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What are your top 3 third party applications that you would love to have on your Windows Phone 7 Series? Most used applications for your daily routines, works, entertainment, what not ... Top 3 applications that you have in mind when asked about mobile applications.
Interesting to know so we could see what users expect to have on WP7 in terms of application.
It does not have to be Windows Mobile 6.x applications. If you think certain iPhone / Android / BB / Symbian apps thats fine.
I start with my top 3:
1. Offline navigation software
- like TomTom, CoPilot, iGo.
2. Opera Mini
- I just love the speed, thats all.
3. Good Facebook client
- Microsoft has one for WM6, but I expect much better than that. I read that iPhone version is better.
I basically use my phone for calls, messages and development... being last one like the only reason why I didn't keep my cheap old Nokia phone. Sometimes I'm using weather, GPS, reading emails or google for this or that but that's all and I'm just happy that I just can do such things whenever I would need them. I'm not really a crazy apps freak....
Got to be iGo as one of them for me!
gogol said:
3. Good Facebook client
- Microsoft has one for WM6, but I expect much better than that. I read that iPhone version is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OS comes with great facebook integration already built in, no need for an app!
My top apps are:
FPSeCE (Playstation Emulator)
Spacetime 4.0 (Graphing Calculator Software)
Pandora
I know that, but I have doubt with that Facebook integration.
Not that I am saying it is not good, but from what I saw ... the integration is split into 2 hubs ... People hub where you can see status update of your Facebook friends and Photo/Pictures hub where you can see Facebook photo albums of your friends.
With dedicated Facebook app, all those will come in the same flow of information.
Well, not a big deal really, because I am using http://touch.facebook.com via web browser (Opera Mini).
Kloc said:
The OS comes with great facebook integration already built in, no need for an app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gogol said:
Not that I am saying it is not good, but from what I saw ... the integration is split into 2 hubs ... People hub where you can see status update of your Facebook friends and Photo/Pictures hub where you can see Facebook photo albums of your friends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which, IMO, is the best approach possible. Heck, I might even start using Facebook this way. Why would I need that information in a separate application? Why would I want to view photos in anything but a photo viewing app? Or where else do I need contact information apart from the contact app?
Also, this approach theoretically should aggregate information from different networks in a way that makes sense. I mean, if you are a member of both Facebook and, say, Linked-In, would you really want two separate applications to handle data from these networks?
1.Opera Mobile 10
To read 3 different newspapers each morning on my Omnia II and have all my desktop bookmarks synced OTA to my phone. Been using Opera since v3.0 or so, love it.
2.GSPlayer
to listen to somafm.com !
3. Googlemaps
Works good enough, could be done much better (font size can not be set !) and leaks 2 DC's each time you start and stop it. Have to take another look at bing maps soon
Coreplayer!!!!!!!!
IGO
BattClock (used to display battery info)
For me, if I can reduce time spent then I will choose that way.
Instead of going into 2 hubs to read status updates AND photo updates, I would prefer to just go once to look them all
Like I said, this is not a big deal because there is facebook website itself which can be accessed via web browser.
Probably because I use facebook a lot
Oh yes, the idea of multiple social network integration is nice, dont get me wrong. Probably just because of that, I would start using Twitter! Atm I am only using FB.
vangrieg said:
Which, IMO, is the best approach possible. Heck, I might even start using Facebook this way. Why would I need that information in a separate application? Why would I want to view photos in anything but a photo viewing app? Or where else do I need contact information apart from the contact app?
Also, this approach theoretically should aggregate information from different networks in a way that makes sense. I mean, if you are a member of both Facebook and, say, Linked-In, would you really want two separate applications to handle data from these networks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Top applications: 'Real' Map-reader/GPS, Ebook reader,
Well, I might not be a typical user (and actually one of the things I liked about 'Windows Mobile Classic' was that it had a diverse ecosystem, catering for non-typical users!) but these are the two apps I use most:
1) A GPS/map-reader that works with real maps (i.e. topographic maps such as, in the UK, the Ordinance Survey series)
- so ideally, Memory-Map will port their software to WP7
2) An ebook reader that can read EPUB and TXT formats
- actually this is such an important use-case for me that I wrote a program to do it (see this thread). I expect to start porting it to WP7 just as soon as the SDK becomes available.
Windows Phone 7 is a paradigm-shift in how phones operate. Apps will no longer be individual screens, but will be subsumed into the overall user interface. Facebook is the most obvious example of that. If you take Tomtom, for instance, it will be peppered all over the phone in any of the following ways;
People Hub: Select a person and then hit the menu option to navigate to their home or workplace
Calendar Hub: Select a Calendar Entry and then hit the menu option to navigate to the Location of that entry.
