(Seems like an embargo expired today, which has lead to a flood of Mango previews. WPCentral has a pretty in-depth look, as does almost every other Windows Phone related site that I saw.)
EDIT: Oh damn, Pocketnow has an insanely in-depth article (or at least an insanely long one.)
I'm really looking forward to Mango. However, I thought I read that custom ringtones were in for Mango and this preview says they're not? Dammit, that's such a stupid simple thing to have and it frustrates me to no end. I'm still hoping this is in.
They're in, but from what I read it's not in the traditional "choose your own ringtone through the OS" sense, but more of a "apps can now add ringtones to the ringtone list" kind of thing. I.e. you'd install a soundboard-like app which would add ringtones you want.
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Those Mango previews are pretty exciting. I've started to get tired of my 3GS and iOS, it just feels so static and outdated.
Mango seems to have some really cool stuff baked into the OS. The "People" section is just genius, it's basically one of three major things I am looking for in a modern smartphone: an easy way to keep in touch with the people I know, irrespective of whether it's via phone, SMS, MSN, Facebook, whatever. The second thing is to help me do my work easier, when I need to do some small task for work, but don't have a real PC. Since most of the things I do at work involve either Excel, Word or Powerpoint, WP7 is probably going to be the best at this. The third is to help me organize my tasks and activities, and basically work like a personal assistant. WP7 isn't quite there yet for the third thing, but no one is as far as I am concerned.
I've also come to realize that even though I must have invested something like $300+ into iOS apps, the apps that I use the most are really simple apps that don't cost anything and are or shortly will be available on WP7. A good chunk of my money was spent on games anyway, so if MS can bring their Xbox 360 expertise over, I should be set.
Now I'm just waiting for the perfect hardware. Apple still has a leg-up on everyone for delivering great hardware that does the tradeoffs right, such as design, size, display and battery life. Maybe it's Nokia that's going to deliver? I'm going to keep my 3GS around for a few more months, but it's looking more and more like my next smartphone will have WP7.
The ringtone issue may finally motivate me to get a developer's license. I've been meaning to do it anyways, I've just been super busy with a wedding 3 weeks away.
They're in, but from what I read it's not in the traditional "choose your own ringtone through the OS" sense, but more of a "apps can now add ringtones to the ringtone list" kind of thing. I.e. you'd install a soundboard-like app which would add ringtones you want.
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Word on the street is that content owners get really twitchy about ringtones, especially in an ecosystem with an all-you-can-eat subscription. Though it seems more likely to me that they see it as a potential revenue stream, rather than piracy risk.
I am interested in a WP7 device. I would be migrating from an iPhone 3Gs.
I am looking to get more informed on a few things,
What are the main set of devices coming out (or are out now) that have WP7?
What are a good set of websites to read about developing for WP7?
Are there going to be issues, like with andriod, when a new OS update is released and the phone company I am on doesn't give me the ability to update the OS?
They're in, but from what I read it's not in the traditional "choose your own ringtone through the OS" sense, but more of a "apps can now add ringtones to the ringtone list" kind of thing. I.e. you'd install a soundboard-like app which would add ringtones you want.
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Word on the street is that content owners get really twitchy about ringtones, especially in an ecosystem with an all-you-can-eat subscription. Though it seems more likely to me that they see it as a potential revenue stream, rather than piracy risk.
Yeah, I think that was supposed to be the reason they didn't have custom ringtone support from day 1 - something about not being able to differentiate between songs you own and Zune Pass content.
They're in, but from what I read it's not in the traditional "choose your own ringtone through the OS" sense, but more of a "apps can now add ringtones to the ringtone list" kind of thing. I.e. you'd install a soundboard-like app which would add ringtones you want.
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Word on the street is that content owners get really twitchy about ringtones, especially in an ecosystem with an all-you-can-eat subscription. Though it seems more likely to me that they see it as a potential revenue stream, rather than piracy risk.
Yeah, I think that was supposed to be the reason they didn't have custom ringtone support from day 1 - something about not being able to differentiate between songs you own and Zune Pass content.
I'm not being argumentative here, but just pointing out that this makes no sense. If I buy songs, or lease them via the Zune Pass, I am using the content LEGALLY while PAYING for said content. Why should they care how I choose to enjoy it? They really hope to entice me to pay for their content AGAIN so I can I have the privilege of assigning content I already own to a specialized function on a device? WTFBBQ
It would seem more reasonable to me that 3rd party apps are prevented from accessing Zune content, but if that's the only way we'll be able to create ringtones...no wonder we've had no progress on this matter so far.
