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Windows Phone 7 |OT|
- Thread starter brotkasten
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Lol, how do you figure?Brettison said:
Am I happy that my Focus won't update (apparently) due to my firmware being older than others? Of course not, but the fact that I have already had two versions of the update pushed to me shows that they (MS) aren't going to just let some phones not be updated.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
They did talk about it: its not a bug.Cj70 said:
Elnino: when did they push out two updates to your phone?!?!?
Poindexter
Member
Facebook and pre-nodo? iunno. They fixed the Facebook app problem really quick! I still have hope (I've only had the phone a few days though so I'm not quite as dismayed as you guys).
brotkasten
Member
Hey, hey! That's my job here, okay? :lolBrettison said:
I don't see how anybody could want it the way it is and anyway that was just an example.The two versions of the February 2011 (aka pre-NoDo) update. The first one failed half way through the update and it was mentioned that the older Focus firmwares were all failing (don't ask me why we have different device firmwares). The update was sent out again and now I complete the update but it gives a timeout error at the last step.VanMardigan said:
MS' troubleshooting efforts to have the update work for me have so far not worked and the last resort is to do a factory reset then apply the update, which reportedly will work. But, since the February update doesn't bring anything new I'm not going to do a reset unless I need to in order to get the NoDo update to install.
I suppose if you go by the strictest definition it may not be, but I'm not sure it really matters. Whether it's technically freeware or something, as long as it fits within the spirit how the software is generated and/or distributed I don't see the point in differentiating. Is a piece of SW somehow better because it actively circumvented the intentions of the device creator?dream said:
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
Maybe that's why you have a sunnier outlook than those of us who haven't gotten shit. Our phones have NEVER put up a message saying there was an update, never through Zune, nothing. That makes things much more frustrating, its like our phones don't even exist. To make matters worse, MS just put up a spreadsheet that gives at&t owners no timeline whatsoever. It could be well past May before we ever get that message that has popped up twice for you already. Hopefully that gives you some perspective.ElNino said:
I completely understand where you are coming from. I know this all too well coming from my BB days where "official carrier" releases would come out many months later than some carriers.VanMardigan said:
My "sunny outlook" is still sunny only because it appears MS is making progress... but I am disappointed as to how slow things are going right now.
The recent news that nothing is guaranteed makes me question the sunny outlook.ElNino said:
MS really needs to clarify this situation. If things really aren't guaranteed, it may be bad medicine ... but the alternative, stringing people along under false pretenses, would likely have far worse long-term ramifications to the platform.
Earl Cazone
Member
i interpreted the "we guarantee nothing" tweet from windowsphonesupport i a "we have no idea, so we dont make promises" kind of way
Assuming anything comes from it, I'd assume the limitations would be more along the lines of people can only release free content as 'homebrew'. Obviously it isn't in their best interests to sanction them getting no moneydream said:
Pretty much. The problem is it flies in the face of their previous rhetoric.Earl Cazone said:
Vanillalite
Ask me about the GAF Notebook
I did my own tweets to @WinPhoneSupport.... the following is what I posted and received...
@winphonesupport is it true we aren't guaranteed to ever get the update?
@Vanillalite Given the different testing schedules of mobile operators, some users will see an update before others do. ^EB
@WinPhoneSupport are we guaranteed the update though? Like EVERYONE will get it eventually even if it takes time?
@Vanillalite Yes, eventually. ^EB
Take that as you will.....
@winphonesupport is it true we aren't guaranteed to ever get the update?
@Vanillalite Given the different testing schedules of mobile operators, some users will see an update before others do. ^EB
@WinPhoneSupport are we guaranteed the update though? Like EVERYONE will get it eventually even if it takes time?
@Vanillalite Yes, eventually. ^EB
Take that as you will.....
Complex Shadow
Cudi Lame
i think even they realize this update blocking is kinda lame. and they're probably sick of it.
