Windows Phone 7/8 Catch All

I'll definitely be getting a Lumia 920 eventually. It mostly depends on a good Subsonic app coming out for WP8. The current one on my Lumia 900 is terrible.

Jayhawker wrote:

Well, I'm switching from WP7. I loved my Quantum over my wife's iPhone 4s. My upgrade comes due in January, so I will have an opportunity to assess both by the time I decide. But WP7 feels like exactly what I want from a smartphone. WP8 looks like it will just enhance that.

I'm curious, given that you are a big Mac and iPad user (I think, sorry if I'm mistaken there), what about Windows Phone compels you so much that you are using it over the iPhone? Obviously I'm not someone who will buy an iPhone for myself (not an Apple fan as anyone who knows me for more than 5 seconds is aware of) but my girlfriend was planning to get an iPhone 5 to replace her barely working BlackBerry Bold 9700. But after seeing the incremental upgrade of the 5 and hearing that the 920 could potentially have the best camera by quite a stretch, she's decided to wait for reviews and comparisons but it heavily leaning away from iOS now. She knows little about Windows Phone though and is concerned about the current lack of apps. She will try a hands-on with a 920 when they're in stores but I'd like to be able to give her some reasons why someone goes to it over iPhone.

Bing is awesome on WP7. I love it. I'm split between bing and google on all the different devices that I use.

I'll +1 just about everything Jayhawker said. I'm also a Mac user and love WP7.

I'm not power user. I don't buy for potential apps. I don't buy because of what I could do with the phone.

My uses are for it are phone calls, podcasts, music, surfing the web, maps and GPS, photos, and the basic apps like Facebook, Twitter and things like Livestrong. Oh, I and I need a game or two for time wasting.

WP7 delivers on this. But more than that, so much of it is integrated, it all just feels intuitive and easy to use. When I use my wife's iPhone, I feel like I am going through more steps to do the same simple stuff.

It's cheesy like the Nokia ads were, but I can be talking to my wife on the phone, see my dog being cute, snap a photo and text it to her in less than a minute and without her even realizing I am doing anything but talking to her.

When I plug my phone into the car, I just tap the volume button and on the lock screen the last thing I was listening to, usually a podcast, is there and I can hit play. I don't have to open an app, and I don't even have to unlock the screen. Same goes for music. Zune makes it easy to subscribe to podcasts which are downloaded when I have wifi, so they are aways just there.

For as much as the Metro UI seems like it might be clunky for a dektop, it is insanely easy to use on a phone. It's just easy and lets me do what I want with minimal effort or thought. This might be the number one advantage over both iOS and Android. After using WP7 for short amount of time it's hard to lose those easy to hit boxes.

I like having Xbox Live as my games hub. I have plenty of games for what I want out of my phone, which is simple time wasters. And there are some really good games. Texas Holdem is the best handheld poker I've played. Wordament is addictive as hell, and big reason my wife steals my phone. I think the game situation will improve, as Microsoft can leverage XBL. And I have the same quick access to my friends list and achievements.

Seriously, WP7 is why I am most interested in upgrading my iMac to a Windows 8 PC. I'd like to unify the ecosystem. Although I do have a Windows Phone Connector app on my iMac that lets me sync up music and files.

Bing may be lame on the PC, but it has been a really nice search app for my phone. It finds local phone numbers and addresses with ease. Although my daughter still uses a Google app for her searches.

Unlike how most Apple fans are perceived, I am purely about what is easiest and most convenient. I have no interest in trying to redefine that to accommodate Apple.

I'm glad I'm not the only one switching from the Apple ecosystem (back) to Windows.

The vague possibility of a Verizon Nokia 920 is why I'm not upgrading to an IPhone 5

TheGameguru wrote:

The vague possibility of a Verizon Nokia 920 is why I'm not upgrading to an IPhone 5

I just wish they'd announce dates and carriers. My wife and I waited until the iPhone 5 was released. We have been out of contract for a while now and she wants to add data to her plan. I convinced her to wait until last week to start seriously looking at carriers and phones (she's pretty set on the 5). I think I could convince her to wait a little longer if the 920 was going to be out a few weeks after the iPhone 5. I was planning on going back to the iPhone but the 920 seems much more innovative and I really do like the windows phone OS. There are some things that annoy me with it, though. I have a lot of trouble with endomondo simply stopping in the middle of a workout (had more trouble with runkeeper), I still can't show more than one item on my calendar tile (probably fixed with WP8), and there is just so much that is custom made for the iPhone (docks, cases, skins, etcetera). Finally, I've waited for 2 months to switch to a real carrier with real data and I'm getting very antsy.

