Moving from Android to Windows Phone - am I mad?

_Kaiser_

Hey all,

So I'm a long time user of Android (on my 4th or 5th one now.. currently a Galaxy Note 2) but lately I'e found I'm not really using it for much beyond phone calls, texts, Whatsapp and emails with the occasional bit of browsing.
I don't play many games, not into Facebook or LinkedIn etc (though I know you can get apps for those too on WP) so looking through what's installed on my Note 2, I don't think there's much I'd miss.
This is probably because I'm rarely more than 2m from a laptop working as I do in IT and having a nice one at home too.

For work I have a Nokia Lumia 920 and I have to admit, while I wasn't a big fan initially, it's kinda grown on me how it just works and the performance is great (my Note 2 lags noticeably on occasion - ditto any other Android I've had which have always been top end models). I've even managed to get used to the keyboard on WP which I hated initially (maybe the bigger screen helps?). I used to be into custom ROM'ing the Android and tweaking it but I have it more-or-less how I want it now (it even uses Launcher 7 as I prefer the layout) and haven't really updated it in months.

So, as I get to play with both systems every day, I'm asking myself if I would I be mad to switch to WP8 as my primary/personal phone?

For balance I should probably post this in the Android forum too, but I'm hoping that there's some here who can be objective and have maybe made the switch and what (if anything) they missed afterwards.

Cheers!

whitebriar

Thread subscribed,as I'm in the same boat.
No aib,boi or Ulster bank apps is a pita as I assume you use one of them?

I've also not managed yet to get sky drive working correctly,that's probably something simple a visit to the Nokia shop up the road will show me.

Hullomail is also missing,which I'd want or something similar.
Other than that,I'm getting on fine so far, the mobile versions of most forum websites are good enough not to need tapatalk versions,but the few that aren't I can do without for now.

While I also don't use apps much,I do worry that windows is way behind on that score and something I see others using that I may like in android or ios is not coming to this phone.

PaulieC

in case you haven't seen this - http://www.wpcentral.com/whatsapp-enables-voice-messaging-windows-phone

TBi

Not mad, but then again i don't really like android.

The more you use it, the more you'll like it and the more people use it then the more likely more apps will be supported!

AngryLips

I really like WP but the one thing that infuriates me about it is the dodgy push notifications. Even apps developed by MS suffer from it a bit. It's a problem I can live with, because all the preinstalled apps and the latest version of whatsapp don't seem to suffer from it.

_Kaiser_

Cheers for the feedback so far guys..

Yea AIB banking would be a loss, but do PTSB have an app as I'm thinking of moving to them anyway.

I can't say I've noticed issues with the notifications since moving to WP8 (I previously had a LG 900/Lumia 800 that had problems alright) but certainly everything I have on my work-phone Lumia 920 seems ok

I have all my webmail accounts diverted to a single Exchange account so there shouldn't be an issue there

Websites might be the only issue as I don't even like IE on the desktop, nevermind phone. (I currently use Chrome on the laptop and Dolphin on the Note 2). Am I stuck with IE though?

Haven't tried Skydrive but I use it extensively on the desktop/Note 2 so it's worth a try.

What I'm thinking of doing is temporarily swapping onto the Lumia 920 for a week and seeing how I get on (I'll just setup another WP for my work stuff.. the joys of being the IT manager ) and if I find it's not as painful as I thought get one permanently

TBi

Don't think there is PTSB or AIB. Although you could just use the webpage if you really need it.

I just changed to PTSB from AIB. Going to close my account soon but very busy at the moment so didn't get a chance.

PTSB website is nowhere as good as AIB's, but i don't like paying fee's on principle. I had over 2.5k in one of my savings accounts just not my current account, why that wasn't enough for AIB i'll never know. I called them up and said if i have to move my money from savings to current account just to avoid fee's then i'll just move it to another bank... which i've done. Their loss.

ablelocks

nope, not mad. I nearly switched from iphone 4s last year, but said I'd hold off for the 2nd or 3rd iterations of windows 8 phones. Now that the 1020 is nearly out, and the 8.1 update, it's going to be harder to resist.

