Can you recommend Windows Phone 7 OS to me?

[Lohho]

My father is looking for a new contract and I think that a Windows Phone 7 device is currently the best suited for him.

He's an IT professional and is involved in a lot of projects in a few companies. He likes using a smartphone and loves gadgets, but he's definitely not the type to tinker around a lot and google hacks etc. which is why I told him he probably won't get the most out of an Android device, because while I feel they are excellent, it seems you can't get the most out of the device without at least a little bit of footwork. He's not the type to go research apps and then spend money on them either (at least he wasn't until now).

That's why I think he should go for a Win7 phone -- no frills, everything standard across the platform, excellent office integration (he uses OneNote a lot), a user-interface which is simple, functional and very easy to learn.

The only thing I'm a bit worried about now is how everything seems to be a bit dumbed-down... It's like Apple -- the simplicity is simultaneously the best and worst part about it!

At the moment I'm looking at the HTC 7 Mozart on 8ta -- although there's not much choice as far as contracts/phones go in SA at the moment... As far as I can see there's only the HTC Trophy on Vodacom as a different option? :confused:

[kooldude]

You just stirred the bee hive :)

I think you made a lot of wrong assumptions of andriod. You do not need to google hacks or hunt for apps for the andriod. The default apps does satisfy 80 to 90% of most users needs. I think andriod does do all the things that Windows Phone 7 does. If you want to play around like installing new roms or versions then andriod is definitely way ahead of WF7.

There is EverNote which does the same thing as OneNote on the phone and PC, and syncs your notes between all your devices.

[flatline2010]

wow did they finally release a real life phone running windows 7.... absolutely amazed, you may want to grab it now cause they are going to be worth something at the phone museum in 20 years time

[CodeMaster]

Have you been living under a rock? He said "Windows PHONE 7", NOT "Windows 7" There is a difference.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-gb/default.aspx


wow did they finally release a real life phone running windows 7.... absolutely amazed, you may want to grab it now cause they are going to be worth something at the phone museum in 20 years time

[Elimentals]

Talk about wrong impression of Android:

I have an HTC Desire HD that has no "google hacks" as you call it, and it can link up to my M$ Exchange email, open my M$ office documents that is synced to my PC via Dropbox, Browse the Internet with Addblock+ and bookmarks shared to my desktop's Firefox, using EverNote to keep my notes synced to my PC, phone my office in New Zealand using Skype + +. All of this without paying for any of the applications that was installed using the Android Market.

Android is not about Hacks, the fact that you can doesn't mean you have to, in fact for every Android phone that is rooted there is about 50 that is not.

I personally feel that Microsoft is targeting more the young crowd with WM7 with things like Zune pass and Xbox live. Don't get me wrong WM7 can be a great device but so 2 can iPhone. Just don't dismiss Android point blank, thinking you have to be a programer to use it.

[ebendl]

I think it is a good choice, the platform is bound to get a lot of support now that Nokia is aiming to use it as its main OS for all its future smartphones. I also know that if you have somebody using a lot of Office apps, it is difficult to move them over to other systems, and the sync between Office and the phone should be quite good.

....however, you may want to consider an iPhone, especially if he's using an Exchange server. MS recently released the OneNote app for the iPhone (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onenote/id410395246?mt=8, yes, MS is actually writing apps for the iPhone!) and it seems quite good. If he's not a "tinkerer" he'll enjoy an iPhone - it does really work quite well and there's lots of innovation for the platform (satisfying the gadget-loving part of him).

Does he use Outlook extensively?

[eug]

I've been using my windows phone for about four and a half months now, and I'm loving it. I will definitely recommend it. The UI is smooth its very to use. One note is great as well, I use it all the time.

I'd say go for it.

[Saman]

Windows Phone 7 is downright boring! I flashed it onto my HTC HD2, but after just 1 week with it, I couldn't bear the restrictiver interface any longer. I quicky reflashed Android and that'll be the last time I waste my time with WP7. If only Windows WP7 were as appealing as it's PC Desktop counterpart, Windows 7....
Probably the most appealing thing about Android for non-techie types is the huge & still growing market of apps ( >100 000 now) available, most of them free!

