I am not upgrading to Windows Phone 7. Well… not yet

March 12, 2011 | By rush24

With my phone contract about to expire at the end of the month, I had planned to get a Samsung Focus, but instead, I will hold on to a reclaimed Samsung Blackjack that I just upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.0. Why you ask? Well firstly, as much as I love WP7, Microsoft’s whole fiasco with the first update, no, the initial lack of transparency about the delay among other things has made me change my mind. It wasn’t until reports surfaced from the support forum and a blog based in France did they finally come out and make an official statement.

Secondly there is no indication that there will be any more updates after (NoDo) until the fall Mango update. For my needs, the Samsung Blackjack does all I need. The Xbox Live, Zune integration and even the superior apps, are not enough to convince me to purchase a product that will not be to my liking until the fall. By then, there will hopefully be a first party Windows Live Messenger client, custom ringtones, a more fully featured Bing client with turn by turn navigation and all the other little things that I would like to have on my smartphone.

Thirdly, even better, the fall/holiday season will usher in newer devices with better specs (hopefully the first batch of Nokia Phones) better designs (I don’t care much about the current crop of phones and please, can some make a phone with real buttons instead of capacitive ones?) and last but not least, if we are not going to have removable cards, how about at least one OEM produce a WP7 device with 32GB if not 64 GB worth of storage?

The Mix conference next month promises to unveil more about the future of the OS but after being a little let down with scarce information at Mobile World Congress last month, the gap between when new features and fixes are announced and when we actually will see them implemented on phones makes me think that it wont be until the end of the year when we’ll see any dramatic changes to the OS. I’ve read that Microsoft could in fact be closely guarding the surprises so as not to give their competition any chance to copy them, well and good, I will believe it when I see it!

Just to ease your minds if anyone cares, I have no plans or even considered getting an Android device. I dislike the interface and OS in general while the iOS icon/app-centric model doesn’t impress me much either. Blackberry is a no go while WebOS is something I haven’t played with much but I like the Touchpad. I believe that Windows Phone 7 implements most intuitive user experience for a mobile OS, but the missing parts and just mainly the lack of information about a general timeline on when to expect the little things to be fixed, creates a high enough barrier to keep me from jumping onto the WP7 bandwagon.

I have some helpful advice to the Windows Phone PR machine, you need to get your act together and address issues as soon as they crop up instead of waiting for days before you react to news good or bad about the OS. I think your slow reaction is eroding the goodwill you have with your enthusiast fan base as to why they should care to keep on promoting the OS. Like I said before, there needs to be a point man, just like the President has press secretary who everyone can depend on to get the news about what is going on instead of a blog post.

As for me, it seems the Blackjack and I will extend our friendship until the fall when hopefully, things will have expectedly improved on the Windows Phone 7 horizon. Microsoft can take their time to make the necessary improvements and rightfully so. I am patient enough to wait until then. Don’t get me wrong, I still recommend WP7 to all my friends and family who are ready to upgrade to a smartphone, and who I know that their usage needs will be covered by the OS (for a lot of users, WP7 is more than sufficient). There are great aspects of the phone that I will continue to write about. This post is not a rally cry against, or a bashing of the OS as I know I will be accused of in the comments, it is just my personal deliberation, now made public, as to why I have chosen to take the road less travelled for someone who considers themselves to be a tech enthusiast.

About Rush24

Rush24 loves everything Microsoft and is fascinated by the influence of technology in everyday life.

Blog
Twitter

Tagged windows phone 7

Jessie

Nothing wrong with that… If features like LiveTile, Social Integration, Better Mail viewing, better overall UI, Zune integration, Xbox integration, better browser capability, among many other things doesn't do it for you then nothing wrong with using the ol' crusty with qwerty.

Denis J. Sharkaat

Indeed. When Nokias come with the Mango and all, then we'll probably get first rumours of WP8 and even more powerful devices, then some will decide to wait for that as well…I mean, to me it seems as an endless loop.

