Originally Posted by
AirSlab Hi guys,I'm seriously considering buying a Lumia 930 when my contract runs out (I have a GALAXY S II right now). I just had a few questions about Windows Phone in general. I'm really new to WP so if my questions seem obvious please bear with me.
Welcome aboard! we hope to see you soon, 930 in hand.
1. On Google Play, there's one app store for everybody and Play automatically converts app prices into your local currency. I'm South African so that makes it SA rands. I've noticed on the WP Store that there's a US store (prices in dollar) and an SA store (Rands). Does this mean that I can only buy apps from my local store, and that unlike in Play, there will be some apps that are available to US users but not me, or vice-versa?
I'm not sure personally.
2. I saw that some games in the store (like Angry Birds) have an Xbox logo on the icon. The requirements of the game state that I need "Xbox". I've never seen such a thing in Play before, so does this mean that since I don't own an Xbox, I can't own some of the WP Store games? Or am I missing something?
Xbox is the gaming service baked into Windows Phone. It does not require an Xbox console or anything for the most part. (I don't have one, newest console here is a Gamecube) So don't worry about needing an Xbox, you already do. However, some apps like Smartglass aren't games, but companion apps for Xbox consoles, which would natually need Xbox.
TL;DR, don't sweat, its just a brand for the achievements + multiplayer stuff onboard.
3. I've read that Microsoft intend to support WP 8.1 until 2017. My question is though, if I buy an 8.1 phone, how many major software updates like Windows 9 can I expect to receive? Android OEM's tend to give you whatever Google unveil up until 18 months after your device was launched, so my S II which started on Android 2.3 is now on 4.1.1 and the difference is obviously huge. Can i expect to still receive Windows 9, 10, etc. when my 930 is 18 months old?
The standard is 18 months of support for a phone. We don't expect any Windows Phone 8/9 chasm like the 7/8 fiasco anytime soon, as that may ring WP's death knell.
However, the support timeframe is for the OS itself, Windows Phone 8.2, 8.3, 9, 20, whatever is bound to be out by then and available for your device. You can definitely reasonably expect to see "9" or whatever version number it is, but 10, its a bit far off. We don't know MS's plans for sure, or if they even have detailed plans like that. But I'm sure they're relatively reasonable.
Worth noting that carriers often have the last say in updates. Example, T-Mobile barred the Lumia 810 from receiving official updates beyond WP 8.0 + Lumia Amber but will be updating the Lumia 925 and 521 to WP 8.1 + Lumia Cyan this summer. Also worth noting that unlike Android, there is not much in the way of custom ROMs as of now. Not too big of a deal for most people, but some might prefer otherwise.
Thanks for reading, your comments will be much appreciated!:)