Overall, though, I agree with Jayhawker. WP7 is simply a better interface than iOS. iOS was innovative 5 years ago but it really hasn't progressed much since then in regards to how you deal with your phone. About the only thing I can think of is the new notification system. No information is available without digging. With WP7 so much is available without having to work at it.

Question about WP, is there a way with any apps or the built in stuff to play podcasts at higher speeds with tone adjustment?

I listen to most podcasts at 2x speed on Android using a sound library app called Presto.

Windows Media Player on the desktop allowed you to do the same thing, but Zune never has as far as I've been able to tell. It's a critical feature for me, as strange as that sounds.

MannishBoy wrote:

Question about WP, is there a way with any apps or the built in stuff to play podcasts at higher speeds with tone adjustment?

I listen to most podcasts at 2x speed on Android using a sound library app called Presto.

Windows Media Player on the desktop allowed you to do the same thing, but Zune never has as far as I've been able to tell. It's a critical feature for me, as strange as that sounds.

I had the same issue at first and research seemed to point to using a third party app on your PC to covert it to 2x. There's nothing on the phone itself that will do it when I last checked about 4 months ago. Something may have come out since then. I never went that route, I just cut back on my podcasts.

That is a deal breaker. Kinda figured I'd start android, and that would seal it.

I like the idea of WP, but just can't quite get passed some holes.

I started out using a Palm Treo 600, then 650, then went to Windows Mobile 6, then 6.5, and was happy to finally switch to iPhone - the 3GS. Then I started using Windows Phone, and though I was predominantly a Mac user at the time, I found myself enjoying the platform as a whole much more than iOS. I've now gone back to an iPhone 4S and the only reason I haven't jumped back to WP is because I'm waiting for 8. Nokia 920 for me without a doubt. Thankfully, plenty of Apple zealots will be willing to give me money for this iPhone 4S when I'm ready to dump it.

Its not the Lumina 920.. but Verizon is getting a WinMo8 phone that looks pretty decent..

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/19/w...

It's enough to convince me to skip the iPhone 5 and wait for this phone.. From the looks of it it seems like it will be a nice device.

The HTC 8x seems like a nice phone. Had it come out before the 920 I would be kind of excited about it. It has some nice features with the F2.0 lens, polycarbonate body, and a pretty nice screen. I think the phone looks quite nice (on par with the 920). THe processor is pretty standard for now (not the biggest thing for me). Unfortunately, it feels like settling. No wireless charging and no OIS (which are the two features I'm most excited about). At least they've announced carriers. Availability is still up in the air. I may be swayed enough to wait before switching to Verizon and the iPhone 5. At this point the 5 won't be available until October anyway so I can wait another couple weeks. It looks like a nice phone, though.

Availability is still up in the air

Sometime in Nov. they are saying.. at least now. Agreed though.. I would much rather have the 920 over this phone.. BUT I'm stuck on Verizon.. and its not looking like Nokia has the greatest relationship with Verizon so I'm really thinking its gonna be an AT&T only device at this point.... which sucks.

I just wish we had prices, release dates, and carrier information. You know, some of the most important bits of information for a consumer.

I'm still holding out hope for the 920 on Verizon. They have until January to make it happen. Lots of mumblings about a Nokia/Verizon partnership for Windows 8 phones... keeping my fingers crossed.

I have to admit that even as an AT&T customer, I'm still interested in the HTCs. it's looking like January will be a good time to decide.

I would assume that if I get the iPhone 5 it shouldn't be much trouble trading it for a 920 should Nokia and Verizon work something out. The 8x is nice but I don't think either is going to be out before we switch carriers (which will be about when you can get an iPhone 5 in store).

