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

[Xpider_MX]

Visit Feature Suggestions: Top (32404 ideas) and you will know what are missing from WP... You will know what android have and WP haven't. There are a bunch of necessary features are missing from WP:
1. There is no File Manager.
2. Browsers don't download files straight into device, but to SkyDrive.
3. You can't close apps on task manager as like on iPhone and Android.
4. Media and Ringer volumes are same. So that there is 50% chance to miss your incoming calls.
5. SD card is read only. No apps have full support to SD card.
6. No Notification Center as like iPhone and Android., and even there is no Notification indicator(Blink LED).
7. Large and major thing is the 'Other Storage' kills all phone storage. It takes about 1.5-2GB of Available 4.8GB., ON Nokia Lumia (520,620,720).
8. We can't download Torrents on Mobile as like Android and Symbian. There are apps like wpTorrent, but the downloaded torrent file resides in apps' storage, and we can't transfer it to our PC. WTF!!!!!!
9. Another most frustrating thing is lack of Official Apps like Facebook, GMail, Gtalk, YouTube, Instagram, Google Maps, etc.

I'm really happy with my L920, and yes, I know Android, I have an android tablet.

Maybe WP is not for you.

 

[Doohickie]

Don't forget no USB tethering

What is "USB tethering"?

 

[pcangeldust]

What is "USB tethering"?

USB tethering is similar to internet sharing and allows you to share your mobile internet (from sim) to a computer whether that be a laptop or desktop through a USB connection.

The advantage of this is you can browse using your computer if you don't have an active broadband connection.
Also you can charge your phone whilst using USB tethering and you do not need a wireless/Wifi connection on your laptop or computer when sharing internet.

The connection is also more stable and secure because you are doing it through USB cable instead of over the air.

 

[caesar500]

I'm projecting a bit, but I think people feel that GDR2 and GDR3 are things that should have taken place a while ago. Support for more devices is key, but how could you not plan for that at the launch of the next generation? So, I think frustration comes from a lack of foresight. The tension potentially increased with Blue getting pushed back to 2014. On the flip side, the positive spin is that MSFT is ramping up to make changes. The problem is that these things already exist on Android and iPhone so WP users get miffed. It is almost like what's taking you so long MSFT? You had to know these things were necessary, so even though it is important existing users are anxious for new features to gain parity and advantages. over the mobile operating systems. IT also seems like Nokia is frustrated, when their VP called MSFT for taking so long. It seems like a mixed bag. Yes, we need GDR2 and GDR3, but the planning and timing versus new basic cellphone features (see previous post from other folks) is a tough spot. At least this is how I see it.

 

[iamtim]

There are a bunch of necessary features are missing from WP

"Necessary" is subjective. To assume that they're necessary to you means they're necessary to the platform is presumptuous. To wit:

1. There is no File Manager.

Desirable, but not necessary.

2. Browsers don't download files straight into device, but to SkyDrive.

No opinion, don't care either way.

3. You can't close apps on task manager as like on iPhone and Android.

You don't need to; apps are tombstoned and reclaimed as needed. If you must, you can long-tap on the back button, switch to an app, and back button out of it to close it. No task manager needed.

4. Media and Ringer volumes are same. So that there is 50% chance to miss your incoming calls.

I actually prefer this. I've never missed an incoming call I didn't want to miss.

5. SD card is read only. No apps have full support to SD card.

No comment; I have a 920 which doesn't have an SD card.

6. No Notification Center as like iPhone and Android., and even there is no Notification indicator(Blink LED).

Notification centers are overrated, IMHO. I don't need one as the home screen IS the notification center, and that works perfectly for me. On my iPhone, I turned off the notification center.

7. Large and major thing is the 'Other Storage' kills all phone storage. It takes about 1.5-2GB of Available 4.8GB., ON Nokia Lumia (520,620,720).

Might be an issue. I've not had a problem with it, but again, I've got a 920 with plenty of space and it was never an issue on my other WPs (520, 820, 8X).

8. We can't download Torrents on Mobile as like Android and Symbian.

No comment.

9. Another most frustrating thing is lack of Official Apps like Facebook, GMail, Gtalk, YouTube, Instagram, Google Maps, etc.

If you're stuck on having official apps, that's on you. For me, the built in Facebook integration is exactly the level of smartphone Facebook I want. Instance works GREAT for Instagram, and I avoid Google like the plague.

So yeah, don't always take what one poster declares necessary as actually necessary for the platform. Too many people here are confused between the two.

 

[kamikaze80]

orientation lock, fixing xbox music to make it like zune software, separate volume for music and ringer, solving "other storage" issue - this is all basic **** that should've been done 3 yrs ago and, one would think, would take about a week to fix if MS really cared.

that's why there's so much angst about it. MS has been tooling around with 4% market share and they cant/wont even fix these very simple, basic issues.

