http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-7-ui-makes-iphone-look-like-a-dinosaur/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQBpiLudT40
Saw this post and absolutely loved it. It's very true. If you think about it, the iPhone UI really is ancient and extremely primitive and really brings nothing exciting or innovative to the table.
Many times when I talk to people about phones seriously I sometimes refer to the iPhone "UI" as the iPhone "List of Apps". There really is very little of a UI to speak of; if I were to design a phone UI, the last thing I would think of trying to pass of as a UI is a list of apps that offers little to no information at a glance, and Apple was really the first company to do this.
If any Apple fanboy wants to challenge me on this, I usually only need to ask them if their device is jailbroken. More than likely, most iPhone users that are serious about their phone are running services that in some way provide what WP7 will be providing it's users: ease of access to information that matters most, a beautiful UI (usually iPhone users try to get as close to "beatiful" as possible with themes), and intuitive interface.
I'm glad that people are recognizing how little of an interface the iPhone actually has, and I can't wait for the launch of WP7 to start opening people's eyes to how fun and productive it can be to use a phone.
djcaston said:
the last thing I would think of trying to pass of as a UI is a list of apps that offers little to no information at a glance, and Apple was really the first company to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess which modern smartphone OS is the closest to this? Is it Android? Meego? No... it's Windows Phone 7!
These tiles waste screen real estate like it's their job, and barely display any info. Compare it to Android and tell me it's not a step back.
He mentioned turn-by-turn navigation using Bing and that's the first I've heard of it supporting that. I figured at some point it would but not at launch. Can anyone confirm this?
Ren13B said:
He mentioned turn-by-turn navigation using Bing and that's the first I've heard of it supporting that. I figured at some point it would but not at launch. Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bing has offered turn by turn navigation for a while now on wm6.5.... I'd assume it will also on wp7.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Pickx said:
These tiles waste screen real estate like it's their job, and barely display any info. Compare it to Android and tell me it's not a step back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the tiles are large but the vertical scrolling it does makes that a non issue for me. Just flick your finger and you can get to anything you have pinned quickly.
If you don't like that then I'm sure someone will make a hub with a familiar grid layout you are used to for launching applications and whatever else similar to what htc did with sense on WP7.
zarathustrax said:
Bing has offered turn by turn navigation for a while now on wm6.5.... I'd assume it will also on wp7.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know I use it all the time. That mention on the video was the first I've heard of it on WP7 and that functionality seems like it would be something that Microsoft and the reviewers would have mentioned by now.
Pickx said:
Guess which modern smartphone OS is the closest to this? Is it Android? Meego? No... it's Windows Phone 7!
These tiles waste screen real estate like it's their job, and barely display any info. Compare it to Android and tell me it's not a step back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The icons in the iPhone UI are static images that display zero information. The tiles in WP7 display some information, and the lock screen also displays information. The purpose of the tiles is to show you a small amount of information, and tease certain data to make you click on the tile and look at more status updates, foursquare check-ins, tweets, whatever it is the application handles. Its far better than nothing, so I wouldn't say it's very bad at all.
The problem with the android UI is that it doesn't really offer a unified, organizaed homescreen. The homescreen is a collection of different widgets, applications icons, and notifications that run across the top menu bar. If you ask me, it's a very unorganized way of dealing with things, and it's part of the reason that android still seems unfinished and not very polished in comparision to other phone operating systems. Where everything is unified and organized on the WP7 homescreen, you have a collection of jumbled information on the android homescreen.
Haha, this is so true. Ever since I got my zune HD I've been saying this, it is so ironic that Apple used to market the Mac because 'windows looks like a spreadsheet' when that is exactly what iOS looks like.
chex13 said:
Haha, this is so true. Ever since I got my zune HD I've been saying this, it is so ironic that Apple used to market the Mac because 'windows looks like a spreadsheet' when that is exactly what iOS looks like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with iTunes. It's such a boring, non innovative program. Zune works much better and is a lot more exciting
djcaston said:
Same with iTunes. It's such a boring, non innovative program. Zune works much better and is a lot more exciting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree with you. I am use zune (software) for some time, and i just love it! not because I 'm just another geek, but cause it's just works fine!
djcaston said:
The problem with the android UI is that it doesn't really offer a unified, organizaed homescreen. The homescreen is a collection of different widgets, applications icons, and notifications that run across the top menu bar. If you ask me, it's a very unorganized way of dealing with things, and it's part of the reason that android still seems unfinished and not very polished in comparision to other phone operating systems. Where everything is unified and organized on the WP7 homescreen, you have a collection of jumbled information on the android homescreen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can say the exact same thing for WP7. The homescreen is a collection of Tiles, application icons, and notifications that run across the top.
For those that don't understand that a Live Tile is the exact same thing as a Widget on the homescreen look below. The only difference is what happens when you click on them.
Android Widgets (pick one)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
WP7 Tiles (showing the same info as a widget would)
janneman22 said:
i agree with you. I am use zune (software) for some time, and i just love it! not because I 'm just another geek, but cause it's just works fine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the things that I absolutely love about the zune software that a lot of people don't even consciously notice is that you can browse by artist, song, or album instantly, from the same screen.
See, with iTunes, you have to pick what you want to alphabetize by on the regular spreadsheet view, or you can pick album view and only view by album, or artist view and only view by artist.
With the zune software, when you're looking at the collection screen, you can choose to go through alphabetically by artist, album, or song, all from the same screen at the same instant, or you can change the sort order and order them differently.
Other great zune innovations include:
- the search bar, which searches not only your collection, but the marketplace at the same time
- the quick search thingy - if you're in the artist section and start typing, it'll take you to the artist that matches what you're typing, just like when you type in explorer
- Zune Pass, which allows you to stream the entire song, any song, on the zune marketplace, or through their web interface, and soon through WP7!
There are more but I don't feel like listing them right now
If you don't have Zune get it now and find out for yourself!
vetvito said:
You can say the exact same thing for WP7. The homescreen is a collection of Tiles, application icons, and notifications that run across the top.
For those that don't understand that a Live Tile is the exact same thing as a Widget on the homescreen look below. The only difference is what happens when you click on them.
Android Widgets (pick one)
WP7 Tiles (showing the same info as a widget would)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some ways, what you say is true, but I disagree with you because of the way that the information is presented. For me, the reason I like WP7 better is because it provides a far greater level of organization and unification. Everything is arranged in tiles, and they all follow a similar visual style, and are sized in multiples of the standard block size. The end result may be the same information, but the way that it is organized and arranged looks MUCH better (IMHO) than a whole bunch of widgets that are different sizes, different visual styles, different fonts, and are ultimately not all pulled together. To me the end result looks like an unfinished and rather ugly operating system, like android.
