From Android To WP7

[Mortem Tuam]

Hi Titan users

I'm a current Android user and was thinking of jumping over to WP7 and Titan.

My question is, how is customization on WP7? I know WP7 uses tiles, can I make my own tiles and replace the stock ones?

I used Launcher Pro 7 for Android for awhile and I was able to customize the tiles in that.

Also wanted to know how the marketplace is compared to Android. I don't use a whole lot of apps but there are important ones I do use. Netflix, GooglePlus, maps etc etc....

Any advice in moving from Android to WP7 would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[drupad2drupad]

Hi Titan users

I'm a current Android user and was thinking of jumping over to WP7 and Titan.

My question is, how is customization on WP7? I know WP7 uses tiles, can I make my own tiles and replace the stock ones?

I used Launcher Pro 7 for Android for awhile and I was able to customize the tiles in that.

Also wanted to know how the marketplace is compared to Android. I don't use a whole lot of apps but there are important ones I do use. Netflix, GooglePlus, maps etc etc....

Any advice in moving from Android to WP7 would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I've moved from WinMo 6.5 to Android to WinPho 7.5

From WM6.5 to Android - I loved the market and apps and games (for first 10 days). Then I got bored. As I only install about 9-10 apps max and on daily basis used probably 2-3 of those. But then it was boring boring boring. I used Launcher7 for about a year just to make it 'feel' like WP7. However all those tiles in Launcher7 are just big icons that launch apps. But after buying Titan yesterday, I've realised how much I've been fooling myself! The real WP7.5 tiles do launch an app but again the UI and interface makes you drool! It's cool, crisp, quick! Feels nothing like Launcher7. In terms of customization, like Launcher7 you can't rename tiles etc. But if you have an app that can be pinned, your bookmarks can be pinned, your contacts can be pinned, your fav recipe can be pinned, you fav anything can be pinned! The apps are pushing major updates now to support 7.5 Mango which has major benefit of live tiles - Launcher7 never will be able to achieve this! The live tiles in apps like BBC News, Scorecentre, FB etc - are much fun and gives all the info you need. This way in past two days I've not launched FB, Twitter even once to see if I had notification coz the tile said it as soon as I unlocked the screen!

WP7.5 - Market is tiny compared to Android, but I got all the apps I use apart from a decent forum app. All the apps/games I liked on android I found it free here on WP7.5. But if you are into apps and their numbers, you won't like WP7.5 so don't buy it. There is no official Google+ yet, but there are couple of workaround for now. I think major apps will show up in next 5-6 months or so in the market.

 

[Mortem Tuam]

I've moved from WinMo 6.5 to Android to WinPho 7.5

From WM6.5 to Android - I loved the market and apps and games (for first 10 days). Then I got bored. As I only install about 9-10 apps max and on daily basis used probably 2-3 of those. But then it was boring boring boring. I used Launcher7 for about a year just to make it 'feel' like WP7. However all those tiles in Launcher7 are just big icons that launch apps. But after buying Titan yesterday, I've realised how much I've been fooling myself! The real WP7.5 tiles do launch an app but again the UI and interface makes you drool! It's cool, crisp, quick! Feels nothing like Launcher7. In terms of customization, like Launcher7 you can't rename tiles etc. But if you have an app that can be pinned, your bookmarks can be pinned, your contacts can be pinned, your fav recipe can be pinned, you fav anything can be pinned! The apps are pushing major updates now to support 7.5 Mango which has major benefit of live tiles - Launcher7 never will be able to achieve this! The live tiles in apps like BBC News, Scorecentre, FB etc - are much fun and gives all the info you need. This way in past two days I've not launched FB, Twitter even once to see if I had notification coz the tile said it as soon as I unlocked the screen!

