Database Users

HTC/Windows vesion of apple "App store"

Had a quick search, couldn't find anything, sorry if it's a repeat..
Anyway, I love my HD, it's a cracking bit of kit, but I'm finding the lack of support for many things (take flash player streaming on BBC over HDSPA for example) really quite frustrating, not least as the youtube app works so well - which leads me to the bigger picture.
Apple have the appstore for their i-phone, a place where you can find all the applets for the phone - surely HTC or Miscro$oft should be looking at something similar for their range of phones/OS?
Am I missing a trick here? Have I missed the HTC/WinMo equivalent?

I think you mean something like " Cydia " for the IPhone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKerR-P-jGQ
That would be cool. I thought about the same thing at the Weekend. Why should we not have a universal download Program for all the Freeware in our Windows Mobile based machine.

Free Cabs
I Think this can help not program but helpful
http://www.freecabs.de
Mrahman

Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/

Meza1 said:
Microsoft are developing this, it is called Windows Mobile Marketplace
http://client.marketplace.windowsmobile.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - nothing like leading the market eh Microsoft?
How long has windows mobile been a common smartphone/PDA operating system now?

There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff

Or this: http://msmvps.com/blogs/nunoluz/archive/2009/04/09/pocket-gear-now-has-own-appstore.aspx

CreepinJesus said:
There are loads of websites giving free CABs for all kinds of programmes. Because Windows Mobile doesn't have a central 'approval' thing like Apple do, anyone can write ANY kind of program for WM phones. Apple decide what makes it onto their phone and what doesn't, hence the need for their centralised AppStore.
Try this: www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi (from your mobile). Lots of good stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am aware of the numerous places where the software is available, and long may that continue, as it means independent developers can continue their excellent work, but with the Apple model you have a 'one stop shop', accessible directly from a simple app on the phone that gives you simple access to many 'official' applets.
Whilst I'll always be looking at the independent sector, following the recommendations from places such as this site (and what an excellent resource it is!), there really needs to be a central, 'approved' market place for the mass-market apps, and so that developers can see a genuine, financially viable reason to develop for the platform, something that isn't really there at the moment in the fractured, unfocused model we currently have.

And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?

vangrieg said:
And how are developers going to benefit from being ripped off by a company like Apple or MS twice - once in the form of rubberstamping their work, and then in the form of a sales commission?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the same way most companies do...
The point of the central depository is that people looking for apps look there, is it not?
http://appstore.pocketgear.com

Winmo to Android

i previously had a Tytn2. One of the best fones i've ever ownedexcept for the speed and the clunkiness of it. Upgraded to Rogers HTC Dream, but there are a lot of things i miss from the Tytn. Just wondering what functionalities other people miss, and possible this could brainstorm ideas generate solutions or substitutes on Android...
personally,
a) Tomtom, using nav with built in maps, no data necessary
b) official msn client
c) tethering (currently only using pdanet, non-root)
d) simple windows functions, ie copying text, easily moving files within explorer on the fone
e) others...?

kevwo said:
i previously had a Tytn2. One of the best fones i've ever ownedexcept for the speed and the clunkiness of it. Upgraded to Rogers HTC Dream, but there are a lot of things i miss from the Tytn. Just wondering what functionalities other people miss, and possible this could brainstorm ideas generate solutions or substitutes on Android...
personally,
a) Tomtom, using nav with built in maps, no data necessary
b) official msn client
c) tethering (currently only using pdanet, non-root)
d) simple windows functions, ie copying text, easily moving files within explorer on the fone
e) others...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) copilot live. Its $35 and is on the market. You will need to root and run marketenabler though since canada isn't on the non-free market list yet. The maps are better than tomtom, the routing is smarter, and the route planning is MUCH FASTER.
b) There's lots of im crap on the market. Can't imagine why you would want this nonsense, but its there for you to download if you want it.
c) tether for root users. Again, root it.
d) you need to learn to LONG-press. And for manipulating files, either learn to use the terminal properly like the more intelligent people (it is MUCH easier and more efficient than using ANY gui), or find a free program called "ASTRO" in the market.
e) if you don't have a question, we can't provide an answer.

lbcoder said:
a) copilot live. Its $35 and is on the market. You will need to root and run marketenabler though since canada isn't on the non-free market list yet. The maps are better than tomtom, the routing is smarter, and the route planning is MUCH FASTER.
b) There's lots of im crap on the market. Can't imagine why you would want this nonsense, but its there for you to download if you want it.
c) tether for root users. Again, root it.
d) you need to learn to LONG-press. And for manipulating files, either learn to use the terminal properly like the more intelligent people (it is MUCH easier and more efficient than using ANY gui), or find a free program called "ASTRO" in the market.
e) if you don't have a question, we can't provide an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey lbcoder, thanks for the response, some good points there
A) does copilot run if i take the sim card out tho (no data used) ? if it does, then you rock!
b) fair enough
c) rooting tonite, once i get home. thanks haykuro
was there anything that anyone in particular liked about winmo?

kevwo said:
hey lbcoder, thanks for the response, some good points there
A) does copilot run if i take the sim card out tho (no data used) ? if it does, then you rock!
b) fair enough
c) rooting tonite, once i get home. thanks haykuro
was there anything that anyone in particular liked about winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) Definitely works without data. Haven't tried pulling the card though, really don't want to open the case up.
d) I've always really liked that winmo never really caught on. They have too much of a monopoly and are perfectly evil and abusive... ever actually read one of their eula's? Its a "You want me to agree to WHAT??? No, I will NOT sign over my firstborn and my youngest daughter, and you can NOT have my testicles ".

I owned a TyTn II before buying an HTC Dream.
My transition to Android was through the Android port to the tytn2. As I was using android on the tytn2, I found myself spending more and more time in android then in WinMobile. After a while I started dreading having to go back to WinMo to access features that the android port didn't have functioning (like camera, wifi...)
What I started to dislike about WinMo was the fact that it has a stylus driven interface. Even though there are some nice custom WinMo Roms, that add some nice finger navigation to the main features, practically all 3rd party software is not finger friendly.
And Android worked so much smoother and snappier then WinMo.
Since getting the Dream a month ago, I haven't once thought about what I'm missing from the tytn2.
Just my experience.

