2 days with the Lumia 900 + WP7.5

[QueBert]

A few years ago I went from iOS to Android, it started out rough, I hated Google Market, and to this day I still mostly do. But the XDA community kept my interest. I was debating between the HTC One X and the Lumia 900. I ended up going with the Nokia, now this is my 1st experience with WP outside of using a friends for a few minutes. I have years with iOS & Android and have invested countless hours hacking the shat out of both. Any ways.

screen - It's really nice, I see Android fans and some clueless people, none of which have probably ever even used the phone harp on it "ohh noes, the resolution = t3h sUxs!" It looks good, I was checking it out in the store next to the Skyrocket and the One X, I liked the One X screen the best. But the 900's isn't that much worse. Only grip is I have the white model, which has a known purple tinge to gray. AT&T told me it was a feature of the phone, and no I'm not kidding, the rep at the store today actually told me this. UGHS Hopefully Nokia releases an update to correct this "feature"

speed - fast, responsive, smooth. "oh noes, no dual/quad core = t3h sucks!" Phone felt faster than the Skyrocket or One X that were next to it. The Android Police tell me "but it won't multitask as good as a dual core Android!" Maybe so, luck for me I've never had a need to multi-task on my frigging cell phone. But seriously, this phone feels lightning fast.

battery life - Better than my EVO, I think any ways. Not good by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe a future FW update will pump it up some, I hope. With no removable battery, and no battery case like you can get for the iPhone, this sucks. I'd like to see a Morphie like case for this. But even with a battery case it would probably just teeter on iPhone 4S battery life, which is depressing.

phone itself - feel's solid, but plastic. I understand the benefits to a plastic phone. But I'd like something made from metal, or mostly all glass even. Plastic's more durable fine, but I don't need a durable phone, oh well. The phone doesn't have a notification LED, I know there was a time when phones didn't have these. But I'm so use to them now that it really shocked me. I like knowing I have a text/email/missed call without having to turn the screen on. No SD car slot is ARGH, double so because they don't offer a 32 gig version. I would have bought one of they did.

The OS - OMGWTFBBQSAUCE so smooth and polished. It made the Skyrocket next to it feel like my EVO in comparison. No I'm not exaggeration much here. Even the One X felt sluggish after I played with the 900. Please would some Android people chime in on how a smooth UI doesn't matter and how their One X opens apps .5 seconds faster. Different people like different things, the freaking UI is butter, I think I'm in <3. I like the live tiles, and while I do like the keyboard. I miss Swiftkey X a lot I like ICS, but WP7.5 is now my phone OS of choice. I can't wait to see version 8, I'm sure my phone won't support it without a ton of hax0ring though

Windows Market - holy crap, Doodle Jump costs $3, really? The 3 apps I used the most on iOS & Android do not have WP versions. For 1 I contacted the developers and they said they have zero interest in ever touching WP. AWH SHIT That could change in the future, but it's not good to hear. I will say the few apps I have downloaded feel very polished compared to the stuff I got from the Android Market. I'm not sure if this is even possible, but my initial feeling about the Marketplace is worse than the iOS -> Android was to me, Unbelievable. I'm not sure this will get better, I sure hope so though because I think in 48 hours I've been converted to a WP fan boy.

imho right now this is bar none the nicest phone AT&T offers, I'd recommend people stay away from the white one until Nokia figures out the purple tint problem. But I'd tell anyone who hasn't used WP to try this out, it only took me a few minutes to be totally wowed to where the HTC One X really wasn't even on my radar any more. Specs are great, but this phone delivers more substance even with less specs. Well, to me any ways.

 

[WelshBloke]

In your other thread you said you were thinking of returning it and getting a one x.

 

[Jodell88]

Quebert, you blasphemer! There's no way another phone can be better than Android!!!10ne!

\sarcasm

I haven't played with any Lumias, but I've played around with my brother's Samsung Focus a lot. I agree with your points. It is a bit funny that you have to pay for apps that are free on other platforms but it is what is.

Solid write up of your experience. :thumbsup:

 

[QueBert]

In your other thread you said you were thinking of returning it and getting a one x.

