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Just Sold My iPhone 4 - Bought a Samsung Focus with Windows Phone 7 -Honest Critique
- Thread starter JohnMKeynes
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Just to elaborate further on this, I have been running the Mango update for a few weeks now and I have to say the features brought with Mango are great. Windows Phone is no longer that OS with missing features. Microsoft outdid themselves by adding a handful of new features. And of course the OS is still just as fluid as ever. Since apps haven't been updated for mango yet, I can't comment on that. But in terms of regular OS use, Mango is great.
Does mango add bluetooth keyboard functionality and turn by turn navigation?
Might actually consider a windows phone if it did...
Apple has understood that eventually, it all comes down to then ecosystem. They do ficus on quality products, but there's an event horizon where all devices are generally the same if you're not zooming in on this feature or that feature. Form Factor and UI preferences are mostly subjective, are ot will be mostly equal, except for those that are obviously a complete mess.
People, at least in the US, seem t be more confortsble with fewer options, and like having two. two political latkes, two major computer platforms, and two mobile platforms. Any third entity trying to teke away the second spot has their work cut out for them. I've heard a lot of good things about Windows phone 7, before and after it was released.
Developers have a hatd enough time now with two platforms, which includes updates with every update. Unless MS cab figure out a way to get the development community on board, windows phone may not make it. Of course I'm not the first ne to say this. Nut people want a well stocked ecosystem, and well functioning. It doesn't matter that they will never use but a fraction of available apps, or take advantage of all the features of the syste, . It's just a comfort level knowing that it's there.
People, at least in the US, seem t be more confortsble with fewer options, and like having two. two political latkes, two major computer platforms, and two mobile platforms. Any third entity trying to teke away the second spot has their work cut out for them. I've heard a lot of good things about Windows phone 7, before and after it was released.
Developers have a hatd enough time now with two platforms, which includes updates with every update. Unless MS cab figure out a way to get the development community on board, windows phone may not make it. Of course I'm not the first ne to say this. Nut people want a well stocked ecosystem, and well functioning. It doesn't matter that they will never use but a fraction of available apps, or take advantage of all the features of the syste, . It's just a comfort level knowing that it's there.
Yep, but a larger customer base = more choices and needs. I myself use very specific langauge learning programs that are not available on Win Phone or Android. As much as I like the OS, I need to use the apps. That is the big downfall of Win Phone...there are people that need more than just the OS's capabilities.
I can see WP7 phones being more relevant once Windows 8 comes out for tablets and such. Microsoft can still take a huge claim in the tablet market next year as #2 since not one Android tablet has any appeal or made much of a dent on iPad sales. And Windows still dominates the desktop space no matter how great Macs can be. Windows 8 is going to be huge by letting more people get more familiar with the Metro UI. Windows 7 became the fastest and best selling OS in history at 450 million sold. This is similar to how Apple created that halo effect with their iDevices toward their Mac line. From small to big. Except this is reverse for Microsoft. What you get used to with the desktop computer or what the next Xbox will be could affect how you buy your mobile devices since Microsoft can very well trap millions of people into their ecosystem.
If there is any other company that can make the best ecosystem out there other than Apple, it is Microsoft. I mean, 450M sold for a non-touchscreen OS and some are saying PC is dead? Desktop computers are dead? Just wait when Windows 8 comes out. Almost everytime Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, that is bare minimum of 200M sold GUARANTEED for them. The much maligned Vista sold that many. They already have hardware inside people's homes called an Xbox 360 and dominate the online gaming market. But Google will always be relevant because they are the richest internet service company in the world and we probably "Google" more everyday than use iTunes or Xbox Live. Alot of people use an Apple product for their mp3 player, phone, or tablet. More people use Microsoft software on their desktop and have healthy market for gaming. And more people use Google services like their search engine, have the most popular cell phone OS as of today, and is in the hardware business thanks to their acquisition of Motorola Mobility.
