Solved Thoughts on Windows Phone 8?

DMGrier

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Hello everyone,
So I am looking at buying a Windows Phone with my tax return and I am curious for those of you who own or are thinking about owning what your experience has been with the platform? I only use my phone for social media, texting, skype, calling, music player and gps. As far as I know these phones can do all this and the reason for my interest is I was a huge fan of zune so the xbox music pass is appealing especially since I will also be buying an xbox one and I have a Windows 8.1 computer. Thank you for any input.
 

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Hi,
I have just moved over to Windows Phone (Android for last 2 years), the first couple of days with it I was unsure, it did seem quite basic, but after learning it more it is a really nice phone and has everything (for me) that I need

I use it for similar to you (minus Skype)

Never had a zune, so you might need to check on this, but I have read reports about zune drm'ed content needing to be downloaded again as xbox drm is slightly different

Currently I am trying out the xbox music pass, I can download anything straight to phone/pc and it is there for offline playback or just stream to these devices

I have the xbox 360 so unsure if the xbox music has changed on the one, but for streaming the media it is very nice

Windows 8.1, Windows Phone & Xbox are very nice when used together, you get a very similar experience on all of them (for media)

The Xbox Music & Xbox Video have just been released for the phone (currently it has a Music & Video in a combined app), the apps are very similar to the versions on Windows 8.1
 

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I just purchased a Nokia Lumia 1520 WP8 via the outright introductory package/offer from the MS online store and went with AT&T prepay in November. http://www.eightforums.com/chillout-room/34645-just-what-i-ve-been-waiting.html

As you probably know, this is a phablet sized device. I can assure you that this is a great device (or any WP8) using it along with MS services such as you mentioned along with your other devices. It has surely simplified my life so far as implementation, synching, purchasing items, and the like. I dare say that once the general public catches wind of what MS is trying to achieve, it going to be a big hit. I don't see any other company trying to achieve this at this depth.

The OS and apps on this thing are very stable. Not a bit of problems thus far. The only drawback I have with it is the lack of apps. e.g. My bank has an app for Android and iPhone, but not for WP8. I can use the browser to easily check my bank account, especially with the phablet size, but I would much rather prefer the walled-garden approach. My bank is a smaller independent bank, so they may not see it feasible to have an app written for WP8. Another example lately is my local watering hole just installed an modern TouchTunes Internet juke box that doesn't have the app for WP, but has it for the "other two". :( This is quite the system with services. Rather brilliant! This is where I would have an account: corner tap | myTouchTunes

While I was on that site I wrote them asking if they have a WP app up and coming. Hopefully a lot more apps such as these will be introduced. Other than that I have not regretted buying this phone.

Edit:

Brink has tutes on the phone: Windows 8 Tutorials
 

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It is a little different than windows 8.

You scroll the tiles still, and swipe left to get to 'all apps'. You can pin, unpin, and resize tiles, and move them. My phone was the cheaper model. I like the camera, because it auto-lightens the environment to see an image more clearly in a dark area. However, my particular model did not come with flash.

The higher models get better cameras. On my phone, the picture gets fuzzy if you zoom in at all. I've learned that 8GB fills up really fast, especially if you add music or games. My Micro-SD card add-in (3rd party) seemed to have become corrupted. The phone said I had to put it in a computer to fix it.

I use word (basic word and excel included). Skydrive (Onedrive) has been very helpful in loading stuff to the cloud and my computer, and saving important things on my phone, like notes and lists. Email seemed really easy to set up. I also use the calendar and people apps synced to my outlook, so I always have such things available. Some apps that are available both on your computer app store and the phone, you can buy once and have for both devices with the same MS account. Sometimes the price is even cheaper on the phone. There are plenty of useful free apps as well. You can pin webpages to your home/start screen.

I've had something happen strange where My phone screen would go dark as I was typing, but it was easy to 'lock' it and 'unlock' it (pressing a side button twice), and it would be back to normal, with no loss of what I was typing. Think it happened twice since I had it. Perhaps there is a 'bad apple' in some barrels.

You cannot get pictures or send pictures (MMS) unless you have data enabled on your phone. I only turn mine on in a wifi zone to work with pictures, and turn it right back off. I think group texts (messaging) falls into this category. I hate them, so I turn them off. I still get 'download media content' if someone includes me in a group text, however.

You can enable the find my phone feature, that you can choose at the right moment to delete your phone contents, lock your phone, or locate your phone, etc if need be. I like this feature. My nokia lumia has a setting where you can use the phone with just a nail, or wearing gloves. You can have a setting where you flip the phone face down to silence ringer, or choose not to.