Bing Search: Hit a search result to be navigated to its location if it is a real world place like a pizza restaurant, for instance. Once Tomtom is installed, instead of just the one option to be directed there by Bing Maps, you'll have a second option as well to navigate there by Tomtom.
Only once you're actually on the road will you get the Tomtom screen up with the 3D view of the road. The rest of the Tomtom UI will be embedded into these hubs.
I'd expect Twitter, Google Maps, Flickr etc to all melt into the phone's UI as simply extra menu options.
I think this is largely why the App list accessible from the home screen is so basic - it won't be the usual way to start an app. Normally the app will be called from a menu in part of one of the hubs. In this way, apps will organically feel like just an extension of the phone's usual functionality. Heck, I can even see the Photos hub doing something like footprints and recording the GPS coordinates, so you can use the Tomtom menu item in there to navigate to the place in the photo!
This is going to be totally awesome. And I think it's partly why the question of "Does it multitask" isn't so clear-cut...
I use my phone as a phone and as a PDA so most of what I need is already there (calendar, alarm, agenda, Excel, etc)
1) But I have to have an ewallet. I use SPB at the moment and fully expect them to port it to WP7.
2) I also would like some ereader that handles most file types (EPUB mostly).
Could care less about the whole Facebook/Twitter thing. Just hope they don't get in the way of how I use my phone. Will have to wait to see how the interface can be changed. If I have to have Facebook/Twitter in the middle of my processes I will probably not get a WP7 phone.
donnaw said:
Could care less about the whole Facebook/Twitter thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that doesn't make sense? Do you mean you could NOT care less?
I would like to see all my apps on it I hope I will be able to port them!
I love opera and youtube
giggles33 said:
I love opera and youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera should be made redundant by the new version of IE contained in WP7S. Youtube will become a subsumed service as part of the Pictures & Videos hub in the UI, and will simply be another source of video from the cloud, in the same way that Facebook posted videos are. I would also imagine that the Bing search engine will return Youtube hits.
Basically, be prepared for apps to function in an entirely different way to what you're used to - they will become simply extensions of your phone's functionality - many apps will be able to avoid having their own screens at all and instead rely on the hubs to provide their input/output.
Jim Coleman said:
Opera should be made redundant by the new version of IE contained in WP7S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not likely that we'll see a version of Opera on WP7S as it's impossible to do a decent browser engine in managed code, because alternative browser makers will be the last to get access to native APIs (if ever), and probably IE will be much better than what we have now, but alternative browsers will not be made "redundant" by this. I can bet IE won't have text reflow, for example, which I personally love and severely miss when I try to use iPhone's Safari.
vangrieg said:
I can bet IE won't have text reflow, for example, which I personally love and severely miss when I try to use iPhone's Safari.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would lose that bet.
I would like to see Skype on Win Phone 7
Making competitors (Opera must earn a lot of money with their OEM deals) redundant is just plainly impossible nowadays without some sort of "deal" made. It's really very interesting what will happen soon.
I'm very unhappy with my new Desire. It is of course, also, the problem regarding "the change" from WM to Android, but... I cannot choose "My location" and now I just discovered that YOU CAN'T SYNC NOTES AND TASK with Outlook. This is unbelievable! If the problem with My location and weather shown in the HOME Screen it's not so serious (you can check the weather on line) the problem with the sync it's awful, and there is no program on the "market" to solve it.
I can't believe that I just bought a 500 euro phone and it is so useless. Is there any chance to replace the famous "Android" with a real OS like WM 6.5 (from HD2) for example???
Please I'm desperate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
buy a HD2 instead. (!!!11!1!!!)
Why did you buy an Android phone if you want to install WM 6.5 on it?
Why do people still use Outlook is beyond my belief
Why do people still sync to a computer (that can only be in one place at a time) is again beyond my belief.
I have my Desire for 2 weeks now and I never even installed the sync app, don't even know what it looks like.
But to answer your question: NO you can't replace Android to the fake ... i mean real OS Windows Mobile.
I came from Windows Mobile and I couldn't be happier i got rid of it. Stop thinking offline, and start thinking cloud sync... it'll eventually be the default weather we like it or not.
You can argue (From a technical pov) that WM6.5 is a real OS and that Android isn't. In fact even Symbian would be more of a "Real" OS than Android. The difference is that those two OSes can run native code and Android just runs everything via Java. This doesn't mean much to most users but to developers it means a lot.
someone please shut this thread before the OP gets flamed to death......
If native code means a deficiency of decent apps, where even the few good ones are jerky, clunky and Windows CE...ey then I'm all for Java - go Java.