Poindexter
Member
so my htc hd7 randomly rebooted today on the way home. and when it started back up, everything was gone. my contacts, apps, music, pictures. Everything. Am I screwed or is there a way to get them back (short of resyncing. i'm mostly peeved that I lost a bunch of my fucking contacts).
It boggles my mind that MS PR isn't capable of getting ahead of this shit. There have been questions about this stuff since before launch, and it's a constant headline on the relevant tech blogs and sites. They must know there's a ton of confusion and concern - unless they are completely blindfolding themselves to the industry - yet they let it ride.Brettison said:
WTF
Poindexter
Member
no :-\ I had most people on facebook and I would just add their numbers. Those aren't really the problem. The problem is the ones that weren't on facebook and now I'm not sure how to get numbers for some of those people short of going through my old phone bills (some don't live anywhere near me. old friends, etc)
Poindexter
Member
oh wait! shit yeah! Windows Live automatically synced anyone i created or edited! fuck yeah! on one hand that's really shitty that i lost everything, on the other it takes a couple of seconds to get it all back
brotkasten
Member
People should ignore the @WinPhoneSupport account, they don't have any useful information and they don't say anything useful. I learned that weeks ago.
Phone contacts are synced via Windows Live. Go to http://windowsphone.live.com, log in with your live account and you should be able to see them.Poindexter said:
Earl Cazone
Member
so what if i bought a wp7 phone without contract and used a carrier that does not even have wp7 handsets. will i get the update anyway?
brotkasten
Member
edit: My FAQ is shitty any nobody says anything (nobody cares, I knowEarl Cazone said:
). Corrected it. Yes. Those are open market phones (unbranded) and they get the updates without any delay. At least in theory. However, you're still tied to Microsoft's slow release schedule. My phone is unbranded and I got the February update immediately, but I'm still waiting for NoDo.
edit: Wait, "without a contract"? Do not buy a phone from any carrier. Even if you get it without a contract, it will identify itself as "insertshittycarrierhere Windows Phone 7" and you'll be tied to the carrier's release schedule. Get it from a retailer without any branding.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
I'm gonna wait until you and robobandit get your NoDo update, then I'll unlock and unbrand my Focus. Hopefully robo doesn't experience any issues with the update. I don't want to potentially wait until May or afterwards.
Earl Cazone
Member
brotkasten said:It's in the OP FAQ
now im feeling dumb
and yes I'll buy my device from a retailer, i intend to buy a samsung omnnia 7 when the samsung update problems are solved.
Cerebral Assassin
Member
Has anyone else had trouble adding card details to Zune? I've just got my HTC Mozart & I cant seem to add my card details so I can buy some games. I've tried doing it through the Zune player & the website & no joy, I don't even get an specific error code, just ERROR - try later.
Robobandit
Member
VanMardigan said:
Pre-Nodo went off without a hitch.. I'm not expecting any trouble from nodo.. but it hasn't rolled out to anyone in the Us yet, apparently.
I'm hoping my unbranded focus will get it when the venue pro does.. since that device isn't t-mobile branded..
I've been looking into getting a Samsung Focus with WP7 and was wondering if GAF could give me any advice over it. I've read the last page and a half(ish) and noticed how almost everyone is not happy with the fact that it's taking Microsoft a long time to get updates pushed out to the phones, but that isn't really a problem from me since I actually liked the phone when I tried it out for a bit. I never used the Copy/Paste functionality on iOS that much, so I don't really care about that either.
What I'd like to know about the phone(I haven't found anything in regards to this) is if it has a free GPS "app" like on the iPhone with Google Maps. I know every phone on AT&T has that AT&T Navigator, but it's like an additional $10 per month on top of all the other service costs which I'd like to avoid. Also, in regards to data usage, does the Netflix app require you to be connected to a WiFi spot to use, or can you use it over 3G? And if you can use it over 3G, does it eat up your data allowance?
Also, this is not exactly related to the phone itself, but I'm looking at getting it from Amazon Wireless(which basically offers the phone for free), and just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with them and how they handle billing(if you have to pay Amazon or AT&T the monthly fee).
