Develop Bugs

What are WP7 Best Features???

MS really need to sort out its advertising campaign i think. Im in the UK and its all very quiet over here, those `really` wouldnt want me to buy a wp7. i was in the US and noticed the presence of WP7 a bit more... but still the question is what is the best way to advertise WP7. what would make you think... i want one of those!!!! doh ive clicked the poll button but it wont give me any options to sort the poll help!!! im sure this happened to me last time.

They need to show what the phone does instead of a bunch of people just using it. The big advantage wp7 has its its unique and fluid interface and they need to show this of more.
I also think they should push the zune pass a lot more as for the law abiding music lovers this is the best music service there is. It also would help if the uk got the 10 perminant downloads a month that the usa get.
As for its presence i don't know if i watch different tv to the rest of you (maybe as my wife makes me watch crap) but i see the wp7 adds more then any other phone though the iphone is very close second.
They also need to check the stores as they are not pushing it bar orange who from what i have seen are the only ones clued up and pushing it (even the tv adverts are for the mozart on orange). When i went to the o2 store the display had 2 demo phones but both where vandalized and just left and the display itself was tucked away round a corner. I think they should also send there own reps out to shopping malls like htc are doing for the desire range and push there brand with there own sales people, displays and demo's. Give people a chance to see it and be shown how it works properly they will love it but one thing i get from non phoney people is that it looks different so they don't know if they would be able to use it then once they see how easy it is there hooked but they need to be shown first before they are sure.

i wanted to poll this how can i do it? when i try polling it did not give me options to type what i wanted.

no business users on xda? would have thought that wp7 office would have scored some points. im always using wp7 office i tend not to write stuff on it but use it to transfer documents. come to think of it. wp7 office is the main reason why i stuck with windows mobile in the first place...after having the laggy htc diamond 2 i wanted some slighty bigger and far quicker and was being drawn towards the dark side when wp7 came along. all the other stuff, like zune, xbox live cemented my decision

Need to tweet this thread to the world

davidebanks said:
no business users on xda? would have thought that wp7 office would have scored some points. im always using wp7 office i tend not to write stuff on it but use it to transfer documents. come to think of it. wp7 office is the main reason why i stuck with windows mobile in the first place...after having the laggy htc diamond 2 i wanted some slighty bigger and far quicker and was being drawn towards the dark side when wp7 came along. all the other stuff, like zune, xbox live cemented my decision
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You are right mate. Office is nice. However this should at least match DocsToGo.
It is available for WM and Android.
Current Office is sweet but absolutely too limited.

Seriously, it's not one thing that really sets WP7, it's the INTEGRATION of ALL those things that sets it apart. When I show my focus off to people, I start with the integration with contacts to facebook (that I have their number/email) and show that I can write on their wall, send an email, txt and stuff and if they have an address, how I can quickly map it to Bing and then find directions. Also updating my facebook status and commenting. Then I show them the voice command for search to call people or find a place and directions. The dedicated camera button. Xbox games and it's graphics. I forget to show them Zune (but I don't have a zune pass) besides how if I go to a youtube video that it saves my recent history so I don't have to remember the site. I also show them pics uploading to facebook and show them how my pictures automatically upload to skydrive and tell them about the 25 GB free of online storage.
It's really how all those things come together which is why I love my WP7. It's SYNERGY! lol.

davidebanks said:
no business users on xda? would have thought that wp7 office would have scored some points. im always using wp7 office i tend not to write stuff on it but use it to transfer documents. come to think of it. wp7 office is the main reason why i stuck with windows mobile in the first place...after having the laggy htc diamond 2 i wanted some slighty bigger and far quicker and was being drawn towards the dark side when wp7 came along. all the other stuff, like zune, xbox live cemented my decision
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I hope you are not serious about business users. As our Chief Security Officer put it for our CEO and CTO when they brought their wp7 devices to work and wanted integrate them with our Exchange environment: "leave the toys at home".
Sent from my Nero powered Vibrant

lqaddict said:
I hope you are not serious about business users. As our Chief Security Officer put it for our CEO and CTO when they brought their wp7 devices to work and wanted integrate them with our Exchange environment: "leave the toys at home".
Sent from my Nero powered Vibrant
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Puhleeezee....

Forget the rest of the features, it's going to be Xbox Live that sells it to the mainstream.. they've already started advertising this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHNWL-WdzsM

wspaw said:
Puhleeezee....
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Believe it or not but setting AllowSimplePassword was more than enough to violate the security policy enforced http://social.technet.microsoft.com...tions-when-using-windows-phone-7-clients.aspx
The subject of on-device encryption just put a final nail.
It might be ok for small businesses not to care about these policies but large organizations rely on the security provided by the Exchange if they care about security of their email transactions.
Sent from my Nero powered Vibrant

I went into O2 today and asked to see the HTC HD7 (was with a friend and left mine at home). and the guy said, yes, but we also have the iPhone and took us to it without asking me. Which greatly saddened me as the WP7 has better features like (bing search to find places near you faster, back button, smooth/glossy/simple interface, Xbox live, better music marketplace, better SDK ect). but if you don't know much, you would have go to the iPhone. Yet another idiot who doesn't know anything about phones. Selling phones >.<.

