Windows phone users... should i switch?

dalehitchy · 13-04-2015, 03:00

Been on android for a while but I like the look of the Nokia 930. The camera interests me, the OS looks nice, fluid and stable. That said.. I liked the customisation of android and the the amount of available apps on the store.

Can anyone give advice who have used both. And are the basic app there on the windows phone?

IvanIV · 13-04-2015, 05:22

You can browse available apps here

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store

You can costomise background image, ringtones and notification sounds, per contact, too. I do not know how it compares to Android and how far you want to go with customisations.

clm2071 · 13-04-2015, 05:33

I find WP far more user friendly but the app store is nowhere near as comprehensive as Android, in fact its a bit c**p

shaggy_x · 13-04-2015, 07:34

I have a windows phone from work. It's the basic lumnia 630 i Think. user interface is quite good although it can be slow in parts but I think that's more to do with the low spec phone.
The biggest downer is the very few apps. I guess it doesn't matter too much if you don't use too many apps like me but I don't think windows phone even gas a native YouTube app for example . There is one in the app store but it just loads the Web page lol

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 08:03

Wp is a good platform but the Nokia phones had a lot of hardware issues.. (touch screen issues for example)

The actual apps available and cortana (virtual assistant) are quite good.

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggy_x

I have a windows phone from work. It's the basic lumnia 630 i Think. user interface is quite good although it can be slow in parts but I think that's more to do with the low spec phone.
The biggest downer is the very few apps. I guess it doesn't matter too much if you don't use too many apps like me but I don't think windows phone even gas a native YouTube app for example . There is one in the app store but it just loads the Web page lol

Metrotube is an excellent YouTube app for wp

shaggy_x · 13-04-2015, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicdesign

Metrotube is an excellent YouTube app for wp

Cool. I'll look out for it. Thanks.

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggy_x

Cool. I'll look out for it. Thanks.

Let me know if there are any other apps you need. I have spent a lot of time searching for alternatives 😊

gomezz · 13-04-2015, 10:29

Still very happy with my 820. To cover the app gap I also have a cheap small Android tablet mainly for access to downloadable iPlayer programmes and to BT Sport.

dalehitchy · 13-04-2015, 12:43

hmmm still not sure if to make the switch. ill take a look at the app store. i dont even use apps that much but every so often its nice to download an app tht you hear about. with windows its something id be concerned about,

finbaar · 13-04-2015, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalehitchy

Been on android for a while but I like the look of the Nokia 930. The camera interests me, the OS looks nice, fluid and stable. That said.. I liked the customisation of android and the the amount of available apps on the store.

Can anyone give advice who have used both. And are the basic app there on the windows phone?

Are you looking to buy the 930 or sign up for a contract? If you are buying then I would say go for it, you can always sell it on again and lose very little. However if you are considering a contract then I would advise getting a cheap 630/535/640 first. This will enable you to live with the OS and again you can sell it on for minimal loss. WP is a nice OS. I am a bit gutted as my 830 has developed a fault that will require it to be sent off for repair so I am missing my daily fix. It is a “simple” OS. This isn’t necessarily a good thing though and I do actually prefer the complexity of Android which is why I also have a LG G2.

The stand out feature for WP is the camera and the new features introduced by the Denim update and the 930 has a great example. The ability to play about with HDR and flash levels after taking a shot is pretty cool.

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 12:53

The fact that it is Microsoft helps if you use business apps and office apps.

From what I can see, when a new app comes out for ios and Android, we usually has a version too. Only blackberry misses out...

shaggy_x · 13-04-2015, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicdesign

Let me know if there are any other apps you need. I have spent a lot of time searching for alternatives 😊

Is there an app which let's you view YouTube videos offline ?

Edit Metro tube costs money. Crap. I'll stuck to my note 4 default YouTube I think

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 13:33

There is a free version of metro tube, but I would always recommend supporting the developer.

To download, alltube player pro gets good reviews. Ugly user interface though.

