Who has a windows phone?

[pantsaregood]

I've used Windows Phone since it was released. HTC HD7, HTC Titan, and now Lumia 920.

The platform has grown dramatically, and isn't quite the fringe player it was three years ago. Numbers released from today show it sitting at 10% marketshare in the EU5, compared to the 15% of iOS. It certainly isn't as visible as iOS or Android yet, but it is becoming very difficult to ignore in some markets.

Microsoft needs to make use of their momentum, though. The Lumia 520 was an absolute success, but Microsoft has always been somewhat slow on OS iterations. The platform is gaining ground effectively - now would be a good time to push for rapid progress. Remember how quickly Android went from 1.6 to 2.3? Microsoft needs to do that.

Also, Microsoft acquiring Nokia could either work brilliantly or cause trouble. In some markets, Nokia branding is worth a considerable amount in itself. Microsoft has rights to the banding, and they certainly need to leverage that. Also, Nokia has 90% of the Windows Phone market now - if Microsoft doesn't get other manufacturers back on board, it's going to become a solely first-party OS.

 

[Commodus]

Also, Microsoft acquiring Nokia could either work brilliantly or cause trouble. In some markets, Nokia branding is worth a considerable amount in itself. Microsoft has rights to the banding, and they certainly need to leverage that. Also, Nokia has 90% of the Windows Phone market now - if Microsoft doesn't get other manufacturers back on board, it's going to become a solely first-party OS.

That's the tricky bit. Companies like HTC, Huawei and Samsung basically see Windows Phone as a money pit, and they don't like that they can't "differentiate" (oh, how I hate that word) as much as they can on Android. Microsoft's attempt to punish companies for using Android through patent licensing schemes also doesn't seem to be working. Right now, the company would either have to give OEMs more control or just hope that there's a tipping point where Android falls out of favor.

 

[bearxor]

if Microsoft doesn't get other manufacturers back on board, it's going to become a solely first-party OS.

It's inevitable.

I'm sure you'll see some niche phone makers still make some devices, but I'm expecting HTC and Samsung to bail after WP8.1 devices. There's simply no room to compete there if Microsoft addresses every market segment like Nokia has done so far.

Now, if MS chooses to go flagship-only, it might be a different discussion.

 

[darkewaffle]

I have a Lumia 928 that I'm very happy with. My only prior smartphone was an old Blackberry Curve (I think) but there's really no comparing the two. No android or iOS experience. I went with WP because I liked the better cameras and to my un-preferenced eye the interface to WP seemed better.

I've had it for about 6-7 months now and am a light user - I've only downloaded three apps I think but they all work fine for me. Battle.net authenticator, SNES emulator and a NBA boxscore app. I think the entire time I've had it I've had to power cycle it maybe two or three times when it's started acting funny.

I hear complaints of feature parity but personally I do not see it. I think part of that is due to the fact that I wouldn't use/want whatever functions those might be (I'm pretty content with texting, internet access and playing Ogre Battle) and there is likely some tuth to it, but I think a lot of the negativity stems from animosity towards Microsoft and discomfort associated with trying something new.

 

[Kaido]

I hear complaints of feature parity but personally I do not see it. I think part of that is due to the fact that I wouldn't use/want whatever functions those might be (I'm pretty content with texting, internet access and playing Ogre Battle) and there is likely some tuth to it, but I think a lot of the negativity stems from animosity towards Microsoft and discomfort associated with trying something new.

Both are valid points. Microsoft doesn't have the app availability that Android & Apple enjoy, but if you don't need or want all of that, then it's a great phone. Nice zippy GUI, easy to use, great cameras on pretty much every model, etc. I'm not a huge Microsoft fan, but when I played with the last-gen Windows phone, I was VERY impressed.

I think a lot of people would like it if they would try it. I'm a huge fan of iOS because I like how simple & straightforward it is, but it is lacking in a lot of areas like nifty animations and stuff that the other mobile OS's have. Using the Windows phones is pretty fun thanks to the tile GUI. I just wish Verizon had more options like the 1520.

 

[maevinj]

Both are valid points. Microsoft doesn't have the app availability that Android & Apple enjoy, but if you don't need or want all of that, then it's a great phone. Nice zippy GUI, easy to use, great cameras on pretty much every model, etc. I'm not a huge Microsoft fan, but when I played with the last-gen Windows phone, I was VERY impressed.

I think a lot of people would like it if they would try it. I'm a huge fan of iOS because I like how simple & straightforward it is, but it is lacking in a lot of areas like nifty animations and stuff that the other mobile OS's have. Using the Windows phones is pretty fun thanks to the tile GUI. I just wish Verizon had more options like the 1520.

Verizon should be releasing the "L929" sometime soon according to rumors.
I have a 928 after using a 4s for the past two years. I haven't had any issues making the switch.

 

[midwestfisherman]

I have the Lumia 521 and like the phone and OS a lot. I like the basic things a smart phone will do contacts, email, calendar, etc. It's a great phone for that.

 

[biostud]

Lumia 920, my first smart phone. It does what I need in a smart phone and feels fast in every day tasks. I don't really have any use for a lot of apps. I also recommended it for my mother when she bought her first smart phone.
-Fast
-Good camera
-Wireless charging
-Maps (Really nice when traveling)

 

[Piotrsama]

Very happy with my lumia 620.
Only thing that annoys me a bit, is that when somebody writes something to me on whatsapp, sometimes the phone warns me with a "notification" (not sure about the name) on the upper side, but sometimes it doesn't... so the message goes unnoticed for hours... until I manually open whatsapp again.