They're in, but from what I read it's not in the traditional "choose your own ringtone through the OS" sense, but more of a "apps can now add ringtones to the ringtone list" kind of thing. I.e. you'd install a soundboard-like app which would add ringtones you want.
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Word on the street is that content owners get really twitchy about ringtones, especially in an ecosystem with an all-you-can-eat subscription. Though it seems more likely to me that they see it as a potential revenue stream, rather than piracy risk.
Yeah, I think that was supposed to be the reason they didn't have custom ringtone support from day 1 - something about not being able to differentiate between songs you own and Zune Pass content.
I'm not being argumentative here, but just pointing out that this makes no sense. If I buy songs, or lease them via the Zune Pass, I am using the content LEGALLY while PAYING for said content. Why should they care how I choose to enjoy it? They really hope to entice me to pay for their content AGAIN so I can I have the privilege of assigning content I already own to a specialized function on a device? WTFBBQ
It would seem more reasonable to me that 3rd party apps are prevented from accessing Zune content, but if that's the only way we'll be able to create ringtones...no wonder we've had no progress on this matter so far.
It's probably some licensing nonsense the music industry is forcing, but I have no evidence for that other than that being the excuse I see everywhere for anything related to digital music
Regarding the Engadget preview (and making ringtones through Zune software): sweet! Though it does say DRM-free, which I'm assuming automatically excludes Zune Pass content
As an aside, I'm seeing way too many features that were in since launch crop up as being "new" in previews by websites. Live Tiles is the most egregious example in the Engadget one: that was pretty much the thing that all the marketing was pushing, and they somehow think it's a new thing (push notifications, too.) Find My Phone stands out as well, but that's not as bad since they did go and rename it so any confusion is somewhat understandable.
Your choice of provider would effect what WP7 you could choose from, hence why I ask.
Well, since the other providers all have just one WP7 device and AT&T has four and he'd be able to keep his grandfathered unltd data plan...
T-Mobile has two, and the other carriers could very well have phones that he might like more than AT&T's--both HTC and AT&T, for example, have vertical slide-out phones.
Your choice of provider would effect what WP7 you could choose from, hence why I ask.
Well, since the other providers all have just one WP7 device and AT&T has four and he'd be able to keep his grandfathered unltd data plan...
T-Mobile has two, and the other carriers could very well have phones that he might like more than AT&T's--both HTC and AT&T, for example, have vertical slide-out phones.
There are two phones that will work on T-Mobile's 3G bands, however T-Mobile only HAS one.
Buying a compatible phone to a carrier, versus buying a phone that a carrier carries themselves (even if you get the phone elsewhere) are very different support experiences. Not that they will deny you support, or anything, but you have to temper your expectations when you are dealing with a phone that many employees don't even know about the existence of.
We had a guy come in with a Dell Streak who was absolutely shocked and angry that no one at my store knew jack shit about it aside from me and the other gadget geek. He was also surprised that I told him I couldn't help him with troubleshooting issues for a phone that's not sold through AT&T channels. He got pissed when I gave him tech support's number and told him to give them a call when he got a chance.
"Best Buy told me to come here!"
"If they sold you the phone, they should provide support. If not, our tech support center will be happy to help."
"Fuck you and AT&T! I'm cancelling my service!"
"Have a fantastic day, sir. Please, do come again."
I have one. They still sell them. They're still advertised.
I don't see how this is that complicated--T-Mobile's network has two WP7 phones.
That being said, T-Mobile's support for the DVP, months ago, is somewhat limited (though they will do general technical support, and you have access to all the T-Mobile WP7 services on the HD7).
There is a difference though, but it's still T-Mobile having two WP7 options. If I want to replace my phone, I'd call Dell. If I wanted to do anything else, I'd call T-Mobile, at this moment.
Technically, you could unlock the AT&T WP7 phones and use them on T-Mobile voice and 2G as well, if that were a thing you really wanted to do.
So... six phones?
Similarly, you can alter the Venue Pro to work on other networks, at the cost of 3G (it's been doe repeatedly at the XDA forums, as experimentation). The Venue Pro went onto Android recently (not that recently, actually), with an AT&T Contract (though, once again, you could use it with another network, though that would cost you 3G, I believe). This works for existing WP7 Venue Pros, so people on the XDA Forums have actually figured out how to swap their SD cards between the two operating systems, presumably for experimental means.
We had a guy come in with a Dell Streak who was absolutely shocked and angry that no one at my store knew jack shit about it aside from me and the other gadget geek. He was also surprised that I told him I couldn't help him with troubleshooting issues for a phone that's not sold through AT&T channels. He got pissed when I gave him tech support's number and told him to give them a call when he got a chance.
