[Wiki] Features missing before I would recommend Jolla (to non-techies)

asked 2014-02-03 22:18:09 +0200

This post is a wiki. Anyone with karma >75 is welcome to improve it.

updated 2015-02-22 13:33:32 +0200

avdwoude
1350 ●19 ●30 ●32

http://fi.linkedin.com/in...

I love my Jolla, but I think a few features are missing or confusing for non-techies. Below is a list of things that should improve or be implemented before we would recommend Jolla to others. In other words, features that are commonly expected on Smartphones.

Note (@avdwoude): The numbers in the front are the votes each question had collected. f it has an 'R' after the number it indicates the roadmap tag is present. I thought this would provide some more information to this overview. These numbers and roadmap status were last updated on "22 February 2015", and I will try to update them after each Sailfish release. It is good to see this list is getting smaller with each release.

[Fixed in 1.0.3.8] Landscape mode in browser and other apps
[Fixed in 1.0.4.20] E-Mail synchronization does not work as configured (From @ortylp)
[Fixed in 1.0.4.20] Good Device tutorial app (From @ymb)
[Fixed in 1.0.4.20] Automatically copy/sync contacts/calendar/etc. over Bluetooth from another phone. To make it easy to start using the Jolla.
[Released in 1.0.5.16] MMS support is missing, and kinda expected in a smartphone nowadays
[Fixed in 1.0.5.16] Fix volume muted issue for Android apps
[Fixed in 1.0.5.19] System-update notifications keep re-appearing although update already installed (From @2Ti)
[CLOSED] Unable to access internal storage or sdcard using USB (From @Cosmic_Kakapo)
[Released in 1.0.7.16] Two way calendar sync (e.g. CalDav) (From @ymb)
[Released in 1.0.7.16] SIM Toolkit (From @yuri)
[Released in 1.0.7.16] Support for wired headset-buttons (From @Feffe)
[Released in 1.0.8.19] Show individual Android apps in the "running apps" screen. It is highly confusing that an Android app seemingly vanishes when you open another one.
[Released in 1.0.8.19] Email signature per email account (From @2Ti)
{Released in 1.1.1.26} Calendar reminder turned on by default (From @Cmdr_Zod)
{271} Ringtone per contact (From @k79]
{224-r?} WPA-802.1X (enteprise) +[Others] wifi support needed + workaround (From @2Ti)
{158-R} No notification when new voicemail (From @TellienInTouch]
{138-R} USB file transfer support for Mac OS X and Linux, Windows that works out of the box (From @2Ti)
{36} pulley menu to far away in long lists (e. g. gallery and mail app) (From @2Ti)
{35} Alternate ways to activate pulley menus (From @2Ti)
{16} Feature Request: Notifications system for background apps with white list (From @bilgy_no1)
{15} Integrate file locations seen by Android apps and native Jolla apps. E.g. at the moment there two locations where pictures are stored. This was confusing after I received an image over Viber that I wanted to look at again.

Do you have anything you believe is necessary before you would recommend Jolla to others? In other words what are currently considered standard features on a smart-phone that Jolla lacks?

Note: This question is similar but not the same: https://together.jolla.com/question/15102/what-is-most-embarrassing-in-your-jolla-device-what-makes-you-not-show-it-to-your-friends-if-anything-really-the-top-things-no-minor-issues/

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1

Copy/Sync of contacts did work with several devices - Android is not MultiTaskAlike - I could use pictures from both parties in some android file picker - MMS is getting more and more obsolete but agreed - browser works as already shown - never occured to me...so one point is still valid and not a bug but a missing feature, so why don't all your friends have a jolla again? (btw syncing contacts doesn't even work from apple to apple or others as expected)

chemist ( 2014-02-03 23:25:05 +0200 )edit

8

"Show individual Android apps in the "running apps" screen. It is highly confusing that an Android app seemingly vanishes when you open another one.": Is not this exactly the behavior on pure Android phones? When you open an app, the other app goes into the background. You even have the standard Android icon to access the background and can kill the app in the background or leave it up to the system to kill it when the resources are required.

