All Things Windows Phone - Apps, Phones, and Discussion

Honestly, I haven't seen a WP7 phone in the wild. I think the main appeal right now is that a WP7 phone is fairly exclusive - and I do mean exclusive in the sense that very few people are actually buying them. Sometimes exclusivity is the result of extreme unpopularity.

Going back into the early 2000s, Microsoft made a really big push with Windows CE, and yes, there were early smartphones, or should I say cell phones with PDA functionality. Back then, the main competitor was Symbian. It wasn't a complete waste of time, since there are probably a lot of barcode scanners that still run Windows CE and Microsoft did manage to finally kill Symbian - by giving Nokia a huge pile of cash. Shameful, isn't it?

 

Android will still be my primary phone OS, and is my favorite... but I am still extremely excited for WP7 for many reasons. As far as where it fits with iOS and android, it fits as an iOS alternative-- offering a similarly controlled, polished and fluid experience.

For me, I have always hated iTunes, and the iOS experience has been stale for a long time to me. I do not like the simple grid of icons approach, and also how iOS is basically a glorified app launcher. I just do not think the OS has aged well, and Can't see it changing much since apple has such a huge install base. Features will be added to iOS which each version, but I believe the core experience will say the same, and IMO that is pretty boring.

With WP7 Microsoft created a legitimately new interface and OS, with a lot of innovative ideas. With Mango the live tiles will finally be a lot more useful, and will serve as a type of unified system that acts kind of like widgets/ iOS push notifications. I personally just love how fluid mango is, as well as the hub approach (people, music+videos, xbox live) versus the more isolated individual app approach in iOS.

Further, I personally like the zune software much more than iTunes, so if I am going to be stuck with one piece of software to manage my hardware experience I would much rather it be the zune software. I just think going forward microsoft will continue to innovate and change the OS more rapidly than iOS will, partly due to the smaller install base.

Overall, I personally am excited for WP7 because it offers a polished experience that isn't iOS. iOS is a great, feature packed and continually evolving OS, but IMO at it's core it is pretty stale.

 

I think WP7 devices do offer a very slick and coherent interface, albeit with relatively few equally-well-supported apps. In addition, WP7 is beginning to take advantage of tighter integration with Windows desktops. To me, that would be the holy grail of WP7 devices: if they are able to seamlessly interface with files (especially documents: given that MS designed Office, it would be nice to see a great, well-designed WP7 Office suite as well) and media on my computers for when I am on the go, that would be a big sell.

One big downside at the moment, though, is that WP7 hardware isn't all that impressive. The latest Android phones are more powerful, have better screens, etc.

 

I saw a bunch at Microsoft WPC. Didn't win one though - that's about the only way I'll get one.

I liked my Windows Mobile phone back in the day (that's what got me started on Brighthand) but I'm not so sure WP7 has staying power. I'd love it if it did.

 

Excellent info as usual! Thanks!

 

This is a clever move IMO.

 

I hate the bloodsuckers, but AT&T has their HD7S for $29... much better than it was yesterday at $99.

 

I ended up getting the HTC Arrive anyway because I needed a phone for work right away, and it feels just like my Zune HD as far as the menus and everything goes.

Only annoying thing right now is the charging port is on the bottom side with the keyboard open, but other than that I'm quite happy to have a phone I can actually do stuff on now

Now to figure out how to stuff a Mango on it...

 

Just an update..

I am still using the Omnia 7 as my primary phone, and I am really enjoying WP7. Can't wait until most of the apps are updated with better live tile support and multitasking support.

The Omnia 7 will be my primary device until the next Nexus is released. I'm sure it will continue to get a lot of use after as well... wp7 really is a great OS.

 

Someone really needs to do something new/different with WP7 because if what HTC are producing and what Nokia seem to have planned is the best that's going to be released, MS may as well just send WP7 the way of Kin...

 

I know right. Microsoft is letting the OEM's kill it. That giant 4.7" HTC phone only has 16GB of NAND with NO microSD slot. The microSD slot is what's killing it for me. That's why I got the Focus.

For a phone with a 4.7" display and 1.5GHz processor to be deadlocked at 16GB of memory is a crime.

 

The Titan's not so bad ( though the screen res and RAM let it down a lot IMO) but the Radar?
It's like they're just releasing the same phones as before with new names - and it looks like Nokia's wares are going to be equally uninspiring ( told you so...).

 

There's only but so much you can do with a phone that hasn't already been done.

I wouldn't mind one of those Nokia phones though, especially if I could get a green one

 

nokia ring tone contest for the next windows phone 7
i do like the idea of sharing with people the creation of windows phone 7
Create the next Nokia Tune – win big | Nokia Conversations - The official Nokia Blog

my next phone will be from nokia
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Shocking! /s

AVG Security Suite For Windows Phone Pulled By Microsoft

 

Microsoft investigating AVG antivirus Windows Phone app | WinRumors

Microsoft pulls AVG antivirus Windows Phone app from the Marketplace | WinRumors

 

Microsoft (or should I say carriers) has started pushing out Mango updates to the phones today, at least Sprint is pushing out updates; my Arrive's updating right now :3

 

I haven't noticed anything for our Samsung Focus yet.

