Applications for the Visually-impaired. - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I'm practicably legally blind and reading emails/SMSs and text in games is damn near impossible for me.
I've got the Samsung Ace and I've found an app to switch the answer slider with a big-ass button, I'm using WP_Clock (Which was mentioned here, thanks!) to see the time and date.
I've rooted and tried a few font resizers but none worked and the ones that did only worked on the English font (most of my phone is in Hebrew).
Does anyone have any idea how can I deal with this, other than getting Android eyes
Oh, one more thing:
I've used Total Recall and CallRecorder to record my calls, both record me fine but the other side through the mic, any idea if there are other apps that can record both sides at the same quality?
May all who read this post be touched by his noodly appendage,
Sam.
EDIT:
Oh yeah, My doctors told me it'll be easier to read white text on a black background, so I downloaded a few of those modified apps (Gmail and DropBox). If you know of any others, I'd appreciate a mention.

Noob to android!!
On my Samsung GT 5570, there is an accessibility option under "options", with text to speech features. But looks like the phone has to download several components. Have not tried them, will try them out if you are interested.
Running Gingerbread 2.3.3 (but it was there in froyo 2.2.1 Africa version too).

Saw that option on my run-through of the device (saw isn't exactly the word...)
Not that comfortable using an actual magnifying glass on your cellphone.
Can't stand that thing, that's why I'm posting, looking for something a bit more comfortable like resized fonts and such.
Thanks for trying though, appreciate your assistance!

Using accessibility features in Android
Ok. I have a Samsung GT S5570, "mini".
I have upgraded from 2.2.1 Froyo to 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
To enable accessibility features, more specifically, text to speech, you need to go into two options,
1, Settings > Voice input and output
2. settings > accessibility
I cannot remember which one I opened first, but the phone asked me to enable data downloads / background sync as I entered both menus. ("Always on GPRS" - if you are new to android - especially were using Nokia phones so far).
Once the data is downloaded, go to #1. First entry is "Listen to an example". You can change the language and speed of text to speech engine in other menu options below. At the bottom, I have and entry, which says "engine" and underneath, "PicoTTS". This means required data and text speech engine are installed on the phone.
I guess the available languages are dependent on the ROM you use - you probably need to have the African ROM. (Hope somebody will correct me here).
Here is how to actually enable the phone to read the screen,
Settings > Accessibility > Talkback.
Just enable Talkback. That is it.

Again, I appreciate your help but as I've said, I'm not too comfortable with the TTS and prefer, as long as I have other options, not to use it.
If anyone has any other apps in mind, I'd love to know.
Otherwise, The built in TTS has been checked and discarded, thank you.

Related

Asking all Owners...

