Related
This is intented just for the US as privet beta.
Any one got is hands on?
http://www.skyfire.com/product
Cheers,
It's not out yet.
Yeah, but did anybody download the beta? and can they share that with us?
They've changed this privacy policy in the last day or so, but here is part of it, which explains why I won't ever touch Skyfire...
(from http://www.skyfire.com/about/privacy-and-security)
Skyfire Labs, Inc. (“Skyfire”) has developed a mobile web browser (the “Browser”) that enables you to surf the internet, interact with websites and send and receive content (collectively “Browser Usage”) on your mobile phone, PDA and other handheld electronic devices. When you use the Browser, Skyfire has access to, and in many cases will monitor, your Browser Usage.
...
Once you have subscribed to and begin to use the Browser, we will collect information about your use of the Browser on your Device (“Browser Usage Information”). Browser Usage Information includes such information as which websites and programs you access or download on your Device, how long you visit such websites and use such programs, your activities (such as products purchased or advertisements viewed) on such websites, which specific areas of a website or webpage you use and for how long, websites you bookmark, search terms you use, referring/exit pages, browser and platform types, the geographic location in which your Device is being used and information you provide on third party websites. All of your Browser Usage Information is stored by Skyfire under an automatically generated, random identification number (“ID Number”) that will not be associated with or linked to your Personal Information. Please be aware, though, that your Browser Usage Information, when viewed in the aggregate, may reveal your identity even if it is not associated with or linked to your Personal Information. By downloading our Browser and accepting our Terms of Use (which includes acceptance of this Privacy Policy), you have given us your express consent to collect and use Browser Usage Information and tie it to an ID Number.
dude who cares its still going to be really cool so what they will know what your looking at dont do your banking or anything else to important look up your favorite youtube videos read the news and look at your fav teams scores on espn and let them watch
Of course I'd not do any banking or similar, but the point is... do you want Big Brother watching your every move?
AdamR78 said:
Of course I'd not do any banking or similar, but the point is... do you want Big Brother watching your every move?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
being honest i have to say i don't mind, let them record what they want.
do you think your ISP/Mobile carrier does not log your usage via IEM/Opera mobile etc?
i work for a mobile carrier and can tell you they do.
Chris
Hi Guys,
Anyone noticed that in the UK the Zune software has no podcasts listed. The PODCAST icon does not even exist.
I have to manually add my rss feeeds for each one?
anyone seen this.
Thanks
Russ
It's still very early days for Zune in Europe. I've had a Zune HD for a year and I've seen the US Marketplace and it's another world. You have more music, podcasts, a lot more movies and also (many) TV shows (plus Zune HD apps).
Hopefully Microsoft will work on that a lot more than they did with Xbox Live (Europe content is rubbish compared to the US). Apple did it, I don't see why Microsoft can't, they have to want it though.
Here's to hope...
RussST24 said:
Hi Guys,
Anyone noticed that in the UK the Zune software has no podcasts listed. The PODCAST icon does not even exist.
I have to manually add my rss feeeds for each one?
anyone seen this.
Thanks
Russ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It gets even worse if you update your Zunes through the UK version.
You lose access to the marketplace on your devices, and as late as last week you couldn't get any 'Channels' either.
Altho, now we can get some dumbed down (IMO useless) channels.
Is it possible to use my PC for UK Marketplace and my Laptop for USA marketplace?
So having access to both?
I already use a VPN service to access USA only sites like HULU with no problems..
I live in belgium and made an "belgian" live account, now I can only rent a movie, no music or apps or podcasts... We wait and see
Thanks for the confirmation everyone. Shame as they even mention adding podasts via the Zune software Marketplace on the UK windows phone site!
Hopefully its coming as I can understand Video being a rights issues internationally but Podcasts?
Russ
ebzrascal said:
Is it possible to use my PC for UK Marketplace and my Laptop for USA marketplace?
So having access to both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't use the same Live ID as it is be based in one location.
You'll need two ID's and Zune Pass's (1x UK 1x US) to use both at the same time.
I'm still looking for a better solution.
ioulian said:
I live in belgium and made an "belgian" live account, now I can only rent a movie, no music or apps or podcasts... We wait and see
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried setting your PC so it 'thinks' its in the US ?
