Android user on WP7: Initial thoughts.. and concerns - Windows Phone 7 General

After playing briefly with WP7 I decided i wanted to try it out more officially so I picked up a Focus from cowboom and after 4 days with it here's my thoughts.. I am coming from a CM7 Captivate BTW
Hardware is super nice, screen is gorgeous, battery life rocks, and the gps is dead on (something im not used to on my captivate).. no complaints here at all
Software is great to use, I have 1st gen and ZuneHD so I knew id love that.. the transitions and effects are fantastic touches... but
A. maps is garbage: couldnt even find a store one block from me ( gave results in MS instead) still trying to find a good replacement app.
B. is there a way to have keyboard vibrate when on silent?
C. Only microsoft would install updates one at a time and restart over and over between.
D. Google Calenders wont sync right, I have several calenders i use from my account but it only shows me the default one. Any fix for that?
over all im really impressed, still trying to find apps to replace/match my android setup... but now i really want to be able to dive deeper into the hacks but it seems Chevron option has disappeared.. for now..

micro2112 said:
After playing briefly with WP7 I decided i wanted to try it out more officially so I picked up a Focus from cowboom and after 4 days with it here's my thoughts.. I am coming from a CM7 Captivate BTW
Hardware is super nice, screen is gorgeous, battery life rocks, and the gps is dead on (something im not used to on my captivate).. no complaints here at all
Software is great to use, I have 1st gen and ZuneHD so I knew id love that.. the transitions and effects are fantastic touches... but
A. maps is garbage: couldnt even find a store one block from me ( gave results in MS instead) still trying to find a good replacement app.
B. is there a way to have keyboard vibrate when on silent?
C. Only microsoft would install updates one at a time and restart over and over between.
D. Google Calenders wont sync right, I have several calenders i use from my account but it only shows me the default one. Any fix for that?
over all im really impressed, still trying to find apps to replace/match my android setup... but now i really want to be able to dive deeper into the hacks but it seems Chevron option has disappeared.. for now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@D - I don't think is possible still.
@A - are you using bing?
@C - yes.
@B - i'm not sure, but I would imagine so?
So basically I have no idea. And I've had it for over a year.

A. Bing is getting better, but it is still no replacement for Google (at least for me). For example, I have two Costco stores in my area. One is about 4 miles from my house, the other is about 20 miles. Until about a month ago, searching for Costco would always try to direct me to the more distant one, even though the closer one has been around much, much longer. (Disclaimer - of course, I have no trouble finding Costco, but it was a good barometer of the incompleteness of Bing data in my area).
B. I don't know of any way to turn on haptic feedback from the keyboard when the phone is silenced.
C. Yeah, I suppose the update process still has room for improvement.
D. Contrary to Microsoft's official statements that only your primary Google calendar is supported, you can sync secondary and shared calendars on your phone. Here is a link with instructions (they are a bit arcane, but they do work - I have three calendars syncing to my phone right now):
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/sync-multiple-google-calendars-with-windows-phone-7-mango/

micro2112 said:
After playing briefly with WP7 I decided i wanted to try it out more officially so I picked up a Focus from cowboom and after 4 days with it here's my thoughts.. I am coming from a CM7 Captivate BTW
Hardware is super nice, screen is gorgeous, battery life rocks, and the gps is dead on (something im not used to on my captivate).. no complaints here at all
Software is great to use, I have 1st gen and ZuneHD so I knew id love that.. the transitions and effects are fantastic touches... but
A. maps is garbage: couldnt even find a store one block from me ( gave results in MS instead) still trying to find a good replacement app.
B. is there a way to have keyboard vibrate when on silent?
C. Only microsoft would install updates one at a time and restart over and over between.
D. Google Calenders wont sync right, I have several calenders i use from my account but it only shows me the default one. Any fix for that?
over all im really impressed, still trying to find apps to replace/match my android setup... but now i really want to be able to dive deeper into the hacks but it seems Chevron option has disappeared.. for now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A: agreed
B: no
C: what? As far as I know, Android update process wipes the phone, thus deletin all user data, and you complain about the update process?
D: fix it on stupid googles side, head over to m.google.com/sync and select calendars you want to sync, it´s their problem, EAS is open protocol, they have changed it, blame them

Snake. said:
A: agreed
B: no
C: what? As far as I know, Android update process wipes the phone, thus deletin all user data, and you complain about the update process?
D: fix it on stupid googles side, head over to m.google.com/sync and select calendars you want to sync, it´s their problem, EAS is open protocol, they have changed it, blame them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android update doesnt delete anything flashing between roms you have to but that is what TiBu is for.
when i go to m.google.com/sync from the phone it doesnt have anything there to select. Can this work from IE, the directions in prev post say Safari but i feel that was copied from iphone directions.

No, the instructions are very clear. You must use Safari (from your PC), because it allows you to set the user agent to appear as an iOS device. It will not work from Firefox or IE. Again, follow the instructions exactly as described in the article I linked and you will see your calendars.
[Edit]
I think I see the source of confusion. It says to use Safari on your "device". For "device", in that case, substitute "PC". So, to sum up:
1 - Make sure you have set up a Google account on your phone to sync your primary calendar, and that it is working properly.
2 - Follow the Safari instructions on your PC to find and enable your secondary calendars (and be sure to remember to click the "Save" button on the page).
3 - Force a manual sync of your Google account on the phone to confirm that the additional calendars are syncing.

RoboDad said:
No, the instructions are very clear. You must use Safari (from your PC), because it allows you to set the user agent to appear as an iOS device. It will not work from Firefox or IE. Again, follow the instructions exactly as described in the article I linked and you will see your calendars.
[Edit]
I think I see the source of confusion. It says to use Safari on your "device". For "device", in that case, substitute "PC". So, to sum up:
1 - Make sure you have set up a Google account on your phone to sync your primary calendar, and that it is working properly.
2 - Follow the Safari instructions on your PC to find and enable your secondary calendars (and be sure to remember to click the "Save" button on the page).
3 - Force a manual sync of your Google account on the phone to confirm that the additional calendars are syncing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that, I recognized the steps from when I had an iphone and when it said "from your device" I assumed it meant that, just as it did with an iphone.
any one have tips on unlock codes since chevron is out of them?

Also is there a way to disable screen rotation?

I wouldn't go as far as saying that Bing maps is garbage. It tends to find everything I'm looking for in my area and in metro St Louis when I was there back in August. However it can't seem to find the pizza hut in my town that opened in June but neither can google maps or the pizza hut app.

prohibido_por_la_ley said:
I wouldn't go as far as saying that Bing maps is garbage. It tends to find everything I'm looking for in my area and in metro St Louis when I was there back in August. However it can't seem to find the pizza hut in my town that opened in June but neither can google maps or the pizza hut app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's still depending on where you are.
I occassionally check it and even on website versions there are things I cannot find in big polish cities what is kinda shame.

doministry said:
Well it's still depending on where you are.
I occassionally check it and even on website versions there are things I cannot find in big polish cities what is kinda shame.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in a mid sized suburb of the 3rd largest city in the US. it's expanding so if its not fully developed in Poland it will very soon be. Especially since the deal with NAVTEQ/Nokia.

Bing Maps doesnt have business hours, something I miss the most.

Snake. said:
A: agreed
B: no
C: what? As far as I know, Android update process wipes the phone, thus deletin all user data, and you complain about the update process?
D: fix it on stupid googles side, head over to m.google.com/sync and select calendars you want to sync, it´s their problem, EAS is open protocol, they have changed it, blame them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android updates typically do not wipe the phone. I've done like 4 updates on this phone and none of them got wiped. I don't know what you're talking about.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

N8ter said:
Android updates typically do not wipe the phone. I've done like 4 updates on this phone and none of them got wiped. I don't know what you're talking about.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heading off the rails, for the both of you. No one cares---well I certainly don't.
prohibido_por_la_ley said:
However it can't seem to find the pizza hut in my town that opened in June but neither can google maps or the pizza hut app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's because they pull data from that crappy CitySearch.com, instead working together with someone that does it better or building their own repository.
As for the OP's prob with GPS, didn't people say that gMaps app in the marketplace is good?

vetvito said:
Bing Maps doesnt have business hours, something I miss the most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does on some businesses. I wish it was more widespread though.

ScottSUmmers said:
As for the OP's prob with GPS, didn't people say that gMaps app in the marketplace is good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the gMaps program, it's better at some things. the mango update helped bing maps a lot but it's still no google..

micro2112 said:
I have tried the gMaps program, it's better at some things. the mango update helped bing maps a lot but it's still no google..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, well I suppose you can either shell out money for a full blown GPS program offered like Telenav, or Navigon; buy a chevronlabs unlock token and put nokia drive on your phone; or wait for Telenav's html5 solution that'll probably be out in a few months.

UPDATE: Chevron and interop unlocked, battery percent tile, tethering enabled.. all simple touches but have made great improvements
did notice one issue.. when looking up a phone number in IE, clicking on it does not bring up the dialer.. is this always true? any fixes for that?

micro2112 said:
UPDATE: Chevron and interop unlocked, battery percent tile, tethering enabled.. all simple touches but have made great improvements
did notice one issue.. when looking up a phone number in IE, clicking on it does not bring up the dialer.. is this always true? any fixes for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, that's true .. And, there's no fix ..

micro2112 said:
UPDATE: Chevron and interop unlocked, battery percent tile, tethering enabled.. all simple touches but have made great improvements
did notice one issue.. when looking up a phone number in IE, clicking on it does not bring up the dialer.. is this always true? any fixes for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
diaryno286 said:
Sadly, that's true .. And, there's no fix ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh? How are you guys looking up the phone number?

Related

Press search and get YAHOO

LOL!!! How embarassing for Microsoft. There is a bug on WP7 with some carriers where if you press search, you get Yahoo, not Bing
I had to laugh!!
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...d9b-5650-4e58-bef4-3b27972a635c?prof=required
It's just O2 in the UK I beleive. I raised this last week when asking about customisations that carriers may have made, and appears to be intentional by O2. Though I get the impression Microsoft where not aware and may not be happy.
AceofSpades25 said:
LOL!!! How embarassing for Microsoft. There is a bug on WP7 with some carriers where if you press search, you get Yahoo, not Bing
I had to laugh!!
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...d9b-5650-4e58-bef4-3b27972a635c?prof=required
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the carrier, look at the Samsung Galaxy S on US Verizon - Fascinate - an Android phone, running Google services, yet you press search and Bing! you got.
Yeah, we all know what a crap carriers could load if it's on them. However that was one of the promises for Windows Phone 7 - no more bloatware. Now what are we seeing - the same s#it. For me pressing the search and bringing Yahoo, 360 (Orange users knows what I mean) or whatever is utterly annoying, especially there is not a way for changing that.
It has always been known (since the first leaked documents on WP7) that the carriers and the OEMs can, indeed, change some aspects of the phone.
However, they are VERY limited in what they're allowed to do. I didn't think they could change the search button, but I did know that they could change the default search provider within IE.
Casey
I'd love to change it to google... Bing just doesn't give me what i'm looking for... it's really terrible for me...
Well, I did not read every letter of the "early leaked" docs about WP7, however I did read something like the following on many different sources: Windows Phone 7: Bing only default search option . So now, when it is already known this isn't exactly true, I am quite disappointed. I like the idea about sameness user experience on every device, but I am afraid it is now somehow compromised with substitution of the default search in IE.
evilangelic said:
I'd love to change it to google... Bing just doesn't give me what i'm looking for... it's really terrible for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For my job I need to use a search engine at least 5 times a day. I find Bing to be awesome! I find google to be so boring and depressing.
I would be really unhappy though if Yahoo came up every time I clicked search.
I guess your only choice is to click home first before search whenever in the browser
AceofSpades25 said:
For my job I need to use a search engine at least 5 times a day. I find Bing to be awesome! I find google to be so boring and depressing.
I would be really unhappy though if Yahoo came up every time I clicked search.
I guess your only choice is to click home first before search whenever in the browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a live tile to google front page lol
Most carriers really irritate me. As if it wasn't enough to rip us off, and cap our broadband. They go and install their crap on our phones too!
I'm fairly confident that eventually we'll be able to flash generic WP7 ROMs to carrier-modified devices to avoid these stupid types of things. It'll be a while though, seeing as WP7 is brand new and not necessarily attractive to the usual breed of hardcore 6.1 / 6.5 modders and cooks on xda-developers.
For now, if I ever have to search while I'm in IE I'm first hitting the Start button and then Search.
Really, I hope users can do this themselves with ease, I am not a huge fan of Bing... Although it is a million times better than Yahoo xD.
AceofSpades25 said:
Most carriers really irritate me. As if it wasn't enough to rip us off, and cap our broadband. They go and install their crap on our phones too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.
I think carriers need to stop putting their rubbish on OUR phones. It would also be nice if they remove the internet caps too
On the HD2, when in Opera browser, you can type in the URL field opera:config and get access to a lot of the browser settings. Maybe there is something similar for ie on the HD7 to change the search engine????
Also that is not all O2 have changed. They have removed the option to use voice search when using bing. Normally you would hold the windows button down and say "find cash point" for example.
Even the people tab has been changed as when you click on a contact's address, you should be taken direct to the address on bing maps. Alas O2 decided to remove this feature too! That's THREE things thay have changed. Sucks
Boy i can imagine how much fun AT&T is going to have with the search button lol.
diego1985 said:
Boy i can imagine how much fun AT&T is going to have with the search button lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T has never been into those modifications, unlike Verizon. Mictosoft has taken care of the usual AT&T annoyances: their crappy preloaded modofied Opera Mini, TeleNav, MobiTV, and other associated bloatwares. WP7 doesn't sideload like droids so they don't have to worry about that. Captivate was actually decent, and they didn't do much to the Pre/Pixi.
I wouldn't expect any surprisrs, TBH.
Bing is a great search enging, though. I had it set as my homepage simce forever. Google even copied their image search UI. Bing Maps is good, as well.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Microsoft should pull all of their phones from O2 for their Bull***t
N8ter said:
AT&T has never been into those modifications, unlike Verizon. Mictosoft has taken care of the usual AT&T annoyances: their crappy preloaded modofied Opera Mini, TeleNav, MobiTV, and other associated bloatwares. WP7 doesn't sideload like droids so they don't have to worry about that. Captivate was actually decent, and they didn't do much to the Pre/Pixi.
I wouldn't expect any surprisrs, TBH.
Bing is a great search enging, though. I had it set as my homepage simce forever. Google even copied their image search UI. Bing Maps is good, as well.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's a relief I guess, with all the garbage they loaded on my Samsung Jack win mo 6.5 im looking for a upgrade without all of that crapware.
I had a jack. Crapware on winmo never bothered me because the OS has supported installing applications to sd cards since forever... Like nearly a decade.
Just had to remap a couple buttons on the phone, that's about it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
martoto said:
Well, I did not read every letter of the "early leaked" docs about WP7, however I did read something like the following on many different sources: Windows Phone 7: Bing only default search option . So now, when it is already known this isn't exactly true, I am quite disappointed. I like the idea about sameness user experience on every device, but I am afraid it is now somehow compromised with substitution of the default search in IE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bing IS the only search option on the o2 HD7. You press search from almost anywhere and you get taken to the bing search app.
What o2 HAVE changed however, is if you press search from WITHIN IE you get Yahoo. This is within the browser only.

