I always participate in these threads with a similar story but here it goes...
I'm a tech lover, especially in phones. Phones are something that I've constantly bounced around, switched up, sold off, etc. I like to try the different things out there or at least be knowledgeable about them. Before my reasons were for finding a platform that fits my needs, which is why I tried out BBOS6, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. I've revisited every one of these platforms more than once to see if maybe a second (or third, or fourth..) try would convince me that I overlooked something. That maybe my mind was just wanting to get a new, shiny phone so that's why I sold off a perfectly good phone. Or that maybe the problems I did have would be fixed when I come back to it. So after this hunt I've come to this conclusion:
Windows Phone is home for ME. If I were to add up all of the times I've left the platform and came back, it would be more than any other OS out there (I've owned the HD7, Lumia 900 twice, Lumia 822, and the 520). When Windows Phone first came out, I liked how it stood out from the rest, but it had many features (and apps) that were missing for me (at the time, I owned a Samsung Transform if I'm not mistaken). Mango brought me on board (had a 3GS at the time). I loved that it was fluid and consistent like iOS but somewhat customizable like Android. The design of MetroUI being across the whole ecosystem really looks great and keeps everything consistent (I HATE how there's no uniform in the apps for the competition). Everything I needed in experience was there, but the "functionality" was lacking (I know apps was a big deal for me since my tastes started to grow, but I believe the bluetooth inconsistencies and lack of FFC being supported were also deciding factors for me getting a MyTouch 4G *my ex was getting an iPhone 4 so I wanted to be able to video chat*). So I held off for a few months, then got on contract at AT&T because...
Nokia, my all time favorite phone hardware company, decided to partner up with Microsoft. Oh, happy, day, indeed. So when I signed the dotted line, I got a Lumia 900. LOVED that phone and camera, but then my application needs were not being met again (plus I wanted a really nice case for my phone and couldn't find them by popular manufacturers like iPhone, which made me get an iPhone 5). So I sold off my Lumia 900 (had to get a insurance replaced one because of my screen being cracked, which is how I got two 900's) and got an iPhone 5 around the time Windows Phone 8 launched. I stuck by the forums to read up on everything and see how things were being developed and if my issues would be solved
While switching devices AGAIN and keeping up with WP8's progress, I started to really think about the things I need in a phone and which apps are must haves. One thing I knew for sure was that having the latest and greatest wasn't a priority: consistency was. Consistency in the Operating System, day to day use, battery, these things needed to be checked off for me (I had to remember about why I sold a lot of my phones and that popped up in EVERY case). My last iPhone was the 5 and although the phone performed great, the battery was HORRIBLE. Barely lasted a whole shift at my job (and I had to buy a 30 dollar charger because the one that came with it became unusable). Then my last Android device was the LG Optimus G. Great device, and Android performed a lot better, but it still had performance issues with rebooting, frozen screens, and this weird thing (for this phone at least) where I would NEVER hear any alerts while I was taking a phone call. That was annoying.
So I bought the 822 to give Windows Phone another try because above all else, consistency was never a problem. I knew that I loved Nokia and I knew that I came back to Windows Phone the most. Windows Phone 8, since I joined on, felt like a complete experience. The only reason why I got a 520 was because I wanted MMS more than anything, and even for a phone this cheap it performs a LOT better than my iPhone 5 and Optimus G (consistently). These things kind of make up the reasons why I love Windows Phone more than the rest:
Integrated Social Network- The competition has similar things, but nothing close to how WP has chose to implement it. Being able to go to my contacts and look at the timeline, filter which contact or social account I want to look at, all without opening an app is a big seller for me.
Live Tiles- Yes, the notifications aren't that speedy. Yes, it could use some work. But I don't require to be up to the minute on everything and everyone. I just don't. Live tiles does the job exceptionally well for me. It takes the idea of widgets but doesn't break the flow of design like Android can (and I don't have to take over two hours to create a uniform look either). I have quite a few group contacts who have live tiles, and keeping up with them doesn't seem exhausting as it can be if you were to just open facebook or twitter to see EVERYTHING that everyone has posted. Now I can choose who I want to pay attention to. It's also easier to separate family, business, friends, etc. The idea to glance at a few bits of info without having to open anything essentially works. Might not be up to everyone's expectations but it gets the job done
Notifications- despite those that dislike this feature of Windows Phone, I adore it. I HATE having notifications CONSTANTLY filling up my screen, especially from apps I don't care to stay up to date on. I love the option of choosing which apps I want to have priority
XBox Music- Have always loved Zune, and I like Xbox Music's functionality. I hate that I can't create playlists, but I like being able to find an artist's collection, download what I want, stream what I want, and it all performs pretty well. Spotify is great but having to create a playlist for EVERYTHING is too much. I like that when I download things, it'll create a slot for the artist.
Bing- Being able to search for multiple things in one push of a button has been a very useful tool for my life. Need to find information on something real fast? I can bing it. Yes Google has done a great job of doing that with their devices now, but that's not where it ends for me. Got a song that's on the radio that I don't know? Bing Music. Ah ha, I don't have to search for that Shazaam app that happens to start with an S that's all the way at the bottom of my app drawer, and by then the song is gone. I see a QR code I want to scan? Bing Vision. All of this being located in one section of the phone is a BIG deal for me and it works
Third party developers- Developers (like Rudy) seem to make really great third party alternatives on this platform than the others in my opinion. I love using these more than the official app most of the time.
Yes there are a few shortcomings on Windows Phone for me (which can be changed by switching devices ) along with a small app gap, but above all else, consistency has ALWAYS been in my favor with this platform. I know that iPhone will have a lot of expensive things that I will need to replace (headphones, charging cables, etc) and I know that even with Android improving so much, I can't depend on it to perform like it did the day I got it. I've found these things in Windows Phone, and I plan on sticking with the entire ecosystem to be honest. I am probably going to get a Surface and an Xbox One (the Xbox being much later). Microsoft has finally gotten it right, all across the board, and I'm all for giving them my money without worrying about what the rest have to offer.
But I need for GIFS to be able to be sent in texts like on iOS. I miss that LOL
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