Android Phones

[Zagrash]

Any ideas why I still have the "loading data" notification going about an hour and a half after updating the OS, and after rebooting several times?

edit: figured it out...Weatherbug was FC-ing all the time, so I updated it, and the notification went away. woo!

[rifter]

Finally modded my phone last night with Cyanogen. It was a HUGE pain in the friggen ass. The hole that made modding the 1.5 cupcake hardware a piece of cake... has been patched in Donut. I had to flash a new ROM, then update that to 1.5. From there, I was able to run the backup. Then, I grabbed the 4.1.99 version, which would not boot. I missed a step, for fixing permission, the problem, is that the 4.1.99 version I had, didn't have that script. I then looked around some more, and saw that there was a 4.1.999 version out. I loaded that onto my SD card, since by this point, my cell phone was kind of screwed, and couldn't boot it anymore. Installing the 4.1.999 version worked.

So... the lesson today, is that it is no longer super simple to mod your android. Not horribly tough, either, but be prepared for at least a couple of hours, if your phone has moved to the 1.6 firmware.

The upgrade to 1.6 hosed my phone. Though, I am the only person I have seen with that issue. It messed up one of the primary libraries... and couldn't play ring tones. If the audio is hosed, you can't even get INTO your contacts. VERY frustrating.

[Voodoo]

I've been avoiding Cyanogen. Right now I'm running RA v1.6 (32B Motherboard version) and really like it a lot.

[total]

I've been avoiding Cyanogen. Right now I'm running RA v1.6 (32B Motherboard version) and really like it a lot.

You asked me in another thread which Hero rom I'm using. Well I wasn't using one at that point and flashed to the newest King's Hero (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=563294)last night for shits and giggles and it is pretty damn fast. I am using a 96MB swap and EXT4 for my apps. I would say this is the first "usable" Hero rom I've tried. I've got a class 6 card, I've heard that makes a difference.

[Slack3r78]

Finally modded my phone last night with Cyanogen. It was a HUGE pain in the friggen ass. The hole that made modding the 1.5 cupcake hardware a piece of cake... has been patched in Donut. I had to flash a new ROM, then update that to 1.5. From there, I was able to run the backup. Then, I grabbed the 4.1.99 version, which would not boot. I missed a step, for fixing permission, the problem, is that the 4.1.99 version I had, didn't have that script. I then looked around some more, and saw that there was a 4.1.999 version out. I loaded that onto my SD card, since by this point, my cell phone was kind of screwed, and couldn't boot it anymore. Installing the 4.1.999 version worked.
Sounds like you got your sequence off there somewhere.

Process should be:
Downgrade to CR29.
Root.
Flash Hard SPL.
Flash HTC ADP1, flash Cyanogen.

It'd probably be wise to install Cyanogen's or RA's recovery image somewhere along there.

It's not one-step anymore, but the only extra step is the ADP1 image. The rest of it's the same as it's been outside of the month or so the one-click exploit was floating around.

[NoName]

I finally got around to installing 4.1.999 last night. While I was at it I did a wipe and reformatted my SD card to include a linux-swap partition (which I neglected to do the first time).

About 30-45 minutes later I had a shiny new build running correctly on my phone! I also had the wonderful surprise of having access to a 3G connection. T-mobile hasn't had it in my area before so I had the "use 2G" setting turned on to save battery life. I'm glad I did a clean install...

[Slack3r78]

I finally got around to installing 4.1.999 last night. While I was at it I did a wipe and reformatted my SD card to include a linux-swap partition (which I neglected to do the first time).
Just as a heads up: part of why I keep raving about RA's recovery image is that it actually has a script to handle SD card partitioning for you built into the menu. IS NICE.

[total]

Just as a heads up: part of why I keep raving about RA's recovery image is that it actually has a script to handle SD card partitioning for you built into the menu. IS NICE.

Yeah that recovery image kicks ass. I don't mind doing the partitioning myself but I'm not sure if you can do it from adb and using the G1 keyboard for console commands kinda sucks. I do wish he would update it to convert ext2 to ext4 partitions. The Hero roms I've been trying all seem to work better on ext4 for whatever reason. So I still have to do some console commands...but not a big deal.

[NoName]

Just as a heads up: part of why I keep raving about RA's recovery image is that it actually has a script to handle SD card partitioning for you built into the menu. IS NICE.

Yea, I ended up using the SDParted script (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=543985) which did everything for me this time. So much easier.

Right now I'm using Cyanogen's recovery image (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3915123), I hadn't seen anything better yet. Do you have a link to RA's recovery image?

[total]

Do you have a link to RA's recovery image?

Linky do (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566669)

badvjh

[Slack3r78]

Yeah that recovery image kicks ass. I don't mind doing the partitioning myself but I'm not sure if you can do it from adb and using the G1 keyboard for console commands kinda sucks. I do wish he would update it to convert ext2 to ext4 partitions. The Hero roms I've been trying all seem to work better on ext4 for whatever reason. So I still have to do some console commands...but not a big deal.
Pretty sure I've done it via adb at some point. I screw around with this thing so much it's a little hard for me to remember sometimes. Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work, though. You'd just have to do it while the phone is in recovery mode since you couldn't have the SD card mounted during partitioning, obviously.

[Slack3r78]

Jesus fucking christ there's barely any documentation out there on actual system image development. I had to go and be clever and try to do all this via a VM on top of it, which introduced a whole new set of problems.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=570452

I've gotten a completely vanilla Donut build compiled and flashed to the phone, but figuring out where to go from there to do anything that might actually be interesting is a fucking nightmare. The XDA dev forums are a joke. 99% of the info there is aimed squarely at end users.

[Borthcollective]

So I moved to a new place and my Verizon sucks balls here. Was thinking of switching to T-Mobile and getting an Android. Is there one I should wait for at this point?

[Slack3r78]

So I moved to a new place and my Verizon sucks balls here. Was thinking of switching to T-Mobile and getting an Android. Is there one I should wait for at this point?

Moto CLIQ comes out beginning of November.

[OldeWolf]

Early CLIQ reviews doesn't sound too good:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/09/25/moto.cliq.gets.early.hands.on/

[Slack3r78]

Early CLIQ reviews doesn't sound too good:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/09/25/moto.cliq.gets.early.hands.on/

That article strikes me as.... bullshit. I mean, one of the complaints is that the screen is too small. It's virtually the same size as other smartphones on the market. I'd have to play with the keyboard before making a judgment call there.

And the MotoBLUR stuff, having already played with it, isn't that bad. And if you don't like it? Just take the widgets off your home screen and load up standard Android social networking apps like Facebook or Twidroid instead.

I mean, it could turn out to be a total bomb, but I wouldn't put much stock into that particular writeup. The impressions I heard coming out of MotoDev last week were all pretty much favorable.

EDIT:

We finally got some hands-on time with the device, and while we're impressed with the hardware and the features are on par, it's the Motoblur software that makes us weary. The integration of data from different sources is great, but having all information like Facebook updates, tweets, e-mails constantly streamed to your home screen is completely overwhelming, in our opinion. And is it really necessary?

True, you can customize the home screen and remove widgets, so we'll hold off on verdict until we get the phone in for review.
And from the video:
"Have to say, I really love the keyboard. It's one of the best I've used."

http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10350454-251.html

Through Motorola's thick and thin, you've got to admit that the company has a reputation for building ridiculously rock-solid phones, and we're pleased to say that the trend is continuing with the CLIQ. Pictures don't do it justice -- the white model looks particularly cheap at a glance -- but in the hand, it feels like it's fashioned from a solid block of metal.

[...]

The keyboard feels great. Truly stellar, actually -- and we don't think there's much room for complaints about layout, unless you're really into the dedicated horizontal number row.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/motorola-cliq-first-hands-on-impressions/

But the slide-out keyboard, which feels very sturdy and types quite nicely, is packing a D-pad that'll let you navigate through the cards, contacts, and more, like a D-Pad, and should come in very handy for future gaming. The keyboard is really nice-feeling: The keys are large and well-spaced, and there's no awkward hump to navigate around like on the G1. It's very HTC-like in that it's generous, but rises up higher than most HTC phones that we've seen.
http://gizmodo.com/5356943/motorola-cliq-gallery-and-impressions

I find it amusing that every single hands-on I managed to pull up went out of their way to specifically praise the keyboard that that other link trashed.

I mean, the internal hardware is pretty much the same as every other Android phone on the market right now, but with extra memory. Should be a solid phone.

[OldeWolf]

In my defense, I did the quick Googling on the fly before going to help someone and posted that link up hoping that it will be disputed and proven wrong or such.

Thank you Slack3r for what you found. I'm still working on my way around finding reviews and hands on thoughts about those android phones. I'm still new to this area of technology.

[Xerxes]

I'm thinking about getting a CLIQ. The extra memory and better battery life is still only a minor upgrade from what I would want. Something with like a snapdragon and all kinds of kick ass frills.

[Slack3r78]

I'm thinking about getting a CLIQ. The extra memory and better battery life is still only a minor upgrade from what I would want. Something with like a snapdragon and all kinds of kick ass frills.

I don't think the CLIQ is worth upgrading from the G1 for. I do think it's worth holding out for a couple of weeks over for somebody just getting into an Android phone.

[total]

I don't think the CLIQ is worth upgrading from the G1 for. I do think it's worth holding out for a couple of weeks over for somebody just getting into an Android phone.

Xerxes, didn't you already upgrade to a MT3G?

[Deimos]

Just spent the afternoon rooting and installing cyanogens latest. Had a bit of a rough start (the rc29 downgrade was getting corrupted when i copied it to the sd card) and one small hiccup at the end but after about 2-3 hours its up and running and wonderful!
My advice to those looking to take the plunge...

Set aside plenty of time.
Download ALL the files you'll need first.
Be sure to do hash checks on files when possible to be sure they are the right version.
Read and re-read those instructions from multiple sources since all of them that I've read seem to leave out one little thing or another.

[Slack3r78]

Slowly but surely getting to the point that I may be able to start cooking my own ROMs for the hell of it. It's something I kind of work on when I'm bored, and the vast majority of my effort so far's been dedicated to setting up a build environment for myself. I've got a VM running Ubuntu 9.04, the Android 1.6 tree pulled from the git repo, and all the basic Java setup and path stuff done.

Like I said a bit further up in the thread, it took a little bit of hacking to get all the debug stuff passed through to the vM in Windows, but it's working now. I built a bone stock 1.6 ROM and flashed it over to the phone, which is somewhat boring in and of itself, but kind of cool to see visible progress toward being able to actually do something interesting.

Tonight, I popped a spare 74GB Raptor I had laying around into my box and figured out how to give Virtualbox raw access to it. Building Android took like 2.5-3 hours the other day, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the virtual HDD I/O was where I'm taking the biggest hit. Haven't tested my theory yet, but so far it has made a difference in overall responsiveness since the host and guest OS aren't constantly fighting over the same drive anymore.

Next up is learninating myself to use git. My next experiment is probably going to be seeing how difficult it'd be to pull Loccy's browser source tree into my build environment. I might just get the hang of all this yet.

[Slack3r78]

Oh, also, the only caveat re: the CLIQ. If you want to be able to hack the phone right away, get a G1 instead. The CLIQ is still locked down at the moment. I'm sure it'll be broken eventually, but no idea on the time right now.

[Xerxes]

Xerxes, didn't you already upgrade to a MT3G?

Naw, still G1ing it.

[Xerxes]

I'll have a G1 until I can get a...

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/10/xperia-x3-itw-rm-eng.jpg (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/16/sony-ericsson-q3-slump-buoyed-by-new-financing-a-rumored-novemb/)
XPERIA X3 [more] (http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/sony-ericsson-rachael-images-and-ui-video-leak-out-kiki-comes-f/)

or

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/10/acer_liquid_android_snapdragon_smartphone.jpg (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/16/acer-liquid-slips-through-human-fingers-but-not-before-taking-p/)
Acer Liquid (A1) [more] (http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/27936/acer-liquid-a1-android-photos)

...possibly maybe. No keyboard, but they have the power. Like the first phones not to rock almost the same hardware as the G1.

Oh and aside from the more links, the pictures go to different articles.

