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Windows Phone 8.1 |OT| Update 1

K

Klocker

Member
I had to go Android 6 months ago in order to use the apps that I need for my businesses. But i was very disappointed with the interface.

missing windows phone so much... Although I like the efficiency and apps on Android.

I have been running Nova Launcher or arrow launcher. But today I found square home launcher.

Holy shit. Is the closest experience to windows phone I have yet seen not to mention the built in widgets that work like a live tiles, and the functionality, notifications and customization is off the charts.

I am on the 14 day free trial, but it looks like it's only 4 dollars to buy the thing. Very pleased. Hate the other windows 10 launchers compared to this.
 
juliushandle

juliushandle

Member
Klocker said:
I had to go Android 6 months ago in order to use the apps that I need for my businesses. But i was very disappointed with the interface.

missing windows phone so much... Although I like the efficiency and apps on Android.

I have been running Nova Launcher or arrow launcher. But today I found square home launcher.

Holy shit. Is the closest experience to windows phone I have yet seen not to mention the built in widgets that work like a live tiles, and the functionality, notifications and customization is off the charts.

I am on the 14 day free trial, but it looks like it's only 4 dollars to buy the thing. Very pleased. Hate the other windows 10 launchers compared to this.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried that in forever. Looks like it got great improvements.
 
T

this_guy

Member
camajise said:
I wanna chime in and say again how my Honor 8 continues to impress me week after week. It upgraded to Nougot and is just as fast as when it was new. Unlike the Samsung phones that are reporting big performance drops after the Nougot update. Battery has always been solid but the new split screen feature does drain the battery faster, which is expected when watching YouTube and browsing on the same screen. Notifications and permissions are annoying at first but once they're set then the phone is good. I also hide apps that I can't delete using the Nova Launcher.

Honor 8 by far is the best sub $400 at the moment.
Click to expand...

Yeah I no longer want to spend $600+ on a flagship when there's plenty of great phones in the $300-$400 price range. At least if you spend the money on an iPhone it retains its value.

The most interesting phone at MWC to me is the Moto G5 Plus. 5.2" screen with a fast enough processor and same camera sensor as last year's Galaxy S7, and this will be in the $300 range.
 
K

Klocker

Member
camajise said:
I haven't tried that in forever. Looks like it got great improvements.
Click to expand...

Yea Arrow's notifications never worked consistently for me and these are nice even showing a preview of a text on my texting app and number of items.

complete control over tile size and actions. Calendar app widget with preview and custom application launching, nice clock with seconds ticking if desired, folder tiles that act like windows folders... separating spaces, live tile picture tile/widget. All customizable. One handed mode where the lists are shown with space on top, gestures and home key customizable etc

Only thing I can't get is a background image behind the transparent tile image. Only solid color but overall a huge Improvement for me

Edit... Its Square Home 2. Btw
 
M

megarockexe

Member
My concerns from switching would be losing staple features I've come to enjoy. Need that glance screen, double-tap to wake, dedicated camera button, and wireless charging. And you just can't get sharp corners on phones anymore either.
 
K

Klocker

Member
megarockexe said:
My concerns from switching would be losing staple features I've come to enjoy. Need that glance screen, double-tap to wake, dedicated camera button, and wireless charging. And you just can't get sharp corners on phones anymore either.
Click to expand...

True...

But My moto G4 has a version of glance screen and no double tap but if you lift phone from sleep state it wakes to show a low power screen shows your notifications and you can slide to open.

Also moto let's you twist phone gesture to launch camera or hold power button Long press.

Sorry it has round corners and no wireless charging but turbo charge let's you go from 0-80/real quick. Only $149-$199. G5/G5plus almost out soon around $200-$280


Sad I've been on board since 2010. Can't believe it comes down to finding a version to replace as much as I can from my windows phone. :'(
 
NeOak

NeOak

Member
megarockexe said:
My concerns from switching would be losing staple features I've come to enjoy. Need that glance screen, double-tap to wake, dedicated camera button, and wireless charging. And you just can't get sharp corners on phones anymore either.
Click to expand...
Priv has a Glance like mode with the book like cover. I think it has double touch to wake iirc. It does have wireless charging.

But no Nougat yet :/
 
R

Raide

Member
I think I am finally going to drop my 930. As much as I love Windows Phone, I have recently been having way more crashes and camera issues and it really puts me off. Also having no real direction with the future of Windows Phone leads me closer and closer to going elsewhere.

Part of me wants to wait for a potential Surface Phone announcement but I just don't see it coming.
 
BeforeU

BeforeU

Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.
Raide said:
I think I am finally going to drop my 930. As much as I love Windows Phone, I have recently been having way more crashes and camera issues and it really puts me off. Also having no real direction with the future of Windows Phone leads me closer and closer to going elsewhere.

Part of me wants to wait for a potential Surface Phone announcement but I just don't see it coming.
Click to expand...

Yup not worth it anymore
 
R

Raide

Member
BeforeU said:
Yup not worth it anymore
Click to expand...

It's a massive shame. I have multiple Win 10 devices all linking and working, it's just the Phone side that seems to be abandoned.

I was tempted with the 950 but I am still stuck with the OS being a little clunky.

Love desktop and tablet Win 10, Live using the Phone version but it's just falls to bits far too often atm. Could just be my phone dying as well haha.
 
D

derFeef

Member
Raide said:
I think I am finally going to drop my 930. As much as I love Windows Phone, I have recently been having way more crashes and camera issues and it really puts me off. Also having no real direction with the future of Windows Phone leads me closer and closer to going elsewhere.

Part of me wants to wait for a potential Surface Phone announcement but I just don't see it coming.
Click to expand...

Got my Android phone today. :-( Sad and happy at the same time.
I will jump back immediately if they finally do something worthwile with the platform and we see higher adaption rates.
 
P

Paganmoon

Member
H3XAntiStyle said:
Hrm, new update for my Technical Preview phone. Wonder if the GATT is working on it yet.
Click to expand...

sort of, the fitbit beta has gone out to those who signed up, but it's not 100%, works with test notifications sometimes, but most times it fails. Not gotten a single "real" notification yet.
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
Paganmoon said:
sort of, the fitbit beta has gone out to those who signed up, but it's not 100%, works with test notifications sometimes, but most times it fails. Not gotten a single "real" notification yet.
Click to expand...

Progress!

Though, looking at that SquareHome, maybe if we got SquareMessage and SquareBrowser and SquareEmail, maybe I'd consider Android.
 
H

hadareud

The Translator
Definitely considering getting a Fitbit now.

Just need to wait until my Band 2 breaks, though I've had this one since last July and haven't had any issues so far.
 
V

VanMardigan

has calmed down a bit.
Hopefully the gatt thing is figured out before my brother gets tired of waiting and just abandons the platform. It's silly that such a basic feature is taking so long to test and implement. Lastflowers needs to go back and help that team, clearly understaffed.
 
H

hadareud

The Translator
Just going through the Fitbit lineup.

The bands that have GPS don't have proper sleep tracking and vice versa. What the fuck?

Why have they not caught up with the Band 2 feature wise after 18 months?
 
D

derFeef

Member
hadareud said:
Just going through the Fitbit lineup.

The bands that have GPS don't have proper sleep tracking and vice versa. What the fuck?

Why have they not caught up with the Band 2 feature wise after 18 months?
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure my Surge has sleep tracking. But yes maybe not as feature rich?
 
H

hadareud

The Translator
It has automatic sleep tracking, but doesn't give you sleep cycles etc. which the Band 2 and some of the newer Fitbits do (also enabling sleep mode on the band disables notifications and the screen etc.).

Love the sleep tracking on the Band.
 
H

hadareud

The Translator
Yeah it does, the Blaze 2 too.

But they don't have GPS built in. When I'm running i don't want to bring my phone sometimes, so GPS is essential.

Got to wait for the Surge 2, then.
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
Real talk?

I wish I had the Fitbit hardware with the Band software.

Everything about the Band 2 was so much more polished and intuitive. But alas, it's a suicidal watch. :/
 
juliushandle

juliushandle

Member
Went back to my 950XL this weekend while on vacation because of its superior camera and wow many 8.1 apps don't even work now. sad that even MS's own apps like movie moments and picture story have been neglected and left for dead.

Where is the retrench? I see a burial.
 