That was because of the Zune software issue mostly, I was upset at all the effort I had to put in to make it sync. But after I had some time to cool off I decided I'd keep the phone. Even the ugly purple tint thing isn't enough to make me return it at this point.

Quebert, you blasphemer! There's no way another phone can be better than Android!!!10ne!

\sarcasm

I haven't played with any Lumias, but I've played around with my brother's Samsung Focus a lot. I agree with your points. It is a bit funny that you have to pay for apps that are free on other platforms but it is what is.

Solid write up of your experience. :thumbsup:

It's not so much paying for apps, hell I spent probably $400'ish in the App Store and $200'ish in the Android Market. It's that games I paid .99 or $1.99 for YEARS AGO are coming up here a buck plus more here. .99 is a sweet spot for games, but I'm seeing a ton of games that are 2-5 bucks and they don't even look to be Gameloft quality. Prices are way out of wack imho. I won't be spending much $$$ here for that, and because well I'm just not seeing a lot apps that look interesting.

 

[WelshBloke]

That was because of the Zune software issue mostly, I was upset at all the effort I had to put in to make it sync. But after I had some time to cool off I decided I'd keep the phone. Even the ugly purple tint thing isn't enough to make me return it at this point.

Ah cool, glad you got the sync sorted. I always remember Microsoft sync software being a bit temperamental, it usually works well when you get it sorted though.

Hopefully they will sort out the screen tint, although that's bizarre that it only affects one coloured model. Still that points to an easy software fix.

 

[ponyo]

What happened to Amoled hate? I thought you couldnt stand to look at any phone with amoled screen?

 

[QueBert]

What happened to Amoled hate? I thought you couldnt stand to look at any phone with amoled screen?

This one looks better because it's not pentile, I don't think I've seen a non pentile amoled screen before the 900. I still like the SLCD of the Rezound better, and I did say I like the One X screen over the 900. AT&T doesn't have the Rezound though so I went for the next best thing. I definitely don't like pentile screens, but my 1st viewing of a non pentile one was a positive thing. I'd still hands down take an SLCD version of the 900 if Nokia offered both. But that's just wishful thinking.

 

[WelshBloke]

What happened to Amoled hate? I thought you couldnt stand to look at any phone with amoled screen?

Amoled rocks on a phone. I've not seen it on a large tablet screen, it might be a bit much there.

 

[badb0y]

I am returning mine and getting the One X. The lack of apps is really hurting WP7.

 

[notposting]

If I remember right from some of the reviews look in the Nokia section for some of their software. Also, yeah pricing blows on games. Wait for the sales...even so the Marketplace's biggest problem is how effin long it takes.

Dev for Geodefense Swarm said it was in for approval in January. Nowhere to be seen. I think Rowi had a ton of problems getting their app approved. I use jiTalk as a Gtalk client and they had an update in 2 weeks ago..still hasn't hit. Hell they are testing the update after that already. I mean that one is an established app with a few bug tweaks and who knows wtf they are sitting on it for.

Oh yeah, make sure you have the latest firmware obviously. Hoping WP8 will run. We will see. No one knows yet...I have a suspicion they would like to do it but don't want to promise things if it won't work out.

 

[notposting]

FUDGE lost my whole GD post I was typing here. Bullet points this time:

Zune Pass works nicely obviously, but I have the grandfathered version with 10 keeper songs. Bing Audio Search works well too. Microsoft Translator app is slick as well.

Contacts etc. Use the filtering, sync all contacts but only show from whatever service. The others will still show in a search from the People hub, but won't clutter up your contact list (with everyone you follow on twitter for example).

Multiple linked inboxes is nice. I link mine together and my wife's are in a separate one. And you can always mix and match however.

So far I like Rowi over Carbon, Metrotalk over GoVoice, Photobooth is cute, RemoteDesktop works, Thumba Photo Editor is a must buy.

Don't forget to check out the Nokia apps section, if you didn't try their GPS app first it is supposed to be good. And obviously make sure your firmware is up to date. And bookmark WPCentral.

 

[notposting]

And wait for games to go sale...the cycle through on sale but yeah, the pricing is looney. And check out Wordament.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

So basically the screen is like a Galaxy S2 except defective, it has better battery life than a phone with absolutely horrible battery life, and it's faster than the Skyrocket which isn't very fast. Apps are also lacking and apparently expensive. The os is at least very smooth though.

That really doesn't sound that great to me. a smooth UI is nice but not when you have to sacrifice everything else to get it. Besides a Galaxy S2 on ICS is pretty smooth as it is.

 

[Red Storm]

Requiring Zune software installed on a computer was the reason why I couldn't stick with WP7. What an annoying procedure it was just to get video files onto the phone. Do they still not have any app that plays a wide range of codecs?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm at 12 hours with my Titan 2 and the market selection blows. I can get around day to day stuff, but ugh. I really miss my SGS2. Come back from repair faster dammit....

 

[WelshBloke]

This one looks better because it's not pentile, I don't think I've seen a non pentile amoled screen before the 900...

You've never seen a SGS2?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I love my Samsung Note.

 

[Deeko]

So far I like Rowi over Carbon, Metrotalk over GoVoice, Photobooth is cute, RemoteDesktop works, Thumba Photo Editor is a must buy.

Don't forget to check out the Nokia apps section, if you didn't try their GPS app first it is supposed to be good. And obviously make sure your firmware is up to date. And bookmark WPCentral.

I like using the People hub for Twitter - there's some more advanced features that I'll hop over to Rowi for, but in general, People is great.

As for your comments about certification - it takes about a week, if you pass. The first time you try for approval you might fail for a lot of dumb reasons - most common is devs don't accommodate for the white background theme, don't use the back button properly, or have unhandled exceptions. Once you get the hang of that, its generally a breeze.

 

[preslove]

Windows Market - holy crap, Doodle Jump costs $3, really? The 3 apps I used the most on iOS & Android do not have WP versions. For 1 I contacted the developers and they said they have zero interest in ever touching WP. AWH SHIT That could change in the future, but it's not good to hear. I will say the few apps I have downloaded feel very polished compared to the stuff I got from the Android Market. I'm not sure if this is even possible, but my initial feeling about the Marketplace is worse than the iOS -> Android was to me, Unbelievable. I'm not sure this will get better, I sure hope so though because I think in 48 hours I've been converted to a WP fan boy.

Sorry, dude, but it's not going to change. There is absolutely no reason for developers to spend time and money on WP7 apps. iOS has tons of users who are drawn from higher income brackets who aren't phased by buying apps, so developers can make money from selling them apps. Android has many more users, so developers can make money from advertising. WP7 has neither of these, so it doesn't have apps and it won't, ever. WP8 might (doubt it), but your phone ain't going to get an upgrade.

If you want apps, take the phone back before your return window closes.

 

[dguy6789]

I find it highly unlikely that Windows Phone won't catch on eventually. It is an amazing OS. Literally the only problem with it is that not a lot of people use it.

Being in the smartphone market is way too important to just give up so easily for a company like Microsoft. I fully expect Microsoft to throw money at it until it succeeds hardcore just like the Xbox.

 

[Deeko]

Sorry, dude, but it's not going to change. There is absolutely no reason for developers to spend time and money on WP7 apps. iOS has tons of users who are drawn from higher income brackets who aren't phased by buying apps, so developers can make money from selling them apps. Android has many more users, so developers can make money from advertising. WP7 has neither of these, so it doesn't have apps and it won't, ever. WP8 might (doubt it), but your phone ain't going to get an upgrade.

If you want apps, take the phone back before your return window closes.

You know what's interesting? This is largely what the iOS hordes were saying when Android started. You may recall, Android's app store wasn't always as robust as it is now, and there were many big name apps missing from the market even as the overall app count went up. People said it wouldn't happen - iOS is too entrenched, they won't port, there aren't enough Android users and Android users don't buy apps, so where's the motivation?

Then you look at where we are now. I'm not saying that will definitely happen with WP, no one can say for sure - the mobile market moves very quickly. Its just ridiculous to claim that the market definitely won't shift from one platform to another, or that developers won't put apps on a specific platform. Its happened before - with iOS and with Android - so why can't it happen again?

 

[Zstream]

I find it highly unlikely that Windows Phone won't catch on eventually. It is an amazing OS. Literally the only problem with it is that not a lot of people use it.

Being in the smartphone market is way too important to just give up so easily for a company like Microsoft. I fully expect Microsoft to throw money at it until it succeeds hardcore just like the Xbox.

