Database Info

I'm tired of crappy software -- are you?

Just got my new HTC Touch Cruise and was thrilled with it.... at first. I had gone to an iphone out of curiosity and although I really love the interface, I found that Apple's limitations (even with jailbroken and unlocked -- so I could download apps) are too restrictive. I missed the versatility of winmo and the ability to install the software I want.
BUT.... within the week of using my Polaris I'm back to "business as usual" with WinMo, especially the Windows Mobile Device Center.... it doesn't startup automatically (as it should) -- it doesn't sync my notes -- and now my push email stopped working. I installed Bepe's ROM (great job BTW!) and all the extras but find that I have tweak many of them to get them working properly -- maybe that's just the result of using the unofficially-cooked WinMo 6.1 ROM, I don't know.
The bottom line is.... I'm tired of having to constantly tweak, correct, fiddle with MS and MS op system based software! I really don't like Apple -- they seem pretty arrogant to me -- but I have to admit that during my "iphone days" all the software apps I downloaded worked w/o tweaking and nearly everything I installed worked right "out of the box". No doubt that's due to Apple's control of the downloads (via itunes) which they argue is to the user's benefit (even if it limits what's available). Why can't MS get it right the first time? Or at least fix the issues that are identified.... like the API drivers?
Sorry to vent but I suspect I'm not alone.

brucewilsonpa said:
The bottom line is.... I'm tired of having to constantly tweak, correct, fiddle with MS and MS op system based software!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, that's what makes it all fun and worth doing! If everything MS put out worked perfectly out of the box, there'd be no need for cooking roms, finding a better way, unlocking, and what we'd have is just another iphone, just in a different flavor. Sorry man, I disagree. This is what makes it all worth while.

Up to a point I agree -- but when you have to mess with the same issue repeatedly, the fun is over.

Some weeks ago I've read a funny article about the difference between Win and Mac OS Users.
Windows Users were described as "real" men who are lying underneath their PCs, with oily skin like working under their car and in contrast Mac Users as old grannys who call the garage for every repair, because they can't do it on their own. The article wasn't meant completely serious but matches the posts here.
So, a little OT and not contributing but i had to tell it....
Greetz

I too just came from an iPhone to the Touch Cruise, and I have to say I missed WinMo. It does have a ways to go, but I agree with the above comments that tweaking it is half the fun. I just fealt to restricted with my iPhone. I am now using SPB Shell 2.0 and PPlus, along with HTC's touchFlo, and I have a very enjoyable experience.
I am currently using Missing Sync with my macbook and have no trouble at all syncing my stuff, so I can not comment on the Device center.

I personally enjoy that we have the freedom to mod our devices. but i think that when we're modding them just to make them work the way they were supposed to be working out of the box, that part is annoying.
it's the same argument over and over again. apple has controlled software that runs on a very limited set of known hardware so very few incompatibility issues. ms software on the other hand is open to way more developers and the variations in the hardware make for a ton of combinations that potentially cause incompatibility issues.
increased flexibility is definitely a positive thing and i wouldn't trade it for a restrictive platform, but there can be annoyances.

mikef1182 said:
I am currently using Missing Sync with my macbook and have no trouble at all syncing my stuff, so I can not comment on the Device center.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Missing Sync only works with OS-X, am I correct? Does it sync to Vista?
I should clarify that my initial venting was not against tweaking -- I came back to WinMo from the iphone because I, too, enjoy the flexibility and opportunity to make my device work the way I like. I am frustrated by the MS software that doesn't seem to do what's intended, like WMDC. The fun goes out of it when I find myself having to reboot, reinstall, or whatever, multiple times.

brucewilsonpa said:
But Missing Sync only works with OS-X, am I correct? Does it sync to Vista?
I should clarify that my initial venting was not against tweaking -- I came back to WinMo from the iphone because I, too, enjoy the flexibility and opportunity to make my device work the way I like. I am frustrated by the MS software that doesn't seem to do what's intended, like WMDC. The fun goes out of it when I find myself having to reboot, reinstall, or whatever, multiple times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah its mac only software. you could always go the exchange route and bypass the computer totally. I did that for awhile before I got my mac.