I left the HD2 because Windows Mobile is unreliable (believe it or not) because it was never meant to handle such complex skins as Sense UI and therefore leaked memory like a teabag full of pulped brain; and also because there was a deficiency of decent apps (despite its supposed ability to handle 'native code'). If it's so great then why are most of the .cabs people install fixes and patches rather than ACTUAL apps? And why are there no decent alternative Facebook apps etc? Is Windows Mobile 'TOO GOOD' for this sort of software development? For an OS a fifth of the age of Windows Mobile, Android has ten times as many IM apps (for example). Why is this so?
Android allows for one to code/install apps for even CORE applications like SMS and Email: show me a decent email replacement for Windows Mobile? One that ACTUALLY REPLACES the native one....you can't? Android can.
And as capricious as it might seem the rubbish email client in Windows Mobile was one of the reasons I started to loath the OS. What is the point of the 'click to scroll right' and 'pictures blocked for security reasons' BS??? Is it REALLY necessary? And why is it so....ugly?
Anyway I thought I'd get my word in before this thread gets closed. If you can't move with the times then go and buy a TyTn 2 or something. Outlook syncing will soon be as dead as Windows Mobile so for Google to include it would be a backwards step, being as more necessary features are still to be implemented.
It's all about the cloud.
P.S. research before jumping in and buying a phone as you seem to have very specific requirements. Outlook task and notes syncing is a VERY SPECIFIC requirement which in the overall scheme of a burgeoning OS would be deemed unnecessary by Google. I wouldn't buy a Renault Megane if I needed a tractor.
I think it's just a case of people not liking change at all. So the different and sometimes better things that Android provides seem not so good.
Why do people still use Outlook is beyond my belief
Why do people still sync to a computer (that can only be in one place at a time) is again beyond my belief.
I have my Desire for 2 weeks now and I never even installed the sync app, don't even know what it looks like.
But to answer your question: NO you can't replace Android to the fake ... i mean real OS Windows Mobile.
I came from Windows Mobile and I couldn't be happier i got rid of it. Stop thinking offline, and start thinking cloud sync... it'll eventually be the default weather we like it or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For work purposes most likely? Information that has to be stored securely in outlook on a system which they DO NOT want in the cloud? But would like to sync via hard wire or secure connection to the device?
Outlook syncing will be alive as long as Microsoft push it and businesses continue to use it and would rather not have information in the cloud, even Windows Phone 7 offers outlook syncing, it isn't going anywhere.
I havn't tried but doesn't htc sync allow to sync with Outlook?? I though that was what it said on the box....
Anyhow, i've just come from an HTC Touch HD where i have tried all the versions of windows and senses and other interfaces and i have to say i am loving my new desire!!!!
I am no developer but Android is so much better adapted to a smartphone, it's fast, fluid and allows all sorts of customization and when i had my HD, as far as i can remember, there were like 20 apps on the marketplace, i thin android market is at 30.000???? No question, no comparison!!!
An app on the Market - Touchdown allows tasks syncing with outlook. Not sure about Notes.
But to be honest, as has been said, why spend €500 on a phone and not have done any research into wether it will do what you want it to.
Not only that, but if its a problem, then in most instances you wil be able to return it within 7 or 14 days for a refund (less any charges) so you should have done that.
Whats the moral of this tale :- Always do your research!
solaris78 said:
I'm very unhappy with my new Desire. It is of course, also, the problem regarding "the change" from WM to Android, but... I cannot choose "My location" and now I just discovered that YOU CAN'T SYNC NOTES AND TASK with Outlook. This is unbelievable! If the problem with My location and weather shown in the HOME Screen it's not so serious (you can check the weather on line) the problem with the sync it's awful, and there is no program on the "market" to solve it.
I can't believe that I just bought a 500 euro phone and it is so useless. Is there any chance to replace the famous "Android" with a real OS like WM 6.5 (from HD2) for example???
Please I'm desperate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had such explicit requirements, why didn't you do the research before hand?
Regarding issue with syncing tasks, use the calendar to create your tasks in outlook, use an app on your computer called google calendar sync to upload it to a gmail account, then you'll have them on your phone... simple.
Gustibus non disputandum est!
That means (I hope I write it down correct): the tastes are not questionable!!
I did my research before buying this toy, and I can return it in 30 days (10 to go), and the HD2 was the first option but the sizes ... to big for me.
At the office I use Outlook on my laptop to do notes, task, appointments (on my laptop)... and so on, and when I'm on the field maybe I need some of them, so.... I WILL LIKE TO SYNC MY NOTES FROM LAPTOP WITH MY PHONE. What is so hard to understand? That not everybody use the phone for games and billions of apps which are doing the same thing. In 3 hours of searching I found not more than 5 interesting application (and the WM has 3 of them in the original OS). That's all!