I 100% agree with you. I have the Lumia 900 and the battery life is pretty terrible. I have an Iphone 4 and a Motorola Atrix 4g that beats the battery life out of this one. However I have managed to get about a full days worth of activity. I turned off LTE as I hate this crap, yes it makes the phone faster but 9/10 I'm near a wifi hotspot with no need for it.

Turn off Facebook notifications/chat and test applications. The Pulse application followed by the free ringtones app was the major cause to my battery drain issues.

Oh and Nokia Drive is the best GPS software created for a phone.

 

[Zstream]

You know what's interesting? This is largely what the iOS hordes were saying when Android started. You may recall, Android's app store wasn't always as robust as it is now, and there were many big name apps missing from the market even as the overall app count went up. People said it wouldn't happen - iOS is too entrenched, they won't port, there aren't enough Android users and Android users don't buy apps, so where's the motivation?

Then you look at where we are now. I'm not saying that will definitely happen with WP, no one can say for sure - the mobile market moves very quickly. Its just ridiculous to claim that the market definitely won't shift from one platform to another, or that developers won't put apps on a specific platform. Its happened before - with iOS and with Android - so why can't it happen again?

Yup, I just don't understand the cost. I think Shazam was 5$?

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

I find it highly unlikely that Windows Phone won't catch on eventually. It is an amazing OS. Literally the only problem with it is that not a lot of people use it.

Being in the smartphone market is way too important to just give up so easily for a company like Microsoft. I fully expect Microsoft to throw money at it until it succeeds hardcore just like the Xbox.

While i believe Microsoft is not going away anytime soon.. This is not even remotely similar to the Xbox situation. The console market is incredibly slow, you release a product with a lifecycle of roughly 5 years. Microsoft lost money on the first Xbox but then they caught a huge break by releasing the next gen a whole year before Sony did and then caught another huge break by Sonys arrogance in overpricing the PS3

The smartphone market however is moving at a very rapid pace. New products being released every quarter and software being updated every year. Microsoft wont be able to beat anyone in time to market here.

 

[preslove]

I find it highly unlikely that Windows Phone won't catch on eventually. It is an amazing OS. Literally the only problem with it is that not a lot of people use it.

Being in the smartphone market is way too important to just give up so easily for a company like Microsoft. I fully expect Microsoft to throw money at it until it succeeds hardcore just like the Xbox.

If people don't use it, nobody will develop for it, and nobody will use it because there aren't any apps. And, it's far from the only problem. MS has made several key errors.

And what people fail to realize with the XBOX 360 is that MS was seriously helped by failures by their competitors. Nintendo was late to the game with a casual console that had terrible graphics, while Sony put out an extremely expensive PS3 a full year after the 360 was released.

You know what's interesting? This is largely what the iOS hordes were saying when Android started. You may recall, Android's app store wasn't always as robust as it is now, and there were many big name apps missing from the market even as the overall app count went up. People said it wouldn't happen - iOS is too entrenched, they won't port, there aren't enough Android users and Android users don't buy apps, so where's the motivation?

Then you look at where we are now. I'm not saying that will definitely happen with WP, no one can say for sure - the mobile market moves very quickly. Its just ridiculous to claim that the market definitely won't shift from one platform to another, or that developers won't put apps on a specific platform. Its happened before - with iOS and with Android - so why can't it happen again?

It will not happen again because MS has made critical mistakes and because the market is completely different now than it was in 2009. Android was released when its only real competitor was the iPhone, which was only available on ATT. The market is now saturated with Android and iOS phones at every price point on all the carriers.

Added to that are MS's idiotic decisions to restrict the software and hardware decisions that handset makers can make. This has led to far fewer handsets being developed and released. And before you bring up the idiotic buzzword 'fragmentation,' I'll just say that fragmentation is a symptom of success. Android is so ubiquitous that it has been put on dozens and dozens of different handsets with different form factors and specs. This has led to Android's market share domination. MS should have been more concerned about succeeding than a non issue like fragmentation.

What is your deal with supporting obviously failing products? You were a champion of BB far after it was clear to anyone with half a brain that they were dying. You're just as delusional about WP7.