I am a very (relatively) happy panda with my Omnia 7, regardless of all update issues and all; it is still a very fast device, has fantastic connectivity to social tools, I am able to play some casual games while waiting for trains, check my e-mail, have an excellent calendar and choice of must-have apps (to me, ofc) etc. I also have a kaiser with both wm6.5 and latest android available for it. I have grown hating to use it. No, really. What used to be a top notch device now is a sluggish, disobedient and complicated to use device.
rush24

Those are all valid points. But, I have lived without them up to this point and I believe I can wait a few more months to have those features you mentioned together with the ones planned to be available in the fall that I care for more.

gs1968

Very good points. Updates are necessary but I am sure they will come as the year goes by. I own a HTC surround which was my first smartphone and I find it mostly adequate. The OS even in its current state is fairly deep and my feeling is that most people have not even scratched the surface (beyond hotmail,facebook and twitter)On the other hand-most hardware at this point are first-generation and I can imagine that they will only get better and more tailored to the OS as the months go by.
Drewidian

I hear you Rush24. I currently have a Verizon Touch Pro 2 on contract that expires September 9th (2 yrs from Launch day). I was lucky enough to be given a HD7 for free from T-Mobile with a free 2months of service that started in January. I got it at this event for executives. It is an OK device, with a decent start for the OS, but I agree that there are just a few too many features that are missing from the OS that make me want to hold off on renewing my contract. I tried to use the device as a daily driver and for the most part I can. I've tried a ton of apps and used zune pass, Slacker, and got through most of the little issues that I miss from my TP2. Its ok. but that's it. It's just OK. If/When MS fixes the bugs/lack of features and brings WP7/8 to parity with IOS and Android, it will be a clear winner. Until then, I'll stick to my VTP2 as I have no intentions of going to T-Mobile's horrible coverage, or ATT's dropped calls. I've dropped maybe 3 calls since I've been on Verizon. I'm really hoping for a N8/9 Nokia device on Verizon. BTW none of the WP7 phones have any stellar features over Android and IOS and for MS to woo those users, they need to step up their game.
Uncle Dad

It is just hard to switch after all these update uncertainties and many lacks in the OS, while the competition is heating up, MS has to at least have a good way to communicate to the adopters about these issues. for my part i was anticipating to jump from Touch HD to WP7 but when it came out i could not believe a simple feature like file manager was missing unacceptable for me so i jumped to AND-Desire HD until next year when they have iron out this Good OS.
Jchavez

my upgrade for sprint has been ready since november and I wanted to eithet get a webos device or a WP7 and since webos isn't coming to sprint as I'm informed anymore I was going to pick up the arrive next week but the hardware is less apealing and the os does needs some fixes but either way idk if I can wait and hold on to this pre minus any longer so I might just jump the gun and get the arrive becuz honestly sprint has nothing that I want anymore there all about andriod these days.

CDave

I wouldn't count WebOS out yet.

Tiremfej

I have to say, I don't understand all the problems here. I had an iPhone, I've done Android, and honestly WP7 is by far the best of the bunch. Even though there are some lingering issues, it's still a pretty impressive phone. The HD7 is by far the best phone I have ever owned. Ahwell, opinons…everyone has one…
http://twitter.com/DJMicMayhem @DJMicMayhem

For a website dedicated to WP7 you guys sure spend alot of time bashing the thing. If i wanted nothing but negative opinions and complaining I would just go to Engadget or Gizmodo. The joke is people think they are doing Microsoft a favor crapping on the phone every chance they get, instead you reinforce peoples negative impression of the phone which leads to less people even bothering to take a look at the platform.

Look around the internet you will never and i mean ever find a website dedicated to Apple products telling you NOT to buy whatever new magic thing Steve Jobs is selling. I'm not saying every post here has to be sunshine and unicorns but geez instead of the fluff pieces about how many apps we are getting how about spending more time about on the positives and the future of the phone.

Denis J. Sharkaat

If you think of the latest editorials, mine wasn't directed to bash WP7. Quite the opposite.
rlintw

Great post!
Lennard

one up

jabtano

Ok I think your wrong. Granted MS has not really been that up front with a real solid road map for this OS.as of yet still. Right! this is something that we all know. I didn't buy this WP7 device without knowing a few things. Yes the OS is young however it has a great foundation. For my experience using WP7 for the past 4 months has been nothing really uneventful. I've only had to cold boot the device 3x in the past 4months. I'm not including me dropping and having the battery pop out. the fact is WP7 is much,much better than WINMO6+ .I really don't see your argument on your reason for not going with WP7. But in the end it is you who has to be happy.