 

You might have to connect it to your computer; I was just going to add songs when it alerted me to updates D:

 

Congratulations Bro
im still waiting :SLEEP:

 

Update took about 20 minutes to do (there were 2 but that might be because I never updated it apart from when I first got it last month).

The multitasking will take some getting used to since I actually can use it now; I think it would have been better to have to hold down the Start button to bring it up but whatever works. Custom ringtones works nicely once you figure out how to do it, not the simplest thing in the world to do, but easy enough if you know what you're doing. How to get Custom Ringtones into Windows Phone Mango

Intergrated Windows Live Messenger and Facebook chat built into the Messaging app is pretty useful though. I'm glad to have my custom ringtone back

 

I've been running the Mango beta for a while on my Omnia 7. Just plugged my phone into the Zune software... and the Mango update is available.. installing now. I guess I don't have to roll back to NoDo.

I am still loving WP7. I will definitely continue to use my Omnia even after I buy the Nexus Prime

 

thats good news we need more windows phone users since its really great os to use

i just updated my focus to mango \0/

 

if anyone want to see a feature for the version or update for windows phone 7
you can submit your feature in here
Customer Feedback for Windows Phone

 

Amazing Notification Center CONCEPT by Yanko Andreev

 

WP7 sure is a beautiful OS, even in concepts.

 

If they ever made a Galaxy 5 inch "tablet" like the Galaxy Player 5 I'm getting, I'd probably spring for it. I actually like MS products, and WP7 looks great. Just don't need a phone.

 

That notification center concept is drop dead gorgeous. <3

 

I actually don't like that concept. Looks too much like HTC sense to me.

 

So, if Nokia can't seem to stir up something this week, IDK what to think about WP7 anymore. I feel as though Microsoft is smothering itself.

All I can say is this week should say a lot for WP7's future. What do you guys think? I mean I LOVE the OS... so far. But they seriously need to let it breathe a bit. It's getting a bit stale.

 

I completely agree, they've also got to get it more into people's hands. Hopefully those mango handsets will have a advertising push behind them.

 

I keep saying it - Nokia are incapable and anyone expecting them to make any difference to WP7 is fooling themselves.

This week?
What else is coming?

 

to people who "care" or interested

it will start selling in UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Spain in November..

Hong-Kong, Russia, India,etc before end of this year. Nokia Lumia 710 coming to Hong-Kong, Russia, India,etc before end of this year. US availability next quarter and LTE phones in first half of 2012

710 Lumia








800 lumia








Specifications and comparison between Nokia lumia 800, nokia lumia 710, Htc Radar, samsung omnia w






Nokia Lumia 800
Nokia Lumia 800 - first hands-on video - YouTube

Nokia Lumia 710
Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone 7.5 smartphone live hands-on - YouTube

Nokia Purity HD Headphones


Nokia Purity HD Stereo Headset by Monster - Rocker - YouTube

Nokia and Windows Phone and Xbox integration
Hands on: Windows Phone and Xbox integration - YouTube

Nokia City Scene
Nokia City Scene (Nokia Beta Labs) - YouTube

Nokia Lumia 800 ad
Nokia Kinetic Labs Concept - YouTube

 

Nokia's flexible user interface prototype

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more nokia lumia 710 first hands-on

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Nokia Drive hands-on on the Nokia Lumia 800

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Nokia Music on the Lumia 710

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I really dont understand why you feel the need to impose your hatred of Nokia on everyone else. Sure, you hate their products but that doesn't mean that those of us that like their hardware are "fooling" ourselves. I am excited to see what they will do in 2012, as I like a lot of their older hardware.

 

because he is android fan what else every step forward for wp7 increase the rage o meter
he can troll in wp7 topic but others cant they get banned

 

Eh... no need to toss out the fanboy comment. Step knows a lot about phones, I just don't understand the nokia hatred.

 

Nokia Pulse. The New Way to Check in.

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Nokia World: Kinectimals demonstration video

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I want a green one

 

I wanted a pure White one, similar to the white N9.

Sidenote: Why isn't this the Lumia 710? Why do concepts always have to be drop dead sexy while the actual device is just not quite there...

 

I am still hopeful that this is the rumored 4.3 inch device set to come out this year. With the US release of nokia's phones pushed back to next year, I am sure we will get a new flagship. I really hope they release a device similar to that, as it is gorgeous.

That being said, I am perfectly content with my Omnia 7 and my soon to be galaxy nexus

 

With the limited controls on a phone...I have to constantly ask myself...with 'dual-core' and 'quad-core' graphic chips coming out...do we really need that much of power for something this small?

