Related
From @windowsphone on twitter: http://newwp.it/i6NfzI
On the last page there's this question, "What, if anything, would you change about your Windows Phone 7?" Bombard away with what MS needs to be working on (file management or at least local document sync, direct Outlook sync, etc.) Please make sure what you guys write is thought out and most importantly, grammatically correct.
* Give us an official support page and a contact number for issues
* Clear outline & timeline of future updates
* More frequent updates and force carriers to deploy them in maximum of 45 days
* Enable to use own MP3 ringtones
* Sync directly to Outlook
* Allow tethering
* Turn by turn navigation for Australia with better maps
* Allow unlocking of the device for a one of fee! Only charge per year when someone wants to submit to marketplace
janemanno1 said:
* Give us an official support page and a contact number for issues
* Clear outline & timeline of future updates
* More frequent updates and force carriers to deploy them in maximum of 45 days
* Enable to use own MP3 ringtones
* Sync directly to Outlook
* Allow tethering
* Turn by turn navigation for Australia with better maps
* Tom Tom,Garmin etc GPS compatible software
* Allow unlocking of the device for a one of fee! Only charge per year when someone wants to submit to marketplace
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen to all of these.
Just changed one thing for every other country.
More recent hardware, and I am in.
agp64 said:
Amen to all of these.
Just changed one thing for every other country.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed
Zune Pass in australia. Our zune hub isnt very pretty without it
Well, I would like to see multitasking, some options on the right of the home screen, let's say a button, that would open a line of Wifi on/off and etc., Copy paste, better browser. And what's important- update devices, give more info about the updates, what is coming and when
janemanno1 said:
* Clear outline & timeline of future updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, remember a little thing called "Longhorn" (aka "Vista")? So many promised features and released dates missed. I doubt you'll ever see anything other than vague descriptions and nebulous dates, Microsoft has been slapped around too much in the past for missing promises.
My comment:
- SkyDrive if you dont have sharepoint in the officehub.
- More reliable push notifications.
- Expanding Facebook integration with ability to send private messages from the message hub to facebook and other services... but this will probably not happen so hope the fb app gets better with notifications.
I would love to have a bug free ZUNE , it is crashing all the time and sometimes with BSOD'S
Turn-by-turn voice nav
User selectable ringtones and sounds
User created email folders
More themes and UI customization
Screen capture
Copy & paste
A good one:
http://wmpoweruser.com/the-art-of-stalling/
doministry said:
A good one:
http://wmpoweruser.com/the-art-of-stalling/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is unremarkably sad. I didn't know it was that serious.
That is unremarkably sad. I didn't know it was that serious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you mean remarkably sad?
And android wasn't the same way at launch?
I purchased the HTC Magic on launch day from Rogers.. Android market wasn't made available to us in Canada until roughly 5 months later..
I didn't get turn-by-turn until aprox a year or so later..
No voice search until ...what...3 updates which took roughly a year and half (1.5, 1.6...2.1)
They day I dumped my HTC magic I still didn't have local search.. unless I opened a browser and went to Google.CA and specified my city in the search field.
WP7 wil catch up eventually, it's still a baby OS compared to the others. Android didn't really become great until after 2.XX
I agree with other with the timeline business. I'd like to see that as well.
I just put a CDMA version of WP7.... It is about time we have the option of getting one.
Things to change about Windows Phone 7
--------------------------------------
1) Password protection on email. This is needed when you hand your phone to someone to check out or use and don't want them to be able to just click on your email while that happens and read private emails.
2) The marketplace should have an option to download first and install later. This is because public wifi or data plans in general are not nearly as fast as using your local wifi. You might pop into a coffee shop or mcdonalds to try some new apps on the go and you want to maximise your use of the wifi while you are there to get through the download queue. Installing/unpacking can take quite a long time but that can be done when you are no longer connected. This also aids in saving on limited data plans. With this approach, if there is no more space currently left to unpack the queue should move on and unpack successively but keep downloaded packages on the device to be installed later once the user frees up some more space.
3) Better managaement of marketplace download queue. I have had stuck downloads before, particularly at pending or corrupted downloads that were stuck at the installing phase. You should always be able to cancel or retry something. These options only come up when "attention is required". Queue reordering is also a strong "nice to have".