I am pretty much in the same boat as the OP. TomTom was the biggie for me, as was the much better included mail client in WM. I was personally running Windows Mobile 6.5 and in fact am still running it on the Tytn.
I actually went back to using my Tytn and tossed the dream in the glove box. It wasn't till night before last when I rooted the Dream that I put my sim back in it. If Copilot works as expected I may try the Dream for bit and see if my feelings change. However I can see a new WM device in my near future.
Oh take a look at K9 for an email client. Still a bit clumsy to use, but worlds better than the built in mail client in android. Its still a very young phone and OS, I think over time it'll get better.

lbcoder - we have winmo hater! lol well at least i had my tytn2 running better than so many iphones....yeah i'm gonna hate on iphone
outsider787 - how did android run on the tytn2? was it laggy? i have to assum it was, as just its own rom was quite laggy. i agree tho, that it is frustrating to try to do things on the screen with your finger that was designed for a stylus
Capt Fiero - keep me/us informed with how the testing of CoPilot goes! with tomtom, i could just take my sim when travelling in the US and still navigate (atlantic city to ny!)

I replied to your pm, however wanted to add a few things here.
I still have yet to get copilot installed on the 10 day trial. Every time I go to download and install it, using market enabler it wants me to give them a credit card, and I am not supplying a credit card number or personal info through market on an app that I have never even seen in operation let alone tried.
Now as for going state side, I found it ridiculously cheap just go across pick up a USA AT&T pay as you go card, drop it into my Tytn and go from there. Its .10 cents a min vs $2.00 a min for roaming. You have to have your phone unlocked, which if you are on these forums, more than likely you already do. So now I just have a spare sim in my sim carrier that I swap into my phone when I am going to be in the states for an extended period. I thought about forwarding my CDN number to the US number, but never tried it. I just swap the card out once a day and check for any new messages.

kevwo said:
lbcoder - we have winmo hater! lol well at least i had my tytn2 running better than so many iphones....yeah i'm gonna hate on iphone
outsider787 - how did android run on the tytn2? was it laggy? i have to assum it was, as just its own rom was quite laggy. i agree tho, that it is frustrating to try to do things on the screen with your finger that was designed for a stylus
Capt Fiero - keep me/us informed with how the testing of CoPilot goes! with tomtom, i could just take my sim when travelling in the US and still navigate (atlantic city to ny!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you make a TyTn2 run better than an iPhone? That's ridiculous.....My friend still sticks to his TyTn 2 as it is a work phone and he regularly shows me his 'iphone-esque' tweaks, which are laughably jerky and unresponsive. There are a ton of things I could do on my old iPhone 3G that I couldn't do nearly as well on my TyTn2/Touch Diamond/Touch ProAthena/Exec, but that's another issue.....
As for the dream? Well I don't drive so I can't comment on SATnav software, but I'm very happy with the device as an internet-centric phone, and with the HTC IME and Handcent it's a joy to text on. I'd still swap it for a 3GS anyday though, as I'm not a humongous geek, just a lover of multimedia and the internet and the 3Gs provides a great browsing, texting, video, mp3, camera and video experience....
.....shame that the first batch are apparently getting so hot they're bursting into flames.
Anyway, enough of the iPhone crap, let's be straight here: If you LIKE windows mobile and you LIKE the way it works, get a Windows Mobile device. For what it does you can't fault it. If you want Microsoft Services such as hotmail and Live Messenger it will always be the better choice. Android will NEVER be Windows Mobile; it is a completely different platform with different aspirations and an open environment, driven by third-party developers. Personally I prefer the Android Email Client to the Windows Mobile one, but I've only owned a Windows Mobile device up to version 6.1 so the email client may have improved. Also I have a Gmail account.
The major selling point for me of the two is the capacitive screen of the G1. I just cannot imagine going back to resistive screens and styluses so no matter how much WinMo improves it will never get my support until it becomes compatible with capacitive screens.
just my thoughts....

just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent

Before this turns into an Android vs WinMo war, they both have there big pluses and both have drawbacks. It boils down to personal preference and desired use. For some its just a a really hard decision. Whenever I make a WinMo/Android thread, I always state that both have there advantages and both have there drawbacks. So don't let the other side of the fence bait you into an argument that has no place on this forum.

I just got an error when trying to reply to your PM, nothing private so here it is.
The following errors occurred with your submission:
kevwo has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.
If you are trying to send this message to multiple recipients, remove kevwo from the recipient list and send the message again.
I never did get Wifi teather to work, and contacts I found it easier just to copy all the contacts to the sim then move the sim to the dream and copy them from the sim to the dream contact list. (over 200 contacts so any other way would take way too long)
kevwo said:
Capt Fiero said:
I don't know about root being "unlocked" or not. I have not tried that yet. I have not gone across the line with the Dream yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool
thanks again for the help. just trying to bluetooth contacts from Tytn to dream now.
and attempting to get WiFi tether to work. sigh...i guess all this work is part of the fun of a new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

i have almost 400, i dont think it could all fit on my sim tho

Well you other option and its a long way around but, if you have
MS Outlook
a Gmail Account and understand what a CSV value is, you are in luck.
Open Microsoft Outlook (must have your windows Mobile contacts synced)
Use the MS Outlook export wizard to export your contacts into a CSV file. Save it to your desktop.
Now open your Gmail account, go to the import wizard, import that CSV file into Gmail.
Now grab your Android phone, enter your Gmail account info, then tell it to sync your contacts from your GMAIL account to your phone.
Presto Bingo, your phone now has all the accounts that were on your Windows Mobile / Outlook account in your Android. This will work regardless if you have 20 accounts or 1000 accounts.

kevwo said:
just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dude, what's ur problem

kevwo said:
dude, what's ur problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to me that HE's the troll...

