Why do people think GDR2/3 is not a big deal? What's missing? Thinking of jumping ship.. need help

[Dave Blake]

Several reasons. Some might be a little silly.

I was a BB user. Very happy with it. I loved the physical keyboard, customization, email, messaging and BBM. They were so far behind the technology that I had to jump ship. They took way too long to come out with BB10. They were treading water and still are. Don't really want to be with a struggling company. Reliability is important to me and BB killed any trust I had. Never tried BB10. Not sure I like all the swiping, but since I've switched, the apps have become more important to me.

When I did make the switch, it was like day and night. I never thought it would be like that, but it was. I wasted a lot of time with BB missing out on so much more. There are some things that I miss about BB, but are not even a factor.

I chose WP because I like Nokia. Nokia was great for non smart phones. It''s also old school and that appealed to me. Never tried Symbian. To be honest, I didn't even know they existed until they went to WP. My first WP was the L900 less than month before the L920 came out. I had a month before I could switch phones so I wanted to get used to the Lumia with the 900 before I switched it for the 920.

I also wanted something different. I kind of got tired of hearing about IPhone and Android. IPhone was such a chick phone for me and Android was such a geek phone for me. That's pretty silly I know, but I don't like being a follower. However, I wasn't going to let the silliness be the deciding factor. WP8 was my only other option and I liked that it was up and coming.

When I was ready to switch it was around the time that all the new flag ship phone were coming out so it was perfect timing for me.

I was able to thoroughly research IPhone 5, Androids and the Lumia 920. All 3 had their pro's and con's, but all 3 seemed to be on the same playing field. None more superior than the other. For the exception of app quantity, but I also researched that and they had more than enough for my needs and growing.

So the deciding factor was not being a follower, something different, Nokia and live tiles.

ITunes is a deal breaker for me. I want to be able to plug in my USB to my computer and transfer files.

I also like the build of the 920. The size and weight. The one thing that kills me is how it over heats and the battery.

Now I'm at a point were I'm not so sure anymore. I don't want to fall into that same BB situation I was in.

WP seems to now be behind IPhone and Android. Playing catch up. I'm not ok with this.

I understand GDR2/3 and more is coming. I understand they are and are going to get better, but I heard the same crap with BB for so long.

In the end, I want the best bang for my buck. I'm not out to support some company who doesn't even know I exist. I'm not about to play catch up either and wait.

All the other reasons for patiently waiting means nothing to me. Because I will always upgrade my phone to the new flagship phone. What I want is my current phone to be on the same level or ahead of everyone else now not later. Promises of "soon" or "coming" or "what to expect" or "why" does nothing for me. Being behind is not an option.

I am likely going to hold on to my 920 and wait to see what happens and decide when the new flagship phones come out. I am even thinking about getting the 1020, but no point if that's going to be behind also.

Time will tell, but they have to deliver soon. One more push back and I will jump ship the next day.

I play around with all the other OS's just so I know what they have we don't. For me personally I say this.

"Nothing iPhone or Android can do is worth giving up what Windows Phone does better"

I was under the impression that this is to explore the OP's particular issues with WP - if we start comparing to Android, I'm sure there are many more shortcomings (perceived or otherwise) on WP's part that we can put forth. And being in a position of responsibility, I'd expect you to know that this is the #3 most requested feature on UserVoice, yes? That, to me, indicates that many people would like this as a feature and it would behoove MS to at least include it as an option, while leaving the default volume control to be Unified.

I never said people don't want changes to how volume is handled. I simply use Android for and example of how I feel things shouldn't be done. All I wanted to say by quoting you was that we all have a right to our opinions. Just because 44,699 people out of the millions that have a Windows Phone want separate volume controls that doesn't mean it is going to happen. It also doesn't mean that a majority want it. Just don't dismiss someone because their opinion doesn't match yours. I hope Microsoft does something to give us all options.

 

[iamtim]

Your assertion is flawed.

My "assertion" is this: just because one person - or any number of people, for that matter - prefer a given feature, that does not mean that it is *necessary* for the platform. The only people who get to say what is *necessary* for the platform are the project managers and developers at Microsoft. Anything else is pure personal preference; neither you, nor the poster to whom I originally replied (not the OP, mind you), nor anyone else on this forum gets to tell me what is *necessary* for my use of the platform. Just like I don't get to tell you what's *necessary* for your use of the platform. So... your logic is flawed.