Only because Sailfish apps behave differently, this does not mean that Android apps can suddenly change their behavior. (Well, they could, if each one would run in its own Android environment -- eating up the corresponding resources.)

jgr ( 2014-02-03 23:26:19 +0200 )edit

@jgr I am not advocating a change in the way android apps work, nor how alien-dalvik deals with apps. I do understand that on Android only one app runs at any one time. What I am really saying is that the 'show open apps' list shown by appropriate icon in Android apps should be integrated with the 'running apps' screen on Jolla. I would be most happy if it would even only show a screenshot as it does not in that Android specific list. If Alien-dalvik would decide to kill the app, instead of removing it from the screen, it could merely restart the app. Admittedly that could be confusing too. Some integration is all I ask instead of duplicating UI/UX. But I am sure the Jolla sailors are aware of this issue and working towards a solution. I know I would if I would work for Jolla. :-D

avdwoude ( 2014-02-03 23:53:17 +0200 )edit

Like on BB, that is less confusing for non techies.

BonoNL ( 2014-02-04 01:35:04 +0200 )edit

2

The need for MMS support is highly localised. No one in my country uses MMS, but apparently it's in common usage in e.g. Switzerland?

lauramanes ( 2014-02-12 20:06:48 +0200 )edit

3

answered 2014-03-20 13:10:33 +0200

bilgy_no1
7008 ●55 ●100 ●104

I think Jolla still needs to improve the way notifications work. E.g. the Mitakuuluu app needs to be started manually (or with a special app) before you can receive notifications. Same thing with Android apps (such as Yahoo mail app, or other apps with push).

There should be a white list of apps that are allowed to run in the background to receive push notifications. I don't need all the apps to be open in the multitasking screen, but I do need them to receive push notifications without having to start them manually after a reboot.

Second, and related to the first, I'd like to be able to assign notifications to be handled by selectable apps. E.g. Tweets in the notification screen to be opened by Tweetian iso the mobile browser, Facebook notifications to be opened by the Android app, etc.

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Is there an existing question on this that I can add to the list?

avdwoude ( 2014-03-22 13:03:12 +0200 )edit

Not sure, but I figure this would have been reported before? The search function on Together doesn't always show the correct threads.

bilgy_no1 ( 2014-03-23 22:29:43 +0200 )edit

https://together.jolla.com/question/1029/replace-default-twitterfacebook-behaviour/

This is about assigning apps to be opened when tapping a notification.

Couldn't find something about the other part of my suggestion. Think I'll post it.

bilgy_no1 ( 2014-03-25 18:58:36 +0200 )edit

Added a question on the notifications system:

https://together.jolla.com/question/36284/feature-request-notifications-settings-white-list/

bilgy_no1 ( 2014-03-26 21:46:25 +0200 )edit

@bilgy_no1 I've added the question to the list. Thanks!

avdwoude ( 2014-04-12 11:28:39 +0200 )edit

3

answered 2014-04-25 17:16:22 +0200

Nirkus
3801 ●23 ●34 ●34

activate 4G + CSFB (#2135) -- "LTE" is part of the device tech specs
support different types of reminders as offered by e.g. Google Calender
smaller, more smooth hardware
thread-view for email
more detailed information available from UI (battery usage, charging stats, show issues during creation of backup, etc.)

Just get groups of "non-techies", pay them to use a jolla and complain about everything they can find and fix that stuff. ;-) Do some iterations of that process and Sailfish should get a lot more smooth.

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Could you provide links to questions on Together for each individual item, so I can add them to the list?

avdwoude ( 2014-05-21 09:14:20 +0200 )edit

2

answered 2014-02-21 07:48:06 +0200

orjans

1085 ●3 ●5 ●8

Different app store, preferably Play.