[Mbuzi]

Operating Systems are like religions, everyone thinks his is the best! IMO

[roguemat]

I have used almost every "brand" of mobile OS, and by FAR the best one is WP7. Yeah, noone is denying that it has way less functionality than a Android device. But really, it does exactly what I need, and it makes me happy inside just using the interface. Android is just plain old ugly. I dont need a phone that I can root, or see exactly how many MB of ram an app is using, or solve cancer, or give my skype details away to rogue apps - I need a phone which has amazing games, has a beautiful interface, is blisteringly fast, has an onscreen keyboard that is faster to type on than a physical one, and links perfectly with all my mail and social stuff.
My Windows Phone 7 does just that.
Plus, I love my XBOX360, and it's freaking amazing to be able to have it all linked up and get gamer score from the phone games - but this may not relate to you.

As to the phone, I would suggest the Mozart. If we had the HD7 in this country I would suggest that - but alas...

Final point: Go on youtube and THOROUGHLY look at videos of each. IMHO if you don't like the UI of a phone, all the features in the world wont make you like it. Then decide for yourself.

[Jonno2343]

Talk about wrong impression of Android:
it can link up to my M$ Exchange email, open my M$ office documents

Wow, so clever with your M$-ness.



I personally feel that Microsoft is targeting more the young crowd with WM7 with things like Zune pass and Xbox live. Don't get me wrong WM7 can be a great device but so 2 can iPhone. Just don't dismiss Android point blank, thinking you have to be a programer to use it.
I agree with this in a way. WP7 (right now) is aimed more at the consumer (they've said so themselves) but over time it will gain the enterprise features that Microsoft is successful in doing. The integration with existing Microsoft services is absolutely fantastic but also does good support of Gmail and it's calender, contacts, etc.


I have used almost every "brand" of mobile OS, and by FAR the best one is WP7. Yeah, noone is denying that it has way less functionality than a Android device. But really, it does exactly what I need, and it makes me happy inside just using the interface. Android is just plain old ugly. I dont need a phone that I can root, or see exactly how many MB of ram an app is using, or solve cancer, or give my skype details away to rogue apps - I need a phone which has amazing games, has a beautiful interface, is blisteringly fast, has an onscreen keyboard that is faster to type on than a physical one, and links perfectly with all my mail and social stuff.
My Windows Phone 7 does just that.
Plus, I love my XBOX360, and it's freaking amazing to be able to have it all linked up and get gamer score from the phone games (http://online.freeware.info.pl/games.html) - but this may not relate to you.

As to the phone, I would suggest the Mozart. If we had the HD7 in this country I would suggest that - but alas...

Final point: Go on youtube and THOROUGHLY look at videos of each. IMHO if you don't like the UI of a phone, all the features in the world wont make you like it. Then decide for yourself.

Definitely agree with this.
Would recommend trying the devices out / watching videos on them before deciding.

Out of all of the people I know who've switched from Android to WP7, not one of them regrets their choice. One of the great things about Android is the customizability of it but that is also one of the 'bad' things about it. The interface is never exactly how you want it and there is always something else you can try or change. But, when you're spending time changing the way the phone looks every day instead of just letting it be, you're wasting your time.
The WP7 interface is great because that's all it is. You can change the background, the accent color and that's it, there's no need to go fiddling around and changing things.

The games in WP7 are great and more are coming. It is gaining the support of the big developers as they see that it is a platform worth investing in. When the Mango update comes later this year it will have all the features of the other operating systems but with the great WP7 UI.

I honestly could not recommend a WP7 device enough. Every time I use it I end up smiling because it is SO well thought out and functions so well. My HD7 is a whole lot faster than my friend's Desire HD. The 'buttery smooth' animations of WP7 are really quite something.

It is simple to use and the interface may be 'simple' but for what it does, it does extremely well. The interface is enough to get everything done.

