are windows phones good? - General Questions and Answers

I'm trying to get a windows phone and I was wondering if it was good

Welcome! Everyone has different preferences, so what one person may like/dislike may be different for you. I suggest you make a trip to a store which has some windows phones on display for you to play around with. Also, read some reviews on a few of the phones you are interested in. That may help in making your decision on a phone. Best of luck in your search!

its not bad but as the others said it boils down to personal preference, go to the store and try different os..
cheers

Windows Phones are great for the average user. But for people that pay attention to the market, id recommend waiting for Windows Phone 8 since current users wont be upgraded and will be basically crippled from further development and platform growth
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I have to say a pure phone windows phones are pretty good. Stable, easy/fast to use and do what you need but as a user said already they are dumbed down and you don't have much for freedom to customize....
To nutshell it if you want games/apps/freedom don't get a windows phone. If you want a phone that just works as a phone/social networking device have at it.
I have a wp7.5 phone and its strictly a backup handset I just can't justify losing all the freedoms and features of android.
P.s. Windows phone GPS apps suck pretty bad compared to Google maps.
Pin it to Win it.

I agree with the above two. A personal preference for sure. Is it good, yes, it makes and receives calls and a good Social Media device. Depending what your specific needs are, you have the big 3 (iOS, Android and Windows Phone) to choose from. Play with them, check out the phones in person, verify they have the apps you want to use. etc..they all work well, just choose the one that fits your needs and that is all that matters!

Great for average users and very user friendly, but nothing much man can do with it.

if you only want call, sms, surfing.. its quite good. But im an android flashaholic

Lol, no.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app

Everybody should wait for Nokia WP8 pureview phones, they will make other phones embarassing.

Maybe WP8 may bring you a lot of surprise:silly:

If you wanna get one, just go symbian for better battery life lol

hopatrickz said:
I think of windows phones as a middle between Android and iOS. Not too difficult to use but also not tooooo user-friendly that it seems dumbed down.
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Click to collapse
Exactly! Not too complicated with all of the ROMs and rooting that happens with Android, and not as dumb as iOS, with those little squares on the screen that just stare at you with their dumb app logos.

Windows Phones are cool, depending on what type of user you are.
I had a hard time with the when i had my HD7, but alot has changed since then. Way more feature and apps.
Best bet for you will be to wait for the Windows Phone 8 devices, they will be great and will have SD card slot.
Good Luck:good:

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In my honest opinion, Windows Phones are extremely dull. (Well at least WP7.5)
Pros:
Unbelievably fluid
Xbox Live, kinda
Bloatware can be deleted without hacking
Great keyboard. And I mean great, after using it I tried to find a port of it for Android
Cons:
Apps in the Marketplace are waaaay overpriced
There are barely any apps, let alone good apps
Barely customizable home screen, which may appeal to others
The UI is strange, with all the slide swipes and tiles, which once again may appeal
I really missed the menu button from Android, and the search key only takes you to Bing, so unlike Android won't vary from app to app
Auto rotation support was inconsistent
Notifications we pretty crappy
That was my experience with WP7 but with WP8 a lot may change, I really do not know because I don't follow Windows Phone news.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium

Related

A Thread to praise winmo (even though it has limitations)

