Smoked By Windows Phone

[Beefnot]

Better than Android.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/44554/android-smoked-by-windows-phone

 

[hypnotiq]

I love my Windows Phone. And that is saying a lot.

Previous to having it, I had the Android which I liked for the most part but there were things, like its hard hanging that drove me nuts.

Before I get accused of toting the company line, I've hated every version of Windows Mobile prior to Windows Phone 7. I gave each one a try and each time, I was infuriated and went back to my previous phone. I didn't have high hopes that WP7 would keep me happy but here we are a year later and I still love it.

That's not to say there aren't things that bug me about it. But I hold out hope that the next rev will have the few issues that still bug me fixed.

The biggest detractor to WP (for most people) is that some of their favorite apps aren't available on WP7 (Words With Friends being a big one).

That said, I've given my phone to iPhone and Android users alike, and with the exception of a couple of people, most have loved it.

YMMV.

 

[Ken555]

Isn't it ironic that everyone who works at Microsoft prefers their phone?

 

[Passepartout]

Isn't it ironic that everyone who works at Microsoft prefers their phone?

I don't think it is exclusive. I bought one at AT&T for DW. The folks there, to a one, said they preferred the new generation of WinPhone to all others. Reality is, that because you don't have to quit one app and go back to a home screen to do another, it is simply faster. Also, whether you get one made by Samsung, HTC, Nokia or whomever, they all work alike. No learning curve between brands. 'Course if your preferred phone is just made by kids in the same plant, generation after generation, changing brands isn't an option.

Interesting how you seem to know what everyone who works at MS prefers. Maybe there are some who like soup cans and string.

Jim

 

[PigsDad]

I just went through the process of deciding on a new phone. I looked at iPhones, Android and the new Windows phones. I guess for me, none of those phones ever showed noticible execution lags so performance was a non-issue, but YMMV.

The most important factor was usability and application availability. iPhone has the most apps, but Android is a close second with having the apps that I care about. Windows phones trail way behind both of them.

In the end, I ended up going with Android (Samsung Galaxy S II). The larger screen (over an iPhone) was a big factor -- it makes a noticible difference for my aging eyes, I hate to admit. I've only had the new phone a little over a week, but I am happy with my decision. I think if the Windows apps start to catch up to the leaders, it will be an even tougher decision between the three operating systems.

Kurt

 

[Beefnot]

The number of apps is irrelevant. The app you need is what matters. Windows Phone has nearly every major app. My wife is an iphone user and doesnt care about 300k apps vs. 50k apps or whatever the disparity is. As soon as Words With Friends comes to WP, she will switch. Until then, she will ride out her iphone.

 

[hypnotiq]

Biggest annoyances about WP.

• No ability to multi-delete text conversations (from different senders). I don't want to have to delete each individual conversation. Anyone that gets text updates from FB will understand this one.
• Cannot save photos from text message view. Have to open the picture and then save.
• No ability to multi-delete photos. Anyone who has a kid and knows that it takes 10-12 pics to get a good one, knows this frustration.

The app thing isn't a huge deal to me because, well, all the apps I need/want are available on WP (w/the exception of redbox).

With that said, I think the biggest mistake we did as a company was spend the money we did on marketing the way we did. That money would have been better spent by going to the developers of the Top X apps and issuing a bounty/supplement for developing it in WP7 (like Words w/ Friends).

WRT to Android, pretty much everyone is happy on Day 1. Re-visit them on Day 90-150 and see how they feel. That was about the time I began to get frustrated with mine with the lagging and would hard reset the phone. I had mine for about 18mo and hard reset on avg every 3ish months to get the performance back. And I have next to no apps on the phone too.

The one place I STILL think the iPhone destroys anyone, is the freaking camera. That thing takes better pics and has better image stabilization hands down.

 

[Beefnot]

There also needs to be a notification center. Why couldnt we just swipe right and tahdah. And how about deleting that damn arrow on the home screen and then centering the tiles. There are several more annoyances, but still is better than android and iphone.

 

[hypnotiq]

Oh yeah, that reminded me of my BIGGEST annoyance.

No ability to turn off text notifications all together. I know I can just swipe them right and they'll go away, but if I have my phone sitting down somewhere, I don't want anyone to just be able to see what comes across my screen. I want the option to turn it off.

But despite those few things, its still makes me happy.

Now Verizon on the other hand. :ignore: I want the new Nokia 900 so bad but ATT is the only one getting it because Verizon is still pissed off about the Kin.

 

[hypnotiq]

Isn't it ironic that everyone who works at Microsoft prefers their phone?

iPhones still vastly outnumber WP7 on campus. :ignore:

Though, that number is coming down as apps come online for WP.

 

[scrapngen]

Oh yeah, that reminded me of my BIGGEST annoyance.

