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I currently own an iPhone 4 32GB on AT&T and I am considering a Windows Phone 7 device. Should I go ahead and sell my iPhone and purchase a device? I currently own a Zune (which I am selling) with a Zune Subscription (which I plan on keeping) and I am looking into selling my PS3 for an XBOX 360.
I have a lot of music, so that's what I do most. I also text and use the internet a lot, as well as check email. I also use Pandora quite a bit too (though with the Zune marketplace on the phone, probably not as much). I play games, but not often. I love the battery life of my iPhone. I also have an Otterbox to protect it's beauty. I am also a big fan of its screen and resolution. I use my phone as a camera too. Also, I want better navigation than what I currently get on my iPhone, which is MapQuest 4 (since the iPhone Maps sucks for navigation).
I have been considering the Samsung Focus, HTC Surround, and the LG Quantum. Are there more for AT&T I should consider? I really like the Dell Venue Pro, but it seems like it's not offered for AT&T.
So, what do you guys think? Should I jump ship? By the way, I LOVED the Zune and it's interface, if that helps.
Well really the only one who can decide is you. I'd head to a mobile store and just play with one until they kick you out. I have an LG Quantum, here are some thoughts:
-the software keyboard is. a-may-zing. I can type almost as fast on it as i can with two hands on a desktop. Bar none, the best I've ever used. If you text, this will blow you away. It just knows what you meant to type
-the zune player leaves a LOT to be desired, sound quality wise. wp7 needs an eq app soon. It'll get one, but for now, expect a flat sound. Very dissappointing.
-I don't know why I'm reading bad things about it, but the new IE is so fast it's overwhelming. It renders things very very quickly. Better than my wife's iPhone.
-the interface and UI is awesome. It's honestly the next step in smartphone software. Very impressive especially once you get used to it
-great Facebook integration. It adds all your Facebook/SIM contacts/hotmail contacts to one "contacts" app. Which at first sounds like too much. But after using it, I never want to go back. If I want to get a hold of anyone I've ever met, no matter from where, they're in my contacts hub. I can then choose to email them, post on their wall, text them, or call them. It's so quick and easy
sure haven't said:
Well really the only one who can decide is you. I'd head to a mobile store and just play with one until they kick you out. I have an LG Quantum, here are some thoughts:
-the software keyboard is. a-may-zing. I can type almost as fast on it as i can with two hands on a desktop. Bar none, the best I've ever used. If you text, this will blow you away. It just knows what you meant to type
-the zune player leaves a LOT to be desired, sound quality wise. wp7 needs an eq app soon. It'll get one, but for now, expect a flat sound. Very dissappointing.
-I don't know why I'm reading bad things about it, but the new IE is so fast it's overwhelming. It renders things very very quickly. Better than my wife's iPhone.
-the interface and UI is awesome. It's honestly the next step in smartphone software. Very impressive especially once you get used to it
-great Facebook integration. It adds all your Facebook/SIM contacts/hotmail contacts to one "contacts" app. Which at first sounds like too much. But after using it, I never want to go back. If I want to get a hold of anyone I've ever met, no matter from where, they're in my contacts hub. I can then choose to email them, post on their wall, text them, or call them. It's so quick and easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question on the sound. Is it comparable to the Zune, better or worse? What about in comparison to the iPhone?
I want to play with it but work and college kind of get in the way.
Like said above, go into a store and play with one. I'm gonna have to agree to everything sure said, windows phone 7 is amazing..the user interface is incredible. I've only had my HD7 for 4 days and I can't put it down. It's so smooth, the social integration with Facebook and your contacts is genius. Go play with one I doubt you'll be dissapointed
mariolopezjr said:
I currently own an iPhone 4 32GB on AT&T and I am considering a Windows Phone 7 device. Should I go ahead and sell my iPhone and purchase a device? I currently own a Zune (which I am selling) with a Zune Subscription (which I plan on keeping) and I am looking into selling my PS3 for an XBOX 360.
I have a lot of music, so that's what I do most. I also text and use the internet a lot, as well as check email. I also use Pandora quite a bit too (though with the Zune marketplace on the phone, probably not as much). I play games, but not often. I love the battery life of my iPhone. I also have an Otterbox to protect it's beauty. I am also a big fan of its screen and resolution. I use my phone as a camera too. Also, I want better navigation than what I currently get on my iPhone, which is MapQuest 4 (since the iPhone Maps sucks for navigation).
I have been considering the Samsung Focus, HTC Surround, and the LG Quantum. Are there more for AT&T I should consider? I really like the Dell Venue Pro, but it seems like it's not offered for AT&T.
So, what do you guys think? Should I jump ship? By the way, I LOVED the Zune and it's interface, if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With that list. Go for it. Now your decision boils down to which one.
Zune player sounds just fine. He must have really bad headphones or something. But it's at the very least on par with the iPhone if not better.
However, OP, I recommend you stick with the iPhone 4 for now. Several reasons.
WP7 is currently bug infested. You should probably wait and see how and if Microsoft is going to deal with it. You also should generally wait until Mango to see whether WP7 will take off or not. It's a bit of a gamble as of right now.
If you insist on taking the chance with WP7, I recommend you wait for Nokia's WP7 phones. The current hardware is pretty good but Nokia phones will probably have nice exclusives and, if they base them on the concepts, will be the sexiest phones out there.
