Switching platforms? | Thinking of leaving?...comment here!

[LiquidLearner]

Coming to terms with reality - Verizon user

Let me start off by saying this isn't an "I hate Windows 10 Mobile" thread. I actually really like the overall direction of the OS. I love the new fonts, the new action center and tons of other little features about it. It makes it pretty much impossible to want to go back to WP 8.1. I also think Projects Astoria and Islandwood will be great boons for the platform and allow it to make up some necessary ground.

However, I suppose it's time I had a reality check. Do I like Windows 10 Mobile enough to continue to hold onto my Lumia Icon indefinitely? I don't think so. I'm really dying for a new device. I was good with waiting until the official release date for the new MS phones. But it seems increasingly less likely that the 950/950XL will come out on Verizon. I also haven't seen anyone else releasing a flagship phone that will be running Windows 10 that I think will be worth an investment. HTC? I doubt it, and if they do it will be a rehashed M9 that I could have bought 6 months ago. Samsung? Fat chance there will be anything exceptional there either.

So, despite holding onto hope all these years since I bought the HTC Trophy, and even the old WM6.5 flagship the HD2, it looks like I'm back to searching for a new home. With Cortana and the other MS services moving to Android it's starting to look more and more like that's where I'm going. The Note 5 looks pretty tempting. But it's very frustrating because I don't WANT to change to another platform. I have been quite happy on Windows all this time. I know there have been setbacks and frustrations in the past but to finally get the OS to where I always thought it would end up, and to take so long to get here, only to get shafted because of my carrier? Verizon's service is far too important for me to walk away from to get the phone I'd like.

I really wish there were a better option. But it looks like I have to come to grip with reality and just accept that I'm going to end up with an Android phone. And every day I delay is more money I'm paying towards the Icon that has no future it seems. Let's hope that MS does something with a Surface Phone next year to make sure it lands on Verizon. But as it stands, I don't see that relationship improving anytime soon.

 

[eXceeded]

I'm done.

So I've had a Windows phone now since the 1520 came out about 2 years ago, and over that period I've had a great experience with Windows Mobile itself.

I love the apps, notably "tubecast", anything by Rudy Huyn, etc. they all look great, work well and offer different features to the Android and iPhone versions.

But today I've had enough... Over the years I've smashed the screen twice and ended up buying 2 new devices (over time) due to Nokia Tech Support deeming the device BER (beyond economical repair) citing reasons such as "Motherboard getting too hot", "Sim card tray missing" and others.

Well I had sent one of my devices to get it's screen repaired a few weeks ago for them to return it (and my money minus the admin fee) and state that it's BER... AGAIN. Any issues with "motherboard getting too hot" is surely a warranty issue or device issue outside of cosmetic?

I'm a Microsoft ****** through and through but I'm just done, I've had multiple iPhones for work (better signal, higher dBi) and Apple have no issue replacing whole devices for the cost of the repair.

I would understand if this was a one off but now I've just had a "sim card not found" error on my last working 1520 and whatever I do I can't resolve it. Replaced the tray with the other ones I have to no avail.

So I've taken the plunge, and now ordered a Sony Xperia X5 Premium and don't think I'll be going back to Microsoft/Windows Phone.

Maybe in a few years, but having spent well over ?2k on devices and repairs I'm just done.

EDIT - please don't talk to me about screen protectors, been there done that, makes the damage worst from what I can tell (rather than the screen smashing everything else underneath does) - two different brands!

 

[tdavi82]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

Ive been a fan of Microsoft products since Windows 7. When Windows Phone came out I got a Samsung Focus the first day it came out. I loved it. I then got a Lumia 900 then 920 and now I'm using a 1520. Windows 10 mobile has been a complete let down. Not because of the glitches but the wow factor is gone. The features in the OS are an improvement, but the animations and navigation feel blocky.

Here is the part that kills me. Microsoft's Windows Phone native apps are on other platforms and run much better. Office apps are functional and gorgeous. Onedrive gives weekly email updates on your uploads. Load times are faster and the apps run smoother.... now do a side by side comparison on Android and w10m and Windows Phones look like cheap android knock offs. Let me repeat that, Microsoft apps running on Microsoft's mobile OS look and feel like Android knock offs when compared to their android counterparts.

