Falling off the fence or being realistic on AT&T
|So I’ve been sharing a lot of my ideas about what my next upgrade was going to be over the past few months. I’ve been considering several handsets including some lofty pipe dreams that never panned out like all those sexy concept cars that everyone wants, but no one will ever get. I’ve been back and forth over this Windows Phone 7 and Android thing and I think I finally know what I’m going to do. This isn’t necessarily an in stone sort of decision, especially when the release of my chosen device is still forthcoming. But I promised you guys I’d keep you updated and now that my thoughts on these operating systems have somewhat settled I thought I’d let you in again.
I’ll start with what I didn’t choose and explain. So on AT&T there is currently one half-way decent Android smart phone that wouldn’t require me carrying a freaking backpack to haul around. I speak of the Samsung Galaxy variant that AT&T picked up and subsequently neautered of any worth while functionality such as side loading applications (and no, this has nothing to do with porn despite what David K will tell you.) The phone is, for all purposes, unequivocally bad ass with its snapdragon awesomeness and SAMOLED sun-pawning screen sexiness. However, after this sexy little thing walked in the world realized that she was all flash and no substance once people realized Samsung can’t release a phone with fully functioning GPS to save its life. Having already lived through a tumultuous butt raping by Samsung’s promised fixes, and clueless customer service reps, I’m not buying anything off those jerks unless it’s perfect out-of-the-box. So any reason I would have had to pick up the Samsung whatever the hell they’re wanting to call it on AT&T has been officially buried so deeply that if it had a soul, and went to hell (because all shoddy handset manufacturer’s go to hell), Satan would have to rent a back hoe to dig it up. So this is why my hopes of hanging out and drinking kool-aid with Simmons have been dashed.
So what the hell did I decide on? No, still not an iPhone. I’m going WP7 and here’s why. With all the restrictions that AT&T is bringing to bear on their handsets this is going to be the best choice for me in a walled world. Why? Because of all that service convergence that everyone who dislikes the phone wants to write off as a gimmick. Let me break it down one by one. I play video games. I mean a lot. I can’t think of a period of my life where I have gone more than a two or three day period without indulging in some sort of electronic escape, whether it be the domination of Covenant forces, the Crashing of Castles, or just plain solitaire to ignore my girlfriend’s questions about which shoes look better. So yeah, Xbox live on a phone? Yes, please! Second, I’m a college student, specifically a history major. Now I hate Powerpoint presentations in general because it’s for lazy idiots who can’t remember any of the words that go along with their presentation, or for people presenting to idiots who can’t take notes. Regardless of the demographic Powerpoint appeals to, it gets used excessively in formal education. Being able to carry with me and access all of my professor’s lectures and slides at any given time makes my life easier. And, God forbid, I’m required to do some sort of ridiculous presentation myself, I can carry, control, and present entirely from my Windows Phone. This doesn’t even get into the awesomeness of sky drive or share point where I can sync my docs wirelessly with my pc making sure that even when I get a little too drunk writing my papers (yeah, I write hammered. According to DavidK it’s the only way to work,) and forget to print it out I’ve got it with me still. These services combined with the stringent hardware standards for Windows Phones should also keep the software flowing and working properly. My friend has been through every high end Android handset on Verizon and he’s always bitching about apps that literally do nothing. You install, you run, and nothing happens. The time he has collectively spent searching for working Android applications over the past few years, I’m convinced, is the reason he hasn’t gotten laid. Now, I haven’t gone pro WP7 without taking a look at consumer grade hardware either. That iPhone-esque HTC was not exactly something I was ALL about, but the most recent leak of the HTC hardware coming to AT&T is. By no means perfect, but when is it ever. With AT&T stance on ruining every phone that comes through their door (with the exception of the iPhone which was ruined by conception) I don’t think I’m going to get everything I want. Microsoft’s restrictions on OEM software should keep the bloatware from WP7 that will continue to plague any Android handsets that come to market. This represents the closest hardware and software standard that I envisioned for myself several months ago when this journey started. If you guys think I’m crazy for going WP7 then let me know. I just can’t find anything that an Android handset on AT&T can offer that WP7 can’t (except maybe copy and paste). With the services that WP7 offers it’s really pushed me over the edge combined with AT&T’s diabolical handset destroying outlook.
I think you have a lot of valid points. To me there are a lot of things that are attractive about WP7 and admittedly a lot of things that aren’t (no upgradeable storage!?!, no good task switcher). Copy/paste I can kind of deal with – I don’t use it much now, though it is kind of sad that it was dropped in rev1. However, I do hold out hope that MS will release quite a few updates in a somewhat rapid fashion. If they don’t, they’re pretty much going to be a dead platform. The fact that MS now can actually provide OS updates gives me a lot more hope than over prior platforms.
As for the apps – we’ll have to wait and see. There are a lot of games in the works and some look very promising. Hoping that MS will get a good Twitter client soon and find a way to wall off facebook contacts from real contacts.
I tend to agree with you about the Samsung device as well – it does look promising, but is also somewhat crippled and I’ve heard about the GPS issues. That’s probably my backup choice if the WP7 devices just don’t work out. Time will tell, there. Anyway, I don’t think you’re way off base about the platform choices. And even if I did, it’s your phone – if you’re happy with it, great. 🙂
Thanks for the thoughts. I, too, am on AT&T and in an area where it’s really the best choice. (My parents are on TMo and their coverage is awful.) I’m really sad that they’ve whored themselves to the Almighty Fruit, and have been underwhelmed by their Android selections. I’m in wait-&-see for WP7. I love games as much as the next person, but don’t have an XBox (that has its own problems…) so I’m not overly excited about that yet.
I hadn’t heard of the Samsung issues. sigh Why is it so hard to get what you *want* without all the junk?
I’ve been a long-time Windows Mobile supporter (just finally threw my Casio E-100 away last year) and owned the HTC Canary and every major Windows Mobile phone released since. My first forray into Android was the AT&T flavored Nexus One (thanks *AGAIN* AT&T for not taking Android seriously and purposely sandbagging every Android device you release – you guys suck).
Android is certainly the new comer and has come a LONG LONG way in a short time. It has some really great, unique features. Perfect? Nope, not even close but a very good SmartPhone OS none the less and is beating Apple at their own game. There are a few things about Android I really like but some things (albeit small issues to some people) keep me from embracing it. Android’s short-sitedness on Exchange integration, while better with 2.2, is mediocre at bet. And their email client? HOLY CRAP is that bad. Unfortunately for me, the Exchange integration is essential and email is at the top of my list. The Nexus One is the first HTC device that has been plagued with hardware problems. Check out the Google support forums for specifics – mine just basically sits in a drawer only to be pulled out for testing. I finally gave up on both for now.
I went back to my Touch Pro and it’s like welcoming back an old friend you haven’t seen since you moved. It just works and what it does, it does well. The Exchange integration in Windows Phone 7 is much better .Can’t wait for that. Now let’s see what awesome Windows Phone 7 features AT&T strips out and replaces with crap-ware…
OH SNAP! did you really just bash the nexus one? simmons is going to hunt you down and drink all your leftover koolaid!
I have the Samsung Captivate after nearly 6 years on Windows Mobile/Phone. I had to upgrade when my Fuze finally died and I am really liking it. I am upset at the GPS issue and being locked down to the market, so I may look at rooting.
However, I am going to take a look at Windows Phone 7. I have been waiting on it but the wait became too hard and I needed another phone. If they have at least a 4″ model with a good amount of memory, I am going to sell my Captivate and get a WP7.
One thing I am definitely looking forward to in Windows Phone 7 is what you mentioned about the carriers (specifically AT&T) being limited in what “bloatware” they are allowed to ruin the phone with. The Diamond2/Pure was my first smart phone and one of the first things I did was flash the unlocked European ROM just to get rid of all the AT&T nonsense.
Document and picture syncing via the skydrive, sharepoint, etc should make sharing and accessing data that much easier. I’m also looking forward to the gaming aspect as Windows Mobile left a lot to be desired in that department.
Well Matt, we are obviously from different generations (think Tank and PacMan) but your reasons for choosing WP7 are both logical and appropriate and I suggest you go for it. You presented a pretty good case for your demographic and that’s why I think WP7 will be successful (don’t start spending that fifty yet Simmons).
My needs differ a bit from yours as I suffer from CRS (Can’t Remember Shit) so I need a good PIM, Shopping app, Checklist app, etc. And I have already accumulated the 400+ CD’s so I don’t need really need to download much music, just RIP what I already have. My favorite band members have a hard time climbing stairs these days, never mind recording new material. And as time passes, my circle of friends is shrinking, not growing. I was brought up to belive that gaming was a time waster so it never became a part of my hectic life. But none of these are good reasons NOT to to try WP7. I often have a hard time defending Microsoft, but I still support them. It’s hard to imagine a World without them through the continuity they have brought to computing. So, for a completely different set of reasons, I will be probably be compelled to give WP7 a try.
@ Jimski: I used to love both Tank and Pac Man. I also suffer from CRS (lol) but I don’t have multiple online calendars to sync so the limitations of multiple calendar sync is a non-issue to me.
I’m currently on Sprint using a TP2. I have the Simply Everything plan so i’m used to just using my phone without being concerned with overages. To think that I might have to join my wife on AT&T (she has the iPhone) is a little depressing but something i’m will to do to give WP7 a shot. I am still holding out hope for Sprint to announce a flagship CDMA WP7 device.