All of them partially! I mean none of them separately is SO amazing but TOGETHER...
You don't believe Facebook is the only key selling point.
You may laugh but office IS important too.
The mix is important. Fluid modern OS. And integrity with MS services.
Also the fact that WP7 devices are highend. Good browser and Email. Homescreen.

Its a tough choice I think which comes down to personal preferance at least it shows that wp7 has a lot of good things working for it. Looks like Xbox live is taking a good lead Microsoft would be wise to exploit their Xbox users to give wp7 a good advantage over other phones

wspaw said:
Puhleeezee....
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Agree, Lol!
WP7 actually has better Exchange support than Android, and the data on the devices are more secure than on Android devices.
But given who you quoted, I'm not surprised

Looks like I'm only 1 of 2 who voted for the Bing search. I really like the voice integration and the way it gives you the 3 categories. News, web, local.

action_efn_jackson said:
Looks like I'm only 1 of 2 who voted for the Bing search. I really like the voice integration and the way it gives you the 3 categories. News, web, local.
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Google has this. The differences are mostly in the user interface. It's not an advantage.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

N8ter said:
Google has this. The differences are mostly in the user interface. It's not an advantage.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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and it's US only.

Fine for most business users
lqaddict said:
Believe it or not but setting AllowSimplePassword was more than enough to violate the security policy enforced http://social.technet.microsoft.com...tions-when-using-windows-phone-7-clients.aspx
The subject of on-device encryption just put a final nail.
It might be ok for small businesses not to care about these policies but large organizations rely on the security provided by the Exchange if they care about security of their email transactions.
Sent from my Nero powered Vibrant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I own 2 small businesses and WP7 is fine (better that WM and Android for me). I'd wager most WP7 users are not in large corporate environments where email security is on the forefront - I can't imagine anyone hacking my phone for my email.
davidebanks was serious in recommending WP7 for business users. Probably the majority of them, as there are many, many industries with mobile needs that don't need such airtight email security (it can still be fairly secure, btw).
To say that he shouldn't be serious and to quote your Chief Security Officer's cute little one-liner dismissing every device on the platform as a toy is a disservice to those using this tread for what it is intended for. There is a thread comparing WP7 to Android, btw.

N8ter said:
Google has this. The differences are mostly in the user interface. It's not an advantage.
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As in a Google App or Andriod OS?

Microsoft, please give users not in the US/UK a full featured Windows Phone

I am a fan, and owner of a Windows Phone 7 device. However, living in Germany (or anywhere else outside of the US/UK) limits the features of my phone. Please Microsoft, allow users outside of the US/UK to have a full featured device, like it is advertised. This is hurting your product. If I change regional settings to English (US or UK) I get local results for Germany, but with regional settings on German I don't! This is no good, give us access to what is already there, and build it up. Now with Local Scout, there are reports of this only working in the US and in the UK, we in the rest of the world want these features too! As an International Corporation, would it not be a good idea to invest in everyone equally?
I have therefore created a Facebook group, not much I know, but its a start right?
Please join this group if you feel the same way I do. Maybe if enough join, we can show Microsoft that all users want the same experience, not fragmented and dependant on location!
You will find the group here! Please be fruitful(?) anways please join!

+10 to you...nice post
no zune pass,no local scout and etc.......for australian devices.Furthermore, the apps here are F**king expensive.
pacman championship price= angry birds + tiny wings + infinity blade on iphone...epic fail pricing

Same here in Portugal! We don't even have access to Indie Games on Xbox Live

Talk to your governments.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

sbrownla said:
Talk to your governments.
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Our governments sure don't block Microsoft from releasing a finished search engine (not bing beta which is actually live search) nor do they have anything to do with whether you can get local results etc. on the phone.
The only thing that I understand is that MS does not offer the Zune Pass in Germany because they would have to pay several cents for each song we stream.

UK isn't exactly fully featured either.

Freypal said:
UK isn't exactly fully featured either.
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Something is always better than nothing.
And governments have nothing to do with what Microsoft decides to release or not... unless you are in Libia or some weird dictatorial regime.

Freypal said:
UK isn't exactly fully featured either.
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But its more featured than the rest of the world
I'd rather talk to Microsoft about it, but they probably don't to talk to me...but that won't stop me from trying!!

LOL. In Germany you have at least Marketplace access The ONLY way to have paid apps on your phone in Bulgaria is to pirate them. And then MS talks about software piracy
It's complete joke. In my country you have Apple Appstore, Android Marketplace but no Windows Marketplace. Not even with Mango. Maybe we have to wait for a Banana update to have Marketplace as a popular joke is that we are the Banana Republic of the EU

I fully agree and fully subscribe to this thread.
I am really fed up with the US-centric MS services.
I am in France, not a small country, I have no local search and Bing Map sucks... Unusable. And Microsoft pretend to be a global company?

