Why I still have Windows Phone 6.5 even in the age of Windows Phone 7(.x): Part 4

Recently, I published part 3 on my "Why I still have Windows Phone 6.5 even in the age of Windows Phone 7(.x)" series. This is part 4, continuing from where I left off on part 3. If you haven't had a chance to read part 3 (or parts 1 and 2) yet, you can find it all here.

The fifth issue I brought up the first time was external gps support. With Windows Phone 6.5, in addition to using the gps my device may have built-in, I can use bluetooth to connect to an external (hardware) gps with bluetooth and access functions in the external gps. These days, gps systems seem to be all the rage. Evidence of this can be found with car manufacturers who, increasingly, bundle some kind of gps system in the vehicles they sell. However, these maps eventually become outdated. Phone manufacturers have also been using embedded motherboards which have a gps module onboard. All three major mobile operating system makers, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, have also included gps support in their respective operating systems, along with some sort of map software. I am pretty sure that Microsoft made gps a required hardware feature for phones running the Windows Phone operating system. This is fine for the consumer. However, the map software those software companies include in their operating systems depend on an internet connection. This is usually satisfied by a cellular internet connection. I live in West Virginia, where we still have 2g cellular internet in many places. This makes for a poor user experience when trying to use the map software. An external gps works great in this situation since its operation does not depend on an internet connection. External gps support would be great in the next version of Windows Phone, Apollo, but the current conditions in the computing world prevent this from being a much needed feature. There is more I could say about GPS, but I will save it for another article.

The sixth issue brought up is VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) support. With Windows Phone 6.5 (and even 6.1), you can use your device to make voip calls, and the best thing is that you can use the address book that's built-in to the os (configuration was a bit advanced, but there are utilities out there that make it easy). Until Skype came out for Windows Phone, there wasn't much you could do if you wanted to make calls via VOIP on Windows Phone. I don't expect this to change (much) for the current version of Windows Phone, Mango, but word has it that Microsoft will be adding support for Skype (native support, not just updated Skype app) and other 3rd party VOIP providers.

The seventh issue brought up was lack of playlist support. When I first wrote on this, it was before Mango was released. Mango did bring us playlist support. However, playlist support on the device is not perfect. You can create a playlist, but you can't edit it. You can't shift the song order in the playlist either. In my Windows Phone app, Mobile Media Manager, I attempt to solve these problems (and more). However, my app is crippled by the fact that I can't change song order while execution of the app is suspended (in other words, if you switch from my app to a different app, the current song won't change to the next song and will just stop playback UNLESS you navigate back to my app before the current song is over. This problem is not my own. The problem lies with Microsoft, where currently, you cannot play a Song ("Song" is the name of the class, part of the XNA framework, for those of you who are programmers) in the background (via BackgroundAudioAgent). If ANYONE knows how to fix this or how to get around this, please let me know as soon as possible.

The last issue brought up was the ability to do p2p multi-player gaming either via bluetooth or via wi-fi (and even cross-platform multi-player gaming). Under Windows Phone 6.5, it was possible to do both, and it made gaming on the platform even better (Orions: Legends of Wizards, anyone?). With the current system, it is possible to do multi-player gaming in Windows Phone 7(.5), but you have to have a gold level subscription to Xbox Live in order to do so. I know its the same situation on the Xbox, but I think it would be great to be able to have a local multi-player session of a game as well, especially for people who own a windows phone, but don't own an Xbox.

So far, things are looking better for Windows Phone (7.x) than when it initially came out. However there is much it can improve on. As the next version of Windows Phone, Apollo, is not out yet, there is not much we know other than what Microsoft has told us. We will all just have to wait and see what else Microsoft has in store for Apollo, so stay tuned for more. If I happen to think of more on comparing Windows Phone 7.x to Windows Phone 6.5, I will update this article.

For those of you who are (software) developers and haven't downloaded the Windows Phone SDK yet, download it, and see what you can make. You might be surprised. If you are developing for Windows Phone on Windows 8, be sure to download Visual Studio 2011 as well.