4) Better Management of phone download history. For example, when I restore a phone I don't want it to queue up literally everything I have ever "purchased", especially many trial or free apps. There should be a special "restore" queue for indispensible games/apps that you do want to automatically redownload when this happens.
5) Better lock phone i.e. android combination swype. The current 4 digit system is too easy to see over the shoulder and easily brute forceable, even more so if someone remembers only some of the digits.
6) Complete application data/isolated storage sync. Anytime you are at a local computer or connection to sync, you should have an option sync the latest application data for example news feeds and media as well. This way data connection apps are still useful in places without a connection i.e. subways. I understand this is a major feature just by itself
7) VPN options
8) Local file management/drag and drop.
9) Ability for Zune to play and organise media by folders with 8 implemented.
In general I think WP7 should be stronger with local/isolated storage features and not be so cloud dependent. The combination of cloud + local services will be a killer combination. In addition I think WP7 should be going after Android's #2 spot right now and not iPhone which it currently cannot compete with. Android has many weak spots including lower requirements on apps and games resulting in weaker quality when compared to WP7, lack of SD installability for many apps. and generally unpolished "iphone knockoff" feel. Secure #2 spot for now, which will be a good base to attack iPhone from. WP7 is already superior to Android in UX now and can gain quickly in app diversity and features.
Right now the OS feels like a beachhead but a strong one. There is good work, but unpolished and incomplete but the war can still be won. Keep fighting the good fight
The bottom line is that if MS wants this OS to fly for real, in the long term, they need to get their act together.
stillriza said:
I think you mean remarkably sad?
And android wasn't the same way at launch?
I purchased the HTC Magic on launch day from Rogers.. Android market wasn't made available to us in Canada until roughly 5 months later..
I didn't get turn-by-turn until aprox a year or so later..
No voice search until ...what...3 updates which took roughly a year and half (1.5, 1.6...2.1)
They day I dumped my HTC magic I still didn't have local search.. unless I opened a browser and went to Google.CA and specified my city in the search field.
WP7 wil catch up eventually, it's still a baby OS compared to the others. Android didn't really become great until after 2.XX
I agree with other with the timeline business. I'd like to see that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what I hear you saying, any company that puts out products should not consider the current state of the industry? What should Apple do with the next iPhone? Put one out without all the current features and then migrate those features into it over the course of a year? Or how about the car companies, they should put out cars without navigation or high tech stereos or computer aided engine controls and just migrate those features into them over the course of a year?
Far be it from MS to stay up with even itself on new products and put out a smartphone without the current state of the industry features. Let them put those features in over the course of a year...or two. It's unwise to bring a mature product to market. People might begin to expect that kind of thing. Bollocks!
My feedback on the online survey:
-Current phone - WM 6.5
- Next phone - (i) Android
(ii) Other- Windows Mobile, if it is revived , will be preferred over Android
Suggestions:
(i) I don't like the Homescreen, it should be more customizable and at the very least the tiles
should be resizable.
(ii) There should be a favorite people hub with the option to pin a contact directly to this hub from
the contacts list (tap and hold on contact should give at least 3-4 options viz. pin to favorites, pin
to start, edit & send)
(iii) After device purchase, the user should have the option to replace the homescreen with an
approved one from reputed developers(I will prefer a solution from SPB software).
(iv) There is too much scrolling in the program list, option of grid view should also be there.
(v) Size of headings too large in the hubs. The headings should either be in a background layer or
they should Auto Hide after somtime and be replaced with blinking arrows on the left/right edges of
the screen.
(vi) File Explorer + Multitasking.
(vii) Office applictions should be more powerful.
(viii) Availability of powerful Calendar & Task management applications like pocket informant.
(x) Revival of Phone/End hardware buttons.
Forgot to add - (xi) Revive Smart-dialling
(xii) Bring back outlook sync
MartyLK said:
So what I hear you saying, any company that puts out products should not consider the current state of the industry? What should Apple do with the next iPhone? Put one out without all the current features and then migrate those features into it over the course of a year? Or how about the car companies, they should put out cars without navigation or high tech stereos or computer aided engine controls and just migrate those features into them over the course of a year?