As for MS I want to think that we may start to see some better communication with them about WP7 If they want to be really ,really serious with WP7 then MS is going to have to change a little. It's not windows PC where they can call the shoots. This is Mobile and they are playing catch up. But then this is MS they moving to there time not ours. even-though we would like them to be moving at our time which is everything now.
http://twitter.com/EJ1024 @EJ1024

Check this out, WP7 HAS ITS OWN IMAGE, this is not a continuation of winmo, this is a BRAND NEW os brand new devs, brand new everything, so stop complaining about missing features blah blah blah, the wp7 right now is the fastest, coolest, smoothest Os.
As far as I'm concerned the only major updates this platform needs is task, switcher,copy and paste then the rest that are not really important follows. If you need navigation? There's an app for that too, I dont know what this guy is complaining about!!!!
You said you recommend wp7, but you sound like you want an ANDROID!!! WAKE UP DUDE AND BURN YOUR SAMSUNG CRAP, JACK..2011

StevieBallz

Navigation is only available on certain providers and even then you only get limited map data – although hacks exist to use Map data from the iPhone version.

This is one of the most dire situations as MSFT depended on third parties to deliver here which quite obviously they didn't.
rush24

If I wanted an Android device, I would have clearly came out and said so, something I would never do because like I wrote, I think the the Andoid UX is crap. I never advocated for the Blackjack. I just said I was holding on to it a little longer until the WP7 mango update materilazed and the next refresh of devices appeared. I don't six months is not too long of a wait for me. When it comes to navigation, I would like to have the native Bing turn by turn navigation like the one found on Windows mobille 6.5 which is pretty good.

BChau

Wow. Your have just updated your BlackJack to WM6.0. Have you upgraded your PC to Vista yet?
Carl

When WP7 was first announced I was skeptical and even declared that I was going to stay with WM6.5 until the end. But now that I have a WP7 phone (Samsung Focus) I'm in love with it. Even if Microsoft never updates WP7 I'd be happy. The e-mail app alone makes the upgrade worthwhile.

http://twitter.com/EJ1024 @EJ1024

Well said brother
jimski

Same here. I even went out and picked up a second Tilt2 cause I figured it would take a couple years for Microsoft to come to their senses. Then I played with the WP7 devices on Launch day and two hours later I was at home with my Surround. No regrets.

BTW Rush24, I got my second Tilt2 for 0.01 in late July, 5 months before my contract was up and AT&T was happy to offer it to me. Had to pay $399 for my Surround but sold the untouched Tilt2 for $225 so it all worked out. Point is, you probably could have had your Focus back in November or December, before you knew what you know now.

rush24

I really don't care that much about Windows mobile 6, and I would not wish it on anybody especially and average users who I always recommend to get WP7 devices. The Blackjack just buys me time until I get the WP7 update and device of my dreams (or as close as possible).

yss

I think I would have had more respect for you if you had went to Android. Now it just seems like you whine about any and everything. You don't even use the product, but post concepts? How do you even know the concepts make sense when you admit you're stuck on a Blackjack? You need to loose that "loves everything Microsoft" because you're showing you don't even give WP7 a chance.
Dale

I've been on blackberry for the past four years and I'm loving my Dell Venue Pro with WP7. Its a great device and the WP7 OS design is a thing of beauty compared to blackberry and android. My son has a new Galaxy S with android and my daughter is a loyal iphone user and they were both dazzled by the DVP and WP7. Yes the OS is limited in some apps and functionality but I dont mind. I use it for emails and calls. But its just so nice to look at, like ogling a beautiful woman. I really think, after using it for a week, that it's going to do much better than the anti-MS critics are saying. when people see it, they want to try it.
TKETZ196

I have to agree with this article. I have used the big 3 OSes and I can say i am not ready to budge from Windows Mobile. I like Windows Phone 7, and it is so attractive with its minimalist approach with the UI and the wealth of information that funnels into the hubs. I think it is easy to use, but I find Windows Mobile easy to use as well since that OS it is very close to the desktop OS.

