Hi all,
I've been using iPhones since 2nd gen (pretty much the first ones available in Australia), for the simple reason that back then, they were simply the must have device. I am not an Apple fan by any stretch of the imagination, I just found the competition phones to be lacking in interface, usability, user experience and especially performance. Now finally with the Lumia 920 and WP8, I finally feel there is another handset out there that is on par with the iPhone, if not better.
A bit of background, I own an application development company which mostly works in the enterprise app development space (creating mobile frontends for backend systems, or even mobile AND backend systems). We also create HTML5 based cheaper applications for smaller businesses with less functionality, but being a more cost effective solution. I also consult for an IT integrator, and I work with a lot of Microsoft enterprise mobility and deployment products. At heart, I am a Microsoft guy.
When Windows 8 and the new Windows 8 Runtime was announced, I did my research. I found out some very interesting things that most consumers probably are not aware of. Namely, the new Windows Runtime (Windows RT) supports a very wide range of native programming languages (Javascript, HTML5, C#, c++, visual basic, etc etc). Not only that, but it is extremely easy for developers to publish applications across multiple devices, from the desktop to tablet (which share the same store), and easily port applications across into the mobile world. What I found most interesting was that the traditional desktop was going to get its own app store. This means that creating apps for Windows means you can use whatever language you're most comfortable with as a developer, AND you're going to be targeting a wide audience (PC's, tablets, and phones) with minimal effort.
After getting the phone, I created a Microsoft developer account, and I've started work on a few apps for the store myself.
It has to be said that Apple broke into Microsoft's market through the smartphone, now this will enable Microsoft to break into Apple's market through the good old PC. So for the first time in YEARS, I thought now is the time to jump on the Microsoft mobile bandwagon. And since the Nokia 920 was WP8's flagship device, and it had some cracking reviews, I thought I'd give it a go.
I picked up my phone earlier in the week, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, the Windows Phone 8 interface is the slickest interface I have used (I knew this already from the emulator, but having it in person is another thing). Apple, KNOWN for well put together software, has been going backwards in this regard with iOS 6. Yes, it has lots of functionality, but the OS looks and feels like patchwork. It's like the company has gotten too big and different departments creating different parts of the OS are not in communication with each other. Not only that, it's riddled now with bad use of screen real estate, and really just doesn't have the shine it once did. Android, despite its popularity, is horribly clunky and kind of geeky, like all things Google (I own a Nexus 7 tablet, for the record). Great functionality, poor user experience.
My Nokia is not without it's flaws;
Having said that, it's still an exceptional phone, and it goes without saying my old iPhone was not without it's flaws either.
The hardest part however has been leaving Apples ecosystem. Apple is without a doubt the king of content. I am not a huge app user, but there are some things I miss (Android isn't much better, yes there are more apps, but most of them are horrible quality). Leaving the iTunes ecosystem has also been a bit of a sacrifice, and I miss the ability to be able to airplay from my phone. I was a big podcast fan, and also used iTunesU quite a bit.
I also really hope there is more support from Google for WP8 devices in the future, as at the moment it seems sorely lacking.
Despite these sacrifices, I am happy I made the jump. I see bright things for the future of Nokia and WP8. More apps will come, as more people develop for the windows platform in general (Windows 8 has not been doing anywhere near as badly as some of the doom and gloom press would indicate). Two of my colleagues have also purchased the 920, and I know two more are looking at trading in their iPhones for them as well.
That's my first impression so far.
I've been using iPhones since 2nd gen (pretty much the first ones available in Australia), for the simple reason that back then, they were simply the must have device. I am not an Apple fan by any stretch of the imagination, I just found the competition phones to be lacking in interface, usability, user experience and especially performance. Now finally with the Lumia 920 and WP8, I finally feel there is another handset out there that is on par with the iPhone, if not better.
A bit of background, I own an application development company which mostly works in the enterprise app development space (creating mobile frontends for backend systems, or even mobile AND backend systems). We also create HTML5 based cheaper applications for smaller businesses with less functionality, but being a more cost effective solution. I also consult for an IT integrator, and I work with a lot of Microsoft enterprise mobility and deployment products. At heart, I am a Microsoft guy.
When Windows 8 and the new Windows 8 Runtime was announced, I did my research. I found out some very interesting things that most consumers probably are not aware of. Namely, the new Windows Runtime (Windows RT) supports a very wide range of native programming languages (Javascript, HTML5, C#, c++, visual basic, etc etc). Not only that, but it is extremely easy for developers to publish applications across multiple devices, from the desktop to tablet (which share the same store), and easily port applications across into the mobile world. What I found most interesting was that the traditional desktop was going to get its own app store. This means that creating apps for Windows means you can use whatever language you're most comfortable with as a developer, AND you're going to be targeting a wide audience (PC's, tablets, and phones) with minimal effort.
After getting the phone, I created a Microsoft developer account, and I've started work on a few apps for the store myself.
It has to be said that Apple broke into Microsoft's market through the smartphone, now this will enable Microsoft to break into Apple's market through the good old PC. So for the first time in YEARS, I thought now is the time to jump on the Microsoft mobile bandwagon. And since the Nokia 920 was WP8's flagship device, and it had some cracking reviews, I thought I'd give it a go.
I picked up my phone earlier in the week, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, the Windows Phone 8 interface is the slickest interface I have used (I knew this already from the emulator, but having it in person is another thing). Apple, KNOWN for well put together software, has been going backwards in this regard with iOS 6. Yes, it has lots of functionality, but the OS looks and feels like patchwork. It's like the company has gotten too big and different departments creating different parts of the OS are not in communication with each other. Not only that, it's riddled now with bad use of screen real estate, and really just doesn't have the shine it once did. Android, despite its popularity, is horribly clunky and kind of geeky, like all things Google (I own a Nexus 7 tablet, for the record). Great functionality, poor user experience.
My Nokia is not without it's flaws;
- I am still waiting for the Portico update to be rolled out by my local Telco.
- It seems to have battery issues at random (it's constantly switching from H to E to 3G to 4G due to being in a bit of a reception black hole). It's about on par with my old iPhone 4S, which is somewhat disappointing.
- IE10 is by far the weakest mobile browser at present. It has that old 1998 wap feel about it. This is a shame given it's so nice in Windows 8 desktop & tablet.
- The camera on auto settings doesnt get skin tones right sometimes, and just seems to be off the mark more than the iPhone camera. It seems it has the potential to take much better photos, but it is more inconsistent out of the box.
Having said that, it's still an exceptional phone, and it goes without saying my old iPhone was not without it's flaws either.
The hardest part however has been leaving Apples ecosystem. Apple is without a doubt the king of content. I am not a huge app user, but there are some things I miss (Android isn't much better, yes there are more apps, but most of them are horrible quality). Leaving the iTunes ecosystem has also been a bit of a sacrifice, and I miss the ability to be able to airplay from my phone. I was a big podcast fan, and also used iTunesU quite a bit.
I also really hope there is more support from Google for WP8 devices in the future, as at the moment it seems sorely lacking.
Despite these sacrifices, I am happy I made the jump. I see bright things for the future of Nokia and WP8. More apps will come, as more people develop for the windows platform in general (Windows 8 has not been doing anywhere near as badly as some of the doom and gloom press would indicate). Two of my colleagues have also purchased the 920, and I know two more are looking at trading in their iPhones for them as well.
That's my first impression so far.
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