So 2 days of WP7 and what are my further impressions?
Well, whilst the interface is slick looks good, there is still the element of Windows issues in the OS.
Firstly it has crashed 9 times since being used. 4 times it has rebooted itself after the screen seized up for more than a few seconds. And ata least 5 times I was forced to turn it off because icons failed to open: For example even the settings icon just wobbled and then didn't open. I am presuming it is a memory usage issue and there doesn't seem to be a way to kill apps once opened.
The handset itself is identical to the HTC Desire to handle except I would go as far to say the Desire is more secure due the rubber feel backing.
I am still trying to work out the use of the HTC hub app which although looks fantastic but compared to the Desire version it seems very limited in actual use.
It's still early days with this phone and I realise at this stage that even though this is Windows Phone 7 it really is version 1.0 and is a good 1 if not 2 generations behind iOS & Android.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
HTC Mozart - First Impressions
Windows Phone 7 - HTC Mozart vs Android's HTC Desire
First Impressions:
Windows Phone 7 was launched worldwide today with New Zealand having the first sales and then it was Australia's turn. Today I got my hands on a Windows Phone 7 powered HTC Mozart exclusive to the Telstra network.
Having used all sorts of Smartphones in the past from the WinMo powered Compaq/ HP Ipaq through to the O2 Atom, HTC touch, iPhone 3G and recently the fantastic HTC Desire, it was time to try out a Windows Phone 7 (WP7) handset to see if it really is a game changer.
With minimal choice out at the moment I received the HTC Mozart (Telstra's flagship WP7 at launch).
Boasting almost identical specs to the HTC Desire, save for no MicroSD card option, but an 8MP camera and for some reason they put the microUSB socket on the side (no docks for this phone), it has a lot going for it from the outset. But does WP7?
It is a very easy phone to set up and the user is prompted along the way to get the phone running. However to set-up email accounts etc you have to go into the settings to do that.
At first site the UI looks very bold and colourful and even better once you have set items such as contacts up and the people icon starts to flash images of your friends from any contact image you have associated with them.
The big home page icons are easy to press no matter whether you have match stick fingers or pork banger fingers. A swipe to the left brings up the apps page where all the standard apps are listed in alphabetical order and it is here you find the settings button.
It must be noted that the WP7 button requirement on hardware is 3: Back, Windows (home) and search button as opposed to Android which adds the additional Menu button.
The HTC hub button opens a very pretty animation of the current weather in your area and featured apps. However it seems that it is a little wasted on WP7 as it almost bloats the system for nothing more than a very pretty weather / clock.
The Marketplace icon takes you to Windows marketplace (their app store). You can buy either through the downloadable Zune software or through the phone itself. However there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of worthwhile apps out for the Australian market anyway. For example Twitter clients, there are 2 or three (but no tweetdeck, mahtweets etc.), there are very limited games even in the much heralded Xbox Live. However Flight Control does make an appearance for $4 although you can try before you buy.
It comes with Mobile Office 2010 which apparently works seamlessly with Office 2010. Android has Documents to go (an additional purchase cost) but does similar things.
There are a number of HTC apps that once downloaded wouldn't install due to "error with the licence", however all other apps I tried installed no problem. (Was HTC ready for this launch?). The other thing that has happend twice is it has actually rebooted itself... One minute clicking on an icon, the next black screen and then the HTC boot logo.. Is there an element of Windows Vista in WP7?
It's too early for battery testing, use, and a thorough test drive, but the phone itself is a good size and anyone using the HTC Desire would be very happy with this phone. The only thing is would they be happy having moved from Android? That is where we will start the next blog from.....
First Impressions:
Windows Phone 7 was launched worldwide today with New Zealand having the first sales and then it was Australia's turn. Today I got my hands on a Windows Phone 7 powered HTC Mozart exclusive to the Telstra network.
Having used all sorts of Smartphones in the past from the WinMo powered Compaq/ HP Ipaq through to the O2 Atom, HTC touch, iPhone 3G and recently the fantastic HTC Desire, it was time to try out a Windows Phone 7 (WP7) handset to see if it really is a game changer.
With minimal choice out at the moment I received the HTC Mozart (Telstra's flagship WP7 at launch).
Boasting almost identical specs to the HTC Desire, save for no MicroSD card option, but an 8MP camera and for some reason they put the microUSB socket on the side (no docks for this phone), it has a lot going for it from the outset. But does WP7?
It is a very easy phone to set up and the user is prompted along the way to get the phone running. However to set-up email accounts etc you have to go into the settings to do that.At first site the UI looks very bold and colourful and even better once you have set items such as contacts up and the people icon starts to flash images of your friends from any contact image you have associated with them.
The big home page icons are easy to press no matter whether you have match stick fingers or pork banger fingers. A swipe to the left brings up the apps page where all the standard apps are listed in alphabetical order and it is here you find the settings button.
It must be noted that the WP7 button requirement on hardware is 3: Back, Windows (home) and search button as opposed to Android which adds the additional Menu button.The HTC hub button opens a very pretty animation of the current weather in your area and featured apps. However it seems that it is a little wasted on WP7 as it almost bloats the system for nothing more than a very pretty weather / clock.
The Marketplace icon takes you to Windows marketplace (their app store). You can buy either through the downloadable Zune software or through the phone itself. However there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of worthwhile apps out for the Australian market anyway. For example Twitter clients, there are 2 or three (but no tweetdeck, mahtweets etc.), there are very limited games even in the much heralded Xbox Live. However Flight Control does make an appearance for $4 although you can try before you buy.
It comes with Mobile Office 2010 which apparently works seamlessly with Office 2010. Android has Documents to go (an additional purchase cost) but does similar things.There are a number of HTC apps that once downloaded wouldn't install due to "error with the licence", however all other apps I tried installed no problem. (Was HTC ready for this launch?). The other thing that has happend twice is it has actually rebooted itself... One minute clicking on an icon, the next black screen and then the HTC boot logo.. Is there an element of Windows Vista in WP7?
It's too early for battery testing, use, and a thorough test drive, but the phone itself is a good size and anyone using the HTC Desire would be very happy with this phone. The only thing is would they be happy having moved from Android? That is where we will start the next blog from.....
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Mumford & Sons, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 3 August
Triple J's Top 100 Number 1 Mumford & Sons returned to Sydney last night for the end of their Australian tour which included Adelaide, Melbourne and Splendour in the Grass. The band who's debut album was released in Oct 2009 have gone on to a meteoric rise through the charts of Europe and Australasia.
Having played the Oxford Art Factory earlier in the year a bigger venue was required for this up and coming Folk band from London, England. The Enmore was a perfect fit but having seen the $60 tickets go for 5 times that on Ebay they probably could have played bigger venues in Sydney like the Hordern Pavilion.
Thankfully they didn't and the Enmore proved yet again that it is a perfectly intimate venue for the band to get personal with the crowd. It also allowed for the crowd to feel like an extension of the band, especially during their bigger hits.
Marcus Mumford dressed in his uniform of waistcoat over white shirt proved to not only be a stellar folk guitarist but also a talented drummer. On a couple of songs he did a Phil Collins and took himself off to the drum-kit at the back of the stage and in typical folk rock fashion drummed at a fast pace as well as singing with his distinctive vocals.
With the Triple J Top 100 song "Little Lion Man" coming in the middle of the set it was clear to see the crowd were there for the hits. But each song in turn got a great reception. They even trialled a couple of new songs (one allegedly written in Melbourne only a matter of days ago). All were well received and it was hard to stop the feet tapping and head nodding as they powered through their set.
It seemed ironic that dotted around the crowd in large numbers, were a great deal of Irish accents. It could therefore be said that the group from London are a powerhouse when it comes to mainstream Irish Folk rock. But whatever their roots or wherever their home base is Marcus, Winston, Ben & Ted tore the roof off the Enmore in the hour and a half set covering the album and a couple of new ones.
In the end it seemed everyone was very satisfied by the bands performance, and their was an overwhelming feeling that the new album can't come too soon.
Their tagline for this tour is "Gentlemen on Tour" and the night proved they were.
Setlist: (I think)
Sigh No More
Awake My Soul
Winter Winds
Roll Away Your Stone
Nothing Is Written
I Gave You All
Little Lion Man
Lover of the Light
Thistle & Weeds
Unknown
White Blank Page
Dust Bowl Dance
Having played the Oxford Art Factory earlier in the year a bigger venue was required for this up and coming Folk band from London, England. The Enmore was a perfect fit but having seen the $60 tickets go for 5 times that on Ebay they probably could have played bigger venues in Sydney like the Hordern Pavilion.
Thankfully they didn't and the Enmore proved yet again that it is a perfectly intimate venue for the band to get personal with the crowd. It also allowed for the crowd to feel like an extension of the band, especially during their bigger hits.
Marcus Mumford dressed in his uniform of waistcoat over white shirt proved to not only be a stellar folk guitarist but also a talented drummer. On a couple of songs he did a Phil Collins and took himself off to the drum-kit at the back of the stage and in typical folk rock fashion drummed at a fast pace as well as singing with his distinctive vocals.
With the Triple J Top 100 song "Little Lion Man" coming in the middle of the set it was clear to see the crowd were there for the hits. But each song in turn got a great reception. They even trialled a couple of new songs (one allegedly written in Melbourne only a matter of days ago). All were well received and it was hard to stop the feet tapping and head nodding as they powered through their set.
It seemed ironic that dotted around the crowd in large numbers, were a great deal of Irish accents. It could therefore be said that the group from London are a powerhouse when it comes to mainstream Irish Folk rock. But whatever their roots or wherever their home base is Marcus, Winston, Ben & Ted tore the roof off the Enmore in the hour and a half set covering the album and a couple of new ones.
In the end it seemed everyone was very satisfied by the bands performance, and their was an overwhelming feeling that the new album can't come too soon.
Their tagline for this tour is "Gentlemen on Tour" and the night proved they were.
Setlist: (I think)
Sigh No More
Awake My Soul
Winter Winds
Roll Away Your Stone
Nothing Is Written
I Gave You All
Little Lion Man
Lover of the Light
Thistle & Weeds
Unknown
White Blank Page
Dust Bowl Dance
After the Storm
The Cave
4 ningos out of 5
The Cave
4 ningos out of 5
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