I was really interested in the 920 until I saw that it has capacitive hardware buttons. Right now I have a Samsung Focus, and when someone else grabs my phone to look at a picture, I have to do the awkward "no don't hold it there, hold it here, oh no you touched one of the buttons here give it back while I figure out which one you touched now don't hold it there again" dance.
That's embarrassing to me and embarrassing to the brand. People see it and think "oh these Windows Phones are complex and finicky". Nope. Not touching any phone with capacitive buttons ever again. I'll be upgrading to the nicest WP8 device with actual, real buttons.
I agree there. It's one of the things I liked about the 710 (the hardware buttons). It is also extremely cheap here in the UK now (£89!) so screw getting tied to a contract with it.
> Not touching any phone with capacitive buttons ever again.
I think that limits you to iOS.
> I'll be upgrading to the nicest WP8 device with actual, real buttons.
I don't think there are any WP8 devices currently announced that have only non-capacitive buttons. The Samsung ATIV S has physical "Windows" button, but the other two face buttons are still capacitive.
This is an interesting point, though. I've never heard of this complaint on Windows Phone or Android, but I can see how it could be an issue.
If I have to wait, I will. Windows Phone 7 and my Focus are good enough for the time being. If I get tired of waiting, no matter how much I love the Windows Phone ecosystem, hate iTunes, and am not a big believer in the hype around the iPhone, if time comes and I need a new smartphone, the iPhone would win me over. I like Android as a tablet OS, but I'm not a fan of it on a phone for personal reasons.
Capacitive buttons are a deal-breaker. I feel that strongly about them, that they have no place on a premium handheld device, that they ruin the experience, and that they completely ignore user intentions. I feel that strongly that I would abandon the entire ecosystem just because I can't stand the buttons.
And this coming from a staunch defender of Windows Phone and loyal subscriber to the Zune Pass for years who has never said another word against the platform. Guys, stop making capacitive buttons!
Because Microsoft wants to enter the hardware business, and every manufacturer who can't see that Microsoft wants to compete with them is simply naive.
