All Things Windows Phone - Apps, Phones, and Discussion

I subscribed to Zune about a month before getting the phone and was blown away by how good it was. Having a portable Zune player was actually one of the principal reasons I got a Windows Phone instead of an iPhone or Android phone.

Zune is great for me, because I tend to like a lot of new music (and I like whole albums, not just a song here and a song there), but I tend to tire of them. Thanks to Zune, I'm now listening to more new music AND spending less per month on music. Very attractive user interface too. Two thumbs up.

 

So it looks like the Lumia 900 is WP7's big splash into the mainstream. It's gotten very positive reviews for everything besides camera quality (where the Titan II knocks it silly), and sales numbers are unprecedented for a WP7 device:

No Denying Strong Lumia Debut at AT&T - Forbes

It looks like the Lumia 900 is going to lead the vanguard in bringing WP7 to the mainstream.

 

Has any of the carriers actually pushed out the 8107 update? I just did a manual update on my Arrive last night, wasn't too hard to do. I'm liking that my music doesn't pause anymore if I flip up the screen at least, I haven't noticed any of the other changes, except the keyboard doesn't disappear anymore at least, or not as much.

 

Verizon has pushed 8107 for Trophy just a few days ago. Lumia 900 will likely get it with the "data connectivity" bugfix in a few days due to the way Windows ☠Phone updates work.

Of course, that leaves the other handsets on AT&T just hanging like before (unless they shockingly do the right thing and push 8107 to the others) and even verizon's delay in pushing out 8107 is inexcusable and they should hardly be applauded for doing something they should have done months ago.

Dunno about how good T-Mobile has been in terms of updates.

 

The HTC Arrive is on Sprint, and I hadn't gotten an update for it at all since Mango was first released, I was still sitting on 7702 >_>;

Oh well, we'll see what's broken later on down the road I suppose.

 

AT&T has already spent their "do-not-update/do-not-pass-go/no-$200". They're only allotted one, and they wasted it on something trivial.

 

I guess this is part of why I buy unlocked phones...?

I've decided to bite the bullet and stick with WP7. Buying a 900 when it rolls out here... and then seeing what's what with Apollo before re-evaluating a move back to iOS.
Not my ideal phone though - too big. I really don't see the point of a giant phone if your res isn't going up - I'm happier with WP7 res on a =<4" phone. However nothing else compact has decent specs, sigh.

 

Just in case this has managed to pass people by:

European carriers take shots at Nokia's Lumia line without leaving cover -- Engadget

Lumias aren't competitive enough, say European carriers - GSMArena.com news

 

Sadly I'd agree with that at this stage - especially how I buy, which is SIM-free. The Lumia 900 is €580 preorder from Expanripoffmerchants, and the 16Gb 4S is €630 from Apple. If we don't consider the iOS vs WP7 (for me, the latter works better) aspect, the hardware value quotient is definitely on Apple's side.

To be compelling even to someone like me, the 900 had to be priced at around the €400-€450max mark SIM-free. I'm assuming that Expansys aren't marking it up any more (as a percentage) than any other handset, and e.g.the Nexus - which is effectively as superior in terms of hardware as the 4S is over the 900 - is €430.

I don't have a choice right now since I didn't care for the Titan so probably wouldn't for the T2. Still, having it be a 'sticking with but under protest' choice for someone like me should not be a factor at this time if MS and its partners is serious about mobile.

 

Sources: current Windows Phone devices will not get 'Apollo' upgrade | The Verge

I just... IDK. This was supposed to be different than the broken update system of Android. If I had just bought a Lumia 900 I would be MUCHO MUCHO angry. This is the number one reason why Microsoft shouldn't be able to dictate what SoC platform the various OEM's use.

 

How else would you do it? Emulate the total Android chaos?

I think we should reasonably expect the Apollo upgrade to work. And Lumia users should certainly expect it. If not, well - they've failed.

MS should be able to dictate more in this case, they can't though - some of the well known WP7 glitches have been caused by handset maker customisations beyond MS's control.

 

Microsoft Evangelist confirms all Windows Phone 7 handsets will be upgraded to Windows Phone 8

Microsoft Evangelist confirm Windows Phone 7 handsets will be upgraded to Windows Phone 8 - YouTube

 

Well, if the Verge article is correct, the 'total chaos' of Android would be an improvement - some people getting software upgrades is better than no-one getting them.

If this is true, I honestly don't see any way back for Windows Phone.
Pissing off the (relatively) few people that have actually bought one of their handsets would be a ridiculous move and would kill what traction it has in the market - who's going to buy another WP handset when they've been screwed over like that?

