[SolunaKitty]

You need to unlock your phone to use that. Im just a regular phone user. Be nice if that was one of the themes though..

If you have a .edu address, you can unlock it for free, but it will require a little work.

[Rocket_Girl]

If you have a .edu address, you can unlock it for free, but it will require a little work.

SolunaKitty- where could I find the instructions for this? I am .edu but *not* a developer...if this unlock will allow other SIM's while traveling, it may be worth the work!

[Big Supes]

Its not really unnecessary. Options are good.

Options are nice, but unnecessary options clutter. The reason I say it's "unnecessary" is because Live Tiles are a selling point of WP and most people, at least, try out a phone before buying it.

It's like someone ordering a Shelby Mustang over the phone and then saying "is there any way to get rid of that awesome sound of the supercharged V8". :D

Some people may like alot of other things about the os, some may love the live tiles. My opinion is completely unbiased because I didn't choose wp7 for any reason over another os. My questions and suggestions come from experiencing this phone. My opinions matter because Im among the 90% of people Microsoft needs to target.

I see where you're coming from, but 90% of people MS need to target actually try out a phone before buying it. They pick it up, give it a test drive and the rest follows. If they don't like the tiles, that'll smack them in the face the moment they pick it up. I'm pretty sure they won't be asking if there's an option to turn them off.

[jdd77]

I see where you're coming from, but 90% of people MS need to target actually try out a phone before buying it. They pick it up, give it a test drive and the rest follows. If they don't like the tiles, that'll smack them in the face the moment they pick it up. I'm pretty sure they won't be asking if there's an option to turn them off.

You are right. But getting this phone the way I did made me think of something about the OS-
What if I chose one of the 6 android phones I was offered? Do you think I would be posting in forums about options, settings, the home screen, notifications, etc..? Even if someone 'test-drived' this phone before buying, and liked it.. just the lack of settings or customization may turn them off.
Genius is in developing a new technology that has aspects that can appeal to EVERYONE, without defaming its original innovative idea.
If I picked any phone "X" and hated it, don't you think somewhere along the way I could get used to it or make it the way I like? This also goes for getting wp7 as a gift or a company choosing this phone for it's employees, or anyone else just wanting to try something different.

You may wanna test drive a new car to see if you like how it feels, or listen to a new artist before buying their album....but something used for communication should be designed in a way that anyone could get used to.

[Big Supes]

You are right. But getting this phone the way I did made me think of something about the OS-

Sure, but you've been presented with a problem due to your failure to research what you're buying.

What if I chose one of the 6 android phones I was offered? Do you think I would be posting in forums about options, settings, the home screen, notifications, etc..? Even if someone 'test-drived' this phone before buying, and liked it.. just the lack of settings or customization may turn them off.

This is what it really boils down to... and I expected as much. Windows Phone isn't Android so, again, maybe you should have researched the platform you were choosing before getting it and wanting to change it. One of the main reasons I don't own an Android is because of the backward menus and endless settings. I just want my phone to work. Upon playing with WP, I knew within minutes that we spoke the same language. I could have easily just gone with Android (without testing it) and then complained that it needed tightening up, but that kinda illogic is odd.

Genius is in developing a new technology that has aspects that can appeal to EVERYONE, without defaming its original innovative idea.

Couldn't have put it better, and "defaming its original innovative idea" pretty much summarises disabling the core Live Tiles (people/me tile).

If I picked any phone "X" and hated it, don't you think somewhere along the way I could get used to it or make it the way I like? This also goes for getting wp7 as a gift or a company choosing this phone for it's employees, or anyone else just wanting to try something different.

I think all the platforms stand out from one another, catering for different kinds of users. Also, no amount of customising Android could I get used to one. It's interface is very different from WP and that's the bottom line.

You may wanna test drive a new car to see if you like how it feels, or listen to a new artist before buying their album....but something used for communication should be designed in a way that anyone could get used to.

There's "customising" and then there's the actual UI. Android's customisation kinda feels like rolling a turd in glitter; it looks nicer, but it's still a turd.

[Justin.TV312]

You are right. But getting this phone the way I did made me think of something about the OS-
What if I chose one of the 6 android phones I was offered? Do you think I would be posting in forums about options, settings, the home screen, notifications, etc..? Even if someone 'test-drived' this phone before buying, and liked it.. just the lack of settings or customization may turn them off.
Genius is in developing a new technology that has aspects that can appeal to EVERYONE, without defaming its original innovative idea.
If I picked any phone "X" and hated it, don't you think somewhere along the way I could get used to it or make it the way I like? This also goes for getting wp7 as a gift or a company choosing this phone for it's employees, or anyone else just wanting to try something different.

