Why I am leaving Android for WP8

[frooglepoopillion]

Hello all! I am not sure that this is the correct forum for this post... if not my apologies. Also, this isn't meant to be an anti-Android or pro-WP8 bash fest just a friendly conversation starter.

I have been on Android for about three years now. My first device was the HTC Inspire running ICS and it was OK for what I was asking it to do. Not particularly fast or stable, but I was mostly satisfied at the time. Unfortunately, ATT and HTC completely stopped supporting it less than a year into my contract which led to no updates and an over all terrible experience as the phone got older. Granted, I purchased it at the end of the product life cycle but I would have still expected it to perform well for at least the contract period. Despite my experiences, I decided to go with the Nexus 4 as my new phone and for the most part it is been a pleasant experience. There is virtually no lag and it is a nice phone. However, I find that I have to constantly tweak and fiddle with it to get respectable battery life and optimal performance which is something I just don't want to do. I have never been into rooting or custom ROMs nor have I really been a power user on my phone (the fewer apps I can get away with the better).

The strength of Android is also it's greatest weakness: It's so open that they are almost their own worst enemy when it comes to OS updates and performance in general. Sure people like to blame the carriers for this, but when you have so many different versions of the same OS running on hundreds of phone models it really is impossible to keep a design and performance standard. I just feel as though I have been, for lack of a better word, conned by Google into constantly upgrading my phone just to have a well functioning device. I really shouldn't have to pay $600+ dollars for a phone just to get software updates on time. Granted, there is the N4 but it is really only fully supported by T-Mobile and while it is a good device it does have some shortcomings (which I'm sure have been debated here so I won't get into them).

So that is how I find myself at this crossroads: Continue my dissatisfaction with Android, go iOS, or WP8. I chose WP8 because I was never a huge iOS fan and I think Microsoft in general is headed in a good direction. That's not to say that I think all Google services are awful: Google Music is fantastic, YouTube is great, and I have been a Gmail user since it was created. Hopefully one day soon they will realize that developing for MS is not the end of the world so people like me can still continue to use them on a different platform. It may be a case of "grass is always greener" so I could find myself running back to my N4 in a few weeks time, but I intend to give WP8 a fighting chance first. I just purchased a Lumia 920 off Amazon for $350 and will continue using ATTs prepaid LTE plan. Everything I have heard about this phone has been overwhelmingly fantastic (I actually have a few friends looking at getting WP8 phones as well) so I am excited to expand my horizons.

Cheers!

 

[thatotherdude24]

I have a Verizon Lumia 822 laying around and for the most part I enjoy it but the little things I look for in a phone or doesn't have yet.

I really do not like how the volumes are all joined together, iOS and Android both have them separate so that's what I have gotten used to.

It probably will never get swype but swype is fantastic. I am able to ferry more work done with it.

Hopefully WP8 does get there someday because I would like to be with one company to join everything together. So far Microsoft seems to be the closest to having the compete package.

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[dkhmwilliams]

I have always thought that WP8 was an awesome looking operating system. When I did some checking, I found that most of the apps I use are offered on that platform. I reply like the Nokia hardware as well. The only reason I haven't switched is because I use Google services almost exclusively for everything. Email, documents, maps, social networking, YouTube, Google music all access, calendar, notes, and Chrome. It just wouldn't make sense to switch. It was the reason why I switched from iOS. My iPhone was almost all Google. Gould luck on the switch, I hope everything works out. Report back and tell us your thoughts.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[frooglepoopillion]

After about two weeks with the phone I can say that it is very nice. However, I think I will be going back to Android very soon. Unfortunately WP8 isn't quite there yet. Most apps basic apps are available in some form or another but simply aren't that great. The live tiles still need some work and some basic phone features are still missing; mostly things like volume control features, notification features (there really is no need for a notification center, but I am talking about control over how apps notify you), and lacking contact information. Also the call quality is not great (my Nexus 4 excelled in that area).

There are positives. The camera is as advertised; simply the best camera I have ever used on a smartphone. The integration with Windows 8 is wonderful (Skydrive still blows Google Drive out of the water and I will continue to use it in all likelihood) although it would be nice if IE10 synced bookmarks and settings like on the Win8 tablets. There are a ridiculous amount of quality games available for it if you are into that sort of thing. The battery life also the best I have ever experienced.

All that said, I will likely still migrate back towards Android opting to go for a higher end phone this time. The Nexus 4 is good in theory but in practice it is just not good for me. Likely looking at the HTC One, Note II, Xperia ZL, or the S4. Google services (for the most part) are just too good to miss out on. I think when Windows 9 and WP9 it will be solid and all the kinks will be worked out but currently it is basically a beta product.