Another nice standard YouTube player is mytube.

IvanIV · 13-04-2015, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicdesign

Metrotube is an excellent YouTube app for wp

There's also myTube. I don't use it much though so I do not know how good it actually is. It does play the videos

call100 · 13-04-2015, 15:35

TouchTube facilitates downloading of videos......

OP:- I would recommend a Windows phone over both android and IOS at the moment. I've not missed any apps since switching. There are a lot less junk apps on my phone now. The phone itself is smoother than any others I've owned.

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 16:17

I would be using a 1520 as my primary device but live in a rural setting and it keeps locking onto a stronger 2g signal rather than 3g. No good for internet.

My android and blackberry devices all allow me to specify 3g only....

chaff · 13-04-2015, 20:03

Sure, go ahead and switch if you want a shit-tier app store. There isn't even an official BBC News app. Don't get me wrong, the Windows phone OS is actually decent, but with a market share below 3% and falling is Windows phone worth buying into? IMO it's not if apps are important to you.

AJ2001 · 13-04-2015, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaff

Sure, go ahead and switch if you want a shit-tier app store. There isn't even an official BBC News app. Don't get me wrong, the Windows phone OS is actually decent, but with a market share below 3% and falling is Windows phone worth buying into? IMO it's not if apps are important to you.

According to the link below, yes its down, but actually 8.5% in the UK, 3.3 million users . I've migrated from iOS 2 years ago, now going on my second windows phone after upgrading and never looked back. Yes, the app store might not be up there with Apple and Android universes, but it has the ones I need, including MSN news/sports/finance/weather, cnn, sky news, sky sport... Would be good to have bbc, but there are other(and better) news apps out there.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windo...s-474238.shtml

Another youtube app you guys might want to consider is Tubecast (free) or Tubecast Pro (paid). Both allow to watch videos offline.

d123 · 13-04-2015, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ2001

According to the link below, yes its down, but actually 8.5% in the UK, 3.3 million users . I've migrated from iOS 2 years ago, now going on my second windows phone after upgrading and never looked back. Yes, the app store might not be up there with Apple and Android universes, but it has the ones I need, including MSN news/sports/finance/weather, cnn, sky news, sky sport... Would be good to have bbc, but there are other(and better) news apps out there.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windo...s-474238.shtml

Another youtube app you guys might want to consider is Tubecast (free) or Tubecast Pro (paid). Both allow to watch videos offline.

What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere?

There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store...

AJ2001 · 13-04-2015, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere?

There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store...

My bank has a windows, app (First Direct) and I believe it is not the only one.
I also own an Ipad 2, have Skygo installed, mainly thinking on the on demand service and I m going to be 100% honest with you, since sky massively improved the on demand service in their sky hd boxes, i never had need to use it.Of course, people have dif needs...

jchamier · 13-04-2015, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere?

There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store...

One of the reasons the Amazon Fire phone "failed" was the lack of apps that people expect on a phone. Many people are happy to be restricted on a tablet, so the Amazon Fire tablets are very successful. (also bigger screen means normal websites for many purposes are still fine).

magicdesign · 13-04-2015, 22:36

Off topic, but the amazon fire phone ran android apps right?

jchamier · 13-04-2015, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicdesign

Off topic, but the amazon fire phone ran android apps right?

Doesn't have Play Store, or GooglePlayServices so many sideloaded apps fail to run as they use the GooglePlayServices API (e.g. maps for location etc). This API is closed source and how Google retain control over the generic "open" android, AOSP.

Gigabit · 13-04-2015, 22:40

The Amazon Fire Phone was the worst phone I have seen from a big company in the last five years. What were they thinking with that POS.

13-04-2015, 03:00	#1
dalehitchy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 45	Windows phone users... should i switch? Been on android for a while but I like the look of the Nokia 930. The camera interests me, the OS looks nice, fluid and stable. That said.. I liked the customisation of android and the the amount of available apps on the store. Can anyone give advice who have used both. And are the basic app there on the windows phone?

