Android Phones

[Mike Kelehan]

Honestly? Yeah, $530 is a lot of dough, but the piece of mind that comes from out right owning your phone is so worth it, and so is the amount of leverage it gives you on rates and plans.

I actually pay less money off-contract with T-Mobile than I would if I'd cheaped out on the phone and got one on contract "discount".

It's true. T-Mobile's plan with unlimited data, texting, and 500 minutes is $80 subsidized, $60 unsubsidized. That means you're saving $240/year, or $480 over two years, compared to the $350 you save on the phone. Plus you can leave at any time.

[Xerxes]

In froyo news...

From sprint's twitter page:
"HTC EVO will be updated to Android 2.2; Samsung Moment & HTC Hero will not. Future devices launching w/ 2.1 will be also be updated to 2.2."

And for VZ folks, a "reliable source" has this to say about the Droid line up.
http://www.droidforums.net/img/droidx-droid-froyo.jpg

I wish Samsung came out with such a reassurance they won't abandon the Captivate/Vibrant/Galaxy S.

[Banacek]

Woah, are you a Android spam bot? If so that's awesome.

[Xerxes]

Woah, are you a Android spam bot? If so that's awesome.

Look at us sharing thoughts.

Also until Hulu is available, no device runs flash all that great. I do wonder about all those people with bootleg tv websites. But that's too much for me.

[Xerxes]

In one of the forums, rumor is the Vibrant will be $450 without contract. Random poster said they spoke to a rep but who the fuck knows until it's official. I hate Sprint getting the Pro version with a slider but I heard it feels more plasticy than the standard version.


http://www.tmonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/galaxys_vibrant_website.png

And when does the Kindle and BN apps finally launch? I'm at the point of FU amazon.

[Serapth]

That Wallpaper is horrid, almost designed to make the icons unreadable.

[Mike Kelehan]

That Wallpaper is horrid, almost designed to make the icons unreadable.

I'm willing to bet that's active wallpaper, so it's constantly moving. Icons will be very easy to see; the battery will be very quick to drain. I turned mine off after about a day.

[Adam Blue]

And another new superphone on Sprint, the Samsung Epic Galaxy S Phone (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365732,00.asp). I'd be all over it if it wasn't for the QWERTY.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/06/samsungepicgalaxysdhos.jpg

I think 4+ inches will be the new standard. Messing with my buddy's iPhone 4 yesterday...it was just way too small to comfortably type - and I had an iPhone for 6 months.

[Voodoo]

In froyo news...

From sprint's twitter page:


And for VZ folks, a "reliable source" has this to say about the Droid line up.
http://www.droidforums.net/img/droidx-droid-froyo.jpg

I wish Samsung came out with such a reassurance they won't abandon the Captivate/Vibrant/Galaxy S.

Check it out...

http://galaxys.samsungmobile.com/mobile/index.html

http://www.crn.com/networking/225701584;jsessionid=3SJMA01FIUMULQE1GHPSKHWATMY32 JVN

[Mike Kelehan]

I wish Samsung came out with such a reassurance they won't abandon the Captivate/Vibrant/Galaxy S.

Why not abandon it? Once they stop selling it, what's their incentive for spending the manpower on customizing Android for it?

One more tick in the Nexus One column. Since it runs the reference version of Android, no customization is necessary. It'll always get the newest updates, and always get them first.

[Xerxes]

Why not abandon it? Once they stop selling it, what's their incentive for spending the manpower on customizing Android for it?

One more tick in the Nexus One column. Since it runs the reference version of Android, no customization is necessary. It'll always get the newest updates, and always get them first.

Cause then the people who did buy the device won't like Samsung or buy their products again.

I do have to say Google is advancing android at a what must seem like a retarded rate to phone makers. They can't even hype and get a 2.1 device out before Google runs on to the next them.

[J Arcane]

That's because they're used to pushing out phones that are basically shit. Cheap white good phones they can just fire and forget, and go on to pumping out the next trendy doodad.

[Xerxes]

I'm willing to bet that's active wallpaper, so it's constantly moving. Icons will be very easy to see; the battery will be very quick to drain. I turned mine off after about a day.

I don't want to say wrong, but in the beginning I shunned the active wallpaper. Funny thing though, a month or so ago I realized my battery life was still shit. Says it was the display like always but my brightness was on low. So I deleted email accounts, and all activity's and made it so it was as lame as a plan jane fresh start. Now I'm lasting just over 24 hours with a decent amount of use including music in the car and books in down time. Slowly, I've been adding things. One such thing was the Live wallpaper that comes with beautiful widgets. It's basically the weather in the background. I'm shocked to say but I'm still getting the same amount of life.

I'd be all over it if it wasn't for the QWERTY.

You know why I you like Adam. You always goes against the grain. Like the opposite of popular opinion. :D

Also, you have a EVO 4G. I played with one of those last week. I don't really know how well this compares, but I wouldn't think much. Samsung has boasted once before about better screens with awesome battery life only for it to end up very meh.

[Xerxes]

That's because they're used to pushing out phones that are basically shit. Cheap white good phones they can just fire and forget, and go on to pumping out the next trendy doodad.

NO... It's not just Samsung though. :p

Although can you really tell Motorola and Samsung apart! :eek:
Although they stepped they game up with the DROID lineup. Probably says more about Verizon than Motorola though. And HTC has always tried to some extent I suppose.

[Mike Kelehan]

I don't want to say wrong, but in the beginning I shunned the active wallpaper. Funny thing though, a month or so ago I realized my battery life was still shit. Says it was the display like always but my brightness was on low. So I deleted email accounts, and all activity's and made it so it was as lame as a plan jane fresh start. Now I'm lasting just over 24 hours with a decent amount of use including music in the car and books in down time. Slowly, I've been adding things. One such thing was the Live wallpaper that comes with beautiful widgets. It's basically the weather in the background. I'm shocked to say but I'm still getting the same amount of life.

Active wallpaper is included under Display in your battery usage. My battery life went WAY up when I turned it down.

[Xerxes]

Active wallpaper is included under Display in your battery usage. My battery life went WAY up when I turned it down.

I know. In the beginning it worked a little. Maybe it's just this wallpaper. I don't have it set to animate at the highest level but the grass still sways and the rain still falls.<shrug>

[Mike Kelehan]

I don't want to say wrong, but in the beginning I shunned the active wallpaper. Funny thing though, a month or so ago I realized my battery life was still shit. Says it was the display like always but my brightness was on low. So I deleted email accounts, and all activity's and made it so it was as lame as a plan jane fresh start. Now I'm lasting just over 24 hours with a decent amount of use including music in the car and books in down time. Slowly, I've been adding things. One such thing was the Live wallpaper that comes with beautiful widgets. It's basically the weather in the background. I'm shocked to say but I'm still getting the same amount of life.

Active wallpaper is included under Display in your battery usage. My battery life went WAY up when I turned it down. I don't know what to tell you.

[Voodoo]

I do have to say Google is advancing android at a what must seem like a retarded rate to phone makers. They can't even hype and get a 2.1 device out before Google runs on to the next them.
I think their rate is fantastic. Google is developing the OS, making it freely available to all of these phone makers and versioning it at such a rate not seen ever in the mobile phone market. There may be phone makers that are going to leave certain devices in the dust. It seems, though, Motorola is definitely not one of them. HTC and Samsung so far have been performing about even in the OS upgrade departments. The key for the manufactures is to create a device which doesn't take a lot to upgrade the OS on.

All of the Android phone manufacturers have free and open source access to Android 2.2. The only thing to hold back the upgrades as far as this OS is concerned are the device manufacturers. This is, quite frankly, unprecedented and absolutely fantastic.

[Xerxes]

Did you just repost after I replied, I'm using it with no ill effects? O_o


Voodoo I don't hate evolution. Isn't the next version supposed to focus on making the OS easier to update?

[Crittias]

And when does the Kindle and BN apps finally launch? I'm at the point of FU amazon.
Kindle for Android (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=165849822).

[Xerxes]

And they say I'm not a wizard.

[PathMaster]

And Verizon gets the Samsung Galaxy officially as the Fascinate (http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/28/verizon-ropes-in-samsung-fascinate-us-cellular-gets-a-galaxy-s/).

Anyone with comments on Motoblur, the new version? From what I have been reading that seems to be the one issue the Droid X has.

[Xerxes]

I love not being able to uninstall this twitter. I found someway they tricked me into thinking this beast was slayed, but then I open the app drawer and there is a working version of twitter still there. It's like a curse. Next thing I know I'll set up one of those shitty accounts and be a twithead. O_o

On to what's important... Moving apps to the SD card. Has that happened yet? My phone memory gave me a warning and I see the move to sd button but it's grayed out. Any of you guys know how to do that?

[PathMaster]

Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com/5575317/smartphone-comparison-chart-dishes-the-dirt-on-smartphone-specs)has another phone comparison on their site. While similar to Billshrink's this ones seems more comprehensive and is actually done by someone looking for a phone.

http://i50.tinypic.com/2zecbqq.jpg

[Xerxes]

Blah... It runs Android 2.1. :)

From Shepherd, to forget it. Got me ears listening more for project emerald, dual cores, tmo, htc, android and the like. My Nexus could hold me over for years as far as I can tell. They bragging rights were great while they lasted.

[pomeroy]

Man, my poor Droid looks all crappy compared to the others in that table.

[Voodoo]

On to what's important... Moving apps to the SD card. Has that happened yet? My phone memory gave me a warning and I see the move to sd button but it's grayed out. Any of you guys know how to do that?
Individual developers have to activate that option. Once they do (there are a few that have already) the option opens up for the app to be moved. The case is the same for when the app installs automatic to the SD card. The developer has the absolute authorization if this may occur or not.

[Xerxes]

Man, my poor Droid looks all crappy compared to the others in that table.

Trade up for the Droid 2. I mean it's still a darn good phone.

Individual developers have to activate that option. Once they do (there are a few that have already) the option opens up for the app to be moved. The case is the same for when the app installs automatic to the SD card. The developer has the absolute authorization if this may occur or not.

So it's completely pointless. Thanks Voodoo. :)


Update: I want to upgrade. I just dropped my phone and it's got it's first scratches. It was a soft fall thankfully but it was still like hearing my heart break. Looking at her scars hurt so much now. ~_~

[Voodoo]

So it's completely pointless. Thanks Voodoo. :)
Well... No... It allows developers that want or need to install onto a larger memory space; a choice which wasn't available to them before. Google decided to leave this as a decision to be made by the developer because they feel that the author of the programs are the ones that ought to be given that 'power'. There are a few apps with the update already which allow you to move them to the SD card and I don't doubt there will be many more now that 2.2 is official. :)

The apps I have installed that I can currently move to the SD card are: Movies (Flixster), Neocore (Automatically installed itself to the SD card), Pandora and Totemo Lite.

I don't imagine a reason why a developer would choose not to activate it but what's really great is that they are given the choice. :)

[Xerxes]

Cool moved Pandora over and deleted a bunch of apps I never started to fully use. Next week I hope to nail my penultimate setup.

VACATION!

[Serapth]

I don't imagine a reason why a developer would choose not to activate it but what's really great is that they are given the choice. :)

It provides a modicum of anti-piracy security. A very very small amount, but still...


By the way, does anyone know if the 16GB limit is device specific limit, and SD limit, or an OS limit?

[BabyJesus]

I just wish they would ship the freaking Incredible I ordered.

[Xerxes]

I just wish they would ship the freaking Incredible I ordered.

Cancel it and get an X. teehee

[Xerxes]

It provides a modicum of anti-piracy security. A very very small amount, but still...


By the way, does anyone know if the 16GB limit is device specific limit, and SD limit, or an OS limit?

Last thing I read was OS limit for the time being. Not sure if any of these updates have addressed it yet.

[PathMaster]

You could switch for free your order to a Droid X.