I think HTC recognizes this and shares my view as well, which is why they provided sense for android. By placing sense over the rest of android, they can present a phone that looks much more "finished". I'm sure that when HTC puts there name on a phone, they want to make sure that the operating system is up to par as well, since thats what the user will be interacting with while they use the phone. Apparently, while they thought android was good, they didn't think that it was good enough visually, which is where sense comes in.
That's what gives WP7 it's wow factor; it's so well put together.
djcaston said:
In some ways, what you say is true, but I disagree with you because of the way that the information is presented. For me, the reason I like WP7 better is because it provides a far greater level of organization and unification. Everything is arranged in tiles, and they all follow a similar visual style, and are sized in multiples of the standard block size. The end result may be the same information, but the way that it is organized and arranged looks MUCH better (IMHO) than a whole bunch of widgets that are different sizes, different visual styles, different fonts, and are ultimately not all pulled together. To me the end result looks like an unfinished and rather ugly operating system, like android.
I think HTC recognizes this and shares my view as well, which is why they provided sense for android. By placing sense over the rest of android, they can present a phone that looks much more "finished". I'm sure that when HTC puts there name on a phone, they want to make sure that the operating system is up to par as well, since thats what the user will be interacting with while they use the phone. Apparently, while they thought android was good, they didn't think that it was good enough visually, which is where sense comes in.
That's what gives WP7 it's wow factor; it's so well put together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totaly agree.. not to mention the adverage user will not know how to really customize their phone so wp7 answers this challange..
^ huh? You pin a tile,app, and bookmark to the Start screen the exact same way as you would on Android.
Did you notice that the discussion wasn't about function, but about visual design and consistency.
I don't like android because it's terrably inconsistent, and it feels unfinished. That you more or less need Android 2.2 with JIT activated to even come close to the performance of WP7 or iOS doesn't make things better.
^huh, what loads faster a text only web page or one full of different graphics and pictures?
vetvito said:
^huh, what loads faster a text only web page or one full of different graphics and pictures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This day in age? There isn't much difference with high-end hardware, which is what we will be dealing with in WP7. Additionally, it matters much more whether the OS is efficient and highly optimized to handle things like graphics and animations, which, from the testing thats been conducted by several well respected blogs and individuals, seems to be the case with WP7
Also, calling WP7 UI text only isn't a fair assessment. It's very heavy on animations and has dynamic images and backgrounds. It also pulls data from the Internet so to make UI fluid you need to really master asynchronous APIs all around the place. It feels lightweight but it's not as light as it seems.
Related
The development of this project has come to a stop.
I'll post any future update here, in case the project will resume.
Thanks for your support.
------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 03/12/08 - Images added + Lock Screen Demo
Hey all,
i've been following the board for a little. I'm an lucky Omnia owner and i really love it, particularly it's versatility.
I just regret the lack of cool interfaces (put Manilla 2d aside, it's awesome, but it's like having an htc device on our phones, not very exclusive).
Here are some quick layouts of an idea I had today, it's practically just eyecandy stuff, maybe not the top usability around but, you know, in our life we must satisfy ourselves...
So here they are, a portrait and a landscape view of what's laying in my mind:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
the home screen design:
the lock device screen:
-the audio profile control
- Programs folder
- Contacts page
the idea is to have a spinning wheel of icons, that allow to navigate between the main ambients of a mobile shell when tapped, just like SPB mobile shell or manilla, only more "graphic". The thing is conceived to be touch driven, with hrizontal sliding to spin the icons wheel and a vertical slide to access a secondary menu.
Actually the design phase is still underway, more screens will come.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMNIA USERS ONLY
>>>HERE<<< is the FIRST RELEASE OF THE SCREEN LOCK, coded by DeimosLP at MoDaCo.
Just unzip it everywhere you want and launch OmniLock.exe.
THIS ISN'T MEANT TO BE USED EVERYDAY at the moment, probably it drains battery very fast, haven't tried yet on long usage times.
A few notes about it:
- this is somehow a mockup since not everything has been implemented properly and we are still working on performance issues
- the main goal of this release is to get feedback and new ideas so we can improve the usability
what has been done :
- clock+date
- missed calls counts/sms count/mails count
- swing to unlock
- fade out on unlocking
- cool breathing "swing" logo
- fade in/out of the clock digits
what remains to be done:
- phone status and audio profile integration (as seen in the design)
- xml configuration file
- close the application on incoming call
- a lot of code cleaning/performance fixing
- interact with Speleomaniac's launcher
Cheers.
Hellbender.
this is a neat idea, here's what i think would make it even more practical for use and won't just fall off after its been developed. Cuz the problem with good ideas is that they aren't good enough to keep and people always switch back to some other interface...
here's my thought:
Take the portrait pic you have posted for example... Maybe you should shift that Spinner of tabs closer to the top of the screen, then have a spinner on the bottom half of screenshots of running programs, something like taskfacade or visualtaskswitch in the spinner style as well!! I think that would be freakin AWESOME and would really be functional from that front screen.
Its simple, attractive and would be incredibly functional... what else would ya need?
So yeah, 2 spinners, one of tabs, one of screenshots of open tasks (maybe even a zoom animation when you tap on an open task, just like visual task switcher)
whatdya think?
Yah, the idea is to have differente spinners of icons layered vertically (the green arrow pointing up means you can go up another level).
In landscape view looks difficult to have the secondo wheel visible, but the portrait version could be more useful with more than one visible at a time.
About the open task switcher, that would be awesome! I thought about it but i didn't want to push it too far from the beginning, but i agree it would be really useful. And i agree about zoom animation.
The only problem right now is that i need a programmer to do the "dirty" job, cause i'm just a designer, i don't have the knowledge to do that.
Still waiting for a sign
Cheers.
Hellbender
maybe, when you turn landscape, the icons just twist 90degrees, and the spinner becomes up/down, rather than left/right...
I'm a designer too, so i feel your pain... I throw together some wicked ideas but can't seem to find someone who will put it together... developing is VERY time consuming Wish i knew how
it will be difficult to remove the window bars and softkeys while keeping the touchflo.
This will have to be done in C++ (basically rework the whole frontend.) -meaning we need to know alot about each API to be able to create a flawless frontend that works with WM6.0+ backend
This will be quite a project.
