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Thinking of switching from IOS to WP8 .... Will it be an awkward transition?

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Liberty4all

Liberty4all

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Got my iPhone 4 at launch and it was my first smartphone. Lately the screen feels too small so I'm thinking about buying a new phone. Windows 8 mobile devices interest me a lot, specifically the Nokia 920. The camera in it looks sick and I really like the size of the display. I'm interested in trying something "new" and Android seems like another take on IOS as opposed to win 8 which is doing something very different from the other 2.

I'm hesitant though to take the plunge ... Mainly worried I'll get the phone and what seemed fascinating will turn to annoyance (like i find out through daily usage the phone doesn't do basic things I take for granted).

I'm not a huge app guy ... Mainly news, weather, gps and social media apps like Instagram and Facebook. For those of you that switched to win 7.5 and win 8 from IOS, have you been happy so far?
 
If you're wanting Instagram you're going to be out of luck as Windows Phone 8 doesn't have it yet, however most of the 'big' apps you want you'll find in the Store at this stage.
 
If you're not a huge app guy you'll love Windows Phone. A lot of the functionality you have to download apps for on iOS are built in on Windows phone.
 
It depends on your adaptability to new/different OS', if you are only used to one thing, then it will be a weird transition at first
 
If you're concerned about apps btw check out the Store online first to see what there is for you and what's missing

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store?wa=wsignin1.0

Windows Phone is a fantastic OS and you'll not go far wrong with it, unless that is that there is certain apps that you need in your everyday life that the platform doesn't provide as of yet. Not all apps are featured on the Store though, some like the Nokia exclusive ones don't afaik.
 
goomba said:
Give Windows 8 a year or two to see if works out or not.
Click to expand...

MS has gone "all in" with win 8 and is trying to blur the lines between mobile and PC platforms. Thats a big reason why I'm considering it as I don't think MS will let it fail. Also I really liked office integration on my Playbook and I understand that is baked in on win8 mobile devices ....

The UI of win8 I find really interesting ... Having my feeds snd social media streams updating on tiles right on my phone homepage really appeals to me. The lack of apps though is scary as I'm sure there are things I use every day on my iPhone I'm not thinking about that I will be like doh with a win8 device (my banking apps come to mind)
 
Bamelin said:
MS has gone "all in" with win 8 and is trying to blur the lines between mobile and PC platforms. Thats a big reason why I'm considering it as I don't think MS will let it fail. Also I really liked office integration on my Playbook and I understand that is baked in on win8 mobile devices ....

The UI of win8 I find really interesting ... Having my feeds snd social media streams updating on tiles right on my phone homepage really appeals to me. The lack of apps though is scary as I'm sure there are things I use every day on my iPhone I'm not thinking about that I will be like doh with a win8 device (my banking apps come to mind)
Click to expand...
MS doesn't have any control over the app situation. Going WP is just hoping at this point. Hoping that buyers that have been apathetic to WP all these years will suddenly start to like it in enough numbers for developers to decide to take the platform seriously.

I think it's still a big gamble. I think the OS is beautiful. Just too bad it took so long to get it to this point. I hope it's not too late for them to turn it around, but at this point I feel like Android and iPhones offer more bang for the buck and the safer bets in general.
 
kharma45 said:
If you're concerned about apps btw check out the Store online first to see what there is for you and what's missing

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store?wa=wsignin1.0

Windows Phone is a fantastic OS and you'll not go far wrong with it, unless that is that there is certain apps that you need in your everyday life that the platform doesn't provide as of yet. Not all apps are featured on the Store though, some like the Nokia exclusive ones don't afaik.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll check that link out.

I didn't realize Instagram isn't on win 8. I wanted the 920 in part for the great pics I could Instagram (oops). The phone is actually out in Canada now ... A 3 year contract with Rogers will run $299. The 920 on 3 years will be $99.

Which brings me to another point. Because subsidized contracts are so terribly long here I have to buy at launch a device that is guaranteed to stay somewhat relevant 2 years from now (like my iPhone 4 has).
 
I would tell you to wait a year. So far the marketplace has not exactly been chomping at the bit for Windows phone products, and some carriers have balked at carrying Windows 8 phones.

I'd tell you to jump to android this year if you're dying to change platforms.
 
Bamelin said:
Thanks I'll check that link out.

I didn't realize Instagram isn't on win 8. I wanted the 920 in part for the great pics I could Instagram (oops). The phone is actually out in Canada now ... A 3 year contract with Rogers will run $299. The 920 on 3 years will be $99.

Which brings me to another point. Because subsidized contracts are so terribly long here I have to buy at launch a device that is guaranteed to stay somewhat relevant 2 years from now (like my iPhone 4 has).
Click to expand...

Are you looking to share on Instagram or just get the filters? If it's the latter then there is plenty of options like say this http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lomogram/eff2feae-cef3-42be-8bfc-f0d62b1d814e

Nokia might even have filters built-in to the camera, I know HTC does with their phones anyway.