All signals essentially point to 'wait.'
Based on friends of mine who have made the jump, I'd say go for it. They all love the UX on Phone 7 and while the platform does miss some functionality today it's not something that you will notice on a daily basis.
In the end though, it's a question only you can answer, so I'll agree with most others here and tell you to go have a play with it in store.
I have been a long term Windows phone user (version 5, 6.1 and 6.5). Unfortunately my current MDA Vario has developed a speaker problem and I'm forced to get a new phone (T Mobile have previously 'fixed' the problem which has now returned)
What you tend to forget is that you shouldn't buy an operating system - you purchese functionality. The key thing is whether the phone can satisfy all your requirements.
As for me, Windows 7 doesn't currently satisfy 3 key requirements:
1. No internet tethering out of the box (you have to really delve down to make this work)
2. No turn by turn navigation
4. No decent ebook reader which can read either lit or mobi format (although the Kindle application has been issued, there is no easy way to load my old books which I haven't purchased from Amazon). All in all I'm very disappointed that MS Reader has not been upgraded
As a mainly business user, I'm not really too interested in Zune or Games and am a bit unhappy about syncronisation via the cloud. As a haooy Napster user (supported in 6.5), I would have to swop to Zune
So what have I decided. I have gone ahead and purchased a used HTC Diamon Pro 2 running 6.5. This will do everything I want and I will wait until Windows 7 finally catches up.
sandravale said:
1. No internet tethering out of the box (you have to really delve down to make this work)
2. No turn by turn navigation
4. No decent ebook reader which can read either lit or mobi format (although the Kindle application has been issued, there is no easy way to load my old books which I haven't purchased from Amazon). All in all I'm very disappointed that MS Reader has not been upgraded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. While I understand what you're saying it really doesn't ring true with me. If you own a Samsung you can enable tethering in 15 or so taps (including entering all the numbers).
2. Really? I have turn-by-turn on my Omnia7. Works great too. AT&T also seem to be offering some sort of navigational package, as does several other carriers around the world.
I can't comment on the ebook reader situation as I find the phone too small to read large chunks of text on anyway, but your point seems valid enough.
sandravale said:
As a mainly business user, I'm ... a bit unhappy about syncronisation via the cloud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? What's your problem with the cloud exactly? Not being confrontational here, just wondering what, if any, gripes you have about using a secure always available filestore. I can understand some people not wanting to store their confidential documents on a random SkyDrive, but as a business you can run a locked down Sharepoint server locally.
I moved from a 32gb iPhone 4 to a Samsung Focus on the basis of the strength of the Zune platform. There have been drawbacks to moving over to such a new platform (marketplace bug being one main one, lack of apps being another) but also benefits such as the close facebook integration, UI, live tiles and above all, the zune integration.
I've had no sense that the zune player quality is worse (nor better) than the iphone. The desktop client and zunepass blow iTunes away. There really is no comparison.
I would play around with current phones, but as someone above said, you may want to wait and see if they announce any Nokia phones in the April timeframe (MIX 11). Although I guess the resale value of the iP4 will decline after the iP4s/5 gets released this summer.
mKTank said:
Zune player sounds just fine. He must have really bad headphones or something. But it's at the very least on par with the iPhone if not better.
However, OP, I recommend you stick with the iPhone 4 for now. Several reasons.
WP7 is currently bug infested. You should probably wait and see how and if Microsoft is going to deal with it. You also should generally wait until Mango to see whether WP7 will take off or not. It's a bit of a gamble as of right now.
If you insist on taking the chance with WP7, I recommend you wait for Nokia's WP7 phones. The current hardware is pretty good but Nokia phones will probably have nice exclusives and, if they base them on the concepts, will be the sexiest phones out there.
All signals essentially point to 'wait.'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A) No, my headphones are good quality. The PSP (generation ONE), and Samsung Omnia 2 blow it out of the water. They sound EQ'd, with presence and body. My Quantum just sounds flat.
B) After reading your post, you sound like a hater. So OP, please disregard his comments. Wp7 is not "bug ridden", it works just fine. Not sure why you insist on claiming getting a wp7 is "taking a chance". I think that description would be more apt to an Android phone, as the fragmentation has assured no one can tell which device will actually be good. As for wp7, there are hardware minimums across the board, and the software is smoother than silk. Haters gonna hate I suppose.
mariolopezjr said:
I currently own an iPhone 4 32GB on AT&T and I am considering a Windows Phone 7 device. Should I go ahead and sell my iPhone and purchase a device? I currently own a Zune (which I am selling) with a Zune Subscription (which I plan on keeping) and I am looking into selling my PS3 for an XBOX 360.
I have a lot of music, so that's what I do most. I also text and use the internet a lot, as well as check email. I also use Pandora quite a bit too (though with the Zune marketplace on the phone, probably not as much). I play games, but not often. I love the battery life of my iPhone. I also have an Otterbox to protect it's beauty. I am also a big fan of its screen and resolution. I use my phone as a camera too. Also, I want better navigation than what I currently get on my iPhone, which is MapQuest 4 (since the iPhone Maps sucks for navigation).
I have been considering the Samsung Focus, HTC Surround, and the LG Quantum. Are there more for AT&T I should consider? I really like the Dell Venue Pro, but it seems like it's not offered for AT&T.