I think microsoft is too greedy,they want to gain 100% profits in here....Since they know that Bing is not good in other countries,they should give us an option to use google map...Like Apple,they are not operating any search engine or map businesses,therefore until now,they still using google map and iphone still selling good...

arturobandini said:
I fully agree and fully subscribe to this thread.
I am really fed up with the US-centric MS services.
I am in France, not a small country, I have no local search and Bing Map sucks... Unusable. And Microsoft pretend to be a global company?
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Excellent glad your with us!
I hope those Bing stations opened in Munich and Paris I believe start churning out better support!!
The funny thing is that Bing actually has Local Results for Germany, not good but still its there, we just can't access them! Only if we change browser and search language to english (US or UK). Giving us the option of Google Maps would go a long way, but in the end Microsoft wants to build up its Bing. They are, but it's just taking a while. With Nokia onboard hopefully we get there map data soon!

sylau90 said:
I think microsoft is too greedy,they want to gain 100% profits in here....Since they know that Bing is not good in other countries,they should give us an option to use google map...Like Apple,they are not operating any search engine or map businesses,therefore until now,they still using google map and iphone still selling good...
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Microsoft is NOT stopping Google from making Google Maps for Windows Phone so I don't see how this is Microsoft's fault.

day2die said:
Microsoft is NOT stopping Google from making Google Maps for Windows Phone so I don't see how this is Microsoft's fault.
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their fault is that they did not negotiate and cooperate with google before WP7 is released.They should use google map as the stock map app especially both bing(countries outside US) and wp7 still in a premature stage.

sylau90 said:
their fault is that they did not negotiate and cooperate with google before WP7 is released.They should use google map as the stock map app especially both bing(countries outside US) and wp7 still in a premature stage.
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Lol.. the most hilarious post ever.
So.. why don't apple puts windows on their macs as it's better and it's more used than mac os ?
Why don't google stop developing android as it suck and invest in WP7 as it's better ?
Or would you invest milions in something and than ask your biggest competitor to use their solution instead ?

TheOnly1 said:
LOL. In Germany you have at least Marketplace access The ONLY way to have paid apps on your phone in Bulgaria is to pirate them. And then MS talks about software piracy
It's complete joke. In my country you have Apple Appstore, Android Marketplace but no Windows Marketplace. Not even with Mango. Maybe we have to wait for a Banana update to have Marketplace as a popular joke is that we are the Banana Republic of the EU
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Same "Banana" feeling here -.-

LoL at you????
For me,I won't bet my reputation since I know Bing is not good in other countries at this time,I rather use the better options for this critical stage since the OS is not perfect I won't risk the map and search engine apps as well.....As I mentioned,WP7 is in pre-mature stage,thats means just use google map temporarily,not forever
Furthermore,Thanks for bringing mac OS into this topic,you just make your mind look hilarious and awesome...I know that and thats why I LOL at you...
Do you know that mac OSX has a function called dual boot or boot camp?????this is because Apple knows their operating system still need more efforts to catch up the windows in terms of games and apps...therefore they offer this function....So,whats wrong???If WP7 use google map for this critical period since the bing map is not as good as google map in other countries in this world????In case you don't believe,I can tell you that in my university 1000+ imacs are dual booting windows XP...In this case,Apple at least gives their consumers an option,but we have none in WP7.
Moreover,you should know that Apple still securing their mac os well,so no pc can run mac os legally because apple didnt sell their license and it is a premier OS.M$ can do the same here,they can not license out the Bing map or search to other mobile devices.
After you read this,you should LOL at your post...
you make my day mate.

...I dont believe that Microsoft deliberately blocks any features to annoy users outside of the USA/UK. The questions is rather if they can. There are hundreds of regulations within each country and even more within the EU which prevents them
from doing this or including that. Just take the country codes on DVDs. Just take the uproar in Germany when Google started streetview. And lately the problems with collecting location data, which among others would be necessary to enjoy the features of "Local results"... One has to make a choice between protecting his privacy and using services based on data collections....

FTC said:
...I dont believe that Microsoft deliberately blocks any features to annoy users outside of the USA/UK. The questions is rather if they can. There are hundreds of regulations within each country and even more within the EU which prevents them
from doing this or including that. Just take the country codes on DVDs. Just take the uproar in Germany when Google started streetview. And lately the problems with collecting location data, which among others would be necessary to enjoy the features of "Local results"... One has to make a choice between protecting his privacy and using services based on data collections....
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Well MS tracks the location of phones in every country. And again, I understand that MS cannot offer the Zune Pass in Germany because of local laws but there is nothing stopping them from releasing voice search or a final bing engine or the upcoming bing vision and such stuff.