after a long time being here ive noticed far too many threads moaning about the ugly interface and limitations of winows mobile
so i thought id start one that encourages new members to appreciate what we have
we have a mobile operating system that lets us do more than any other. emails on the go, internet sharing, fully customisable and the feature of being able to install unsigned software and work around compatability issues. and as far as looks go its noi uglier than a pc so we really cant complain. and i still hear about comparisons to the iphone now ill be the first to admit its a prett thing but after owning three winmo devices im never going to another, just because there are more possibilties than anything available
which brings me to this community and its part, my first device was a heavily branded spv m5000 (universal) and i really wasnt interested in flashing it or downloading because i didnt know about this community. then i got a kaiser and signed up for xda devs and have never seen so much appreciation for a mobile operating system and its features. in fact the only hangup i had was xda didnt cater for non htc devices, this was a bit of a niggle when i got the omnia. but ive still been welcomed and also decided to create a forum in the same manner as xda that caters for all winmo devices (see my sig)
so basically lets stop telling people what we think we should have and be greatful that we have the best mobile operating system available that seems to get better along the way with communities such as this one
cheers j
nb i know it seems a bit pointless posting a new topic about windows mobiles advantages but its better than another thread wishing it looked like an iphone
except windows mobile is dying and developement is drying up. Not only has the iphone outsold all wm devices worldwide but it actually has MORE apps now and more active development.
I too love WM and detest the limitations of the iphone, but sadly I must call a spade a spade
yeah it has just now. but development will pick up again. and i think the reason the iphone is doing so well is becauseits nice to look at. but they forget iphone has mass limitations
jayjay8585 said:
yeah it has just now. but development will pick up again. and i think the reason the iphone is doing so well is becauseits nice to look at. but they forget iphone has mass limitations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but most of iPhone users are not hackers like peeps in xda or generally in windows mobile devices. they just like the fact that it is easy to use and doesn`t even realize it`s fails etc. I just wish that wm7 will bring those iphone users to us.
when peopolemfinally reaslise the iphones limtitations then they should come by them selves. if theyre r worried about interface. ifonz, but see we have the option of a pretty shortcut menu or pc looking interface ythey get the one and only that one
doubt very much iphone ipod touch got more apps then windows mobile
if people google <insert program name> pocketpc there are always hits
piles of freeware progs and games
but granted it's easier for people who pref not to use
google to find applications in app store
jayjay8585 said:
when peopolemfinally reaslise the iphones limtitations then they should come by them selves. if theyre r worried about interface. ifonz, but see we have the option of a pretty shortcut menu or pc looking interface ythey get the one and only that one
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Click to collapse
Yah, but that is the problem. They have to install stuff to get it clean lookin etc.
yeah but the point is we have the choice we can install m2d and ifonz wad and throttle launcher they cant
the one word thatll piss every iphone user off
FULL CUSTOMISATION
jayjay8585 said:
yeah but the point is we have the choice we can install m2d and ifonz wad and throttle launcher they cant
the one word thatll piss every iphone user off
FULL CUSTOMISATION
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Click to collapse
Well, that is also so true, but it would be good if Windows Mobile would be as easy to use in the beginning like iPhone is. It took me time to get inside WinMo and now I love it, but iPhone is easy-to-use instantly or maybe this is just me
but the full customization is Windows Mobile`s greatest side and iPhone can`t compete on that side God I still wish that we had something like iTunes Store for Windows Mobile provided by xda
jayjay8585 said:
FULL CUSTOMISATION
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
care to explain how you can change the icons of the apps displayed when you Start > Programs or Start > Settings
i myself dont kno but after flashing hyperdragonsr rom onto my old kaiser theyre different so we know it possible
at the end of the day if winmo was so easy to set up and just use xda devs would be replaced with apps to be bought from microsoft for a fee then like apple sdks would have to be bought
although apps on appstore are free. well some of them developers still have to pay for the right to develop. winmno rules
and another note the whole taking time to set up winmo to be the you like it, thats what customisation is all about, and the fact that we delve so deep is the reason this haven exists
Yeah I agree about taking winmo to where I want is that loved customization side of it.
but for casual users it is like dancing on the graves and then they go and buy iPhone which a monkey can use -.-" but winmo still pwns it. no matter of what.
One other important aspect that is not being mentioned is that fact that the iphone had great advertising. The whooped and hollered it up and every one wanted one. I have friends who have the iphone and after a period of time they want more but due to no customization they can't. They are then jealous of my WM Device. Granted MS sucks a lot, because it appears they don't listen to what people want, but to me that is a great thing. Because of that we have XDA-Dev and all the wonderful programs. If it was up to me, keep is simple Microsoft and let the community build on it. The other fact is I hate (did I already say hate) itunes. AAC is a great format but the limitations of only being able to play on certain devices and having to sync with your computer and stuff. To much hassle and not enough freedom. My iphone friends agree, now that they see how quickly I can sync, move data and upload/download what I want as opposed to what I'm being told I can.
Just my two cents.
Let the flaming begin!!!
Just about right said:
One other important aspect that is not being mentioned is that fact that the iphone had great advertising. The whooped and hollered it up and every one wanted one. I have friends who have the iphone and after a period of time they want more but due to no customization they can't. They are then jealous of my WM Device. Granted MS sucks a lot, because it appears they don't listen to what people want, but to me that is a great thing. Because of that we have XDA-Dev and all the wonderful programs. If it was up to me, keep is simple Microsoft and let the community build on it. The other fact is I hate (did I already say hate) itunes. AAC is a great format but the limitations of only being able to play on certain devices and having to sync with your computer and stuff. To much hassle and not enough freedom. My iphone friends agree, now that they see how quickly I can sync, move data and upload/download what I want as opposed to what I'm being told I can.
Just my two cents.
Let the flaming begin!!!
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Click to collapse
I hope this wont turn on a flame war
yeah, Apple`s advertising sure beats wm devices ad`s. haven`t seen a single Diamond / Touch Pro ad and I see atleast three iPhone adverts in a day at tv.
guess thats because apple is iphone and virsa versa
where wm is a os that anybody can make phones using
so should htc make adds for a ms product or
should ms make adds for a htc product ?
HTC should advertise their devices I wonder what would be results if Diamond would be as advertised as iPhone :s
Thanks for starting this thread. There is so much talk about how terrible winmo is, but personally I think its great. Sure out of the box it isn't the most user friendly device, but you can customize your phone however you want with a large array of diffent programs that allow for 'prettier' graphics and a much more user friendly interface. Its too bad development is slowing down, but I understand why. I just hope that WM7 can step up the ms game and get people interested again.
One more thing. I have a friend with a 3G iPhone. He is so die hard about it and is convinced everything else is so far inferior. Well, the other day I showed him the customization of my phone, dual booting android, and smoked him in download and internet speeds and suddenly he didn't seem so sure about his iPhone. He thought active sync was the coolest thing, I had to remind him that this was present on winmo phones for many years and is not an iphone development. I think a big issue is advertising, smart phones and ppcs are NEVER advertised on television. You may see ads for an Instinct or a Razor, but never for a Vogue, Kaiser, Diamond etc.
Anyhow, great thread. Winmo rocks.
of course it does because as we kno its has limitations but because of forums like this thre not a lot. and less work than symbian
Again, How is WM More customizable than the other platforms??
Custom Roms (Treo's and iPhone)
3rd party apps (Symbian, Treo, iPhone)
Ability to run Unsigned Code (All three again)
MS is as evil as any other company.
Flashing custom Roms(CID unlock/Hard SPL) seems easy to you because of hard work of folks here.
And should i remind you that MS/HTC haave in the past tried to shut this site down???
I hate to break it to alot of you guys, but the sub culture of the jailbroken iPhone community is much more in depth and techy than many of you think.
Windows Mobile is still my preferred OS mainly because I've been using it for so long, but I do own an iPhone 3G. Just like I've been ripping apart my WM phones for awhile with the information received here, so do I with my iPhone and it's batch of web sites. You'd be amazed at some of the stuff they've got going. Full customization of every aspect of the phones graphics, a video recorder that shoots ultra clear video (this, after years of suffering with my HTC camera software), a wealth of Apple-unapproved third party apps, system tweaks (like Safari Mobile tweaks that allow us to download, copy and paste, etc.), and more.
I do and always will love Windows Mobile, but we HAVE to remember that most of us hated WM right out of the box, otherwise we wouldn't be here. Likewise, my iPhone failed to interest me much when I first got it, yet the current generation of Jailbreaking has really opened it up.
The grass is green on both sides of the fence. I used to bash the iPhone and it's users just like everybody else, but now that I speak from experience I have come to see that the two OS's are much more alike than we realize.
The way I see it, there is no reason for me to be blindly loyal to one OS. When I started buying WM devices, I didn't sign up for some strange Microsoft regime, and likewise for Apple. We can have both, and use them as the mood strikes us.
EDIT: Oh, and don't even get me started on the touch screens...we really need some capacitive love on WM touch screens...