[Zagrash]

I'm amazed that nobody has posted this yet, but Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/16/android-2-0-screenshot-walkthrough/) has had some hands on time with Android 2.0, and has posted a boatload of screenshots and impressions and whatnot...If that Car Home functionality works like it's supposed to, that could be completely badass!

[Xerxes]

I'm amazed that nobody has posted this yet, but Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/16/android-2-0-screenshot-walkthrough/) has had some hands on time with Android 2.0, and has posted a boatload of screenshots and impressions and whatnot...If that Car Home functionality works like it's supposed to, that could be completely badass!

I'd want my Eclair on serious hardware. ;)

[Gormanimal]

Verizon's new Droid (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/18/verizon-droid-is-the-real-deal/) looks pretty nice.

[OldeWolf]

Verizon's new Droid (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/18/verizon-droid-is-the-real-deal/) looks pretty nice.

*groan* Great another phone to wait and see which to get in November. :p

[Xerxes]

This is funny...
Make no mistake, this is Android’s flagship product, and the first phone that will pose a significant threat to Apple’s iPhone.

I think the two phones I listed are just as flagship worthy. (Although I do like a slider.)
When does this phone come out is my question? He said at the end out the month but that seems off. I would like to know his source on it having Android 2.0. They just released donut last month I think and last I heard eclair(2.0) won't be out until Q1 2010. O_o

[Slack3r78]

This is funny...


I think the two phones I listed are just as flagship worthy. (Although I do like a slider.)
When does this phone come out is my question? He said at the end out the month but that seems off. I would like to know his source on it having Android 2.0. They just released donut last month I think and last I heard eclair(2.0) won't be out until Q1 2010. O_o

All the rumors about the Sholes have placed it as being out around the end of the year. The countdown on the Droid site ends Oct 30 at midnight. Figure 2 weeks to a month from announcement to actual launch, and that would put it out right at the end of the year, which seems about right to me.

I don't think 2.0 is going to be a huge change, personally.

[Crittias]

It'll be interesting to see if Droid has what it takes to steal a bit of iPhone's thunder. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it.

[PathMaster]

I am waiting on info on Droid, my E810 is being cranky when I go to charge it. Granted I have had it for about 4 years. And yes Verizon hounds me neatly bi-monthly about reupping, current "deal", they will pay for one month's bill and put me back under a two year agreement. Sounds great doesn't it?!

[OldeWolf]

Typing on the CLIQ right now at Tmobile. Neat little device. Quite responsive and as we all read via reviews, its full of features that I have yet to try nor find.

The keyboard is more physically there than the G1 and of course will need getting used to after years with sidekicks.

The screen scrolling is also nice but I am biased as a first time soon-to-be smart phone user.

The mouse pad thingie on left seems quite useful while typing.

Ah, they want their demo phone back.

[Slack3r78]

http://www.androidandme.com

Lots of news this morning. Leaks on T-mo's Project Dark (looks like I'll be saving about $20/month in the near future here) as well as info on the Samsung Behold II. Nov 18 launch for that phone.

[Zagrash]

http://www.androidandme.com

Lots of news this morning. Leaks on T-mo's Project Dark (looks like I'll be saving about $20/month in the near future here) as well as info on the Samsung Behold II. Nov 18 launch for that phone.

yeah, that $60/month unlimited talk/text/data plan would be awfully nice, that's for sure...

[NoName]

http://www.androidandme.com

Lots of news this morning. Leaks on T-mo's Project Dark (looks like I'll be saving about $20/month in the near future here) as well as info on the Samsung Behold II. Nov 18 launch for that phone.

Wow. I was thinking I wanted to switch back to Verizon after my contract with T-mo was up but if I can switch to this...

[Xerxes]

Whoa... That new pricing scheme makes Tmobile better... than themselves. I mean I could never find anyone with better pricing, and they've decide to out do themselves.

The iDont ad is funny. I hope Tmobile gets a high end android phone soon.

[PathMaster]

Project Dark does indeed sound very cool. No contract AND $60 for the unlimited plan. I can only hope that other carriers adopt parts of their scheme, which you sometimes see them do.

[Cupelix]

The Project Dark thing confuses me a little bit, actually. I just signed up for T-Mobile with a two year contract 2-3 months ago. Will I really be able to suddenly switch to Even More Plus and be released from that obligation? That seems somewhat surprising to me.

I guess the big detail is that if you're on the Even More Plus plan, you don't get any discount on the phones i.e. you would pay that $400 for a spiffy new phone. I guess if you're willing to get used phones through eBay or Craigslist that sounds really appealing.

[Voodoo]

The Project Dark thing confuses me a little bit, actually. I just signed up for T-Mobile with a two year contract 2-3 months ago. Will I really be able to suddenly switch to Even More Plus and be released from that obligation? That seems somewhat surprising to me.

I guess the big detail is that if you're on the Even More Plus plan, you don't get any discount on the phones i.e. you would pay that $400 for a spiffy new phone. I guess if you're willing to get used phones through eBay or Craigslist that sounds really appealing.

From what I have gathered, anybody that has a contract can change to the new plans via a conversion charge. Also, the the price of the phones, they are going to give people the option to build the cost into the monthly service price. I do have to wonder, though, if they aren't using contracts how are they going to keep people for the duration of the phone payoff schedule...

[Slack3r78]

From what I have gathered, anybody that has a contract can change to the new plans via a conversion charge. Also, the the price of the phones, they are going to give people the option to build the cost into the monthly service price. I do have to wonder, though, if they aren't using contracts how are they going to keep people for the duration of the phone payoff schedule...

Well, the phone is either payed off or financed. If you drop them, you'd still be obligated to pay off the financed phone. Basically, what they're doing is moving to a Euro style model where your actual plans are cheaper because they're not trying to hide the cost of subsidized handsets in the monthly subscription fee.

[PathMaster]

Ugh, the end is approaching for my cell phone. Turned it on Saturday to notice a sizable area of black under the glass on the screen. It is there if its on or off. No visible exterior damage at all. Been a great phone for five years, but I might have to replace her. Currently with VZ, not really lots of options here. ATT is around but as far as I know, no 3g, VZ at least has evdo.

I of course am interested in seeing what the Droid is all about, although I just noticed VZ's expensive data plans (yikes!). Any other phones on their way? Any advice?

[Slack3r78]

Ugh, the end is approaching for my cell phone. Turned it on Saturday to notice a sizable area of black under the glass on the screen. It is there if its on or off. No visible exterior damage at all. Been a great phone for five years, but I might have to replace her. Currently with VZ, not really lots of options here. ATT is around but as far as I know, no 3g, VZ at least has evdo.

I of course am interested in seeing what the Droid is all about, although I just noticed VZ's expensive data plans (yikes!). Any other phones on their way? Any advice?

CLIQ just hit T-Mo. Samsung Behold is headed there some time next month. Droid/Sholes is coming to VZW sometime before the end of the year.

Android and Me (http://www.androidandme) and Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport) have had the best coverage of Android devices, IMO.

[Farsight]

T-Mobile definitely has the best pricing - they're the only company that doesn't seem to be trying to leech money for non-services. If only I could get a signal with their phones in my town.

I'd love Verizon's coverage mixed with TMobile's pricing and phones by... anyone else. :)

[civil]

Whoa. This (http://www.t-mobile.com/discover/discover.aspx?WT.z_unav=mst_disc&wt.ac=0346HOM04#3) just made my absolute hatred of AT&T easy to remedy. And I'm dying to have an Android phone. I'll admit to not reading the entirety of this thread: Will T-Mobile be getting the latest and greatest Android phones? It seems as if Verizon is going full steam ahead with Android, but I don't know enough about T-Mobile. :o

EDIT: Just saw their coverage map. Oy, it blows. I travel a bit around the country and it seems as if I'd be out of 3G most of the time. In some areas where friends live it looks as if I'd get no coverage at all, phone or otherwise. Enthusiasm about T-Mobile: Waning.

[Deimos]

I'm actually on a family plan with my wife and her mom. After looking at the new plans we wouldn't really be saving money on any of them. Right now we have myFaves and the unlimited txt plan for families. On the new system those two options are gone. So we'd need more minutes and have to fork over an extra $10 to do unlimited txting on all three phones. Disappointing.
Also for those that just signed a two year contract before Project Dark went live, from what I've read, if you have OVER a year left on your contract they won't switch you to the new contract-free plans unless you pay the early termination fee ($200). This is of course based on what I've read around the web, your mileage may vary.

[Xerxes]

Whoa. This (http://www.t-mobile.com/discover/discover.aspx?WT.z_unav=mst_disc&wt.ac=0346HOM04#3) just made my absolute hatred of AT&T easy to remedy. And I'm dying to have an Android phone. I'll admit to not reading the entirety of this thread: Will T-Mobile be getting the latest and greatest Android phones? It seems as if Verizon is going full steam ahead with Android, but I don't know enough about T-Mobile. :o

EDIT: Just saw their coverage map. Oy, it blows. I travel a bit around the country and it seems as if I'd be out of 3G most of the time. In some areas where friends live it looks as if I'd get no coverage at all, phone or otherwise. Enthusiasm about T-Mobile: Waning.
You know I never looked at their coverage map because I don't travel much but wow. Their 3g network really is "new." I figure they only went live where their phones are mostly located.

[Slack3r78]

EDIT: Just saw their coverage map. Oy, it blows. I travel a bit around the country and it seems as if I'd be out of 3G most of the time. In some areas where friends live it looks as if I'd get no coverage at all, phone or otherwise. Enthusiasm about T-Mobile: Waning.

FWIW, they're aggressively expanding 3G at the moment, lighting up several new markets per week. But yeah, it's still spotty. Getting better, though.

[civil]

You know I never looked at their coverage map because I don't travel much but wow. Their 3g network really is "new." I figure they only went live where their phones are mostly located.

FWIW, they're aggressively expanding 3G at the moment, lighting up several new markets per week. But yeah, it's still spotty. Getting better, though.
You know, I had no idea their 3G network was new, it certainly helps to know that. It was pretty shocking to see the map as it basically seemed to only cover major cities which wouldn't normally be a problem but when we visit friends some live in the sticks. Though most have Wi-Fi and I hate using the phone so it might actually be to my benefit.

Looking at Verizon's service plans made me want to vomit. They love to charge and they love to have complicated restrictions. Fuckers. When I was on Sprint their Simply Everything pack was amazing - $99/month for unlimited everything. That was relatively cheap and easy to understand. I've heard great things about T-Mobile's customer service but I'll have to check out their coverage in Chicago (which is obviously where I spend most of my time). I really want to switch as AT&T's coverage is a joke and with T-Mobile I would complete my Perfect Storm of being on every major carrier within the past 18 months.

Last week when we landed back in the country around six (I'm not kidding) people around me and I did the same thing - whip out our iPhones and turn them on. Within a minute the conversation turned to one thing - AT&T's shitty, shitty coverage. The funny thing was that there were people from all over the country saying this - NYC, Chicago, Saint Louis, Charlotte and somewhere else I can't remember ATM. That cracked us up.

[Voodoo]

You know, I had no idea their 3G network was new, it certainly helps to know that. It was pretty shocking to see the map as it basically seemed to only cover major cities which wouldn't normally be a problem but when we visit friends some live in the sticks. Though most have Wi-Fi and I hate using the phone so it might actually be to my benefit.

Looking at Verizon's service plans made me want to vomit. They love to charge and they love to have complicated restrictions. Fuckers. When I was on Sprint their Simply Everything pack was amazing - $99/month for unlimited everything. That was relatively cheap and easy to understand. I've heard great things about T-Mobile's customer service but I'll have to check out their coverage in Chicago (which is obviously where I spend most of my time). I really want to switch as AT&T's coverage is a joke and with T-Mobile I would complete my Perfect Storm of being on every major carrier within the past 18 months.

Last week when we landed back in the country around six (I'm not kidding) people around me and I did the same thing - whip out our iPhones and turn them on. Within a minute the conversation turned to one thing - AT&T's shitty, shitty coverage. The funny thing was that there were people from all over the country saying this - NYC, Chicago, Saint Louis, Charlotte and somewhere else I can't remember ATM. That cracked us up.

You could always get a T-Mobile 'burner (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Prepaid-Plans-Overview.aspx?WT.z_shop_plansLP=Prepaid)' phone and see how it is within the places that you frequent. Personally, I'd go this route if I really wanted T-Mobile but their coverage was questionable for where I went.

