-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Windows Phone 8.1 |OT| Update 1
- Thread starter brotkasten
- Start date
Well alrighty, that's one down. Going to be interesting when the phones start arriving in Europe.
Anton Sugar
Member
Windows Hello is fantastic.
José Mourinho
cocknose
Pretty much.
But for most people that's enough. I get wanting a good camera, it's nice. But for myself and most of the population you just want to whip out your phone, point it and click. As long as the images are good enough, that will suffice.
Anton Sugar
Member
Phone is much faster than my 830. Cam app launches almost instantaneously.
Gonna let the battery die before I do any comparisons. I will say that my 830 was a beast when it came to battery life...early in its life. For the past few months, it's common for it to be at 50% or less at the end of a moderate-use workday, whereas it used to be around 75% when I first got it.
Gonna let the battery die before I do any comparisons. I will say that my 830 was a beast when it came to battery life...early in its life. For the past few months, it's common for it to be at 50% or less at the end of a moderate-use workday, whereas it used to be around 75% when I first got it.
I'll be coming from an 830 too so definitely keen to hear how you get on with the 950! (Although going for an XL, assume there's not going to be a huge difference in battery life with the screen size).
Steelyuhas
Member
Was going to ask about the messaging experience on 15086. I'm still on 15072 on my 1520 (got hit with the update bug that they said was fixed, so I gotta roll back tonight to update), and the messaging experience is...not ready for primetime in that build to put it kindly.
what phone model?
On 1520, it also crashes, almost all crashes, if not all entirely, have been when launching via notification.
Anton Sugar
Member
640
And it fails mostly from notification and often when launching from tile I need to launch it twice due to it failing instantly
Also. Worst of all it may have lost some messages
The notes in 586 say they fixes some things and although possibly true, it is not ready yet.
Unless I just need to reset
Nah, sounds consistent with my 1520 experiences.
It's been bad for a while now.... I haven't lost messages in a couple builds, but that could just be coincidence/luck. I definitely lost some before though.
I truly hope it works better on 950's, but I have strong doubts...
José Mourinho;186208001 said:
Well, I mentioned the diminishing returns a few posts later.
That doesn't change a thing about not wanting to have something reviewed by someone that quite obviously is a complete ignorant on the topic.
These are specialist tech sites. If I want to hear ignorants talk about something they don't have a clue about I'll go to the pub or I'll listen to myself.
Which incidentally I did since. The going to the pub thing, I mean.
Only because his punditry may be good enough for many I'm still entitled to regard Robbie Savage as a clueless wanker and a massive cunt, is what I'm saying.
Anton Sugar
Member
A little shocked how "invisible" the software buttons feel. My 635 felt like shit.
This review is close to how I feel about the device so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2y1cKh-KXs
It's certainly not a "premium" phone in build quality, but the specs are great. Once the software catches up a bit, it'll be a much greater experience. I really don't think it deserves a score as low as 6.5 but Verge gonna Verge.
This review is close to how I feel about the device so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2y1cKh-KXs
It's certainly not a "premium" phone in build quality, but the specs are great. Once the software catches up a bit, it'll be a much greater experience. I really don't think it deserves a score as low as 6.5 but Verge gonna Verge.
Helps on my 735. Do blend reasonably into the bezel, especially in low light.
This shit sucks review:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/20/9767266/microsoft-lumia-950-review-windows-10-continuum
That's low even for Windows Phone.
It's funny when you look through their list of phone reviews from the last couple of months. Only Windows Phones, 'old' Blackberrys, and the Amazon phone get scores that low. Even the Blackberry Prive got a 7.4.
The Sony Xperia Z5 and the LG V10 both beat the 950's camera.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
I agree with the verge review, and it would probably have gotten a 7 if it was $450 like the 920 at launch, which had more premium hardware and more stable software. At $600 you are with the big boys, and you're not going to measure up with this effort.
Also, Anton was brave for buying that phone from a carrier that hasn't prioritized updates, especially given how much growth still needs to happen to this OS. I actually think they have a solid foundation and can build something very nice, I'm not confident that at&t will get you there.
Also, Anton was brave for buying that phone from a carrier that hasn't prioritized updates, especially given how much growth still needs to happen to this OS. I actually think they have a solid foundation and can build something very nice, I'm not confident that at&t will get you there.