[appel]

I love not being able to uninstall this twitter. I found someway they tricked me into thinking this beast was slayed, but then I open the app drawer and there is a working version of twitter still there. It's like a curse. Next thing I know I'll set up one of those shitty accounts and be a twithead. O_o?

It's a shame that phones with built-in apps that can just as easily be installed from market still sell. Or the non-essentials apps should at least be uninstallable.

[Xerxes]

It's a shame that phones with built-in apps that can just as easily be installed from market still sell. Or the non-essentials apps should at least be uninstallable.

Exactly. I mean what if I did use twitter and thought one of the third party apps were better. Now I'm stuck with two programs eating storage. But in this case it's doing that and I don't even use it.

Also the Nexus is giving me the blues cause you can't change the default dialer anymore. I got a work around but why kill the customizability of the phone over all? Not very android.

[appel]

Exactly. I mean what if I did use twitter and thought one of the third party apps were better. Now I'm stuck with two programs eating storage. But in this case it's doing that and I don't even use it.

Also the Nexus is giving me the blues cause you can't change the default dialer anymore. I got a work around but why kill the customizability of the phone over all? Not very android.

Which is one of many reasons I rooted my Hero and installed a vanilla rom with just the basic Android apps preinstalled. Now the phone flies (and is a lot less buggy) even though I've installed plenty of apps I actually use. :) I will never buy an Android phone again with any manufacturer changes unless it is really easy to root with vanilla roms available.

That is really strange, hopefully it'll get fixed in future versions.

[DylonCorp]

It still blows my mind a touch that Samsung got the Galaxy on every carrier. That's a Blackberry move, and even though I don't much like Samsung, really has me looking at it.

[Xerxes]

It still blows my mind a touch that Samsung got the Galaxy on every carrier. That's a Blackberry move, and even though I don't much like Samsung, really has me looking at it.

Funny thing is I would wait until Froyo, just cause it did add a boost to the speed.

Going back a few subject Live Wallpaper may suck battery life, but I'm convinced who ever did this Beautiful widgets live wallpaper made sure it didn't kill the battery. There was a thunderstorm today and I decided to boost the fps to 25fps. It's smooth and it's been stuck in that setting all day.

Only thing I haven't added back yet is all my email accounts.

[Siraris]

Looks like new UI is confirmed for 3.0 (http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/android-3-0-gingerbread-getting-revamped-ui-froyo-living-on-for/). I'm also pleased they are listening to my idea by taking cues from the 3D gallery :)

[Xerxes]

Meh on changing the UI, but "YES" on 1280 x 760 resolution. That probably would have pushed me over the line on the Galaxy S instead of wavering.

[J Arcane]

I think the 1280 is for tablets. I don't think we even have the display tech to create pixels that small in a 3.5in display.

Still, anything that pushes closer to support for a proper Android tablet is good. Tired of Apple being the only game in town.

[Xerxes]

I think the 1280 is for tablets. I don't think we even have the display tech to create pixels that small in a 3.5in display.

Still, anything that pushes closer to support for a proper Android tablet is good. Tired of Apple being the only game in town.

It would be for the 4in+ screens. I'm sure the Evo 4G, Droid X or Galaxy S would be fine with a little enhanced res. Isn't Dell's Streak 4.3in?

Dude, soon we'll probably have our fill of tablets. Meego, Chrome OS, Android, Gimped Microsoft 7, WebOS, Other Linux distros...

[J Arcane]

And all of those are "coming soon" or "rumored" or "speculated" and often "unconfirmed".

so far I have seen basically no evidence that a single fucking one of these things besides maybe the Dell is anything but vaporware.

And the Dell has an 800x480 screen. So it's basically just a really big Nexus, display wise, which defeats so many points I'm not sure where to begin.

It's seems like the big fad is announcing a tablet, but not necessarily actually releasing anything.

I think I'm just going to get a Win7 hybrid and call it a day.

[Xerxes]

And all of those are "coming soon" or "rumored" or "speculated" and often "unconfirmed".

so far I have seen basically no evidence that a single fucking one of these things besides maybe the Dell is anything but vaporware.

And the Dell has an 800x480 screen. So it's basically just a really big Nexus, display wise, which defeats so many points I'm not sure where to begin.

It's seems like the big fad is announcing a tablet, but not necessarily actually releasing anything.

I think I'm just going to get a Win7 hybrid and call it a day.

Not everyone can keep their mouth shut and then release it the day of some conference like Apple. MS could be they'd rather go to CES and have dozens of them lined up under their marquee.

[Serapth]

Not everyone can keep their mouth shut and then release it the day of some conference like Apple. MS could be they'd rather go to CES and have dozens of them lined up under their marquee.

Well, most companies don't have a rabid legion of fanbots to do all of their promotions for them. More so, they don't have a customer base the gets wood over mundane new features ( NOW WITH CUT AND PASTE! ).

In other words, other companies have to add a ton of new features and get word out there.

[Xerxes]

Well, most companies don't have a rabid legion of fanbots to do all of their promotions for them. More so, they don't have a customer base the gets wood over mundane new features ( NOW WITH CUT AND PASTE! ).

In other words, other companies have to add a ton of new features and get word out there.

Bite your tongue! It's cut and paste done the RIGHT way. :confused:

[Xerxes]

Remote Desktop to Windows 7: Wyse’s PocketCloud For Android’s Been Released (http://phandroid.com/2010/07/01/wyses-pocketcloud-for-androids-been-released/)

Tested (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=596679&postcount=134), and approved.

This could be middling news for Android tablets. As a professional walking around campus or even a building and being able to just interface with a machine if you aren't at your desk.

[Serapth]

I paid 20$ for a RDP client. :(


That said, no regrets, its been awesome. Will try out Pocket Cloud though, while it's free.

[Xerxes]

I paid 20$ for a RDP client. :(


That said, no regrets, its been awesome. Will try out Pocket Cloud though, while it's free.

Which one are you using?

[Serapth]

http://www.xtralogic.com/rdpclient.shtml

This guy.

[Serapth]

Tried wyse app, its pretty but the one I use is superior. Once this isn't free, its no contest.

[Xerxes]

Tried wyse app, its pretty but the one I use is superior. Once this isn't free, its no contest.

Well compared to the Iphone version it's missing features. $20 bucks is cheap, but I want to be cheaper. :o

[Satertek]

Strange that Radioshack is listing the Vibrant for $500 out of contract when T-Mobile is supposedly selling it for $450 (http://phandroid.com/2010/06/30/t-mobiles-samsung-vibrant-actually-449-99-when-buying-with-even-more-plus/).

[Xerxes]

Strange that Radioshack is listing the Vibrant for $500 out of contract when T-Mobile is supposedly selling it for $450 (http://phandroid.com/2010/06/30/t-mobiles-samsung-vibrant-actually-449-99-when-buying-with-even-more-plus/).

That's mighty lame of them.

[PathMaster]

I see the Droid X can send multimedia to a DLNA equipped tv, how does that work? Do you actually need cell service? Or is it its own thing?

[Grifter]

So, my friend got his HTC Incredible the other day and after a few hours of playing with it I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get out of my AT&T contract without having to pay anything so I can sell my 3GS and sign up with Sprint to get one for myself.

[Voodoo]

So, my friend got his HTC Incredible the other day and after a few hours of playing with it I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get out of my AT&T contract without having to pay anything so I can sell my 3GS and sign up with Sprint to get one for myself.

Well... You'd have to go to Verizon. Sprint doesn't carry the Incredible unless you are aiming at the HTC EVO?

[Xerxes]

I was playing with a HD2 the other day. Man I want a big 4.3 android. Maybe I'm wanting a tablet but I think a big phone would do me just fine.

[Serapth]

I was playing with a HD2 the other day. Man I want a big 4.3 android. Maybe I'm wanting a tablet but I think a big phone would do me just fine.

My Xperia screen is addictive as hell. Its not quite the same as a tablet, but was worlds more capable than my old iPhone, especially when it comes to things like remote desktop.

[Satertek]

Holy schnikes

oaaicSzzHeE

[PathMaster]

It appears several new Android phones should be able to play Quake 3, not just the Galaxy.

[Serapth]

Most Snapdragon phones are 1Ghz, with OpenGL ES 2.0 acceleration. They should be capable of a great deal more than Quake 3.

[Mike Kelehan]

And the Galaxy is running 2.1. Imagine it after Froyo, with the 2x-5x speed boost.

[Serapth]

And the Galaxy is running 2.1. Imagine it after Froyo, with the 2x-5x speed boost.

Well, actually, I think the 2-5x speed increase in Frodo is in the Java engine, which is now JITed.

Thing is, a quake port almost certainly used the native API ( C/C++ ) with the NDK, so there will probably be very little change, as its already written to be close to the metal.

[Grifter]

Well... You'd have to go to Verizon. Sprint doesn't carry the Incredible unless you are aiming at the HTC EVO?

You're right, that's what I meant. I really don't know why but I always confuse the two.

[Xerxes]

You're right, that's what I meant. I really don't know why but I always confuse the two.
You really shouldn't. :/

Most Snapdragon phones are 1Ghz, with OpenGL ES 2.0 acceleration. They should be capable of a great deal more than Quake 3.
Maybe not... The Hummingbird processor is supposed to add a significant amount of juice.

dpP5QljEqow

[Siraris]

You're right, that's what I meant. I really don't know why but I always confuse the two.

You were probably still in shock from how Incredible the EVO is, that you got the names confused. It happens to the best of us.

[Xerxes]

You were probably still in shock from how Incredible the EVO is, that you got the names confused. It happens to the best of us.

The thing that gets me, is the Droid X is right there. Isn't it even the same price as the Incredible?

[Serapth]

You really shouldn't. :/


Maybe not... The Hummingbird processor is supposed to add a significant amount of juice.

dpP5QljEqow

Actually, if you run that again, you will notice that it actually runs just fine on both screens, until certain on screen effects happen, mostly around the pixelated explosions. That leads me to believe that it isn't so much a hardware mismatch, as an OpenGL feature was implemented in hardware on one device and not on the other. Something that can easily be accounted for.


Another thing to keep in mind, < 2.1 devices do not support OpenGL ES 2, are instead stuck at 1.1. This could make a big difference in performance too.

[Xerxes]

Both of those are on 2.1.

Weird thing, this is just a demo. Who is making a game to showcase this gaming power. Is there something in the marketplace I missed?

Also Serapth, man I'm sorry. I didn't know you was stuck on 1.6. Sony Ericsson should be ashamed of themselves. When they update, you know if they planning on 2.2 or 2.1 in mind?

[Serapth]

Both of those are on 2.1.

Weird thing, this is just a demo. Who is making a game to showcase this gaming power. Is there something in the marketplace I missed?

Also Serapth, man I'm sorry. I didn't know you was stuck on 1.6. Sony Ericsson should be ashamed of themselves. When they update, you know if they planning on 2.2 or 2.1 in mind?

Yeah, its the biggest suck thing about the X10. Well, that and the rumoured lack of multitouch.


They announced a 2.1 release for Q3 ( aka, fall ), but lately I have heard 2.2 is coming instead. Problem is, Sony built a bunch of UI shit on top of android, and from the sounds of things, these things don't port well. Even apparently HTC has relegated their custom UI stuff to just being an App.


That said, the UI stuff is mostly crap, especially the media and facebook/twitter integration app they are touting so loudly.

It's coming eventually. Finally just received a firmware upgrade at least, but this 1.6 stuff blows. Rumour has it we are fucked for Android 3 though, as 512mb ram is the minimum spec, and the Xperia has 384. That said, its rooted, so you know the community will take care of things.



On that topic, the community at XDA are amongst the biggest collection of shitsackmonkeyfucking asshats I have ever encountered. Such a terrible terrible terrible community of people. Really, they are, its like a high school clique, just you need to be retarded and a bit of a douche to attend that high school. Well, that, or Dutch.

[Xerxes]

Apps should be the only thing they add to the UI. I'm wondering if Samsung is making shit way worse with that TouchPro Wiz 3 on the Galaxy S line up.

Oh and on XDA, yes. A circle onto themselves.

[appel]

Apps should be the only thing they add to the UI. I'm wondering if Samsung is making shit way worse with that TouchPro Wiz 3 on the Galaxy S line up.

Oh and on XDA, yes. A circle onto themselves.

Too bad most phone manufacturers and carriers don't agree. The trend is more to replace as much as possible so that nothing looks or behaves like Android even if it means less features, more bloat and a lot of bugs. This is reinforced by the success of HTC devices where they've broken Android in more ways than I thought possible.

[Xerxes]

Too bad most phone manufacturers and carriers don't agree. The trend is more to replace as much as possible so that nothing looks or behaves like Android even if it means less features, more bloat and a lot of bugs. This is reinforced by the success of HTC devices where they've broken Android in more ways than I thought possible.

I don't know if I voiced this here or somewhere else but I always thought that if I was say HTC or say even Sony Ericsson, I'd want it to be apps. And I'd sell them too. Be on the competitions phone. I know they stick to their own Hardware for like brand recognition, but I think if I had a superior dialer, email, or social networking app I'd sell it for a couple bucks on the Android Market. Something like free to those who buy my HTC phones but small price to those on a Motorola or whatever.

[Mot Wakorb]

Too bad most phone manufacturers and carriers don't agree. The trend is more to replace as much as possible so that nothing looks or behaves like Android even if it means less features, more bloat and a lot of bugs. This is reinforced by the success of HTC devices where they've broken Android in more ways than I thought possible.

I keep hearing this repeated over, and over, and over again - "less features, omre bloat, bugs, broken android..." Explain this, please?

[benson]

I am excited for the Galaxy S series, if I stay with T-Mobile, I may get the Vibrant in addition to my Nexus since I can use my subsidy on it. The only thing I don't like is the TouchWiz interface. Hopefully, you can turn it off like HTC Sense can be. I'd probably give TouchWiz a try, just to see how it is, but if it lags, or makes the interface worse in any way, I'd gladly turn it off if possible.

As to why I dislike the skinned interfaces, I absolutely hate HTC Sense. It was slower than native Android, and it delays getting updates. It also didn't add anything I liked other than the weather app. I don't need their HTC apps for Twitter and whatever else. Especially since you can get good apps from the market for most of that stuff. And stock Android now includes most of that stuff, and it is better implemented than Sense. My biggest problem was the delay in updates to Android. And having a Nexus One, I'm not sure I'd like a device where I couldn't get 2.2 until 3+ months after it was available.

My stance on the "less features, more bloat, bugs, broken android..." stuff is mostly that the skins delay OS updates. I don't think they have less features, in fact most add features. HTC Sense adds a bunch of widgets and apps that aren't (or weren't) included in native Android. Plus HTC Sense adds the HTC keyboard that a lot of people like (although I don't care much for it). I do feel that it adds bloat, as on the older devices like the Hero, Sense lagged pretty badly. And my feeling on the broken Android is mostly that it delays OS updates. I don't think it necessarily breaks Android, just that you don't get the latest updates in a timely manner, if at all.

[J Arcane]

I keep hearing this repeated over, and over, and over again - "less features, omre bloat, bugs, broken android..." Explain this, please?
Well, here's HTC admitting to the update problem of their own volition: http://androidandme.com/2010/07/news/htc-explains-why-android-updates-are-slow-custom-uis/

[appel]

I keep hearing this repeated over, and over, and over again - "less features, omre bloat, bugs, broken android..." Explain this, please?

When I bought my HTC Hero it had countless problems. Don't remember them all but here's a few:

Most HTC processes (system processes that wont be killed by android) leaked memory causing slowdowns and you pretty much had to restart the phone every few days, this I'm told by friends with HTC Desires is still an issue. Most obvious was the keyboard that leaked a few resources (2 Assets and 2 AssetManagers to be exact) every time the screen orientation changed.

The telephony system was altered by HTC so that it when I walked past certain locations where I live it would crash bringing down the entire system, I believe this is because changes done by HTC because the stacktrace from the error does not match any released AOSP code. Very annoying since I'd be unreachable until I noticed it had happened and entered my pin-code again.

The calendar lacked a week view.

Calendar reminders were not persisted in the notification bar. As soon as the screen turned off after the initial reminder with alarm it was removed causing me to miss reminders.

The phone would loose 3g connection every now and then and only way to reestablish it was to toggle airplane mode on and off.

You could not see if a contact was online on google talk from the contacts, messaging apps.

A lot of HTC apps I didn't use were kept running occupying memory reducing the available memory for apps I do use, mostly because of bad design choices by HTC.

All of this was solved by using a vanilla Android rom. After getting a vanilla 2.1 rom things got even better. Don't know how it compares to the official 2.1 rom though but I see no reason to try since I don't really like the black look of SenseUI.

When contacting HTC support they would pretty much ignore me or hint that whatever problems I have with my phone it doesn't really matter since SenseUI is so awesome.

[MagGnome]

Any thoughts on the HTC Hero? I've been thinking about getting one.

[Xerxes]

Serapth!

X10 rooted! (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=711907)

[Serapth]

Serapth!

X10 rooted! (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=711907)
Yeah, saw that's, awesome news but they still can't boot, so still stuck at 1.6

[Mot Wakorb]

Any thoughts on the HTC Hero? I've been thinking about getting one.

Through what vendor? If you're a Sprint customer, splurge a little and get yourself an Evo - vastly superior phone.

Edit: If you're going for the Hero, it's a decent phone, but it doesn't live up to what the Evo is in comparison (I've owned both.)

[MagGnome]

I'm with T-Mobile right now, but I was thinking of switching to a smaller vendor that uses the Sprint Network and is offering a pretty good deal. One of the phone options is the Hero. I'd like to get an Android phone, so I've been looking into it.

[CappinCanuck]

I'm with T-Mobile right now, but I was thinking of switching to a smaller vendor that uses the Sprint Network and is offering a pretty good deal. One of the phone options is the Hero. I'd like to get an Android phone, so I've been looking into it.

If you want something more in between but closer to the Evo greatness, grab the HTC Desire or Incredible.

It's kind of like so: HTC Hero < HTC Legend < HTC Desire/Triumph or Incredible < HTC Evo

[MagGnome]

Thanks for the tips guys. Unfortunately this smaller carrier only has the Hero, but I'm not set on switching to them yet. I might just stick with T-Mobile. They are pricey, but the service has been good. My phone is a total POS though.

[Crittias]

It's kind of like so: HTC Hero > HTC Legend > HTC Desire/Triumph or Incredible > HTC Evo
I think you meant to use < in your list, not >. Evo trumps all.

[bone_matrix]

Do they offer the Samsung moment? There are some good ROMS out there, although its not HTC...so they don't have a billion and a half to choose from. I love mine personally, and it had some better stats than the Hero.

[Satertek]

I think you meant to use < in your list, not >. Evo trumps all.

Until Thursday.

4 days! :D

[Xerxes]

I think you meant to use < in your list, not >. Evo trumps all.
What on sprint? MUahauhaha


/goes off to play with Froyo on the Nexus

[CappinCanuck]

I think you meant to use < in your list, not >.

Corrected, thx!

[J Arcane]

I've been seriously thinking lately, that the thing that would really put Android gaming on the map, is an actual gaming phone.

Take the Nexus hardware, or something even more uber maybe, a little bigger screen, and just put a d-pad and buttons to either side of it, taking care not to make them too large. Or maybe make them slide out, either like the slide keyboards, or to either side of the screen.

Instantly you'd have the best hardware for gaming on a phone there is. I'd buy it just for the emulator potential, but it would also give Android a pretty clear advantage vs. iOS in the gaming sphere. It's never gonna compete with a DS, anymore than the iPhone does, but it'd be damn nice to have and make a big difference in playability, especially since multi-touch seems to be so inconsistent among Android phones and not nearly to the quality of Apple's phones.

[Xerxes]

An Android N-Gage? A-Gage? O_o

[J Arcane]

An Android N-Gage? A-Gage? O_o
In light of modern design and manufacturing techniques I don't think it'd be hard to make something substantially less retarded than the N-Gage.

I hate products that seem to ruin the very idea of something that is otherwise a very good idea, just badly executed once.

[MagGnome]

That's a good idea, J.

Any thoughts from you guys on the Android phones that are available from T-Mobile?

[Mike Kelehan]

That's a good idea, J.

Any thoughts from you guys on the Android phones that are available from T-Mobile?

Grab an unsubsidized Nexus One and put your SIM card right in it. You'll pay $20 less per month, and the phone will be yours and yours forever. Do what you want, run what you want, and get software updates before anyone else.

[J Arcane]

That's a good idea, J.

Any thoughts from you guys on the Android phones that are available from T-Mobile?
The Nexus One is fuckin' great.

[J Arcane]

Grab an unsubsidized Nexus One and put your SIM card right in it. You'll pay $20 less per month, and the phone will be yours and yours forever. Do what you want, run what you want, and get software updates before anyone else.
This is exactly what I did, and I don't regret it a whit. The freedom of owning your own phone reaps great benefit in the future. No contracts, no equipment fees, no ETF, better rates.

Unlocked T-Mobile band Nexus One + Even More Plus + Flexpay = $60 a month for service that costs $100 or more elsewhere.

The savings adds up real quick.

[Satertek]

An Android N-Gage? A-Gage? O_o

http://www.petitiononline.com/saveside/

[MagGnome]

Grab an unsubsidized Nexus One and put your SIM card right in it. You'll pay $20 less per month, and the phone will be yours and yours forever. Do what you want, run what you want, and get software updates before anyone else.

An unsubsidized Nexus One? Aren't those $600? :eek:

Also, how would it be $20 less per month?

Edit - I see that they are $530. That's quite a bit of money for me right now.

This is exactly what I did, and I don't regret it a whit. The freedom of owning your own phone reaps great benefit in the future. No contracts, no equipment fees, no ETF, better rates.

Unlocked T-Mobile band Nexus One + Even More Plus + Flexpay = $60 a month for service that costs $100 or more elsewhere.

The savings adds up real quick.

You're paying $60 a month? I pay $75 per month and I don't even have Internet. That's for unlimited minutes and unlimited texts. I'd cut down the minutes to save money, but I could only save a measly $10 a month by dropping down to 600 minutes, which I really don't want to do. Going from unlimited to 600 is quite the drop.

[civil]

Jacob, if you cut down on unlimited texts that means I can cut my text plan down too. ;)

As someone that owns the Verizon version of the Hero...stay away from it. The internal antenna sucks, the phone is sluggish, calling people is a hell of a lot more complicated (and problematic) than it should be and...well, I could go on. I dumped AT&T for an Android phone and don't regret ditching that shitty service for Verizon, but man oh man do I regret the phone choice.

[Mike Kelehan]

An unsubsidized Nexus One? Aren't those $600? :eek:

Also, how would it be $20 less per month?

Edit - I see that they are $530. That's quite a bit of money for me right now.



You're paying $60 a month? I pay $75 per month and I don't even have Internet. That's for unlimited minutes and unlimited texts. I'd cut down the minutes to save money, but I could only save a measly $10 a month by dropping down to 600 minutes, which I really don't want to do. Going from unlimited to 600 is quite the drop.

See, if you get the phone subsidized for $180, you're paying $80/month for 500 anytime minutes (free nights and weekends), unlimited texting, unlimited data (including tethering!). Get it unsubsidized for $530, and the same package is $60/month. Add $10 to either plan to get 1500 anytime minutes. That means you come out ahead in a year and a half, and you're NEVER tied to any contract. Leave when you want. But you probably won't want to, with a deal such as that.

Do you want to pay $350 upfront or $480 over two years? That's the question. I know $530 sounds like a lot, but it'll save you good money over the life of the phone. I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping it for a good long time, unless Google makes another independent phone, which it sounds like they won't.

