Why wont you try Windows Phone?

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#958547 29-Dec-2013 10:46

Linuxluver:
Finch: Hi guys.

We know that Apple and Android are the two biggest players in the market and then there is the little cousin down near the bottom, Windows Phone. I have wanted to try Windows Phone for about a month or so now. I am not a big "hack my phone to install custom roms" kind of guy, but I do like owning the latest and greatest even though it is probably more powerful than what I actually need. I wont be buying one of the current Lumia devices because in the first quarter of next year we all know the new phones get announced. I will probably get the newest Lumia then, hopefully something like the 1520's specs, in a smaller screen.

Im going a bit off topic now, but I was wondering why more people wont try Windows Phone? The most common reason seems to be the app store, but there must be more to it than that. This might turn into a Apple Vs Android Vs WP debate and that probably will end up badly, so please try and keep it clean :D

I'll admit to having a bias against "embrace and extend" proven monopolists like Microsoft. They have crippled my choice of software on PCs for almost 30 years and it is only the new smartphone / tablet era that has allowed choice to flourish.

So I won't be buying or recommending any Microsoft products just yet. I'm enjoying choice too much.

Though I also appreciate the REAL enemy of choice is the vast consumer market who don't want to learn more than one thing.....and will avoid even that if possible because....really...they don't want to learn anything at all.

But still won't be buying any Windows phones. I have too many others to choose from.

It has been many years since Microsoft could be even remotely deemed a monopoly if indeed it ever was, and it is now offering choice over others.

Regs

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Snowflake

#958550 29-Dec-2013 10:53

farcus: I wont switch to windows phone for the same reason I wont switch to iphone.

I am a type 1 Diabetic and the app I use to manage my condition is not available for either of those phones.
Of course there are similar apps but the one I use is leaps and bounds ahead of any alternatives.
The app is so good I have become almost completely reliant on it so now I am locked to android unless someone else comes up with an alternative app that is as good.

whats the name of the app? if its that good and has a big audience, then its probably worth trying to target it for a port...

toyonut

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#958552 29-Dec-2013 10:56

I think I agree with most people here. It is hard to jump ship to another platform due to cost of entry, platform lock in (purchased apps, etc) and being comfortable with what you know already.

I made the switch to WP8 due to my disappointment with cheap Androids and I would not go back easily. I don't have the money to buy a $500+ Android which is what you need to have a good experience currently. Until the Moto G gets here, I will never recommend cheap Androids. Either the screen is too small with too low a resolution to be usable, but they work at least, or the screen is acceptable 4"+ 800*480+ but the internal components cannot drive it smoothly leading to a slow laggy frustrating experience.

I have gone with the Lumia 720 though as I know what I will be getting, it has everything I want in a phone and it looks like the successor to my current N9. It has NFC, a good camera, amazing build quality and I know the OS will work well on the hardware. For the $235 the Warehouse had them for, nothing comes close. Just wish the Warehouse had decent delivery times, a week and a half is crazy.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

jeffnz

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#958572 29-Dec-2013 11:50

I think that judging Android by the cheaper phones gives the wrong impression of Android . Not everyone can afford a top end phone and what other OS, at the moment, has phones that most can buy and use. I don't think those that buy cheaper phones have a high expectation at all. Likewise I think some of the comments saying cheaper android phones are rubbish is incorrect, yes they generally have cheaper components but they do work and for the majority will take pics, be used as a phone and do navigation which is what the majority do use them for.
I started out on a cheap android phone as I wanted to see what it could do, once I had it I wanted something better and did but if I didn't like it then not much lost is there.

You get what you pay for and once WP's and Apple start making cheaper smartphones to give people the choice then the argument is academic.

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Finch

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#958575 29-Dec-2013 11:56

jeffnz:You get what you pay for and once WP's and Apple start making cheaper smartphones to give people the choice then the argument is academic.

Lumia 520 has been $180 or so for the past month, even $122 at Harvey Norman recently. That is probably the best bang for buck from any Smartphone in the world right now. I read today that the Lumia 520 is 30% of all Windows Phone owners in the world.

NZtechfreak

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#958576 29-Dec-2013 12:05

Regs:
NZtechfreak: I have tried WP, woefully inadequate for my use at the present time. Needs to stick around and improve though, lord knows I don't want an iOS/Android dichotomy, having a third player is good for consumers.

out of interest, could you use IOS or is that too limited also?

I think that there are always going to be 'power users' for which both IOS and WP will never be the right solution.

For so many others with simple needs (calling/texting, web, email, perhaps also twitter, instagram, etc) the WP is more than adequate and works very well at that low price point with snappy and responsive devices and consistent UI/performance.

iOS is closer to being able to meet my needs, very close now in fact compared to when I last tried it out for a month or so. Main stumbling block there is screen size, if they release a 5+ inch screened iPhone that would put the cats amongst the pigeons for me. Having my fingerprint data shared with the NSA is a bit of a barrier too of course.