Participating in a head-to-head against Blackberry & iPhone - seeking their weakness!

Participating in a head-to-head against Blackberry & iPhone - seeking their weakness!
Hi Everyone,
This Friday, I am going to be participating in a head-to-head panel discussion with a Blackberry expert and an iPhone expert. It is taking place at a Louisville Microsoft User Group meeting. I will be representing Windows Mobile in this "throwdown".
I have been working to compile information about the Blackberry and the iPhone, namely things that are a weakness when compared to Windows Mobile. I know they will both have a plethora of things to throw at me (how complicated Windows Mobile is to operate, blah blah blah...), so I want to be as prepared as possible to point out their shortcomings.
I read the really nice writeup from Menneisyys on the browser comparison, so I know the iPhone guy is going to be highlighting the Safari browser superiority. That article reminded me of some good talking points about what some of the WM browsers offer that Safari doesn't.
Looking for any input anyone might have, so I can add it to my list of talking points! No need to write a novel - you can just bullet items...
Thanks in advance for any armament you can provide!
Matt Coddington
Windows Mobile Louisville

Just a few here. I don't think the iphone can do any of these but modern wm devices can.
* copy & paste text in browser, easily done in opera 9.5, not possible on iphone I believe.
* Opera mobile have built-in download manager, download any file...
* 3G Video calling.
* Send stuff to friends via bluetooth (also recieve of course).
* Taking decent photos with a 3 mp & up built-in autofocus camera, the 2 mp fixed focus camera in the iphone is a joke.
* Record video at 30 fps.
* Browse mapped folders on your network with advanced filemanagers like Resco Explorer & etc.
* Draw nice artwork with advanced photo editing softwares like Pocket Artist.
* If you don't like the built in SIP, install another one. (Though I must admit the one in the iphone is really nice as it is.)
* Completely change the way your phone works and looks by customizing everything.
* Edit the registry to change file associations, like clicking on a Divx video automatically opens in Coreplayer for an example.
Sorry I'm to tired to go on with this list I think I would have to stay up all night if I should finish it.

user replaceable battery.
you have the choice between quite a few devices.

josefcrist said:
user replaceable battery.
you have the choice between quite a few devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the BB does both of those. I will be very surprised if the BB guy doesn't sing the security aspects of the device, and as a BB Admin they are damn good. That said I have added some apps to my Trinity to give me some of that security back.
The BBs strengths is its weakness, it was designed as a secure platform for email first and everything has been added afterwards, WM had the basics in from the beginning and they have all been tweaked as a whole.
Sorry to not sound more positive about WM even though i have one myself which i wouldn't change for a BB.

deedee said:
Unfortunately the BB does both of those. I will be very surprised if the BB guy doesn't sing the security aspects of the device, and as a BB Admin they are damn good. That said I have added some apps to my Trinity to give me some of that security back.
The BBs strengths is its weakness, it was designed as a secure platform for email first and everything has been added afterwards, WM had the basics in from the beginning and they have all been tweaked as a whole.
Sorry to not sound more positive about WM even though i have one myself which i wouldn't change for a BB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
windows mobile has been around forever and has more apps. windows mobile is more open.

Agree completely, i was just lobbing up some of the arguments the BB guy may come up with , forewarned is forearmed so to speak. i may be a BB Admin but i am a commited WM user myself.