I can live with certain functions and features not available just yet, like limited Bluetooth profiles, lack of Outlook syncing (although the cloud is supposed to replace that), and other various things not mentioned. I am impressed with the growth of its app store but the OS update process is a real killer for me. I don’t agree completely with the statement that there is a “lack of transparency” because I think MSFT has been relatively receptive with the complaints and made available workarounds before they fix the issue(s). Being swift with the fixes is another story. What the killer part for me though is that they had all this trouble with a “Pre-Update” and not the No-Do update or even the Mango update. Although the amount of device errors were small, I believe it should not have happened. That goes for iOS too when people upgraded to firmware 4.0 and their devices were bricked.

To put a positive spin on it, I would assume it would be better if the pre-updates failed and exploited another problem in their update process (although the point of the pre-update was to fix the issue). This does give them an opportunity to iron everything out. Don’t forget this is v1.0 for WP7, and there are bounds to be bumps in the road. It bothers me that they are not swift enough to fix these issues, and these updates should have been pushed out already. They should tell OEMs they need to push through updates by a certain date and be firm.

Certain aspects like the facebook integration is something i can do without. I do not mind diving into an application. I am not tethered to Facebook all the time, nor the internet for that matter. Once i am done with checking mail, syncing with DropBox, checking facebook, and other internet things, I like to disconnect form the Data network. For me it is more of a matter of security, having that extra protection. I do also use LookOut Mobile Security on my device. Overall, I find Windows Mobile to meet my needs more and I find it a joy to use. I like the customizations I can do with it and that MSFT turns a blind eye for hacking and ROM development. I will wait for WP7 to mature before I make the jump.
Keith

To each their own Rush but if you don't own a WP7 then I don't think you should be writing about it.

I was a bit tepid jumping in and was uncertain I was going to keep my HD7 for the first 2 weeks I had it. But problems and missing features be damned–its UI and Xbox Live spoiled me and there is no way I could give it up. If you dive into WP7 with reasonable expectations about when its missing features will come, you will get seduced by its UI and be quite happy about it.

theteerex

^^^THIS!!^^^
I think this editorial made wmpoweruser lose some credibility.__Why the hell does a staff member get to write articles about an OS he doesn't even have?
You even made a concept people hub to 'enhance' features you've never used extensively?!?!?
GTFO of here!!!

rush24

@theteerex
Although I don't have a device, I have played with a friend's for a good period of time and watched enough videos of the OS to have a pretty good picture of how the OS works. That is how I came up with the concept drawings because I DO know how the OS works.

rush24

@Keith

Like you said, the UI is innovative and nothing beats Xbox live. But I'm a big believer in delayed gratification, and I want a device with larger storage without being worried whether or not the SD cards will work, a HTML 5 capable browser that takes advatage of all the new capabilities of BIng and compatible websites, custom ringtones and such.

gonehiking

Just picked up a Focus after trying to hold out for the HTC Arrive on Sprint (had a Touch Pro 2 on WM 6.5, had some issues with Sprint so switched to AT&T). It's like night and day. I look forward to further enhancements but also having had a blackjack, Touch Diamond and the HTC TP2, there is still no comparison to any phone with WP7.

Hopefully holding out gets you newer hardware options, but if its just software updates you are holding out on, you are missing out on a much better world than WM has to offer.

Jeff

I am with you gone hiking I have had my focus for a couple of days and although I am trying to figure out getting my calendar and contacts et al from outlook into windows live hotmail calendar etc I really love the UI and its so much quicker than my tilt 2. No lag at all right now. I am also looking for a bible program I am hoping that laridian gets on board as I am used to their products for palm as and winmo.

chrislynchhp

I have mixed feelings myself. I will not switch to another mobile device (the ONLY exception would be a WebOS phone, as I am getting a TouchPad.) I love WP7 and I want nothing more that to see it succeed.

You said "how about at least one OEM produce a WP7 device with 32GB if not 64 GB worth of storage?" I couldn't agree more. I do not know for the life of me why OEMs would not have storage options LARGER than 8GB in the US, or 16 worldwide. Or why MS hasn't responded to the whole MicroSD debacle that is present in some devices – of which I own a Samsung Focus for that very reason.
Mauricio

I have iphone since the first version, then I move to WM7 with Samsung Focus, the phone it is beautiful and I really like, MS try to do something new and I think in some where in the next few months will be nice, but at the moment the WM7 is very basic and the fiasco with the first update it is bad.. I hope MS will fix it and learn something about it.
I really start to miss my iphone 4….
http://twitter.com/EJ1024 @EJ1024

Instead of complaining, go get one ur self, give it a shot, you have 30 days to return, while ur on a trial mode, research about the platform, do not listen to all the shit talkers through out the web,.
I have the hd7 since launch and I loved it, with 10,000 apps and counting upcoming updates its just getting better.
Don't be fooled by the Android apps, trust me when I say this, you don't need all of that. Marketplace has essential apps, and it will get better and better.
Give up on that crappy winmo 6, and get the
The Dude

Dude, the day Verizon gets WP7, which I hope will be in less than two weeks..Watch out whoever walk or drive by my building because this old 6.1 Winmo will be flying out of the window. I have nothing to say about the OS since have not use other than playing with it at AT&T…Nevertheless I can't wait to hold my own new phone, of WP7…I will let you know on the experience once I get it. I am sure that just the Office app will do for me. Hope to talk about the phone in 2 weeks…Dude, get rid of that thing if you have the chance. See you
http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Najera/100000266894922 Carlos Najera

Doods doods! I think wp7 its by dar the best OS i own a lg optimus 7 and i love it , but really has to give more support to wp7 there are a lot of things MS needs to improve, i think when you guys bought a wp7 phone you have to know its a young OS so youll probably have to wait for better things to come like kinect its something impresive and im sure better games will come and also better things will come to wp7
http://twitter.com/mayor4reel @mayor4reel

Dude you gotta try the samsung focus…I can boldly say its the best device i've used. If Microsoft can just add landscape controls to IE mobile…I won't care about any other update. The phone works for me even as it is still ver. 1.0..
AhTiong

I dunno about future…. But all I need now are updates! Face integration is there, not still far from real integration. I cannot check events, notifications missing, unable to see the profile pics of those who reply postings, and the worst is, I cannot check friends' albums from People / Picture hubs.

I need app switching, multitasking, better first party map navigation and messengers. There is still a long road for WP7…. I hope MS will buck up the speed.

Michael P.

The facebook features are not in the hub, but are in the facebook apps, download that and use when you need those special features. The hub is a for a quick look at updates, the app is for albums, friends, etc.

AhTiong

So, what's the big deal about the hubs then, since so much information is missing? Hubs are suppose to being information together. But frankly, we only see simple newest updates, but not the latest notifications, nor latest events from friends.

So, we will need to go back to standalone apps then. If standalone apps do more and better, then what's the point of having hubs? Hubs are better than apps as MS claims? "Oh really"?

Craig Montgomery

Hve you tried web browsing on your Blackjack? Now there's a rich experience. I had a Blackjack II running WM 6.5 for a few years before I got my Focus on release day. Even as it is right now, I love it and would be totally happy with it for at least 2 years.

Web browsing is a joy compared to the Blackjack. For everyone screaming "copy and paste!" I don't see what the big deal is. If someone texts me an address, I don't need to copy and paste it, I just click on it and the map opens up. (Bing Maps work fine for me, but maybe that's because I'm in Seattle.) Phone number on a website? Click on it and your phone calls it. Then you can save it as a contact.

The Zune music player is awesome and the Zune PC software is fast, easy, and a pleasure to look at. It wipes the floor with iTunes IMO.

If Microsoft is going to improve the OS, great, but this thing is a joy to use today.
Chord

I'm sticking with my WM 6.1 phone. I enjoy being able to download apps without using the marketplace. I can sideload apps, I can upgrade my micro sd card without jumping through hoops. I use a redfly and my wm6.1 device, and love it.

WP7 is nice, but misses lots of advanced functionality

http://twitter.com/EJ1024 @EJ1024

Wp7 is advanced in its own ways, if side loading apps is advanced for you then keep your winmo.

Claudius

I was always a windows phone user my first phone was the cingular 8125 and my current phone is the touch pro 2 so I am not bashing windows phone 7 my problem with it is lack of hardware we r seeing 3d phones, super amoled plus, 3mp front facing cameras and duo core phones all for andriod and i hate it my cousin have a g1 never like it. so till a manufacter could make a windows phone with all the about i will stay with my touch pro 2.
Eon

Rush24, I guess it is a matter of personal choice. I just upgraded to an HD7 from an HD2. I would have loaded the WP7 custom ROM to my HD2 but one of those physical buttons that you are so fond of, is not working so I’m so glad to have capacitive buttons.

