Can it be done cheaply? Is it any good? Do I have to sign up for an account like I would with Android? What's the app availability etc. Similar to everyone else?

Anyone got one and love it?

I'm thinking compared to say a Wildfire S or Galaxy Ace kinda price range...

I have an htc 7 Mozart, one of the first generation. A nice bit of kit. Battery lasts a couple of days, when not playing a lot of games.

You don't need an account, but if you have a Live/Hotmail account, it is integrated into your phone and all contacts, calendar entries and emails are automatically synchronised with the phone, making setting up a doddle.

You also need a Live account to use the App store. If you want to use the phone without apps, you can do so without an account...

Unlike Apple and Android, you can "test" each app in the app store. That means the store isn't cluttered up with free "lite" versions and paid for versions of the same app - which also means the app store seems a bit empty, compared to iTunes and Play; because each of the apps that is doubled on iTunes or Play only appears once in Windows...

The phones are responsive and easy to use. They are friendlier and more modern and more informative than iOS, but less customisable than Android. The tiles interface is clean and provides some information at a glance - E.g. the Calendar icon on the iPhone shows the calendard icon, the Calendar tile on WP7 shows the next couple of appointments.

If you use Facebook, Linkedin etc. they are integrated directly into the contacts and about me tiles/apps.

If you don't have/want a Live account or Facebook, the contacts will need to be entered manually.

I can't say what sort of deals you will get in the UK, but the Lumia 710 can be had for under 200 quid on Amazon in Germany (non-contract), the LG Optimus for under 150 and the htc phones for between 100 (htc 7 Mozart, 1st generation) and 350 or so (htc 7 Titan). The top end Lumia 800 also costs around the 350 mark on Amazon.de. But I don't know what sort of deals you will get in the UK.

I have an iPhone 3GS, the Mozart and an htc Sensation. Both the Mozart and the Sensation are streets ahead of the iPhone in usability and look-and-feel. The Mozart loses out to a high end Android phone with ICS on screen resolution and configurability, but the tight hardware rules from Microsoft means that even the most basic phone runs smoothly, something which can't be said for some budget Android devices.

I miss Audidble support on my Mozart, which is why I bought the Sensation - the iPhone had taken to corrupting my Audible collection on a daily basis and syncing the corruption back to my iMac! But the Audible app for WP7 is now in beta, so that is good news.

My Mozart was a T-Mobile one and came with Navigon satnav software pre-installed. The Nokias have the Nokia satnav software pre-installed.

It is a great platform, which is better than a lot of fanboys and press reviews will have you believe. But it all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day.

Yes.


It's OK, still not a patch on the functionality of Android or iOS. Fake multi-tasking, browser isn't the best etc.


Yes, you need a Windows Live account. You also get locked into Microsoft's services so I hope you like Bing.


Plenty of Apps. but some of the big ones are conspicuous in their absence.


It's a nice enough OS, I would probably use a Lumia 800 as my primary handset were it not for the fact you have to use Bing and to transfer files onto your phone you have to use Zune.

For what it's worth, two people at work have the Lumia 800 and both are on their third handset.

After coming from an old 'dumbphone' a non-techie friend had one and replaced it for an iPhone after two weeks...I don't know what the model was...

Interesting guys, thanks. As I'm looking at phones over here in Copenhagen it occurs to me that some of the unlocked handsets are rather cheap. Couldn't see many Win phones amongst them though. Looks like Android is the only way to do it super cheaply.

Denmark! How long are you here for?

Leaving May 8th. Staying in Osterbro. Are you in town?

Jeg bor i Silkeborg, det ligger tæt på Århus i Jylland.

Been here six months and have not managed to make it to København yet. I want to see and be disappointed by Den Lille Havfrue like all the other tourists.

Are you here on business or pleasure?

Pleasure. Staying with a friend from skiing. Come and be disappointed, I already have been!!