I appreciate everyone's input thus far! It will be an interesting discussion Friday, that's for sure! I fully expect for it to be civil, yet it will be good for me to have qualitative info on the competition.
It will be interesting to see what direction the conversation will go. Certain things are not possible on the iPhone without jailbreaking it, so if the iPhone guy tries to go there, he will be negating the argument that the iPhone just works! The average user is not going to risk jailbreaking their device (or even want to try regardless of risk because they have no clue!).
So, if we go down the road of tweaking devices like most geeks would do (and not the general public), I think that WM wins out for reasons already mentioned - it's been around a long time, and great sites like XDA-Developers create a resource that allows you to tweak your WM device to your heart's content!
Matt
Windows Mobile Louisville

MultiMatt said:
I appreciate everyone's input thus far! It will be an interesting discussion Friday, that's for sure! I fully expect for it to be civil, yet it will be good for me to have qualitative info on the competition.
It will be interesting to see what direction the conversation will go. Certain things are not possible on the iPhone without jailbreaking it, so if the iPhone guy tries to go there, he will be negating the argument that the iPhone just works! The average user is not going to risk jailbreaking their device (or even want to try regardless of risk because they have no clue!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well to be brutally honest the only real arguments that you have are 1 and 4 of the owziee's post.
the iphone guy will try to whoop your ass on the multimedia aspects of the device, multi touch, and a useful accelerometer and the ease of obtaining applications on a stock device.
When you start to talk about 'Tweaking" you have already conceded that WM is less accessible than the other 2 OS in its stock form, your iphone buddy could remind you that jailbreaking is to iphone what custom roms are to WM, they both add value to your device.
One More thing i'd line to point out here is that contrary to your belief, jailbreaking is in fact a piece of cake.

fyi
After you jailbreak an iphone you can have copy and paste in the browser after you install the c&p program.

FLowness of the interface
Can some one comment on the flowness of the interface between iphone and HTC HD
I have used WM and iphone but the flowness of the interface of WM comes no where near that of iphone. Also relatively iphone is much more faster, even with many app installed ( including jail broken ones) .
Forgetting all other features how does both these platforms compare in this feature

I love my QWERTY keyboards, BB has it, but iPhone doesn't.

fallenczar said:
your iphone buddy could remind you that jailbreaking is to iphone what custom roms are to WM, they both add value to your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But WM ROM upgrades don't die as soon as the manufacturer releases an update for the device - you're not forced to upgrade to a version that de-jailbreaks your phone. As far as I know, this _is_ the case on the iPhone...
Also, a WM ROM upgrade is not needed to run certain software (unless you're trying to install a WM6 only program on WM5), or to get certain functions - you can install most software and/or functions with simple cab files or installers on the stock ROMs without problems at all.

MultiMatt said:
I read the really nice writeup from Menneisyys on the browser comparison, so I know the iPhone guy is going to be highlighting the Safari browser superiority. That article reminded me of some good talking points about what some of the WM browsers offer that Safari doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Just tell the folks "as soon as Windows Mobile manufacturers start producing devices with capacitive screens, the advantage of browsing the Web on the iPhone (assuming running the latest Opera Mobile on Windows Mobile) will be no more"

fallenczar said:
Well to be brutally honest...
...the iphone guy will try to whoop your ass on the multimedia aspects of the device, multi touch, and a useful accelerometer and the ease of obtaining applications on a stock device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are absolutely correct, and I anticipate that. Given that the iPhone is an iPod with a phone attached, I would have to have a Zune with a phone attached to even come close on the multimedia aspects. I'm prepared to acknowledge that iPhone has an advantage there...
fallenczar said:
When you start to talk about 'Tweaking" you have already conceded that WM is less accessible than the other 2 OS in its stock form, your iphone buddy could remind you that jailbreaking is to iphone what custom roms are to WM, they both add value to your device...
...One more thing i'd line to point out here is that contrary to your belief, jailbreaking is in fact a piece of cake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so jailbreaking might not be that hard, but let's consider the audience here. Let's go with the common denominator, the average Joe (Joe the Plummer! Ha! Ha!). Regardless of how easy techy people might think it is, the average person has no interest in screwing with their warranty and doing such a thing to their several hundred dollar phone. I know several people here at work who have iPhones and 1.) they have no idea what jailbreaking is, and 2.) once I told them what it would do, they expressed no interest in doing such a thing. Similar to the multitudes of Windows Phone users that I know - the majority of them are not interested in changing out their ROM unless it comes from the carrier.
My point being, I will argue that we need to keep custom ROMS and Jailbreaking out of it, and discuss what can be done without those in the discussion! How does that change the playing field?!

bemymonkey said:
But WM ROM upgrades don't die as soon as the manufacturer releases an update for the device - you're not forced to upgrade to a version that de-jailbreaks your phone. As far as I know, this _is_ the case on the iPhone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All new iPhone upgrades are cracked in, in most cases, days.

