First smartphone was some low-end Android phone on a prepaid carrier, and even though it ran like crap, I've loved Android since. I took a shot with Windows Phone by buying a Dell Venue Pro, but the main reason I chose it (hardware keyboard) turned out to be a bit disappointing, and I kinda came with a negative attitude toward the OS, and eventually returned it. Plus, it was last-gen specs and it had its share of issues, so I probably wouldn't have kept it regardless.
Anyway, I've really been considering getting an HTC Radar on T-Mobile US, because I love everything about the phone (size, design, cameras, etc.)...but I need to be sold on Windows Phone and its functions/capabilities. I'm not too big on customization with Android (single homescreen with no widgets), and most apps I could live without on a daily basis (the few apps like Square I could plan in advance for and use an Android phone). I did like how smooth it was overall, but it seemed like a lot of basic phone/messaging/internet options were either hidden in weird places or non-existent (like manually refreshing certain stuff). And I did update the Dell to Mango, so I don't need to be told about the benefits, unless some of them apply only to the 2nd-gen WP devices like the Radar.
And in this case, I'd either get a Radar and then a Flyer so I can keep Android (and still use it as a phone if necessary), or just the new One S and no tablet.
First of all, everything is about your priorities and preferences. Mobile devices are a personal decision because there is always a tradeoff between cost, power, size, simplicity, customization, prior experience, and battery life. I can only tell you what works for me, then you can evaluate and come to your own decision.
In my signature you can see the devices that I have used, so I have some experience on both the Android and Windows Phone side. Last year I bounced back and forth between the two, but came down on the firmly on the Windows side for one major reason:
Simplicity.
It takes me two or three days to get an Android phone into a usable state so I have my major apps front and center, and eliminate as much "junk" as possible. (Of course, one man's junk is another man's favorite app.)
Windows Phone has most of what I need already set up once I've loaded my Google, Live, Exchange, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. As a matter of fact, give me the standard Microsoft apps, plus a Google Voice client, and I can do just about everything I need to do.
Also, I find the Live Tiles and Hubs very useful in pulling information together from multiple sources. The clean, bold, unified design of the OS is icing on the cake.
After using Windows Phone, Android looks like a mish-mash of random interfaces and cluttered design.
But that's just me.
I've got a Radar on T-Mobile and a Nokia Lumia 900 on AT&T. One of them has to go this week. The Lumia is about the most beautiful phone I've ever used and the AT&T LTE is strong and fast where I live. On the other hand, the Radar feels perfect in the hand, and T-Mobile's HSPA+ is fast enough. (But the coverage doesn't stretch out into the suburbs where I sometimes go.)
If you like Windows Phone and are a T-Mobile customer, the Radar is a quality choice. Also take a look at the Nokia 710. Some people like that handset better.
That's my opinion, for what it's worth. Best of luck!
Thanks for the quick reply. I do agree that Windows Phone is much simpler, and that definitely does appeal to me. I looked around and saw that it's possible to get OEM apps like the Nokia-specific apps without much work, that's nice. It's also nice that there might be a ROM for the Radar sometime soon.
However, I'm a bit confused when it comes to side-loading apps and unlocking and whatnot. I read something about Chevron tokens, and that they're out of stock, but then the official site charges $9 to unlock - what exactly does that do? And then in another thread I read something about being able to unlock it for free through a student DreamSpark account...is there a simple explanation about unlocking and ways to do it?
Anyway, I might be a little more sold on it as a result...if I can get one for a good price, I might jump on it soon.
EDIT: Also, since I saw you had a Nokia N8...where does Symbian fall into any of this - would it be something you'd ever consider going back to? I haven't had the chance to experience it, and have no idea how it compares to Android or WP7.5
magus57 said:
I'd either get a Radar and then a Flyer so I can keep Android (and still use it as a phone if necessary), or just the new One S and no tablet.
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Click to collapse
Ive also had experience of both and getting a tablet is a sensible thing.. I have a Galaxy 5 Wifi for my media player and now a Radar for my Phone.
As has been mentioned here.. the best thing is simplicity, unfortunately, Android is being hammered at us from every angle from the One X to the Sensation XE, the Galaxy S2 and now 3 to the Note and sadly, WP7 seems to be getting left behind.
This year we're now seeing HTC and Nokia battle it out, but ultimately.. its down to you.. My advice..
Dont follow the Advertising and Media circus.. it'll drive you mad and no matter what you buy, theres always something new coming out.. so is it Android, with its many apps and open source marketplace.. which can result in some rubbish apps or WP7 for simplicity and ease of use, but without the customisation, just add ons.
Bear in mind, at the end of the day.. they are just phones.. even though the adverts will tell you different. A ONE X is just a faster Desire.. but its still a phone. I find WP7 call quality is much better than my old Wildfire S and under Mango theres alot more to work with.