You may wanna test drive a new car to see if you like how it feels, or listen to a new artist before buying their album....but something used for communication should be designed in a way that anyone could get used to.

Oh yes you would be posting in Android forums but about different and more serious issues other than how to stop something from flipping or how to get a song to stop appearing in the volume bar.

[jdd77]

There's "customising" and then there's the actual UI. Android's customisation kinda feels like rolling a turd in glitter; it looks nicer, but it's still a turd.

This OS is still incomplete yet.

[SolunaKitty]

SolunaKitty- where could I find the instructions for this? I am .edu but *not* a developer...if this unlock will allow other SIM's while traveling, it may be worth the work!

Oh, this would be a dev-unlock, not a SIM-unlock, unfortunately.

In any case, you'd have to register with MS DreamSpark, verify with the .edu address, download the package, register with the apphub, and then you can unlock the phone.

[Justin.TV312]

This OS is still incomplete yet.

you have no idea what you are talking about. I have yet to see one significant thing besides siri that iOS can do that you can't do in wp7. IN FACT on my sis iTouch the safari browser constantly crashes and the whole unit freezes when she tries to play this hungry cat game. On my HD7 I have yet to see a freeze up and have yet to see IE crash in its entirety (only seen single tabs crash once a week or so).

[jdd77]

^^^Then why was there NoDo, Mango? Why are we waiting for Tango, Apollo?..These aren't necessarily updates. They are crucial features of any smartphone OS that were left out upon the release of wp7. That's why it's incomplete. WP is innovative and certainly works great, but its incomplete.

[Big Supes]

This OS is still incomplete yet.

I'm sorry, I'm not following...

[Justin.TV312]

^^^Then why was there NoDo, Mango? Why are we waiting for Tango, Apollo?..These aren't necessarily updates. They are crucial features of any smartphone OS that were left out upon the release of wp7. That's why it's incomplete. WP is innovative and certainly works great, but its incomplete.

Why does Android have cupcake,donut,clair,froyo,gingerbread,honeycomb and ICS?
still make no sense

[1jaxstate1]

What OS is complete and totally finished, where they are no more updated coming? WebOS maybe. LOL!

^^^Then why was there NoDo, Mango? Why are we waiting for Tango, Apollo?..These aren't necessarily updates. They are crucial features of any smartphone OS that were left out upon the release of wp7. That's why it's incomplete. WP is innovative and certainly works great, but its incomplete.

[jdd77]

I'm sorry, I'm not following...

As you well know, we have discussed this before in much greater depth in previous threads..so not gonna get too much into it again here. But one last example of what I mean-
How can a 'smart' phone be released without universal search? This is not comparing to android, but to any phone. My basic flip-phone had it. But Im sure it will come in an "update" as a cool "new" feature for wp7. Just like copy/paste or multitasking(which still needs alot of work btw).
I understand this OS is a completely different and innovative take. But I don't understand why standard functions need to be left out for the sake of being different. Or to reduce 'clutter' as you would say. This is what I mean by it being incomplete. Again, I didn't choose this phone for what it is or what it's not, over something else...but as 'someone off the street' so-to-speak, and not already in the ecosystem- I find there are several things that need to be completed as a competing OS, before any new updates can truly be "new".

[bigkevbosky]

Being honest, I dont want unnecessary options integrated into the OS because a minority of people fail to research the phone/OS they're buying. Live Tiles are a key function to WP. You either dig it or you dont.


Sent from my HD7 T9292 using Board Express

How are "any" options unnecessary? Because you think they are?

I don't want any live tiles on my home screen. Its distracting when there's a bunch of them flipping around. And I get all my notifications on my lock screen, which is the FIRST thing I see when I use my phone. Why exactly do I need numerous notifications that I missed a phone call, for example? I get one at the top of the screen when it happens, a missed call indication on the lock screen, and then the live tile will show I missed a call.

I've given up live tiles so I can skin the tiles however I want, with whatever colors I want. I consider it a fair trade. And the reason I chose this OS wasn't for live tiles, it was because of how smooth it worked, how crash-free it seemed, and how minimalistic it was. Live tiles have nothing to do with any of that.

I think having more options is great - its not like we're treading into Android waters of crazy widgets or anything. All the guy wants to do is turn off one live tile.

[bigkevbosky]

All I know is that all the apps I have that support the feature have the ability to disable it,such as VEVO,USA Today,AccuWeather,I could go on.

For some reason, USA Today was a pain in the butt to stop with the live tile. i tried numerous times, even uninstalled and reinstalled, and eventually just had to un-pin it as it never turned off for me.