A WM/Android User's Take

1st off this is not intended to be a flaming / bashing thread. If you want to do that please go elsewhere; I'm sure the vibrant forums will welcome you. If a MOD feels this belongs somewhere else, please move it.
I have been a long time WM user and recently switched to android for the past year. I am offering my take on WP7 on the pros on cons.
Interface - Finally something completely new and wonderful. Microsoft really did hit a homerun on trying to make information at a glance approach. Mail and search apps look beautiful. I thing missing, being able to quickly jump to apps in the app menu.
Lack of Landscape Support- For as great as the UI is I am shocked at the lack of landscape support. The start menu, app menu, nor Zune have lanscape support. You can not even refresh a webpage or type in a website if you are in landscape mode. Calling this anything other than an epic "FAIL" by microsoft is sugar coating it. Especially when the HD7 and Surround beg to be in landscape mode with their kick stands.
Browser - As expected from an IE browser it is pretty good. I already mentioned the lack of landscape support which is really frustrating but there is something else that gets under my skin more. Web pages do not resize to fit the screen when you zoom in. This was/is almost a deal breaking for me honestly. I love the organization of having all the buttons at the bottom and the interface is stunning but you lose way to many options in landscape mode. You can't even access favorites without first going back to portrait. MS, this NEEDS to be addressed soon. The browser is the main feature of smartphones now.
Zune - Wonderful if you have a Zune Pass. Honestly it was one of the main reasons why I bought this phone. I expected it to be awesome and it didn't disappoint. That being said they need to add a Play Now option to the market songs. When I'm browsing the market sometimes I want to queue songs and the Add to Playlist option makes sense but how could you leave out Play now? Seriously?
Another thing I don't like is I can not fast forward to a certain spot in a movie. Video files can be hours long, why should I have to hold the fast forward button to get to the point I'd like. Let me hit the progress bar and then use the rewind / fast forward buttons for getting to the exact point.
USB Storage Device- glaring admission, but I can kind of see why. It helps stop piracy, but I loved being able to hook my fuze / tilt 2 / nexus 1 / vibrant to my car stereo and play the music I had downloaded on my phone. I know I could get an audio cable and do the same, but while driving it is so much easier to use the radio head unit to control music rather than your phone. I knew this when getting in bed with WP7, but that doesnt mean I still can't miss it.
Bluetooth- for music works just like it should. however it will not play the audio from video files threw bluetooth. It keeps coming out of my phone's main speakers and there is no way to get into the bluetooth profiles to see if something is wrong. VERY ANNOYING MS. get to fixing it.
People- Wonderful. Could anyone ask anymore? I gave it my facebook and gmail accounts and I didn't have to worry about any contacts not showing up. Love the Facebook updates also.
Dailer- No smart dialer? This used to even be in my old wizard by default. How it get left out is completely beyond me.
Announced fixes- Flash, Copy & Paste, Turn by Turn navigation can't come soon enough but I am glad microsoft acknowledged they needed them.
Local Outlook Support- I knew this before hand, but I am in the crowd that says MS needs to add this ability.
Overall- I bought my HD7 without a contract and I am pretty sure i will NOT be returning it. I love my HD7 and WP7, however this OS isn't entirely complete. That being said was iOS and Android complete when they came out? To even suggest that is laughable. I can not wait for microsoft to release all the fixes for this OS because when it does it will be a powerhouse.
I will not buy that this phone is for dumbsmart phone users. I probably done more with my phones than 95% of android users who will do nothing by bash WP7 and i honestly see this for ALL users. It helps bring the powerhouse experience in an easier way without being tied down as much as iOS.
Why not just post in one of the other 50 threads? Now people will be copy-pasting replies from those into this one.
I did notice the lack of landscape mode in IE. I think that was the only thing that made me go WTF when I used the HD7.
However, the keyboard is so good that I don't think it even mattered that much.
I guess with a 3.7-8" screen it can be a bit annoying, but on anything 4" or bigger it didn't strike me as a big deal beyond the initial shock of it not being there.
Also, lots of people dont' seem to know the difference between an Operating System and an Application.
N8ter said:
Why not just post in one of the other 50 threads? Now people will be copy-pasting replies from those into this one.
I did notice the lack of landscape mode in IE. I think that was the only thing that made me go WTF when I used the HD7.
However, the keyboard is so good that I don't think it even mattered that much.
I guess with a 3.7-8" screen it can be a bit annoying, but on anything 4" or bigger it didn't strike me as a big deal beyond the initial shock of it not being there.
Also, lots of people dont' seem to know the difference between an Operating System and an Application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those threads became nothing but flaming / bashing threads. I thought it would be a good idea to try to get away from that.
Also a core application can be considered part of the OS. If you can not uninstall it, it is part of the OS.
I thought it was annoying not being able to get to the address bar with all that screen space.
I don't know about you guys but my Surround goes into landscape mode IE just fine...
The only thing I don't like is lack of landscape in marketplace and Zune...
also if you want a nice photo editor, Thumba photo editor for $.099 is awesome!
EDIT: Oh i see. I can't believe I have to switch to portrait to type a URL!! WTF microsoft!
jz9833 said:
Browser - As expected from an IE browser it is pretty good. I already mentioned the lack of landscape support which is really frustrating but there is something else that gets under my skin more. Web pages do not resize to fit the screen when you zoom in. This was/is almost a deal breaking for me honestly. I love the organization of having all the buttons at the bottom and the interface is stunning but you lose way to many options in landscape mode. You can't even access favorites without first going back to portrait. MS, this NEEDS to be addressed soon. The browser is the main feature of smartphones now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overall I agree with just about everything you said. Regarding the browser, I've noticed that certain areas of webpages are zoomed in more than others. For instance, on xda, the text of people's posts is HUGE compared to the buttons such as User CP, etc. at the top of the page. What I've found is a double tap in my area of interest on a page will zoom the page so that ONLY my area of interest is approriately sized. Then, when I want to switch to another part of the page, I double tap there and the page will resize, and so on. The text does not dynamically reflow a la Android, but I think it's a pretty usable system.
-R
jz9833 said:
Dailer- No smart dialer? This used to even be in my old wizard by default. How it get left out is completely beyond me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is voice dialing in WP7 not sure what you mean by smart dialer???