I’ve had a windows mobile device since the earliest Ipaq; when PDAs were popular. I loved the experience and am continuing to love. I read so much about WP7 before I upgraded so I was already intimately familiar with the operating system. However, I am still in awe at the actual experience.

This is what I was thinking about 10 years ago as what I wanted on the future for mobile computing. At the risk of sounding like a Microsoft fan boy I must say Microsoft has done a superb job rebuilding the windows mobile experience.

I have an IPod Touch and if we be honest with ourselves, Apple has captured the heart of the consumer with their mobile devices and this stronghold will continue for some time if for no other reason than by force of habit and of course Apple’s excellent marketing work. However I would bet that eh boys in Cupertino are hard at work on future devices that can at least match the wonderful experience that WP7 presents. My only regret is that I didn’t upgrade to WP7 sooner.
Jeff

I wish my handy dandy palm Treo Pro had stayed alive for about eight months longer and then I could have used my upgrade on a focus when it came out instead of waiting 9 months for almost as good a deal on a lightly used focus from a friend. I love this phone.
Peter

PART ONE:
This is the first time that I have ever posted on a blog, though I do read through a bunch of them every day. I like to keep up to date on what is going on it the tech news.

I have to agree with someone who posted above about the level of MS negative comments that show up on this blog even though it is geared toward the "fans" of MS. I read this blog daily as it seems to be a good aggregate for the windows phone news being that there are a great mix of posts including many from outside of the US, which I love to read. I just want to throw my two cents in about this whole deal with updates and disappointed people and the like.

I had a Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, that I hated, that I got when I upgraded from a flip phone so at the time it was a much improved upgrade. I have always been a tech enthusiast, though one with not a lot of extra money to spend on the new stuff the minute it becomes available. So when I purchase my gear I do so after a lot of thought and research. I have owned and built many of my own PC machines through the years and have enjoyed many of the things that Microsoft has made over the years. I have also not really been a fan of others, Vista being one. I wouldn't call myself a fan boy in any regards. I just like a really good experience. I also own a Macbook Pro which I do most of my graphic design and web business related stuff on. I have loved some Mac products through the years and thought some of them were complete garbage as well. I also own an iphone 3GS which I use from time to time for various tasks.

That just brings me to the point, finally, that when I was able to update my phone in November I could have selected ANY phone I wanted. I tried them all, I read every review, and I spent some long periods of time with phones of my friends. From iphone 4 to Droid to My Touch 4G I looked at them all. I came to the conclusion that there is not ONE SINGLE platform that has any other one bested. They all have significant flaws and they also each have absolute joys to each of them as well. It is fun for me to see how many different people are using their phones and comparing people's reactions to the various interfaces over time.

What did I end up getting back in November? Well I fell in love, and this is the first time I can say this about a stupid phone, even though I am a techie and love great products, with WP7. Even though it had 1000 apps at the time and it was just emerging there is NO OTHER PHONE OS that has any sort of actually design to it other than WP7. My design sensibilities were set alight. It is a beautiful, gorgeous interface. And, in my opinion, there is nothing that compares. After spending time with my HD7 there just is no going back. I return to my iphone and it just looks tired. My girlfriend has an Android phone that I can use when I like though it seems sort of derivative, though it has some things about it that I like. I don't care that it can multitask and WP7 can't yet, though I will use multitasking when it when it arrives. Windows Phone is doing something that no other OS is doing. There are thinking about how they handle the visual aspects of the design. The others look like tech, WP7 just comes alive, it really does to me. I love being this excited about a product this early on and I took the plunge of being an early adopter of the platform knowing that things will come in time. There are some AMAZING apps that some very talented people are building and seeing how they use this beautiful interface this well so early on makes me really excited about this platform.

I am disappointed that the NODO update hasn't come yet, like everyone on this blog site, but I think it is important that we put positive energy out into the world. If we spent even half as much time building this community and supporting each other as we do tearing things down we would be so much further along.
Peter

PART TWO:

I love reading the news as it comes down the pipe but I have to agree with others here that I don't understand why there is so much negativity on a site that is supposed to be about promoting a platform. Things haven't gone exactly how we would like them to, I am sure Microsoft feels the same way. But everyday they have to go back to the office and put the nose to the grind stone to turn out a really lovely experience. I think they need our help. We could all stand to be a bit more supportive of each other. I hope this site will be a place to build ideas, entice constructive debate and be less about such negative, destructive, and hurtful exchange. That is my wish for this little part of the world. There are truly devastating things happening around the world these last few months, so in perspective a delayed copy and paste update to a cell phone really is nothing to break down walls about.

One last little story…
I was with a friend of mine recently on a coffee date to which she brought her new iphone 4. She was so excited about it. She said she could hardly put it down and was showing me all of her favorite apps. I have spent a lot of time with the iphone 4 and know it quite well but it was fun to see her so excited and animated. I then told her I wanted to show her a few of my favorite apps on my HTC HD7 Windows Phone. When I did her face got really long and she said "wow my apps don't look that good… Maybe I got the wrong phone?"
Now I think that there are some amazing apps on the iphone 4 but when it comes to things like IMDB for example there is not a version that looks better than the Windows Phone attempt. I really am excited about the platform. It is beautiful, it is so smooth and colorful and I can't wait to see what people do with it in the coming months. To me it will be so much fun.

Thanks for reading this and let's keep supporting each other and if we don't like WP7 or we are just too disillusioned to go another day, maybe head on over to a different blog. This one has too much potential to let itself fall into a place for even more negative energy, we already have too much of that in the world…

Peace.

mamacita42

If I could post your response a thousand times all over the blogosphere I would. You speak the truth and I was just about to give up on this site until I read your post perhaps they will listen to your suggestions!

Roblo

It goes to show you how far behind WP7 is to the competition, with the same discussion we are having now throughout the web. It's hard to believe they are able to catch up. As much as I want WP7 to succeed it's hard to believe that will ever come true.
Satyajit

+100 on the physical buttons! The I REALLY dislike the capacitive ones on my phone.

chinch

you'll be liking capactive buttons when the physical buttons break over and over. Especially after warranty expires.

too many examples to cite.

Just Visiting

Rush24 – good, solid, personal decision! What is obvious is that you are going to stick with Microsoft and that you find WP7 very promising; there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your future mobile OS of choice (WP7) to do a little bit more functionally and there certainly isn't anything wrong with wanting a device that you find appealing from a spec perspective as well as physical design. The bottom line is, it is your money and it is wise to spend it on a device that you will be pleased and very satisfied with, in EVERY aspect, for at least the length of the contract.
chinch

"Your loss" as they say. ;=)

no surprise here…. you clearly have little to no experience with WP7 (like many "writers" here and elsewhere) and for some strange, tekkie reason feel entitled to 100% disclosure from Microsoft and each phone vendor.

Yawn.

you're just hurting yourself waiting with a DELUSION that WP7 is flawed until mango but whatever. WP7 is worth the update just for email, sms and web use alone if you never installed an app.
Duke

In relation to storage, i have a HTC Trophy of which i have replaced the 8 GB SD card and put a 32GB card in which works fine no problem. Quite an easy process.

Card was class 4 (SDSDQ-032G-E11M) from HTCpedia website and method of replace on the XDA forum.
http://twitter.com/EJ1024 @EJ1024

Windows phone 7 has the best apps, well said Peter,
I hate when iPhone 4 owners think they have the best phone out there, I played with all the iPhones but there's nothing really to it, all it has is the???????????
NOTHING, NO XBOX,NO LIVE TILES,THE SCREEN IS DEAD, OOPS ALMOST FORGOT IT HAS THE FACE TIME AND THE MOST BASIC APPS…
Fig

Updates are a must as ppl want more. In my personal opinion, the OS is good (beautiful looking even) but not quite there yet. Copy and paste and multitasking should have been the fundamentals. But after the "NoDo" update, there wont be another until the "Mango" update. I mean really…..there should be updates to the performance and stability of the OS. Ultimately, it's the consumers that are the ones voting with their wallets. If Microsoft, OEMs, and carriers don't deliver, the consumers will just look somewhere else. And they have to do it quickly. Initially, we were told that an update was suppose to be implemented in Januarary. It's already March. Don't get me wrong, I love my Samsung Focus when i first got it. But now, it's like "meh".
Buzz

