fwaits
New member
From my point of view, I'm totally confused.
I had 4 Android devices going back to the HTC Hero. All of them had flaws/shortcomings in the OS version I was using - even when I started using custom ROMS. I convinced myself that the next device (And subsequent hardware and software upgrade) would satisfy my needs. When my SGS2 had serious GPS problems - I looked for alternatives.
I had an ipod, and that let me play any games/listen to music just fine, so I didn't see the point in going for an iPhone, and picked up a WP LG 900 on the cheap.
This was pre-Mango and although I liked the UI, there were serious shortcomings. I use navigation a lot, and Bing Maps is basically hopeless as such so when Nokia launched the 800, I snapped one up on launch day. Love the build, aesthetics, navigation, email client, Nokia Music and photo integration, but there are still things that I am hoping will be improved with WP8.
Thing is, I'm worried that my issues won't be addressed. The Lumia 920 gives me all I want hardware wise, but if WP8 doesn't impress me on the 29th (?), I might look back at an Android device again.
Specifically, these are deal breakers for me;
I want the ability to receive IMs/notifications when not charging. I get irritated by powering on my 800, and then getting a FB message that was sent 25 mins ago. Same with emails. If WP8 doesn't push notifications more effectively, I won't wait for an update.
I want Nokia's Maps to include a "compass view" feature. Right now, using Bing - or Nokia Maps - means that it shows you the route, but when you pivot to find which direction to start walking, the display doesn't rotate, which means I could walk about 100m, before finding out that Maps tells me that I was walking the wrong way... irritating.
I want (Pretty sure I'm covered on this one) all my IM and VOIP apps to run in the background. Whatsapp, Skype, IM, FB chat etc. No need to tell you how hopeless things are now. I know that WP8 allows 8 apps to be multitasked, but I do not want Skype closing down if it becomes the 9th (If you get what I mean).
Finally, I want MS to get their finger out and support their own OS. It's just not good enough that half the features are not supported in all but a handful of countries. Right now, I'm in Prague. Searching for "Eat and Drink" nearby with Bing is not supported here, nor most of the countries in Europe. Same with Bing Maps - searching for McDonalds whilst in Prague produces a result for McD's in Oklahoma! Hopeless.
If anybody can reassure me about any of the above, I'll be a much happier bunny.
Regarding the maps compass issue, your phone doesn't have a compass in it which is why you have to move a bit before the phone (via GPS) calculates your direction and rotates the map. I believe with WP8, a compass is standard. In WP7.x most didn't have a compass in them until then Gen 2 devices, but I don't recall exactly which ones did offhand.