[Elimentals]

Out of all of the people I know who've switched from Android to WP7, not one of them regrets their choice. One of the great things about Android is the customizability of it but that is also one of the 'bad' things about it. The interface is never exactly how you want it and there is always something else you can try or change. But, when you're spending time changing the way the phone looks every day instead of just letting it be, you're wasting your time.
The WP7 interface is great because that's all it is. You can change the background, the accent color and that's it, there's no need to go fiddling around and changing things.


Nice troll there, must be hard working on your PC esp with all that ability to customize it, never getting it to look exactly like you want it. :)

All I am saying is dont simply exclude something because of what you heard, go look at them in person or on video's and see how they fit into your world as roguemat suggested. At the end of the day all the major players does exactly the same thing and any developer worth his salt normally ports applications across all the major platforms.

[Jonno2343]

Nice troll there, must be hard working on your PC esp with all that ability to customize it, never getting it to look exactly like you want it. :)

All I am saying is dont simply exclude something because of what you heard, go look at them in person or on video's and see how they fit into your world as roguemat suggested. At the end of the day all the major players does exactly the same thing and any developer worth his salt normally ports applications across all the major platforms.
Simply echoing what I've heard from ex users of Android. I've tried Android and I like it very much, I just like what WP7 does for me more.
If there was no WP7 I would have an Android (http://szablony.freeware.info.pl/mobilna.html) device.

[Lohho]

Thanks for all the info guys.. I played with the Samsung Omnia 7 when I was overseas in January, and was absolutely impressed by the combination of the WP7 UI and the Super AMOLED screen --two things that go extremely well together IMO!! I've honestly never experienced such and immediate "wow-factor" from any device before. The iPhone 4 next to it looked really boring in comparison. It's too bad we don't get the Omnia in SA :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't seen it here)

I loved the UI and would have no problem recommending it to almost anyone, I kinda suggested WP7 to my dad a while ago already, just wanted to know if you guys agreed with me :) It seems that even though there are (to some) deal-breaking hitches in comparison to other OS's, those deal-breakers 1) Unlikely to affect the majority of users, and 2) Are very likely to be fixed in the near future (eg. copy/paste is fixed already, multi-tasking coming soon etc.) It seems that the place WP7 is in now is good, but that it has an even brighter future.

BTW, I saw the HTC Mozart on 8ta for R230pm with no pay-in, where the year-old desire has a pay-in of over R2000 on the same contract... Am I being trolled?? (I only checked their website)

[Jonno2343]

Thanks for all the info guys.. I played with the Samsung (http://serwis-tv.com/opis.html) Omnia 7 when I was overseas in January, and was absolutely impressed by the combination of the WP7 UI and the Super AMOLED screen --two things that go extremely well together IMO!! I've honestly never experienced such and immediate "wow-factor" from any device before. The iPhone 4 next to it looked really boring in comparison. It's too bad we don't get the Omnia in SA :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't seen it here)

I loved the UI and would have no problem recommending it to almost anyone, I kinda suggested WP7 to my dad a while ago already, just wanted to know if you guys agreed with me :) It seems that even though there are (to some) deal-breaking hitches in comparison to other OS's, those deal-breakers 1) Unlikely to affect the majority of users, and 2) Are very likely to be fixed in the near future (eg. copy/paste is fixed already, multi-tasking coming soon etc.) It seems that the place WP7 is in now is good, but that it has an even brighter future.

BTW, I saw the HTC Mozart on 8ta for R230pm with no pay-in, where the year-old desire has a pay-in of over R2000 on the same contract... Am I being trolled?? (I only checked their website)

Yeah, unfortunately we have a very poor selection here. Basically all the phones that the other countries don't buy :/
That's a good deal for the Mozart if so!
Yeah, not fully fleshed out like the competitors but come Mango and it will be right up there.

[Lohho]

Hey guys. Just an update on this.. My dad finally got his Mozart yesterday and is enjoying it a lot so far!

(For those of you who don't know: HTC Mozart is for R90/month on 8ta ... This is probably one of the best deals for any phone in SA atm if you ask me! 8ta is really doing anything to gain customers lately.)

