Today I reverted to WP8.1. I really enjoyed all of the things that Windows 10 Mobile IP brought to the table and went all in from day 1. Finally, I reached my limit of how much I was willing to sacrifice in battery life. The funny thing is, after going back, I realized how much I really like 8.1 and had accepted shortcomings in W10M.
We all know that battery life is sub-par compared to 8.1. Typically I was able to get 8-10hrs with light use. With every new release there were mentions of improved battery performance and users would comment on how their battery was, "almost a good as 8.1". While it did get a little better, it has never come close for me. Maybe it is because my Icon is getting older and the battery is weak? Nope, WP8.1 is chugging along just like before!
I have been on W10M long enough that I feel like I am learning about 8.1 all over again. The sad part is, 8.1 feels like an upgrade in nearly every way! I will miss the Notification Center, quick actions on notifications, and the thinner borders between Tiles. Other than that, I feel like I am gaining so much more.
I know that many will comment that, "obviously preview/beta software isn't something you should use." I call BS. I am happy to beta test, preview, or whatever when it comes to MS products. I have been using Microsoft phone OS since Windows Mobile 2003. When Windows Mobile 5 was released it was the most popular mobile OS. I was excited about the redesign that was delivered in Windows Phone 7 and understood and supported the need to have leave those devices behind to jump to WP8. Unfortunately, WP8 was the first step in a series of downgrades from what seemed so fresh in WP7. With Windows 10 Mobile I feel like the path is returning to the older Windows Mobile vision of a PocketPC. This was great in 2003 when we still weren't sure where technology was headed. There is a reason that Apple's separate OS approach has been successful.
Am I swearing off W10M or calling it a failure? Absolutely not! I hope that development works out the kinks in battery drain and the bugs get flushed out. Hopefully, MS will find a way to better auto-adjust the user experience to fit mobile to where it is user friendly like a phone OS but has the power of a PC when you need it. The reality is, most people don't need that kind of horsepower at their fingertips 24/7. Just like the original vision for Windows Phone, "People First" I think it is time to make sure that the devices and OS put the phone first and make a device that "just works" 100% of the time. Save the extra capabilities for when you need them.
I will keep lurking and waiting for news of a fantastic W10M build. I hope that it comes sooner than later and brings improvements that render my comments null. Fingers crossed.
We all know that battery life is sub-par compared to 8.1. Typically I was able to get 8-10hrs with light use. With every new release there were mentions of improved battery performance and users would comment on how their battery was, "almost a good as 8.1". While it did get a little better, it has never come close for me. Maybe it is because my Icon is getting older and the battery is weak? Nope, WP8.1 is chugging along just like before!
I have been on W10M long enough that I feel like I am learning about 8.1 all over again. The sad part is, 8.1 feels like an upgrade in nearly every way! I will miss the Notification Center, quick actions on notifications, and the thinner borders between Tiles. Other than that, I feel like I am gaining so much more.
- History in the People app was a big missing part of W10M for me. It seems like such a small feature, but it is so useful.
- The phone pivot when conducting a search is great.
- Cortana seems smarter and better at connecting.
- Internet Explorer opens on the correct tab when launching from Search/Cortana.
- Settings may look worse, but it seems more intuitive. I always have to use the search feature in W10M to find settings.
- And, of course, the catalyst for my regression: battery life. My phone has been off charge for 4 hours, with light use, and still has 83% battery! Looking forward to the days when I could make it a full 24 hours on a single charge.
I know that many will comment that, "obviously preview/beta software isn't something you should use." I call BS. I am happy to beta test, preview, or whatever when it comes to MS products. I have been using Microsoft phone OS since Windows Mobile 2003. When Windows Mobile 5 was released it was the most popular mobile OS. I was excited about the redesign that was delivered in Windows Phone 7 and understood and supported the need to have leave those devices behind to jump to WP8. Unfortunately, WP8 was the first step in a series of downgrades from what seemed so fresh in WP7. With Windows 10 Mobile I feel like the path is returning to the older Windows Mobile vision of a PocketPC. This was great in 2003 when we still weren't sure where technology was headed. There is a reason that Apple's separate OS approach has been successful.
Am I swearing off W10M or calling it a failure? Absolutely not! I hope that development works out the kinks in battery drain and the bugs get flushed out. Hopefully, MS will find a way to better auto-adjust the user experience to fit mobile to where it is user friendly like a phone OS but has the power of a PC when you need it. The reality is, most people don't need that kind of horsepower at their fingertips 24/7. Just like the original vision for Windows Phone, "People First" I think it is time to make sure that the devices and OS put the phone first and make a device that "just works" 100% of the time. Save the extra capabilities for when you need them.
I will keep lurking and waiting for news of a fantastic W10M build. I hope that it comes sooner than later and brings improvements that render my comments null. Fingers crossed.