As for long term relevance, I'd hope so but it's hard to tell for most phones unless it's the iPhone with it's reasonably predictable release schedule and arguably the Nexus phones too.

If it helps Microsoft has said that all Windows Phone 8 devices are guaranteed at least 18 months of software support

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-phone-8-updates-to-be-ota-18-month-support-guaranteed
 
MS is probably moneyhatting for instagram as we speak. If you really want to try windows phone go for it. But just be aware that sometimes what comes after the lure of the shiny new thing can come immediate regret. Especially in Canada with 3 year contracts. Just be sure what you want to do.
 
Facebook and Twitter are integrated in a fine way. No Instagram, but I expect the ecosystem to improve massively over the next few months after the dev kit was released. I went from Windows Phone to iOS, and now I want to go back.
 
-Pyromaniac- said:
MS is probably moneyhatting for instagram as we speak. If you really want to try windows phone go for it. But just be aware that sometimes what comes after the lure of the shiny new thing can come immediate regret. Especially in Canada with 3 year contracts. Just be sure what you want to do.
Click to expand...

With Microsoft's relationship with Facebook I'd be surprised if it wasn't on the platform within the next 12 months, or at worst Nokia pay to make it another timed-exclusive app for their Lumia range.

Jason Raize '75 - '04 said:
Facebook and Twitter are integrated in a fine way. No Instagram, but I expect the ecosystem to improve massively over the next few months after the dev kit was released. I went from Windows Phone to iOS, and now I want to go back.
Click to expand...

I went from WP7 to an HTC One X and wanted to go back, so I did. There is just something about the OS, it's a real pleasure to use.

Thinking of getting the Nexus 4 and no doubt I'll still pine for Windows Phone if I get it.
 
kharma45 said:
Are you looking to share on Instagram or just get the filters? If it's the latter then there is plenty of options like say this http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lomogram/eff2feae-cef3-42be-8bfc-f0d62b1d814e

Nokia might even have filters built-in to the camera, I know HTC does with their phones anyway.

As for long term relevance, I'd hope so but it's hard to tell for most phones unless it's the iPhone with it's reasonably predictable release schedule and arguably the Nexus phones too.

If it helps Microsoft has said that all Windows Phone 8 devices are guaranteed at least 18 months of software support

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-phone-8-updates-to-be-ota-18-month-support-guaranteed
Click to expand...

I have an iPad 1 and I'll still have my iphone4 ... Worst comes to worst I could just Dropbox the files from the 920 and pick them up on the iPad at home to post on Instagram at least until the app arrives on win8 platform
 
Bamelin said:
No ... But I saw it as a test bed and a way to get into the market paving the road for win8 alongside what's happening on the desktop side with Metro/surface etc ...
Click to expand...

MS trotted out the same kind of hype with Windows 7 and WP7, and the market expressed no interest in it. I would seriously look at a good Android phone before making a 3 year long commitment to a platform that has a terrible track record and limited support at this point.

Also, go look at what Google is doing with Google Now. That is leagues beyond anything MS or Apple has created thus far.
 
Bamelin said:
I have an iPad 1 and I'll still have my iphone4 ... Worst comes to worst I could just Dropbox the files from the 920 and pick them up on the iPad at home to post on Instagram at least until the app arrives on win8 platform
Click to expand...

Yeah true, could do that.
 
I'll just say that Nokia has been great about supporting their phones. The way MS is pushing Win8 and W8P I see no reason why instagram wouldn't be there sooner rather than later.
 
Aguirre said:
iOS is rock bottom terrible. anywhere you go from there is an improvement
Click to expand...

Subjective. I have an Android phone and I much prefer iOS (my iPad uses it). However I think I would place Windows Phone 8 at the bottom due to lack of third party support, it's got a really slick look/feeling to it though.
 
Discusguy said:
I'll just say that Nokia has been great about supporting their phones. The way MS is pushing Win8 and W8P I see no reason why instagram wouldn't be there sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...

HTC should be a lot better now too, looks like they're jumping back into Windows Phone properly now as the HTC 8X looks to be a great device and the 8S isn't a bad entry level one for the price.

Any of the top phones for WP8 (ATIV S, 920 and 8X) are hard to go too far wrong with, all nice enough hardware.

xJavonta said:
Subjective. I have an Android phone and I much prefer iOS (my iPad uses it). However I think I would place Windows Phone 8 at the bottom due to lack of third party support, it's got a really slick look/feeling to it though.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's most definitely in third place but I feel it's at a stage now where it's a very viable rival for the most part to iOS and Android.
 
Aldebaran said:
You should try android. A lot of apps, an amazing OS and Google Now is incredibly useful.
Click to expand...

