Windows 8 HTC

pokerking

pokerking

pokerking

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Managed to get a HTC 8S just to try the Windows platform, wow what a very poor show compared to Android :( Have a Galaxy S4 so I guess the two phones don't compare spec wise but the difference in user experience is night and day.

Applications are the biggest difference, Widows 8 the apps on the play store are very sparse and poor compared to Android, many are simply not there or cost £2.99.

Facebook, maps, games plus many more are disappointing and badly to use.

Customisation is rubbish, you cannot do anything remotely unique it all looks the same other that choosing to remove the live tiles or changing colour.

I don't know if the more expensive phones are different like the Nokia but I have no idea how Microsoft have made this so poor. Maybe I am too used to Android but it just feels so wrong?
 
I agree it's terrible. It seems a very anti-productive interface to me. Absolutely hate it, thankfully never owned one myself, but often have to sort out my Dad's for one reason or another.
 
Speaking as someone who's experienced the top end of both OS (got an HTC One and a Lumia 1520), I like them both for different reasons.

WP is much slicker, stuff has the Apple "just works" quality far more and I think works better as an actual phone, for most use-cases. Android is nice, I went down the full root option on every one I've had though, plus custom ROMs.

Android interests me and works for the tinkerer in me, but feels annoyingly fragmented and disjointed that the reason I tinker is that stuff doesn't work as I'd like it. Of course the strength of Android is that you can change these things relatively easily, but that does not appeal to average Joe.

(Owned all of the following: X10 Mini, GS2, HTC One X, GS3, Lumia 920, HTC One, Lumia 1520)

PS: The Nokia range is definitely the best way to experience Windows Phone though, the Nokia-developed apps are ace, which the other manufacturers miss out on.
 
You'll get used to it, find different apps etc. (Personally I've grown to dislike the flat UI)

Oh and HTC/Samsung WP8 phones can download Nokia apps like navigation etc. Are they even making new phones for WP8 these days?
 
Well that's your opinion. And it reads like someone that wanted permission to have a rant, why would you buy it? All that stuff which is the usual danboi rant is known to that group, so why did you even buy one?

Personally I'm still in love with it and the UI.

I have found the apps a lot better than the tangled fragmented mess that Droid left me feeling with, everything felt different screen to screen, taking a look how all the bing stuff works with it feel so much more integrated and smoother, how Skydive works with it as well is a nice syncing feature across the board.

Flat UI, exactly what is Droid then?, fully 3d or something, or a row of static icon dispersed with Widgets. At least the tiles are all offering real time updates and information where applicable.

Customizing you can do quite a lot with the tiles etc, admittedly you can change lots of menus and stuff, but after trying all of that man that gets tiring, and the ONLY person that sees it as you, no one else day to is impressed or looking or paying attention.

Official Facebook form MS have been the best I have used, Nokia fully offline maps have **** all over Google and Apple maps about Belfast and the Rep where I travel between at times.. Never been much of a gamer on Mobile devices to be honest but have enjoyed Halo and Asphalt and the like, and the game distance and over all distance between getting them is coming down drastically.

That and Nokia still making some of the best hardware handsets for camera abilities in the entire market. Their hasn't been a single Droid handset that has made me think twice on that front. Also I like the fact that no matter what handset you buy, W8P runs as good from complete basement budget to the top of the line. I don't know why anyone would by HTC in the WP market.
 
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I have WP8 and a Nexus 7, whereas you can customise Android a lot more than my 920, I prefer the buttery smoothness of WP8. My N7 is good 4.4 was a huge improvement, but I don't trust Android.
 
Just sold my HTC 8X and replaced it with a moto g. For me the lack of any real customization was a pain in the ass but you get over it. The biggest thing is the lack of applications and the quality of the apps that are there. I use my fitness pal and runtastic for logging food and exercise and both crash frequently. Until last month the facebook app was all but useless for chat, whatsapp frequently doesn't get push notifications... the list goes on.

The UI was irritating but the apps just killed me. I stuck with it for 6 months to give it a fair chance but in the end it had to go.
 
No issue at all with tuntastic use it all the time.

As for the quality? nearly all the big apps are identical.
What's wrong with Facebook, its just like the other platforms.
Netflix, audible, facebook runtastic (bar Bluetooth heart/step counters, which should be available soon if not already as wp8 now supports it) all quality apps and the same function as ios/android. In fact I've had less issues on wp8 with audible than iOS. Metrotube is the app of choice for YouTube.
Nokia maps, sat navy, publixpc transport are all great. Obviously have office in there. TV guide is virtually the same tube map, ocado, one note etc all the same.

Lack of apps isn't an issue unless you're an app who're. I'm only missing skygo from my list.

Why on earth would anyone buy anything other than Nokia, that's probably the biggest issue here.
 
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I tried one for a day and I would never touch one again even for free. Next to my MIUI phone the windows phone is so out dated in every way.
 
Glaucus said:
No issue at all with tuntastic use it all the time.

