Windows Phone 7

[woodyear99]

I'm curious, in the Android thread it was asked what it does best. I'm wondering what is that killer thing that only Windows Phone does or does better than everybody else.

[MessiaaH]

I'm currently in the process of making a comparison chart between WP and Android.
As i go through my daily usage im comparing features and apps, listing what each does better than the other.
I'll defer you to the list once posted on the android thread later tonight. will post it here as well.

I was going to post it after 2 weeks of use, but after 2 days i think i've completed my analysis.

[phoenix31tt]

besides the apps... natively windows phone does alot of things much better than both IOS and Android

1. Messaging hub:

allowing you to message linked contacts (facebook, msn, linked in, sms) all within one thread. so if im msging someone on msn and they go offline, i can continue the threaded conversation in sms or facebook right in that same thread as if i didnt switch messaging platforms.

2. office hub:

all your classic desktop office apps (word, excel, powerpoint, onenote) in one location synced with your skydrive or sharepoint site. and its not just that it offers this, but the way in which its offered really makes you feel like you can never miss a beat when u leave your computer or office.

3. people hub

with the flick of a finger you can instantly see all your contacts statuses, updates, walls, twitter feeds etc from across facebook, linked in, twitter, and windows live. you can filter to see only the social updates you want, you can group contacts so you only see updates from these particular people (akin to google+ circles maybe), and you can respond, post etc right from there... all without launching a single app so load time only depends on your internet speed.

4. me tile

this is the personal version of your people hub. all updates that are personal to you appear on this tile.. if somebody posts on your wall you will get an update on your me tile, without launching an app you can simply check what is the update etc


those are just some of the unique features that jump out at you when you start using a windows phone. and in keeping with the above another very unique feature that only windows provides is the simple ability to consume content without ever launching an app, and it does it more efficiently than widgets etc. So you have a basketball app and you want live score updates... no problem with live tiles all you do is pin the app to the start page and ur tiles are constantly updated and show you updates without touching your device. you can also have multiple live tiles per app if the app supports it, so if you are monitoring multiple games pin multiple games and get your instant updates.
you have a group called "work" pin that to the start page and all updates are flashed perioidically in that tile, so if you someone sends you an sms, that will flash in the live tile, if another sends u an email, same thing.

as i said, thats just a quick breakdown.. can get into it more later on

[woodyear99]

I'm sure modders will find a way to get upgrades on various phones if not officially supported...

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Windows-Phone-7.x-Windows-Phone-8-Upgrade-Windows-8-apollo,news-14348.html

Sounds like current and upcoming Windows Phone 7.x devices won't receive an upgrade to Windows Phone 8 "Apollo."

Consumers who currently own Windows Phone 7 devices may not see an upgrade past 7.x, as there's indication that Microsoft won't distribute a Windows Phone 8 upgrade to past, present and future 7.x devices. The revelation arrived during Mobile World Congress this week thanks to Terry Myerson, the Corporate Vice President of Windows Phone, while speaking to the financial analyst community.

According to ZDNet , a participant in the meeting asked Myerson whether there will be forward or backward capability between Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo). But rather than confirm or deny that existing Windows Phones are compatible with the Apollo release later this year, Myerson danced around the question and talked about app compatibility.

"We haven’t announced Windows Phone 8, but in terms of I can show you our goal to all Windows Phone 7 applications will run on Windows Phone 8," Myerson said. "Application compatibility is always something, where there’s always stuff on the fringe…. The spirit is our goal that all Windows Phone applications today run on our next release."

Additional sources claim that Apollo won't be pushed to existing Windows Phone users. The decision may be based on carriers and/or Microsoft itself. If that is indeed the case, consumers who purchase a Windows Phone 7.x device just before Apollo’s release won't receive any new features save for what apps bring to the table. They'll also be locked out of the unified experienced that Windows 8 promises for multiple devices.