So, what do you guys think? Should I jump ship? By the way, I LOVED the Zune and it's interface, if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You shouldn't, especially if you already have a Zune.
That's just my opinion.
I had almost the same exact decision to make a few weeks ago. I was going to upgrade and it was either the iPhone 4 or the Samsung Focus. I went with the Samsung Focus because I already have an iPad, but it truly is a great device. Theres some bug's with it, but I'm counting on Microsoft to fix them.
Things I like:
1. Camera button
2. Interface (duh)
3. Facebook integration (I like being able to add a contact and have it automatically pull in all that users information for me)
4. Nice keyboard (like it better than the iPhones, but it still has its gripes)
5. Zune Software instead of iTunes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Bigger screen (Focus has a 4 inch screen and it is a big difference from the iPhone's small 3.5 inch screen)
7. Bing voice search (this is something I show all my friends. I can just say "hamburger" and it finds all the local hamburger joints around me wicked fast)
8. Flash support is coming (http://wmpoweruser.com/flash-10-2-incoming-but-no-wp7-date-announced/)
Things I don't like:
1. Marketplace is very slow, laggy, and unstable
2. Battery life isn't quite as good as the iPhone 4
3. Camera settings reset (this is not a feature Microsoft...)
4. Not as good browser (no html 5, different format that isn't quite as mobile friendly, no reordering of bookmarks).
5. Apps need PERMISSION to run under the lockscreen. If they don't even have this option they must be relaunched after you unlock your screen (why?!?!?!)
6. Less API support
7. No multitasking (will be coming this year though)
All in all make the jump as you have a 30 day period to return it (I'm still debating). If you keep it and you end up not liking it after awhile you will be just in time to upgrade to the iPhone 6 when it comes out in 2013 (possible benefit?)!
mariolopezjr said:
I have a question on the sound. Is it comparable to the Zune, better or worse? What about in comparison to the iPhone?
I want to play with it but work and college kind of get in the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never used a Zune so I can't comment, but see my other post about comparing it to other devices. My wife has an iPhone, but I've never tested them side by side (that would include hooking each one up to itunes/zune and transferring the same song, etc... I'm just way too lazy for that, sorry, at least I'm being honest)
ErikWithNoC said:
4. Not as good browser (no html 5, different format that isn't quite as mobile friendly, no reordering of bookmarks).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, there it is. I've been surfing on my phone since I got it... never had a problem rendering any site. Unless you're going to some flash-laden bloatfest, I don't understand how you can't think that this IE is fantastic.
emigrating said:
1. While I understand what you're saying it really doesn't ring true with me. If you own a Samsung you can enable tethering in 15 or so taps (including entering all the numbers).
2. Really? I have turn-by-turn on my Omnia7. Works great too. AT&T also seem to be offering some sort of navigational package, as does several other carriers around the world.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. That's one phone on one carrier. That doesn't work. If you have T-Mobile the Samsung hack will not work. It's an outliar, and non-factor in the grand scheme of things.
2. No one in their right mind pays for Turn by Turn on a smartphone unless they need offline maps. Why pay $10 a month for Navigation when an HD2 can do it for free in Windows Mobile with the Bing App? Or an Android phone with Google Maps? $10 a month is a lot to pay just for Navigation.
The only carrier that makes sense for is Sprint, since they give away their Navigation features for free if you have their $69 (soon 79) plan. But Sprint currently has no WP7 devices.
I can't comment on the ebook reader situation as I find the phone too small to read large chunks of text on anyway, but your point seems valid enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your opinion, but you have pinch to zoom and automatic text restructuring in these apps that make it trivial to read. This wouldn't be a big issue if Microsoft had decent Skydrive integration in the phone. In that case you'd just need to upload them to you skydrive and find an app that can read that file format. But that isn't coming for over 6 months...
Really? What's your problem with the cloud exactly? Not being confrontational here, just wondering what, if any, gripes you have about using a secure always available filestore. I can understand some people not wanting to store their confidential documents on a random SkyDrive, but as a business you can run a locked down Sharepoint server locally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people just like to have better control over their stuff. There's nothing wrong with it and he doesn't have to have a problem to have this specific qualm with any smartphone platform. They are all a bit too cloud-centric, IMO.
sure haven't said:
See, there it is. I've been surfing on my phone since I got it... never had a problem rendering any site. Unless you're going to some flash-laden bloatfest, I don't understand how you can't think that this IE is fantastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are HTML5 Mobile websites that are much better to use than their desktop (or WAP) counterparts on a smartphone browser.
touch.facebook.com >>> facebook.com or m.facebook.com on a mobile browser - by far. That is just one example. There are dozens if not more. HTML5 support being missing is a strike. NOt saying they need to implement the entire HTML5 Draft Spec tomorrow, but launching with basically no support for it was not a good idea, IMO.
With Multi-Tasking and third party browsers this would not be an issue, though, since we'd probably have Opera or some other Mobile Browser (probably WebKit) ported to it. If Microsoft had implemented a dual (Trident + WebKit) rendering engine, that would have been a killer feature... With the ability to set defaults on a site by site basis, of course.
N8ter said:
1. That's one phone on one carrier. That doesn't work. If you have T-Mobile the Samsung hack will not work. It's an outliar, and non-factor in the grand scheme of things.