As for the quality? nearly all the big apps are identical.
What's wrong with Facebook, its just like the other platforms.
Netflix, audible, facebook runtastic (bar Bluetooth heart/step counters, which should be available soon if not already as wp8 now supports it) all quality apps and the same function as ios/android. In fact I've had less issues on wp8 with audible than iOS. Metrotube is the app of choice for YouTube.
Nokia maps, sat navy, publixpc transport are all great. Obviously have office in there. TV guide is virtually the same tube map, ocado, one note etc all the same.

Lack of apps isn't an issue unless you're an app who're. I'm only missing skygo from my list.

Why on earth would anyone buy anything other than Nokia, that's probably the biggest issue here.
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Runtastic: would regularly freeze when starting, once it got a signal it was grand.
MyFitnessPal: regular freezing and crashes
Facebook: was OK but never received push notifications for chat which my friends often use for organising a night out.
WhatsApp: same issue push notifications.
IE: Opens new tab in foreground instead of background.
Text Messaging: if you want to send a message to someone you havent texted in a few weeks you have to go through all the conversations to find it instead of just starting a new convo.
No notification centre: Doesn't sound like a big deal, but when your phone beeps and you have to scroll through the home page looking for the right tile its a pain.

It did have good points like nav and live tiles but I rarely make use of nav and widgets do just as good a job. The best thing was probably the people app, but mostly I just found myself frustrated by its limitations.
 
Gambisk said:
Text Messaging: if you want to send a message to someone you havent texted in a few weeks you have to go through all the conversations to find it instead of just starting a new convo.
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What, you just tap the + and make a text, no searvhinfpg required.
Never had any issues with runtastic.
Notification is an issue for some but coming in ~march
Why does it matter if it comes in foreground, generally open a tab you want to use it, that's just personal preference rather than an issue.
Facebook did you have push notification turned off. Although may just been the time limit wp imposes to stop apps consuming all the power when they're not being run.

As for the other apps, never used them.

But anyone who buys a wp which isn't Nokia is frankly insane and hasn't done there research. Nokia firmware, which includes extras and their apps make it a no brainer. There's a reason they dominate the wp market with over 90%
 
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Facebook is nowhere near the level as you get on Android and IOS. It does not feel right and is very buggy. Notifications do not come through to the phone and it crashes far too often.

The browser is pants, no backspace when you view a webpage and click on links it simply exits the browser, likewise no forward etc. It is very very basic to that of Chrome or Safari.

The notification bar is the strange one, there is none!! Only a tap at the top gives you a brief look at what is on. You cannot see what your connected to be it wifi Bluetooth mobile network battery level ect its all hidden and you have to enter setting menu to view these correctly.

Apps is the biggest gripe. Many are simply not available such as many very popular Facebook apps, candy crush, words with friends etc it goes on and on. How can this be? Yes its a small market atm but its pants. The level of apps and the quality is shocking.

Android and IOS are a good 5 years ahead. There is absolutely no chance I can use Windows 8 Mobile to the level I can use with Android. It is so far from been productive its scary.

Good luck Nokia because you will need it. Poor show. Now do I use this phone as a door stop? Because that's all its good for. I am going to give it more time but I pick it up and think, i cannot be bothered to use it. Shame really as I wanted to like a Windows based phone.

Sorry for bashing Microsoft's attempt but your far too late to the party
 
Windows Phone has come further since it's initial launch but it's still abysmal, I had a HTC 8s for a while, really got frustrated with it, now I'm back with Android on a Moto G and loving it.
 
If it seems im ranting sorry. Just was expecting more and am extremely disappointed. Have been a Windows user for 20+ years so its not a bash at Microsoft.

They are my opinions and that i am entitled to. So don't go getting all defensive Window's users.
 
No back space, what are you in, there is a back button. Its on the phone. So yes some of your points really are rants and aren't correct.

Never had Facebook crash once.

Luck, Nokia are about to beat apples market share in the key eu countries. I mean uk is now around 10% share, with apple just a few points ahead.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/Print/..._europe_as_windows_phone_claims_market_share/
Apple's iPhones are losing ground in Europe as consumers increasingly opt for Android and Windows Phone handsets, according to researchers.

Analysts with Kantar Worldpanel ComTech found that over the third quarter of this year, Apple saw its share of the market in Germany, France, and the UK decline over the same period in 2012, a sign that the release of the iPhone 5s and 5c failed to attract consumers as did the launch of the iPhone 5.

According to the researchers, Apple's overall share of the European market shrank on the quarter from 20.8 per cent to 15.8 per cent. Meanwhile, Android saw its share of the market climb to 70.9 per cent and Windows Phone reeled in a 10.2 per cent share of the market, up from just 4.8 per cent for the previous year's quarter.