"Best Buy told me to come here!"
"If they sold you the phone, they should provide support. If not, our tech support center will be happy to help."
"Fuck you and AT&T! I'm cancelling my service!"
"Have a fantastic day, sir. Please, do come again."
Had a similar experience with a lady and a Nexus S yesterday. She left happy with a Sensation, though.
End of the day, having support at the store is worth a lot more than most folks realize.
Evander on
0
Dusdais ashamed of this postSLC, UTRegistered Userregular
edited June 2011
So I'm installing something that is, uh, very high in vitamin C right now.
Dusdais ashamed of this postSLC, UTRegistered Userregular
edited June 2011
Nutrition.
For real though, Microsoft just made Mango available to some Apphub developers, myself included. Massive amount of stuff to do to get it on the phone; I'll post some impressions when I get things working.
course, keep in mind it's missing features and in order to move to RTM mango you will need to restore back to nodo
with the software in developer hands for 4 months, though, this should be a smooth transition up to taking advantage of the nifty new APIs
Dehumanized on
0
Dusdais ashamed of this postSLC, UTRegistered Userregular
edited June 2011
Oh my, this is great.
I think my favorite feature so far is the new music features. The volume menu now takes about twice as much space when prompted (while music is playing). The little volume bar is gone, replaced with Metro-ish numbers, like 19/30. The music controls are larger, and includes a blurb of the current music playing, that takes you to the full player if you touch it. Also, streaming music from Zune seems to be greatly improved; it used to skip or get stuck buffering for me before.
Update: Cliff Simpkins, Product Manager for WP7 at Microsoft, has revised the language and apologized for the confusion. The intent was meant for developers to not share the actual code with others. However, developers can post information, screen shots and more without repercussion.
I guess no problems
Archsorcerer on
XBL - ArchSilversmith
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA
Posts
Indeed.
(Seems like an embargo expired today, which has lead to a flood of Mango previews. WPCentral has a pretty in-depth look, as does almost every other Windows Phone related site that I saw.)
EDIT: Oh damn, Pocketnow has an insanely in-depth article (or at least an insanely long one.)
Either that, or they haven't implemented the traditional method in the preview release. The whole app route seems completely backwards and not that user-friendly.
Mango seems to have some really cool stuff baked into the OS. The "People" section is just genius, it's basically one of three major things I am looking for in a modern smartphone: an easy way to keep in touch with the people I know, irrespective of whether it's via phone, SMS, MSN, Facebook, whatever. The second thing is to help me do my work easier, when I need to do some small task for work, but don't have a real PC. Since most of the things I do at work involve either Excel, Word or Powerpoint, WP7 is probably going to be the best at this. The third is to help me organize my tasks and activities, and basically work like a personal assistant. WP7 isn't quite there yet for the third thing, but no one is as far as I am concerned.
I've also come to realize that even though I must have invested something like $300+ into iOS apps, the apps that I use the most are really simple apps that don't cost anything and are or shortly will be available on WP7. A good chunk of my money was spent on games anyway, so if MS can bring their Xbox 360 expertise over, I should be set.
Now I'm just waiting for the perfect hardware. Apple still has a leg-up on everyone for delivering great hardware that does the tradeoffs right, such as design, size, display and battery life. Maybe it's Nokia that's going to deliver? I'm going to keep my 3GS around for a few more months, but it's looking more and more like my next smartphone will have WP7.
I hope they show a qwerty device soon.
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA
Word on the street is that content owners get really twitchy about ringtones, especially in an ecosystem with an all-you-can-eat subscription. Though it seems more likely to me that they see it as a potential revenue stream, rather than piracy risk.
I am looking to get more informed on a few things,
What are the main set of devices coming out (or are out now) that have WP7?
What are a good set of websites to read about developing for WP7?
Are there going to be issues, like with andriod, when a new OS update is released and the phone company I am on doesn't give me the ability to update the OS?
I have no preference.
Yeah, I think that was supposed to be the reason they didn't have custom ringtone support from day 1 - something about not being able to differentiate between songs you own and Zune Pass content.
Possibly around the mango release more devices will appear. I'm interested in Nokia, but HTC might put an OnLive app on their upcoming devices.
Sites on WP7 development.
- http://create.msdn.com/en-US/
- Dzone section on WP7. Tons of tutorials!
- The developer of Alphajax runs a blog: http://www.markerstudio.com/blog/
- There is also a few free books on Wp7 programming: http://www.charlespetzold.com/phone/ , http://www.robmiles.com/journal/2011/1/5/windows-phone-blue-book-pdf.html and http://windowsphonesecrets.com/2011/02/01/yet-another-free-windows-phone-book-for-developers/
- wpcentral.com and wmpoweruser.com are good for news.