Writer of article must be broke to have to resort to such lame excuses. Here's your PR….wm6.x is a dinasour to Wp7. I picked up my fuze the other day and it is a clunker compared to my focus.
http://twitter.com/devGOD @devGOD

blah, just sounds like someone is not eligible for an upgrade or can't afford the new upgrade so making excuse about why not to upgrade.
rush24

Pretty good comments for and against. What I'm amazed is people making comments claiming bashing the OS when I clearly said that I'm just delaying getting a device until the things I deem important to me make it to the OS. A lot of people are content with the OS as is. I'm not. what is so bad about that? The Samsung BlackJack I have has no modifications. I don't care about skins or tinkering with custom ROMS. I don't love it but it does most of the stuff I want it to albeit not well all the time. The reason I'm keeping it a little longer is akin to saving money to get what I really want (A WP7 device with the Mango update) and bigger storage, instead of settling for something right now that I don't necessarily like but will make do.
Are we at a point where we cannot talk about the shortcomings of the OS? I've written articles and come up with concepts that quite a few people like on what they would like to see in the OS. Why would I be spending all that time if I hated the OS that much? I love WP7 but the little things that I would love to see are not present and I'm lucky enough to have to have the chance wait out until it is upgraded to my liking. That doesn't stop me from advocating it to friends and family who need the phone right now and I know their use case scenarios would be fulfilled by a WP7 device.

chinch

Now you're changing your tune ("i will wait for better hardware"). Storage is absurd as the Focus and others accept larger cards if you go with the right ones.

Even if the BlackJack didn't offer a miserable user experience in every sense of the word…

The fact remains you cannot honestly "talk about the shortcomings of the OS" when you don't use it. Others said it and it's that cut and dry. There are shortcomings to talk about – most long ago documented – however you're not adding anything and have zero credibility since you have no real-world experience.

Florence

You are soooooooooo right!
I bought last week the Dell Pro Venue 16G from Dell because is the only model (for T-Mobile) with a qwerty keyboard and I wanted to give it a try to the new WP 7. I have been using windows mobile since WinMo 5, the first for me was HP IPAQ 6945. I currently have an unlocked T-Mobile HD2 and I love it more after using the Dell for 1 day. The new OS is fast, alright, but..
There is no way to rearenge live tiles or add new ones, couldn't pair my sound ID 510 with the phone, no in depth settings, NO OUTLOOK SYNCRONIZATION (wtf Microsoft, is YOUR platform!), couldn't get the wheather on the home screen, no customization for the phone, PERIOD.
Because so many peoples on a network might have the same phone, being able to customize it, made yours…well yours! I end up sending it back on Friday, even though Dell did a very good job with the hardware itself.
Now I just cherrish my old HD2 until Microsoft finaly wakes up and start being a big player as it should be since they were the first making a mobile OS.

chinch

>There is no way to rearenge live tiles or add new ones

incorrect

> couldn't get the wheather on the home screen,

incorrect again (see weather channel which has a live tile, etc.)

Keith

I am WTH YOU!!!! (rush234) I have also reverted back to my TD2 wm6.5 device. I am on AT&T and I and am very disappointed that I couldn't get a HD2 (with 3G for AT&T bands) that doesn't cost as much as the current unlocked WP7 phones. The new devices are exactly as you mentioned and you still have to deal with OS issues. I mean, WAITING was the only answer for me. I owned the Samsung BJ1 and waited forever for the 6.0 upgrade from AT&T.

I am tired of being a beta tester. This issues need to be fixed and no dependent on carrier support. I understand the need for carrier support, but at this point it is the carrier is just using OS upgrades as a method to get more revenue.

So, I will stick with wm6.5 until new windows phone HW an OS arrives. The Dell Venue is at least a slight upgrade to the current wp7 phones. I will also continue to purchase unlocked phones because the carriers never prioritize customer needs when it comes to features. This is what carriers and Microsoft need to hear!
ScottMcb

this sounds like me. I went and got a pair of LG Quantums after my contract was up. My spouse loves the quantum and uses it every day. However, I quickly went back to my Tilt 2 for numerous reasons – it can run skype, I can tether when necessary, and it has a much better keyboard and speakerphone.

Now maybe after an OS update or two on the Quantum I might like it, but right now, it doesn't offer the apps that I need for work.