Test: Windows Phone 7.5 Nokia revives

Microsoft and Nokia, two "old glories" of smartphones, are at a historic turning point in their strategy. The Lumia 800, equipped with the new Windows Phone 7.5, is planned for 2012 in Belgium. He arrived early in the drafting of RTL.be. ..Needless to reverse the slow descent into hell of Nokia and its OS for smartphones houses, which have steadily lost market share since the arrival of the iPhone. Unable to take the train to the "new generation" phone-computer, the Swedish manufacturer has finally decided to put the fate of its high-end production in the hands of Microsoft.
On second thought, Microsoft also says some of his future Nokia's OS (Windows Phone) which are very quiet for over a year - despite its many qualities - needs a green "exclusive". Lumia The Nokia 800 is more or less (it also turns on MeeGo, but only in certain countries, including Belgium).
In short, Microsoft is counting on the old image of glory from Nokia, and Nokia on power sales and marketing at Microsoft. Hopefully, early 2012, should mean (much) about the new alliance.


Windows Phone 7.5, what happens?
This is a subtle evolution of Windows Phone 7, it was a complete overhaul of a catastrophic Windows Mobile 6.5. There are so pleased our colored squares, as many "hubs", a sort of mix between an icon and an application of dynamic concept. For example, the square displays contact photos random people, it has been searching on your accounts Live, Gmail, Facebook or Twitter that you have linked.
Better: If you create, then "pin" on the homapage group "Family", the square will also display the status of recent Facebook or Twitter. The formula is flexible enough and just waiting to be extended to other applications. The possibilities are as numerous as the applications, but they still lack consistency and performance.
One can download applications such as Facebook and Foursquare completely revamped to paste the graphics and functionality of Windows Phone 7.5. But they are less effective and more boruillonnes finally, whether Android or iOS, the two major operating systems for smartphones today.


The key is this: a good base!
However, it is almost useless to criticize this problem: these applications are in their infancy and are eager to improve. Just go back to the first version of Facebook for iPhone or BlackBerry, and you will understand. The key is this: the base is good. Then, if success is to go (I think and I hope, for the spirit of competition), these applications are more numerous and more efficient. It "just" waiting.
Another highlight of this OS: Unified Messaging, which brings together in one "application" conversations with a person, whether via SMS or Facebook chat. You set your availability (via the "hub" Me), and therefore Windows Phone allows you to interact in different ways. Again, everything is improved, but the base is good, and that's the point.


Which Windows Phone to buy?
Big question. Equipped with the latest version 7.5, there are at least three new smartphones on the Belgian market, knowing that others can potentially be updated:
The Acer Allegro (299 euros) proves the will of the Taiwan-based manufacturer in the world to impose stiff competition from smarpthone. At a ridiculous price for an OS of this caliber, it is slightly smaller (3.6 inches) than the other. Its look and finish may not have the class of the Nokia 800 Lumia, and embark only 8 GB. Try it.
Similarly, the HTC Radar (359 euros) also offers a good quality / price ratio. Spent by our editorial staff, it is not slower than the other new "Windows Phone", and has also 8 GB of internal memory. His photo sensor is recessed relative to Nokia, while its design is more traditional and less modern, as the finish, less careful. An excellent approach to WP 7.5, with a manufacturer that has already proven itself.
Lumia The Nokia 800 (499 euros) is placed in the top of the basket, with a faster processor and twice as much storage (16 GB). His camera is also well above the lot, with Carl Zeiss optics. Above all, he embarks 3 exclusives from Nokia that are more consistent than the other: Drive, Maps and Music is a GPS, a map tool and a solution for listening to music. Parallel to what is offered with Bing Maps Windows Phones and Zune, the applications provided by Nokia will appeal to some, even if they are not free of defects. But again, the base is good.