 

[iamtim]

orientation lock, fixing xbox music to make it like zune software, separate volume for music and ringer, solving "other storage" issue - this is all basic **** that should've been done 3 yrs ago

So YOU think. But not everyone shares your views; aside of the "other storage" issue, I don't see eye-to-eye on any of them. To wit, I see no need for an orientation lock (not that I'm denying there should be one, I'm only saying I don't care and it's not a high priority "thing"); while Xbox Music might have some issues, making it like Zune software is not the answer; and I prefer unified volume controls.

And I know I'm not the only person with those views. Just because YOU think something is important does not mean it's important to the *platform*.

and, one would think, would take about a week to fix if MS really cared.

Obviously you're not a software developer.

 

[pcangeldust]

No USB tethering.
Such a basic feature missing come on microsoft.
A file manager would be nice and even though I rarely download, it should be stored on the phone not skydrive.

 

[downhillrider]

I havent been keeping up too much with the new updates since I sold my 920 for a HTC One, but is GDR update will it bring orientation lock and the long rumored notification panel or whatever they would call it?

 

[Boris Lozac]

So YOU think. But not everyone shares your views

Aren't you a proper ******.. People are expressing very valid flaws of the system, and yes, all that, no AirDroid kind of software, no app to hide your videos (yes i want some porn go away), it will be among your cat and rainbow videos, and Google services, that one should be in bold. And yes, stuck process battery drainage issue..

 

[pcangeldust]

and no USB tethering lol

it really pissed me off that such a basic feature is missing come on dude.

I had to internet share over wifi with my android phone and then USB tether using the android.

 

[hary536]

He may mean Amber Alert because they have a setting to enable "Government Alerts" and when it goes off it can be annoying. (My mom has a 4s) 

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.

 

[jkrc717]

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

I don't see the need for a notification center. My live tiles show me everything. I do somewhat miss the blinking notification light i had on BB.

The other thing I miss about BB that I'm sure IPhone and Android have is customization.

Those are the only things I can think of, but none is a deal breaker. Everything else I read on this thread and by doing my own research I care zero for.

A deal breaker for me is that you have to go thru ITunes to do anything with the IPhone. Being able to plug in a USB cord into my PC to transfer files is big for me.

The GDR updates should fix everything else for me. It does irk me a little that updates take so long. That could be a deal breaker.

I'll be honest, if BB had the apps of an IPhone, Android or even WP, that would be my preferred choice. Although I haven't tried BB10 and by the looks of it, I'm not sure I like all the swiping.

Nokia is the #1 reason why I decided to go with WP. They're great. It seems that MFT is the reason for any and all flaws. If Nokia jumps ship, so will I.

Like I said before, I could care less who's 1st or 2nd or 3rd and so on. I don't care about the companies. Why would I? I'm a consumer. I want the best bang for my buck. If I want a flagship phone, then it better damn be one.

If I wanted to buy a cheese burger and McDonalds was the only place that offered cheese, why would I go to burger king?

I do LOVE my 920 so I think I'm going to wait until the next flagship phones come out and make a decision. Which should be fairly soon. However, if WP does not get their act together very soon, I will not wait.

Not about being impatient either. It's about everything else.

FYI, the amber alert was some government type of alert. Not a deal breaker, but still thought it was cool.

 

[rockstarzzz]

Visit Feature Suggestions: Top (32404 ideas) and you will know what are missing from WP... You will know what android have and WP haven't. There are a bunch of necessary features are missing from WP:
1. There is no File Manager.
2. Browsers don't download files straight into device, but to SkyDrive.
3. You can't close apps on task manager as like on iPhone and Android.
4. Media and Ringer volumes are same. So that there is 50% chance to miss your incoming calls.
5. SD card is read only. No apps have full support to SD card.
6. No Notification Center as like iPhone and Android., and even there is no Notification indicator(Blink LED).
7. Large and major thing is the 'Other Storage' kills all phone storage. It takes about 1.5-2GB of Available 4.8GB., ON Nokia Lumia (520,620,720).
8. We can't download Torrents on Mobile as like Android and Symbian. There are apps like wpTorrent, but the downloaded torrent file resides in apps' storage, and we can't transfer it to our PC. WTF!!!!!!
9. Another most frustrating thing is lack of Official Apps like Facebook, GMail, Gtalk, YouTube, Instagram, Google Maps, etc.

I'm practically sick of people turning up with their own interpretation of the OS. You need to have been with WP for a long enough time to understand how it works. When you compare potato with a melon - you will find differences.

