The Android Thread

[MeesterMarcus]

Here you can discuss anything related to Android phones or news. Which phone do you have, rooted or unrooted, preferred apps, mods, debates, etc.

Some great apps:
*Firefox, Chrome
*Youtube
*IMDB, Movies
*NBA Gametime
*Pulse News Reader, Flipboard
*Dropbox, Drive
*Handycalc
*Wireless tether (ROOT users)
*Autokiller Memory (ROOT users)
*SetCPU (ROOT users, allows for overclocking and underclocking)
*Alarm Clock Plus
*gTab simi Clock (Alternative home screen clock)
*StumbleUpon
*Kindle for Android
*Jefit (Fitness App)
*SBMX (My favorite drawing app)
*CamScanner (Take a pic of a document then automatically resizes, converts to pdf, and adjusts contrast,etc.
*Navigation, Waze (Social navigation, reports accidents etc.), Mapfactor (offline navigation, uses only GPS)
*Root Explorer
*Perfect Viewer (Best comic reader imo), Aldiko (Fantastic ebook reader)
*Spotify, Pandora, Rocket Player, MX Player
*Ebay, Amazon, Newegg
*Stack Exchange (For developers)
*Zedge (Ringtones, Wallpapers, etc)
*Chromecast, BubbleUPnP, Netflix, Plex


Games:
*Robotek (turn based game w/ cool twist)
*Plague Inc. (addicting)
*2048 with Kivy
*Zynga Poker
*8 Ball Pool
*GBOD
*Minigore 2
*Bubble Blaze
*Bloons TD5
*Don't Tap The White Tile
*Hungry Shark
*Smash Hit
*theCHIVE
*Reddit Sync Pro
*Critiq (Best metacritic app I could find)

Will update when I run into another cool app.

[phyzik]

Im still rockin a G1 that I broke to run the newest Android. Have to wait a few months for my contract to end so I can get a G2.

[PM5K]

Oh and for anyone with an Evo, highly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innocell-Extended-Battery-Black/dp/B003SNIR7Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

lol

[MeesterMarcus]

lol

You must know how terrible the battery life is on it haha.

[MeesterMarcus]

Oh and have you all hear about the PSP phone that's suppose to come out. It's something I've always wanted ever since I got a PSP but never thought it would happen. It'll be a Android phone too I believe.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/the-playstation-phone/
The model shown is suppose to be an old version though. Apparently it'll be similar to the PSP 3000. If the specs are true, that's insane.

[DJ Mbenga]

my piece of trash droid eris still runs like a champ. people at xda are very dedicated. i would also recomend google voice. free texting. cant beat that.

[BruceBowenFan]

just picked up the mytouch 4g today and must loving the phone so far.

[MeesterMarcus]

my piece of trash droid eris still runs like a champ. people at xda are very dedicated. i would also recomend google voice. free texting. cant beat that.

Haha yeah the guys at XDA are awesome. It's ridiculous the amount of effort and how fast they get things done. I think there was an OTA update for android and they came out with a rooted version of the OTA update a day later.

[Slydragon]

I used the dolphin HD browser on my Epic and love it.

[MeesterMarcus]

just picked up the mytouch 4g today and must loving the phone so far.

Nice, I heard that phone is pretty sweet. How are you liking 4G?

[MeesterMarcus]

I used the dolphin HD browser on my Epic and love it.

I used that browser for a very long time as well. Right now I use Miren browser; it's the fastest browser on the market and it comes with speed dial like Opera. The only thing is, unlike Dolphin, Miren doesn't have plugins and such, so I still use Dolphin for certain things.

[SourCandy]

Oh and for anyone with an Evo, highly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innocell-Extended-Battery-Black/dp/B003SNIR7Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top



is that the average price if i want a 2nd battery!?

good lord:depressed

[Cry Havoc]

is that the average price if i want a 2nd battery!?

good lord:depressed

Uh, no.

I got a battery + charger for $12 from thecellphoneshop. That's a rip off.

You can buy high capacity batteries from eBay with reputable dealers for $9.99.

[Cry Havoc]

You must know how terrible the battery life is on it haha.

I get 3/4ths of a day with heavy usage. If I use it moderately, it lasts until I go to sleep. Not horrible considering it has the largest screen you can buy in a mobile phone aside from the Dell Streak.

[DJ Mbenga]

I used that browser for a very long time as well. Right now I use Miren browser; it's the fastest browser on the market and it comes with speed dial like Opera. The only thing is, unlike Dolphin, Miren doesn't have plugins and such, so I still use Dolphin for certain things.

tried miren. nice find. its not faster than opera and that sucks. it seems to chug along struggle at times but at least it has pinch zoom. i still cant leave opera. it loads so fast.

[BruceBowenFan]

Nice, I heard that phone is pretty sweet. How are you liking 4G?

loving the 4g, battery life is somewhat ok, if i leave it alone it lasts forever bt once i start using it i can see the battery bar go down quick. if i were to use it all day i would need the charger with. but overall the phone is kickass.

[MeesterMarcus]

I get 3/4ths of a day with heavy usage. If I use it moderately, it lasts until I go to sleep. Not horrible considering it has the largest screen you can buy in a mobile phone aside from the Dell Streak.

Well for me I got 5-6 hours which isn't very good through my standards. I'd say the battery is well worth it. I'm sure the vast majority of people who own an Evo 4G would say battery life is terrible when compared to others. I'm not saying the phone is terrible; I absolutely love the large screen and I love the phone. It's the best in my opinion. I wanted to get the most out of my Evo, and I wanted a battery that has a good reputation that I know will be worth my money. I've seen plenty of high capacity batteries that still wouldn't last much longer than the stock Evo battery. Either way, I'm happy with my purchase. It now lasts a full day with around 20 - 30% remaining.

I can't guarantee it's the best price for this quality battery but I definitely don't regret it.

[MeesterMarcus]

loving the 4g, battery life is somewhat ok, if i leave it alone it lasts forever bt once i start using it i can see the battery bar go down quick. if i were to use it all day i would need the charger with. but overall the phone is kickass.

Yeah 4G drains the battery life like mad, but luckily wifi is available in a lot of areas and it doesn't drain battery as much as 4G.

[MeesterMarcus]

tried miren. nice find. its not faster than opera and that sucks. it seems to chug along struggle at times but at least it has pinch zoom. i still cant leave opera. it loads so fast.

Hmmm, well I guess it all depends on the phone. I've tried them all and prefer Miren with it's speed and functionality. Dolphin, Miren, and Opera are definitely all quality browsers.

[Nathan Explosion]

Well for me I got 5-6 hours which isn't very good through my standards. I'd say the battery is well worth it. I'm sure the vast majority of people who own an Evo 4G would say battery life is terrible when compared to others. I'm not saying the phone is terrible; I absolutely love the large screen and I love the phone. It's the best in my opinion. I wanted to get the most out of my Evo, and I wanted a battery that has a good reputation that I know will be worth my money. I've seen plenty of high capacity batteries that still wouldn't last much longer than the stock Evo battery. Either way, I'm happy with my purchase. It now lasts a full day with around 20 - 30% remaining.

I can't guarantee it's the best price for this quality battery but I definitely don't regret it.

The one problem I could see is that the Evo is a big phone already (owing to the screen naturally) and adding the higher capacity battery would just add unwanted bulk imo. From what I've heard, the Galaxy S phones are much better on battery life than the Evo. But that's just hearsay so I'm not sure how accurate that us.

Frankly, when people ask me about phones, I tell them that no matter which carrier it is, if you want Android, you probably want a Galaxy S. If I didn't have the phone that shall not be named in this thread, I'd definitely have a Galaxy S (Captivate in my case because I'm still under contract with AT&T).

If I was a Sprint customer, I wouldn't even think twice and would just get an Epic.

[MannyIsGod]

Got a Samsung moment for 50 bucks off craigslist (amazingly piratically perfect condition) so I've joined the android masses.

[Cry Havoc]

Here you can discuss anything related to Android phones or news. Which phone do you have, rooted or unrooted, preferred apps, mods, debates between Iphone 4 and Evo 4g :ihit (I prefer Evo of course), some things your looking forward to (really want Netflix on Evo), etc.

Oh and for anyone with an Evo, highly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innocell-Extended-Battery-Black/dp/B003SNIR7Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Some great apps:
Applanet
Miren Browser (Fastest, newest browser made in China or something)
Handcent SMS
AppBrain (Must)
jetVD (Youtube video downloader/watcher)
Movies
Giant Bomb (Game Reviews)
360 Live (Have to pay for but it's worth it)
ESPN Scorecenter (Live scores and highlights for your team: NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL)
Machinima
Buzzbox (The very best news reader)
Uninstaller
Dropbox (Similar to Window's cloud)
Arity (Graphing calculator)
Notification Notes
Lost Phone (Very smart application for when you lose your phone)
Easy Filter (Block numbers and texts from whoever is annoying the hell out of you)
Wireless tether (ROOT users)
Autokiller Memory (ROOT users)
SetCPU (ROOT users, allows for overclocking and underclocking)

Games:
Speedx 3D (10x better than cube runner)
Angry Birds (Free for android users)
Live Holdem Tour
Fruit Ninja
The Wars (very similar to Age of War)
Pool Breaker Pro (Paid)
Guitar Hero 5
Sky Force Reloaded (Twin Cobra)
Word Drop
Fatty Booth (Hilarious app that makes you/someone look fat)
Music Grid (Very fun, addicting yet simple music creating game)

Will update when I run into another cool app.

My apps. Bolding the great ones. Bolding/Italicizing the ones I use on a daily basis.

Advanced Task Killer - I use it rarely, but it's nice at times.
Alarm Clock Plus - Best alarm for Android that I've found.
Album Art Grabber - AMAZING. Does exactly what it sounds like and works PERFECTLY.
Amazon - obvious reasons
AndExplorer - Good interface for browsing your phone.
Angry Birds - Heh heh heh.
AppBrain - Pretty good app finding program.
AsciiCamera - Not useful but very cool!
Astro - More powerful file manager.
AudioManager - LOVE. Allows you to custom set all your volumes on the fly.
Backgrounds - Another amazing program, by interfacelift.com
Baseball Superstars '10 - Awesome sports game.
Beautiful Widgets - Really sweet weather widgets.
Boondocks Comic Strip
Bump - Meh
Calvin and Hobbes
Camera 360 - Awesome program. Free, allows you to take "HDR" images that actually look pretty amazing.
Chess Free - Duh
EasyTether - Tethering = awesome.
eBay
Engadget
ExZeus - Fantastic game. Looks amazing.
Folder Organizer Pro - Love this for the homescreen.
Fring - Video calls are fun
Galaxy Wire - Cool spare news app
Goby - Lets you know what's going on
Google Sky Map - Freaking awesome.
Handcent SMS
HomerunBattle
Live Scores - Sportacular app. Amazing.
Meebo IM - Great messanger app.
Movies - Flixster. :tu
Music Mod - Great widget for home screen music control.

I'll add the rest later. :wakeup

[MeesterMarcus]

My apps. Bolding the great ones. Bolding/Italicizing the ones I use on a daily basis.

Advanced Task Killer - I use it rarely, but it's nice at times.
Alarm Clock Plus - Best alarm for Android that I've found.
Album Art Grabber - AMAZING. Does exactly what it sounds like and works PERFECTLY.
Amazon - obvious reasons
AndExplorer - Good interface for browsing your phone.
Angry Birds - Heh heh heh.
AppBrain - Pretty good app finding program.
AsciiCamera - Not useful but very cool!
Astro - More powerful file manager.
AudioManager - LOVE. Allows you to custom set all your volumes on the fly.
Backgrounds - Another amazing program, by interfacelift.com
Baseball Superstars '10 - Awesome sports game.
Beautiful Widgets - Really sweet weather widgets.
Boondocks Comic Strip
Bump - Meh
Calvin and Hobbes
Camera 360 - Awesome program. Free, allows you to take "HDR" images that actually look pretty amazing.
Chess Free - Duh
EasyTether - Tethering = awesome.
eBay
Engadget
ExZeus - Fantastic game. Looks amazing.
Folder Organizer Pro - Love this for the homescreen.
Fring - Video calls are fun
Galaxy Wire - Cool spare news app
Goby - Lets you know what's going on
Google Sky Map - Freaking awesome.
Handcent SMS
HomerunBattle
Live Scores - Sportacular app. Amazing.
Meebo IM - Great messanger app.
Movies - Flixster. :tu
Music Mod - Great widget for home screen music control.

I'll add the rest later. :wakeup

I'm going to have to try out that Backgrounds app. I love Interfacelift. Didn't know they made an app.

[ElNono]

The requests for our iPhone app to be ported to Android has been picking up considerably lately. I might just have to take a few months and make it happen.

[sa_butta]

my piece of trash droid eris still runs like a champ. people at xda are very dedicated. i would also recomend google voice. free texting. cant beat that.
I have the same phone works great and thank God for XDA...I am on Cricket and have everything on my phone...

[sa_butta]

my piece of trash droid eris still runs like a champ. people at xda are very dedicated. i would also recomend google voice. free texting. cant beat that.
Just curious do you know of any work around for the flash 10.1 update on Android 2.1??

So far my understanding is it cannot be done, but XDA has proven me wrong before...

[Drachen]

Just curious do you know of any work around for the flash 10.1 update on Android 2.1??

So far my understanding is it cannot be done, but XDA has proven me wrong before...

what phone are you using?

[MannyIsGod]

Drachen, really?

[Drachen]

Drachen, really?

So I went back and looked at the thread and see why you say that. However, I have said it many times that (generally when I am at work) I pay no attention to who is responding, only what is being said.

To answer SA-butta's question, it seems that flash will only work on ARM A8 based processors or better. The Eris is just a slightly modified hero (which is what I have) and so I can tell you that it won't work. However you should upgrade to 2.2, much faster.

[leemajors]

Looks like android people will finally get ad-less angry birds.

http://www.arcticstartup.com/2010/12/10/rovio-announces-bad-piggy-bank-pc-version-of-angry-birds-and-50-million-downloads

Hopefully you get the holiday version of it too, but it might be too late. The Halloween/Christmas levels were/are awesome. Right now iOS users get a new level every day of December until the 25th.

[MeesterMarcus]

Looks like android people will finally get ad-less angry birds.

http://www.arcticstartup.com/2010/12/10/rovio-announces-bad-piggy-bank-pc-version-of-angry-birds-and-50-million-downloads

Hopefully you get the holiday version of it too, but it might be too late. The Halloween/Christmas levels were/are awesome. Right now iOS users get a new level every day of December until the 25th.

We have the same thing going on here. I totally forgot about that though so I'm gonna have to play it when I remember. I still have to beat Angry Birds (original).

[MeesterMarcus]

And as for ad-less. Pretty much any app can be ad-less as long as you have adfree for people who root their phone.

[MeesterMarcus]

The one problem I could see is that the Evo is a big phone already (owing to the screen naturally) and adding the higher capacity battery would just add unwanted bulk imo. From what I've heard, the Galaxy S phones are much better on battery life than the Evo. But that's just hearsay so I'm not sure how accurate that us.

Frankly, when people ask me about phones, I tell them that no matter which carrier it is, if you want Android, you probably want a Galaxy S. If I didn't have the phone that shall not be named in this thread, I'd definitely have a Galaxy S (Captivate in my case because I'm still under contract with AT&T).

If I was a Sprint customer, I wouldn't even think twice and would just get an Epic.

Yes, Samsung Galaxy S phones do have much longer battery life than the Evo and the bulkiness of a new battery can be bad for some. I would rather sacrifice some looks for great battery life though.

People have different tastes for phones but when it comes down to the features, the Evo is on top. It has specs and features that little to no phone has. Video call through not just wireless, but 3G and 4G, wireless tethering, 8.0 megapixel camera, kickstand, beautiful screen, HDMI output, 720p video recording, and an incredible CPU & GPU. It's like a little computer in your pocket 8).

[MannyIsGod]

CH any good weather apps?