Mr. Mysterious

 

The Galaxy S II already has a quad-core GPU. It's been the first to competently handle Android with elegance.

WP7, on the other hand, can do perfectly fine with Adreno 200 graphics... which still amazes me. Android on that same hardware is sickeningly laggy at 95% of tasks. WP7 sails through smooth as silk with the same GPU.

 

It's hardly hatred, it's a mere statement of fact.

Ever since it was announced Nokia would be switching to WP7, there has been a quite unrealistic expectation from some people that they will make some sort of telling difference, that they will produce a handset or a number of handsets that will have a significant impact on WP7's fortunes.
I on the other hand have been warning that any such expectations would end up with people being sorely disappointed and, to be fair, so far I'm being proven right.

There's nothing compelling about the two Lumia handsets, no new special feature or function that will draw in customers that previously had no interest in WP7. People who had no interest in say the Omnia W or the HTC Titan are hardly going to be enamoured with the Nokia WP7 handsets.
Even the Nokia name will have minimal impact.


As for my imposing myself, I was replying directly to a comment of HAL's.

 

IMO, though, you're confusing personal opinion with fact...

Nokia will undoubtedly sell quite a few of the Lumia handsets, since there's only two, and IMHO they're the best looking ones so far (aside from the Omnia 7). The Omnia 7 has a design that just works so good on so many levels. Nokia's new design language is "fun" though, and a LOT of people will like that. They definitely have their demographic, which is probably the crowd that buys a device based on it's looks. That's a big market, especially (and sadly) in the US.

I have to admit, though, that the N9 is the most underrated handset I've ever seen. Beautiful in design, beautiful UI, powerful OS, pentaband 3G... it deserved to be Nokia's saving grace... and I believe it could have worked.

 

LMAO...

lumia - English Translation - Word Magic Spanish-English Dictionary

 

Am I though?
Is it not a fact to say that the Nokia handsets bring nothing new to the table?

You said yourself you're worried about the direction WP7 is headed in. Do you really, honestly believe that the two Nokia handsets are going to significantly change that?

I never said they wouldn't sell, I just don't see them selling well enough to make any significant difference to WP7's overall market-share.

Obviously I can't speak too much for the US but I don't think that will sway too many people.

For a start, whilst a lot of people are worried about the way their phone looks, I still don't see that factor alone persuading people to switch to an OS they otherwise potentially have no interest in/getting them to leave iOS or Android or Blackberry or whatever they already have and like.

Also, even if you are in the market for a WP7 handset, why take a chance on a company that has spent the last few years running itself into the ground and producing a succession of sub-par handsets when you have the option of an identically-specced Samsung or HTC?
Nokia's brand image is really poor within the smartphone market and a lot of people have been stung by them in the past, that's never going to be easy to turn around.

 

Lumia is a form of art
The Art of Lumia

also elop said it mean "new dawn"

 

True, except for the sat-nav part, which is nothing big at all really.

Yes. I believe that for Nokia this will mean significant change. Worldwide? Not so much probably, but it will bring Nokia back into relevance for most normal people. All they have to do is see a nice looking, smooth performing handset and they'll associate that with Nokia... even though there are other WP7 devices, none of then have the "fun" factor. Matter of fact, most are pretty boring in the looks dept.

And as much as I feel Microsoft is smothering themselves, most people don't keep near as close a tab on things as we do. They'll see something smooth running that gets updates and they're all over it.

I do. The only two smartphone models they have, aside from the dead N9, are WP7 models. Nokia will be pushing these hard because it's crucial to their relevance. Samsung on the other hand, could stop selling WP7 handsets tomorrow and never see a blip in the financials. Nokia will be pushing these in volume, and that's what WP7 needs.

As much as I thought they were underwhelming, most people won't think that.

Just try to put yourself in a woman's or teenager's perspective. They'll go immediately for the colors. I've watched a great many of my adult friends do just that also. They buy it because they like the color, then they just get another or several more in different colors for their family.

I think Nokia is targeting the younger/first time smartphone buyers, or the crowd that's eager to try a WP7 device. The former has no ties to any OS, where the latter is well aware of the move's potential side-effects.

It's only because of their software. Symbian was a train-wreck on touchscreen devices at the time. Their hardware was always solidly build... VERY solidly built. I still remember my E71 from a while back. Considered "smart" at the time, the thing was a tank. Handled drop after drop after drop... still works now. It's in my desk drawer. The N900 was a beast of a phone, even if it was only built with nerds in mind. The N8 has a camera that's almost second to none even today, and the N9 is probably one of the most well built devices I've held... very solid and sturdy. HTC uses nice materials, but their fit and finish is really sub-par. Samsung is Samsung... all plastic non-unibody, and extreme thinness and lightweight.

Another thing was battery life. My E71 would last almost 5 days on a charge.

If the Lumia 800 is anything like what I think it is, build quality wise, it's going to make a LOT of people very happy campers.