Yes, it seems that carriers can hold updates.
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA
Your choice of provider would effect what WP7 you could choose from, hence why I ask.
I'm not being argumentative here, but just pointing out that this makes no sense. If I buy songs, or lease them via the Zune Pass, I am using the content LEGALLY while PAYING for said content. Why should they care how I choose to enjoy it? They really hope to entice me to pay for their content AGAIN so I can I have the privilege of assigning content I already own to a specialized function on a device? WTFBBQ
It would seem more reasonable to me that 3rd party apps are prevented from accessing Zune content, but if that's the only way we'll be able to create ringtones...no wonder we've had no progress on this matter so far.
It's probably some licensing nonsense the music industry is forcing, but I have no evidence for that other than that being the excuse I see everywhere for anything related to digital music
Regarding the Engadget preview (and making ringtones through Zune software): sweet! Though it does say DRM-free, which I'm assuming automatically excludes Zune Pass content
As an aside, I'm seeing way too many features that were in since launch crop up as being "new" in previews by websites. Live Tiles is the most egregious example in the Engadget one: that was pretty much the thing that all the marketing was pushing, and they somehow think it's a new thing (push notifications, too.) Find My Phone stands out as well, but that's not as bad since they did go and rename it so any confusion is somewhat understandable.
I suppose not being able to use DRM'd music for ringtones makes sense. As long as I can use content I already own.
Mango is going to feel like I bought a new phone.
http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-details-custom-ringers-wp7-mango
Well, since the other providers all have just one WP7 device and AT&T has four and he'd be able to keep his grandfathered unltd data plan...
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
T-Mobile has two, and the other carriers could very well have phones that he might like more than AT&T's--both HTC and AT&T, for example, have vertical slide-out phones.
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
There are two phones that will work on T-Mobile's 3G bands, however T-Mobile only HAS one.
Buying a compatible phone to a carrier, versus buying a phone that a carrier carries themselves (even if you get the phone elsewhere) are very different support experiences. Not that they will deny you support, or anything, but you have to temper your expectations when you are dealing with a phone that many employees don't even know about the existence of.
So... six phones?
"Best Buy told me to come here!"
"If they sold you the phone, they should provide support. If not, our tech support center will be happy to help."
"Fuck you and AT&T! I'm cancelling my service!"
"Have a fantastic day, sir. Please, do come again."
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
I have one. They still sell them. They're still advertised.
I don't see how this is that complicated--T-Mobile's network has two WP7 phones.
That being said, T-Mobile's support for the DVP, months ago, is somewhat limited (though they will do general technical support, and you have access to all the T-Mobile WP7 services on the HD7).
There is a difference though, but it's still T-Mobile having two WP7 options. If I want to replace my phone, I'd call Dell. If I wanted to do anything else, I'd call T-Mobile, at this moment.
Similarly, you can alter the Venue Pro to work on other networks, at the cost of 3G (it's been doe repeatedly at the XDA forums, as experimentation). The Venue Pro went onto Android recently (not that recently, actually), with an AT&T Contract (though, once again, you could use it with another network, though that would cost you 3G, I believe). This works for existing WP7 Venue Pros, so people on the XDA Forums have actually figured out how to swap their SD cards between the two operating systems, presumably for experimental means.
Had a similar experience with a lady and a Nexus S yesterday. She left happy with a Sensation, though.
End of the day, having support at the store is worth a lot more than most folks realize.
For real though, Microsoft just made Mango available to some Apphub developers, myself included. Massive amount of stuff to do to get it on the phone; I'll post some impressions when I get things working.
course, keep in mind it's missing features and in order to move to RTM mango you will need to restore back to nodo
with the software in developer hands for 4 months, though, this should be a smooth transition up to taking advantage of the nifty new APIs
I think my favorite feature so far is the new music features. The volume menu now takes about twice as much space when prompted (while music is playing). The little volume bar is gone, replaced with Metro-ish numbers, like 19/30. The music controls are larger, and includes a blurb of the current music playing, that takes you to the full player if you touch it. Also, streaming music from Zune seems to be greatly improved; it used to skip or get stuck buffering for me before.
that and I don't have a real wp7
oh well
I'm sure most what you said is not very important but http://wmpoweruser.com/devs-who-install-mango-under-nda/
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA
I can, and have, brought my Venue Pro to my local T-Mobile store, when I had a problem with it.
Though they can't replace if it actually needed replacing. They can do other troubleshooting.
I guess no problems
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA