New to WP and WC... Looking for some reassurance.

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Hi everyone. After browsing many websites and forums, I finally found this app and have been scouring for some reassurance that I made the right choice in switching to a WP.

My husband and I both had iPhones, but our workplaces run on Windows and he needed to use Windows exclusively. I bought a Lumia 735 during Verizon's promotion to try it out. I sold my iPhone so this is now my only phone.

I want to love it, but it's been a huge PITA especially regarding voicemail. In fact, I'm being sent a new phone BC there was a hardware issue. I'm also having issues downloading non-PDF attachments using the Outlook mobile site. (not using the app due to workplace permissions).

I'm hoping this phone is just a dud. Can anyone reassure me that I won't keep having these issues? I really want to like the phone, but its making it difficult.

Also, when will Windows 10 be released for this device? Will that improve it's functionality?

Thanks for reading my long intro!

 

[gpobernardo]

Hello, GoodEyeSniper83, welcome to Windows and to Windows Central!

I don't own a L730, but make sure to visit our Lumia 730 forums here.

As for the release of Windows 10 for Windows Phones, Microsoft has indicated in their FAQ page that it should be released later this year, perhaps towards the end of 2015 if not early 2016. More features should be present in Windows 10 which may improve the functionality of the device... within the hardware limitations, of course.

 

[RumoredNow]

Welcome...

And you have some very specific use scenarios. It may he;lp to post questions in the General Windows Phone Discussion Lounge - Windows Central Forums area to get some more views on it. Several members do use Outlook heavily and hopefully will have some insights for you.

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

I didn't have much luck in the Lumia 730/735 forum, or the 8.1 forum, but I will try the general forum.

I just wish I could be reassured that I'm going to like this phone eventually

 

[gpobernardo]

If I may suggest, have a look at the Windows 10 discussions and forums, especially those on Windows Phones. Although it is not yet available, Windows 10 for phones could be one of Microsoft's re-assuring points for us. :smile:

 

[worldspy99]

Welcome to WindowsCentral.
I bought a Lumia 735 recently and it should show up today. I will try to see if I can help you out with your issues. Mine is a GSM unlocked version and not tied to Verizon.
Good luck.

 

[rhapdog]

Welcome to the forums, GoodEyeSniper83. I wish I could provide more information for you, but being an AT&T customer, I know pretty much nothing about the 735 and about Verizon services.

 

[Indistinguishable]

Welcome!

What kind of voicemail problems were you having? It should work out of the box assuming you aren't a new Verizon customer.

Regarding opening non-pdf files, what types of files are you trying to open?

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Re: The voicemail - I subscribed to Visual Voicemail, but I cannot access it. The app just says "looking for information" after sputtering to a start then gives me an error code. The Verizon tech support rebuilt the VM box, but it didn't help. I can't erase the VM count from the regular voicemail so it always shows that I have 7, despite deleting them. I also get a text notification and a code with every voicemail and with every attempt to use the VVM app. They sent me a new phone, I'm just waiting until my kids are asleep to transfer the contacts and set it up.

Re: The documents - I figured it out. Unless I sign the privacy release with my workplace to use the app, I can't download attachments. I'm not signing it BC I'm a high school teacher and don't want to be held accountable (or fired) if a student gets ahold of my phone and puts something inappropriate on it.

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Re: The voicemail - I subscribed to visual voicemail, but I wasn't getting any notifications. I'd try to open the app, which would sputter to start, and it would not load and gave me an error code. Then I'd get a coded text whenever I attempted this. I also didn't get notifications for me regular VM. Once the notifications showed up, I can't get rid of them. Even if I delete them, it says I have 7. The Verizon tech support rebuilt my VM box, but nothing changed. They sent me a new phone, its sitting here, I just need time away from my children to set it up and transfer the contacts

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Sorry, double post BC I thought o deleted it!

 

[tangledW]

I don't think you'll ever be really satisfied, but Windows 10 will help a lot. Unfortunately, there is really no telling when your carrier (Verizon) will release it.

You're coming from a premium phone (iPhone) to a low-mid range phone (Lumia 735). Performance will be the biggest set back. If you could have waited to see if Verizon gets the flagships released in the fall with Windows 10, you'd be much happier.

As for your attachment/email issue, you should talk to your company. There shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't use the built in email application, particularly if you're using Outlook anyway. If they don't want you using the "app" it could be due to confusion over the Outlook app for iOS, which is just a skinned version of an app they bought and isn't completely secure or full featured. If it's because they don't want their server info on your phone... well, you're SOL.

I'm not familiar with using Outlook on the web with Windows phone, so I can't offer any advice there. I do know that most attachments load fine with the mail app on Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 mobile.

For visual voicemail, I never got it to work on three different phones with Verizon. I thought Windows Phone just didn't support it or it was a hardware issue, but when I switched to AT&T it worked flawlessly out of the box. So I think it's just another example of Verizon poorly supporting Windows. Hopefully that changes soon, but there are actually rumors Microsoft may drop Verizon as a partner.

Good luck.

 

[fatclue_98]

Welcome to the forums. I've never owned a 735 but I have been on Verizon with WP devices. VVM needs to be provisioned by the wonderful, helpful staff at tech support and it's sometimes a crapshoot. I know it's not the software because it's always functioned properly on AT&T as well as T-Mobile. You're new to the platform so there will be an adjustment period before you can really decide if this is for you. We hope to see you around and good luck.

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

What are WP users supposed to do if Verizon drops the platform? I hate Verizon, but its very clear in my area and when my husband travels, its good to know that we'll always have signal.

 

[fatclue_98]

What are WP users supposed to do if Verizon drops the platform? I hate Verizon, but its very clear in my area and when my husband travels, its good to know that we'll always have signal.

Supposedly, updates will be handled by Microsoft directly a la Apple.

 

[tangledW]

What are WP users supposed to do if Verizon drops the platform? I hate Verizon, but its very clear in my area and when my husband travels, its good to know that we'll always have signal.

It's actually Microsoft who is considering dropping them.

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Will we still get service on our phones? Can a Verizon phone be unlocked and taken to a friendlier carrier? I bought this phone outright. Am I just stuck with it?

 

[ven07]

Will we still get service on our phones? Can a Verizon phone be unlocked and taken to a friendlier carrier? I bought this phone outright. Am I just stuck with it?

Hey welcome If the phone is unlocked you should be able to use it on a different carrier, but there might be some limitations..

 

[GoodEyeSniper83]

Hey welcome If the phone is unlocked you should be able to use it on a different carrier, but there might be some limitations..

It is not unlocked. I got it from Verizon. Is there a way to unlock it?

 

[RumoredNow]

All Verizon phones now come with an unlocked SIM tray. The limitations would be carrier frequency and, often times, an inability to alter MMS APN (used to send/receive picture mail).

I don't think the Vzw 735 has much in the way of compatibility for GSM carriers and the CDMA will not transfer to Sprint.

You could use a Vzw mvno (airtime reseller) like Page Plus or Straight Talk to get a frequency compliant match for your device...

However, unlocking a device from Vzw (or any carrier) and taking it to an alternate service does not affect the fact that Vzw will forever control if and when your device gets updates.