Why I use Outlook ? Because I have a job and an server e-mail and like any more than 70% of this world computers I use MIcrosoft Software. I received an advice from one forum: use Gmail notes! You gotta be kidding ! This 500 euro phone should have some real business apps. I don't use phone for music, pictures and games, instead I need a mail client which allow me to select different mails and mark them like read, or unread. I receive hundreds of mail daily and I need to organize them. What it's so hard to understand?
Give me a break with this Android OS. I hoped that will be different than Iphone but it's the same sheet. I prefer to have notes instead Facebook...social communication ! And tasks instead youtube!
When I bought this phone I never thought that the sync software will not sync notes and tasks. The 5 years old Nokia or Sony that I used then had it. MY problem is that the solution is so simple but you prefer to tell me that I have 3 billions of apps, why I need notes when I can play poker or chess?in 5000 languages.
In my opinion Android is a great software but ... for this price you should think that are some people which are trying to use it for the daily job and not for messenger to pick-up minor teenage girls.
One of you wrote: why do you use Outlook, get on-line... Some information will never go on-line... company policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes Android it's more simple to use than WM, but because it's simple he does simple things, but I NEED MORE! so I guess I need WM, complicated but it has what I need; it's just like cars: some people like muscle cars (pure power and simple technology), but others prefer German or Japanese cars which are maybe a little bit complicated but they offer something different.
thanks anyway!
snapilica2003 said:
Why do people still use Outlook is beyond my belief
Why do people still sync to a computer (that can only be in one place at a time) is again beyond my belief.
I have my Desire for 2 weeks now and I never even installed the sync app, don't even know what it looks like.
But to answer your question: NO you can't replace Android to the fake ... i mean real OS Windows Mobile.
I came from Windows Mobile and I couldn't be happier i got rid of it. Stop thinking offline, and start thinking cloud sync... it'll eventually be the default weather we like it or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what mail client do you use: Gmail, yahoo? are you in the kindergarden? or maybe you use phone for Facebook and Youtube. It's so cool you can see your friends on-line. Take care, maybe someday you will lose contact with the real world, and than you will be in the MATRIX... and poor me I'll be offline!
Sorry I couldn't resist ! but now seriously :WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS PHONE ?
So basically you're here to have a rant because you made a poor choice when buying a phone. Fair enough.
For what it's worth, I work in IT, and I use the Desire to keep a watch on my company email and calendar, sync'ed from Exchange Server. Does the job just fine. I don't use notes in Outlook because what ever you want to do, there is always a better alternative, even a note app on the phone itself would do a better job.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
solaris78 said:
That means (I hope I write it down correct): the tastes are not questionable!!
I did my research before buying this toy, and I can return it in 30 days (10 to go), and the HD2 was the first option but the sizes ... to big for me.
At the office I use Outlook on my laptop to do notes, task, appointments (on my laptop)... and so on, and when I'm on the field maybe I need some of them, so.... I WILL LIKE TO SYNC MY NOTES FROM LAPTOP WITH MY PHONE. What is so hard to understand? That not everybody use the phone for games and billions of apps which are doing the same thing. In 3 hours of searching I found not more than 5 interesting application (and the WM has 3 of them in the original OS). That's all!
Why I use Outlook ? Because I have a job and an server e-mail and like any more than 70% of this world computers I use MIcrosoft Software. I received an advice from one forum: use Gmail notes! You gotta be kidding ! This 500 euro phone should have some real business apps. I don't use phone for music, pictures and games, instead I need a mail client which allow me to select different mails and mark them like read, or unread. I receive hundreds of mail daily and I need to organize them. What it's so hard to understand?
Give me a break with this Android OS. I hoped that will be different than Iphone but it's the same sheet. I prefer to have notes instead Facebook...social communication ! And tasks instead youtube!
When I bought this phone I never thought that the sync software will not sync notes and tasks. The 5 years old Nokia or Sony that I used then had it. MY problem is that the solution is so simple but you prefer to tell me that I have 3 billions of apps, why I need notes when I can play poker or chess?in 5000 languages.
In my opinion Android is a great software but ... for this price you should think that are some people which are trying to use it for the daily job and not for messenger to pick-up minor teenage girls.
One of you wrote: why do you use Outlook, get on-line... Some information will never go on-line... company policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes Android it's more simple to use than WM, but because it's simple he does simple things, but I NEED MORE! so I guess I need WM, complicated but it has what I need; it's just like cars: some people like muscle cars (pure power and simple technology), but others prefer German or Japanese cars which are maybe a little bit complicated but they offer something different.
thanks anyway!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah after reading a bit, i think that you didn't really put much research into this... On your statements i would recommend Blackberry, its for emails, tasks and sync.
solaris78 said:
it's just like cars: some people like muscle cars (pure power and simple technology), but others prefer German or Japanese cars which are maybe a little bit complicated but they offer something different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Show me the man who looks to buy a broken car, and I'll show you a HD2 that actually works as it's supposed to
solaris78 said:
what mail client do you use: Gmail, yahoo? are you in the kindergarden? or maybe you use phone for Facebook and Youtube. It's so cool you can see your friends on-line. Take care, maybe someday you will lose contact with the real world, and than you will be in the MATRIX... and poor me I'll be offline!
