Windows Phone 7 Looking Better Than Android?

[jamo]

I hope no one minds this being in the Droid forum, but as a Droid owner, I just wanted everyone else's input. Has anyone been watching the Windows 7 Series news? It's really looking amazing; I know that it won't be out for months, but they've already got some great partnerships, like an impressive AP app and that Netflix streaming app. Forget the 2.1 update, I'm starting to feel a little ignored as an Android user. I'm not sure dev's want to write programs for releases from 1.6 to 2.1, and there's no media ecosystem, like Zune or iTunes. I have this great big screen with nothing to put on there unless I want to do all the converting myself. BTW, that new March Madness iPhone app looks amazing, it seems like an app Android would never get. Engadget? It's coming... OTA Update? It's coming... I'm feeling like I did when I had a Creative Zen and I kept insisting that drag and drop with no DRM was better than iTunes syncing, and no one else in the world had one. I know Android is a young platform, but it looks like Microsoft is coming out with something impressive, Apple already has something impressive, and Android is in a weird holding pattern without a clear idea of where it's going. Anyone else feel the same?

 

[PetiePal]

Not that impressed. I mean for what it means for Microsoft sure..it's a great step in the right direction. They had no choice but to scrap their entire model and start over. However it's still a Windows OS and as such will be locked down. You can ONLY get apps on their phones by their marketplace too...and they've currently got nothing fully developed...not until like next Christmas...so I'm not worried

 

[Grizzlybear]

I'm almost sold on WP7, it looks amazing, so long as it runs well on all the phones and they get good hardware to go with it and it comes out on verizon ill be getting one for sure.

 

[Fonseca]

I think it looks fantastic, to be honest. I am an Xbox Live user, so I am curious to see the implementation.

 

[jamo]

Yeah, I'm wondering if it will come out on Verizon also. I'd also like to see a good phone, that LG phone that they demoed on the Engadget Show was unimpressive; but it'd be great to have a phone that can connect to the Zune Store.

 

[CarControl]

The biggest thing is push notifications. One thing Android is really lacking is a push server that let's developers push information to them rather than just polling on a fixed interval and tanking the battery life. Don't think I'd switch because I use so much of Google's stuff, but it would be nice to see them add a push server for Android.

 

[shadowdude777]

The biggest thing is push notifications. One thing Android is really lacking is a push server that let's developers push information to them rather than just polling on a fixed interval and tanking the battery life. Don't think I'd switch because I use so much of Google's stuff, but it would be nice to see them add a push server for Android.

Exactly. I've been waiting on this for GMail and Google Voice since I got my phone.

 

[stedrocklp]

I have had WinMo phones for the last seven years before the droid. I still actually use my samsung epix. I am a Windows user so I do like the compatibility between the device and the computer. That all being said I have never enjoyed a phone more than my droid. I get excited to check these boards and others to see the latest and greatest. I'm all in on the droid, its a great phone an OC'd to 1000 she flies.

 

[CobaltDragon]

if the gaming/XboxLive bit lives up to the hype, which it just may...I will seriously consider switching. I like the interface, the push stuff, and the hardware minimum thing is nice. The only Google service I use is GV for voicemail, so integration with other Google stuff isn't important to me. All the other stuff, like FB, etc is on every platform, so that is a moot point pretty much.

I'm glad I have 18 months left on my Droid contract, as that will give W7 services/phones the time to mature and then I can make a real comparison between it and Android 2.2 or 2.3, whatever version is out by then.

 

[jamo]

I have had WinMo phones for the last seven years before the droid...I'm all in on the droid, its a great phone an OC'd to 1000 she flies.

I've never used a WinMo phone, so I can't compare the platforms at this point. I'm just impressed at this point, and I know it's still vaporware, by the potential it has. They're setting hardware standards to prevent fragmentation (*ahem* Google) and they're video/audio offerings are already great. I STILL can't find a podcast app that's 1/2 as good as Apple's, and I DON'T want an iPhone. I have been able to listen to Stuff You Missed in High School since I got my Droid. Also, rooting and OC'ing is fine for some, but it's not for me.

 

[jamo]

All the other stuff, like FB, etc is on every platform, so that is a moot point pretty much.

And don't forget, Android's Facebook App is still terrible.

 

[doomedromance]

From what I've seen, I'd rather use Windows Mobile 6.5 than 7.

 

[tjreishus]

If nothing else, the competition is good for everyone. If what they offer really is better, then google will have to do something about it by offering more just to stay in the game. It's a win win. You have the oportunity to move to another phone or hang out and watch what google does. I personally am not tied to any phone. If something new comes out that will make life easier with what I do on a phone, I'll get it. If not, I stick with what I have. I'll definately be looking into this one, thats for sure.

 

[jamo]

Yeah, competition is good. I just have the feeling that Google is doing this as a side project; they just want to make sure they have a presence in the mobile search market, but if Android fails, it doesn't really hurt them that much.

