[Laura Knotek]

That's what I figured. I wonder why they didn't use an Intel chip in the phone. That would have opened up a lot for the OS.

That is supposedly coming with the Surface phone which is projected for a late 2016 release. What it includes and whether or not this will be possible is still unknown.

[itguyjax8430]

That is supposedly coming with the Surface phone which is projected for a late 2016 release. What it includes and whether or not this will be possible is still unknown.

Well hopefully Google will hook up Windows 10 mobile with some Google Apps soon. Show some love to the Windows Mobile people.

[Chad Welsh]

for hangouts i use IM+ and it works good for a non official replacement.

[ferretzombie]

for hangouts i use IM+ and it works good for a non official replacement.

Really? When I tried IM+ for hangouts and all it would do is get a list of contacts. It wouldn't receive or send any hangouts messages.

[Keith Wallace]

for hangouts i use IM+ and it works good for a non official replacement.

I use IM+ for AIM and Yahoo IM because Trillian STILL doesn't have an app on the platform, though they've said they were considering it for a couple of years. It's really not that good of an app, it's just the only option. I wouldn't call it bad, but the thing is very basic, it loses your chat history on a whim, and it hasn't been updated in, like, 18 months. Crashes a lot on W10M, relative to WP8.

[Joshwin]

It wouldn't receive or send any hangouts messages.

I use IM+ almost everyday, it works perfectly. I can send msgs and receive without any trouble.

[Ariel Takom]

As a WP user for the past 3 years (My first smartphone happened to be a 620 just because it was a Lumia, and fell in love with the OS immediately. Now rocking 830), I can tell you that the 950/XL is almost the perfect phone (minus the design part, easily and expensively fixed with the Mozo leather-backs).

Hardware-wise, it has almost everything: processor, RAM, screen quality, camera quality, light-weight (relative to its size. My 5' L830 weighs exactly the same as the 5.2' L950, which is really good), USB Type-C, USB OTG, wireless charging, expandable memory slot, etc.
TL;DR: L950/XL gets almost everything correct spec-wise.

Now, the OS.
Undoubtedly, W10M provides huge improvements over WP8.1, as well as setbacks. Bugs are common even on the most basic of features i.e: Phone calls. Look up the thread on Bugs & Defects of W10M in this very forum to know what you'll might be up against.

My advice to you is to wait for a while before buying this phone. The price now is quite ridiculous, and the OS is still half-baked. But I know that Msft will fix the OS after some time, and the price would've already dropped by then. So just wait it out.

Orrrr, if you're too impatient to try out the OS, pick up the cheap L640. Users have reported that the 640 works smoothly with W10M, so use that to scout the OS first, before you try out the 950 for additional features like OTG, USB-C, or Continuum.

[HR][/HR]

[trekster]

Doing a quick Google search turned up this article. Can't post the link yet, haven't hit my 10 post minimum yet.

Under the new CEO, Microsoft is hard at work creating very decent (and some great) apps for Android, putting behind any qualms or reservations it might have about working on a direct competitor's platform. It seems that Google might be prepping to return the favor, by having its own popular apps ready for prime time on the Windows 10 Mobile edition when it lands this week, along with two new Lumias to showcase it.

Staple apps like YouTube, Hangouts, Google Voice and Google Play Music are all tipped to appear on the Windows Store, it seems. Microsoft already signed agreements with some Android makers like Samsung, Sony or Asus, to ship its apps for the platform together with their phones out of the box.

Having Google's apps on Windows 10 Mobile would certainly be a boost for those who are contemplating a run for the new Lumias, but are using their Google stuff on a regular basis, but since this is just a rumor, we'll take the wait and see approach until Microsoft takes the stage tomorrow, and gives some more details on the new handsets and their fresh ecosystem.

You're at 13 posts now!
Put up the link! :-D

[Pete]

Well hopefully Google will hook up Windows 10 mobile with some Google Apps soon. Show some love to the Windows Mobile people.

Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Although Microsoft has been happy and benevolent enough to support it's customers across platforms (Office apps, Outlook, OneDrive, etc.), and allow Google to be used as a search provider on Windows Phone, Google has really done nothing to support its customers using competing operating systems. A big shame.