kevwo said:
just just got root access. can finally bluetooth. let's see android create 'Age of Empires" and make it as addictive as winmo version. robo defense is only fun to a certain extent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Robo Defense is only fun until you find the XML files that store your scores/unlocks Couldn't they use some sort of encoding to make cheating a bit more difficult for root users? All I wanted was to save my progress between phone wipes, but ended up giving myself 90 gazillion points and unlocking all achievements.

lbcoder said:
Seems to me that HE's the troll...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. serious. oh well.
you can hack it like that? wow! but is that more fun than actually OBTAINING the achievement yourself? those black planes are damn near impossible to shoot down its frustrating.
anyone actually play AoE on winmo?

kevwo said:
lol. serious. oh well.
you can hack it like that? wow! but is that more fun than actually OBTAINING the achievement yourself? those black planes are damn near impossible to shoot down its frustrating.
anyone actually play AoE on winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I entertained myself with AoE on an old PDA on a plane flight one time. Was nice to have. Android games have a long way to come, but compare teh age of the platform to WM and I feel hopeful.
All in all, I prefer android to the current WM (well I only got to 6.1 before I sold my tilt last year), but if there are apps you depend on, it can be a tough switch to make.

What Makes Android Better Than Windows Mobile?

I see a lot of threads about Android.
I've never tried converting or even seen it in action but have a question.
How is Android better than Windows Mobile Professional?
Also how is it worse?
Or is it just different?

All I can say is 'try it to believe it.'
I can talk about it on and on, but you are not going to realize what you can get until you try it.

sshark said:
All I can say is 'try it to believe it.'
I can talk about it on and on, but you are not going to realize what you can get until you try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
second that. easy enough to dump on your sdcard without even touching your current winmo setup, so try it out and see.

jimt007 said:
I see a lot of threads about Android.
I've never tried converting or even seen it in action but have a question.
How is Android better than Windows Mobile Professional?
Also how is it worse?
Or is it just different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its just better. Really.

Main thing for me, besides that its totally better, is that its finger based. No more silly stylus....

+1.
I just recently went all the way back to the stock sprint 6.1 rom just to see if I could ever live like that again. After spending an hour or so gathering cabs and tweaking everything just to get it to a comfortable state, I realized that all of the things I was trying to do are pretty much already done in even the most basic android builds.
It does come down to preference I suppose, but for me, just signing into my account upon booting android beats digging around for a WMMarketplace cab on a crippled IE browser, cumbersome setups for things like Windows Live, setting up and scheduling active sync, installing replacements for almost every default part of WM.
I really did love windows mobile for a long time. It's certainly one of -if not- the most customizable platforms. If you don't necessarily like how something works in WM, chances are you can do something about it. But that can take time. I was never really that interested in scripting out one of those huge uc files way back when.
The way everything works so well together in android without getting in your way is fantastic, but stop reading this and just trying it!

If you want to get your feet wet:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58383/android.exe
A self-extracting zip file I made to get a friend running Android. It's a all-in-one Haret of zenulator's 1.6 Donut. Just extract the Android folder it contains to your Secure Digital card, then run Haret.exe in Windows Mobile File Explorer. Then hit Run.
For porting contacts from WinMobile to Android, check this:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138636&topic=14299

You know what? I'm going to quote myself, from another thread:
Pandemic187 said:
Personally, I like Android better than Windows Mobile because:
1. It's significantly faster for me
2. There's more freedom in terms of tweaking it
3. I think it has a MUCH better notification system than WinMo
4. I like the integration with GMail (better than WinMo's Exchange support) and other Google services
5. It has an app market!
These are pretty self explanatory, but I just love the notification system of Android. I was pleasantly surprised to see a weather alert appear in my notification bar after I downloaded the Weather.com app the other day. Everything appears there - including your appointments on your Google Calendar, texts, e-mails - everything. I think it's just great how it's all unified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jnadke said:
If you want to get your feet wet:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58383/android.exe
A self-extracting zip file I made to get a friend running Android. It's a all-in-one Haret of zenulator's 1.6 Donut. Just extract the Android folder it contains to your Secure Digital card, then run Haret.exe in Windows Mobile File Explorer. Then hit Run.
For porting contacts from WinMobile to Android, check this:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=138636&topic=14299
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
I guess I'm not patient enough to continue to experiment so I just deleted the file and am back to using Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.

jimt007 said:
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power Button = Menu Button
Camera Button = Back Button
Hang-Up Button (long press) = Silence, Airplane, Shutdown
Those should work on every Vogue.

cybik said:
Power Button = Menu Button
Camera Button = Back Button
Hang-Up Button (long press) = Silence, Airplane, Shutdown
Those should work on every Vogue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to give a friend the package above, but he is on a Touch Pro. Would this be good for him to try? or is there something else better?

TheKartus said:
Main thing for me, besides that its totally better, is that its finger based. No more silly stylus....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol..huh? I have used Windows Mobile forever and cannot remember the last time I used the stylus...in fact, the only time I use it, is to reset the phone through the little hole.

jimt007 said:
Thanks.
I installed it without any problems. Nice looking. Very clean interface.
But.... EVERY program that I tried, opened but had no way to back out. I had to soft reset each time. I tried 3 or 4 different things, and nothing let me go back to the main menu. Phone hard keys didn't do what they are supposed to do. After all it is a phone, the hard keys make it easy to call and hang up.
I guess I'm not patient enough to continue to experiment so I just deleted the file and am back to using Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well..........after reading some of the replies I reinstalled Android.
Not to belabor the point but I still don't like it as much as Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
I would be losing to many things I'm very pleased with for a change to a different operating system.
It's back off again, I'm staying with Windows Mobile Pro 6.1.
If I ever want Android I'll buy an Android phone.