Far be it from MS to stay up with even itself on new products and put out a smartphone without the current state of the industry features. Let them put those features in over the course of a year...or two. It's unwise to bring a mature product to market. People might begin to expect that kind of thing. Bollocks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you.. but what I was saying is Android was the same way. Apple already had a pretty good grip on the market at the time Android launched. As per what you mentioned above.. it was clear Android didn't have a grasp of the then current state of the market. Several updates later.. and look at them now.
Basically, any company that puts out a product should consider the current state..but sadly that just doesn't always happen. The phone is pretty complete to I would like to say 70% of the general phone using public. It seems MS had targeted the OS to those switching from 'dumb' phones, if you will, to smart phones. The only people who are really hurting would be the power users. The updates will come.
Some of you may have seen it on youtube/google/tech-sites, but i just wanted to show you guys how to disable this new "Metro", to be able to see the original "taskbar" as seen in Windows 7 (so you don't need to put effort into finding how to disable it)
Its as simple as making a Registry (regedit.exe) change.
This hack need's to be performed on each user (if u have multiple users under Win8), due the "HKEY" is "Current user".
Method 1:
Manual set:
Start "regedit.exe"
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
- Set RPEnabled to "dword" value "0" (zero)
Method 2:
Auto set (DISABLE Metro) (save as ".reg" file):
Code:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"RPEnabled"=dword:0
Auto set (ENABLE (default)):
Code:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"RPEnabled"=dword:1
Method 3:
CMD set (DISABLE Metro):
Code:
reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /f /v RPEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0
CMD set (ENABLE (default)):
Code:
reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /f /v RPEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1
Method 4: (as ref posted by agnard):
>Administrator mode needed
CMD set (DISABLE Metro):
Code:
ren \Windows\System32\shsxs.dll shsxs_disable.dll
CMD set (ENABLE (default)):
Code:
ren \Windows\System32\shsxs_disable.dll shsxs.dll
> Last but not least, restart Win8.
- Oh, and i almost forgot: FIRST THREAD @ dev & hack!!
lol
But why? it's freaking sexy
btw isn't there an executable you can rename in /system32 to disable Metro?
Sexy if you use a tablet, otherwise I think it is useless
Thanks. BTW - the file should be saved as .reg not .bat
i personally like the new metro ui. i hated win8 at first but once i got the hang of it and learned how everything works... lets just say i formatted my hard drive and this is now my daily driver. i havent had any issues. everything works.
I don't really get why there is no normal setting to use the original taskbar layout as default. Working with the metro interface on a 27" desktop pc just feels as unnatural as using media center...
I dont see what you're doing here... there's a normal taskbar in win8 without doing any crazy reg hacks. just click on the desktop tile on the start page.
as far as I can see so far, metro ui is only there to replace the start menu, and some system programs (like control panel, etc.)
Sorry, but I just don't see it becoming popular in corporate environments and on desktops. It's the best interface I've ever seen on tablets though.
Volvados said:
Sorry, but I just don't see it becoming popular in corporate environments and on desktops. It's the best interface I've ever seen on tablets though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TOTALLY agree. though i dont know how much of real dev work will take place. Just a bit skeptical
Well this is a developer preview so developers can build their new metro apps.
This isn't meant to be used in offices as a primary productive system. The Metro UI might very well be disableable (is that even a word?) in the RTM.
Lemcott said:
I dont see what you're doing here... there's a normal taskbar in win8 without doing any crazy reg hacks. just click on the desktop tile on the start page.
as far as I can see so far, metro ui is only there to replace the start menu, and some system programs (like control panel, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need this hack to get the windows 7 start button to work like it should so you can quickly navigate your applications, otherwise the start button takes you back to the tile...and right now tiles are basically useless clumsy clutter links to applications...
and why can't you use the mouse to grab and move the tile screen is beyond me..you are forced to use the slide at the bottom of the screen
germanh said:
Thanks. BTW - the file should be saved as .reg not .bat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, fixed.
planet_x69 said:
You need this hack to get the windows 7 start button to work like it should so you can quickly navigate your applications, otherwise the start button takes you back to the tile...and right now tiles are basically useless clumsy clutter links to applications...
and why can't you use the mouse to grab and move the tile screen is beyond me..you are forced to use the slide at the bottom of the screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noticed this too. I know its a developer preview, but really m$? No dragging?
the twitter app on mines is not working. does anyone else have this problem? and is there a fix for this?
