Windows Phone always had features and a unique and innovative UI that has always appealed to me. Windows Phone 8 is a clean, modern operating system that allows quick access to apps and information right from the home screen. Sometimes it's not even necessary to open an app to see the information you're looking for. The sold-out Nokia Lumia 521 offers some very impressive features and services in a contract-free, and low-cost smartphone.
Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak even owns a Nokia Lumia Windows Phone and has praised the Windows Phone mobile operating system.
"I'm kind of shocked. Every screen is much more beautiful than the same apps on Android and iPhone. He defines the experience of using a Windows Phone as feeling like you're 'with a friend not a tool,'" Wozniak said to The Verge. "In his mind, navigating Android is a much more cumbersome experience, to the point where he sees 'no contest' between that OS and Windows Phone - Microsoft's software is much more to his liking. He even goes on to say that iOS is 'more awkward' in its interactions than the Lumia phone he's presently using, though his favorite smartphone still remains the iPhone. The deficit of third-party apps for WP is something he acknowledges as holding that platform back."
If an Apple fan as big as Steve Wozniak can appreciate something from Microsoft, that speaks volumes. He's right in his assessment in my opinion. Microsoft has done a superb job with its Windows Phone 8 smartphone operating system.
Another great thing about the Nokia lumia 521 and Windows Phone 8's most popular feature is Live Tiles. With Live Tiles you can pin your favorite apps to the home screen and also decide how small or large you want them to appear. If you go for a larger icon, you're likely to get the added benefits of receiving automatic updates with information included on the app's icone, with no interaction by the user. It just happens. Some apps like news, weather, social networking, and more can take advantage of this very cool feature.
While the Nokia Lumia 521 is considered a low-end and contract-free smartphone, its Nokia exclusive features and apps, Windows Phone 8 operating system, and more, don't make it feel like a $129 smartphone. There are some definite tradeoffs in some areas and I'll cover that and more in an upcoming review, but so far you get a whole lot more than you pay for, and the good outweighs the bad.
My first impressions are; if you're looking to try Windows Phone 8 without signing a 2-year contract, the Lumia 521 is the perfect smartphone to test the Windows Phone 8 waters. The $129 price still gives you all of the Nokia exclusive apps, features, and services that Microsoft has allowed Nokia to add to the Lumia line, unlike other Windows Phone licensees. Using an iPhone 5, while much more powerful than the Nokia Lumia 521, I find the Lumia does a great job navigating its user interface, opening apps, games, etc. with no major slow downs. There could be a better selection of apps. The Windows Phone Store has nowhere near the level of apps found on iOS or Android.
The Nokia Lumia 512 has been fun to use, but more importantly it does what I need to get done and more while using a smartphone. I still can't believe it only costs $129. Stay tuned for a more in depth look at everything the Nokia Lumia 521 has to offer.