You won't be able to login and buy anything (see above) but it should let you grab some Podcasts.
This trick worked for me, and allowed me to get Podcats and the Marketplace back on my Zunes. I don't have a WP7 phone yet so i don't know if it works with them.
It's easier to just get the rss and subscribe manually, at least he can use his actual Live ID and the marketplace.
So I've finally joined the club and boy am I stoked. So, what are the first things one should do e.g. apps to get, slight customisation, games etc, help your fellow comrade.
I don't know if this thread has been done before, if not, maybe it could be a sticky?
the first advice i could give to you is: read the forums
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
APPS?
download OEM apps.
download what you need. Marketplace got almost everything
customization? you mean changing the color of the tiles? LOL
radeon_x said:
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
z33dev33l said:
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the problem is that the more you feed the trolls , they keep coming back for more.
i just realize that he is using a sgs...
eww.
saldawop said:
I guess the problem is that the more you feed the trolls , they keep coming back for more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's pretty much a greek tragedy how incompetent these android users are "LOL my phone OS is better than yours *tap 3 times before an app finally pulls up then swipe left or right and watch the lag roll in* Yup, totally better, I troll you."
Ha. That wasn't really a troll. I just meant there's no setup or critical apps you need to get the phone running. Just grab whatever catches your eye from the market and you're golden. I like that aspect of the platform compared to Android. Until you want your phone to do something a specific way, it's bliss.
Sent from my GT-I9000M
kappo78 said:
So I've finally joined the club and boy am I stoked. So, what are the first things one should do e.g. apps to get, slight customisation, games etc, help your fellow comrade.
I don't know if this thread has been done before, if not, maybe it could be a sticky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the world of WP7. Care to share which device you acquired?
MartyLK said:
Welcome to the world of WP7. Care to share which device you acquired?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it, aren't you the one who was pushing the WebOS users to outvote everything on that poll?
If you only get two games, get...
Ilomilo
Aphajax
Both will blow your mind into little wobbly pieces of grey blancmange and raspberry sauce. And all will be well in the world.
Wait! Someone's just put QUORUM down on a TW! Bastard!
radeon_x said:
That's the beauty of WP7. There's no real customization to be done and no real apps to get. You're good to go!
Sent from my GT-I9000M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on how you look at it.
Lacking the need for customization at a low level is good (Rooting to uninstall bloatware, etc.), but there are tons of instances where you have to hack the system up just to achieve trivial tasks. Adding Ringtons to you phone, accessing Camera Shutter options, changing the default Search Engine in the Browser (T-Mobile sets it to Google, and some Euro Carrier sets it to Yahoo!). Things like that. You can't even set a home page in the browser (so even though I can't stand searching through Google, there's no way to Set Bing as the home page and just open a new tab and search from there). The OS is literally devoid of options/settings that matter. Can't even toggle between EDGE and 3G to save battery without hacking the phone (and that hack doesn't even work for some phones).
These aren't deep customizations on any other smartphone platform, but for WP7 it requires going beyond rooting or jailbreaking an Android phone. It makes Android a bit easier to use than WP7 when you factor in OneClick Root apps and the ability to sideload applications without scouring threads/the internet for information to get this done (and installing a ridiculously big SDK on your computer - nevermind the fact that it requires a Windows PC as well).
Microsoft got it wrong.
The issue with Android settigs is not that there were too many. It's the way they are presented to the user. They're generally (especially in third party applications from independent devs) just thrown in the user face on one huge page. Decently organized options in groups or tabs... there's nothing wrong with that. They need to add tons of options for the system and stock applications, because making even trivial changes to some behaviors is impossible without going through more work than loading a custom ROM on an Android phone is right now.
Minimalistic is good if you do it right (iOS). Microsoft took it to the extreme and all it does is create a ton of usability faux pas.
z33dev33l said:
How adorable, another android troll. There's also no lag, a good music player, no fragmentation (It's good to know I can't buy a new phone and have it be outdated next week) and hell, gaming has already about caught up with Android. You guys have more, we have better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you're trolling him.