2. No one in their right mind pays for Turn by Turn on a smartphone unless they need offline maps. Why pay $10 a month for Navigation when an HD2 can do it for free in Windows Mobile with the Bing App? Or an Android phone with Google Maps? $10 a month is a lot to pay just for Navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I disagree as it's not only achievable on the Samsung handsets (of which there are actually 2 available), the LG ones are just as easy. HTC handsets can also tether but IIRC, yes, you do have to dwelwe a little deeper. Point is, out of the 9 launch handsets, 4 can tether by entering a few numbers onto the phone - so do what people did way back when, chose a device based on functionality rather than looks. Also, as a business user, get yourself an off contract device - it costs the same (or in many cases less) in the long run, but gives you more choice. Also, don't forget the world is a lot larger than the US, the Omnia7 can be had on pretty much any network you like in Europe - on-contract if you so please.
2. I don't pay. Navigon came free with my off-contract Omnia7. Sure, I had to spoof the Navigon http server for map downloads other than Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, but there is no monthly fee. I realize some of the other carriers do charge you (ATT being one), but the point here is that there are options available to you. Regarding paying for navigation, as much as I love Bing (or even Google) maps due to its satellite imagery it's not, IMO, a replacement for a dedicated navigational tool ... yet, and looking at the sales statistics for these apps on the iPhone, most people seem to agree with me.
I'm not condoning the fact Bing did not have turn-by-turn out of the box, far from it, but to broadly say "No turn-by-turn" available and use that as one of three reasons for dropping the OS is just wrong.
N8ter said:
That's your opinion, but you have pinch to zoom and automatic text restructuring in these apps that make it trivial to read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's my opinion. Pinch to zoom or text reflow makes no difference to me, I still don't like reading books on a 4" display. That's what tablets are for IMO. Like I said though, I wasn't really commenting on it and agreed that his point was valid.
N8ter said:
Some people just like to have better control over their stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better control? How can you have better control than a correctly configured and secured Sharepoint server hosted by yourself? Sure, you could live in the old days and manually copy files on and off your phone, forever wondering if that really was the final version or the second to last draft or whether your colleague had amended it between your last sync and the presentation, but really. Are you serious?
Using your phone as a mass storage device was never a good idea - it was a stop-gap measure because at the time it was invented/popular we didn't have S3 or properly configured corporate networks that allowed users access on-the-go.
sure haven't said:
See, there it is. I've been surfing on my phone since I got it... never had a problem rendering any site. Unless you're going to some flash-laden bloatfest, I don't understand how you can't think that this IE is fantastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not saying its a bad browser, it is in fact very good, but not quite as polished as iOS's Safari browser. I like to organize my bookmarks from most used -> least used, but WP7 only organizes them alphabetically. iOS use's WebKit for its browser which is more supported than IE's rendering engine (what is it?). If you go to gmail for example you will get a hampered down dump phone mobile view (this is simply for example, other sites do this as well).
Yeah, ironically IE renders mobile sites way worse than Android or iPhone. The websites are partly to blame because of course they have had lots of time to optimize for those platforms. I don't mind the rendering of full sites... sometimes the font sizes are way off, but overall not bad and at least it's quick.
All in all the browsing experience is not as good as the other mobile platforms. I've got high hopes that IE9 fixes that.
Sent from my GT-I9000M
Anyone able to stream Amazon Instant Video on the Galaxy Note 8? The usual side load flash and a compatible browser isn't working.
I have tried loading four different versions of Flash for ICS as well as Dolphin Browser 8.51 which supports Flash, the stock browser, Firefox HD with the Phony extension set to Desktop and Boat Browser. None of them work. Flash 11.1 loads but once you get past loading and connecting at Amazon, all you get is a black screen. The video never starts.
I'm still within my return period on the Note 8. I may jump ship to a Nexus 7 if I can't get this to work.
Same experience for me. I've tried stock and ×Scope Pro.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
Amazon must have altered something on their side. Its no longer working on my Nexus 7 or Nexus 4 either. This just started happening within the last week or so.
Wow. I guess Amazon doesn't want our business. If they did this on purpose I am canceling Prime and won't be buying anything else from them. I can't believe they would intentionally take away the means to sell their products with a healthy margin, in order to sell a product with little to no margin (Kindle). Stupid move. Whatever. I can buy stuff from Google and Newegg and others instead.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda app-developers app
I wonder how long Amazon will keep the iOS app around... And if they'll ever offer the same for android users... And why they don't.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
jntdroid said:
I wonder how long Amazon will keep the iOS app around... And if they'll ever offer the same for android users... And why they don't.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything worked fine until a few day ago.
The reason there is no app or official support is complicated. All of these things like Hulu+ & Amazon VOD have specific licensing agreements with greeeeedy networks. These networks messed up big time in their minds by not finding a way to restrict content on old PC, laptops & desktop PC's & now they are trying to make up for it.
Now they are trying to extort as much money in licensing from everybody they can. They want you to pay as a subscriber, they want the OEM manufacturer to pay & they want Google to pay. Now they have the chance to determine EXACTLY what type of device you are using & discriminate based on that info as a means to extort more money from everyone. If you use a tablet, you can watch SOME Hulu+ shows, if you have a PC, you can watch SOME Hulu+ shows, If you have a Hulu+ licensed device with the Hulu+ app, like a media streaming player, you can watch ALL of their shows.
