Database Users

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

[Q] Some infos before flashing

Hey guys,
it's my first post here, but I'm still some days here in this board, consuming the contents for my HD2 with apreciation.
HD2 was and still is -hardwaresides- a milestone. When it comes up to the stock OS, there are some major things that I don't get. M*cr*s*fts OS is making this device a cripple, if you ask me. But that's another discussion and even more I was excited when I firstly saw a good friend these days holding me his Leo up the nose with Android embedded.
Now, I'd like to know some things before "flashing" my Leo - if you can say so, as the only thing to do seems to apply some kind of bootloader instaed of cleaning and rewriting the ROM. Which leads me to the
1. Will the installer overwrite the WM6.5 ROM or will it run in a dual-boot system?
2. Will a physical hardreset (volume-buttons) return to the stock-Rom?
3. Which of the local Froyo versions is the most stable with nearly all components working and - if possible - NO skin customizations except SENSE?
Thanks for your help and I hope that Android will bring my Leo to a whole new level.

Prepare yourself for a flaming of a lifetime.

Postaldude said:
Hey guys,
it's my first post here, but I'm still some days here in this board, consuming the contents for my HD2 with apreciation.
HD2 was and still is -hardwaresides- a milestone. When it comes up to the stock OS, there are some major things that I don't get. M*cr*s*fts OS is making this device a cripple, if you ask me. But that's another discussion and even more I was excited when I firstly saw a good friend these days holding me his Leo up the nose with Android embedded.
Now, I'd like to know some things before "flashing" my Leo - if you can say so, as the only thing to do seems to apply some kind of bootloader instaed of cleaning and rewriting the ROM. Which leads me to the
1. Will the installer overwrite the WM6.5 ROM or will it run in a dual-boot system?
2. Will a physical hardreset (volume-buttons) return to the stock-Rom?
3. Which of the local Froyo versions is the most stable with nearly all components working and - if possible - NO skin customizations except SENSE?
Thanks for your help and I hope that Android will bring my Leo to a whole new level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, why are you afraid to spell out Microsoft?
Second, Winmo didn't cripple HD2 at all, you have fully function phone.
Now, if you put Android on this phone, this make HD2 a cripple phone.
To answer your questions
1. No, Android will not overwrite the wm 6.5 rom, it need wm to run and it runs from sd card.
2. see #1, it will not alter wm rom, wm will be wm after reboot, you dont need to hardset.
3. This is like... personal preference, you have to try to see which build is for you.
the core here is kernel, if you try this build and you have problem, and you see another the build with the same kernel, it likely not going to fix your problem.

justwonder said:
First of all, why are you afraid to spell out Microsoft?
Second, Winmo didn't cripple HD2 at all, you have fully function phone.
Now, if you put Android on this phone, this make HD2 a cripple phone.
To answer your questions
1. No, Android will not overwrite the wm 6.5 rom, it need wm to run and it runs from sd card.
2. see #1, it will not alter wm rom, wm will be wm after reboot, you dont need to hardset.
3. This is like... personal preference, you have to try to see which build is for you.
the core here is kernel, if you try this build and you have problem, and you see another the build with the same kernel, it likely not going to fix your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Why shouldn't I? There are enough examples, that anonymity is not given in every way these days on the web...
2. No, it did run well. But it
-isn't nearly as smooth as the iPhone-OS or Android
-HTC Sense seems to stuck several times with WM 6.5, which brings me to conclusion that HTC wasn't allowed to create a consequent GUI without corrupting MS license restrictions
-Browsers (Stock Opera, Opera 10, Opera Mini, Skyfire) are really slow
-I got a bunch of crashes even with updated stock ROMs and CF 3.5 installed
-the response between OS and touchscreen is still very laggy which results in the over-sensibility and the so-called ghost-effect, when the screenkeys begin jerking out/ the screen is working commands that had been given more than a minute along
-pinch-to-zoom only seems to be a gimmick clearly running in the SENSE environment and apps based upon it. The WM GUI isn't compatible to it in many ways
- and most important, it still is giving me white knuckles that MS at last decided to make WMP 7 NOT available, needless to say, AFTER several Leos were sold with prediction for WMP 7 being available sooner or later
Sure, you got a working OS for everydays use, but it is as unattractive and as imperformant as it could be the day it came on such a steroidic device like the HD2. MS has epicly failed in giving attention to the mobile phone market, that's for sure. It isn't done with borderless synchonization of Outlook e-mail and contacts - because todays smartphones are capabale of so much more. For something like this, you don't need a 1 GHz Snapdragon, together with 512 MB systemmemory. And after making such hard license restrictions for developers that are in charge to use WMP7, I think this won't ever change.
And sure, you're able to customize this OS as far as you want. But take the usual Jon Doe, excited by HD2-Ads and offended by an OS, that feels and looks like it is 10 years old under the SENSE-surface, with an app-catalogue that's growing slower and slower. And Jon Doe's not the man to deal with custom roms and tweaks.
Now take Android on the other hand. Based on the Linux-Kernel, which is known to give you every possible freedom, together with every possible brick to handle - which you're able to fix by yourself and what makes it attractive mostly for enthusiastics - it's a good blend of functionality ergonomics/ease-of-use. These two words together exclamated each other more or less in the past and this is one of the reasons, why Linux as a desktop-system hasn't become more popular over the years of development. Besides this, linux distributions are the fastest and most stable running OS I ever used on a PC. Now, Android is in charge and able to become as popular as MS is on desktop-systems, because it's working good. Most of the start-up problems that occured on early Droids are eliminated, this phone-OS becomes more and more performant. And it seems to be a lot more flexible than any other phone-OS
Finally, this discussion turned right the way i thought it would end. I'd like to thank you all for your information at first. If you'd like to make further dialogue affecting the goods and bads of WM, please contact me PM.