Yandex just doesn't cut it, sadly. The big apps aren't a problem, and often have native support, but for my part both banking and checking how much data usage I have left this month on my carrier are done through Android apps and neither my carrier nor bank will upload those to Yandex. They use Play so I have to use Play. (I have installed Play, works great, but I can't recommend my father to try the same.)

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3

I disagree. Play should definitely not come pre installed on the phone. One major reason for getting a Jolla phone is get away from Google. Having all the Google Services pre installed there would completely undermine that. Besides Google likely wouldn't sign up for that anyhow.

2Ti ( 2014-02-21 19:45:59 +0200 )edit

2Ti, I agree, Google is something to get away from, but still there's a handful of apps that I consider essentials and can only be gotten through Play. The question was what prevents me from recommending the phone, and these missing apps are a problem.

orjans ( 2014-02-21 19:59:53 +0200 )edit

Another approach is to let your Bank or carrier know that you want their app but can't install it because it is only on Play store. Make them aware it is important for at least some of their customers to have their apps available in other stores as well.

Other than that, you can of course always just download the apk from Google store. At least I found several websites that allow you to do so.

avdwoude ( 2014-02-21 22:57:50 +0200 )edit

avdwoude, I will tell them, but I fear it will only reach one person in support and end up in the trash. I do have these things installed, mind you, getting Play onto Jolla was fairly easy, but it is something that keeps me from telling people this is the phone to get.

orjans ( 2014-02-22 03:16:47 +0200 )edit

Access to Google Play would be nice, but it is probably contractually impossible for Jolla. Page 3 of this Ars Technica article http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/3/ suggests that Jolla would probably need to join the Open Handset Alliance, which would then give Google the power to approve or reject any future phones.

Richie Cotton ( 2014-02-26 13:27:03 +0200 )edit

2

answered 2014-02-21 11:12:06 +0200

Giacomo Di Giacomo

8691 ●117 ●144 ●160

Since Sailfish OS is now very stable, the only real thing for normal users is that their phone behaves like other phones, which pretty much means Google Play and Google Services. Normal users can't and won't figure up why their phone is different from the ones used by persons they know.

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I disagree. That's like buying milk and then being upset that it isn't Coca Cola(TM). Jolla is not Android and you shouldn't expect it to be.

2Ti ( 2014-02-21 19:48:50 +0200 )edit

2

We are not talking about what I should expect it to be. The question is, what should Jolla have to be suitable for non-techies? The answer is, it must be similar to something widely available, and therefore either iOS or Android.

Giacomo Di Giacomo ( 2014-02-21 20:51:23 +0200 )edit

@giacomo i agree, as long as there are no jolla native apps, we (the non-techies) should have some alternatives.

peter-berlin ( 2014-02-21 21:00:18 +0200 )edit

1

@giacomo: I couldn't agree more. More native apps that fill the gap between what Jolla is now and what is commonly expected will go a long way for many users.

avdwoude ( 2014-02-21 22:54:54 +0200 )edit

1

answered 2014-02-03 23:03:07 +0200

Low
7099 ●54 ●71 ●75

http://talk.maemo.org/

You will find an almost complete list here.

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1

LOL :-D Surely some (most?) of them aren't necessary before you would recommend Jolla to others. :-D

avdwoude ( 2014-02-03 23:54:57 +0200 )edit

1

answered 2014-02-18 19:44:08 +0200

Stefanix

4518 ●55 ●71 ●71

The UI is not intuitive enough. Some confusing things should be simplified. Too much emphasis on this ambience stuff. What is it good for? Do people really like to change the ambience according to mood, location, etc? Hm. And why would I want to change tones with ambience? Volume, OK, but tones are good to recognize your phone or the caller. Furthermore, some ambiences make it difficult to read the text. My ambience is now a black photo, which does not distract so much. After opening the store, I got to read a lot of comments instead of a complete list of apps. Took me a while to understand I need to swipe left to get access to the actual content. After timeout or locking the phone, unlocking should bring you back to were you left, but you land on the home screen. Weekview missing. SMS vCard support missing.