[Nataku4ca]

dear god, anybody feel there is alot of anger this new year?

any way i just want to say a few little things on my mind about this thread.

firstly, no os is really unfinished/complete, there are always things to add, but even without them they still do work lol

second thing, windows phone is a year old, don't be too hard on it, MS already said they are prioritizing features to implement so I think this is just a matter of your needs are not in high priority as some other things so may be it will get implemented later

now i agree options are good, but how they are presented is also very important, i didn't like how the list of things to change are so long in android, but then again i hope there were more settings to fiddle around with, so lets just hope when they do come up with more options they are better presented

sooooo, jdd77 you don't seriously hate everything about the phone right? i think it's worth while to see if there are any tricks to help with the issue he is having instead of bashing him for not liking live tiles (not saying the other guys are wrong since i do believe live tile is one of the biggest feature i like... but to each of its own)

oh and... happy new year? :P

[Justin.TV312]

How are "any" options unnecessary? Because you think they are?

I don't want any live tiles on my home screen. Its distracting when there's a bunch of them flipping around. And I get all my notifications on my lock screen, which is the FIRST thing I see when I use my phone. Why exactly do I need numerous notifications that I missed a phone call, for example? I get one at the top of the screen when it happens, a missed call indication on the lock screen, and then the live tile will show I missed a call.

I've given up live tiles so I can skin the tiles however I want, with whatever colors I want. I consider it a fair trade. And the reason I chose this OS wasn't for live tiles, it was because of how smooth it worked, how crash-free it seemed, and how minimalistic it was. Live tiles have nothing to do with any of that.

I think having more options is great - its not like we're treading into Android waters of crazy widgets or anything. All the guy wants to do is turn off one live tile.

You don't like them turn them off! SMMFH!

[Roadkillin]

You don't like them turn them off! SMMFH!

But the crux of the matter that's being discussed is that you CAN'T turn off the core live tiles, such as People and Me.

It's these tiles that people have been complaining about because they are constantly flipping between pictures and are either distracting or possibly a battery drain. The 3rd party live tiles normally do much less changing yet are the ones which can be toggled on or off.

[Justin.TV312]

But the crux of the matter that's being discussed is that you CAN'T turn off the core live tiles, such as People and Me.

It's these tiles that people have been complaining about because they are constantly flipping between pictures and are either distracting or possibly a battery drain. The 3rd party live tiles normally do much less changing yet are the ones which can be toggled on or off.

ok then unpin them, the reason they flip is to show information. There isn't any significant battery drain.

[Roadkillin]

ok then unpin them, the reason they flip is to show information. There isn't any significant battery drain.

But, why should people have to sacrifice ease of use in order to stop the aggravation/distraction of incessant movement.

Why should users be forced to swipe to the right, tap on a random letter, tap on the letter P to pull up the apps, then select the app they want to check as opposed to just tapping on a static tile? There should be an option within the People app for the tile to be live or not. It detracts from nobody, but allows people who have issues with the tile to have peace of mind.
Again, all it takes is a single check-box on the settings page for the People app.

Personally I like the pictures on the Live Tile but I will fight for peoples right to dislike the pictures but want access to the app.
What I can't stand is the dialer on here. I know it's personal preference, but I hate how it only shows the call history. I think the diminutive circle icons are more trouble than they're worth. At the very least the Dialer app should follow the rest of the Metro UI. You should be able to swipe between call history, dial pad, contacts, and possibly visual voicemail. Personally I'd rather it default to the dial pad, and I know there are others like me, but at the same time there are many people who prefer the call history.

The OS should be smooth and easy enough for ALL people to use, and sometimes you need at least a few settings/options to make people happy. I'd say that's why Android is so much more popular, even though I love so much about the clever feature integration within WP7 it just isn't easy enough to mold to the majority of people.

[Big Supes]

As you well know, we have discussed this before in much greater depth in previous threads..so not gonna get too much into it again here. But one last example of what I mean-
How can a 'smart' phone be released without universal search? This is not comparing to android, but to any phone. My basic flip-phone had it. But Im sure it will come in an "update" as a cool "new" feature for wp7. Just like copy/paste or multitasking(which still needs alot of work btw).
I understand this OS is a completely different and innovative take. But I don't understand why standard functions need to be left out for the sake of being different. Or to reduce 'clutter' as you would say. This is what I mean by it being incomplete.

I'm finding it difficult to relate this "incomplete" argument to our conversation. No OS is 'complete'. Completion is an illusion that technology chases.

Again, I didn't choose this phone for what it is or what it's not, over something else...but as 'someone off the street' so-to-speak, and not already in the ecosystem- I find there are several things that need to be completed as a competing OS, before any new updates can truly be "new".

