Hardware
Moving from Android to Windows Phone 7 Part 4: Pretty Apps and more!
It’s been a few days since I have reported in on my moving from Android to Windows Phone 7. The transition has become easier over the last 3 days. I have gone from setting up and trying new things constantly to just using the HTC Titan now. I haven’t had anything pop up that bothered me besides what I have complained about already.
Last Thursday night I was able to take some time out to create some snazzy new, custom ringtones for my Titan. Microsoft is listening to the public so far. They have got cut and paste into Windows Phone, which I argue should have been there at launch. They have started to allow custom ringtones now. They’ve even supported unlocking in a way. Combine some listening and acting with the insane amount of cash they are throwing out there for marketing and Microsoft might surprise the analysts that think Windows Phone will die a painful death.
Apps?
While searching and installing for apps over the last week, I have been pleasantly surprised with some. Some apps are more beautiful on Windows Phone that their iOS and Android offerings. Some are much worse too, but I will focus on a few positives.
Facebook!
Facebook looks and works awesome on Windows Phone. Following the same awesome navigation them that the Windows Phone OS uses, Facebook’s office app seems like a perfect fit. Nothing is out of place and the only thing I would do any different is getting rid of the slow, blue loading screen. Check out these screenshots and tell me if you agree. Windows Phone’s Facebook version kills Android’s.
FourSquare.
It’s even more of an improvement from Android’s version that Facebook is.
Twitter?
The official Twitter client looks better and matches Windows Phone well, but I won’t be using it right now. I am still not 100% sure what client I will use since I am still doing more tests on which one is best for me, but I know it won’t be the official client unless it’s updated to add more functionality. Oh, and the official client definitely needs to support toast notifications and live tiles. Other than some missing features and the notifications, it’s really well done.
What are some apps that you’ve found are much better in Windows Phone than the other platforms?
Panorama Shot - click for full-sized image.
I had the chance to check out some of the camera’s power and get some better battery usage results this weekend too. You can check out some sample photos and my battery results here.
I have to be honest. Besides app support, I haven’t found many reasons not to continue to use Windows Phone 7 so far. I was pessimistic coming into this, but each day is making my change easier. Using arguably the best Windows Phone 7 device on the market kind of helps too. The HTC Titan has been an awesome phone.
Are there any issues or concerns you’d like me to address this week?
Follow my adventures!
- Moving from Android to Windows Phone 7 Part 1 : Getting Ready for the plunge!
- Moving from Android to Windows Phone 7 Part 2 : Unboxing and setting up the HTC Titan [Video]
- Moving from Android to Windows Phone 7 Part 3 : Day 1 with the HTC Titan
Ike Pigott
11/20/2011 at 9:58 pm
Chris, you know I run several accounts for business, but I find I don’t need a Twitter app on my WP7. I just use what’s in the Me hub, and don’t miss a beat.
Anonymous
11/21/2011 at 4:59 am
phlpn.es/7x9vmd
Rickote
12/07/2011 at 12:35 pm
If you still are evaluating the Titan, check the new Samsung Focus S. I got both of them for a while. The Focus has same specs with the diference of 4.3″ screen versus 4.7, but is all beauty. Feels much more easy to handle, lighter, thiner, and the screen is like day and night when place side to side. Specially in dark environments like a car or a plane, the Titan has a lot of glowing light on the black (no black basically), while the Samsung contrast is like color ink on a black piece of paper. The Titan also was hard to keep in my hands and the costruction is kind of cluncky with gaps in the external connectors and the microwave antenas ugly connected to the back of the case with a vulnerable connector (specially for the long run). I certainly keept the Focus S, not a doubt. The only thing I found better in the Titan is the Flash LED that has significant more reach if you want to take a picture beyond 10 feet in the dark.