 

Microsoft official admits he misspoke regarding Windows Phone 8 updates -- Engadget

 

windows phone 8 been tested on lumia 800
Windows Phone 8 Beta Report: What Features Are In Place?

 

But that's second gen hardware. I want to know about the 1st gen. A LARGE bulk of WP7's userbase is made up of the 1st gen phones with the QSD8250/Adreno 200.

 

still no info
another one Nokia Evangelist & Developer: says lumia 610, 710 and 900 getting wp8

 

OMG SKYPE IS OUT OMG OMG OMG

*Runs around waving arms in the air*

 

rofl thx for the free laugh wait for the integrated version on wp8 \o/
Skydrive 2.0 released too xD

 

I've heard about the whole windows phone 8 and upgrades (or lack their of) on Windows Weekly today.

If Microsoft can't pull through on the update for existing handsets, they blew it. No questions asked. To pretty much slap existing customers in the face, especially new ones picking up Lumia's, is a big mistake. I thought the whole point of picking a unified platform was to control the update story, not end up telling customers who bought into your nascent platform that they're up a creek after one point release "major" update.

A family friend who came over for dinner actually mentioned the lumia after seeing an ad on TV (AT&T is pushing it, surprisingly enough...) and I honestly dunno what to say about it now. Before, I would have recommended it without hesitation, but I'm not gonna put my name on the line by recommending a product that's potentially obsolete before its even reached a full months worth of sales.....forget it. At least my step mom's iPhone 4s will likely get iOS 6 and 7, something that the Trophy I also recommended can't say if this rumor turns out to be legit.

 

Yes... but they will be getting updates. Even if it's a forked update of sorts (which is, let's face it, no different for iPhones. Remember the 3G when it got it's first major update? My guess is that MS will handle that better - but of course, the negatives will stick as we have no Microsoftzombies in the press)

 

They'll stick because they're pretty huge negatives.

The whole point of MS dictating what hardware could be used was so that software updates could be simplified and rolled-out in an Apple-esque fashion, without needing networks or manufacturers to get involved.
But that's never happened.

So MS have already failed when it comes to software updates, not allowing older handsets to get WP8 would just be the icing on the cake.

 

We'll see what happens.

The real problem is that either
a) shut up and don't have any of your staff release incomplete info so that you look like an indecisive buffoon of a company
b) let us know exactly what the roadmap is.

 

They really need to do both. Seriously. Be like Apple and don't be afraid to kick someone to the curb with a Bankers Box full of their desk knick knacks for saying stupid stuff. That "evangelist" really screwed up if true.

And the where's my update roadmap shouldn't have become a Nokia exclusive thing, if they think that people are going to buy a Lumia over say a Titan over that then surely they're mistaken. They're essentially trying to create a "nexus" like line of handsets with a platform that, in theory, DOESN'T NEED ONE! Ughh.

/frustration

 

I've got 8107 on US Cellular. Phone is an HTC 7 Pro (renamed HTC Arrive).

 

So given all this, should I pick up a Lumia 800 (900 is just too freakin large) or not? I need another 16Gb WP7 and will be buying SIM-free.

 

Given that we don't know how good WP8 will be, when it's coming, and whether or not the Lumia 800 would be able to upgrade, it's hard to recommend getting one right now. But if you'd be happy living with WP7.5 after WP8's release even if WP8 was able to cure cancer and generate free puppies, then absolutely I'd pull the trigger on the Lumia 800.

 

If you look at microsoft's history with software updates, it is very unlikely that they will leave current users behind.

 

Get it but be prepared to dump it on fleabay the milisecond upgrade plans are revealed for wp8.

 

I don't know why you are making statements like this, if the plans have not been officially announced.

 

I somewhat agree, but I also think Microsoft needs to be more transparent about their software roadmap. Having underwhelming hardware to begin with then not having a semblance of how far that hardware will be supported... it's difficult to make an educated purchase with those factors. Especially considering that the Lumia is $200 on a 2-year contract, and Vogelbung is buying them outright (though I don't think it's an issue for him in particular ).

WP8 will bring a whole new hardware spec though... and I can honestly say: FINALLY.

 

In general I'm inclined to agree but it's not always as simple in the case of WinMo/WinPho.

I mean it's not that long ago that all of the pre-WP7 handsets got dropped, not because they were incapable of supporting the new OS *cough*HD2*cough* but because MS just decided to.

 

It was 95 % sarcasm

 

Well my comment goes to that trolling 5%

 

For me I guess my faith in microsoft is due to the xbox, and original zune. The original, fat zune 30 got the new interface/ software update once the newer zune 80 came out. Made it feel like a new device. I just can't see Microsoft splintering their windows phone user base

 

Hmmm. Apparently MS doesn't want to sell me any apps. It's disappeared from Zune (without any pre-announcement in Zune BTW) and the web marketplace doesn't work.