Anton Sugar
Member
So far the biggest problem is that my texts don't seem to be restoring. Only have a few convos from March. Hope that gets fixed or maybe it just takes even more time.
Live by the ATT, die by the ATT. Ain't got a choice (family plan with my siblings) and don't have the money for an unlocked version.
I agree, the foundation is solid. I understand why people may generally be unimpressed by the 950 (the hardware is great but the software needs to catch up), but for me, it's a breath of fresh air.
Live by the ATT, die by the ATT. Ain't got a choice (family plan with my siblings) and don't have the money for an unlocked version.
I agree, the foundation is solid. I understand why people may generally be unimpressed by the 950 (the hardware is great but the software needs to catch up), but for me, it's a breath of fresh air.
Anton Sugar
Member
To be fair, I don't think anyone, even Windows, thought these phones were going to turn anything around.
Sure.
But, I simply don't get it. Sure, there are some shortcomings that are somewhat beyond their control. But put those very same phones in an attractive shell, and I think they become a very different proposition, at least for me personally. And that's something that's both not reliant on anyone else and something that Lumias have traditionally been strong at. There is no explanation for that shit beyond seppuku.
Dat camera tho.
brotkasten
Member
599 and 699, man.
599
699
They're just not worth the money Microsoft is asking for.
Like I said, seppuku.
No idea what I'm gonna do. Continuum is exactly the kind of gimmick I love, I'm craving the camera, and my phone is basically dead. Still, I don't think it's worth it.
At the same time, there is truly no other phone that I really truly want like I wanted all these Lumias all these years. Smartphone design in 2015 is maybe the worst it's ever been.
Gonna just say fuck it and by a 640 XL. Or go back to dumbphones.
The text restore in my experience takes along time to get everything back.
n64coder
Member
Yes, the Lumia 640 is a good phone to start with to get a taste of the OS. I think you can find it for around $59 and possibly lower on Black Friday.
juliushandle
Member
Can anyone recommend a good step counter like the now abandoned MSN Health app? I want the pedometer on a live tile and lock screen.
Rudy halp!!!
Rudy halp!!!
Anton Sugar
Member
The contrast on this screen is so intense that the screen kinda hurts my eyes in darker rooms, haha.
Poindexter
Member
So is the surface tablet that ATT sells different than the ones that MS sells? I can't find anything that matches its specs on their site. It has only 2 gbs of RAM and an x3 instead of the i series processors. How does it stack up against them? I know this is off topic for the thread.
NeOak
Member
That's the Surface 3. You're thinking about the Surface Pro 3.
José Mourinho
cocknose
Thing is, most people buying these phones are also ignorant to the ins and outs of camera tech. If an in depth analysis is what is required to show off the 950/XL's best in class status, is it really worth mentioning?
An overview of a new phone doesn't really need to go in to that level of detail. If the camera isn't so staggeringly good that a supposedly ignorant reviewer can't get excited about it, how noticeable is it going to be to the average punter just wanting to take some quick shots? Yeah it's very competent, maybe even the best, but just about any other flagship device will do the job whilst doing just about everything else better too.
It's unlikely to sell anybody on the device and reviewers are just telling it to consumer as it is.
Don't get me wrong, the Verge review is probably stupidly unfair -- I've not read it -- but what would you expect? If it's not an iPhone, it's not an iPhone, and it's not getting a good score from the Verge regardless.
Poindexter
Member
Ah damn. Duh. Thank you.
I went to an ATT and store took a look at the 950. The camera is very nice... At least compared to my Nexus 6. It blows it out of the water. The OS was definitely buggy. On the demo unit I kept trying to select a photo and it would just crash back the selection screen. I had to open the camera and then go to it.
The screen is too small for me though. I need the XL for size. I am going to go to the MS store to check one out tomorrow.
hankster
Member
White 950 felt better than the 640 I was holding in my other hand but not as good as the 1020. Felt nice to me. Screen looked sweet. Camera seemed much faster, and not just because of the button. Camera button 4 life y'all.
Now the dilemma - I said I would never ever ever ever go back to at&t. But I got this postcard with an offer for $500 in credits per line to come back because I am a Directv customer. So hive mind what do you think? If I were to come back what is the best way to go these days with the new plan variations? Currently Cricket-ing and pretty happy with them. TIA...
NeOak
Member
Wait for black Friday and see what they offer.