[J Arcane]

I pay $60 for 500 minutes, plus unlimited internet and text messaging. It is the best deal in cell plans I could find anywhere.

$75 and no internet is ridiculous.

[MagGnome]

Jacob, if you cut down on unlimited texts that means I can cut my text plan down too. ;)

Har de har har. :p

I text you what, less than ten times a month?

Either way, thanks for the feedback on the Hero. It looks like I'll be skipping that one for sure.


See, if you get the phone subsidized for $180, you're paying $80/month for 500 anytime minutes (free nights and weekends), unlimited texting, unlimited data (including tethering!). Get it unsubsidized for $530, and the same package is $60/month. Add $10 to either plan to get 1500 anytime minutes. That means you come out ahead in a year and a half, and you're NEVER tied to any contract. Leave when you want. But you probably won't want to, with a deal such as that.

Do you want to pay $350 upfront or $480 over two years? That's the question. I know $530 sounds like a lot, but it'll save you good money over the life of the phone. I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping it for a good long time, unless Google makes another independent phone, which it sounds like they won't.

Okay, that makes a lot more sense now. $530 seems like a lot of money for something small that can be easily damaged or stolen (my phone's been dropped on accident a few times, for example), but it sounds like that's the way to go.

Are you including taxes and fees in those rates?


I pay $60 for 500 minutes, plus unlimited internet and text messaging. It is the best deal in cell plans I could find anywhere.

$75 and no internet is ridiculous.

I know! I've tried to downgrade, but I only have a few options available to me. Hopefully I'd be able to switch to something better if I got a different phone.

Keep in mind that $75 includes all of the taxes and fees. It's still ridiculous though.


So what's the build quality like on the Nexus One? This is very important to me, as all three cellphones I've owned previously have been total garbage. I spent $200 on the one I have now (a MotoZine, which I really regret), and it's literally falling apart. Cellphones in my experience are junk.

[Mike Kelehan]

Okay, that makes a lot more sense now. $530 seems like a lot of money for something small that can be easily damaged or stolen (my phone's been dropped on accident a few times, for example), but it sounds like that's the way to go.

Are you including taxes and fees in those rates?

So what's the build quality like on the Nexus One? This is very important to me, as all three cellphones I've owned previously have been total garbage. I spent $200 on the one I have now (a MotoZine, which I really regret), and it's literally falling apart. Cellphones in my experience are junk.

I'm not including taxes and fees, no, so add a few dollars to those figures. Less than $10. The phone is a pretty solid device, no moving parts except the trackball, so it's not going to definitely snap in two like a flip phone. I can't say I've thrown it to the ground or anything, but it seems like it'd be able to deal with a lot, and it comes with a nice sleeve to protect it from such things.

As for theft, Google Latitude. It's an opt-in service that lets you and your friends track each other via GPS (and, for those without Android, IP addresses). Add one of your friends as a Google Latitude contact, and if your phone gets stolen, just ask your friend where it is, and show up with the cops.

[Voodoo]

For those still obtaining the Nexus One and are worried about protecting it from damage, Otter Box now has two Nexus One cases available...

http://www.otterbox.com/nexus-one-cases/

[Siraris]

As for theft, Google Latitude. It's an opt-in service that lets you and your friends track each other via GPS (and, for those without Android, IP addresses). Add one of your friends as a Google Latitude contact, and if your phone gets stolen, just ask your friend where it is, and show up with the cops.

That only works if you have GPS on, and your battery is charged.

[benson]

Yeah, the Nexus One is a tank for a cell phone. It has a half metal body, with the rest being the glass screen and a teflon coated back. It feels hefty in the hand, and as Mike said, the only moving part is a trackball.

As to taxes and fees and overall rate plans, I always add about $10 a month for taxes and fees. Since you are with T-Mobile, their basic rates for their plans are (and this is if you buy the unsubsidized Nexus One) $60 for 500 minutes of voice with unlimited text and internet, or $70 for 1000 minutes with unlimited text and internet, or $80 for unlimited everything. Add the approximate $10 for taxes and fees. Note that once your current contract is up, you would be contract free with T-Mobile. Changing your plan doesn't extend your contract in this case.

Anyway, I'd highly recommend it, the Nexus One is an awesome phone. And I'm all for saving some money on cell phone plans. And I'm definitely against contracts for them. I hate them with a passion.

[Mike Kelehan]

That only works if you have GPS on, and your battery is charged.

If my phone is stolen, I'd notice before the battery dies. Also, the GPS doesn't NEED to be on; it can estimate the location using cell towers (like the iPhone did), but it won't be super-accurate. If anything, it'll help you see that you did indeed leave it at home, or at work, or at your mom's.

[MagGnome]

You guys have given me a lot of great info, thanks!

The Nexus One is very tempting. My only real hesitation is the price. For $530 I could buy a Nexus One, or a cheap phone plus a PS3, or an iPad, or I could just save that money.

Still, it's very tempting...

[Satertek]

You guys have given me a lot of great info, thanks!

The Nexus One is very tempting. My only real hesitation is the price. For $530 I could buy a Nexus One, or a cheap phone plus a PS3, or an iPad, or I could just save that money.

Still, it's very tempting...

The Vibrant is coming out Thursday for a $430-450 (still not official, I've heard both from different places), I'd give that a look first as it's a good deal faster than the Nexus One. (Though may not as quality a case as HTC's tend to have, that's my biggest worry)

[Xerxes]

So what's the build quality like on the Nexus One? This is very important to me, as all three cellphones I've owned previously have been total garbage. I spent $200 on the one I have now (a MotoZine, which I really regret), and it's literally falling apart. Cellphones in my experience are junk.

I had my first drop. *sob* Small one. Left a few scratches. It fells solid enough. I haven't put one of those plastic screens on it but my screen is scratchless. I keep it in the little soft pouch it came in.

You could get a Samsung Vibrant and be different. :)

[Xerxes]

You guys have given me a lot of great info, thanks!

The Nexus One is very tempting. My only real hesitation is the price. For $530 I could buy a Nexus One, or a cheap phone plus a PS3, or an iPad, or I could just save that money.

Still, it's very tempting...

Owning your phone outright is very liberating and once you do it, I know I can't go back to the old ways.

That said, you still like paying roughly an extra $20 on your bill cause it's easier to manage, I say by all means. The math comes out to you saving a few extra bucks. I think it's mainly the freedom that people like though.

[MagGnome]

I don't really understand what you guys mean by "owning your phone outright". Don't I own the phone I have now?

Are you just referring to the lack of a contract? If so, I agree that is nice.

[Serapth]

I don't really understand what you guys mean by "owning your phone outright". Don't I own the phone I have now?

Are you just referring to the lack of a contract? If so, I agree that is nice.

Yes, that .

[Mike Kelehan]

I don't really understand what you guys mean by "owning your phone outright". Don't I own the phone I have now?

Are you just referring to the lack of a contract? If so, I agree that is nice.

Well, think about this. Who do you get your internet from? Let's say Comcast. Would you rather have the computer you have now, or a computer that's faster, but can only install programs through Comcast that Comcast approves, and you only get service packs after Comcast spends a few MONTHS sifting through them to make sure that they don't let you do anything Comcast doesn't want you to do?

That's what we mean. That's what I mean, anyway. The Droid X is Verizon's phone. The Galaxy S is Sprint's phone. The iPhone is Apple and, to a lesser extent, AT&T's phone. The Nexus One is your phone.

[MagGnome]

Ah, that makes a lot of sense. I'd much rather own my own phone.

[J Arcane]

If you buy a phone on a contract, no, you do not own your phone, at least not until the contract period is expired. You are not free to do what you wish with it until then, without paying fees to the service provider. Some providers may not even let you keep the phone afterward, but will try to insist that you re-up your contract and upgrade to a new phone so they can keep you locked in.

By buying an unlocked device, you do own your phone, and are free to do whatever the hell you like with it. You can take it to any provider whose band is compatible with the device, you can cancel your service whenever you like, root your phone and put all kinds of awful hacked roms on it, or whatever you want (though you may still void manufacturer warranty by doing so).

I've only ever bought one phone on contract, and I swore I'd never do it again. Since then I've owned pre-paid phones, phones bought on eBay or from friends, and most recently the Nexus, because I simple refuse to deal with bullshit contracts.

[Xerxes]

I was tempted to by a Vibrant off contract, but I'm going to wait until like the end of the year. Soon I'll be changing phones like clothes.

[J Arcane]

I've resolved not to even consider replacing the Nexus unless I see something with a dramatically better keyboard than is presently available.

There is one coming from HTC that is basically a Nexus with a Tilt 2 keyboard, which would be great, except they ruin it by putting Sense on it.

I have a feeling if I want an upgrade that still grants me the up-to-dateness and performance of a Nexus, I may be waiting until 3.0. It seems like right now, custom UIs are trending up, not down.

[MagGnome]

If you buy a phone on a contract, no, you do not own your phone, at least not until the contract period is expired. You are not free to do what you wish with it until then, without paying fees to the service provider. Some providers may not even let you keep the phone afterward, but will try to insist that you re-up your contract and upgrade to a new phone so they can keep you locked in.

By buying an unlocked device, you do own your phone, and are free to do whatever the hell you like with it. You can take it to any provider whose band is compatible with the device, you can cancel your service whenever you like, root your phone and put all kinds of awful hacked roms on it, or whatever you want (though you may still void manufacturer warranty by doing so).

I've only ever bought one phone on contract, and I swore I'd never do it again. Since then I've owned pre-paid phones, phones bought on eBay or from friends, and most recently the Nexus, because I simple refuse to deal with bullshit contracts.

That definitely makes sense. I'm in a contract right now that runs out in December. How would that work with getting a Nexus?

[Xerxes]

I've resolved not to even consider replacing the Nexus unless I see something with a dramatically better keyboard than is presently available.

There is one coming from HTC that is basically a Nexus with a Tilt 2 keyboard, which would be great, except they ruin it by putting Sense on it.

I have a feeling if I want an upgrade that still grants me the up-to-dateness and performance of a Nexus, I may be waiting until 3.0. It seems like right now, custom UIs are trending up, not down.

One big reason I consider waiting to see what the Project Emerald is. All speculations sound like something I want along with being the herald for Android 3. I think that's November though.

I'm sure the Nexus will still be the true "herald" of next iterations of Android, but it's supposed to mark HTC stepping they hardware game up.

[J Arcane]

That definitely makes sense. I'm in a contract right now that runs out in December. How would that work with getting a Nexus?
You're with T-Mobile right now right?

Let the contract expire, be without a phone for like 2 days while you wait for a Nexus One to arrive, then go down to your local T-Mobile store (real T-Mobile store, not an "authorized dealer"), and have them activate you with a new SIM card on an Even More Plus package.

You technically own your phone once the contract expires, but they'll try damn hard to get you to stay on with some kind of renewal/trade-up contract thing. Just tell them no if they try that shit.

[MagGnome]

You're with T-Mobile right now right?

Let the contract expire, be without a phone for like 2 days while you wait for a Nexus One to arrive, then go down to your local T-Mobile store (real T-Mobile store, not an "authorized dealer"), and have them activate you with a new SIM card on an Even More Plus package.

You technically own your phone once the contract expires, but they'll try damn hard to get you to stay on with some kind of renewal/trade-up contract thing. Just tell them no if they try that shit.

Sounds good. I take it I can't get the Nexus while I'm on my current contract? I suppose that makes sense.

Hopefully the Nexus will still be awesome and even cheaper when December rolls around. :D

[J Arcane]

Well, I suppose you could, and just swap the SIM card, but this just seems like the cleanest way to go about it.

Nexus One totally rules by the way.

[PathMaster]

I get phone calls periodically from VZ wanting to up my service and get me a new phone constantly. I have not been under contract with them for three years. Each calls gets more and more aggressive. I love messing with those phone calls. I feel almost sorry for them. I think I might be grabbing the Droid X this week or next and while I will balk at paying the full price I will save over the length of the service and my employer's discount will be even better at full price.

[Mike Kelehan]

That definitely makes sense. I'm in a contract right now that runs out in December. How would that work with getting a Nexus?

If you're going to get an N1 anyway, just get it now, and pop in your SIM card. Don't bother waiting until it expires. You'll end up paying the same amount, but you get the new phone now. Once your current contract expires, renew under Even More Plus, which is month-to-month.

[Rogue_hunter]

I'm locked on AT&T due to a parental retiree discount, and was going to be getting either an HTC Aria or Motorola Backflip tomorrow. But MotWakorb let me know about the Samsung Captivate coming out next week. Anyone have opinions?
All the previews I've seen are insanely positive, but I'm a little wary of it being entirely screen based for the input. I was under the impression that all Android phones had to have a physical keyboard as well as the touch screen, but this seems to be incorrect.
I'm also a total smartphone noob, having only had the cheap free phones and no texting or data as part of the plan.

[Mike Kelehan]

I'm locked on AT&T due to a parental retiree discount, and was going to be getting either an HTC Aria or Motorola Backflip tomorrow. But MotWakorb let me know about the Samsung Captivate coming out next week. Anyone have opinions?
All the previews I've seen are insanely positive, but I'm a little wary of it being entirely screen based for the input. I was under the impression that all Android phones had to have a physical keyboard as well as the touch screen, but this seems to be incorrect.
I'm also a total smartphone noob, having only had the cheap free phones and no texting or data as part of the plan.

Android phones often have software keyboards, and I find that I prefer the stock Android soft keyboard to hard keypads due to the fact that it auto-corrects your spelling based on what letters are NEAR what you typed. I'm typing a lot faster than I could on any small keypad.

[Xerxes]

I'm locked on AT&T due to a parental retiree discount, and was going to be getting either an HTC Aria or Motorola Backflip tomorrow. But MotWakorb let me know about the Samsung Captivate coming out next week. Anyone have opinions?
All the previews I've seen are insanely positive, but I'm a little wary of it being entirely screen based for the input. I was under the impression that all Android phones had to have a physical keyboard as well as the touch screen, but this seems to be incorrect.
I'm also a total smartphone noob, having only had the cheap free phones and no texting or data as part of the plan.

I have to say when i got my nexus I was skeptical with a OSK but lately I barely notice it when texting. I find it best to turn it side ways so you get a bigger typing surfaces but that's probably cause my fingers are fat.

[Zagrash]

You're with T-Mobile right now right?

Let the contract expire, be without a phone for like 2 days while you wait for a Nexus One to arrive, then go down to your local T-Mobile store (real T-Mobile store, not an "authorized dealer"), and have them activate you with a new SIM card on an Even More Plus package.

You technically own your phone once the contract expires, but they'll try damn hard to get you to stay on with some kind of renewal/trade-up contract thing. Just tell them no if they try that shit.

Is T-mob still offering the "upgrade" to even more plus? I just paid a one time fee of $35 (3 months after signing a new contract with my G1) and switched to Even More Plus immediately. Granted that was back in October/November when it was first made available, so I don't know if this is still an option, but paying an extra $35 to get out of my contract, plus pay less each month was a no-brainer for me.

[benson]

Ah, Mags, you don't have to wait to get the Nexus One and switch to the Even More Plus plan. Zagrash just said what I was going to say, you can get the Nexus One when you want, then call up T-Mobile and tell them you want to switch to Even More Plus. You'll have to pay a one-time fee of $35 for your line that is under contract. However, Zagrash is incorrect, it does not end your contract, your contract will still go through December (or whenever your contract ends). However, you will be paying the lower monthly fees for the Even More Plus plan, which saves you money in the long run.

I believe you said you don't have internet currently on your phone, so I'd recommend either waiting to get the Nexus One, or switching to the Even More Plus plan when you get it (and paying the $35 fee) since adding the Android internet plan to your currently line will cost $30 per month.

Either way, you should save some money in the long run.

[MagGnome]

Thanks benson! I'll look into that.

One of my friends swears that the Galaxy S (which apparently goes by different names under the different carriers) is going to be "much better" than the Nexus One. What do you guys think?

[benson]

Some upsides to the Galaxy S (Vibrant on T-Mobile) is the larger screen (.3"), and supposed faster processor (they haven't stated an actual speed that I've seen, just that it can push 3x the polygons or something than the Nexus One). Downsides are that it's a Samsung and they don't have a great history of supporting their phones (see Behold 2 on T-Mobile - another Android phone, but stuck on 1.5 or 1.6 last I checked, and won't be upgraded), and it has TouchWiz on it (like HTC Sense, I don't like it, but ymmv) which also will likely prevent it from getting the latest Android updates. I did hear it should get 2.2, but I believe it will launch with 2.1.

The upsides to the Nexus One are that it already has Android 2.2, and will likely continue being the first phone to get the OS updates for a while, it is a fast phone (among the fastest currently available), and it's a solid, well built phone. Downsides are the slightly smaller screen than the current fad (3.7" screen, Galaxy S will have 4", EVO and Droid X have 4.3", iPhone has 3.5 if that matters to you), and that you still have to get it directly from Google.

Personally, I like the Nexus One a lot. Yeah, I'm a little jealous of the new phones speeds (the Galaxy S should be a really fast phone, but if no games or other software are written to take advantage of it, it won't matter), and the slightly larger screen sizes. I really think the Galaxy S screen is the sweet spot. I find the 3.7" screen just a little tight in portrait (since it is widescreen, vs the iPhone's 4:3 layout which makes portrait a little better), and the 4" screen will make it a little nicer there. I also don't really want to step up to the 4.3" screens, those are just enormous. The EVO is a very large phone, and the Droid X is a little bigger judging by the pictures I've seen.

And my biggest argument for the Nexus One over everything else comes back to it being the "official" Google phone. It gets the latest software updates first. Long before anything else does. I've had Froyo (2.2) for ages now (you know, like a month or something), and I don't think another phone has it yet. I just don't care for the skins like HTC Sense or TouchWiz as I've said earlier in this thread.

[Xerxes]

Thanks benson! I'll look into that.

One of my friends swears that the Galaxy S (which apparently goes by different names under the different carriers) is going to be "much better" than the Nexus One. What do you guys think?

-Slightly faster processor
-far better graphics capabilities but what does it mean (nothing)
-bigger brighter battery saving screen(something we always hear about but never really see
-all running on Android 2.1. I honestly don't think 2.2 blows 2.1 out of the water... unless you want flash. But it's nice to get the new builds first.
-Suckiest part is probably having to use touchwiz. I'm sure Launcher Pro will save you from that fate if you get it though.

[MagGnome]

Once again, thanks for the responses guys.

It looks like the Vibrant/Galaxy is quite a bit more expensive ($800 unlocked from what I've found?) than the Nexus One. Overall it looks like the N1 is still the way to go, even if it is slightly smaller and slower.

Edit - According to this blurb (http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/28/samsung-vibrant-is-official-on-t-mobile-coming-july-21-for-20/) the Vibrant comes with a 1ghz Hummingbird processor, among other things. It also includes a copy of Sims 3 and Avatar on the SD card, for what that's worth.

[Xerxes]

Once again, thanks for the responses guys.

It looks like the Vibrant/Galaxy is quite a bit more expensive ($800 unlocked from what I've found?) than the Nexus One. Overall it looks like the N1 is still the way to go, even if it is slightly smaller and slower.

Edit - According to this blurb (http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/28/samsung-vibrant-is-official-on-t-mobile-coming-july-21-for-20/) the Vibrant comes with a 1ghz Hummingbird processor, among other things. It also includes a copy of Sims 3 and Avatar on the SD card, for what that's worth.

Actually, I think come 7/15 you should be able to buy the phone for $450 upfront. It's actually cheaper than the Nexus. What are you looking at, ebay prices?

[J Arcane]

I had an odd dream last night that Symbian had come out with some awesome new phone and I wound up begrudgingly abandoning my Nexus for it.

It was a strange feeling.

[Xerxes]

I had an odd dream last night that Symbian had come out with some awesome new phone and I wound up begrudgingly abandoning my Nexus for it.

It was a strange feeling.

Isn't Symbian dead in light of Maemo/Meego?

[MagGnome]

Actually, I think come 7/15 you should be able to buy the phone for $450 upfront. It's actually cheaper than the Nexus. What are you looking at, ebay prices?

I didn't spend too much time looking. I googled the phone and $800 came up a couple of times.

It's $200 with a contract, whereas the Nexus 1 is $180 with a contract. I'm not going to sign up for another two-year agreement though.

[Grifter]

I think I'll be selling my iPhone 3GS this weekend and picking up the Galaxy S (Captivate on AT&T). It's looking pretty sweet and once I "jailbreak" it (or the Android equivalent) I shouldn't have to deal with AT&Ts retarded restrictions.

[Xerxes]

I didn't spend too much time looking. I googled the phone and $800 came up a couple of times.

It's $200 with a contract, whereas the Nexus 1 is $180 with a contract. I'm not going to sign up for another two-year agreement though.

RadioShack has it for $499. But TMO had on their website for $450. So totally blank $800 from your mind.

I think I'll be selling my iPhone 3GS this weekend and picking up the Galaxy S (Captivate on AT&T). It's looking pretty sweet and once I "jailbreak" it (or the Android equivalent) I shouldn't have to deal with AT&Ts retarded restrictions.

We "root" android phones. Root. :o

Maybe it's flash them. O_o

Wirefly put a review.
g2uXwWZHhXE

Just noticed the lack of LED flash. Really Samsung?

[MagGnome]

It sounded like he said 5 megapickles. :D

[Xerxes]

It sounded like he said 5 megapickles. :D

He did. He even commented about it being new technology. I was not amused.

While 5MP is enough, I'd like something like 8MP and with led flash and maybe more than 2.0 zoom. And a few other things that make me say, "Who want to buy a 7.1MP Sony Cybershot."

My Cybershot doesn't see that much action as is actually.

[Serapth]

My 8MP Android camera is the king of inconsistency. It can do some downright amazing pictures, but at the same time can render images that have more in common with a crayon drawing than a photo.

There really is a trick to it, it seems.


One thing I have noticed though is ( and I noticed this on the Hogwarts pic Voodoo tweeted from his phone ), when you zoom in, there is an off centered blur, almost like water colours.

[Xerxes]

My 8MP Android camera is the king of inconsistency. It can do some downright amazing pictures, but at the same time can render images that have more in common with a crayon drawing than a photo.

There really is a trick to it, it seems.


One thing I have noticed though is ( and I noticed this on the Hogwarts pic Voodoo tweeted from his phone ), when you zoom in, there is an off centered blur, almost like water colours.

I was looking at some pics from my friends Iphone 4. I think that's 5MP, and I don't know if it was just the screen but those were some nice pics.

[Serapth]

This pick from my move thread is a very good example. Zoomed out, it looks quite impressive, but look at it in its full resolution and you will see a fresno effect, especially stronger away from the focal point.

This seems to be common to all high megapixel camera pics i've seen sofar.

http://www.flexamail.com/GetImage.ashx?id=3723


Here is the pic Voodoo tweeted earlier, you see the same thing ( Hope you dont mind me reposting your tweet, I figured it was ok )

EDIT, Stupid Tweet Pic.... Gonna go with trust Flexamail on this, as I cant link to TweetPic. Let me know if you want this taken down for whatever reason Voodoo, its your copyright. )

http://www.flexamail.com/GetImage.ashx?id=3798

Again, you have to zoom in to see what I am talking about.

[Xerxes]

Wow it does look like a water color. O_o

What phone Voodoo using? Could it be the software?

[Serapth]

Wow it does look like a water color. O_o

What phone Voodoo using? Could it be the software?

I believe that was shot and sent directly from a Nexus One.
The first shot was from my Xperia X10 8MP camera.

[Xerxes]

It looks like you are visiting a CGI castle. But the CGI was from the 80s on a TV show, with a small budget. Lack texture. O_o

You'd expect Sony to get that right.

[Serapth]

It looks like you are visiting a CGI castle. But the CGI was from the 80s on a TV show, with a small budget. Lack texture. O_o

You'd expect Sony to get that right.

You got that backwards. The castle is Voodoo's N1, the Toronto cityscape is my Xperia.

[Voodoo]

You got that backwards. The castle is Voodoo's N1, the Toronto cityscape is my Xperia.
That's correct. That picture was taken by my N1 and posted directly to Twitter. :)

[Xerxes]

You got that backwards. The castle is Voodoo's N1, the Toronto cityscape is my Xperia.

Oh your pic did look just like watercolors. Doesn't stop Voodoo's castle from looking like CG.

[Serapth]

To really illustrate the flaws of camera pics, here is a shot I took earlier today ( for a Kijiji ad ), with absolutely no thought towards how it would turn out.


The part that is interesting is, this is from my 8MP Canon SLR, so its as Apples to Apples as you get. When you zoom it in, you get some bluriness, but none of the CG or watercolor effects.

http://www.flexamail.com/GetImage.ashx?id=3800

[Xerxes]

Maybe we're blowing these pics up to picture.

[MagGnome]

My camera phone (a 5 megapickles MotoZine) used to take amazing shots, but now they are usually blurry. It sucks, because I've been wanting to take pics of some of the stuff I'm working on in watchmaking class and post them on here, but most of the pictures are absolutely terrible. :(

[Serapth]

My camera phone (a 5 megapickles MotoZine) used to take amazing shots, but now they are usually blurry. It sucks, because I've been wanting to take pics of some of the stuff I'm working on in watchmaking class and post them on here, but most of the pictures are absolutely terrible. :(

Well Sylar, if it worked well before and doesn't work well now, I would be willing to put dollars to donut you either

a) have scratched your lens up, keys and coins and lions, oh my!
b) have dirt on your lens. This is of course the better alternative, but get a lens cleaner and clean off the, um, lens.


Oh, and I know you hate the Sylar joke... Of course, it isn't stopping me though, is it? ;)

[Xerxes]

Motorola with the dick move... (http://androidandme.com/2010/07/phones/motorola-deals-blow-to-the-android-modding-community/)

[MagGnome]

Well Sylar, if it worked well before and doesn't work well now, I would be willing to put dollars to donut you either

a) have scratched your lens up, keys and coins and lions, oh my!
b) have dirt on your lens. This is of course the better alternative, but get a lens cleaner and clean off the, um, lens.


Oh, and I know you hate the Sylar joke... Of course, it isn't stopping me though, is it? ;)

First of all, I hope you die of leprosy.

Second of all, I don't think the lens is dirty or scratched. While that might be the case, the camera simply takes blurry pictures now, as if it is unable to focus. Every now and then it will suddenly take one decent picture, but sadly that happens very rarely.

Oh, and the lens has a sliding cover over it, so it doesn't really get scratched. I do clean it though.

[benson]

For Mags Moto Zine issue, it could be the software not focusing any longer for some reason. I have seen that happen.

The Samsung Galaxy S has a flash on Verizon and Sprint (the Fascinate and Epic I believe), but the AT&T and T-Mobile versions do not (Captivate and Vibrant).

The iPhone 4 does have a 5mp camera and most reviewers are saying that it does take the best and most consistent photos of the cell phone cameras out there right now. Part of it may be their backlit sensor and I believe a larger sensor, which they claim is the reason their photos look better. Something about having more space for the same amount of pixels. Here is what Wired (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/why-the-iphone-4-camera-is-so-good/) has to say about it.

Personally, I think the Nexus One camera is fine for a cell phone camera. It's not great (though I did read a comparison (http://androidandme.com/2010/05/phones/the-incredible-camera-showdown-droid-incredible-vs-nexus-one/) between it and the Droid Incredible 8mp camera, and the Nexus One won), but it is the best cell phone camera I've had. Part of it is the flash, having a flash makes low light pictures just so much better.

And on the subject of zooming, I will never use digital zoom (the only zoom on most cell phones). It ruins your pictures. If you need to zoom in, just take the wide angle picture, and zoom in using Photoshop or whatever you use at home.

But back to the Galaxy S, I think it'll be a cool phone. Personally, I like having a flash on a camera, and I am disappointed the T-Mobile and AT&T versions don't have one. I guess the old iPhone got by without one for a couple years (the original, 3G, and 3Gs didn't have flashes) and was considered one of the better cell phone cameras out there even though it was lower resolution than others. I guess only time will tell if the camera is decent or not.

[Adam Blue]

A pic taken with my Evo at 8MP.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/AdamBlue/IMAG0113.jpg

[Xerxes]

Ok, looking at these pics from home lets me know the monitors at work suck.

[Smoof]

Anyone know anything about the Samsung Moment? I was comparing the Moment with the Hero on Sprint and the Moment seems to be the better phone with the new firmware and faster processor. However, I thought I read that it's less customizable and/or not able to run Droid apps; is this the case? Why buy a droid if it's just as locked down as any other phone?

Does anyone know anything about the Moment?

[Mot Wakorb]

Anyone know anything about the Samsung Moment? I was comparing the Moment with the Hero on Sprint and the Moment seems to be the better phone with the new firmware and faster processor. However, I thought I read that it's less customizable and/or not able to run Droid apps; is this the case? Why buy a droid if it's just as locked down as any other phone?

Does anyone know anything about the Moment?

It's customizable, it downloads apps, and it works extremely well. That said, the next generation version is coming out soon for Sprint so I'd hold off on it if you really want a phone with a slideout keyboard.

[PathMaster]

Motorola with the dick move... (http://androidandme.com/2010/07/phones/motorola-deals-blow-to-the-android-modding-community/)

I saw that and I was not happy. While I don't think I will mind Motoblur on the Droid X, I was hoping to try some bare Android.. I will just wait for someone to break it, or Moto to be nice. (hah!) :eek:

[Smoof]

It's customizable, it downloads apps, and it works extremely well. That said, the next generation version is coming out soon for Sprint so I'd hold off on it if you really want a phone with a slideout keyboard.

The question is, how long? I've been living with the phone I've got for a year now and frankly, it sucks. Moreover, I know the Moment at least has a tested user base and isn't much of a maligned phone. I got burned with my current phone (Samsung Exclaim), as it was brand new when I bought it last year and it's been nothing but a piece of shit since then. I'm worried that being an early adopter will not pay off in waiting and I don't have the money to upgrade terribly frequently. My choice to upgrade now is actually a poor financial decision for me, but I cannot tolerate the Exclaim any longer and so I'm ditching it early.

Edit: Also, do we know if the Moment 2 will be 4G or not? Plainly, I cannot afford Sprint's 4G service and thus one of the reasons I'm avoiding the Evo (I've heard it's also got some issues). So if the Moment 2 is 4G, it's automatically out for me.

[Xerxes]

I saw that and I was not happy. While I don't think I will mind Motoblur on the Droid X, I was hoping to try some bare Android.. I will just wait for someone to break it, or Moto to be nice. (hah!) :eek:

They want to be nice but there is an imaginary business reason why they can't.

[Smoof]

Never mind. Looks like they already released the Moment 2 under the title of "Intercept" and it's at a reasonable price and not 4G. Suppose I'll have to look into it.

Edit: However, it looks like the Intercept uses the older network type
http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=6271

[zarathstra]

I didn't spend too much time looking. I googled the phone and $800 came up a couple of times.

It's $200 with a contract, whereas the Nexus 1 is $180 with a contract. I'm not going to sign up for another two-year agreement though.

Its kind of a dick thing to do, but you can always get out of a cell contract by finding someplace the company doesn't have coverage, and then call and tell them you're moving there. They pretty much have to let you out of it.

[Grifter]

Its kind of a dick thing to do, but you can always get out of a cell contract by finding someplace the company doesn't have coverage, and then call and tell them you're moving there. They pretty much have to let you out of it.

Marble, Colorado

That's where I was going to "move" until I found out about the Galaxy S.

[Satertek]

So the Vibrant (T-Mobile's Galaxy S) is gonna be $500 off contract. Price finally showed up on the website. Still around $250 cheaper over 2 years than with a contract though. (And $25/mo with equipment plan so it won't break the bank)

Will probably be getting off work late, will be so bummed if they run out. (But I've seen zero advertising for it, they can't possibly run out if noone knows it exists, heh) If it is I'll probably just order online.

[Xerxes]

So the Vibrant (T-Mobile's Galaxy S) is gonna be $500 off contract. Price finally showed up on the website. Still around $250 cheaper over 2 years than with a contract though. (And $25/mo with equipment plan so it won't break the bank)

Will probably be getting off work late, will be so bummed if they run out. (But I've seen zero advertising for it, they can't possibly run out if noone knows it exists, heh) If it is I'll probably just order online.

Which website?

[Satertek]

Which website?

Direct from T-Mobile. Radioshack has the same price as well.

Spent the last hour figuring out how to get the 35% off bing cash back deal, but the only way to do it is if you're a new customer or to cancel your account and start a new one, potentially losing your number in the process.

(But if you aren't on T-Mobile and want it, search t-mobile on bing, click the cashback link at the top, buy the Vibrant, save $175, in theory at least, the bing cashback system has always seemed pretty shaky, I thought I'd used it on three different occassions but I've only got credit for one, I probably didn't do something exactly by the book those two times)

[Mot Wakorb]

The question is, how long? I've been living with the phone I've got for a year now and frankly, it sucks. Moreover, I know the Moment at least has a tested user base and isn't much of a maligned phone. I got burned with my current phone (Samsung Exclaim), as it was brand new when I bought it last year and it's been nothing but a piece of shit since then. I'm worried that being an early adopter will not pay off in waiting and I don't have the money to upgrade terribly frequently. My choice to upgrade now is actually a poor financial decision for me, but I cannot tolerate the Exclaim any longer and so I'm ditching it early.

Edit: Also, do we know if the Moment 2 will be 4G or not? Plainly, I cannot afford Sprint's 4G service and thus one of the reasons I'm avoiding the Evo (I've heard it's also got some issues). So if the Moment 2 is 4G, it's automatically out for me.

Samsung is releasing the "Epic 4G" for Sprint. See the following:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/28/samsungs-epic-4g-for-sprint-seems-to-live-up-to-its-name/

[Xerxes]

Gah, Now I'm convinced they smoking dope. Might as well shell out a few more bucks and get a Nexus.

[Adam Blue]

Edit: Also, do we know if the Moment 2 will be 4G or not? Plainly, I cannot afford Sprint's 4G service and thus one of the reasons I'm avoiding the Evo (I've heard it's also got some issues). So if the Moment 2 is 4G, it's automatically out for me.

No issues, but for a smart phone it probably has the cheapest plan out there. With what I can do on a Evo, I'd pay more to do that on any other service.

[MagGnome]

Its kind of a dick thing to do, but you can always get out of a cell contract by finding someplace the company doesn't have coverage, and then call and tell them you're moving there. They pretty much have to let you out of it.

What happens when I don't actually move then? :p

My contract is up in about five months, so it's not the worst thing in the world. It gives me time to decide, and I can always pay that $35 upgrade fee if I choose to upgrade sooner.

[Zagrash]

I saw that and I was not happy. While I don't think I will mind Motoblur on the Droid X, I was hoping to try some bare Android.. I will just wait for someone to break it, or Moto to be nice. (hah!) :eek:

They want to be nice but there is an imaginary business reason why they can't.

Motorola seems to be stepping their dick-moves up to a new level....auto-bricking your phone if you tinker with it?

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/14/droid-x-actually-self-destructs-if-you-try-to-mod-it/

http://phandroid.com/2010/07/15/be-careful-when-tampering-with-the-motorola-droid-x-it-could-brick-itself/

Doesn't sound very "Open" at all...

