[windows mobile based] Lumia 640 XL or 950 XL?

[LeMarchand]

Well... So far, so good! Not quite as big as I'd feared (still fits in pocket), but big enough to make me glad I opted for the XL over the normal 640. Very clear screen with smooth scrolling and fast response. Watch this space...

 

Have finally taken the plunge (copying your cunning @VeryPC plan). Can't imagine that the 950 XL is dropping in price by a couple of hundred any time soon, nor that the Elite will start at such a price. Gonna abuse my cards when I get home for a few accessories: case/s (can't decide between a plain or "rugged" one), belt pouch/holster (pockets already full), car cradle (hoping the magnetic one I picked will be "one handed" but strong enough), better car USB and a charge-only lead for my desk.

 

Unfortunately not got a lot of free time to set it all up - got to visit pops next weekend. Probably have to keep using the HD2 (still going pretty well!) on and off for a couple of weeks yet.

[StevieM]

So what do you think, @LeMarchand? Personally, I think it's great - much better than my old Lumia 625. It's the first time in AGES that I've really taken to a new phone straight away. I just hope that I still like it as much after the impending Windows 10 update...

[LeMarchand]

So what do you think, @LeMarchand? Personally, I think it's great - much better than my old Lumia 625. It's the first time in AGES that I've really taken to a new phone straight away. I just hope that I still like it as much after the impending Windows 10 update...

 

Impressed so far. Seems fast, reception is better and even the internet is much better on Virgin's 3G (because they don't seem interested in negotiating a 4G consumer deal) service.

 

A few niggles (store should state if apps are ad supported, haven't worked out how to set a reminder that sounds until it's acknowledged), but no real complaints beyond the lack of a FreeOFTE equivalent - and I don't think that either of the "big two" phone OSs offer that.

 

Current W10 rumour is for later in the week. Hopefully they've had time to iron out the bugs! I've had it on my tablet for a while, so hoping that I can use a couple of the apps that aren't currently on WP 8.1.

[john]

Impressed so far. Seems fast, reception is better and even the internet is much better on Virgin's 3G (because they don't seem interested in negotiating a 4G consumer deal) service.

 

A few niggles (store should state if apps are ad supported, haven't worked out how to set a reminder that sounds until it's acknowledged), but no real complaints beyond the lack of a FreeOFTE equivalent - and I don't think that either of the "big two" phone OSs offer that.

 

Current W10 rumour is for later in the week. Hopefully they've had time to iron out the bugs! I've had it on my tablet for a while, so hoping that I can use a couple of the apps that aren't currently on WP 8.1.

 

Will be a bit later than that from a call I've just had with MS. If your phone is unlocked SIM Free one you will be first in the queue if its a network locked one it will be longer whilst they approve them

[LeMarchand]

Will be a bit later than that from a call I've just had with MS. If your phone is unlocked SIM Free one you will be first in the queue if its a network locked one it will be longer whilst they approve them

 

Bad news followed by good news then. (Mine's SIM free). Just hope it goes as smoothly as updating my tablet!

[StevieM]

I'd be quite happy staying on Denim, to be honest. I'll be gutted if the 10 update spoils it.

[LeMarchand]

I'd be quite happy staying on Denim, to be honest. I'll be gutted if the 10 update spoils it.

 

I know what you mean, but I don't think I'll be able to resist!

[LeMarchand]

One niggle that I'm noticing (and it could be the shoddy bluetooth on my car stereo) is that the voice navigation lags a bit and occasionally seems to be trying to announce a manoeuvre (music cuts out) but there's no announcement. Sometimes this is accompanied by the stereo's display suggesting a call or Cortana interaction is in progress. This can go on for some time. At least the mapping is clear!

 

Still can't work out how the heck "My Commute" is supposed to work - I have a number of very similar commutes - or how/if you can use traffic alerts to divert.

[LeMarchand]

One niggle that I'm noticing (and it could be the shoddy bluetooth on my car stereo) is that the voice navigation lags a bit and occasionally seems to be trying to announce a manoeuvre (music cuts out) but there's no announcement. Sometimes this is accompanied by the stereo's display suggesting a call or Cortana interaction is in progress. This can go on for some time. At least the mapping is clear!

 

Still can't work out how the heck "My Commute" is supposed to work - I have a number of very similar commutes - or how/if you can use traffic alerts to divert.

 

Though it seems that any problems are unlikely to get fixed: HERE: We're still, er... HERE ? The Register

[StevieM]

That's bad news. I don't use it very often, but it's a handy tool to have in your kit. Hopefully the maps will still get updated, though.

[LeMarchand]

That's bad news. I don't use it very often, but it's a handy tool to have in your kit. Hopefully the maps will still get updated, though.

 

Hard to tell, but it looks like the whole app will stop working. Bizarrely the MS Maps App (which seems to use the HERE maps) looks like it will still be OK - guess MS has stopped paying all the bills! The MS app doesn't seem to have voice guidance (unless you link it to another app, which seems pointless) and doesn't seem finger-friendly.

