone falling on their face rather then a full episode of some TV show or a full movie.

I don't even have decent GPS yet, and have heard next to nothing about that 'issue' being fixed anytime soon.

Do you have a Focus? If so, that is a Samsung hardware problem, not WP7.

 

[PG2G]

I mean stuff like we've heard next to nothing about a second round of hardware or any features MS definitely plans on implementing besides C&P. It just seems like, ads aside, MS has been kind of quiet about WP7.

WMC in a few weeks is where WP7 was unveiled last year. MIX is where the developer platform was unveiled last year. It makes sense that these will be the places where major WP7 news comes from.

As much as I wanted to hear some major new announcements at CES, the platform was what... 3 months old?

 

[venne]

WP7 is on the verge of greatness, but slow updates + uncertainty of future is downright KILLING it.

The OS hasn't been out even three months (in NA). I think it's a tad premature to call the updates slow.

 

[Vestal]

Anyone know what's with PNG support in WP7?

I can view them online but it convert them to JPG when saving them. And when I add PNGs via the Zune software my Sammy Focus can't see them.

Have to email them to yourself and open them in the phone...

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

It is true. I personally think it is silly to provide a full featured Netflix app, but a super crappy Youtube app that just directs you to the mobile version.

99% of the time with my phone I just want to show a clip of someone falling on their face rather then a full episode of some TV show or a full movie.

Do you have a Focus? If so, that is a Samsung hardware problem, not WP7.

Nope, DVP.

All the direction progs suck for WP7, and Turn By Turn is nonexistent.

My main GPS prog on my WM6.5 is Bing. Same for iOS. GMaps on Android.

 

[dream]

I dunno. I'm not sure if the 3 month old excuse is all that valid when they're competing in a market that moves so quickly.

 

[element]

I dunno. I'm not sure if the 3 month old excuse is all that valid when they're competing in a market that moves so quickly.

3 months without ANY update is unacceptable. They should be rolling out a hotfix ever four weeks, and major updates every quarter.

Compare to iOS and Android update history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_version_history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

The problem with Android is the deployment. WP7 is closer to iOS where MS can check and perhaps force updates.

 

[PG2G]

I dunno. I'm not sure if the 3 month old excuse is all that valid when they're competing in a market that moves so quickly.

I'm not convinced that the market moves as fast as people like to believe. iOS gets major functionality once a year. Android gets stuff a few times a year, most of which isn't major (hell, what is it missing?).

The hardware advances pretty damn quickly though, and that's one place they need to do their best to keep up.

 

[dream]

I'm not convinced that the market moves as fast as people like to believe. iOS gets major functionality once a year. Android gets stuff a few times a year, most of which isn't major (hell, what is it missing?).

The hardware advances pretty damn quickly though, and that's one place they need to do their best to keep up.

iOS and Android are already feature-complete, though. And if you look at the list numble posted:

There's going to have been 3 "new features" updates by end of February for iOS. This doesn't include the minor firmware updates that they push out for bugs and security fixes.

4.0 - Lots of stuff, at iPhone 4 launch
4.1 - Game Center, HDR Photography, TV Show Rentals, Ping
4.2 - AirPlay, AirPrint, Free Find My iPhone, Search within Safari
4.3 - Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Apps

Every update since 4.0 (and that only was 7 months ago) has brought a ton of value-added features. Stuff people like to have when they sign a contract.

I get that WP7 is brand new and will go through natural teething pain but when this is basically Microsoft's last shot at carving out some relevance in the mobile space they really need to minimize their mistakes.

 

[VanMardigan]

Some of these 'ultimatums' you guys are putting on MS are silly. And I know because I was doing the same thing in this thread. It's just dumb. We're getting a substantial update this month, and a huge one this fall. Those devices you bought last year will get major love at LEAST twice this year.

We all want stuff NOW NOW NOW NOW, but honestly, I've been on all platforms and its the same shit everywhere. My wife's Captivate she bought LAST SUMMER doesn't have Froyo. She is now two versions behind, and no indication whether she'll even get Honeycomb. I doubt it, even though her phone's hardware is up to task. Now THAT's utter bullshit. My Nexus One (which has crapped out twice in one year) doesn't have Gingerbread, FOR NO REASON.

Apple has more leverage, they have more of a whip on the carriers, and that works out great for updates. Apple has more of their shit together NOW, but I was there, front row, when they didn't have copy/paste, didn't have multitasking (I had to jb my phone). Then they do crap like not update with features across the board even if the hardware is capable (like video on the 3g). They do things (like block flash) that infuriated me, and their interface grew stale for me. But still, give them all the credit in the world, their ecosystem is great.

In terms of no new hardware announcements: those are right around the corner for Sprint and Verizon. MS will probably do a second round for AT&T/T-Mobile in the fall. Once a year hardware refreshes, but with MORE device choices than iOS. They are clearly hitting the middle ground between iOS and Android in every respect so far, there clearly IS a strategy. They aren't the media darlings, Paul Thurrot is a negative dude overall, and the lack of solid dates irritates us all.

As consumers, we all have a choice, we vote with our dollars. Feel free to jump to another platform every time you find something you don't like about your current one. I did that last year, bought three phones on three platforms in one year, then realized (just very recently) that it's not the way I should do things. The plan now is to stick with Windows Phone 7 this year. The more I use the phone, the more I like it, and Zune Pass/Xbox Live are the best bang for the buck in entertainment. There are major holes to fill, but I see holes on other platforms too, the grass is always greener....

 

[brotkasten]

^
Well said.

And I thought TV rentals weren't available on Zune.

And they aren't. That was just me being stupid, sorry.

I mean stuff like we've heard next to nothing about a second round of hardware or any features MS definitely plans on implementing besides C&P. It just seems like, ads aside, MS has been kind of quiet about WP7.

I am a prowd WP7 owner and even I wonder about whats next for the system. I don't even have decent GPS yet, and have heard next to nothing about that 'issue' being fixed anytime soon.

Microsoft doesn't have one or two conferences a year like Apple. Mobile World Congress is in two weeks, that's where they unveiled WP7 last year. MIX is their developer conference, where they announced the pre-beta SDK. Then you have the summer full of nothing and in October and November you got the PDC (where they handed out a WP7 to every attendee and announced the SDK final) and maybe they'll to a WinHEC this year.

3 months without ANY update is unacceptable. They should be rolling out a hotfix ever four weeks, and major updates every quarter.

The market is fast, but not that fast. It only seems like that, because manufacturers are releasing new Android devices every three months or so. Seriously, look at the Android SDK timeline:

1.0 - 23 September 2008
1.1 - 9 February 2009 (five months between release and the first update for only one official device)
1.5 - 30 April 2009
1.6 - 15 September 2009
2.0/2.1 - 26 October 2009
2.2 - 20 May 2010
2.3 - 6 December 2010
3.0 - 26 January 2011 (tablets only for now)

And that's only the SDK. That doesn't mean users are getting updates on that date or ever. And you're saying that 3 months without an update is unacceptable? How's the hotfix situation on Android? Can Google push them out to every device out there? I mean, they took over 6 months to fix that messaging bug, I hope everyone gets that. I think we should calm down a bit. I'm not saying Microsoft shouldn't push out updates and hotfixes ASAP (marketplace, camera settings). They should and they absolutely NEED to, because they're already behind the rest in terms of features, but that statement is still ridiculous.

I think people are forgetting that Microsoft guarantees every WP7 user the software updates, which means they have much more testing to do than Apple (fewer devices) or Google (lol).