I don't generally like Microsoft and don't think they are innovative. They copy others including Apple. But you can't underestimate their deep pockets and popularity with Windows. If Windows 8 outsells Windows 7, look out... Halo effect.
Microsoft's Andy Lees on Windows' future: one ecosystem to rule them all
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/microsofts-andy-lees-on-windows-future-one-ecosystem-to-rule/
If there is any other company that can make the best ecosystem out there other than Apple, it is Microsoft. I mean, 450M sold for a non-touchscreen OS and some are saying PC is dead? Desktop computers are dead? Just wait when Windows 8 comes out. Almost everytime Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, that is bare minimum of 200M sold GUARANTEED for them. The much maligned Vista sold that many. They already have hardware inside people's homes called an Xbox 360 and dominate the online gaming market. But Google will always be relevant because they are the richest internet service company in the world and we probably "Google" more everyday than use iTunes or Xbox Live. Alot of people use an Apple product for their mp3 player, phone, or tablet. More people use Microsoft software on their desktop and have healthy market for gaming. And more people use Google services like their search engine, have the most popular cell phone OS as of today, and is in the hardware business thanks to their acquisition of Motorola Mobility.
I don't generally like Microsoft and don't think they are innovative. They copy others including Apple. But you can't underestimate their deep pockets and popularity with Windows. If Windows 8 outsells Windows 7, look out... Halo effect.
Microsoft's Andy Lees on Windows' future: one ecosystem to rule them all
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/microsofts-andy-lees-on-windows-future-one-ecosystem-to-rule/
Bing maps does include turn by turn navigation, and works rather well from my few uses of it. I cannot say for sure about bluetooth keyboard support since I do not own one.
I know some folks might be laughing at the slow sales of WP7. But you can almost envision by 2012-2013 when Nokia is out in full force with Windows phones, Windows 8 gets released, and the Xbox successor arrives by 2013 that there is going to be a boon for Microsoft. Right now, they are carefully moving the chess pieces before an all-out assault within two years. Just in the dark and sharpening the knives. Personally, I don't care who wins since I will be using different things from them anyway. I get bored fast from any OS or ecosystem.
Windows 7 sold 450M which is more than double than iTunes accounts of 200M. Vista had just as many users as iTunes users. And iTunes has been around for a decade and FREE while Windows 7 has been around for like four years. I compare them because these are chains to their ecosystem. If Windows 8 is to be huge for them and Nokia makes a dramatic comeback which will likely happen since they are still the most popular cell phone brand in the world. then Apple and Google better watch their backs. Then expect the newer Xbox to be released no later than 2013 to fend off Wii U sales.
Apple's next frontier is getting more into the TV market. Google will likely get into the cable box business thanks to Moto and will always be the biggest internet company in the world. But Microsoft already has this box connected to your TV called an Xbox 360. They already have the jumpstart on Google and Apple in that area if they include Windows 8 on the Xbox 360's successor. Xbox sales > Apple TV & Google TV combined.
Microsoft can be first with OSes for computers and television sets. Google can be first with the cell phone OS and internet services. Apple can be first with multimedia entertainment like portable music, gaming, and be first at quality, customer services, mobile applications, and profits. It all works out for them. They will be always be #1 in certain areas.
Windows 7 sold 450M which is more than double than iTunes accounts of 200M. Vista had just as many users as iTunes users. And iTunes has been around for a decade and FREE while Windows 7 has been around for like four years. I compare them because these are chains to their ecosystem. If Windows 8 is to be huge for them and Nokia makes a dramatic comeback which will likely happen since they are still the most popular cell phone brand in the world. then Apple and Google better watch their backs. Then expect the newer Xbox to be released no later than 2013 to fend off Wii U sales.
Apple's next frontier is getting more into the TV market. Google will likely get into the cable box business thanks to Moto and will always be the biggest internet company in the world. But Microsoft already has this box connected to your TV called an Xbox 360. They already have the jumpstart on Google and Apple in that area if they include Windows 8 on the Xbox 360's successor. Xbox sales > Apple TV & Google TV combined.
Microsoft can be first with OSes for computers and television sets. Google can be first with the cell phone OS and internet services. Apple can be first with multimedia entertainment like portable music, gaming, and be first at quality, customer services, mobile applications, and profits. It all works out for them. They will be always be #1 in certain areas.
What are you talking about? You're comparing the sales of an OPERATING SYSTEM to the numbers of people who have iTunes accounts. What is the point of your comparison? That is like comparing Apples to ora...strike that...like comparing Apples to bricks.
You should've given the iPhone 4 a chance; I felt it was uncomfortable too, but you get used to it after a few weeks. Now, it feels just as good as when I owned an iPhone 3G. The glass is also very hardy; I've dropped mine a few times on hard wood floor and it looks nearly identical to how it did a year ago when i got it.The OP practically described my very same story. I owned an iPhone 3GS but sold it (out of warranty + my bad luck with electronics = NOT GOOD) to buy a lightly used iPhone 4. I sold the iPhone 4 after a week.Why? I cannot stand the form factor. The build quality is outstanding, but the sharp edges were just uncomfortable to hold (too skinny), plus I was always concerned about the glass construction. I really hope the iPhone 5 has an iPhone 1 aluminium back styling.
I did give it a chance. It was uncomfortable to use. My wife has had one for a year and I never liked it. I still feel the same way. I hope the iPhone 5 has a design more like the first iPhone...we will see.
And what kind of a removable back does the iPhone have? Doesn't most every phone on the market with a removable back use plastic? You can't compare that to an iPhone that won't even let you inside.
Yeah, that comparison doesn't have much meaning that I can see. Windows 7 sales are mainly OEM versions that come with a new PC. That why I say, we're getting very close to everything being virtually equal in terms of hardware and operating systems and mobile devices. Apple still owns the tablet market without a doubt, but it's still relatively new. (Even if the iPad was far from being the first tablet, no one took them seriously until then, so as far as I'm concerned, the iPad was the first tablet)
I'm thinking of picking up a samsung focus myself - just to try out before the iphone 5 comes out. I played around with the focus for a bit at the MS store, and actually found it to be pretty nice. Great screen, and the phone itself felt very fluid and quick too.
Got my Samsung focus delivered today. Bought it off eBay for $151 used, but came in almost like new condition, even included a free case. Installed mango on it right away, and so far i really like it. Love how tightly integrated Facebook and twitter are, and really like the integrated fb chat/sms (kind of reminds me of web OS). Live tiles are pretty cool looking, but not sure how useful they are just yet since there aren't many apps that are able to take advantage of it yet.
Mango also has done a pretty good job at integrating voice throughout the OS. You can tell it to dictate texts with voice, and easily search your device or the web with it. pretty good job with it i think.
app selection is pretty anemic, but that will get better. Also, I've run i to a couple of rendering problems that i never had on my iPhone 4. has happened a few times in the email app and also on a few web pages. Not really a dealbreaker, just thought it was strange for a modern smartphone OS.
with regards to the focus itself hardware wise, no serious complaints. The screen is really great, but resolution is a little low compared to the iPhone. Also, not a fan of the cheap plastic battery cover. Love having a big 4 inch screen, and will be pretty disappointed if apple does not release a new iPhone with at least a 4" display.
WIndows phone is definitely promising. MS is a little late to the party, but I think they're definitely still in the game.
Mango also has done a pretty good job at integrating voice throughout the OS. You can tell it to dictate texts with voice, and easily search your device or the web with it. pretty good job with it i think.
app selection is pretty anemic, but that will get better. Also, I've run i to a couple of rendering problems that i never had on my iPhone 4. has happened a few times in the email app and also on a few web pages. Not really a dealbreaker, just thought it was strange for a modern smartphone OS.
with regards to the focus itself hardware wise, no serious complaints. The screen is really great, but resolution is a little low compared to the iPhone. Also, not a fan of the cheap plastic battery cover. Love having a big 4 inch screen, and will be pretty disappointed if apple does not release a new iPhone with at least a 4" display.