I like how it looks
Integration will be the most beneficial way and with the best performance
zeezee said:
...Integration will be the most beneficial way and with the best performance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm prone to get to an accomodation with the Os limits, could be great just having that with bars, i tought it was cool without, but not essential. Performance are, indeed, crucial.
This is ment to be kinetic, so it must be as quick as possible mantaining a cool appearance. Initially i proposed an app made in flash lite thinking that could have some os interface tweaking overridden with a fullscreen app (and keep things easier for me to animate), but i suppose it isn't performing like a full c++ app.
Still looking for a coding partner
S2P
The album selection in the S2P software is somehow similar to what you are looking for, maybe you could ask it's developer for some help.
Please make it customizable: Let each one chose what software each icon is gonna open. It's easier if each icon opens a panel where you can configure any plugin you want. Make it a Launcher.
Great Idea!
dmro said:
The album selection in the S2P software is somehow similar to what you are looking for, maybe you could ask it's developer for some help.
Great Idea!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know, i'm sure he follows these boards, so if he haven't gave a word here it is because he doesn't like the project, or have no time to spare. I don't want to bug anyone to take a part on my project, that's not a job.
dmro said:
Please make it customizable: Let each one chose what software each icon is gonna open. It's easier if each icon opens a panel where you can configure any plugin you want. Make it a Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's what it mean to be right now. And i thought that customizable icons/apps was a must feature, cause everyone uses his fave apps for everything, and it's difficult to write an entire suit of applications with this visual approach, many tasks would bel impossible.
hellbender_it said:
Don't know, i'm sure he follows these boards, so if he haven't gave a word here it is because he doesn't like the project, or have no time to spare. I don't want to bug anyone to take a part on my project, that's not a job.
It's what it mean to be right now. And i thought that customizable icons/apps was a must feature, cause everyone uses his fave apps for everything, and it's difficult to write an entire suit of applications with this visual approach, many tasks would bel impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would presume he didn't see your thread since the first time you read it, it looks to be about some special interface for the omnia, and he doesn't own one. Just PM him anyway.
I would suggest you change your thread name to one which attracts the attention of the appropriate people.
I would love to see development for this project, and I'll do my best to help, I have an omnia, so atleast I can BETA test it out and provide feedback or w/e required.
Akshay
Something like flShow Carousel...
Click on the different examples...
http://www.flshow.net/carousel_examples.php
That would be awesome
EDIT: And make it for all devices!!!!
WildSioux said:
Something like flShow Carousel...
Click on the different examples...
http://www.flshow.net/carousel_examples.php
That would be awesome
EDIT: And make it for all devices!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, same concept, but touch driven and with inertia. Very cool examples.
About the all devices subject, well if that depends on me i can make the graphic assets for every platform i think, with the given time obviously.
hellbender_it said:
Exactly, same concept, but touch driven and with inertia. Very cool examples.
About the all devices subject, well if that depends on me i can make the graphic assets for every platform i think, with the given time obviously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know anything about coding for PPC/WM. But I have used the above examples of flShow Carousel that I posted above for a website.
Aside from the flash in that, it uses XML. Since dazzlingdaz built a GUI using only XML http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407900 I wonder if its possible to implement the flShow XML in that somehow?
BTW, the flShow Carousel uses inertia as seen in the "Mouse Interaction" example.
EDIT: I just noticed this on the flShow website...
Stand alone applications
The Carousel can be used in stand alone applications (like Delphi and C++ applications). Provided that you know how to embed flash movies in applications (and you also know how to handle fscommands issued by the movie), you simply have to associate fscommands to your photos:
<photo href="fscommand:mycmd" target="myparm">path/image.jpg</photo>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen some here developing apps under C++ Lets make this happen. With my limited knowledge, I could try helping with some XML code.
mhhh... I'm thinking about a c++ fullscreen app embedding a flash application, this could keep things easy especially when porting the app on other devices (flash lite friendly), so resizing the movie to different resolutions should be like a snap, and the c++ base would allow to access device parameters that are not accessible directly from flash.
Furthermore using flash will allow more control over animations and visual quality from the design side.
Could that be a way?
hellbender_it said:
mhhh... I'm thinking about a c++ fullscreen app embedding a flash application, this could keep things easy especially when porting the app on other devices (flash lite friendly), so resizing the movie to different resolutions should be like a snap, and the c++ base would allow to access device parameters that are not accessible directly from flash.
Furthermore using flash will allow more control over animations and visual quality from the design side.
Could that be a way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no easy way of doing. Either you do it complicated in C++ or you do it with C++ and complicated flash.
zeezee said:
There is no easy way of doing. Either you do it complicated in C++ or you do it with C++ and complicated flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, i'll stop talking about things i don't know.
Things are moving a bit at MODACO
http://www.modaco.com/content/i900-...to-build-a-new-graphical-interface-for-omnia/
There's an interface demo done by a guy over on MoDaCo which is pretty decent for a quick mockup
http://www.modaco.com/content/i900-o...ace-for-omnia/
There's an interface demo done by a guy over on MoDaCo which is pretty decent for a quick mockup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just posted a skinned version.
A little UP cause i'm slipped past the tenth page ...
*bump*
A li'l help from the guyz at xda would be appreciated, things are really moving at modaco and I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little hand from the xda experts.
Hi All,
It's all great to hear Microsoft officially announces the "Windows Phone 7 Series". Another Mobile OS, put there to compete with other OS's.
But I want to know one thing =>
Am I the only one that find the general UI of "Windows Phone 7" unattractive, "nothing special" and bore-some?
The moment I saw the "Start screen", I said to myself: "Damn, is this the UI Microsoft wanna use to show its competitiveness to other OS's??? ". From my point of view, the look of winmo 6.5.3 on the freshly announced HTC HD mini is WAY BETTER than that of Windows Phone 7.
This is just my opinion, now, what's your opinion about the UI?
johnlujl123 said:
Hi All,
It's all great to hear Microsoft officially announces the "Windows Phone 7 Series". Another Mobile OS, put there to compete with other OS's.
But I want to know one thing =>
Am I the only one that find the general UI of "Windows Phone 7" unattractive, "nothing special" and bore-some?
The moment I saw the "Start screen", I said to myself: "Damn, is this the UI Microsoft wanna use to show its competitiveness to other OS's??? ". From my point of view, the look of winmo 6.5.3 on the freshly announced HTC HD mini is WAY BETTER than that of Windows Phone 7.