Check this one out.

http://www.pykl3radar.com/index.php

[Nathan Explosion]

The requests for our iPhone app to be ported to Android has been picking up considerably lately. I might just have to take a few months and make it happen.

What app is that?

[Cry Havoc]

CH any good weather apps?

Check this one out.

http://www.pykl3radar.com/index.php

That's awesome. I've been using Weatherbug, it was the only one I could find with motion-based radar. Looks like that is a lot better.

[Nathan Explosion]

Yes, Samsung Galaxy S phones do have much longer battery life than the Evo and the bulkiness of a new battery can be bad for some. I would rather sacrifice some looks for great battery life though.

People have different tastes for phones but when it comes down to the features, the Evo is on top. It has specs and features that little to no phone has. Video call through not just wireless, but 3G and 4G, wireless tethering, 8.0 megapixel camera, kickstand, beautiful screen, HDMI output, 720p video recording, and an incredible CPU & GPU. It's like a little computer in your pocket 8).

The Epic does all of that, but better. The processor is faster, the screen has better contrast, and while the camera resolution isn't as high, the photos actually come out better (better sensors will almost always better high megapixels), and did I mention the battery life? The only real thing the Evo has is the bigger screen, but it's not better than the Epic.

The Epic is the best Android (and some say smart phone) on the market right now. As I stated before, if I didn't have my phone or the option of getting it, the Epic would be the first on my list. I don't understand why anyone would get an Evo when an Epic can be had.

And while I have no experience with Swype, I bet it can make texting so much faster, especially when you only have a few seconds to send out a text, like say when you're overbearing boss is coming around the corner and you're trying to get a quick message to a coworker about something that needs to be done when they come in or something like that.

As for the claim that video calling cannot be made without wifi on the phone that shall not be named in this thread, that's a load of shit. The native video calling app has the best resolution that I've seen, but Tango is the best cross platform video chat app I've seen. Not only does it let Android and the nameless phone talk to each other (something that Facetime and Qik don't do) but the quality is almost as good as Facetime and better than Qik imo. And it lets the nameless phone video call without wifi without degrading the quality in video. Tango is a great app, and it doesn't have all the fluff that Fring has.

And no that previous paragraph was not me pimping my phone, but rather, talking about how great Tango is. I just love that app.

[MannyIsGod]

My sister recently got an Epic and its pretty awesome.

[MeesterMarcus]

The Epic does all of that, but better. The processor is faster, the screen has better contrast, and while the camera resolution isn't as high, the photos actually come out better (better sensors will almost always better high megapixels), and did I mention the battery life? The only real thing the Evo has is the bigger screen, but it's not better than the Epic.

The Epic is the best Android (and some say smart phone) on the market right now. As I stated before, if I didn't have my phone or the option of getting it, the Epic would be the first on my list. I don't understand why anyone would get an Evo when an Epic can be had.

And while I have no experience with Swype, I bet it can make texting so much faster, especially when you only have a few seconds to send out a text, like say when you're overbearing boss is coming around the corner and you're trying to get a quick message to a coworker about something that needs to be done when they come in or something like that.

As for the claim that video calling cannot be made without wifi on the phone that shall not be named in this thread, that's a load of shit. The native video calling app has the best resolution that I've seen, but Tango is the best cross platform video chat app I've seen. Not only does it let Android and the nameless phone talk to each other (something that Facetime and Qik don't do) but the quality is almost as good as Facetime and better than Qik imo. And it lets the nameless phone video call without wifi without degrading the quality in video. Tango is a great app, and it doesn't have all the fluff that Fring has.

And no that previous paragraph was not me pimping my phone, but rather, talking about how great Tango is. I just love that app.

I gotta be honest I didn't read all that much about the Epic, but it sounds like an amazing phone. I heard the video chat quality is a lot better as well. I did know that the Evo was considered the best phone at it's release. I still enjoy the Evo and it's the best phone I've had nonetheless.

[MeesterMarcus]

The Epic does all of that, but better. The processor is faster, the screen has better contrast, and while the camera resolution isn't as high, the photos actually come out better (better sensors will almost always better high megapixels), and did I mention the battery life? The only real thing the Evo has is the bigger screen, but it's not better than the Epic.

The Epic is the best Android (and some say smart phone) on the market right now. As I stated before, if I didn't have my phone or the option of getting it, the Epic would be the first on my list. I don't understand why anyone would get an Evo when an Epic can be had.

And while I have no experience with Swype, I bet it can make texting so much faster, especially when you only have a few seconds to send out a text, like say when you're overbearing boss is coming around the corner and you're trying to get a quick message to a coworker about something that needs to be done when they come in or something like that.

As for the claim that video calling cannot be made without wifi on the phone that shall not be named in this thread, that's a load of shit. The native video calling app has the best resolution that I've seen, but Tango is the best cross platform video chat app I've seen. Not only does it let Android and the nameless phone talk to each other (something that Facetime and Qik don't do) but the quality is almost as good as Facetime and better than Qik imo. And it lets the nameless phone video call without wifi without degrading the quality in video. Tango is a great app, and it doesn't have all the fluff that Fring has.

And no that previous paragraph was not me pimping my phone, but rather, talking about how great Tango is. I just love that app.

So I've done a little research and the reviews from both customers and tech sites seem to be varied. The pros for the epic are that the screen is much better aside from size difference, Swype, and a better CPU and gpu. The evo has hdmi out, better call quality, and a bigger screen. While Evo does not have Swype, there are apps very similar to it. I've tried out Swype on Galaxy S and substitutes for Evo and personally prefer the standard touch keyboard. I haven't tried out Tango, so I'll have to check that out. As for the battery life, it also seems to be varied between evo and epic. Some people say they've had both phones and one is better than the other from both evo and epic users. When it comes down to it, they're both excellent and depends on the consumer's taste.

[balli]

And while I have no experience with Swype, I bet it can make texting so much faster, especially when you only have a few seconds to send out a text, like say when you're overbearing boss is coming around the corner and you're trying to get a quick message to a coworker about something that needs to be done when they come in or something like that.
I like swype, I use swype, I'm accurate with swype. But no, I haven't found it much faster, if at all, than tapping out words letter by letter.

If it chose words perfectly with some sort of brainwave device, maybe, but considering I've had to go back and change a wrong word to the word I intended to use about 474 times during the past two weeks alone, that's a pipe dream. And there's certain words you almost can't avoid inputting in a way that fouls up the end result: for example want/wasn't- you better not let the side of your finger even think about touching that S, or you're spending 5 seconds backspacing and tapping.

[Cry Havoc]

I like swype, I use swype, I'm accurate with swype. But no, I haven't found it much faster, if at all, than tapping out words letter by letter.

If it chose words perfectly with some sort of brainwave device, maybe, but considering I've had to go back and change a wrong word to the word I intended to use about 474 times during the past two weeks alone, that's a pipe dream. And there's certain words you almost can't avoid inputting in a way that fouls up the end result: for example want/wasn't- you better not let the side of your finger even think about touching that S, or you're spending 5 seconds backspacing and tapping.

Use Swiftkey. It's so much faster than either swype or standard texting.

[Slydragon]

I'm happy with my epic the other day I got my friends evo and ran angry birds on both side by side and I notice the evo had some studder to it. I would have not notice if I was just playing on the evo but next to my epic you could tell.

Needless to say my friend said, whatever and took her phone back fast. She did say she hates her flash because it makes everyone come out with no nose and she showed me her pic and sure enough the whiteness of the flash washes the nose out. My epic camera is OK but the best point and shoot cell phone camera I have ever used goes to the blackberry tour.

[Slydragon]

Seems HTC didn't like the Epic taking customers so the are releasing Evo Shift.
aside from the buggy GPS I like my Epic.

http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/htc-evo-shift-4g-image-and-release-date-leaked/

http://androidandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/htc-evo-shift-4g-real.jpg

[DJ Mbenga]

keyboard. looks decent. best keyboard i have tried on an android belongs to the g2.

[MannyIsGod]

THe one on my moment is nice as hell IMO.

[Slydragon]

My epic keyboard is huge, but I typed faster on my old blackberry but all my keyboards before the epic were non slider kb so I think I was used to a slim kb rather than a wide one.

I really like that the epic has keys just for numbers, didnt really think it was a big deal until I really stared using them.

With that said I used the on screen KB about 90% of the time. I used the slide out when banking or something where I need to press numbers a lot or when I'm sending a piss off text. May not used it much but I like that its there if I need it.

[balli]

After weeks of not rooting and then rooting to a shit 2.1 ROM last week, I flashed a custom Froyo build onto to my Captivate yesterday. Contains a few bits and pieces from Gingerbread. And gosh, just to brag a bit, my phone has never been more cool.

I'm going to overclock a bit up to 1.2, maybe 1.4, see how big of a hit my battery will take. One thing I know is that my phone is going to fly.

I'm jealous of the Motorola line though. Some of the ROMs for those phones curbstomp anything else I've ever seen.

[balli]

From what I've heard, the Galaxy S phones are much better on battery life than the Evo. But that's just hearsay so I'm not sure how accurate that us.
Just reading the Evo owners in this thread, I'd say that's accurate. Obviously there's a tradeoff for the screen size and 4G, but I've never, no matter how much I used my phone, completely drained my Captivate's battery in a day. I've gotten down to 10% a couple of times, but generally, I do whatever I want on my phone from 8:30 in the morning until 11:00 at night and I'll usually have 20-30 percent of my battery left.

[leemajors]

http://gizmodo.com/5729428/iphone-3g-hacked-with-android-23-runs-gingerbread-before-your-androidphone

[balli]

http://gizmodo.com/5729428/iphone-3g-hacked-with-android-23-runs-gingerbread-before-your-androidphone

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=906341

[leemajors]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=906341

I love that people do this kinda stuff in their spare time, especially when it lets me do stuff like playing games off an external HDD on my Wii.

[balli]

I love that people do this kinda stuff in their spare time, especially when it lets me do stuff like playing games off an external HDD on my Wii.

+1. Thank God these nerds are willing to share the payoff of their hobby.

[Spurstro]

Just got an Evo....now what?

I've been doing some research about rooting, but there's just so much information out there.

I got the usual types of questions...

Does it mess up warranty?
Can I revert back to the original settings?
Do I need to turn off OTA updates and only download certain? If so, which ones?
etc. etc.

This thing seems fine to me the way it is, but I know I'll get bored eventually and want to unlock its full potential. I'm already getting frustrated seeing all these damn Sprint Apps that I can't uninstall.

Can anyone recommend a good EVO/android site out there?

I've tried a few APPS that were recommended on the first page, and those were great.

[balli]

Just got an Evo....now what?

I've been doing some research about rooting, but there's just so much information out there.

I got the usual types of questions...

Does it mess up warranty?
Technically yes. However as an example, my friend bricked his Droid and it was so fucked up that Verizon couldn't even tell it had been rooted. If it's already messed up, there are ways to more or less wipe everything off your phone, destroy it to the point that Sprint can't tell it was ever rooted.



Can I revert back to the original settings?
Yes, rooting more or less means that you're swapping out (flashing) ROMs (different versions of the Android operating system). You'd be able to flash back to a stock Sprint ROM if you ever wanted. Sprint would be able to tell that you had superuser access at one time though.


Do I need to turn off OTA updates and only download certain? If so, which ones?
etc. etc.
No. When you flash a new ROM onto your phone it will automatically disable stock updates. However, your new custom ROM might be able to get it's own updates via apps like ROM manager. I've found it's best to simply do it manually.


This thing seems fine to me the way it is, but I know I'll get bored eventually and want to unlock its full potential. I'm already getting frustrated seeing all these damn Sprint Apps that I can't uninstall.
I loved my Captivate and didn't root for months out of feeling overwhelmed by the process and being scared of something going wrong. Now that it's rooted, I'm never going back to a stock phone. Every time I get a new phone now, I will root as soon as it's out of the box. Take some time if you need to. You'll love it being rooted though. Especially with Sprint packing so much garbage bloatware into their shit.


Can anyone recommend a good EVO/android site out there?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=619 is your best bet
Also, poke around at
http://androidforums.com/

And I'd recommend trying to get a friend who's already rooted to help you, if possible. I'd have been more lost without a little help from my friends. That said, I was amazed at how simple it was, after the fact.

I don't know if Cry Havoc is rooted, but if he is and is willing give you the time of day, I'd trust what he says regarding the Evo. Might be worth asking him.

[Spurstro]

Thanks Ballie. I'm going to sit back and get more familiar with this thing first before I root it.

Unfortunately none of my friends have their phones rooted (they didn't even know about it), so I guess I'll be the first one and end up showing everyone else.

[Drachen]

Thanks Ballie. I'm going to sit back and get more familiar with this thing first before I root it.

Unfortunately none of my friends have their phones rooted (they didn't even know about it), so I guess I'll be the first one and end up showing everyone else.

Rooting for the Evo is extremely easy. Go to unrevoked.com on your evo and download the one click root, then click it. Rooting it is as easy downloading and app and running it.

[leemajors]

this should result in an absurd payoff:

http://gizmodo.com/5739828/even-more-evidence-that-google-stole-code-for-android-from-oracle-appears

[Cry Havoc]

this should result in an absurd payoff:

http://gizmodo.com/5739828/even-more-evidence-that-google-stole-code-for-android-from-oracle-appears

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/oops-no-copied-java-code-or-weapons-of-mass-destruction-found-in-android/2162

Or not. :lol

[leemajors]

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/oops-no-copied-java-code-or-weapons-of-mass-destruction-found-in-android/2162

Or not. :lol

that's good. they retracted it that same day looks like.

[balli]

Anybody who didn't get the updated LauncherPro last week should probably do so. The new transition effects between homescreens are the shit.

[Cry Havoc]

Anybody who didn't get the updated LauncherPro last week should probably do so. The new transition effects between homescreens are the shit.

I bought it. It's sweet enough that I didn't mind paying $2.99 to help the guy out.

[balli]

I bought it. It's sweet enough that I didn't mind paying $2.99 to help the guy out.

I've been thinking about it. It's probably cool being able to scale widgets. That's it, I'm doing it right now; get that huge ass power bar thing down to about half size.

[DJ Mbenga]

I've been thinking about it. It's probably cool being able to scale widgets. That's it, I'm doing it right now; get that huge ass power bar thing down to about half size.

adw lets you do it for free but that launcher lags too much. you should pay the 3 bucks. its really nothing much and it helps out federico. he is also close to releasing the new launcher pro which he built from scratch. says its even more stable and faster. only gonna be for people that paid for the app.

[The_Worlds_finest]

I bought one android product and will never buy one again. I bought the shit cliq. $300 dollars and a renewed contract! The phone would last 1/3 of the day. (no I dont want to app kill every time I open something). I sold the phone on ebay and renewed my contract. I now have some pos flip phone but do have an iPad. If I were to venture back into the high end phone market I wouldn't gamble with some fucking giant turd android. I would put my money on an iPhone simply because apple makes their hardware. Oh and why not go check the plethora of total shit tablets running android. None of them will be good.

[balli]

I bought one android product and will never buy one again. I bought the shit cliq. $300 dollars and a renewed contract! The phone would last 1/3 of the day. (no I dont want to app kill every time I open something). I sold the phone on ebay and renewed my contract. I now have some pos flip phone but do have an iPad. If I were to venture back into the high end phone market I wouldn't gamble with some fucking giant turd android. I would put my money on an iPhone simply because apple makes their hardware. Oh and why not go check the plethora of total shit tablets running android. None of them will be good.

That's an idiotic post. Mind numbingly ignorant. Sorry you bought shit hardware without doing your homework first.

Those of us who did, love our phones. And lol at the people who don't have a third of the functionality as I do on my incredibly awesome Captivate, but bitch and moan because they don't wanna take a half second to choose which services are running or not.

Yeah get the iphone, it's idiot proof at least.

[Cry Havoc]

I bought one android product and will never buy one again. I bought the shit cliq. $300 dollars and a renewed contract! The phone would last 1/3 of the day. (no I dont want to app kill every time I open something). I sold the phone on ebay and renewed my contract. I now have some pos flip phone but do have an iPad. If I were to venture back into the high end phone market I wouldn't gamble with some fucking giant turd android. I would put my money on an iPhone simply because apple makes their hardware. Oh and why not go check the plethora of total shit tablets running android. None of them will be good.

Yeah, those iPhone 4's never had problems because Apple makes them.

http://r.phonedog.com/shared/images/2010/6/111052-1_deathgrip.jpg

[The_Worlds_finest]

By functionality u mean work? The phone didn't work from the get go, it uses the same hardware as the g1. Some guy on Howard stern has an evo or some shitty new "high end" droid and he even complains that he has to restart is ever other day. For 2 years now google with their android has been throwing everything they have at the iPhone, and nothing will ever be better, simply because hardware quality control. Yes cry if u hold the phone like an ape the service will go away. However, I'll take that over slow screens, numbers not dialing, pocket calling and texting, total shit battery life

[balli]

By functionality u mean work?
no.

I'll take that over slow screens, numbers not dialing, pocket calling and texting, total shit battery life

You don't have the first fucking clue what you're talking about. You are ass ignorant of the most basic facts.

Doesn't surprise me that some goober from the Howard Stern show is your source of information about tech products.

[Cry Havoc]

By functionality u mean work? The phone didn't work from the get go, it uses the same hardware as the g1. Some guy on Howard stern has an evo or some shitty new "high end" droid and he even complains that he has to restart is ever other day. For 2 years now google with their android has been throwing everything they have at the iPhone, and nothing will ever be better, simply because hardware quality control. Yes cry if u hold the phone like an ape the service will go away. However, I'll take that over slow screens, numbers not dialing, pocket calling and texting, total shit battery life

:lmao

:lmao

Too stupid to even respond to.

You should probably learn a bit about hardware before you try to have a debate with people who actually know a thing or two.

"Hold it like an ape."

:lmao

:lmao

[Cry Havoc]

I find it incredibly humorous and ironic that the company that started the Superbowl craze with, "We'll show you why 1984 won't be like 1984" is the same one that can now tell you how you should and should not hold your cell phone, lest you be compared to a primate. :lmao

After all these years, Apple is far closer to Big Brother than IBM or Microsoft ever has been.

[balli]

Normally I wouldn't mind telling you how it is. Explaining step by step how wrong you are and why; explaining comparative processor speeds, overclocking, kernels, ROMS, themes, scalable page scrolling speeds, things as simple as screen fucking locks (:lmao) which I have four different types of, btw.

It's so blatantly obvious how wrong your are though that actually explaining these things in any detail would be a complete waste of time.

Get out of this thread and quit embarrassing yourself.

[leemajors]

I find it incredibly humorous and ironic that the company that started the Superbowl craze with, "We'll show you why 1984 won't be like 1984" is the same one that can now tell you how you should and should not hold your cell phone, lest you be compared to a primate. :lmao

After all these years, Apple is far closer to Big Brother than IBM or Microsoft ever has been.

Ehh, that's a stretch. Genuine Validation? The only thing I would say is Apple has always been like that from day one, they haven't changed their walled garden stance at all as far as software and hardware are concerned. Yet it's incredibly easy to pirate Mac software and they really haven't done much to stop it.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Explaining step by step how wrong you are and why; explaining comparative processor speeds, overclocking, kernels, ROMS, themes, scalable page scrolling speeds, things as simple as screen fucking locks (:lmao) which I have four different types of, btw.


Its funny the amount of effort and time u must in invest just to make your beloved android phone operate to your satisfaction.

Four screen locks? :lmao

I might be missing something here but a screen lock is a screen lock, unless its google. :lmao

[balli]

Four screen locks? :lmao

I might be missing something here but a screen lock is a screen lock, unless its google. :lmao
Unless you're too dumb to know how to operate one and end up making 'pocket calls' like some sort of idiot. :tu

And I find it further moronic that you cite having more options as a bad thing. Yeah, I can choose whether to unlock my phone by drawing a custom pattern of my choosing, sliding a puzzle piece into place, swiping the entire screen to the side, or sliding an iphone type slider away. How shitty Android is for giving me cool and customizable options with varying levels of security.

Dumbass, like I said, quit embarrassing yourself. You don't know ANYTHING about this tech and this thread doesn't exist for clueless shmucks to publicly act ass-ignorant; it's for posters who have the first iota of a clue. Stop talking.

edit: Oh wait. I see. You didn't even know I was talking about having options. Assumed I meant utilizing four screen locks at once. Jesus... I was outwitted by too high of expectations for what is obviously your feeble mind. I didn't think anyone could be that dumb. That's too bad.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Some guy on Howard stern has an evo or some shitty new "high end" droid and he even complains that he has to restart is ever other day.

I've had an EVO since it was released and I have to restart maybe once every other month.

[The_Worlds_finest]

You two think I don't have access to the same pages you have concerning phones and hardware?

The best part of your whole argument is your comparing rooted droids to a iOS iphone! A jail broken iphone is that much better.

[balli]

You two think I don't have access to the same pages you have concerning phones and hardware?

The best part of your whole argument is your comparing rooted droids to a iOS iphone! A jail broken iphone is that much better.

My stock Captivate wiped the floor with iphone. If you actually used those pages you were talking about you would know that the stock CPU in pretty much any real Android phone is the same or better than that of the iphone.

And a jailbroken iphone isn't shit. You finally get to use basic flash :lmao. That's it. Great.

And your original argument was that no Android phone or tablet is ever worth owning because A. You bought a shitty Cliq and B. You heard one of Howard Stern's jackasses admit he didn't know how to use his EVO.

You don't wanna buy an Android, fine, like I said, the iphone is idiot proof.

Now get the fuck out of this thread. It isn't here for factless idiots to ignorantly bitch about how much they don't wanna own Androids. It's for Android owners to talk about the phones they use and enjoy. So fuck you for opening your ignorant mouth in the first place and seriously, stop posting.

[Cry Havoc]

You two think I don't have access to the same pages you have concerning phones and hardware?

You bought a Cliq. So I'm going to have to go with, "No." Because, again, you bought a fucking Cliq.

[balli]

You know guy, it would have been one thing if you had said, "I think I would prefer an iphone." That's an acceptable position. I'm sure you would prefer an iphone. Many people do.

It's a shame that instead, in the Android thread, you decided to opine that the iphone is better than Android, because in your opinion, no android phone/tablet, ever, is worth owning from a hardware perspective. Your posit besides being provably and entirely false, is born out of shameful ignorance of the most simple, basic facts and your own idiotic consumer experience. Your argument, world's, if it can even be called that, incites vitriol because it's not only a preference presented as fact, but is a preference based on NO facts. Zero. If you wanted to be taken seriously or treated with respect, you should have come strong with a respectful argument, rather than a bunch of incoherent, non-sensible ramblings that didn't serve any purpose other than being inflammatory.

[The_Worlds_finest]

"me stupid me thinks me shouldn't have to close a program and then use another program to close it again","me stupid me thinks me shouldn't have to turn off wifi's and 3gb's so me magical talking plastic dont need to plug in wall every five hours"

"idiot proof" or just common sense?

yeah I bought a cliq cause I was thinking one it was motorola and two it was google, can't go wrong, especially after owning two shit htc products, I really didn't want a g1. I won't get burned again.

So when are any of u going to waste ur money on a droid tablet? I'm dying to know all the extra effort u have to put into it just to make it work aswell as my iPad.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Here you can discuss anything related to Android phones.............. debates between Iphone 4 and Evo 4g :ihit (I .

[Drachen]

"me stupid me thinks me shouldn't have to close a program and then use another program to close it again","me stupid me thinks me shouldn't have to turn off wifi's and 3gb's so me magical talking plastic dont need to plug in wall every five hours"

"idiot proof" or just common sense?

yeah I bought a cliq cause I was thinking one it was motorola and two it was google, can't go wrong, especially after owning two shit htc products, I really didn't want a g1. I won't get burned again.

So when are any of u going to waste ur money on a droid tablet? I'm dying to know all the extra effort u have to put into it just to make it work aswell as my iPad.

I spent 250 on an android "tablet" and spent 3 minutes making it work in the manner of which you speak. I might spend another 3 mins to upgrade the OS again soon, but that will be only to see what new features are available. I currently don't find anything lacking.

[balli]

Here you can discuss anything related to Android phones.............. debates between Iphone 4 and Evo 4g


You know guy, it would have been one thing if you had said, "I think I would prefer an iphone." That's an acceptable position. I'm sure you would prefer an iphone. Many people do.

It's a shame that instead, in the Android thread, you decided to opine that the iphone is better than Android, because in your opinion, no android phone/tablet, ever, is worth owning from a hardware perspective. Your posit besides being provably and entirely false, is born out of shameful ignorance of the most simple, basic facts and your own idiotic consumer experience. Your argument, world's, if it can even be called that, incites vitriol because it's not only a preference presented as fact, but is a preference based on NO facts. Zero. If you wanted to be taken seriously or treated with respect, you should have come strong with a respectful argument, rather than a bunch of incoherent, non-sensible ramblings that didn't serve any purpose other than being inflammatory.

You're an idiot.


stop posting

[Cry Havoc]

yeah I bought a cliq cause I was thinking one it was motorola and two it was google, can't go wrong, especially after owning two shit htc products, I really didn't want a g1. I won't get burned again.

So you admit you made a purchase solely on name-brand recognition, instead of actually doing research and looking through reviews?


You two think I don't have access to the same pages you have concerning phones and hardware?

Thanks for showing off your idiocy. :lol You contradict yourself in nearly sequential posts, nicely done. :tu


So when are any of u going to waste ur money on a droid tablet? I'm dying to know all the extra effort u have to put into it just to make it work aswell as my iPad.

At least if balli, myself, or Drachen purchases a Droid OS, we'll know how to work it. I know, I know, having FOUR buttons on your electronics device is just too dizzying to contemplate, but some of us can manage.

Btw, I have a Droid tablet. It's called the Nook Color. $250. Does nearly everything an iPad can do. :toast

[The_Worlds_finest]

Define work and are u posting on this board using said tablet? Because my tablet has replaced my pc with the exception of playing fallout 3

[Drachen]

Define work and are u posting on this board using said tablet? Because my tablet has replaced my pc with the exception of playing fallout 3


work
   /wɜrk/ Show Spelled [wurk] Show IPA noun, adjective, verb, worked or ( Archaic except for 35, 37, 40 ) wrought; working.
–noun
1.exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.


I am work, don't have my NC out. If you are comfortable typing 20 page papers on your Ipad, then I must concede, that is one area where I am not going to give up my laptop. Other than this, it does everything I ask it to. However, having used the Ipad, I wouldn't type a 20 page paper on it either.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Yes before I got burnt with the shit android cliq I thought all droid phones would at a minimum at least operate, coupled with my friend who is a fan boy of droid saying his g1 is "amazing" but then bitching about it every time he used it around me. So I didn't read any reviews on the phone.

The nook hack can't even wifi, ur really stretching "does everything a iPad can"

[The_Worlds_finest]

I wouldn't type a 20 page paper on it without a keyboard.

[Drachen]

Yes before I got burnt with the shit android cliq I thought all droid phones would at a minimum at least operate, coupled with my friend who is a fan boy of droid saying his g1 is "amazing" but then bitching about it every time he used it around me. So I didn't read any reviews on the phone.

The nook hack can't even wifi, ur really stretching "does everything a iPad can"

what are you talking about "cant even wifi?". It most certainly uses wifi. How do you think I surf the net, etc on it?

[Drachen]

I wouldn't type a 20 page paper on it without a keyboard.

You and I agree here, connect a blue tooth keyboard to the NC and it would work well.

[Cry Havoc]

The nook hack can't even wifi, ur really stretching "does everything a iPad can"

:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao

Did you and Viva get together and compare notes on Android-based devices? Because you guys keep talking shit, unfortunately you're both full of it and you still think you know more than anyone else, even though you admitted to doing zero research into the topic and you're making statements that have absolutely no basis in reality.

:lmao
:lmao
:lmao
:lmao

I guess I'll go download a few books on my Nook now. But it doesn't have Wifi, so I guess I'll have to use a process called "magic". :lmao

[Cry Havoc]

Directly from the B&N website.

http://i.imgur.com/mA9ri.jpg


TA-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[Drachen]

Directly from the B&N website.

http://i.imgur.com/mA9ri.jpg


TA-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

While you are correct, you are not responding to what he said. He said the nook hack doesn't have wifi. The B&N website will tell you nothing about the nook hack (or root in the parlance of our product).

[Cry Havoc]

While you are correct, you are not responding to what he said. He said the nook hack doesn't have wifi. The B&N website will tell you nothing about the nook hack (or root in the parlance of our product).

I'm pretty sure only the Gingerbread hack doesn't have wifi (and that's just because it's less than a week old). With a basic root, The NC does have Wifi, so even if that's what he meant, he was wrong for not being specific. Soon, the Gingerbread root will definitely be running wi-fi, because the Android hacking community is that damn awesome.

[MannyIsGod]

:lol @ anyone who buys a shit product because they didn't research trying to tell others what is good. Thats some funny shit.

[Drachen]

I'm pretty sure only the Gingerbread hack doesn't have wifi (and that's just because it's less than a week old). With a basic root, The NC does have Wifi, so even if that's what he meant, he was wrong for not being specific. Soon, the Gingerbread root will definitely be running wi-fi, because the Android hacking community is that damn awesome.

I have not heard of any Gingerbread root that has been released. I know that CM is working on a CM7 rom for the NC but they have been very careful not to release anything until everything works.

The Honeycomb developmental image was released (not the full source code yet) and someone was able to finagle that onto the nook color (incidentally using lessons learned from the CM7 team) and the only reported issue with regarding functionality is that it doesn't play sound (wifi works, they got the youtube app going). Though it is not as smooth as you are used to with the NC. Once the actual source code is released the CM team has said that they will work on a NC honeycomb ROM (of course as soon as they are finished with CM7), and they will have a big head start due to the work of this one guy over the past week.

If you are aware of a gingerbread ROM that has already been released I would be interested.

Oh, and the biggest gift that B&N gave to the developing community is the NC's boot structure. It seeks to boot off of the SD card FIRST meaning that it is pretty much impossible to brick. You would have to actively seek to brick your NC in order to do so. If a developer messes up a little bit of code installs it and the NC won't boot up anymore, just put a working image on an sd card, boot up, and move the image over, no problem. Honestly, it surprises me every day how much this is an extremely versatile and well thought out tool.

edit: I lied, NC honeycomb: "Now with sound!"

[Drachen]

:lol @ anyone who buys a shit product because they didn't research trying to tell others what is good. Thats some funny shit.

this!

[The_Worlds_finest]

I'm happy with my epic the other day I got my friends evo and ran angry birds on both side by side and I notice the evo had some studder to it. I would have not notice if I was just playing on the evo but next to my epic you could tell.



I love how even android users compare their phones for the typical studders associated with droid.

[The_Worlds_finest]

oh yeah and when I said no wifi i was assuming he was running Honeycomb since he said "its just as good as ipad" I didnt even think he would be using 2.2 since 2.2, again a total shit os, would not even be in the same planet as iOS. Another note Honeycomb is already behind the soon to be released iOS.

[koriwhat]

At least if balli, myself, or Drachen purchases a Droid OS, we'll know how to work it.

you'll also be the biggest dumbass around considering that OS is opensource.

then again, you don't have to convince me because i am already under the impression that you are a fuckin' dumb pos dickhead cocksuckin' little bitch.

[koriwhat]

However, having used the Ipad, I wouldn't type a 20 page paper on it either.

and why's that? i use my ipad daily to write notes in my classes, to write my papers altogether, and to WIFI.

the thing i love about this ipad and not having to go backwards in time and install some stupid fuckin' taskmanager on it.

i'll tell you what though, i do like the androidOS as well because i enjoy opensource. i'm just saying...