[civil]

Hmm. I might actually do that as I'll be doing a bit of traveling over the next few months. My family lives in and around L.A., but it's friends and the gf's family (small South Dakota town) that I'm most concerned about.

[Bone]

That's weird, I've had nothing but great coverage with AT&T- in cities, in the sticks, etc. On top of a mountain in Canada even.

[Xerxes]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgetmobile.com/media/2009/10/se-whatsnext-nov3.jpg

If it comes to Tmobile, I'd go with magical.

Sony Ericsson looking ready to come clean with Android-powered Rachael on November 3 (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/10/26/sony-ericsson-looking-ready-to-come-clean-with-android-powered-r/)

[Slack3r78]

Yeah, the X3 is going to be fucking fappable. It's also going to cost your left nut.

[Xerxes]

Yeah, the X3 is going to be fucking fappable. It's also going to cost your left nut.

It's possibly got cancer anyways they can have it...

//that was a joke in reference to the testicular cancer scare of 2005 and we have since confirmed it is not the cancer, but I have enough 1 ball jokes in my pocket to still think it's funny

[PathMaster]

CLIQ just hit T-Mo. Samsung Behold is headed there some time next month. Droid/Sholes is coming to VZW sometime before the end of the year.

Android and Me (http://www.androidandme) and Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport) have had the best coverage of Android devices, IMO.

Ah, forgot about them. Thanks.

[OldeWolf]

Motorola Publishes Droid spec and release date (http://androidandme.com/2009/10/phones/motorola-publishes-droid-specs-and-release-date/)

[civil]

I dug around T-Mobile's website and wasn't able to discover this: Do they offer visual voicemail? After having it for so long I can't imagine going back.

[rein]

I'm at a cross roads. Still no T-mo 3G in my area but I am willing to stick with them another couple of months to see if they get it rolled out here. The problem is my old MDA is about to die. I'm most likely going to grab a G1 off ebay to hold me over but I have a quick question. How fast is the G1 at running apps? How fast doest the SNES EMU run? How good is divx support on the G1?

Thanks guys. Just trying to decide if it is worth ~$150 as a mid-replacement, replacement phone so I don't have to go under a contract with anyone right now.

[Slack3r78]

I dug around T-Mobile's website and wasn't able to discover this: Do they offer visual voicemail? After having it for so long I can't imagine going back.

They added Visual Voicemail support for Android back around August.

[Slack3r78]

How fast is the G1 at running apps? How fast doest the SNES EMU run? How good is divx support on the G1?
* Individual apps are fine. Most of the slow down you'll see is switching between aps.
* Not sure. Actually just installed an SNES emulator yesterday, but haven't had time to try it.
* Fine.

[Gormanimal]

Android 2.0 (http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0-highlights.html) brings some nice new features.

[Slack3r78]

Android 2.0 (http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0-highlights.html) brings some nice new features.

I'd be shitting my pants if I were Tom Tom right now. That $100 iPhone app just got undercut like a motherfucker.

[Banacek]

I'd be shitting my pants if I were Tom Tom right now. That $100 iPhone app just got undercut like a motherfucker.

It's about time too. Is the G1 getting the 2.0 update?

[Slack3r78]

It's about time too. Is the G1 getting the 2.0 update?

Probably not officially. Cyanogen's said he intends to work on it as soon Google does a code drop for 2.0. I'm almost positive you'll have to have a modified SPL to make it work.

also:

androidandme TomTom's stock is down 20% today. I wonder why... | Google Finance http://bit.ly/2DaaJp

[Banacek]

Probably not officially. Cyanogen's said he intends to work on it as soon Google does a code drop for 2.0. I'm almost positive you'll have to have a modified SPL to make it work.

also:

androidandme TomTom's stock is down 20% today. I wonder why... | Google Finance http://bit.ly/2DaaJp

Nice, at least we'll have it in some fashion, and I don't have to lose tethering. Tethering has been a lifesaver while I've been moving and without internet.

[wyeast]

*visits Slack's Temple of Android*

Would any of the Gen1 phones get 2.0? Or will they hold out to force everyone to bump to Gen2? (i.e. We're eyeing either the CLIQ or Behold II if the motherfuckers would ever get around to getting hard info out there for review) But concerned we'll be left behind at 1.5 while everyone else goes DROID-happy?

[Slack3r78]

*visits Slack's Temple of Android*

Would any of the Gen1 phones get 2.0? Or will they hold out to force everyone to bump to Gen2? (i.e. We're eyeing either the CLIQ or Behold II if the motherfuckers would ever get around to getting hard info out there for review) But concerned we'll be left behind at 1.5 while everyone else goes DROID-happy?
Up to the hardware vendors, really. Samsung is about to ship a 1.5 phone and says they won't push 1.6 until next year. Retarded, but how it is.

The main reason I say that the G1 won't get an official update is that the G1 shipped with lower capacity internal memory than other phones, with only 60MB allocated to the system partition. Things were already super tight with 1.6, but 2.0 is almost certainly going to go over that limit.

Now, since the third party scene has moved applications to the SD card, we can alter the partition table and allocate the space that used to go to applications to the system, making for plenty of room.

If you've installed a Hero ROM, you've probably already installed the Danger SPL that allows this.

[total]

If you've installed a Hero ROM, you've probably already installed the Danger SPL that allows this.

I'm hoping the danger SPL will be enough to get us to 2.0 on the G1. There is also an extra 10MB hack out there floating around but I've never really looked into it.

[Jackel]

I'm looking at grabbing either the Motorola droid or the HTC Passion whenever it comes out. Anyone know the main differences / which one would be better to grab?

[Slack3r78]

I'm hoping the danger SPL will be enough to get us to 2.0 on the G1. There is also an extra 10MB hack out there floating around but I've never really looked into it.

I would suspect it should be.

The 10MB thing is a kernel hack to reallocate part of the GPU's frame buffer to system RAM. I'm not too fond of the idea, personally. I was already skeptical of it, then saw cyanogen pretty much nix the idea of including it in his ROMs, which sealed if for me.

[Slack3r78]

maxisma @google when will Android 2.0/Éclair will be in AOSP?
jbqueru @Maxisma No ETA and no comment at this point, sorry.

Jean-Baptiste Queru is a software engineer on the Android project at Google.

[Sandman]

The GPS Navigation app did it for me. Come July next year I'm switching to Verizon and getting an Android 2.0 phone. I'm sure ATT won't allow the Google Navigation App on their service since they charge $10/month for their own.

[johnperkins21]

The GPS Navigation app did it for me. Come July next year I'm switching to Verizon and getting an Android 2.0 phone. I'm sure ATT won't allow the Google Navigation App on their service since they charge $10/month for their own.

Verizon has VZ Navigator as well, and have been known to lock out tons of features on their phones in order to sell their wares. So it's possible AT&T would eventually allow this as well.

[Sandman]

Verizon has VZ Navigator as well, and have been known to lock out tons of features on their phones in order to sell their wares. So it's possible AT&T would eventually allow this as well.

If ATT allows it I'll just switch phones but if not I'll switch to Verizon. Definitely not paying $100 for a GPS app though.

[AgtFox]

Droid price announced today as well: $199 with 2-year contract and some sort of rebate (don't know what it is tied to).

Verizon has also said the Droid will not be as locked down and that it will be a more open platform. I'll believe it when I see it though. The GPS app is well worth the $200 for the phone though I'd say and I'm a Verizon customer.

[johnperkins21]

If ATT allows it I'll just switch phones but if not I'll switch to Verizon. Definitely not paying $100 for a GPS app though.

There's always Waze (http://www.waze.com/), which as far as I can tell works on the G1. Google Navigation looks to trump it by quite a bit, but it's something, and it's free.

[civil]

Verizon has VZ Navigator as well, and have been known to lock out tons of features on their phones in order to sell their wares. So it's possible AT&T would eventually allow this as well.
This is why I'm loathe to go with Verizon and try T-Mobile (though that phone looks incredible). They gimp their phones like fuckers and insert their V-whatever shitware. I've heard they won't be doing this with the Droid but I just don't see that happening. They seem to always find a way to hobble their equipment.

[johnperkins21]

This is why I'm loathe to go with Verizon and try T-Mobile (though that phone looks incredible). They gimp their phones like fuckers and insert their V-whatever shitware. I've heard they won't be doing this with the Droid but I just don't see that happening. They seem to always find a way to hobble their equipment.

It pisses me off about Verizon as well. Sucks that I have to hack my phone just use an MP3 as a ringtone.

However, I think this is the first Android phone that's coming out without a proprietary OS installed on it. And the fact that they're allowing the Google Navigator on there, for free, in direct competition with their own $10/month GPS service lends credence to their claims that they won't mess with it.

[Xerxes]

androidandme TomTom's stock is down 20% today. I wonder why... | Google Finance http://bit.ly/2DaaJp

Ok what's happening to tom tom. What did android and iphone do to it. I'm not getting it.

Edit: Never Fucking Mind...
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/google-adds-free-turn-by-turn-navigation-car-dock-ui-to-android/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/10/gmap-nav-rm-eng-dnp.jpg

[PathMaster]

The free GPS almost has me sold. If only VZ's plans were not so ridiculously over priced for data. Also been looking for the one year cost of the phone and have not seen it, anyone else see it?

[Xerxes]

Oh gawd.... Sony Ericsson wants $600 for the Aino. Who knows how much they'll want for the Rachael. 11/3 is so far away.

[AgtFox]

The free GPS almost has me sold. If only VZ's plans were not so ridiculously over priced for data. Also been looking for the one year cost of the phone and have not seen it, anyone else see it?
Nope. Also they may change their plans given what T-Mobile has come up with. We'll have to see...I also hate the unlimited data price, but then again you pay whatever for internet on an iPhone (don't know the price...$30, $40/mo.?).

[PathMaster]

From Billshrink (http://www.billshrink.com/), via Androidandme (http://androidandme.com/2009/10/uncategorized/motorola-droid-vs-iphone-3g-s-vs-palm-pre/):
http://i38.tinypic.com/34q1w2d.jpg

[civil]

Sprint/Palm really fucking blew it. 258 Apps? That's not even enough to qualify for pitiful. I knew they'd fuck it up, they did the same thing with the Instinct. Though having been on each of the Big 3 over the course of the past 18 months their pricing/coverage was awesome and overall they remain my favorite in that aspect. They just don't know what the fuck to do to support their phones. Their apps website alone (at lest when I was with them) is a tragic holdover from the late 90s.

[Farsight]

I want a line on the chart for "bare bones package". I LOVE toys, but not enough to pay $1500/yr for services I'd never make use of...

[PathMaster]

I want a line on the chart for "bare bones package". I LOVE toys, but not enough to pay $1500/yr for services I'd never make use of...

Heh, exactly. The average VZ plan from that chart is about $119 a month, cripes that is a lot.

[Xerxes]

Tmobile can't get on the list... Sad. You'd probably save some money there. Maybe not though. I am thinking about going to their paying plan with no contract. You pay more for the phone upfront but it seems to be worth it.

[Scull]

Whelp, I just went and reserved a Droid. Damn you Google.

[Zagrash]

Tmobile can't get on the list... Sad. You'd probably save some money there. Maybe not though. I am thinking about going to their paying plan with no contract. You pay more for the phone upfront but it seems to be worth it.

I just switched to that, and it will take affect at the end of my current "month". I'm hoping that pays off with a nice new Droid (there IS a GSM version, I saw the video and everything =)

[Xerxes]

I just switched to that, and it will take affect at the end of my current "month". I'm hoping that pays off with a nice new Droid (there IS a GSM version, I saw the video and everything =)

Bah.... Wait until November 3rd.

Does that all internet access include the Android services?

[civil]

Enlighten me, what happens on November 3? I can't seem to find out.

[Xerxes]

Enlighten me, what happens on November 3? I can't seem to find out.

