5 Simple Things Windows 8 Phones Can Learn From Androids

Windows 8 Phones Can Learn From Androids

I recently ditched my Android, for an HTC 8X Windows phone. Before we start, I’d like to clarify that I’m neither a tech junky, nor am I a fan of transition, particularly those that involve shifting between two polarizing platforms. I bought the 8X because I really “liked” its feel – it was more of an impulse buy than a planned purchase.
I've been using Android phones since 2009. Android has shape my vision of how phones should behave. In fact, I admit, that my ideals considering modern-day smartphone operating scheme, are generally driven from Android functionality. Moreover, here I’d like to clarify that I am not overly concerned about widgets, themes, origin or Instagram, and that I’m not going to talk about such things in this article. This piece will deal with earthier, more prosaic stuff.

Without farther ado, here’s my list of the top five things that Windows phones need to work at:

Profile Personalization

Unlike Android, my Windows Phone doesn’t permit me to personalize notification sounds on one-on-one basis. For instance, the sound made when I receive a Twitter alert, is identical to the noise made when I receive a Facebook notification, and there is nothing I can do about it. Moreover, I cannot adjust the volume for individual alerts. The sound grade remains the same for all apps. A simple control panel, like the one available on most Android versions could have done the trick! I don’t know why, but I find this inadequacy, a bit too vexing.

Notification Display

Almost all Android smartphones feature an LED notification – a light that starts blinking whenever you receive a new notification. It is a simple enough tool to stop you from constantly checking your phone just to see if you have received a new SMS, or a Viber call.
Nothing like this is available on my Windows phone. I do see a notification light but, sadly, it only lights up when the phone is running out of juice or the ascribing is complete. I don’t know why HTC couldn’t incorporate this, albeit secondary characteristic, into their Windows phone.

Control Toggles

On Windows Phone 8, one has to flip a series of switches to toggle between diverse states for built-in software and hardware characteristics. It takes time, and sometime feels awkward. I understand that there are third-party apps for this but they only supply shortcuts, which are far removed from being actionable toggles.

App Feature-Parity

Android apps developers rarely develop apps without features. Facebook, Evernote, Instagram, Twitter, all carry the newest and greatest in Android functioning scheme. On Windows Phone, on the other hand, users have to wait weeks, and even months, to get new supplemented features.

Browser Choices

My new phone’s Internet Explorer only permits me to drive connections to somebody else via internet notes, communal networks or Xbox. I cannot use it to drive connections to app like Evernote or Pouch. As a result, I rely as little as I can on Internet Explorer. I consider this a major handicap: a browser should be able to permit users to do more things rather than limit them to an established path.
That’s my list of the top five things a Windows Phone can learn from an Android device. If you have faced similar problems with your Windows phones, do share your thoughts below.

Summary/Description:

A common man’s take on Windows 8 Phone’s shortcomings. Forget about Widgets, and cool stuff, this articles talks about more down-to-earth, simpler stuff.