JimsAlterEgo

personally wouldn't use online banking app except at home, wouldn't trust it enough over public wifi or mobile network

AlmightyCushion

The Open24 touch site is exactly the same as the app. In fact, I'd say the Android app is worse because for some reason it uses the locations services and GPS every time I launch it which will use more battery than just using the website. You won't be missing much by not having the app on WP8.

The reason the Note 2 is so laggy is TouchWiz. If it's just the lag you don't like about android, then you could get a Nexus 4. It runs stock Android and it is buttery smooth.

_Kaiser_

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The Open24 touch site is exactly the same as the app. In fact, I'd say the Android app is worse because for some reason it uses the locations services and GPS every time I launch it which will use more battery than just using the website. You won't be missing much by not having the app on WP8.

The reason the Note 2 is so laggy is TouchWiz. If it's just the lag you don't like about android, then you could get a Nexus 4. It runs stock Android and it is buttery smooth.

I'm using Launcher7 on the Note 2 at the moment and have disabled/removed TouchWiz and the preload stuff as much as possible, and in the main it's fine but there is noticeable lag when open contact details for example which is a bit annoying despite it being a top-end phone.
It's not that I don't like Android (I do! ), I'm just not sure I need it anymore as the novelty/hassle? of custom ROMs and tweaking has reduced now that I have it the way I want it (and that's when my boredom with phones sets in )

Anyway in the meantime I've migrated to the Lumia 920 and so far I haven't found myself missing anything. I'll see how I get on over the weekend and then probably decide which to stick with.

TBi

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The reason the Note 2 is so laggy is TouchWiz. If it's just the lag you don't like about android, then you could get a Nexus 4. It runs stock Android and it is buttery smooth.

While i agree with you somewhat, touchwiz really does slow android down and even the S2 is far better when you rip it out, Android is still more likely to be affected by slowdown than WP8 or iOS. Although, I like AOSP so i'd recommend it to my tech minded friends.

liamog

whitebriar wrote: »

Other than that,I'm getting on fine so far, the mobile versions of most forum websites are good enough not to need tapatalk versions,but the few that aren't I can do without for now.

There's a Tapatalk App, it's still in the early stages but works well enough.

TBi

liamog wrote: »

There's a Tapatalk App, it's still in the early stages but works well enough.

I hate this tapatalk thing. Every site asks me if i want to download it and everytime i have to say no!

Any way to switch off the prompt?

liamog

TBi wrote: »

I hate this tapatalk thing. Every site asks me if i want to download it and everytime i have to say no!

Any way to switch off the prompt?

Complain to the site owners. I hate the prompt on websites, but find the app usable.

gingernut79

recently switched to Lumia 820 from iphone and I'm finding it more zippy and really usable. Great battery, love the wireless charging, the look and feel is good quality. I havent had a Nokia in years I thought their old symbian OS smartphones were awful looking but I think Windows OS is a good fit for them.

mark_m360

The lack of banking apps is missed but with the increased amount of users, they will create an app. Make sure you request it on their twitter so they can see more requests for it (Expect a 'not at this moment' response but that's not the point of it )

Anyway the AIB mobile site is exactly the same and you can pin it to your home screen.

A lot of users complain about the lack of apps, which can be frustrating at times, but they forget the general reliability of the OS, especially for users who are not mad app users,and the integration with all your social networks built into the phone.

I am moving up to a 1020 when they are released and have been with windows phones for over 2 years so any questions just ask me.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference for yourself. My father got a lumia 520 and loves the simplicity of it, while my mother who said she wouldn't leave android now wants his phone. So it comes down to how you use it.

jahalpin

I have had a lot of different phones over the last few years and my favourites have always been the Windows Phones

Android seems to need a lot of power to do even the most basic things and this has led to serious heat problems on certain models eg HTC One X

Due to Microsoft control over the hardware spec on all Windows Phones, it just works, even on lower speced devices eg HTC 8S. However, it flies on phones with better hardware eg. Ativ S, Lumia 920

Until last week I was using a Galaxy Note 2, but decided to trade it in and move to Windows Phone 8 on a Samsung Ativ S. I had actually originally planned to get the Ativ S for my last upgrade instead of the Note 2,but it was difficult to find and a lot more expensive on contract.

One of the biggest problems with Windows Phone is the perceived lack of apps for the platform. With the exception of banking apps, I can't really think of any major apps that are missing. The phone already comes with Microsoft Office on it, so there is no need for the rather basic office file viewers that you can get in the Play Store and the iTunes Store.

There are a number of really nice features in Windows Phone inc. the ability to automatically backup SMS messages and contacts to the cloud. I have been using an 8S as a secondary phone for the last few months and when I logged into my Microsoft account on my new Ativ S (with no SIM in it) all my SMS messages were just there. You can also track (and ring or erase)your phone from the Microsoft Windows Phone site, which is a lot better than having to use a third party app

The ability to browse Windows Phone apps on your desktop and then have then install remotely is a nice feature as well

Overall, Windows Phone is probably the best mobile OS out there at the moment and easily beats Android and iOS. Microsoft have put a lot of work into Windows Phone 7 and 8 and it is a bit unfair that they have done so poorly market wise especially as the main competition is technologically so inferior to Windows Phone

_Kaiser_

jahalpin wrote: »

I have had a lot of different phones over the last few years and my favourites have always been the Windows Phones

Android seems to need a lot of power to do even the most basic things and this has led to serious heat problems on certain models eg HTC One X

Due to Microsoft control over the hardware spec on all Windows Phones, it just works, even on lower speced devices eg HTC 8S. However, it flies on phones with better hardware eg. Ativ S, Lumia 920

Until last week I was using a Galaxy Note 2, but decided to trade it in and move to Windows Phone 8 on a Samsung Ativ S. I had actually originally planned to get the Ativ S for my last upgrade instead of the Note 2,but it was difficult to find and a lot more expensive on contract.

One of the biggest problems with Windows Phone is the perceived lack of apps for the platform. With the exception of banking apps, I can't really think of any major apps that are missing. The phone already comes with Microsoft Office on it, so there is no need for the rather basic office file viewers that you can get in the Play Store and the iTunes Store.

I'm scared! Are you me? This is almost exactly the same as my situation. The Ativ S is a very nice phone as I buy them for the users in work and given the choice I'd probably buy it over the Lumia 920 I'm currently trialling because of the removable battery, bigger/better screen and MicroSD card slot - camera's are occasionally handy but not why I buy a phone.

This Lumia 920 isn't bad though - I just need to figure out how to debrand it as it was originally an AT&T phone and so isn't getting OS updates (anyone have any ideas? I've gotten as far as downloading the global firmware through Nokia Care Suite but it won't install as the product codes don't match )

Assuming I stick with it, which is looking likely at this stage as I too like how it "just works" and flies along, I may invest in a Ativ S full-time.

There are a number of really nice features in Windows Phone inc. the ability to automatically backup SMS messages and contacts to the cloud. I have been using an 8S as a secondary phone for the last few months and when I logged into my Microsoft account on my new Ativ S (with no SIM in it) all my SMS messages were just there. You can also track (and ring or erase)your phone from the Microsoft Windows Phone site, which is a lot better than having to use a third party app

Is there any way to have it sync SMS to Windows 8 desktop? That'd be handy and there's apps on Android that let you do that so you can see and reply to them from your laptop.

The ability to browse Windows Phone apps on your desktop and then have then install remotely is a nice feature as well

Handy, but Android lets you do that too in fairness

Overall, Windows Phone is probably the best mobile OS out there at the moment and easily beats Android and iOS. Microsoft have put a lot of work into Windows Phone 7 and 8 and it is a bit unfair that they have done so poorly market wise especially as the main competition is technologically so inferior to Windows Phone

I wouldn't say it's the best mobile OS yet but it has potential. Stuff like a rotation lock is a glaring oversight and notifications still seem to be iffy (an LED would be handy too on the hardware like the Note 2/S3/S4 and Android HTCs). Oh and WHY is the settings list not alphabetical?! :mad:

MS have thrown bucket loads of cash at it though and if they tighten the integration between it, Windows desktop and Xbox to the point where you can seamlessly access everything across those 3 devices, THEN they'll have a world-beater IMO