 

[dkhmwilliams]

After about two weeks with the phone I can say that it is very nice. However, I think I will be going back to Android very soon. Unfortunately WP8 isn't quite there yet. Most apps basic apps are available in some form or another but simply aren't that great. The live tiles still need some work and some basic phone features are still missing; mostly things like volume control features, notification features (there really is no need for a notification center, but I am talking about control over how apps notify you), and lacking contact information. Also the call quality is not great (my Nexus 4 excelled in that area).

There are positives. The camera is as advertised; simply the best camera I have ever used on a smartphone. The integration with Windows 8 is wonderful (Skydrive still blows Google Drive out of the water and I will continue to use it in all likelihood) although it would be nice if IE10 synced bookmarks and settings like on the Win8 tablets. There are a ridiculous amount of quality games available for it if you are into that sort of thing. The battery life also the best I have ever experienced.

All that said, I will likely still migrate back towards Android opting to go for a higher end phone this time. The Nexus 4 is good in theory but in practice it is just not good for me. Likely looking at the HTC One, Note II, Xperia ZL, or the S4. Google services (for the most part) are just too good to miss out on. I think when Windows 9 and WP9 it will be solid and all the kinks will be worked out but currently it is basically a beta product.

The discouraging thing about your assessment of WP8 is that it is basically the same thing that people have said since WP 7 came out. The operating system doesn't seem quite finished, that a lot of features were missing, apps weren't there, etc. And I don't see that changing much in the near future. It may suffer the same fate as Web OS. Right now, there seems to only be two manufacturers interested in making WP8 devices and that's HTC and Nokia.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[frooglepoopillion]

The discouraging thing about your assessment of WP8 is that it is basically the same thing that people have said since WP 7 came out. The operating system doesn't seem quite finished, that a lot of features were missing, apps weren't there, etc. And I don't see that changing much in the near future. It may suffer the same fate as Web OS. Right now, there seems to only be two manufacturers interested in making WP8 devices and that's HTC and Nokia.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

I don't think that WP is going anywhere any time soon. They have too much money to throw at it and they are going to restructure the entire company to focus more on mobile (which is sorely needed if they plan on supporting WP). Currently the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing which happens with a company that big. Also with the reveal of the new Lumia 1020 41 MP camera phone I think there will be several people that jump ship for it. I really wouldn't be shocked if WP had 10%+ market share by the end of the year. Their app selection is growing and they seem dedicated to improving the experience. Honestly, they are missing a few key things that need to be added/corrected for me personally to jump back in (although the 1020 is very tempting).

That said, I purchased an unlocked HTC One and it is a very slick piece of hardware. Not a huge fan of Sense 5 but it is growing on me (over all I still like stock JB but Sense has some great features). I think it will be my daily driver until WP improves/fills their gaps or Hell freezes over and Google makes services available on MS products. Plus, not sure I want to pay $700+ for a WP phone quite yet.

It really is a great time to be a techie with so many options available. Out of all of the top phones (920, G4, Note 2, One, iPhone 5) I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them although I am not personally a fan of iOS 1-6... 7 looks awesome though.

 

[Alex trebek]

I was going to get a WP8 device when my HTC Rhyme fall off of a rollercoaster,but it really doesn't have that many apps, so I bought my GS III off-contract for $300 (a steal really). I really don't like the locked interfaces of iOS or WP8. I owned an iPhone 4, and it really wasn't that good. I also have an iPad, but I traded that for this Nexus 7. All of my friends have iPhone's, And I really don't want an iPhone. If you haven't already bought a WP8, consider buying a Nexus 4 and installing MIUI on it. I've heard that that is pretty simple, and you can always reinstall stock if you don't like it. Just my two cents. I hope your happy with whatever you pick up, but android is for me.

Sent from my wonderful Nexus 7

 

[anon5664829]

Hello all! I am not sure that this is the correct forum for this post... if not my apologies. Also, this isn't meant to be an anti-Android or pro-WP8 bash fest just a friendly conversation starter.

I have been on Android for about three years now. My first device was the HTC Inspire running ICS and it was OK for what I was asking it to do. Not particularly fast or stable, but I was mostly satisfied at the time. Unfortunately, ATT and HTC completely stopped supporting it less than a year into my contract which led to no updates and an over all terrible experience as the phone got older. Granted, I purchased it at the end of the product life cycle but I would have still expected it to perform well for at least the contract period. Despite my experiences, I decided to go with the Nexus 4 as my new phone and for the most part it is been a pleasant experience. There is virtually no lag and it is a nice phone. However, I find that I have to constantly tweak and fiddle with it to get respectable battery life and optimal performance which is something I just don't want to do. I have never been into rooting or custom ROMs nor have I really been a power user on my phone (the fewer apps I can get away with the better).

The strength of Android is also it's greatest weakness: It's so open that they are almost their own worst enemy when it comes to OS updates and performance in general. Sure people like to blame the carriers for this, but when you have so many different versions of the same OS running on hundreds of phone models it really is impossible to keep a design and performance standard. I just feel as though I have been, for lack of a better word, conned by Google into constantly upgrading my phone just to have a well functioning device. I really shouldn't have to pay $600+ dollars for a phone just to get software updates on time. Granted, there is the N4 but it is really only fully supported by T-Mobile and while it is a good device it does have some shortcomings (which I'm sure have been debated here so I won't get into them).

So that is how I find myself at this crossroads: Continue my dissatisfaction with Android, go iOS, or WP8. I chose WP8 because I was never a huge iOS fan and I think Microsoft in general is headed in a good direction. That's not to say that I think all Google services are awful: Google Music is fantastic, YouTube is great, and I have been a Gmail user since it was created. Hopefully one day soon they will realize that developing for MS is not the end of the world so people like me can still continue to use them on a different platform. It may be a case of "grass is always greener" so I could find myself running back to my N4 in a few weeks time, but I intend to give WP8 a fighting chance first. I just purchased a Lumia 920 off Amazon for $350 and will continue using ATTs prepaid LTE plan. Everything I have heard about this phone has been overwhelmingly fantastic (I actually have a few friends looking at getting WP8 phones as well) so I am excited to expand my horizons.

Cheers!

My opinion don't misjudge iOS. It just has more apps and also more basic features like different volume for media and notification and alarms. Also iOS is very good don't dismiss it easily

Posted via Android Central App

 

[tgp]

My opinion don't misjudge iOS. It just has more apps and also more basic features like different volume for media and notification and alarms. Also iOS is very good don't dismiss it easily

Posted via Android Central App

iOS doesn't really have much of anything over the latest & greatest Android though (SGS4, HTC One, Nexus 4). Basically it comes down to personal preference. Plus, you have to deal with that miniature 4" screen!

 

[TheyStoleMyName]

Imo I really like wp7 and wp8, tue only reason I choose android over wp is they have there t's crossed and I's dotted. Its the little things that pushed me away from wp. I like the connectivity of android and the apps and the customization. It could be done on wo but they choose not to.

Wp does have its advantages tho, more stable os imo. The keyboard on it is dead nuts accurate. Everything is easy to use and live tiles are cool. I like the simplicity of the ui. But that is ita biggest downfall with most ppl. The app selection isnt that bad for me I just wish they were more polished. They all seem like they just re-render webpages for news and media apps.

from what ever phone I feel like using today

 

[anon5664829]

iOS doesn't really have much of anything over the latest & greatest Android though (SGS4, HTC One, Nexus 4). Basically it comes down to personal preference. Plus, you have to deal with that miniature 4" screen!

For one,it works better with my Mac then my Nexus 4 which is a major plus also in my country we only have access to play music and apps, with apple I get nearly every service. Those are pretty big advantages to me mate.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[tgp]

For one,it works better with my Mac then my Nexus 4 which is a major plus also in my country we only have access to play music and apps, with apple I get nearly every service. Those are pretty big advantages to me mate.

Posted via Android Central App

Well yes in your situation iOS is definitely an advantage. You still have to live with the miniature 4" screen though!

 

[anon5664829]

Well yes in your situation iOS is definitely an advantage. You still have to live with the miniature 4" screen though!

I use my Nexus 4 as my main phone and love it. But who says I use iOS on a phone
But seriously I love both iOS and android that's why I asked the OP to give iOS a fair shot

Posted via Android Central App

 

[frooglepoopillion]

I was going to get a WP8 device when my HTC Rhyme fall off of a rollercoaster,but it really doesn't have that many apps, so I bought my GS III off-contract for $300 (a steal really). I really don't like the locked interfaces of iOS or WP8. I owned an iPhone 4, and it really wasn't that good. I also have an iPad, but I traded that for this Nexus 7. All of my friends have iPhone's, And I really don't want an iPhone. If you haven't already bought a WP8, consider buying a Nexus 4 and installing MIUI on it. I've heard that that is pretty simple, and you can always reinstall stock if you don't like it. Just my two cents. I hope your happy with whatever you pick up, but android is for me.

Sent from my wonderful Nexus 7

I had a Nexus 4 originally and while I enjoyed the OS and over all it was a good experience, the lack of any carrier support was a real phone killer for me; T-Mo is OK but sub par in my area and ATT just will not support it properly. It is a good deal for less than $400 but honestly cannot hold a torch to the HTC One, Note 2, or G4 (maybe even the G3). Hardware wise, the radio was awful and battery was subpar. I ended up selling it for close to what I paid for it on Craigslist. When it is all said and done I will probably stick with the One for a while (returning the 920 today). I might hop back to WP8 after the 1020 is released if I can pick up one for cheap after a while because that camera is ridiculous.

EDIT: I have a Nexus 7 as well and I am honestly not impressed with it. I may have a bad model but the lag can be awful if you load it up with apps. Not bad for $200 but I'd rather spend the extra money and get something that won't freeze up constantly.

 

[frooglepoopillion]

I use my Nexus 4 as my main phone and love it. But who says I use iOS on a phone
But seriously I love both iOS and android that's why I asked the OP to give iOS a fair shot

Posted via Android Central App

I will keep an eye on iOS7 because it really does look beautiful and functional. But I have no interest in iOS6 or an iPhone 5. I'd like to see what the 5s will bring to the table but I will be checking it out.

 

[anon5664829]

I will keep an eye on iOS7 because it really does look beautiful and functional. But I have no interest in iOS6 or an iPhone 5. I'd like to see what the 5s will bring to the table but I will be checking it out.

Yeah iOS 6 was really bad. It would be awesome to see what the 5S has for offer.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[ab304945]

My opinion don't misjudge iOS. It just has more apps and also more basic features like different volume for media and notification and alarms. Also iOS is very good don't dismiss it easily

Posted via Android Central App

only that ios is from this evil company called Apple, which will nvr get a penny from me

 

[anon5664829]

only that ios is from this evil company called Apple, which will nvr get a penny from me

They are not evil. Keep your biased opinions to yourself.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Guidos Dad]

Hello all! I am not sure that this is the correct forum for this post... if not my apologies. Also, this isn't meant to be an anti-Android or pro-WP8 bash fest just a friendly conversation starter.

I have been on Android for about three years now. My first device was the HTC Inspire running ICS and it was OK for what I was asking it to do. Not particularly fast or stable, but I was mostly satisfied at the time. Unfortunately, ATT and HTC completely stopped supporting it less than a year into my contract which led to no updates and an over all terrible experience as the phone got older. Granted, I purchased it at the end of the product life cycle but I would have still expected it to perform well for at least the contract period. Despite my experiences, I decided to go with the Nexus 4 as my new phone and for the most part it is been a pleasant experience. There is virtually no lag and it is a nice phone. However, I find that I have to constantly tweak and fiddle with it to get respectable battery life and optimal performance which is something I just don't want to do. I have never been into rooting or custom ROMs nor have I really been a power user on my phone (the fewer apps I can get away with the better).

The strength of Android is also it's greatest weakness: It's so open that they are almost their own worst enemy when it comes to OS updates and performance in general. Sure people like to blame the carriers for this, but when you have so many different versions of the same OS running on hundreds of phone models it really is impossible to keep a design and performance standard. I just feel as though I have been, for lack of a better word, conned by Google into constantly upgrading my phone just to have a well functioning device. I really shouldn't have to pay $600+ dollars for a phone just to get software updates on time. Granted, there is the N4 but it is really only fully supported by T-Mobile and while it is a good device it does have some shortcomings (which I'm sure have been debated here so I won't get into them).

So that is how I find myself at this crossroads: Continue my dissatisfaction with Android, go iOS, or WP8. I chose WP8 because I was never a huge iOS fan and I think Microsoft in general is headed in a good direction. That's not to say that I think all Google services are awful: Google Music is fantastic, YouTube is great, and I have been a Gmail user since it was created. Hopefully one day soon they will realize that developing for MS is not the end of the world so people like me can still continue to use them on a different platform. It may be a case of "grass is always greener" so I could find myself running back to my N4 in a few weeks time, but I intend to give WP8 a fighting chance first. I just purchased a Lumia 920 off Amazon for $350 and will continue using ATTs prepaid LTE plan. Everything I have heard about this phone has been overwhelmingly fantastic (I actually have a few friends looking at getting WP8 phones as well) so I am excited to expand my horizons.

Cheers!

Keep us posted. I'd love hear about your experiences with WP8. I use to use WP7.5 on a trophy for about a year then just decided I wanted to try Android and see what its all about. I first bought an already rooted VZ Galaxy Nexus and used that for about 7 months messing around with ROMs. Found myself though really not into wanting to deal with flashing ROMs just to try and stay updated with the latest Android so....

This past Feb I got an N4 which I use on NET10. I really like the N4 and overall really like android but sometimes wonder about trying out WP8. I just purchased a new AIO computer with windows 8 and so far like it.

Again, good luck with your WP8, love to hear more on it.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[wtherrell]

To each his own. My last windows phone was the Samsung Omnia rooted & rom'd. Always having to edit registry to get what I needed. WP 7 was a huge disappointment & I loathe iPhony. Went with Fascinate, rooted & rom'd from Froyo to Gingerbread. I'm hooked on Android & its variety. Can't stand to look at those W8 tiles. Best of luck to you, though

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2