Sorry I couldn't resist ! but now seriously :WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS PHONE ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude, the thing is, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS PHONE. Period. When you bought it you know, it's running android. As for syncing with outlook, you could have research it before hand. If you explicitly use it for syncing with outlook, and your work has a lot to do with microsoft software, why did you not buy a windows mobile device? answer me, plz.
What next? ppl are gonna come out complaining they cant install windows mobile on their iphone? give me a break.
solaris78 said:
what mail client do you use: Gmail, yahoo? are you in the kindergarden? or maybe you use phone for Facebook and Youtube. It's so cool you can see your friends on-line. Take care, maybe someday you will lose contact with the real world, and than you will be in the MATRIX... and poor me I'll be offline!
Sorry I couldn't resist ! but now seriously :WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS PHONE ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually working for a global telecom company as IT, so your statement above makes me laugh.
Do you guys don't separate your work life from your personal life? Are you doing work all the time.
My phone is exactly that, MY phone, not the company's phone, not the work phone. I'm not paying MY money to have a phone for work. My company gave me a phone and that's the work phone, that's the phone i'm called when someone from WORK wants to reach me, that phone is for work mail, that phone is for the stuff you said you needed. That phone that has the features my work requires from me.
This phone is my personal phone. I don't want to be contacted on this phone, I don't want to do work on this phone, it's MY phone and yeah, I do use Gmail as a personal email, I do use Google Calendar as my personal agenda, I do use Google Contacts and many many other cloud applications Google offers and I couldn't be happier. I want Facebook on MY phone, I want YouTube on MY phone.
Oh and that outlook you so much want is just a fronted to a MTA server, be it POP3, IMAP or Exchange. If you're not working for a secret spy agency most likely those MTA's are public and accessible from the internet. Why not connect to those and insist to connect to Outlook? If your company uses Exchange you can set up this phone to use it also, and you can sync everything outlook has ... through the cloud (that is if you work in a normal company that actually lets users check their mail when not at the office), so you don't need to be connected to anything, just need internet on the phone.
I configured the Exchange ActiveSync from my work account the phone and works like a charm, if i put an appointment on my phone it shows up on Outlook after a few minutes "just like that", if i put an appointment on Outlook it shows up on my phone "just like that". To tell you the truth since I got this phone, i never once hooked it to a computer, only transfered via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sometimes.
foner78 said:
So basically you're here to have a rant because you made a poor choice when buying a phone. Fair enough.
For what it's worth, I work in IT, and I use the Desire to keep a watch on my company email and calendar, sync'ed from Exchange Server. Does the job just fine. I don't use notes in Outlook because what ever you want to do, there is always a better alternative, even a note app on the phone itself would do a better job.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No man, I don't have a rant here, just trying to explain myself. It's not fair what happens to me here, because I asked a question and everybody jumped on me instead helping me. Exchange Server it's a great solution but unfortunately my company will not use a server for this. And for me there is no better alternative than Outlook, WE ARE DIFFERENT, accept it. I installed 10 notes apps, but none have sync with outlook. I know that I can use notes directly on phone but it's much easier on the laptop.
I repeat: I can, and probably I will return the phone. I love how it looks, dimensions, the hardware... and I was thinking that maybe because it's a software problem it can be solved. Why are so ... LOCKED ?
so im a winmo expert and wont be switching to android til my hd2 dies.
but since my mom and sis are on vzw i told them to get the incredible since they were bugging for smartphones.
i already got them setup in terms of using sense and setting up accounts, got them advanced task killer and all that
any recommendation for good apps for basic use, not power users obviously.
then in terms of music is it as simple as drag and drop to the sd like with winmo?
and how about data tethering do i have to root the phone for her or is there a simple hack or app to do it for free instead of paying vzw
thanks guys
lbhocky19 said:
so im a winmo expert and wont be switching to android til my hd2 dies.
but since my mom and sis are on vzw i told them to get the incredible since they were bugging for smartphones.
i already got them setup in terms of using sense and setting up accounts, got them advanced task killer and all that
any recommendation for good apps for basic use, not power users obviously.
then in terms of music is it as simple as drag and drop to the sd like with winmo?
and how about data tethering do i have to root the phone for her or is there a simple hack or app to do it for free instead of paying vzw
thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get doubletwist for MP3 and video playback and theres even a PC program that goes with it, kind of like iTunes, but probably better. You can drop music on your SD card as well.
other apps I recommend
Beautiful widgets
Handcent SMS
Pandora or Slacker Radio, etc.