Outkast_IRE

Have a lumia 710 for a year now, I can honestly say the phone has been perfect the entire year, the hardware is solid, the OS is zippy , camera is good, and generally a very nice phone to use, I find internet browsing very good on it too.

mark_m360

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I wouldn't say it's the best mobile OS yet but it has potential. Stuff like a rotation lock is a glaring oversight and notifications still seem to be iffy (an LED would be handy too on the hardware like the Note 2/S3/S4 and Android HTCs). Oh and WHY is the settings list not alphabetical?! :mad:

Your screen orientation lock is coming in GDR3 later this year

And I don't know why the settings are not alphabetic or organised into sections.

I would say the most used settings are within the first screen before scrolling down so at least that's something.

The notifications will get a big improvement within the 8.1 update which will be arriving in Jan/Feb 2014.

snaps

I moved from Windows to Android. I couldn't get back to Windows quick enough.

mad muffin

Just changed over from iOS to WP8 as the price of the Ativ S was too good to pass.

Is there any way to sync iCloud calendar to WP8? What I've done is set the iCloud calander public and subscribed to it in outlook.com

The only problems is that new entries aren't being synced.

AntiVirus

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

This Lumia 920 isn't bad though - I just need to figure out how to debrand it as it was originally an AT&T phone and so isn't getting OS updates (anyone have any ideas? I've gotten as far as downloading the global firmware through Nokia Care Suite but it won't install as the product codes don't match )

Change the filenames on 2 or 3 of the downloaded files (i can't check at the moment) to match the product code of your lumia 920, then you should be able to flash your phone.

_Kaiser_

AntiVirus wrote: »

Change the filenames on 2 or 3 of the downloaded files (i can't check at the moment) to match the product code of your lumia 920, then you should be able to flash your phone.

If you DO get a chance to check I really would appreciate it I'm massively confused between this talk of AT&T, Rogers, (Pre-)Portico etc over on XDA, here and here

A lot of that info is months old too as I found another site last night that linked to Nokia Care Suite and a modified userconfig file so you can download the ROMs directly through it (Product Support Tool) rather than Navifirm

Best I can tell I need to flash it with an RM-821 (EU phones) ROM and from this list I think the one to get is the 059Q5C6 RM-821 GLOBAL BLACK SWAP one?

If so, then I'll need to modify those files after download for use with this AT&T phone (RM-820 / code: 059L848) so I'll get the OS updates and retain the LTE/4G support.

To anyone who the above makes sense to.. help!!

Running Balance

Sorry for slightly hijacking. I have the Nokia 800 and up to last week would have said it was great. However I was listening to music on my headset and when I took the headphones off the phone still thinks they are connected. Therefore no ringer and can't have conversations on phone without a headset on. I have been goggling the issue and seemingly its a common problem. Any suggestions ( I have tried cleaning the dock out and running the diagnostics which says no problem..

_Kaiser_

Just thought I'd update this... (DISCLAIMER: for info only - as every website says, any updates you do like this are at your own risk)

Managed to debrand and update it to Amber/GDR2 last night in the end following these instructions

One or two modifications to the above though - you'll need to get the pre-Portico update from here instead - it's the last 11 files in the first post (059R2L8: RM-820_Rogers_Canada_VAR240202_v2_Yellow)

Also, you need to remove the checksum info from the file names too or NCS will refuse to recognize them

The above 2 steps applied to me as mine is/was AT&T branded but presumably any EU phones could just update directly. Firmware I used (per the above) is the France one but the 2nd/3rd screen in lets you change it all to English anyway.

So far it seems like a pretty decent update. Only downside so far is still no custom alert support and they've made the Nokia SMS tone even quieter which isn't much use.

It also seems to have stopped connecting in 4G (but it is still listed as an option in the Cellular settings) but as I'm on eMobile and don't have a 4G plan it doesn't really make any difference at this stage. Presumably when/if eMobile release such a plan I'll be able to switch over again.