Now take popular apps like FB, FB messenger, twitter, etc. They don't feel like Android apps. They are more like beta versions from years before released only to shut the windows community up.

Am I wrong in any of this? Is Microsoft treating Windows mobile like dead weight that it can't get rid of? I don't want to switch OS but my years of being a MS ****** are fading.

 

[KarateHottie93]

After a decade+ of Windows Phone I'm headed to BlackBerry.

I just don't get it. Why can't Microsoft iron out the bugs better? It seems every single build there is a more critical bug that makes using the phone impossible. Last build it was that I couldn't use drop down menus without it reloading the page, making filling out documents online impossible. This build is even worse by reloading every other page I sit on for more than 15 seconds. It's not even all beta build either.

Throughout 8.1, I got random browser crashes and shutdowns daily. I'm just so sick of it. Microsoft owns Skype and yet we can't even get a good app for it. I don't even care about Cortana and leave it turned off but I guarantee that Android will get a better app for that too. I love all these great things being added with 10 but I want a functioning device and I'm not sure that will ever be possible with Windows Phone.

Sorry to come on here and rant like this. I have stood by everything Microsoft did with their phones for many years now but I'm just so sick of the terrible support and the fact that they care more about the Android community than their own.:straight:

 

[xandros9]

Re: After a decade+ of Windows Phone I'm headed to BlackBerry.

Not sure those were normal, but regardless, I think you'll enjoy Blackberry.

 

[KarateHottie93]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

The updates just made them worse for me on my 1020 and 1520. The last time I had a Windows Phone device that was free of bugs that hurt it's use as much as that one was 6.5.

I like the Windows Phone style more but it keeps letting me down.

 

[XWolverine]

Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

Being a ****** of Windows Mobile and having hands on experience with various Lumia series for more than a year and my gorgeous Lumia 920 being dead now, it was time for me to rethink what next substantial update Windows Mobile 10 will bring so that i would rather be buying a Windows mobile again.

Reason why I bought Windows:

1: The design factor and display from Nokia (till 830) was just amazing with 2.5D glass, (which Microsoft ruined it with flat and low resolution displays with curvy edges just similar to dumb looking Samsung phones and Iphone which cannot be anymore recognized easily{535/640...etc etc)

2: Fluidity and zero lagginess in UI even after installing tonnes of apps which i boasted about to my friends when after installing only few apps their androids used to Lag?razy or else by sending large strings of emojis to them which made their mobile behave lunatic had made them convinced to buy windows phone.

3: Quality of Apps-like Whatsapp on windows is just so beautiful then any other OS

4:Features like Cortana and Here Maps were just awsome and made me a proud user of
Windows Phone and helped me zip up the android fanboys.

5:Security which is best than on any other platform

BUT,
Then Microsoft started rolling out all of the premier apps for android which were just meant to be exclusive for Windows Mobile such as Cortana support,office support,Here maps (Nokia) etc.
-Also there are no feature advancement in any new Windows 10 builds and seems like there wont be any except Continuum and hello-which is limited to new flagships

-No support for true multitasking Cant even download a song without unlocking screen or in background (As per Microsoft they will support Edge browser for background downloads but that doesnt seem to be in near future)

-Goove Music:Again a bad attempt from Microsoft!

-Universal apps: Seriously? Why do we need universal apps? Can we run .exe apps NO!!

Why cant we have apps which are there for Android in Windows Style?

Why do we need to bridge the apps?Even though they look beautiful still they are Android and Ios apps and has their own UI not the Windows!

Google Android with Marshmallow update promises more security than ever and has becoming lesser to zero laggy on high end devices

Request:Microsoft Stop Killing Windows Mobile with your dumb designs and support for other platforms rather than your own.

We need and hope to have some good features from Microsoft for Windows Mobile!

For now I feel Windows 10 is and will remain in beta for a year.