[Xerxes]

I'll probably just stick to HTC to be on the safe side.

[Mike Kelehan]

Motorola seems to be stepping their dick-moves up to a new level....auto-bricking your phone if you tinker with it?

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/14/droid-x-actually-self-destructs-if-you-try-to-mod-it/

http://phandroid.com/2010/07/15/be-careful-when-tampering-with-the-motorola-droid-x-it-could-brick-itself/

Doesn't sound very "Open" at all...

You know what? I don't even blame Motorola for that. They have no reason not to let you root your phone. I'm thinking this was an order straight from Verizon, and they did this to make Verizon happy.

[Siraris]

Motorola seems to be stepping their dick-moves up to a new level....auto-bricking your phone if you tinker with it?

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/14/droid-x-actually-self-destructs-if-you-try-to-mod-it/

http://phandroid.com/2010/07/15/be-careful-when-tampering-with-the-motorola-droid-x-it-could-brick-itself/

Doesn't sound very "Open" at all...

[Update]: We may not have a problem, after all. Via BGR, it appears that the TI OMAP-based processors that Motorola has been using in all of their higher-end devices have had eFuse all this time, they just don’t use that feature of the chipset. Reports claim that the same technology can be found in the original Droid, the Milestone, and the Droid X, and that we’ll probably be seeing it in the Droid 2, as well.

If he’s correct, then we can probably start putting those pitchforks down. The only way to verify is by getting official word from Verizon or Motorola, or to see if any Android hacker has the guts to attempt to do anything with their brand new Droid X.

[Xerxes]

I'm still staying clear based on the principle.

[Rogue_hunter]

I've been reading up on reviews of the Samsung Captivate (AT&T), generally positive, but all the negatives boil down to "it's not the iPhone so it's not as good." Barring some catastrophic failure, it looks like I'll be getting one Sunday.

[Mot Wakorb]

I've been reading up on reviews of the Samsung Captivate (AT&T), generally positive, but all the negatives boil down to "it's not the iPhone so it's not as good." Barring some catastrophic failure, it looks like I'll be getting one Sunday.

That's what pisses me off about phone reviews. If it's not the iPhone, it's not good enough. Fuck that - the devices are great without the Apple touch. Not all that Apple does is gold.

[MagGnome]

All that glitters is not gold....

Something like that anyway.

[Xerxes]

All that glitters is not gold....

Something like that anyway.

Sometimes it's doo doo with glitter on it!

[bstiff]

That's what pisses me off about phone reviews. If it's not the iPhone, it's not good enough. Fuck that - the devices are great without the Apple touch. Not all that Apple does is gold.

It will be interesting to see what this announcement by apple is going to be tomorrow. People have deluded themselves into believing they're announcing a recall. I think the most that will come of it will be them giving everyone one of those stupid bumper things to alleviate the antenna thing. I returned my iphone 4 today as I got tired of dealing with the signal issue, the proximity sensor issue and the non working vibration mode (missed three calls yesterday).

Guess Ill check out the droid x tomorrow. The models they had weren't anywhere near as huge as people have been making it sound. I think it's only a half inch longer than the iphone. The way people have been acting, I thought it was about the size of an ipad.

[Rogue_hunter]

That's what pisses me off about phone reviews. If it's not the iPhone, it's not good enough. Fuck that - the devices are great without the Apple touch. Not all that Apple does is gold.

It's not an Apple device is precisely what interests me in the Captivate. It also has this flippin' sweet feature in the address book. Slide to the left to create a message, slide to the right to call the person. Holy balls I'm gonna be sliding left and right ALL THE TIME!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also call bullshit that "you can't see the pixels on the iPhone 4" that got trumpeted during the 3 video reviews I watched. When driving Thrak around Los Angeles, I got a look at the phone, and wadda ya know, I saw plenty of pixels. I'm like a pixel viewing machine, if they're there, I can see them.

bstiff: even the Los Angeles Times Business section was getting in on the recall theories. It's highly unlikely it will be a full recall, just some stupid announcement to appease the diehards.

Also, I believe it's today only, but if you buy a Droid X, you can buy a 32GB microSD card from Verizon for $99, or $150 alone. Those little cards are damn rare right now, so if you've been looking for one, now's your chance.

[Serapth]

Apple doesn't do recalls until a court orders them to.

[zarathstra]

What happens when I don't actually move then? :p

My contract is up in about five months, so it's not the worst thing in the world. It gives me time to decide, and I can always pay that $35 upgrade fee if I choose to upgrade sooner.

What company are you with? They'll general give you 2 year contract prices within 4 months of your contract expiring.

In reference to my earlier post, I assumed you would be switching carriers if you wanted out of your contract. IN that case, they obviously wouldn't have any way of knowing if you actually moved. You can also call and tell them you have a terminal illness.

[MagGnome]

I'm with T-Mobile. I was thinking of switching to a smaller carrier, but I'm not so sure anymore. I'll probably just stick with T-Mobile.

[PathMaster]

I educated several coworkers today that about phone contracts. They did not know that you could buy a phone outright and NOT be under contract. Ignorance or stupidity, I know not which it was.

Local VZ shop will not be getting any of the Droid X until Saturday. Grr!

[Serapth]

I wish this was true in Canada but it isn't. There is no break for being out of contract, doesn't change a damned thing about your contract. So frankly, here you might as well always be under contract. Shitty part is, they are all 3 year contracts.

Lucky for me, I am on a corporate plan, which means two year contracts. Even cooler, there is a "early buyout" option for all phones. You pay a fee of 10$ a month early. I haven't really tried abusing it yet, but its a super cheap way to get a smartphone. Get an iPhone 4, then pay the early exit fee. As I qualify for a phone every two years, it would be a 240$ fine to qualify for a new phone under contract. So, for example, I just got an XPeria for 99$. If I exited now, I would pay a termination fee around 200$, which would mean buying my phone for 300$....


Hmmmm, tempted. :D

To bad Rogers selection is shit...

[CappinCanuck]

I wish this was true in Canada but it isn't. There is no break for being out of contract, doesn't change a damned thing about your contract. So frankly, here you might as well always be under contract. Shitty part is, they are all 3 year contracts.



Yeah, I guess that's why nobody took up my suggestion to go the contract route for savings :P I had no idea it worked differently down there.

[Xerxes]

Holy shit... You can get the Vibrant for $325 with Bing Cash Back. I guess TMO has a %35 cash back option. Jacob I'd probably jump on this if I were you. You'd pay up front $500 but a few months down the line you get a plush $175 check.

Shit if this was in the winter when my energy was nicer, I'd by one as my back up phone.

[MagGnome]

I am never, ever messing with mail-in rebates through T-Mobile again. Ever.

[Xerxes]

I am never, ever messing with mail-in rebates through T-Mobile again. Ever.

It's from Microsoft actually. :p

[MagGnome]

Ah, good to know. Still, mail-in rebates are a scam.

[Banacek]

Ah, good to know. Still, mail-in rebates are a scam.

Yup, they sure are. I never believe them.

[Dukefrukem]

$570 for the Droid-X with no plan... WOW.

[CappinCanuck]

Ah, good to know. Still, mail-in rebates are a scam.

Only with the vast majority of companies :p

[Xerxes]

Yup, they sure are. I never believe them.
Bing cash back has always been pretty decent. Hell they just gave me $2.35 because the program is being retired July 31st and I have yet to reach the $5 limit.

[MagGnome]

So what's this about Google no longer selling the Nexus?

[Xerxes]

So what's this about Google no longer selling the Nexus?

They still sell it. They just plan to shut down their store since there way bucked down by the carriers. They also have no plans to create a Nexus 2. They claim they only wanted to make a high end phone so people would stop sticking to phones like the Cliq and Hero. <shrug>

[benson]

Yeah, once they run out of stock, supposedly you'll be able to get it from T-Mobile directly. But that's just a rumor from both the internets, and my local T-Mobile store.

[J Arcane]

As long as SOMEONE puts out a new phone, SOMEWHERE that actually has stock, latest Android, I'll consider getting one.

The Nexus has some hardware deficiencies I'd love to see corrected or improved on, but right now it looks like getting better hardware means enslaving yourself to the will of some manufacturer's crappy add-on software.

[benson]

J summed up my feeling too. Obviously you can utilize xda or something to get more current builds as long as they can root your device going forward. But without an official phone, it'll be tough to decide which one. The Nexus One is the only Android device I'd recommend right now as it is decent hardware, and will have the latest Android software for the foreseeable future. Looking at other stuff like the Droid X or Evo, you are getting newer, better hardware, but you are stuck with Android 2.1, Motoblur and HTC Sense (and the whims of Motorola and HTC). Sure they'll both get 2.2, but it'll be 3 or 4 months after it was on the Nexus One. And who knows if they'll ever be updated again after that? I would bet it is not likely.

[Xerxes]

As long as SOMEONE puts out a new phone, SOMEWHERE that actually has stock, latest Android, I'll consider getting one.

The Nexus has some hardware deficiencies I'd love to see corrected or improved on, but right now it looks like getting better hardware means enslaving yourself to the will of some manufacturer's crappy add-on software.

Probably not until the 3.0 comes out on a HTC device.

[Adam Blue]

The thing is, HTC tends to have equivalencies in their software. It ends up being personal preference, as the hardware of the Evo does me leaps and bounds better than the N1. Also, HTC included a nice Facebook integrator before Google and has a Calender widget that I can't be without.

There's just not enough there to make that argument the end all decision maker. Otherwise, I'd buy an N1.

[MagGnome]

I'm disappointed that Google has decided to drop the Nexus 1 over the long term. Stupid phone carriers.

What are the hardware deficiencies of the N1? Do you guys think it will still be the best choice even after Google stops selling it, at least for now? Will it still get all of the Android updates?

[Xerxes]

HTC does have a very nice calendar app.

[Xerxes]

I'm disappointed that Google has decided to drop the Nexus 1 over the long term. Stupid phone carriers.

What are the hardware deficiencies of the N1? Do you guys think it will still be the best choice even after Google stops selling it, at least for now? Will it still get all of the Android updates?

With the Nexus, you'll get updates first until Google feels it can't go no more. Doubt that'll happen anytime soon. The G1 came out weak. The Nexus is kind of like a benchmark and no one has really gotten all to far ahead of what is can do.

There are no real deficiencies, it's only lacking bell and whistles. Front facing camera, could have better battery life although I've learned you can get a full day with proper management. Hell, I've played with my phone for about 2 hours at the barbershop and it still lasted me until the end of the day. Really, I got nothing. They'll be higher CPUs and graphical prowess by competitors at the end of the year but, they'll still get updates later. :-)

Google isn't abandon it. They just aren't going to change the way we buy phones as intended.

[J Arcane]

I find the loudspeaker sound to be very poor, and poorly placed. The vibration function is almost completely imperceptible unless it's right there in your hand, making it basically useless, and the color balance in the display works great for some kinds of photos while rendering others almost imperceptible blobs of various shades of black. The photo resolution I find rather spotty as well, and the flash lags so bad that I find that it mostly just destroys 3 out of every 4 photos you take with it on.

And I would've especially loved to have gotten hands on the rumored keyboarded "Nexus Two".

Basically, these are all things that don't nullify it's ultimate nature as a very good phone, but they are things that could be substantially improved upon. And while hardware has come out since that has improved upon these traits, any gains have universally been nullified by the incompatibility and support issuese introduced by third-party UI add-ons.

[Satertek]

Got my Vibrant yesterday, this thing is amazing, and I'm already hooked on Swype. Can type faster than I ever did with a physical qwerty keyboard.

Also having fun with apps, as this is both my first Android phone and 3G phone. I think I may subscribe to Grooveshark as having pretty much any song imaginable streaming over 3G is just too awesome to pass up.

[Xerxes]

Got my Vibrant yesterday, this thing is amazing, and I'm already hooked on Swype. Can type faster than I ever did with a physical qwerty keyboard.