[The_Worlds_finest]

and why's that? i use my ipad daily to write notes in my classes, to write my papers altogether, and to WIFI.

the thing i love about this ipad and not having to go backwards in time and install some stupid fuckin' taskmanager on it.

i'll tell you what though, i do like the androidOS as well because i enjoy opensource. i'm just saying...

iOS is based on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_(operating_system)

Me stupid me thinks simplicity is a good thing

[The_Worlds_finest]

oh yeah Koriwhat, you can write notes only because the screen is responsive and actually works unlike the machines running android. gawd

[Drachen]

you'll also be the biggest dumbass around considering that OS is opensource.

then again, you don't have to convince me because i am already under the impression that you are a fuckin' dumb pos dickhead cocksuckin' little bitch.

He is talking about buying a product using the OS. Cmon, you KNOW that and are being nitpicky.


and why's that? i use my ipad daily to write notes in my classes, to write my papers altogether, and to WIFI.

the thing i love about this ipad and not having to go backwards in time and install some stupid fuckin' taskmanager on it.

i'll tell you what though, i do like the androidOS as well because i enjoy opensource. i'm just saying...

Well i am glad you feel comfortable doing that (writing the paper,notes,etc.). The worlds finest, CH, and I (and presumably many others) just don't feel comfortable doing that. For me, at least, it is a matter of preference, not capability. I won't even type much on a netbook, just not comfortable for me other than for quick notes and editing.


oh yeah Koriwhat, you can write notes only because the screen is responsive and actually works unlike the machines running android. gawd

The capacitive touch screen is just as responsive as that of the ipad. Additionally, I find it to be suspect that given all of the misstatements that you have made about android/the nook color that you have had a lot of exp with 2.2. Also, as i have previosly stated, the ridiculously early version of 3.0 which was developed off of an image (not the source code) for the NC does have wifi.

-Sent, half asleep from my nook color

[Cry Havoc]

:lol


you'll also be the biggest dumbass around considering that OS is opensource.

then again, you don't have to convince me because i am already under the impression that you are a fuckin' dumb pos dickhead cocksuckin' little bitch.

http://images2.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4028867/U-Mad.jpg?imageSize=Medium&generatorName=JadaUMad

[Cry Havoc]

something more modern and less 1990, something you don't pop 4 big wheel tires on and haul the neighbors trash away in, and something less military considering your punkass couldn't even last 1 minute in a ring with me let alone bootcamp at randolph afb.

[koriwhat]

He is talking about buying a product using the OS. Cmon, you KNOW that and are being nitpicky.

if your little boyfriend is going to nitpick every god damn thing i post here, you know i'm gonna throw this shit in his face. fuck him!


The worlds finest, CH, and I (and presumably many others) just don't feel comfortable doing that.

world's finest? god damn yall nerds are something else.

oh and CryBaby, i'm not mad at all... not even 0.1%. i'd love to punch your faggot ass in the face but that doesn't mean i'm mad about anything, especially nothing off the net.

[Cry Havoc]

world's finest? god damn yall nerds are something else.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Drachen, apparently koriwhat thinks you were calling us the finest in the world. Ain't that some shit? :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol


Hey, douchenozzle. He was referring to the poster "The_World's_Finest".
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=5276

I know that's tough to comprehend, but do try to keep up with the most basic of intellectual functioning. :lmao You're so fucking stupid it hurts. :lmao :lmao :lmao


oh and CryBaby, i'm not mad at all... not even 0.1%. i'd love to punch your faggot ass in the face but that doesn't mean i'm mad about anything, especially nothing off the net.

So you're not mad, but you want to punch me? Be a man and admit it.... u definitely mad. :lmao

Thanks for entertaining us with your idiocy, though. :lol

[MannyIsGod]

:lmao

So good.

[Drachen]

if your little boyfriend is going to nitpick every god damn thing i post here, you know i'm gonna throw this shit in his face. fuck him!


Boyfriend? Koriwhat, that is uncalled for, I haven't done thing one to you (in fact I have stuck up for you a few times). I know you are bitter but deal with it. Its the internet, if an internet website makes you bitter, quit going to it.

-The Worlds Finest Nook Color User.

[Cry Havoc]

:lmao

So good.

You may be a God, but Drachen and I are the world's finest. Suck it, Manny.

[koriwhat]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Drachen, apparently koriwhat thinks you were calling us the finest in the world. Ain't that some shit? :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol


Hey, douchenozzle. He was referring to the poster "The_World's_Finest".
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=5276

I know that's tough to comprehend, but do try to keep up with the most basic of intellectual functioning. :lmao You're so fucking stupid it hurts. :lmao :lmao :lmao

oh, next time i'll check my memory bank about useless threads on ST, threads i don't even think i've visited.



So you're not mad, but you want to punch me? Be a man and admit it.... u definitely mad. :lmao

just 'cause i want to punch your little ms abercrombie ass in the face doesn't equate to me being pissed off or mad about anything. your face just looks like a great punching bag to put my fist in. nothing more, nothing less.


Boyfriend? Koriwhat, that is uncalled for, I haven't done thing one to you (in fact I have stuck up for you a few times). I know you are bitter but deal with it. Its the internet, if an internet website makes you bitter, quit going to it.

-The Worlds Finest Nook Color User.

don't get all CH on me and become a baby too over words that don't mean shit anyhow... if you want it, here it is, sorry for hurting your feelings.

i'll now, neal with it.

[koriwhat]

:lmao

So good.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CH9uOL1DcgM/SyOpUAmhFhI/AAAAAAAAIzI/1gedvID1oh8/s400/mcdonalds-fries1.jpg

[Cry Havoc]

oh, next time i'll check my memory bank about useless threads on ST, threads i don't even think i've visited.

Lol koriwhat now claiming he hasn't visited a thread he's posted in multiple times.

lol backpedaling

lol still an idiot



just 'cause i want to punch your little ms abercrombie ass in the face doesn't equate to me being pissed off or mad about anything. your face just looks like a great punching bag to put my fist in. nothing more, nothing less.

Yeah, but y u mad tho?



don't get all CH on me and become a baby too over words that don't mean shit anyhow... if you want it, here it is, sorry for hurting your feelings.

i'll now, neal with it.

kw accusing other people of not handling online insults well. :lmao

[MannyIsGod]

LOL Memory bank?!?!??!?!?!?!

:lmao !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[koriwhat]

...hmm

[Cry Havoc]

...hmm

By far your most intelligent post in this thread. :tu Props.

[The_Worlds_finest]

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2011/02/340x_motobestbuy.jpg

The First Good Android Tablet Has Locked Down Wi-Fi and Costs $800, Ughhhh
The Motorola Xoom sure has a lot of whizbang stuff inside: Crazy dual-core processors! Nvidia graphics! HD camcorder! 1GB RAM! Front camera! 3G that's somehow magically upgradeable to 4G! But, uh, it's eight hundred dollars. And it gets worse.

The worse being fine print in the leaked Best Buy ad that says:

To activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of one month data subscription is required.
Like Engadget, we can't figure out any other way to translate that besides the Xoom's Wi-Fi is locked down until you activate a data subscription with Verizon. They're requiring you to buy at least one month of data service to a basic feature of the hardware? What. The. Balls.

The pricing is horribly wrong for a couple of reasons on top of that. One, there isn't a cheaper option. While the most expensive iPad with 3G and 64GB of storage was $830, people still had the option to purchase a bunch of cheaper models, down to $500. In other words, the iPad cost as much as a netbook; the Xoom costs as much as a laptop.

And while the Xoom's guts are steelier than the iPad's right now—justifying the price difference—that probably won't be the case in a just a couple of months, when a new iPad's likely to show up. Historically, Apple's next-generation gear tends to have sparkly new specs while maintaining the same pricepoints. Meaning the Xoom's $800 price tag isn't going to look any better, so hopefully Moto's promised Wi-Fi model is coming sooner, not later.

Don't get me wrong, the reason the pricing seems so gross is that we've been waiting for nearly a year for some real iPad competiton. And at $800, with required data service, I think Moto will mostly be selling them to diehard nerds.

If Motorola really wanted to kill the iPad, they'd undercut it. Here's to misprints. [Engadget]

Send an email to Matt Buchanan, the author of this post, at [email protected].


Oh this one actually Works with 3.0, not "works" like a modded NC.

I cant wait to see the IPAD2 blow this one out of the water with performance, usability, hardware, AND price :)

[balli]

...shit tablets running android. None of them will be good.

[Cry Havoc]

Sooooo a superior tablet to the iPad and it's slightly more expensive? Shocking.

[Cry Havoc]

lol iPad 2: Now with copy-paste and a camera! :lmao

[ElNono]

tbh, it's good to see competition finally catching up to the iPad, at least hardware-wise. It took what, a year? It's also nice to see Android finally catching up in some real core features like inApp purchases.

That said, the iPad is truly an incredible device. It isn't just the hardware, but the actual platform (hardware/software combination). I'm really looking forward to seeing what the improvements are in the new generation. Some of them are pretty obvious (facetime), but I'm also hoping for dual cores, a shader-capable GPU and increased battery life (which isn't bad right now, but more is always better).

The only thing that makes me a little nervous about the Android side of the equation is that they basically can't distinguish themselves on the software side, thus it's an arms race on the hardware side, with most likely fairly thin margins and where a flop could be very costly. Otherwise, I like the competition. It's only good for us consumers.

[The_Worlds_finest]

lol iPad 2: Now with copy-paste and a camera! :lmao

iOS4 has cut and copy. Ipad2 will have a camera. I wouldn't want a camera on my ipad anyway. Thats what my CAMERA is for.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Sooooo a superior tablet to the iPad and it's slightly more expensive? Shocking.

Dumbass your comparing last years model to the latest attempt at competition. Ipad 2 will be cheaper.....(and what your dumbass missed) wont require one month commitment to unlock wifi. LOL and its shitty motorola.

[Cry Havoc]

iOS4 has cut and copy. Ipad2 will have a camera. I wouldn't want a camera on my ipad anyway. Thats what my CAMERA is for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue-in-cheek


Dumbass your comparing last years model to the latest attempt at competition. Ipad 2 will be cheaper.....(and what your dumbass missed) wont require one month commitment to unlock wifi. LOL and its shitty motorola.

:wow :wow :wow

So wait a second. You're telling me that you're actually going to research a product ahead of time??????? This is phenomenal. I want to throw you a party.

[MannyIsGod]

I don't get the camera on a 10 inch tablet either. Even a 7 inch with a camera is kinda funny to me. I just picture people holding them up to take a picture and it looks funny as shit to me in my imagination.

[ElNono]

I think the only camera that makes sense for the tablet is the VGA res front facing camera for video-chat, maybe scanning in barcodes, etc. A high-res camera really makes no sense to me on such a device.

[MannyIsGod]

Exactly.

[Cry Havoc]

I think the only camera that makes sense for the tablet is the VGA res front facing camera for video-chat, maybe scanning in barcodes, etc. A high-res camera really makes no sense to me on such a device.


Exactly.

I think it's more along the line of thought of, "Well, we CAN do it, so why not?"

Not that it's a good idea...

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Did you and Viva get together and compare notes on Android-based devices? Because you guys keep talking shit, unfortunately you're both full of it and you still think you know more than anyone else, even though you admitted to doing zero research into the topic and you're making statements that have absolutely no basis in reality.
Geez you do have some sort of problem, do you.
Didn't I start a thread about an android device where I said I'm more than likely getting on top of saying my next phone won't be an iPhone.


1000 to 1 urine only child.

[The_Worlds_finest]

I won't need to research ahead of time when I go to buy another tablet or phone. I won't need to confirm that I'll be able to hack the machine make it run the latest droid shit os, Because unlike google who gives their shit to anybody, apple makes sure that their latest product runs their latest software, cock smoke. I bet that ur pos hacked droid runs at a fraction of what u claim it does, u wnt ever admit to it cause ur queer like that

[Cry Havoc]

I won't need to research ahead of time when I go to buy another tablet or phone. I won't need to confirm that I'll be able to hack the machine make it run the latest droid shit os, Because unlike google who gives their shit to anybody, apple makes sure that their latest product runs their latest software, cock smoke. I bet that ur pos hacked droid runs at a fraction of what u claim it does, u wnt ever admit to it cause ur queer like that

Clearly you have a good grasp of the technical knowledge you boasted so openly about just a few pages ago.

"I know what I'm talking about. Blah blah blah."

"No you don't, and here's why."

"Oh, you don't think I've read about it? You're an idiot."

"No, it doesn't appear that you did anything of the sort."

"Well so what! I can call you names!"

:lmao

Classic. Nothing like resorting to anger and 7th grade insults when someone calls you out for making incorrect statements.

[Drachen]

I won't need to research ahead of time when I go to buy another tablet or phone. I won't need to confirm that I'll be able to hack the machine make it run the latest droid shit os, Because unlike google who gives their shit to anybody, apple makes sure that their latest product runs their latest software, cock smoke. I bet that ur pos hacked droid runs at a fraction of what u claim it does, u wnt ever admit to it cause ur queer like that

You obviously don't understand what open source is about. It allows you to configure your device to run the way you want it to up to and including the hardware limitations. It is about having to option to purchase a device that runs the way you want it to, or purchasing another far less expensive device and with very little work (thank you developing community) get it to run at the capabilities of the newest device.
The NC is underclocked to 800Mhz stock, If I DL and install the "she's a screamer" kernel, it clocks it up to 1 Ghz while using less battery power. It allows for the millions of heads who like to write code to get together to make each device as powerful as possible, rather than relying on the 1000s employed by the company. It extends a product's useful life.
Lastly, you are correct. Apple does release products meant for one device, one OS, etc. It is their business model and it has been successful for them the last 10 years or so. But it has been their business model long before that and the result of that model then was the necessity of having Microsoft purchase a large portion of the company just to keep the doors open. When do you think the next cash infusion from MS or GOOG will be necessary?

[Cry Havoc]

Careful, Drachen, when you try to give knowledge to T_W_F, he calls you a cocksmoke. As if that's going to... what, hurt, exactly? :lol


You obviously don't understand what open source is about. It allows you to configure your device to run the way you want it to up to and including the hardware limitations. It is about having to option to purchase a device that runs the way you want it to, or purchasing another far less expensive device and with very little work (thank you developing community) get it to run at the capabilities of the newest device.
The NC is underclocked to 800Mhz stock, If I DL and install the "she's a screamer" kernel, it clocks it up to 1 Ghz while using less battery power. It allows for the millions of heads who like to write code to get together to make each device as powerful as possible, rather than relying on the 1000s employed by the company. It extends a product's useful life.

This is incredibly important. Some games that have been opened sourced that were created in 1999 are still being modded and actively played today. Descent Freespace 2 still has a HUGE community that develops more advanced graphics and extra missions for it. The Nintendo Wii has been modded to completely control entire living rooms. The list goes on as far as value.


Lastly, you are correct. Apple does release products meant for one device, one OS, etc. It is their business model and it has been successful for them the last 10 years or so. But it has been their business model long before that and the result of that model then was the necessity of having Microsoft purchase a large portion of the company just to keep the doors open. When do you think the next cash infusion from MS or GOOG will be necessary?

This is also the business model that led Apple to near extinction in the 1990s as Windows-based systems flooded the computing industry. But Apple is repeating the same model as last time, and they stand a very real chance of losing huge % of market share to Android in the next 3-4 years, as more powerful Android phones surpass what comes out of Cupertino, for as much or less per dollar. So as far as Apple goes, I would say the iPod and iPhone went farther to save the company than their business model ever did. It was the initial innovation that propelled them, (that should sound familiar to anyone who was alive in 1984) not the sustained evolution of a product. Isolationist policies are almost always limiting in terms of technological development, and there is no exception here.

[The_Worlds_finest]

.
The NC is underclocked to 800Mhz stock, If I DL and install the "she's a screamer" kernel, it clocks it up to 1 Ghz while using less battery power.