rruffman said:
There is voice dialing in WP7 not sure what you mean by smart dialer???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By going to the dailer and being able to spell "MOM" for example on the keys and it would automatically come up with the number for that contact.
jz9833 said:
Also a core application can be considered part of the OS. If you can not uninstall it, it is part of the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, what? No, it's not. It's a stock application distributed with the OS. It is not part of the OS.
By the Logic people can say "Android is buggy because the GMail client is buggy." or "Windows Mobile is buggy because the Opera Browser HTC bundled with the HD2 is buggy." or "Linux is full of bugs because the KDE in that distro is buggy as hell."
Every OS comes with a set of stock applications, but they are just that, and are usually updatable independent of installing a new kernel or driver stack on the device.
In any case, I've already said I agree that the lack of landscape mode is an issue.
I just wanted to make that distinction, because lots of people on this forum are incapable of doing it themselves.
N8ter said:
Lol, what? No, it's not. It's a stock application distributed with the OS. It is not part of the OS.
By the Logic people can say "Android is buggy because the GMail client is buggy." or "Windows Mobile is buggy because the Opera Browser HTC bundled with the HD2 is buggy." or "Linux is full of bugs because the KDE in that distro is buggy as hell."
Every OS comes with a set of stock applications, but they are just that, and are usually updatable independent of installing a new kernel or driver stack on the device.
In any case, I've already said I agree that the lack of landscape mode is an issue.
I just wanted to make that distinction, because lots of people on this forum are incapable of doing it themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
jz9833 said:
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree. Basically system is made of apps.
If email app built into it is buggy, we can say OS is buggy.
jz9833 said:
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesnt meam ur right and most people are ignorant in os design and the diff between an os and an app distributed with said os.
Obviously...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Doesnt meam ur right and most people are ignorant in os design and the diff between an os and an app distributed with said os.
Obviously...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then you are going to have to disagree with almost all people. This isn't a techy vs jock debate. These are apps which are built into the os and therefore part of the os.
But anyway this thread is meant for objective evaluation of WP7. If you want to continue this debate we should continue it somewhere else.
jz9833 said:
By going to the dailer and being able to spell "MOM" for example on the keys and it would automatically come up with the number for that contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use search in the people hub for something very similar. Admittedly not an exact substitute but it works well enough for me.
jz9833 said:
I have been a long time WM user and recently switched to android for the past year. I am offering my take on WP7 on the pros on cons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good post
jz9833 said:
USB Storage Device- glaring admission, but I can kind of see why. It helps stop piracy, but I loved being able to hook my fuze / tilt 2 / nexus 1 / vibrant to my car stereo and play the music I had downloaded on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this increase piracy? If the files you buy on Zune are locked down they can still do this even if there is a common store of files accessible as usb mass storage. Either by drm or by using isolated storage for those files.
jz9833 said:
Local Outlook Support- I knew this before hand, but I am in the crowd that says MS needs to add this ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do it this way, then you are working with two sets of data (email, calendar, tasks, contacts, etc.) neither of which is guaranteed to be up to date. I don't see why people think this is preferable to a server-based system.
jz9833 said:
I will not buy that this phone is for dumb smart phone users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully this will be true; I will keep my fingers crossed. Currently, as I see it, they are targeting people who don't understand what files are, and would be confused by files, and who believe that music consists of songs arranged by artists into albums. I.e. the dumb mass market.
CSMR said:
How does this increase piracy? If the files you buy on Zune are locked down they can still do this even if there is a common store of files accessible as usb mass storage. Either by drm or by using isolated storage for those files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cintent u purchase in zune have no drm..... The piracy statement is legit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
though given you just purchased for your zune account, you can then access it on zune desktop, and burn discs from there. so no necessarily correct.
however, what i think of a common storage area is a good idea. just have it so that the pictures, videos, music, documents are in a folder view for when you plug the phone into your PC. it would really only require a bit of mapping within the OS to make it look like a storage unit. Even if it was just more restricted down to just the documents section, that's still something. better than nothing imo as i don't have access to skydrive at work. but aye, i can live with it, it's not going to make me want to return the phone.
The Gate Keeper said:
though given you just purchased for your zune account, you can then access it on zune desktop, and burn discs from there. so no necessarily correct.
however, what i think of a common storage area is a good idea. just have it so that the pictures, videos, music, documents are in a folder view for when you plug the phone into your PC. it would really only require a bit of mapping within the OS to make it look like a storage unit. Even if it was just more restricted down to just the documents section, that's still something. better than nothing imo as i don't have access to skydrive at work. but aye, i can live with it, it's not going to make me want to return the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its 2001, people pirate with digital media. Cd piracy may still be hip in the third world, but I haven't operated a cd player in years (or used my computer to play one), much less bought or burned one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Its 2001, people pirate with digital media. Cd piracy may still be hip in the third world, but I haven't operated a cd player in years (or used my computer to play one), much less bought or burned one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how about an MP3 cd? to play in your car? to lend to a friend? or your USB stick? as soon as it's available on zune desktop you have a copy of it... there is plenty ways around it. i'm not saying you should do it, i'm saying the possibilities are there.
N8ter said:
The cintent u purchase in zune have no drm..... The piracy statement is legit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the files are not DRMed, and Microsoft wants to protect them, either it can DRM the files, or it can keep them in isolated storage. The existence of common storage doesn't exclude isolated storage.

I Pay you $150 USD if you..

First, let me explain my frustation:
I just cant deal the idea that MS screwed WP7 so badly when it comes about multitask. I cant have a decent chat with my friends in WhatsApp because when I leave the app and someone talk to me, I cant touch the Toast Notification because it will take about 5 seconds to reload the whole app. However, I could "just" hold back button and select the app with a choppy image in the card view to instant resume (which will take me 3~5 seconds too).
So, Microsoft hates multitask or what?
What I want: a hack, a registry edit that makes opening a Toast Notification or a Tile to resume the instance and bring me the app instantly.
If you can make this really works, I pay you $150 USD. And I mean it.
mikeeam said:
First, let me explain my frustation:
I just cant deal the idea that MS screwed WP7 so badly when it comes about multitask. I cant have a decent chat with my friends in WhatsApp because when I leave the app and someone talk to me, I cant touch the Toast Notification because it will take about 5 seconds to reload the whole app. However, I could "just" hold back button and select the app with a choppy image in the card view to instant resume (which will take me 3~5 seconds too).
So, Microsoft hates multitask or what?
What I want: a hack, a registry edit that makes opening a Toast Notification or a Tile to resume the instance and bring me the app instantly.
If you can make this really works, I pay you $150 USD. And I mean it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. You can send it over to me via Paypal.
No seriously. If you are interop unlocked just disable Dehydration with any registry Editor! It sits over at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\TaskHost\DehydrateOnPause. If you set that to 0, its faster with switching
It dont work when you open the app using the notification or tiles.. just using back button too.
Microsoft hasn't done anything to multitasking, just wait for WhatsApp to release a mango update that can handle the multitasking. I don't know if you noticed, but WhatsApp is lacking a ton of features. The developers just wanted to push out a release, they will fix it eventually. You must be patient.
Diablosblizz said:
Microsoft hasn't done anything to multitasking, just wait for WhatsApp to release a mango update that can handle the multitasking. I don't know if you noticed, but WhatsApp is lacking a ton of features. The developers just wanted to push out a release, they will fix it eventually. You must be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, WhatsApp is mango compatible. So are Wonder Reader, and many others. Every app has this problem. Gchat, Evernote and others.
At first I thought it was developer's choice. But it is the system.
The reason for this is quite simple:
A Toast has a deep link to the app, and therefore starts a new instance of the app.
I guess they didn't think about it, that this would be a problem. Or possible there are some issues in how developers had to change their apps.
So, sorry, I don't think you can change this at the moment (easily).
As a side note: AFAIK each app can specify to NOT launch a new instance when it is started and is already running. Though I think that is an option that is not allowed for custom apps. But I'm not sure about that and if so, maybe it will change some day...
Hades32 said:
The reason for this is quite simple:
A Toast has a deep link to the app, and therefore starts a new instance of the app.
I guess they didn't think about it, that this would be a problem. Or possible there are some issues in how developers had to change their apps.
So, sorry, I don't think you can change this at the moment (easily).
As a side note: AFAIK each app can specify to NOT launch a new instance when it is started and is already running. Though I think that is an option that is not allowed for custom apps. But I'm not sure about that and if so, maybe it will change some day...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, but why not resume when opening through tiles? And deep link is optional. So reload when it's deep link and resume when its not. Makes sense, I guess.
Either way, I want it to resume whenever I open the app.
Hope someone can find a solution to this problem.
mikeeam said:
Actually, WhatsApp is mango compatible. So are Wonder Reader, and many others. Every app has this problem. Gchat, Evernote and others.
At first I thought it was developer's choice. But it is the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I understand what you are talking about, once you click to open the application through a tile it reloads the application? To me, that makes sense. Quite frankly, I believe the iPhone behaves this way as well. You're telling the system to reload the application, so I guess if you look at it this way it could be considered a design flaw. However, I feel that this is how it should work.
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
I do agree with you entirely that toasts should resume the application, not reload it like you've stated. However, I haven't run into this issue so for me it doesn't bother me. It could be possible that it gets patched in the next update. Perhaps add a suggestion to the WP7 suggestion board.
Diablosblizz said:
I think I understand what you are talking about, once you click to open the application through a tile it reloads the application? To me, that makes sense. Quite frankly, I believe the iPhone behaves this way as well. You're telling the system to reload the application, so I guess if you look at it this way it could be considered a design flaw. However, I feel that this is how it should work.
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
I do agree with you entirely that toasts should resume the application, not reload it like you've stated. However, I haven't run into this issue so for me it doesn't bother me. It could be possible that it gets patched in the next update. Perhaps add a suggestion to the WP7 suggestion board.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, the next update should happen 5~6 months from now. If they change it, wouldnt be in a minor patch.
I understand your point, but hey, not hours after, maybe it could have a time limit to stay on memory. Like.. 30 minutes without using it, the OS kills the app. The only thing the OS is killing right now is me.
Not that I want one iPhone, but since you mentioned, iPhone resumes the app. Doesnt matter if you use the fast switch or the app icon to launch it. It just kill the app when you close it on fast switch menu.
This is the biggest issue by far in Windows Phone! The multitasking is extremely confusing.
I tried to explain it here: http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/f...285744-change-or-fix-the-back-button-concept-
but couldn't explain it really well.
Please, someone make a detailed suggestion of this on Windows Phone Uservoice (http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions) !
You will get 3 votes from me.
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136330
singularityduo said:
This is the biggest issue by far in Windows Phone! The multitasking is extremely confusing.
I tried to explain it here: http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/f...285744-change-or-fix-the-back-button-concept-
but couldn't explain it really well.
Please, someone make a detailed suggestion of this on Windows Phone Uservoice (http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/forums/101801-feature-suggestions) !
You will get 3 votes from me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not confusing. I understand it very well. It just works when you use the back button. If you dont use it, so you are reopening the app (when it is about third party apps).
Lumic said:
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136330
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didnt work for me.
Diablosblizz said:
I don't mean to troll or anything, but here's how I see it: If I go off and do something else on my phone and then hours later return to the application, I don't want that application to be stored into memory for hours on end, that will kill the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it doesn't kill your battery. Having the app in memory uses no more battery that not having it there. Also, the app IS stored in memory for all those hours on end as long as it's within the 5-app count.
WP does NOT do third-party multitasking, it does fast-app-switching. This means the app cannot perform any work in the background, hence it's not using any more battery.
I actually agree with the OP - if the app is already loaded it should be resumed. The OS is fully capable of doing so, they've [MS] just decided to not offer it to third-party devs.
emigrating said:
I actually agree with the OP - if the app is already loaded it should be resumed. The OS is fully capable of doing so, they've [MS] just decided to not offer it to third-party devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap, and why not implement? I mean.. what damages would it do? The system would be faster, without lots of loadings.
The titlet of the topic remain. I still pay for someone fix this dumb decision from MS.
emigrating said:
WP does NOT do third-party multitasking, it does fast-app-switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Probably the most disappointing thing about Mango.
The only phone that does true multitasking is the Nokia N900 and N9. Everything runs in the background just like a PC.
But there is no Whatsapp or anything similar. N9 only has Skype, Facebook Chat, Gtalk and SIP for chatting so far. (N900 has more but still no Whatsapp)
I also got really annoyed with my Omnia 7 and Whatsapp. It takes too long to load everytime.
I think Kik was a little better however. So I've been using Kik instead. (it's better of the 2 on WP7 so far)
Originally Posted by Lumic
I wonder if Resumable XAP works for this application...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1136330
It didnt work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was what I talked about earlier. Somewhat surprising that it doesn't work. But then I guess it is really not possible. As this is a quite fundamental change this means you probably have to wait until Tango or Apollo. Sorry.
jakiman said:
The only phone that does true multitasking is the Nokia N900 and N9. Everything runs in the background just like a PC.
But there is no Whatsapp or anything similar. N9 only has Skype, Facebook Chat, Gtalk and SIP for chatting so far. (N900 has more but still no Whatsapp)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be true but win 6.5 was true multitasking before Ihonne,N900...Try an HD2 and see for yourself...true task manager also...
I recently helped a friend to flash back to stock his HD2, I wonder how come for a pair on new shoes Microsoft had to learn how to walk again, ups I meant they are learning how to stand up-walking later, it seems...
You could try this;
Resumable XAP Tool v0.1 Release
I would think you could take that method to edit an already installed app to do it. With a file explorer, browse to the installation directory & find the file, "WMAppManifest.xml." Copy it out to your PC & edit it. Find the line, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />" & add "ActivationPolicy="Resume"" to it so it looks like this, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>." Now copy it back into the installation folder of your device & reboot. See if that works.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
You could try this;
Resumable XAP Tool v0.1 Release
I would think you could take that method to edit an already installed app to do it. With a file explorer, browse to the installation directory & find the file, "WMAppManifest.xml." Copy it out to your PC & edit it. Find the line, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" />" & add "ActivationPolicy="Resume"" to it so it looks like this, "<DefaultTask Name="_default" NavigationPage="PivotPage.xaml" ActivationPolicy="Resume"/>." Now copy it back into the installation folder of your device & reboot. See if that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No lucky here. Frustating.