The news isn't all bad for Cupertino, however. "In almost all markets, the iPhone 5s and 5c releases have given iOS a significant bounce compared to the previous month," commented Kantar Worldpanel ComTech strategic insight director Dominic Sunnebo.
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http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-phones-market-share-doubles-uk-and-europe-increases-worldwide
Data for the quarter ending November 2012 showed that Windows Phone accounted for just 5.1% of the mobile market, and placed it in fourth position -- even behind BlackBerry. Fast forward twelve months to the quarter ending November 2013 and the platform has a 10.8% share of the market.

It's a similar story in other parts of Europe. In Germany, Windows Phone jumped from 1.9% to 5.7% and in France the increase was from 4.2% to 12.9%. In fact, in every market other than China -- where market share did not change over the year -- Windows Phone proved more popular in 2013 than in 2012.
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It sounds like user error due to not learning and buying a htc. Nokia have fat more features on them.

No there isn't notifications, which for some is a big issue, however that is due in the next update in march.

I'm using the cheapest Nokia at £99 and I can do more than the iphone4 it replaced, which I now use as a back up phone. I've also had less issues with my main app audible on wp8.
 
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pokerking said:
If it seems im ranting sorry. Just was expecting more and am extremely disappointed. Have been a Windows user for 20+ years so its not a bash at Microsoft.

They are my opinions and that i am entitled to. So don't go getting all defensive Window's users.
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You expected more? Why do you think nobody is buying Windows Phones? :p

I don't mind them, but overall it's very 'meh'. WP and iOS are functionally quite similar and restricted, so I pretty much see iOS as something that is just simply better. Android is a different case as usual.
 
Glaucus said:
No back space, what are you in, there is a back button. Its on the phone. So yes some of your points really are rants and aren't correct.

Never had Facebook crash once.

Luck, Nokia are about to beat apples market share in the key eu countries. I mean uk is now around 10% share, with apple just a few points ahead.


http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-phones-market-share-doubles-uk-and-europe-increases-worldwide


It sounds like user error due to not learning and buying a htc. Nokia have fat more features on them.

No there isn't notifications, which for some is a big issue, however that is due in the next update in march.

I'm using the cheapest Nokia at £99 and I can do more than the iphone4 it replaced, which I now use as a back up phone. I've also had less issues with my main app audible on wp8.
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The back button is there yes.

Ok when you exit internet explorer to look at a text and reopen internet explorer and hit back it exits the application rather than going back to the previous page you viewed. This is quite a big flaw.

And just because its not a Nokia its pants? Sorry but the issues are OS based so are relevant to all Windows based phones.

Its very difficult to use and be productive on. The best feature is an app I downloaded called HERE Maps which has me impressed its an excellent Navigation software, beats Google Maps hands down.
 
The back button gives more space its how its designed and user error, open the existing IE session, just like ios and android, its not perfect, but it really isn't what you are making it out to be and each update is making it much much better.


The other thing people don't usually realise is you can change the refresh button, to do tabs or other things in the settings, depending how you use a browser.
Now with bigger and high rest screens and thus more space, I do expect IE will be updated. Hopefully same layout as the RT version as I like that.

Nokia add lots of features and apps. Here maps is one of many great Nokia apps. But they also add features. The settings menu on a Nokia is far bigger than on a htc.

So yes you really should have tried a Nokia. as I said there's a reason Nokia have over 90% of the wp8 market that's because the hardware and software is far better,

Just like you wouldn't judge android purely on a bottom rung budget phone. But at least on wp8 even the bottom rung htc is still fluid and very functional.

You not liking also does not make it rubbish.
 
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pokerking said:
The back button is there yes.

Ok when you exit internet explorer to look at a text and reopen internet explorer and hit back it exits the application rather than going back to the previous page you viewed. This is quite a big flaw.
Click to expand...

You are missing a fundamental part of the OS functionality. When you leave IE and then want to go back to the same session you need to long-press the back button and select the open IE session. By pressing the IE live tile/app icon then you launch a new session that has the last open pages, but none of the history.
 
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Glaucus said:
The back button gives more space, to get around that all you have to do is click a link. Then you can go back many times with out exiting, just like ios and android, its not perfect, but it really isn't what you are making it out to be and each update is making it much much better.


Nokia add lots of features and apps. Here maps is one of many great Nokia apps. But they also add features. The settings menu on a Nokia is far bigger than on a htc.

So yes you really should have tried a Nokia. as I said there's a reason Nokia have over 90% of the wp8 market that's because the hardware and software is far better,

Just like you wouldn't judge android purely on a bottom rung budget phone. But at least on wp8 even the bottom rid htc is still fluid and very functional.

You not liking also does not make it rubbish.
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But I can go out and buy a new Motorola for £129.09 that gives me the same pleasure an s4 would give me using Android.

So im meant to by a Nokia to really get the best out of the Windows OS? Ok ill swap it for a Nokia 520 and see. If its any better.

You seem to be taking it personal please don't take it that way. My opinion of it been rubbish is that of my own and to me it is.

Maybe if I have not had Android and IOS based devices Microsofts offering might make sense but its wrong and hard work to use.

I cant work it out, it may click in a few weeks when I have had more use out of it but the lack of apps is a killer.
 
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