Yeah and I'm sure the oc to 1ghz works to urs and crys standards, and as long as I don't read the xda forums, I'm suppose to believe u have some perfectly functioning tablet.

I'm all about open source and modding machines but i want something straight out the box that works 99.99999999% of the time, no questions asked. When I want to dick around, I'll get on my unbuntu box, that "works".

[leemajors]

Careful, Drachen, when you try to give knowledge to T_W_F, he calls you a cocksmoke. As if that's going to... what, hurt, exactly? :lol



This is incredibly important. Some games that have been opened sourced that were created in 1999 are still being modded and actively played today. Descent Freespace 2 still has a HUGE community that develops more advanced graphics and extra missions for it. The Nintendo Wii has been modded to completely control entire living rooms. The list goes on as far as value.



This is also the business model that led Apple to near extinction in the 1990s as Windows-based systems flooded the computing industry. But Apple is repeating the same model as last time, and they stand a very real chance of losing huge % of market share to Android in the next 3-4 years, as more powerful Android phones surpass what comes out of Cupertino, for as much or less per dollar. So as far as Apple goes, I would say the iPod and iPhone went farther to save the company than their business model ever did. It was the initial innovation that propelled them, (that should sound familiar to anyone who was alive in 1984) not the sustained evolution of a product. Isolationist policies are almost always limiting in terms of technological development, and there is no exception here.

Apple's shitty leadership at the top after Jobs left had way more to do with their woes than the walled garden approach. Surpassing MS in market capitalization this last April was no small feat, and they also have over 50 billion in cash on hand. I think their approach is doing quite well, although the walled garden can be annoying.

[Cry Havoc]

I think their approach is doing quite well, although the walled garden can be annoying.

I never meant to imply anything else, however, again, it's mostly due to the success of the iPod/iPhone than beating Microsoft at their own game.

The fact that they are selling more computers is more a function of lower overall prices, IMO, than a dramatic shift in the market.

[Drachen]

Yeah and I'm sure the oc to 1ghz works to urs and crys standards, and as long as I don't read the xda forums, I'm suppose to believe u have some perfectly functioning tablet.

I'm all about open source and modding machines but i want something straight out the box that works 99.99999999% of the time, no questions asked. When I want to dick around, I'll get on my unbuntu box, that "works".

If you are reading the xda forums then you know that the 950 mhz OC has been completely stable for about 5 weeks and the 1ghz has been stable for about 2-3 weeks. The 1.1 ghz seems to be the only one that is not stable yet, but I haven't checked the past two days, it could be by now.

If you want a product that works 99.999999999% of the time, no questions asked out of the box, then just purchase product and use it. They all do what they say they do, rooting just allows them to do more than they say they do. If you want more capabilities "out of the box" simple, you have the choice to spend more and buy the one that has more capabilities out of the box.

What I am trying to say is that if I only wanted a touch screen ereader, I could buy the NC and it works right out of the box. If I wanted a full blown tablet out of the box I could spend much more and get that. Personally, I wanted an ereader and a full blown tablet and didn't want to have to spend a bunch of money. Guess what? I got that too.

[MannyIsGod]

I won't need to research ahead of time when I go to buy another tablet or phone. I won't need to confirm that I'll be able to hack the machine make it run the latest droid shit os, Because unlike google who gives their shit to anybody, apple makes sure that their latest product runs their latest software, cock smoke. I bet that ur pos hacked droid runs at a fraction of what u claim it does, u wnt ever admit to it cause ur queer like that

Wow.

[MannyIsGod]

I don't understand the argument TWF is even trying to make. If he doesn't want to bother with custom ROMs and rooting thats fine, but it is pretty damn stupid to say that the stock android phones aren't as good as an Iphone. Thats simply not the case.

Tablets is where the Ipad has more of a lead but its also way more expensive.

But I'm all about the bottom line. If I can take a tablet that costs a third of what the Ipad runs and make it do everything just as well with a bit of rooting (which I actually find fun to begin with - Its just fun to screw with things of that nature and customize it) then what is the problem?

[ElNono]

This is also the business model that led Apple to near extinction in the 1990s as Windows-based systems flooded the computing industry. But Apple is repeating the same model as last time, and they stand a very real chance of losing huge % of market share to Android in the next 3-4 years, as more powerful Android phones surpass what comes out of Cupertino, for as much or less per dollar. So as far as Apple goes, I would say the iPod and iPhone went farther to save the company than their business model ever did. It was the initial innovation that propelled them, (that should sound familiar to anyone who was alive in 1984) not the sustained evolution of a product. Isolationist policies are almost always limiting in terms of technological development, and there is no exception here.

I don't really agree with this. Not that I'm offended by it, or anything like that.

Back then, you still had to pay a 'premium' wether you bought hardware from Apple or IBM. The huge difference was essentially software availability (which ties to many different things to really discuss in a single post, including developer adoption and marketing strategies).

What Apple did right this time around was to open up development early (which attracted all kinds of developers) and have a tight grip on distribution (which assured they wouldn't get 1-upped on the marketing side).
The whole walled garden has also worked well for them. It ensures there's a modicum of basic quality on the software side which in a way provides better value for paying customers.

On the longer term, what's going to make or break the market is the perceived value of the platform in it's entirety (hardware/software). I think being tied to AT&T was counterproductive for Apple in that aspect, and I think letting Verizon into the game is a big step for them.

I don't think hardware in isolation or software in isolation is what's going to define what happens next, but the overall customer experience.

[ElNono]

I don't understand the argument TWF is even trying to make. If he doesn't want to bother with custom ROMs and rooting thats fine, but it is pretty damn stupid to say that the stock android phones aren't as good as an Iphone. Thats simply not the case.

Tablets is where the Ipad has more of a lead but its also way more expensive.

But I'm all about the bottom line. If I can take a tablet that costs a third of what the Ipad runs and make it do everything just as well with a bit of rooting (which I actually find fun to begin with - Its just fun to screw with things of that nature and customize it) then what is the problem?

I think he's speaking about the experience in general. You have to jump through hoops to get the thing doing what you really want it to do, and granted, plenty of geeks in here, but your average user wants to plug it in and get going. I think Android has come a long way towards that, but it's still not quite there yet. I also think having vendors adding all sorts of skins and some forced reduced functionality (that you need to unlock with rooting) is a disservice to advancing in that goal. The famed 'fragmentation'.

Then again, I might be misinterpreting what he was trying to say.

[MannyIsGod]

I don't even think you have to jump through hoops, though. My sisters Samsung Epic is a great phone thats not rooted. I've used it plenty of times and I have never had an issue with it before at all. I've used a few non rooted Evos that have been great machines too.

You can get more out of almost every piece of hardware in a phone format by jailbreaking/rooting them and that you're able to do that isn't a knock on the original device - its a plus.

[ElNono]

I don't think jailbreaking/rooting is a knock at all. I just don't think that's where a vast majority of the actual cellphones users want to go. I see the average joe switching phones before going trough that process. There's absolutely great Android phones out there for those average joes, no question about it. That said, when I was talking about vendors crippling, I was mostly pointing out to Morotola and their fetish of trying to distance themselves on the software side (which normally ends up in crippling and an inferior product), when they build great hardware. I think that's pretty counterproductive to Android as a platform in general, but it's the tradeoff of vendors having the ultimate authority vs Google.

[Drachen]

I don't think jailbreaking/rooting is a knock at all. I just don't think that's where a vast majority of the actual cellphones users want to go. I see the average joe switching phones before going trough that process. There's absolutely great Android phones out there for those average joes, no question about it. That said, when I was talking about vendors crippling, I was mostly pointing out to Morotola and their fetish of trying to distance themselves on the software side (which normally ends up in crippling and an inferior product), when they build great hardware. I think that's pretty counterproductive to Android as a platform in general, but it's the tradeoff of vendors having the ultimate authority vs Google.

First of all, I completely agree with you that Moto screwed themselves here. But as has been said before, when the company (moto in this case) is trying to screw you, and create a walled garden (a la Apple), it is great to have the choice to continue using the platform you like (android), while telling Moto to F-off.

BTW, I love the way that the word "choice" has gone through the groupthink machine and come out the other end as a negative: "fragmentation"

[Cry Havoc]

BTW, I love the way that the word "choice" has gone through the groupthink machine and come out the other end as a negative: "fragmentation"

The power of Apple's marketing department. Just like those atrocious earbuds that everyone wears that are the worst thing to happen to music since the cassette tape.

[ElNono]

First of all, I completely agree with you that Moto screwed themselves here. But as has been said before, when the company (moto in this case) is trying to screw you, and create a walled garden (a la Apple), it is great to have the choice to continue using the platform you like (android), while telling Moto to F-off.

Agreed.


BTW, I love the way that the word "choice" has gone through the groupthink machine and come out the other end as a negative: "fragmentation"

Depends. Does the changes on interface and usability add to the product or are simply there to differentiate? I think that's the actual question you have to ask to tell the two apart. People appreciate an homogenous interface because it removes the learning curve. At the same time, innovation is always a premium. A good example of what I call fragmentation would be Windows Vista. It really added nothing to the XP experience, it only made you have to learn a new way to do things while being more intrusive. You could call that "choice", but it was really something to differentiate from XP and sell new copies.

I wish Google had full control of the Android experience. I think an homogeneous experience would be nicer than what vendors will always push for: More walled gardens and unnecessary crippling of the experience in order to achieve that.

[ElNono]

tbh, the "fragmentation" term as was used by Jobs referred to the complexity of targeting the multitude of devices, screen sizes, etc out there for developers. He's not necessarily wrong about that.

[Drachen]

Agreed.



Depends. Does the changes on interface and usability add to the product or are simply there to differentiate? I think that's the actual question you have to ask to tell the two apart. People appreciate an homogenous interface because it removes the learning curve. At the same time, innovation is always a premium. A good example of what I call fragmentation would be Windows Vista. It really added nothing to the XP experience, it only made you have to learn a new way to do things while being more intrusive. You could call that "choice", but it was really something to differentiate from XP and sell new copies.

I wish Google had full control of the Android experience. I think an homogeneous experience would be nicer than what vendors will always push for: More walled gardens and unnecessary crippling of the experience in order to achieve that.

Good point and I do think that in some cases it does enhance user experience. I like HTC Sense, thought it was good, but I don't use it anymore. You could say that I use Vanilla Android on my phone, but that isn't completely true. I use CM 6.1 with ADW launcher, so in effect there is still a skin.

Will there be companies that produce what I believe to be a crappy product? Yes! (looking at you motoblur), but even those serve purposes. From what I understand people who are not nerds, and are not into modding, or rooting, etc and LOVE social networking are those who love motoblur. These choices allow one OS to more accurately serve a diverse customer base.

As far as the walled gardens and crippling the hardware, the only android product manufacturer that I know that does that is Moto (though I will be candid here and admit that I don't know every single thing about every android device on the market).


tbh, the "fragmentation" term as was used by Jobs referred to the complexity of targeting the multitude of devices, screen sizes, etc out there for developers. He's not necessarily wrong about that.

Fair enough, however this doesn't seem to be a the problem he made it out to be.

[ElNono]

Good point and I do think that in some cases it does enhance user experience. I like HTC Sense, thought it was good, but I don't use it anymore. You could say that I use Vanilla Android on my phone, but that isn't completely true. I use CM 6.1 with ADW launcher, so in effect there is still a skin.

Will there be companies that produce what I believe to be a crappy product? Yes! (looking at you motoblur), but even those serve purposes. From what I understand people who are not nerds, and are not into modding, or rooting, etc and LOVE social networking are those who love motoblur. These choices allow one OS to more accurately serve a diverse customer base.

As far as the walled gardens and crippling the hardware, the only android product manufacturer that I know that does that is Moto (though I will be candid here and admit that I don't know every single thing about every android device on the market).

I think it has more to do with trying to please the carrier(s) more than anything. Moto is leading, but I expect it to only get worse. Vendors such as HTC had the leverage that carriers were desperate to have an iPhone killer, and Apple itself had the leverage that it was initially one of a kind.

But you can see the grip tightening on both ends (Moto on the Android side, iPhone losing the unlimited plans).


Fair enough, however this doesn't seem to be a the problem he made it out to be.

You know, I don't want to come through as a Jobs apologist, but the issue was real when he said it. Google has surely improved Android a lot since then where you now have better tools to deal with that. I think the 3.0 release will help moving apps over even more (Panels being a nice feature and in App purchases being huge).

[Cry Havoc]

Agreed.

Depends. Does the changes on interface and usability add to the product or are simply there to differentiate? I think that's the actual question you have to ask to tell the two apart. People appreciate an homogenous interface because it removes the learning curve. At the same time, innovation is always a premium. A good example of what I call fragmentation would be Windows Vista. It really added nothing to the XP experience, it only made you have to learn a new way to do things while being more intrusive. You could call that "choice", but it was really something to differentiate from XP and sell new copies.

I wish Google had full control of the Android experience. I think an homogeneous experience would be nicer than what vendors will always push for: More walled gardens and unnecessary crippling of the experience in order to achieve that.


tbh, the "fragmentation" term as was used by Jobs referred to the complexity of targeting the multitude of devices, screen sizes, etc out there for developers. He's not necessarily wrong about that.

You're talking about standardization vs. choice. Apple's argument is that the more standardization you have, the more level the playing field is for everyone, and therefore the better the experience.

But in nearly every industry, this is a very delicate balance. Apple is basically telling users that they can have the new top of the line Prius, but ONLY the Prius, in only one color, and that it's going to be a rock solid car for them. I seriously doubt you will ever see a phone from Apple again that is ahead of the curve technologically, because they will simply refuse to play that game. For people who want performance or cost/benefit ratio, they're going to have to go elsewhere (or buy an older "Prius").

What Apple's doing is smart, and from an economical standpoint, makes a lot of sense. But once Android really takes hold (and it's already starting to), it's going to be hard for Apple to earn any marketshare back. Yes, every release of the iPhone is going to be huge, but that's it. Meanwhile, Android keeps developing and improving and offering customers not only a Prius, but a Mustang, a Focus, and a Viper. And as the phone industry develops, and true computing power on a handset comes into it's own, I think more people are going to start asking how many Ghz the processor is, or how fast it is. To say nothing of the incredible growth of the gaming industry and how many gamers are going to want to play Final Fantasy XIII on their Droid 4.

I think Google's point is that they are about improvement in any way possible. They want to win and they'll do whatever consumers will buy to do that. If the Atrix dominates the sales market, you'll see more attention from Google toward that kind of device. If people choose to leave Motorola for locking down their phones and the pricing, Android will simply march past them to the phone that people WILL buy en masse, like the Evo, or the Droid, or the Galaxy S.

[The_Worlds_finest]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380382,00.asp big surprise nobody likes droid

[Drachen]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380382,00.asp big surprise nobody likes droid

Funny, I don't see where he said he didn't like Android. I did see where he said he didn't like some of the UI's. In fact he seemed to say he absolutely liked Honeycomb. Maybe I missed it. Looks like HTC is the clear winner here. It's great to have choice.

[ElNono]

You're talking about standardization vs. choice. Apple's argument is that the more standardization you have, the more level the playing field is for everyone, and therefore the better the experience.

Not really. I'm talking specifically about the baseline OS experience. You have the choice to make any UI you want in an app, with both OSes.
I like what Android has done with widgets, for example. I just wish moto didn't come around and install their own widgets and change the baseline user experience from the get go. It's very similar to what you see in the desktop side with all the bloatware that come preinstalled with PCs these days. It's detrimental to the user experience, IMO, and has nothing to do with 'choice'.


But in nearly every industry, this is a very delicate balance. Apple is basically telling users that they can have the new top of the line Prius, but ONLY the Prius, in only one color, and that it's going to be a rock solid car for them. I seriously doubt you will ever see a phone from Apple again that is ahead of the curve technologically, because they will simply refuse to play that game. For people who want performance or cost/benefit ratio, they're going to have to go elsewhere (or buy an older "Prius").

I disagree that Apple is just selling you just a piece of hardware. Or merely a piece of software. They're selling you an "experience", which is made up by the combination of certain hardware with certain software, which they carefully designed to create said experience.
I don't think Apple is in a race to technologically outdo anybody. I don't think they should be either, as seen on the desktop market. I think Apple's race is to outdo itself on the overall experience satisfaction. Or if a competitor comes up with a better, or more satisfying experience, to outdo them.
Being ahead of the curve technologically can help you with that, but it's not automatic.


What Apple's doing is smart, and from an economical standpoint, makes a lot of sense. But once Android really takes hold (and it's already starting to), it's going to be hard for Apple to earn any marketshare back. Yes, every release of the iPhone is going to be huge, but that's it. Meanwhile, Android keeps developing and improving and offering customers not only a Prius, but a Mustang, a Focus, and a Viper. And as the phone industry develops, and true computing power on a handset comes into it's own, I think more people are going to start asking how many Ghz the processor is, or how fast it is. To say nothing of the incredible growth of the gaming industry and how many gamers are going to want to play Final Fantasy XIII on their Droid 4.

I completely disagree with this assessment. I think people and companies have learned from the desktop evolution that eventually hardware features will surpass their needs (we're talking general users here, obviously power-users like gamers are a different story), and so the questions really ends up being: Does this device runs X, Y or Z app? Can it print? Can I get my outlook contacts here? It ends up being a lot more about integration and software than hardware. But overall, it's much more about the day to day use and their experience with it more than anything else.

I think what will make or break Apple's market share is wether other devices match the experience or surpass it. The other factor is that since the experience is tightly coupled with the mobile operators, the availability with the most popular carriers is essential.


I think Google's point is that they are about improvement in any way possible. They want to win and they'll do whatever consumers will buy to do that. If the Atrix dominates the sales market, you'll see more attention from Google toward that kind of device. If people choose to leave Motorola for locking down their phones and the pricing, Android will simply march past them to the phone that people WILL buy en masse, like the Evo, or the Droid, or the Galaxy S.

I think Google is much more concerned with being on every device rather than what the user experience is. I think it's a sound business plan for them.

I actually think this synergy between Google and Apple works great for consumers. It makes Google care about the user experience because it has to match Apple's, and at the same time it forces Apple to outdo itself on that.

[leemajors]

Funny, I don't see where he said he didn't like Android. I did see where he said he didn't like some of the UI's. In fact he seemed to say he absolutely liked Honeycomb. Maybe I missed it. Looks like HTC is the clear winner here. It's great to have choice.

Exactly, pretty clear he likes Android but not carriers customizing it.

[ElNono]

Funny, I don't see where he said he didn't like Android.

Here at PCMag, if we encounter a laptop or a desktop that comes with bloatware that can't be removed, or doesn't allow for regular software updates, we wouldn't recommend it. Period. So for me, come phone-buying time, I'm dropping out of the Android game, and checking out Apple, HP, or Microsoft handsets instead.

[ElNono]

FWIW, I agree this is not Android's fault, but the carrier(s), manufacturer(s)... but this is exactly what I'm telling you that ends up reflecting bad on the OS...

[balli]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380382,00.asp big surprise nobody likes droid

Yoy are a snivelling, idiot, ankle-biter. Pleade resist your natural inclinations towards being such a shit head and ignorant asshole.

[Drachen]

Exactly, pretty clear he likes Android but not carriers customizing it.

Agreed. FWIW even though I have an HTC phone, which has the Sense UI (widely held to be the best of the custom UIs from carriers), I still went to stock (through the Cyanogenmod 6.1 Custom ROM).
Differentiation for the sake of differentiation is never a sound business plan.

[Drachen]

Here at PCMag, if we encounter a laptop or a desktop that comes with bloatware that can't be removed, or doesn't allow for regular software updates, we wouldn't recommend it. Period. So for me, come phone-buying time, I'm dropping out of the Android game, and checking out Apple, HP, or Microsoft handsets instead.

Eh, close enough I guess. He could just buy a google phone and be done with it. It is obvious from this article that he likes android, but hates the carrier attempts at customized UIs. That being said, WP7 may be good as may the WebOS phones. I have had no experience with those, but I can't see myself switching from android. Its flawless integration with gmail (and everything that is included therein), combined with the large development community (among other things) may end up keeping me here.


FWIW, I agree this is not Android's fault, but the carrier(s), manufacturer(s)... but this is exactly what I'm telling you that ends up reflecting bad on the OS...

This, of course, makes sense. For the great majority of the masses who don't research before they buy and don't have the intellectual curiosity to find out what can be done with their consumer electronics, this can reflect badly where it shouldn't.


Yoy are a snivelling, idiot, ankle-biter. Pleade resist your natural inclinations towards being such a shit head and ignorant asshole.

Whoa! Do you two have history? where did that come from?

[Cry Havoc]

Not really. I'm talking specifically about the baseline OS experience. You have the choice to make any UI you want in an app, with both OSes.
I like what Android has done with widgets, for example. I just wish moto didn't come around and install their own widgets and change the baseline user experience from the get go. It's very similar to what you see in the desktop side with all the bloatware that come preinstalled with PCs these days. It's detrimental to the user experience, IMO, and has nothing to do with 'choice'.

I agree that Motoblur is bloated and unnecessary, but keep in mind that this is essentially first-gen stuff. Before the Droid, there was no single phone running Android that had a large user base. The manufacturers are still figuring out how to integrate Google's OS with their own experience. Again, if you'll recall, the iPhone and even the iPhone 3G did not even have certain basic functions like copy-paste for a while. It took Apple quite some time to tinker with the product to get it to the level it's at now, and I recall many a gnashing of teeth back in the day about the iPhone not having a slew of features following it's first 18-24 month's of existence. These things take time, and I think there's a lot of opportunity for Motorola/HTC/etc to improve their UIs to be more friendly and streamlined.


I disagree that Apple is just selling you just a piece of hardware. Or merely a piece of software. They're selling you an "experience", which is made up by the combination of certain hardware with certain software, which they carefully designed to create said experience.

There's a fair amount of marketing babble in what you just said. Every major purchase you buy creates a user experience. Driving a Prius is much different than driving a Taurus or a Leaf, for instance, even though all of them are cars that do almost the exact same things. Android is, at worst, nearly as capable as iOS. There isn't a lot of separation between them, especially for the average person who just wants to make calls, play Angry Birds, and text to people. For the technically savvy, it's arguable that Android has already surpassed iOS.


I don't think Apple is in a race to technologically outdo anybody. I don't think they should be either, as seen on the desktop market. I think Apple's race is to outdo itself on the overall experience satisfaction. Or if a competitor comes up with a better, or more satisfying experience, to outdo them.
Being ahead of the curve technologically can help you with that, but it's not automatic.

This is all well and good, but the next huge group of people to be introduced into the cell phone world are the ones that grew up playing Halo, Call of Duty, and had Ps2s when they were young. A "really solid user experience" is going to impress them far less than a phone that can outperform a laptop from 2008. In fact, Apple is going to run into a crunch between people who don't want to pay $200 for a smartphone and people who want the bleeding edge hardware, I think. It just seems like it's going to be increasingly hard to market a phone that's behind the times technologically and as expensive as the top of the line Android devices. Are they in trouble? No way, they're going to retain a large part of their consumer base who are loyal to them because of the stellar reviews the past iPhones have received. But they're going to have a lot of trouble expanding, unless they do something truly magical with the iPhone 5. Should be interesting to see the next rabbit they have in their hat.


I completely disagree with this assessment. I think people and companies have learned from the desktop evolution that eventually hardware features will surpass their needs (we're talking general users here, obviously power-users like gamers are a different story), and so the questions really ends up being: Does this device runs X, Y or Z app? Can it print? Can I get my outlook contacts here? It ends up being a lot more about integration and software than hardware. But overall, it's much more about the day to day use and their experience with it more than anything else.

I would say that at this point an Android is just as easy to check your mail on, surf with an included browser on, and to do most of the basic functions that an iPhone does. If basic functionality is the issue, then I'm not sure how much longer iOS will be ahead of Android or even Windows 7 Mobile.


I think what will make or break Apple's market share is wether other devices match the experience or surpass it. The other factor is that since the experience is tightly coupled with the mobile operators, the availability with the most popular carriers is essential.

I think it's going to have to be nothing less than pure innovation from Apple at this point. Android has already become the best selling operating system in mobile devices in the States. Apple is going to have to do something seriously potent with their new phone to convert people, but I feel like I'm being redundant now.


I actually think this synergy between Google and Apple works great for consumers. It makes Google care about the user experience because it has to match Apple's, and at the same time it forces Apple to outdo itself on that.

I hope it continues. My worry is that Apple will stick their heads in the sand and rely on their ultra-slick marketing to drive sales, rather than to continually improve their phone year by year to keep up with the other manufacturers.


Whoa! Do you two have history? where did that come from?

I think most of it came from T_W_F opening his mouth and inserting his foot repeatedly, then bashing others for calling him out on it.

[leemajors]

I agree that Motoblur is bloated and unnecessary, but keep in mind that this is essentially first-gen stuff. Before the Droid, there was no single phone running Android that had a large user base. The manufacturers are still figuring out how to integrate Google's OS with their own experience. Again, if you'll recall, the iPhone and even the iPhone 3G did not even have certain basic functions like copy-paste for a while. It took Apple quite some time to tinker with the product to get it to the level it's at now, and I recall many a gnashing of teeth back in the day about the iPhone not having a slew of features following it's first 18-24 month's of existence. These things take time, and I think there's a lot of opportunity for Motorola/HTC/etc to improve their UIs to be more friendly and streamlined.



There's a fair amount of marketing babble in what you just said. Every major purchase you buy creates a user experience. Driving a Prius is much different than driving a Taurus or a Leaf, for instance, even though all of them are cars that do almost the exact same things. Android is, at worst, nearly as capable as iOS. There isn't a lot of separation between them, especially for the average person who just wants to make calls, play Angry Birds, and text to people. For the technically savvy, it's arguable that Android has already surpassed iOS.



This is all well and good, but the next huge group of people to be introduced into the cell phone world are the ones that grew up playing Halo, Call of Duty, and had Ps2s when they were young. A "really solid user experience" is going to impress them far less than a phone that can outperform a laptop from 2008. In fact, Apple is going to run into a crunch between people who don't want to pay $200 for a smartphone and people who want the bleeding edge hardware, I think. It just seems like it's going to be increasingly hard to market a phone that's behind the times technologically and as expensive as the top of the line Android devices. Are they in trouble? No way, they're going to retain a large part of their consumer base who are loyal to them because of the stellar reviews the past iPhones have received. But they're going to have a lot of trouble expanding, unless they do something truly magical with the iPhone 5. Should be interesting to see the next rabbit they have in their hat.



I would say that at this point an Android is just as easy to check your mail on, surf with an included browser on, and to do most of the basic functions that an iPhone does. If basic functionality is the issue, then I'm not sure how much longer iOS will be ahead of Android or even Windows 7 Mobile.



I think it's going to have to be nothing less than pure innovation from Apple at this point. Android has already become the best selling operating system in mobile devices in the States. Apple is going to have to do something seriously potent with their new phone to convert people, but I feel like I'm being redundant now.



I hope it continues. My worry is that Apple will stick their heads in the sand and rely on their ultra-slick marketing to drive sales, rather than to continually improve their phone year by year to keep up with the other manufacturers.



I think most of it came from T_W_F opening his mouth and inserting his foot repeatedly, then bashing others for calling him out on it.

Using the best selling OS argument could easily be seen as marketing babble - i'm sure Cricket is pimping lots of Huawei and Sanyo Android phones, but I don't think either of us would waste much time extolling any virtues they may or may not have. Until very recently, iOS devices were only available on two models at a time, with one carrier. Android is on way more devices, so of course it's going to quickly outstrip iOS as far as sales numbers go.
I also don't see any carrier dipping very far below the $200 price point for new devices/tech for very long, seeing as they sell at a loss by subsidizing and make up for it on the length of a contract. The iPhone will remain a viable choice at that price point, and their release schedule for new models is very predictable.

[Cry Havoc]

Using the best selling OS argument could easily be seen as marketing babble - i'm sure Cricket is pimping lots of Huawei and Sanyo Android phones, but I don't think either of us would waste much time extolling any virtues they may or may not have.

It's completely viable with Android vs. iOS because they both have very similar app stores and companies are now largely going cross-platform with their software development. The Android market is growing faster geometrically right now. If carriers sell 2x as many Android phones as iPhones, how long do you think it will be before the Android Market swings ahead -- or at least equals -- the App Store, which is one of the primary reasons as of now to have an iPhone? Cricket isn't in contention because they don't have an app market like Android or iOS.



Until very recently, iOS devices were only available on two models at a time, with one carrier. Android is on way more devices, so of course it's going to quickly outstrip iOS as far as sales numbers go.

Which is a big reason that Apple's isolationist policies struggle to keep up in a market that responsible for the fastest growing/improving consumer tech in any industry right now. It's basically a race up the mountain, and unless I'm completely mis-guessing Apple's strategy, they don't care what pace anyone else is running as long as they keep trotting along. What are they going to do to respond to the Snapdragon 2.5 Ghz Quad Core tech, unless they adopt it themselves?


I also don't see any carrier dipping very far below the $200 price point for new devices/tech for very long, seeing as they sell at a loss by subsidizing and make up for it on the length of a contract. The iPhone will remain a viable choice at that price point, and their release schedule for new models is very predictable.

There are Android devices on sale for $50 right now. And unless Apple somehow REALLY pushes the hardware, the iPhone 5 could well be inferior to the new Android devices the day it comes out, to say nothing of a few months down the road.

[Drachen]

It's completely viable with Android vs. iOS because they both have very similar app stores and companies are now largely going cross-platform with their software development. The Android market is growing faster geometrically right now. If carriers sell 2x as many Android phones as iPhones, how long do you think it will be before the Android Market swings ahead -- or at least equals -- the App Store, which is one of the primary reasons as of now to have an iPhone? Cricket isn't in contention because they don't have an app market like Android or iOS.




I think you misunderstood something right here. The two phones that he referenced in regards to Cricket are Sanyo and Huawei. These are the android offerings that Cricket has. (i.e. they are android phones and have access to the same android market that you are referencing).

[Cry Havoc]

I think you misunderstood something right here. The two phones that he referenced in regards to Cricket are Sanyo and Huawei. These are the android offerings that Cricket has. (i.e. they are android phones and have access to the same android market that you are referencing).

I'm aware of that. But it's not Cricket's marketplace. It's Google's. And the number of phones they have in the field -- Cricket made handsets included, are certainly going to drive the number of companies developing for each OS.

[leemajors]

It's completely viable with Android vs. iOS because they both have very similar app stores and companies are now largely going cross-platform with their software development. The Android market is growing faster geometrically right now. If carriers sell 2x as many Android phones as iPhones, how long do you think it will be before the Android Market swings ahead -- or at least equals -- the App Store, which is one of the primary reasons as of now to have an iPhone? Cricket isn't in contention because they don't have an app market like Android or iOS.




Which is a big reason that Apple's isolationist policies struggle to keep up in a market that responsible for the fastest growing/improving consumer tech in any industry right now. It's basically a race up the mountain, and unless I'm completely mis-guessing Apple's strategy, they don't care what pace anyone else is running as long as they keep trotting along. What are they going to do to respond to the Snapdragon 2.5 Ghz Quad Core tech, unless they adopt it themselves?



There are Android devices on sale for $50 right now. And unless Apple somehow REALLY pushes the hardware, the iPhone 5 could well be inferior to the new Android devices the day it comes out, to say nothing of a few months down the road.

