Android2windows

I got a text this morning from cricket…. They finally sent me the unlock code! I put it in and successfully SIM unlocked my Lumia. With that out of the way, I decided to de-brand and re-image my phone with the T-Mobile image using this guide… it didn’t quite work the way I expected.

First off, the torrent that the OP put together was no longer seeded, causing me to work through the Lumiafirmware website to find the image manually (for those in the US who want the T-Mobile image directly, it’s here: RM-1073 VAR NAM US T-MOBILE SL). Next, the cable I was using was failing and almost caused me to brick my phone… I eventually finally got it imaged, set up the phone, and prepared to update to Windows 10 when… It utterly failed.

….yeah, I’m done for tonight, I’m going to bed…

Hi everyone (anyone??!). It’s been 3 weeks, so I thought I’d give an update. Last time, in cellphone world:

Christian C: I already checked the information and we would need to create a case in order to get the unlock code for your phone

Me: That’s fine. How long does the case usually take to process?

Christian C: from 24 to 72 hours as much to be solved

504 hours later? Nothing.

I contacted Cricket Wireless for a status update on the 23rd which they promptly told me my ticket was status Solving, with the happy-go-lucky reply “this means this case has been taken and being solved right now =).” Last night I decided to ask for another update, which they promptly informed me that they’re waiting for a response from the phones manufacturer. I would really like to have this situated before November 18th, which is when I have to bay my next Cricket Wireless bill, otherwise I’m cutting my losses. I’m using exactly 0.0GB of data with my unlimited plan… I wish I could take advantage of this, but Cricket’s wireless network is slow and spotty, and I don’t have any reception at all at work.

Moving on, I’ve been thinking a lot about phones and workstations, and universal apps recently.

My current setup at home isn’t too complicated but at the same time isn’t very efficient. I currently have a chromebook that I use when traveling (or laying on my futon) and a desktop when just working in my room… the desktop tower takes up my entire corner-desk’s corner segment while only 3 of my 4 monitors (all under 20 inches and two of them only 1024x768) actually fit on my desk.

I’m hoping to get something more minimalistic this time around, perhaps an Intel NUC. I would also like one of those 34” 21:9 ultrawide monitors to replace my four-monitor mess…unfortunately they’re kind of expensive right now.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is trying to move everyone towards these “Universal Apps” – they’re basically a framework for apps that look the same on any Microsoft device, be it tablet, phone, or PC. It’s a great idea in theory, and there’s some programs that are already universal in the Windows store. I might try them out.

Building on that, Microsoft offers a feature in (newer) Windows Phones called Continuum, which allows you to dock your phone and use it as a full-fledged PC! Unfortunately, like many of Microsoft’s features, it may not be quite ready for production.

For Part 5 of this series, click here: Phone status: Unlocked!.

This is part three of my Switching from Android to Windows series. You can check out the first one here: Switching from Android to Windows Phone!

When I bought my Lumia 640 it was about $27 from Best Buy with Cricket Wireless. The phone is normally about $200 new (and about $100 used) and I figured that it wouldn’t be too difficult to unlock right? Wrong. (Read more)

This is part two of my Switching from Android to Windows series. You can check out the first one here: Switching from Android to Windows Phone!

I decided to look over some options by googling what others are doing to switch, but there weren’t many results.

I did find an article on the T-Mobile site that at least assured me I can keep my contacts and calendars but they mistakenly said that Google Drive is supported on the Windows Phone (it’s not). I’m starting to find that most apps are limited or poor quality in the Windows app store, which makes sense considering how few people use the platform.

Microsoft made an android app called Switch to Windows Phone which is supposed to give you some help with switching, but most reviews claim that transferring the files never actually succeeds. Then there’s AppComparison – something that Microsoft created to tell me alternative Windows phone apps for my android variants. I gave it a shot, but it utterly failed.

I guess I’ll try later… (Read more)

Hi everyone! I know it’s been a very, very, long time. Let me say that I actually do have tons of posts I wanted to make, it’s just that I’ve been so busy with work I haven’t had a chance. For those interested in what I would blog about if I had time, you can check out my Flickr page! I love taking pictures, and there’s tons of photos on there

So recently, I’ve been needing a new phone. The screen broke on my HTC 10 and T-mobile has been less than stellar on helping me replace it (since they stopped carrying it!). This had me thinking about looking for a more affordable phone this time around… and then I saw a Windows Phone for sale on Newegg for $20… and then, I figured I’m up for a challenge!

You see, almost nobody uses Windows Phones. Microsoft has announced that it’s no longer focusing on them, which isn’t surprising considering they only have 1% of the market share. It seems like nobody is interested in them these days, and many feel they’re heading to extinction.

So why would I even consider purchasing one of these things?

I’ve been an android user for the longest time but my first smartphone was, in fact, a Windows phone! It was a gift from a random stranger after I posted a craigslist ad asking for a free smartphone. It eventually stopped working but it always felt comfortable and fluid! The battery lasted for days at a time, and I got pretty comfortable navigating the tiles.

I also love a challenge, and a challenge this would be! To my horror, there are no google apps for Windows Phone 10 – the search giant simply refuses to support them and the chromium team ignores the constant requests for a port.

Let me tell you, I’m very invested into Google’s ecosystem right now. I use google apps for everything—I’m even writing this blog entry on a chromebook! I have a work phone with android on it, and I manage everything from my calendars to my travel time using Google’s services. While some may be worried about the hold Google has on your privacy, most don’t care because it’s so dang convinant! Let me give you an example of how I use google every day:

I wake up in the morning and check my Google Calendar. If I’m not biking, I check the bus schedule on Google then head to work. If I am biking, I sync up with Google Fit. Throughout the day, I store notes in Google Keep and jot group meetings down in Google Docs. When I’m on my lunch break, I read various articles that Google has tailored to me based on my interests while intermingling cards with bills due and packages arriving.

I haven’t really thought about how dependent I am on the big G before I thought about switching… I think it would be a neat experiment.

Just to be clear, I’m not leaving google but rather leaving Android. I have no intention of withdrawing my gmail account, calendars, and other apps, but rather will be forced to distance myself from them based on Google’s stubbornness to port. I still want to make this as easy as I can on me, and maybe I can stand as proof that Microsoft’s Windows Phone is still able to hold its on in the world of iOS and Android.

Anyway, that’s it. I guess we’ll see what happens when I get the phone squared away (because I’m kind of waiting for the company to unlock it).

For part 2 of this series, click here: Beginning the Switch.