[Q] Recommend Android Roms for Tmobile HD2

I have been an old user for WMo but newbie to Android except playing on my wife's vibrant a little bit. I'd like to try Android out on HD2 as WMo is officially dead. Here is some questions (which I searched and couldn't find definitive answers).
1. The Android builds listed in the Leo section, do they ALL work for tmobile HD2 or there actually is a difference between a Tmous HD2 build and a Leo build (like the difference between WM roms for each device)? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that these builds are the same but I really appreciate if someone could confirm that for me.
2. Can you guys recommend an Android build that (1) works with Tmo 3.14 stock rom (2) has sense UI (3) has no battery life issue (4) has the least number of bugs. I don't want to ask an open ended questions like what is the best android build. I actually do have these specific requirements in mind.
The reason I come with so many requirements is I have been using WMo since Tmo wing (2007) and TP2 (2009) and have gotten so used to it that I don't want to give it up. The new 3.14 stock rom only froze on me once when opera mobile cached too many files so it's half way my fault. Even though so many people hate WMo, to me it's just great as it simply works for me as I learned how to work around all the problems.
The requirement for sense is HTC simply perfected the user experience on WMo with the sense addition (also thanks to the capacitive screen that HD2 has). I would like to start with something that I'm familiar with.
Also seems a lot of discussion has been going on that the battery drain is no longer an issue with the current android builds. Is that true for all of them? Or some specific ones that has implemented some sort of fix?
I like to use Android as my daily OS so of course the requirement for least number of bugs.
3. OTA updates. Looks like native Android phone can update themselves when updates are released in the air. Would the HD2 android build be able to do the same? Or do I have to re-install a new build whenever updates come available (like flash a WMo rom)? I know when flashing a WMo rom I have to reinstall all software but when I install a new android build, can I somehow keep all the software I have without reinstall everything?

wearefree said:
I have been an old user for WMo but newbie to Android except playing on my wife's vibrant a little bit. I'd like to try Android out on HD2 as WMo is officially dead. Here is some questions (which I searched and couldn't find definitive answers).
1. The Android builds listed in the Leo section, do they ALL work for tmobile HD2 or there actually is a difference between a Tmous HD2 build and a Leo build (like the difference between WM roms for each device)? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that these builds are the same but I really appreciate if someone could confirm that for me.
2. Can you guys recommend an Android build that (1) works with Tmo 3.14 stock rom (2) has sense UI (3) has no battery life issue (4) has the least number of bugs. I don't want to ask an open ended questions like what is the best android build. I actually do have these specific requirements in mind.
The reason I come with so many requirements is I have been using WMo since Tmo wing (2007) and TP2 (2009) and have gotten so used to it that I don't want to give it up. The new 3.14 stock rom only froze on me once when opera mobile cached too many files so it's half way my fault. Even though so many people hate WMo, to me it's just great as it simply works for me as I learned how to work around all the problems.
The requirement for sense is HTC simply perfected the user experience on WMo with the sense addition (also thanks to the capacitive screen that HD2 has). I would like to start with something that I'm familiar with.
Also seems a lot of discussion has been going on that the battery drain is no longer an issue with the current android builds. Is that true for all of them? Or some specific ones that has implemented some sort of fix?
I like to use Android as my daily OS so of course the requirement for least number of bugs.
3. OTA updates. Looks like native Android phone can update themselves when updates are released in the air. Would the HD2 android build be able to do the same? Or do I have to re-install a new build whenever updates come available (like flash a WMo rom)? I know when flashing a WMo rom I have to reinstall all software but when I install a new android build, can I somehow keep all the software I have without reinstall everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. They are exactly the same. It is not discriminant between internation and US versions of the HD2. (unless otherwise posted)
2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=747492
3. You shouldn't do the OTA updates, it'll probably have some unforeseen complications. Just find an updated build.

as far as i know your going to have to switch to a custom rom. the stock 3.14 has robot voice which means it needs the correct audio drivers to work with android. search around there is plenty of barebones roms around(rom that is pretty much the exact same thing as 3.14 only with the correct drivers).
i have tried dozens of android build and have found this one Mdeejay_eVo_Sense_v._2.3Revolution to be the best. it has the best battery life i have found. with stock winmo with avarage use i was running 30% give or take battery life at the end of the day. with this android build im sitting at usually over 50% with the same if not more use.

dennis- said:
as far as i know your going to have to switch to a custom rom. the stock 3.14 has robot voice which means it needs the correct audio drivers to work with android. search around there is plenty of barebones roms around(rom that is pretty much the exact same thing as 3.14 only with the correct drivers).
i have tried dozens of android build and have found this one Mdeejay_eVo_Sense_v._2.3Revolution to be the best. it has the best battery life i have found. with stock winmo with avarage use i was running 30% give or take battery life at the end of the day. with this android build im sitting at usually over 50% with the same if not more use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only need a custom radio to run android properly, stock rom works fine. However there are roms optimized for android that you should look into. Most of them give the same sense experience with much moore fun features and an optimized android experience.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I will have to stick to stock WMo rom as this is my primary OS (at least for now).
I will start with Mdeejay_eVo_Sense_v._2.3Revolution to get a feeling how android works on a daily basis (playing for a few seconds every time doesn't really count), then decide whether I can use android as primary OS.
All my contacts, emails and calendars are synced with Google (so if Google decides to spy on me they know exactly what to do, haha) so the migration should be relatively smooth when I decide to switch.

New question: the android build worked fine for the first time but I can never go back in there. Now it just hands on the HTC screen indefinitely...
Any advice?

Finally figured out what went wrong. I re-formatted the stock SD card, copied the android folder in there first before I copied everything else back, and use the android loader. Now it's all good, except loading android can be a very long process... due to the stock slow sd card. But at least it works every time now.

Something to discuss while we wait for Nodo!

Call me a dork, but i check the DFT got Nodo Working link EVERYDAY! I have yet to post anything remotely like "when will we get Nodo"! Simply because, I know it can't be easy doing what those devs like Cotulla and DFT do and I think it is rude to rush them, especially if you're not making any donations! Furthermore, that thread is only becoming a bit*hfest. So here is something to discuss while waiting for Nodo.
So, I was doing some reading in the Android and WM 6.5 sections of our wonderful HTC HD2 device and I saw that Android is the only section with new things to play with! So, after nearly 4 months of having the same WP7 ROM on my HD2, I flashed a NAND Android yesterday.
Played with it a bit, set it up while I read about some other Android ROMs. Downloaded those, while setting up and playing with current install. Then flashed another, and another.
I remembered that this is what it was like before WP7 came out for HD2! I was expecting an important phone call this morning 9am, but at 8:10, flashed another Android ROM. Got it all ready to go before the phone call came in! (oh, and the ROM worked perfectly for the phone call)! Currently still on that one (which one is irrelevant) but yet still looking for more! "Why?", I ask myself!
I was content with WP7 and still am, but just waiting for Nodo and I'll go back. I just wanted to share my take on WP7 vs Android vs WM 6.5 and why I think I flash all the time with Android and WM 6.5 and not with WP7.
WM 6.5 - I love it. I think the the HTC sense made it buggy and that the DEVs did a great job with custom ROMs and made it less buggy. I loved how open it is to save, delete and install files and better yet, copy and paste! OMG I miss that! I consider myself a power user of my Windows phones because I've been flashing them since Win CE days in 2003. I know how they work and what to do when I mess it up. The average user could really mess some stuff up because of it's freedoms so to speak (which is why WM 6.5 didn't take off like iOS and Android) I feel I flashed a lot because of the different customizations made available and the fluidity of some. However, even the best ROM was not as fluid as WP7 and lack of Apps and games is an issue. With the latest Bing we finally got a decent turn-by-turn navigation with good search ability.
Android - I like it. I didn't at first because I was biased toward WM. It isn't as open and free as WM 6.5 is, but it is close. It is buggy and not as fluid as WM 6.5, and it does have copy and paste and some decent games. A good variety of builds and ROMs are available for us flash-oholics to satisfy our customization needs. A real good selection of games and apps and decent turn-by-turn navigation (with a British voice on some ROMs) make the Android system a good choice. And the ease of trying new ROMs without losing all your settings is an awesome feature that WP7 needs.
WP7 - I kept waiting and waiting for WP7 to come out for HD2 and finally 1-23-11 it hits! A bit buggy at first with the Chevron unlock and side loading apps, but for the most part, very solid OS. We have a ever growing selection of decent apps and games and recently got am alright navigation program (with horrible search options) from Telenav (T-Mobile) but it has a monthly fee! A newer free one I'm sure is just around the corner as with a bunch of other stuff like flash (expected for a new OS). I'd like to see google maps on WP7 as well as Multitasking. I know Microsoft designed WP7's back feature with tombstoning to be a form of multitasking, but let's say you are using a GPS calorie program while walking and a phone call comes in and you answer it, the GPS software is tombstoned (put to sleep exactly where it was when the call was answered) but it isn't counting calories or tracking your location anymore. Basically, WP7 is fast and stable and has a quick and unique way of connecting with facebook, and like the commercials say, "it's designed to get you in and out of your phone and back to your life."
But why was I satisfied with WP7 for nearly 4 months when I flashed nearly every day before? That is my question to all of you. Is it the lack of ROMs available or the lack of customization or what. Is there anyone else that has wondered the same thing?

I have to agree WM6.5 was awesome, but missing one thing which is important to me: the apps and games. It did have some great games, but not as much as android and wp7. Right now I'm (just like you) waiting for Nodo and using Android on a very nice build (Imilka's GB Sense), but with android and WM6.5 I was, and am, flashing several times a week. I really like WP7, but it's missing some nice features too (copy & paste, file browser, installing XAP, browsing through your phone when connected to PC instead of only being able to sync music, videos and apps with zune etc.). But the most important reason for me why I don't use WP7, I can't sideload!! There was only one build which did work with sideloading, and that was the first LEO70 (I was really excited about it), but it needed so much regedits before I could sideload, use file explorer, keep it unlocked etc., that I decided to use the custom builds with build-in regedits and chevron, but those just can't be sideloaded (if anyone had this problem and/or has solution, please tell). I think I'll just buy the class 10 micro-sd 16gb for €21,49 (yes that cheap, yes trusted site) instead of my stupid 8Gb sandisk ultra (which appeared to be a class 2 ultra, so not too impressive), so I can dual boot WP7 and Android, without being low on storage.
BTW here is link to SD card if you're interested: http://www.play.com/Mobiles/Mobile/-/1005/1250/-/19254851/PNY-16GB-Micro-SD-Memory-Card-Class-10/Product.html?source=9593&_$ja=tsid:11853|prd:85386

Now I have tried most of the WP7 ROMs and I could side load xaps on all of them. The first Leo70 was lot more involved to enable that feature.
Not sure exactly what I did other than install the DEV tools and change the HOST file to prevent relocking.

Open the drive please
I like WP7, I was using Android, back from 1.6 to 2.3, and have a dual boot right now (Android 2.3 CM7 and WP7).
Currently I am using the WP 7, but i am getting frstrated with nto beign able to simply drag and drop photos, music etc to the device.
As for side loading, I have not found that to be an issue for me, as there doesn't seem to be much out there that is not from the marketplace (maybe I am missing out on a bunch of stuff).
Looking forward to NoDo, and hopefully a crack to allow easy sideloading and direct memory access.
I alos have a ZUNE and it has the same structure (only loadign throug the software) but I know there are ways to load directly to the memory. I believe that the change is actually to regedit you PC to stop the PC from lockign out directa access.
Hopefully someone figures this out for our WP7's
Good luck the then and thaks to all the devs working on WP7

But do you find that you flash a lot use Android? How long did you run WP7 before going back to Android?

[email protected] said:
But do you find that you flash a lot use Android? How long did you run WP7 before going back to Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup.. lots of flashing. I think that's because Android has idk how many different styles, builds, themes whatever (sense, gingerbread, cyanogenmod, honeycomb, t-mobile mytouch you get the point), but wp7 has one simple, easy to use and yet graphical interface, which doesn't change a lot (there is one which has custom tiles, xboxmod I thought, don't know for sure). I've been on the first leo70 for about 2 weeks, which is very very long for me. I'm a ms person, but until wp7 gets better I'll just use Android. And believe me, I can't wait to raise my gamerscore from ~16000 to ~17000 thx to wp7.
Sent from my HD2 GB Sense using XDA App

WM6.5....lack of apps and games?
ok, give you the games, but WM had shed loads of programs, and more importantely you could freely install anything you liked, i will admit that the marketplace does have a lot, but like android and iOS much of it is ****e
I use WP7, i love it, but i also love WM6.5, that OS is a beast, it will do anything , yeah its a bit sluggish and not as pretty but hay it works. If it wasnt for HTC and QC screwing us over drivers WM6.5 would be a viable modern day OS.

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.