So now, do you agree that Windows Phone 6.5 is still useful, or do you think that Windows Phone 7.x has matured enough that Windows Phone 6.5 isn't needed anymore? Share your thoughts in the comment box below, or e-mail me at catholictechgeek@gmail.com. You can also comment (and follow me) on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed as well. If you like this post, please share it with your family and friends.

In the meantime, while you are thinking about Windows Phone, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, the monks also offer tea for sale. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. The update for the free, ad-supported version of Mobile Media Manager got denied in Apphub certification, but it will be resubmitted within the next day or two. The update for the paid version will be in certification with it (I've been busy lately, and hadn't had a chance to submit the paid version update to Apphub yet). BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently, so it is also due for an update.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid, ad-free version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free, ad-supported version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE

Update (6-28-2012): Part 4 is located at http://bit.ly/NRzQdh

Why I still have Windows Phone 6.5 even in the age of Windows Phone 7(.x): Part 3

It's been around a year since I last wrote on why I use Windows Phone 6.5 even though Windows Phone 7(.5) is out (and support for Windows Phone 6.5 has been cut). Since then, Mango has been released for Windows Phone and this has fixed some of the issues I previously brought up. Recently, we got news about the next version of Windows Phone, Apollo. With all the changes that have happened or are coming, you may be wondering if I still have and use my Windows Phone 6.5 device? The answer is yes, I still have it and yes, I still have a use for it. (part one of my previous article is here and part 2 of my previous article is here).


The first issue brought up was a file manager and support for removable storage. As of now, we know that Microsoft did not put a file manager in either the NoDo or Mango releases of Windows Phone. Windows Phone 6.5 has the ability to do both of these, but further, Windows Phone 6.5 devices also have the ability to act as a SD card reader when connected to a desktop or laptop. The isolated storage scheme that Windows Phone 7.x uses has worked well so far, but there are still some uses for a file manager in Windows Phone 7.x (like copying gamesaves). Some devs over at XDA-Developers have gotten around the Isolated Storage and made a file manager for Windows Phone, but it only works on certain Windows Phone devices and you have to do some setup to make the file manager work (like interop unlock). From current reports on Apollo, it seems that Microsoft is (so far) not going to include a file manager.

The second issue brought up was being able to "transfer" your media library by SD card. Right now, the only device that I know of that has a removable SD card slot is the (original) Samsung Focus. However, the removable storage slot in it is tied-in with the storage already onboard and data on the card is not accessible outside the device. The way things are now, Microsoft wants you to buy the music through Zune (soon to be Xbox Music) or get the Zune pass, so that you can buy and download directly on the phone. However, the problem here is that if you have music that isn't available on Zune or the music is available on Zune, but you also have the music ripped from a cd you bought. On Windows Phone 6.5, I can sync music I either ripped from cd or bought from an online store, but I have the choice of whether to store the music on the device's onboard storage or store it on the removable SD card.

The third issue brought up was lack of available console emulators. As of now, this has only been partially cured. There is a NES emulator and a gameboy (original, not color, without sound support) emulator available in the windows phone marketplace, but we could use some more console emulators. Because of this, I still use PocketGBA for gameboy advance games and other emulators available for Windows Phone 6.5 on my Windows Phone 6.5 device.

The fourth issue brought up was the ability to "sideload" programs. On Windows Phone 7.x, you can only install programs from the Windows Phone marketplace, unless your phone has been developer-unlocked. On Windows Phone 6.5, I can install programs via cab files on a SD card whenever I want, without any restrictions. The ability to install homebrew programs on Windows Phone 7.x has improved, but is still lacking.

The fifth issue brought up is Bluetooth profiles available on Windows Phone 7.x. What is still missing in Windows Phone 7.x is the ability to use a bluetooth hardware keyboard. Word has it that bluetooth support is coming in Windows Phone 8, the next release of Windows Phone, but we have yet to see this for sure. Still missing in Windows Phone 7.x is the ability to "swap" (or send) contacts with another windows phone user via bluetooth. This feature would be great to have in a business situation. With Windows Phone 6.5, I can do all this with bluetooth and more.

The sixth issue brought up is lack of OBEX file transfer support in Windows Phone 7.x. OBEX file transfer is used to transfer a file via bluetooth from one device to another. With a file manager in Windows Phone 7.x non-existant as well, I think this will not come until at least the file manager does.

I brought up some more issues with Windows Phone 7.x vs. Windows Phone 6.5 before, but I will save them for another article, so stay tuned to read more. If you are a developer and haven't downloaded the Windows Phone SDK yet, download it, and see what you can make. You might be surprised. If you are developing for Windows Phone on Windows 8, be sure to download Visual Studio 2011 as well.

So, what do you think about this? Do you agree that Windows Phone 6.5 is still useful, or do you think that Windows Phone 7.x has matured enough that Windows Phone 6.5 isn't needed anymore? Share your thoughts in the comment box below, or e-mail me at catholictechgeek@gmail.com. You can also comment (and follow me) on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed as well. If you like this post, please share it with your family and friends.

In the meantime, while you are thinking about Windows Phone, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, the monks also offer tea for sale. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. The free, ad-supported version of Mobile Media Manager is now in Apphub certification, while the paid version will be in certification in a few days (but by the end of this week). BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently, so it is also due for an update.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid, ad-free version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free, ad-supported version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE

Windows Phone 8: Summary of Speculation

With the recent announcement of iOS 6 for iphone (which adds features that windows phone already had), the new announcement of Windows Phone 8 is just around the corner. However there's some information about it already out in the wild.

Some things to look foward to:

• Internet Explorer 10, with a faster javascript engine which rivals (and in some cases, even beats) Google Chrome
• ability to track your data usage
• integrated Skype and other VOIP (instead of standalone Skype program)
• possible skydrive integration into disk storage
• more resolutions than just 800x480
• (unfortunately) some kind of carrier customization

From what we have here, there is much goodness in store for us as we look forward to Apollo.  As for the carrier customizations which will be permitted, I do not know much about that, but the Catholic Tech Geek will be sure to let you know when he knows more. Existing programs in the marketplace are expected to also work in Apollo with no (to maybe minor) adjustments needed. No official word yet either as to whether existing devices will get the upgrade or not.

While we are waiting, if you are a developer (or a computer science student/professor), download the Windows Phone SDK and experiment with it if you aren't already doing so. You might be surprised as to what you could make.

In other news, Windows 8 is coming soon as well. The latest preview version out, the Release Preview, is the last version before the gold release (in other words, the next build of Windows 8 will be the official released version). If you have a spare partition, go ahead and try it out. A reminder to always backup anything important on your hard drive before doing something major like this.

If you want a look at a possible Windows 8 device, check out http://www.wpcentral.com/alleged-shots-nokia-prototype-windows-phone-8-device-leak-shows-64gb-storage.

If you have any questions or any information about speculation and rumors related to Windows Phone 8, feel free to voice them in the comment box below or e-mail me at catholictechgeek@gmail.com. You can also ask me on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed as well.

If you need some coffee to help get you going in the morning or to help you stay awake during the day, try some Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in many instances, better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some. For the summer they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, they also offer tea (use the same link above). Using the link to buy the coffee (or tea) helps me with college and helps the monks as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming soon. BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE


Edit (6-16-2012): An official announcement for Windows 8 should be coming out sometime next week.

Update (6-18-2012) : Microsoft is holding a press conference this morning to discuss a new Microsoft product. From what I gather on the internet, I don't think it will be about Windows Phone 8, but you never know, so stay tuned to find out what it is. Update 2 (6-18-2012): It seems that the press conference was supposed to start at 18:30 E.S.T., but it has been delayed to 19:00 E.S.T. for some strange reason.