How is Apple struggling to keep up with anyone? Their counter was to buy Intrinsic last summer, who designs custom ARM processors. Just because they don't go around announcing their in-house tech doesn't mean they aren't thinking ahead. Their App Store is still on top by a wide margin (from what I can find, accounting for 89% of mobile broadband traffic, compared to 9% for Android in 2010), and since a lot of customers have a significant amount of money invested in it, it stands to reason their customer base is not eroding despite what sales numbers for handsets Android can boast. They learned from their mistakes in the past, and built a platform that is incredibly successful and has a very, very strong base. Google chose to put their OS on as many phones as possible and seemingly neglecting developing an solid App ecosystem. Android's market share in sales is certainly very, very impressive but people aren't leaving the platform in droves like they are RIM - iOS is still making steady gains. I am interested to see what Verizon does for the iPhone/iOS numbers.

[ElNono]

I agree that Motoblur is bloated and unnecessary, but keep in mind that this is essentially first-gen stuff. Before the Droid, there was no single phone running Android that had a large user base. The manufacturers are still figuring out how to integrate Google's OS with their own experience. Again, if you'll recall, the iPhone and even the iPhone 3G did not even have certain basic functions like copy-paste for a while. It took Apple quite some time to tinker with the product to get it to the level it's at now, and I recall many a gnashing of teeth back in the day about the iPhone not having a slew of features following it's first 18-24 month's of existence. These things take time, and I think there's a lot of opportunity for Motorola/HTC/etc to improve their UIs to be more friendly and streamlined.

We obviously won't agree. I think the experience of the base OS should be set by the actual OS manufacturer. I'm not advocating for Google to just sit back and not improve Android, and let vendors do that instead. To the contrary, I think it should be Google, and only Google the one that defines what the base OS experience is. I don't mind if vendors or carriers want to include certain apps with their handsets. I do think letting vendors do whatever they want on the base OS itself, and thus on the baseline user experience, is what really is counterproductive to the experience, and ultimately reflects badly on the OS.
I really don't trust vendors/carriers to make determinations like that over a company like Google. If it were up to them, they would lock up every feature and start charging for them.


There's a fair amount of marketing babble in what you just said. Every major purchase you buy creates a user experience. Driving a Prius is much different than driving a Taurus or a Leaf, for instance, even though all of them are cars that do almost the exact same things. Android is, at worst, nearly as capable as iOS. There isn't a lot of separation between them, especially for the average person who just wants to make calls, play Angry Birds, and text to people. For the technically savvy, it's arguable that Android has already surpassed iOS.

Seriously, I'm not a marketing guy, so I would be hard pressed to pretend to be one. However, working on a satisfactory experience is something I deal with every day writing software.

I don't think Android is less capable than iOS, never made that claim.

I do think that they obviously have things to improve to match Apple's experience in some aspects, ie: their app store being a mess, or even a very minimal version of the walled garden that ensures that apps deliver what they advertise. I would also prefer if they had the ability so vendors and carriers didn't bastardize the base OS, so I could take any Android device and have a homogeneous experience using them. They also seem to have no authority over vendors trying to use Android in less capable devices (ie: the first versions of the Galaxy tablet was slow as hell, poor choice of touch screen tech, battery life sometimes is not even a concern for some vendors, etc).

Those are ALL factors that contribute to the user experience, and I think Android would be much better served if Google had more control over that instead of individual vendors/carriers.


This is all well and good, but the next huge group of people to be introduced into the cell phone world are the ones that grew up playing Halo, Call of Duty, and had Ps2s when they were young. A "really solid user experience" is going to impress them far less than a phone that can outperform a laptop from 2008. In fact, Apple is going to run into a crunch between people who don't want to pay $200 for a smartphone and people who want the bleeding edge hardware, I think. It just seems like it's going to be increasingly hard to market a phone that's behind the times technologically and as expensive as the top of the line Android devices. Are they in trouble? No way, they're going to retain a large part of their consumer base who are loyal to them because of the stellar reviews the past iPhones have received. But they're going to have a lot of trouble expanding, unless they do something truly magical with the iPhone 5. Should be interesting to see the next rabbit they have in their hat.

Apple has released a new phone every year, and in each case it has always been top of the line as far as technology goes. But it goes beyond that.
You know the device you get will run the OS it comes with optimally, it will basically have a near zero learning curve (if you already pre-owned an earlier model), and you will be able to take the software and data you had on the old one and it will run as well or better. From a user standpoint, you don't need to know what the CPU speed is, or how many cores it has. It has enough to do what you've been doing faster, better, and exactly the same way you've been doing it. That's experience.


I would say that at this point an Android is just as easy to check your mail on, surf with an included browser on, and to do most of the basic functions that an iPhone does. If basic functionality is the issue, then I'm not sure how much longer iOS will be ahead of Android or even Windows 7 Mobile.

The difference is really two-fold:
One, is the arbitrary learning curve. Android might be real easy to do all that, but if every vendor decides how to do that differently, then you're introducing a stupid learning curve that simply shouldn't be there.
The second part is having a large software ecosystem. When certain apps become critical to everyday use, then the platform becomes critical too. It's like when Microsoft didn't have a Mac version of Office, people just wouldn't buy Macs because you couldn't run Office (nevermind that most of that people could have gotten by with things like OpenOffice). Familiarity in software is certainly underrated.


I think it's going to have to be nothing less than pure innovation from Apple at this point. Android has already become the best selling operating system in mobile devices in the States. Apple is going to have to do something seriously potent with their new phone to convert people, but I feel like I'm being redundant now.

Well, Apple is in multiple markets with iOS, has been growing at a faster rate than expected, and I don't think they're interested in licensing the OS to other vendors, thus I don't think you're really comparing apples to apples (pun intended).
I'm not saying they can't have a dud here or there (hello AppleTV), but I think their mobile strategy has been pretty successful so far.
You also have to remember they sell a shitload of iPods that include iOS also, which are normally not included in those rankings either.


I hope it continues. My worry is that Apple will stick their heads in the sand and rely on their ultra-slick marketing to drive sales, rather than to continually improve their phone year by year to keep up with the other manufacturers.

I don't think they have a choice. Ultimately, they're not oblivious to a potential fuckup, so they're obviously threading thin, but that's part of the risks of being a vendor.

[Cry Havoc]

We obviously won't agree. I think the experience of the base OS should be set by the actual OS manufacturer. I'm not advocating for Google to just sit back and not improve Android, and let vendors do that instead. To the contrary, I think it should be Google, and only Google the one that defines what the base OS experience is. I don't mind if vendors or carriers want to include certain apps with their handsets. I do think letting vendors do whatever they want on the base OS itself, and thus on the baseline user experience, is what really is counterproductive to the experience, and ultimately reflects badly on the OS.

I didn't say that at all. What I meant is that the skins from the manufacturers are going to improve over time. Motoblur might suck right now, but it's also only been around for about a year on a device that they've never really used before. A full touchscreen phone is new territory for everyone right now except Apple. And yes, the way things stand it's much better to have a vanilla Android out of the box, but that doesn't mean that stuff like HTC Sense has zero potential down the road. If they streamline it, add the option to remove it, and give more widgets, what's not to say that it couldn't actually bolster the experience?


I really don't trust vendors/carriers to make determinations like that over a company like Google. If it were up to them, they would lock up every feature and start charging for them.

I think there should just be a choice here. Do you want a vanilla Android? No problem. Do you want the weather widget and facebook feed exclusively by HTC on your phone? That's doable too, and probably handy if you don't want to tinker with your settings.


I don't think Android is less capable than iOS, never made that claim.
I was just approaching it from the attitude about potential. Never meant to insinuate that you did.


I do think that they obviously have things to improve to match Apple's experience in some aspects, ie: their app store being a mess, or even a very minimal version of the walled garden that ensures that apps deliver what they advertise.

I think there's a lot of potential in that. Google is the king of search indexing, after all. I think they just wanted the doors as wide open as possible to get their market up and running. I wouldn't be surprised to see major changes with 3.0.


I would also prefer if they had the ability so vendors and carriers didn't bastardize the base OS, so I could take any Android device and have a homogeneous experience using them.

See my earlier statement. If you could just turn the vendor stuff off, that would be absolutely perfect.


They also seem to have no authority over vendors trying to use Android in less capable devices (ie: the first versions of the Galaxy tablet was slow as hell, poor choice of touch screen tech, battery life sometimes is not even a concern for some vendors, etc).

Eh, I'm not sure they care about that. Devices like that are doomed to die a quick death. But that's a good point, perhaps Google should be more concerned with what's running Android, although there's NO way to guarantee that a vendor will have a smoothly functioning piece of hardware.


Apple has released a new phone every year, and in each case it has always been top of the line as far as technology goes. But it goes beyond that.
You know the device you get will run the OS it comes with optimally, it will basically have a near zero learning curve (if you already pre-owned an earlier model), and you will be able to take the software and data you had on the old one and it will run as well or better. From a user standpoint, you don't need to know what the CPU speed is, or how many cores it has. It has enough to do what you've been doing faster, better, and exactly the same way you've been doing it. That's experience.

There have only been 4 iPhones, so I'm not sure that just 4 years of this situation is enough to say that Apple is always at the front technologically speaking. They have been so far because no one else has made a phone that's close to the capability of the iPhone until Android came along. So it's really new territory for Apple. If they can keep up with the multiple vendors out there making new chipsets, it will be a credit to them. But I wouldn't be surprised to see them drop the A-series of processors for their phone to pick up another line, the way they did with Intel in their laptops.




The difference is really two-fold:
One, is the arbitrary learning curve. Android might be real easy to do all that, but if every vendor decides how to do that differently, then you're introducing a stupid learning curve that simply shouldn't be there.
The second part is having a large software ecosystem. When certain apps become critical to everyday use, then the platform becomes critical too. It's like when Microsoft didn't have a Mac version of Office, people just wouldn't buy Macs because you couldn't run Office (nevermind that most of that people could have gotten by with things like OpenOffice). Familiarity in software is certainly underrated.

It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out, really. I think you're underestimating how tech-savvy the next couple generations of people that are now becoming cell phone owners are, though. A large majority of people that grew up using computers are going to have no problem at all figuring out how to use Android.


Well, Apple is in multiple markets with iOS, has been growing at a faster rate than expected, and I don't think they're interested in licensing the OS to other vendors, thus I don't think you're really comparing apples to apples (pun intended).
I'm not saying they can't have a dud here or there (hello AppleTV), but I think their mobile strategy has been pretty successful so far.
You also have to remember they sell a shitload of iPods that include iOS also, which are normally not included in those rankings either.

I wasn't trying to take anything away from Apple. The iPhone 3G was probably the biggest technological leap I'll ever make in a portable device, to be honest. I went from a Sony Ericsson 810i (a very respectable phone for it's day) to the iPhone. The difference between those is far, far greater than the one I feel exists between the iPhone and Android phones, which are identical in many ways. They've done marvelously and I expect they'll continue to do so.


I don't think they have a choice. Ultimately, they're not oblivious to a potential fuckup, so they're obviously threading thin, but that's part of the risks of being a vendor.

I think when you isolate yourself as Apple has done, you've already made that choice. I just don't see a way they can compete unless they cooperate and start using tech from other companies.

[koriwhat]

CryBaby will be the first to call anyone out for being a "fanboy" but look at how much this dude sucks his favorite companies and technologies off. i like android but playing around with that samsung tablet the other day, i am glad i bought my ipad instead. only thing that upsets me is the fact there's no camera on my ipad.

[koriwhat]

I think when you isolate yourself as Apple has done, you've already made that choice. I just don't see a way they can compete unless they cooperate and start using tech from other companies.

who's competing? they set the standard and even though android is on a multitude of phones and tablets with higher tech specs and more features, the user experience is lackluster. it all boils down to user experience.

[rickross]

who's competing? they set the standard and even though android is on a multitude of phones and tablets with higher tech specs and more features, the user experience is lackluster. it all boils down to user experience.

son your failin so hard it bugs my mind how u do it on a daily basis. Gotta be a gene or smth tbh.

[Cry Havoc]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/canalys-android-overtakes-symbian-as-worlds-best-selling-smart/

Android is now the best selling mobile phone operating system in the world. :tu

[koriwhat]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/canalys-android-overtakes-symbian-as-worlds-best-selling-smart/

Android is now the best selling mobile phone operating system in the world. :tu

how do you sell a gpl operating system?

[ElNono]

how do you sell a gpl operating system?

You don't.
I think what Cry is trying to tell us is that it has the largest installed base...

Which is only expected seeing that the OS is free and it's installed by multiple vendors... the really alarming thing would be if they're not #1...

[Cry Havoc]

You don't.
I think what Cry is trying to tell us is that it has the largest installed base...

Which is only expected seeing that the OS is free and it's installed by multiple vendors... the really alarming thing would be if they're not #1...

Engadget: Android now world's best selling mobile operating system.

Perhaps you should take it up with them. :lol

[koriwhat]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/canalys-android-overtakes-symbian-as-worlds-best-selling-smart/

Android is now the best selling mobile phone operating system in the world. :tu


Engadget: Android now world's best selling mobile operating system.

Perhaps you should take it up with them. :lol

but but but... aren't those your words in the first quote?

[ElNono]

Engadget: Android now world's best selling mobile operating system.

Perhaps you should take it up with them. :lol

Or Vlad :lol

Looking at that chart though, lol Microsoft.

[leemajors]

this app looks neat:

http://lifehacker.com/#!5776045/plug-in-launcher-auto+starts-app-when-you-plug-headphones-or-usb-into-android

[balli]

I'd like a widget, super small, that lets me toggle my screen lock on and off, thereby eliminating the need for going into the settings menu. Maybe it alreadu exists, I don't know.

[ElNono]

Android Pulls Ahead in Smartphone Race, Report Says (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/android-pulls-ahead-in-smartphone-race-report-says/?hp)
By NICK BILTON

The smartphone race is still raging, but who is winning might look different depending which question you ask.

Is Google’s Android platform beating Apple’s iOS? Yes, and no.

A new report released Thursday by Nielsen, a market research firm, found that Android had become the most popular operating system among United States smartphone users. The report said Android now accounted for 29 percent of all active smartphones. In comparison, the R.I.M. BlackBerry platform and Apple’s iOS each account for 27 percent of active smartphones.

The numbers used in the study were collected from November 2010 through January 2011; this does not account for the Apple iPhone being available on the Verizon cellular network.

Nielsen also found that R.I.M. and Apple were leading the pack when it came to manufacturing the hardware that operated these smartphones. Apple and R.I.M. do have an advantage, though; “they are the only ones creating and selling smartphones with their respective operating systems.” Windows Phone 7 and the Google Android platform rely on third-party companies, including Samsung, HTC and Hewlett-Packard, to build phones for their respective operating systems.

The Nielsen study also dissected the age group of people who use smartphones in the United States, noting that people aged 18 to 24 years old were more prone to adopt the Google Android platform. Those aged 25 to 34 years seem to be evenly split when deciding which smartphones to buy, opting for Android, iOS and BlackBerry on an equal basis.

[DJ Mbenga]

android won the smartphone war, apple destroyed the tablet war.

[leemajors]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/samsung-finds-parts-of-galaxy-tab-10-1-inadequate-compared-to/

[Cry Havoc]

I'd like a widget, super small, that lets me toggle my screen lock on and off, thereby eliminating the need for going into the settings menu. Maybe it alreadu exists, I don't know.

http://mylockandroid.blogspot.com/

There are probably more, but this is the one I know of.

[balli]

http://mylockandroid.blogspot.com/

There are probably more, but this is the one I know of.

:tu Thanks Havoc. I'll give it a go.

Once I flash Cyanogen7, that is. Finally, a month after the Droid line, Gingerbread in the Mothafuckin' GalaxyS house.

[MeesterMarcus]

Someone oughta bring SpursTalk to Tapatalk. That would be amazing.

[Cry Havoc]

Nooting my Nook this week. :tu

[leemajors]

Nooting my Nook this week. :tu

:lol

[Drachen]

Nooting my Nook this week. :tu

If you want to keep stock, then just get one of the sd card loaded roms and burn the image. They have nookie froyo, CM7 Gingerbread + BT, and Honeycomb to choose from. Due to the boot order, you can boot from the SD card and if you want to boot into stock, just take the card out.