No zune pass in Canada, and make the Microsoft points good for Zune, Xbox live, etc
Sent from my T9295 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

The oddity of the UK marketplace

WP7 has been out for about 10 months now. When I browse the UK marketplace I can't believe we barely have UK specific apps. I met a French friend the other day and his Optimus 7 had plenty of French apps to work with but here in the UK we have to rely on 3rd party developers. That's very odd, I wonder what's happening between Microsoft and the UK. We have what, Tesco, Yell, a few radio apps and that's about it.
Big absentees I can think of:
Amazon
Lovefilm
Argos
Metro
Sky
BBC
TVGuide
AA
Post Office
Sainsburys (coming I believe)
BT Phonebook
Jobcentre
Any banking app
Plus probably many more you can name. You can't tell me it's because of APIs either, most if not all of the apps above would be possible with WP7 v1.0

Amazon Kindle is available in the UK - but I agree the Amazon shopper app would be cool. I'd love to see an iPlayer app from the BBC but there's been no word of that and I too feel as though I'm missing out from a banking app.
To be honest, though, I think it's because most of these companies don't actually develop their mobile apps, they outsource to 3rd party companies who build the cross-platform apps for them. If those 3rd party companies don't build Windows Phone apps then there won't be a Windows Phone app for the main company.
It's something Microsoft could try and push (and who knows, they might be) but it might not be high on the priority list.
We do have British Airways though.

Yeah anyone can fly on British Airways so I'm not really counting this one. It's odd that the French have all sorts of French apps though, they probably use 3rd party developers too afterall.
I wonder how it is in other European countries where the marketplace is open.

Hasn't Microsoft recently released a UK only Bing app? I think in Germany there isn't any specific dedicated app at all. But to be honest here, I'm quite satisfied with the generic apps out there.

I came from Android and didn't really have these apps on there so I don't really feel like I'm missing something, but you do have a point.
Tesco Groceries and Tesco Good Food were available on launch but not much after that. I can see Sky coming soon.. The BBC apps are fairly new aren't they?

The BBC apps aren't official, the main one has been there since launch I believe. Most if not all of these apps are available on iOS and Android. Many are also on BlackBerry and the Ovi store.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Peew971 said:
The BBC apps aren't official, the main one has been there since launch I believe. Most if not all of these apps are available on iOS and Android. Many are also on BlackBerry and the Ovi store.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Maybe I get you wrong, but honestly.. First lots of people were complaining about all those apps that were missing in WP7 but available for other mobile OSes, now you complain about a lack of WP7 exclusive apps? To be a little more precise WP7 exclusive apps that are limited to the UK? Hmm.. From a business point of view that doesn't make sense. Why should developers limit their apps - which generate income - to one single OS and on top of that to one single region?

dkp1977 said:
Maybe I get you wrong, but honestly.. First lots of people were complaining about all those apps that were missing in WP7 but available for other mobile OSes, now you complain about a lack of WP7 exclusive apps? To be a little more precise WP7 exclusive apps that are limited to the UK? Hmm.. From a business point of view that doesn't make sense. Why should developers limit their apps - which generate income - to one single OS and on top of that to one single region?
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He's not talking about WP7 Exclusives, he's talking about apps from UK Based companies like BBC, BSkyB or Barclays which are available for other devices but not WP7.

brummiesteven said:
He's not talking about WP7 Exclusives, he's talking about apps from UK Based companies like BBC, BSkyB or Barclays which are available for other devices but not WP7.
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Ah, k then. I already guessed I got him wrong. ^^ I didn't say anything.

No worries
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

I know for a good fact that banking apps are coming, the inlaw works in banking security and they are in the process of developing the apps for the UK.
Windows Phone sadly is taking up the rear, ive seen what they are working on with the iphone and android.

In all fairness it's because it's a new platform.
Hate to compare to android all the time, but I had a G1 and then a HTC Desire. Big apps, ports of big iPhone apps didn't even start surfacing until the Nexus One was launched which was about 1 year, 3 months after the G1. As I was leaving Android, Big UK Apps started to surface like Sky News etc. This was on WP's launch, around November 2010.
If we assume the timescales will be the same, IMO the Nokia Sea Ray (or whatever Nokia's Flagship WP device turns out to be) is Windows Phone's equivalent to the Nexus One.

Sorry to bring up an old thread.
I've noticed that theres alot of things I would like to add to my phone but can't as noone seems to be creating these apps for WP7
I used to use MoBank, as I bank with natwest. I've been asking them about an app for wp7 since december, they keep replying they're working on it, I've just found out that not only have they "updated" their iphone app, but have released a BB one as well . Also Mobank seems to have disappeared from the marketplace.
Anyone know of any good banking apps?

Dammit MS, make good ads and penatrate the market

Mango is enough to compete well against other major platforms. But I personally believe they need to market more. Android didn't quite get popular even with good updates and a handful of devices. But it wasn't until the DROID ad that it started to penetrate the market. Everything is solid, and it even beats Android in customer satisfaction(57 %) but the scary fact is, it still lack brand awareness.
The youtube channel and the videos produced are excellent in showing off its elegance and unique features but they fail to present it on TV, Billboards, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/user/windowsphone
C'mon Microsoft! You got everything, now use some marketing skills to get your brand out and market share up!

maybe the one thing they don't have is marketing skills?