Did you have any particular questions about it?
 

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Hi guys,

I have read all your comments on the Windows 8/8.1 phone and I think that when my contract ends, at the end of March, I might go for one. Been used to HTC, but this latest one of mine, I am sure, has a burn on the screen. There is, what looks like an oil slick :shock: coming down from the top left to about 1/3rd of the way down an internal mark, like diesel oil on water. Sending it back for repair.

I think I will move away from Android as well.

Thanks again guys, for helping to make my mind up. :thumb:
 

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Forgot to mention that syncing my phone with facebook was awesome, because it added those contacts to my phone. That means their photo appears next to their name, instead of my having to manually add their photo. Did the same for Hotmail. So now I have the emails and phone numbers of people who chose to share such info on those sites.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
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    Custom
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    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
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    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
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    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
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I have a Windows 8 phone, it's the entry level Nokia Lumia 520. It's a brilliant phone though even though it's not top of the range, just did the software update to Black this afternoon. Ok some apps I can't get because it's not higher up the specs and I think probably my network provider would block some items.

It has a brilliant camera, it's the only one I use now because it's always with me. I know it's doesn't have the vast amount of apps that an Android phone has, I used to have an HTC before, but so far it has all the ones I need.

I don't miss Android as I've just got a Kindle Fire HD and that has it, I'm still playing with that setting it up.
 

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    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
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    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
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    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
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    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
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    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
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Thanks everyone for all your inputs, was just wanting to hear how everyone's experience has been with the platform. I am currently with Ting for my provider and we have no contracts so I have to buy the phone out right and I am looking at getting the Samsung ATIV S Neo for $396, this is the only Window Phones we have as I do wish they got Nokia though.

I guess my only question would be how is the gps? I had a buddy who had a WP7 and said the gps was okay other then no voice directions. Voice would be nice but not a deal breaker for me, is the gps accurate? My android has been okay but "maps" for my wife iPhone is horrible, if I listen to that damn thing I would drive straight into a lake sometimes.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
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    Sager NP2740
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    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
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    W740SU
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    8 GB 1600 MHz
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    Intel Iris Pro 5200
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    1920x1080
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    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
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    60 Mbps cable, NETGEAR Night Hawk AC1900
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Here's something I just performed. I'm not much of a cook for I'm just learning and I don't have recipes. I need to go to the store to pick up items for meatloaf dinner. I'm on my desktop PC. I go to my Start Screen. I type "mea" (that's all it took) > meatloaf recipe appears and I choose it. It opens a ton of recipes. I pick one that looks good. I copy and paste it to my OneNote. It will all be on my phone ready for me to have a list when I get to the store.

Bing integrated into 8.1 is the thing! OneNote on my phone also makes my life easier. :)
 

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    8.1 Pro X64
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    Acer T690
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    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
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    Acer/Intel E946GZ
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    2GB (max upgrade)
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    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Navigation works great. Use it quite frequently. It has voice. I find it just as accurate as on my old Droid.
 

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    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
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    Acer/Intel E946GZ
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    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
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    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
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    Standard 250 watt
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    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
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    Dual case fans + CPU fan
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    Acer Windows PS/2
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    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Navigation works great. Use it quite frequently. It has voice. I find it just as accurate as on my old Droid.

Thanks for much for that bit of information.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
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    Sager NP2740
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    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
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    W740SU
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 MHz
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    Intel Iris Pro 5200
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    1920x1080
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    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
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I have a Nokia Lumia 920 I recently installed a French developer ROM on it to escape att's idiotic practice of constant stupidity regarding updates. I'm running the latest GDR3 and Nokia Black firmware updates... Very wow! I've had this phone for over a year now, and started off with Windows Phone 7 and the Lumia 900. Nokia knows how to Windows Phone for sure. Everything you've mentioned can be done easily and usually if you get into the UI, it gets things done faster. What I mean is, Windows Phone's UI design focuses more heavily on typography than Windows 8 does so basically, tap on whatever text on the screen you see and you'll find out what does what and what goes where. It's pretty freaking awesome! I always have Xbox Music going and if I want to change the album or go to a different song in the playlist; all that is done is turn on the phone, tap the song title, and then tap the playlist to change songs. To switch to a different album by that current artist, just tap on the artist's name on that screen and it goes to that.

As for the Samsung Ativ...I can't say. I have yet to actually play around with one since it seems like Nokia has been dominate everywhere. I don't think Samsung's GPS service will be as good as Nokia's HERE map, drive, and transit services. I've used Nokia's stuff for that and I can tell you that I wouldn't travel without it! But nonetheless, Windows Phone's built in map and GPS service is pretty stellar compared to what I've seen with ios and android. The nice thing about it is actually says when you arrive at your destination, they'll be a Wendy's on the corner or something like that; or if you see this building you've gone too far. It's quite nice, I think it even gives you walking directions too...

If you REALLY want a Nokia Lumia (that's honestly what a REAL Windows Phone is), I'd consider switching from a CDMA to GSM carrier.
 

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    ASUS
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    16 gig DDR3
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
And don't forget Windows Phone 8.1! That's to be released sometime around April and from what's been kind of known about it...

SO AMAZE! MUCH IMPROVE! WOW! :D
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I myself have a couple questions about nokia lumia.

Once 8.1 comes out, is it a free software upgrade or only on particular phone purchases?

Also, I have Amber software update instead of Black, yet my phone says it is up to date. Is this a manual software update, and is it possible for me to get it?
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
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    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
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    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
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    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
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    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
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    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
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    Azza Hurrican 2000
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    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
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    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
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    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
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    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
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    Defender, Malwarebytes
I myself have a couple questions about nokia lumia.

Once 8.1 comes out, is it a free software upgrade or only on particular phone purchases?

Also, I have Amber software update instead of Black, yet my phone says it is up to date. Is this a manual software update, and is it possible for me to get it?

After doing some reading up on the topic this is what scares me about Windows Phones is the update process. From what I have read some OEM's pushed touch Windows 6.5 devices right before WP7, they never got the update to WP7. Then the WP7 never got the WP8 update, Will all WP8 phones get the WP8.1 update? Plus what is the life cycle on the average Windows Phone OS?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP2740
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    W740SU
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Pro 5200
    Sound Card
    High Defenition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps cable, NETGEAR Night Hawk AC1900
    Browser
    Firefox 38.0.5
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Pro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP2740
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    W740SU
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Pro 5200
    Sound Card
    High Defenition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps cable, NETGEAR Night Hawk AC1900
    Browser
    Firefox 38.0.5
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Pro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
I've just done the update to Black and even though my phone tells me it's now Black I still got a text message saying my phone settings change unsuccessful. Your phone settings couldn't be changed .... I'm confused.

I do know it upset the network settings and put them back to the original ones so I couldn't get picture messages again, I had to make active the connection that I'd set up when it happened before and I was on the phone for ages to an advisor inputting new settings.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
I myself have a couple questions about nokia lumia.

Once 8.1 comes out, is it a free software upgrade or only on particular phone purchases?

Also, I have Amber software update instead of Black, yet my phone says it is up to date. Is this a manual software update, and is it possible for me to get it?

After doing some reading up on the topic this is what scares me about Windows Phones is the update process. From what I have read some OEM's pushed touch Windows 6.5 devices right before WP7, they never got the update to WP7. Then the WP7 never got the WP8 update, Will all WP8 phones get the WP8.1 update? Plus what is the life cycle on the average Windows Phone OS?

Windows Phone 8.1 has been noted by some sources at Microsoft as it will be available to ALL Windows Phone 8 handsets, including the Lumia 520. There was some concern that lower end hardware won't run it but that seems to be a nonissue at this point.

The upgrade process so far has been that if your handset is from the Windows Phone 7.x generation, you only get Windows Phone 7 updates. If it were Windows Mobile 6, same thing. From what can be gathered, this will be the same with 8.1. The reasons why Windows Phone 7 handsets didn't get 8 is because of fundamental differences from the CE to NT kernel, BitLocker encryption support, and other physical hardware requirements that the 7 generation couldn't support as it the kernel base was from the Windows Mobile era. Now that it's all on NT kernel and the latest crop of Windows Phones have decent specs even on the low end, theoretically they should run Windows Phone 9 when that time comes. As of now, that is PURE speculation.

As for the Amber to Black updates, that is totally carrier dependent. Shockingly, att actually released updates for GDR3 and the Black firmware; probably because there was SO much dissent among the Windows Phone community about that when EVERY other Nokia Lumia device in the world already was on GDR2 and Amber and Nokia promised everyone would have the updates by the end of August, att released them about two months after the fact... Ugh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
^Thanks mate,

ATT is not on my favorites list. I upgraded a basic phone without data for 15$ a month to my 'smart' windows phone. The guy said at the very least, they 'must' charge me an extra 20$, and I am forced to accept a data plan. I bought the phone from windows store, not them. My only mistake was buying an ATT phone...

There were like 2 plans I could choose from, which is not customer-friendly. They have gotten so big that they care more about money than people-pleasing, which makes me want to switch carriers. This update dilemma does not improve their stance in my mind.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
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