[Windows Phone 8 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jola66:
Ive had Windows Phone for a couple years now. First one was the Trophy. Before that I had an Android Incredible and I now have a Nokia Lumia 920. I just switched from Verizon to ATT, and must admit, primarily so I could have the flagship WP8 phone.

I have to be honest. While I do love the phone (though it really is a bit big. Im selling my Trophy/Incredible and picking them up for the first time in a long time after having the 920 for a few weeks is strange. They seem so small, but in a good way as I can hold them in one hand and easily do tasks on them. But thats another story)

I do like the WP OS. I enjoy the look of it, and have always been partial to Windows/MS stuff. But I have to admit that there are indeed somethings that I really miss from Android. Specifically, I do miss choice. What I mean by that is with things like Email clients, messaging clients, true 3rd party browsers, customization. You will be limited to what MS has as base apps for these things. MS has the OS locked down to prevent Devs from giving us anything different when it comes to these things. Now while I do like how the Email works, and now real complaints about the messaging, itd be nice to have choice.

Here is just a small list of some things that are different that youll have to accept if you come from Android. Its up to you how important these things are, and if you want to make the switch.

1. Live Tiles. I actually love the tiles. Great visual aspect of the OS that sets it apart from others. I do find it annoying that even with WP8, there is a very limited choice of color. They give you a few more than WP7, but rather than let us make any color, we are still limited to a handful of choices. It wouldve been very easy for them to do this, I dont know why they didnt.

2. No real notification center. Most are aware of this by now, but I expect that MS is actually working on a notification center as we speak. So I wouldnt be too concerned with it at the moment, as I believe they will get an update out to give us this feature in the not too distant future.

3. Mail, messaging, browser clients. What you see is what you get. I always hoped theyd loosen up a little on this and let Devs provide different options but I dont think that will ever happen. Mail actually works well but its still limited. For example, you cant specifically download any attachment file to a folder. You can only open a pdf/pic/music file. On Android, I could open and save any file I received to a folder and access it later. Same goes with the browser. You cant save any file. IE is quick, but there is no dedicated back button. Very few options. On Android, Dolphin HD Browser was the best mobile browser ive ever used. You will never see a browser like that on WP's.

No other messaging clients either.

4. Back up of apps/data to SD Card. You dont have that on WP8. They have improved the back up utility, but it is still nothing like Titanium Backup. That app was awesome on Android. You could back up App data as you saw fit to your SD card and it was easy to re-install. Again, you will never see an app like Titanium backup on WP. MS lock downs have prevented that.

5. Tethering. It was rather easy to tether without having to pay some extra fee for it on Android. Not so much with WPs. Not sure if its the same on Android as it use to be, but if you enjoyed free tethering, it probably wont happen with WP.

Im sure there are more, cant think of any at the moment as Im a little tired. Its been a while since I had Android. I do miss it but I remember flashing ROMs alot. I dont remember if I did it more to improve my experience or just for phone. Probably a little of both but it did get old updating a ROM every week or so. But I will say this. There was next to nothing my Android phone couldnt do. That is what I really miss about it. Completely customizable, devs could do next to anything as they werent locked out of certain aspects of the phone.

Sometimes I ask myself why I switched to WP. Im a bit torn as of now and not sure where I am going next. I wish I knew what MS's agenda was for the future. What are they working on to improve upon, and what new features. At this point in time, Im going to give them another year, see what they come up with. But part of me is ready to go back to Android.

Sorry for the long winded post. Honestly, think about what you love most about Android. And no matter how silly, ask of those specific things are possible or featured on WP. Something you take for granted my not be here. So ask. Check out WPCentral too and ask questions there too.