"Statistically speaking, no Android phone gets upgraded," Myerson said during the meeting. "None. Ever. They have big bugs that don't even get patched. That's what we're seeing statistically out there. In the case of Apple, they ship OS updates to hardware that makes it unusable. It's a great hardware sales tool, as far as I can tell. Install an OS that makes your hardware unusably slow so you feel compelled to go back to the store and buy a new piece of hardware."

He added that consumer expectations of updates can be a "landmine," and that Microsoft plans to be clear about what consumers can expect in that particular area. He then took another shot at Apple, saying the company has created a "great hardware upgrade incentive system." Yet to some degree, Microsoft is seemingly doing the same thing, forcing Windows Phone 7.x owners to purchase a new Windows Phone 8 device if they want to enjoy the full multi-screen One-OS-To-Rule-Them-All experience.

"The most familiar UI for people worldwide will be Metro very soon," he said. "And that's great for the phone business."

[phoenix31tt]

funny thing is... when you read the article, u realise the heights of speculation involved.. the woman didnt confirm or deny but yet still they say it sounds like current devices will not be supported lol...

in either case their were also some rumors regarding 1st gen devices not being mango compatible.

if its an operator decision then yes, most definitely the update will be able to be forced on devices without any mods (i've never followed the update cycle.. all my major updates were forced by running an exe)

either way, i'll wait till MS confirms or denies to study that.. everything outside of that will be treated as speculations

[Doomtack]

I usually say that all phones usually can do pretty much the same things.
But one thing i've always found about my windows phone is that the transition from using non touch screen phones, to the WP7 has been a very natural one. The interface, and buttons/layout make it that much easier to use a touch screen than the other touch screens i've used.

The big thing that made me get one is;
I'm a Microsoft technology and .Net developer. So developing apps for the WP7 is my main concern, and the fact that I can write my own apps for it easily is pretty nice.

Look out for the app that i'm working on in the next 2 months or so

[woodyear99]

Look out for the app that i'm working on in the next 2 months or so

Oh cool care to share what the App is about?

[Doomtack]

Sorry, i can't.
NDA

But u guys will get a heads up as soon as I can release info

edit:
It's related to services you can use in Trinidad. (tied to a bigger, web/desktop application which will be launched with it)

[woodyear99]

Hehe understandable. Hope it has a successful launch.

[captainchris]

Sorry, i can't.
NDA

But u guys will get a heads up as soon as I can release info

edit:
It's related to services you can use in Trinidad. (tied to a bigger, web/desktop application which will be launched with it)

ME ME ME!! I KNO I KNO!!!

[MessiaaH]