The biggest advantage of WM is the sheer number of devices it comes on. You can buy a phone that fits your needs rather than compromising. Want a keyboard? no problem. Want a HUGE screen? no problem. Want a tiny screen on a tiny device? no problem! Whatever you could wan't has probably already been made.
Just don't mention that for the new versions of WM, Microsoft is trying to do away with that.

The iphone isn't better for multimedia.... Only when running games and certain apps on the device itself, otherwise it sucks in comparision when it comes to the hardware.
Cameras, Photos, Video recording quality + video calls etc + wm devices more often have better quality displays (higher resolution) & bigger when it comes to the Touch HD. Ok, iphone have multitouch but personally I don't care about it...

Menneisyys said:
All new iPhone upgrades are cracked in, in most cases, days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But as far as I know, you can't choose _not_ to upgrade, can you?
On WM you can just keep your old ROM as long as you're satisfied with it...

I think the iPhone's app store is both a strength and a weakness in its case.
Filtering apps and games for quality is a great way to make sure the phone "just works" for all users. If this is all that Apple did, the only argument against it would be arbitrary. However, Apple is also denying apps they deem "too similar" to Apple apps and those they feel are in bad taste. So if someone (say Opera) makes a better browser, too bad you have Safari for that. And if you want a fart-noise generator, it depends on if it is found to be "offensive" by some anonymous panel.
Also, comparing a jail-broken iphone to a stock (under warranty) windows phone is apples to oranges imo.

more iphone info for you guys
You can choose not to update the firmware on the iphone. You can turn the feature off in itunes that trys to update and if it asks you can simply hit no. And to my knowledge you can put on older firmwares (like 2.0 instead of 2.1) after you updated if you like a previous version.

Windows Mobile 7 Features leaked!

WP 7 features are leaking all over the net. Let me list them :
· WP7 will be announced at MWC, and there will be a demo, but this will be just the UX
· MIX will have specific developement focus sessions on WP7
· WP7 supports both Sliverlight (out of browser) and XNA
· Silverlight is version 3.0, with elements of 4.0 plus mobile specific features such as sensors etc
· XNA apps can be developed using XNA GameStudio 3.1
· SL apps developed using Expression Blend 3.x and VS2010
· MS will release a mobile version of VS / Expression which will be free, and VS2010 / Expression Pro will have a free add-on
· WP7 will have an equivalent of .NET CF embedded into SL, but no SQL.
· WP7 will have isolated storage which is accessible using LINQ
· The UX of WP7 is based upon a theme called “METRO” and is similar to Zune HD, but with a completely new “Start” screen.
· No multi-tasking (applications will pause when in the background, however they will support notifications using the MS Push Notifications environment)
· No .NET CF backwards compatibility, however a proportion of the data and business logic in .NET CF could be ported
· MS were confident to have devices ready for Sep 2010
· No MS manufactured device, however much tighter control of manufactring process, so as an example each device has a 3D processing chipset, and MS provide all of the device drivers. So no platform builder. This enables OTA updates and simplified model for ODM’s
· Marketplace will support buy and try before you buy, as well as an API
· ODM / OEM will not be able to modify the “Start” screen, so no more HTC Sense / TouchFlo etc.
· MS are actually ahead of schedule which will surprise the analysts / journalists
· Browsing experience is currently faster / better than iPhone 3G, and they are aiming towards 3GS.
· Browser is based upon desktop IE7 codebase, but with some IE8 functionality
· No in browser Flash or SL
· WP7 has full integration with XBOX Live, and ability to purchase games
· WP7 will use the Zune software for music, videos, photos sync
· WP7 only supports app installation through service based delivery i.e. marketplace, so no side-loading
· MS will provide a hosted push notifications environment
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[Source]
While this might disappoint most but I for one am really happy to see that Microsoft is finally taking this seriously and has worked on WM7 from ground up!
Finally we will be able to get the User Experience comparable to iPhone/Android! Xbox Live and Zune integration sounds totally awesome!