Probably you are correct that there are a core of power users for whom WP and iOS are a tougher proposition. I guess at least on the iPhone side at least there is jailbreak for those users who want an iOS device, but also want to loosen the shackles.

No doubt for people with simpler needs, and at the lower-end in particular, WP makes a lot of sense.

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#958578 29-Dec-2013 12:08

jeffnz: I think that judging Android by the cheaper phones gives the wrong impression of Android . Not everyone can afford a top end phone and what other OS, at the moment, has phones that most can buy and use. I don't think those that buy cheaper phones have a high expectation at all. Likewise I think some of the comments saying cheaper android phones are rubbish is incorrect, yes they generally have cheaper components but they do work and for the majority will take pics, be used as a phone and do navigation which is what the majority do use them for.

I actually got this information from someone in the industry. Those cheap Android devices still on retail and running old Android 2.1 aren't very capable of running new software. As discussed before there's a lot of peer pressure around and if you can't run some app that other people are running then the whole experience is ruined.

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MikeB4

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#958579 29-Dec-2013 12:10

NZtechfreak:
Regs:
NZtechfreak: I have tried WP, woefully inadequate for my use at the present time. Needs to stick around and improve though, lord knows I don't want an iOS/Android dichotomy, having a third player is good for consumers.

out of interest, could you use IOS or is that too limited also?

I think that there are always going to be 'power users' for which both IOS and WP will never be the right solution.

For so many others with simple needs (calling/texting, web, email, perhaps also twitter, instagram, etc) the WP is more than adequate and works very well at that low price point with snappy and responsive devices and consistent UI/performance.

iOS is closer to being able to meet my needs, very close now in fact. Main stumbling block there is screen size, if they release a 5+ inch screened iPhone that would put the cats amongst the pigeons for me. Having my fingerprint data shared with the NSA is a bit of a barrier too of course.

Probably you are correct that there are a core of power users for whom WP and iOS are a tougher proposition. I guess at least on the iPhone side at least there is jailbreak for those users who want an iOS device, but also want to loosen the shackles.

No doubt for people with simpler needs, and at the lower-end in particular, WP makes a lot of sense.

IOS7 in my very humble probably flawed opinion is very irritating, inconsistent, and I feel released before ready.

Paulthagerous

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#958581 29-Dec-2013 12:23

Here are my 2 cents...

A lot of people here appear to be dismissing the app issue as a small, unimportant one. For you guys it may not be a problem. But for a lot of people it is. Especially young people when a new 'craze' game comes out, it will always come out on Android and/or iOS. We have all heard of these games. It's very rare for that app to come out simultaneously on WP8. You guys might not care about the latest social game, but for teenagers this can be a huge issue and they feel excluded socially if they aren't a part of it.

Obviously it is getting better, and more apps are coming online, but it hasn't caught up and people know that. A lot of consumers who have asked 'their IT friend/child etc' are told to avoid WP8 for this reason. I have also seen people who have bought WP8 devices assuming the apps are the same/similar as other platforms and can't get what they thought they could. 'But TVNZ on Demand have an app....'. This leads to a bad experience and makes it unlikely that person will buy another WP8 device in future.

Other perceptions I have encountered are that WP8 is:

- Boring
- Not colourful
- Old fashioned
- Uncool
- Inflexible

Though they could also be interpreted as simple/basic/different/straight forward which is a good thing for a lot of people.

That being said, I have used WP7 and 8 devices (Lumia 800, 710, 920) through work and found them OK. Solid, simple, but not exciting. But, for me, they aren't as suitable for my use as Android. And AFAIK I still couldn't have GTAIII on a WP8 device, which is quite possibly my favourite equal game ever (tied with GTAV). I had an iPhone 4S, which had nothing but issues, long story short I sold it and bought a Note 2. Never looked back.

PS: last I checked there still isn't a TVNZoD app for WP8, but that is just the first example that came to mind ....

JimmyH

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#958583 29-Dec-2013 12:29

I like my droid, and will probably bet another droid when I upgrade. If I don't get a droid, it will probably be an iPhone (outside chance). It won't be a windows phone because:

- Why change from something I know (I can drive android and iOS just fine) and replace all my apps when I don't need to?
- The App range isn't nearly as large/good as android or iOS
- The Windows interface looks like it was designed by Fisher Price, and
- After trying to use Windows 8 on a laptop, I'm off the OS entirely - it just triggers my gag reflex.

farcus

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#958584 29-Dec-2013 12:35

Regs:
farcus: I wont switch to windows phone for the same reason I wont switch to iphone.

I am a type 1 Diabetic and the app I use to manage my condition is not available for either of those phones.
Of course there are similar apps but the one I use is leaps and bounds ahead of any alternatives.
The app is so good I have become almost completely reliant on it so now I am locked to android unless someone else comes up with an alternative app that is as good.

whats the name of the app? if its that good and has a big audience, then its probably worth trying to target it for a port...

