Overall though, the lack of apps lets Windows down, and the implementation of things such as
the dialler app and settings menu (to be covered later) still leave Windows Phone as the third player in the mobile world, and likely to remain there for some time.
The new
dialler app displays the details spread across a blue translucent layer over the lock screen and the caller ID is accompanied by the caller avatar at the top.
While the Virus Scan will get rid of viruses before apps are installed and
the dialler apps have also been greatly enhanced.
So far we've seen the boot and pattern unlock screen as seen in the video above, but more recently we've had a glance at the messages and
dialler apps.
Not exact matches
One question though — is there a way I can remove some of the Android base
apps that are there, such as the
dialler, to save resources?
The updated Skype
app comes with a smart
dialler and has an improved chat picker.
On the part of telephony and messaging, the Zenfone 2 has a smart
dialler and messaging
app and comes preloaded with Asus Keyboard.
There are certain things lacking from the experience, however: as mentioned, some of the core
apps such as the
dialler and music player lack polish or features, and are just plain ugly.
These include a custom homescreen, tweaked
dialler and Asus Keyboard as well as
apps like Asus Mobile Manager and File Manager.
This being the LTE version of this tablet, you'll find it filled with full phone capabilities too, so you have a
dialler and messaging
apps too, whether you think you'll need them or not.
The
dialler has the T9 style predictions we have come to expect these days and the contacts
app is very similar in its functions to the stock Android version.
The People
app in HTC Sense incorporates contacts as well as the
dialler, which is more efficient (to an extent) than the native Android offering which has separate
apps, but a cross-over in information.
Apart from the
dialler and keyboard, the Bingo 21 comes pre-installed with some proprietary
apps.
Each of the Home screens has a fixed set of four icons along the bottom, which give you access to the full
apps menu, messaging, the
dialler and contacts.
Apps like the calculator, camera, phone
dialler, weather and even the card - based multitasking screen look almost like they were directly ripped right out of iOS.
On a more positive note, Acer's decision to subtly customise the stock Android
dialler, contacts and messaging
apps, rather than adding features for the sake of features, results in a functional if not spectacular core experience.
Let's take the
dialler and the People
app that handles your contacts.
There were no issues encountered in basic functionality such as opening and closing of applications, navigating from one screen to another and running basic
apps such as
dialler, camera,
app drawer, etc..