HTC One - Windows 8.1 Phone

I am an Android nerd, used to like Apple and the iPhone, but too much of the same thing from them lately, and I like to see and try fresh new tech. Well here we go, finally a killer piece of hardware and beautiful design, running the latest Windows 8.1 OS

HTC One M8 with Windows Phone 8.1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3AgcltUM9s

The HTC One M8 for Windows is an HTC One running Windows Phone 8.1
http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/19/6031237/htc-one-m8-for-windows-verizon-price-announcement


Reading these reviews, it seems Microsoft has a long ways to go still with their Windows Mobile OS, not even close to the polish and sophistication Android and iOS.

I've been on WP8 for a couple of years now. Jumped on the bandwagon early on with the HTC 8X.

I love this OS. It's clean, quick, intuitive, easy to figure out etc. If you're looking for ease of use it's hands down the best.

HOWEVER,

The lack of big name apps on the windows marketplace is still a huge issue. There are no official Google apps, no HboGo, many apps that have been ported are usually inferior quality and behind in updates to their iPhone/Android versions. Game selection is ok, but nowhere near the quantity and quality of the other ecosystems.

Because of that reason I am switching to android.

So if you're thinking about switching to Windows Phone be aware of that. If certain apps are important to you, make sure those are available. If you don't care about apps, then by all means go for it. Like I said, in 2 years of use, I have ZERO complaints about the OS itself. The marketplace is the problem.

Exactly my dad's and my thoughts. The OS is pretty nice (and easy) to use, and it's slick most of all. However the serious lack of developer support is what's making my dad want to head over to Android, and he's not even on his phone that often.

My M8 Windows 8.1 phone is on the FedEx truck for delivery today. After over 5 years with iOS and being less than enthusiastic about the 6/6+, I'm giving Windows a chance to win my business.

I've not become an iOS hater, at all. I'm just kinda bored with it. I don't game on my phone, nor do I use 90% of the apps I've downloaded. I'm not even all that interested in jailbreaking, anymore. It's become more of a tedious chore than a fun way to tweak the phone. My phone is a communications and web surfing tool. I listen to internet radio and watch Netflix, occasionally. That's about it.

If this Windows phone leaves me feeling meh, I'll go back to iOS. I originally favored the 6+ until seeing those pics Zorachus posted. That phone is one big bastard and the top/bottom bezels look awful. If I return to iOS, it'll be with the 6 or my 5s.

Have had my M8 for a few hours. I love the hardware. Very sleek, light, just feels like a quality product. The OS is fine. It would take some getting used to, coming from iOS. As for apps, the pickings are slim, but that's not important to me.

I installed Netflix. Performance is wretched on WiFi or LTE. Video playback is choppy, fuzzy, very disappointing. Audio, on the other hand, is very nice.

Still have more to learn about the phone before making any final decisions.

As for Netflix, is it just your device or everything else connected to your wifi?

Netflix is throttling to support net neutrality.

Netflix runs butter smooth on my iPhone 5s (WiFi or LTE), so it's not a throttling issue. Obviously, the 5s has lower screen resolution than the M8, but I can't believe it makes that big of a difference. How does Netflix run on your Android M8?

Something else I've noticed is that I can't close running apps. I've tried the stated procedure of holding the Back button until the X appears on the app, and then tapping the X to close the app. The app remains running. I'm sure there's a simple something I'm missing, but it is very strange.

CHANG3D said:

As for Netflix, is it just your device or everything else connected to your wifi?

Netflix is throttling to support net neutrality.

Click to expand...

Was under the impression that it's just a loading symbol for sites that support the cause today, not ACTUAL throttling. Confirm/deny?

mastaBlasta said:

I've been on WP8 for a couple of years now. Jumped on the bandwagon early on with the HTC 8X.

I love this OS. It's clean, quick, intuitive, easy to figure out etc. If you're looking for ease of use it's hands down the best.

Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with these statements. I am also a WP8 user via the HTC 8x. Simply put, it is a brilliant device. Does everything I need it to do with an uncluttered interface. Works fantastic with MS Exchange. You could not pay me to run Windows 8 on the desktop, but in phone format, it just works.

mps said:

You could not pay me to run Windows 8 on the desktop, but in phone format, it just works.

Click to expand...

Totally agree!

I switch from my android phone I been using for 3 years (yes on the same phone for 3 years) to a Lumia 1520 and I really like WP 8.1.

Its fast and easy to use. The only app I'm really missing from my android is Comixology, but oh well. There several good third party apps for other stuff like youtube and what not.

Tyler-Durden said:

Have had my M8 for a few hours. I love the hardware. Very sleek, light, just feels like a quality product. The OS is fine. It would take some getting used to, coming from iOS. As for apps, the pickings are slim, but that's not important to me.

I installed Netflix. Performance is wretched on WiFi or LTE. Video playback is choppy, fuzzy, very disappointing. Audio, on the other hand, is very nice.

Still have more to learn about the phone before making any final decisions.

Click to expand...

Have you given Netflix a minute or two to buffer? Video for me is always shit for the first couple minutes, then it clears up and looks fine.

I've had the this phone for a couple of weeks, thus far no problems. Both Netflix and Hulu work great over both WiFi and LTE for me.