Good luck
magus57 said:
...However, I'm a bit confused when it comes to side-loading apps and unlocking and whatnot. I read something about Chevron tokens, and that they're out of stock.. Also, since I saw you had a Nokia N8...where does Symbian fall into any of this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If side-loading apps is your goal, WP7 is not the best platform. The Chevron unlocker was available to aid developers of the first edition of Windows Phone. But it was never updated for later versions, and after Mango it is useless. So there is no easy way to open up the platform, although some have managed it on a phone by phone basis. But, really, Android is so much more open in that respect that I would stay in that environment if hacking is your goal.
As for Nokia, they consistently make the best phones. The N8 is still unsurpassed as a camera phone. No one has even attempted to put that large a sensor in any smartphone since. It will only be bested this month when Nokia releases the 808 PureView running Symbian. They are ahead of the competition in build quality and their radios usually pulll in better reception that others.
Their move into Windows phone looks very strong, and they have only been making them for six months. It will be interesting to see how that lineup grows.
The Symbian OS, however, gets mixed reviews. Back in the days of Windows Mobile, it was a very strong competitor. In a post-iPhone world, however, it cannot match the mobile operating systems that have been conceived from the ground up for touch navigation. Although they have made huge advancements, including touch-enabling the whole OS, it will always feel a bit more like a super-advanced feature phone OS when compared to Android, iOS, WM7, and WebOS.
Even so , I would say that the combination of Nokia hardware and Symbian represents the best value for money of any phobne / OS combination. For example, all of these phones can upgrade to the just released Symbian Belle update and are faster and have more features than they did when they were originally released:
N8 - Feels incredible in the hand and even more distingushed from the competition today. $340
E7 - The business phone; a tilt-up touchscreen with a great slide out keyboard. $380
C6 - essentially a thinner, lighter version of the N8, minus the super large camera sensor. $215
The problem for most Americans is that they have never used a Symbian phone before, so the whole feel of the OS is odd.
I think Nokia made the right decision moving to WP7, although Symbian will remain a strong platform for them, especially in new developing markets.
Related
Just watched a review on the HTC evo4G and was impressed but unsure if I am an Android man???? what are your thoughts?
Evo4G vs HD2
antilagman said:
Just watched a review on the HTC evo4G and was impressed but unsure if I am an Android man???? what are your thoughts?
Evo4G vs HD2
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Click to collapse
I've never tried Android, but if that phone wasn't CDMA I'd probably give it a go.
The EVO is definitely a device I'd love to have a go with. I enjoy using my HD2 but the EVO definitely has a few features i'd be interested in, mainly the Android OS, but also the better camera and the HDMI out.
HDMI-out is the killer feature I miss on the HD2 (I'm not even sure I would use it much, but I love convergence me )
I love the slimness of HD2 so I'm not sure yet.
Both my daughter and wife have the Evo. It is a fantastic phone. I find myself playing with it over my HD2 frequently. My HD2s biggest advantage is Outlook/Exchange. Android has some pretty good Exchange integration, but not as good as WinMo.
Turning on 4G kills the battery pretty quick. The battery cover is pretty cheesey compared to the HD2's. Android market beats Microsoft's marketplace handily.
I've been playing around with the HTC Desire, which also has Adroid on it and I was amazed by it's responsiveness. In other words, it's fast!
As you can see in the review, browsing the internet on the HD2 (this is probably a opera mobile browser thing) is annoying, as you have to pan and zoom in/out all the time; the browser adjusts pages for you, but not always in a convenient way.
The Android market is huge, and mostly free. But that doesn't get me enthousiastic, as I have found all my application for WinMo here on XDA (you gotta love this site, big thanks for all the developers!).
Google Maps Turn by Turn navigation isn't available for WinMo (that's correct right?) yet. I'd really love to have that feature on my HD2.
I'd also like to have the one button press to get an overview of all the home-tabs as in Android on my HD2, but maybe this is already developed or being developed.
So, for me, in the end, I'll stay with my HD2 for a while (at least 10 months as my contract will then be renewed (yay for "free" phones ) Maybe by then Android will have left WinMo even further behind.
Seemless outlook syncing, tomtom and garmin keep me with windows mobile...
Never been tempted to android or iphone...
Its that simple for me...
My mate's trading in his hero for a desire... I'll grab it, play with it for a few minutes and give it back and say "yeah, nice...", then walk away thanking God I have my HD2...
Android and iphone interfaces may be smoother, but that's not the phone experience I'm worried about...
I'll stick with WM...
argentocruz said:
My mate's trading in his hero for a desire... I'll grab it, play with it for a few minutes and give it back and say "yeah, nice...", then walk away thanking God I have my HD2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x2.