Ohhh, you brave souls... haha
I was in the o2 shop this lunch having a play with their live unit (well, except it had no SIM or web connectivity. for this type of phone that's pretty limiting!)
some questions i was unable to get help with, i am hoping you have more experience of, before i consider the device further:
1. SMS display. i much prefer the look of iPhone's SMS "dual conversations" - its very clear which side of the chat is which and generally more friendly and usable. can the x10's change to this type of layout? rather than listing each reply above or below each other. found no options in the main settings area from the home screen (not sure if the context-specific settings under messaging is any different...?)
2. mac compatability. is this possible? can it sync properly with itunes? does it use a 3rd party app to do so? could this be "culled", ala blackberry/palm syncing with itunes? does the x10 appear as a mounted usb volume? (in this way, i could use applescript to manage the library - horrible, but it might work). someone with actual experience here with a mac would allay my fears, rather than commenting it might be possible (sorry if that seems abrupt in advance...)
3. other syncing needs. i guess most other aspects for sync'ing are removed/negated with an android handset - are we as users supposed to follow the "cloud computing" google-masterplan? do others sync with desktops and for what purpose?
4. browser/app zooming. the device doesnt have multi-touch (plenty covered on this, and other forums!) but, the iPhone has other methods of navigating around the browser and apps. i.e. double tapping a block of text, which i would consider a single fingered gesture. as the test unit i was playing had no web connectivity i couldnt test it out - can someone comment?
here's hoping for advantageous answers
jingo_man
1. use Handcent SMS , can make it look 100% like iPhone sms
jingo_man said:
...............
1. SMS display. i much prefer the look of iPhone's SMS "dual conversations" - its very clear which side of the chat is which and generally more friendly and usable. can the x10's change to this type of layout? rather than listing each reply above or below each other. found no options in the main settings area from the home screen (not sure if the context-specific settings under messaging is any different...?)
...............................
3. other syncing needs. i guess most other aspects for sync'ing are removed/negated with an android handset - are we as users supposed to follow the "cloud computing" google-masterplan? do others sync with desktops and for what purpose?
4. browser/app zooming. the device doesnt have multi-touch (plenty covered on this, and other forums!) but, the iPhone has other methods of navigating around the browser and apps. i.e. double tapping a block of text, which i would consider a single fingered gesture. as the test unit i was playing had no web connectivity i couldnt test it out - can someone comment?....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Well, probably the handcent sms thingy, never tried it tho.
or you could go into contacts and find the contact there. When you go there the sms messages are listed in a simmular way as on the iPhone.
You on the right hand side
and you friend on the left..
3. I have just used the Cloud sync method to be honest, haven't really bothered to do it in any other way. But there is probably a way to do it.
4. The zooming is no problem to be honest, the double-tap to zoom thing works good enough. So I have to say that I kinda like it Even tho the multi-touch zoom was handy every now and then..
1. handcent works fine on this phone, and has customisable colours and themes.
2. can't comment on mac, but it is APPARENTLY possible to sync with itunes for the PC through iTunes Agent. I know this won't help you but it might help someone else reading this later.
3. cloud seems to be the way forward, and it works great on the x10. when you first plug it in to the usb though you get the option to install some sony ericsson syncing software, which is the same as i used for my c902 to transfer all my contacts to gmail for this phone. it is pretty simple to use.
4. the default zoom on the android is nice to use. browsers like dolphin (available from the market) come with their own zoom, but i disabled this cos the x10 seems to handle it nicely natively.
hope that helps
1. handsent sms. hmmmm... that does look more along the lines that i was thinking for layout/design. but i'm guessing this wont play nice with the timescape app, which seems pretty central.
i thought i went into the individual contact at one point, and it had the same appearance as when displayed under the general. i may make a return visit to the store to check that out...
i dont think i would mind using separately bought apps, but 1 of the biggest selling points seems to be the timescape so not sure i'd want to miss out on using it. though might change once i have used it for a while...
2. here's hoping eventually a mac user stumbles across this thread and is in a giving mood about their experience.
3. cloud syncing. suppose i can get onboard. not a massive issue not to rely on desktop software. i guess this means no-one really sync's it with a desktop then?]
4. glad of the double-tap zoom, atleast thats something. and its generally how i start to zoom on iPhone (in the browser) but how does this work in other apps? i.e. google maps cant double tap, as there's no "frame border" to sync the tap too...
this could a deal breaker for me, for this product. not a massive app user, but love web browsing on these devices when out-and-about. fine control offered by pinch/zoom far more refined and easier to use than the clunky zoom button, which just didnt seem to refresh fast enough to make it smooth...
maybe wont get onboard with all these bits until i consistently use the device, but not paying best part of £500 to find out!
please continue with more insights if you got 'em
2. mac compatability. is this possible? can it sync properly with itunes? does it use a 3rd party app to do so? could this be "culled", ala blackberry/palm syncing with itunes? does the x10 appear as a mounted usb volume? (in this way, i could use applescript to manage the library - horrible, but it might work). someone with actual experience here with a mac would allay my fears, rather than commenting it might be possible (sorry if that seems abrupt in advance...)
hi, Mac user here. Yes it mounts like a USB-HDD, and turns off in the phone. So you can transfere files, and then just unmount it. Transfered 7 GB of musik files, no problem.
jingo_man said:
1. handsent sms. hmmmm... that does look more along the lines that i was thinking for layout/design. but i'm guessing this wont play nice with the timescape app, which seems pretty central.
i thought i went into the individual contact at one point, and it had the same appearance as when displayed under the general. i may make a return visit to the store to check that out...
i dont think i would mind using separately bought apps, but 1 of the biggest selling points seems to be the timescape so not sure i'd want to miss out on using it. though might change once i have used it for a while...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
even with that installed, the other messaging app still runs. handsent simply becomes the default. this means that when you load up timescape, it pulls in the messages from the standard messages app and works like a charm.
its a shame we cant just use the screen under the contact to send a message, that looks pretty good. click onto a contact, and scoll along at the bottom, past call log, onto messaging. that is a sweet screen.
jingo_man said:
2. mac compatability. is this possible? can it sync properly with itunes? does it use a 3rd party app to do so? could this be "culled", ala blackberry/palm syncing with itunes? does the x10 appear as a mounted usb volume? (in this way, i could use applescript to manage the library - horrible, but it might work). someone with actual experience here with a mac would allay my fears, rather than commenting it might be possible (sorry if that seems abrupt in advance...)
3. other syncing needs. i guess most other aspects for sync'ing are removed/negated with an android handset - are we as users supposed to follow the "cloud computing" google-masterplan? do others sync with desktops and for what purpose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Salling Media Sync for iTunes sync http://www.salling.com/MediaSync/Mac/
Adress book and iCal has support for google sync, just enable it in the prefs and then everything syncs from google.
Just enter your gmail details.
the web browser on this thing is amazing really. renedering is smooth and pages launch instantly. i am very impressed with the web browser and with the added extra of using dolphin you be on to a winner. web browser on this is better than my N1
you mean like this...?
jingo_man said:
Ohhh, you brave souls... haha
I was in the o2 shop this lunch having a play with their live unit (well, except it had no SIM or web connectivity. for this type of phone that's pretty limiting!)
some questions i was unable to get help with, i am hoping you have more experience of, before i consider the device further:
1. SMS display. i much prefer the look of iPhone's SMS "dual conversations" - its very clear which side of the chat is which and generally more friendly and usable. can the x10's change to this type of layout? rather than listing each reply above or below each other. found no options in the main settings area from the home screen (not sure if the context-specific settings under messaging is any different...?)
.....
here's hoping for advantageous answers
jingo_man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know about all the other questions, but did you mean something this? (Oh, crap! Where is my image? Ok, no image, dont know how to get one into this post)
I mean from it you see exactly who is on which side of the conversation

Predictive text and Voice for 2.1 - Solution

I like the predicitive text on the QWERTY keyboard, the eris feature where alternatives are shown for typed words, presenting an opportunity to choose the correct word. I enjoy using this when doing IMs in Google Talk, for example. This feature seems to be disabled in the default web browser on the eris, in 1.5 before, now in 2.1. The predictive text does not work in the search bar and it does not work in data entry fields in forms displayed by the browser, for example
Can anyone please tell me how one would enable this predictive text input in all apps on the phone? including the search bar for webkit and data entry on web forms?
<see last post for solution>
There is probably a good technical reason for this, like somehow the input method is not known to the web browser application. Perhaps the browser itself is not consulting a system table for availability of this input method at run time. Maybe it only happens at install time? Is there some manual change that could be made to enable this?
I think they disabled it in browser because a lot of websites have names that the predictive text obviously doesnt know and when you type fast and hit space quickly it auto selects words which Id imagine could be quite a pain in the ass online.
WalkingTaco said:
I think they disabled it in browser because a lot of websites have names that the predictive text obviously doesnt know and when you type fast and hit space quickly it auto selects words which Id imagine could be quite a pain in the ass online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, You are right. I agree as to why they disabled it, but i think the way the feature works, it would really be more benefit to me than a hindrance.
1) Adding a mispelled word or one not in the dictionary is painless, editing this dictionary in the settings is easy too.
2) For activities like retyping stuff (like my email address) in data entry fields in the browser over & over; this would be much better with the ability to spell-check and remember words, especially when accuracy is critical.
I want predictive text in the browser. Why not a voice input option (like in the voice search applet) as well?
Can someone help at least give me the choice, I think these two input methods work very well.
Solved - 2.1 enhanced HTC keyboard, with voice too! - link
This pretty much gives you voice and predictive text wherever you want it without sacrificing anything:
nimbu.amorvi.com/2010/04/add-full-voice-to-text-to-htc-desire/
Followed the "HTC Sense Style Keyboard Instructions"
Instructions were for HTC desire but this worked fine on stock OTA 2.1 Eris, not rooted.
HTC_IME_lo_25.apk is the one that installed okay for me. I was half-asleep at the time and I think the other version did not install right, but you might want to try again.
Enjoy!

