WP7 hits 25k apps(supposedly), growing very nicely

[Nintendesert]

I got a WP7 over the Android phones a little while ago, I've been very pleased with it. I like it a lot. It's got a very responsive UI and I like the look and feel of it. It operates much smoother to me than any of the Android phones did. So far the apps have been pretty decent in quality and I'm able to find the ones that I need, I for now have kept to the free ones though.

 

[Red Storm]

Having to use Zune media or whatever it's called is the deal killer for me. I play a lot of media on my phone, specifically videos, and having to convert for mobile format was a pain. Apple and Android have apps that no longer require this, so I can just drag, drop, and go. Can I now do this with WP7? It's the only thing holding me back from trying it again.

 

[Andrmgic]

iOS feels so weird anymore after having WinMoPho for 6 months now. I really love the tiles, and the overall feel of the OS. The fact that they have this clearly defined design language is a huge draw for me, and I like their typography and iconography better than iOS even. iOS has a huge supply of apps, which makes things rough, but at the end of the day I really prefer WinMoPho.

I also really prefer OS X over Windows (any version) before you get any ideas

Also, the zune player on the phone is amazing, I can't wait for them to expand it and add in Smart DJ with live streaming. That would make my day.

Smart DJ is in Mango, and it is glorious.

They also added some nice touches.. the volume control shade has a clickable link to "Now playing" in the zune app.. and the track controls on the lock screen are nice. It saves at least one tap and one button press over the old method of having to wake the phone up and then nudge the volume rocker to get the pull down shade with the controls. Now you just tap the power button and have direct access to your track controls on the lock screen.

They've made it easier to see which albums and songs are available for download via zunepass (They are denoted "Download" either under the track name or under the album art for a whole album and you can click it to initiate downloading the whole album), and they've also added a "Related" pivot for similar artists.


What I really miss is the animated "now playing" screen from the zune player.

I know that leaving the screen on to see and enjoy it is more detrimental to battery life, particularly on a phone.. but it was some nice eyecandy.

 

[tonygeor]

Once mango hits wp7 has a chance

 

[Andrmgic]

Once mango hits wp7 has a chance

imo, it'd have a chance now if so many sales people weren't actively discouraging people from checking it out and if Microsoft's marketing was better. Microsoft should look into offering incentives to sales people who sell a lot of windows phones.. particularly after mango hits.

It's such a *feel* oriented platform, that people who don't get hands-on time with it are not likely to be sold unless they're into Xbox..

 

[TheStu]

Smart DJ is in Mango, and it is glorious.

They also added some nice touches.. the volume control shade has a clickable link to "Now playing" in the zune app.. and the track controls on the lock screen are nice. It saves at least one tap and one button press over the old method of having to wake the phone up and then nudge the volume rocker to get the pull down shade with the controls. Now you just tap the power button and have direct access to your track controls on the lock screen.

They've made it easier to see which albums and songs are available for download via zunepass (They are denoted "Download" either under the track name or under the album art for a whole album and you can click it to initiate downloading the whole album), and they've also added a "Related" pivot for similar artists.


What I really miss is the animated "now playing" screen from the zune player.

I know that leaving the screen on to see and enjoy it is more detrimental to battery life, particularly on a phone.. but it was some nice eyecandy.

What I like to do with it is to open up the Zune player when I am in my car and then when I want to change tracks I press the lock button, do an indiscriminate swipe up to unlock, and and indiscriminate swipe to the left to switch to the next song. No need to look at the device to try and press a stupidly small button.

 

[shortylickens]

I just recommended that someone check out a WP 7 device today.

Knowing that Mango is coming and has so many nice features.. it's much easier to recommend the platform to other people.

Actually because of that it makes sense to wait until there are more powerful phones which natively support mango. Supposedly the first Nokia will be exactly that.

 

[Andrmgic]

What I like to do with it is to open up the Zune player when I am in my car and then when I want to change tracks I press the lock button, do an indiscriminate swipe up to unlock, and and indiscriminate swipe to the left to switch to the next song. No need to look at the device to try and press a stupidly small button.