Using WP beyond 6 months - Please comment here!

http://www.netbooknews.com/43643/why-i-left-windows-phone-7/
The reviewer here, left WP for Android after using it for 7 months.
Key issues that deterred here from using it beyond 7 months:
Lack of multitasking like Android where apps actually run in background
It did not connect to people as well as Android
Display resolution of 480 x 800
IE9 giving an error twice a month that - browser is out of date (new to me!)
Inability to share locations
You can't zoom in the maps (on pinned locations)
Can't share pics on Twitter (it's a **** experience -probably compared to iOS/Android?)
Now I for one know that I would disagree and can prove that those claims are wrong other than 3rd and 4th one as I've never had those issues. So they might be there waiting for me to discover it?
Anyone have similar issues after using the phone for more than a month or even better if you've used it over half a year!
Please don't troll.
drupad2drupad said:
Lack of multitasking like Android where apps actually run in background
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah he has a point there, although I think Microsoft's solution (toast notifications and Live Tiles) is better for the user and the battery life. However this limits the options of small developers.
drupad2drupad said:
It did not connect to people as well as Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drupad2drupad said:
Display resolution of 480 x 800
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least for WP7 every app runs on (almost) every device, the only thing that's missing from some devices in the front facing camera.
drupad2drupad said:
IE9 giving an error twice a month that - browser is out of date (new to me!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newer happend to me either.
drupad2drupad said:
Inability to share locations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can share locations on Facebook or using foursquare, WhatsApp etc.
drupad2drupad said:
You can't zoom in the maps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really know what that means, in the maps app you can zoom in.
drupad2drupad said:
Can't share pics on Twitter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, Twitter is built right in.
I have been using WP7 since April 2011.
slimshady322 said:
Yeah he has a point there, although I think Microsoft's solution (toast notifications and Live Tiles) is better for the user and the battery life. However this limits the options of small developers.
At least for WP7 every app runs on (almost) every device, the only thing that's missing from some devices in the front facing camera. You can share locations on Facebook or using foursquare, WhatsApp etc. I don't really know what that means, in the maps app you can zoom in. You can, Twitter is built right in. I have been using WP7 since April 2011.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you planning on moving away from WP anytime soon though?
A centralized notification area is definitely needed - probably within the 'ME' tile?
Never had any issues since Mango really, When I first started using WP7 on the HD7 early Jan 2011 I soon got bored with the lack of customisation as I had been using a HD2 and there was so much difference, I did go back to using my HD2 again but liked the new easy to use WP7 OS & after updating to mango I became more interested. I admit I don't fiddle with the phone as much any more but know it will do whatever I want when I want, Am happy with WP7 for now but eagerly await future updates to improve the few "lack of" features, I can't see me moving away just yet.
I personally do not agree with any of the issues listed and believe them to be false as far as useful experience. WP7 has been doing great for what I want and need since Mango and I actually have no plans to look at anything else. I use it for work as well and it fulfills it purpose and then some.
I have come from WM6 to Crackberry to this.
My family (4 of us) all have WP7 since VZW first released them and everyone is happy. I am the "IT" department for my family and we all came from RIMs and I have not had any "support" needs for the WP7 (same can not be said for RIM); it just works.
On a possessive note, as much as I grip and complain about WP 7; I have never had issues with IE 9 and find multitasking easy to use and don't see what people complain about. Twitter??? I personally don't use it on the phone nor the PC because it basically sucks. And about the display, well I see nothing wrong with it at all. There are so many other aspects of the phone that would have had made valid points for leaving WP which I will not bring up because I don't want to feed the troll/fanboys.
Been using it since Feb 2011. Am very happy with the platform and look forward to added functionality & features with Apollo.
I've not had any issues as he described. You can zoom in on maps. I've never seen that IE error. Sharing location is all over the place in WP and so is twitter sharing including pictures.
The resolution? Ok. Thats up to him if that is a platform killer. Can't argue with his preference on that.
Doesn't connect to people as well? Sorry I'm scratching my head here lol.
Apps running in background? Thats a preference as well, but I prefer the way MS has implemented it. When I was on Android it was a constant headache with stuff running my battery down when they shouldnt be running.
sinister1 said:
On a possessive note, as much as I grip and complain about WP 7; I have never had issues with IE 9 and find multitasking easy to use and don't see what people complain about. Twitter??? I personally don't use it on the phone nor the PC because it basically sucks. And about the display, well I see nothing wrong with it at all. There are so many other aspects of the phone that would have had made valid points for leaving WP which I will not bring up because I don't want to feed the troll/fanboys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THAT is such a change from your remaining posts through out the forum, thanks!
drupad2drupad said:
Are you planning on moving away from WP anytime soon though?
A centralized notification area is definitely needed - probably within the 'ME' tile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I'll stay with my LG Optimus 7 for some time. At some point I will upgrade and I will probably again chose a WP7 device, but before I upgrade I would like MS to provide an option to backup my LG Optimus 7 and transfer all the data to another phone. Even though most stuff is in the cloud, I have tree stars in every Angry Birds level and I don't want to loose that
But I agree with you that the notifications should be stored somewhere.
slimshady322 said:
No I'll stay with my LG Optimus 7 for some time. At some point I will upgrade and I will probably again chose a WP7 device, but before I upgrade I would like MS to provide an option to backup my LG Optimus 7 and transfer all the data to another phone. Even though most stuff is in the cloud, I have tree stars in every Angry Birds level and I don't want to loose that
But I agree with you that the notifications should be stored somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your wish will come true with Apollo as a 'total' back up is scheduled to be introduced. You will be able to back up 'everything' - unlike Android full back ups like Titanium where game scores are not backed up and neither are progresses!
Probably Apollo is where WP will stop 'catching up' and start adding things
That reviewer must be on some kind of crack or something. I have not had issues with anything that he has mentioned and I have used WP since march 2011 and used all the mango betas. Only issue I have is with the disappearing keyboard and that you can't upload from the browser. I would also want a backup solution,Skype and integrated public transit directions (already found a semi-integrated solution) to be 100% satisfied.
13 month user, I didn't like WP for a week, but never put my SIM back in my HD2..that's all I'll say about that ...
Sent from The ACSyndicate Tower using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
11 months Mozart user here, since changing to WP, i had lots of free time to do my reading due to i spent less (actually almost none) time on tinkering or flashing my phone...
IMHO, I prefer the way MS integrated the "FAKE" multitasking method which I found it very suit my taste, and I can have total control on which apps I gave permission on background task, feel like I had total control of the phone (don't flame me because I know that some others had a different definition on Full Control of their device)
I find all of his accusations false except maybe 9. I think he means auto sharing location. There is some app i've seen peeps complain about because windows phone will only report your location automatically if it is in the foreground. From a security standpoint though, i'd be glad it doesn't but if you like that kind of app i guess that would be an issue.
The rest is BS. I've been using Windows phone since i got my surround for 180.00 off ebay (wasn't sure if i would like windows phone and my contract was up soon so i didn't want to waste my upgrade in case i didn't like it.) I used my upgrade to get a titan and my wife uses the surround to play games and use facebook. (she has a flip phone and didn't want to pay for data even though i swear to her i can shut the data off... i just got a purple case coming in from ebay so i may sway her )
i dont have any problems of them maybe the problem is the girl who tested DD
I have been using WP for a year. I still have my Nexus One that I used to use while travelling for Wifi hotspot and Navigation reasons. Mango and Navigon have resolved these issues. I still miss the notification tray/center and I sincerely hope WP gets it soon. Those who have used Android will vouch for me about importance of a good notification system.
Having said that, WP is my daily driver. The one thing that WP offers, that Android lacks, is the peace of mind. With Android, it was flash a ROM every week. Most of these ROM upgreades were not for features but for stability or improving some feature that google didn't integrate properly. Android reminds me of my WM days. Powerful but not a stable, cohesive experience.
I plan to stay with WP at least till beyond Apollo. I am curious to see how they integrate Windows 8, Xbox and WP8.
ive admitted only had my windows phone a week but after a serious play over the weekend when ive not been working - videos, photos, borwsing, messages etc.. you name it.
my only gripe is the volume/vibrate with no optin for silent and no vibrate.
Tother than that - coming from my HD2 which had been modded, my Titan seems very polished and smooth.
The article is BS, the only valid point is the screen resolution one.
[
my only gripe is the volume/vibrate with no optin for silent and no vibrate.
.[/QUOTE]
go to settings/sounds and ringtone/ set vibration to off
then on home screen you can toggle between ring and "silent"
pakure said:
my only gripe is the volume/vibrate with no optin for silent and no vibrate..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go to settings/sounds and ringtone/ set vibration to off
then on home screen you can toggle between ring and "silent"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true, but it is a far from optimal workaround. Changing that setting doesn't just affect silent mode, it affects both ring and silent mode. I think what Symondo is asking for is a way to conveniently toggle between ring+vibrate, vibrate-only, and complete silence without resorting to opening the settings app.

First time with....well everything almost.

I've been with Sprint for almost 9 years now, and before my Evo 4G in 2010 all I had were the old Nextel i95's...so needless to say I'm at a complete loss with WP7. I tinkered and tailored with Android ROM's for years now and have loved a lot about the OS...but I just couldn't pass up this deal for the Lumia 900 on AT&T. I'm beyond satisfied after having set everything up and loving how tightly knit and integrated a lot of the features are. But I still have some questions:
1) Can i screen capture with the stock rom? I don't want to have to unlock this phone (That was one of the reasons I left Android, you needed to unlock to do ANYTHING)
2) Are there any apps beyond the 3 that use a double tile? Is this a setting somewhere that I'm missing on? Kinda like resizing widgets?
3) Are there different themes, beyond the color switching pallete, that can be used with WP7? And while we're at it, is there a different lockscreen or anything else that can be done from it besides unlocking it? (Such as unlocking to text, email, custom app?)
4) What's up with the notifications disappearing after a while before I get a chance to check em? Is there a way to check them besides going to their respective clients to see what I missed?
5) Can you guys point me towards some alternative apps or settings to replace some of the stock feaures?
6) Besides having to login to AT&T all the time, is there a different way to monitor my data usage? A simple app perhaps?
7) Oh and how could I forget....do I have to go all the way to the settings every time to see what the percentage on my battery is? I found a couple threads saying that you have to unlock the phone for this feature but I refuse to believe that something this simple needs a workaround like that.
Thanks in advance guys, loving this OS and looking forward to some of the changes.
1) Unfortunately not. Most screen captures you see on the net are done using the development software.
2) Tiles sizes are determined by the developers. I wish there was a way of making them single or double too.
3) The colours are the only customisation you can do right now without unlocking the device other than changing the lock screen. The lockscreen I like, as it unlocks to the "desktop" when there is no notifications but if you unlock it as a notification happens then it will take you the application required to see the notification.
Also for some awesome lock screens go to the deviantart website.
4) This is my one and only gripe with WP7. Having said that after unlocking the notication is either facebook or twitter (the only ones not shown on the home screen) and both of those show on my "ME" tile. So really if I want to see anything I missed I go to the "ME" tile and slide across to notifications.
5) What stock features do you need help with?
6) Im not on AT&T and my phone provider has an app to do this so I would be contacting AT&T about this.
7) They do not show a % because its not very accurate I think. This is something I at first hated but I don't care that much any more. This is not like my Samsung Galaxy II which wouldn't last a day. I usually get over a days use out of my Lumia so I don't have to look all the time and be worried. When the love heart goes on the battery I know its getting low but still I have HOURS left.
In terms of number 5 I just meant is there an alternate keyboard, browser, gallery, search feature/marketplace etc. Not that I have a problem with any of these (although I do miss haptic feedback on my keyboard) I just wanted to know if there were alternatives.
EDIT: I do have a problem with ONE of those things I mentioned. The marketplace...it seems too cluttered and feels like the phone is always zoomed in with the way everything looks...but that looks like it was done on purpose.
You.can get two off your list with a Developer unlocked device. Think of it this way. Nokia is giving you a $100 credit because of the data issue. Use it to purchase a legitimate Dev key from Microsoft. Can sideload apps, and also develop with it.
1) can do it with homebrew Screen Capturer app.
2) Only Microsoft or OEMs can develop double wide tiles.
3) Need to have an interop unlocked device to add colors, etc. More involved than dev unlocked and not yet available for the L900.
6) The AT&T myAT&T app will give you the info you need. Nokia is also releasing a data tracking app. Coming soon.
7) Homebrew Battery Meter app. Updates a Live Tile every 10 minutes. Pretty accurate. Good history charts.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
There are a few other browsers and such but they are all just front ends for the existing apps supplied with the device. There is also a few marketplace apps which you might find better. I use AppTastic every now and then purely as it shows what's on sale. There might be an app which I don't think is worth $5 or $6 after the trial but would happily purchase to support the developers for a few bucks.
iiDeadSeriousii said:
In terms of number 5 I just meant is there an alternate keyboard, browser, gallery, search feature/marketplace etc. Not that I have a problem with any of these (although I do miss haptic feedback on my keyboard) I just wanted to know if there were alternatives.
EDIT: I do have a problem with ONE of those things I mentioned. The marketplace...it seems too cluttered and feels like the phone is always zoomed in with the way everything looks...but that looks like it was done on purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are alot of the things that are different. Can't/Won't say if its better because thats a personal choice. I've grown to love the look and feel now. So has my daughter...but my son hates it. I gave them both 2 weeks to like it or I would buy them their next phone. My daughter converted...my son did not, and did not want new phone. But, with that said, there are some things I miss from Android....not much, but some. I do wish Live Tiles were a touch more customizable. I wish I could have some more color schemes instead of the just the current ones. I'd love to have a Black/White and/or Grey/white combination of colors also.
Otherwise....its a matter of just trying and getting used to it. I think it took my daughter 3 days to get used to the tiles and groupings of the hubs and what they are designed for. Her original list of must haves went away....
Thanks for all the help guys, yea I figured that most of my complaints/issues could only be solved with an unlock phone but I figured I'd ask. I've got another question, do apps auto update or do I need to manually check em every time?
Your marketplace tile will have a number on it showing the number of updates available. So no you never need to go check but you do need to initiate the update manually when you see that there is some waiting for update.
Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.
iiDeadSeriousii said:
Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know if someone mentioned this, but you're in the droid mentality right now. Like Apple, alot of the framework is locked down. Even with sideloads, alot of the framework is not available. HTC Hub is one of those. MS did not want that kind of screen and they don't allow it. WP is based on Live Tiles and they are sticking with it...for now.
You can change the lock screen pic by going to settings and Lock+Wallpaper. You can change the timeing settings and the picture. If you have a picture you want to use, go to your pictures hub and simply long press on the pic, use as wallpaper is an option.
But mostly, do not expect alot of hack/modding on these phones. For the most part, most of Windows phones, were Android phones at 1 time...ie the Samsung focus line. HD7 was the HD2 line which has been successfully ported to Android and WP7. If you want android type functionality in terms of look and feel...probably not gonna get it here. Of course, I could be wrong....but...who knows.
iiDeadSeriousii said:
Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have answers for all of these, but here's a few (and fwiw I agree
with alodar1). But before I begin, not sure if you're aware of the Marketplace online (http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/marketplace) - might make searching easier as you're starting out.
1) "Settings Tile" is 1 such app (I don't use these, so I can't recommend which one to install, but I've seen this one recommended... *shrug*) http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/102014a6-156e-4604-8f1a-2a86e4edf191
2 & 3 don't know, sorry
4) TestMyNet works decent: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/a25ec139-fc33-4571-9425-cf031a3312bb
5) No, sorry (I had it and never really used it...)
6) Answered above =)
You may also want to check out 'AppFlow' (http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/578ef361-c265-46b7-b6f4-63cbd7fbefe0) or some similar application recommendation app.
alodar1 said:
Dont know if someone mentioned this, but you're in the droid mentality right now. Like Apple, alot of the framework is locked down. Even with sideloads, alot of the framework is not available. HTC Hub is one of those. MS did not want that kind of screen and they don't allow it. WP is based on Live Tiles and they are sticking with it...for now.
You can change the lock screen pic by going to settings and Lock+Wallpaper. You can change the timeing settings and the picture. If you have a picture you want to use, go to your pictures hub and simply long press on the pic, use as wallpaper is an option.
But mostly, do not expect alot of hack/modding on these phones. For the most part, most of Windows phones, were Android phones at 1 time...ie the Samsung focus line. HD7 was the HD2 line which has been successfully ported to Android and WP7. If you want android type functionality in terms of look and feel...probably not gonna get it here. Of course, I could be wrong....but...who knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I realize I still kinda am in that mentality. It's just there's so many little things I took for granted that I never realized were there until this happened. I love this platform so far though, I have no major complaints, just small issues with it. But thanks for the tip, yea I know about the HD2 cause the first thing my brother did when he got that a couple years ago was have me put Gingerbread on it lol. I'll stick with what I've got for now tho, this is a ridiculously smooth experience and if I've gotta make some sacrifices, oh well. I still get everything done that I want throughout the day...I just wished some apps were better supported.

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