Question: Would you still buy HTC phones if they were largely Android-based?

Reason for my question? This: http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/htc-adopting-android-on-50-of-its-handsets-in-2010/
Going to quite a few iPhone topics here (and made one myself), I know that a lot of you guys here seem to love WinMo (at least more than OSX), so seeing this piece of news was kind of interesting.
As we all know and as the article reiterates, the vast majority of current HTC phones are WinMo-based. The rumor is that it's eventually going to go down to 50%-based with the other 50% being Android. Of course, it's a rumor, but the articles states that HTC is already on the way to being 30% Android-based, so how unlikely is it really?
Now let me go a bit further: As it is, HTC is currently 90% WinMo-based. With the speed at which they seem to be moving (2% to 50% Android-based in one year?), who is to say they won't eventually be 90% Android-based? If this does happen, though, as we see now, XDA could easily simply add the Android-based phones with little issue. On the other hand, as we also see now with Android-based phones, the design may become more limited instead of the numerous designs available for WinMo-based phones.
But...would you guys continue to purchase HTC phones? Is your love of HTC phones all dependent upon the support of XDA-developers or can you simply not switch from WinMo?
Personally, I am pretty OS independent. I can work with any phone. However, if I do have to switch from WinMo, then I would prefer to switch to either iPhone (yeah, yeah, I know) or the Palm Pre (WebOS' increasing popularity and great usability). As it is, I'm not very interested in Android, and Google...has done/say a few things in the past to make me doubt if they'll give proper support to Android. So personally, if HTC does switch to being almost completely Android-based, then truthfully, I probably would not continue purchasing HTC.
ofcourse.
however, i am not "loyal" to any OS or company. whoever makes the best device that suits my needs gets the money.
Well
They would increase their Android models but WM will still be there, so it´s just another option to stay with HTC
Personally I think Android can be good in the future, when they achieve a more mature and solid OS, meantime I´m with WM and of course HTC
crazy talk said:
ofcourse.
however, i am not "loyal" to any OS or company. whoever makes the best device that suits my needs gets the money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I wasn't referring to company/OS loyalty; my apology if I gave that impression. What I really meant was a question of how much one likes using Windows Mobile vs how much one likes XDA support.
As I said, I'm presuming there's a certain number of people here who likes WinMo, so I'm trying to gauge how many people would stick with HTC in the case of such a large move. From your post, I'm assuming you'll go with the best device regardless of OS or XDA support, though?
orb3000 said:
They would increase their Android models but WM will still be there, so it´s just another option to stay with HTC
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Click to collapse
True, but I'm guessing one's choices may also become a bit more limited if HTC's Android support increases even further. Look at HTC's list of Android-based phones now. If you happen to not like any of the *three* choices, whether it be due to design, specs, or whatever other reason, then you're pretty much out of luck, aren't you?
On the other hand, if you don't like one HTC WinMo-based phone, you literally have a dozen other choices in various designs and specs to fit your desire.
My Understanding is that MS doesn’t work and listen well with the manufacturer. There are many complains on current WinMo capabilities and how time consuming it is to write application for it. Furthermore complains also go in to the development speed of the WM7 which no one knows anything about it. Therefore some HTC press release could be aiming of putting serious pressure to MS. Furthermore been only on WinMo leads HTC very depended on MS. I believe that is very important point by certain negotiations between HTC and MS.
Therefore it is only understandable that HTC starting put more weight on a second pillar. Besides developing own OS the Android is the best option for HTC for shaping and driving an Operation Platform for their Devices.
Anyhow that Large Companies like HTC, Samsung and some others paying serious attention to Android indicating very bright future for Android. It is most likely now that those companies will speed up the process growing young OS to maturate. WinMo and MS is really under pressure now, if Wm7 doesn’t bring the expected wowww change then it will no other way then to say... Good bye WinMo
Not sure if I really need another OS in the mix. I wouldn't mind a device that can do both Android and WinMo but only Android ... probably not. Then I might as well make the jump to the iPhone.
I certainly wouldn't rule out Android. As somebody who uses a lot of Google's webservices, Android has a definite appeal. There's a few WM-specific apps I'd miss, but the app ecosystem for Android will only improve as time goes one.
However, I've been pretty darn happy with Microsoft's direction lately (Win 7, Zune, and the Xbox 360 are all great products). I wouldn't buy another WM6 device, but I'm definitely going to be following WM7 closely.
I still think HTC has some of the best ID guys in the business (aesthetically I prefer the TD2 and TP2 to anything on the market) and they're very talented and making software tweaks, but they really need to raise the bar for hardware specs and quality if they want me to keep buying HTC devices, regardless of the OS.
edit: And agreeing with coolVariable, I'd love a device that could easily be configured to run either natively. That would be an instant sale from me. I have a feeling MS's licensing wouldn't make it easy, though.
I'd switch in a heartbeat to anything different from HTC/WinMo as long as it's available on my Sprint SERO plan.
Bulldog said:
My Understanding is that MS doesn’t work and listen well with the manufacturer. There are many complains on current WinMo capabilities and how time consuming it is to write application for it.
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Click to collapse
Hmm, if this is the case, it may explain partly why HTC is betting so much on Android so suddenly. To be honest, if it is the case, I wouldn't be surprised either. I've seen similar techniques employed by other companies in other industries recently too.
Still, corporate shenanigans or not, 50% still seems like a massive shift to me, but I'm guessing the plan might change if their 2009 30% path becomes bumpy.
coolVariable said:
Not sure if I really need another OS in the mix. I wouldn't mind a device that can do both Android and WinMo but only Android ... probably not. Then I might as well make the jump to the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both Android and WinMo? You mean sort of a dual boot deal or simply a device that can install either Android or WinMo roms? That would be fantastic; I think we can all agree on that. I think we can all agree too that it's unlikely.
8525Smart said:
True, but I'm guessing one's choices may also become a bit more limited if HTC's Android support increases even further. Look at HTC's list of Android-based phones now. If you happen to not like any of the *three* choices, whether it be due to design, specs, or whatever other reason, then you're pretty much out of luck, aren't you?
On the other hand, if you don't like one HTC WinMo-based phone, you literally have a dozen other choices in various designs and specs to fit your desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don´t think so, there are so many models with WM to choose from, and there will be more coming.
The actual number of Andorid models is low, and as you said, it will increase, but that is good so more options will be available.
As I said, I´ll stick to HTC WM models, at least in following 2 years...Then we can see what is Android doing and perhaps I can consider...
Great thread!
I think I will continue buying HTC phones even if there was a large Android base, even more than 50%. I like Android and all, and maybe in the future I may even take one myself, but WM is so customizable and i have it just the way i like it and wouldnt change it for anything (except for a newer more powerful device maybe tegra/snapdragon which im holding out for)
I have to give credit where credit is due: if it wasn't for this site, my tp may have been my first and last winmo phone. I wouldnt have the functionality and great experience that i do now without the help of the folks here.
BTW, I think this thread would benefit greatly from a poll, as many dont have the time to post, but everyone has time to vote.
orb3000 said:
I don´t think so, there are so many models with WM to choose from, and there will be more coming.
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Click to collapse
Yes, currently, but if HTC does shift to majority Android-based phones, then the number of WinMo-based models will inevitably go down (in favor of Android-based models instead), which will then result in a lack of choices.
Nonetheless, I do agree with you. If Android eventually shows more promise, I would reconsider too, but at this point, I still prefer to switch to OSX/WebOS if I have to leave WinMo.
euphoria47 said:
BTW, I think this thread would benefit greatly from a poll, as many dont have the time to post, but everyone has time to vote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, you're right. I don't know how I missed that simple bit of fact. Unfortunately, I think it's a bit late for me to make a poll now.
P.S. Thank you for the compliment.
8525Smart said:
Well, I wasn't referring to company/OS loyalty; my apology if I gave that impression. What I really meant was a question of how much one likes using Windows Mobile vs how much one likes XDA support.
As I said, I'm presuming there's a certain number of people here who likes WinMo, so I'm trying to gauge how many people would stick with HTC in the case of such a large move. From your post, I'm assuming you'll go with the best device regardless of OS or XDA support, though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i knew what you were asking. and you are correct. i'll go with the best device regardless of OS or XDA support right now.
i mean, right now im using an IPhone because it was the best for me at the time. and now i want to switch to the Tp2. saying "i won't buy XXXX device because it is made by XXXX company and runs XXXX Operating system severely limits choices.
Why of course!!!!

Newsflash: Android Is Not Perfect

This is just a PSA to all you vicious Android fanboys on this forum that hound anyone who asks the question "what phone should I get", especially when one of those options includes an iOS device or a WP7 device.
So let me get this started. I love Android. But Android is not perfect. Take a deep breath, and say it with me again, out loud.
"Android is not perfect." Was that too hard? If so the following explanation is for you.
Ever since Android first came out, people were hailing it as the iPhone killer. But in reality? It's really not. It may be getting there, and may be getting there quickly, but that's not that point.
It may be a surprise to many of you, but there are actually other human beings outside of XDA that use smartphones. Human beings that are not interested in rooting their phones or spending a lot of time completely customizing them or pushing them to the limit. These human beings want their phones to work when they need them, and that's all. Whether these phones are iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile/7 phones is completely irrelevant to them.
Except, it actually is. But see, not in the way most of you seem to think it is.
People shop for phones nowadays because the have an end they need to reach and they need the means to get to that end. Whether it's something as simple as checking an email message or quenching a thirst to play a game, they take into consideration what is the quickest, most hassle-free way to do this. This requirement is not because they are stupid. Most XDA users seem to think that anyone off XDA just buys iPhones because they are uneducated about "the true power of Android" and all that jazz. Guess what? That's not the case.
Yes. Here at XDA, we can do a lot with our phones. We root them, we build custom ROMs for them, we use features that were locked before, or get versions of our OS that aren't out yet.
But please be damn sure you understand that we are the minority. We will always be the minority. Your experience here doesn't define the mobile landscape, it only improves your personal experience with your phone. Just because you took a few hours to root your phone, find the perfect custom ROM, and settle down with it doesn't make the average Joe who just bought an iPhone (because it does what he wants easily and has all the apps he likes) a stupid user.
Here is the meat of this newsflash; Android wouldn't be here if it wasn't for iOS. (Going further, iOS wouldn't be there without Windows Mobile, and etc etc etc until we reached the very first man who asked 'why can't I see my email from my phone'). Apple took a chance on what people wanted, and realized they had something. They built an OS that was based on the ideals of OS X; simple, straight-forward, good looking, and well received. And so began the App and Data revolution. All of a sudden, the idea of having mobile data became real. These wonderful delicious little things called "apps" made the mobile world much more exciting than it had even been before. And so Apple hit a goldmine, and the mobile landscape had been painted. These apps were well-designed, fun, informative, useful, and people liked them so much, they started to buy paid apps. Apple knows how to market to people, and there success showed.
So then. Android.
Android was birthed out of the idea that Google could cash in on this app world. You may think the intentions were noble, with the idea that it was some pipe dream in the same way linux was; completely open mobile platform. After all, if Apple could have the success with a closed system, Google obviously could rock the world with an open one.
But it's not. Android, or at least what most people come to think of as Android these days, is not "open". It's open to phone manufacturers, and carriers, but that's it. It' snot open to the end user. Why else do we have locked down features, closed-source OEM skins that hinder future firmware upgrades? Why else do we have carrier-controlled Market restrictions? Why do some phones not ship with developer tools, or the ability to install from unknown sources?
Let me be frank. I love Android, but Android is a mess. It's a mess of a bunch of wonderful ideas that would have shined like nothing else in the perfect world, but a mess that didn't anticipate a simple fact; businesses like to make money.
The truth of the matter is that we don't have freedom with Android. Every little part of it has a restriction we need to bypass. Do you buy an expensive high end phone, or a cheaper low-end phone? Will you still be able to play those cool games on that low end phone? Will it get software updates? Is it safe from malware? Buying an Android phone has become the same as trying to buy a Windows PC.
It suffers from the same problem that Microsoft does when compared to Apple's line of computers. Apple builds its hardware AND its software, so they interface with complete precision and function. People with iPhones don't need to worry about security updates, or whether their phone will be obsolete. Apple may release a new phone every year, but the point is that those phones are made to last, both in terms of hardware and software. They even went the next step further and made the iPod touch, which gave phone users who weren't ready for smartphones a taste of what it was like.
My Sprint Hero came out on October 11th, 2009. The iPhone 3GS came out in June of the same year. Both were priced around the same amount, but what stands out to me the most when I think back to when I tested both that year? The fact it took Google this long to make an operating system which took ages to mature enough to be used by HTC to make a phone that STILL could not even give me a smooth web browser, something that the very first iPhone was able to do. Games on the Hero sucked in comparison to the 3D games that were playable on the iPhone.
Now then, Android smartphone hardware has advanced to a significant level, but the point of this whole rant is that Google has always been following in Apple's footsteps in the mobile world, and it's going to be that way for some time.
Be a bit humble about the begginings of Android and what it's become, and for f***'s sake, be a bit mature than just saying "LOLOLOL APPLE SUCKS GG GET ANDROID".
Because it's the rest of the world outside of XDA that defines the success of these mobile platforms, because I hate to say this, but you and I are not part of that outside world of mobile phone users, and we never will be.
The truth is, no one can really say what the "perfect" mobile OS is. All we can do is say what works best for us or what we prefer, but when we state it as fact, as though it's not arguable, that's when we become the fanboys that we so dearly hate. Just keep that in mind.
Opinions welcome, fanboyism from either side not wanted at all. Congrats on finishing this post.
Excellent post. Would read again.
Great things said there. I can see a point in it. But still, I don't either see Ios higher as Android since Ios is a mess too. Let me just take this simple statement. Music on a Ipod/Iphone needs to be converted from the computer to the device, you can't random download a song(on the device) from Internet and play it. Same as the file exploring.. if you want to search for a file, you find a file in some folder like: im/af/on/ar/qr, or just some folders which are messy, and the file types are unknown for the computer. All those small things give me the excuse to stay at Windows Mobile. Simply cause we can download music files and play it, simply cause there is great development on it, simply cause it can be customized how we want it.
Cool story bro