Till then i will be going back to Android with Windows Mobile 10 launcher having Cortana ,Here Maps and Mix Radio installed on my new Nexus device!
Hope Microsoft comes up with something premium which remains exclusive to windows phone.

All the best users!!

 

[Pete]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

OneDrive, Cortana, Office, etc were never exclusive to Microsoft Devices. Microsoft has the foresight to create and maintain customers regardless of their choice of platform. HERE services isn't (and wasn't) owned by Microsoft.

How many apps do Apple make for Windows?
How many apps to Google make for Windows?
How many apps do Apple make for Android?
How many apps to Google make for iPhone/iPad?

How can making apps for other platforms be anything other than a win for Microsoft?

Windows 10 Mobile is a quantum leap above what came before. I'm not sure you can say the same about Android/iOS.

 

[libra89]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

If you have to ask, the answer is already clear, I think.

That aside, why would Continuum be on a value phone? That doesn't make any sense to me. Microsoft is a software company (primarily), so it only makes sense to provide other platforms support as well. That's kind of like Microsoft only allowing for the Surface to have Windows OS on a tablet and no other OEM can have it.

If you have to switch, go ahead. You can always return someday.

 

[seb_r]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

Pretty useless thread. Seems you not got it that MS is a software company that need to keep their business running. It is just normal they support and serve other more popular platforms.
I agree with the points like multi-tasking, groove music etc. Also it indeed seems W10M will remein beta forever because they not put so much effort into it as for the desktop version. But again thats logical because in desktop market MS is still number one.

 

[Pete]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

Windows 10 Mobile won't always be in Beta state. You're assuming that when it goes live in the autumn, that will be it.

It doesn't work that way. Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile will continue to evolve and change over the coming years. Don't assume that what you see right now won't change.

 

[mariusmuntean]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

things will change in desktop and mobile but you can't simply release a beta build for public and call it ready for productive use! Donn't tell me that on PC windows 10 is free of bugs, working as it should, polished etc. Not even live tiles are working correctly, and the store app is a mess. So yes, he does have a point that windows 10 is a never ending beta.

 

[XWolverine]

Re: Why I must switch back to Android from Windows phone?

If I have all the apps running from Microsoft on Android with better support than Windows Mobile itself then I dont find any reason to stick to cury looking dumb cellphones (I am talking about 2015 series except the ones built by Nokia).

Ethernet over Internet??Really??...Why in the age of WiFi we need that?
When it comes to hardware support like USB OTG and others Microsoft is way too behind in the race.

Continuum??-I dont find any reason to use my TV as my Laptop.
Almost Everyone owns one...Be realistic-If one has Smart TV or HDMI supported TV wont will he have a Laptop?

Who wants to play with wires or edit documents on 42 Inch screen.
Its like either you buy High end phones or stick to functionality limited low end cellphones.

All have their own choice..I was a Microsoft ****** but Microsoft has taken a wrong step specially when it comes to design and universal app support..I hope to see Microsoft doing well so that i return back to my Lumia's.

But for now it seems a long way to go!!:sweaty:

 

[Bataar]

Observations of moving from Windows Phone to Android

I've been a die hard Windows Phone supporter since the platform launched in 2010, but with my Lumia 1520 finally giving up the ghost, no Windows Phone upgrade currently available and finally having a number of apps/services I really want to use that are unavailable to Windows, I made the switch and got a Galaxy Note 5. Originally, I wanted to wait until the Lumia 950s come out so I could get an accurate comparison, but I just couldn't wait anymore.

Anyway, so far the process has been mixed, but generally leaning positive. Windows Phone has some features that I'm shocked that Android doesn't have. Maybe there are other apps available that I haven't been able to find yet, but I'm shocked that some of it isn't integrated into their OS yet. Mainly, Cortana is flipping amazing. Yes, I have the Cortana app on my Note, but it's not as functional. Not by a long shot. It currently doesn't support any voice features. From the start, with Windows Phone 7, I could do complete hands free texting over my bluetooth headset. Someone would text me and I'd get a notification and it would ask me to read it or ignore it. If I chose to read it, it would read it and give me the option to reply. Android, at least natively, does not support this. If I get a text, while wearing my bluetooth, the phone plays the notification sound I have for incoming texts and the LED turns on to indicate I have an unread text. If I'm driving and the phone is in my pocket, I'm SOL. If anyone has any tips on how to get this functionality, in Android, I'd love to hear them.