This is just my opinion, now, what's your opinion about the UI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would disagree. I like the visuals. On the contrary, the look is NEW and NOT FAST!!
Everyone has there opinions and taste. I honestly love what MS has done with the revisions. I think visuals are truly innovative and elegant. The animations are uncanny. I do agree the home screen is dull and boring, but the rest of the OS is vibrant. Here's some screen shots from my post. Head over to my post to see the rest, there's like 20 more photos...: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=634429
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I do like it as well...looks fresh but whether it is good to use on a daily basis remains to be prooven!
And BTW: the look of the new SenseUI Builds really annoys me! til Version 2.1 everything was fine...but the new ones??? No way.
I won't talk about looks here, because that's personal taste.
Moreover, what counts is functionality - how easy and fast it gets the job done.
This is easily and by far the best and most well thought through UI I've ever seen.
I particularly like
- the ability to pin pretty much everything to the first page (but unlike Sense, as many things as you want), whether it's contacts, programs or whatever
- the things you pin to the first page not being static, but also showing information - a very clever way to bring together the iPhone's icon-based home screen with Windows Mobile's information based home screen.
- the navigation through the pages, with the text on top going out of the screen to show you that there's more you can discover by swiping left/right
- the panorama backgrounds on all the screens (cover arts in music, a random picture in photos etc.)
- the ability for third party developers to integrate their stuff (like additional social networks or streaming services) into the hubs (I hope there will be a lot of freedom for third parties to do so!).
- the seamless integration of all kinds of services in general, whether it's Exchange, Windows Live (finally!!), Facebook...
I also particularly like that some good concepts from previous Windows Mobile versions have been preserved:
- long press menus
- softkeys
- quick search through any list (in WM6.5, it was the keyboard icon, now it's the required search button)
Those enable a consistent UI throughout all applications, contrary to the mess you find on the iPhone, where important buttons like "back" are in different places depending on the application you're in.
What I do NOT like:
- The all applications list: That should be a grid, cause there's lots of wasted space there.
- There seems to be no easy way to get to the music controls while music is playing in the background.
- Apparently there is no easy way to switch between running applications, this seems to work much like WM6.5, with the back button taking you to the application you used before. This is a mess, the back button should open some kind of task switcher instead.
I love the new start menu in Windows Phone 7. Titanium didn't display enough information on the home page, requiring you to hover over items to see information. Windows Mobile 6.1 today screens were too small to tap. Sense is either functional (icons for quick launching) or informational (clock), but never both at the same time. Why doesn't the launch icon for Messenger show me the latest messages I have? Why don't my contacts' icons show me the latest interaction I had with them?
Windows Phone 7 adds all of those in a simple, attractive UI. You can give a Windows Phone 7 to any person and they'd probably be able to use it, but give Sense to a person and they might not. (you might think the contrary... I thought Sense was easy to use, until I saw my peers struggle with it and typing on the keyboard... on a HD2...)
Agree with you all!
Yes, you guys are right! Looks are personal taste!
But right now, which OS would you choose, out of the following: Windows Phone 7, WebOS or Android?? My choice goes to Android!
freyberry said:
What I do NOT like:
- The all applications list: That should be a grid, cause there's lots of wasted space there.
- There seems to be no easy way to get to the music controls while music is playing in the background.
- Apparently there is no easy way to switch between running applications, this seems to work much like WM6.5, with the back button taking you to the application you used before. This is a mess, the back button should open some kind of task switcher instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how important the applications list is going to be going forward. With the way apps can integrate into the "hubs" I think you will not be using this list very often.
I'm hoping the music controls function like the ZuneHD. The ZuneHD has a dedicated media control button that brings up a screen overlay when pressed. This overlay allows you to pause/play, skip/fast forward/rewind and increase/decrease volume. Also, on the ZuneHD, you can pause and play a song by tapping the album art.
I am very eager to see how the multitasking works/doesn't work when they show the SDK at MIX next month.
Overall, I love the UI. It seems like an evolution of the ZuneHD to me.
johnlujl123 said:
Yes, you guys are right! Looks are personal taste!
But right now, which OS would you choose, out of the following: Windows Phone 7, WebOS or Android?? My choice goes to Android!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android, of course. WP7 is OS for feature phones (dumbphones) just like iPhone OS is.
johnlujl123 said:
Yes, you guys are right! Looks are personal taste!
But right now, which OS would you choose, out of the following: Windows Phone 7, WebOS or Android?? My choice goes to Android!
Click to expand...
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Android
I actually have three upgrade eligibilities this year. If the rumor about the SE X10 coming to ATT is true, that will be one of them. I will also wait and see what Android phones HTC sends to ATT.
I will also, without any doubt, reserve one of the upgrades for WMP7. I had very low expectations for MS and WMP7 but I was very impressed with what they showed on Monday. I can't wait for MIX to see the rest.
Of course, I'm a phone whore so I am never completely satisfied anyway!
In my opinion I think the UI looks awesome. It's unique, fresh, new, & looks like nothing else (excluding the Zune HD). the start menu & the App list look a little bit dull but the whole Hubs system just looks wonderful. I like the new idea of the context menus. WinPho 7 is not evolution from the previous WM, it is Revolution.
From a UI perspective I really like the thought behind it. It's pretty much a directory structure that's self organizing with a 'splash' screen for each directory. I have alot of applications stored on my wm device that I store over various folders. Directories are a good way of organizing sizable amounts of information. This UI is basically an improvement to that age old structure, putting some transparency on this structured yet intuitive setup.
It's visually impressive, yet does not have that bells and whistle feel that can get stale.
But I take objection to their comments that a phone is not a PC. That's the wrong message to send. A PC just stands for personal computer...you can't get more PC than a handheld device. It's clearly a PC, the message they should send is that it's not a desktop, it's not a laptop, it's a handheld device. While still a PC you expect a suitable UI to pair with each version of a PC you interact with.
From a marketing perspective, I think the windows phone 7 would mesh well with their 'I'm a PC' marketing campaign. A commercial seeing someone working on a desktop/laptop and then using mobile office, and exchange to take that to your phone would be a great commercial to make.
Microsoft is missing the picture with that overly simplistic comment.
If I could carry the power of my desktop with me, I would just need different display devices with the appropriate UI to interact with my PC. That's really the destiny of computers...well not even to carry the hardware, but to just have different methods of display and interaction with a single device. So you can sit down at a kb and mouse, or pick a up a multitouch display, or take a handheld on a train with you but still have common storage, and processing.