Feature	HTC Titan (7.5 Mango)	Samsung Galaxy S 2 (Android 2.3.6)
UI & Usability	Win : + Easy + Intuitive + User Friendly + Fast & Fluid + Optimized for speed of use. + Superior auto-correct when typing. + Superior typing speed and experience	Loss : - Complicated - Confusing + Heavily customizable + Pretty when customized
Build Quality	Win	Loss: - Brittle & Flimsy - Poor hardware button layout.   (Opposing Volume and Power buttons lends to   accidental volume change when turning on/off phone.)
Battery Life	Win: + Unplugged @ 6am and lasts till 12pm the following day on average use (3hrs music playback, Frequent checks of news reader, frequent checks of emails, multiple im conversations, multiple phone calls, onenote and cloud access, various app use) Heavy use makes it to 12am the same day. (Gaming / Lengthy phone calls)	Loss - Unplugged @ 6am, sim card inserted at 9am and usage started.  Battery warning @ 3pm same day on low use. (No music playback, minimal checks of email, average im conversations, multiple phone calls, various app use) - OS takes control of brightness settings when battery is low and cannot be overridden to use phone normally.
Unlock Screen	Win : + Fast + Fluid + Unlocks and goes to msg if notification was tapped then screen unlocked.	Loss: - Slow - Laggy - Ugly + Unlock and go-to  new message.
Email	Win: + Separate Mailbox Shortcut Notification (Extremely important for my needs) + When open inbox, unread indicator on live tile is removed. (Helpful when you receive tons of emails, and you only want to read a few, but also want to quickly be visually notified of new emails without having to remember how much new emails u had the last time u viewed them.)     .. Only shows new mail count since the last time you've opened the inbox.  (Extremely important for my needs)	Loss: - Poor Layout - Sluggish pinch-to-zoom - Poor readability - Ugly - Cant setup non-google accounts without sim inserted. - Extremely slow loading of mails when your inbox is huge.
Stability	Win: + Rock solid, on for weeks	Loss: - Email app crash on day 1 - Various app crashes. - Contact widgets were randomly emptied on multiple occasions, having to add each contact back to homescreen manually. VERY FRUSTRATING! (Happened 6-7 times over the period of 2 days) - Phone randomly unjoins merged contacts.
Multitasking	Loss: - True multitasking of 1st party apps only. - Third party apps are suspended or utilizes background agents for audio, notifications and live tiles	Win: + True multitasking of all apps.
Messaging	Win: + Integrated WLM/FBChat + Fast fluid and reliable + Linked consolidated threaded messaging with fast msg service switching within the same thread.	Loss: + Integrated gtalk - Unreliable FBChat - WLM does not support multi presence sign on. (Signs out all other msn locations when in use)
Cloud Storage	Loss : + Skydrive	Win: + Better DropBox Support
Document Management	Win : + Native Office Suite + Better document editing and viewing	Loss
Picture viewing	Win: + Pictures hub = Complete Pwnage	Loss
Cam / Share	Win : + Superior UI + Faster view of snapped pics (slide left to cycle pics taken). + Superior focus and image quality. + Dedicated hardware button	Loss : + More sharing options : ability to share to installed apps, skype, whatsapp, etc. - Horrible default focus on small text. (Essential in my field to quickly take pictures of Service Tags/Serial Numbers/ mobo-chipset, etc)
Contact Management	Win : + Automatic contact linking + Social network integration on contact card (view fb updates, albums etc via contact). + Pin contact groups to start and get aggregated live updates on missed calls/emails/im/social/etc for group members only. + Quickly call pinned contacts using a 2 tap process.	Loss : - Manual linking of contacts required. - Too many steps to quickly call contacts via widget, dedicated call to number widget can be used, but makes for duplicate contact widgets on homescreen, not efficient. + Some communication apps installed on phone are accessible via contact widget. Call skype via contact widget. Launch fb and go to contact page via widget.
Notifications	Win : + Configurable aggregated notifications for specific contacts + Live tiles offer dynamic per app notification + Message preview of incoming instant messages which can be easily dismissed to view other incoming im messages without the need to open IM app / Messaging Hub.	Loss : + Notification center allows viewing of all notifications in 1 place.
Gaming	Win: + Xbox Live	Loss
Music Management	Win : + Automatic and wireless syncing of music via managed software (zune) + Playback controls accessible from volume keys.	Loss : - Playback controls not accessible when notification tray is full. - Problems getting phone to connect to PC to add music.
Social Integration	Win: + Social networks (fb,twitter, etc) fully integrated into the core of the operating system providing fast fluid access to important and frequently accessed information. (Social Apps used to extend functionality for powerusers that require more features than provided by core integration)	Loss: - Limited social network integration
Apps:	+ Superior UI, Faster, Polished, Live Tile Integration,     User Friendly, Better All-Round Quality	Better 1st Party support of won apps.
Facebook WhatsApp IDMB Aamazon TeamViewer SoundHound MusicSearch Skype Youtube Kindle Manga Reader Sonos & Homeseer News Reader Podcasts Voice Recording	Win Win Win Tie Loss (No App) Tie Win (Bing Music Search) Loss (Beta App) Tie Win Win Loss Win Win Win	Loss Loss Loss Tie Win Tie Loss (SoundHound) Win Tie Loss Loss Win Loss Loss Loss

Summary:

The Windows Phone Advantage:

Fast, Stable, Reliable, Superior Social Integration, Superior chat experience, Superior Email experience and integration with exchange servers, superior music experience, Intuitive, User Friendly, Full Office integration, Xbox Live, Superior Camera experience, Superior app quality and polish.

