Ours was a house divided. In one corner, my husband’s iPhone and the other, my Samsung Galaxy S3. Oh, we would often flex our mobile muscles, sizing up the competition in a friendly standoff of whose phone platform is smarter, superior and well, sexier.
Enter the great equalizer…Windows Phone 8.
I was perfectly happy with my Galaxy and when I was invited to try the Nokia Lumia running on Windows Phone 8, I was a little resistant. I figured I’d give it a whirl for a few days and continue along my merry way with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ response. But after a few weeks of using the device in real life, I decided to make a very big change. That’s right. I actually ditched my current Android-based device and went all-in with Windows Phone 8. Let’s face it, people take their smartphones very serious. Switching platforms is almost like switching religions. Trust me, it’s no easy task but this was more like a step up and a much smarter move. Here’s a helpful video in case you’re curious.
As a mobile device, I’m absolutely impressed. (The Nokia Lumia 1020 takes the most amazing pictures but that’s another obsession!) About the platform: It’s an intuitive smartphone experience that allows you to ‘take it personal’. Honestly, I’m still learning the ropes and getting acquainted with all the great features. After a few weeks, there’s so much I love about it: Live tiles on your start screen and fast access to the people and places you frequent. (You can customize your color theme and pin all kinds of cool things to your start screen and see them come to life in the live tiles–that’s why no two phones will look alike!) The word flow keyboard is intelligent; it learns what you type and makes it simple to correct. The “People Hub” is a contact list taken to the next level. It’s easy, breezy and remarkably sharp. And thanks to the sleek design, yes, rather sexy.
If you’re on the hunt for a phone that can work hard and play hard, this is the one. Here’s why: It’s equipped with built-in Office Mobile and OneNote, so you can edit documents and take notes on-the-go; giving you access to your work anytime, anywhere. You don’t have to worry about losing information since all of your documents, pictures and notes automatically save to SkyDrive, which you can later access on your PC.
Yep, here in my casa, I’m claiming victory. Windows Phone 8… FOR.THE.WIN.
Windows Phone is available on all major carriers, starting at just $49 at Microsoft store near you or online at www.microsoftstore.com
~Janene Mascarella
Janene Mascarella is a freelance lifestyle journalist. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, CNN Money, Newsday, Self, Glamour, Health, Cosmopolitan, Cooking Light, Women’s Health, Woman’s Day, American Baby, BabyTalk, Parenting, Parents, Family Circle, AARP Bulletin, American Way and many more. She is the beauty editor of BELLA NYC Magazine.