Despite it's plusses, there are times - increasingly often these days - I wonder why I still stick with this platform. FYI MS, that's not a good thing when you have so few advocates.

 

Can't you just buy them on the phone itself? That's what I've always done.

I think it has something to do with the eventual replacement of Zune with the software currently codenamed Woodstock.

 

Yes, its official that zune will only be used for app downloads if they're over x amount of mb, or if your phone fails to "pull" a download OTA that you initiated from Marketplace on the handset for some reason:

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_...ketplace-changes-and-how-they-affect-you.aspx

They basically saw telemetry that showed that the web version of the Marketplace was more popular. It also places the Mac users of Windows Phone on a more even playing field since the only non phone Marketplace experience they had was the web version.

Also, if anyone hasn't installed 7.5 yet, you'll soon be blocked from the marketplace.

 

I actually find browsing thru the marketplace annoying on the phone as it's really restricted in terms of viewing flexibility - this is not specific to Windows Phone, I will obviously look thru the 'top' etc lists and when I have a specific search term that's fine too, but more involved browsing - especially if you're doing multiple purchases - gets old fast. The web marketplace was/is for me noticeably slower in response than the actual application once again in terms of multiple purchases, presumably as the app was doing stuff in the background as I moved onto other catalogs.

 

Nokia sued over failed comeback with Windows Phone

Ouch.

 

What an idiot. (1) shareholders can't sue because a well-intentioned business plan simply didn't pan out. (2) Nokia's stock price has been in free-fall for the past year. It leveled out in April and has been pretty steady since. Translation: the Lumia 900 has brought in enough money to counter-balance the hemorrhaging caused by Symbian's collapse. Once Symbian is dead and gone and the bleeding stops, Nokia should have forward momentum.

 

Wonder who organized the PR stunt?

 

Well, the implication seems to be that it was less of a 'well-intentioned mistake' and more that Nokia deliberately misled investors.
If that's true ( and I did say 'if'), then it would seem to be a pretty solid basis for a lawsuit.

The article touches upon the share price - a 16% drop in a single day is far from insignificant.


I'm not saying the guy's right, nor am I saying that his case will get anywhere but it's a hassle that Nokia just don't need especially given that, unlike most other lawsuits involving mobile phone manufacturers, this one isn't patent-related or coming from a competitor, it's coming from a share-holder, which is rather embarrassing.

 

He's got to prove fraud, not merely false information. "This is going to go great" and it tanks is not a basis for a shareholder lawsuit, unless you can prove that they knew it was going to tank. What he has to prove is that Nokia execs knew the Lumia 900 had the bug and released it anyway. Considering the amount of crow they ate for that day 1 bug after their "smartphone beta test ad," I'm pretty certain they didn't know about the bug. No fraud, no claim.

Also, while 16% in a single day sounds significant, you have to look at the big picture stock wise. Nokia stock was in freefall from April 2011 to April 2012. When you look at a chart of their stock over the course of one business year, the drop of April 11, 2012 actually isn't all that out of character for what it had been doing in the previous months. It's not even the biggest single sudden drop of the past 12 months for Nokia (that would be the catastrophic drop at the end of May 2011). More importantly, from April 12, 2012 forward, the stock price has been pretty stable. So the Nokia leadership didn't lie--they're doing better after introducing the Lumia 900 than before. Stock price isn't climbing yet, but the plummeting has stopped.

EDIT: Nokia's stock just had another major drop today, going from $3.60 per share to $3.20 per share, a drop of 12%. Probably related to the lawsuit itself. Nice going, Plaintiff. *facepalm*

 

Kantar: Windows Phone clawing back share thanks to Nokia, but Android still rules the roost -- Engadget

QP7 has gained 3-4% in the US, UK, Germany, France and Italy.
Seems to mostly be cannibalised Symbian owners.

 

Nokia Lumia 710 - £99.95 + Top-Up ||| The Carphone Warehouse

Not a bad price, especially given the handsets are unlocked/unbranded.

 

Definitely. Expranksys has them for £230.

 

If only the carriers in the US didn't use such random bands...

 

In other news, the Lumia 900 is finally in stock at Expranksys. Still debating whether to get one (and even if I did, it'd be probably the white one which isn't in stock yet).

I really dunno. I'm not hugely displeased with the Lumia 800. I mean - it could be a smaller 900 but that it isn't is not causing me huge amounts of grief. And apart from a signal strength issue the Omnia is still holding up just fine. I'm pretty tempted to sit it out until WinPho8.

 

I thought you were in the UK?