I want THIS on my Windows Phone!

[trandz]

The argument of "why would you want this" is pointless and dumb. Just because YOU dont want it, doesnt mean its a useless feature. Obviously setting actual pictures is useless, but at least something! Like a color instead of black/white, or some minor images like on Windows 8.1

 

[Pratham Sarwate]

i feel they should make tiles semi-transparent, like windows 8/8.1 desktop taskbar. if they combine this with a wallpaper that would keep data and text on tiles distinct, while adding to the looks.

 

[hopmedic]

The best argument against it is resources. Should Microsoft devote resources to developing this feature that a couple of people want and most find useless, or should they devote resources to something with far greater impact?

 

[neo158]

Ugh, hate this kind of ****. Would make Windows Phone sooooooo ugly. But I'm afraid they'll do this once they merge RT and WP.

I don't understand why people are in love with cluttering their start screen. It actually makes it harder to use because your brain/eyes have to separate even more distractions to find what its looking for.

This is why users suck sometimes. They want what is worse for them.

This is exactly why bespoke software developers tell the customers what they should have instead :wink:

 

[John20212]

The best argument against it is resources. Should Microsoft devote resources to developing this feature that a couple of people want and most find useless, or should they devote resources to something with far greater impact?

I doubt something as basic as the ability to change background would require more than a few minutes of their time, it's not rocket science to add this in.

Having more choice to customize the look of the OS is always good. For people that want to keep the current look no one is forcing you to change it, that's why its called an option.

 

[hopmedic]

I doubt something as basic as the ability to change background would require more than a few minutes of their time, it's not rocket science to add this in.

Having more choice to customize the look of the OS is always good. For people that want to keep the current look no one is forcing you to change it, that's why its called an option.

A few minutes is a huge underestimate. But even so, a few minutes wasted on something that doesn't matter is still a few minutes wasted.

Plain and simple: This will not happen. There is no point in wasting your efforts here. Suggest it on uservoice, but it's not going to happen. Suggest it here, and it has even less chance.

 

[Talk4Lig]

Looks very cool! I definitely want this in 8.1

 

[Zeem Frostmaw]

For relatively minimalist backgrounds it could work, though even for the examples given it's still kind of an eyesore, in my opinion.

That said, I feel the options for Windows Phone start screens should echo Windows 8 start screens and let us customise the background to a greater extent, even if it means simply letting us choose a different colour than Black and White. The 8.1-style interactively scrolling backgrounds would be cool, though there isn't really any space for them to express themselves, which is definitely a good thing.

 

[colinkiama]

Make an option for different colours and pictures so people can keep the original black and white theme or have a picture there that changes the look of the os by using some of the colours/patterns of the picture. This feature shall be called 'metro background'

 

[forowned]

 

[Flagz]

http://img.imgur.com/AKncxxw.jpg

http://img.imgur.com/5KbKZxE.jpg

I think it should be added for those who want it, but I really think its gross looking

 

[jmshub]

It's noisy and I'm not a big fan of it. But the upside is that if they implement it for people who want it, those who don't can continue to use a solid colored background. So, it's a win-win.

 

[Jupast]

Ok, well forgive the crapness of my 2 second and unfinished mockups, but maybe what Microsoft *might* do one day is Windows 8 style colour themes instead.

I can't imagine they'll want people walking around with their pink/green colour schemes or photos behind their tiles, it would not reflect well on the brand, but themes could possibly work.

 

[neo158]

Ok, well forgive the crapness of my 2 second and unfinished mockups, but maybe what Microsoft *might* do one day is Windows 8 style colour themes instead.

I can't imagine they'll want people walking around with their pink/green colour schemes or photos behind their tiles, it would not reflect well on the brand, but themes could possibly work.

http://i.imgur.com/yBpkyUa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/M3Djvqz.jpg

I like that idea, solid colour backgrounds other than black or white would be good. I would allow the background colour to be picked separately from the accent colour though.

 

[colinkiama]

To sum this up, Could someone just make a concept on youtube where live tiles are semi transparent and whole system colour scheme changes when you change the background to blend in with the theme

 

[khatta]

Better to have choices than not. Some may like it, some may not. You could always not use it if you hate it. Just sayin. Love my 1020

The best post on this thread that should put all discussion to rest.

 

[Geddeeee]

If all the 'ideas' from users were taken on by MS, we would end up with the bloated whale that is Android.. All style and no substance. A background image in the start screen makes zero sense, and I'm sure MS will have the good sense to ignore it. An image that would never be seen.. Good one!!
Some ideas are quite good and should be considered, but let's not just port ideas from Android or iOS. WP can offer more elegant, and useable, solutions...

 

[colinkiama]

If all the 'ideas' from users were taken on by MS, we would end up with the bloated whale that is Android.. All style and no substance. A background image in the start screen makes zero sense, and I'm sure MS will have the good sense to ignore it. An image that would never be seen.. Good one!!
Some ideas are quite good and should be considered, but let's not just port ideas from Android or iOS. WP can offer more elegant, and useable, solutions...

Havent you looked at the first post, the live tiles are semi transparent

 

[Zeem Frostmaw]

Yeah... I think every developer ever would love to be able to implement every little feature and option into their work, but there simply isn't enough time, especially for Microsoft who are still playing catchup.

They need to prioritise hard-hitting features to win their market share, and sadly, stuff like this probably isn't gonna do it.

 

[DaveGx]

The best argument against it is resources. Should Microsoft devote resources to developing this feature that a couple of people want and most find useless, or should they devote resources to something with far greater impact?

I have to ask. How the hell can it be difficult to allow background images on the main screen? There is no way that can be difficult to code. The just choose not to do it, same way they refuse to give us more color options. And dont try and tell me that giving us more tile color options would take a bunch of resources. They could do both of these things in a day or less.