[Cry Havoc]

:lol

Yeah, don't know who chose "Noot" for the term, but if that doesn't sound awful, nothing does.

[Cry Havoc]

If you want to keep stock, then just get one of the sd card loaded roms and burn the image. They have nookie froyo, CM7 Gingerbread + BT, and Honeycomb to choose from. Due to the boot order, you can boot from the SD card and if you want to boot into stock, just take the card out.

What do you recommend? I'm guessing Honeycomb isn't as robust yet.

[Drachen]

What do you recommend? I'm guessing Honeycomb isn't as robust yet.

I am a big fan of the CM team. I am running CM7 on my Hero, and on the SD card of my nook. To my knowledge this is the only one that has bluetooth at the moment. I would wait on Honeycomb until the source code is released. That is, unless you have the time to play with it. I just don't have time to mess with an OS just for the sake of playing with it and seeing if the port is up to par.

[Drachen]

Yeah, don't know who chose "Noot" for the term, but if that doesn't sound awful, nothing does.

Eh they did that because you are gaining root access or "rooting" but it is a "clever" play on letters since it is for a Nook.

[Cry Havoc]

Eh they did that because you are gaining root access or "rooting" but it is a "clever" play on letters since it is for a Nook.

:lol I got it when I first read it. It's still awful. :lol

[Zelophehad]

FL7yD-0pqZg

[Cry Havoc]

So, uh, buy this game. Right freaking now. It's on sale and it's a total blast. Would have paid full price for it long ago if I knew how much fun it was:

https://market.android.com/details?id=net.kairosoft.android.gamedev3en

Looks dumb. Feels stupid for the first 10 minutes you play. Then you realize it's been 3 hours and you still need to develop just "one more game". This is the best time killer I've ever found on a mobile phone.

[Cry Havoc]

Not even kidding. This game is a blast. Pretty easy but still awesome.

[leemajors]

So, uh, buy this game. Right freaking now. It's on sale and it's a total blast. Would have paid full price for it long ago if I knew how much fun it was:

https://market.android.com/details?id=net.kairosoft.android.gamedev3en

Looks dumb. Feels stupid for the first 10 minutes you play. Then you realize it's been 3 hours and you still need to develop just "one more game". This is the best time killer I've ever found on a mobile phone.

Robot Unicorn Attack just released for Android, it's a blast if you haven't played it. I think the best time killer out there atm is Tiny Wings (iOS) for sure. It took me three weeks to get the final achievement - island 4 in fever mode the whole way.

[stretch]

So, uh, buy this game. Right freaking now. It's on sale and it's a total blast. Would have paid full price for it long ago if I knew how much fun it was:

https://market.android.com/details?id=net.kairosoft.android.gamedev3en

Looks dumb. Feels stupid for the first 10 minutes you play. Then you realize it's been 3 hours and you still need to develop just "one more game". This is the best time killer I've ever found on a mobile phone.

+1000000000000000000

ive been hooked on this game. i was at the DMV getting my MC license, and was bored as shit, and remembered this post, so i DLed it, and it made my 3 hours of sitting fly by

[MeesterMarcus]

Also, there is a game called Paradise Island that's pretty fun. It' a simulation game that is very similar to Zoo Tycoon.

[Spurtacus]

Spark 360 is the best 360 app out there.

Shows your avatar, gamerscore, MS points, and all your games played with achievements. Almost like browsing the official Xbox site.

Cost $1.50

[Drachen]

Ok I just put AOSP's Gingerbread 2.3.4 ROM on my hero and this is by far the fastest my phone has ever run.

Phenomenal

[Cry Havoc]

Ok I just put AOSP's Gingerbread 2.3.4 ROM on my hero and this is by far the fastest my phone has ever run.

Phenomenal

Man, I haven't touched the ROM in my Evo for months. I need to upgrade it. Where did you find the ROM/instructions? I assume it's on XDA.

[Drachen]

Man, I haven't touched the ROM in my Evo for months. I need to upgrade it. Where did you find the ROM/instructions? I assume it's on XDA.

Yes it is on XDA.. I would assume that the Evo would have something similar available.

I also recently learned how to manually change my PRL which are the set of instructions that tells the phone which towers to use when roaming. I updated it to a modified PRL which forces roaming and uses all of the Verizon towers for my data (they have slightly faster 3g speeds). I found that while there was a difference, it was not very large and a little inconsistent so I switched back to the official sprint PRL. Still a pretty badass thing to do and there are a ton of PRLs out there, so I will probably test more as I have time. (also found on XDA)

[Harlem Preach]

asop is the way to go. just put launcher pro instead of the normal launcher and you have a beast quick phone even if its old tech like the hero

[Cry Havoc]

Some users seem to be having problems with AOSP's rom on Evo (constant reboots). Hmmm.

[Cry Havoc]

And now xda is down. Feeling ill, so I'm going to take a nap and perhaps it will be back up in an hour.

[Cry Havoc]

Holy crap there are 47,000,000 roms out now for the Evo. I can't even find one that doesn't seem to have a lot of bugs with it. Might just stick with the old Netarchy build I have right now, as all of my phone functions work with it.

[leemajors]

Holy crap there are 47,000,000 roms out now for the Evo. I can't even find one that doesn't seem to have a lot of bugs with it. Might just stick with the old Netarchy build I have right now, as all of my phone functions work with it.

I'll ask my buddy what he flashed to a week or two ago, he's been really happy with it.

[leemajors]

He used Cyanogen 7 if that helps.

[Cry Havoc]

Yeah, that's by far the most popular.

[leemajors]

Said everything sped way up and his battery life nearly doubled.

[Drachen]

Holy crap there are 47,000,000 roms out now for the Evo. I can't even find one that doesn't seem to have a lot of bugs with it. Might just stick with the old Netarchy build I have right now, as all of my phone functions work with it.


I would probably go with CM. It has extremely high dev attention, is constantly being upgraded, and (this is probably the best) Cyanogen's phone is the Evo. Go with the most recent "stable" build instead of the nightlies and you should be ok. You can actually download CM directly from ROM manager so you don't even have to navigate to find it.

[Drachen]

Yeah, that's by far the most popular.

It is also the ROM that many MANY other ROMs are based off of. AOSP actually takes CM and strips away the CM specific stuff to give you an almost vanilla experience. (OMGB, or OMFGB give you a fully vanilla exp, and it is also based off of CM)

[Cry Havoc]

Cyanogen mod is fucking amazing. Wow. I can't believe I waited this long. I thought Froyo was fast... Gingerbread is basically instantaneous!

Now to see if I can get my PSX emulator to work. ^_^

[Brad2217]

Cyanogen mod is fucking amazing. Wow. I can't believe I waited this long. I thought Froyo was fast... Gingerbread is basically instantaneous!

Now to see if I can get my PSX emulator to work. ^_^


Is there an instruction on how to install cyanogen? I know nothing about phone roms....

[Cry Havoc]

Is there an instruction on how to install cyanogen? I know nothing about phone roms....

Yes, there's a wiki from Cyanogen on it. Let me outline it for you. Two things first:

Which phone do you have? This dictates basically everything you're going to use to install a custom rom.

You need to have your phone rooted with nand access. Have you done this yet?

[Brad2217]

Yes, there's a wiki from Cyanogen on it. Let me outline it for you. Two things first:

Which phone do you have? This dictates basically everything you're going to use to install a custom rom.

You need to have your phone rooted with nand access. Have you done this yet?


EVO. Nope I have not rooted it yet. I have been using the z4 ap to do the temp root. It just started to not work though (at leats for wifi tether...) so I need to do the perm root somehow.

[leemajors]

This is just stupid, wtf?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/21/googles-blocking-android-market-movie-rentals-on-rooted-devices/

[Cry Havoc]

http://i.imgur.com/uQyXA.png

Uh. Wow. I kind of like my new ROM/Kernel.

[Drachen]

This is just stupid, wtf?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/21/googles-blocking-android-market-movie-rentals-on-rooted-devices/

Eh, they have to put forth a good faith effort as a show for the content providers, just like Netflix, etc. It won't last for very long.

[leemajors]

Eh, they have to put forth a good faith effort as a show for the content providers, just like Netflix, etc. It won't last for very long.

Even Apple hasn't done this, and they got em all on for cloud music coming up.

[leemajors]

I thought it was just weird and stupid, especially considering this:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/the-protect-ip-act-googles-eric-schmidt-squares-off-against-ri/

[ElNono]

Schmidt is just trying to protect his business... YouTube would disappear in a week if the Pro IP act ends up being enforced the way it's written.

[MI21]

Hi Guys,

Just changed from my jailbroken 3GS to the nice new Samsung Galaxy SII - and I gotta say wow, what an amazing piece of hardware. The decision to choose this over iPhone 4 was pretty easy. I loved my iPhone, but geez, this Galaxy is incredible!

Just wondering if anybody can give me a list of good apps - I'm to lazy to trawl through the whole market right now. Any sort of apps, games, widgets or even system mods? Is it hard to "root" the phone?

[balli]

Hi Guys,

Just changed from my jailbroken 3GS to the nice new Samsung Galaxy SII - and I gotta say wow, what an amazing piece of hardware. The decision to choose this over iPhone 4 was pretty easy. I loved my iPhone, but geez, this Galaxy is incredible!

Just wondering if anybody can give me a list of good apps - I'm to lazy to trawl through the whole market right now. Any sort of apps, games, widgets or even system mods? Is it hard to "root" the phone?

Root it immediately. It is cake. Launcher Pro is the one app you need. Beautiful Widgets is nice too. If you root, Titanium backup and SMS backup. Maybe a different Camera- FX Camera is alright.

[MI21]

Root it immediately. It is cake. Launcher Pro is the one app you need. Beautiful Widgets is nice too. If you root, Titanium backup and SMS backup. Maybe a different Camera- FX Camera is alright.

Is there any chance of bricking it?

Honestly, I think I would cry If I did brick it.

[balli]

Is there any chance of bricking it?

Honestly, I think I would cry If I did brick it.

Sure, it's possible, but if you follow instructions, the chances of that happening are extremely low. It's scary, but whatever, worth it imo.

[Drachen]

Nook Color: now with MeeGo (http://www.pcworld.com/article/229256/hack_gets_meego_onto_nook_color_runs_seriously_wel l.html)

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Yay for bumps.

Any new and useful apps y'all have been toying with?

Trying to decipher what works well and also be something I use on the regular is a bit overwhelming for a guy who just broke his Android hymen.

Something like Tasker seems completely awesome, just much too involved for me.

These are what I mainly use now, aside from customization apps like launcher pro, bobclock, minimalistic text, beautiful widgets, etc:

quickpic
handycalc
google voice, shopper, goggles
goSMS
hbo go
swiftkey - not a swype fan
widgetlocker
messagecenter
minimal reader

Any recos, even for more customization apps, are much appreciated.

Grazie.

[robino2001]

Amazon is doing a free app a day thing since June 1st-ish... they're hit and miss... I probably grab around half of them for shits and giggles... often they have some decent games for free

[Jt.ONE]

Yay for bumps.

Any new and useful apps y'all have been toying with?

Trying to decipher what works well and also be something I use on the regular is a bit overwhelming for a guy who just broke his Android hymen.

Something like Tasker seems completely awesome, just much too involved for me.

These are what I mainly use now, aside from customization apps like launcher pro, bobclock, minimalistic text, beautiful widgets, etc:

quickpic
handycalc
google voice, shopper, goggles
goSMS
hbo go
swiftkey - not a swype fan
widgetlocker
messagecenter
minimal reader

Any recos, even for more customization apps, are much appreciated.

Grazie.

handcent sms > goSMS
smartkeyboard pro > swiftkey

imho

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Handcent was a tad too buggy for me.

Smart keyboard looks pretty good at first glance. Any way to cut down the number of suggestions?

Thanks.

[Phillip]

handcent sms > goSMS
smartkeyboard pro > swiftkey

imho

chompSMS > handcent

[Jt.ONE]

Handcent was a tad too buggy for me.

Smart keyboard looks pretty good at first glance. Any way to cut down the number of suggestions?

Thanks.

suggestions of what?

[Jt.ONE]

to those who still use this thread as recommendation for android shit

get 'battery indicator pro' asap, shit is great

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

suggestions of what?

Word suggestions. It's a tad too cluttered with 10-12 on top of the keyboard. I'd prefer to cut that in half, but that ability isn't part of the app.

I really like the ability to change skins, key height and delete comma/period to make the space bar bigger.

Only problem is the lag when you first start typing. Not really a big deal, though.

[Dr. Gonzo]

chompSMS > handcent

I approve of this post.

I just made the switch based on this recommendation and I have to say it is faster and doesn't have the time stamp bug that would piss me the fuck off.

[MannyIsGod]

The apps that I use on a regular basis are Runkeeper, Beyond Podcast, and Tweetdeck. Otherwise its pretty much just Gmail and Dolphin.

[BruceBowenFan]

i use the phandroid app on a daily basis, pretty much tells you whats going in the world of android.

[Drachen]

The free app of the day on Amazon is Swiftkey X. I highly recommend this keyboard for a phone (thumb keyboard for a tablet). It's usually 3.99.

[DJ Mbenga]

since i have a old tech phone like the eris aka hero i rely on opera mini. so fast and doesnt lag as much as the browser

[cheguevara]

Watch Movies Free
Ted Mobile
Stitcher
News360
InBrowser
Kindle
Kayak
Fandango
Tricoder - useless but cool Star Trek transcoder emulator

all above are free and use them almost daily

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

If anyone is looking to pick up an android tab...
http://reg.e.staples.com/c/s/tagfrm/hBOJnz1B7SHGCB8ca0OCYWUNv53/coupon.html?n=927

[Jt.ONE]

Word suggestions. It's a tad too cluttered with 10-12 on top of the keyboard. I'd prefer to cut that in half, but that ability isn't part of the app.

I really like the ability to change skins, key height and delete comma/period to make the space bar bigger.

Only problem is the lag when you first start typing. Not really a big deal, though.

probably can't, from what i know of, as i'm going through the app settings myself.

[Nathan Explosion]

Even though this is an iPhone app, I'm throwing it out there in case there is an Android version as well. I really like the app Sky Grid because it takes tons of news links and puts them in one app. And the links are for almost anything you'd want to know, politics, current events, finances, tech stuff, phones and gaming, sports, etc.

Maybe there isn't a Sky Grid, but rather a similar app. I like it as I can keep up lots of things going on in the world since I don't have tons of time to surf the internet or watch tv these days.

[Nathan Explosion]

If anyone is looking to pick up an android tab...
http://reg.e.staples.com/c/s/tagfrm/hBOJnz1B7SHGCB8ca0OCYWUNv53/coupon.html?n=927

Too bad it doesn't work for the Nook Color. I've pretty much decided that this is the route I'm going to good, get an NC and root it. I can't justify spending that much money on a tablet.

[Jt.ONE]

Too bad it doesn't work for the Nook Color. I've pretty much decided that this is the route I'm going to good, get an NC and root it. I can't justify spending that much money on a tablet.

with taht $100 off any tablet, the price for a NOOK vs a tablet isn't that much far apart...

NOOK price = ~200 ish?

tablet with above coupon = ~200 or less? ish

[Drachen]

Too bad it doesn't work for the Nook Color. I've pretty much decided that this is the route I'm going to good, get an NC and root it. I can't justify spending that much money on a tablet.

Nathan, you know that I am a big proponent of the nook color but you may want to look at the asus transformer. After coupon it would be 299 compared to 250 for the book color. It also has honeycomb. Be careful though, check to see if there is a lot of development support like there is for the nc.

[Nathan Explosion]

I've seen a NC on Amazon (of all places) going for $199. Tablets can't beat that. I was actually contemplating get a 7" Galaxy Tab. I like the portability more than a 10" screen and I'm sure they can be had for a good price.

I really want a tab in the 7" range as I want to be able to carry it around with 1 hand vs 2. That's another reason I don't want an iPad, other than I have an iPhone and I feel it's more of the same.