Aerik said:
Mango is enough to compete well against other major platforms. But I personally believe they need to market more. Android didn't quite get popular even with good updates and a handful of devices. But it wasn't until the DROID ad that it started to penetrate the market. Everything is solid, and it even beats Android in customer satisfaction(57 %) but the scary fact is, it still lack brand awareness.
The youtube channel and the videos produced are excellent in showing off its elegance and unique features but they fail to present it on TV, Billboards, etc.
C'mon Microsoft! You got everything, now use your marketing skills to get your brand out and market share up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, we'll see how currently complete mango is with general smartphone users.
Here's a test:
I live in a city and just bought a Windows Phone. Cool!
Once I'm done class, I've got to visit a museum in the core of the city. Should be fun. Let's get some directions.
Current Location ->to-> Royal Ontario Museum
Cool, it's showing me driving directions. I'm not driving there.
Where are the public transit directions? I live in a city, where the hell are my public transit directions?
No public transit directions.
So I call my friend asking them if their smartphone has transit directions. Yep, their iphone and android are hooked up to google maps. So I visit the app marketplace to download google maps. But I can't. So I visit the google maps website on IE, but google maps is banned on windows phone devices.
So I look for an alternative maps app on the marketplace - one that has transit. But there are none for my area.
-
Seriously, recommending a windows phone is hard once people tell you they need their smartphone to "do what my current smartphone does."
Because lots of people need things like public transit directions, for example. I mean, a huge market for smartphone users lies in metropolitan cities.
Bing Maps, and the Windows phone as a result:
1) doesnt support public transit, and
2) is highly unsupported outside of the US.
I love the windows phone OS, but MS is taking their time, and until they catch up, the phone simply doesn't provide a number of critical features. Not 'fluff' features, but important make-or-break features.
I'm aware Nokia Maps is 'coming'. But until it has, and until it proves itself to be comparable to google maps, users switching from other smartphones to Mango will feel like they're downgrading in some areas.
Users who switch from android to iOS, and iOS to android, don't feel that - they get, at the very least, basic critical map and navigation functions thanks to partnerships with google. MS's obsession with the underdeveloped BING service is hurting the windows phone (and imo will hurt Windows 8 as well) since you're forced to using bing within the OS whether you want to or not).

google maps does not an OS make - or break. There are other things that make WP7 worthwhile, like local scout, Zune, Xbox, Office. Each platform has their pluses and minuses, none of them was born complete.
If I wanted to control my Xbox from an iphone or android I couldnt but could on WP7 (when the app is released), does that make those OS's less functional to their owners?
And really, continually bringing up the lack of google applications on WP7 is pointless, why not ask google why they block WP7 users from their services? MS just released Hotmail for android, why isnt google as considerate of their services USERS and provide their services to all smartphone platforms, rather than try and punish users of WP7? Gits.

ammarmalik said:
maybe the one thing they don't have is marketing skills?
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Click to collapse
But I so would've bought windows after seeing this advertisement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sforhbLiwLA&feature=related
And let's be frank everyone else would after seeing Ballmer's performance. More iconic than developers developers DEVELOPERS

efjay said:
google maps does not an OS make - or break. There are other things that make WP7 worthwhile, like local scout, Zune, Xbox, Office. Each platform has their pluses and minuses, none of them was born complete.
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Local scout, only works as advertised in the US.
You also have to change all your settings to US on your phone in order to perform bing map searches outside of NA and UK. Pretty user friendly.
If I wanted to control my Xbox from an iphone or android I couldnt but could on WP7 (when the app is released), does that make those OS's less functional to their owners?
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Xbox Live functionality is not a 'critical' feature I was referring to. I'm talking about things like transit directions, worldwide map search support, audio file support, email inbox search, etc.
Also, re: "(when the app is released)" - my understanding is people don't buy phones based on what apps it may have 6-12 months from now.

Can we NOT turn this into a bash wp7 thread like the countless others and actually discuss how MS could improve their marketing stratergy?
They hired Brandon Foy who did the gorgeous wp7 fan video. They should have him do a flashy 30 second spot with the HTC Titan

madmaximillian said:
Yeah, we'll see how currently complete mango is with general smartphone users.
Here's a test:
I live in a city and just bought a Windows Phone. Cool!
Once I'm done class, I've got to visit a museum in the core of the city. Should be fun. Let's get some directions.
Current Location ->to-> Royal Ontario Museum
Cool, it's showing me driving directions. I'm not driving there.
Where are the public transit directions? I live in a city, where the hell are my public transit directions?
No public transit directions.
So I call my friend asking them if their smartphone has transit directions. Yep, their iphone and android are hooked up to google maps. So I visit the app marketplace to download google maps. But I can't. So I visit the google maps website on IE, but google maps is banned on windows phone devices.
So I look for an alternative maps app on the marketplace - one that has transit. But there are none for my area.
-
Seriously, recommending a windows phone is hard once people tell you they need their smartphone to "do what my current smartphone does."
Because lots of people need things like public transit directions, for example. I mean, a huge market for smartphone users lies in metropolitan cities.
Bing Maps, and the Windows phone as a result:
1) doesnt support public transit, and
2) is highly unsupported outside of the US.
I love the windows phone OS, but MS is taking their time, and until they catch up, the phone simply doesn't provide a number of critical features. Not 'fluff' features, but important make-or-break features.
I'm aware Nokia Maps is 'coming'. But until it has, and until it proves itself to be comparable to google maps, users switching from other smartphones to Mango will feel like they're downgrading in some areas.
Users who switch from android to iOS, and iOS to android, don't feel that - they get, at the very least, basic critical map and navigation functions thanks to partnerships with google. MS's obsession with the underdeveloped BING service is hurting the windows phone (and imo will hurt Windows 8 as well) since you're forced to using bing within the OS whether you want to or not).
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Really, if MS want to success in this world and earn big bucks, they have to look after the needs in different places instead of just in US.
Being international means the service has to be accessible from anywhere, and the information should be fully descriptive in any countries. (esp. the maps and search engines)
Google has invested vast amount of money in placing servers in different continents and gathering information for its international class services, e.g. mail, maps, search engines. Where are MS's efforts? I would like to see.
Smartphones do require a good infrastructure as a support. Apple and Android uses google services, and MS use Bing services. Is Bing services well structured? If not, should they either improve themselves straightaway or let people use other services temporarily?
---------- Post added at 12:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 AM ----------
sayonical said:
Can we NOT turn this into a bash wp7 thread like the countless others and actually discuss how MS could improve their marketing stratergy?
They hired Brandon Foy who did the gorgeous wp7 fan video. They should have him do a flashy 30 second spot with the HTC Titan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Improving its service availability in the world is already their best marketing stratergy.