Keyboard settings - Predictive text settings vanished after update?

I just updated to the new Firmware version.
I'm using the international GS3 and I'm running stock firmware and kernel and all the other mumbo jumbo.
Previously I was able to type things like "whateevr" and the phone would automatically correct it to "whatever" after I hit spacebar. I remember this setting being in the predictive texting option, however, after the update the phone does not do that anymore and the predictive texting option only offers me to "Learn from my Facebook etc." or turn personal texting on or off (This feature seems somewhat dubious to me but whatever).
So, how do I set it back the way it was so that I can mistype words and have them automatically corrected?
racinghammock said:
I just updated to the new Firmware version.
I'm using the international GS3 and I'm running stock firmware and kernel and all the other mumbo jumbo.
Previously I was able to type things like "whateevr" and the phone would automatically correct it to "whatever" after I hit spacebar. I remember this setting being in the predictive texting option, however, after the update the phone does not do that anymore and the predictive texting option only offers me to "Learn from my Facebook etc." or turn personal texting on or off (This feature seems somewhat dubious to me but whatever).
So, how do I set it back the way it was so that I can mistype words and have them automatically corrected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also troubled with this. Browsing through the forums suggests that this is intentional and mimics the behaviour of the Note II keyboard, so cannot be readily changed.
I would suggest that this is a huge 'unimprovement' and would like to commend to our developer community the idea of integrating the previous keyboard auto-correct behaviour into custom ROMs.

Top Things to Do with Your New AT&T HOX+ (Stock ROM)