One thing my dad isn't enjoying is the tight facebook integration -- He only got facebook the other day and mainly used it to catch up with friends from high-school... Not exactly the people you want in your phonebook. Is there any way to not do the whole facebook thing? I guess he could just remove his account from the phone completely and get an app/browse when he wants to go on fb, but it would be nice if you could choose which elements of facebook you'd like to have integrated, even if it's just making groups in facebook (like for close friends and family, for example) and only syncing those groups..

EDIT: While typing I managed to find a solution to one of those problems -- In settings you can select "Only add Facebook info to existing contacts " which reduces the number of contacts in people but doesn't remove their news feeds..

Any tips relating to facebook integration? Do you guys customise it somehow or just wing it?

[Jonno2343]

Hey guys. Just an update on this.. My dad finally got his Mozart yesterday and is enjoying it a lot so far!

(For those of you who don't know: HTC Mozart is for R90/month on 8ta ... This is probably one of the best deals for any phone in SA atm if you ask me! 8ta is really doing anything to gain customers lately.)

One thing my dad isn't enjoying is the tight facebook integration -- He only got facebook the other day and mainly used it to catch up with friends from high-school... Not exactly the people you want in your phonebook. Is there any way to not do the whole facebook thing? I guess he could just remove his account from the phone completely and get an app/browse when he wants to go on fb, but it would be nice if you could choose which elements of facebook you'd like to have integrated, even if it's just making groups in facebook (like for close friends and family, for example) and only syncing those groups..

EDIT: While typing I managed to find a solution to one of those problems -- In settings you can select "Only add Facebook info to existing contacts " which reduces the number of contacts in people but doesn't remove their news feeds..

Any tips relating to facebook integration? Do you guys customise it somehow or just wing it?
Wow, that's a good deal. That must be a combination of 8ta trying to get customers and WP7 trying to sell (considering this phone has as good specs as iPhone (http://szablony.freeware.info.pl/mobilna.html) 4 - just shows the profit margins).

Yeah, it seems like you can only change the contact settings and remove the account. He'll either have to remove it completely or just leave it in. Not sure what improvements will be coming in Mango but I know groups is a big new feature so we'll see later this year.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/people/facebook-on-my-phone-faq.aspx
The news will only show up if he goes to the what's new tab in the conacts list or on the individual contact - so I guess it's not like it's the first thing you see.

[Lohho]

Ah... My dad's not taken too well to the whole cloud computing thing :/

First thing was syncing/updating the phone... First was a huge Zune download and installation, which in his eyes was crapware (though I told him if it actually works it'll be a step up from Samsung Kies). So that wasn't too bad. But then...

...getting his contacts on to the phone. He was not pleased (to say the least) that there is no way to just sync between the PC and the phone. We managed to get all his contacts into Outlook (via a bunch of .vcf files) and he was then appalled to find out that the only way to sync was to create a Windows Live account, upload all his contacts to there first, and then sync to the phone like that.. There was a lot of swearing at this point by the way, he found it ludicrous that a Microsoft account was needed just for something as basic as getting contacts on to the phone.

I only partially agree with his sentiment. I just told him that cloud-computing is the way of the future, and that any smartphone nowadays basically requires it, whether it's a Gmail account or Facebook account, you're just going to have to suck it up if you want to get somewhere.. You trade privacy for functionality, and that's the bottom line I guess. Even though Android/Symbian lets you sync contacts via PC at least, which I think was pretty cruel for Microsoft to leave out. I like to keep my phone contacts separate from email/facebook contacts too. Oh well, we'll try again tomorrow; maybe he'll be willing to "submit to the man" then.