Well this would be the media edition of the phone.... and all the OEM's will sport the 'professional' version of the phone...makes sense.

Still that won't make any Extreme Changes. The basic UI will remain the same. I feel there won't be any major differences User Interface wise between Windows Mobile 7 versions...they've already disallowed 3rd Party UI!

Im afraid your wrong . HTC have already said they will continue supporting Sense 3D on WinMo7, now they wouldnt have been able to do that if MS is going to lock down the UI.
I think/heard there will be 2 versions of the OS, the zune version which is what you see above (this will run on MS hardware, pretty much like the zune) and all the OEM's such as HTC, Toshiba, SE, etc etc will run the pro version of the OS which will similar to what we are used to...how different the OS will be in terms of GUI will be interesting to see, i sure hope that the zune version doesnt get all the goodies.

"WP7 only supports app installation through service based delivery i.e. marketplace, so no side-loading"
Does that mean we could not anymore install cab files from xda.dev ?

How far the new OS is going to be customizable is still to be seen. I think they will keep everything closed just like the iPhone and only allow limited modifications.

no multi tasking?... ... ...the point is???

If the above features are true ... Good bye WinMo7
I will go with Android (Or iPhone 4.0?) ...

^Could not wait and have already went over to the dark side...android is very cool best thing I've done!

this looks like some fanboys conspiracy
all windows mobile power (from the users point of view) that its so customizable and like micro computer
if wm7 gonna be kind of an iphone people will prefer the real iphone its perfect in its own limited way...

I can only say, if winmo drops multi-tasking, I'll drop winmo.
Gee. if people want a iPhone they'll get one.
Not everyone may be able to afford a 1ghz processor now, but the future's going to catch up before winmo7 comes out anyway.

tuksedra said:
no multi tasking?... ... ...the point is???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think of the pleasure to be got from watching WinMophiles having to admit to iPhonatics that WinMo is now even worse at multi-tasking than the iPhone is! (rotfl)

moooxooom said:
I can only say, if winmo drops multi-tasking, I'll drop winmo.
Gee. if people want a iPhone they'll get one.
Not everyone may be able to afford a 1ghz processor now, but the future's going to catch up before winmo7 comes out anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x2!!!
Without Multi-Tasking, HTC Sense and not be able to install whatever I want in where I want, I will never buy a new winmo pda phone again...
I'll guess I'll have to go to Android or in the worst case to iPhone

Multi-Tasking would be indeed a absolute no-go. I'm sure, that will never NOT happen.
I hope, you're also in the future allowed to install what you want where you want. I hate these Iphone restrictions. Let's hope, this will not gonna happen for WM.

I think companies are going paranoid... don't understand why many restrictions when on the desktop side u can do whatever u want... because of a majority of dumbs, that don't even know how to shutdown a computer, the rest of us have to suffer of these limitations...

No multi-tasking means I'm sticking with 6.5.3 (or whatever they call it) or going with Android.
Don't they realize that competing with Apple in Apple's arena will only get them smoked PLUS alienate their fanbase? We go to WinMo because we DON'T want iphone os. What we do want is a rebuilt, faster, better WinMo os that is just as customizable as the current os.
Seriously, if they are planning on putting out a winphone os, they are going to lose. period.

fb401 said:
No multi-tasking means I'm sticking with 6.5.3 (or whatever they call it) or going with Android.
Don't they realize that competing with Apple in Apple's arena will only get them smoked PLUS alienate their fanbase? We go to WinMo because we DON'T want iphone os. What we do want is a rebuilt, faster, better WinMo os that is just as customizable as the current os.
Seriously, if they are planning on putting out a winphone os, they are going to lose. period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said