 

[ag1986]

I never said people don't want changes to how volume is handled. I simply use Android for and example of how I feel things shouldn't be done. All I wanted to say by quoting you was that we all have a right to our opinions. Just because 44,699 people out of the millions that have a Windows Phone want separate volume controls that doesn't mean it is going to happen. It also doesn't mean that a majority want it. Just don't dismiss someone because their opinion doesn't match yours. I hope Microsoft does something to give us all options.

Sure, that was one thing about Android that is not your preferred way of doing this. But don't you feel in situations like this (i.e. where someone wants an option, not a change, that would enhance the utility that the OS provides, we should support it? This is in my opinion a valid criticism, and making this available will only be good for WP. So, I feel we should all support it regardless of whether we personally want it or not.

 

[ag1986]

My "assertion" is this: just because one person - or any number of people, for that matter - prefer a given feature, that does not mean that it is *necessary* for the platform. The only people who get to say what is *necessary* for the platform are the project managers and developers at Microsoft. Anything else is pure personal preference; neither you, nor the poster to whom I originally replied (not the OP, mind you), nor anyone else on this forum gets to tell me what is *necessary* for my use of the platform. Just like I don't get to tell you what's *necessary* for your use of the platform. So... your logic is flawed.

Of course, it was not 'necessary'. A platform doesn't get anywhere by having only what is 'necessary'. That way, smartphones in general are unnecessary - we don't 'need' them and many other things besides.

Any neutral observer would long ago have concluded that MS' WP devs (more likely their product managers, really) are either badly mismanaged or are imbeciles (even Nokia's leadership have expressed this opinion). The users have been complaining about the issues highlighted on Uservoice for the last three years, it's just plain shocking that any company would ignore their users that brazenly. As I pointed out to Dave above, any request for enhancements that come without you losing anything (as in this case) should be supported by the entire user base. It can only be a good thing for the platform, I feel.

 

[iamtim]

Of course, it was not 'necessary'.

So... I never once said that anyone else's preferences were not worthy, nor did I insult anyone's preferences. As that was my only point, why were you arguing with me? Rage-gasm because I didn't fall in-line with the "multiple volume profiles" crowd? Or...?

 

[blessthejon]

You are missing out on nothing and Windows Phones also get Amber alerts.

 

[iamtim]

As I pointed out to Dave above, any request for enhancements that come without you losing anything (as in this case) should be supported by the entire user base. It can only be a good thing for the platform, I feel.

Sorry for replying to the same post twice, but I just saw this. All I can say is, "huh."

Do you also vote strictly along party lines, because that's what's good for the party?

 

[jkrc717]

You are missing out on nothing and Windows Phones also get Amber alerts.

I never got one.

 

[jkrc717]

I want to apologize to everyone. Never meant for this thread to start arguments. I'm not experienced with IPhone or Android and just wanted to know if they have more to offer other than apps. As a consumer, I want the best bang for my buck.

 

[Watupfoo09]

I haven't found that setting in my iphone4S. I did receive that Amber Alert. I believe it is AT&T's firmware update compatible with certain models of phones. I am sure if AT&T wants, they can release similar firmware updates for higher end Nokias/WP. But I also found the amber alert annoying and then couldn't find from where to turn off.

Yea my mom has a sprint 4s and it's located in her notifications setting. But I've read some people don't see the settings to enable or disable them. Must be based on location.

 

[ag1986]

Sorry for replying to the same post twice, but I just saw this. All I can say is, "huh."

Do you also vote strictly along party lines, because that's what's good for the party?

It's simple:

Let X be unified volume control. Let Y be separate controls. You want X. Many other people want Y. It could be hypothesised that some number of these people who want Y do not adopt WP because of lack of Y. Now MS wakes from their slumber and decides 'hey, we should add Y to WP and get more users!' (duh) and they add Y as an option. Now WP has X as well as Y.

Why do you have a problem with supporting someone else's request for Y? It honestly doesn't matter to me at this time, WP is far too limited for even a fraction of what I want a smartphone to do. What it can offer is not worth what I'd have to sacrifice, so I carry a Nexus 4.

I'm still interested in the platform and hope it will come to it's full potential soon, but I don't understand why users like you insist that what it has is enough when it is evident that a good number of people wish for this feature - if only because it was present on their previous phones and they're used to it.

 

[iamtim]

It's simple

Which doesn't answer my question. But that's OK, it wasn't really designed to be answered, just to show that supporting what you might not necessarily want for the good of the collective is silly.

Why do you have a problem with supporting someone else's request for Y?