 

[Fonseca]

If nothing else, the competition is good for everyone. If what they offer really is better, then google will have to do something about it by offering more just to stay in the game. It's a win win. You have the oportunity to move to another phone or hang out and watch what google does. I personally am not tied to any phone. If something new comes out that will make life easier with what I do on a phone, I'll get it. If not, I stick with what I have. I'll definately be looking into this one, thats for sure.

That is the reason the free enterprise system works. The more choices, the better. It is good to keep yourself from being tied down to one mobile OS. You have the right idea, if it is a better mousetrap for you, get it instead.

 

[Lemurion]

What I don't like about WM7 is how much they want to lock it down: Only install apps from their app store, no micro-SD support.

That tight control is what I don't like about Apple, and WM7 seems just as bad if not worse.

 

[jamo]

What I don't like about WM7 is how much they want to lock it down: Only install apps from their app store, no micro-SD support.

That tight control is what I don't like about Apple, and WM7 seems just as bad if not worse.

I don't mean this offensively, but other than for rooting, what apps do people use not from the marketplace? Also, what do they use if not micro-SD, I hadn't heard that.

 

[sooper_droid12]

I'm completely sold on WinPho7s. Mostly because it doesn't look or interface anything like anything on the market currently. IMO, this looks like the first legitimate iPhone contender. Why? Because it builds on the same model that the iPhone has made so successful: It is rather locked down, but more importantly, hardware requirements, standardized equipment. They're protecting themselves from fragmentation. And I think that MS has all the tools to really recapture their market share. Yeah, Android went from 3% to 7% market share, but owed much to WinMo's decrease. Look for WinPho7s to recapture that and even take some from RIM.

 

[Lemurion]

I don't mean this offensively, but other than for rooting, what apps do people use not from the marketplace? Also, what do they use if not micro-SD, I hadn't heard that.

I have a large investment in eReader format ebooks from Fictionwise - and the eReader app is not on the market right now, you get it from eReader.com.

As for the micro-SD issue, I saw that on Phonescoop. I can see the point in that a single volume is easier to manage, but I still prefer the control and flexibility a card gives me.

 

[discohornet]

That tight control is what I don't like about Apple, and WM7 seems just as bad if not worse.

I used to feel the same way. Still do about recording. I mean if I buy a 300 dollar music device it better be able to hook a line-in so I can record my dj mixes onto it.

But with the phones... I mean I was pretty serious about my concern with market control too. And then I started downloading some of this half-baked baloney from the app store. A little control would be nice.

 

[Polymira]

Exactly. I've been waiting on this for GMail and Google Voice since I got my phone.

you've had push gmail since day one. =/

 

[potatolover1102]

I've never used a WinMo phone, so I can't compare the platforms at this point. I'm just impressed at this point, and I know it's still vaporware, by the potential it has. They're setting hardware standards to prevent fragmentation (*ahem* Google) and they're video/audio offerings are already great. I STILL can't find a podcast app that's 1/2 as good as Apple's, and I DON'T want an iPhone. I have been able to listen to Stuff You Missed in High School since I got my Droid. Also, rooting and OC'ing is fine for some, but it's not for me.

I highly recommend beyond pod for podcats. I was also disgruntled aboutt the podcast app selection and this one is great!

 

[jamo]

** POST DELETED **

Wow, so just to get this out of the way, and I can't be the first person to tell you this, you're a jerk. Seriously, is there a reason to be that rude?

PC gaming is awesome, but you're not the whole world. I get that you don't like it, but it's how I don't have a use for tampons, but I appreciate that they're fine inventions and other people do.

I tired DoubleTwist and it's just a giant resource-hogging iTunes rip-off that doesn't work as well. If I don't want iTunes, I certainly don't want a buggier rip-off using 99% of available memory.

My "babbling" is in reference to MY lack of an OTA update. I'd love to have gotten the N1 to use as a media player and browser where there are wi-fi hotspots, but I like to have a phone, and T-Mobile has terrible coverage in my area, but you would rather insult than properly discuss.

And P.S. walled-garden stupidity has worked well for a certain company with ever-growing market share and ridiculous profits.

 

[jamo]

I highly recommend beyond pod for podcats. I was also disgruntled aboutt the podcast app selection and this one is great!

I'll try it out, thanks!

 

[OMJ]

Im far from making up my mind on WP 7 but so far I dont like the look of the UI. The games/graphics look like they will be amazing but Im interested to see if they will be more playable than games like ExZues(Awesome graphics but I played it for like 5 minutes and completely lost interest. Not the games fault I just dont think phones are for gaming).

I love the fact that they are learning from android and from their own problems with WinMo and protecting themselves somewhat from fragmentation. So far it looks promising but its still a long way before release and until I can actually play around with it in a store i am not making any decisions.