Just promise me it'll get better T_T

[Redsbaron]

Thanks for all the info guys.. I played with the Samsung Omnia 7 when I was overseas in January, and was absolutely impressed by the combination of the WP7 UI and the Super AMOLED screen --two things that go extremely well together IMO!! I've honestly never experienced such and immediate "wow-factor" from any device before. The iPhone 4 next to it looked really boring in comparison. It's too bad we don't get the Omnia in SA :/ (Correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't seen it here)

I loved the UI and would have no problem recommending it to almost anyone, I kinda suggested WP7 to my dad a while ago already, just wanted to know if you guys agreed with me :) It seems that even though there are (to some) deal-breaking hitches in comparison to other OS's, those deal-breakers 1) Unlikely to affect the majority of users, and 2) Are very likely to be fixed in the near future (eg. copy/paste is fixed already, multi-tasking coming soon etc.) It seems that the place WP7 is in now is good, but that it has an even brighter future.

BTW, I saw the HTC Mozart on 8ta for R230pm with no pay-in, where the year-old desire has a pay-in of over R2000 on the same contract... Am I being trolled?? (I only checked their website)


Would you recomend WM7 on a HD2?

[MielieSpoor]

Ah... My dad's not taken too well to the whole cloud computing thing :/

First thing was syncing/updating the phone... First was a huge Zune download and installation, which in his eyes was crapware (though I told him if it actually works it'll be a step up from Samsung Kies). So that wasn't too bad. But then...

...getting his contacts on to the phone. He was not pleased (to say the least) that there is no way to just sync between the PC and the phone. We managed to get all his contacts into Outlook (via a bunch of .vcf files) and he was then appalled to find out that the only way to sync was to create a Windows Live account, upload all his contacts to there first, and then sync to the phone like that.. There was a lot of swearing at this point by the way, he found it ludicrous that a Microsoft account was needed just for something as basic as getting contacts on to the phone.

I only partially agree with his sentiment. I just told him that cloud-computing is the way of the future, and that any smartphone nowadays basically requires it, whether it's a Gmail account or Facebook account, you're just going to have to suck it up if you want to get somewhere.. You trade privacy for functionality, and that's the bottom line I guess. Even though Android/Symbian lets you sync contacts via PC at least, which I think was pretty cruel for Microsoft to leave out. I like to keep my phone contacts separate from email/facebook contacts too. Oh well, we'll try again tomorrow; maybe he'll be willing to "submit to the man" then.

Just promise me it'll get better T_TA Windows Live account is not required to sync your contacts - you can have a gmail :sick: account also. Has been confirmed to work on a number of ocations.

As to Andriod syncing from the PC. Bulldust. My wife has got an Andriod device and the only way we can get her contacts synced on her phone is via a gmail account. She can't remember that password and it is near impossible to reset it so we gave up on that and just let it be.

Our experience with Andriod has been not great thus far and can't recommend such a phone. My Windows Phone works a lot easier and better than her piece of andriod s h i t.

[Elimentals]

A Windows Live account is not required to sync your contacts - you can have a gmail :sick: account also. Has been confirmed to work on a number of ocations.

As to Andriod syncing from the PC. Bulldust. My wife has got an Andriod device and the only way we can get her contacts synced on her phone is via a gmail account. She can't remember that password and it is near impossible to reset it so we gave up on that and just let it be.

Our experience with Andriod has been not great thus far and can't recommend such a phone. My Windows Phone works a lot easier and better than her piece of andriod s h i t.

The Android sync depends on what phone you have, as HTC, Samsung and even my ASUS syncs with Outlook once the software is installed on your PC and the phone can be setup without the use of Gmail account. Its just much better when you do it with Gmail as you can then Edit your contact on a PC and it will automatically sync to your phone, also when buying a new phone the benefit is that all you do is log into your Gmail account on the phone and it will auto sync contacts, Calendar and applications.

Don't let your incompetence of remembering a password be marked as a product failure as I can guarantee the same would be true if you lose your Windows Live password.

I do get that you like the WP7 more and I can see why people do. Its the same reasons I hate it but I can see that the flat simple UI can work for many.

[Jonno2343]

Its just much better when you do it with Gmail as you can then Edit your contact on a PC and it will automatically sync to your phone, also when buying a new phone the benefit is that all you do is log into your Gmail account on the phone and it will auto sync contacts, Calendar and applications.

This is the same for WP7, everything is linked to your account so same arguments hold here.

I can understand that he may not like it but once you realise what's actually happening and the effort it saves you once it's configured, you'll love it. Contacts are always the same across your devices, people on your phone are on your computer and vice versa. Really saves a LOT of trouble.
Try to explain the benefits to him and I'm sure he'll come around.

Microsoft betted on the fact that enterprise customers (running Outlook) would be setup properly and have an Exchange account (which syncs everything to the phone as well) and consumers (running Windows (http://videotek.republika.pl/pomoc.html) Live Mail / using Hotmail on web) would obviously have a Live account (or GMail, Yahoo). For most of these people (large majority), all of their info is already in the cloud and synced and if yours isn't, you should get it up there - never lose your contacts, etc. How much time did you have to pop sim cards in and out of phones in order to get contacts across? With this you enter an email address and password and everything comes down and works.
It's by far the easier way to do it.

Keep in mind that if you don't have these accounts set up, you can't access a number of things on the phone (marketplace, etc.) :)

[Lohho]

Yeah Jonno, I agree with you and I'll try convince him to come around. Cloud computing is the only way forward so he might as well get used to it!

He was just getting a bit frustrated last night, as we had a whole bunch of .vcf files (Previous phone was 5800XM and that's how it spit them out). In the case of Android would've been a matter of plugging in USB, dumping them on the SD and importing to phone via contacts and he was just frustrated that it was in no way possible to do this with WP7, not even via their own software (Zune, Outlook). I'm going to try the Outlook connector add-on later so hopefully that will get a positive reaction.

I think the bottom-line with this OS is that it's intended to be used in a certain way, and there's basically no use in complaining about it if something isn't 100% the way you expect it to be.. You just have to adapt and revel in the cushy Microsoftness.

BTW -- He was looking for some sort of connectivity switch (like in the notification area of Android) where you can easily switch GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth on and off.. Does such a widget exist? (If not for all of them then at least for bluetooth, for his car hands-free kit)

[Jonno2343]

Yeah Jonno, I agree with you and I'll try convince him to come around. Cloud computing is the only way forward so he might as well get used to it!

He was just getting a bit frustrated last night, as we had a whole bunch of .vcf files (Previous phone was 5800XM and that's how it spit them out). In the case of Android would've been a matter of plugging in USB (http://telewizor.eu/displaylink.html), dumping them on the SD and importing to phone via contacts and he was just frustrated that it was in no way possible to do this with WP7, not even via their own software (Zune, Outlook). I'm going to try the Outlook connector add-on later so hopefully that will get a positive reaction.

I think the bottom-line with this OS is that it's intended to be used in a certain way, and there's basically no use in complaining about it if something isn't 100% the way you expect it to be.. You just have to adapt and revel in the cushy Microsoftness.

BTW -- He was looking for some sort of connectivity switch (like in the notification area of Android) where you can easily switch GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth on and off.. Does such a widget exist? (If not for all of them then at least for bluetooth, for his car hands-free kit)
Yeah I understand, this has been one of the bigger complaints from people. Will be interesting to see what Microsoft does with it (maybe an easier way to push them to the cloud is all they need).
Yeah, with Outlook connector all the contacts and calendars will sync across - really nice once you know to use it.

In that way, yes WP7 is more like the Apple approach just with different devices and form factors. If you want to customize something to the max, you go for Android. Only problem is that there is no limit to cusomization and you end up spending all your time getting it 'right' (as there is always something else you can try).

No, at the moment the only way to de/activate that is in the settings. When the phone screen turns off (after a minute by default), all the connections / devices that are not being used switch themselves off as well. I've found maybe a 10 min reduction (almost impossible to notice) in battery life with Bluetooth on. Applications aren't allowed low-level access to hardware components like that (yet).

[roguemat]

Yeah I think the route they have taken works for a majority of people.
Take me for example.
I got the phone, put my simcard in, logged into live and facebook and outlook and bam, setup done.


Just pin settings to start, and then WiFi Bluetooth and cellular are all right there.