Maybe they will remove the file manager. If they remove the file manager, the device is no more PDA.

fb401 said:
We go to WinMo because we DON'T want iphone os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"We" aren't exactly a mass market, though. There were considerably more iPhones sold in the last 12 months than every single model of Windows Mobile phone put together. (WinMo is currently a distant fourth in the smartphone market behind Symbian, RIM and iPhone, with Android closing). The bulk of those who still buy WinMo phones are corporate customers. If abandoning the needs of a tiny minority of users (i.e. us) will net Microsoft a substantially improved marketshare, you can bet they'll do just that.
Having said that, I'm inclined to view this particular rumour with some suspicion; at the very least, with other rumours persistently claiming that there is more than one version of WM7 in the offing, it certainly makes no sense to assume, at this stage, that every available version will be like this.

sigh..........
I really hope some of this is not true. And I will wait until some formal announcement to make up my mind BUT if true, no multitasking, no user UI customization, no apps installed to sd card, all apps through the Marketplace?? Had I wanted to live in a walled garden I would have already bought an Iphone.
I've been using WinMo PDAs and phones for more years than I care to admit. Maybe it is time to simplify my life and get a dumb phone and swear off tech. Guess I can start carrying around all my passwords written down in a code again in my purse (shades of the 80's here except that I have a bunch more and they are all pretty complicated now- I do love my ewallet). grrrrrrr...............

[Q] (NOOB) Is unlocking the same as rooting

General WP7 question
Im an Android user at present, rooted Desire (gingerbread)
Very much liked the U.I of WP7 when having a quick 5 min' play in an o2 shop
ive not ruled out WP7 for my next phone but know nothing about the state of current Modding for the Devices
is Unlocking the same as Rooting ? ie Custom Roms, rooted only apps, framework tweaks etc
if not, how is it different? what does it offer ?
Sorry for the potentialy Dumbarse question but im not down with any WP7 info at present
Cheers

we don't have an unlock
the unlock refers to the ability to sideload programs and not go through windows marketplace using a windeveloper hack from chevron...
The unlock is not related to custom roms - imho you really don't need them nearly as much on windows phone 7. One thing you have to realize about custom roms is that while you're given an os on a device, it doesn't work out of the box. Both windows mobile and android suffered from this and a custom rom was necessary to just get some basic things to function more smoothly to create a better experience.
Windows phone deviates from that because all you have to do is turn it on and most of the UX/UI components work out of the box and creates an unbelievable experience. So at the current state, the only custom rom I have seen is on the hd7 and mozart, and those are rom transplants by ansar - not completely the same as a custom rom.
If you think you need a custom rom to live by, don't get windows phone. But if you truly want to try an OS that just works and works well, I suggest testing the device. You won't go back to android after you test the device.

Great respose
thanks for the info
For sure, i do love my Android but i find that i keep on changing stuff for not much other reason than i just can.
As mentioned, i was indeed impressed with the UI on the phone i tried...if only briefly
its a shame i couldnt get one to trial for a month to see how i got along with it, thats life i guess
i might well take the plunge on WP7 as my current contract runs out at the end of march
One or two last thing to anybody that cares to respond
so stuff like email and SMS/MMS, are you locked in to using the Out of the box app/client or are there others available in the Market ? ....indeed, you might not need to use anything different form the preloaded stuff, im just curious
and one last thing, Anyone having moved from android to WP7, you happy? anything you particularly miss ?
thanks for the above answer again
cheers
Chris

InspectorFrost said:
and one last thing, Anyone having moved from android to WP7, you happy? anything you particularly miss ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, at the moment there is only the default built in app for this. However, in a similar vein to the above; there just isn't a need either. The keyboard is awesome (far better than any other - be it Windows Mobile or Android - I've tried) and it's a simple threaded SMS system.
I had Android on my HD2 (so admittedly not a native build). The only things I miss are a couple of the apps (but I can live without them and they'll probably end up having sister apps on WP7 eventually) and the USB functionality (but I know plenty of people here will argue with me over that). Am I happy? Yes! (Small grumble about the update situation, but it's a thousand times better than WM or Android).
Casey