henry084 said:
Really, if MS want to success in this world and earn big bucks, they have to look after the needs in different places instead of just in US.
Being international means the service has to be accessible from anywhere, and the information should be fully descriptive in any countries. (esp. the maps and search engines)
Google has invested vast amount of money in placing servers in different continents and gathering information for its international class services, e.g. mail, maps, search engines. Where are MS's efforts? I would like to see.
Smartphones do require a good infrastructure as a support. Apple and Android uses google services, and MS use Bing services. Is Bing services well structured? If not, should they either improve themselves straightaway or let people use other services temporarily?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. MS seems to be pairing with Nokia for their maps service, but still Nokia has even worse international data. They have better maps, but MUCH worse directions, hardly any locations information, and Nokia software isn't linked to anything (such as your contact lists).
Google services are great because they link with each other, and are dependable and work anywhere. They are a crucial part of what makes today's smartphones 'smart' phones.
sayonical said:
Can we NOT turn this into a bash wp7 thread like the countless others and actually discuss how MS could improve their marketing stratergy?
They hired Brandon Foy who did the gorgeous wp7 fan video. They should have him do a flashy 30 second spot with the HTC Titan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Word of mouth counts as marketing, in a way
Plus, if WP7 gets features that people are used to, people will be more inclined to switch. I know many poeple who know what WP7 is, but won't switch because it 'feels' to them like the first gen iphone. The iphone 1 was great, but you wouldn't switch from an iphone 4 or 3gs to one. And that's how people feel about the windows phone - it's cool, but it doesn't have the features that will make switching to it possible.

Madmaxmillian, I didn't know that. Thanks.

No problem

You're right, word of mouth is a form of marketing. I know because based on my word of mouth, 10 people have switched to WP and another 3 plan to do so, 9 of those are from Android, the others are from the Pre and feature phones.
But, since this is a marketing thread about what MS should do to gain more awareness of the OS (not sure how Android and iphone keep coming up in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with either of them) let's talk about that. I will however wager $20 that the normal handful of windows phone opponents will seek to make this anything but what the thread is about.
The stuff that Brandon Foy is doing is great in a hip, upbeat sense. But, it's far too busy for the average television commercial, at least in the U.S. It would behoove MS to have something that is more straightforward and to the point.
A series of spots showing various features of the phone. Show what's unique about the phone, UI, Live tiles, Hub Concept, Integration. Show this with "real people" in "real situations" using the phone's features.
A Voiceover as a girl sits in her room at her computer. She pops up and starts throwing on clothes.
VO: "A night out with a few friends."
She taps the Bing button and brings up Local Scout. She taps an event.
VO: "Bing Local Scout can help you finds great things to see, do, eat, and drink in any area. And, when you do, you can get in touch with the people who are important to you anywhere, anytime... on Facebook, Instant Messenger, and Text"
How about...?
Show the switch to text from Facebook
VO: "All in the same conversation without ever leaving the messaging hub."
Sounds great!
She steps out of the door of her urban apartment. It's night time. She doesn't walk but somehow moves down the street, the world around her blurs by at hyperspeed. The Phone is in constant view of the camera.
VO: "And, if you need to keep in touch with all the people who are important to you in one convenient place, you've got groups for that."
The Groups Tile shows a kaleidoscope of pics then flips to show "New Messages". She taps the Groups Hub on her phone that reads" The Crew/Guys" She scrolls through to show the people in her group then hits sms.
Text: On my way.
She stops. A dress in a store window with an expensive price tag catches her eye.
VO: "Something catch your eye? Let Bing Vision help you find what you want."
She uses Bing Vision on the tag to pull up a better deal elsewhere. She smiles. That's going to be her new dress.
Again she moves without walking, city lights strafing around her. Suddenly, the world seems to slow down and goes back to normal as she has arrived at her destination.
She opens the door and goes in and...
SURPRISE!!!
A large group of friends shower her with confetti as she enters. A great big smile, a laugh, and hugs.
"Windows Phone. Put People first."
Whatever. Something like that.
For non-US or countries that don't currently have access to Bing services there would be a showcasing of other features.
Also, you could have spots show off several features w/ voiceover and end with the voiceover saying:
VO: "Oh. And, apps... yeah we got those too."
You would then go from a TIGHT shot on the famous Wall of Apps to a quick PULL OUT and REVEAL of the thousands of apps the platform currently has.
Anyway... something along those lines or variations thereof. The main thing is to show WHAT the phone can do and what is unique about it.

madmaximillian said:
Agreed. MS seems to be pairing with Nokia for their maps service, but still Nokia has even worse international data. They have better maps, but MUCH worse directions, hardly any locations information, and Nokia software isn't linked to anything (such as your contact lists).
Google services are great because they link with each other, and are dependable and work anywhere. They are a crucial part of what makes today's smartphones 'smart' phones.
Word of mouth counts as marketing, in a way
Plus, if WP7 gets features that people are used to, people will be more inclined to switch. I know many poeple who know what WP7 is, but won't switch because it 'feels' to them like the first gen iphone. The iphone 1 was great, but you wouldn't switch from an iphone 4 or 3gs to one. And that's how people feel about the windows phone - it's cool, but it doesn't have the features that will make switching to it possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better maps is already better than maps with limited information, now Bing maps is still rather empty in East Asia region. (They have just fixed the Japan ones recently.) I hope they can combine those two together to form a better one.
For me, like Mango which can filter your contact lists is already fine as far as I can filter out the phone list for use, since a smartphone is still a phone. I have my facebook acc, e-mail acc, and dial lists. I don't want to search things in a mixed pool as it is inefficient, also I don't want to reconstruct the whole list as the work is enormous. (Just imagine when you have 500 entries in your Facebook account, 200 entries in your e-mail/MSN account and 150 entries in your phone book, then you will know how painful it can be.)
---------- Post added at 12:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 PM ----------
Wyn6 said:
You're right, word of mouth is a form of marketing. I know because based on my word of mouth, 10 people have switched to WP and another 3 plan to do so, 9 of those are from Android, the others are from the Pre and feature phones.
But, since this is a marketing thread about what MS should do to gain more awareness of the OS (not sure how Android and iphone keep coming up in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with either of them) let's talk about that. I will however wager $20 that the normal handful of windows phone opponents will seek to make this anything but what the thread is about.
The stuff that Brandon Foy is doing is great in a hip, upbeat sense. But, it's far too busy for the average television commercial, at least in the U.S. It would behoove MS to have something that is more straightforward and to the point.
A series of spots showing various features of the phone. Show what's unique about the phone, UI, Live tiles, Hub Concept, Integration. Show this with "real people" in "real situations" using the phone's features.
A Voiceover as a girl sits in her room at her computer. She pops up and starts throwing on clothes.
VO: "A night out with a few friends."
She taps the Bing button and brings up Local Scout. She taps an event.
VO: "Bing Local Scout can help you finds great things to see, do, eat, and drink in any area. And, when you do, you can get in touch with the people who are important to you anywhere, anytime... on Facebook, Instant Messenger, and Text"
How about...?
Show the switch to text from Facebook
VO: "All in the same conversation without ever leaving the messaging hub."
Sounds great!
She steps out of the door of her urban apartment. It's night time. She doesn't walk but somehow moves down the street, the world around her blurs by at hyperspeed. The Phone is in constant view of the camera.
VO: "And, if you need to keep in touch with all the people who are important to you in one convenient place, you've got groups for that."
The Groups Tile shows a kaleidoscope of pics then flips to show "New Messages". She taps the Groups Hub on her phone that reads" The Crew/Guys" She scrolls through to show the people in her group then hits sms.
Text: On my way.
She stops. A dress in a store window with an expensive price tag catches her eye.
VO: "Something catch your eye? Let Bing Vision help you find what you want."
She uses Bing Vision on the tag to pull up a better deal elsewhere. She smiles. That's going to be her new dress.
Again she moves without walking, city lights strafing around her. Suddenly, the world seems to slow down and goes back to normal as she has arrived at her destination.
She opens the door and goes in and...
SURPRISE!!!
A large group of friends shower her with confetti as she enters. A great big smile, a laugh, and hugs.
"Windows Phone. Put People first."
Whatever. Something like that.
For non-US or countries that don't currently have access to Bing services there would be a showcasing of other features.
Also, you could have spots show off several features w/ voiceover and end with the voiceover saying:
VO: "Oh. And, apps... yeah we got those too."
You would then go from a TIGHT shot on the famous Wall of Apps to a quick PULL OUT and REVEAL of the thousands of apps the platform currently has.
Anyway... something along those lines or variations thereof. The main thing is to show WHAT the phone can do and what is unique about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell, without the backup of such services can be fatal to a smartphone, esp. when people are relying on maps and search engines nowadays. iOS and Android can success because of this. MS would fail if they are still limiting their services in US, and WP7 would be just an American pride, like the sports car Corvette.

I think what Microsoft really should rely on is the features that are directly built in Windows Phone. Sure, Android and iOS can do a lot, most definitely still more than WP7 can do. But they heavily depend on apps. You need apps for every single **** you wanna do with these devices. The out of the box experience is pretty low in my opinion. That's where WP7 makes the difference. And that's what Microsoft should show people.

MetroTube to be disappearing from the marketplace on January, 1st.

A few minutes ago on twitter:
@LazywormApps
Today is a very sad day for us. We apologize for this unfortunate situation and promise to make it up to you all...
http://lazywormapps.com/
http://lazywormapps.com/letterToCustomers.pdf
http://www.wpcentral.com/metrotube-be-discontinued-after-january-1st
Honestly, that sucks ****. One of the best and outstanding apps for Windows Phone is gonna be pulled from the marketplace. Let me get this straight.. I don't blame the developers (LazywormApps), since they decided to follow the terms of service that apply to Youtube.com. I blame Google for not providing the appropriate API or at least allow the use of workarounds.
It think this is a pretty good reason to show our support, even though I'm currently now sure about how exactly. Maybe turn to Google support, or Microsoft? Or whatever. I'm sure if enough users help, things could change.

Pretty ****ed up :/
I wonder if google will ever release more APIs...

its a real shame

That sucks, Windows Phone gets a bit less appealing everyday.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Peew971 said:
That sucks, Windows Phone gets a bit less appealing everyday.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if we are so app-centric in a people-centric UI!

What a lame argument, you can't get the experience you get from MetroTube without an app. Apps are important, those saying otherwise are just lunatics.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Google are the reason they are pulling it:
“Unfortunately, Google has refused to allow Microsoft’s new Windows Phones to access this YouTube metadata in the same way that Android phones and iPhones do. As a result, Microsoft’s YouTube “app” on Windows Phones is basically just a browser displaying YouTube’s mobile Web site, without the rich functionality offered on competing phones. Microsoft is ready to release a high quality YouTube app for Windows Phone. We just need permission to access YouTube in the way that other phones already do, permission Google has refused to provide.”
http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-our-windows-phone-7-youtube-app-sucks-because-of-google/

Peew971 said:
What a lame argument, you can't get the experience you get from MetroTube without an app. Apps are important, those saying otherwise are just lunatics.
Sent from my Samsung Omnia 7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in no a way an argument! However the fact that absence of an app made it so unappealing should definitely be classified as app-centric user who knowing that the OS lacks apps should have bought an android in first place!

I wonder why metrotube did not mention Google Restriction on MetaData and said HD as the reason
And if that is so How did the App work ?

wpxbox said:
I wonder why metrotube did not mention Google Restriction on MetaData and said HD as the reason
And if that is so How did the App work ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If my memory serve me right, they used some undocumented api and some TOC violation to make HD video available to WP7, I didn't keep the source link, maybe someone here can help?

Lol that's my luck.....i just purchased it two days ago! I've typically just used the browser but heard so many good things about the app I figured I'd give it a shot. What a shame because it actually is a very nice app.

We want metrotube even without HQ/HD streaming!

Snake. said:
We want metrotube even without HQ/HD streaming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go ahead and tell @LazywormApps

That's sucks, and I paid for this app.
Oh well, supertube will suffice. Lets blame Google.

I can't believe Google is STILL blocking wp7 from this. I really want to know why they are doing this, and even more how they are allowed to block only a single platform.

dtboos said:
I can't believe Google is STILL blocking wp7 from this. I really want to know why they are doing this, and even more how they are allowed to block only a single platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes me wonder is the fact that there's a very well working YouTube app for XBox 360. So why is the API officially available for THIS specific Microsoft platform, but not for Windows Phone?

It could just come down to not wanting the competition to have a feature that you use as a major selling point. The Xbox platform doesn't compete with Android, but WP7 does.
With iOS, the contract between YouTube and Apple was established before there was an Android platform (and, I suspect, before the Google acquisition of YouTube was completed). But, since the contract is already in place, I suspect that Google's hands are tied on that front (at least until the terms of the contract expire, if ever).

RoboDad said:
It could just come down to not wanting the competition to have a feature that you use as a major selling point. The Xbox platform doesn't compete with Android, but WP7 does.
With iOS, the contract between YouTube and Apple was established before there was an Android platform (and, I suspect, before the Google acquisition of YouTube was completed). But, since the contract is already in place, I suspect that Google's hands are tied on that front (at least until the terms of the contract expire, if ever).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I have a samsung focus and an HTC flyer. I am amazed to see heavenly lag free browsing, no force closes, tightest social integration, apps managemnt with games going to Xbox category, all photos in one place, office, skydrive, etc etc on my focus. Mango is plain awesome. As for phone, I don't need an android phone after seeing the performance of my flyer vis a vis my focus. Though flyer is not bad in performance, I just wish there were mango tablets available in market. I will definitely go for a mango or tango tablet once it is available in market.
That's why Google is afraid of this new age os.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using Tapatalk

anyone tried supertube

can anybody try to capture the application? i think that could be the best thing. So in the future we could just deploy this app with a xap deployer.