S

SCHUEY F1

Unconfirmed Member
camajise said:
Went back to my 950XL this weekend while on vacation because of its superior camera and wow many 8.1 apps don't even work now. sad that even MS's own apps like movie moments and picture story have been neglected and left for dead.

Where is the retrench? I see a burial.
Click to expand...

I forgot those apps existed.
 
BeforeU

BeforeU

Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.
camajise said:
Went back to my 950XL this weekend while on vacation because of its superior camera and wow many 8.1 apps don't even work now. sad that even MS's own apps like movie moments and picture story have been neglected and left for dead.

Where is the retrench? I see a burial.
Click to expand...

I found it cringey every time Windows Central wrote an article with that type of heading "retrenching" lol apparently they still believe that.
 
C

clav

Member
On mobile?

Not much for users.

Probably notable one is eBook support + webpage sync.

Rest is some organization fixes, a new sound, and some other minor tweaks.
 
H

hadareud

The Translator
Tomcat said:
That's sad. It's the best weather app on mobile. Microsoft's weather app is pretty good though. Nice presentation and good live tile.
Click to expand...

When MS released their W10 weather app I stopped using Amazing Weather.

I suspect that people using the official app and the platform dying means hardly anyone is using AW anymore. Still a shame, it's a nice app.
 
L

LukasTaves

Member
So, this is the current MS strategy for mobile:


In the mobile-first, cloud-first world Windows Mobile remains an important and strategic piece for Microsoft. We are uniquely positioned to support our Enterprise customers, OEM and Mobile partners who continue to invest in our platform and the consumers who are adapting connectivity scenarios like Continuum. An agile and nimble organization is being created in the Windows and Devices Group (WDG) to support this charter and deliver on the security, manageability features for Enterprises and consumers and be part of the cutting-edge long term investments in Mobile.

Mobile team is looking for a technical Program Manager to drive the design and delivery of core client platform features on Windows Mobile. You will be contributing to a wide range of Mobile platform features, from device management, updatability, security features and drivers to managing quality flights and customer communication. You will be part of a strong team that will execute on the high priority platform feature for Windows Mobile that will be used by our Enterprise partners, OEMs and consumers.
Click to expand...


https://careers.microsoft.com/jobdetails.aspx?jid=279814&pp=VR
 
S

SCHUEY F1

Unconfirmed Member
Fitbit sleep tracking got a nice update. Shows much more detailed info for the different sleep zones. Just need the next big update for notifications.
 
C

clav

Member
I suppose Edge will now update through the store on all devices after the creator's update releases.

hwalker84 said:
How hard is it if I got a Samsung S8 to move from iPhone but avoid google services?
Click to expand...

You kinda need Google Services to update your apps automatically unless you plan on using Amazon's App Store or Samsung's.
 
S

SCHUEY F1

Unconfirmed Member
S8 or G6? Thoughts? Later this year I may jump back in to Android. Already leaning towards the G6 even though the S8 has the 835. Never fan of Samsung really, plus the G6 will be less expensive
 
P

Paganmoon

Member
SCHUEY F1 said:
S8 or G6? Thoughts? Later this year I may jump back in to Android. Already leaning towards the G6 even though the S8 has the 835. Never fan of Samsung really, plus the G6 will be less expensive
Click to expand...

I've preordered the S8, though I saw the Huawei P10 is releasing on Friday here, and for 2000 SEK less than the S8, so I'm going to have to read some reviews on it. Curious how the dual camera works, do the work together, or switch between when going from macro to distance, anyone know?
 
juliushandle

juliushandle

Member
Paganmoon said:
I've preordered the S8, though I saw the Huawei P10 is releasing on Friday here, and for 2000 SEK less than the S8, so I'm going to have to read some reviews on it. Curious how the dual camera works, do the work together, or switch between when going from macro to distance, anyone know?
Click to expand...
Dual camera works the same as in my Honor 8's. No macro switching. It's a black n white lens and a color lens. Suppose to help with clarity and HDR.
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
You guys totally forgot to mention the most important part of the Fitbit Blaze update... I CAN MAKE AND CHANGE ALARMS ON THE FUCKING WATCH NOW FUKKEN FINALLY.

Dumbest thing to have not been able to do. So glad it's in, now I can actually use this thing.
 
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