As stated previously, I really don't see how you're "someone off the street". For starters, you never made it off the coach and into the street, or even tried the phone/OS before purchasing it. Putting it loosely (and I always trust my gut), knowing you're a big fan of Android, I suspect WP generated enough noise for you to want to compare the two. I see so many Android fans 'comparing'... I guess it's natural to do so, but you loose all objectivity when the ante is set by something you favour.

How are "any" options unnecessary? Because you think they are?

Okay, I stand corrected; I forgot "IMO". Kinda took a leap of faith...

I don't want any live tiles on my home screen. Its distracting when there's a bunch of them flipping around.

So, please, enlighten me... how does that work, exactly?

*Walks into phone store*

"Hmm... what's this? Ohh, it's that Windows Phone I've heard about. Damn, those tiles flipping around are distracting. I'LL TAKE IT!".

:D

And I get all my notifications on my lock screen, which is the FIRST thing I see when I use my phone. Why exactly do I need numerous notifications that I missed a phone call, for example? I get one at the top of the screen when it happens, a missed call indication on the lock screen, and then the live tile will show I missed a call.

The toast comes in handy when it's locked, for example, tonight I was sat in the theatre watching M.I 4, my phone vibrated, I took a sneaky look and saw it was a text, who it was from, and the start of the message. If I hadn't looked, I would have unlocked my phone and checked the live tile.

I've given up live tiles so I can skin the tiles however I want, with whatever colors I want. I consider it a fair trade. And the reason I chose this OS wasn't for live tiles, it was because of how smooth it worked, how crash-free it seemed, and how minimalistic it was. Live tiles have nothing to do with any of that.

Like I said before, I'm all up for customising tiles with different colours, etc. I just don't see any sense in having an option to disable the core functionality of the home screen.

I think having more options is great - its not like we're treading into Android waters of crazy widgets or anything. All the guy wants to do is turn off one live tile.

Options are great, I agree, but where does it stop? Just an option to turn off live tile. Just an option for a different notification system. Just an option for different dialler settings. Just an option for folders and sub-folders. Just an option for different size tiles. Just an option for different colour tiles. Just an option for background wallpapers... and the list goes on. Suddenly, WP has gone from being a cleverly thought out OS that anyone can pick up and get along with, to being a minefield of configuration and options.

IMO, options need to be factored and prioritised by MS from people who have a genuine interest into the OS. People who pick up the phone and love it for what it is; not from Android fans who order it without seeing it, purely to compare.

[bigkevbosky]

So, please, enlighten me... how does that work, exactly?

*Walks into phone store*

"Hmm... what's this? Ohh, it's that Windows Phone I've heard about. Damn, those tiles flipping around are distracting. I'LL TAKE IT!".

My Focus can easily do internet sharing with a simple hack. I don't need the function, because I never plan to use my phone that way. Some people do. Live tiles are simply a fun option of the OS - the "experience" of WP7 is in no way degraded by not having them. You think its fun and not distracting to have live tiles, I prefer them non-live. And the great thing would be, for MS to make simple options, not complicated with hacks etc, to turn off the live functionality.

A perfect example - the Zune tile. For some reason, you can't get it to go back to a static "Zune" logo once its synced and you have your music in there. I don't need to see a picture of the Foo Fighters zooming in and out on my home screen. So now I have to unlock my phone, download Supreme Shortcuts or Themes, and get my Zune tile back. Or I can wipe my phone and on new install simply not connect with Zune. Or, I guess, I could unpin my music player from my home screen, and have to swipe then scroll down to launch the app. Why is all this necessary? Can't there just be ONE simple "off" toggle switch in "Zune" settings?

I just don't see any sense in having an option to disable the core functionality of the home screen.

But the core functionality of the home screen is the TILE, not the "live" nature of it. Does it separate WP7 from the other OS options? Sure. When you take the "live" aspect away from tiles does it just become an iOS like icon launch pad? Sure. But either way, that doesn't affect YOU and how you use the phone. It affects ME because I'm the one choosing to lose the functionality. You know what I mean?

Options are great, I agree, but where does it stop? Just an option to turn off live tile. Just an option for a different notification system. Just an option for different dialler settings. Just an option for folders and sub-folders. Just an option for different size tiles. Just an option for different colour tiles. Just an option for background wallpapers... and the list goes on. Suddenly, WP has gone from being a cleverly thought out OS that anyone can pick up and get along with, to being a minefield of configuration and options.

Not really - I'd argue that iOS has tons more options when you go into the settings menu, yet most people would say its the simplest OS to use.