Great UI.
But I am not happy that it requires a minimum of 1GHz processor. Even then the graphics rendering especially the Album scrolling is not very fluid. That was very cleary observed in Joe's Demo considering that he hand only a handhul of pictures. My iphone has @3500 pictures and I can scroll through it like water flowing across the screen.
This version of WP7 is not my favorite. I like the other betas.
chiks19018 said:
Great UI.
But I am not happy that it requires a minimum of 1GHz processor. Even then the graphics rendering especially the Album scrolling is not very fluid. That was very cleary observed in Joe's Demo considering that he hand only a handhul of pictures. My iphone has @3500 pictures and I can scroll through it like water flowing across the screen.
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And this was a demo of pre-release software. I wouldn't put any weight behind the peformance that was shown in the demo. It will almost certainly be much improved before the RTM.
naplesbill said:
And this was a demo of pre-release software. I wouldn't put any weight behind the peformance that was shown in the demo. It will almost certainly be much improved before the RTM.
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I definitely hope that is the case. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Rim1Flex said:
This version of WP7 is not my favorite. I like the other betas.
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How about "accidentally" uploading one for the HD2?
freyberry said:
How about "accidentally" uploading one for the HD2?
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Click to collapse
It won't work it needs 2GHz processor. You will have to overclock,haha just kidding.
My biggest concern with this new OS is the "need" to integrate with social networks. I'm by no means interested to see the status messages my friends/collegues post on facebook, twitter, linkedin, myspace etc. Also, WM7 is pointing towarsds xbox live integration, which will -as I understood- in basics also be used as a new "Microsoft hardware only" social network.
Another thing that bothers me about the new UI is that it looks slowish, even in a demo.. Doesn't look too appealing yet so far!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S6NMH4ry-4&feature=player_embedded#at=148
i would just love wp7 to look like that, lets hope that after mango rtm release, hackers and modders will start to make such a great things
it looks a lot like bada
I saw this some time ago. Great design.
That is a big negative for me. Don't mess Windows phone up with Android style.
Just let the Metro UI be itself. The only thing i want in Metro Ui, is the ability to change the background (not the lockscreen) and the icon has a glassy style, in order to view the background through the list of apps.
That is all i want, Microsoft WP teams are doing their best to give a top performance for Windows Phone user, i perfer that way to a OS that everyone can touch and then the OS is given the worst feedback from User because they use a bad-coded custom ROM.
Just take Android for an example. Android itself , or Google Build, never hear any complaination, or less than all other Carrier/Factory Custom Build.
About making a good custom ROM, i will give HTC a go, they usually make the best custom ROM from Windows Mobile 6.5 to Android.
Looks ugly. The current UI is much better, simpler and better looking. Shiny buttons and gradients are way overused.
sure it's different, but not using the space wisely. one widget can display time, date, news, weather, and a favorite rss feed or two.
ok, TILE, one tile can. widget, tile, whatever.
i was too slow on the screenshots to get teh time changing, and video, well, video screen casts are just annoying to edit, so here's a couple of stills. much less space used, and the information is still there.
ugh, leave metro alone, i left android for a reason, and a bad UI is one of them. :\
...oh no...please don't......
If I wanted an overload of ugly widgets, I would have bought an Android device. Metro is simple, clean and beautiful just the way it is.
noone said that metro looks bad, i just think that with mods, wp7 scene can make it better, i love wp7 but for now i have to scroll whole page to get to bottom tiles,
Some informations should be visible right after screen unlock, and limiting them to 8 tiles (that are visible without scroll) is not enough.
And honestly its xda developers for god sake, so dont tell me you wouldnt like some mods.. : O
Do it yourself
ok, thanks for useless suggestion useless guy
behh said:
noone said that metro looks bad, i just think that with mods, wp7 scene can make it better, i love wp7 but for now i have to scroll whole page to get to bottom tiles,
Some informations should be visible right after screen unlock, and limiting them to 8 tiles (that are visible without scroll) is not enough.
And honestly its xda developers for god sake, so dont tell me you wouldnt like some mods.. : O
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there's been other concepts which i feel were better in the design department to get more information on the initial start screen such as these:
http://www.wpcentral.com/fan-concept-ii-what-if-windows-phone-had-folders
http://www.wpcentral.com/fan-concept-what-if-windows-phone-had-smaller-tiles
those keep in line with the metro design better imo.
i'm all for mods, but i'd rather them take longer and put some thought into the UI as to not ruin it
Screw the mods. MS got it right the first time lol. I have an Android and want a WP7 sooooo bad because of the simplicity and those sexy tiles.
And the cool menu pages, sliding right to left and vice versa. Sweet as candy.
I think WP7 should stay the way it is, because its just right. Maybe android can look like that, lets all remember android is the one os that embraces customization. WP7 don't.
I don’t think MS will or should allow to change the UI, WP7 identity is the UI... beside the smooth OS....
ppl have to chose what they what tile or widgets...
Yeah if they change the ui at all, I'm sticking to Android. Mine as well have all of the customization if I can only have "some". It is beyond perfect the way it is lol.
behh said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S6NMH4ry-4&feature=player_embedded#at=148
i would just love wp7 to look like that, lets hope that after mango rtm release, hackers and modders will start to make such a great things
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Click to collapse
FUGLY. I still hate widgets on my Omnia 2. Brrr
Metro is just fine.
My friend is an avid iPhone user and doesn't even bother looking at other devices really, but took a look at my omnia 7 and stated that while the interface looks far better, the home screen contains LESS information than the static icons with numbers next to them...
How do other users feel, do the vast amount of icons with numbered notifications, i.e. 20 icons on page 1, feel like more useful data than having about 6 tiles which can potentially hold more data overall and have the data be dynamic, more than just that there is a change in the app.
So simply, large amounts of static data or smaller amounts of dynamic data?
Michael_W_L said:
My friend is an avid iPhone user and doesn't even bother looking at other devices really, but took a look at my omnia 7 and stated that while the interface looks far better, the home screen contains LESS information than the static icons with numbers next to them...
How do other users feel, do the vast amount of icons with numbered notifications, i.e. 20 icons on page 1, feel like more useful data than having about 6 tiles which can potentially hold more data overall and have the data be dynamic, more than just that there is a change in the app.
So simply, large amounts of static data or smaller amounts of dynamic data?
