This year's Google Pixel 2 XL has won both praise and criticism - it's the pinnacle of Google's Android dream, but it's demonstrably imperfect. Meanwhile, this being AAWP, I want to compare it to something interesting in the Windows 10 Mobile world. So what about the Alcatel IDOL 4 Pro, still sold, with similar form factor, loud stereo speakers, AMOLED screen, premium materials? Factor in purchase prices and this could be a closer fight than you might think...
It's all very well having this newish and still-sold high spec Windows 10 Mobile smartphone in Europe, but the amount of back-end effort being put in by Microsoft and Alcatel to support it is, to be charitable, modest. Meaning that there's every chance that you'll need to take charge of its OS status yourself. Here's a beginner's guide to the Alcatel IDOL 4 Pro and Windows 10 Mobile.
A week ago I pitted (with a little help) the new Nokia 8 camera against the stalwart Lumia 950 - the new Nokia against the old Nokia, effectively? This was at 8MP resolution all round and, while the comparator was perfect in terms of framing, we had comments asking for a re-shoot at full resolution on both phone cameras. So here we go - can the Nokia 8 do any better this time round?
Forgive something of an observational rant, but with three decades in the computing world, I think it's valid to point out something that most commentators overlook. You see, an iPhone, Android or Windows Phone looks more or less complete in terms of its user interface and operating system - why should it be considered only a couple of steps away from disaster? Yet I contend that a modern OS is now so complicated that only genuine TLC can keep it on the rails. And that's not always forthcoming, especially in the world of Windows 10 Mobile, but also on some Android marques.
It's the long awaited return of Nokia to AAWP - but in Android form, with its current flagship, the Nokia 8. Claiming a flagship camera, you can probably guess what's coming next - we pit it against the imaging prowess of the Lumia 950, created by the ex-Nokia engineers at Nokia back in 2015. You can probably also guess the result ahead of time, but don't let me prejudice you. Read on for the full FIC excitement!
I collaborate with guest writer Noel from New Zealand to bring a healthy-ish data point on a classic phone and OS - amazingly, he's still living with Windows Phone 8.1 on his Lumia 1020. He goes into detail below, plus there are some comments from me too in answer to his concerns over updates and security.
On the whole, I really enjoy using Windows 10 Mobile, which is why AAWP continues to exist and be updated. However, it's not all roses, and there's one thing I've never publicly complained about. Until now. One of the biggest frustrations I have with the operating system has nothing to do with the OS at all and more to do with Microsoft making a complete pigs ear of the software on their servers. Let me explain...
You saw my shootout between the Lumia 950 XL and the Apple iPhone 8 Plus here, with the new iPhone not quite besting the champion. And only a month later we have another new iPhone, the controversial new 'X', with larger aperture and OIS on its second 2x optical zoom lens. Can this contender finally topple the 950 XL?