Google Voice, they can go to google.com/voice and get a free account, you can get free visual voicemail or get another phone number or both
ah doubletwist that came on my hd2 i didnt realize it was a syncing app i might just use that as well, thanks
what videos work on android or do you need different players for codecs like divx and such
being a smart phone and android n00b and a lady hopwefully my list will appeal to your mom and sis
Just a short list of the easy-to-use apps I've really liked so far...
Where's My Droid, fun little app that, at its most basic, will allow you to txt your "lost" phone to turn up the vol to max so you can find it... this seems to happen to me a lot so it is invaluable to me.
Mobisle Notes, simple notes app... lets you make multiple lists, groceries, feelance, what have you... easy to use.
Google Sky Map, self explanatory, amazes my 'rents
Gesture Search, set it up on long-hold of search soft key and draw letters on screen for speedy searching of pics, apps, files, people, etc.
Good Morning, interesting alarm app that will wake you with a custom message, the weather, your choice of song
Some fun and easy to understand games:
Coloroid
Grid Droid
Alchemy
Bonsai Blast
Doodle Jump
dali137 said:
being a smart phone and android n00b and a lady hopwefully my list will appeal to your mom and sis
Just a short list of the easy-to-use apps I've really liked so far...
Where's My Droid, fun little app that, at its most basic, will allow you to txt your "lost" phone to turn up the vol to max so you can find it... this seems to happen to me a lot so it is invaluable to me.
Mobisle Notes, simple notes app... lets you make multiple lists, groceries, feelance, what have you... easy to use.
Google Sky Map, self explanatory, amazes my 'rents
Gesture Search, set it up on long-hold of search soft key and draw letters on screen for speedy searching of pics, apps, files, people, etc.
Good Morning, interesting alarm app that will wake you with a custom message, the weather, your choice of song
Some fun and easy to understand games:
Coloroid
Grid Droid
Alchemy
Bonsai Blast
Doodle Jump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some good apps;
paper toss
epic fails
funny jokes
astro file manager
also, there are many soundboards from most movies
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Other Useful apps.
yelp: Search for your favorite restaurant, stores, gas station and much much more... along with reviews. Searches by gps location
ziplocal: kind of like yellow pages.. only much better
google shopper (and or barcode): Useful when you want to scan bar codes in stores and see comparative prices online. Can also scan book covers and C/DVD covers
Uninstaller: good program that'll uninstall apps cleanly
Titanium backup: if you want to back up your apps along with user data and system data
guage battery widget: Nice widget that'll show your battery remaining as a gauge
sound manager: good for scheduling/setting ringtone sound, notification sound and vibration setting
Pandora: good for listening music
thanks to all, il forward suggestions to them.
last thing is just the tethering hack, anyone been successful? dont need wifi sharing just usb is fine
lbhocky19 said:
thanks to all, il forward suggestions to them.
last thing is just the tethering hack, anyone been successful? dont need wifi sharing just usb is fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PdaNet works fine for tethering.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
For tethering I'd recommend EasyTether from the Market. Cheaper than PDAnet and faster to boot. Just don't try playing WoW or Starcraft 2 on it.
Also, task killers kill batteries because of the way Android operates. Android is very efficient at managing resources. Heck, Froyo (the new version of the OS that is rolling out) disables 3rd party task killers.
If battery life is a concern, look into UltimateJuice or Sedio's 1700mah battery. I'm a moderate to heavy user and the combo of those two gets me through the day on a single charge.
Also, they might like the program Foxy Ring. It auto adjusts ringer volume based on ambient noise and a toggle for a "timed" silence mode.
Hope that helps!
apps on the market get around having to pay for vzw's fees for tethering? surprised thats allowed
had no idea task managers did that, so even if 10 things are running in the back they really aren't using power like on winmo?
lbhocky19 said:
apps on the market get around having to pay for vzw's fees for tethering? surprised thats allowed
had no idea task managers did that, so even if 10 things are running in the back they really aren't using power like on winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you're not using exorbitant amounts of data, it doesn't phase VZW or even come to their attention. So Facebooking and light to moderate YouTube streaming is peachy-keen.
Processes are kept in the background to launch faster and provide better QoS. Unless they are set to sync with the cloud on an interval, they actually aren't doing anything in the background. That's where UltimateJuice comes in with regulating sync and when the APN is on.
Now, if you have programs that came with the phone which you never use, but insist on loading into the background at boot, you can use a Startup Cleaner to nix those, but allow them to be reloaded if they actually are used.
Cheers!
dali137 said:
being a smart phone and android n00b and a lady hopwefully my list will appeal to your mom and sis
Just a short list of the easy-to-use apps I've really liked so far...