Well, that's not an option for me.. the exchange server at work enforces a pin lock on mine.

Thankfully the button is a much bigger target in mango.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I'm slowly building a position in Nokia, they're dirt cheap right now...

 

[EightySix Four]

An FYI to the WP7 phone users out there, Mango (finally) fixes the poor bluetooth implementation and it now works phenomenally with ever device I throw at it, including my BMW. It'll accept voice commands, send/receive text messages, and import the contacts into iDrive.

 

[shortylickens]

An FYI to the WP7 phone users out there, Mango (finally) fixes the poor bluetooth implementation and it now works phenomenally with ever device I throw at it, including my BMW. It'll accept voice commands, send/receive text messages, and import the contacts into iDrive.

What phone do you got that has Mango?

 

[mammador]

the key is for Nokia to release a decent handset. yes, the OS is growing in the number of apps, but this growth has to be supported in terms of unit sales.

 

[finbarqs]

nokia + sprint + wp7 = success... or dell venue pro 2.. (Super AMOLED+)

 

[shortylickens]

nokia + sprint + wp7 = success... or dell venue pro 2.. (Super AMOLED+)

So far Nokia seems to prefer GSM whenever possible and tmobile has been the best about stocking Nokia phones. If you love Sprint you probably shouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[finbarqs]

damn it the only carrier with unlimited data plan (with no bandwidth throttling!)

is there a Chinese Keyboard? Kind of like iOS's chinese keyboard, where you would write the character, and it'll show you what you wrote so you can select it? I hate Touch Input's chinese characters... pinyin's and the other way is a pia...

 

[Deeko]

What phone do you got that has Mango?

People with active dev accounts got access to a beta version of Mango starting this week. I installed it on my Venue Pro.

 

[smartpatrol]

Actually because of that it makes sense to wait until there are more powerful phones which natively support mango. Supposedly the first Nokia will be exactly that.

http://www.wpcentral.com/mojo

According to that preview of Mango, it runs even faster than NoDo on the same hardware. You can always get a better phone 6 months from now, but it's not like current WP7 owners will be left out in any way.

 

[shortylickens]

OK, then I'll admit I just dont like the current phones.

 

[Pliablemoose]

People with active dev accounts got access to a beta version of Mango starting this week. I installed it on my Venue Pro.

Color me jealous...

 

[Deeko]

Yea, we aren't supposed to discuss details, but I imagine I can say this much...its pretty awesome.

 

[finbarqs]

how do you update a wp7 phone? It says that there's an update available, but I don't know how to update it! when i click into the updates, it just gave me 2 check boxes asking me if I wanted to notify me when an update is available, and use wifi to notify me or something stupid like that.

Nothing about updating the phone itself.

 

[TheStu]

how do you update a wp7 phone? It says that there's an update available, but I don't know how to update it! when i click into the updates, it just gave me 2 check boxes asking me if I wanted to notify me when an update is available, and use wifi to notify me or something stupid like that.

Nothing about updating the phone itself.

Plug it into your computer.

 

[dougp]

how do you update a wp7 phone? It says that there's an update available, but I don't know how to update it! when i click into the updates, it just gave me 2 check boxes asking me if I wanted to notify me when an update is available, and use wifi to notify me or something stupid like that.

Nothing about updating the phone itself.

Seriously? It tells you to connect your phone to your computer ...

 

[EightySix Four]

Yea, we aren't supposed to discuss details, but I imagine I can say this much...its pretty awesome.

Deeko, the agreement was clarified a bit, we can discuss it all we want, just not give out code. Speaking of, wanna hook me up with a beta of Deekfit that works with multitasking? I also have some UI recommendations for you if you'd like.

http://www.wpcentral.com/developers-using-mango-under-nda-yes-kind-of

Thus far, Mango is phenomenal on my Surround. I've owned the 3/4 major smartphone OSes now (WP7, iOS, Android 2.3) and with Mango, WP7 is now the best IMO. Before it was the most smooth and my personal favorite to use, but not the "best," now I believe it is.

 

[finbarqs]

damn... i gotta install zune software

That's one thing I like android and WebOS over WP7 and iOS: OTA updates!