The amount of bloatware is also horrendous. Because Android is based on Linux, it uses packages that for most people, are probably impossible to determine their purpose. I had to buy an app that scanned all the packages, to notify me which ones were bloatware and could be disabled. Yes, Windows has bloatware but you can easily uninstall any app you don't want. If there's a deeper level to Windows Phone I'm unaware of it because I simply never needed to access it.

Overall, the phone is impressive. It's very quick and I find myself using the stylus far more often than I thought. Having access to all of the apps and services I couldn't use before is also a very big positive. However, I'm still shocked that Android lacks what I consider, very basic, voice functionality. If I find anything else it's missing, I'll definitely post.

 

[ultravi0let]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

It doesn't work that way. Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile will continue to evolve and change over the coming years. Don't assume that what you see right now won't change.

Yeah, that's what they said of windows mobile 8 and 8.1. While I admit I loved how intuitive the UI was, it was nothing more than broken apps and a better tomorrow which never came. Add to that a horrible upgrade experience and complete lack of remote services (storage, printing, etc). The icing on the cake was android and iOS run Microsoft office apps MUCH better than my 1520 and 920 ever could. Not to mention I bought the damn things to sync with my exchange server - which also could not be done. Let's not even get into how fragile the screens were.

Sad to say after giving them a much deserved chance, windows mobile failed miserably.


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[mariusmuntean]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

I'm reading daily these threads and everytime I am simply amazed about how some users are dreaming while awake that the public build of windows 10 mobile will be the "Mecca". On PC it works horrible, bugs, things going wrong, apps that lag and look underdeveloped! Everyone is yelling about how many users installed windows 10 on their PCs. But how many actually decided to keep it??? How many decided to keep using an OS that despite it's called productive, it still works like a beta, work in progress? Don't give me the same story that windows 10 will never be "finished"! One thing is to improve over time and another thing is to not being able to provide a WORKING, BUG FREE build! It's pointless to wait for any type of flagship when the OS on it is a total mess! Save your time and your money and don't invest in MS anymore for their mobile platform. Everything they have work better on the other platforms, look better.

 

[Miceal Poil]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

I have ee been thinking of moving from Android to windows phone. I have even to hate the android jank where after a few more months the fone begins to lag and slow down. This happens with every android phone, I'm on a note 3 that u bought 6 months ago new and it's begining to lag. What I want to know is does the windows phone lag like android. I am a power user surfing Web all day watching videos emailing I do it all, the battery then dies in like 4 hours especially if I use youtube. The battery only last 2.5 hours watching youtube. How's the battery life on windows fones. I'm thinking of getting the 1520. I don't really mind big fones but u want it to last all day doing what u said above. I don't really care about the app problem already looked and Windows fone has the apps I use. I just want a fone that is smooth doesn't lag and lasts all day. So is windows fone any good?

 

[ultravi0let]

Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

The lag on my 1520 is there, always a fraction of a second for you to notice that everything doesn't happen instantly. It is much worse on apps that aren't fully optimized. Battery life is better than any phone I've come across so far.

Personally I would stay far away from a 1520 as they are all a few years old now, have stopped production for quite a bit, and any sort of new unopened ones run a high risk of faulty hardware (see 1520 forum, specifically display related issues).



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[Musicman247]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

Feels like a beta because....wait for it....it is! Yep, this Technical Preview is not a finished product, and won't be for a couple more months. Wait to pass judgment then.

 

[Vyenkatesh]

Re: Switching platforms|Thinking of leaving...comment here!

Below thread might be the future reason of my platform switch.
http://forums.windowscentral.com/nokia-lumia-1520/381045-microsoft-says-one-month-faulty-1520-replacement.html