SImilarly with Amazon now, if you are using a Windows PC or Tablet, you get full PC Flash support, which means you get Amazon VOD, if you have an Android device, you get nothing now, because Flash killed off support & Amazon never had official support.
Even worse, you can get Hulu on just about ANY browser in the world, unless it is a browser on a Google TV device. This is because of the licensing agreements between the middlemen like Amazon & Hulu & the greedy & scared networks, whom are losing advertising revenue because people would rather watch older shows that took thought over their current mindless, low budget reality TV. The networks think you should pay a subscription & everyone involved with a device, even a carrier if there is one, should pay licensing fees & you should be forced to watch commercials, which is why they are also suing Dish Network for their "Hopper" feature, which lets you easily hop past commercials.
There is an iOS app because there were a lot of iOS users & they are more active about complaining & petitioning people than Android users are. Technically, I think we should all be complaining about this because of the Net Neutrality Act. They are discriminating based on browser, limiting choice & options for consumers. They stream their shows to PC's, but tablets are different in their mind, just as they say streaming to a Google TV BluRay player is different than streaming to your TV from your windows PC. It is a common task, using the internet & I don't think they should be allowed to make the rules in regards to what is a PC (which stands for personal computer) & in my mind a tablet can most definitely fit into that category.
WOrse even yet, damn Amazon has made good money taking Google's hard work & forking Android, yet they crap on the Amazon customers that use true Android. Plain old browser discrimination, if you ask me.
Thanks for the well though out response.
What I still fail to understand is how Amazon can justify streaming to an Android based Kindle fire, but not to an Android tablet. This is why I have stopped my prime membership from automatically renewing. And without Prime, I will be MUCH less likely to order anything from Amazon. I can't find the business sense or logic in this decision. It seems counter productive to me.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda app-developers app
Amazon claims we can access Amazon Instant Video through XBMC. I will try this later when I have time. Their response to my complaint also sounds like they may be working on an app for Android? No promises or timeline, but I am definitely getting that impression(?). I've copied both their letter and my complaint below (names removed). It's a quickly thrown together complaint, not the best written, but gets the point across I think. I encourage you all to write to them as well, to indicate your interest in streaming to Android tablets. The more interest they see, the more likely for them to put effort into enabling content on Android devices.
Your AccountAmazon.com
Message From Customer Service
Hello ,
Thanks for writing to us with your query. I'll do my best to provide a thorough answer.
From your email, I've understood that you unhappy that you are not able to access Amazon Instant Videos on "Android" devices any more.
Unfortunately at this time, Amazon does not support Amazon/Prime Instant Videos on android devices.
However, customers were able to watch Amazon Instant Videos on their android devices using XBMC Player app. Amazon Instant Video utilizes the Adobe Flash Player but due to the recent changes/upgrade of the flash version made by Adobe, closed that loophole.
I also understand that having "AIV/PIV" feature on "Android" devices will provide additional convenience to our customers. However, please note that, the content we offer through Amazon Instant Video depends on our agreements with content owners. Device manufacturers has exclusive rights to the hardware and software that would not make it possible for Amazon.com to provide Amazon Instant Videos for these devices directly.
To make sure your feedback is heard by the right people in the Organization, I've forwarded your comments as a feedback to Amazon Instant Video Development Team, who will review your comments and will work on improvements to make these features better on Amazon.com
We've received many requests from the customers to release an Android app for Instant Video streaming and our development team is working on it
I also keep pushing for this feature myself. It is an important part of upcoming developments in our Amazon Instant Videos service. I appreciate that you wrote about this so that I can point out increasing demand for it. As this involves may teams and individuals, I'm unable to predict the current time-line.
It is always important for us to hear how customers react to all aspects. I appreciate that you wrote about this so that I can point out increased demand for Amazon/Prime Instant Videos on Android devices. Your valuable feedback will help us to improve the selection and service we provide and we're glad you took time to write to us. We do value the feedback of our customers and make every attempt to integrate their comments or suggestions into our stores and procedures.
Amazon Instant Video development team is regularly in touch with the manufacturers to make more devices (OR Models) compatible with Amazon/Prime Instant Videos. Devices not compatible now, may become compatible in future.
You may have noticed some major wins for our customers, now that XBox 360, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Wii & Wiiu became compatible recently with more to come based on customer requests. With that kind of proliferation there's a significant increase in pressure to get more devices/models added.* If there is any update it will be directly posted on our website.
-----If you still need any further assistance related to Amazon Instant Video, then please contact us via phone, chat or email by using the link below, so we can help you appropriately.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/digital-video.html
Please know that our customer's satisfaction and their convenience is very important to us above all else, it's the foundation on which our company was built.
I would've really loved to have this resolved to your benefit if only there was another way however as I hope you'd understand, we do go through certain protocols and processes to hopefully meet your needs in the best and fastest way possible.
I am very sorry that we were not able to meet your expectations this time but be assured that we always endeavor to assist our valued customer like you with the best of our service and we'll continue working hard to ensure that we provide the quality support you expect from us.
Thank you for your interest in Amazon Instant Videos. We appreciate your patience in this matter and thanks for the time you took to write to us.
Best regards,
Did I solve your problem?
*
Your feedback is helping us build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company.
Thank you.
Amazon.com
Original Message
---------------
04/23/13 15:45:48
Your Name:
Comments:I am an Amazon Prime member. I have ordered over $8,500 purchases in the last 6 months.