Dcully

Also considering moving back to WP after a couple of Androids, my wife uses my old HTC Radar WP7 and its so so fast.

mark_m360

Dcully wrote: »

Also considering moving back to WP after a couple of Androids, my wife uses my old HTC Radar WP7 and its so so fast.

Then you will be very happy with WP8, as it is faster. That is a problem with Android, they start off fast but slow down over time. Whereas, WP seem to keep their speed for much longer and are more reliable.

Dcully

I dont think id be keen on splashing out on the 1020, although i do like a good camera just dont need one that good
Id like something with a 4.5 or so screen, i like the look of the 920 and 925,am i correct that only the 920 has that cool wireless charging?

Sorry to hijack the thread OP.

PaulieC

Dcully wrote: »

I dont think id be keen on splashing out on the 1020, although i do like a good camera just dont need one that good
Id like something with a 4.5 or so screen, i like the look of the 920 and 925,am i correct that only the 920 has that cool wireless charging?

Sorry to hijack the thread OP.

I'll be selling a 920 hopefully pretty soon

mark_m360

Dcully wrote: »

I dont think id be keen on splashing out on the 1020, although i do like a good camera just dont need one that good
Id like something with a 4.5 or so screen, i like the look of the 920 and 925,am i correct that only the 920 has that cool wireless charging?

Sorry to hijack the thread OP.

The 925 is a lovely phone. The 920 has wireless charging built in so the phone is thicker and heavier then the 925. You can get a wireless back cover for the 925 to enable wireless charging.

mark_m360

Dcully wrote: »

I dont think id be keen on splashing out on the 1020, although i do like a good camera just dont need one that good
Id like something with a 4.5 or so screen, i like the look of the 920 and 925,am i correct that only the 920 has that cool wireless charging?

Sorry to hijack the thread OP.

The 925 is a lovely phone. The 920 has wireless charging built in so the phone is thicker and heavier then the 925. You can get a wireless back cover for the 925 to enable wireless charging.

jimmynokia

The 1020 will also support wireless charging

podgeandrodge

was just about to decide on Lumia 1020 (moving from Android also) when i saw it had no IR remote. Goddammit! Why does every phone you want miss some feature you can't live without!

(And I want the pureview camera so will have to wait and hope their new models include IR)

Dcully

Been looking at some phones and not sure what to go with,i think ive narrowed it down to HTC8X,Nokia 820 or 920,also looking at the Samsung Ativ S, i admit im a sucker for the looks of the Nokias and the HTC,not mad about the Ativ although it does look like a cracking phone and even better deal right now.
Also the extra apps and features from Nokia is mighty tempting.

liamog

Dcully wrote: »

Been looking at some phones and not sure what to go with,i think ive narrowed it down to HTC8X,Nokia 820 or 920,also looking at the Samsung Ativ S, i admit im a sucker for the looks of the Nokias and the HTC,not mad about the Ativ although it does look like a cracking phone and even better deal right now.
Also the extra apps and features from Nokia is mighty tempting.

You'll see the discussion a lot on here, but most people end up going for the Nokia, they're extra services really add value to the platform. I owned the original Samsung Windows Phone and they just didn't compete in offering unique services.

I'd love to push the other manufacturers because I think its better for the platform to have the extra support, but we don't see the like of the Amber update coming to Samsung or HTC so I find them hard to recommend.

Dcully

Yeah ive been researching quite a bit over the weekend,i think ill order a 920 soon.
Amazon the best place to pick up an unlocked one?

mark_m360

Dcully wrote: »

Yeah ive been researching quite a bit over the weekend,i think ill order a 920 soon.
Amazon the best place to pick up an unlocked one?

I find Amazon the best and also the best priced.

_Kaiser_

Just thought I'd update this...

Several weeks on and I'm still loving the Lumia/WP8. No issues with the French Amber ROM, updates working fine, battery life is great and I'm not missing anything from my Note 2 (surprisingly)

I also have Ativ S's and HTC 8S's in the office here, but I think anyone considering a move should probably go with the Nokias for their own apps, frequent updates and it just feels like it's a much better quality handset to me.

DarinDelaat

I donot find any things awkward from moving Android to windows apps. I am using both Android and Windows phones.