Wp7 vs 6.5 Development

johnnyham89

Senior Member
May 3, 2008
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I have an HD2 and before Android was fully ported over there were tons of Windows Mobile 6.5 ROMS to choose from. I am planning on selling my HD2 and possibly getting a HD7 but first wanted to get some input from you all. Right now I am running WP7 on my HD2 but really want to get an actual phone that runs WP7. So before I jump in to the WP7 scene I was wondering where do you all see the WP7 development in the short future? Mainly with custom ROMS and apps. Would you say it will probably follow the same path as 6.5 because as of now it looks pretty bad? Thanks guys!
 

N8ter

Senior Member
Sep 1, 2010
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When they make it possible to do real development/testing without shelling out $99/yr, I'll look into it.

Microsoft's development tools are second to none, but the API situation is just unacceptable right now. Marketplace is full of redundant crap, and that largely because the base platform is not done yet.

It really depends on what you want to develop, though...
 

Jim Coleman

Senior Member
Sep 11, 2008
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When they make it possible to do real development/testing without shelling out $99/yr, I'll look into it.

Microsoft's development tools are second to none, but the API situation is just unacceptable right now. Marketplace is full of redundant crap, and that largely because the base platform is not done yet.

It really depends on what you want to develop, though...
Mango development kits are going out to developers next month. You do know that, right?
 

N8ter

Senior Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Mango development kits are going out to developers next month. You do know that, right?
I'm fully aware, and while that helps develop some apps, it won't help users get them on their phones because they won't have Mango for another ~month.

Nor will it help me use my device for development without paying a $99 premium :p (the walled garden model is a bit disingenuous to developers, IMO).

Also, next month != now :p Especially for a bunch of APIs that shouldn't have been missing to begin with, Lol.
 

FiyaFleye

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Oct 26, 2008
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The OP asked about the future, so clearly, next month is part of the near future, right? You just need to bring your pessimistic venom in here too, huh.

To the OP, as far as ROMs go, WP7 wasn't designed with that in mind, and to be honest, you really don't need custom ROMs, as they really wouldn't add anything. The UI, as I'm sure even people like N8ter would agree, is second to none in terms of efficiency, and with time, the features will greatly increase (like the Mango live tiles, the concept of Nokia 3D tiles). Where in WM6.5 we NEEDED to flash to make the phone usable, we don't need that with WP7.

As for apps, as of now, the apps are pushing the allowed apis to their limits for the most part. Microsoft was pretty shelled with their apis on the initial release, and that was due to missing functionality. With the Mango api, you'll see a slew of apps hit the marketplace, big named apps such as Skype to be more specific as the platform will flash much more impressive features. In the next month and a half to two months we'll get an idea as to what ideas will start forming with these new apis, but look for the releases to be huge.

Games are about to take off in an even bigger way too, with big names like Hydro Thunder and Angry Birds starting to come out, and I see more coming with time, and available features.

With that being said, I suggest you try the phone out for yourself, as it isn't for everybody. If you're somebody who insists on having a registry editor just *because* you feel the need to look at one, then this isn't for you. Or if you feel you need full device control for absolutely no reason, this isn't for you. But if you enjoy a phone that just works, and does what it's currently capable of extremely well, then you've got a winner.
 
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domineus

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Jun 16, 2007
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I'm fully aware, and while that helps develop some apps, it won't help users get them on their phones because they won't have Mango for another ~month.

Nor will it help me use my device for development without paying a $99 premium :p (the walled garden model is a bit disingenuous to developers, IMO).

Also, next month != now :p Especially for a bunch of APIs that shouldn't have been missing to begin with, Lol.
dreamspark...
 

johnnyham89

Senior Member
May 3, 2008
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Thanks guys for the info! Like I said, I am running WP7 on my HD2 right now because the whole Android hype wore out on me. I am loving it right now but as updates are getting harder and taking longer to port over I just see it easier to get an actual WP7 phone. This is exactly what I wanted to hear since I was traumatized with the lack WM 6.5 apps, especially good ones.

So from what I read it looks like in the next couple of weeks and months WP7 is definitely going to take off. So long Android!!
 
A

aclegg2011

Guest
Wp7 is pretty stable for everyday use. Its just missing some features, but to a normal everyday usage you won't miss them. Even with the nodo update I still don't use copy and paste. But if you're into total control and customization you should stick with an Android phone.

Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
 

brummiesteven

Senior Member
Aug 29, 2008
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I don't think we need custom roms.

All they did was speed up the system etc. They were needed on WM because it sucked and on Android to remove bloatware, custom firmwares, speed it up etc.

WP7 doesn't need Speeding Up and there's no Bloatware or anything like that to remove. I don't see what a custom rom would achieve.
 

0711

Senior Member
May 9, 2010
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i think there is no realy need for curstom roms, too. There is a need for some missing features which will come and i dont think they can be done on homebrew way.


App situation at the moment is a bit limited and with mango this will get much better (for example -> photosynth), so i think, the real app "explosion" at wp7 market comes with mango (and nokia market start)
My opinion ;)
 

DaFlake

Member
Mar 6, 2011
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Nor will it help me use my device for development without paying a $99 premium :p (the walled garden model is a bit disingenuous to developers, IMO).
Better get used to it because this won't change. Apple has been doing this with great success so I don't see this going away.