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Click to collapse
you open up a can of worms
it's personal taste I believe. I personally prefer the tile UI. I have relatives who currently own an iPhone and are very impressed with the WP7. The OS is only a year old and can only grow in user experience and performance. iOS seems to be an outdated OS IMHO. Very often it's what you got used to that works best for you and it's difficult to change to something new. iOS dominated the smartphone market for a long time. Give it 2-3 years and WP7 or WP8 will look outdated....
A poll in a Forum topic dedicated to WP7 that asks which UI is preferred will not provide any insight because most of us here decided to use WP7 for the very reason.
derausgewanderte said:
you open up a can of worms
it's personal taste I believe. I personally prefer the tile UI. I have relatives who currently own an iPhone and are very impressed with the WP7. The OS is only a year old and can only grow in user experience and performance. iOS seems to be an outdated OS IMHO. Very often it's what you got used to that works best for you and it's difficult to change to something new. iOS dominated the smartphone market for a long time. Give it 2-3 years and WP7 or WP8 will look outdated....
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I like both, though, if the double sided tiles are used properly, tiles will win in my eyes. Having only a number as a notification got bland quickly to me, I liked that I knew exactly what had updates, but to do anything, I had to open an app. Tiles allow for you to see something, see if you want to reply now, or just leave it.
Smaller tiles woildn't work though, tiles will always have less items on the main display than icons.
I guess that it depends on how quickly you want to access your apps! I mean there are only about 5 notifications I can think of that are important tbh. App updates(that can rather be on the lower segment, news possibly weather possibly, messages, IM app email phone.
I was attracted to wp7 because of c#, and the panoramic UI, the tiles were a non-sequitor. At least it was fast, unlike the home screen of the 5800 I usd, which gives me nightmares still!
Michael_W_L said:
My friend is an avid iPhone user and doesn't even bother looking at other devices really, but took a look at my omnia 7 and stated that while the interface looks far better, the home screen contains LESS information than the static icons with numbers next to them...
How do other users feel, do the vast amount of icons with numbered notifications, i.e. 20 icons on page 1, feel like more useful data than having about 6 tiles which can potentially hold more data overall and have the data be dynamic, more than just that there is a change in the app.
So simply, large amounts of static data or smaller amounts of dynamic data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPhone home screen isn't static icons. When you get notifications in, there's a ticker by the application icon similar to the stars that appear by icons on a Blackberry. Android skins like TouchWiz 4.0 and Sense 3.0/3.5 use similar tickers.
It really depends on how you look at it, TBQH.
Tiles are big so you cannot see as many application icons/tiles on one screen in WP7 as you can icon on an iPhones, so if they have all their most-used applications on their home pane, they may very well see more information on their home screen than you do.
*Most* WP7 "Live Tiles" are nothing more than a number that appears on the icon.
iOS5 will have a completely revamped Notification System, though, so things get interesting when you look forward. Heres to hoping Microsoft gives us a useful notification system cause Tile Counters/Live Tiles and Toasts aren't nearly enough. Apple seems to have found that out, so hopefully Microsoft will - eventually.
Not voting in the poll cause the options are ignorant.
N8ter said:
The iPhone home screen isn't static icons. When you get notifications in, there's a ticker by the application icon similar to the stars that appear by icons on a Blackberry. Android skins like TouchWiz 4.0 and Sense 3.0/3.5 use similar tickers.
It really depends on how you look at it, TBQH.
Tiles are big so you cannot see as many application icons/tiles on one screen in WP7 as you can icon on an iPhones, so if they have all their most-used applications on their home pane, they may very well see more information on their home screen than you do.
*Most* WP7 "Live Tiles" are nothing more than a number that appears on the icon.
iOS5 will have a completely revamped Notification System, though, so things get interesting when you look forward. Heres to hoping Microsoft gives us a useful notification system cause Tile Counters/Live Tiles and Toasts aren't nearly enough. Apple seems to have found that out, so hopefully Microsoft will - eventually.
Not voting in the poll cause the options are ignorant.
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I see icons with tickers as static data. I see tiles with just numbers in the same way. Sadly alot of tiles are just oversized icons with tickers. Double sided tiles should make for more active tiles, but I completely agree that most are just basically icons with tickers.
The poll isn't wp7 vs iPhone, the poll is static data vs dynamic. The static data type gives consistent data which can be viewed in only one way. This is a nice general type, combine that with the ios notification system, or bada's current one and you have glanceble data with the possibility of seeign it all quickly.
Dynamic data on the otherhand would be like pinning a person and seeing their latest updates OR their latest pictures. Multiple possible data types which contain more information immediately. But it uses far more real estate as well.
Next version of apple's os will steal android's notification system so its a moot point imo. Tiles are cute, but as the cornerstone of the wp7 notification system its pretty terrible. I'm still in awe that they did nothing to improve notifications in mangos. I just cannot believe it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Its personal taste (as someone else said). For me the best notifiactions system came with WebOS, I also like the android system and the WP7 system. I don't like the current ios notifications (on my ipad) but I guess when ios 5 comes (with android style notifications) that will be OK too. For me, the main plus point of WP7 over the other UI's is the simple uncluttered view. I am forever "losing my place" on my ipad screens, it was the same with my Android Desire too.
How can you lose your place when you have dots that tell you what pane you're on?
N8ter said:
How can you lose your place when you have dots that tell you what pane you're on?
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Could never remember which pane I had pinned an app on, my eyesight is not brilliant and the small app icons (even on the ipad) are difficult for me to pick out sometimes - like I said though, it is a personal thing.
One thing remind me.
Windows Phone 7 + Apple's Store apps = WIN.
Apps is one of the main reason people choose iPhone.
Strike_Eagle said:
Apps is one of the main reason people choose iPhone.
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And, unfortunately, one thing that is starting to come out more and more in customer surveys is that most people who own iPhones are reluctant to switch to another platform because of their investment in their apps. Not only have they paid for them, they spent the time to learn how to use them (and let's face it, most apps behave differently on WP7 than they do on iOS, because of the differences in the OS itself).
Yep and developers give ios versions preferential treatment on top of that. Faster feature updates, bug fixes, etc.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
EDIT: And this is a big issue since developers do not allow you to transfer licenses you've already bought on one platform to another. With some apps costing $9.99 or more in some cases (really once you get to $4.99 people start feeling locked in if they have to repurchase), this becomes an issue quite quickly.