Tbh, it is cheaper to stay with Cricket and just buy the phone unlocked. The $500 will be gone just on the phones.
hankster
Member
Oh yeah nothing was happening 'til BF at the soonest...
#W10Mo working so well on the 640 it's about time to take the plunge on the 830 me thinks.
antiquegamer
Member
Back on 1020 so I can play with Windows Mobile 10. Miss this keyboard, can't wait for Android port.
I had not been keeping up on the apps but many of the Lumia and Bing apps are not working I assume they no longer support. Is there a list somewhere of the orphans apps so I can just uninstall them?
OS is the most stable so far and run decently on this old hardware. One thing that I find to be the most annoying about recent OS is the missing of the hallmark smoothness that was Windows Phone. The jitter and the ever present loading and resuming kill most of the joy of using Windows Phone that I remember.
I probably won't be able to use it as daily driver as so much of the apps that I rely on having are now gone from Mint to all my banking and outdated Instagram. I don't know while it does need some work and the slowness of the camera is annoying to say the least, the 1020 is still the best camera on a phone for me. I look back at the pictures I took and the details are great. The new camera app seems to fix whatever that broke the 1020 on 8.1 (wash out and horrible focus) my wife complain constantly now about her 1020 (still running Windows 8.1 no update on At&T, and yes I would be horrify getting the 950 on contract).
I had not been keeping up on the apps but many of the Lumia and Bing apps are not working I assume they no longer support. Is there a list somewhere of the orphans apps so I can just uninstall them?
OS is the most stable so far and run decently on this old hardware. One thing that I find to be the most annoying about recent OS is the missing of the hallmark smoothness that was Windows Phone. The jitter and the ever present loading and resuming kill most of the joy of using Windows Phone that I remember.
I probably won't be able to use it as daily driver as so much of the apps that I rely on having are now gone from Mint to all my banking and outdated Instagram. I don't know while it does need some work and the slowness of the camera is annoying to say the least, the 1020 is still the best camera on a phone for me. I look back at the pictures I took and the details are great. The new camera app seems to fix whatever that broke the 1020 on 8.1 (wash out and horrible focus) my wife complain constantly now about her 1020 (still running Windows 8.1 no update on At&T, and yes I would be horrify getting the 950 on contract).
José Mourinho;186246875 said:
I didn't complain about the Verge review in particular, or about any "unfairness" in general.
I don't think it's too much to ask to go into more detail on the camera, they certainly do with iPhones. Who decides what is important to the "average" person? Because there's a lot of people who this is important to.
this current build continues to be the worst build since I've gotten on windows 10.
Just took a photo, click on the bubble in the top right after I took it to view it and the whole phone restarted. Phone came back up and the photo wasn't saved. Fantastic.
Just took a photo, click on the bubble in the top right after I took it to view it and the whole phone restarted. Phone came back up and the photo wasn't saved. Fantastic.
antiquegamer
Member
Is there a way to get NeoGaf tile back? Now when I pinned the site it just gave me generic Edge tile. I really do miss using Windows Phone but going to website to do my banking transaction just seems like I am back on Windows Phone 7.
Anton Sugar
Member
Luckily, my backup restored my NeoGAF tile from WP 8.1 
If I do return this phone (not saying I am), it will be because of the battery life. I HAVE to assume this is a fixable software issue, given the larger battery vs my 830.
When I go into Battery Saver and check my usage, it shows:
System: 35%
Display: 58%
Wi-Fi: 5%
Cellular data: .8%
Display 58%?? What the hell. I'd take a screenshot but the screenshot taking seems to be broken, lol.
Kinda cool thing happened: I missed a call from my dad. My Surface alerted me and I wrote a text, via Cortana, on my Surface, which was then sent and delivered via my phone.
If I do return this phone (not saying I am), it will be because of the battery life. I HAVE to assume this is a fixable software issue, given the larger battery vs my 830.
When I go into Battery Saver and check my usage, it shows:
System: 35%
Display: 58%
Wi-Fi: 5%
Cellular data: .8%
Display 58%?? What the hell. I'd take a screenshot but the screenshot taking seems to be broken, lol.
Kinda cool thing happened: I missed a call from my dad. My Surface alerted me and I wrote a text, via Cortana, on my Surface, which was then sent and delivered via my phone.
Happened to me with 8.1 taking a video of my brothers newborn baptism. Video was unrecoverable. Things like this are inexcusable.