iPhone User “Does Windows”

/ terrinakamura

Terri_Nokia_square.
One of the most fun perks of my relationship with Verizon Wireless is having access to new technology.

For the past couple of months I have been using the Nokia Lumia Icon — my very first Windows phone experience!

As a long-time iPhone user, I wondered if it would be difficult to adjust to this radically different device?

It was surprising to find out the Windows operating system and interface are GREAT! It was much easier for me to figure out how to use Nokia Lumia Icon than any other non-Apple device so far. Beside the ease of use, and terrific functionality, the mind boggling part of the Nokia has been THE 20 MP CAMERA.

I’m an avid Instagrammer (I’ve posted more than 12,000 photos. That’s right, TWELVE THOUSAND!) When I began I was using an iPhone 3 or 4 before moving on to the 5.

This past year, Verizon Wireless has given me the opportunity to use a number of new devices with greater pixel depth, and in the process I’ve found the quality of my images has steadily improved.

The camera on the Nokia Lumia Icon is off the chart! If you’ve ever seen any of the featured photographers on the Nokia blog, you know what incredible images are shot using their devices!

In spite of the amazing camera, one of the criticisms of the Windows platform is the limited selection of applications. It was really noticeable to me at first.

Then I began thinking of what it’s like to go into a large department store where there are 10 floors of merchandise. It’s sometimes hard to find what you want or need when you have to wade through so many choices.

But when you walk into a boutique, where there are fewer choices, it’s easier to make a selection.

That’s what it’s like with the Windows App Store right now!  And every app I really need to function I have found there!

If you’re an avid mobile photographer, and on the fence about which device to choose, I think the Nokia Lumia Icon is terrific.

———

PS. Here’s a great article on the Verizon website listing the top five Windows Phone 8 apps you should install first: https://www.verizonwireless.com/insiders-guide/tech-smarts/windows-8-apps-wp8-first-5-to-install-skype-facebook-weather-channel/

16 thoughts on “iPhone User “Does Windows””

  1. Hi Teri,
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I love my iPhone, but I was curious about Nokia. I’m still not sure if I’ll make the leap to a Windows based platform, but your article gave me a better insight. Especially since I also love to take plenty of pictures using my phone.

    Giselle

    Like

    Reply

    • Giselle, my fellow #BA75 sister!

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Let me address some of your comments.

      I am also in love with my iPhone! But after spending quite a bit of time with the Nokia device, it’s apparent to me the iPhone really needs to step up its game, camera-wise. The iPhone5 camera is greatly improved over earlier versions, but the fine-tune control available on the Nokia Icon is as close to a real camera as I’ve seen.

      I’m at the point now, where I MUST HAVE the Nokia with me at all times, and rarely use my iPhone to shoot photos now.

      The Windows interface is pretty easy to use and understand, and more apps are being developed all the time.

      Cheers/Hugs/Happy weekend and thanks again,

      Terri

      Like

      Reply

  2. How’s the Lumina Icon size with respect to carrying it in your pocket? Portability is a big factor for me when it comes to electronic devices. Been thinking about switching (iPhone) for some time and I should be eligible for a new phone at summer’s end. I’ve got an itch and love to try new things. Just looking for a good reason. Thanks Terri.

    Like

    Reply

    • Nigel, thanks a ton for reading about the Nokia Lumia Icon, and leaving a comment here.

      The Lumia feels enormous compared to the iPhone though it’s only about .5″ wider and a little more than 1/4″ longer. (approximately 2.75″ x 5.25″ versus 2.25″ x 4.8725″)

      I frequently have both the iPhone and Lumia in the front left and right pockets of my jeans and the Lumia definitely doesn’t fit as well. I’ve heard too many horror stories of people who put their phones in their back pockets, fall and end up with cracked screens.

      I’m wondering if we will see a larger iPhone6 in the near future? If so, the size might not be an issue.

      Thanks again, Nigel! Cheers/Terri

      Like

      Reply

  3. interesting terri…. i have been an apple user for 4 generations…. am thinking to switch…. maybe i should make the jump

    Like

    Reply

  4. Once you’ve had mac you won’t go back … the challenge I have is integrating with all my other mac devices … but for pics now that is one thing the iphone lets me down on – so maybe…

    Like

    Reply

    • TBP, thanks for reading and commenting!

      I’m definitely an Apple fan from way back — when Apple had sunk to about a 3 percent market share! I feared the viability of my beloved platform!

      One thing I will say about the Nokia Windows phone is, syncing it with my Mac is a piece of cake. I can back up all the photos into iPhoto and it’s super easy.

      I pasted in a link in my reply to the comment above yours, showing the side-by-side comparison of specifications. It’s pretty interesting!

      Thanks again for taking the time to comment!

      Cheers/Terri

      Like

      Reply

  5. Not only using Windows Phone is awesome from an end user point of view but also developing app’s for it, is equally great.
    As a mobile app developer, I used to develop app’s for iOS and Android for few past years.
    Recently I developed and published few apps (some of those jaw-dropping ones where you can have for free) for Windows Phone and I can tell that developing applications for Windows Phone is much funnier than for iOS and Android.

    Like

    Reply

    • Hi, Mohit, and thanks for your reading and for your question.

      When I first started posting to Instagram with the Nokia Icon, I was using the “Instagram Beta” app. It works okay, but it felt very much like the original Instagram app from several years ago — fewer bells and whistles, like adjusting the angle. Also the filters looked very different than I was used to seeing on the iPhone or Android.

      I started using 6Tag and have found it is a much more comprehensive application and allows users a bit more control over their photos.

      In terms of the Windows phone applications, most of the basic areas I need are there — weather, stocks, social media, news, etc.

      One thing I haven’t figured out is if there is a way to create a “button” for a web site I visit often. I’ve searched and searched but haven’t found it.

      There are fewer camera-related and Instagram-filter-specific apps on the Windows platform, so I will be interested in seeing more cross-platform compatibility there. I’ve tried to include the same basic set of apps on my iPhone, the MotoX and the Icon. The biggest puzzle piece missing for me are the special filters and effects for IG.

      Sorry for the long reply, but thanks again for taking the time to ask!

      Cheers/Terri

      Like

      Reply

      • Hi Terri,

        You can create the button (Tile) on the Start screen for the said link by opening the link in Internet Explorer and then clicking the three dots (…) in the bottom right and clicking “Pin to Start”. This way you will have a new tile on the Start screen for that particular page. See here: http://imgur.com/vDReuMb

        Hope this is what you were asking,

        Regards,
        Mohit

        Like

  8. Hi, Terri.

    I purchased an HTC windows phone and a Surface tablet in January. (Little embarrassed to say that their ad campaign worked on me.). The combination has worked well for me. I used to have an iPhone 4, but I never quite clicked with it.

    The new phone and the tablet came with the apps I use most: Word, Excel, and OneNote. I synch it all with Onedrive, and I have a common set of apps/icons on each.

    The tablet didn’t come with a data plan, so I enabled the mobile hotspot on the phone and keep things synched that way.

    Overall, I am very satisfied with the combination. I’ve talked to other folks who like the synergy between their iPhone and iPad. I’m glad that I tried the tablet; I think it has helped me get more value out of my phone,

    Like

    Reply

    • Keith, I’m really glad you mentioned this on GooglePlus because I didn’t receive a notification of this comment.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond!

      The HTC seems like a fabulous device. I saw the new HTC about 2 weeks ago and liked the size and of course the Windows interface rocks! Together with the Surface, you must be so happy!

      There is something so convenient about having the same apps across devices. I’ve become a real fan of Evernote because it’s up to date on anything and everything from phones to tablets, laptops to desktops.

      Are you saying the apps or docs are loaded on One Drive? I have OneDrive but haven’t been able to access it because of problems with Outlook. I can’t seem to log in!

      It seems like Steven Sinofsky was fired from Microsoft because of Windows 8, but to be honest, Windows 8 is the first Microsoft operating system I’ve been able to figure out how to use. To me it says “intuitive,” and I believe it will continue to grow in popularity.

      Thanks again, Keith! Happy weekend to you!

      Terri

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment