Hey l've got a dilemma
So I got a captivate in July and I LOVE it. But recently it had some service issues and ATT sent me a Focus.
Got the Captivate replaced so now I have two high end phones that are pretty much exactly the same but run different OSs.
I know the answer should be whatever OS you like best, but the problem is that I like things from both.
WP7 is really fun to use and all but it reminds me of my pre-jailbroken iPhone. And Android is awesome (froyo) and all but it doesn't have a very good music service...
Lets get some input!
You do know that you can still use itunes on your computer and sync it to your captivate right?
the focus will prolly get froyo ported before us galaxy S users officially get it.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
V DidDy 210 said:
Hey l've got a dilemma
So I got a captivate in July and I LOVE it. But recently it had some service issues and ATT sent me a Focus.
Got the Captivate replaced so now I have two high end phones that are pretty much exactly the same but run different OSs.
I know the answer should be whatever OS you like best, but the problem is that I like things from both.
WP7 is really fun to use and all but it reminds me of my pre-jailbroken iPhone. And Android is awesome (froyo) and all but it doesn't have a very good music service...
Lets get some input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering I just went through this myself..
I had an iPhone 3G - recently came off of contract, decided to try the Captivate, WP7 came out - and I was dealing with the well-known problems/issues with that phone (GPS / Random shutdowns).
Since I'm still in my 30-day window - I decided to take the Captivate back and try the WP7. As you've noted - this is really a personal preference with regards to the phone/OS overall.
Personally - I believe WP7 is *close* to the same overall functionality as Android - though, currently, Android has a much more extensive library of applications, etc. (along with the awesome dev support here).
For me, however, it came down to what works "out of the box" as advertised by the phone/manufacturer.
On the Captivate - the GPS worked around 70-80% of the time. The Google Navigation application worked wonderfully - *when* it worked. However, the main problem is - the GPS *doesn't* work consistently. Add to that - when the Captivate started to randomly shutdown and forced several missed calls (I didn't shut the phone down - it just randomly shut down.. WTF?), it became a deal breaker for me.
I've just came back from a business trip with the Focus and, overall, the phone does exactly what it advertises to do: First and foremost - phone calls/functionality are excellent. Second, GPS works out of the box - with (from what I can tell) 98-100% accuracy (immediate startup no waiting - directions are spot on - phone tracks with you easily without any discrepancies). Third, no random shutdowns/dropped calls (yet) - and I've had both phones about an equivalent amount of time now (about 8-10 days each).
Regarding Music: Zune Integration and Music playing via the Focus, though slightly different from the iPhone, IMHO, exceed iTunes/Coverflow of the iPhone. it's a great music player - that automatically downloads relevant information/material regarding the artists/albums you have loaded in your collection/library. I've never really liked iTunes - and Zune's software seems much easier / more integrated to use.
Finally, the Focus, the more that you use it, actually appears to tailor itself to you, the owner, via the pictures / information you enter and setup on the phone. The "people" hub shows random snapshots of all of your contacts. The Pictures hub is extremely well done, immersing your content into the overall look and feel of the OS the more you use it.
Granted - you can extend tweak the Captivate/Android interface much more to your liking, etc. - however - I found the overall experience of the WP7 to be more "personal" the more I used it. I'll also add that I'm much more comfortable with the WP7 interface after using it a week than with the Captivate (both using TouchWiz as well as LauncherPro). It's hard to quantify, but I find WP7 to be easier to quickly pick up, do what I need to do, find the information I need to get, and then quickly put the phone away. I feel like I'm NOT fighting the WP7 interface as much as I did with the Captivate.
This became even more clear during the business trip with my colleague (who has an HTC android phone) where we were comparing notes/basic functionality/tasks between the 2 devices constantly during the entire trip. A prime example: he had to use 2 different applications (google maps, where) to find information out about a restaurant we were attempting to find in the area - whereas everything I needed to find out about the restaurant (directions, website, phone number, reviews) was quickly pulled up in a single bing map search. Overall, any time we "raced" to find the information we needed - the majority of the time I won these little races - primarily - I feel - due to the inherent/"simplistic" nature of the redesigned interface in WP7.
Overall - it really boils down to how you use the phone and what you expect of it. For me it boiled down to if I was comfortable "hacking" the phone (Captivate) in order to get the true (expected) functionality out of it (and subsequently violating TOS in the process), as well as waiting on a potential fix to the GPS/Shutdown issues to show up with Froyo 2.2 (assuming I wait for the official release instead of using one of the 2.2 ROMs here) - or - was I more comfortable with going with WP7 - with everything working as advertised out of the box, along with, again, a proposed future update of additional functionality to be added early next year (i.e. Copy/Paste (not a big deal for me), Turn-By-Turn Navigation (would be extremely nice if this is, in fact, included in the next WP7 update), etc.)
As it stands - I have another 10-12 days left to make my decision (or just return back to my iPhone and wait for awhile). I'm hoping the Froyo 2.2 update will be pushed to Captivate over the next few days (I keep hearing 11/15) in order to get further information. As it stands now - I'm heavily leaning towards keeping the Focus/WP7 unless Froyo 2.2 shows up and reports come in that it corrects the 2 deal breakers (for me that is). If that does happen - I'll have a harder decision to make - otherwise - unless something goes horribly wrong with the Focus - I'll probably be keeping it for the long term.
newter55 said:
You do know that you can still use itunes on your computer and sync it to your captivate right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the issue. If you use zune on WP7 you'll know exactly what i'm talking about how its better. I've had a napster to go subscription for ages and it was nice to have that sync with my captivate, but the amount of relevant and fun information afforded to me through the zune + marketplace is truly awesome.
that being said, I'm really big on a filesystem that I can see and manipulate, something the focus doesn't have. Being able to use flash is another HUGE bonus (I updated to froyo about a month ago)
It's annoying because I want to pick and choose different aspects of both. I mean the "metro" UI looks fantastic! but the lack of a settings button drives me absolutely crazy. Office integration is REALLY well done. but widgets and a "desktop" is really nice. Netflix is a nice touch for WP7, but SNES and NES emulators are awesome on Android.
I literally could rifle off this list for hours and the more I use both (i've been switching every other day) the more things I find. I see myself saying "oh man! I can't live without that feature!" all the time only to not have it on the other and then realize that the other has a feature I really like.
it's really tough decision because apart from the flash the two phones are exactly alike.
so there aren't merits to which phone hardware is better either! Though the focus' design is slightly higher end to me though i REALLY like the captivates metal backplate....See what I mean!?!?!
I was simply pointing out that the music issue is....not an issue. For me modding was number one and att has best service in my area so the captivate was a no brainer but I understand that not everyone has the same desires and expectations.
Also, gmaps now, finally integrates places into maps. I have bing for android but have not used the maps in that yet. As for gps, well I agree, though I have been llucky as mine actually works....but I know it is a sore subject for many who have been played by issues with it
So how did you manage to get AT&T to send you a Focus in exchange for a Captivate? I might take a similar deal if it were put on the table
newter55 said:
For me modding was number one and att has best service in my area so the captivate was a no brainer but I understand that not everyone has the same desires and expectations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed - I've gone down the route of modding/hacking phones in the past - and, while it's "neat" and "cool" that you can actually affect the look and feel of the Captivate - I guess I've gotten past that a bit now.. in that I'm really just looking for a good, solid, well-working phone out-of-the box - without out any additional effort. That being said - both Android and WP7 have excellent interfaces (although the Captivate is trying to copy the iPhone more than taking the UI in a unique/different route ala HTC Sense - IMHO) - it boils down to a preference on the user. Considering the fact that I'm actually trying to move AWAY from the iPhone UI look/feel - that also explains why I'm, personally, more apt to prefer the WP7 interface...
newter55 said:
Also, gmaps now, finally integrates places into maps. I have bing for android but have not used the maps in that yet. As for gps, well I agree, though I have been llucky as mine actually works....but I know it is a sore subject for many who have been played by issues with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - and we compared GMaps results side-by-side with Bing Maps results. It's hard to explain, but (even my colleague with his Android agreed) - the WP7 device (with Bing) has a much more integrated, fine-tuned results output - making it much easier to get to the data you're ultimately looking for.
On the GPS side - yes - I missed the T-b-T routing (and I seriously hope it comes to WP7 in the near future as "promised") that Google Navigation offers. However, I had hoped (and thought for awhile) that my Captivate wouldn't have the same known hardware issues documented on this forum. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. I travel quite a bit during the year, and, even though the iPhone didn't have T-b-T navigation - it always got me where I needed. Captivate didn't meet this need at all (it was REALLY bad at times) - and the WP7 device offers a very similar experience comparable to the iPhone as it stands today.
Looks like there's conflicting reports regarding the 2.2 update (i.e. Europe or U.S.) abound - we'll see if it's pushed today and, if so, if the update *truly* corrects the known issues. I have my doubts though considering various reports from the prior leaked 2.2 builds indicated no improvement.
ScottyNuttz said:
So how did you manage to get AT&T to send you a Focus in exchange for a Captivate? I might take a similar deal if it were put on the table
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering the exact same thing haha ... my 30 day window expired about 3 months ago ... I was holding out for WP7 but got so damn sick of my iPhone that I leapt into android's loving arms. I love it but boy that new WP7 of a "girl next door" sure is lookin sexy.
ScottyNuttz said:
So how did you manage to get AT&T to send you a Focus in exchange for a Captivate? I might take a similar deal if it were put on the table
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tanneji said:
I was wondering the exact same thing haha ... my 30 day window expired about 3 months ago ... I was holding out for WP7 but got so damn sick of my iPhone that I leapt into android's loving arms. I love it but boy that new WP7 of a "girl next door" sure is lookin sexy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't get it in exchange...they sent me a focus and I still have the captivate.
Here's my story...My father has been an ATT customer for some 15-16 years now (since cellularone/bell mobility days) I had an iPhone 3G since 08 (was strictly winmo before that) and was waiting for the streak to come out for att so i could upgrade. got the captivate instead.
BEFORE ALL THAT, my iPhone around June of this year started to just not get service at my house or the surrounding area (I live at college now so it isn't an issue but when I go home it is) But my parents and sister get perfect 5 bar 3G.
I called and complained to ATT and they relented and sent me a backflip as a courtesy (no contract. free). the backflip is a terrible phone, but it somewhat worked in my house and needless to say I was counting the days till the captivate came out.
July 18th I get the captivate and plan on keeping it for a long time. In November, I begin to have that same dropped service issue (now i've switched phones AND sim cards, put my sim in my fams phones no service. put their sims in my phones, full service etc.) There is literally something messed up in my line. So I called ATT to tell them the deal and they sent me the focus if I extended my contract, considering how i did only a few months ago I had no issue doing it for 3 more months.
Moral of the story, If you are a loyal customer and have a big bill (all four of our lines have the 30$ unlimited data) cellular providers will bend over backwards for you.
I'm not proud of this btw. but its frustrating when the one thing a phone is supposed to do, just doesn't work.
Now the focus DOES get service at my home, and the new sim is working pretty good in the captivate (not full service, but manageable) so the debate continues
Related
In your opinion (keep it short please) what is the difference between win mobile and android and pros and cons please?
Thanks
George
Android pros:
Open source
Huge market proliferation (ensuring compatability and development)
Huge app market
Stable faster linux kernel
Winmobile pro:
More compatable with windows
Wifi router (until froyo)
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
I have 2 Windows phones and 2 Android phones and I can't think of a single thing the Windows phones do better than the Android phones.
Well, when I got my phone at T mobile today (I was tired of att and verizon, long story..) I asked for an android phone and I get home and see it's a windows phone...?
Mind you, I'm not surprised considering they didn't even know what GSM is when I asked if t mobile was gsm.
I LIKE the fact that it acts as a hot spot so what is FROYO?
I also thing I'l like droid better so here's the question, do they make the HD2 for android and is it available for t mobile?
Also, the navigation on the windows hd2 I have seems totally retarded...
Yes, the droid (I had the 8183) was much better.
Does it mean I liked the 8183? Nope and whoever the idiot is that wrote the software that only lets you use a FRACTION of the big a$$ screen to display info, phone numbers, names and such should be shot, SLOWLY!
You guys have NO idea how many countless hours I've spent in frustration, trying to find a way to SEE things on the screen with my $hitty eyesight and all because some moron is too stupid to figure out that MAYBE they should start with making the BASICS work on the phone.
You know, kinda like the iPhone. It was great, EXCEPT at being a friggin' PHONE! Let's see, iPHONE, what part of phone didn't you understand?
Sadly enough, ALL these idiots make more money at what they do than I do
Thanks
George
guiri_too said:
In your opinion (keep it short please) what is the difference between win mobile and android and pros and cons please?
Thanks
George
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xda-developers > Android Development and Hacking > Android Apps and Games
FAIL.
rpimps said:
I have 2 Windows phones and 2 Android phones and I can't think of a single thing the Windows phones do better than the Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I loved MyPhone on Windows Mobile. And I just have my Android for 3 days, but I haven't found something as good and for free yet.
Next to that, I can't think of anything I missed yet. Even eBuddy managed to easily fulfill my needs of MSN/WLM. Even with offline messaging.
There are two things i don't like about android:
First, there isn't only one good videoplayer(ffmpeg is a must have!) EDIT: Rockplayer is a nice start, but the fps is ~100% lower than the ones i get with coreplayer
And i havent found something like Audiobooster.
Try both and take the OS which you prefer
Android Cons:
None
Windows Mobile Cons (based on my experience with 6.1 Buisness):
Too hard to install games and apps
Not enough games and apps
Not user friendly
Too slow response
Android pros:
huge application
Google serious to maintain the android development
Android Cons:
No Wifi proxy support
hard to copy paste beetwen app
Winmobile cons:
too late microsoft your windows mobile is dying. your development team is slow
Old win 6.5 kernel..
windows phone 7 is too late to release...your market app is not working...
all developer moving to another platform
No multitasking support for windows 7...thats shame
Search for rockbase player for videos. Funambol or mybackup pro for closest to myphone off the top of my head.
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
there's a lot of things to look at but the best way to choose is this.
if you are running an app and it has issues or require a bit of memory, window will lock up and then you have to reset the phone.
with android you'll get a force close notification which you just ok it and keep using it with out having to reset.
Android FTW
Android:
Fast
User friendly
great multitasking
many apps and great games
works better on slow phones
user driven market
WM:
horrible performance, only WM phone with good performance is the hd2
bad multitasking, but happily arkswitch makes it easier
almost no 3d games, marketplace is not worth a ****
OK, As a windows Fanboy turned android here is the main thing Windows does better than android: Multimedia!!
Android is still new to the game and in my opinion hasn't really got a good video and music player. There are some ones that can pass but compared to Windows and iphone they are not that great. On the flip side I plan on developing my own music player which counts for the openness of android. WinMo is arguably just as open BUT with them going a different direction with WM7 I had to jump ship. As for Androids advantages......everything else is just as good if not better than windows (except how they manage the SD card)
Well, the few minutes I've spent with the windows platform already makes me hate it. Whoever did the software for the HD2 is totally retarded. I couldn't even get myself out of whatever app happened to come on last night and I was about ready to throw this big piece of $hit out the window.
I now know what Froyo is and if I'm not mistaken, it'll have a wifi proxy which I guess it to be is that it acts like a hot spot which should put a damper on some of the greedy phone companies (IF it is released on their phones) like ATT who charges you another 30 bucks extra for connecting to your laptop.