Bought 10 apps over the span of 2 years on another platform that you use a lot. When you move to another one, you have to repurchase them immediately. You don't get 2 more years to do it, unless you want to cripple your usage patterns for inordinate amounts of time. That can be anywhere from 10 to 100 bucks, more in some cases, right off the bat.
One thing that isn't true with mango anymore, and I love it, is the one to one mapping from app to tile/icon.
Now I only map the content that I care about from apps to my main screen. Even multiple things from one App. Instead of having just huge app Icons.
So for the first time, Tiles start to be really different to being just big App-Icons. They start to be Content-Tiles. It's a huge difference, and something the iPhone right now does not provide.
RoboDad said:
And, unfortunately, one thing that is starting to come out more and more in customer surveys is that most people who own iPhones are reluctant to switch to another platform because of their investment in their apps. Not only have they paid for them, they spent the time to learn how to use them (and let's face it, most apps behave differently on WP7 than they do on iOS, because of the differences in the OS itself).
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Click to collapse
Yeah, i still remember the version of Angry Bird on Android and iOS are free. and we have to pay for it.
N8ter said:
Bought 10 apps over the span of 2 years on another platform that you use a lot. When you move to another one, you have to repurchase them immediately. You don't get 2 more years to do it, unless you want to cripple your usage patterns for inordinate amounts of time. That can be anywhere from 10 to 100 bucks, more in some cases, right off the bat.
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It's unbelievable how cheap people can get to see this as a problem.
vangrieg said:
It's unbelievable how cheap people can get to see this as a problem.
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Most people (as in, the overwhelmingly vast majority) don't have unlimited disposable income. They get their phones on contract, so they can get heavily subsidized prices. Further, most people aren't thrilled at the prospect of paying a second fee for their apps, just to move from one phone platform to another. Purchasing a second license to add a second device would be a different matter, but that is not what we are discussing here. It would be paying an additional fee simply to maintain what they already have. When faced with that choice, most people will stay where they are. It is basic human nature.
So if purchased apps keep someone glued to a platform Microsoft must be betting on getting the lion's share of users coming from a 'non' smartphone; like me.
Unlimited income? We're talking $10-100 here, and since you mention subsidized handsets, "first world" countries. I understand that people don't like paying (twice) but this isn't money we're talking about, it's pocket change.
What a world.
That's the thing, iOS notification on the home screen isn't changing. It will still be static little bubbles. Live tiles could change how they work, what they do and show, they already are animated and double sided and get push notification. And I have mango and some changes on how they work is great to see.
I have my tiles set up like this: phone and alarm tiles on top, messaging and people hub, my personal linked email accounts and then my work, xbox hub with 7 more tiles of the games I am playing, Zune and resco radio, calendar, ie9 and maps, arkwords, weather apps with live tile, and so on. 40 tiles in total, and all of the info I need on one screen that scrolls smoothly. I love it ^_^
All I have to say is that I have purchased Fruit Ninja on ios,iPad ios,windows phone,android,android tablet tegra version. People need to stop being cheap. Plus it's not like if you don't use it, you lose it lol
http://wmpoweruser.com/iphone-theme-gives-a-taste-of-windows-8-on-a-smartphone/
Apple fanboys so excited for windows 8 they have a full theme on iphone first... but aren't they supposed to be supporting Apple products? LOL
Besides, the whole theme is wrong. I asssume Apollo will look exactly like WP7 metro interface, only with background colors and whatever just as long as its not horizontally positioned.
Tap that!
Looks nice! You gotta give iOS users, hackers, and developer props for being able to do amazing stuff with Apple's OS. All fanboyism aside, this Win8 iPhone theme truly showcases iOS' power and capability.
KimWinter said:
Looks nice! You gotta give iOS users, hackers, and developer props for being able to do amazing stuff with Apple's OS. All fanboyism aside, this Win8 iPhone theme truly showcases iOS' power and capability.
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It's too bad we can't do that with WP.
man those ios guys are quick !
not a bad looking or responding theme either.
sinister1 said:
It's too bad we can't do that with WP.
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Of course we can. We just need Windows Phone to become as popular as iPhone. Hackers seem to be able to get into anything man made nowadays.
From what I saw I did not see the tiles being live. Yes, I saw labels on the tiles but that does not make them live. Give me live tiles!
I don't know about live tiles - that Win8 theme was a Dreamboard theme, which takes a lot of memory from the phone. If you try to play iOS games that are memory intensive e.g. Infinity Blade 2 or Dungeon Defender, the game will crash (if Dreamboard is enabled). So if you try to add live tiles to your Dreamboard theme, your iPhone might explode.
KimWinter said:
I don't know about live tiles - that Win8 theme was a Dreamboard theme, which takes a lot of memory from the phone. If you try to play iOS games that are memory intensive e.g. Infinity Blade 2 or Dungeon Defender, the game will crash (if Dreamboard is enabled). So if you try to add live tiles to your Dreamboard theme, your iPhone might explode.
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Click to collapse
And that also means that the iPhone needs to be Jailbroke.
I got kind of excited, because i would love the larger tiles/icons on my iPhone, but am not going to jailbreak a work issued iPhone.
There are other Windows Phone 7 themes for it as well, but the same issue. Phone must be jail broke.
sinister1 said:
http://wmpoweruser.com/iphone-theme-gives-a-taste-of-windows-8-on-a-smartphone/
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Probably because OSX Lion is a remake of Windows Millenium.
Apple has been doing themselves such a disservice sticking with such a static, boring UI. it makes me wonder why.
nicksti said:
Apple has been doing themselves such a disservice sticking with such a static, boring UI. it makes me wonder why.
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Because it sells in outragous numbers, without changing anything ?
ohgood said:
Because it sells in outragous numbers, without changing anything ?
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Yeah, Apple doesn't really have to worry about making a theming app or whatnot because hackers and other developers are more than happy to do all those (customization, tweaks, hacks, etc) for FREE. I mean look at redsn0w, greenpoison, ultrasn0w, and other jailbreaking tools for iPhone - they're FREE!!
Still, it makes you kinda wonder why with all the power of iOS and WP7 as a stable and working mobile OS, they chose to limit it's customizability - even the most basic functions (like custom themes or background wallpapers or the ability to change icons).
ohgood said:
Because it sells in outragous numbers, without changing anything ?
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Click to collapse
Complacency is one way to end up bankrupt (general statement). And Apple did see the need for a notification center and a camera from lockscreen.
Every iOS that has that UI is another year that opens the door for Android and WP to gain more customers.
nicksti said:
Complacency is one way to end up bankrupt (general statement). And Apple did see the need for a notification center and a camera from lockscreen.