He means that the stock functionality in the WP7 system is above and beyond Android and iOS. And it is. Everything comes from Microsoft, integrates nicely, and performs well. Aside from Microsoft and Manufacturer Apps (i.e. HTC, LG, Samsung Apps), there aren't that many apps that you need on a WP7 device to be functional - besides games. Twitter is missing in the People Hub, so that's a biggie, and the Facebook integration doesn't include all functionality, so you need that.
I suggest Twitter, Seesmic, Facebook (Seesmic because it includes both and is a nice hub to use when you don't need heavy duty FB/Twitter functionality). Microsoft has a ton of free apps that are useful. Your manufacturer (especially if HTC) will fill in many of the other gaps. Foursquare is in the Market.
Adobe Reader is in the market. Amazon and Amazon Kindle is there. eBay has a very nice App in the market. Messenger by Miyowa sadly I have to recommend it because it's the best of any Messenger app in the market at the moment.
If you have an HTC phone you don't need a weather app. The HTC Hub Tile is Live for Weather. If not, I recommend Weather bug or Microsoft's little weather app. Weather Channel is a 9MB app and I can't see how that ridiculous size is justified given how WeatherBug and Microsoft's weather app are both < 2MB (if not 1 or below).
Microsoft has a few free games to try out. AlphaJacks is like Words With Friends for Windows Mobile ("Try It" version is free forever, but Ad Supported). Haypi Kingdom is a nice strategy game that is multi-player (also available for iOS and Android, so there is no shortage of people to play with/against).
Office Apps aren't needed (Office Mobile)
NoteTaking Apps aren't needed (OneNote Mobile)
Exchange Clients aren't needed (In-Built Functionality)
Music Players aren't needed (Zune)
Radio Apps aren't needed (Zune)
Slacker and Last.FM exist for Internet Radio.
Shazam is available with Unlimited Tagging.
Microsoft has a List App in the market (and HTC has one in their Marketplace).
Poynt, AP Mobile, IMDb, Fandango are all there.
But there aren't many needed apps, TBQH. Most apps are slower to use than the web browser because they tend to take excessive amounts of time "Updating..." Loading a web browser or performing a voice search often outperforms them, IME.
I'd get the biggies. Personally I'd avoid crap that you don't necessarily need and use the space for stuff that matters (Music, Pictures, Documents, etc.).
You can save documents from SkyDrive to your computer by opening them up from the Office.Live.com website and saving them to your Office Hub in Office Mobile. OneNote Mobile Syncs perfectly. There is an option to keep your Camera Roll in Sync with SkyDrive (this can use a lot of data if you take lots of pictures).
N8ter said:
Actually, you're trolling him.
He means that the stock functionality in the WP7 system is above and beyond Android and iOS. And it is. Everything comes from Microsoft, integrates nicely, and performs well. Aside from Microsoft and Manufacturer Apps (i.e. HTC, LG, Samsung Apps), there aren't that many apps that you need on a WP7 device to be functional - besides games. Twitter is missing in the People Hub, so that's a biggie, and the Facebook integration doesn't include all functionality, so you need that.
I suggest Twitter, Seesmic, Facebook (Seesmic because it includes both and is a nice hub to use when you don't need heavy duty FB/Twitter functionality). Microsoft has a ton of free apps that are useful. Your manufacturer (especially if HTC) will fill in many of the other gaps. Foursquare is in the Market.
Adobe Reader is in the market. Amazon and Amazon Kindle is there. eBay has a very nice App in the market. Messenger by Miyowa sadly I have to recommend it because it's the best of any Messenger app in the market at the moment.
If you have an HTC phone you don't need a weather app. The HTC Hub Tile is Live for Weather. If not, I recommend Weather bug or Microsoft's little weather app. Weather Channel is a 9MB app and I can't see how that ridiculous size is justified given how WeatherBug and Microsoft's weather app are both < 2MB (if not 1 or below).
Microsoft has a few free games to try out. AlphaJacks is like Words With Friends for Windows Mobile ("Try It" version is free forever, but Ad Supported). Haypi Kingdom is a nice strategy game that is multi-player (also available for iOS and Android, so there is no shortage of people to play with/against).
Office Apps aren't needed (Office Mobile)
NoteTaking Apps aren't needed (OneNote Mobile)
Exchange Clients aren't needed (In-Built Functionality)
Music Players aren't needed (Zune)
Radio Apps aren't needed (Zune)
Slacker and Last.FM exist for Internet Radio.