Rezzy wrote:

I'm still holding out hope for the 920 on Verizon. They have until January to make it happen. Lots of mumblings about a Nokia/Verizon partnership for Windows 8 phones... keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm itching to see if Bell Mobility here in Canada starts carrying it. My office uses Bell and we're on BlackBerry 9900s (which we got over my explicit objection). We seem to have got a bad batch of them from the factory because our hardware failure rate is currently 17% and finally, our stubborn accounting people are looking at alternatives. Our rep is trying to get me a demo of the Galaxy S3 (which would be very cool) but I'm not at all convinced Android is the right fit for our office. I like it and we have smart people here but I see it becoming a support nightmare once people start faffing around with the phones. Bell Mobility is the only Canadian carrier that skipped Windows Phone 7 and I'm really trying to find out if they'll get on board with 8 cause I think Windows Phone would be the ideal replacement for BlackBerry as we have little confidence the platform will survive the next two years. I really hope Bell gets on the wagon.

Supposed leaked Verizon roadmap confirms that Lumina 920 is coming in November

Phonearena is usually spot on with their information. If they are this time it looks like I'm getting a new phone in November.

Gumbie wrote:

Supposed leaked Verizon roadmap confirms that Lumina 920 is coming in November

Phonearena is usually spot on with their information. If they are this time it looks like I'm getting a new phone in November.

This leak is further supported by the fact that Nokia is making a CDMA version of the 920 for China.. given that aspect its easy to then connect the dots to get that 920 on Verizon. Any R&D and Manufacturing costs will be offset for Nokia if they can sell that CDMA 920 to another market besides Verizon.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/26/l...

The 920 is my next phone.. come one Verizon dont let me down.

Urgh...so want one of those. Bell Canada did announce recently that they are planning to launch two Windows Phone 8 models in the fall but specifically said the Lumia 920 is not one of them right now. Apparently they don't want early adopter money. They haven't said what ones are coming but they're a big Samsung partner so I'm guessing the ATIV is one and the other is probably an HTC model. Between this and the various gaffes iOS6 is experiencing, I think there's no question a 920 is what my girlfriend will get now though.

IMAGE(http://imageshack.us/a/img163/8843/darthvadernooooo.jpg)

The specs on the 920 and the 8x seem very similar - the Nokia may win on wireless charging, photos and storage - but only slightly. I'm looking forward to checking both out in the stores before deciding.

Symbiotic wrote:

The specs on the 920 and the 8x seem very similar - the Nokia may win on wireless charging, photos and storage - but only slightly. I'm looking forward to checking both out in the stores before deciding.

I disagree. The photos are much better. OIS is a pretty big improvement. The nokia also has a dual led flash which should help even ore with light (and I assume would be ore natural). HTC doesn't have the super sensitive screen (no gloves). I live in Iowa and wear gloves a lot. Having a screen that works with gloves on would be really nice. The nokia has an IPS panel and 4.5" screen. HTC is LCD and 4.3. Nokia has 32gb of ram. HTC has 16. The nokia has a larger batter and wireless charging. I believe the apps Nokia has are better than those of HTC as well. HTC does have better audio, is lighter, and a bit smaller.

Basically, there are a lot of little things but they add up very fast for me. The 8X just doesnt excite me the way the 920 does. AT&T isn't great in my area so this news is rather disappointing.

Aaaaand it was announced this morning that the 920 is exclusive to Rogers in Canada. My employer uses Bell so if we do end up switching to Windows Phone, it will have to be one of the Samsung or HTC models. My girlfriend's also bummed because she's on Rogers now but she travels up to Nunavut a lot and only Bell and Telus work up there so she was hoping to switch. So now she's debating either getting a different phone or living with having no service up north. Stupid telecartels. I know they're probably paying Nokia lots of money for the exclusivity but substantially limiting your potential audience is not how you claw your way out of a very distant last place. Microsoft should have told Nokia "Whatever the carriers are paying you, we'll double it to keep you from going exclusive."

Microsoft is going to do a surface phone and screw over Nokia and HTC in the end. There are plenty of rumors, and it makes good sense.

They can get closer to duplicating Apple's success by taking over hardware of the phone, too. I'm pretty set to get a 920 in January. But I fully expect that by the time that contract is up, I will either be looking at a Surface phone, or WP8 will have already failed.

Microsoft considering 'Surface Phone,' but not this year

A Surface phone would presumably bypass carriers and receive software update directly from Microsoft, just as Nexus devices do from Google. Windows Phone 7 owners battled against carriers to receive regular updates that were held back in some cases. Whereas Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility isn't necessarily a sign of the search giant entering into its own hardware business at the expense of its Nexus partners, Microsoft's Surface move signals a new future for a company synonymous with software. A Microsoft-made phone would pit it directly against its ally — Nokia.