That to me is bull**** and greed and IS costing them customers.
Verizon is better with that but I hate their support AND I think their coverage in my area is worse. The support is TOTALLY useless and I left them once because of it and I will AGAIN leave them I think and yes, mainly because of it.
I'll try the t mobile service out for a week or so and if the coverage is good, I'll return this locked piece of $hit and get me one of the unlocked phones from NEgri Electronics. If anyone hasn't heard of them yet (which kinda would surprise me) here they are...
I mean, seriously, in order NOT to pay the full price at t mobile, I have to sign up for two years AND the phone is locked which means I can't use proggies like this one which I NEED! http://www.androlib.com/android.application.org-pbxes-fontsize-BiEA.aspx
For a buck fitty (not fifty, fitty, like fitty cents) I can get this proggy which could fix my problem but I can't do it on a locked phone. Well, they can ki$$ my ass then with all the restrictions. I'll get this one for example http://negrielectronics.com/touch-smartphone-unlocked-tmobile-2747.html , get me a monthly account instead and I can put anything I want on it. Now how the hell can I go wrong with that, AND, they're easier to sell should you want to get rid of them.
Put some of this stuff on it and some silicone case on it and you can sell it years later looking brand new which is what I did with my iPhone.
I'm going to wait for a week or so and decide if I like tmobile and if I do, I'll tell verizon where they can stick their phone.
Would you believe I had to make THREE attempts to get them to port my att number over and meanwhile, I'm paying ATT for the account. I even called and talked to VERIZON people to make sure it got done right and in BOTH cases, they screwed it up. I finally got it done the right IN The store, a WEEK after!
After all this crap AND a busted phone that was only two weeks old, I tried to get a free charging cable from one of the store manager, NOT a charger or the ac adapter thingie, just the stinkin' cable and he wouldn't even give me that. Now that is tacky and petty. Oh, the reason I wanted another cable was so I could keep one in the car cause that piece of $hit pre wouldn't hold a charge over 5-6 hours and let's not talk about TALKING time. This was a LITTLE talking and lots of stand by.
What a damn joke.
I like the pre platform and concept in general and I have several PDA's that are PALM but the PRE phone, they kinda dropped the ball on a little.
No on screen keyboard (now how hard is that to figure out), the actual keyboard should have been horizontal for size and the damn thing is a gas guzzler, AND, I don't see an option to keep the damn notifications from coming up and crowding your screen when you turn it on. Also, it's slow as $hit from when you click that you want the keypad till it finally opens up.
NO Predictive dialing and you can't get the beautiful HUGE clock to stay on top that I know of. Again, how hard is that to figure out? Does this take so long to program into the software? I mean, they almost went belly up. You'd think they had the TIME and STAFF to do things right. Sheesh!
Anyway, enough bitc*in'
George
guiri_too said:
Again, how hard is that to figure out? Does this take so long to program into the software? I mean, they almost went belly up. You'd think they had the TIME and STAFF to do things right. Sheesh!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not how business works. Any phone advertised on TV (like the Pre) is designed for general consumers (people who don't care about the things you're talking about). It would be a terrible business decision to spend more time and money incorporating things that 99% of their target market don't care about or don't even know they're missing. If you're posting on XDA you're probably a lot more tech savvy than the average consumer, thus phones marketed towards the average consumer won't have 100% of the features you request. I always like to buy phones that are rarer and not advertised, mainly because I like having stuff that other people don't have, but also because they usually end up being a cut above the rest of the phones on the market.
Thread moved to General.
If I were you guiri_too, and can afford it, I'd order the Nexus One unlocked and as soon as it arrives, root the thing, put Froyo on it (if I could find it) and take that winblows phone back to T-Mobile. I can't believe they gave you that after asking for an Android phone. That has to be one of the dumbest salesmen ever! Or if you want to stay with T-Mobile and happen to like Sense (Espresso Sense), pick up the the MyTouch Slide. It has a keyboard, MS Exchange support and is pretty snappy to boot (speaking of boot, it only takes about a minute from hitting the power button to making a call). If you need a more business-like phone, I would suggest the Sprint Evo 4G. It's the same size as the HD2, 4.3", but it's Android. The UI looks like the HD2 as well (Sense), but it's a lot quicker and more stable. A friend of mine picked this up after having the Sprint Hero, which he got after the TouchPro (winmo) and couldn't be happier.
As far as the original question, I can only give you an anecdote; when I got my G1, my wife had a Wing which she hated. After a few months of watching me play with my phone all the time, and her Wing being replaced twice, she bought hers and was instantly hooked. We have been android fans ever since. So the advantages of Android for me are awesome stability, openness and apps, of which you don't have to use the market for (unless you get an ATT android).
Let me try to address the replies in one window.
First as for being tech savvy, yeah, I guess I am and I've been around long enough to be picky, HOWEVER, my BASIC needs are a phone I can HEAR and SEE. How come Nextel have speakers that you can hear clear across the next state and this thing I got, the HD2 I can barely hear with the fans in the car running despite them telling me it was really loud...?
Sure, I want a lot of stuff but if you read through all my info, you'll see that some of the things i don't really care about like social networking, streaming video, mp3 player and much more. LARGE FONT! How the hell hard is that to figure out? I mean, for those here who program and considering it's even in very simple programs. IS IT THAT hard to have an option of making the font bigger?
To Heybob. Bob, the problem is that I can't try and see these phones live so to speak. ALL the phones at tmobile are dummies or at least the ones I'm interested in.
Second, to be quite honest and when I think about it, I am not sure if she did mention this one was windows but I DID tell her I prefered android. In any case, NOT knowing what GSM is or if tmobile was GSM is not something I can let slide, ESPECIALLY considering she was the manager...
Now, so far, my tmobile coverage has seemed good. Yes, the phone as in the UI is still totally retarded so the windows OS has got to go. More than likely when I return this, if I still like tmobile then, I'll get a phone from Negri that's unlocked and if I'm not mistaken, he HAS Froyo phones in stock. Hold, gonna call and check..yep, he's got Nexus One with Froyo ready to ship.
Tell'em George with the long wish list sent ya if you buy one. Not that I think I'll get any referrals but hey, it never hurts when it comes time to bug them about finding me the right phone.
Anyway, back to the phones. I do NOT like this windows UI so that one is out. I like that I have found a site with something like 80,000+ apps all in one place and although I'm not stingy, when you're TRYING apps and don't know if you'll like them or not, it helps if they're cheap or free. I got something on hte Pre I didn't like but hell ,I wasn't about to ask for a $1.50 refund.
Many of the windows apps were $15 or around there. I'm not paying it if I can't get a refund if I don't like the software and I AM picky with software too.
By the way, is there someone here that has a rooted android phone that wouldn't mind putting this font proggy on there (hell, I'll be happy to pay for it at only 2 bucks or something) and show me the different font size options? http://www.androlib.com/android.application.org-pbxes-fontsize-BiEA.aspx
I WAS going to do that but as you know, I didn't get a droid phone
I showed this dude on the androlib forum this proggy. He gets it, his wife likes it (he got it for her) and now he's too busy to show me some screen captures. Thanks a lot
George
I've owned 4 different winmo phones and I can say that android leaves those respond FOOLS in the dust.
Android is more compatible with exchange server than windows mobile solution or blackberry.
Work gets done faster and I smile a lot more now.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Well, I just took a few pictures of the HD2 to show people what I'm facing to illustrate it a little better.
Coming right up...
are you captivate owners very happy with the phone? im debating between the captivate and iphone 4.... but mostly likely will end getting the captivate. ive read some ppl having issues such as mms and gps and all that.... is the issue really bad? also how is the messaging on the device? is it kinda like the iphone? im using my iphone 2g cuz i had my tilt 2 but dropped it in water and now doesnt work.... so coming from an iphone 2g to a captivate or iphone 4 is pretty good. any suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated!!
i struggled with the same decision. my fiance has the iphone4 and i had the 3g, so i was very used to the OS and style, etc. After a lot of research i decided to make the switch to the captivate and i am glad i did. no mms issues, and gps issues are easy to fix with a little searching in the forums. it offers so much more customization than the iphone4 and the larger amoled screen looks just as good as the retina display.
well, let me remind you something, this is the samsung captivate channel. Every single reply that you get will be slightly (or immensely) biased toward Samsung Captivate.
Currently, hardware-wise, nearly everything in the Captivate offers the top in the mobile market.
Enough said.
how is the messaging? is it threaded like the iphone? have u rooted it? thank you for your response!
accinfo said:
well, let me remind you something, this is the samsung captivate channel. Every single reply that you get will be slightly (or immensely) biased toward Samsung Captivate.
Currently, hardware-wise, nearly everything in the Captivate offers the top in the mobile market.
Enough said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would like to hear all the info about the captivate through its actual users
EDIT: sorry for double posting
accinfo said:
well, let me remind you something, this is the samsung captivate channel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is true
i would like to just hear what users have to say about it and whats great and all.
Please do read my previous suggestions to other soon-to-be-buyers.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7085252&postcount=2
Messaging, don't worry if it's threaded or not. I'm pretty sure it is. If not, you can find app to fix that.
My phone is not rooted yet as I see there's not a reason yeeeeet. (probably soon since i hate the att bloatwares as they are actually running in the background all the time draining batteries / performance)
np. BE CAPTIVATED! You won't regret your choice. I have to admit that as of now the Android app is not THHHAT superb compared to the ios market, sometimes even halfbaked. BUT look at it this will it'll dominate soon.
Why?
iOS = Apple only.
Android = Samsung, Sony Ericsson, HTC, etc etc. It might take a while, but it's already up to par.
Overall, this is the best phone in the world (my biased opinion).
hardware wise: its the best phone available to the public in the world at this point in time. (fact)
Function wise: Once devs get through with it, it will be the best phone in the world. (Educated Guess)
What's great?
-Notification bar on the top let you quickly toggle the wifi, bluetooth, silent, annddd vibration.
-there are million useful widgets that you can use in your homescreen, even though i don't use any of them xD
-games (oh my goodness, i haven't gotten the time [or the persistence against laziness] to download the emulators, once you download the emulators, you'll be able to play nearly ANY GAMES (PSX, gameboi, etc)
-i cannot comment on the calling / messaging quality since i have tmobile, i'm waitin for the unlock code (i've been using airplane mode with wifi on)
I am extremely happy with my captivate. I think its the perfect mixture of hardware and software...though there are a few sour spots that need fixing. Throw in the versatility of android and the unlocked nature if the captivate and this phone will be very popular.
This phone basically is four devices in one for me....phone...mp3 player...camera/camcorder...and internet device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
accinfo said:
What's great?
-Notification bar on the top let you quickly toggle the wifi, bluetooth, silent, annddd vibration.
-there are million useful widgets that you can use in your homescreen, even though i don't use any of them xD
-games (oh my goodness, i haven't gotten the time [or the persistence against laziness] to download the emulators, once you download the emulators, you'll be able to play nearly ANY GAMES (PSX, gameboi, etc)
-i cannot comment on the calling / messaging quality since i have tmobile, i'm waitin for the unlock code (i've been using airplane mode with wifi on)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good choice picking up the captivate instead. I checked out the vibrant b4 i got this, and its felt/looked more like the ugly stepchild of the galaxy s series.
systoxity said:
good choice picking up the captivate instead. I checked out the vibrant b4 i got this, and its felt/looked more like the ugly stepchild of the galaxy s series.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh two more things.
usb sliding door is cool.
battery cover is metal which is cooler than other galaxy s.
battery opening is cool.
that's three but whatever.
accinfo said:
usb sliding door is cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's literally the first thing I noticed when I got the device. I was like HOLY SH!T it's GENIUS!
Not really, but I will be soon.
I'm really disappointed with the stock ROM, but 2.2 will fix most of the issues, and a custom 2.2 rom will fix all of them.
I really wish manufacturers and carriers would leave the rom alone. Fine, load your bloatware, I get it, you're trying to generate revenue, and it's simple enough to remove those things, but my captivate, while having significantly faster hardware, is much, much slower than my Nexus One on 2.1, even after doing everything I can.
From a hardware standpoint, I'm very happy with it. The rom is seriously lacking though.
Again, I'm coming from a vanilla android phone, so the difference might not be as big if you're coming from something sense or motoblur or any of the other skins manufacturers seem to love putting on android phones for no good reason.
To answer your question simply, so far yes I am happy with the Captivate. Would I be happier with an iphone4... probably so.
The iphone4 is a better phone hardware-wise. Better screen. Better camera. Better battery life. Equal CPU/GPU. Slimmer design (not by much though). GPS that actually works.
I knew this going in (well except about how pitiful the GPS is), and still bought the Captivate. Will I keep it beyond the 30 days? I dont know. The GPS is absolutely crap. It will not track you at all, even at jogging speed. If you are standing still it locks you pretty quick and accurate. But as soon as you start to move, its over. I have tried it on my bike and it wont even track me through my neighborhood, much less at 30 mph in your car. Highway speed, forget it. Its totally unusable for anything. There's others in here that try to use it for jogging and it says they went further than they really did because when you zoom in on the path it zig zags all over the place. Just know ahead of time, if you use gps on your phone often, do not buy this phone. And dont expect samsung to put out an update anytime soon. They are notoriously bad about updating software. Just ask any samsung smartphone owner.
I was coming from an iphone 2G and wanted something a little different. I guess I had gotten bored or complacent using iOS for 3 years. Now I am missing it. Android has gotten better, but its still not as rock solid and easy to use as iOS. I get several "Force Closes" a day, and I only had apps crash a couple times in 3 years with iOS. Though, if you like to constantly tinker with stuff, Android is for you. With all the variables there are lots of things you can play with, like widgets, different keyboards, etc. Also, cut and paste with android is not as good as it is on the iphone. Hopefully soon we will start to get custom ROMs, although so far not much has been accomplished yet as the source code for the Captivate still hasnt been released.
All in all, Captivate is a good phone, iphone4 is a great phone. Thats my honest un-biased opinion and I own the Captivate and I was a long time iOS user.
derek4484 said:
To answer your question simply, so far yes I am happy with the Captivate. Would I be happier with an iphone4... probably so.
The iphone4 is a better phone hardware-wise. Better screen. Better camera. Better battery life. Equal CPU/GPU. Slimmer design (not by much though). GPS that actually works.
I knew this going in (well except about how pitiful the GPS is), and still bought the Captivate. Will I keep it beyond the 30 days? I dont know. The GPS is absolutely crap. It will not track you at all, even at jogging speed. If you are standing still it locks you pretty quick and accurate. But as soon as you start to move, its over. I have tried it on my bike and it wont even track me through my neighborhood, much less at 30 mph in your car. Highway speed, forget it. Its totally unusable for anything. There's others in here that try to use it for jogging and it says they went further than they really did because when you zoom in on the path it zig zags all over the place. Just know ahead of time, if you use gps on your phone often, do not buy this phone. And dont expect samsung to put out an update anytime soon. They are notoriously bad about updating software. Just ask any samsung smartphone owner.
I was coming from an iphone 2G and wanted something a little different. I guess I had gotten bored or complacent using iOS for 3 years. Now I am missing it. Android has gotten better, but its still not as rock solid and easy to use as iOS. I get several "Force Closes" a day, and I only had apps crash a couple times in 3 years with iOS. Though, if you like to constantly tinker with stuff, Android is for you. With all the variables there are lots of things you can play with, like widgets, different keyboards, etc. Also, cut and paste with android is not as good as it is on the iphone. Hopefully soon we will start to get custom ROMs, although so far not much has been accomplished yet as the source code for the Captivate still hasnt been released.
All in all, Captivate is a good phone, iphone4 is a great phone. Thats my honest un-biased opinion and I own the Captivate and I was a long time iOS user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see your point of view, but if you have any interest in modding your phone, I would wait until a good aftermarket rom is out.
The stock Captivate rom is NOT a good indication of android. It's honestly horrid, in my opinion.
I returned my iphone 4 to get this phone. Don't regret it at all and I've been an iphone guy since the 3g and upgraded every year
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
emuneee said:
I am extremely happy with my captivate. I think its the perfect mixture of hardware and software...though there are a few sour spots that need fixing. Throw in the versatility of android and the unlocked nature if the captivate and this phone will be very popular.
This phone basically is four devices in one for me....phone...mp3 player...camera/camcorder...and internet device.
Lol that is actually five. ;-b
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
very happy. all the at&t garbage is off. helix launcher is now on. have my bittorrent app and music junk 3.0.4.
Hi,
I need help choosing a new PPC.
With Android available and WM seemingly not keeping up I am not sure I should stay devoted to WM.
I have been a WM user for years (Blackjack, Kaiser) and here's what I enjoy about the platform.
>Modification (Love to tweak reg etc)
>Exchange Sync (Calendar, notes, and contacts not email at this time)
>Apps (Bittorrent, good browser? I don't really care about flash but its fun to have )
>Office Mobile Pro (Is there a Open Office for Android or other *.doc *.xcl editors?)
Is Android an option for a universal user (business minded with pleasure added)
My criteria
I would prefer a hardware keyboard as I have never used anything else and think the switch to a touch screen keyboard would be painful as I enjoy the tactile feel of a button and a qwerty keyboard. Is the switch hard, does the onscreen keyboard minimize what you can see on the screen or other quirks or if I was at home would a blue-tooth keyboard be an option etc..?
Good Stereo BT (still stack issues? with both?)
Wifi
Wifi hot spot
4g (I live in Bethlehem/Allentown Pa 40 minutes north of philly and 50 minutes south of NYC, its not available yet but this area is stuck in the middle)
Carrier isn't an issue, I will go with any.
Cost is not an issue.
HTC fan but it doesn't really matter.
Gyro whats? d.n.a. or should it?
Gps? d.n.a
thanks for reading and hope you can help
Well you are in the middle of Verizon country. The X is looking pretty nifty as well as the Incredible. I am so far from my 2yr. (may 2011 ) But you can play with them for 30 days and decide.
good day.
Thank you for your reply.
I am a little confused on the being in Verizon country comment though since I just moved here so...
Special circumstances...
I work a 6 day week @ 65 hrs plus driving time + 6hrs (thats a bicycle actually) so my time is very limited and getting to a store is harder than it should and why I was asking for help and purchase something online instead making it very hard to return or physically try before.
I have a mini-laptop so maybe exchange sync isnt that important but not having a hardware keyboard does make a difference as well as moving to android, scary.
kltsin said:
Thank you for your reply.
I am a little confused on the being in Verizon country comment though since I just moved here so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all the traveling I have ever done on the east coast service was always better than my home town. Just always seemed to be VZW heavy in that part of the country.
I myself am going to wait to see how the WP7 pans out being a winmo guy myself.
First I would edit the title of your post to recommend a device or something to that nature.
Next check the sites of carriers for devices offered. I would find it real hard to get a device without having it in my hand. And speaking from experience any carrier's corporate locations are much better to deal with than an "authorized retailer".
Also THIS SITE has a lot of great videos and current device reviews.
good luck in the hunt.
good day.
Again Thank you, I don't know what happened to my title....
I bought my at&t tilt from just reading reviews and satisfied 100% percent with what I expected except its weight.
I am going to have great service from any company because where I live as I stated prior. Though my blackjacks radio was strong the phone wasn't very loud voice wise and both wm devices (the tilt) had a terrible time with my different stereo bluetooth headsets when it came to calls but music never had an issue.
I paid for allot of software for wm as well and hate to see them go to waste, (Resco explorer, yes I bought Opera mobile too pre beta/pre knowing about cooked roms...), but if droid can do the same with no need then it doesnt matter.
Keyboard and office Mobile and bluetooth are still an issue I have to consider with help hopefully.
Well I have been using a wm device since the 8125 and hve had most of the HTC wm phones available up to and including the tilt 2. Along the way I did see lots of growth and customization on this OS. we also saw improvements and new features along the way, however we also saw a lot of issues. With each new phone and or update to the OS I prayed that maybe they got this one right. I was almost always disappointed, sometimes things just would not work. Sure wm devices had the best feAtures but what good are they if they aren't reliable?
I spend months customizing my phones and you can do this on android, just not to the extent thAT you could with wm, But everything works.
I have had slide out keyboards for years, and tilting screens to boot, for the last 2 years or so, so I am still getting used to this on screen kb, but its easier than I thought it would be.
Also getting all of your outlook info synced with android is proving to not be straight forward. Not to mention all the calendar options seems a little confusing and lacking, but I just got my evo 2 weeks ago.
The gps and Google maps and navigation that were built into my phone seems much faster and accurate then my experience with past phones, I get a fix in less than one second everytime.
I wasn't going to let myself get talked into wm7, there's lots of reasons why it might be the worse wm to date, but all my info on wm7 is second hand. I loved my tilt 2, I never stopped customizing it and I still want to use it, but I am going to make my self forget about it and give this evo a shot, love the screen BTW.
On a side note, android doesn't seem to support Bluetooth keyboards wich is a huge setback for me. I'm on the road a lot too and I put a lot of effort into making my mobile devices replace my laptops.
Way off point, but I bet us power users users get more work done on these mobile devices than the averAge desktop user, and its kinda nice.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I see the droid 2 has a hardware qwerty keyboard...?
I am to tired to think after nearly 70 hr work weeks and trying to grasp each of these devices.. Reviewing allot of devices
On a side note I see the 2 year plan requirements, does that have to include the unlimited data, at&t screwed us on that one (Iphone users got theirs for $29 per month and all other smartphones were $10 bucks more) now they changed their data plans...
To get a HTC Arrive? I've been using well first Windows Mobile Phone's for about 3 or so years now, first was with an HTC Mogul, then a Samsung SCH-i770/Robin and now finally a HTC Touch Pro2 .
I'm happy with the TP2, got my mem maxed out to a 32Gb microSD card, love Sense and the ability to run Android 2.2.3 on my phone as well as WinMo 6.5, but I just hate damn Windows Mobile and how it'll crash sometimes and what not from whatever causing you to do a hard reset...
Only things holding me back from a HTC Arrive is THOSE DAMN UGLY TILES(I'd love to change that whole homescreen and get rid of the tiles, if only HTC Hubs were more updated and in sync with all the tiles, like how Sense was... WTF Those out Sense or toss it over to Android "The Competitor"?) and the locked in 16Gb storage/microSD (Any hardware mod to remove the 16Gb and add your own?)...
Thats really all thats keeping me from it so far, even though I am tempted.
So my 4 main concerns are:
1- Different UI Rather than default Tiles, or a way to implement HTC Hubs to the Homescreen, instead of Tiles
2- XDAndroid Possibility
3- Default Storage Card Hack/Mod to exchange it with my 32Gb
4- Possibility of using it on Boost (preferred) or flashing to metroPCS
I wasn't sure if I was going to like the tiles at first, but I must say the whole "glance and go" attitude that Microsoft is pushing with this is really one of the features I like most about the phone. If you pin a live tile to the home page, it shows all of the information you really need to know in a single panel. I almost never launch an app unless there is something relevant to go do.
I have 8 e-mail accounts set up on my home screen (various work and personal accounts) and I only have to go into e-mail when I get a new one. I have the Weather Channel app, but I never launch it because the live tile shows the current temperature and an icon representing the forecast (cloudy, sunny, etc.). Text message counts, missed call counts, next appointment, etc. All of them are available at a quick glance without ever launching an app.....
n1nj4Lo said:
To get a HTC Arrive? I've been using well first Windows Mobile Phone's for about 3 or so years now, first was with an HTC Mogul, then a Samsung SCH-i770/Robin and now finally a HTC Touch Pro2 .
I'm happy with the TP2, got my mem maxed out to a 32Gb microSD card, love Sense and the ability to run Android 2.2.3 on my phone as well as WinMo 6.5, but I just hate damn Windows Mobile and how it'll crash sometimes and what not from whatever causing you to do a hard reset...
Only things holding me back from a HTC Arrive is THOSE DAMN UGLY TILES(I'd love to change that whole homescreen and get rid of the tiles, if only HTC Hubs were more updated and in sync with all the tiles, like how Sense was... WTF Those out Sense or toss it over to Android "The Competitor"?) and the locked in 16Gb storage/microSD (Any hardware mod to remove the 16Gb and add your own?)...
Thats really all thats keeping me from it so far, even though I am tempted.
So my 4 main concerns are:
1- Different UI Rather than default Tiles, or a way to implement HTC Hubs to the Homescreen, instead of Tiles
2- XDAndroid Possibility
3- Default Storage Card Hack/Mod to exchange it with my 32Gb
4- Possibility of using it on Boost (preferred) or flashing to metroPCS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1- I dont think we'll see any changes to the UI til maybe after nokia if at all
2- Android won't be possible til haret is updated which will probably take years
3- It is possible there's a thread about it.
4- I have sprint so I'm no help here
Well funny thing is now suddenly my phone will pickup phone calls right away if I answer with my bluetooth headset and leave the slider alone... WTF?
Also I won a 4500mAh Mugen Power battery for 50 bucks, so I'm gunna continue using it for awhile to come possibly... Next up on my purchase list is bluetooth stereo headset (Left and Right ears) then I'll be done, luckly microcenter by me has them for 35 to 50 bucks.
I might continue waiting until the stuff I want has happened, by then maybe there'll be a Arrive 2 or some junk. haha!
as I said on PPCG there really is no point whatsoever to run android on the arrive,the mango beta is far superior to it. so refusing to get it u are missing out on a top notch user experience.
eric12341 said:
as I said on PPCG there really is no point whatsoever to run android on the arrive,the mango beta is far superior to it. so refusing to get it u are missing out on a top notch user experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And by getting I'd be forced to have to use metroPCS, which I will-not do EVER again. I talked to a Boost flasher and he said not going to happen, it's too new right now to be done... So no thanks to reliving the past right now and dropping my 35 dollar unlimited everything bill in trade for a 60 dollar bill at metroPCS. Or being able to dualboot, I'll just keep waiting. Sure ya say android is better but I'll still say WP7 > iPhone at it as well... Only difference is the squares scroll up and down, instead of left or right. Thanks though, but I guess there's no point to it right now WP7 is still just a wee infant right now and has yet to grow up to what I expect it to be.
n1nj4Lo said:
And by getting I'd be forced to have to use metroPCS, which I will-not do EVER again. I talked to a Boost flasher and he said not going to happen, it's too new right now to be done... So no thanks to reliving the past right now and dropping my 35 dollar unlimited everything bill in trade for a 60 dollar bill at metroPCS. Or being able to dualboot, I'll just keep waiting. Sure ya say android is better but I'll still say WP7 > iPhone at it as well... Only difference is the squares scroll up and down, instead of left or right. Thanks though, but I guess there's no point to it right now WP7 is still just a wee infant right now and has yet to grow up to what I expect it to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sprint phones didn't need to be flashed for boost. and yea I guess u just dont get it.
eric12341 said:
sprint phones didn't need to be flashed for boost. and yea I guess u just dont get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUT The settings do, they need to be changed to myboostmobile url
n1nj4Lo said:
BUT The settings do, they need to be changed to myboostmobile url
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are done remotely and that's still doesn't mean u should bash wp7
eric12341 said:
those are done remotely and that's still doesn't mean u should bash wp7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
50's repeating themselves again? It's not cool to be square! LoL J/K'ing! But the only reason I knock WP7 is cause they took a step backwards IMO, now they truly are another iPhone... All they need to next is released all kinds of MP3 player portable speakers and accessories then maybe for once they might beat apple.
But I'm sorry, I hate iPhone and now suddenly what has Mircosoft done? Well we already know and haha! Best Buy, Radio Shack and so on hasn't carried and stopped selling WP7's around here. Microsoft needs to take the hint and antie up, big time! No not with a fruity name either. I mean UI wise. Make a lot more less like iPhone and they might get back to being how popular WinMo phones were and fast as they're selling.
n1nj4Lo said:
And by getting I'd be forced to have to use metroPCS, which I will-not do EVER again. I talked to a Boost flasher and he said not going to happen, it's too new right now to be done... So no thanks to reliving the past right now and dropping my 35 dollar unlimited everything bill in trade for a 60 dollar bill at metroPCS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it. If you're paying 35 dollar's now on Sprint why would you switch to metroPCS or boost?
ScottSUmmers said:
I don't get it. If you're paying 35 dollar's now on Sprint why would you switch to metroPCS or boost?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boost, Virgin and Nextel are all Owned by Sprint... LoL! Duh. haha! Why pay 65 for unlimited everything when I can pay 35 for the same package, phone calls, data and text. I'm saving 30 bucks and getting the same coverage and no hidden fees at all. That's why. Also no I'm paying that much on Boost. Not Sprint. How'd you get that backwords?
n1nj4Lo said:
50's repeating themselves again? It's not cool to be square! LoL J/K'ing! But the only reason I knock WP7 is cause they took a step backwards IMO, now they truly are another iPhone... All they need to next is released all kinds of MP3 player portable speakers and accessories then maybe for once they might beat apple.
But I'm sorry, I hate iPhone and now suddenly what has Mircosoft done? Well we already know and haha! Best Buy, Radio Shack and so on hasn't carried and stopped selling WP7's around here. Microsoft needs to take the hint and antie up, big time! No not with a fruity name either. I mean UI wise. Make a lot more less like iPhone and they might get back to being how popular WinMo phones were and fast as they're selling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh wow. and is this why wp7 is predicted to overtake both iOS and Android by 2013 and 2015 respectively? and where is evidence that best buy and radio shack have stopped selling wp7? that was only because of the ignorant android or iPhone fanboy salespeople steering people away from it. wp7 as of the mango update has alot of functionality without the need to launch an app which makes both android and iOS seem like app launchers so get your facts straight desgraciado!
WP7 is not iPhone, but it is a step away from the Mobile PC design of Windows Mobile. I was a true WM user since my X50v in 04, then a 6700 Phone, 6800 (Mogul), TP, then the Touch Pro 2. Love them but the hardware is what killed WM off since the HD2 was one of the only and last device that finally gave WM6.5 the speed it needed. Either way WM was great for tweaking, but it had the problem of having to be tweeked to get everything working and was never quite 100%. Something either didnt quite work correctly, worked but slowly, crashed, it was always something. I had an EVO 4G for a month and while Android feels faster and more fluid, it also had the feeling that it needed outside apps to do stuff that the main OS should have had itself as well as still having that not quite polished feel. It is definitly the new WM in terms of customizability, but it has the problem WM had with stuff working better on one device/os version and not with another.
Now WP7, while it does have a growing period still and untill the WM market dries up and the market share stops falling because of it, it looks dim, but once I switched to my Arrive, I could not possibly go back to the TP2. The speed, smoothness, effortlessness of using all parts of the device, and the fact that even though it doesn't do quite everything that WM6.5 did (tethering is the main thing I miss for now), everything it does do, it does fantastically. It works, doesnt crash, doesnt hang, doesnt slow down, it just flies. And like others have said, the Mango Beta adds a ton of useability tweeks to make it not only easier than it already is to use, but a ton of new features all intigrated into the main OS instead of relying on outside Apps to do said task. It is fantastic and as a phone to "Live With" each day, it blows any other phone/os out of the water. Once Mango and a whole new line of devices drops this fall I think the WP7 market will finally gain some traction. It is a long haul process for sure, but the market predictions for 2015 and such are not as far fledged as some Android/iOS fanbois may think.
You want proof give me a day or two, and I'll either try to record a interview with best buy, radio shack and wal-mart even since they're still selling them... If they wont let me do it then I'll do it discreetly with the camera on with out them knowing about it! LoL
[email protected] Wendy's on lunch break then off to ITT-Tech when I get off at 6, no time to do it today-
n1nj4Lo said:
Boost, Virgin and Nextel are all Owned by Sprint... LoL! Duh. haha! Why pay 65 for unlimited everything when I can pay 35 for the same package, phone calls, data and text. I'm saving 30 bucks and getting the same coverage and no hidden fees at all. That's why. Also no I'm paying that much on Boost. Not Sprint. How'd you get that backwords?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, gotcha. I thought you were on a Sprint SERO plan or something.
n1nj4Lo said:
You want proof give me a day or two, and I'll either try to record a interview with best buy, radio shack and wal-mart even since they're still selling them... If they wont let me do it then I'll do it discreetly with the camera on with out them knowing about it! LoL
[email protected] Wendy's on lunch break then off to ITT-Tech when I get off at 6, no time to do it today-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
salespeople aren't a reputable source as many are biased towards and/or uneducated about wp7 this has been WELL DOCUMENTED on alot of sites so you would only be proving me point on that front. the HTC arrive has at least a 4.5 rating across all the sites its sold on and the Samsung focus was rated higher than the iPhone 4 in a survey.
so provide your ridiculous evidence then I'll provide mine.
IM0001 said:
WP7 is not iPhone, but it is a step away from the Mobile PC design of Windows Mobile. I was a true WM user since my X50v in 04, then a 6700 Phone, 6800 (Mogul), TP, then the Touch Pro 2. Love them but the hardware is what killed WM off since the HD2 was one of the only and last device that finally gave WM6.5 the speed it needed. Either way WM was great for tweaking, but it had the problem of having to be tweeked to get everything working and was never quite 100%. Something either didnt quite work correctly, worked but slowly, crashed, it was always something. I had an EVO 4G for a month and while Android feels faster and more fluid, it also had the feeling that it needed outside apps to do stuff that the main OS should have had itself as well as still having that not quite polished feel. It is definitly the new WM in terms of customizability, but it has the problem WM had with stuff working better on one device/os version and not with another.
Now WP7, while it does have a growing period still and untill the WM market dries up and the market share stops falling because of it, it looks dim, but once I switched to my Arrive, I could not possibly go back to the TP2. The speed, smoothness, effortlessness of using all parts of the device, and the fact that even though it doesn't do quite everything that WM6.5 did (tethering is the main thing I miss for now), everything it does do, it does fantastically. It works, doesnt crash, doesnt hang, doesnt slow down, it just flies. And like others have said, the Mango Beta adds a ton of useability tweeks to make it not only easier than it already is to use, but a ton of new features all intigrated into the main OS instead of relying on outside Apps to do said task. It is fantastic and as a phone to "Live With" each day, it blows any other phone/os out of the water. Once Mango and a whole new line of devices drops this fall I think the WP7 market will finally gain some traction. It is a long haul process for sure, but the market predictions for 2015 and such are not as far fledged as some Android/iOS fanbois may think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best Opinion I've heard in quite awhile. Definitely sums it up for me as well
I was curious to hear from former Android users how you like WP7. Mainly what are your main gripes and what functions did you actually use that are no longer available. Also, are the tradeoffs worth it in the end and what features really *make* swapping worth it. I have loved android for a long time but I'm kind of wanting something new and have liked the wp7 interface from day one. Thanks!
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA App
Here goes:
Mainly what are your main gripes
No apps, and if there are apps they are over priced and crap alternatives to Android versions.
Homebrew is going to cost money.
I know its a phone and should mainly just be a phone, but there is nothing to do on it, I never leave my Android phone alone always playing with something but this I treat it like a nokia 3310 lol.
What functions did you actually use that are no longer available
I don't know what it is but there are some things missing but Mango is looking good but still not as good as Android and Ice Cream Sandwich will be coming out around the same time.
Are the tradeoffs worth it in the end and what features really *make* swapping worth it.
Only thing that is making me want to swap over is the Xbox Live thing other than that Android is far superior.
I have loved android for a long time but I'm kind of wanting something new and have liked the wp7 interface from day one.
I love Android also and also wanted to try something new but Windows Phone 7 isn't something new. Stick with Android and Launcher7 lol ^^
I think I'm fine with paying for my phone to be unlocked personally, one time fee for the latest beta builds forever? Honestly I don't know why HTC Samsung and Motorola aren't looking into this for android devices so they can make some extra $ and make us impatient (or reasonable people that don't like waiting for their craptastic skins) people happy.
I don't care much for Xbox live like I use to but I definitely like Zune pass (really its probably the top single feature that has me wanting wp7 as I use my phone for music a lot).
I love android but honestly, I'm tired of trying to throw on custom ROMs (its fun but tiring) on every phone I get trying to keep up with the updates. I think the only thing that is holding me to android at this point is the ability to wifi tether my phone to my tablet and the fact that mango phones are on their way (fall is only 2-3 months away so announcements should be made soon?)
So guys, is there some feature that I am missing that you really either miss from android or you really like that wp7 had when you made the swap?
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i switched from my old Desire Z and X8 (both of em are still in use sometimes) to a 7 Pro.
so in my own personal opinion, a small "comparision":
1. UI & Customization
I like the UI of WP7 alot more, you can use Launcher7 on Android but it doesn't feel as good. Its smoother and a lot faster, mostly due to inability of "customization" but i really don't miss it. The tile system works surprisingly well, and yeah i don't have a lot to complain about.
No wallpapers, no app launchers etc. It's a locked phone pretty much. If you don't mind, well just don't care
If you want customization stay with Android, else both of em are good in their own ways -> personal preference.
2. Apps
For most people an important point. If you compare Android market to WP7 market, WP7 looses.. big time!
You are charged for almost every app (and a good bunch of em are overpriced!). While free apps, and sometimes test versions of the paid apps are good enough, its still nothing in comparision to Android.
If you want specific apps, check prices first! (i'd recommend it before buying the phone )
There are some social features integrated into WP7 but at the moment (Pre-Mango for me still), they aren't complete. The replacements for those features are at best mediocore, sometimes they shut off randomly etc. There might be some better apps for those, but since i don't use em very much, i havent searched for them.
Otherwise the quality of the apps and games i downloaded is really good, though some of em are missing. As i said, check before you buy the phone, if you didnt already.
3. Features:
Well again the points goes to Android. Bluetooth File Transfer, Tethering and stuff like that, you won't find it on any current WP7 phone (unless you are a Mango user, but i don't know if they implement some of those features). If you need it, well i wouldn't recommend buying a WP7 as of now.
Other than that, i don't really miss any important ones.
4. Final Thoughts:
Since i don't have the WP7 for too long forgive me if i missed or overexaggerated on somethings.