Shazam is available with Unlimited Tagging.
Microsoft has a List App in the market (and HTC has one in their Marketplace).
Poynt, AP Mobile, IMDb, Fandango are all there.
But there aren't many needed apps, TBQH. Most apps are slower to use than the web browser because they tend to take excessive amounts of time "Updating..." Loading a web browser or performing a voice search often outperforms them, IME.
I'd get the biggies. Personally I'd avoid crap that you don't necessarily need and use the space for stuff that matters (Music, Pictures, Documents, etc.).
You can save documents from SkyDrive to your computer by opening them up from the Office.Live.com website and saving them to your Office Hub in Office Mobile. OneNote Mobile Syncs perfectly. There is an option to keep your Camera Roll in Sync with SkyDrive (this can use a lot of data if you take lots of pictures).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, no real apps to get doesn't exactly sound right. It makes it sound like anything released on this platform is bad.
To OP though, Ilomilo and Twin Blades are the only games I have that live up to my XBL expectations (and sadly I have most of them) there are other good games but Ilomilo overall. other than that Netflix is the only other one I'd deem necessary.
I knew exactly what he means when I read the post. Perhaps English isn't his first language, but it wasn't a hard statement to decipher...
Netflix is useless if you're not a subscriber, so I wouldn't deem it necessary at all. No one is going to subscribe to Netflix just to watch movies on a phone. Just doesn't make sense, IMO. If you're a subscriber, though, have it's nice to have...
The only necessary apps are those for social networking, and XBox Live Extras.
The Manufacturer Hub Apps (some/most of them) are a given.
TBQH, most smartphone OSes are like this. If the platform is missing something, like Android is, the Manufacturers usually add it in (ThinkFree Office, Amazon MP3, MobiTV, Exchange support, etc.).
One thing most of us forgot is Navigation Software. At this point if you want decent navigation with Turn-By-Turn directions, you're basically required to pay a subscription fee for TeleNav or whatever the phone comes with.
I've tried A-to-B Navigation. It's useless for all practical purposes.
Social Networking and Navigation Software are the only ones I'd say are necessary.
Also the Carriers are allowed to change the default search provider in Internet Explorer, so if you're a Bing user like me the usability of in-browser search is... terrible. T-Mobile Maps the Search button (and address bar search) in IE to Google and some Euro Carriers change it to Yahoo. Severely inconsistent and bad considering most people use the address bar to perform searches.
There is no option to change the default search provider. And performing that hack requires more manual labor than rooting and installing a custom ROM on an Android computer (and involves making registry changes, etc. on your Windows PC).
N8ter said:
I knew exactly what he means when I read the post. Perhaps English isn't his first language, but it wasn't a hard statement to decipher...
Netflix is useless if you're not a subscriber, so I wouldn't deem it necessary at all. No one is going to subscribe to Netflix just to watch movies on a phone. Just doesn't make sense, IMO. If you're a subscriber, though, have it's nice to have...
The only necessary apps are those for social networking, and XBox Live Extras.
The Manufacturer Hub Apps (some/most of them) are a given.
TBQH, most smartphone OSes are like this. If the platform is missing something, like Android is, the Manufacturers usually add it in (ThinkFree Office, Amazon MP3, MobiTV, Exchange support, etc.).
One thing most of us forgot is Navigation Software. At this point if you want decent navigation with Turn-By-Turn directions, you're basically required to pay a subscription fee for TeleNav or whatever the phone comes with.
I've tried A-to-B Navigation. It's useless for all practical purposes.
Social Networking and Navigation Software are the only ones I'd say are necessary.
Also the Carriers are allowed to change the default search provider in Internet Explorer, so if you're a Bing user like me the usability of in-browser search is... terrible. T-Mobile Maps the Search button (and address bar search) in IE to Google and some Euro Carriers change it to Yahoo. Severely inconsistent and bad considering most people use the address bar to perform searches.
There is no option to change the default search provider. And performing that hack requires more manual labor than rooting and installing a custom ROM on an Android computer (and involves making registry changes, etc. on your Windows PC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only that, but I wouldn't subscribe to any version of Netflix because of the cost. I watch maybe 2 to 4 rented movies a month. And some months, none. To have to pay a fee just to use Netflix is wasteful. Yet that's how NF works. I would, however, subscribe to NF if there was no fee. The only cost would be the rental charge.
