Mobile OSs Windows Phone 8 or Android (if Android's design makes you cringe)?

[CyanLite]

So the time to change phones has come and this time the decision to make is harder.

I don't want to go with Android for the fourth time in a row because of the design inconsistencies and the design in general. I hate the blue touch feedback (now gray in KitKat). And I hate how there is no attention to design when it comes to Android at all. I don't want to get into details as then the thread will become really long. But those of you have OCD about design and have ever used Android will know what I mean.

I CRINGE every time I use my phone because of the horrible design. Every time I tap something, I look at the blue touch feedback and become annoyed; every app looks like it's from a different system. No consistency at all.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4rgtnmas3syam2k/oXx5Mj_QFD
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/1heo6htlgcxtfim/CVoQGiyO_n

On the other hand, there is Windows Phone 8. It has amazing design and attention to detail. But lack of simple features.


This is what I normally do on my phone:

• Chrome
• Evernote
• Video Player
• MyFitnessPal
• WhatsApp
• Youtube

As you can see, Windows Phone has all these apps so apps aren't an issue.

This is what I want from my phone:

- I hate bad design (Android)
- I want to be able to sync tabs and bookmarks (Windows Phone can't do this)
- I want fast multitasking (On Windows Phone you have to hold back button which is slow)
- I want a reliable notification system (I've heard many people having problems receiving notifications and live tiles updating on time with WhatsApp but not sure about this)
- I also want to be able to use VPN connections to access websites that are blocked here (Windows Phone can't currently do this)

So what would you guys pick? Form or function?

 

[maflynn]

You seem to document the stuff you hate on each platform, so it sounds like you'll be unhappy with either one.

If you cringe every time you use your android phone, then why spend money on something you absolutely hate

What about the iPhone or Blackberry - does it have all the functions you're looking for?

 

[CyanLite]

You seem to document the stuff you hate on each platform, so it sounds like you'll be unhappy with either one.

If you cringe every time you use your android phone, then why spend money on something you absolutely hate

What about the iPhone or Blackberry - does it have all the functions you're looking for?

I am considering Android because even though I hate the design, it still gets the job done. Anything I throw at it, it happens. I would hate to have to find out how much I would hate not being able to get the job done in the first place.

Blackberry no.. iPhone, screen size is too small and the durability of the physical buttons worry me. If they increase it to 4.5 then I will definitely get it.

I guess I'll have to get whatever is less annoying

 

[mattopotamus]

That looks like touchwiz...and that makes me cringe too.

 

[CyanLite]

That looks like touchwiz...and that makes me cringe too.

Hah! But the issues I mention don't go away with Stock Android (I know because I use CM11 all the time). That blue touch feedback in the OP will still be there. Amazing how Google devs cant even align that blue touch feedback with the image of the website.

Also look at this on the Nexus 5:

 

[OhHaiThere]

So what would you guys pick? Form or function?

Function, of course.

You really are OCD... however, you're in luck. There are a ton of ROMs and launchers available for Android. Just find something that doesn't make you cringe.

 

[CyanLite]

Function, of course.

You really are OCD... however, you're in luck. There are a ton of ROMs and launchers available for Android. Just find something that doesn't make you cringe.

Using a different ROM won't change the basic design of Android, nor the apps in Android. And if I use something like MIUI, then that introduces inconsistencies with the apps built with Holo in mind. For example, what kind of ROM or launcher would fix the issue in Chrome in the OP?

Also, how would a ROM fix the gray touch feedback that doesn't even align with the circle on the camera interface here?

How amazing Android would be without this OCD <3

 

[OhHaiThere]

Using a different ROM won't change the basic design of Android, nor the apps in Android. And if I use something like MIUI, then that introduces inconsistencies with the apps built with Holo in mind. For example, what kind of ROM or launcher would fix the issue in Chrome in the OP?

How amazing Android would be without this OCD <3

http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/235399-how-change-light-blue-system-color.html

 

[CyanLite]

http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/235399-how-change-light-blue-system-color.html

Yeah, this does a very good job of removing many inconsistencies. But I haven't found a theme that gets rid of touch feedback. Only theme that change color. To fix the issue in OP, you'd have to get rid of touch feedback..

 

[OhHaiThere]

Yeah, this does a very good job of removing many inconsistencies. But I haven't found a theme that gets rid of touch feedback. Only theme that change color. To fix the issue in OP, you'd have to get rid of touch feedback..

Do you mean haptic feedback? You can disable that.

 

[CyanLite]

Do you mean haptic feedback? You can disable that.

No, I mean the blue color that comes when you tap something. Tap on a website in chrome, and it will respond with blue color like shown in the OP

 

[cube]

You should look at BB10

 

[CyanLite]

You should look at BB10

Most of the apps I use aren't available on it. I am also not going to use Android runtime as it provides a VERY inconsistent experience.

 

[OhHaiThere]

No, I mean the blue color that comes when you tap something. Tap on a website in chrome, and it will respond with blue color like shown in the OP

You can change that as well in the various ROMs.

Sorry, I don't have a problem with the colors so I'm not intimately familiar with any of this stuff. Hopefully someone else can help or if it bothers you that much... get something else which will undoubtedly bug you as well

 

[roadbloc]

I find Windows Phone a rather refreshing PhoneOS and I do preffer it over both Android and iOS. Regretfully OP, you sound very picky. Nothing is perfect, which is something you might have to live with.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I would take Android over Windows Phone any day of the week. Can't stand the Metro UI.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Either get a Windows Phone with the Black update (Lumia 1020 or wait a month for the rest of the phones to get it) or find a ROM that you can live with on Android.

 

[CyanLite]

I find Windows Phone a rather refreshing PhoneOS and I do preffer it over both Android and iOS. Regretfully OP, you sound very picky. Nothing is perfect, which is something you might have to live with.

How well do push notifications work on your Windows Phone? Do they ever get delayed?

 

[cube]

Most of the apps I use aren't available on it. I am also not going to use Android runtime as it provides a VERY inconsistent experience.

Well, the apps you listed look like they should exist or be replaceable by good native alternatives

 

[roadbloc]

How well do push notifications work on your Windows Phone? Do they ever get delayed?

Notifications work. As far as I'm aware there hasn't been any delays for me, but phone signal over here has always been rubbish. Lucky if I even get 2G most times.

There is a noticeable lack of a 'notification center', something Microsoft is apparently sorting in an update soon, but if it is something you defiantly want straight away then WP8 may not be the OS for you just yet.

 

[CyanLite]

Notifications work. As far as I'm aware there hasn't been any delays for me, but phone signal over here has always been rubbish. Lucky if I even get 2G most times.

There is a noticeable lack of a 'notification center', something Microsoft is apparently sorting in an update soon, but if it is something you defiantly want straight away then WP8 may not be the OS for you just yet.

I am going to wait till WP8.1 to decide which phone to get. By then, 3/4 of the problems I have with it SHOULD be resolved (Reliable notification system, VPN, IE tab syncing)

Well, the apps you listed look like they should exist or be replaceable by good native alternatives

Well, MyFitnessPal isn't available. Alternative apps have a much smaller database. I also don't like BB10's design. I would much rather use Android. No offense to BB10 though as it is an extremely solid OS.

 

[cube]

FWIW, some of the BB10 apps can sync with MFP

 

[Vetvito]

Wait Windows Phone has Chrome now?

My last windows phone, notifications were hit and miss. Especially with IM programs.

Live tiles weren't so live because they sometimes stopped updating.

 

[zbarvian]

Luckily for you there's not a really well designed OS anymore now that iOS 7 is out. Windows Phone doesn't scale well, looks appallingly stark and basic. KitKat looks the best around, in my opinion. Holo still needs a revamp, but the GEL is really tight.

 

[MRU]

Windows connect is decent for syncing between macs and windows phones. More so than any third party android solution or blackberry connect either.

But yeah seems you have already done the research and found a mobile OS you prefer the look of, so go with it.

It's all subjective and another opinion stating contrary to your own is neither wrong or right. Just different.

Try Windows Phone and if you don't like it go for something else.

The only thing I question is your statement that you tube was on windows phone. I don't believe there is a proper first party YouTube app on windows phone but there are third party alternatives.