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d12unk13astard said:
Cool story bro
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Click to collapse
Good job. That must have taken some serious thought to come up with.
This is something I 100% agree with.
When I had a Samsung Moment, I had problems galore with it. Keyboard wouldn't type, horrible support, and the big network lockup. Mind you, a network lockup where you can't call out to anyone is against FCC laws. But just to get some type of damn support for the thing, I almost had to root it. And I'm sorry, but I shouldn't have to depend on an online community for support for a phone when the carrier and manufacturer of the phone should be doing that. What the hell is the point in buying the phone and paying damn near $70 a month if I can't use the damn thing?
Let's also talk about performance of the Moment and how unoptimized it was. The Moment uses the same SoC found in the Iphone 2g, and 3g. The only difference, stock 2g and 3g SoC is 600 mhz, clocked down to about 422 mhz for battery, while the Moment was 800 mhz. Both arm11 cpu cores. The Iphone 2g and 3g despite having almost half the clocked frequency of the Moment, was smoother and had actual hardware support and acceleration. Even this day, Samsung still does not have proper hardware support for the SoC being used in the Moment, Intercept, Transform, Spica, etc etc.
If done right, Android is pretty awesome I'll admit. But if I want a phone to work, I'll get something that actually works.
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
gosualex said:
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good understanding
I love android because I love to tinker. Nothing could ever change my mind short of the os aging. I will say this flaws or not I refuse to give apple my money. So it's either wp7 or android.
My words to live buy if I can't hack it I don't want it. Just my 2cents
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I would agree iPhones support is a lot longer no network changes added, updates can brick the phones though.
Android need some love. Fragmentation. Networks slow to update. Ui 's being to sluggish to update the phone to higher levels.
All android phones should be aosp no extras from makers or networks.
Love my cm7/miui.us phone but most people would want to flash it or know how to. They would just think might as well get an iPhone.
Just my feelings. I own apple computers. Custom built pcs android phones had iPhones I still use an iPod touch in the kitchen as you can get the best speaker docks for them. Use what works best for the situation.
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Android security warning !!
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
-gps location
-contacts
-logs
-screenshots
-hidden camerashots
-sms/mms
-emails
-photos
-etc
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS FACT !!!
There was a test in germany, where a developer made a app with all the rights to do the things above and send them hidden in the backround to a specified server to that he had access. So he could read and see all the things above and it was even updating immidiatly after a new sms or something came in and the testuser who installed it had no clue at all and was shocked when they told it to her.
The App itself was just making photos with a black censor stripe in the eyes and it seemed that it never could do that, but all the real action is going on in the backround.
By the way, he sayd it was very easy and many apps could do that and most of them really do that.
And what I know, many of you don't know or don't care and spread all your information to some companys that like to have them alot. And they allways want more.
Maybe you should spread this information by quoting this post or linking to it, because many people don't like to be ripped of their information.
Or do you like it, when someone is standing close to you and listens all what you say to your friends, when you have a private conversation ? I think not!
check out my signature also.
and be safe!
edit: i think i should post this as a new thread!
Great post, good read!!
Hard to say any mobile OS is perfect. But the world of mobile OS is developing quickly in recent years.
Haven't played extensively with Android and IOS. Currenly, I still think IOS is more polish. Android definitely have a lot of features and I am looking forward to where they take the OS to in the future. It seems like it's an OS that has a lot of support and has had to "grow up" really rapidly.
I actually agrer with everything in this post. Fact is the best technology in the world is technology that is stable, works, and allows the user to complete what ever task is needed.
Last night it was decided my wife and I are switching to verizon why? Cause the wife wants IOS and I am more partial to android and BB and thats the only carrier that has all 3.
Now to add on what was already said I think google needs to pick one manufacture purchase them then do exactly what apple does marry the hardware amd software together to get rid of what can be a problematic OS simply cause with some manufactures android is worse then on others.
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(•.•) said:
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
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Click to collapse
You give apps on an iphone or WM phone permissions to do these things too right, so this is a more general problem in the new mobile world...
BTW, I like you're post LiquidSolstice, you could almost call it a fact, it's not that the one is better than the other. It's just that they are different and the majority of people likes easy and simple...
I agree with alot of what LS mentions in the first post. My wife is one of those who could really care less about rooting, overclocking, mem management, or even what version of Android she is using for that matter. She just wants to be able to send that text without the keyboard "hicupping", or to make that phone call without the dialer lagging, etc. I like Android, but I don't like Google's.. well let's say "less than kosher" business practices and corporate involvements. I think a big point to remember is that there will always be people like us that get a huge kick out of toying with electronics. For some, it's a hobby, for others, a career. With that being said, there will also always be those doofies that get on sites like this one and annoy the living crap out of you. Everything needs to be taken in stride, and though there are those who appear to be clueless on a subject, always remember that we all have to learn somehow. Knowledge is not obtained through osmosis.
Android feels like a permanent beta. I prefer iOS for simple tasks plusSbsettings is unmatched. WP7 seems more like a feature phone, it doesn't tell you 'I'm smart.'
I mostly agree
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
tsaxda said:
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
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Click to collapse
Well, carrier "bloat" --I put that in quotes because the current three major skins bring much needed features to Android (whether or not the execution is done well or not is a different argument)-- isn't quite what's killing it, it's the time spent optimizing the hardware for Android.
Android gets slapped on as many devices as possible and then sold as a low end affordable smartphone, and that's the issue, but that's the essence of Android at the same time.
ZeGuitarist said:
Excellent post. Would read again.
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+1 Outstanding post. Completely agree.