WIndows phone is definitely promising. MS is a little late to the party, but I think they're definitely still in the game.
A 3.8" iPhone screen is roughly equal to the WP 4" screen in terms of screen size. The inch figure only tells you how long the screen is diagonally, not how large it actually is because they use different aspect ratios.
Add me to the list of WP7 switchers. My (abbreviated) phone history goes iPhone 1 --> Nokia E90-->HTC Hero (GSM vers.)-->Blackberry Torch 9800-->Palm Pixi Plus-->iPhone 4 Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S)-->HTC Surround. (I skipped several devices, but just wanted to illustrate that I've tried most all the major platforms on a variety of hardware choices). iOS is limited, but was revolutionary when it came out. Symbian S60 was far more versatiile, but not very pretty/marketable in the US (all the good hardware came only on pricy unlocked devices). Android was a breath of fresh air for flexibility with the ease of use (almost) of iOS, but the experience is inconsistent. Blackberry is workable, but has no advantage for the average non-corporate user (aside from battery life). WebOS was fantastic, but didn't get good enough hardware to support it until too late (Pre 3).
WP7 with Mango is very pleasant--very fast/optimized for the hardware (a la iPhone), but provides a unique useful UI (live tiles, etc) rather than jumping on the "me too" bandwagon of static icon grids. I also appreciate the wireless syncing, and the dedicated camera button. The app selection is weak compared to iOS and Android, but for my needs, it's not a big deal...all I really want are a chess program, an RPN calculator, and turn-by-turn navi (free in Mango, still not in iOS...)
WP7 Mango is absolutely my preference over Android and iOS, and I could see it (at very least) surviving as a solid #3 choice in the market. Some decent marketing and interesting hardware (cue Nokia...) could take a bite out of Android and perhaps snag some disappointed iPhone 4S shoppers, but I wouldn't expect an overnight revolution
WP7 with Mango is very pleasant--very fast/optimized for the hardware (a la iPhone), but provides a unique useful UI (live tiles, etc) rather than jumping on the "me too" bandwagon of static icon grids. I also appreciate the wireless syncing, and the dedicated camera button. The app selection is weak compared to iOS and Android, but for my needs, it's not a big deal...all I really want are a chess program, an RPN calculator, and turn-by-turn navi (free in Mango, still not in iOS...)
WP7 Mango is absolutely my preference over Android and iOS, and I could see it (at very least) surviving as a solid #3 choice in the market. Some decent marketing and interesting hardware (cue Nokia...) could take a bite out of Android and perhaps snag some disappointed iPhone 4S shoppers, but I wouldn't expect an overnight revolution
Bump for article with pictures:
http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/15/2563136/whats-likely-to-come-in-ios-6-in-my-opinion
http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/15/2563136/whats-likely-to-come-in-ios-6-in-my-opinion
WP7 is not bad. But i cannot justify switching from iOS to another even more limited OS like WP7. There is no point IMO.
No multi-format player app for videos. I remember prior to last year fall it was such a pain having to convert all my videos and put them on the iPhone. Now with apps like goodplayer and AVplayer i can just copy files to their folders and play them even the 1080p ones fine. On Wp7 you still have to get them transcoded by Zune and a lot of times it comes out worse.
Another mandatory PC client needed to manage media. Yeah Zune looks somewhat more refreshing than iTunes but you still have to use it. No way around it.
Bluetooth profiles gimped.
No ability to download a file off a browser, particularly a zip/rar file (for example if i zipped a bunch of documents and uploaded them for later access, or something else like pics) and ability to unzip just like it is not possible on iOS.