I think that having the metro UI in the current user is a great thing. That way for personal use you can have the metro UI but when you need mote business oriented use you've got a user profile set with the hack to disable it.
I think its a great preview and I really like it so far. Loving the no new drivers needed thing, unlike my last run'ins with windows x64 dev builds
A easy way to disable the new UI is to change a file in system32 folder:
give the file shsxs.dll in system32 a new name, like shsxs.bac.dll, and restart win8
agnard said:
A easy way to disable the new UI is to change a file in system32 folder:
give the file shsxs.dll in system32 a new name, like shsxs.bac.dll, and restart win8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that on x64 version
Thx
Sent from my GT540 using Tapatalk
planet_x69 said:
You need this hack to get the windows 7 start button to work like it should so you can quickly navigate your applications, otherwise the start button takes you back to the tile...and right now tiles are basically useless clumsy clutter links to applications...
and why can't you use the mouse to grab and move the tile screen is beyond me..you are forced to use the slide at the bottom of the screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You actually don't need this hack for the feature you are describing.
If you press Start (or are already in the Metro UI), you can just begin typing and you will get a list of apps/settings as you would in the 'old' Start-menu.
Thanks it's great.
nothing like "hacking" the OS instead of learning how to use it properly lol
Free & useful apps for Windows 8.
There are a couple of small apps for W8 on a few sites around the Web. I stress they are not my work, any credit needs to go to their authors.
But you can hit the thanks button for putting them all in one place for you!
.zips attached at the bottom
1. Metro UI Tweaker
Add apps to Start Menu, Power Settings
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/metro-ui-tweaker-windows-8-released
2. Start Menu Tweaker
Switch between 7 and Metro start menus.
http://windows8startmenu.codeplex.com/
3. Blue Poison
Themes, downloads & activation, including a new Office build (development).
http://www.windows8italia.com/2011/05/windows-8-bluepoison-official-download.html
If downloading and activating the Office development, through Blue Poison, it may be password protected.
PWord = windows8italia
.zips at the bottom.
They all work well.
Oh, and hit the thanks button, Ta.
Problems / Praise?
Anyone else know of available tools that can go on here?
Post below.
Very useful
Thank you man
i can't seem to make the office 15 installer in windows 8...
There is a 32/64 bit requirement for the Office, not sure which though. Head on to windows8italia for further info.
Whenever I download it directly to my tablet it takes three hours to get to 70% and then finishes soon after that.
Then when I try to open it, it says something is corrupted.
Has anyone else had a similar issue?
No, there's a Problem with Office 15 on Windows 8 only - on my Windows 7 (32 + 64 Bit) it's working.
thank you
stepthehen said:
Free & useful apps for Windows 8.
There are a couple of small apps for W8 on a few sites around the Web. I stress they are not my work, any credit needs to go to their authors.
But you can hit the thanks button for putting them all in one place for you!
.zips attached at the bottom
1. Metro UI Tweaker
Add apps to Start Menu, Power Settings
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/metro-ui-tweaker-windows-8-released
2. Start Menu Tweaker
Switch between 7 and Metro start menus.
http://windows8startmenu.codeplex.com/
3. Blue Poison
Themes, downloads & activation, including a new Office build (development).
http://www.windows8italia.com/2011/05/windows-8-bluepoison-official-download.html
If downloading and activating the Office development, through Blue Poison, it may be password protected.
PWord = windows8italia
.zips at the bottom.
They all work well.
Oh, and hit the thanks button, Ta.
Problems / Praise?
Anyone else know of available tools that can go on here?
Post below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, update the link for BluePoison --> http://www.windowsblogitalia.com/2011/05/windows-8-bluepoison-official-download.html
Guys, I cannot seem to properly RUN Blue Poison, It actually Runs, and identifies my Win8 CP version correctly, but THEMES Tab, has all themes washed out, and nothing happens when I click any of them.
Do I have to enable the HACKS first?
Willy318is said:
Guys, I cannot seem to properly RUN Blue Poison, It actually Runs, and identifies my Win8 CP version correctly, but THEMES Tab, has all themes washed out, and nothing happens when I click any of them.