WP7.5 - Market is tiny compared to Android, but I got all the apps I use apart from a decent forum app. All the apps/games I liked on android I found it free here on WP7.5. But if you are into apps and their numbers, you won't like WP7.5 so don't buy it. There is no official Google+ yet, but there are couple of workaround for now. I think major apps will show up in next 5-6 months or so in the market.

very cool.

thanks for your reply, much appreciated

 

[thistransition]

I'm coming from a Samsung Galaxy S (also used to have an iPhone), and I have to say the switch to Windows Phone was pretty smooth, and I love my Titan now.

The only nuisance I've had so far is getting my Google Contacts to show up in my address book... I couldn't find an option for "only display contacts with phone numbers" as there is on Android, so I had to go through one by one and pin my most contacted people for convenience - not sure if there is another way to do this.

But other than that, I love WP. Very clean interface, very cool transitions from page to page, good integration with Xbox Live, Zune, etc., I recommend it to any Android user.

As the person above me stated, the biggest difference between WP vs Android/iPhone right now is the size of the market. But most of the apps you use are probably on the Windows Marketplace in one form or another, and apps are slowly being ported over.

 

[lantern20]

I have an HTC HD2 (no Titan yet). I started on WM6.5 with it and moved to Android (ACA Rom) loved it. I stayed primarily on Android until the end of Aug when I flashed my first WP7 Rom. It was a NODO Rom, I didn't really like it very much and went back to Android for my daily driver for a few more weeks. Yuki/XBMod's Rom was released at the end of Aug. I flashed that and have only gone back to Android just to keep it updated. When my HD2 dies, I'm probably going to go with a WP7.5 device. Even on the HD2, WP7.5 is responsive, smooth and quick. It meets my needs in almost all respects. Android is much more customizable then WP7.5, no question. There are a few things on my "wishlist". I miss Swype, I would like to be able to modify bluetooth so that I can have my BT connected for phone calls and still have the 3.5mm output for music. It's also missing internet connection sharing (right now, hopefully that will be remedied soon). No flash for WP7.5 and I can't connect to my companies webmail (both work fine on Android). You can't transfer files to the phone easily over usb and you are really tied to Zune. I think that's the one of the biggest drawbacks. I hate being tied to a computer. Another major drawback is that there is no way to back up SMS or other personal info and apps (Titanium Backup). You can backup (only when updating with Zune) if you are unlocked and can use Yuki/XBmod custom cab sender to backup (not sure about other pure WP7.5 phones though).

WP7.5 market is terribly small and limited compared to Android, but as I said I don't get crazy for apps. I've found most apps that I need. Official Netflix works great and gMaps Pro is a Google maps app, Bing maps is pretty good and Nokia maps/drive will be available in the near future. Unfortunately, no Google+.

I think my biggest difficulty was trying to use the Google Calendar & Hotmail Calendar together.

Overall experience with both Android & WP7.5 has been great. Both have limitations, both have advantages. I'm so glad I have an HD2 so I can go back and forth to try both out and so each can compliment the other!

 

[theorioles33]

This is a sweet looking phone. I've been a long time iPhone user and tried Android. Went back to the iPhone. Android was to buggy for me. Tried WinMo and really liked it. I did go back to the iPhone just because I am so vested in the Apple ecosystem. But if I had to give up the iPhone it would be for the Windows phone. The Windows phone is the closest thing to the iPhone in terms of stabability and smoothness.

 

[drupad2drupad]

I have an HTC HD2 (no Titan yet). I started on WM6.5 with it and moved to Android (ACA Rom) loved it. I stayed primarily on Android until the end of Aug when I flashed my first WP7 Rom. It was a NODO Rom, I didn't really like it very much and went back to Android for my daily driver for a few more weeks. Yuki/XBMod's Rom was released at the end of Aug. I flashed that and have only gone back to Android just to keep it updated. When my HD2 dies, I'm probably going to go with a WP7.5 device. Even on the HD2, WP7.5 is responsive, smooth and quick. It meets my needs in almost all respects. Android is much more customizable then WP7.5, no question. There are a few things on my "wishlist". I miss Swype, I would like to be able to modify bluetooth so that I can have my BT connected for phone calls and still have the 3.5mm output for music. It's also missing internet connection sharing (right now, hopefully that will be remedied soon). No flash for WP7.5 and I can't connect to my companies webmail (both work fine on Android). You can't transfer files to the phone easily over usb and you are really tied to Zune. I think that's the one of the biggest drawbacks. I hate being tied to a computer. Another major drawback is that there is no way to back up SMS or other personal info and apps (Titanium Backup). You can backup (only when updating with Zune) if you are unlocked and can use Yuki/XBmod custom cab sender to backup (not sure about other pure WP7.5 phones though).

WP7.5 market is terribly small and limited compared to Android, but as I said I don't get crazy for apps. I've found most apps that I need. Official Netflix works great and gMaps Pro is a Google maps app, Bing maps is pretty good and Nokia maps/drive will be available in the near future. Unfortunately, no Google+.

I think my biggest difficulty was trying to use the Google Calendar & Hotmail Calendar together.

Overall experience with both Android & WP7.5 has been great. Both have limitations, both have advantages. I'm so glad I have an HD2 so I can go back and forth to try both out and so each can compliment the other!

you've got to remember though that most of android functionality are because you had it rooted! If you jail break wp7.5 it will have many other apps to support things similar to what you mentioned. However that said, we still have slower development on wp7.5 but I think one major update and 50,000 apps in just over a year is very positive news for fresh from the scratch OS!

I can connect to 6 emails and 3 social networks without any issue with contacts or sync or anything! That's where I got very impressed compared to android or iOs. In other OS you have to have atleast 3-4 apps to sync that amount of data with pictures!

No issues with work emails or work address book. We use outlook 2007.

I do have internet Sharing on this phone. It works fine! Obviously you won't find the real experience with a ported OS. Maybe Bluetooth might work if you use a real wp7.5? ;-)

I have also easily synced google, hotmail, yahoo and Facebook calenders. Not a single issue.

Best part is WP 7.5 NEVER force closes :-D

3.5 mm will be supported on Titan in near future apparently. However using connected media app its possible to link up. You can use this phone as a usb stick TRUE, but you can sync all you need via Zune so don't see this as an issue. Its rather safer knowing how easy it is to get windows corrupted if plugged as a usb.

 

[spd_rcr]

you've got to remember though that most of android functionality are because you had it rooted! If you jail break wp7.5 it will have many other apps to support things similar to what you mentioned.

Speaking of which, I understand jail-breaking WP7(.5) just got a lot easier.
https://labs.chevronwp7.com/
However, last time I logged into my account there, they were "out" of unlock tokens available for purchase.

 

[drupad2drupad]

Speaking of which, I understand jail-breaking WP7(.5) just got a lot easier.
https://labs.chevronwp7.com/
However, last time I logged into my account there, they were "out" of unlock tokens available for purchase.

I'm not sure if jailbreaking is reversible. I don't know much about it, but don't want to not be able to come back to WP standard. Because in future if updates stop coming to jailbreakon WP, then it's not good. Because Mango, Tango anything, keeps making it better and better...

 

[kamikaze_decoy]

It's not a jailbreak like iOS or root like android. It allows you to sideload apps from outside the market but doesn't elevate your privileges beyond that.

 

[StevieBallz]

The Chevron WP7 Labs are done in cooperation with Microsoft and uses Microsoft's own Servers at some point to do the actual Developer Unlock on the phone. It is the same as the Developer Unlock but without the possibility to publish to the Marketplace.

Calling it Jailbreak therefore is pretty much misleading.

 

[drupad2drupad]

The Chevron WP7 Labs are done in cooperation with Microsoft and uses Microsoft's own Servers at some point to do the actual Developer Unlock on the phone. It is the same as the Developer Unlock but without the possibility to publish to the Marketplace.

Calling it Jailbreak therefore is pretty much misleading.

Any links to developer unlock? Or is it not possible?