The only plus i found was as a student i could easily dev. unlock the phone and load up my own apps easily unlike the apple way of paying $99 per year and still needing a mac to develop properly.
I think ill look into QNX next year.
No multi-format player app for videos. I remember prior to last year fall it was such a pain having to convert all my videos and put them on the iPhone. Now with apps like goodplayer and AVplayer i can just copy files to their folders and play them even the 1080p ones fine. On Wp7 you still have to get them transcoded by Zune and a lot of times it comes out worse.
Another mandatory PC client needed to manage media. Yeah Zune looks somewhat more refreshing than iTunes but you still have to use it. No way around it.
Bluetooth profiles gimped.
No ability to download a file off a browser, particularly a zip/rar file (for example if i zipped a bunch of documents and uploaded them for later access, or something else like pics) and ability to unzip just like it is not possible on iOS.
The only plus i found was as a student i could easily dev. unlock the phone and load up my own apps easily unlike the apple way of paying $99 per year and still needing a mac to develop properly.
I think ill look into QNX next year.
Its possible to download a file off a browser by using 3rd party apps. I use Atomic Browser to download and can upload automatically to Dropbox. Also, Readdle Docs (file management app) can Zip and Unzip files. You can even capture any video (exc Flash based) by using Meteoric.
Fair and honest critique. It's always interesting to see what previous iOS users think of other phones.
That said, here's to hoping iPhone 5 knocks all others out of the park!
That said, here's to hoping iPhone 5 knocks all others out of the park!
I just got my Focus about two days ago. At first, I felt very underwhelmed with the app collection and how simplified it really is. I was really thinking of just selling it for double the price I got it for. I got so used to Android that WP felt really dumbed down to me. There was no battery meter on the top. There is no Pandora. The games are expensive and I already got them either for free or cheaper on iOS or Android.
I felt Android was better. Then as I got used to it, it really, really has grown on me. The UI is slick and seamless, the Zune player has always been underrated, love the hubs with apps within the apps, and I am loving the live tiles for individual contacts! I love seeing a picture of my favorite people, my Xbox Live avatar, the particular artist in the Zune player, and my pictures from different albums all moving in a live tile.
I've said it many times that iPhone 4 is still my fav phone ever, and Nexus One is right up there at #2. This Focus is threatening that #2 spot and probably more fun to use than #1.
I love each platform for different reasons.
iOS because it is stable, has the best battery life, and has the best app store. If you want all-around, this is it.
Android because it is so awesome for customization, the variety of form factors, and how easy to side load apps for free. You can have more control on what you want to do and have with it. A perfect balance of widgets and iOS-style grid icons. Plus, I rely on Google services and also use my Android to watch porn.
And WP has the fastest UI and the best at social media connections. Seems like the most fun and unique while the other two look too similar. Just give it time and it will grow on you.
They are all great and it depends on how you use YOUR phone. Life is what you make of it.
I felt Android was better. Then as I got used to it, it really, really has grown on me. The UI is slick and seamless, the Zune player has always been underrated, love the hubs with apps within the apps, and I am loving the live tiles for individual contacts! I love seeing a picture of my favorite people, my Xbox Live avatar, the particular artist in the Zune player, and my pictures from different albums all moving in a live tile.
I've said it many times that iPhone 4 is still my fav phone ever, and Nexus One is right up there at #2. This Focus is threatening that #2 spot and probably more fun to use than #1.
I love each platform for different reasons.
iOS because it is stable, has the best battery life, and has the best app store. If you want all-around, this is it.
Android because it is so awesome for customization, the variety of form factors, and how easy to side load apps for free. You can have more control on what you want to do and have with it. A perfect balance of widgets and iOS-style grid icons. Plus, I rely on Google services and also use my Android to watch porn.
And WP has the fastest UI and the best at social media connections. Seems like the most fun and unique while the other two look too similar. Just give it time and it will grow on you.
They are all great and it depends on how you use YOUR phone. Life is what you make of it.