What I'd like to know about the phone(I haven't found anything in regards to this) is if it has a free GPS "app" like on the iPhone with Google Maps. I know every phone on AT&T has that AT&T Navigator, but it's like an additional $10 per month on top of all the other service costs which I'd like to avoid. Also, in regards to data usage, does the Netflix app require you to be connected to a WiFi spot to use, or can you use it over 3G? And if you can use it over 3G, does it eat up your data allowance?
Also, this is not exactly related to the phone itself, but I'm looking at getting it from Amazon Wireless(which basically offers the phone for free), and just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with them and how they handle billing(if you have to pay Amazon or AT&T the monthly fee).
brotkasten
Member
Don't, I had a small error in the FAQ.Earl Cazone said:
("unlocked" instead of "unbranded")Good choice. It costs now half as much as it did when I bought my LG (now it's the same price for both phones :/). The OLED screen is awesome.
Some Omnia7 users on XDA say they already got the NoDo update with their unbranded phones and they don't have any problems.Robobandit said:
No. The Zune software SUCKS for WP7 app management and the big 5.0 overhaul is long overdue and worst is, I don't think it's even coming before Mango. Anyway, most apps are really, really small (that's why you don't see them in the Zune software download queue, remember?snap0212 said:Quick question: Is there any way to update Apps through Zune? My phone shows me 12 updates for Apps I have installed, but my internet connection is pretty slow so updating them all through the phone is not really convenient at all.
), so it should be no problem to update them with a slow internet connection.Earl Cazone
Member
Forbiden said:
does maps provide navigation on iPhone? not sure. a regular maps app is obviously the bing maps app microsoft offers but that does not have turn by turn navigation yet
Bing Maps is pretty good, especially if you are in the US. It works fine for getting directions, but I don't know if it would be all that useful while driving.Forbiden said:
As for Netflix, I guess it depends on what your data plan is. I have a 6GB plan and I come no where close to it. I typically watch an episode or two of Mad Men on the train going to work during the week and I have never gone over 1.5GB in a month, and that includes all of the other data I use during the month. Netflix works pretty good over 3G for me, but it will take a minute or two to get the buffer started; after that it typically works great for me.
Thanks to everyone for your answers. Yeah, the Maps app on the iPhone gave you directions, given that it was google maps. It would trace a line for you to follow like the Google Maps would, but it didn't really offer text based directions. Given that Bing pretty much provides with what I need, and that there isn't a hassle when buying from Amazon, I'll be ordering my phone tomorrow.
Forbiden said:
You'll love it. Got my grubby hands on a Focus last week and I've been learning the ropes of the device/OS. A few fairly fresh impressions while you wait:
Disclosure, I'm coming from an iPhone 3GS:
Compared, typing on my WP7 is actually better than my iPhone. I was surprised by this. I like the different click sound when I hit the space bar versus the keys. I love the autocorrect bar as well, typos aren't as likely to happen from my limited experience.
Love the live tiles, adds a certain amount of functionality/spice/variety to the home screen versus the static iPhone grid of icons I've been used to for the last 2 years. If you use twitter, check out Beezz, and grab either of the weather apps, weatherbug or the weather channel, both have decent informative tiles at work.
As far as the Focus itself, the screen is fairly impressive. Colors are vivid and pop, really one of the better screens I've ever seen. When the AT&T dude turned on my phone as he brought it out of the package in the store, and that orange welcome screen hit, I had to do a double take. Really nice screen.
The phone has a lightness about it, compared to the iPhone, feels better in my hand honestly. I've read reviews dinging it for the plastic backing, making it feel cheap, I sort of agree, but mostly I just don't like the gray design, and will likely find some sort of cover for it.
I miss my dedicated mute toggle from my iPhone, with the Focus I have to click the on button and then click the volume rocker, which is located roughly about the same place on the other side of the phone, which makes it sort of cumbersome to do quickly. I used to switch my iPhone to vibrate quick from my pocket now I have to take my phone out to do it. I hope better hardware design rolls out with the Nokia phones.