Is that "normal" for Windows Phone? Thanks.

 

[lopri]

I hear complaints of feature parity but personally I do not see it. I think part of that is due to the fact that I wouldn't use/want whatever functions those might be (I'm pretty content with texting, internet access and playing Ogre Battle) and there is likely some tuth to it, but I think a lot of the negativity stems from animosity towards Microsoft and discomfort associated with trying something new.

I have to disagree with you there. When it comes to apps or functional disparity , "there is some truth to it" is a massive understatement. The gap is massive. Likewise, discomfort or antipathy towards MS did not spring out of nowhere. MS have earned those. They will have to prove themselves to get the trust back from consumers like me, and that will not happen overnight. (Edit: Look at the Surface RT situation. If you've just purchased a Surface 2 and the next day the company's acting CEO practically declares that it was a failed experiment, how would you feel about it? What's worse is that we don't know whether that acting CEO actually has the capacity to say that. )

Of course this doesn't cut anything against individuals who are satisfied with current MS products. And I am sure there are happy MS customers out there.

 

[mkmitch]

I've been using the 928 via Verizon since the spring, downloaded and used many apps. I really like it. Today I stopped by Verizon and picked up a 2520 tablet for my wife for Christmas, a $100 off at Verizon and free keyboard from Nokia if puchased by today. I've been messing with it a little bit today and kinda hopes she doesn't want it LOL. Anyway I downloaded a texting app so she will leave my 928 alone.

 

[spdfreak]

Nokia 822 on Verizon... great phone and they are super cheap even on ebay if you don't want a contract. If you use Windows 7 or 8 on your computer, you will love the integration with Office, Skydrive, etc.
I use the phone, text, and internet sharing for home internet since I have unlimited data- iphones can't do phone and internet at the same time on Verizon so that kicked them out for me. I use very few apps so that is not a big issue for me but the included Nokia apps like drive and maps are the best out there... I really wouldn't consider any other platform at this point since it does the things I need very, very well.

 

[Selenium_Glow]

Very happy with my lumia 620.
Only thing that annoys me a bit, is that when somebody writes something to me on whatsapp, sometimes the phone warns me with a "notification" (not sure about the name) on the upper side, but sometimes it doesn't... so the message goes unnoticed for hours... until I manually open whatsapp again.

Is that "normal" for Windows Phone? Thanks.

Nopes. Happens on my 920 too, and primarily because I've noticed that WhatsApp usually fails to switchover from WiFi to mobile data when there is weak/no WiFi connection. (I check this by going to whatsapp settings -> Connection -> and notice "Not Connected") When I turn of WiFi, the toast notifications (notification bars at the top) start pouring in faster than I'd like them to.

I brought the Lumia 920 at launch for the camera, and it has not disappointed me yet. Solid and crisp images coming out of the ProCam App.

 

[Imaginer]

HTC 8X is the first smartphone I owned. Reason being is I waited until Verizon had better Windows Phone offerings and as a phone interface for quick in and out for information, it does its job with no visual frills and ease on eyes interface.

I also liked the size emphasis on tiles on Windows Phone 8, and it is a reason why I didn't jump on 7 (didn't need a smartphone at the time). Much like the start menu / start screen, main pinned list on the home screen, alphabetical listing of everything a swipe over that can be paired down with a search.

Included things got the job done, but I do like more developer support. One thing missing which I hope Microsoft would take care of is the conflicts with mobile deposits and the way the camera stores snapshots after a take. There should be a way to not immediately store things to the camera roll, only to blanket policy that folder to Skydrive the contents. I believe that is an issue why I feel no financial institution apps have mobile check deposits. PayPal needs to have app and card reader support, which would be nice.

I liked that the OS can be as good with minimal hardware and not be in a pissing contest for processing power that I do not need. No need for games or squinting at videos for me. But videos play well. As much as there is no YouTube app, clicking a video in YouTube under IE will open a player for the video and plays fine. I visit the full desktop site, which browsing is fine.

The HTC is thin enough and the curved back, edges, and rubberish grip is nice to hold. Speakers are adaquete enough.

 

[pcsavvy]

I have the Lumia 928, love it. It works great for me.

 

[rbV5]

928 Nokia here. Had a HTC 8x previously. Both are nice devices, the 8x is a dream, looks and feel, but only 16GB. The 928 Is more like a tank, and the camera is awesome and 32GB.

Looking at a 8" Dell Tablet currently

 

[notposting]

The Lumia 521 for T-Mobile is $69 off contract today at Amazon, btw.

 

[darkewaffle]

I hadn't used it before, but Nokia Mixradio (I think formerly Nokia Music?) is actually pretty cool. I've never used Pandora or Spotify (on any platform) to know how it compares but there's a ton of genres/themes available and almost each one has at least half a dozen different mixes beneath it, some many more. And when I tried creating a "Play Me" mix it recognized a number of lesser known artists I put in for it to build off of. The 'related artists' it then featured alongside my selected ones were pretty good choices as well - not all good for me but I recognized many of them and understood the logic in picking them at least.

Not to mention it has a Top 25 Twerking Anthems mix.

Evidently you can download up to four mixes for offline availability with the free version. Also the free version lets you "only" skip up to six songs per hour but it seems that you can just re-load the mix and reset that if you want. I'm not sure offhand how many songs are in a mix however. I don't think I'll use it because I still prefer my dedicated MP3 player (and have no reception or Wi-fi at work) but I came away fairly impressed and could still see myself using it for comedy bits or christmas music at least.