In the end i think, WP7 is a real good OS. While locked down very hard, it just works (just like the hated Apple). While it does feel kind of inferioer to Android (due to the lack of some importants features mostly), it really isn't. There are workarounds for everything, though they are complicated sometimes
With Mango.. well no, even now in MY opinion (which means only for my needs etc), i equal WP7 to Android. While i still use my Androids sometimes (mainly for tethering etc), i often see myself not missing those phones.
I'd recommend WP7 everytime, as well as Android. Just get some information on both, maybe if your friends have said phones, compare them ( or go to the store and do the same).
In the end it comes down to one's need and preference
If you want, you could wait for Mango devices. Though i guess they won't up the hardware too much, maybe add some features like Front Facing Camera and stuff like that, but that's it.
I hope i could help some
BartJJ said:
I was curious to hear from former Android users how you like WP7. Mainly what are your main gripes and what functions did you actually use that are no longer available. Also, are the tradeoffs worth it in the end and what features really *make* swapping worth it. I have loved android for a long time but I'm kind of wanting something new and have liked the wp7 interface from day one. Thanks!
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This entire WP7 OS is simply beautiful and fluid. Rather than 95% of all other android devices, all WP7s are completely lag free while still having a very attractive and intuitive interface. I have 28k apps at my disposal and that means one for everything I would want. The WP7 community here is amazing and hacking / development itself isn't fragmented. I've owned 3 android devices and 2 iOS devices in the past and I'm honestly never looking back.
Android too me seems very slow and inconsistent. Running a Samsung Galaxy I often find when the thing lags, it lags to the extreme. The whole app-store mechanism I find a mess, especially because to much power is given to the app developers. More often then not, they abuse these powers which destroys your battery life.
I like the way WP7 is headed, and I like what Microsoft is doing to keep it a reliable platform. What I don't like however, is the update-procedure as it's very poorly performed. I'm not blaming any company in particular, but I do think updates needs to rolled out faster. Why do ISPs have to test every minor update?
Other then that, the WP7 UI is far superior, and app support is coming along well now. We just need a major bump and hopefully Nokia will spark this? I'm looking forward to purchasing a 2nd gen phone, namely a Nokia.
I went from iphone 3gs to blackberry torch to palm pre 2 to samsung focus to atrix 4g to iphone 4 and back to samsung focus and i love it.
The largest difference to me is that WP7 lacks customization. With android you will hardly ever find 2 phones that have the same ui and settings. All windows phones home screens look the same. I am ok w/ lack of apps. Honestly there is pretty much something for everything already. What would make me happy and never go back to android is being able to personalize the home screen. Maybe some transparent tiles and a wallpaper background for homescreen. that would be awesome.
I'll try to keep this succinct. I had an Evo 4G for the last year, then switched to an HTC Arrive a couple days ago.
Like:
-Most of the apps I used on Android are available on WP7
-As a Zune Pass subscriber, having that ecosystem on my phone is awesome
-It feels like for tasks I do often, I can do all of those tasks in a lot less time than it took on Android
-I primarily develop in .NET, so the dev tools are way friendlier to me than Android's.
Dislike:
-WP7 doesn't have anything that comes close to the awesomeness of Google Navigation
-I'm pretty heavily into the Google Voice ecosystem. Losing the tight integration there is annoying.
-As a Zune Pass subscriber, the lack of expandable storage is agonizing. I can never completely get rid of my Zune HD because it's still the device I have to go to if I want access to all of my music/podcasts.
-The Amazon Android App Market's free app of the day has spoiled me so badly on the pricing race-to-the-bottom front that I am finding it very hard to convince myself to buy any of the games on WP7.
Overall, I am having a good time so far. There is some functionality I am missing, but nothing that I'd consider a showstopper. I still have my Evo 4G, so I might end up switching between the two devices every couple months or so.
I just switched from a samsung mesmerize to a HTC TP7.
My first impression was WOW. I instantly liked the tp7. it's more responsive, it's faster, i can do stuff faster, and everything loads faster. Typing on the screen is more accurate and fixes my screw ups better.
As for apps, the android market has tons more, but in my experience 99.99999% of them are completely and totally useless and the ones that aren't useless i found to be lacking. There were a few that were good, but not many. So far the ones i've tried on WP7 actually seem to be of decent quality and i can find an app for everything i need so far. Some are still obviously in the early stages and need some more features but the app feels higher quality. Of course the windows marketplace has it's share of fart, burp and police light apps. (who downloads these stupid things?)
My ONLY complaint so far is the fact i can't do custom colors on the tiles. the stock colors frankly suck. I tried unlocking the phone and chevron doesn't find the phone at all so i'm wondering if this phone just isn't unlockable with that method. Not being able to do custom tile colors just seems like an obvious omission that should have been fixed allready.
Other than that i like this phone MUCH better, it's faster and doesn't hiccup as much as android did. The loss of customization sucks a bit but honestly, who really cares. I'd rather have the phone work well than be able to customize the wallpaper. The tile color though is killing me.
lots of very good points expressed already, and I agree with most.
However: wm6.5 was far superior to my android in all the little area's that I liked / wanted to tweak... which left me disappointed when I switched to android and frustrated with the infancy of the android based os / app wanting some of the simple things that I was used to on wm6.5.
Then I jump back to windows mobile (thinking it will be great to reg edit again) only to find... tile overlay with no access to the good stuff, and on top of that extremely limited in more ways than android... apps (android copycat) extremely limited and very high priced... I never needed apps to do what I wanted. windows already had it, I just needed to turn it on or off and or tweak it the way I wanted it. customize to no end.
Now I really like the smooth integrated feel, and I took a step down in hardware just to get the operating system. I am back to hacking a android wanna be like device just to get to the meat of the phone, so I can use the power of wm7. I think...
Morrisme said:
Now I really like the smooth integrated feel, and I took a step down in hardware just to get the operating system. I am back to hacking a android wanna be like device just to get to the meat of the phone, so I can use the power of wm7. I think...
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Click to collapse
It's WP7 !
I think all we have to do is to wait a bit. My only problem is, that the application store is pretty empty(and overpriced), but hopefully it's gonna change.
What I see is, that Microsoft tries to copy Apple in terms of system optimisation, and simplicity, and so far I say it's successful.
I hope once the marketplace will be flooded with applications, there will be a serious filter on what apps they allow, and what they don't. The main criteria of selling on marketplace should be to have a perfectly smooth application on every windows based mobile, because what I see now is far away from that. Applications seem to just thrown together for wp7 in a day or 2.
Otherwise coming from android myself, I miss certain apps, or games, or functions, but the other hand I'm impressed by it's UI, and smoothness.
WP7 has potential, but it's time is not yet here. Once a great poet said in youtube comments: "Iphone is the past, Android is the present, WP7 is the future"
I came from evo 4g and I love it I got an arrive. Its so quick. And something no one mentioned battery life is great sure if I game for a while I will need a top off bit other then that a work day is no problem btw my work day is 12 hrs
There are some surprising holes in WP7 which I didn't expect compared to other OS.
1) No common Compass API - it's down to individual hardware manufacturers to supply drivers and they all implement it in a different way. So what works on an LG won't work on a Samsung or HTC. Really hinders the use of maps and star gazing apps etc. This is despite the compass being a mandatory part of MS' hardware spec. So much for MS' tight hardware platform control. And don't think about trying Mango - even if you have the compass working in NoDo it won't in the Mango Beta - and MS say it wont be availible until the OEMs release their final versions. The whole point of a Beta and RTM is so developers can test and adapt their software ready for launch - but with the compass augmented apps (one of the killer features of modern smartphones) they are screwed. We have a common API for GPS, why not Compass?
2) No PIN delay - even the most basic phone that offers Exchange support allows a configurable delay before the phone is PIN locked, or respects the delay imposed by an Exchange security policy. Everytime my screen goes off - I have to enter an 8 character password - despite the Exchange policy allowing a max 20 minute delay. Is this fixed in mango? Is this how MS works with MS?
..and relax...