Love the dedicated camera button however, definite upgrade from my iPhone.
As far as the OS, its silky smooth as far a navigating the OS and scrolling, apps open a little janky still, and some of the more popular apps I've been used to on iPhone are a little slim in features, but the platform is young and so are many of the apps. But I've been surprised by the selection, most of the app bases are covered. I thought I'd find more holes, but for the most part, I'm only missing a couple apps (mint (found pageonce to place hold until hopefully mint makes it to the platform), bigger game selection, pandora, GPS driving app offerings) I also love the lock screen, giving me a quick info to see if I have email/texts, and what's going on with any calendar appointments. Great design there.
I was mainly enticed to the platform because of the Zune integration, I've been a Zune Pass subscriber for years, and having access to 12 million songs everywhere I go has been a dream of mine since the early days of PMPs. In that sense, the phone is a huge success for me. Love the media aspect of the phone.
Bing maps presence was a big deal to me, I used google maps on my iPhone all the time, and I'm happy to report the app works just as good.
Overall I'm fairly impressed by the platform/Hardware/OS. It's young, there will be growing pains, as already evidenced in the thread, but as a base, I like what Microsoft has done, if they iron out the update process, learn the ropes, I have high hopes for the plattform.
EDIT:
Also, gotta be said, but the browser on WP7 versus the iPhone is a little bare bones. Not as slick, and for some reason doesn't load mobile sites like my iPhone did, even though I have that option selected.
Another thing, the email app, while I like the design, loads each email zoomed in so I have to position it to read, as well as doesn't remember whether to download images on certain companies I trust. (privacy options don't load images on default) I wish I few of those things would happen automatically to make for a smoother experience.
digita1alchemy
Member
Treo360 said:
It took me awhile to figure this out but, if you have a Zune Pass, holding your finger on an album or single song in the marketplace should bring up the option to download them.
Treo360 said:
What do you mean? Have a Zune Pass? Just view any song/album in the marketplace and long press and you get an menu to download, or just press the play arrow. If you go to download a song, it'll even ask if you want to use one of your credits.
Edit: you may be seeing the "buy this album" wordage, clicking that and seeing only an option to actually purchase the album.
Ahh thanks, yeah that's what I meant. I have Zune pass and, well it made no sense to me that I couldn't download the songs but only stream them. Thanks!digita1alchemy said:
NoDo update, well the spell check which used to work great misses a lot more words. At least it seems that way to me.
More stuff as I find them.
Edit: nope no option to download. Weird.
Haha. Have I asked the same question before?brotkasten said:No. The Zune software SUCKS for WP7 app management and the big 5.0 overhaul is long overdue and worst is, I don't think it's even coming before Mango. Anyway, most apps are really, really small (that's why you don't see them in the Zune software download queue, remember?
I'm not sure. Anyways; I updated them all and it didn't even take that long. Let's hope there'll be an update for Zune some time in the future. App Management is the only thing missing. Everything else is pretty much perfect. Except Audiobooks, of course.snap0212 said:Haha. Have I asked the same question before?
You can update apps on slow connections, but you can't when you have no connection at all. I have no wifi router here, and WP7 doesn't support ad-hoc wireless networks. These two things (update apps through Zune and ad-hoc network support) should be added soon IMO.
Thankfully I have wifi access on campus..
brotkasten
Member
It looks like the fraudulent SSL certificates are a great opportunity to test the WP7 OTA update system. WinRumors reports that Microsoft is working on a patch for Windows Phone 7 and they'd distribute it OTA.
The roll out will be interesting. The first comment on the site also proves that the @winphonesupport account is worthless.
http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-...-update-to-patch-fraudulent-ssl-certificates/
The roll out will be interesting. The first comment on the site also proves that the @winphonesupport account is worthless.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
brotkasten said:
When you guys were talking about the chevron team getting bought out, I was going to point out that it was a terrible thing, because among other things, a lot of these Apple updates are about containing the jailbreak community. It'll be great if MS can sneak in some bugfixes with these OTA updates.
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