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=397735&postcount=804

A real flagship Android phone will be released. Hell, Droid can stay flagship, this is a warship. The big guns is coming out. :D

[OldeWolf]

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=397735&postcount=804

A real flagship Android phone will be released. Hell, Droid can stay flagship, this is a warship. The big guns is coming out. :D

So that means Tmobile will only have Cliq as it's big guns while Verizon will have far bigger warships and flagship phones than Tmobile could possibly offer? :(

[civil]

What are the indications that it's coming out for T-Mobile? I'm really hoping they come out with a "fuck me that's amazing!" phone for T-Mobile, as I'm ready to ditch AT&T (and my iPhone) and would hate to go with Verizon.

[Xerxes]

There is 0 indication on where Sony Ericsson is going with their phone. So I'm not saying Verizon has this "warship", but they are claiming DROID as Android's flagship phone. I think better phone are on the horizon though. Like Slacker said where ever the Rachael goes, it's going to cost a pretty penny just cause it is sony ericsson.

9UwcVlF5EUM
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/7-08-09rachael.jpg

[Slack3r78]

There is 0 indication on where Sony Ericsson is going with their phone.
Taylor Whimberly over at Android and Me has said he thinks it's probably destined for T-mobile, and he's been pretty reliable in the past.

We'll know for sure next week.

[Xerxes]

Taylor Whimberly over at Android and Me has said he thinks it's probably destined for T-mobile, and he's been pretty reliable in the past.

We'll know for sure next week.

http://theosophical.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/praise.jpg
The oracle has spoken.... Thank you Slack3r78. :D

[Slack3r78]

Speaking of Android and Me, they may have just identified the Droid's Achilles' Heel... and it's not totally unrelated to the G1's major pitfall:

http://androidandme.com/2009/10/news/google-fails-to-address-app-storage-issue-with-droid-and-android-2-0/

[Xerxes]

Speaking of Android and Me, they may have just identified the Droid's Achilles' Heel... and it's not totally unrelated to the G1's major pitfall:

http://androidandme.com/2009/10/news/google-fails-to-address-app-storage-issue-with-droid-and-android-2-0/

I was reading that. Nothing a little rooting can't fix right?

[OldeWolf]

Wait, so there will be a high end smart phone that is far better than Cliq coming out for Tmobile? *crosses fingers*

[Xerxes]

Wait, so there will be a high end smart phone that is far better than Cliq coming out for Tmobile? *crosses fingers*

Sooner or later, but I think some of us are hoping sooner. But have any of them been high end?

[OldeWolf]

Sooner or later, but I think some of us are hoping sooner. But have any of them been high end?

When I said "high end" I was assuming that the Droid is higher tech and all than the Cliq while the Cliq seems for all intent and purpose middle-class smart phone.

I could be wrong since I'm new to this.

[Xerxes]

When I said "high end" I was assuming that the Droid is higher tech and all than the Cliq while the Cliq seems for all intent and purpose middle-class smart phone.

I could be wrong since I'm new to this.

Droid seems to be about the same tech as all the others. I could be wrong.

[Slack3r78]

Droid seems to be about the same tech as all the others. I could be wrong.

It's considerably more powerful than the other Android phones currently on the market.

[rein]

I was reading that. Nothing a little rooting can't fix right?The problem isn't storage of apps, it's that developers can't make apps large enough to compete with Apples offerings. I don't think most developers are going to push apps that only rooted phones are able to use. I was so ready to pull the trigger and change to Verizon but this shortcoming is giving me something to think about. Then again, give me a functioning phone and data connection, decent emulators, a decent video player and I'm good. I don't need 100,000 apps and games.

[Xerxes]

The problem isn't storage of apps, it's that developers can't make apps large enough to compete with Apples offerings. I don't think most developers are going to push apps that only rooted phones are able to use. I was so ready to pull the trigger and change to Verizon but this shortcoming is giving me something to think about. Then again, give me a functioning phone and data connection, decent emulators, a decent video player and I'm good. I don't need 100,000 apps and games.

And a kick as GPS app.

But yes, that is toubling. I didn't think about how all phones would be gimped by older phone limitations. They could create a tiered "Android+" for a new breed of devices that could use more robust apps? But like you said, you'd be cutting up the market still. Blarg.

[OldeWolf]

And a kick as GPS app.

But yes, that is toubling. I didn't think about how all phones would be gimped by older phone limitations. They could create a tiered "Android+" for a new breed of devices that could use more robust apps? But like you said, you'd be cutting up the market still. Blarg.

Err, sorry but what do you mean "rooting"? What's so bad about it or whatever it is. :o

[Xerxes]

Err, sorry but what do you mean "rooting"? What's so bad about it or whatever it is. :o

I don't know the specifics, but it's basically hacking it. I think it's cause you get root access, and on Linux "root" is like all badass and stuff. Then you get to use other roms which are different distros of Android. :D

[OldeWolf]

The problem isn't storage of apps, it's that developers can't make apps large enough to compete with Apples offerings. I don't think most developers are going to push apps that only rooted phones are able to use. I was so ready to pull the trigger and change to Verizon but this shortcoming is giving me something to think about. Then again, give me a functioning phone and data connection, decent emulators, a decent video player and I'm good. I don't need 100,000 apps and games.

+

I don't know the specifics, but it's basically hacking it. I think it's cause you get root access, and on Linux "root" is like all badass and stuff. Then you get to use other roms which are different distros of Android. :D

= Ah! Gotcha. *Has learned something new at 3am in the morning, yay!* :p

[Xerxes]

Yeah, with a rooted phone, you can store gigs of apps. If there are even that many. No real memory limit on how large your apps can be.

[wyeast]

Wait, so there will be a high end smart phone that is far better than Cliq coming out for Tmobile? *crosses fingers*

It's almost appalling how much the DROID appears to outclass the CLIQ, despite coming out at virtually the same time... and for the same price. :mad:

Meanwhile, we still haven't heard nary a peep about Behold II (i.e. Galaxy) other than it's coming sometime mid November.

... but if Rachel shows up, she's gonna step all over poor Samsung's coming out party. (unless Sammy surprises us by releasing w/ 2.0 out the door)

... and I will be the first in line to welcome her into my pants (er.. pocket). :D

[OldeWolf]

It's almost appalling how much the DROID appears to outclass the CLIQ, despite coming out at virtually the same time... and for the same price. :mad:

Meanwhile, we still haven't heard nary a peep about Behold II (i.e. Galaxy) other than it's coming sometime mid November.

... but if Rachel shows up, she's gonna step all over poor Samsung's coming out party. (unless Sammy surprises us by releasing w/ 2.0 out the door)

... and I will be the first in line to welcome her into my pants (er.. pocket). :D

Well, yeah.

But I'm sticking to T-mobile for now. They've been friendly, helpful and all that during many issues I've had during the last 7'ish year I've had the sidekick 2 and Sidekick Lx.

As for the Behold II, it has no physical keyboard so I am a little leery of that touch screen keyboard after using my dad's Verizon touch screen keyboard to a point where I realized why Dad suddenly wants to go outside and throw the phone as far and hard as he can and then use his dodge truck to run over it for good measure.

Seems like in the end the Cliq will be the phone I will use for the next 2 years and I am sure 2 years down the road there will be phones so advance it rivals or exceeds star trek hand held technologies. :p

[Xerxes]

Sweet he fixed the cm updater. SO I didn't have to jump through any hoops. Getting the new stable version now. GooooooOOOoooo Cyanogen.

[Zagrash]

Sweet he fixed the cm updater. SO I didn't have to jump through any hoops. Getting the new stable version now. GooooooOOOoooo Cyanogen.

The new stable version is FAST! I've been very impressed with it so far.

[Chaos Machine]

Hey civil, i have a G1 with tmobile, i live in the western burbs of chicago, coverage is pretty good, what is also nice is that if you are in a building that 3g doesnt penetrate well it seamlessly switches over to their edge network, while not as fast it gets the job done. Also, I route everything through google voice, which lets me get transcribe visual voicemail. Tmo has a visual voicemail app but its not as good as free ones like phonefusion on the app store, and it blows ass in comparison to google voices VVM.

[Sandman]

T-Mobile coverage is shit in south GA. They only cover the major towns and hit the major highways. The rest is a dead zone. No 3G from them either. Fuck T-Mobile.

[Dukefrukem]

I plan on getting the Droid next week. Haven't read through this thread, but is there anything i should know before getting it?

[Xerxes]

The new stable version is FAST! I've been very impressed with it so far.

I borked my phone. The update wasn't for me. I ended up stuck on the G1 screen for a hour or so. ^_^
But I did run the new updates to get everything updated. I had skipped the updates since the C&D.

It's since been fixed.

[Xerxes]

T-Mobile coverage is shit in south GA. They only cover the major towns and hit the major highways. The rest is a dead zone. No 3G from them either. Fuck T-Mobile.

Go back a page when point out how new it is. I think Slack just got 3G a month or so ago. :confused:

[Slack3r78]

Go back a page when point out how new it is. I think Slack just got 3G a month or so ago. :confused:

I'm not in south GA and I'm also in one of the largest metro areas in the state outside of ATL.

[Loki]

Only 1 year til my two year contract with AT&T is up. They're one of the worst service provides in existance and I'm ready to get rid of Apple. Does the Droid play music/Pandora?

[Dukefrukem]

Only 1 year til my two year contract with AT&T is up. They're one of the worst service provides in existance and I'm ready to get rid of Apple. Does the Droid play music/Pandora?

God you said it about AT&T. I travel a lot for work and it barely works in airports sometimes. Service is so bad. I can't believe how a phone can drive all of their subscriptions.

[cppcrusader]

I plan on getting the Droid next week. Haven't read through this thread, but is there anything i should know before getting it?

I'll definitely want to know your impressions on it. I just noticed next week my new every two goes into effect with Verizon and some recent developments career-wise actually make having a smartphone useful for me.

[Abyssion]

I'll definitely want to know your impressions on it. I just noticed next week my new every two goes into effect with Verizon and some recent developments career-wise actually make having a smartphone useful for me.

I have a question about your New Every Two. It used to be 100 dollars right? I checked a while ago and they changed it at some point to $50 off a new phone.

I tried going to Best Buy today to look into pre-ordering the Droid but the lady didn't know anything about the pre-order rebate let alone the price of the phone or understand what the New Every Two thing was. I know for a fact I used Best Buy for my phone upgrade from 4 years ago (a RAZR) and Circuit City 2 years ago (some Samsung phone).

She was virtually no help and forgot I was trying to get assistance with a family member after 5 minutes of waiting in line. So I'll probably try another Best Buy tomorrow.

[Dukefrukem]

I'll definitely want to know your impressions on it. I just noticed next week my new every two goes into effect with Verizon and some recent developments career-wise actually make having a smartphone useful for me.

I've been due for an upgrade for months... but have stuck with my crummy flip phone.

I also had an iPhone and a BB Curve (which i still have and use) for my work number so I can compare features if people have any questions. I'm going to Verizon the day the droid is released. I hope they have enough in stock.

[cppcrusader]

I have a question about your New Every Two. It used to be 100 dollars right? I checked a while ago and they changed it at some point to $50 off a new phone.

I tried going to Best Buy today to look into pre-ordering the Droid but the lady didn't know anything about the pre-order rebate let alone the price of the phone or understand what the New Every Two thing was. I know for a fact I used Best Buy for my phone upgrade from 4 years ago (a RAZR) and Circuit City 2 years ago (some Samsung phone).

She was virtually no help and forgot I was trying to get assistance with a family member after 5 minutes of waiting in line. So I'll probably try another Best Buy tomorrow.

I know that I'm able to upgrade at the year mark for $50 or $100 if I wait for the two. But I looked it up online and found that they had changed it.


If you enrolled in the program prior to February 15, 2009 and continued to meet the requirements of the program, you will qualify for a free phone up to a $50 or $100 value, depending on the monthly access of your plan.

If you enrolled in the program on or after February 15, 2009, you will qualify for a free phone up to a $30 or $50 value, depending on the monthly access of your plan.

So I'm still in it for $100, hopefully I don't get dicked over on the next one after I reup. As far as dealing with them in Best Buy, I can't really help you there. I've never dealt with any of those type setups. I usually always go to a Verizon store and even then I usually bypass the sales people go straight the service desk in the back. That's where they hide the people that can actually accomplish something for you.

My last phone upgrade I did entirely online and that's the way I plan to do the next one. You order the phone online, they send it to you, you call Verizon when it comes in, they activate it and you sign the contract and mail back to them. No hassles, no bullshit.

[Xerxes]

I'm not in south GA and I'm also in one of the largest metro areas in the state outside of ATL.

Still took you forever to get it. :p

[Abyssion]

I know that I'm able to upgrade at the year mark for $50 or $100 if I wait for the two. But I looked it up online and found that they had changed it.

So I'm still in it for $100, hopefully I don't get dicked over on the next one after I reup. As far as dealing with them in Best Buy, I can't really help you there. I've never dealt with any of those type setups. I usually always go to a Verizon store and even then I usually bypass the sales people go straight the service desk in the back. That's where they hide the people that can actually accomplish something for you.

My last phone upgrade I did entirely online and that's the way I plan to do the next one. You order the phone online, they send it to you, you call Verizon when it comes in, they activate it and you sign the contract and mail back to them. No hassles, no bullshit.

I guess I'll have to wait till the 6th to see if it's up on the verizon site, I guess Best Buy is the only place you can actually pre-order it. I find it odd all I can do is get info but not see a listing under their phone section.

I was debating going to the other Best Buy today but I might hold off and just look at Verizon's site on friday to see what's going on.

Thanks for the advice. But I wonder what makes your phone worth 100 and mine only worth 50, weird.

[AgtFox]

Thanks for the advice. But I wonder what makes your phone worth 100 and mine only worth 50, weird.
I've found in my Two Every Year experience (think I'm on my third phone with it now) that my phone gets $100 off while my wife's phone gets $50 off because mine is the primary line on our Family Plan. I'm not sure if that translates to other types of plans, but maybe you only get $50 because you're a secondary phone or just a single payer.

[Farsight]

I've had my phone for 6 years, I think. It was pretty nice back then... video camera, high-res display, etc... Now the buttons sometimes register two presses at once, one of the screens has corrosion on the side and the speaker cover comes loose now and then...

and I'll likely keep it a while longer. Verizon may be my only choice here, but I'm not getting stuck with another two-year commitment just to sidegrade to one of their shitty non-smartphones (Dumbphones?), and I'm not paying extra for a data plan I'll never use just to be allowed to place my grungy plebeian hands on the glory of modern technology.

Blah, time to invest in carrier pigeons!

[Abyssion]

I've found in my Two Every Year experience (think I'm on my third phone with it now) that my phone gets $100 off while my wife's phone gets $50 off because mine is the primary line on our Family Plan. I'm not sure if that translates to other types of plans, but maybe you only get $50 because you're a secondary phone or just a single payer.

I did some looking and it turns out the discount depends on the type of phone. Which is a good sign for me since I'm the main line on the family plan lol.

[AgtFox]

I did some looking and it turns out the discount depends on the type of phone. Which is a good sign for me since I'm the main line on the family plan lol.
Yeah, don't know how it all works out, but the wife and I get the same phone except for one time.

[Xerxes]

lvsl5IBSZh0

I do want. One more day for the big reveal.

[Sl1pstream]

Is it still worth getting a Hero at this point? I fully expect the SE phone to be expensive, so that one doesn't really count. Should I just wait for the Droid/Milestone to get released over here?

[Zagrash]

Here you go Xerxes

Hands on with Xperia X10 (http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-announced-we-go-hands-on/)

[Xerxes]

Here you go Xerxes

Hands on with Xperia X10 (http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-announced-we-go-hands-on/)

1.6? Ugh, why announce it if it's not nearly ready. They could of left it on the rumor mill. But yeah I still like what I'm seeing. I really do need a keyboard with my fat fingers, but it's not like i'm writing a novel on my phone. ;)

[Xerxes]

BPw-yKyxAuU
I can break it down several ways to justify the price.

[civil]

1.6? Even I know that's retarded.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm scared of the Droid's keyboard. :-\

[OldeWolf]

If this is the new technology coming out this year/next year, can almost not even imagine what they will come up with in 5 years from now.

This is making the Cliq look outdated already.

[wyeast]

Wait. wtf. That was it? A half-assed "hey, we're almost ready, don't forget about us!" pony show? Not even telling us what carrier's gonna have it? :mad:

Argh.

I'm not surprised at all about the 1.6. All the reskinned phones are lagging behind. Surely the phone will eventually have 2.0, probably by the time it's released. All the more unfortunate to show it off now only because they're mortified everyone will have DROID's if they didn't do something.

[Xerxes]

Wait. wtf. That was it? A half-assed "hey, we're almost ready, don't forget about us!" pony show? Not even telling us what carrier's gonna have it? :mad:

Argh.

I'm not surprised at all about the 1.6. All the reskinned phones are lagging behind. Surely the phone will eventually have 2.0, probably by the time it's released. All the more unfortunate to show it off now only because they're mortified everyone will have DROID's if they didn't do something.


Android and Me (http://androidandme.com/2009/11/phones/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-to-t-mobile-and-att/)
Yup, this phone supports WCDMA/UMTS 1700/2100. For the non tech geeks, that means T-Mobile 3G. It also does UMTS 850/1900 which is AT&T 3G.

Some might be worried because the first Xperia X1 also featured T-Mobile 3G bands, but it was never actually released by the carrier. Don’t fret, because one of our ninjas told us that Sony Ericsson is planning a big event soon in New York. Why would Sony Ericsson make an appearance in the United States to tout their new Android phone, unless they already have a carrier deal(s) worked out.
Funny thing is there Skin was really laggy. The guy in the engadget video said they were currently optimizing their contributions to android. But the broswer and map and everything that's already optimized ran like a dream. I think if they can get there interface half as smooth as the Google apps, it'll be good to go. I do hope they can move it over to 2.0. The sucky thing about their new user experience is you won't get updates like all the other cool android kids.

[wyeast]

The jump from "They're having a big event in NY" to "T-Mobile!" seems like a little bit of a leap of faith. It could be a big event to announce coming to AT&T only. It's easy to be paranoid considering how few phones (in the US at least, seems very different in Euro/Asia markets) launch on multiple carriers. US Market is exclusive-happy.

For me it's a moot point anyway. We need phones NOW-OW-OW, so waiting until spring seems sadly unlikely to happen. It would appear that we are going to be CLIQ-bound. :o

And yeah, I have the same worries about the re-skins falling behind in the update curve. Especially with 2.0 confirmed live and knowing what we'd be missing out on. It seems like Moto and HTC at least are making noise about skipping 1.6 in order to get the 2.0 reskins out. :o

It was very interesting (to me anyway) how laggy Rachel was on 1.6 despite the CPU. Makes me wonder how much of DROID's perceived speed/smoothness is the processor, and how much of it is 2.0 being that much better?

[Xerxes]

It could totally go to Best Buy unlocked for all I know. But Android says AndroidandMe and normally spot on so I'll see. Cyanongen continues to breathe life into my G1.

I actually thought 2.0 wasn't coming out to next year. I guess verizon got them to flush that down the drain.

[johnperkins21]

It could totally go to Best Buy unlocked for all I know. But Android says AndroidandMe and normally spot on so I'll see. Cyanongen continues to breathe life into my G1.

I actually thought 2.0 wasn't coming out to next year. I guess verizon got them to flush that down the drain.

And based on this review of the Droid at Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/11/03/motorola-droid-review/), it looks like it may backfire. Their review makes it sound like it just isn't quite ready for prime-time. You would think Verizon would have learned their lesson with the Storm.

[Xerxes]

Also, I keep looking at what's going to be on X10. It appears it will have a GPS app to work with Google Maps. Wonder if it'll be close to the one for 2.0 although that ones not even out yet is it?

[Adam Blue]

Sony Ericsson modded Android will no doubt be awesome. They have the best UI in my opinion. But Maemo is a little more open, and a little faster. It just has to catch on. Similar to iPhone OS/Android right now.

[Xerxes]

Sony Ericsson modded Android will no doubt be awesome. They have the best UI in my opinion. But Maemo is a little more open, and a little faster. It just has to catch on. Similar to iPhone OS/Android right now.

Being tied to only nokia, it'll always have that problem. I mean they have to pull a Apple. It's probably faster because the hardware and software are married where android is a shot gun wedding thing. But how is it more open? NVM (http://cool900.blogspot.com/2009/10/comparing-freedom-on-maemo-and-android.html). I'm getting help with my "freedom" though so it's easy enough.

[Slack3r78]

Sony Ericsson modded Android will no doubt be awesome. They have the best UI in my opinion. But Maemo is a little more open, and a little faster. It just has to catch on. Similar to iPhone OS/Android right now.

Maemo will probably end up a dead end, IMO. It's a totally backwards approach to mobile platform development. The Maemo software stack (http://maemo.org/intro/platform/) is essentially desktop Linux with some mobile features tacked on almost like an afterthought. Every other *nix based phone OS essentially uses the *nix core as a HAL for a platform built with mobile in mind, whether you're talking iPhone OS, Android, WebOS, or even DangerOS. I have serious questions about some of the service level and interprocess communication stuff with Maemo.

On top of that, apps written for the version about to launch on the N900 have a good chance of not working on future phones since Nokia's decided to switch from GTK to QT as Maemo's UI engine. It's just trying to be the solution to too many non-existent problems.

Best case scenario is that Maemo ends up a niche, pseudo-proprietary Nokia platform.

[Adam Blue]

Android actually has more limitations than Maemo. The existing problems are the few key components blocked by Google. The OS is so open...it will survive just because of that.

EDIT: It being based on a desktop version or not, won't matter. The optimization is already there, and Texas Instruments is currently taking advantage of it.

It's really just up to the community. You'll see the hypocrites that stick with Android, from iPhone OS.

[Slack3r78]

Android actually has more limitations than Maemo. The existing problems are the few key components blocked by Google. The OS is so open...it will survive just because of that.
Uh, if you say so. The only parts of Android that aren't open are a few Google branded apps. The only 'restrictions' I can think of are related to drivers which essentially comes down on the hardware vendor; nothing about Maemo solves that. Even so, Google does provide scripts to work around pulling the proprietary hardware vendor files needed to make clean builds on developer devices. I know because I've done it first hand.

How much time have you spent with the build environments for either platform?

EDIT: It being based on a desktop version or not, won't matter. The optimization is already there, and Texas Instruments is currently taking advantage of it.
You're talking the same way people talk about the magical power of the PS3's Cell processor without actually understanding the software involved. It's not a matter of optimization, but rather a matter of having a software framework built for the task it's intended to handle. Mobile presents a completely different set of challenges than the desktop.

How applications interact with each other, the hardware, and the user interface has to be approached in a completely different manner to get an acceptable user experience out of it. This is why every single other mobile platform based on a *nix system to date hasn't taken the route Nokia is with Maemo.

It's really just up to the community. You'll see the hypocrites that stick with Android, from iPhone OS.

Yup, you got me. I'm a total hypocrite because I've actually taken the time to look at the two platforms, understand the absolute basics of mobile platform design, and haven't bought into Nokia's "Maemo is more open because... we say it is" nonsense.

[rein]

And based on this review of the Droid at Boy Genius Report (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/11/03/motorola-droid-review/), it looks like it may backfire. Their review makes it sound like it just isn't quite ready for prime-time. You would think Verizon would have learned their lesson with the Storm.

I glanced through the article and didn't get that impression at all. they had a few negatives but seemed to be pleased with the device.

The Motorola DROID is now Motorola’s most important device in recent memory, and they’ve hit it out of the park with this one.

[johnperkins21]

I glanced through the article and didn't get that impression at all. they had a few negatives but seemed to be pleased with the device.

But this is coming from geeks who are willing to put up with a few minor annoyances. Verizon has said that the Droid is a consumer device, yet compared to the iPhone, it has many more issues.

For one, the camera problems. They may get this fixed with a patch soon, but the average teen or twenty-something user will just notice the blurry photos and call the device crap.

The password thing is a huge issue for me. Our security policy requires all handheld devices to have a password. Using the emulator installed on a PC, I couldn't force the device to use a password, and the gesture based locking should be an option, not the only solution. I work for a very large law firm (almost 1800 attorneys) that mainly uses Blackberry devices. iPhones have really started to penetrate though. Until they get this resolved, Android phones are completely locked out. I doubt we're the only firm doing this.

There are still problems with the Android Market that will keep it from being a really strong competitor to the iPhone as well.