I thought I'd start a thread to post the top (best) things to do with your AT&T HOX+ on a stock ROM.
Unlock Bootloader, Install CWM Recovery & Root
In order to be able to do many of things listed here, you will need to have root access to your phone. Follow the following thread to unlock and root your phone. By unlocking your bootloader, you'll be able to install custom ROMS down the road if/and when you want.
How-To Thread - Credit goes to hasoon2000
Disable AT&T Crap-ware
The one and only time I'll give kudos to Apple is that they don't let the carriers load up their phones with preinstalled crap-ware. Sadly, not the case with Android. So, you're left with manually having to disable them. Luckily you only need to it once.
Below is the list of Apps to disable (unless you actually want to use any). Simply go the Settings > Apps > All and select Disable for each app.
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Locker
AT&T Messages
AT&T Navigator
AT&T Ready2Go
Device Help
Facebook (sorry, Google+ user)
Internet (if you use Chrome only)
Live TV
ME Infiltrator
NOOK
YPmobile
Enable Tether (on AT&T)
Obviously you should have a legit tethering plan with AT&T [chuckle], but you can easily bypass their check and enable it on your HOX+ utilizing the stock wifi tethering app (no need for 3rd party apps).
How-To Thread - Credit goes to 911jason
Disable AT&T ANNOYING Boot Animation
The AT&T boot animation is just annoying, loud and obnoxious. With this little tweak, you can disable it and just have the HTC stock boot animation enabled.
How-To Thread - Credit goes to sixcarnage
Disable Automatic AT&T WiFi Hotspot
Nothing annoys me more than being close to a Starbucks (or any AT&T Hotspot locations) and being forced to connect to their WiFi, only to get crap to zero connection and then having to disable WiFi on your phone and forgetting to turn it back on later. URGH. Not to mention LTE is blazing fast in comparison.
How-To Thread - Credit goes to spyz88
Use Google Voice for Voicemail
Whether you use Google Voice all the time or not, you can have your phone use its VM option instead of AT&T's. I prefer it because I have an easy archive of all my VMs, easier access from anywhere, and obviously having them transcribed for me.
Normally you can select your VM carrier through the Google Voice app on your phone, but obviously AT&T blocks this. Instead, all you have to do is dial the following:
Activate:**004*1XXXXXXXXXX#, where is Xs represent your 10-digit Google Voice number
Deactivate: ##004#
Replace Default Keypress Sounds
The stock HTC keyboard is decent, but fails horribly at swipe predictions and is very limiting. You have many options out there for 3rd party keyboards, and of course the stock Android JB 4.2 keyboard with swipe. For me, I found Swype Beta to be the best in terms of layout, swipe predictions and other cool little features.
The problem with Swype (or stock Android 4.2 keyboard) is that it uses the keypress sounds found under /media/ui which HTC never bothered to update from the days of Android 2.0. Needless to say they're horrid.
If you find yourself wanting to use either of these keyboards, you can easily extract the keypress sounds from the HTC keyboard APK and use them instead by copying them over to /media/ui.
What you'll notice is that Swype doesn't have a volume control for the keypress sounds, and they're set to UBER high. What I did is take the sounds from the HTC keyboard APK and then used Audacity to reduce the gain by -13 and that gives you a perfect level.
For Swiftkey fans, unfortunately the keypress sounds are stored inside of their APK, it doesn't use the system default.
I didn't post the sounds because I presume they're copyrighted by HTC, so you'll need to get them yourself...very easy.
-----------------------------------------
Got More?
Please add any other useful tweaks that I might have missed (or that I...or others...don't know about). Just keep in mind two things:
Tweaks must work on HOX+ STOCK AT&T ROM
and…tweaks only, no apps
.

Android user asks questions

I am due for an upgrade later this month. I am an Android user of phones & tablets for more than 3 years so i am very used to the OS with its massive customisations, etc. But i have been noticing in the background that Windows Phone 8 is slowly gaining fans and i would like to know why. I'd like to convince myself. In particular i'm interested with the Lumia 920 and the newer 925/928 model:
1. Does the Lumia have a Bluetooth feature that can connect to any Bluetooth wireless speakers? And can one send files via bluetooth to any bluetooth-enabled Android phone?
2. Does the Lumia have a quick toggle to settings to instantly turn on or off settings such as wifi, Bluetooth, brightness, etc. (much like the notification drop down bar of Android)
3. Is there a customisable equaliser settings to the new Lumias? Surround sound? Bass? Preset EQ settings?
4. Can I set a Playlist, edit a Playlist name and set songs to a Playlist on-the-fly? If no then what app can do that?
5. Can I drag n drop files from my Mac to a Lumia with a need or no need of another software?
6. Can I still access my Google apps & services such as YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Currents, Chrome, etc.?
7. Is there a pinch to zoom feature in zooming objects for taking photos? Is there an option to easily share them via Email, Bluetooth, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, etc.? A way to set photos as a phones's lockscreen wallpaper? A way to edit photos and share them? if so which app do i need?
8. Any "swype to type" typing feature? (For faster typing)
9. Any good alternatives music player, video player for the Lumia?
10. Notification Centre - is it true that one can view a notification (from email, Twiiter, Facebook, etc.) on the lock screen? And how do i "access" or see my notification? Do i swype or just click it?
11. Is there a unified & a fully customomisable news app similar to Google Currents?
12. Sideloading apps - is this possible with WP8? Is there an alternative app store other than WP8's?
Android has tons of alternative/3rd-party app stores where one can look, download & install .apk files on almost any device available out there. Is this also possible with WP8?
13. Would the copy & paste capability be possible in almost anywhere ON THE device itself? How do i copy & paste btw?
14. A way to set Google as a default search option?
15. Software updates - found this "1308" update but it would seem there is the newer "1314" update. What's the real deal? Is it true the 1308 update vastly improved the camera's features and the battery life? ('cause i can't see that info on the website) And how often would those "minor" updates be like performance updates, battery life improvements, new features, etc.
16. Any good note-taking app?
17. How does one go back to view last viewed sites on IE10? Is it any way possible to save them on the hard drive of the phone so i can view them again & again?
18. A way or possibility to print wirelessly to a bluetooth wireless wifi printer?
19. Can one create folders (like a folder for Games, News apps, etc.) like in Android?
20. A very good .pdf viewer please?
21. Can i easily edit a Contact's name, phone number, details, etc.?
22. Can i set a Calendar event or note?
23. Is there a way to edit or change the tile icons on the "main" home screen?
24. Does the camera of the Lumias (in particular the 920) is BSI and HDR features?
Again, read of reviews that the camera is good but photos can sometimes be "washed out" and looks blurry when zoomed in.
25. Screenshots - With Android there is a way to take a screenshot of your phone's current screen. IS this possible with WP8? If yes then how?
26. A good alternative to Google Maps where i can check for transport updates and how to get from point A to B or how to find nearby shops or restaurants?
27. How often does Nokia or MS updates their phones?
28. The battery is only 2000mAh which compare to Android or iPhones is very tiny. How long does the phone lasts for Music? Video? Moderate use?
Please advice. Thanks.
1. yes
2. yes but via apps from market (Windows Store)
3. no but Lumia have equalizer setting and Dolby headphone settings
4. yes and no... you can add songs to playlist and you can with WP app for PC/mac you can make playlist but few things missing
5. yes
6. yes with IE or apps from Market, you cant have other browser, only IE (or Nokia Xpress Browser), maps also with IE or with other app (gMaps for example)
7. yes. yes (direct and also with apps from Market. yes. yes. in most case is enough Nokia apps but if you need more just search market or use App Highlights to suggest you apps
8. yes. WP keyboard is rudimentary but you can swipe with finger to type
9. no. in reality, all players from Market is only shell to original windows player...
10. when notification come, is shown short time in top of screen and if you click it, open it... if you dont click, notification closes and shown on lock screen (wallpaper all missed notification with icon and number)
11. is tons of many apps in Market, i dont use it but think no problem to find right one
12. yes and no.... can sideload but only original apps downloaded from Windows Store and loaded from SDcard if Lumia have SDcard slot. No other alternative stores. WP is most secure OS and in 2 and half year no any type of malware or viruses found on Windows Store because this restrictions
13. copy paste working, just select text and select copy icon, same with paste...
14. yes, in IE settings
15. 1308 is latest, 1314 is only AT&T update and not available for others...
16. a lot of them in market...
17. you can go back and you can bookmark but no save page option
18. not tried but think no...
19. you can create folders, anything like normal storage when connect via USB