Thanks, Man

the preinstalled sms manager for wp7 has suited my needs really well. It sms...I can see smilies. It's threaded. That's all I really need for my interests.
Now as far as migrating from android, I did but I didn't like android so much. I used it for smsing but that was about it. Android has a plethora of programs to suit user interests, but by in large, many just. plain. suck.
That's not to say that wp7 programs suck, because some do. But in terms of productivity, I found a bit more with windows phone. I think the only program I really REALLY miss is skyscape because I am a clinical psych student and I use that on a daily basis. Adjusting to no skyscape is horrible

and one last thing, Anyone having moved from android to WP7, you happy? anything you particularly miss ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I moved from android, and while I do miss some functionality (that will come in time with updates), overall I'm very happy. The UI is vastly superior, and feels like a more polished professional product as opposed to one stitched together, if that makes sense. Android was very functional, but never felt totally complete in its design. This led to a less than great overall interaction experience. But I will reiterate; the functionality/settings options are VERY BASIC SO FAR.
wp7 not only feels more solid, but you can see the quality of app design already far surpass anything on Android. The way you flow through information is quite refreshing to the linear/up-down style based on computer desktops we are used to. Email & Music player are also bar none on mobile platforms in my opinion. Still a few things need to be added for outlook support, but overall I am very impressed with these two features.
You will also notice that its the only other platform with the responsiveness that iOS has. Feels very fluid, and there is no delay in pinch to zoom features on maps/browser ect. The voice commands are very good as well (voice to open apps, browse, call people ect).
Social integration of Facebook (and twitter come Mango update later this year) is top notch. No other platform has anything like this and its really handy. I don't even use Facebook much, but I thoroughly enjoy how easy it is to catch up on people's doings and get back to more important tasks.
Things I miss are more in depth functionality and settings choices. I miss the official google voice app, custom sms/mms apps & IM apps. I also miss smart dialing, which most smart phones come with as standard. Smart dialing will no doubt be incorporated in an update, but this should have been done from the get go imo. Once we get socket support later this year, IM and sms app replacements will come. Most of the needed apps are available, from shazam to netflix to news apps to flixster to translators ect. The google voice and smart dialing features are the big ones for me. GoVoice works pretty good for Google Voice access, but since no socket support yet, the notifications have to be pushed from a 3rd party server.
There are more apps available on Android, but just like when I was on Android and the iPhone had more apps, thats not all that matters. There are some you will miss, but I can do without most of them until more developers come over the wp7.
As far as games go, the quality is beyond both Android and the iPhone in my opinion. However, there aren't nearly as many available (yet). You are seeing more and more big time developers either making, or announcing movement over the wp7 though so this will quickly change. The quality of the xbox live games is great, and the platform is definitely designed to also be a future gaming powerhouse. I can't wait till I can control my windows media center and xbox/kinect with my phone.
wp7 is in its early stages so just be ready to accept that the tinkering you are used to will be much more limited here, as will the overall control options you have. But you will quickly learn that the base structure of this platform is beyond what the others deliver (of coarse whether you like the UI is preference), and as this platform matures, the quality of the interface & app development and user interaction will be much more pleasant than what Android offered(s).
As far as unlocking, you CAN still unlock with the chevron program. This allows you to tinker with the registry to change the look/colors of the UI, control of volumes ect and of coarse enables things like file managers & custom ringtones. Head to www.touchxperience.com to see what the main phone manager for unlocked phones is up to.
For day to day use, my wp7 is more appealing to me (even with some missing functionality). Its hard to go back to the style of layout that iOS, Android ect all have in common; although I do keep my N1 around for times when I need the hotspot feature.

dtboos said:
Social integration of Facebook (and twitter come NoDo update in the next week) is top notch. No other platform has anything like this and its really handy. I don't even use Facebook much, but I thoroughly enjoy how easy it is to catch up on people's doings and get back to more important tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just a correction here, twitter integration is coming in the mango update, not the NoDo update.