Every iOS that has that UI is another year that opens the door for Android and WP to gain more customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
complacency= yes, look what that did with wm6.x.
The ios ui , I don't know... maybe it's great, or maybe people don't care and it isn't. Either way, it has developer mindshare, I haven't heard of devs falling away in droves to android or wp.
If/when you see that mass exidous, something is up.
ohgood said:
complacency= yes, look what that did with wm6.x.
The ios ui , I don't know... maybe it's great, or maybe people don't care and it isn't. Either way, it has developer mindshare, I haven't heard of devs falling away in droves to android or wp.
If/when you see that mass exidous, something is up.
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Click to collapse
I think with the iPhone, alot of people have invested alot of money in other hardware that works very well with the iPhone.
docking stations, car mounts, chargers, cases, etc.
It's one reason why people stay iPhone customers, once they are iPhone customers.
I even considered buying a new car stereo, because I could not get A2DP Bluetooth audio to play from my iPhone into my Pioneer DEH7000BT car stereo.
I have since found info on how to do it. I made a YouTube video illustrating how. There were a couple not obvious steps. It still isn't perfect. AVRCP does not work (can't control the iPhone - next / prev from the deck) and I need to manually go through a process on the stereo and the phone every time I want to use it.
In the end, the fact that there is app to accomplish almost anything is still the big seller.
We use PGI at work for creating teleconferences. I never can remember my host code or participant codes for others or even the number to dial. Sure enough, on the iPhone, there's an app for that. It starts the conference and calls you either on the iPhone, or a number you enter at the time. It even lets you invite others to the call. And you can store participant codes for others and join with it. It is difficult to join a teleconference on the road without this, because you need to memorize the participant code. Now it is a 1 button deal.
There's an app for webex that streams the video.
The other day, I bought ForumRunner, so that I can post on xda when away. It works great.
When companies make apps, they almost always target the iPhone first.
I really hope that attitude changes with Apollo.
I personally think alot of the restrictions that will remain in place until Apollo has contributed to developer reluctance. Devs know how to dev for iPhone. It has not changed in a long time. They know how to dev for Android. Same thing. Windows Phone 7 prevented devs from doing things the way they knew how to do them. So, it was either relearn alot to get your app to a small percent of the smart phone market. Or just dev for iPhone and Android and see if Windows Phone gains enough market share to care.
I love Windows Phone 7 with Mango. I never would have tried an iPhone if work had not forced me too. And now, I also love using my iPhone. There's a few things that are annoying (AVRCP and dismissing every email). But it does a good job.
Really hoping that when the Apollo SDK is released, we see a surge in quality app development.
But which would you guys choose:
1. iPhone with a grid of boring icons from screen to screen
2. iPhone with a more dynamic UI like Android or Windows Phone
The iPhone sells inspite of the UI, not because. I remember all the rumours floating around that iOS 5 would come out with this dazzling new UI. That was a letdown to me.
I think if a blank slate customer saw 3 phones on display, the iPhone would not grab that customer like the rest. However, there are no blank slate customers.
nicksti said:
But which would you guys choose:
1. iPhone with a grid of boring icons from screen to screen
2. iPhone with a more dynamic UI like Android or Windows Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're giving the launcher, or home screen, or start, or desktop (whatever) way too much eye-time. No one stares at live tiles, or app lists, for 20 minutes. They use applications, and do things. The app list, tiles, whatever are only an icon, yes a shortcut, to the main event. It doesn't matter if the tile/icon flips in 3D, spins, or does cart wheels, its still very limited in what it can do. You have to access the application to _do_ things.
Let the icons/tiles/shortcuts/whatever debate die.
ohgood said:
You're giving the launcher, or home screen, or start, or desktop (whatever) way too much eye-time. No one stares at live tiles, or app lists, for 20 minutes. They use applications, and do things. The app list, tiles, whatever are only an icon, yes a shortcut, to the main event. It doesn't matter if the tile/icon flips in 3D, spins, or does cart wheels, its still very limited in what it can do. You have to access the application to _do_ things.
Let the icons/tiles/shortcuts/whatever debate die.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with much of this. Turn on the phone do what you want. Move on. I don't turn on my phone to stare at animations because they are cool, just like I don't buy a car because its shiny and red. Anything distracting should not be just to be flashy. It should serve a purpose as well.
But there is something to having the ability to display some information with current data on the icon / tile / widget.
Apple's response is the curtain, which solves most of the problem, but differently.
Constantly seeing 73 degrees and sunny could eaily be replaced with an icon that accurately reflects the current weather conditons for a default or current area. This is one reason people used HTC Sence with the home screen weather. A double wide icon for this would be great.
It would be nice to have the clock icon display the next alarm time, not 10:15:00 or the very least have that on the curtain. A double wide icon for this would be cool too.
An icon for music that reflects the Album art would be nice, but doen't really help you do anything. A contact pic on the email pic for the last unread email would be really cool.
Microsoft solves those problems with Live Tiles and Hubs, but does not solve the problem of seeing all missed notifications in one place. For me, there never has been a time when I missed any notification that was important.
Apple doesn't have any double wide icons. And other than the Calendar, the only thing that can be modified on an icon is a number
I think both Apple and Microsoft have areas to improve on both of these aspects.
ohgood said:
You're giving the launcher, or home screen, or start, or desktop (whatever) way too much eye-time. No one stares at live tiles, or app lists, for 20 minutes. They use applications, and do things. The app list, tiles, whatever are only an icon, yes a shortcut, to the main event. It doesn't matter if the tile/icon flips in 3D, spins, or does cart wheels, its still very limited in what it can do. You have to access the application to _do_ things.
Let the icons/tiles/shortcuts/whatever debate die.
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To each his own, but I rather look at a home screen and see information instead of having to launch something. And widgets and tiles deliver useable information without having to press.
After all, that is the point of Siri right?
nicksti said:
To each his own, but I rather look at a home screen and see information instead of having to launch something. And widgets and tiles deliver useable information without having to press.
After all, that is the point of Siri right?
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Useful information is great.
I think most people agee that Siri is more of a cool bell and whistle to get people to buy the iPhone. It's good at somethings, but bad at others. In the end people play with it for a while, and then go about normal phone usage.
Some go so far as thinking each icon on the phone needs to be exciting or unique, but many are really just to launch an app.
I will never want an animated background.
But, useful info on the icons on my iPhone, would be very welcomed.