Where's My Droid, fun little app that, at its most basic, will allow you to txt your "lost" phone to turn up the vol to max so you can find it... this seems to happen to me a lot so it is invaluable to me.
Mobisle Notes, simple notes app... lets you make multiple lists, groceries, feelance, what have you... easy to use.
Google Sky Map, self explanatory, amazes my 'rents
Gesture Search, set it up on long-hold of search soft key and draw letters on screen for speedy searching of pics, apps, files, people, etc.
Good Morning, interesting alarm app that will wake you with a custom message, the weather, your choice of song
Some fun and easy to understand games:
Coloroid
Grid Droid
Alchemy
Bonsai Blast
Doodle Jump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny to see a list of apps that most of which I've never heard of. Other than Google Sky map and Doodle Jump. Shows the market is getting more diverse.
Just thought of a couple of apps they might like.
Movies: find movie theatre times, reviews, trailers, and manage Netflix queue.
eBuddy: universal chat client for MSN, aim, Facebook, etc.
Mood Agent: quick temp playlist generator based on mood or song.
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).
Here's the thing...I am planning on making my next phone either the new Nokia or the Focus S pretty much whichever releases first. I came from a 3gs and now have a Captivate and I want WP7 users to tell me the top things they miss from their previous OS...whether it be Android or IPhone. I am pretty much trying to figure out what I am going to be giving up in the switch to WP7. Thanks for any replies and no trolls please lol.
I think in general you'll be gaining a very trouble free, polished, and well integrated experience, while giving up more customization and a giant marketplace. i think coming from ios and android the biggest things you'll miss are your apps, if you were a big app user.
Notifications. WP doesn't show your notifications in one place like Android or even a popup like ios. You have to have the app pinned the home screen. If you have a lot of apps this could get annoying
Sent from my T8788 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Oh and no google apps on WP. No Gmail no maps no voice. Not official ones anyway
Sent from my T8788 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
I know I lose words with friends but i'm sure there is a replacement of some kind in the app store plus xbox live integration will even that our for me (hopefully). Missed calls and messages are really the only important notifications I need. I do use gmail as my main email tho so will that cause any problems? Also how does bing maps compare to google maps? Nokia drive looks really nice if I go that route. What about any kind if visual voicemail? Any alternatives to google voice?
Gurgs said:
I know I lose words with friends but i'm sure there is a replacement of some kind in the app store plus xbox live integration will even that our for me (hopefully). Missed calls and messages are really the only important notifications I need. I do use gmail as my main email tho so will that cause any problems? Also how does bing maps compare to google maps? Nokia drive looks really nice if I go that route. What about any kind if visual voicemail? Any alternatives to google voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see icons/numbers for missed calls, messages, emails on the lock screen and on the live tiles and there are notifications for all of them.
You can use GMail with the mail client (IMAP), also Google Calendar works fine. I am not sure about Bing Maps in the US but here in Austria it's useless. But there is a good (free) unofficial Google Maps app. Visual voicemail is only supported by some carriers.
Gurgs said:
Here's the thing...I am planning on making my next phone either the new Nokia or the Focus S pretty much whichever releases first. I came from a 3gs and now have a Captivate and I want WP7 users to tell me the top things they miss from their previous OS...whether it be Android or IPhone. I am pretty much trying to figure out what I am going to be giving up in the switch to WP7. Thanks for any replies and no trolls please lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
abysmal support for instant messaging apps. That's my only gripe.
Words by post is the alternate. Its superior to words with friends imo
Sent from my T8788 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
I came from WM6.5. I miss the bluetooth support. WP7 does not have SPP, so no external bluetooth devices will work, only bluetooth headsets etc. I can't use my bluetooth external GPS. Since my LG has a really poor GPS, this really bites.
Other than that, I really like the WP7 experience now that Mango is out.
Big issues for me compared to IOS.
- Lack of apps. The big ones like Facebook have been ported, but little ones (like language learning apps and dictionaries) - forget it.
- Lack of games. Always playing with my ipod touch, never play with my WP7 phone. Not enough good titles.
- No audio scrubbing in music player. Can't fast forward properly or jump around in tracks - makes it useless to for playing podcasts/audiobooks. Still have to use my ipod for listening to language CDs.
- Poor support for podcasts imported from Itunes. They appear in random order, also much prefer itunes to zune.
- No way to backup a WP7 phone. If you lose your phone or have to upgrade your firmware, wave goodbye to all your save data, settings and sms messages. You'll also have to manually re-install all of your apps.
karan1203 said:
Words by post is the alternate. Its superior to words with friends imo
Sent from my T8788 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is words by post cross platform? WP7 -> iPhone? My wife has the 4s and that would be great...
Notifications, Swype (I like typing with one hand), screen orientation lock and LED flash light app.
Other than that, there are little limitations here and there that will probably be addressed in the future updates.
topkop said:
Notifications, Swype (I like typing with one hand), screen orientation lock and LED flash light app.
Other than that, there are little limitations here and there that will probably be addressed in the future updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there only one choice for keyboard in WP7? If so how does it compare to stock keyboards on other platforms?
Gurgs said:
Is there only one choice for keyboard in WP7? If so how does it compare to stock keyboards on other platforms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is just 1 keyboard with Windows Phone 7.
I used to use Swype with Windows Mobile.
The keyboard for Windows phone 7 does have autmatic corrections and word suggestions. It ends up being just as fast as swype.
I have a quantum, which also has a real physical keyboard, which is nice when typing a long email.
No issues with the on screen keyboard. It works very well.
Aphasaic2002 said:
- Poor support for podcasts imported from Itunes. They appear in random order, also much prefer itunes to zune.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, podcast handling is one of the things I like in Windows Phone! I used to download podcasts using ITunes and using Zune to sync to the phone. There is an easier way.
Now I have the phone automatically download and manage the podcasts itself (without using a PC). The phone downloads podcasts automatically when it is plugged into power and connected to Wifi. I've set it to keep the last 5 episodes of each podcast - works great so far and less hassle than launching iTunes every day!
More details here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1286101
Gurgs said:
Is words by post cross platform? WP7 -> iPhone? My wife has the 4s and that would be great...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Words by Post is on WP, Android & iOS so yes.
Audio and Video Scrubbing. How this was missing in 2010 let alone 2011 just doesn't make sense.
Gurgs said:
I know I lose words with friends but i'm sure there is a replacement of some kind in the app store plus xbox live integration will even that our for me (hopefully). Missed calls and messages are really the only important notifications I need. I do use gmail as my main email tho so will that cause any problems? Also how does bing maps compare to google maps? Nokia drive looks really nice if I go that route. What about any kind if visual voicemail? Any alternatives to google voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YouMail has an app called Magikmail that work as a Visual VM replacement unless AT&T gets its act together.
Bing Maps works very well for everything except a decent driving GPS, but a $5 app called Turn-by-Turn directions fixes that for me.
Missed calls and Messages- you'll have no problem at all with the very good notifications on the tiles for those, as well as the notifications on the lockscreen.
There are a few GV apps in the marketplace that work decently well.
Words with Friends alternatives- Alphajax and Words by Post
Other than that, I miss the LED notifications and being able to have a lastpass plugin for my browser. Overall, not really much that I miss from the other 2 options and a lot to like in WP7 over them.
---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 PM ----------
Aphasaic2002 said:
Big issues for me compared to IOS.
- Lack of apps. The big ones like Facebook have been ported, but little ones (like language learning apps and dictionaries) - forget it.
- Lack of games. Always playing with my ipod touch, never play with my WP7 phone. Not enough good titles.
- No audio scrubbing in music player. Can't fast forward properly or jump around in tracks - makes it useless to for playing podcasts/audiobooks. Still have to use my ipod for listening to language CDs.
- Poor support for podcasts imported from Itunes. They appear in random order, also much prefer itunes to zune.
- No way to backup a WP7 phone. If you lose your phone or have to upgrade your firmware, wave goodbye to all your save data, settings and sms messages. You'll also have to manually re-install all of your apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some good points here. I have only found 1-2 apps that I miss, but won't argue there are some things I'd like to have.
Haven't been upset by the audio issue- FF and REW work just fine for me. What am I missing that's so amazing?
Podcasts? No way- iTunes is horrible. Zune isn't that much better. Why use either? Just have the phone do it without needing to sync to either? Way past the iOS paradigm here.
Somewhat agree on the backup. Zune does do a backup when you do upgrades, but I think there's no way to do it otherwise. Annoying. And yes, until the Skydrive API is really more available, there aren't good methods for saving app data... but when it is, it'll be better than the other 2, assuming MS doesn't screw it up massively.
Well the Focus S coming out in two weeks pretty much answers which phone i'm getting. And this thread makes me realize i'm not giving up much of anything to leave Android, not to mention not having to flash a new ROM on my phone every week to keep up with the times lol
I think that the only things i miss from Android are...
•Tethering (new phones have it though, and possibly my HD7 via an update)
•TV Listings for Android (how is it that there is not a single app that can display all my US/Puerto Rico channel listings with shows and times? no... not a show tracker, i mean a full TV Guide)
•Adobe Flash (slow, buggy, laggy... but i could watch anything on the web )
•USB Mass storage (although i wonder why? come to think of it, i dont use it that much)
Still, the good FAR exceeds the bad here and my next phone will still be WP7 for sure!!! Titan or Focus S maybe (why TMO gets the crappy one???)