20. official is good also others in Market
21. yes, on phone or on Live account on web http://mail.live.com/?rru=contacts
22. yes
23. yes and no... in basically you cant change tiles but also apps on market which can you make own style tiles and give him options
24. yes... Nokia 920 make great pictures...
25. yes, press windows button and power button... and this working where you want (apps, games, settings)
26. Here apps from nokia gives you most good navigation, travel and exploration features completely free with Maps, Drive, City Lens, Transit apps
27. booth... Nokia almost every week give new updates and improvements for their apps and settings
28. in normal use two day, less use 3 days for me (but i turned off many apps from working in background)... for music one day or little more is normal... all depend how many you use and set options in your phone. and newer let battery to discharged... this an brick phone... wireless charging is great thing, and if you can, get original Nokia plate for charging.
many of this answers is here
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8
I'm not looking for a Nokia Android phone here. Sure some questions i have been asking were"asked" before that is why i had to slightly change as to how i ask a specific question.
So far i like some of the replies in here. Very interesting OS compared to Android or IOS. For me one way to really know if i like a phone is to go to a shop. Which i've done today.
I went to an O2 store and saw the Lumia 920 & the 925. Both headphone jack were closed as i wanted to try out the vaunted Dolby headphones sound enhancement. The sales rep explained that he cannot do something about anything as he seem to suggest the brackets around the phone that covers the headphone jack is to "prevent the phones getting stolen". Jeez. An early turn off so i went to an EE shop instead.
EE had a working Lumia 920 so went to try it out. Camera seems slightly better than my S3 but noticed there were very few settings to dabble. Wasn't very much convinced with the Dolby sound enhancement (GSMArena were right after all); I wasn't sure if the software of the unit i was given was updated but i was using a mid-range 2-month old Sony earphones i must say. Even after changing the EQ to Custom sound was still somehow "flat" and lacking personality. Was able to try send a file from my S3 to the 920 with a bit of ease although it took about a minute which by todays' standards isn't great but isn't bad either.
What i still don't like:
1. Lack of an alternative app store
2. Lack of alternative browser
3. Lack of a really good altenrative music player with my above needs
4. Lack of .mkv and .srt support in video player
5. Slowness in transferring files via bluetooth
6. The need for a software in order to transfer files. Although someone did menttioned i can just copy & paste files and put them in a folder.
7. Uninspiring and seemingly flat audio/music quality when headphones are connected (even with Dolby On)
8. Non-removable & "low capacity" battery
9. Small 4.5" screen
10. Lack of or the inability to print to a wireless printer
11. Inability (?) for the phone to act as a wifi hotspot
12. Lack of swiping action for faster typing on keyboard
13. Inability to set Google as a search option
14. Inability to save a webpage as a .pdf file for future viewing
15. Few camera options & settings
16. No ability to edit a photo within OS/device
17. Inability to create folders tiles (for quick access to apps)
What also bothered me when i was in the EE shop was what the sales rep told me. She said that many people have been returning their Lumia 920s (i.e. rate of Lumias being returned were MANY!) for repair because of various problems such as bad incoming/outgoing call quality, screen issues and rebooting/crashing issues. She also bluntly advised me to get a Galaxy S4 or the HTC One instead.
Doesn't help with building up confidence does it?
Only the AT&T version allows you to tether and have up to 5 devices connected to it. But you have to have the second tier data package. Yes you can print to a wireless printer over WiFi (maybe another AT&T exclusive). It uses windows for godsake. If a PC can do it, this phone can do it. As for camera settings. It's a phone. If you want camera settings, then get a camera.
All app can be made into a tile simply by tapping and holding until the menu pops up to pin to desktop. The the file can be resized and positioned as you want it.
Google as a search option? Just make it your browser homepage. So what if it is just one more click. Has society really become this lazy?
That small screen is IPS and blows away all the other phones out there regardless of size. Also the gorilla glass is near diamond hard. Ok exaggeration but it is much harder than any other display out there.
You must have missed the edit photo option. You can cut, crop, change colors, and all kinds of edit options. Maybe that is another AT&T only feature.
My low capacity battery last 12 hours under full load and recharges in two with the wireless charger. Not sure what you want, but it is a computer in your pocket and you will not get phone life out of the battery.
Saving a webpage as a PDF. an Andy will not do that by default. So just wait for an app to be made. Or hey just bookmark it and view it over wifi.
There are alternative app stores for WP8. you just have to get into the right click. They are not made public since MS would shut them down.
There are three browsers that are free on the app store and six more you can pay for.
Did you even really try this out yourself or just let others opinions sway you like a typical sheeple? You know the site you keep referring to is biased against WP and MS products. So of course they will give this phone a negative review.
I am sorry to sound harsh but you tried one version from one provider. They are different. There are at this moment three types of 920 out there. The AT&T, The Rogers, and the all others. Each have some variations in functions and quality. As well as variations in the OS.
You also don't need software to transfer files. Not sure where you got that from but if the phone is plugged into a PC it behaves just like a USB drive and can be explored by windows explorer and you just drag and drop files just like another hard drive.
Bluetooth for file transfer is old school and slow. The S3 as well as the Lumia has a tap to send feature that when both phones are near each other you just select a file, select tap to send, find the other phone in the list and tap it. The other phone if feature is turned on will acknowledge a waiting file. You confirm it and it transfers over the TTS network between the phones. Faster than BT by the way.
There are several MKV players in the store, but they are not free.
I'm sorry but it just sounds like you are picking the phone apart and trying to convince yourself not to get one. If you are happy with Andy then the Lumia is not for you just to be blunt. Most Lumia users are tired of Andy or iPhone and that is why they switched. You will not get the customization of Andy with this phone. What you will get is a good rugged phone that has an OS that runs it like it should with minimal apps to perform most day to day things. You will get a camera that rivals lower end SLR's in quality even if it does not have all the bells and whistles. Yes there are SLR users here who have compared the pic quality and in some case it was better on this phone. You will get an OS that runs smoothly and fast and again does what it should. I will say it one last time. If you are happy with Andy or iPhone then this phone is not for you. This phone is a first phone, or a phone for those tired of the cookie cutter phones/OS's out there.
I do not think GSMArena is "biased" to WP & MS products. Why would they? Please enlighten me. The reason they have "negative" reviews of the Lumias is because its the truth i suppose. And the truth sometimes hurts isn't it?
And you might also ask yourself: why would the sales person be biased in saying the rate of returns is enormous because of such & such issues? Please enlighten me. Of all shops i went to (O2, EE & Carphone Warehouse) most of them sell (YES) Android phones (as many companies make Android phones...duh!), iPhones AND Windows phone 8 phones.
Again, let me ask (and challenge you)...why would the sales person be biased? I don't think its because they use Android phones most of the times. I simply don't think so. These people are trained to use and be familiar with ALL types of phones. The only reason i could think of is their reputation. Many returns (for repairs or otherwise) will ultimately have a negative effect on them.
I also heard of incompatibility with the EE network. If the phone is 4G-ready/capable it shouldn't be a compatibility issue. Its the issue of the maker of the phone (and OS) itself isn't it? If the phone is not up to what it can do or is capable of doing then i would rather go for a tried and tested and familiar phone & OS that is Android. I'm aware some companies release different versions of their phones depending on the country/market but still that doesn't help at all.
Also, the trouble with these shops is their phones are most of the times not updated so the software & other improvements are not there for you to experience. The headphone jack might be "locked" by the braces holding the phone or the phone isn't charged at all. Its a lose-lose situation.
Look i am not looking for a perfect Nokia Android phone as i will not find one. I know its either Windows Phone 8 or Android OS.
I made myself clear on my previous reply about my experience in the phone shops and the negative things i have known and read.
If i get the Lumia 920 right now on a 24-month contract with EE will they allow me to return the phone simply because "im not happy with it"? I guess we all know the answer to these question. All they care about is getting money from you and that's it.
Doesn't inspire confidence does it?
I know AT&T gives you a 14 day return period even on a 24 month contract. If you go beyond 14 days then they hit you with the phones full price if you break contract. The issue is not the phone, with 4G. 4G from provider to provider is on different frequencies. This phone like all others only supports 4G and LTE on certain frequencies. If your provider does not support those frequencies then there is nothing that you nor Nokia can do. You need to bust your providers balls to support the other frequencies as well. Good luck on that though since they will just tell you to use a phone they provide. If you want the Lumia to function 100% then you have to buy it from a provider who supports it and use their network. Buying it and trying to use it on a network that it was not intended for will result in fail most of the time. Or the very least a lot of flashing and tweaking and still may not be 100%.
I will say it again. If you like Android and are happy with it then stay with it. To me it sounds like you have already decided against this phone anyways. You Are not going to get somebody in a Lumia forum to flat out tell you not to buy it. So if you are looking for somebody to confirm your feelings you won't get it here. The bottom line is that this phone is not for somebody who is happy with their current OS. This phone is a phone for those just starting or those just fed up with the other stuff out there.
Well thank you all for your replies and insights.
If i get a Windows Phone 8 phone right now i feel it is a way backward not forward. I'm familiar with Android OS so i think i'll stick it out with them.

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