Windows 8 Phone: Linkage Round-up

Back in early October, I was beginning to consider the move into the “smart-phone” world with an upgrade to a Windows 8 Phone.

Accordingly I have been watching Windows 8 Phone news, reviews, and tips like a hawk.

Here is a linkfest update of new material since the last post on the subject.

General Discussion

• Windows Phone 8 review: Microsoft lays a foundation for success - Ars Technica
• Windows Phone 8 review - The Verge
• Windows Phone 8 review - Engadget
• The Windows Blog - Microsoft’s new source for Windows 8 Phone news
• After Apple v. Samsung, the smartphone market will never be the same [Updated] - Dwight Silverman’s TechBlog
• How I Switched To Microsoft Windows Phone 8 - It Was Easy! - ReadWrite
• iOS 6 vs Android 4.2 vs Windows Phone 8 Feature Comparison Chart - Addictive Tips
• The smartphone decision: What about the Nokia Lumia 920? (Review) - Dwight Silverman’s TechBlog

Windows 8 Phone Apps

• Marketplace - Windows Phone - Microsoft
• Office Next - Introducing the new Office on Windows Phone 8 - Microsoft
• 5 Fullscreen News Apps For Windows 8 - MakeUseOf Blog
• New Windows Phone 8 OS packs in social, personalization features - Ars Technica
• Try Before You Buy: 6 Emulators For Test-Driving Mobile Phones - MakeUseOf Blog
• Windows Phone Emulator - Microsoft
• Windows Phone Demo - Microsoft

Usage Tips

• Windows Phone 8 guide - Know Your Cell
• A Look At What's New In Windows Phone 8 - Addictive Tips
• What's new in Windows Phone 8? - BetaNews
• Q&A: The new Windows Phone 8 lock screen - The Windows Blog
• The story behind the Windows Phone 8 Start screen - The Windows Blog
• What’s new in photos and video for Windows Phone 8 - The Windows Blog
• Verizon to sell Windows Phone 8 on Thursday. Plus: a cheat sheet for U.S. shoppers. - The Windows Blog

Windows 8 Phone Videos

• Windows Phone Videos - YouTube
• VIDEO: Meet Windows Phone 8… through Joe Belfiore - Kurt Shintaku's Blog
• What’s new with Windows Phone 8 - Next at Microsoft - TechNet Blog

Nokia Lumia 920

• Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone with PureView Camera - Nokia
• AT&T prices Windows Phone 8 to sell - BetaNews
• Lumia 920 vs. Galaxy S III (AT&T) vs. One X vs. Ativ S vs. iPhone 4S - The Verge
• Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC Windows Phone 8X Are Great, and Yet - NYTimes.com

HTC Windows Phone 8X

• Windows Phone 8X by HTC Overview - HTC Smartphones
• INFO: Mary Jo Foley & Paul Thurrott on the HTC Windows Phone 8X - Kurt Shintaku's Blog
• Deboxing the HTC Windows Phone 8X - Ars Technica
• Hands on with HTC 8X and Windows Phone 8 – istartedsomething Blog

Samsung ATIV S

This is my biggest disappointment! I had hoped to have a lot more material here regarding the Samsung ATIV S phone that really caught my fancy. The design and features really impressed me and when I went into our mobile carrier’s area “corporate” store last week to look at the smart-phone choices and chat with the sales reps, they said they hadn’t heard much about it.

I really hadn’t expected it to be out until mid-December but was hoping for some more info.

Alas, information remains slim. And as of tonight, I still haven’t been able to confirm any pricing on our carrier’s network.

• Samsung ATIV S vs HTC Windows Phone 8X - PhoneArena
• Samsung ATIV S gets pushed back to December - Windows Phone Central
• Samsung Ativ S hands on: Samsung retains its Focus on Windows Phone 8 - Digital Trends
• Samsung Ativ S review: A fresh start - GSMArena

Going to the Dance

They did have section devoted to Windows 8 Phones out stocked with an HTC Win8 phone and some Nokia models.

Curiously, none were working and the staff didn’t seem to concerned. Some didn’t have any power at all. One was working but through an error message regarding the connection being “invalid” every time you flipped screens.

One was working, but the full experience was just thumbing through the basic apps. No live tiles were working and (again) the browser didn’t connect.

I was really shocked. As a fairly tech-savvy user shopping for a smart-phone, and showing interest in the Windows 8 Phone line offered, the entire experience was a major let-down. Rather than inspiring confidence in getting quality hands-on time with Microsoft Windows 8 Phone trying super-hard to crack the Apple iOS phone and Android grip, I was left disappointed and without confidence in the product and its offerings.

To be fair, that was probably not the fault of the Windows 8 Phone nor the HTC/Nokia products currently offered and more indicative of an official mobile carrier’s store and sales staff who seemed to be willing to treat the Win 8 Phone stock as an inconvenience. Different store and different staff and maybe things would be different.

However that was not the case and I was determined on walking out with a new smartphone.

And with that, I indeed did leave with a serious smartphone upgrade…and haven’t looked back since…

And to quote the sultry queen of bluegrass seduction Alison Krauss, I’ve got a New Favorite.

--Claus V.