I agree with you about Android, it's not something I would use, but that's just me.
I wouldn't go back to 6.1 though, I'll stay with 6.5.x, it's a lot more finger friendly. The UI graphics on Android is decade behind everybody else. I would need a microscope to see what's on there. That's why HTC developed its own UI. Knowing Google, they probably can make up that decade in a week, but for now its Winmo.
PS you might want to try one of the port/build with SenseUI.

stopthebus said:
I agree with you about Android, it's not something I would use, but that's just me.
I wouldn't go back to 6.1 though, I'll stay with 6.5.x, it's a lot more finger friendly. The UI graphics on Android is decade behind everybody else. I would need a microscope to see what's on there. That's why HTC developed its own UI. Knowing Google, they probably can make up that decade in a week, but for now its Winmo.
PS you might want to try one of the port/build with SenseUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each their own I suppose - but it really sounds like your config is off or you're using some odd build if you "need a microscope to see what's on there".

plemen said:
To each their own I suppose - but it really sounds like your config is off or you're using some odd build if you "need a microscope to see what's on there".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to be able to increase the font size on Android. I've play around with both 120 and 160 and different resolutions, but unable to increase the font size to something usable. Any help would be appreciated. I've been scouring the net reading up on Android and trying different builds (last one was eclair 2.0.1) because I was offered the Droid for Xmas. After all the readings and research, I turn down the offer in favor of the trusty old Vogue (being made by Motorola is another reason; every Motorola phones I got, I had to open them up and super glued everything down).
I do appreciate some pointers on increasing the font/widgets size on these test builds.

crobs808 said:
lol..huh? I have used Windows Mobile forever and cannot remember the last time I used the stylus...in fact, the only time I use it, is to reset the phone through the little hole.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I often got annoyed with certain apps I put in, certain games, or menus and just brought out the stylus.

Well, one thing you always have to keep in mind running Android on the Vogue, is that it is not native to the Vogue. So, there is always going to be little imperfections. I was so impressed by Android on the Vogue, that I bought a G1. So now I run WM6.5 on the Vogue, and Cyanogen's ROMs on my G1. I really will never go back to WM. The only reason I use it now is because I have a contract with Verizon that somebody else pay for. If you really want to be blown away by Android, go to a store and play with a native Android phone. I find content is way more accessible for Android. For an OS that has been out for a very small fraction of the time that WM has been out, it's incredible. Lol, I'm rambling now, point is, try a native Android phone if the Vogue port doesn't suit you. Don't give up on it too easily.

Hello
I am using NFSFAN latest rom on my vogue.Have not tried any android as yet.Honestly,I have not followed it atall.So I am a complete noob to android platform.
So can anybody point me where I can get all the guidanceThanks.

Wow! I don’t mean to sound patronizing but I am genuinely impressed by the quality of responses to this question. Someone actually dared to ask a question about comparing WM vs. Android and there wasn’t any of the typical flame war style responses. Thanks guys! Just one more reason why I like the XDA forums.
I have been looking for a clear and concise answer (or partial answer) on this exact topic myself. I was hoping to get a quantifiable “here’s why I like Android” or “here’s why I like WM” response and I finally found something in this discussion.
I find that a certain anti-Microsoft sentiment often clouds these discussions to the point where they are not useful.
I have been using WM for *years* and develop applications for it. I am also supporting over 50+ Windows Mobile-based devices in the enterprise (warehouse & sales force automation apps). So when people come out and say stuff like “WM is slow, bloated and buggy” I find it an unhelpful response. I just have to chalk their comments up to anti-Microsoft sentiment that is so popular these days.
From this discussion I have a partial conclusion. It seems that the main difference between WM and Android are from a “user experience” perspective. Both of them seem to be reliable robust platforms from an OS perspective. The problem is that the WM interface is dated and heavily stylus oriented. Microsoft’s response to this is to make things “bigger” but not to radically rethink the user interface.
Windows Mobile in its present form bears an uncanny resemblance to Pocket PC 2002. This was designed to compete (and win) against the then popular PalmOS.
Android represents a complete rethink from a user interface perspective. On top of that companies like HTC add their own stuff like SenseUI (on Android) and TouchFLO (on WM) that change the user experience some more. So sometimes that makes the discussion more about the phone manufacturer (HTC vs. Samsung for example) then about the platform itself.
Microsoft is in a tough spot with WM right now. There is a huge install base of mobile business apps running on industrialized PDA’s (stuff like the MC75, MC55, Intermec CN50, etc, etc). The Purolator guys use WM for proof-of-delivery. These types of apps are often custom developed, expensive and have long life cycles. They are not sexy but they get work done.
Radically rethinking the WM user interface would likely break a lot of these types of applications. Everyone knows when switching to Android that their existing WM apps will not run. But everyone expects their existing WM apps from 1998 to run unmodified on the latest version of WM (and surprisingly they often do).
So how does Microsoft keep WM dominant in the business sector while at the same time making it “exciting and sexy” in the rapidly changing consumer marketplace?
Tough spot indeed. I wonder what they will do. I do love the competition from Android (and iPhone) and expect to see cool stuff from WM in the future. I just hope it doesn’t break too many of my 10+ year old apps ;-)
Regards,
The Fish

HD2 Windows Phone 7 Overview

If you're looking to hack your HD2 to get Windows Phone 7, be aware of this:
1. It's completely unsupported by Microsoft or HTC
2. It will erase all data on your phone and SD card in it
3. Unless you get a correct micro SD card, it will randomly reboot. A short term fix for this is to play an album in Zune and put the phone on vibrate.
4. It will greatly diminish your battery life. You will need an extended battery just to make it through a whole day.
5. You have to jailbreak it and install a certificate and move a file or two using third party app to download apps and then call up Microsoft in hopes they will give you the code.
6. There is a minor 3G problem; to fix it, try going into the settings, then tap on cellular, scroll down and click add apn, then in the APN field, type in internet2.voicestream.com and leave the user name and password fields blank. If that doesn't work, try typing in wap.voicestream.com or epc.tmobile.com. Make sure you turn roaming on. Note: Only works if you have T-Mobile.
I tried it but I put WP6.5 back on because it has a file explorer, you don't need Marketplace to install all of you apps you can just download them from the internet and install them, it has internet sharing, and for $25 I can get a personal hotspot. I also like the camera better because it is widescreen and takes panorama. I can do prettymuch anything with it!