Also having fun with apps, as this is both my first Android phone and 3G phone. I think I may subscribe to Grooveshark as having pretty much any song imaginable streaming over 3G is just too awesome to pass up.

I was thinking about trying Grooveshark for $3 to see if the experience would be a desired one. Seems like it, but who knows.

Some of you are skeptical of BCB but I'm contemplating getting a Vibrant. $300 bucks just doesn't seem like a lot for what you get. Ugh, I must be broken; a $300 backup phone. In my sick mind it makes since. :confused:

[MagGnome]

It's too bad the phone companies are so greedy. I like Google's model of selling the Nexus through their own store.

Other third party stores can sell phones, so why do the carriers have such a big problem with Google doing so with their own phone?

[Xerxes]

It's too bad the phone companies are so greedy. I like Google's model of selling the Nexus through their own store.

Other third party stores can sell phones, so why do the carriers have such a big problem with Google doing so with their own phone?

I think it's cause they want you to buy the phone, with a plan so they can lock you into a contract and get you to over pay.

[TazzFTW]

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm still waiting for a tmobile model with a decent keyboard. I haven't heard great things about the mytouch slide, and I'm always worried I'll invest in something subpar just when the product I want becomes available. I love the G1, but it's definitely starting to show it's age.

[Zagrash]

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm still waiting for a tmobile model with a decent keyboard. I haven't heard great things about the mytouch slide, and I'm always worried I'll invest in something subpar just when the product I want becomes available. I love the G1, but it's definitely starting to show it's age.

From what I hear, September/November should offer 2 pretty hardcore keyboarded phones on T-mob. I'm at least waiting until I hear what those are going to be before ditching my G1.

[J Arcane]

There's an HTC phone coming out that is literally just a Nexus One with a keyboard on it. And HTC Sense. I suspect it was what the Google guy was talking about when he teased the possibility of a Nexus Two, and that HTC just decided to go ahead and use the hardware design on their own once Google pulled out of the hardware market.

Which is, as others have stated, a damn shame, but it just goes to show how powerful the mobile cartels have become. It's high time we had another Ma Bell breakup, methinks. Starting with finding a way to break those fucking cellular patents so it doesn't cost eleventy-jillion dollars to slap a cell antenna in something.

[Xerxes]

From what I hear, September/November should offer 2 pretty hardcore keyboarded phones on T-mob. I'm at least waiting until I hear what those are going to be before ditching my G1.

I thought only one of them was keyboarded, the sidekick replacement.

[BabyJesus]

Finally got my incredible yesterday, and I must say, so far its quite the gizmo... Hope it lasts.... Almost went with an X but its just too big.

[TazzFTW]

From what I hear, September/November should offer 2 pretty hardcore keyboarded phones on T-mob. I'm at least waiting until I hear what those are going to be before ditching my G1.

September's gonna be a big month. If I can't find a great smartphone, I'll just snag the new ipod due to come out.

[MagGnome]

There's an HTC phone coming out that is literally just a Nexus One with a keyboard on it. And HTC Sense. I suspect it was what the Google guy was talking about when he teased the possibility of a Nexus Two, and that HTC just decided to go ahead and use the hardware design on their own once Google pulled out of the hardware market.

Which is, as others have stated, a damn shame, but it just goes to show how powerful the mobile cartels have become. It's high time we had another Ma Bell breakup, methinks. Starting with finding a way to break those fucking cellular patents so it doesn't cost eleventy-jillion dollars to slap a cell antenna in something.

Patent laws are really messed up now. Patents, trademarks, etc. last much longer than they should nowadays.

[Xerxes]

Finally got my incredible yesterday, and I must say, so far its quite the gizmo... Hope it lasts.... Almost went with an X but its just too big.

I want a big one so bad. :(

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/Xerionus/thatswhat.jpg

[Zagrash]

I thought only one of them was keyboarded, the sidekick replacement.

The HTC Vision (I think it was code-named something different now - September) and the HTC Emerald (the elusive project emerald - November) are both purported to have keyboards, from what I've heard.

[Xerxes]

The HTC Vision (I think it was code-named something different now - September) and the HTC Emerald (the elusive project emerald - November) are both purported to have keyboards, from what I've heard.

:/ Thick phones. Yay.

[CappinCanuck]

Finally got my incredible yesterday, and I must say, so far its quite the gizmo... Hope it lasts.... Almost went with an X but its just too big.

That's def'tly what I'm going for, or the Desire. Depends on the price difference considering the only differentiating feature is that the Desire has a 5MP camera and the Incredible has 8.

[johnperkins21]

Finally got my incredible yesterday, and I must say, so far its quite the gizmo... Hope it lasts.... Almost went with an X but its just too big.

I love mine. Got it on launch day and haven't had any issues other than it draining battery like a mother fucker if I hook it up to my Flickr account. The camera isn't very good, but it works for the things I use it for.

The 3.7" screen is perfect. I couldn't imagine using one of the larger phones like the Evo or Droid X, they just wouldn't fit in my pocket very well. The one thing I don't like is that it's currently impossible to use the Wii controller hack with the HTC devices, but now that it's been rooted I have some hope.

[Satertek]

Got PDAnet to work over USB with my Vibrant. Took awhile but installing the Samsung Moment driver the site lists seemed to do the trick.

(Of special note is that I didn't have to do anything to the phone other than install the app and select usb developer mode in the options, leaving it unrooted until I have reason to)

Bluetooth tethering worked instantly without any problems whatsoever.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/883034329.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Ridiculous. And it'll only get faster with the eventual HSPA+ rollout.

[PathMaster]

Anyone with info on the eFuse/bootloader issue on the Droid X? My local shop will apparently NOT carry it for at least the time being. I would greatly prefer a phone I could root and play around with. Especially because I do not want a lot of the social apps.

Gizmodo's review of the Droid X, remarks that Motorola is looking into the issue.

Update: It's come to light that the phone might self-destruct if you attempt to mod it, like to run a different version of Android—which runs totally counter to what Android is supposed to be about. That's a massive reason to think twice about buying this phone. Unfortunate, because it hits some of the people who'd most want this kind of hardware. Update 2: Motorola tells us they're looking into the issue.

[bstiff]

Anyone with info on the eFuse/bootloader issue on the Droid X? My local shop will apparently NOT carry it for at least the time being. I would greatly prefer a phone I could root and play around with. Especially because I do not want a lot of the social apps.

Gizmodo's review of the Droid X, remarks that Motorola is looking into the issue.

theres this:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/motorola-responds-to-droid-x-bootloader-controversy-says-efuse/

I guess it depends on how much modding you're planning on doing. I really don't plan on it so it doesn't matter that much to me as I don't have time to mess around with it.

[PathMaster]

theres this:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/motorola-responds-to-droid-x-bootloader-controversy-says-efuse/

I guess it depends on how much modding you're planning on doing. I really don't plan on it so it doesn't matter that much to me as I don't have time to mess around with it.

I forgot I read that, but I was hoping for a bit more clarification on the issue. Or maybe Moto to say oops, our bad. I don't know if that is even possible at this point in the game though.

[Rogue_hunter]

Got the Captivate today, took a crazy long time to charge though. Been messing with apps people recommended in the app thread, pretty nice to use the wifi connection instead of 3G to grab them all.

OMG the screen is gorgeous, and pretty easy to read in direct sunlight. Easy to smudge though, but also easy enough to see past. Still messing around with it though, but I really like it so far.

[Xerxes]

Got the Captivate today, took a crazy long time to charge though. Been messing with apps people recommended in the app thread, pretty nice to use the wifi connection instead of 3G to grab them all.

OMG the screen is gorgeous, and pretty easy to read in direct sunlight. Easy to smudge though, but also easy enough to see past. Still messing around with it though, but I really like it so far.

LauncherPro

[PathMaster]

I didn't even think to replace Motoblur with LauncherPro or ADW. If I can actually find a Droid X, I think I will just get use either of those.

[Xerxes]

I didn't even think to replace Motoblur with LauncherPro or ADW. If I can actually find a Droid X, I think I will just get use either of those.

Hell, I use LauncherPro over stock android. Google did some iffy things like not letting you choose your own dialer anymore. The maker keeps it close to home though and add a few options. Haven't looked into ADW.

[PathMaster]

Hell, I use LauncherPro over stock android. Google did some iffy things like not letting you choose your own dialer anymore. The maker keeps it close to home though and add a few options. Haven't looked into ADW.

Educate me a little bit then. (My phone is going on six years old and a dumb phone, e815.)

So, LauncherPro would replace the UI? If so, what is the big deal about different ROMs? Beyond customizations and optimizations?

[J Arcane]

Honestly, if you have a proper, stock, up to date phone, which basically means the Nexus One or quit, then there's little to no benefit in rooting at all. You can run an adblocker, which is cool I guess. Most of the other shit you have to root to do on other phones you can do on stock in 2.2, so really, I see no use in doing it.

Now, if you've got one of these other phones with a crappy UI, then rooting is the only way you'll permanently rid yourself of it, and the only way you'll get updates in a timely fashion. At this point, where non-standard Androids are concerned, the hackers are ahead of the hardware guys on updates with many of the phones.

[appel]

Educate me a little bit then. (My phone is going on six years old and a dumb phone, e815.)

So, LauncherPro would replace the UI? If so, what is the big deal about different ROMs? Beyond customizations and optimizations?

LauncherPro replaces the launcher. Most manufacturers also customize contacts, calendar, dialer, mail, lock screen, clock, notification bar, messaging and more. Those changes you can't replace with Android default unless you root.

[PathMaster]

Ahh I understand then. So in order for me to get any semblance of base Android, I need to root it. I can cover the UI of Motoblur or anything else for that matter with new launchers, but some functionality and visuals will remain. Okay..

[Xerxes]

It's purely cosmetic. With a different launcher, like Launcher Pro, you get that stock Android feel at the least. Screw TouchWiz you know, unless you like it that is.

I don't know what would remain of the old UI actually. I figure the HTC, Motorola, or Samsung apps and widgets would still be around. Doesn't mean you have to use them. But again, I don't even use the stock dialer; Things like that can be changed with apps in what not. Makes me wonder why can't the phone makers just make their shitty (sometimes awesome) changes apps.

[Satertek]

Put a ClearFreak protector on mine. Was alot harder than I thought it'd be, why do they make those videos looks so simple...

Got all the air bubbles off the lcd at least, hoping the few others near the bottom will eventually fade away.

Feels real nice though and apart from the bubbles on the bottom can't even tell it's there.

[Xerxes]

I was going to put something on my nexus screen but after all this time I just don't see the point. It still looks nice and is scratch-less and all I've been using it that soft cover it came with.

[Siraris]

I got the Boxwave screen protector, and it was so easy to install, a caveman could do it. Works great, and you can take it off and reapply any time you want.

[CappinCanuck]

Put a ClearFreak protector on mine. Was alot harder than I thought it'd be, why do they make those videos looks so simple...

Got all the air bubbles off the lcd at least, hoping the few others near the bottom will eventually fade away.

Feels real nice though and apart from the bubbles on the bottom can't even tell it's there.

It's definitely the way to go. I've had a HD Screen protector on my N95 since I got it. It's 99% invisible and I have yet to get any scratches on it in the last 4 years. The package also came with mini protectors for the 2 camera lenses. Will def'tly be doing that with my new phone.

[bstiff]

Got a shipping email and tracking number for the droid x I ordered last week so it should be here tomorrow. I thought they were backordered until the 27th but I guess not. I also ordered some screen protectors. It would be just my luck to have them fed ex me screen protectors for a phone I won't see for another two weeks.

[Xerxes]

Sweet. Let us know how you like that Droid X. I really wish I had a big phone. Just the thought of that 4.3 screen. ^_^

[Serapth]

I heard something nasty this morning about a glitch with Droid X that borks them dead. Never read much beyond the headline/summary as I was off to sell my car.