My girlfriend has an iphone4, and a coworker of mine has the evo4g, and I really can't see myself using either of those phones on a daily basis. I like the minimalistic of cooking my own ROM, I like the idea of using whatever software I want, when I want, without having to fork over $2-3 dollars for it. Conversely, I want to be able to manage everything manually on my phone. I want to have the ability to establish where the cache is going to be, I want to be able to tweak and "mod" the behavior of the program im running. I don't want the OS to dictate that.
Basically it comes down to functionality and flexibility, and with Cookies Home Tab, no two HD2s are alike...which makes the phone that much more unique.
On the other hand, you could argue that the apps are what make the phone, but honestly, I dont need to further clutter my phone with countless sports score apps, food apps, or any of that junk. Everything basic amenities that a smart phone need are already available on the HD2/windows mobile.
i jumped from sprint to t-mobile after the evo was already out. I'm not interested in android at this time and I'm pretty sure with nrgz28's cht ROM, it's every bit as smooth as the iphone4 and evo.
What's sad about sprint for me was the data speeds on sprint (3g). I was getting only 500-700kbps. I'm getting 2000-3000 kbps on t-mobile on hspa with hspa+ rolling out this month (according to my local t-mobile). So my speeds right now are similar or close to sprint 4g, then will blow right past them very soon.
Honestly, I don't get the jump to android, especially an htc device. Sense is very similar on both and you hardly dig into winmo anymore anyways.
I think that if you have 4g in your area, go for the evo if you are looking for something different, but if not, and your t-mobile coverage is good, you might as well wait at least till this fall and see what is coming out (like all the galaxy s and galaxy s pros). Not to mention there is some sweet spec'd wp7 coming down the pipe (1.5 ghz snap dragon anyone???).
lude219 said:
x2.
My girlfriend has an iphone4, and a coworker of mine has the evo4g, and I really can't see myself using either of those phones on a daily basis. I like the minimalistic of cooking my own ROM, I like the idea of using whatever software I want, when I want, without having to fork over $2-3 dollars for it. Conversely, I want to be able to manage everything manually on my phone. I want to have the ability to establish where the cache is going to be, I want to be able to tweak and "mod" the behavior of the program im running. I don't want the OS to dictate that.
Basically it comes down to functionality and flexibility, and with Cookies Home Tab, no two HD2s are alike...which makes the phone that much more unique.
On the other hand, you could argue that the apps are what make the phone, but honestly, I dont need to further clutter my phone with countless sports score apps, food apps, or any of that junk. Everything basic amenities that a smart phone need are already available on the HD2/windows mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
customizabilty FTW! thats why i stick with winmo too. i can make my phone completely my own.
im sick of the whole "app store" argument too. iphone & android have oh so many apps... most of which are stupid games & frivolous bull****. winmo has as many apps as they do, theyre just not all organized in the app store yet. most of them are actually useful too. MS only recently made an app store cause googling for the app they want is too much work for most people & they were losing out to the competition.
why would you go from hd2 to evo when hd2 can run android too?
i'll stick to a Windoes mobile phone no matter what....dunno why, s'pose it's like a PC....no way would i change to apple (IMHO) s**T like that.
prob change my phone in 3 months, maybe even a year, but whatever it will be, it'll definitely be a windows operating system.
Matt
This question has flooded my mind almost as much as Android has flooded the market...
Does anyone else think that Android has gone out of control? I mean there are literally dozens of devices announced / released every week, updates are a mess, developing is tricky due to all the different versions of the OS, screen resolution, cpu, gpu etc. The custom overlays is so common that the AOSP phones are almost non existant.
Manufacturers release a new phone each week since its an easy buck because its free and they know that with Android it cant keep a decent life span since its forgotten pretty much the day its released since all the new phone arriving or due to arrive, so asking for good support is a bit much nowadays. It seems like Android is becoming the new "featurephone OS" since almost every phone released runs it, so imo it loses its Premium feel since i can run most of the same apps in a crappy free budget device than a high end monster save some games and speed...
I have had dozens of android devices, from the HTC Touch port, to the EVO 3D, and frankly its hard to get exited for an android device nowadays since theres always something bigger and better almost immediatly instead of living out its life span before it gets eclipsed by something else. Thats why i like the iOS and WP7 approach since they release it in batches (cept apple because its 1) in a certain time frame, so you know you dont have to worry about being left behind or being behind the curve for a good while (i you care about that stuff like me) OS updates are a sure thing, app compatibility is all there and it just feels more integrated and organized
Android feels like mess actually, i have an android and really like the OS but honestly, its a touch friendly version of Windows Mobile in my eyes. It has all the features you would wanr, but performance is inconsistant, user experience is a mess, updates are hit and miss, and development is a headache
Sorry to rant so much, i really like Android actually, but got to the point that flooded the market with such a thing has ruined a good thing imo
Any imput?
s3nT Fr0m mY pYrAmId fLaVoReD gLaCi3r
*Fixed a few things
Well, I believe that's what android is about. Its like windows, many different computers run different versions of windows. I understand the "premium feel" aspect, but there's no alternative to Linux on phones besides android.
on the other hand, no one wants to be as confined as iphone. there is nothing unique between one iphone and another. they are both iphones whereas android has variety
It'll really be interesting to see what the future holds. Android could replace Windows and MacOS in a lot of ways.