1. There is no File Manager.
2. Browsers don't download files straight into device, but to SkyDrive. - Urm not sure that happens, none of my Skydrive folder has anything I've ever downloaded.
3. You can't close apps on task manager as like on iPhone and Android.- You don't need to. They are "closed" ie WP language tombstoned as soon as you leave them.
4. Media and Ringer volumes are same. So that there is 50% chance to miss your incoming calls. - No I've never missed my call in 3 years!
5. SD card is read only. No apps have full support to SD card.
6. No Notification Center as like iPhone and Android., and even there is no Notification indicator(Blink LED). - You have live tiles and 3 sizes to pin and see as much of a notification as you want. Those that don't have live tile working you can compare them to apps on Android and iOS that don't have notifications working.
7. Large and major thing is the 'Other Storage' kills all phone storage. It takes about 1.5-2GB of Available 4.8GB., ON Nokia Lumia (520,620,720). - It doesn't anymore with update GDR2.
8. We can't download Torrents on Mobile as like Android and Symbian. There are apps like wpTorrent, but the downloaded torrent file resides in apps' storage, and we can't transfer it to our PC. WTF!!!!!! - Torrents bring malware and no thank you I am happy to not do that on my phone - WP isn't malware magnet like the ones you speak of.
9. Another most frustrating thing is lack of Official Apps like Facebook, GMail, Gtalk, YouTube, Instagram, Google Maps, etc - App gap has always been there and will be there. Google apps won't come on this OS because Google won't stand competition. Other official apps have come at the rate of 2-3 apps a month in last one year or may be even more.

It does irk me a little that updates take so long. That could be a deal breaker
However, if WP does not get their act together very soon, I will not wait.
Not about being impatient either. It's about everything else.
.

You need patience with WP. It's slow but steady in the game. It doesn't need to rush like iPhone had to or Android had to. Those two OS had to rush and do things quickly because marketshares were up for grabs. WP is more like a pet project that Microsoft would like to evolve with the whole ecosystem. If you think of it as ecosystem point of view, it is going to strongly progress. But as a phone on its own, you need plenty of patience. These GDR updates are tiny updates between two major annual updates. So you get a major update, three tiny GDRs in 12 months span end of that year you get another major update. Compare that to other phones it is still the same - one major update a year PLUS 3 small patches in between. That is not slow, that is consistent and uniform + with Nokia there will be a firmware update EVERY time so technically in a year you get 8 updates on your phone that add small features with one update of huge overhaul.

 

[Boris Lozac]

IThey are "closed" ie WP language tombstoned as soon as you leave them.

This will be great if it was true, but it isn't. You are not noticing hundread of threads on the web about stuck process/app issue, that drains the battery?

 

[rockstarzzz]

This will be great if it was true, but it isn't. You are not noticing hundread of threads on the web about stuck process/app issue, that drains the battery?

That is true, you believe it or not is upto you. The threads are of apps misbehaving when not correctly coded. Nothing to do with OS. e.g. look and read up on Nokia Drive issue which won't tombstone app but then it was fixed.

Aren't you a proper ******.. People are expressing very valid flaws of the system, and yes, all that, no AirDroid kind of software, no app to hide your videos (yes i want some porn go away), it will be among your cat and rainbow videos, and Google services, that one should be in bold. And yes, stuck process battery drainage issue..

There are apps to hide your porn.

 

[Boris Lozac]

Well all apps that i do have are the best apps in the market. The problem is there, the OS should kill them when they get stuck, but it doesn't. Unlike ANdroid i can't pinpoint which app/process is causing the problem.

As for porn, show me one You can hide pictures, but i've tried them all and none of them work for videos.

 

[rockstarzzz]

Well all apps that i do have are the best apps in the market. The problem is there, the OS should kill them when they get stuck, but it doesn't. Unlike ANdroid i can't pinpoint which app/process is causing the problem.

As for porn, show me one You can hide pictures, but i've tried them all and none of them work for videos.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/private-video/8163c4b9-2a48-441f-ad6e-be5dd7d686a8

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/pic-lock-ultimate/1f038027-7f46-4352-857e-818526f6208b

Private Hub | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United Kingdom)

OS kills all my tombstone apps, literally all since last 3 years. Nothing goes wild in background, only stay in a paused state doing nothing to my battery.

 

[Boris Lozac]

You just linked me to those that i've already tried, ok didn't the first one but i see that i have to first upload a video to Skydrive, useless..

Some problem is there with WP8's battery, i've stumbled upon many threads, maybe it's not the apps but something is going on and it's random, and it needs to be fixed..

 

[rockstarzzz]

You just linked me to those that i've already tried, ok didn't the first one but i see that i have to first upload a video to Skydrive, useless.. ..

You don't need to upload it first to Skydrive. Seems you try and skim and interpret the way you want to interpret? It gives you an option to "import and export" to Skydrive an added option for private videos! You just lock your videos in app using 6 digit PIN!

Some problem is there with WP8's battery, i've stumbled upon many threads, maybe it's not the apps but something is going on and it's random, and it needs to be fixed..

That's is very subjective and vague statement. Battery is more than subjective observation to start with. So I'm not indulging in this vague conversation. I hope your issues are fixed and hopefully a thread or two on the right topic may help you.