Smartphones

This is just...For the fun of it. I can enjoy a bit of philosophising once in a while. I was playing around with devices of almost every manufacturer (except Motorola, sorry), and thought about the particular quirks and advantages of smartphones.
It might be nice for me first to zoom out to the platform level. There are a few platforms used right now. WP7, Android, BB, iOS come to mind as the main ones. Most smartphones developed and sold are tailored towards a particular operating system. This defines their capabilities, their limitations, and their general goal during their lifespan.
I will address each briefly:
WP7: With the latest Mango, these phones are tailored to social networking. The Lumia 800, for example, is certainly an impressive device in that capacity.
Android: These phones tend to be for people who want to play around with their OS. They generally offer large touchscreens and fast dual-core processors (the latest phones do, at least). One of the dogmas seems to be multimedia ease. I will ask a question about such phones that I will get back to later: "Is there such a thing as too large?".
BB: These phones and the operating system they run on were designed with security in mind. They offer physical keyboards which are unrivalled. RIM also have the best data technology on the market. I like to think of BBs as having the functionality of bricks, but being as hard to take down as bricks as well. These phones are far behind everyone else, but I would state that they are very stable. They also are, potentially, the best phones. I use "phones" in the forgotten capacity: for making calls. They possess the best radios.
iOS: BE UNIQUE! Well, it somewhat worked until everyone and his grandmother had an iPhone. I, personally, despise lowercase "i"s, so have never been tempted that way. What do they offer? Apps. Many, many, many apps. Need I say more? Apple started out with a brilliant idea of how to sell products to the masses (yes, I am quite fond of The Affluent Society), but they have not improved much upon that idea since its inception.
These are obviously non-exhaustive notes. The general purpose of the information written above is to determine the role of smartphones.
Addressing Android, you have speed and power. But is it necessary? The Galaxy Note is awkward. The Galaxy SII is also reasonably so. These devices try to provide a Web and gaming experience, combined with all-around functionality. Sure, they have large screens in order to provide that experience, but a tablet can perform the same things better (refer to Asus Transformer Prime). Is there a point to those functions on a phone? I want to stress "phone" again, since it seems we have strayed so far from the functions of a phone.
Nokia have been producing quality plain handsets for a long time. They sell many of these to developing countries. Their place and their existence is, I believe, justified. Whether they are needed with WP7 is another matter.
Blackberry have always targeted businesses and sought to provide fast text inputs on their phones. Their devices are built like bricks, as I said previously. The BB infrastructure is more impressive than BB phones, in my opinion. Especially the Data compression.
Apple, well...Apple is Apple.
I can only peg down three categories: BB for infrastructure, Nokia for supplying the world with phones, Apple and Android for experimentation and multimedia aspects.
So what is the role of smartphones? Are they too developed for their own good? Typing on a 4.5'' screen in landscape mode will never fail to annoy me. Apple's watchful gaze is creepy. RIM's antipathy towards progress is strange.
This is actually quite well done and addresses the various brands and OS' without being extremely biased that i would be use to=D Bravo and I agree they all have their place
Dark lord me said:
This is actually quite well done and addresses the various brands and OS' without being extremely biased that i would be use to=D Bravo and I agree they all have their place
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Yay! My freestyle writing is appreciated! =)
Thanks!
Hoping that a few people will want to post their opinions and discuss. After all, we are passionate about smartphones. Otherwise we would not be on here.
Thought I would add something on my "brick" line of thinking. I and a friend got two different phones at approximately the same time in 2008. I got the BlackBerry Storm 9530. He got the HTC Dream (or G1, whichever you prefer to call it). Mine looks, feels, functions as if brand new. His is in a sorry state.
Yeah , I understand your pain of large phones , but some people just don't like tablets and want phones to have tablet-like functionality .
Don't bash me please ! *prones*
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EmoBoiix3 said:
Yeah , I understand your pain of large phones , but some people just don't like tablets and want phones to have tablet-like functionality .
Don't bash me please ! *prones*
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Click to collapse
For site about smartphones, I would have thought more people would be interested in this topic. But I suppose I am targeting obsessions...Try telling an iPhone user that iPhones are not the best, or that they are not particularly unique.
What is a phone??? Lol but seriously I do agree we have strayed far away from the cellphone era. We have entered a new age that began in 2005, which I like to refer to as the connected age. With the growing number of smartphone users it is easy to track down anyone you want. Everyone is connected to everyone. Our phones grow larger in size every 6months. I remember when I wanted the smallest most compact flip phone. The bigger it was the uglier it was. Now.... anything under 4.3 inches I cant even use lol. I predict in ten years smartphones will be non existing. It will be converted to tabs. U can buy a tablet for half the price of a brand new sgs2.
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I disagree with tablets being "better" that smartphones or smartphones being replaced by tablets, not everyone can or want to travel with a tab everywhere
A phones portability will trump most of times(a quick pic, quick vid, listening to music, browsing in the crapper,etc)
What i mean is that your not always able to go with a carrying bag(well girls can) or a notebook sized thing in your hands, thats when the mini tab in ur pocket comes to use