I like android but my carrier has a terrible record supporting OS updates on the myriad of Android devices. if I were to go android the only devices I would consider right now is the SIII, Note II, Motorola Photon Or maybe an HTC device.

With that said I played with my brothers SII and liked it but i also support Android devices at work (I work for an MVNO) ... The last ting I want to see when I'm off is anything android related

I like where MS has gone with their UI and I think as the big push with surface and Metro on PCs continues win8 has a good chance of succeeding in the mobile space.
 
Bamelin said:
I like android but my carrier has a terrible record supporting OS updates on the myriad of devices. if I were to go android the only devices I would consider right now is the SIII, Note II, Motorola Photon Or maybe an HTC device.

With that said I played with my brothers SII and liked it but i also support Android devices at work (I work for an MVNO) ... The last ting I want to see when I'm off is anything android related

I like where MS has gone with their UI and I think as the big push with surface and Metro on PCs continues win8 has a good chance of succeeding in the mobile space.
Click to expand...

If you want guaranteed support for Android go for the Nexus 4 that's out in like 9 days or so, however you are limited to 16GB if that's an issue for you.
 
Bamelin said:
I like android but my carrier has a terrible record supporting OS updates on the myriad of devices. if I were to go android the only devices I would consider right now is the SIII, Note II, Motorola Photon Or maybe an HTC device.

With that said I played with my brothers SII and liked it but i also support Android devices at work (I work for an MVNO) ... The last ting I want to see when I'm off is anything android related

I like where MS has gone with their UI and I think as the big push with surface and Metro on PCs continues win8 has a good chance of succeeding in the mobile space.
Click to expand...

Get the nexus 4? Google handles the updates
 
kharma45 said:
Yeah it's most definitely in third place but I feel it's at a stage now where it's a very viable rival for the most part to iOS and Android.
Click to expand...

That's true. I wouldn't have considered it before but WP8 devices look cool and I do like the interface so I'm thinking about one for my next phone. I wouldn't go Android again for a while, but iOS and WP8 are definitely the two I'm considering. The only thing that prevents me from going WP8 is the support. If WP8 had more of that, I think it would be doing a lot better.
 
xJavonta said:
That's true. I wouldn't have considered it before but WP8 devices look cool and I do like the interface so I'm thinking about one for my next phone. I wouldn't go Android again for a while, but iOS and WP8 are definitely the two I'm considering. The only thing that prevents me from going WP8 is the support. If WP8 had more of that, I think it would be doing a lot better.
Click to expand...

Part of the problems is some stupid decisions, the Lumia 920 for example is an exclusive in the US to AT&T and in the UK to EE, baffling decision by Nokia. How can they expect to gain market share if they're stuck on one carrier?

outunderthestars said:
Technically they are in 4th, behind Blackberry. (i think)
Click to expand...

From a market share percentage they are but does anyone really consider a BlackBerry any more? I can't see them heading anywhere but down fast until BB10 comes out, and even then it might be too late.
 
OneEightZero said:
I'd give it a bit more time. Two or three device release cycles.
Click to expand...
That's...I don't know if they have that much time. Can Microsoft and their partners take 2 or 3 more years of time to become relevant?

When competing OSes and products are only growing in market share and customer satisfaction?
 
I'm thinking of moving to Win8, after using 3 generations of iPhones (Orig, 3GS, 4). I've tinkered around with a Surface and installed Win8 in bootcamp and I think I dig it.

I don't really do much with apps, just weather, Words with Friends, and a few others, but I rarely visit the iOS App Store with the phone, as the web browser does most of what I need.
 
kharma45 said:
Part of the problems is some stupid decisions, the Lumia 920 for example is an exclusive in the US to AT&T and in the UK to EE, baffling decision by Nokia. How can they expect to gain market share if they're stuck on one carrier?
Click to expand...

It's exclusive to Rogers in Canada too. Although I heard it leaked it may be time limited exclusivity of 1 month.
 
outunderthestars said:
MS trotted out the same kind of hype with Windows 7 and WP7, and the market expressed no interest in it. I would seriously look at a good Android phone before making a 3 year long commitment to a platform that has a terrible track record and limited support at this point.

Also, go look at what Google is doing with Google Now. That is leagues beyond anything MS or Apple has created thus far.
Click to expand...

When?
 
outunderthestars said:
Balmer promises Windows Phone 7 based tablet with synergy with Windows 7

Balmer hypes Window 7 tablets

Balmer hypes Windows Phone 7

MS hypes Xbox Live connectivity

And we all know that worked out. I cannot recommend someone locking themselve to WP8 at this point based on MS's track record. They continually exclaim how "this will change everything" and still end up in last place in the mobile arena.
Click to expand...

Did they shared APIs, kernels, UI Style, App Store model, developer's guidelines and more between Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7???
 
False equivalence. Look at the apps in Windows Phone store and Windows store, a good number of them are from the same developers.
 
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