Because on every phone I've ever owned, multiple volume profiles has been a pain in my bung. Because I just prefer a single, device-level volume control. Because Windows Phone is built around simplicity, and I don't see why that simplicity should be monkeyed with. Why do you have a problem with me having my own preferences and speaking out about them? Isn't that the same thing you're doing? Why do you get to do that but I don't?

I don't understand why users like you insist that what it has is enough when it is evident that a good number of people wish for this feature

And I don't understand why you insist I should support a feature I don't want. "I do not want this feature, but yes! You should totally add it because everyone else says so." That's the epitome of idiocy. Truly.

There are many feature requests I do want; separate volume profiles are not one of them.

Look... I get it. Separate volume profiles are your thing. Great, go with that. I don't slight you for your preferences. Aren't I due the same respect? A single volume control is my thing, and I'm going to go with that. You're not being asked to like it or support it, just to recognize that other people have different preferences than you do. Is it really that hard for you to agree to disagree?

 

[Coolknight1968]

As much as I love WP8, have a Ativ-S, 8X and a 8S... My primary phone is my HTC One Android. The One is awesome and the camera is a very capable 4mp camera, but a Lumia 1020 camera it is not. But it is truly a zero lag Android, quite a refreshing Android experience. I recommend the HTC One to anyone that wants zero lag and features that actually work nicely without Touchwiz complication and lag. But... Keep a WP, I think it is getting much better in 2014 with 8.1

 

[Boris Lozac]

A single volume control is my thing, and I'm going to go with that.

We're not talking about million sliders if that's what's too complicated for you. Just when i lower the volume on the video, that it remembers it's for VIDEO, not ringtone?
You maybe don't want to sound like that, but you come across as very annoying..

 

[pcangeldust]

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE stop arguing about volume control.

WP8 Doesn't even have USB tethering. WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even feature phones use to have that.

 

[iamtim]

We're not talking about million sliders if that's what's too complicated for you.

I never said it was too complicated for me. Evidently, however, "to each their own" is too complicated for you. What is the issue with you and that other dude so intent upon correcting my preference for a single, device-level volume control? Do you have nothing better to do? Is your life so empty that "convincing iamtim that he's wrong about volume control" is at the top of your list?

Take a break. Go outside. Get some fresh air. Enjoy the day.

you come across as very annoying

Pot? Meet kettle.

If I am that annoying, I invite you to stop reading and replying to my posts. Put me on your ignore list.

 

[Duvi]

Only standout issues for me are the lack of orientation lock and independent volume control. They are the things I'd need most.

That's the same for me. Orientation lock is my #1. Didn't realize how much I use it until I'm lying down somewhere.
Sent from my RM-877_nam_att_205 using Board Express

 

[RJ G]

Not going back to a WP atleast for a while, coming from an iphone 5 i found WP very limited, felt like a phone still in beta stages.

Many apps are not there, i dont want to use third party apps that are just a copy and dont work the same as the original one intended.

Universal Volume sucks, and yes its this ''small simple'' thing that made me realized how good it is to use other devices without having to worry each time i see a video then set the correct volume because someone may be trying to reach me later on. How can anybody defend this, sorry but this is absurd.

It seems as if some wp (some not all) like to pretend theres nothing wrong with being limited, the most constant excuse i find to justify is ''i dont care about that app, i dont care about that feature'' even it that means it will make things easier for them.

Yes, WP is interesting and yes it has potential but it is far from a finished platform...

I could see how someone with no smartphone background could end up liking wp, for instance my sister loves her low end nokia device but then again she used a phone without a camera and internet before so i understand her.

 

[Boris Lozac]

How can anybody defend this, sorry but this is absurd.

Well there are always that kind of people..
I love WP and my 520 so far, probably wouldn't go back to any Android less then some Nexus or something, but i'm not blind either..

 

[iamtim]

Universal Volume sucks ... sorry but this is absurd.

For you it sucks. For others it doesn't. The true absurdity is that you can't see past your own preferences to accept that other people might not share them.

It seems as if some wp (some not all) like to pretend theres nothing wrong with being limited ... even it that means it will make things easier for them.

I can tell you that I, when it comes to device volume, am not limited by the single volume control. If I want the sound coming from my phone to be louder, I turn it up. If I want the sound coming from my phone to be quieter, I turn it down. That's not limiting, IMHO, that's just the way it should work. You disagree and that's fine.

My question for you is this: who are you to tell anyone else if a given feature will make things easier for them? You don't know them, their workflow, their preferences or desires.