The Gate Keeper said:
just a correction here, twitter integration is coming in the mango update, not the NoDo update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected.

@dtboos
Great post, thank you

All the above sounds like stuff i can deal with
Shazam...a quality app that i use tons, glad thats there
facebook im not on so im not bothered with that, and as for Mail/sms clients, i can live with stock so long as the work well
The Major sticking point at the moment for me (having dug around the net a little) is the API limitations that dont seem to allow for Messengers, im a big fan of Whatsapp and (out of choice) wouldnt really wanna be without it.
Hope MS are going to amend this in the (very) near future, as im sure this will persuade a raft of people on to their platform
Again, thanks for the above posts, most informative
Cheers
Chris

InspectorFrost said:
All the above sounds like stuff i can deal with
Shazam...a quality app that i use tons, glad thats there
facebook im not on so im not bothered with that, and as for Mail/sms clients, i can live with stock so long as the work well
The Major sticking point at the moment for me (having dug around the net a little) is the API limitations that dont seem to allow for Messengers, im a big fan of Whatsapp and (out of choice) wouldnt really wanna be without it.
Hope MS are going to amend this in the (very) near future, as im sure this will persuade a raft of people on to their platform
Again, thanks for the above posts, most informative
Cheers
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a link available right now, but I remember an interview with one of the head developers on wp7 saying that socket support is #2 or 3 on the developer requested features list, and they will definitely be implementing this sooner rather than later.
They know socket support is wanted and needed, and with that will come IM clients ect.

yea, i believe we will be hearing about socket support at the MIX 2011 conference.

Alternate Launchers?

Can alternate Android Launchers (Nova) be used on an Windows phone?

No

rockky said:
Can alternate Android Launchers (Nova) be used on an Windows phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you even consider committing such a henious crime against such a beautiful device.. there has been dozens upon dozens of web posts, forum threads and websites asking this question, which is the same reason you cannot put Android or WP8 onto an Apple. IOS and WP8 are closed and protected platforms
You cannot put Android or any of its components (Launchers and such Android excrement) on to a Windows phone.
Buy an Android phone and get the WP8 Launcher from the Play Store.. the New HTC M8s look nice, naff camera, but good phone..
Hope that helps

yes - sorta...
Yes, you can get alternate launchers, sorta.
For many years I used Android and had many alternate launchers to used depending on my mood, place, work, battery life, etc. Now on my 1020 I have a couple of Android style launchers, iPhone launchers, and a Blackberry launcher. All work fine and allow my to do most basic taskes.
Now for the "sorta..." part: As mentioned earlier, WP8 is a closed platform. These other launchers are actually just apps running on top of WP8, and are not actually replacing the tiles. Functionality is limited and basic. They all offer a chance to pay for an upgrade for more functionality, but I don't yet know what functionality they will add. Thankfully, unlike Google, Microsoft DOES accept my Paypal account so I will be finding out, but just haven't done so yet. I assume I will have access in the app drawer to all the apps installed on my Windows Phone, but I doubt I will be able to add new "shortcuts" to the "homescreen" or change the given wallpaper. But who knows, like I said, I will try it & get back to you.
Not sure how to correctly add a link to the WP store or anything, but just search for Android, iPhone, or Blackberry and you should find something. Also, something else to keep in mind here is that 8.1 will be out soon. Having played around with a Lumia 930 with 8.1 for about a month now I can say it will offer more options to customize your homescreen tiles, and it's pretty cool. It would be nice is they offered a choice of homescreen configurations maybe, one for work and one for home. But first and much more importantly they need to work on multiple Skype logins for work and home, as it is now I am stuck with my "friend" skype on my phone and need to carry around a second phone for my work Skype.
I know it's not exactly what you were looking for but I hope it at least helps a little. Have a great day!
:good: