[Closed] Window's Phones-Advice needed

I've just ordered a Nokia Lumia 735, my first smart phone (unless you count a BlackBerry or iPod touch). Should be here in 5 days, really quite excited. 🙂

molgrips, I will let the numbers do the talking:

I wouldn't. You've no idea how much of that is pure dross. And I'm including Windows phone there - there might be a couple of hundred useful apps in almost 1/4m. As for Android, well there seems to be an enormous number of stupid puppy related crap purely as a vehicle for your kids to inadvertently make in-app purchases....

There was an article in the i newspaper last week (i think) about how the app market has reached saturation point. Basically, it was claiming that most people only use about 8 after market apps and the rest is just passing interest. Once you have the apps you need on your handset then most people don't even bother looking any more apparently.
Certainly, I've found no shortage of the relevant apps in the windows store - but also a shed load of apps apparently aimed at vacuous teenagers!

It really depends on your usage and needs. I tried and utterly failed to find a decent podcast app despite trying several and spending money on the recommended ones. All I want is automatic downloads and to behave properly when streaming over Bluetooth in the car. Lots of basic hobbyist projects, all terrible for daily use.

Of the app makers who support all 3 platforms (usually people selling a service - Dropbox, lastpass, etc) the WP version would be consistently worse than iOS and Android.

Microsoft chased quantity over quality to try to flesh out their appstore because they were so late to the party. It's full of dross submitted to claim the $100 on offer - no quality (or even copyright) filtering going on.

There's only two viable app platforms these days - if out of the box WP is to your liking and the 3rd party stuff is OK for you then you'll be quite happy. Just don't check out the competition.

you'll be quite happy. Just don't check out the competition

No, do. My last phone was Android, and I still like WP8. It was a close call though, I almost got one of those waterproof Xperias.

You can turn the 3g signal on a Windows Phone off, it's in the settings.

Very happy with my windows phone. The only app I would like but doesn't exist is one to use my old memory map maps but navicomputer is filling in fine. I've had android and iPhone so know what the competition is. WP works really well for me but then I use windows at home and work so the integration suits me. Quoting how many million apps each OS has is irrelevant as you only want a select few, just make sure your needs are covered.

I'm a serial phone swapper. I'm currently running an iPhone 4s, Sony xperia ultra z which is the biggest phone out there I think and a Nokia 1320. All got their strengths but the one I feel most at home on is the Nokia. ( says he typing on the Sony ( it's water proof and I'm in the bath :-)) app store wise there is less gumpf on windows but you do need a little imaginative thinking sometimes to get the app you want. Still well worth it IMHO and a lot of reviews you see nowadays extoll WP.

yourguitarhero - Member

You can turn the 3g signal on a Windows Phone off, it's in the settings.

I couldn't find it on this one, I think it is model specific. I can turn off 4G but not 3G. Forcing 2G is handy as keeping a weak 3G signal alive is a fair power drain, so I'm led to believe. Little things though, it's not a massive deal.

The WP browser is a bit rubbish compared to safari or chrome (or ff or dolphin) and there are no alternatives

But then I'm not one for browsing much on a phone

EDIT: I should actually look before opening my mouth, some appeared to have surfaced since last I looked

I've been using a 1020 for just over 6 months. Previously was an avid Android user. The OS takes some getting used to and o miss the Google integration I had, but I have a Nexus tablet for that.

The OS is fast and consistent, I found Android would start to lag and get buggy after a few months use. The camera is outstanding but it is slow to start and saving images takes a while so you have to be patient.

Some of the APS aren't as functional us as the Android and iOS versions.

The 930 is meant to be a great phone and you'll probably love it.

Got a basic 520. Happy with it. Does everything I need. Not interested in having strava or anything like that on it. Mind you I came to this from blackberry, so anything would be an improvement...

So, my new Nokia 735 has arrived, very impressed so far. One of the best bits is just being able to drag and drop music from my computer (no iTunes). Screen is great (4.7", 1280x720, 316ppi) phone wasn't that expensive (£189 from the Windows store). It's intuitive to use and I'm looking forward to using it more.

@llama - IE 11 is actually very good. Tabbed browsing, swipe left and right to go back forward, much much faster with dynamic search text in the address bar and much better compatibility with complex websites.

UC Browser is an excellent alternative and Opera have their Mini browser in beta - works pretty well too.

Maxthon is another good option. Again nice and slick.

Generally though I stick with IE (note I am running WP 8.1 Update One Cyan so a couple releases ahead of the mainstream).

Ok, so there are all these new browser apps for window phone. Apparently I'm still using the original browser although ive had the Nokia Black & 8.1 updates, what will I notice if I install such an app?

Generally though I stick with IE (note I am running WP 8.1 Update One Cyan so a couple releases ahead of the mainstream).

The app argument is generally guff, yes the IOS and Android platforms have more ,but its generally more variations on the same theme such as 50 variations on Instagram.

And for comparison I have a Iphone for work which is jailbroken with Cydia on as well, and I still prefer my Lumia 925 and the Windows OS.

930 is a top phone and forgot to mention wireless charging which is great. Love the live tiles and the ability to resize them and the extra row. Here maps are excellent and offline maps are free inc using it as a SatNav provided you've downloaded the maps.

Excellent integration with onedrive as well to back everything up and for sharing.

had a Lumia 800 which finally died this summer after being dropped once too many times.

Really liked it apart from slightly limited app selection, but what really swung it was the SatNav, especially as it didn't need a phone signal or even a SIM card to work (invaluable for not rinsing your data when abroad) . Bit gutted that I might have to buy a real satnav now...

I've got a Lumia 930 in stealth orange. Looks really classy, especially the brushed alminium band around the edge. The only minor complaint is it is not as convenient for 1 handed operation as my last phone (a lumia 920). Other than that it's a classy phone, works well and has a good range of apps. I use the app of WPcentral to keep track of new apps and developents!

Doris5000 - the cheapest Lumia 520 or 530s are actually better specced than the 800 - I upgraded after they didn't move the 800 to Windowns Phone 8.

They have all the same features really, including the Sat Nav and cost about £60 new