Undoubtedly, W10M provides huge improvements over WP8.1, as well as setbacks. Bugs are common even on the most basic of features i.e: Phone calls. Look up the thread on Bugs & Defects of W10M in this very forum to know what you'll might be up against.

There are also many people who have been using Windows 10 Mobile as their day-to-day operating system and been very happy with it. There's been a few ups and downs, and some things don't work as well as they could, but (at least for me), the positives by far outweigh the negatives. I wouldn't want to turn this into yet another love/hate Windows 10 thread, but I'd say that the 950/950XL is a relevant choice right now.

[Ariel Takom]

I'm sorry if what I said in my post indicated I was hating :( Didn't meant for it to be interpreted in that way.

What I'm trying to say is that, the user experience varies for different users of the new OS. Some say it's ready, some say it's not. Honestly I haven't tried the new OS, but like it or not, I will be getting the update within the next few months (I'm living in Asia, so the update may come later or earlier for me, I don't know). And to prep myself for all the new changes that's about to come, I've decided to do some research about the new OS: All the new features, all the bugs/problems, etc.

Judging from all the reviews from W10M users (be it owners of the 950/XL phones or Insiders), the OS still have some fixing to do, and although it has 'a few bugs' only, those bugs might be a deal-breaker for some users and it may not be so for the others . And since the OP wanted to try out the new phone, what I'm suggesting is actually more rationale because if you give it time, the OS will be at a much, much better state in the future rather than now, and the price will also be cheaper by then (I hope! It's too expensive for now).

But by all means, if the OP just wants to try the phone now when it's still at it's 'infancy/adolescent' stage, then it is his choice. If I were the OP, I would wait it out until the OS is much much more stable to use.

On a side note, the 950 doesn't even have the 'Double-tap to wake' function for now, and that feature is promised to come 'soon'. So if the OP waits it out until then, he would be (I think) a bit disappointed.

[itguyjax8430]

My advice to you is to wait for a while before buying this phone. The price now is quite ridiculous, and the OS is still half-baked. But I know that Msft will fix the OS after some time, and the price would've already dropped by then. So just wait it out.

I will wait till the first of the year to see what the prices are then. I do think the price for the phone is a little high. I think they could have come down $100 on it so that they could compete a little more with the Nexus / OnePlus line price range. Heck if they really wanted to push the phone put it at $449 off contract and I bet sales would go up.

Orrrr, if you're too impatient to try out the OS, pick up the cheap L640. Users have reported that the 640 works smoothly with W10M, so use that to scout the OS first, before you try out the 950 for additional features like OTG, USB-C, or Continuum.

I am also considering this as well. Are there other phones out there that have gotten the Windows 10 update other than the ones that already come with it? I could probably find a deal on a used not so much older phone and just update it to give it a try.

[itguyjax8430]

You're at 13 posts now!
Put up the link! :-D

Now looking back at the date of the article I see that it was posted before the announcement of the new phones. In there they state that they would say something at the announcement about the Google apps but watching the keynote they didn't say anything. I would imagine IF it is going to happen they are going to keep it hush hush maybe as to not get people very excited in case there are delays or something.

[Geo Hutchings]

I am pretty flexible when it comes to change. I have been using Windows 10 since it was in beta and really like how it has developed. I am not super dependent on any Android app persay, I use Gmail the most but I am sure I could just as well use Outlook. I use it everyday at work so adjusting to a different email client wouldn't be very difficultly to me. I do use other apps like YouTube, Drive, Maps, and Chrome but I am sure I could use their alternatives just as well. Have they integrated Google Maps in to the Windows 10 mobile app store yet? What about Google Hangouts?

You can use Google hangouts when you connect to screen :)

[Ariel Takom]

I will wait till the first of the year to see what the prices are then. I do think the price for the phone is a little high. I think they could have come down $100 on it so that they could compete a little more with the Nexus / OnePlus line price range. Heck if they really wanted to push the phone put it at $449 off contract and I bet sales would go up.