No ability to turn off text notifications all together. I know I can just swipe them right and they'll go away, but if I have my phone sitting down somewhere, I don't want anyone to just be able to see what comes across my screen. I want the option to turn it off.

But despite those few things, its still makes me happy.

Now Verizon on the other hand. :ignore: I want the new Nokia 900 so bad but ATT is the only one getting it because Verizon is still pissed off about the Kin.

The Nokia 900 rocks!!!

 

[Ken555]

iPhones still vastly outnumber WP7 on campus. :ignore:

Though, that number is coming down as apps come online for WP.

Lol yeah, I've heard that. And I know Apple gives you guys a courtesy discount at the stores, as well, so that's a nice benefit.

It's ironic that the rationale Apple users made years ago regarding the number of applications being significantly less than those available for Windows is the same today with regard to Android or WP toward iOS. I agree totally, the number of apps is irrelevant other than understanding the volume of interest in the developer community, as the number of productive apps any typical user will use is low - and many are available today for all three platforms.

As for Jim's comment re working conditions...I have no interest in defending Apple or any other company in this area. I think this story isn't over with yet, and hopefully other companies will be as open about the working conditions as Apple has been. We need to hold all companies that manufacture goods to a high standard.

 

[MichaelColey]

FWIW, the best technology doesn't always win. I think most people here on TUG are old enough to remember Beta.

iPhone and Android both have huge installed bases and loyal customers. Any competing technology will have a real challenge.

 

[persia]

Windows Phone suffers from bad press because every version prior to 7.1 sucked. They earned the bad press. Personally I still prefer iPhone,but I have to admit that as of Windows Phone 7.1 and Ice Cream Sandwich Android, the choice is a personal preference, all three phone OSs seem pretty much equally mature...

 

[hypnotiq]

The Nokia 900 rocks!!!

I know, I've used it. I had a developer device for a small amount of time. Which is why it makes me sad I cant have it. :annoyed:

 

[momeason]

Yes, I do remember Beta. It was far superior but never got the numbers.
We also have an HD Cablecard TV. I loved not having a box. Great idea for a wall hanging TV. The Cable Industry did not want it..can't rent as many boxes.
We still use the TV in our bedroom, but it is not the main TV as it has limitations.
We just watch the networks in the Bedroom..news and such.

 

[Beefnot]

No ability to turn off text notifications all together. I know I can just swipe them right and they'll go away, but if I have my phone sitting down somewhere, I don't want anyone to just be able to see what comes across my screen. I want the option to turn it off.

I never thought about that, but that would be nice. I prefer to have a great out of box user experience, but with ultimate configurability of the phone. And no, that doesn't mean I want an Android. I already went that route in the past it was just OH-KAY.

By the way, how/where do you swipe right to make text notifications go away?

 

[hypnotiq]

I never thought about that, but that would be nice. I prefer to have a great out of box user experience, but with ultimate configurability of the phone. And no, that doesn't mean I want an Android. I already went that route in the past it was just OH-KAY.

By the way, how/where do you swipe right to make text notifications go away?

The great feature, that no one knows about. LOL

When you get a text notification on your screen, just press your finger and swipe right and it will go away. Youll still get the unread count on your text tile.

 

[Beefnot]

The great feature, that no one knows about. LOL

When you get a text notification on your screen, just press your finger and swipe right and it will go away. Youll still get the unread count on your text tile.

Oh snap, just did it. Holy. And I thought I already knew everything about WP. Thanks.

 

[timeos2]

Not looking good for WP

As predicted the only thing getting smoked are Windows phone sales - which continue to tank through Feb 2012. As the article says- time to put it out of its misery

http://m.zdnet.com/blog/btl/windows-phones-many-problems-should-microsoft-give-up/73126?tag=nl.e539

 

[Beefnot]

Eh, wp just needs to hang on until windows 8 this summer/fall

 

[timeos2]

Eh, wp just needs to hang on until windows 8 this summer/fall

By then they may be at 1% or less - there's no recovery from that. Put it to sleep. Why bother releasing a guaranteed loser? MS may see the light & pull the plug (as they did with BOB, Vista and so many other big miscalculations).

 

[Beefnot]

I would be willing to wager $20 that not only they will not shut it down, but it will also be widely considered a commercial success by this time next year.

 

[Ken555]

I would be willing to wager $20 that not only they will not shut it down, but it will also be widely considered a commercial success by this time next year.

Yup, I think you're right on the money. Don't forget that Nokia's future is reliant on this OS as well.

 

[hypnotiq]

Similar comments were made years ago with Xbox and how MS should just put it to bed, they'll never top "Mighty Sony" and the Playstation.

Good thing MS gave up on that too...

I remember a pretty large gaffe with the iPhone and their antenna...funny how the view is so different when MS on the end of something like that.

The Nokia relationship is still new. There is a LARGE user base abroad on Nokia.