And, again, I'm not trying to be a *****, I just don't understand how having options to customize the phone in the way I want hurts YOUR experience. I'm really trying hard to see your point how more options are bad, but I can't. The option is there, its your choice to utilize it. If turning off live tiles is an option deep in the settings menu, how does that ruin your phone or suddenly make WP a "cleverly thought out OS" to a "minefield"?

[PG2G]

And, again, I'm not trying to be a *****, I just don't understand how having options to customize the phone in the way I want hurts YOUR experience. I'm really trying hard to see your point how more options are bad, but I can't. The option is there, its your choice to utilize it. If turning off live tiles is an option deep in the settings menu, how does that ruin your phone or suddenly make WP a "cleverly thought out OS" to a "minefield"?

I haven't really been involved in this argument, just wanted to put in my 2 cents.

I understand everyone's wants and needs are different and it'd be nice to meet everyone's. Unfortunately, software development is an act of balancing cost, schedule, and resources. Them spending time to implement and test options for the 1% that want that option takes away from the resources that could have been used to implement and test options that are desired by 90% of users.

Would you say that an option to turn off tile animation is as important as the ability to control volume separately for music and ringer? how about more important than integrating new services into the people hub?

[Justin.TV312]

But, why should people have to sacrifice ease of use in order to stop the aggravation/distraction of incessant movement.

Why should users be forced to swipe to the right, tap on a random letter, tap on the letter P to pull up the apps, then select the app they want to check as opposed to just tapping on a static tile? There should be an option within the People app for the tile to be live or not. It detracts from nobody, but allows people who have issues with the tile to have peace of mind.
Again, all it takes is a single check-box on the settings page for the People app.

Personally I like the pictures on the Live Tile but I will fight for peoples right to dislike the pictures but want access to the app.
What I can't stand is the dialer on here. I know it's personal preference, but I hate how it only shows the call history. I think the diminutive circle icons are more trouble than they're worth. At the very least the Dialer app should follow the rest of the Metro UI. You should be able to swipe between call history, dial pad, contacts, and possibly visual voicemail. Personally I'd rather it default to the dial pad, and I know there are others like me, but at the same time there are many people who prefer the call history.

The OS should be smooth and easy enough for ALL people to use, and sometimes you need at least a few settings/options to make people happy. I'd say that's why Android is so much more popular, even though I love so much about the clever feature integration within WP7 it just isn't easy enough to mold to the majority of people.

My Focus can easily do internet sharing with a simple hack. I don't need the function, because I never plan to use my phone that way. Some people do. Live tiles are simply a fun option of the OS - the "experience" of WP7 is in no way degraded by not having them. You think its fun and not distracting to have live tiles, I prefer them non-live. And the great thing would be, for MS to make simple options, not complicated with hacks etc, to turn off the live functionality.

A perfect example - the Zune tile. For some reason, you can't get it to go back to a static "Zune" logo once its synced and you have your music in there. I don't need to see a picture of the Foo Fighters zooming in and out on my home screen. So now I have to unlock my phone, download Supreme Shortcuts or Themes, and get my Zune tile back. Or I can wipe my phone and on new install simply not connect with Zune. Or, I guess, I could unpin my music player from my home screen, and have to swipe then scroll down to launch the app. Why is all this necessary? Can't there just be ONE simple "off" toggle switch in "Zune" settings?



But the core functionality of the home screen is the TILE, not the "live" nature of it. Does it separate WP7 from the other OS options? Sure. When you take the "live" aspect away from tiles does it just become an iOS like icon launch pad? Sure. But either way, that doesn't affect YOU and how you use the phone. It affects ME because I'm the one choosing to lose the functionality. You know what I mean?



Not really - I'd argue that iOS has tons more options when you go into the settings menu, yet most people would say its the simplest OS to use.

And, again, I'm not trying to be a *****, I just don't understand how having options to customize the phone in the way I want hurts YOUR experience. I'm really trying hard to see your point how more options are bad, but I can't. The option is there, its your choice to utilize it. If turning off live tiles is an option deep in the settings menu, how does that ruin your phone or suddenly make WP a "cleverly thought out OS" to a "minefield"?

Live tiles are what separates WP from the others, that and its stability and integrated services that other OSes still do not have. These complaints are by far very minor,haven't certainly seen any of these in the cons of the reviews of these phones on carrier sites. In fact the only bad reviews I see are from those who simply do not understand the OS and have not researched /tried it out before buying it. We as a forum are supposedly more advanced than the average world when it comes to buying and owning smartphones, so since they don't complain about it we most definitely shouldn't . Also complaining in a forum about this won't do anything, Microsoft created a site specifically for this.