True that. I find the price of that phone here to be almost $100 more expensive than the price they're selling at the US. Maybe it's due to the tax or shipping fees, but I don't really know. Anyway, the reason why Nexus/OnePlus can afford to lower down their price is because of 'guaranteed buyers', and mass adoption. Guaranteed buyers as in those devices are famous and are more likely to sell well. So they can afford to split the manufacturing cost per device. Nexus have guaranteed buyers because of it's branding, while OnePlus has an invite system so they know exactly how many units they need to manufacture, so this can prevent losses. But alas, all this are just my educated guesses. Feel free to correct me as I am not a student of Economics.

I am also considering this as well. Are there other phones out there that have gotten the Windows 10 update other than the ones that already come with it? I could probably find a deal on a used not so much older phone and just update it to give it a try.

Tbh, EVERY WP can get the W10M update via the Insider program, where it's kind of an open beta testing program for every windows phone users. They get to update to the latest builds available and test them out and give feedbacks regarding bugs, suggestions, and whatnot. I tried it with my L620 last time, and that phone got bricked. Early builds bruh. Early builds. :'(

But for now, the W10M builds that you could get from the Insider Program are very stable,as most of them are similar (and actually more updated) than the W10M build that came with the L950/XL. The L950/XL came with W10M build 10586.00, while Insiders as of now are using 10586.29. Still got bugs tho. Check the threads here in the forums.

[itguyjax8430]

But for now, the W10M builds that you could get from the Insider Program are very stable,as most of them are similar (and actually more updated) than the W10M build that came with the L950/XL. The L950/XL came with W10M build 10586.00, while Insiders as of now are using 10586.29. Still got bugs tho. Check the threads here in the forums.

I may pick up this Lumia 640 XL I found on swapp for $150 and give it a go.

[feereless]

I may pick up this Lumia 640 XL I found on swapp for $150 and give it a go.

just sign up for the insider program (its an app). youll like it

[itguyjax8430]

just sign up for the insider program (its an app). youll like it

Will do, the guy is shipping it out today so I should see it Friday.

[Dan TheMan86]

Make sure you download TubeCast if you end up getting a windows phone. It's the best Youtube client in the store IMO (and NO ads!)

[cracgor]

Make sure you download TubeCast if you end up getting a windows phone. It's the best Youtube client in the store IMO (and NO ads!)

But it charges you to cast. Mytube includes this free. Try both and decide.

[Ariel Takom]

On the topic of the best youtube client, I recommend MetroTube if you want a simple interface, myTube if you want a nicer UI with additional features albeit you are limited to 1 hour of video viewing for every 3 hours, in which you'd have to wait 10 minutes before being able to resume watching another 1 hour. TubeCast is free with no ads, great UI, and are compatible with its companion app, Tube360 or something that allows you to watch those 360 videos. It also provides limited casting for the free version, and unlimited with the pro version. Perfect Tube has a great UI and provides easy viewing of YT comments, if that's your thing, albeit with no background music playback. I tried all of the above, but went back to MetroTube because the UI is simple, and works flawlessly, along with the decent background playback for music. It has unlimited trial as well and you get all the feature in the free version.

[cracgor]

Ah. I forgot I somehow got full version of mytube at some point that removed those limitations. That is one downside with third party apps, you have to pay for normal features.

[JB Labs]

I went from Android to Windows 8.1 and I liked it a lot. And Windows 10 is even better!

[nasellok]

Can we at least talk you in to waiting until a couple of cumulative updates for Windows 10 Mobile are released?

The app gap never kept me from suggesting Windows Phone over Android, unless a person just NEEDED Snapchat (...... >:-| ) or their bank's app (...understandable). That still applies. As a device, the 950XL is great, and W10M has a lot going for it, but I'm not sure I could excitedly encourage someone to make the switch until the bugs are squashed.

Just in case anyone didn't know - the chase mobile website works just as good as an app - and you can pin the site to your start screen, and its not much different than actually having an app.

[Laura Knotek]

Just in case anyone didn't know - the chase mobile website works just as good as an app - and you can pin the site to your start screen, and its not much different than actually having an app.

Is it possible to deposit checks using the mobile website?

[cracgor]

Just in case anyone didn't know - the chase mobile website works just as good as an app - and you can pin the site to your start screen, and its not much different than actually having an app.

Can you deposit a check?