Might not be as good as a tablet for somethings but its still performs ok and makes calls, and its very easy to carry around
On the other hand, if the tablets are to replace something, is the laptop
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negrobembon said:
I disagree with tablets being "better" that smartphones or smartphones being replaced by tablets, not everyone can or want to travel with a tab everywhere
A phones portability will trump most of times(a quick pic, quick vid, listening to music, browsing in the crapper,etc)
What i mean is that your not always able to go with a carrying bag(well girls can) or a notebook sized thing in your hands, thats when the mini tab in ur pocket comes to use
Might not be as good as a tablet for somethings but its still performs ok and makes calls, and its very easy to carry around
On the other hand, if the tablets are to replace something, is the laptop
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Click to collapse
+1
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OP: you don't seem to understand that people in this era want more than just a phone, if you are complaining that smartphones these days are too advanced to be a phone, then go and get a nokia from 1998 and stop posting on XDA.
The only argument I have is that in which you seem to feel that Blackberry devices are superior in terms of security. I disagree, and also feel that a SPoF has finally shown blackberry devices to be vastly inferior in terms of both security and content delivery.
Food for thought: the US Gov't has finally decided to branch out from the bricks of yesteryear, and now are starting to allow iOS, W*, and A* devices on the AEN with server side security policy implementation. That's saying a lot since they've previously only allowed a BBD on the AEN as all other devices "couldn't be secured". Kinda hard to secure a RIM server in Canada...
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inv3stment said:
OP: you don't seem to understand that people in this era want more than just a phone, if you are complaining that smartphones these days are too advanced to be a phone, then go and get a nokia from 1998 and stop posting on XDA.
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Click to collapse
That's like, just his opinion, man. Why you have to flame home for it, man
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inv3stment said:
OP: you don't seem to understand that people in this era want more than just a phone, if you are complaining that smartphones these days are too advanced to be a phone, then go and get a nokia from 1998 and stop posting on XDA.
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+1000000000000000000000000
Pipsqueak approved this message
thisisbrian said:
What is a phone??? Lol but seriously I do agree we have strayed far away from the cellphone era. We have entered a new age that began in 2005, which I like to refer to as the connected age. With the growing number of smartphone users it is easy to track down anyone you want. Everyone is connected to everyone. Our phones grow larger in size every 6months. I remember when I wanted the smallest most compact flip phone. The bigger it was the uglier it was. Now.... anything under 4.3 inches I cant even use lol. I predict in ten years smartphones will be non existing. It will be converted to tabs. U can buy a tablet for half the price of a brand new sgs2.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
negrobembon said:
I disagree with tablets being "better" that smartphones or smartphones being replaced by tablets, not everyone can or want to travel with a tab everywhere
A phones portability will trump most of times(a quick pic, quick vid, listening to music, browsing in the crapper,etc)
What i mean is that your not always able to go with a carrying bag(well girls can) or a notebook sized thing in your hands, thats when the mini tab in ur pocket comes to use
Might not be as good as a tablet for somethings but its still performs ok and makes calls, and its very easy to carry around
On the other hand, if the tablets are to replace something, is the laptop
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not that I am a great fan of BlackBerry. It is just that I am very uneasy about Androids. What is to say you will not be charged $1,000 on your next bill due to an exploit allowing premium text messages to be sent from your device without your knowledge?
Yes, I have a bias towards security. We have Facebook and Twitter, which are used as breeding grounds for all sorts of mayhem...Obviously all they have done is displayed all our private information to the whole world. That is really going to be regretted by everyone using those services...Sooner or later. We have the multimedia Androids which ignore fundamental issues and have grown too large to comfortably use. HAVE YOU NEVER HAD TO REALLY STRETCH YOUR FINGER TO REACH AN ICON, OR USE ANOTHER HAND?
Regarding tablets, are we really suggesting that they can beat laptops at anything important? If the general stream is towards mass procrastination, tablets have helped us achieve that. But I do not see the next 10 years seeing tablets replacing laptops.
Well, i still think the future of the laptop and notebook is the tablet
And blackberrys are not as safe as you think they are
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smartphones - of any kind - are the functional equivalent of the light bulb. game changer. amazing tech advance.
RickMckc said:
smartphones - of any kind - are the functional equivalent of the light bulb. game changer. amazing tech advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the biggest advances are as simple as a dung when analized deeply but still revolutionary
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I've been a fan of Smartphones for a while. I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace, mainly because I couldnt afford the SII at the time. I like the Bigger phones cause i can use it for reading, watching media, surfing the web, looking at pictures, etc...
Personally I'm hoping to get a galaxy note for my birthday next year as its perfect for everything I like to do with my phone.
For me, smartphone is a universal device which is computer replacement anywhere, where there are no computers.