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I have to agree and disagree with the intuitiveness of the UI. It is like VI/VIM, once you have it in hour fingers you wonder how you could work without it, but at the beginning you have to learn basics, and these basics seem to some first-time users too hard (just as keyboard interface of VI). It was even too hard to complete the tutorial for a few friends/family, who are normally able to work out every new gadget in seconds.

ortylp ( 2014-02-18 20:12:00 +0200 )edit

2

Ambiances are really useless, they are similar to "profiles" but missing their functionality.

ortylp ( 2014-02-18 20:12:10 +0200 )edit

I also didn't find the apps at once in the store. :) Different sound for different situations is quite nice. My LOUD ambience has sounds that get my attention outdoors and my quiet one doesn't wake my daughter at night (but they wake me, which is good). I would like the week view in the calendar too.

vattuvarg ( 2014-02-18 20:14:22 +0200 )edit

Right! Profiles, please!

Stefanix ( 2014-02-18 20:17:41 +0200 )edit

1

Amb "wait for it" will come with more features than just ringtones, they are meant to be setting umbrellas and complaining wont get them faster - I really don't know what is gotten into you people?! We are on a beta stage OS waiting for urgent bugfixes and more general issues and jolla already got pressured into darn rotating-UI mess once - pressure them some more and we get another useless feature for the sake of introducing more bugs than having fixed bience

chemist ( 2014-02-19 01:53:21 +0200 )edit

1

answered 2014-09-11 09:45:31 +0200

piwostar
323 ●3 ●6 ●7

I would love to have integrated encrytion, maybe over gpg. especially for e-mail. security is a hot topic these days and in my opinion it is no alternative to use android apps all the time. i think emoticons would be a nice feature too, i don't need over 100 emoticons, but the essential ones like ;), :), :D, :o and so on.

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1

answered 2014-10-31 11:35:16 +0200

cquence

4358 ●35 ●49 ●50

updated 2014-10-31 11:38:35 +0200

The showstoppers at the moment in my opinion are the following:

Connection Stability (switching between WiFi/Mobile Data needs to be reliable) this includes the deep sleep behaviour which can have side effects like not getting notifications reliably in the backround while the phone is idle for too long.
Contacts mass export/import and general management
Voicemail notifications
Better navigation [preferrrably with offline options]
IMAP/IDLE support
Enterprise WiFi support

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1

About IMAP IDLE - it can be already activated via terminal, check this thread: https://together.jolla.com/question/493/imap-idle-imap-push-for-the-e-mail-app/. Works quite well, only issue is keepalive timers are not there yet(may be Update 10)

zlatko ( 2014-11-02 11:22:01 +0200 )edit

@zlatko thanks I haven't noticed the comments on this thread.

cquence ( 2014-11-07 10:48:57 +0200 )edit

0

answered 2014-11-02 10:52:09 +0200

Baswat
1 ●2

updated 2014-11-02 10:54:21 +0200

This are missing for me to recommend a Jolla to others.... Gallery folder with date... Different ringtone for contacts... copy numbers from call list... 3G videocall... kalender where month and week are displayed easily seen... faster access to turn on/off wifi,data connection... moore keyboard option... wpn... built in step counter... moore app store... thread wiew for text and mail

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I'd also like to add a calendar cover that shows more than the current day like it has been on the n900.

rod ( 2014-11-02 11:19:02 +0200 )edit

0

answered 2014-11-06 23:28:24 +0200

NuklearFart

1556 ●27 ●48 ●49

https://together.jolla.com/question/27207/wiki-which-features-do-you-crave-and-would-like-to-know-its-roadmap-status-on/?answer=58643#post-id-58643

This are some things I posted somewhere else and I think especially mail client and browser are most important

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[Wiki] Features missing before I would recommend Jolla (to non-techies)

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