Do I have to enable the HACKS first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same for me along with there being nothing in the hidden features tab. Any suggestions?
joeshmoe08 said:
same for me along with there being nothing in the hidden features tab. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dido, helps, i cant even look at the hidden features
Shalom to you all!
I've developed a small application I've always wanted - RandomRingtone.
When I owned a Symbian-based phone, I had this little app that changed my ringtone after each call.
Unfortunately I couldn't find a way to know if you've just finished a call or not, so I had to use a background agent instead.
This app will select a random ringtone from your Custom ringtones, and set it as your ringtone. This will happen once every thirty minutes or so.
Version history:
0.1 - 13/04/2012
Initial app release
0.2 - 20/04/2012
Added option to set Toast notification
Revamped UI
0.3 - 10/7/2012
Upgraded Root Tools version to 0.2.1.0
Added ability to Randomize SMS Tone
Bugs squashed
Future updates:
Ability to randomize from built-in ringtones as well
Release of source code(It currently looks like a mess, I'll probably make it pretty and release it soon)
New Icon
Choose which Ringtones to randomize from Ringtones list
Currently tested on:
Omnia 7
HD7
Focus
I really hope this works on other devices, but since I have no way of checking, I'd be more than happy for your feedback if this worked on your device.
This app uses the Root Tools SDK developed by Heathcliff74, and I thank him for that.
This also means you need install Root Tools SDK and give this app permission, or use a full rooted ROM.
Enjoy!
Shalom
Cool app, appears to work great on my HD7.
Thanks
great!
Thanks for this...
I have a suggestion... Is there a way to allo0w the app to update daily instead of every 1/2 hr?
again thanks man... Bout 2 start using... jejeje
will give it a shot
mapaz04 said:
Thanks for this...
I have a suggestion... Is there a way to allo0w the app to update daily instead of every 1/2 hr?
again thanks man... Bout 2 start using... jejeje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion - I'll consider it for a future version.
If I will add this, you won't be able to select a specific time. You'll have the ability to select a timespan in which the ringtone will be updated.
On Samsung Focus it seems to have an issue. It selects the same selected ringtone every time.
I have 8107 with WP7 Root Tools.
When you open the app and click "Randomize", does the program select the same ringtone as well every time?
Yup the same ringtone.
Since I don't have Focus, I'll need you to check something.
Go to WP7 Root Tools and open these two folders:
Current User\ControlPanel\Sounds\CustomProtectedRingtones
Current User\ControlPanel\Sounds\CustomRingtones
and check which ringtones you have there.
Screenshot could be even better
Current User\ControlPanel\Sounds\CustomRingtones is empty and screenshot attached for Current User\ControlPanel\Sounds\CustomProtectedRingtones
That's... a bit odd. are you sure the windows phone settings page displays all the other custom ringtones you added to it?
Two more tests:
1) open WP7 Root Tools again, but this time go to "explorer" and check these folders:
My Documents > Ringtones
My Documents > My Ringtones
2) Go to the Settings on your Windows phone, and select a custom ringtone which was not displayed in the registry test.
Now open WP7 Root Tools and navigate to this registry entry:
Current User\ControlPanel\Sounds\RingTone0
and paste here the value of the "Sound" entry.
Ok Figured it out. I had only one custom ringtone. Added few more and now its fine. Cheers!!!
Hey there
I'm usually on the Android side of things, but I really want WP7 to be a bigger success here on XDA and I thought your app here was goofy and fun...so I wrote about it!
http://www.xda-developers.com/windows_phone/randomize-ringtones-on-wp7/
I hope you enjoy my little write up keep up the good work. If I had a WP7, I'd definitely have this installed.
Thanks for this Post!
I definitely hope it'll make awareness for Windows Phone. It's a pretty sleek thing, and a fine alternative to iPhone.
BTW, you forgot to mention this in your post - This app is only available to interop-unlocked phones, meaning ones which you can use functions that Microsoft don't usually allow.
Plus, it needs root access to the phone which is done through a little tool called "Root Tools".
People should know the homebrew community in WP7 is gaining speed these days!
New version released, some bugs squashed,
Hope you'll enjoy this a bit more now!
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.