Iphone4 vs Windows Phone 7 Device for a girl?

Okay a friend of mine asked me to give her a device about what smartphone to buy. She is a girl she wont root, she is not into computers, she just want a good phone. So I've decided not to advice with some android phone because this is not for her needs. What she need is the simplest and best running phone. I've immediately told her to get an iphone 4. But I've wondered about Windows Phone 7. WP7 UI is just really beautiful and I like it a lot. But I've never spent time reading and researching about WP7 because it is locked like iOS and this is not what I am looking for and my android phone suits me perfectly. But it is a good alternative to iOS i think. It is easy to work with and is very beautiful. So would you give me some hints about WP7.
What would you recommend me WP7 or iOS? The biggest factor is stability, she will get used to both of operating systems but which is most stable. Of course ease of work is a bonus too. Tell me about other cons and pros. If you think WP7 is good. Please recommend a phone. The phone can be any price range. What we look for is not so much performance CPU and etc. she is a girl she won't play games. We look for good design and most important good quality build. Like I am very happy with my Sensation but I have this feeling of the bad quality build (dead grip, power button issue and more) so I am searching for the phone that is most near to perfect (there isn't a perfect phone) So I am waiting for your suggestions thank you!
Iphone, its a girl.
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Why don't you just go to a mobile phone shop and try some out with her? Surely that's the best way, if she's only purely bothered about the phone.
well, keeping both the iOS at stock that is no system related mods both are quite stable. So you should just let her see both and then decide perhaps.
Of course she will decide which phone to take. But I want to ask you about quality. That's why I mentioned my Sensation great phone, great design but poor quality in some aspects and you can't predict this unless someone tells you from experience. And I've never worked with WP7 so I am asking you to give me an opinion is it good enough as the iOS. Is it good for noob users I know iOS is best for noob user but WP design is great and gives us more range of phones but I don't know if buying a WP7 phone is a good decision never met this OS.
If she plays games, iOS. If she does social networking, texting, music, chatting, pretty much anything else, go wp7
Please propose me a high quality WP7 device with screen no bigger than 3.7 inches other factors does not matter of course the better specs are preferred.
Take her to the store, let her experience both and she will decide.
Let her decide ^^
.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
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While the iPhone does work fine for many, she may like a Windows Phone for the fact that it is dang good for social networking, stability, and overall it has grown a lot in a short amount of time. I love my Arrive and my mom who could bairly opperate a flip phone, now uses a Trophy to good levels.
This gal may also dig some of the new Nokia phones and their various color options.
Thanks to all. Of course she will decide but I will propose her WP7 it will suit her best if she like it. But please propose me a high quality WP7 phone.
SsBloodY said:
Please propose me a high quality WP7 device with screen no bigger than 3.7 inches other factors does not matter of course the better specs are preferred.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The lumia 800 or focus flash would suit your needs perfectly.
SsBloodY said:
Thanks to all. Of course she will decide but I will propose her WP7 it will suit her best if she like it. But please propose me a high quality WP7 phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd go with the Samsung Omnia 7 (or it's newest equivalent).
The Samsung phones have awesome AMOLED screens that are the only thing outside of an iPhone that look AWESOME.
It's also a VERY good looking device, and because it's Samsung you can expect the very best voice quality on the market.
The nokia looks very good and their phones are high quality but are they good enough with the smartphones they are pretty new in this thing?
my advice is i phone
definitely iphone.... that's a very easy to use phone
Any price constraints? Iphone is more sexy, but IMHO Windows Phone has the most intuitively correct and awesome UI.
Go with iPhone.
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iPhone. Hi tech for people bad at technology.

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