Why Windows Phone & Nokia Lumia?

I’m often asked about my phone and what I like about it.  Lots of times those questions are from iPhone or Android fans who just want to get into an argument, so I just rattle off a couple of features and let them retort.  When someone is really interested or curious, I go out of my way to answer the questions and to say what I like about Windows Phone.

Today I got an email from a woman I know and her contract has been up and she has a pretty old Android device.  She said “What do you like about Windows Phone? Sell me, Mr. Daly…”.  That was my clue and started to craft an email.  I did have some knowledge about her scenario.  What she liked about Android was in her words, “that I understand Android”.  She’s not a super techie person, so learning curve is a consideration.  I also know that she likes taking pictures. SCORE!  She’s really into Groupon. SCORE!  She does the usual Facebooking, Texting and get this…she talks on the phone!  She also asked me about the notification light that is missing in Windows Phone that is part of Android and how would she know what activities she’s missed whilst potentially away from her beloved Nokia  Lumia 928 (she’s on Verizon).   Finally, she has seen my phone and felt overwhelmed by my Start Screen.

I took all of what I know about her and what I know about Windows Phone, matched them up and I started to jot down some notes in an email and it turned into a Top 10 list, invented for her.  This seemed appropriate since Windows Phone was invented for her…and me….and  you.  What? You don’t remember that ad?  Before we get started, let’s get that out of the way:

Now, let’s get into my sales pitch.  I’m hoping to welcome another into the WinPham!  Let me know if you think I missed something.

My email to her with some adjustments.

If you understand Android, you’ll pick up on Windows Phone QUICKLY.  Android is the most complicated mobile operating system there is.  That’s a fact…and it’s why so many people who like to tinker and play and customize and unlock and sideload…love Android.

Tis true that there is no indicator light, so an adjustment in use would have to be made.  The tiles are “live” meaning you will see any activity that you’ve missed.  There are also lock-screen notifications, so you can see any missing activity there.

My homescreen is that way because I made it that way.  It’s really just a collection of three tile sizes.  I have lots of stuff, so I use more of the small tile size than others would use.  You can make yours simple…Microsoft explains it here:

Remember some of that “activity” you are seeing on my Start Screen is because I like it that way.  My “Picture Hub” tile is set to scroll through pictures that I’ve labeled as my favorite.  You don’t have to do that.  My Weather tile gives me current weather on one side and flips to show me an extended forecast.  You don’t have to have it do all of that.  It’s all about “glance and go” for some people (like you would do) or in-depth info for some (like me).  The cool part is that you can EASILY choose and even change between the two paradigms.

The standout things that I love….

1.  The camera – you know this and you’ve seen the proof (from my phonetography blog) of how amazing it is.  You will get great pictures and you’ll easily share them to Facebook without even having to open the Facebook app…you can share to Facebook directly while viewing the photo.  The camera and supporting feature set is a HUGE bonus.  Here’s a new Lumia 928 ad showing off low-light/night photography. No flash needed:

2.  Mapping and Navigation – Nokia owns Navteq which powers a lot of the standard GPS units and in-dash car GPS units.  They have a ton of data and they are using it in innovative ways.  They JUST today launched a virtual reality app for job hunting.  It uses job websites, plus your Facebook and LinkedIn to see what opportunities are around you.  I know you have a job, but it shows how innovative Nokia is with their stuff.   I’ve even used their venue mapping.  That’s inside of places like sports arenas and malls where you can find stuff inside.  It”s very useful inside of these mega malls when you just want to get to a specific store and get out. There’s also “Local Scout” which is shown in this commercial of Windows Phone against Galaxy.

3. Wireless charging – sounds gimmicky at first, but I’m sooooo used to it.  Whenever I’m not using my phone and I’m at my laptop, I just put the phone down on the pad and it charges.  This keeps my phone fully charged for whenever I grab it and go.  Definitely one of my favorite features.
4.  MUSIC – you get FREE access to XBox Music AND Nokia Music AND Pandora (with no ads for all of 2013).  Here’s the Pandora app in action…isn’t it lovely?

5.  People Hub and Me Hub – these are the center of the experience for me.  I can do all of my Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) without having to go into the apps.  It’s just plain, dumb easy.  Check out Ben explaining it:

6. SkyDrive Integration – I use this so seamlessly that I almost forgot to mention it.  It’s “the cloud” for Microsoft.  When I take pictures on my phone, they are automatically sent to a pictures folder on SkyDrive.  This has a couple of advantages: *I can delete the pics off my phone, but still have them, *I can view/share/edit from my computer.  I also put documents into SkyDrive on my computer so that I have them available on my phone or even from another computer through the web.  The explanation is way more complex than using it.  It just works.  Here’s Cam Newton talking about Skydrive and his Windows Phone pictures:

7. It’s a TOUGH phone.  The glass is Gorilla Glass, which makes it scratch and shatter resistant.  The body of the Lumia line (and all Nokia phones) is legendary for the abuse it can withstand.  I’m not joking.  Check this:

8. The screen technology.  Besides high pixel density (higher resolution that Apple’s “Retina Display”) the screens have a couple of other technologies.  They are great in outdoor lighting where other phones can’t hardly be used.  They are also super sensitive and can be used even with gloves on when you head back East for Christmas.  Umm hmmm…I used a personal tidbit in this sales pitch. 😉

9.  BEAUTIFUL apps like Groupon and Living Social.  Windows Phone lets designer use a panorama to swipe left and right instead of just up and down.  Here is the OLD Groupon app…it’s even better now, but I can’t find a video:

10. Your phone comes with amazing support from an amazing resource (pssst…that’s ME)
PHEW…hopefully, that’s a good start to your research. Lemme know if you have more questions!!
-JD

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