The Android Advantage:

Heavily Customizable, Larger Apps Library.

Final Thoughts:

I really wanted to like android, and in some ways I kind of do, but at this stage it feels more like a beta product, with frequent app crashes, having to monitor and maintain resources on the handset, and unreliable messaging experience. If ICS addresses these issues, it would be a more appealing platform. For the most part, everything Android can do, WP can do, with the excerption of a few features. These features do not outweigh the benefits WP provides.
My previous opinion of android was that it’s a Hot Pile of Steaming Garbage.
Having used the phone as a daily driver, that opinion has been somewhat changed.
On one hand I now see android as a viable platform for the users that wants a customizable experience and access to a large library of apps.
On the other hand the stability issues keep me from recommending it to anyone, and reinforces my opinion of it being a steaming pile of cow down.
If ICS addresses said issues, android IMO would be a solid alternative to WP, though the WP advantage is to great to give up.

Results:

Surprisingly enough, the issue that caused me to get an android device in the first place has actually been addressed by using the GS2. Call quality, dropouts, missed calls, etc, all these issues, have been resolved. So I guess the digicel techs were right in saying that phones not tested on their network give problems. Said phones happen to be Iphones and Windows Phones. Lol.
What a way to bully customers into android. Ah well, LIME here I come.

Issues Illustrated:

[TriniXaeno]

damn, that's a very comprehensive comparison

now lets see WP7 vs BlackBerry (jk)

[phoenix31tt]

Microsoft reps claiming Windows Phone 8 definitely coming to second gen handsets, probably to first gen

http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-reps-claiming-windows-phone-8-definitely-coming-to-second-gen-handsets-probably-to-first-gen/

[MessiaaH]

lol @ blackberry, was contemplating getting ah iphone for ah 2 days and adding it to the list.

[W1nTry]

I think the iPhone should fair better, but we won't know till you do it.

[MessiaaH]

I think the iPhone should fair better, but we won't know till you do it.

i think it should fair better too, but 1. most of d areas wp win is exclusive to wp, so doh think d iphone going to hold up much in that department. and 2. d 3.5" screen on d iphone annoys me to no end. Ill never use a device with such a small screen regardless of how good it is. So when i comparing it, ill have to add in a screen field, and judge d other aspects independently. 2012 and 3.5" screen flasgship device? thats just retarded.

[W1nTry]

Retarded @ 3.5" screen is ur pov, personally I don't want a phone with a 'large' screen' I detest a LARGE phone that buldges out of my pocket, or that I have to use a clip on for, or that I have to buy ANY kind of external accessory to carry. I believe that tho you will undoutedly use it as a -ve in ur possible review, that not everyone will share that sentiment and thus appreciate if the review is not too biased because of such.

[MessiaaH]

Retarded @ 3.5" screen is ur pov, personally I don't want a phone with a 'large' screen' I detest a LARGE phone that buldges out of my pocket, or that I have to use a clip on for, or that I have to buy ANY kind of external accessory to carry. I believe that tho you will undoutedly use it as a -ve in ur possible review, that not everyone will share that sentiment and thus appreciate if the review is not too biased because of such.

I know, that's why i said ill include it as a separate point and review everything else individually unaffected by the screensize.

[W1nTry]

Then we look forward to the review. I for one am very interested in a WP7 but am not ready to make the jump. I had hoped the lumia 710 would have been the determining factor but it hasn't wowed me unfortunately...

[Spazosaurus]

Agreed @ unreliable fb chat and to an extent, worse battery life than competing platforms. When it comes to exchange email, android gets it ok but surely not as good as MS does. Everything else you listed is purely subjective. Very true to you, but subjective nontheless.

Also remember, this is Samsung's take on Android, not google or other manufacturers.

Stock android, particularly ICS and HTC's Sense is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, imo.