BG Monitor

I don't know that any app developed for a type 1 diabetic is ever going to have a huge audience because it basically gives you the tools for MDI users that usually comes in a pump.

old3eyes

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#958586 29-Dec-2013 12:51

Finch:
jeffnz:You get what you pay for and once WP's and Apple start making cheaper smartphones to give people the choice then the argument is academic.

Lumia 520 has been $180 or so for the past month, even $122 at Harvey Norman recently. That is probably the best bang for buck from any Smartphone in the world right now. I read today that the Lumia 520 is 30% of all Windows Phone owners in the world.

I believe that the 520 is selling on AT&T prepay service GoPhone for about US$50 at the moment. Wouldn't mind getting a 520 to play with but will get the finance committee a Moto G first..

Regards,

Old3eyes

blakamin

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#958601 29-Dec-2013 13:45

I bought a 520 for under $100 when Nokia had a sale. I use a few apps daily and thought I would give it a go.

Podcasts - got an app, changed all the settings so it would supposedly download all my podcasts automatically... after waiting 3 days, it had downloaded 2 automatically, out of the 12 that had updates. Then an update came out and deleted all of my favourites, it wouldn't import them from skydrive and I had to start again. It wouldn't "delete after played" automatically either. This was the top-rated podcast app. The best available from all the blogs I read. pffft.

Twitter - Horrible notifications and no real alternatives.

Email - I'm a gmail user and the experience was crap.

Music - Didn't really bother as I'm a Google Play All-Access customer and wasn't going to pay. I did try the free Microsoft version and found it missing a lot of the music I listen to. And putting "Tiffany" in 80's Metal... ARGH! If you can't get basic genres right, I'm not using your service.

Finding apps and trying to read customer reviews - OMFG. And then it shows apps I can't even use on this device, but doesn't tell you until you try to install! I just gave up and used the internet. App download speeds are disgusting. EDIT: The installation of a 2MB update took longer than the 2 minute screen time-out.

Notifications in general are horrible. The lack of ability to mute and turn off vibrate in one step is seriously lacking. Maps were lacking.

Colours. yeah, what can I say. I'm not a fashion a designer, but I can't live with a screen that every tile has same damn colour. I exaggerated... they use 3 colours.

The thing lags just as much as a cheap android from 4 years ago. The spinning tiles are jaggy. Every app spent at least 10 seconds "Loading....." Obviously because it's the cheapest phone they have. I discounted that from the equation.

The camera is horrible, but again, this is a cheap phone. I'd still like something that I could see more than a silhouette though.

Battery life is pretty good and the speaker is loud.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, I tried to give it away, but nobody I knew wanted it. (and no, you can't have it... it's locked to telstra aussie)

Benzin

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#958610 29-Dec-2013 14:18

blakamin:

Unfortunately for Microsoft, I tried to give it away, but nobody I knew wanted it. (and no, you can't have it... it's locked to telstra aussie)

I'm keen to unlock it for a free phone. Pass it over this way if you truly are honest with your offer!

Agreed with third party app start up speeds being slow, that's one of my pet gripes. (Lumia 710 here)

No issue with Gmail though.

Regarding music - Spotify app works quite well. Not as functional as iOS or Android however.

And the built-in twitter seems to be fine, the lack of a notification bar was a pain when transitioning but I don't feel like I need it anymore as when they come/I unlock the phone seems to work well enough for me. Regarding colors, my screen is mainly Nokia blue but third party apps bring in a bit of color. (personally I would prefer if they were blue shaded though)

Regarding lag : Apart from start up speeds, Android is much worse when it lags as it isn't a start up speed lag it's usually in-app lagging or another app lagging the phone. And that's far more annoying in my experience.

insane

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#958612 29-Dec-2013 14:23

paulmilbank: ....

I made the switch to WP8 due to my disappointment with cheap Androids and I would not go back easily. I don't have the money to buy a $500+ Android which is what you need to have a good experience currently. Until the Moto G gets here, I will never recommend cheap Androids. Either the screen is too small with too low a resolution to be usable, but they work at least, or the screen is acceptable 4"+ 800*480+ but the internal components cannot drive it smoothly leading to a slow laggy frustrating experience.

Some of that is indeed true, however timing plays a big part in whether you have a good experience or not. I spent $950 on my top of the line 'HTC Desire' in 2010 and it was great for few months, but then showed it's age/poor specs within a year compared to the competition. Moving forward and my wife and I have both had an 'HTC Desire X' for a year now and by no means is it dated at all, that cost us only $199 on boxing day last year and normally goes for ~$300.

I wish Google did away with the extra overhead of needing Java between the device and OS, but it's what allows Android to run on so many devices.

For a premium Apple have always done a fantastic job ensuring their users have a good experience, no matter what Apple device they purchase. If MS are now doing the same for WP8 without charging a premium then their future will be bright.

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