I'm not saying it's a bad device, and everything I've heard is that if you really want to stick with Verizon, this is the best way to go (and the best Android device to date). What I'm saying is that rushing Android 2.0 out the door early may have contributed to some of the issues they do point to. If this device gets any substantial negative consumer feedback, considering the insane amount of anticipation they've built up, the Android platform will have taken one step forward and two steps back.

[Adam Blue]

Yup, you got me. I'm a total hypocrite because I've actually taken the time to look at the two platforms, understand the absolute basics of mobile platform design, and haven't bought into Nokia's "Maemo is more open because... we say it is" nonsense.

My buddy use to develop for TI, and this is just the conclusion he came to. I'll dig up the stuff he told me about.

[wyeast]

Meanwhile, T-Mobile's spent the bulk of today shitting the bed. Way to encourage me to go shopping. :mad:

[Slack3r78]

My buddy use to develop for TI, and this is just the conclusion he came to. I'll dig up the stuff he told me about.

All I can figure is he's talking about the fact that root access is usually disabled out of the box. But, again, that's a hardware vendor decision. The ADP1 and Ion dev phones ship with root enabled, for example. And the reason root is generally disabled is a combination of system security and stability. An Android app running without escalated privileges can almost never take the entire system down. Everything is sandboxed and virtualized with strict access control to the hardware. Frankly, it's a smart design for a mobile platform, but it really doesn't affect the 'openness' of the platform all that much one way or another.

[PathMaster]

But this is coming from geeks who are willing to put up with a few minor annoyances. Verizon has said that the Droid is a consumer device, yet compared to the iPhone, it has many more issues.

For one, the camera problems. They may get this fixed with a patch soon, but the average teen or twenty-something user will just notice the blurry photos and call the device crap.

The password thing is a huge issue for me. Our security policy requires all handheld devices to have a password. Using the emulator installed on a PC, I couldn't force the device to use a password, and the gesture based locking should be an option, not the only solution. I work for a very large law firm (almost 1800 attorneys) that mainly uses Blackberry devices. iPhones have really started to penetrate though. Until they get this resolved, Android phones are completely locked out. I doubt we're the only firm doing this.

There are still problems with the Android Market that will keep it from being a really strong competitor to the iPhone as well.

I'm not saying it's a bad device, and everything I've heard is that if you really want to stick with Verizon, this is the best way to go (and the best Android device to date). What I'm saying is that rushing Android 2.0 out the door early may have contributed to some of the issues they do point to. If this device gets any substantial negative consumer feedback, considering the insane amount of anticipation they've built up, the Android platform will have taken one step forward and two steps back.
Even if that is the case, Android is software, and can be fixed. The hardware seems to be great all around, save the volume toggle and the keyboard (which seems to be a subjective thing). For me the keyboard (waiting to play with a demo unit locally) and the expense of the data plan are the only two things holding me back from buying right out of the gate.

PS-Digging the new Droid commercial. Reminds me of Transformers 1.

[Slack3r78]

T-mo's started lighting up 7.2Mbs HSPA in some markets.

[Xerxes]

T-mo's started lighting up 7.2Mbs HSPA in some markets.

I was just reading that. I think I seen them trying to link the outage to it. I hope Houston gets it. Ummm what is it exactly.

[wyeast]

It's boosted 3G data speeds. Roughly double, by some reports.

[OldeWolf]

Droid might be released to Tmobile soon (http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=15838&news=Motorola+Droid+Google+Android+OS+2.0+T-Mobile)

http://www.brighthand.com/assets/11478.jpg

[wyeast]

Droid might be released to Tmobile soon (http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=15838&news=Motorola+Droid+Google+Android+OS+2.0+T-Mobile)

http://www.brighthand.com/assets/11478.jpg

OMGWTFBBQ?? :eek:

[johnperkins21]

Droid might be released to Tmobile soon (http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=15838&news=Motorola+Droid+Google+Android+OS+2.0+T-Mobile)


I doubt it. Just because you can use the iPhone on T-Mobile, doesn't mean T-Mobile has the devices to sell you. I'd imagine Verzion paid a hefty price to get this as an exclusive for at least the next 6 months, if not more.

[OldeWolf]

Did you even read the link? It was leaked via the Motorola website. Also Droid and iphone association as an example is a weak one considering what the article is stating.

[Slack3r78]

I doubt it. Just because you can use the iPhone on T-Mobile, doesn't mean T-Mobile has the devices to sell you. I'd imagine Verzion paid a hefty price to get this as an exclusive for at least the next 6 months, if not more.

T-mobile 3G uses a different radio frequency than everyone else. In order for a phone to work properly on their network, it has to be built for their network.

[Xerxes]

Could be just an all bands unlocked version for SIM card phones.

[rein]

T-mo's started lighting up 7.2Mbs HSPA in some markets...and here I sit with EDGE. :mad:

[johnperkins21]

Did you even read the link? It was leaked via the Motorola website. Also Droid and iphone association as an example is a weak one considering what the article is stating.

I did, but I still don't think Verizon would let them take the Droid over to a competing carrier before, say, March of 2010. That's not to say the Droid won't be ported to T-Mobile, as based on that link it certainly will at some point. I just disagree that it will be "soon."

[wyeast]

..and here I sit with EDGE. :mad:

me too, but that's all this phone will do... :o

[Abyssion]

Anyone here that is getting the droid, what kind of plan do you have? (or plan on upgrading to in order to get the most out of it)

Given the device is WiFi capable I doubt I would need a mobile broadband addition to my plan so long as I'm near a WiFi spot. Of course with mobile broadband I could go online anywhere. (within the networks limits)

I'm really looking to get this phone but I've never had a phone where I could use to its full capabilities. Sorry to bother you guys with my dumb questions, I'm just trying to figure this out before I take the plunge, since I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to do so.

[Slack3r78]

Anyone here that is getting the droid, what kind of plan do you have? (or plan on upgrading to in order to get the most out of it)

Given the device is WiFi capable I doubt I would need a mobile broadband addition to my plan so long as I'm near a WiFi spot. Of course with mobile broadband I could go online anywhere. (within the networks limits)

I'm really looking to get this phone but I've never had a phone where I could use to its full capabilities. Sorry to bother you guys with my dumb questions, I'm just trying to figure this out before I take the plunge, since I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to do so.

Carriers that I'm aware of generally require a data plan for Android phones. Android is pretty chatty in terms of data usage.

On another topic, Adobe released a "Photoshop Mobile" app. It's a bit basic, but kind of neat, I guess.

[wyeast]

I *believe* T-Mob allows you to drop the data plan if you're month-to-month (hence, out of contract). However, w/ Droid I dunno if big red is selling any w/o contract, so you're probably looking at 2yr min before you could drop the data.

[cppcrusader]

I'm online checking out the pricing right now. Here's how pricing is breaking down for me and the phone is compatible with my current plan.

My current plan gets me 400 anytime minutes, unlimited local/verizon to verizon, 250 texts, with insurance: $55/month

Web plans available:
Email and web for smart phone - $29.99/month
Use your PDA/Smartphone for personal email and Web surfing.
* Access up to ten POP3 and IMAP email accounts, including Yahoo!® Mail, AOL® Mail, Windows Live® Hotmail®, and Verizon.net.
* Easy email account setup.
* Unlimited Web Browsing
* Voice Usage: Per your voice calling plan.

Unlimited Data - $44.95/month
Synchronize your mobile PDA or Smartphone to your PC with PDA/Smartphone from Verizon Wireless, providing over-the-air synchronization of e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks. Service available within the NationalAccess or, with certain devices, the Mobile Broadband service area.

New every two discount: $50
Online discount: $100
Phone price after discount: $150. You're required to select a data plan of some kind.

[Abyssion]

I'm online checking out the pricing right now. Here's how pricing is breaking down for me and the phone is compatible with my current plan.

My current plan gets me 400 anytime minutes, unlimited local/verizon to verizon, 250 texts, with insurance: $55/month

Web plans available:
Email and web for smart phone - $29.99/month
Use your PDA/Smartphone for personal email and Web surfing.
* Access up to ten POP3 and IMAP email accounts, including Yahoo!® Mail, AOL® Mail, Windows Live® Hotmail®, and Verizon.net.
* Easy email account setup.
* Unlimited Web Browsing
* Voice Usage: Per your voice calling plan.

Unlimited Data - $44.95/month
Synchronize your mobile PDA or Smartphone to your PC with PDA/Smartphone from Verizon Wireless, providing over-the-air synchronization of e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks. Service available within the NationalAccess or, with certain devices, the Mobile Broadband service area.

New every two discount: $50
Online discount: $100
Phone price after discount: $150. You're required to select a data plan of some kind.

I find it weird that I couldn't find anything about the Unlimited Data plan (which I wonder if I could get that and not have to bother upgrading the plan to email if it includes email). Unless you're in the process of checking out and the options pop up there. In which that would make the whole thing much easier...

Does Verizon make this unnecessarily complicated or is it just me? :confused:

[cppcrusader]

I find it weird that I couldn't find anything about the Unlimited Data plan (which I wonder if I could get that and not have to bother upgrading the plan to email if it includes email). Unless you're in the process of checking out and the options pop up there. In which that would make the whole thing much easier...

Does Verizon make this unnecessarily complicated or is it just me? :confused:

Those were the options that appeared during the checkout process online. I didn't go through with yet as I just wanted to check the pricing. What I'm unclear on is why I would even want the unlimited data when the email plan covers 10 email accounts and includes unlimited web browsing. Also those data plans looked to me like an either/or thing.

[johnperkins21]

Those were the options that appeared during the checkout process online. I didn't go through with yet as I just wanted to check the pricing. What I'm unclear on is why I would even want the unlimited data when the email plan covers 10 email accounts and includes unlimited web browsing. Also those data plans looked to me like an either/or thing.

I think the $30/month plan has a 5GB cap on web traffic, but unlimited text and email. At least that's what I get from this page on Verizon (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_connect).

[Abyssion]

Those were the options that appeared during the checkout process online. I didn't go through with yet as I just wanted to check the pricing. What I'm unclear on is why I would even want the unlimited data when the email plan covers 10 email accounts and includes unlimited web browsing. Also those data plans looked to me like an either/or thing.

That's where it gets confusing, there is some fine print about the email plan and it says (I'm quoting the chart from a best buy mobile guide):

Unlimited data sent or received for mobile web, get it now/media center and other data applications including mobile email. on select smartphone devices if you do not subscribe to a data plan or data feature, data usage is billed at 1.5c/kb unless you add a data block or subscribe to a wireless email feature. Other smartphone devices and all black berry devices require a data plan or data feature.

[nixpayn]

I'm getting an LG Eve. The HTC hero isnt on my network, but the Eve i think is Android 2.0. I want the turn by turn gps :)

[cppcrusader]

I think the $30/month plan has a 5GB cap on web traffic, but unlimited text and email. At least that's what I get from this page on Verizon (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_connect).

That looks like it's a 5GB cap on tethered web traffic.

[OldeWolf]

I'm still not sure if I should get the Cliq or not. Or switch to verizon and get that droid or what....meh.

[Xerxes]

I only like kind of want a droid. But not Verizon.

[OldeWolf]

I only like kind of want a droid. But not Verizon.

I 100% agree with that.

I just don't know how long I can wait for the droid to come out to Tmobile...

[Xerxes]

I 100% agree with that.

I just don't know how long I can wait for the droid to come out to Tmobile...

I would say get a Cliq with aims to sell as soon as something better comes along. But Tmobile won't have and deals for that. I am really expecting something just right come January or February. I have to believe.

[Banacek]

Just played with the Droid, coworker picked it up. Makes the G1 look OLD. It's nice, and it's fast. I want one.

[johnperkins21]

That looks like it's a 5GB cap on tethered web traffic.

Don't know how I missed that huge picture of a phone tethered to a laptop. :o

[Abyssion]

I just ordered mine, total price for the phone came out to $99.99. Then some accessories.

I don't know why I kept getting a data plan mixed with the mobile broadband thing, but I do feel dumb for doing so and I apologize for any confusion caused.

[wyeast]

I would say get a Cliq with aims to sell as soon as something better comes along. But Tmobile won't have and deals for that. I am really expecting something just right come January or February. I have to believe.

As long as they crank out a 2.0 update to MOTOBLUR I'd be ok with staying w/ a CLIQ for a little while. It'll still feel shiny and new compared to my busted-ass old phone. :o

[OldeWolf]

As long as they crank out a 2.0 update to MOTOBLUR I'd be ok with staying w/ a CLIQ for a little while. It'll still feel shiny and new compared to my busted-ass old phone. :o

I got a feeling the 2.0 wont roll out for a while if ever for the Cliq. :(

[Xerxes]

As long as they crank out a 2.0 update to MOTOBLUR I'd be ok with staying w/ a CLIQ for a little while. It'll still feel shiny and new compared to my busted-ass old phone. :o

Cyanogen is the only reason I can hold out with a G1. Every update feels so refreshing. :D

[Slack3r78]

I got a feeling the 2.0 wont roll out for a while if ever for the Cliq. :(

I don't see any reason it wouldn't. It has plenty of internal ROM and Moto needs to move phones to stay above water.

[Xerxes]

I don't see any reason it wouldn't. It has plenty of internal ROM and Moto needs to move phones to stay above water.

Funny thing, why even bother with the Cliq. I can understand having motoblur, it's different and helps you stand out. But why not put all your eggs in the only attractive baskets rather taking the time to make shitty eggs. Not dissing the Cliq, but compared to the droid.

[OldeWolf]

Funny thing, why even bother with the Cliq. I can understand having motoblur, it's different and helps you stand out. But why not put all your eggs in the only attractive baskets rather taking the time to make shitty eggs. Not dissing the Cliq, but compared to the droid.

That's precisely my dilemma.

[PathMaster]

I'm online checking out the pricing right now. Here's how pricing is breaking down for me and the phone is compatible with my current plan.

My current plan gets me 400 anytime minutes, unlimited local/verizon to verizon, 250 texts, with insurance: $55/month

Web plans available:
Email and web for smart phone - $29.99/month
Use your PDA/Smartphone for personal email and Web surfing.
* Access up to ten POP3 and IMAP email accounts, including Yahoo!® Mail, AOL® Mail, Windows Live® Hotmail®, and Verizon.net.
* Easy email account setup.
* Unlimited Web Browsing
* Voice Usage: Per your voice calling plan.

Unlimited Data - $44.95/month
Synchronize your mobile PDA or Smartphone to your PC with PDA/Smartphone from Verizon Wireless, providing over-the-air synchronization of e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks. Service available within the NationalAccess or, with certain devices, the Mobile Broadband service area.

New every two discount: $50
Online discount: $100
Phone price after discount: $150. You're required to select a data plan of some kind.

Gearlog (http://www.gearlog.com/2009/11/personal_droid_data_will_cost.php)on Droid Data Plans:

Okay. There's a lot of confusion going on around the Internet about the Motorola Droid's service plans. Some people are saying that if you want to connect to a Microsoft Exchange account, data will cost $45 a month instead of $30.

This is wrong.

Second, whether you pay $30 or $45 doesn't depend on what you're doing with the phone. You can hit Exchange email on the $30 plan just fine. It depends on what kind of Verizon Wireless account you have.

Went to the local VZ store(not corp owned). They got two in. Walked in while the first one was being bought. Very very cool. My biggest worry is/was the keyboard. While playing with it for a few moments did not ease all my worries, it did lessen them a good deal. Keyboard is small, but I think manageable. Still thinking.

[Slack3r78]

Funny thing, why even bother with the Cliq. I can understand having motoblur, it's different and helps you stand out. But why not put all your eggs in the only attractive baskets rather taking the time to make shitty eggs. Not dissing the Cliq, but compared to the droid.

The Droid is also drastically more expensive when you take the subsidized plans into account.

[OldeWolf]

The Droid is also drastically more expensive when you take the subsidized plans into account.

Why would it be any more expensive when I asked Tmobile what the data plan was for the Cliq last week and they said it was about $49 a month for unlimited data and text messaging? (While the sidekick LX is 29.99 a month which makes no sense in the end...)

[Slack3r78]

Why would it be any more expensive when I asked Tmobile what the data plan was for the Cliq last week and they said it was about $49 a month for unlimited data and text messaging? (While the sidekick LX is 29.99 a month which makes no sense in the end...)

Well, your case is a little unique in not needing a voice plan. I just know that from what I've seen unlimited everything on Verizon is around $150/month, compared to $100/month on T-mo, which is a $1200 difference over the life of the contract. With the 500 and 450 plans on T-mo and Verizon, respectively, the difference is more like $480.

You'd know better than I how they handle not having a voice plan at all. :)

EDIT:

Re: data and messaging - it's $39.99 for the Android data plan including messaging, but that, again, is with a voice line. Maybe that's where the discrepancy is?

[Voodoo]

Why would it be any more expensive when I asked Tmobile what the data plan was for the Cliq last week and they said it was about $49 a month for unlimited data and text messaging? (While the sidekick LX is 29.99 a month which makes no sense in the end...)

T-Mobile has two unlimited data plans - one from Edge top speed and the other takes you up to 3G. I was operating my Magic 3G on the edge plan for about a week before I changed it to the 3G plan. You can also get them apart from a voice plan. My 1st Gen iPhone is on the Edge unlimited data plan with no voice.

[Deimos]

It's disappointing that T-Mobiles data plans have only gone up since Android released last year. Before the G1 I was a devoted sidekick user. I had a grand-fathered plan where my data was only $20. Last year when my wife and I got on a family plan we put it under her name to get the corporate discount through her employer. This meant we lost the $20 data plan and had to move up to the new $25 plans. Now I see T-Mobile has bumped that up to $30. They also seem to have ditched the unlimited texting plan for families. Hopefully we can stay grandfathered in on these plans even after I upgrade my G1.

I went by the Verizon store to check out the new Droid. Here's my thoughts based on about 10 minutes with the phone. The screen is drop dead gorgeous! The slide great. I like the sense of weight it had. The soft-touch keys on the outside for Home, Back, etc. just didn't do it for me though. I was never sure if I missed the home button or Android was just doing its "thinking" before returning home. They keyboard is usable but way too flat. Barely any feedback from them. Also I really hate when keys are arranged in a perfect grid like that.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm looking for app suggestions for my DROID. Anyone know of a good place to read about them?

[Zagrash]

I'm looking for app suggestions for my DROID. Anyone know of a good place to read about them?

Phandroid (http://phandroid.com) posted some favorite apps for new Android users yesterday, it's also probably a good idea to look through this thread, but just to give you a bit of a head start, I'd say a few "MUST HAVE" apps are:

Mobile Defense
AppManager (I use the Free version)
aTrackDog
Barcode Scanner
TasKiller (I use the free version)

I could probably suggest some other ones if you want.

[Xerxes]

You only need the pandora app. ^_^

[Dukefrukem]

Phandroid (http://phandroid.com) posted some favorite apps for new Android users yesterday, it's also probably a good idea to look through this thread, but just to give you a bit of a head start, I'd say a few "MUST HAVE" apps are:

Mobile Defense
AppManager (I use the Free version)
aTrackDog
Barcode Scanner
TasKiller (I use the free version)

I could probably suggest some other ones if you want.

I would love more suggestions. Also, what the apps do would be helpful too.

[Zagrash]

I would love more suggestions. Also, what the apps do would be helpful too.

My brother actually just bought a Droid, and we're finding that there's not a CDMA version of Mobile Defense yet, but if you go to their website, you can be alerted once it exists. Definitely a must have app.

Also, AppManager doesn't work on 2.0 yet, so don't download that one either =)

ATrackDog keeps track of your installed apps, and tells you when there are updates. Yes, the market does this as well, but aTrackDog does it better.

TasKiller lets you stop apps from running in memory to improve system performance, 2.0 has this embedded in settings somewhere, but I'd think an App would be a bit easier.

FeedR - paid app (99 cents) RSS reader, very useful, great interface, you can preview/add feeds easily, I use this one everyday.

FourSquare - silly "game" where you check in at places where you go (in select cities, check the availability first). Nothing all that exciting, but sorta fun

Linda File Manager - manages files? Good to have, lets you look over your SD Card contents quickly and easily

PicSay Pro - Paid app (around $3), effectively photoshop for your phone. There is a new photoshop app, but PicSay puts it to shame. Plus it's one of the apps that has multi-touch.

Shazam - lets you figure out song name/artist/etc just by "listening" to a portion of the song

SnapTell - Like barcode scanner, but you can take a picture of a game/cd/book/etc. and it will pull up all sorts of information...prices, reviews, etc. As soon as Snaptell does QR codes, I will probably uninstall barcode scanner

What the Doodle? - Online Pictionary game for your phone...tons of fun, and Free during ADC2...download it now! you can add friends now, I'm on there =)

Where - a Places Directory. slick interface, I can't wait to use it when I go to Key West for my honeymoon in a few months.

Those will hopefully get you started! I'd be happy to suggest some other stuff that I use if you tell me what sorts of things you're looking for.

[Slack3r78]

Twidroid - If you're into Twitter, this is the Twitter app for Android

Facebook's official app is probably the most polished there.

Hi AIM - Best AIM client I've found, they ALL kill your battery, though, since OSCAR seems to be a very chatty protocol, no pun intended. I've been switching to GTalk as much as possible for this reason (which, incidentally, is the best mobile IM client I've ever seen, on any platform).

Astrid - to do list. Straightforward, but does the job well.

reddit is fun - self explanatory if you're a reddit user.

Movies by Flixster - best movie showtime app I've seen. Find showtimes and watch trailers. I'd change the displayed ratings from user to Rotten Tomatoes, though, as the user ratings are generally horrible.

Wikitap - decent little Wikipedia app. There may be betters out there now, but it was one of the first and I like it.

Barcode Scanner - a lot of people post Android related links with QR codes online. Makes pulling up a link from your PC's browser quick and simple.b

Aldiko - nice little ebook reader with lots of public domain books to download for free.

[OldeWolf]

Tmobile - Droid update:

I stopped by Tmobile today and asked them about this Droid rumor for Tmobile and this is what he had to tell me:

He said that the Droid phone has passed the FCC standards as a GSM phone that has the Tmobile 3G frequency inside it. But he added that it's still a rumor that it's coming out early next year 2010. He also said that Nokia N900 (http://theunlockr.com/2009/11/03/nokia-n900-some-points-of-interest/) is also coming out to Tmobile.

[Zagrash]

Wikitap - decent little Wikipedia app. There may be betters out there now, but it was one of the first and I like it.


I'm a big fan of Wapedia, probably very similar functionality, just another option in the Wikipedia apps.

[Borthcollective]

So any good calorie counters on android?

[Dukefrukem]

Those are great posts guys. Thanks so much.

[Dukefrukem]

omg, that foursquare game is friggin sweet. (http://foursquare.com/)

[wyeast]

I dunno about the DROID, but the build quality on the CLIQ seems to be all over the place. We picked up three. Of them:

(1) has a touchscreen in need of calibration. (misreads where the touch is, i.e. hits the wrong keys on the virtual keyboard)

(1, different one) has asstasstic signal strength, like consistently 2-3 bars lower than the other two phones.

[Whunpo]

OK, so this doesn't relate to Android, but I figure that this thread is the best to go to with a question about trying to manipulate a wireless carrier. So basically, my parents are paying way too much for cell phones under Verizon right now. My mom needs better coverage in the area where her work is, so I convinced her that a switch to Sprint would be a better idea (it has much better coverage in her area). I thought that we would just switch the whole family next month when our contract expired. However, I found out that my dad renewed two of our 4 contracts about a year ago, and two of them are still on contract when it expires. The other problem is that my dad's job requires a TON of calling to landlines, which won't work with the unlimited mobile to mobile plan I was planning on switching to. He really needs to be able to call about 5 different numbers without limits. So basically, my options are either:
1: Stay with our really overpriced Verizon plan that we are contractually bound to and so my dad can continue calling landlines for cheap.
2. Switch to Sprint, but figure out some way of getting my dad to call a wireless number that will still connect him to the landlines.
I'm sure there is some way of doing this, but I'm kind of stumped. Does anyone have any suggestions? Those who can help me will be rewarded in bear hugs.

[Xerxes]

Tmobile - Droid update:

I stopped by Tmobile today and asked them about this Droid rumor for Tmobile and this is what he had to tell me:

He said that the Droid phone has passed the FCC standards as a GSM phone that has the Tmobile 3G frequency inside it. But he added that it's still a rumor that it's coming out early next year 2010. He also said that Nokia N900 (http://theunlockr.com/2009/11/03/nokia-n900-some-points-of-interest/) is also coming out to Tmobile.

I've been looking at the N900 thinking "I could be a phone whore!" Those folks who change phones like clothes.

[OldeWolf]

Still on the bloody fence on what to get. :(

[Dukefrukem]

FourSquare - silly "game" where you check in at places where you go (in select cities, check the availability first). Nothing all that exciting, but sorta fun


What's your foursquare name?

[Sandman]

I'm considering switching to Verizon for the Droid however....is Verizon's services and the Droid worth it for $20 extra on my bill each month? I pay $65 after taxes with ATT for 450 minutes with unlimited data and no text and I'd pay probably around $85 after taxes for the same with Verizon.

[Scull]

OK, so this doesn't relate to Android, but I figure that this thread is the best to go to with a question about trying to manipulate a wireless carrier. So basically, my parents are paying way too much for cell phones under Verizon right now. My mom needs better coverage in the area where her work is, so I convinced her that a switch to Sprint would be a better idea (it has much better coverage in her area). I thought that we would just switch the whole family next month when our contract expired. However, I found out that my dad renewed two of our 4 contracts about a year ago, and two of them are still on contract when it expires. The other problem is that my dad's job requires a TON of calling to landlines, which won't work with the unlimited mobile to mobile plan I was planning on switching to. He really needs to be able to call about 5 different numbers without limits. So basically, my options are either:
1: Stay with our really overpriced Verizon plan that we are contractually bound to and so my dad can continue calling landlines for cheap.
2. Switch to Sprint, but figure out some way of getting my dad to call a wireless number that will still connect him to the landlines.
I'm sure there is some way of doing this, but I'm kind of stumped. Does anyone have any suggestions? Those who can help me will be rewarded in bear hugs.
Google Voice. Set that up as one of your preferred numbers (Every carrier has this now MyFaves, Friends and Families, etc.). Call everyone through Google Voice. Only take calls from Google Voice. 1 number, set as your favorite = unlimited calling.

[Scull]

I'm considering switching to Verizon for the Droid however....is Verizon's services and the Droid worth it for $20 extra on my bill each month? I pay $65 after taxes with ATT for 450 minutes with unlimited data and no text and I'd pay probably around $85 after taxes for the same with Verizon.
You work for a college right? Make sure to look into employee discounts. I have a nice 20% discount on my plan that make Verizon the cheapest option for me.

[Sandman]

You work for a college right? Make sure to look into employee discounts. I have a nice 20% discount on my plan that make Verizon the cheapest option for me.

I get up to 15% apparently......that's it for ATT after July then.

[Whunpo]

Google Voice. Set that up as one of your preferred numbers (Every carrier has this now MyFaves, Friends and Families, etc.). Call everyone through Google Voice. Only take calls from Google Voice. 1 number, set as your favorite = unlimited calling.

So I went in to Verizon, and he had vastly over estimated how much he had been using the friends and family thing, so we should be able to switch to Sprint no problem. And I don't think Sprint does have a friends and family thing, just for reference.

[PathMaster]

OK, so this doesn't relate to Android, but I figure that this thread is the best to go to with a question about trying to manipulate a wireless carrier. So basically, my parents are paying way too much for cell phones under Verizon right now. My mom needs better coverage in the area where her work is, so I convinced her that a switch to Sprint would be a better idea (it has much better coverage in her area). I thought that we would just switch the whole family next month when our contract expired. However, I found out that my dad renewed two of our 4 contracts about a year ago, and two of them are still on contract when it expires. The other problem is that my dad's job requires a TON of calling to landlines, which won't work with the unlimited mobile to mobile plan I was planning on switching to. He really needs to be able to call about 5 different numbers without limits. So basically, my options are either:
1: Stay with our really overpriced Verizon plan that we are contractually bound to and so my dad can continue calling landlines for cheap.
2. Switch to Sprint, but figure out some way of getting my dad to call a wireless number that will still connect him to the landlines.
I'm sure there is some way of doing this, but I'm kind of stumped. Does anyone have any suggestions? Those who can help me will be rewarded in bear hugs.

As another option, you could actually pull away just those lines from the account. It is a bit of a hassle, but can be done.

[Whunpo]

As another option, you could actually pull away just those lines from the account. It is a bit of a hassle, but can be done.

But paying for two different family plans is way expensive.

[PathMaster]

But paying for two different family plans is way expensive.

Correct, but it would get some phones out of the situation. IF, that is what you really wanted. Not saying you do, just a possibility. Something similar can be done to add a phone to a plan. Personally Google Voice, Scull's suggestion, would be a good choice to investigate.

[Whunpo]

Correct, but it would get some phones out of the situation. IF, that is what you really wanted. Not saying you do, just a possibility. Something similar can be done to add a phone to a plan. Personally Google Voice, Scull's suggestion, would be a good choice to investigate.

Yeah, Sprint and GV have a call forwarding thing coming out mid-November, so I think that's what I'm going to be doing. Palm Pre, here I come!! Such a pretty little device...

[Deadend]

So.. anyone hear anything about a version of the latest Cynogen mod for the G1 that has all the fun bits built back into it so I can be lazy?

[Xerxes]

So.. anyone hear anything about a version of the latest Cynogen mod for the G1 that has all the fun bits built back into it so I can be lazy?

He's been quiet for a while. :confused:

[Banacek]

I hope the Droid works with T-Mobile at some point, because I really want to upgrade.

[OldeWolf]

I hope the Droid works with T-Mobile at some point, because I really want to upgrade.

Wait till the first quarter of 2010. By then you will know if the Droid is coming out to Tmobile or not.

[axion]

BTW us Canucks are getting the Milestone from Telus in early 2010. (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2009/10/c7603.html)

[total]

So.. anyone hear anything about a version of the latest Cynogen mod for the G1 that has all the fun bits built back into it so I can be lazy?

I use this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=538456) one.

[Zagrash]

For those of you that are interested, here's how to put Google Nav on your G1's (http://gizmodo.com/5402154/how-to-hack-google-maps-navigation-onto-your-g1). Haven't tried it yet myself, but it doesn't seem too tough

[nixpayn]

Just got my LG Eve - LG GW620R to the people not in Canada.

I love it. Once i figured out the scrolling so i wasnt constantly opening stuff, it was great.

My only bitch is that i dont know what themes in the marketplace work with my phone, so far all the ones i got are for other versions of the OS i guess.

but theres a ton of great stuff for it, nes, snes, genesis emulators on the app store thingy, googlesky is pretty awesome (can finally find out what those stars are!) and a myriad of other things.

but it looks slick, works well. i like.

now.. i just wish i could figure out how to get the keypad up when making a call for hitting # when i need to... hitting the function key + 2 on the keypad is annoying.

[Zagrash]

Business should be picking up for G1 owners...Cyanogen has his hands on Android 2.0 =)

Tweeeeeet! (https://twitter.com/cyanogen/status/5696563966)

[Xerxes]

m19Lu-JUW1Q

[Zagrash]

Better start saving your pennies, Xerxes... (http://androidandme.com/2009/11/phones/yikes-sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-to-cost-879/)


m19Lu-JUW1Q

[total]

For those of you that are interested, here's how to put Google Nav on your G1's (http://gizmodo.com/5402154/how-to-hack-google-maps-navigation-onto-your-g1). Haven't tried it yet myself, but it doesn't seem too tough

It works great. Really neat app too.

[Xerxes]

Better start saving your pennies, Xerxes... (http://androidandme.com/2009/11/phones/yikes-sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-to-cost-879/)

In other news Xerxes is not looking for a new new phone to drool over. :D

I think it's about $200 out of my price range.

[Zagrash]

It works great. Really neat app too.

The instructions on Gizmodo work well enough? I'd apparently spaced out and forgotten to do this =) Hopefully it still works on CM 4.2.5...can't imagine that it wouldn't.

[PathMaster]

So a wireless carrier data plan question: (I have VZW in mind, but hearing about other carriers does not hurt.)

The email/web browsing plans are unlimited or 5gb? Does tethering, using PDAnet, count on the data plan? If the above does not count, what exactly does count towards the 5gb cap on the data plan?

[cppcrusader]

So a wireless carrier data plan question: (I have VZW in mind, but hearing about other carriers does not hurt.)

The email/web browsing plans are unlimited or 5gb? Does tethering, using PDAnet, count on the data plan? If the above does not count, what exactly does count towards the 5gb cap on the data plan?

I called Verizon that day to get it all straightened out. The email/web browsing on the phone is unlimited. That 5GB cap only applies to their mobile broadband stuff and that including tethering.

[total]

The instructions on Gizmodo work well enough? I'd apparently spaced out and forgotten to do this =) Hopefully it still works on CM 4.2.5...can't imagine that it wouldn't.

I used this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=583684) and it worked fine. And I am running CM 4.2.5. I actually switched over to this ROM specifically to use the nav. I'm sort of a ROM whore.

[Zagrash]

I used this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=583684) and it worked fine. And I am running CM 4.2.5. I actually switched over to this ROM specifically to use the nav. I'm sort of a ROM whore.

ooooh....it's got the new Facebook app in there too now? good times...I'll have to do that later

[PathMaster]

I called Verizon that day to get it all straightened out. The email/web browsing on the phone is unlimited. That 5GB cap only applies to their mobile broadband stuff and that including tethering.

So if I used the droid to grab some podcasts I would be okay or would I need to worry about the 5gb cap?

[cppcrusader]

So if I used the droid to grab some podcasts I would be okay or would I need to worry about the 5gb cap?

According to the conversation I had with them as long as you did it via the browsing on the phone and not via tethering you should be okay.

[Cupelix]

I used this (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=583684) and it worked fine. And I am running CM 4.2.5. I actually switched over to this ROM specifically to use the nav. I'm sort of a ROM whore.
I managed to get it working using this as well. I had to try both of the things near the bottom about clearing the map data and installing/reinstalling Google Voice (which I don't use, but tried anyway) before Navigate showed up after I asked for directions.

I don't think this is actually the full Google Navigation package though. For example, it seems that some of the voice search features are missing. The implication was that from the google search widget, if I spoke "Navigate to..." it would work, but that just brings up an internet search.

There also doesn't appear to be a way to put the Navigation app into the Car Dock mode manually, which is really unfortunate.

[Chaos Machine]

Better start saving your pennies, Xerxes... (http://androidandme.com/2009/11/phones/yikes-sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-to-cost-879/)

is it just me or is the music in that video completely inappropriate for the subject matter?

[Slack3r78]

Seesmic just launched a Twitter app for Android: http://androidandme.com/2009/11/applications/seesmic-releases-android-twitter-client/

Cross posting my impressions from Android and Me here:

Not bad at all for an initial release. The UI elements take up a little too much screen real estate for my taste, but, outside of multiple accounts, it seems to be relatively close to feature parity with Twidroid on the big bullet point items.

I like the way it handles URL shortening better than Twidroid. I dislike the fact that it looks like the developers didn’t include share intents for other apps. Being able to share camera photos simply by hitting share and then selecting Twidroid is incredibly convenient.

Still, this is one of the better 1.0 launches on Android that I’ve seen. Twhirl is my preferred desktop client, so Seesmic already has a solid track record I’m sure this app will get better with time.

Oh yeah, I left out — my other two issues are that it’s a little bit slow and that scrolling for feeds is implemently a little bit awkwardly. Having the scroll handle hover above actual content just doesn’t seem that elegant to me.

tl;dr - I'm sticking with Twidroid as my daily use client for now, but Seesmic has the best shot of displacing it of any competitor so far.

[PathMaster]

According to the conversation I had with them as long as you did it via the browsing on the phone and not via tethering you should be okay.
That is some terrific news. Then technically you can just get the web plan and not worry about the data plan. Might have to try this.

[Slack3r78]

Not sure if it's any different with the G1 they really have no way of knowing whether your data usage is on the phone or being tethered. It just looks like data traffic to them. As long as you don't do anything stupid like tether and try to torrent some massive amount of data your wireless provider should be none the wiser.