Why I’m A Windows Phone Fan
I currently use a high end Android, iPhone and Windows Phone. My daily driver remains Windows Phone and it isn’t close. I’m at the point in my life where staying silent on things I care deeply about just doesn’t make any sense to me. This article is one of many recent actions taken to address this newfound boldness. Here are 3 reasons I’m a Windows Phone fan.
#1 The Start Screen
At any given time I have a stream of emails, texts and twitter feeds to stay on top of. Being able to glance at the start screen and see the latest updates to all of these things without taking any action is deeply meaningful. I tend to not use the Action Center much because of the additional glanceability Live Folders and third tile column has brought. Yes Android has customizable widgets and the iPhone has actionable notifications but they just invoke the same feeling of delight. Windows Phone glanceability is a true delighter. I have as varied interests as there is themes for Microsoft’s “a phone for you” commercials. Here is a quick list of Live Folders I have for each interest in my life.
- Networking
- Social
- Maps & Weather
- News
- Media (Music, Podcasts, Video and Video Editors)
- Microsoft
- Productivity
- Gaming (my favorite gaming titles)
- Kiddos (filled with games my kids play)
- Photography
- Health & Fitness
- Anime & Manga
- The Word (big believer in Christ)
- Financial
- Food & Drink
- Sports
- Travel & Leisure
- Sense Apps
- Utilities
- One Note (Most Used Files)
- Outings and Activities
- Favorite Websites
Glanceable information for every varied interest lights up my screen each time the phone’s screen is turned on.
#2 I’m Big Into Connecting Quickly
I spend my day fielding and making upwards of 50 calls a day, handling varied accounts and dealing with human resource issues,simple IT hangups and the maze that is medical provider networks. I need to be able to get in and get back to my life. Windows Phone allows me to do just that. I now dictate notes quickly by using Cortana so that my thoughts are never completely lost. My brain runs a bazillion miles a minute and it’s a struggle just to capture my thoughts. In this way Windows Phone has not failed me. Being able to search One Note for my notes and thoughts has been a huge help in keeping my day productive. I use Mehdoh’s excellent home screen organizing feature to align all my varied social media accounts I’m managing and interact with fans of pages or personal followers. The much overlooked Rooms feature on Windows Phone continues to show its worth when a hot topic is discussed amongst the Mobility Digest staff.
#3 I’m an Abnormal
I’ve never followed the curve or the pretty consistently wrong crowd. I like what I like and have very clear reasons why I choose to use Windows Phone. I enjoy the app selection on the iPhone and the gamut of hardware on Android. At the end of the day it boils down to the fact I’ve had a consistently pleasurable experience on Windows Phone. I like the fact that I’ve been able to use some of the absolutely best cameras on smartphones. I like also that I can set my phone down and open up the same app on my laptop or tablet thanks to Universal Apps. Most of all I like the fact that there is a phone that was designed for people like me. The beauty of this heterogeneous tech world is that consumers get to indulge in multiple ecosystems and pluck the best experiences from all of them.
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Well said.
I feel that being an abnormal (number three) is what drove me to Android. I wanted to tinker, modify and make my phone uniquely mine. From what I saw everyone else was a little to locked down to allow me to be me. In your option how much flexibility does MS give you in allowing you to remake your phone?
I love One Note for keeping notes. Unfortunately my job doesn’t allow web sharing so I can’t tie my phone to my work One Notes. My next quest will be to find a way to make sharing possible.
@Ossie with the Live Folders and Start Screen transparent tiles plus background the customization is a lot. I’m always tinkering with settings like quiet hour rules and the ways notifications are displayed too. It’s not quite the Android freedom but it isn’t near as restrictive and bland as it once were.
Most of the functionality I am looking for has come back to Windows Phone.
However, I am looking for NFC or Bluetooth Unlock, and NFC enabled settings.
Hoping Windows Phone unlocks some of these features, and keeps up with Android functionality.
My Nokia 1520 is serving me well enough that I gave away my Nexus 5 to my kid, though I was not done playing with it, or Android. Looking to buy another.
I would like to consider replacing my Wife’s Kindle Fire HDX with the new Nokia tablet, but the apps she uses are not available on WP. She would do better with an Android tablet. The KF HDX has been outstanding, but the latest update has dumbded it down too much. She has more experience than the average housewife.
My new anticipation is for Project ARA, or Blockphone, or PhoneBlocks. Whatever they are calling it.