I have used my Prime account for a year and a half. During this time I have accessed Prime videos on my Android based tablet. This apparently is no longer available. Therefore I have stopped my Prime membership from automatically renewing. I'm sure you are aware that the Prime membership has encouraged me to make more of my purchases from Amazon. I'm sure you will understand that without Prime, I will be shopping elsewhere.
I am aware that Amazon Instant Video can be accessed on the Kindle Fire, which is another Android tablet. Not allowing the same access on competing Android tablets is alienating your customers. It gives an impression of discriminating in favor of your own device.
I am aware that Amazon Instant Video is available on IOS tablets. I have an iPad 3. However I do not like to watch videos on a 4:3 aspect ratio device. I have Amazon Instant Video available on my TV, my Roku, and on my Vizio Co-Star Google TV device. My preferred method of streaming videos when not sitting Iin my living room is still by using my Android tablet. The perception that Amazon is discriminating against competing Android products is why I will not be renewing my Prime account, and why Amazon will lose over $10,000 worth of business per year from just this one customer.
I ask you to ask your business development department just one question;
"Was disabling content from Android devices worth losing over $10,000 per year per customer worth it? Is loosing more than $10,000 per year per customer a good strategy?"
I am aware that Amazon never did officially support Amazon Instant Video on Android tablets. However, unofficial support was enough to encourage me and doubtless others to sign up for Prime and increase their spending. The loss of this unofficial support will result in not only the loss of the new business it has created, but loss of the limited business we have had with Amazon prior to Prime membership.
If I was a stock holder, I would have to question Amazon's business strategy and future.
As a customer, I only have to choose another supplier. It is a shame. I have enjoyed many Amazon products and services over the years.
Regards,
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WARNING about XBMC
Hey...be careful with installing XBMC. I did and now my system won't unlock.
I sideloaded the latest nightly of XMBC and was refreshing repository when it froze. Now I get to the lockscreen, there is an indication that "power saving mode is enabled" and it freezes within 10 seconds of unlocking/startup. May just be coincidental...
I am rooted via framaroot.apk.
EDIT: Ended up having to reboot into the stock recovery and reset the device to factory to get out the of loop. And I returned it to the store.
Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated. I will try it on an older tablet I don't mind resetting. I can't take that chance on the Note 8, I'm already heavily relying on it at work.
FYI I already tried Plex (which is similar to XBMC), but the Amazon plug in does not work. I also tried the Amazon plugin for Playon, and I can get further with that; I can see the list of categories of movies and tv shows, but I have not successfully streamed anything so far. I suspect it will not work, but I need to try some more before I give up.
PSsisterchick: wait with the purchase of the Nexus 7, Google is rumored to announce the next generation of the Nexus 7 in 3 weeks at Google I/O. It's only a rumor, but a likely one.
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kisrita said:
Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated. I will try it on an older tablet I don't mind resetting. I can't take that chance on the Note 8, I'm already heavily relying on it at work.
FYI I already tried Plex (which is similar to XBMC), but the Amazon plug in does not work. I also tried the Amazon plugin for Playon, and I can get further with that; I can see the list of categories of movies and tv shows, but I have not successfully streamed anything so far. I suspect it will not work, but I need to try some more before I give up.
PSsisterchick: wait with the purchase of the Nexus 7, Google is rumored to announce the next generation of the Nexus 7 in 3 weeks at Google I/O. It's only a rumor, but a likely one.
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Thanks, kisirta. That's what I'm thinking too. Nightlies of CM 10.1 have just come out for my old modded Nook Color. I'll put the old girl back to work until we see what happens at Goodle I/O.
Well I can confirm that Amazon Instant Video does not work through XBMC either. In trying to install the Amazon Instant Video plugin for XBMC, I came across many, many forum posts and articles about how it used to work, but Amazon "fixed it" so it no longer works. It appears Amazon thought I was another XBMC user complaining about the access that was cut off. Since I had said nothing about XBMC, I thought they were telling me that some people were using XBMC to stream Amazon videos successfully, but it appears the reference just a cut and paste canned response to the XBMC users who previously had been streaming Amazon videos, and were complaining that they couldn't do so any more. And I actually thought Amazon was trying to do something about the loss of access. They apparently do not care. They are obviously receiving many complaints, and they can't do better than cut and paste responses aimed at a completely different group of people. I guess I had given them more credit than they deserve. No more Amazon for me. I'm thoroughly disgusted with them.
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I've been writing amazon for a long time asking for an app. I'd become accustomed to watching through the stock browser with mobile flash, but there was always a tiny loss of audio/video sync that was just bad enough to annoy that was never present when I had the old fire apk running on a Nook Tablet. I wasn't angry at the time, then they cut off browser access a few days ago, despite promising on their device page that any computer with an internet connection could access prime streaming. Well guess what, my transformer is a computer with an internet connection. Promise broken.
When I told them off for neglecting an android app and then actively and hostilely blocking perfectly capable browsers just because they were on android, they thanked me for my suggestion that android browser support be added to prime streaming :facepalm:
Puffin browser seems to work. At least it starts the video anyway. Some comments at the Nexus 7 forum indicate it is choppy, I don't know if it will play any better on our devices, I can't test it right now. But I can confirm that it is able to at least start the video.
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Interesting...curious to know if Puffin will work for you. I returned by Note 8 to the store because it was acting unstable and getting pretty hot in the process and I was within my 15-day window at Best Buy...but I miss it. I found I really liked the pen. I may have to give it another chance.
I tried it on both the Note 8 and my ancient original Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Puffin browser does stream the video, but it's choppy on both devices, though much much less so on the Note 8. The audio was badly out of synch on both devices, so much so that I only watched a few minutes of the video (Nemesis). This is not an acceptable alternative.
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I was able to stream a non HD Amazon Instant Video TV episode to the Note 8 using Playon. It is a little slow going at first and stuttered initially, but then was streaming good quality. I dont know if pause, rewind and FF work, I didnt test those. Just wanted to let everyone know there is this option. (Technicaly Puffin is another option, but it's not good enough to be worth it.) Neither app is free, but both come with a trial. You must have Playon installed and running on your PC to stream to your Android tablet.
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Install xbmc. Not only does it do amazon prime without problems, you get the benefit of much more content. Do a google search for xbmc and you will have to sideload. Enjoy...
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tremblayb said:
Install xbmc. Not only does it do amazon prime without problems, you get the benefit of much more content. Do a google search for xbmc and you will have to sideload. Enjoy...
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Just to confirm...you installed XBMC on Note 8 and streamed Amazon Instant Video? When tried a couple of weeks ago it didn't work.
Wow, I stand corrected. I just went in and tried it again in xbmc and it appears that amazon is now blocking it. Bastards... oh well, back to drawing board. Sorry for the confusion but I had it working on ipad, samsung galaxy note and appletv. Sorry for the confusion...
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Random question, I know, but I'm a third-year law student, soon to be lawyer, and am contemplating the purchase of this tablet. I thought I'd just throw this question out there to see if now or in the future any lawyers or law students use this tablet, and whether they find this tablet productive for their work. Aside from personal entertainment use, I would like to use the tablet as a more easily accessible version of my laptop. Ideally I'd use it to highlight PDF documents, conduct some research, respond to emails, etc.
Thanks!
zamboniman87 said:
Random question, I know, but I'm a third-year law student, soon to be lawyer, and am contemplating the purchase of this tablet. I thought I'd just throw this question out there to see if now or in the future any lawyers or law students use this tablet, and whether they find this tablet productive for their work. Aside from personal entertainment use, I would like to use the tablet as a more easily accessible version of my laptop. Ideally I'd use it to highlight PDF documents, conduct some research, respond to emails, etc.
Thanks!
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strange how you wound up here with that question lol
the stylus is nice and it's a high end device, name brand, unlocked bootloader... I only have one complaint. the back is kind of slick making it slide easy
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer.
This is a great device for email (I use for gmail and corporate email), note taking, pdf annotation, research.
Sterist said:
strange how you wound up here with that question lol
the stylus is nice and it's a high end device, name brand, unlocked bootloader... I only have one complaint. the back is kind of slick making it slide easy
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Hah yea. I've been on these forums awhile, mostly for rooting my phones and tablets and loading an occasional custom ROM. Just thought I'd throw that question out there.
ddavtian said:
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer.
This is a great device for email (I use for gmail and corporate email), note taking, pdf annotation, research.
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Thanks! Most reviews, etc online demonstrate game playing and occasional notetaking, so I was curious how it did for actual work lol.
zamboniman87 said:
Thanks! Most reviews, etc online demonstrate game playing and occasional notetaking, so I was curious how it did for actual work lol.
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The Note should be perfect for the job, it's exactly this sort of work it's designed for. I'm not a lawyer, nut the Note has almost completely replaced my laptop, having something compact with a battery life that lasts a whole working day & beyond is so much more convenient.
If you're using it for client data or other confidential/sensitive information, make sure you're appropriately covered on the security front should you lose / misplace the device.
As for software recommendations: I use EZpdf, Aquamail and Office Suite amongst others.
omneity said:
The Note should be perfect for the job, it's exactly this sort of work it's designed for. I'm not a lawyer, nut the Note has almost completely replaced my laptop, having something compact with a battery life that lasts a whole working day & beyond is so much more convenient.
If you're using it for client data or other confidential/sensitive information, make sure you're appropriately covered on the security front should you lose / misplace the device.
As for software recommendations: I use EZpdf, Aquamail and Office Suite amongst others.
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Click to collapse
I'm an astronaut and I found the s-pen and this tablet are much better in space than the old ball point pen and paper. That s-pen just never seems to run out of ink... Until the battery goes flat.
But seriously, as an Engineer there is no way this is a laptop replacement. Yes the screen is nice, the battery reasonable, Touchdown is close on having the features of Outlook (but not quite), note taking is OK (well the best digital way I've found for meetings but not perfect), editing office documents it doesn't really do so well in with multiple office packages (viewing is OK though), and any other software I use on my laptop/PC well it falls short there.
I have a windows 8 tablet/convertable which is definitely a replacement for the laptop but keep a desktop for more serious work. But the windows 8 tablet sucks as a tablet compared to the note for QUICK viewing of things like documents, emails and researching on the internet which you have listed.
I walked into a T-Mobile store on Friday to cancel my line. I have 2 lines on AT&T and 1 on T-Mobile. The wife and I use Windows Phones on AT&T and are very happy.
I was curious about the new plans and such, so started talking to the Rep, instead of getting right down to biz. Since I've had this line open for a few years, using it only for emergencies, etc, they were able to persuade me to keep it and upgrade my Service plan. Since it was cheaper than previous, I so, ok, I'll try it.