I have to say the best game for Xbox Live is the Harvest. Feels like diablo with a sci fi twist. The bad thing though is if your a typical Xbox console gamer, you won't find much that will interest you on WP7.
I swear its a new puzzle or tower defense game ever week.
you can of course customise your lock screen, you could also install "pin to start" which apparently offers customised live tile (don't have it myself, not my type of thing". Apps wise, get the HTC You tube app if you have an HTC device, would also recommend pdf reader and the amazon kindle app (if you like books) beyond that, there are nearly 9000 apps to choose from - I think there are even a couple of "fart" apps if that floats your boat...........
I've already mentioned Adobe Acrobat Reader X and Amazon Kindle.
Not all applications have Live Tiles, and TBH without a Live Tile an app would have to be very important to merit a spot on you home screen (no one wants a home screen that scrolls for miles). I have issues keeping Seesmic/Twitter/Facebook on the Home Screen, for example, without a Live Tile. Games like AlphaJax are good cause the Tile is Live (tells you when it's your turn and how many games you have waiting on you, for example).
The HTC YouTube app is good, but it's only for HTC devices (I already said the Manufacturer apps were a given since they fill in obvious gaps in functionality i.e. YouTube, NotePad/List App, Flashlight, Attentive Phone, Live Weather Tile (HTC), Sound Enhancer, etc.).
The customization that I say is missing isn't really "customization" in the XDA-Developers sense.
Setting a Home Page in the Browser, Setting the Default Search Engine in the Browser, and Options for things like how long you want Toast Notifications to stay on the screen aren't any type of deep customization. It's simply a trivial setting that Microsoft needs to add. These things are missing all over the OS and need to be added in ASAP. It acually makes the OS a chore to use in many instances.
They also need to make carriers unable to alter the default search engine. It sucks for people who use a certain search engine, and makes it take 3x longer to perform searches if you don't want to go through Google. There just need to be an option for the three biggies (Bing, Yahoo, Google) or the ability to allow the bing homepage to set itself as the default search engine (or Yahoo, or Google).
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of all of those the only one I'd use is Adobe Flash. Bing maps is awesome they just need turn by turn navigation, opera and firefox arent going to be worth a damn once the new version of IE is out (on mobile anyway) Messengers are too impersonal, I call and text. I dont even think I've been on messenger in 4 months or so. Skype... well... I'd prefer windows come up with their own video chat app.
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Greg2k said:
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt they'd give in to the competitor like that...Not to mention I'd rather not have google spying on everywhere I go.
I like bing maps, but it needs turn by turn navigation. I do believe this is coming up in some update eventually. I did like the google maps for android though. Some needed apps are:
TELNET
SSH
FTP
RDP
VPN
However, im pretty sure the OS is the reason why we dont have these. I think they are opening those options in the coming update?
Havent we done this before?
Mainly:
- Google Maps
- A good GPS navigation software (Navigon or other)
But also:
- A nice translation software (Robert Collins or other)
- Last.fm app allowing to scrobble my music (the Last.fm app isn't even available in france)
- A simple flashlight using the led flash (I don't have a HTC)
Google Maps.
My experience on WM6.1 with Google was far better than I have had with Bing (so far). Pushpins (Can't find them on Bing though they're supposed to be there) that stay on the map (I work all over the place and need to navigate from and to different locations every day) especially.
Most of all though, I want the phone to automatically stay ON when navigating with what ever Map App I use. I know that there is a possible issue with Screen Burn but this is an imperative when driving.
Why do you need Opera/Firefox？
The stock browser works better than Opera Mobile/Firefox on Android
Unfortunately I believe we will not have Google Maps quite soon.
And I think I understand why Google refuses to release Google Maps for WP7.
Recently a developer told me that its app (similar too Google Maps for WP7) takes a very long time to display the map graphics because WP7 basically forces him to use Microsoft's web components to load the map images (i.e. the maps app provides URLs and then wait for the OS to get the images).
I think Google will never accept that the Google Maps experience on WP7 can be ruined this way, with map images taking too much time to load, just because it is forced to use Microsoft's web components instead of more efficient methods.
It's funny, since having Bing as default on my phone I've switched to Bing on my desktop and I much prefer it now. IE9 desktop is awesome too so I wouldn't be hasty to wish a 3rd party browser with a new IE mobile in the pipeline.
Bing maps could do with an update for outside of the US but I get on alright with it in the UK. Besides with the amount of legal spats / falling outs Google appear to be having of late I wouldn't expect them to be doing anything to help an MS platform regardless of their business strategy being built on advertising.
Messenger client with proper notifications would be great.
Flash may have it's uses but i'll see what develops with HTML5.
The one I really miss from WM6 is a decent turn by turn nav. Igo8 was superb.. better than any stand alone tomtom / garmin i've used.
provided the nokia deal stays firm, anything Ovi Maps covered will get integrated into Bing Maps making it a lot more viable option.
For those complaining about Google Maps, blame Google not Microsoft. Microsoft and 3rd party developers are not allowed to make a Google Maps API due to Google's restrictions. Google themselves have to do it. Till they do, we won't be seeing any Google love. So stop complaining that MS doesn't do it or 3rd parties don't do it, blame Google.
Also... as mentioned, this is like deja vu, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844117 contains a lot of this already...
Any instant messenger that can work in the background. ANY! #1 on my list
A better map that can do navigation
anything else
flash
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm. Only thing i would need is the ability for the browser to bring you to the youtube app and show you the video on the app (like it does on Android instead of playing it on the page eating up the battery and making it slow like hell)
Otherwise than that
MORE GAMES
That is all
arturobandini said:
Unfortunately I believe we will not have Google Maps quite soon.
And I think I understand why Google refuses to release Google Maps for WP7.
Recently a developer told me that its app (similar too Google Maps for WP7) takes a very long time to display the map graphics because WP7 basically forces him to use Microsoft's web components to load the map images (i.e. the maps app provides URLs and then wait for the OS to get the images).
I think Google will never accept that the Google Maps experience on WP7 can be ruined this way, with map images taking too much time to load, just because it is forced to use Microsoft's web components instead of more efficient methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you blaming google for microsoft's ruining of google maps ? (not sure i follow here)
Palringo
Skype (front facing camera phones as well)
Pandora
File Explorer
Opera
nitroxn said:
Hi,
What apps are you guys missing the most on WP7. Lets make a list.
For starters heres a few
1) Adobe Flash
2) Opera/Firefox
3) Windows Messenger official client
4) Skype
5) Google Maps (Bing sucks)
Any more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. recent survey says that over 60% of internet is html5 compliant. I'll take flash as long as its done well (no flash adds, only click to start flash content).
2. I think IE9 will blow those out of the water (it already does on the desktop).
3. Sure, why not, don't use it, but I understand there are a lot that do.
4. No FFC so no need yet. I would rather have a skype app than a MS propietary one like apple has.
5. I think MS partnering with ovi-maps is the reason we don't have a bing tbt yet. I think once that gets integrated, it will be the top data based map app out there.
Greg2k said:
I think Google Maps is critically necessary. Unless you live in the US, Bing Maps is very disappointing. Google Maps is loaded with local businesses around the world, has public transit layers in may big cities, and from my experience has better map coverage (as in purely street names and numbers).
Plus, a vector-based map application is probably a much better idea on a phone, since you can rotate the map according to your orientation without losing quality when you're doing turn-by-turn.
I think Navteq will make a stunning navigation app for WP7, but right now I really need some Google Maps love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think ovi-maps from nokia will solve a lot of that. I don't know how long though.
efjay said:
Havent we done this before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably 8 or 9 times.
nickallison said:
Google Maps.
My experience on WM6.1 with Google was far better than I have had with Bing (so far). Pushpins (Can't find them on Bing though they're supposed to be there) that stay on the map (I work all over the place and need to navigate from and to different locations every day) especially.
Most of all though, I want the phone to automatically stay ON when navigating with what ever Map App I use. I know that there is a possible issue with Screen Burn but this is an imperative when driving.
Click to expand...
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That can be added to any of the apps. The devs just need to add it.
ohgood said:
are you blaming google for microsoft's ruining of google maps ? (not sure i follow here)
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No, I'm blaming Microsoft.
Navigation in Bing...
Bank of America
American airlines
U-verse for more than just at&t
Pandora
Fring or palringo
Skype
Engadget...
And then I'd be happy ....
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Stop moaning. You should have done research before.
The fact is that alot of apps that you are looking for needs time to make.
One little document to change something has to be signed of by way too many people and this slow the process down.
Be patient
This could be a help thread, if people could give pointers on what to do. What I can't see or use so far:
- Bing Vision to scan books
- Texts read to me / total control of messaging by voice
- When playing music, background artist picture is in the hub but not on the screen when phone is locked.
Will probably find others very soon.
The voice features are something you have to enable, same with the artist for the lock screen. Just take a look farther into the options.
Over8ted said:
The voice features are something you have to enable, same with the artist for the lock screen. Just take a look farther into the options.
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Found them, thanks
Full Bing Vision is US only I guess
Isn't the Bing Vision book scanning issue part of the region-specific problem? I know it works perfectly for me in the US, and I didn't need to do anything to enable it.
All those features work perfectly fine for me.
For Bing Vision: Press the search button > In bing press the shortcut icon on the bottom bar that looks like an eye > Scan books, cd covers, barcodes, foreign languages, etc (may take a little while to show links depending on your internet connection)
For Zune Artist : Enable in Lockscreen settings (you have to be listening to music)
For Text to Speech: Press and hold the windows button > If any message appears read and follow instructions > Say: Text ‘Contact’. > Say your message > press send icon
You may need to go to settings and put a check box next to “Enable speech recognition over the network”. If you do need to do this, your phone will tell you when you attempt the above steps.
Next time try to spend some more time in the settings before making topics like these.
deleted. sorry
I did spend time in the settings but some things are needlessly burried. As for Bing Vision it definitely doesn't scan books, cd covers, etc. here in the UK.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Peew971 said:
I did spend time in the settings but some things are needlessly burried. As for Bing Vision it definitely doesn't scan books, cd covers, etc. here in the UK.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Nope, all it does is scan text then gives you the option to search for the word or translate it. Ok if you want translation but no idea why you would want to search a word. Was hoping it would work similar to Google Goggles or Bings equivalent in the US.
Bing Vision book scanning, barcode scan (except QR), Local Scout, and Music are for US only. I hate it when Microsoft advertise something that's not available in your country.
To enable the Bing Scout, Visual and so on just set you location and locale to US. I'm in Canada and set it to US and I get that + my Zune hub gets artist pictures/backgrounds as well.
If you're in Europe, scanning with US locale would be useless as you wouldn't get local results (prices in dollars for instance). Local Scout works in the UK though.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Peew971 said:
If you're in Europe, scanning with US locale would be useless as you wouldn't get local results (prices in dollars for instance). Local Scout works in the UK though.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Ah, right, never thought of that.
If in the UK, you can access Scout from Maps. After Maps has 'locked on' to where you are, you can use Scout from the menu at the bottom...
Qr codes are what I mostly use bing vision for. I petty much use all the mango features. Can't think of one I don't use.
Sent from my T8788 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
What about Xbox Live Voice Chat? I thought I read that it was confirmed.
Also, what is the globe like icon on the bottom right of all our contact short cuts. Click on a short cut letter on contact list, look at bottom right corner.
Seed 2.0 said:
Also, what is the globe like icon on the bottom right of all our contact short cuts. Click on a short cut letter on contact list, look at bottom right corner.
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For foreign characters
geddeeee said:
If in the UK, you can access Scout from Maps. After Maps has 'locked on' to where you are, you can use Scout from the menu at the bottom...
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You can also access Local Scout straight from Bing
Artist image on lock screen is under Settings > Lock & Wallpaper
Sent from my 7 Pro T7576 using Board Express
There is a list of what features work in which countries here...
http://www.andrewtechhelp.com/andrews-tech-opinions/126-windows-phone-7-feature-availability-matrix-the-mango-edition
The pertinent point would be "Update (03/07/2011): The Bing Vision feature will scan QR Codes, Microsoft Tags and Text (for translation) whereever the feature is available, but will only scan Books, CDs & DVDs in the US."