 

Testing Waze this week (though apparently it's now owned by Google so I'm guessing they may drop Windows support) and may take a look at Sygic (who are dropping prices for a couple of weeks - cunning plan!) and Co-Pilot. Had the latter on my HD2 and quite liked it apart from it's inability to differentiate between "turn" and "keep", which I'm hoping they've fixed by now. A big plus point for them was their support, which earned them a lot of good will from me. They still helped me at the end of last year when I hard reset my device despite my purchase being many years previously for a platform that they had long dropped support for.

[LeMarchand]

P.S. Apparently the W10 update is now available (you need to jump through a few hoops). Will probably go for it this week.

[StevieM]

P.S. Apparently the W10 update is now available (you need to jump through a few hoops). Will probably go for it this week.

 

Hmmmm!! Think I'll wait... just for a bit. Feedback would be appreciated.

[LeMarchand]

Hmmmm!! Think I'll wait... just for a bit. Feedback would be appreciated.

 

I'll post here later in the week. Waze looking a bit fugly so far...

[LeMarchand]

P.S. Apparently the W10 update is now available (you need to jump through a few hoops). Will probably go for it this week.

@StevieM it appears that as my SIM is with Virgin, I can't get the update until they're ready (even though the phone is SIM-free). From forum chatter, Virgin only tend to get things after EE have rolled out and as EE customers seem to be in the same boat...

 

Quite annoying after I'd decided that as HERE (apparently bought out by a consortium of German car folks) are, at best, going to stop updating their Win 8.1 app and that as Co-Pilot gets great reviews I'd bite the bullet. I may try pulling the SIM and seeing if it will do the do over wireless, but not holding out hope.

 

Guess I'll have time to try a few more navigation apps!

 

P.S. CBA to "Insider" it to 10.

Edited March 22, 2016 by LeMarchand
PS

[john]

@StevieM it appears that as my SIM is with Virgin, I can't get the update until they're ready (even though the phone is SIM-free). From forum chatter, Virgin only tend to get things after EE have rolled out and as EE customers seem to be in the same boat...

 

Quite annoying after I'd decided that as HERE (apparently bought out by a consortium of German car folks) are, at best, going to stop updating their Win 8.1 app and that as Co-Pilot gets great reviews I'd bite the bullet. I may try pulling the SIM and seeing if it will do the do over wireless, but not holding out hope.

 

Guess I'll have time to try a few more navigation apps!

 

P.S. CBA to "Insider" it to 10.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/updateadvisor/9nblggh0f5g4 Have you put that app on your phone and run it as that is what is needed to kick it off so I believe as we've been told block that app via MDM to prevent the upgrade until we are ready (however I am waiting MSFT themselves to confirm that in an email as I've had very mixed messages of late)

[LeMarchand]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/updateadvisor/9nblggh0f5g4 Have you put that app on your phone and run it as that is what is needed to kick it off so I believe

 

Yep: runs, declares that my phone is eligible and then waves 2 fingers at me.

 

 

For anyone interested in WP navigation apps:

Sygic: Maps OK but voice directions over Bluetooth seem broken. If this isn't a deal-breaker, they do a free 7 day trial (doesn't seem to include traffic - could be wrong) and the Premium price and annual traffic fee are reasonable.

Waze: Since Google bought it, appears to have stopped Windows development. Maps could be clearer, various people report voice direction problems (I can't get voice at all!). Hangs when calculating route (though it does calculate route). At least it's free.

Here Suite: Will stop working on WM10 soon and WP8.1 development halted. Shame, as it seemed to have the best mapping and was the most finger-friendly. I do get various issues with Bluetooth voice directions.

 

Trying NavMii tonight, might fiddle with the settings and try Here again later in the week.

[LeMarchand]

The W10 upgrade showed when I decided to check for it yesterday. Maybe MS pushed it out to different territories on different dates? Have installed (not entirely a smooth ride) and will try to post back at the weekend after I've had a play.

 

Make sure you have a way to reinstall contacts, your email account details/settings and (if you need them) old SMS messages is my advice so far!

[StevieM]

Sounds like more hassle than it's worth, to me. I really don't think I'm going to bother... at least not for the time being.

[DJ-1701]

The W10 upgrade showed when I decided to check for it yesterday. Maybe MS pushed it out to different territories on different dates? Have installed (not entirely a smooth ride) and will try to post back at the weekend after I've had a play.

 

Make sure you have a way to reinstall contacts, your email account details/settings and (if you need them) old SMS messages is my advice so far!

 

Just reset my 640XL from the Windows 10 Insider version to see if it resets to Windows 10 or if I can get the update to the normal release of 10. At the moment it's not being picked up, so I assume it's going to be deployed like the OS for the PC, a few at a time.