Good post OP. I feel, as you do, that the fragmentation of the Android platform is a complete mess. It would have been nice if Google had more control over what happened to the OS on a manufacturer level. I'd have liked, at the very least, to have seen a minimum hardware requirement, an outright ban on carrier bloat and manufacturer skins too. I'm a purist though and some people buy HTC, for example, because they want 'Sense'. Personally i believe these skins should have been an optional component, perhaps available as a Market download.
Updates to the OS should have been arranged in a more consistent and controlled manner too, but with the diversity of hardware it has become a crap-shoot. Manufacturers are churning out phone after phone and most are horribly derivative. Of course, it's all about the $$.
I'm a fan of what Microsoft are doing with the WP7 platform and can only dream about a similar scenario with Android!
I think its all good.Its all about freedom.The freedom to choose you firmware,kernal,ROM or what ever.Others like iOS are to confined.Its great.
It is just because android is "opened". All manufacturers can produce and sell a phone running android. Like the computers, for example, you can't say to HP that "Why did you guys releases computers so fast? ASUS just released one yesterday!"
Also about what you think android is complicated is because of it's customizability (ability to be customized). When it can be very personalized, it gets a lot of settings. When it have a lot of settings, things get complicated. This is also why every android device is unique
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I've always been a PC guy and have used Macs in the past. I'm just used to Windows as opposed to an iOS. The fact that Android is open sourced, it allows for any user to customize it however they want.
I own an EVO 3D, and own an iPod Touch. There's endless possibilities on what I can do on the 3D versus what I can do on the iPod. I also know that the iPod can be jailbroken as well.
I do understand your argument as there are many different phones that come out each week/month. It gets overwhelming as to which device is better and what not, but it all comes down to what the end user wants for a device that fits their needs. A typical user just wants to be able to call, text, and get online. These typical users would like to see different styles, colors, sizes that fit their lifestyle.
Apple has a standardized iPhone/iPod and it receives an update once in a while. Granted, you can pick out a cover for it in different colors and styles, but it has the same UI look.
But I, on the other hand, like to tinker and like to customize the device of my choice.
Based on the fact that we're all members here on this forum by choice and are happily reading and writing...I'd say that there's no such thing as too much.
Although I'll be honest, I was dying to just say about this much "...................." (there I said it)
i agree that android is all over the place with late updates ect however i love the fact that its available in all flavors not just one flavor like you know who.
Android is just the hip thing. It's quickly becoming to mobile-devices what MS-DOS/Windows was to home computers. Only, the licensing is different
That doesn't mean there's too much of it though. Android is still linux at its core, and part of that is putting up with the disorganized community development.
Hey guys
After experiencing Android Gingerbread on Xperia Arc S and Windows Phone 7.5 on HTC Radar,I've decided to sell my iPhone and go with another OS.
I'm pretty much torn between Galaxy Nexus and HTC Titan.After watching/reading reviews,I still can't decide.
Of course Nexus has a better screen,more customizable OS but on the other hand,Titan has a better camera and I kinda adore the WP7 UI.It's butter smooth
The prices of both phones are roughly the same in where I live.
Thoughts ?
Go for it, I have no regrets.
You mean Titan right ?
My wife's had a Windows Phone (Samsung Focus) since the release and absolutely loves it. I have an 3GS and recently switched over to an Android phone (Atrix 2 running 2.3.5), but I ended up returning the phone and going back to using my old iphone. Android has a ton of cool capabilities, but it's like running linux, the possibilities are endless, but you spend a lot more time tinkering than doing. There's also no cohesive hub for connecting up to your PC and syncing music/videos/pictures, you have a run a number of extra utilities.
The pitfall of Windows Phone is that not enough people use it, so isn't the developer support, so there aren't as many big apps, so not as many people use it.
My big sticking point is that the makers of my motorcycle helmet cam don't have any immediate plans to develop a WP7 version of their remote viewfinder app. Best thing to do is install the Zune software on your PC and browse the marketplace; if the apps are there to let you do what you need to, WP7 (7.5) is pretty badass in integrating between your PC and your Xbox and it feels a lot more polished than the Android or Iphone interfaces.
spd_rcr said:
My wife's had a Windows Phone (Samsung Focus) since the release and absolutely loves it. I have an 3GS and recently switched over to an Android phone (Atrix 2 running 2.3.5), but I ended up returning the phone and going back to using my old iphone. Android has a ton of cool capabilities, but it's like running linux, the possibilities are endless, but you spend a lot more time tinkering than doing. There's also no cohesive hub for connecting up to your PC and syncing music/videos/pictures, you have a run a number of extra utilities.
The pitfall of Windows Phone is that not enough people use it, so isn't the developer support, so there aren't as many big apps, so not as many people use it.
My big sticking point is that the makers of my motorcycle helmet cam don't have any immediate plans to develop a WP7 version of their remote viewfinder app. Best thing to do is install the Zune software on your PC and browse the marketplace; if the apps are there to let you do what you need to, WP7 (7.5) is pretty badass in integrating between your PC and your Xbox and it feels a lot more polished than the Android or Iphone interfaces.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Yep the only thing I worry about WP7 is the apps but I searched the market place and I found my essential apps such as Twitter and some games.
twitter and facebook also is built in to the messaging hub, not to say that the app doesn't have extra functions.
After owning Android and WM7 phones I would go with WM7 if I were to stray from my iPhone. I just ordered a Titan with Mango. Giving it another go! I have yet to read a bad review on the Titan or Mango.
I know everybody talks about the customization of Android but honestly, that gets old after awhile. At the end of the day I just want a reliable working device.
theorioles33 said:
After owning Android and WM7 phones I would go with WM7 if I were to stray from my iPhone. I just ordered a Titan with Mango. Giving it another go! I have yet to read a bad review on the Titan or Mango.
I know everybody talks about the customization of Android but honestly, that gets old after awhile. At the end of the day I just want a reliable working device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 1 of each (Nexus & Titan), and if you made me have to decide I would have to go with Nexus/Android.
I have an iPhone 4s as well, it's back in it's box.
I bought a new Lumia 920 yesterday and after one day im loving it. The lumia is not my first Windows Phone device. I previously had an HD2 with WP7, HD7 with 7.5 also a Samsung Focus Flash. I always liked the look of WP but could never stick around with it because lack of features (multitasking, front cam, lack of quality apps.)
So far im really enjoying the phone, its one of the best i have owned and i have owned every major OS and flagship phone in the last 5 yrs. The camera easily beats my old 4S and One X for best camera i have had on a phone and i really love the build quilty and weight to the phone.
The only problem I have with the phone is the same one that has been repeated over and over...Apps. While I have pretty much found replacements for the main ones i use on my Galaxy Nexus, there are others I miss. Namely Instagram (great camera like this needs instagram.) And all my google apps. Im a hardcore google user, from mail to G+. i have a shortcut for G+ pinned to my start screen but its not the same.
Pros:
Great Camera
Great Screen and Sensetivity
Good Sound
WP is coming along nicely
Cons:
Google Apps (For Me)
While i have returned every Windows Phone i have had in the past I plan on sticking with the Lumia and see what comes of Windows Phone.
I was also happy with my Purchase experiance at my local AT&T store. I had my usual rep help me who has sold me and took returns of phones i have bought over the years and he was actually pretty good and knew a lot about the 920. I was also happy to receive my wireless charger because i believe i read somewhere that they were sold out.
I, too, just got a Lumia 920 alongside my Galaxy S 3. I like it a lot.
The integration with my work Outlook and Lync is top-notch.
The Skydrive integration is a lot nicer than the detached feeling I get with Google Drive.
In my tests so far, the camera is stellar! I am truly impressed with the clarity of photos even in a dark room.
I echo the lack of Google Apps. The lack of a native Google Music, most notably. Also, I've been an OLED screen user going on about 4 years now (ever since the Zune HD) so the lack of rich blacks on this screen is taking some getting used to, but that's not that big of a deal.
Will it help? I doubt it but here's a petition you can sign to get Google to add their popular apps to Windows Phone.
http://www.change.org/petitions/goo...utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
I've had the phone for a day now as well and my verdict is exactly the same. It's a shame there's no native support for Google Apps, specifically Google Talk and Google Voice, apps I use a lot. The transition will be hard but I think it'll be worthwhile.
This is one of the device i am aiming, one thing bothered me is the battery life.
Google, Apple and Microsoft are all competitors. The best thing you can do is stick to standards. You can get a domain and email package for a small fee and be totally independent of all these petty morons.
afx55 said:
I've had the phone for a day now as well and my verdict is exactly the same. It's a shame there's no native support for Google Apps, specifically Google Talk and Google Voice, apps I use a lot. The transition will be hard but I think it'll be worthwhile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MetroTalk is a great app for Google Voice. Worth a buck or so.
I have it on good authority that Instagram is going to be baked into the OS at some stage and I hope it's true, even though I currently no longer have a WP.
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ReventonX said:
This is one of the device i am aiming, one thing bothered me is the battery life.
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Click to collapse
My battery life is stellar. It's as good as the One X and S3 I previously owned. The only other device I've owned with better battery life is the Note 2.
Gona get flamed... Here
Yes the hardware is howsome
Yes WP8 seems great and I feel it become soon the leading OS somehow a very credible alternative.
But I feel sad it is totally in locked in syndrome
Got it for few bucks but locked to orange FR
No carrier unlock joy so far... Not big deal for me as I got it mainly for development toying... Left windows phone 6 and currently on android and thought it be open I mean just develop and debug on device directly... But nop... Need to have good HW and worth hyper-v conflict with virtual box on my main machine .... Debug on a VM machine.. Yea right...
I don't under that one that buy phone cannot put what he/she wish on it(not taking pirate soft here) but start develop and debug on device directly...and when ready publish.. Instead need to pay $99 that is not the issue really it's just to be forced to do it is not right IMO...
This stuff needs get out of jail else its just be a nice phone and camera plus nice music player nothing as special and open as android is right now. BTW no decent dlna for the moment.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
questionmark said:
Gona get flamed... Here
Yes the hardware is howsome
Yes WP8 seems great and I feel it become soon the leading OS somehow a very credible alternative.
But I feel sad it is totally in locked in syndrome
Got it for few bucks but locked to orange FR
No carrier unlock joy so far... Not big deal for me as I got it mainly for development toying... Left windows phone 6 and currently on android and thought it be open I mean just develop and debug on device directly... But nop... Need to have good HW and worth hyper-v conflict with virtual box on my main machine .... Debug on a VM machine.. Yea right...
I don't under that one that buy phone cannot put what he/she wish on it(not taking pirate soft here) but start develop and debug on device directly...and when ready publish.. Instead need to pay $99 that is not the issue really it's just to be forced to do it is not right IMO...
This stuff needs get out of jail else its just be a nice phone and camera plus nice music player nothing as special and open as android is right now. BTW no decent dlna for the moment.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is amazing, but a completely different animal to android. I defected to jelly bean on the s3 but I really love WP
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im really debating on whether i should switch from an GS3 to a lumia 920? i just worry about the app store. are the apps really that limited on lumia 920?
it depends....
If you're talking about applications I would say that the ones that are there are as good or better than Android and for those few that are missing, there are alternatives or 3rd party apps that do the job and in some cases exceed those original apps still missing. So if you're talking about functionality with respect to apps, I would say you'll be perfectly fine with making the switch.
However, if you are a heavy phone gamer and want the latest games and have them for free with ads etc, Google Play is much more ahead of Windows Phone. If you just want light gaming like Angry Birds Star War's, Cut The Rope etc.....you'll be perfectly satisfied.
I made the switch to Windows Phone. I'm not a big gamer, don't really care about gaming on the phone (I prefer a tablet even for light gaming). What I would argue though is that the functionality out of the box, the consistency of the UI1 and the consistency of the apps, and the speed of Windows Phone seriously makes it a better phone than either Android or iPhone.
If you want to drive your car with your phone, or are a heavy gamer and love to tweak your phone over and over and over I would say get Android. If you want a dumb but safe OS with a phone that has a high resale value and you don't mind paying through your nose for an overpriced product which has serious limitations like small screen and proprietary accessories etc, iPhone is for you.
I chose the Lumia 920 and have no regrets whatsoever. Seriously, if you use Google services and you switch to Windows Phone, just get gMaps & Metrotube and that covers pretty much everything (Skydrive is better than Google's offering anyways). I had gMail and switched to Outlook and only use my Google account for Youtube when I'm on the PC. People who say "But with an Android I can get Google Services" are seriously not realizing that there is really not much there, if anything, compared to Windows Phone. Hope this helps you make your choice.
I've contemplated switching myself. My wife has a new lumia 920 and it's a beautiful phone. She's been a Windows phone user for a year and a half now and absolutely loves it. We also picked up a new lumia 920 for my 19yr. old son for Christmas and being an avid xbox guy, he was extremely happy. At least for the twelve hours he had the phone before it got knocked off the table onto our tile floor and cracked the screen. It should be back from the repair shop next week.
I do have to admit that with Windows 8 on all our computers, the integration with my wifes Lumia 920 and her LIVE account is pretty cool. To a large extent, google has the same sort of integration, but it seems quite a bit more scattered with multiple different google apps for different things, where WP8 just seems to sync/integrate everything quietly in the background.
I've always enjoyed "tweaking" my phone. Started with a Nokia e71 and Symbian, moved to an iPhone 3GS and Jailbreaking, then finally to Android where pretty much anything is possible. I'm worried that moving to WP8 would feel a little too restrictive.
That being said, my contract is up for renewal in a couple months and I'm actually thinking of going with a Lumia 920 just to see how I like it. I figure I can always sell it and go back to my i9300 SG3 if things don't workout.
so this is the thing
bigkahuna111 said:
If you're talking about applications I would say that the ones that are there are as good or better than Android and for those few that are missing, there are alternatives or 3rd party apps that do the job and in some cases exceed those original apps still missing. So if you're talking about functionality with respect to apps, I would say you'll be perfectly fine with making the switch.
However, if you are a heavy phone gamer and want the latest games and have them for free with ads etc, Google Play is much more ahead of Windows Phone. If you just want light gaming like Angry Birds Star War's, Cut The Rope etc.....you'll be perfectly satisfied.
I made the switch to Windows Phone. I'm not a big gamer, don't really care about gaming on the phone (I prefer a tablet even for light gaming). What I would argue though is that the functionality out of the box, the consistency of the UI1 and the consistency of the apps, and the speed of Windows Phone seriously makes it a better phone than either Android or iPhone.
If you want to drive your car with your phone, or are a heavy gamer and love to tweak your phone over and over and over I would say get Android. If you want a dumb but safe OS with a phone that has a high resale value and you don't mind paying through your nose for an overpriced product which has serious limitations like small screen and proprietary accessories etc, iPhone is for you.
I chose the Lumia 920 and have no regrets whatsoever. Seriously, if you use Google services and you switch to Windows Phone, just get gMaps & Metrotube and that covers pretty much everything (Skydrive is better than Google's offering anyways). I had gMail and switched to Outlook and only use my Google account for Youtube when I'm on the PC. People who say "But with an Android I can get Google Services" are seriously not realizing that there is really not much there, if anything, compared to Windows Phone. Hope this helps you make your choice.
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I have been a windows phone user for two years now and I will say this much, if you are looking for customizability and playing with the look of your phone, windows phone will bore you to tears. The truth is that once you setup your layout on the homescreen, there isn't much else you can do or will do since it is already setup to your needs and how you use the phone. Like I add tracking packages to the bottom of the screen and once they get delivered I delete them, same goes for games once I finish playing them. So once the screen is setup I would argue that you do get bored after a while and go through different colours depending on your mood or even depending on the Bing wallpaper which is showing that day (if you use that lockscreen feature) etc. There really isn't any other customizability you can do or really will do after a bit because the phone is perfect for a lack of a better term, its perfectly setup for your needs.
I would argue that's a good thing, even though I do wish I can see some animations on the lockscreen etc. At the end of the day the added functionality I get with a Windows Phone and the way it integrates with everything I use, is just too good to give up to get some more freedom with respect to tweaking icons, text, wallpapers, animations etc.
Hope this helps you in your decision....
If you can live with the out of the box WP functionality & experience for the majority of your needs then you will be happy. If the stock apps don't cover the majority of your needs then stick with Android. Of course WP has some great 3rd party apps that add functionality/fill in the gaps, but you may not be able to count on them always working or the program being around in the future. A good example are YouTube apps which may stop working because Google has made a change, until the developers make the necessary changes.
For the best WP experience you are basically going to use Microsoft services Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live. If you have all your info in GMail,Google Docs etc. then you should decide if your willing to migrate it to the MS ecosystem, before moving to WP IMO
Hi. Coming from SGS3, I wanted to know if i could find an apk like Gstrings and Musical lite?
acruxksa said:
I've contemplated switching myself. My wife has a new lumia 920 and it's a beautiful phone. She's been a Windows phone user for a year and a half now and absolutely loves it. We also picked up a new lumia 920 for my 19yr. old son for Christmas and being an avid xbox guy, he was extremely happy. At least for the twelve hours he had the phone before it got knocked off the table onto our tile floor and cracked the screen. It should be back from the repair shop next week.
I do have to admit that with Windows 8 on all our computers, the integration with my wifes Lumia 920 and her LIVE account is pretty cool. To a large extent, google has the same sort of integration, but it seems quite a bit more scattered with multiple different google apps for different things, where WP8 just seems to sync/integrate everything quietly in the background.
I've always enjoyed "tweaking" my phone. Started with a Nokia e71 and Symbian, moved to an iPhone 3GS and Jailbreaking, then finally to Android where pretty much anything is possible. I'm worried that moving to WP8 would feel a little too restrictive.
That being said, my contract is up for renewal in a couple months and I'm actually thinking of going with a Lumia 920 just to see how I like it. I figure I can always sell it and go back to my i9300 SG3 if things don't workout.
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Click to collapse
+1 same thoughts here....
Haha you'll suffer
Sent From My Galaxy S3
I did a switch and am unhapppy.
Its just been 18 hrs since i switched from S3 to 920 and am already missing it very much. Its nothing to do with the phone as such. The major thing am missing is the android. If you happen to be an android user for over a year and if you like to play (Not just games but roms etc etc.) then i seriously suggest you NOT to switch.
kaladhar.r said:
Its just been 18 hrs since i switched from S3 to 920 and am already missing it very much. Its nothing to do with the phone as such. The major thing am missing is the android. If you happen to be an android user for over a year and if you like to play (Not just games but roms etc etc.) then i seriously suggest you NOT to switch.
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Click to collapse
Agreed.
I had a Lumia 920 for 2 weeks. Fantastic little machine, but I just found myself constantly looking on enviously at my friends' Android phones. Once I got the Nexus 4 it felt like I was back home.
For me, WP8 is too limited and has too many things that drove me up the wall. Type quickly? Forget about the auto-correct working properly, it couldn't keep up (and I'm by no means the quickest typist on a touch screen). Just little things such as the time not being displayed in certain screens at the top, and connectivity icons always being hidden used to irritate me. No notification was another irritant. Yes OK, the tiles would display unread texts etc, but I found sometimes I wouldn't notice them. The Android solution is so much better.
Overall, I just felt like I didn't have the same level of control as I do on Android. If I want to kill a task, how do you do that on Windows?
This can be a good or a bad thing, but I suspect many on XDA will not like it, being that most XDA members are very technically able people.
I thought I would enjoy having less choices and just getting on and using it, but you know what, it had the opposite effect.
exactly my same thoughts..^^^^^.
I switched to 920 at Christmas time. I love my new phone, Windows phone 8 is great, i can modify the home screen as much as I want and I love the live tiles. the only bug bear I had was the wifi switching of when asleep, but that has been fixed in the update I just received
one of the major reasons I switched was the slow uptake of Samsung to update it's phones, if I had not manually updated the firmware my s11 would still be sitting on gingerbread, the fragmentation of Android is hopeless. I only hope the same thing does not happen with Windows.
can you download files from the internet like you can with an android? I download a ton of torrents while i'm at work.
squarebobspongepants said:
can you download files from the internet like you can with an android? I download a ton of torrents while i'm at work.
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maybe nobody here downloads file ?
I not used torrent application myself but I did a search to see what apps in the store from my Lumia 920. I found a dozen so apps that manage and control torrent server software that you would have on your home computer. Some are free and some are paid .99 to 1.99. So at least you can control and manage your torrent server. I would suspect if you had a router based on tomato firmware that has torrent you could control/manage that as well in theory as well.
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
tameracingdriver said:
Agreed.
I had a Lumia 920 for 2 weeks. Fantastic little machine, but I just found myself constantly looking on enviously at my friends' Android phones. Once I got the Nexus 4 it felt like I was back home.
For me, WP8 is too limited and has too many things that drove me up the wall. Type quickly? Forget about the auto-correct working properly, it couldn't keep up (and I'm by no means the quickest typist on a touch screen). Just little things such as the time not being displayed in certain screens at the top, and connectivity icons always being hidden used to irritate me. No notification was another irritant. Yes OK, the tiles would display unread texts etc, but I found sometimes I wouldn't notice them. The Android solution is so much better.
Overall, I just felt like I didn't have the same level of control as I do on Android. If I want to kill a task, how do you do that on Windows?
This can be a good or a bad thing, but I suspect many on XDA will not like it, being that most XDA members are very technically able people.
I thought I would enjoy having less choices and just getting on and using it, but you know what, it had the opposite effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My experience is the opposite many of yours. I have had Android phones since T-Mobiles G1 (I still have it) and I loved all the tinkering I could do with them. I've had Moto, HTC and Samsung. But there was always 'something' that didn't work quite right. Maybe the bluetooth stack wasn't that great or the GPS would show me blocks from where I am. Even the compass on one of them would have me twirling in circles as I sat at a traffic light. Some hardware issues, some software. An update would occur to fix something then another thing would suffer. Many ROMs built here were phenomenal pieces of work and way beyond my skill set. However a fgreat deal of the time even they were not quite done 'baking', for lack of a better term.
I saw the demo of my 920 while shopping for a new phone for my girlfriend. I had my One X for about 8 months. I HAD to have this phone. I've been using it for about 6 weeks now and it just works. That's all I can say. Everything on mine just simply works. GPS, compass, BT, mail services, WiFi...even phone calls! I've embraced the UI so much that I bought a windows 8 tablet and sold my iPad. (I sold the iPad for more reasons than just Windows 8 but that's for a different forum)
The seamless integration between the two is great and, for my purposes, I couldn't be happier with my decision to make this move. Is the app store lacking? Absolutely. But not to the point that I miss my Android phone(s). Don't misunderstand. I really do get why you would miss the flexibility of that OS. If I had time I'd keep one just for messing with. But it's so much easier now that when I want to do something I just do it and the phone cooperates completely.
My 920 from my perspective. Thanks for listening. Now back to your regularly scheduled browsing already in progress.