I was JUST about to see what the fuss was about... And now I see its not worth it. Thanks! You saved me some headaches, lol
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

Ared777 said:
If you're looking to hack your HD2 to get Windows Phone 7, be aware of this:
1. It's completely unsupported by Microsoft or HTC - Who gives a hoot? If people are on XDA, they're not very likely to worry too much about that... They get all their support right here...
2. It will erase all data on your phone and SD card in it - True, but anyone thinking of going WP7 on their HD2 should already be aware of this and have purchased a decent card...
3. Unless you get a correct micro SD card, it will randomly reboot. A short term fix for this is to play an album in Zune and put the phone on vibrate. - True, but anyone thinking of going WP7 on their HD2 should already be aware of this and have purchased a decent card...
4. It will greatly diminish your battery life.- I have not found this to be the case... I find it drains about the same as the stock rom that was delivered with my phone... You will need an extended battery just to make it through a whole day.
5. You have to jailbreak it and install a certificate and move a file or two using third party app to download apps and then call up Microsoft in hopes they will give you the code. Crap, just get the code... I didn't have to jailbreak a thing...
6. There is a minor 3G problem; to fix it, try going into the settings, then tap on cellular, scroll down and click add apn, then in the APN field, type in internet2.voicestream.com and leave the user name and password fields blank. If that doesn't work, try typing in wap.voicestream.com or epc.tmobile.com. Make sure you turn roaming on. Note: Only works if you have T-Mobile. - T who?
I tried it but I put WP6.5 back on because it has a file explorer, you don't need Marketplace to install all of you apps you can just download them from the internet and install them, it has internet sharing, and for $25 I can get a personal hotspot. I also like the camera better because it is widescreen and takes panorama. I can do prettymuch anything with it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without marketplace and xbox live the WP7 is pretty spartan, but when fully operational there's not an OS near it...
My view for anyone thinking of trying WP7 is, try it fully working and then make a decision... Have a stock WM rom ready if WP7 aint for you...

Im sorry but most of this is utter FUD!
There are a few things wrong with the HD2 running WP7 but given that it was never supposed to work with it anyway i think its amazing
WP7 has been on my HD2 for months, it works fantasticly, and i wont go back to Droid or WM for my main OS
Note i do sill use a WM6.5 device for some key software that i cant get on WP7 but other than 2 pieces of software its great!
SD cards are a big issue, its luck if you get one taht works, that is one of the things you have to pay to be able to use this OS on our Device, if you dont like it buy an HD7
APN settings are operator specific, use the HTC connection tool and it will sort it all out for you
you dont need to unlock the device if you intend to use LEGAL apps from the market place, if you wish to use dodgy apps or unsigned XAPs developed by users then you will need to unlock it. Normally ALL you have to do is phone MS or use the chat and get a code, and thats it, everything works
Of course its unsupported by MS, your using software on a device that it was never intened for, why would you think other wise? and it is exactly that thinking that would stop MS from allowing (but not supporting) the HD2 because people like you assume MS should help them! Why!? anyhow, thats why we have XDA-DEV
Battery life is much the same, and very good if you consider PUSH is working
of course it will format the card, i dont see the argument here?
Install linux on your windows computer (not VM), does it format anything? yes it does

GunBuri said:
I was JUST about to see what the fuss was about... And now I see its not worth it. Thanks! You saved me some headaches, lol
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mate, talk to people on here that know what they are talking about before you make your mind up, of course the choice is yours but at least make an informed decision based on facts.

argentocruz said:
Without marketplace and xbox live the WP7 is pretty spartan, but when fully operational there's not an OS near it...
You forgot to mention facebook, but anyway those three things are what WP7 is targeted for. I got to play around with two native devices and to me they feel like a mobile gaming device that has the added advantage of making phonne calls and accessing the internet via a mobile network and not WiFi
My view for anyone thinking of trying WP7 is, try it fully working and then make a decision... Have a stock WM rom ready if WP7 aint for you...[/B]
I agree totally as WP7 as it is currently even in native WP7 devices is not for everyone. Maybe in the future it will improve but something tells me it will not as it is not geared to be a functional OS for a mobile device but just a gaming and social networking device OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blah, blah, blah, blah

I just had to reply to this.
I'm tech savvy, but not so when it comes to phones, so i spent weeks reading up on here. No way could I do what you guys do, but I read enough to not brick my phone.
I followed one of the guides, phone worked but was buggy.
Then followed another guide, installed a different ROM and phone is great. Activated via online chat with microsoft rep who was very patient and helpful as I originally entered code using caps, should all be lower case.
I now have a fully functional wp7 device, bing maps works very quick, hotmail contacts sync constantly, zune music sync is flawless, battery now actually lasts more than a full day (used to barely do that on wm6.5) and now I even have a full res camera too, nothing wrong at all with wp7 on my phone.
Every once in a while it stops accessing my apps, but to be honest my hd2 already had the occasional quirk. A quick reboot fixes that (and it is quick).
I bought a 16gb class 2 sandisk sd card from amazon for £16 as I read that is likely to work. Not had an issue with it.
If you read around and understand it takes a little work (though not that much) then having wp7 on an hd2 is really good.
The only thing I'm missing is turn by turn with voice satnav, but that's missing from wp7 itself and will hopefully be resolved legitimately soon.
Sorry for the long post, but I really felt like I needed to comment.
by the way, thanks to all you guys for the amazing work you've done, allowing me to post the above.

guys is there any way i can dual boot wp7 and android , either from nand or sd card ??

Absolutely, via SD card and MAGLDR.
There is a thread with full instructions on the Development forum - here

deleted by user

true........ but
argentocruz:
1. True dat
2. 16 gb micro sd card: $50, for that much, just extend your contract and get a refurb HD7, same price.
3. [Same]
4. Not in my experience
5. I live in the U.S. enough said.
You are still forgetting the internet sharing, which doesnt exist on WP7, which was one of the main reasons I bought the HD2. Also you have the file explorer, which was also very nice. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can download files directly from the internet, either in WP7; didn't have long enough to try it.
Bottom line: WP7 is just a glorified iPhone, Windows Mobile gives you true freedom.

I absolutely love WP7 on my HD2. Sure there are a few....I mean VERY few things I miss from WinMo, but not enough to revert back or go to android (bleh). I actually have a phone that works now, lol! The main thing I miss from WinMo on HD2 is the camera. Other than that, I'm EXTREMELY happy with WP7. And getting the activation code & unlocking the phone are so easy, it wouldn't deter any real poweruser. Plus I love the challenge of learning/hacking a new OS, especially one that's a challenge.

Ared777 said:
argentocruz:
Bottom line: WP7 is just a glorified iPhone, Windows Mobile gives you true freedom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree that WM is an amazing OS, it was seriously hampered by the networks and very poor driver support though, IF we had the correct drivers for the graphics it would rival WP7 and Android.
However, that is not the case, so whilst WM remains a beast of an OS that can do almost anything its not got a good UI and its social intigration isnt as good.
which is exactly why i want to dual boot WM and WP7, at the moment i have to take my old Touch HD around if i wish to use WM which isnt ideal
To say WP7 is like an iPhone isnt completely correct, its similar yes, are targeted to the same demographic but after using an iphone and android for quite a long time, you wont find me moving back.
If they cant get WM to dual boot with WP7 i would love WP7 to have a sandboxed WM environment to allow me to run WM apps or even better as devices get more powerful with dual cores to have an Emulated WM OS
The potential for WP7 is massive, we can only hope they take WM and somehow shove its functionality in to WP7, sand boxed for course to maintain OS integrity, which unfortunatly is what WM failed at.
The carriers buggered it for WM, and MS got the blame for it, what people dont realise is that MS had little to do with what happened to MS, other than its inaction and sorting it out that is!

yeah
dazza9075 said:
i agree that WM is an amazing OS, it was seriously hampered by the networks and very poor driver support though, IF we had the correct drivers for the graphics it would rival WP7 and Android.
However, that is not the case, so whilst WM remains a beast of an OS that can do almost anything its not got a good UI and its social intigration isnt as good.
which is exactly why i want to dual boot WM and WP7, at the moment i have to take my old Touch HD around if i wish to use WM which isnt ideal
To say WP7 is like an iPhone isnt completely correct, its similar yes, are targeted to the same demographic but after using an iphone and android for quite a long time, you wont find me moving back.
If they cant get WM to dual boot with WP7 i would love WP7 to have a sandboxed WM environment to allow me to run WM apps or even better as devices get more powerful with dual cores to have an Emulated WM OS
The potential for WP7 is massive, we can only hope they take WM and somehow shove its functionality in to WP7, sand boxed for course to maintain OS integrity, which unfortunatly is what WM failed at.
The carriers buggered it for WM, and MS got the blame for it, what people dont realise is that MS had little to do with what happened to MS, other than its inaction and sorting it out that is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^agreed. I'm waiting for someone to release (probably cotulla) to release WM6.5 or WP7 for an SD card and just boot into whichever system is necessary. WP7 would probably be my primary because it is less buggy, easier to use, and has much better apps. Also I agree with you that they should have put WM functionality into WP7, because WM was probably the closest mobile OS to an actual computer OS, because it had the file explorer, also you can install programs from anywhere, not just Marketplace. That was what really disappointed me about WP7, and also it didn't have internet sharing, which was such a great feature! All you had to do was tap the button, plug it into your computer, and click connect and within 2 minutes you were getting internet on your PC through your phone.

Actually, if properly installed WP7 runs better than its native WinMo 6.5, and much better than Android!
I have been using it for the last few months without glitches, bugs, etc.
It is simple, all your basics (texts, emails, contacts, IE) are easily accessible; typing on it is better than anything out there (including Iphone), very simple and intuitive graphics.
However, when you get into 'hubs' and apps WP7's sheer graphic beauty comes forward. And this is what makes it a great OS, simple for every day use (too many screens and widgets in Android come to mind as something I wish to avoid), and beautiful when you get deeper into it!
Also, it is very FAST and stable!
There is also something called Touch Explorer which is same as File Explorer in WM6.5.
You can also download Navigo for your navigational needs, and may I tell you it runs perfectly and is very accurate.
There is a plethora of apps here on XDA which you can download onto your unlocked HD2 (an advantage over native devices) just do some research and you will have everything you had on your old WM6.5.
Do you remember the Voice Commander on the old OS, you had to reinstall it every time you flashed a ROM, it was slow, and leggy. On WP7 is fast and very accurate.
My advice is to properly flash this OS, use it for a month and you will not revert to WM or Android.
Also, it would not hurt to see the upcoming Mango update (go to Youtube) to see in which direction this OS is moving.
Microsoft did not enter the mobile market with this OS to play, it came to kill.

mfrey0118 said:
deleted by user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for being off topic, but this guy's sig attracted me.
"Black HTC HD2" .. lol wut ?

I love the fluidity of the OS, but sometimes it is so simple and clean that it become annoying (Coming from Android NAND). I would still prefer android but you really can't beat WP7 on the HD2 since it has 720p recording. The HTC Hub application is pretty nice too.

Enable Desktop Mode?

I'm a major power user of Windows. At work, I am a sysadmin, managing hundreds of Windows servers (from 2003 to 2008 R2). Exchange servers, Citrix/Terminal servers, Active Directory are my specialties. I have experience with programming .NET, VBScript, php, and a bit of Java. I would say I have about 18 years of computing experience, the first problem I had to fix myself was DOS6.22 not locating my CDROM drive, the issue turned out to be an mscdex problem
I'm pretty good with *nix as well, though not as good as my Windows skills, I am pretty good with my way around command line on bsd and linux. Although I have a passion for PCs, I have also dabbled with macs, and can manage and repair them as well. Oh I completely forgot to mention my hardware background, but I don't really do too much with that nowadays, so might not be that relevant.
Over the last year I have started to play with Android devices, I have a Motorola Droid4 as my phone, and a Nexus 7 as my tablet.
My PC usage habits have changed since I got my first tablet, I use my PC for what I would consider, advanced tasks. Things like building ISOs, and bootable USB sticks, repairing/managing my android devices (things like moto rsdlite, or factory restore on my nexus 7), banking, deep research, and working from home (which includes a variety of management of system utilities using RDP to the office). I have been using Windows 8 for about a day and like to new interface of the desktop but find the "Windows 8 Style" (formerly known as metro) pretty disappointing since it's a 1 app at a time thing, NOT something I would want to do on my PC (I mean how often do you have only one thing up on the screen, that's fullscreen??). Is there a way I can use Windows 8 in desktop only mode? I don't know about you, but doing development in Metro doesn't seem very smart to me...

and your point being? cannot believe i wasted my time reading this post...

http://google.com/search?q="windows+8"+desktop+mode+default

e.mote said:
http://google.com/search?q="windows+8"+desktop+mode+default
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is so experienced, yet he does not know how to search? you should not feed the trolls

nitr8 said:
He is so experienced, yet he does not know how to search? you should not feed the trolls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spent about 2 hours searching last night with no success. But to desktop mode had been disabled in RTM, which is why I've posted a thread on this forum. Xda always has ways around things.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

>But to desktop mode had been disabled in RTM
You're saying that the methods in the below link (2nd link in above Google search) no longer work?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/6-ways-to-totally-avoid-metro-and-use-only-desktop-mode-in-windows-8
I'll have the RTM installed this weekend and will find out first hand. My real interest in Win8 is Windows-to-Go, and I'll see if it can be done with the Pro edition. If not, then we'll need to get more creative.
>Xda always has ways around things.
XDA is strong with Android, but there are better forums for Win8 info.

e.mote said:
>But to desktop mode had been disabled in RTM
You're saying that the methods in the below link (2nd link in above Google search) no longer work?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/6-ways-to-totally-avoid-metro-and-use-only-desktop-mode-in-windows-8
I'll have the RTM installed this weekend and will find out first hand. My real interest in Win8 is Windows-to-Go, and I'll see if it can be done with the Pro edition. If not, then we'll need to get more creative.
>Xda always has ways around things.
XDA is strong with Android, but there are better forums for Win8 info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding boot to desktop review the following link:
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-said...-straight-to-desktop-in-windows-8-7000002219/
Don't waste your time with pro, you'll need enterprise for Windows-to-Go.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

desktop is there, click desktop or hit the win button,
use metro as a start menu, apps are apps, wee programs to run on metro, applications or programs are big programs to run in desktop
in short, consider getting used to it. as you at length told us, you know a great deal, and pulling out the mscdex issue suggests....very little actually, as to know what you were doing with that would have required you to learn how to use it and know that was only one half of the potential issues with cd drives.
so my point being, try it, learn it, get used to it, and i can promise you, you'll go back to win 7 or xp one day and think is like stepping back in time to some god forsaken inefficient decade of OS design,

>Don't waste your time with pro, you'll need enterprise for Windows-to-Go.
That's the official line. The imagex route worked for the CP, so I'll try that for the Pro and see what happens. Else, we'll see.
In any case, I've no doubt that the WTG feature will be hacked out and made available as a standalone before long. It's the cherry on top of Win8, and a bull's-eye for every hacker.
As dazza said: Search. Try different things. And have patience and wait for solutions. Remember that Win8 isn't officially released yet.
MS can block certain methods, but it cannot block everything, like setting up a task or a keyboard macro to bypass the UI on boot-up. Here's one method (yes, this came up in a search):
http://pureinfotech.com/2012/08/14/script-bypass-start-screen-windows-8-desktop/
Anyway, your disdain of Metro is a common refrain, and there'll be solutions to address it.
I need to get a good ebook on Win8 nuts & bolts. Any recommendations out there? OK I'll take my own advice and search before ask..."Windows 8 Unleashed"..."Windows 8 for Dummies"

Thanks, that's a good suggestion; creating the scheduled task. At this point a lot of the OS is pretty much what I would consider "half baked". Reminds me of a Blackberry situation, where they have this grand OS, with not a lot of developer support. I'd like to get my google apps into the metro portion, and I am hoping in the future something will come along to replace the desktop without the start menu (seems sort of like a silly solution to force people to use metro). I'm not against the metro UI, for what I use PCs for it just doesn't really work that well.
I'm planning on continuing to use it for another month, and since I'm an MS admin, it's something I'll have to get used to whether I like it or not, that's why I came to this forum to ask around.
Again, thanks for the searching on the issue. I'm sure this will help others in their search for a boot to desktop solution.

danifunker said:
Thanks, that's a good suggestion; creating the scheduled task. At this point a lot of the OS is pretty much what I would consider "half baked". Reminds me of a Blackberry situation, where they have this grand OS, with not a lot of developer support. I'd like to get my google apps into the metro portion, and I am hoping in the future something will come along to replace the desktop without the start menu (seems sort of like a silly solution to force people to use metro). I'm not against the metro UI, for what I use PCs for it just doesn't really work that well.
I'm planning on continuing to use it for another month, and since I'm an MS admin, it's something I'll have to get used to whether I like it or not, that's why I came to this forum to ask around.
Again, thanks for the searching on the issue. I'm sure this will help others in their search for a boot to desktop solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my point is, you dont have to use it other than for a fancy start menu, and even then you dont have to use it, pin a folder to the task bar and you have an instant ld fashioned start menu.
think of it this way, turn PC on, up pops metro giving you at a glance a little bit of info on everything you have setup, pop in to desktop and get on with work, every now and then you can flick to metro to get a little update, if you want to read more without opening the full blown program an app may do the job, if you need to do a bit more work with the item in question then you can fire up the main program, its just a different way of thinking, but i can assure you, if you put in the effort, you will find your productivity measurably improved!

>At this point a lot of the OS is pretty much what I would consider "half baked"
I see Win8 as work in progress, which probably means the same as yours. Yes, desktop/Metro integration is poor. But MS had to implement a touch UI, integrate it with existing WIMP UI, set up an app store infrastructure, and support the ARM platform. That's a lot for one rev, so it'll take two (or more). I think of RTM as Release Preview 2.
My SWAG is that Win8 will have a mixed reception, and MS will quickly push out a service pack next year to address the shortcomings.
x86 aside, I'm interested in how WinRT will fare. As do MS, no doubt. The rumor of $199 RT toy has at least a whiff of truth to it.

Classic Shell now supports RTM, and has options to bypass Metro UI & disable hot corners
http://www.overclock.net/t/1295961/sf-classic-shell-is-officially-released-for-windows-8-rtm
For those who have Synaptic touchpads, you can use the latest Win7 drivers, although edge-swipe functions aren't implemented:
http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers/
Win8 beta Synaptics driver w/ edge-swipes below. It works, but is a little buggy. Left-edge swipe (task switch) gets activated at odd times.
http://drivers.softpedia.com/progDo...161811-for-Windows-8-x64-Download-172310.html
Frankly, for non-touchscreen PCs, you won't miss the Metro UI or the edge swipes. Will have to know your shortcuts, though.

Better yet,
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/157302-windows-7-explorer-for-windows-8/

danifunker said:
I'm a major power user of Windows. At work, I am a sysadmin, managing hundreds of Windows servers (from 2003 to 2008 R2). Exchange servers, Citrix/Terminal servers, Active Directory are my specialties. I have experience with programming .NET, VBScript, php, and a bit of Java. I would say I have about 18 years of computing experience, the first problem I had to fix myself was DOS6.22 not locating my CDROM drive, the issue turned out to be an mscdex problem
I'm pretty good with *nix as well, though not as good as my Windows skills, I am pretty good with my way around command line on bsd and linux. Although I have a passion for PCs, I have also dabbled with macs, and can manage and repair them as well. Oh I completely forgot to mention my hardware background, but I don't really do too much with that nowadays, so might not be that relevant.
Over the last year I have started to play with Android devices, I have a Motorola Droid4 as my phone, and a Nexus 7 as my tablet.
My PC usage habits have changed since I got my first tablet, I use my PC for what I would consider, advanced tasks. Things like building ISOs, and bootable USB sticks, repairing/managing my android devices (things like moto rsdlite, or factory restore on my nexus 7), banking, deep research, and working from home (which includes a variety of management of system utilities using RDP to the office). I have been using Windows 8 for about a day and like to new interface of the desktop but find the "Windows 8 Style" (formerly known as metro) pretty disappointing since it's a 1 app at a time thing, NOT something I would want to do on my PC (I mean how often do you have only one thing up on the screen, that's fullscreen??). Is there a way I can use Windows 8 in desktop only mode? I don't know about you, but doing development in Metro doesn't seem very smart to me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, good ol' MSCDEX . Anyway, I've been an IT guy for about the same amount of time as you (16, just shy of 17 years) and personally, I love Windows 8. My suggestion is this: use the desktop for desktop things, and use Metro for Metro things. Revolutionary advice, I know . To answer the question of "when would I use an app full screen?" the answer is simple: When you want to be *productive* in that app. Studies have shown that people working in clean, full-screen workspaces get more done because they have fewer distractions.
Metro, to be sure, is not a "one size fits all" solution. It does certain things exceptionally well, and others are best left to the desktop. And honestly, that's OK. I'd rather have an OS that can handle both worlds than have two distinct and separate OS's for different devices.
---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 PM ----------
e.mote said:
Classic Shell now supports RTM, and has options to bypass Metro UI & disable hot corners
http://www.overclock.net/t/1295961/sf-classic-shell-is-officially-released-for-windows-8-rtm
For those who have Synaptic touchpads, you can use the latest Win7 drivers, although edge-swipe functions aren't implemented:
http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers/
Win8 beta Synaptics driver w/ edge-swipes below. It works, but is a little buggy. Left-edge swipe (task switch) gets activated at odd times.
http://drivers.softpedia.com/progDo...161811-for-Windows-8-x64-Download-172310.html
Frankly, for non-touchscreen PCs, you won't miss the Metro UI or the edge swipes. Will have to know your shortcuts, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank goodness there are options for people who can't bring themselves to move forward with the times .

>My suggestion is this: use the desktop for desktop things, and use Metro for Metro things.
That's the problem. Many desktop users would just want to do desktop things and ignore Metro altogether, but Metro is mandatory for apps navigation.
I understand MS' motivation for pushing Metro, although I don't have to like it: It wants to get Metro (and App Store) as many eyeballs as possible, to get people used to the notion of "buying apps" for desktops. It needs to do this to kick-start Metro apps, and thereby give WinRT a boost. The change is for MS' benefit more than the users. As you said yourself, Metro can't do desktop duties, and it only ends up annoying desktop users.
>To answer the question of "when would I use an app full screen?" the answer is simple: When you want to be *productive* in that app. Studies have shown
This is a bad blanket statement in that it assumes everybody works (or should work) the same way. People don't. It also ignores the reality that people are used to certain ways of getting things done, and resent being forced to relinquish those routines for purportedly "better" ones. That's a recipe for wholesale userbase loss.
BTW, a tip: Don't use the phrase "studies have shown." Any time you have to reach for "scientific surveys/studies/experts," it's already a losing argument.
I'm a proponent of Windows 8. I think it's a step in the right direction. But I recognize it's a love-hate relationship with Metro, and both sides have their justifications. It's a subjective thing, and appealing to authority (studies) isn't the answer. The only verdict that matters is from Win8 PC and tablet sales, and we'll know in Oct how Metro will fare.

I found something...
Interesting that I found it in the forbes.com website, I didn't even know they had technical articles!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/08/23/restore-the-start-menu-in-windows-8/
In the article it mentions something called Start8. This program is pretty much what I wanted.
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
I'll follow up after I've used Start8 for a little while longer.