Something Old, Something New, Something 7

 

I first got a cell phone years and years ago with Sprint. It was a primitive basic phone, but got the job done. A few years later I upgraded to a Samsung Blackjack which at some point I upgraded from Windows Mobile 5.0 to 6.0. That was indeed a fun phone for it’s time, back when Cingular was still around. Since then I had looked at he newer phones coming along and wasn’t quite impressed. Blackberry didn’t seem to fit my needs and wants. Then Apple came out with the iPhone and while it was nice and pretty I didn’t see the price as being a positive benefit, not to mention the required data plan. Next we say the Android based phones and for a while I was just about to jump ship. By then most of my friends had Androids and those Androids were flaking out and acting up. Still a good phone, but buggy. And that R2-D2 Droid has a mind of it’s own as Jorge can attest to.

When Microsoft announce the Windows Phone 7 I was skeptical at first. Just how big up a jump can they go from Windows Mobile 6.0? Then the commercials hit and I saw the features and how the OS would look and feel. But it was the commercial that appears to have been dropped from the airwaves that really spiked my attention. It advertised Wi-Fi and the ability to be used without a data plan. Sweet! Except I soon found that at least here in the U.S. no carriers would sell you a ‘smart’ phone without the data plan. Even in my current day to day I have no need for a data plan as long as I have Wi-Fi. Just about everywhere I go from work to home and everywhere in between has Wi-Fi access with a few exceptions. This meant I must acquire a phone out of contract and hope that my provider would not sting me.

Then earlier this month at E3 I got my hands on a HTC Surround and have been using it ever since. First thing I did was go into the settings and turn off Cellular Data Connection. As it turned out every internet application and feature work just fine over Wi-Fi and I am grateful for that. After a few weeks with the phone I must say I am loving it. The transition was mostly easy, although I had to sync my contacts on the Blackjack with my PC then to the Surround. After a little effort I had the phone ready to go. Syncing through the Zune software was effortless as was connecting to Bluetooth devices.

As a music and movie nut I took my highest quality videos and music and synced them through Zune and tested the screen and speakers. The audio is clear and full and the video playback smooth and rich. Now I have a reason to leave the iPod at home. Nothing beats standing in line and listening to ZZ Top’s Waitin’ For The Bus with enough volume to get people moving. Seriously, the this loud enough for a small group to hear just fine. Also the pictures I take with the camera rival my Canon SD1300, though the Canon has a few more options.

The interface: Windows on my phone. The lock screen is very good looking and I chose the stock photo of a Bunny. Hey, critters are cool too! Anyway on to the home screen which I can scroll up or down through my list of Hubs or apps that I have set to the home screen. From People to Xbox Live and more the ease of use is wonderful and the options plentiful.

I tend to frequent the people hub which not only gives me my contacts but also the latest from Facebook and my recent call history. Then I have all four of my e-mail account right there on the Home Screen for easy access. And it updates the images with the number of e-mails that are new, same with text messages or missed calls. The home screen’s many hubs are animated which just adds to the ambience. Office is often helpful when I want o update or work on a document or article.

I also like to hop onto Xbox Live and play a quick game when I have some down time and am not near my Xbox 360. From here I can view my collection of games, current deals or spotlights, and my Gamerscore with Avatar. I can also take a glance at achievements that I have just completed or a list of ones I have yet to complete by game. I did download a few free games, but the trial of Monopoly has me hooked I’ll most likely buy it by the end of the month.

The customization is fairly well done and there are plenty of Apps and growing on the marketplace. All in all this is a well made phone with what I am sure is the best design OS on a mobile platform. My favorite feature so far is Speech. I just simply hold down the windows home button (sensor) and within 3 seconds it is listening for my voice commands, such as ‘call home’. After these last few weeks I doubt I could ever go back. To much to like and love and then with the Mango update coming in the fall even more awesome features will be here to stay.

Thanks for staying to read this longer than normal post, but in closing don’t be afraid to give Windows Phone 7 a try, chances are you will be pleasantly surprised.