Problem was the phone. Android has worn me out over the years, first with cheap quality hardware, HTC issues, and basic rut of rooting and updating often. The switch to Windows Phone was clean, and we certainly do enjoy the phones. So which phone to get? The WP's I already have. NO on an iPhone. The only phone that has intrigued me the last couple of years has been the Note 2. So I opted for the Note 3.
The first day I didn't spend too much time with it, because of work. But then this weekend I jumped in. Its not going to be my primary phone any way...so, whenever was fine.
In a very short time I was able to discover, all the things I use on a daily basic, Outlook email, Office 365, xbox music, Skype, etc are in Android. I'm not a huge app user, but, the apps I use in WP, are here too. With the exception of 2 things, I have this phone setup the same way as my WP. Plus the extra 'freedom' of the android phone, plus the security of Samsung....against my better judgement, I like it. Perhaps more than the WP.
The only 2 exceptions are: I've grown used to and like the Tiles. I find apps scattered on 5 pages, too cluttered. And, the Windows Phone Peoples Tab is a favorite. The combine Twitter Facebook feed is something I have enjoyed. Besides that, its a wash.
I'm hearing from friends the Windows Phone 8.1 doesn't 'suck'. So I will wait to do anything else, until those are released. However, the way this Note 3 handles, and, the way the apps I use everyday, Microsoft apps, perform, and the integration I get with DropBox and Skydrive and my Surface tablet, Windows Phone 8.1 is going to have to blow it away. I've been more than pleasantly surprised with the NOTE 3. I've been more than satisfied with the NOTE 3. So, we'll see what happens in the next few months.
probably best here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466107
MS Office is now free on android right?
Well maybe not.
Even though MS office is clearly shown as a key app in both the Samsung video and the UK press release:
https://news.samsung.com/uk/the-new...helps-you-get-more-done-from-wherever-you-are
On the product page they write:
Microsoft Office requires users to purchase licenses
https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-tab-s4/
And on the Google Play site, MS write:
To create or edit documents, sign in with a free Microsoft account on devices with a screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller
I cannot see a size reference on Microsoft's own websites.
So my question is simple.
Will we have to pay to use MS Office, Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc
This is an important qn, like to know too
Very good question to know... Reviews says its there, but as you mentioned on the site it says purchase.
If anyone here reviews the device in the the next couple of days we would all apprichiate insight into this.
Basically make sure a 365 account is not logged in and then see if you can create a new document.
Yeah I was going to get it today but I'm torn. Was going to just get the 256GB model but it won't be in stores till next week. Now second guessing myself and maybe I'll just stick with the 64GB one and use the MicroSD card slot for extra storage as needed.
So looks like yes you do need a license for it now, just the one playing with in the store looks that way. Hancom Office is on it though by default.
the fine print, from the Samsung site — looks like the answer is YES:
*HDMI adapter, keyboard, and monitor sold separately. Microsoft Office requires users to purchase licenses. Samsung DeX supports multi-resolution (HD+/FHD) video outputs. HDMI adapter required to connect to external display using Samsung DeX. Some apps in tablet mode may differ when in Samsung DeX mode. Recommend accessories for Galaxy Tab S4: Multi Port Adapter (EE-P5000B), HDMI Adapter (EE-HG950), DeX Cable (EE-I3100). Exact model number may vary by country.
This genuinely annoys me. Preload it on there and require you to pay.
I read around MS Office site, it seems you need subscription only for some extra functions, generally usage and editing should still be workable. Not sure if correct
Actually they can only be used for Read Only.
Doesn't seem to be fully installed which is a good thing, more of a launcher so it should be easily gotten rid of.
I didn't pay enough attention to MS policies, since Word worked just fine on my Tab s3 with the free account I have. Got my Tab s4 yesterday, and it was a disappointment that it wouldn't allow editing now. But there's some good alternatives out there that are free, and maybe MS will change that policy (not likely)
Yeah if you read the listing in the play store, it is free on devices with 10.1 inch and smaller devices. So sadly since this is bigger, it would need to be paid for.
wow, that's really a deal breaker
Dear, I also have the same problem, MS Office 365 is not working without subscription. In fact, once you start MS Word etc, it takes you to the subscription window (MS Office 365). Someone should give a clear way how we can delete this package and revert to the old MS Office or what other options are available and how can we get those and from where? I personally feel that Samsung should not pre-install MS Office with there devices. Thanks in advance
You have to pay to use Microsoft Word, Excel, if the Tablet is 10.5 inch or above, this is one of the reason i rooted to remove the stupid pay restriction! Can't you try in dev options, if you can change the resolution maybe you could bypass it that way ?
I never use Micro$oft software so I booted up my S4 and took a look. Yup, you need 365 subscription to use it. There are plenty of non M$ packages out there that are free. This is Android after all.
No but it will be read only if you are using dex on a large screen. Yes if you want to edit files. VERY lame but I get why they did it.
Guys & Gals eBay you can get a Microsoft office account for peanuts, even if the account last a year it still cost is less then a cup of coffee! Can't go wrong!!
Yep... just loaded google sheets, docs, etc. I have paid-for Office 2016 on my laptop, I'm not about to change to a subscription model, no mater what M$ wants us to do.