13-04-2015, 05:22	#2
IvanIV Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 25,199	You can browse available apps here http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store You can costomise background image, ringtones and notification sounds, per contact, too. I do not know how it compares to Android and how far you want to go with customisations.

13-04-2015, 05:33	#3
clm2071 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,293	I find WP far more user friendly but the app store is nowhere near as comprehensive as Android, in fact its a bit c**p

13-04-2015, 07:34	#4
shaggy_x Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Deep South (Yorkshire) Posts: 3,416	I have a windows phone from work. It's the basic lumnia 630 i Think. user interface is quite good although it can be slow in parts but I think that's more to do with the low spec phone. The biggest downer is the very few apps. I guess it doesn't matter too much if you don't use too many apps like me but I don't think windows phone even gas a native YouTube app for example . There is one in the app store but it just loads the Web page lol

13-04-2015, 08:03	#5
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	Wp is a good platform but the Nokia phones had a lot of hardware issues.. (touch screen issues for example) The actual apps available and cortana (virtual assistant) are quite good.

13-04-2015, 08:05	#6
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	Quote: Originally Posted by shaggy_x I have a windows phone from work. It's the basic lumnia 630 i Think. user interface is quite good although it can be slow in parts but I think that's more to do with the low spec phone. The biggest downer is the very few apps. I guess it doesn't matter too much if you don't use too many apps like me but I don't think windows phone even gas a native YouTube app for example . There is one in the app store but it just loads the Web page lol Metrotube is an excellent YouTube app for wp

13-04-2015, 08:30	#7
shaggy_x Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Deep South (Yorkshire) Posts: 3,416	Quote: Originally Posted by magicdesign Metrotube is an excellent YouTube app for wp Cool. I'll look out for it. Thanks.

13-04-2015, 10:03	#8
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	Quote: Originally Posted by shaggy_x Cool. I'll look out for it. Thanks. Let me know if there are any other apps you need. I have spent a lot of time searching for alternatives 😊

13-04-2015, 10:29	#9
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	Still very happy with my 820. To cover the app gap I also have a cheap small Android tablet mainly for access to downloadable iPlayer programmes and to BT Sport.

13-04-2015, 12:43	#10
dalehitchy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 45	hmmm still not sure if to make the switch. ill take a look at the app store. i dont even use apps that much but every so often its nice to download an app tht you hear about. with windows its something id be concerned about,

13-04-2015, 12:50	#11
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	Quote: Originally Posted by dalehitchy Been on android for a while but I like the look of the Nokia 930. The camera interests me, the OS looks nice, fluid and stable. That said.. I liked the customisation of android and the the amount of available apps on the store. Can anyone give advice who have used both. And are the basic app there on the windows phone? Are you looking to buy the 930 or sign up for a contract? If you are buying then I would say go for it, you can always sell it on again and lose very little. However if you are considering a contract then I would advise getting a cheap 630/535/640 first. This will enable you to live with the OS and again you can sell it on for minimal loss. WP is a nice OS. I am a bit gutted as my 830 has developed a fault that will require it to be sent off for repair so I am missing my daily fix. It is a “simple” OS. This isn’t necessarily a good thing though and I do actually prefer the complexity of Android which is why I also have a LG G2. The stand out feature for WP is the camera and the new features introduced by the Denim update and the 930 has a great example. The ability to play about with HDR and flash levels after taking a shot is pretty cool.

13-04-2015, 12:53	#12
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	The fact that it is Microsoft helps if you use business apps and office apps. From what I can see, when a new app comes out for ios and Android, we usually has a version too. Only blackberry misses out...

13-04-2015, 13:14	#13
shaggy_x Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Deep South (Yorkshire) Posts: 3,416	Quote: Originally Posted by magicdesign Let me know if there are any other apps you need. I have spent a lot of time searching for alternatives 😊 Is there an app which let's you view YouTube videos offline ? Edit Metro tube costs money. Crap. I'll stuck to my note 4 default YouTube I think

13-04-2015, 13:33	#14
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	There is a free version of metro tube, but I would always recommend supporting the developer. To download, alltube player pro gets good reviews. Ugly user interface though. Another nice standard YouTube player is mytube.

13-04-2015, 15:35	#16
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	TouchTube facilitates downloading of videos...... OP:- I would recommend a Windows phone over both android and IOS at the moment. I've not missed any apps since switching. There are a lot less junk apps on my phone now. The phone itself is smoother than any others I've owned.

13-04-2015, 16:17	#17
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	I would be using a 1520 as my primary device but live in a rural setting and it keeps locking onto a stronger 2g signal rather than 3g. No good for internet. My android and blackberry devices all allow me to specify 3g only....

13-04-2015, 20:03	#18
chaff Inactive Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 927	Sure, go ahead and switch if you want a shit-tier app store. There isn't even an official BBC News app. Don't get me wrong, the Windows phone OS is actually decent, but with a market share below 3% and falling is Windows phone worth buying into? IMO it's not if apps are important to you.

13-04-2015, 22:03	#19
AJ2001 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 598	Quote: Originally Posted by chaff Sure, go ahead and switch if you want a shit-tier app store. There isn't even an official BBC News app. Don't get me wrong, the Windows phone OS is actually decent, but with a market share below 3% and falling is Windows phone worth buying into? IMO it's not if apps are important to you. According to the link below, yes its down, but actually 8.5% in the UK, 3.3 million users . I've migrated from iOS 2 years ago, now going on my second windows phone after upgrading and never looked back. Yes, the app store might not be up there with Apple and Android universes, but it has the ones I need, including MSN news/sports/finance/weather, cnn, sky news, sky sport... Would be good to have bbc, but there are other(and better) news apps out there. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windo...s-474238.shtml Another youtube app you guys might want to consider is Tubecast (free) or Tubecast Pro (paid). Both allow to watch videos offline.

13-04-2015, 22:09	#20
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by AJ2001 According to the link below, yes its down, but actually 8.5% in the UK, 3.3 million users . I've migrated from iOS 2 years ago, now going on my second windows phone after upgrading and never looked back. Yes, the app store might not be up there with Apple and Android universes, but it has the ones I need, including MSN news/sports/finance/weather, cnn, sky news, sky sport... Would be good to have bbc, but there are other(and better) news apps out there. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windo...s-474238.shtml Another youtube app you guys might want to consider is Tubecast (free) or Tubecast Pro (paid). Both allow to watch videos offline. What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere? There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store...

13-04-2015, 22:34	#21
AJ2001 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 598	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere? There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store... My bank has a windows, app (First Direct) and I believe it is not the only one. I also own an Ipad 2, have Skygo installed, mainly thinking on the on demand service and I m going to be 100% honest with you, since sky massively improved the on demand service in their sky hd boxes, i never had need to use it.Of course, people have dif needs...

13-04-2015, 22:34	#22
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 What do you do if your bank can't be bothered with a WP app? Or an alternative to SkyGo or Virgin TV Anywhere? There are still too many big omissions in the WP Store... One of the reasons the Amazon Fire phone "failed" was the lack of apps that people expect on a phone. Many people are happy to be restricted on a tablet, so the Amazon Fire tablets are very successful. (also bigger screen means normal websites for many purposes are still fine).

DS Forums

Windows phone users... should i switch?

13-04-2015, 22:36	#23
magicdesign Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 58	Off topic, but the amazon fire phone ran android apps right?

13-04-2015, 22:39	#24
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by magicdesign Off topic, but the amazon fire phone ran android apps right? Doesn't have Play Store, or GooglePlayServices so many sideloaded apps fail to run as they use the GooglePlayServices API (e.g. maps for location etc). This API is closed source and how Google retain control over the generic "open" android, AOSP.

13-04-2015, 22:40	#25
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	The Amazon Fire Phone was the worst phone I have seen from a big company in the last five years. What were they thinking with that POS.