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Android Hardware Thread - 2010 Edition

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Well, took my HTC Eris to a verizon place because it would just not update from 1.5 to 2.1. They told me there wasn't shit they could do about it. Had to go to Best Buy because that's where I originally got it and I couldn't get a replacement because it's discontinued, and I would have gotten an Incredible but they were as clueless about when they'd be getting more as I was.

So I just bit the bullet, paid another $60 and got a Moto Droid. Not too happy about having something that's practically 3x the weight of my last phone (not the Eris), but I'd be lyin' if I said it's not a lot nicer than the Eris is.
 
JasonMCG said:
Obviously, the screen size/overall screen size is going to probably be the key decider for you, but as an (overly satisfied) Incredible owner, some things to consider...

-DInc runs Sense UI, which, in my opinion, is fucking awesome. Maybe you can get them from the market (don't think so, but I'm not 100%), but the widgets are crazy time and, other than the bottom banner/drawer, much prefer it to stock Android.
-The screen on the DInc is stellar; 3.7" AMOLED = gorgeous.
-The phone is small and very pocketable.
-The meat and potato specs vs. the Droid X are very similar.
Obviously, you're needs and tastes are going to vary, but generally speaking, I'm not a fan of 4.3" screens as it adds way too much bulk and size to the phone. 3.7"-4" is my sweet spot. Also, the DX design is...eh. Just sayin'...
Click to expand...
There's a shortage on AMOLED's so I thought HTC starting using Super LCD's? but not sure how they compare to AMOLED.

The Droid X's processor is faster and the GPU is better than the Incredibles and it's more energy efficient with it's 45nm processor.
 
Android 3.0 looks to be an absolute monster of a platform :lol

I imagine HTC/Samsung will announce new phones in the fall with nice CPUs and insane features..
 
Versions aren't hammered until right before it's officially detailed. "Update All" is included in 2.2 I think. Or 2.1.
 
nib95 said:
Firstly....why is the UK not getting any of this awesome crap. And secondly, does that mean battery life will be even more abysmal? They need to stop upping specs, and start drastically upping battery life.
Click to expand...
Who cares! MORE POWAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Anyways I played around with my brand new HTC Aria yesterday! Freaking awesome little phone.
 
Deadly Cyclone said:
So I have decided, since I am still in my 30 day trial with my Incredible, to change up to the X when it comes out. Good decision?
Click to expand...
While I am on Sprint and do not have a Droid phone (it is a Verizon only phone), I can tell you this. I have the HTC Evo and I will never, ever, EVER go back to a screen smaller than a 4.3". I wear glasses and it just makes it SO much easier on the eyes. The real estate on this thing is SOOO choice! And with the Droid X being the same size and same hardware specs you will be VERY happy as far as speed and responsiveness. Also a friend has the droid and swore he would never use onboard keyboard. Then he discovered swype and he has not stopped talking about that app since. My point is, the Droid X comes with swype so thats another bonus. Not to mention you are future proof seeing as how your phone will run Gingerbread (which sounds like a beast of a OS) when it drops.
 
Deadly Cyclone said:
So I have decided, since I am still in my 30 day trial with my Incredible, to change up to the X when it comes out. Good decision?
Click to expand...

Depends on how much you value screen size versus size in pocket and whether or not you care about having the ability to flash custom ROMs (since Motorola have stated that they intend to encrypt the bootloader of all new phones they release).
 
tokkun said:
Depends on how much you value screen size versus size in pocket and whether or not you care about having the ability to flash custom ROMs (since Motorola have stated that they intend to encrypt the bootloader of all new phones they release).
Click to expand...
Do u have to be rooted to be able to have customized themes?
 
bathala said:
Do u have to be rooted to be able to have customized themes?
Click to expand...
Themes, no. Theme-type things are generally handled by downloadable launcher customizations (Zeam, Launcher+, Launcher Pro, Helix, among others) or homescreen replacements.

However, if you wanted to, say, put Android 2.2 on your phone when the 2.2 update hasn't been released yet, or enable free wireless hotspot creation, etc. you would have to be rooted.

On another note, just saw that the DX comes with 8 gigs onboard and a 16 gb microSD card, they are NOT fucking around.

Also, the Gingerbread requirement of a 1260x720 screen for displays greater than 4 inches seems a bit ridiculous. What would stop Moto or HTC from updating the DX and Evo with ROMs technically designed for 3.7" devices with 800x480 screens if they wanted to, unless Google decided to be a dick about it and block that from happening, which I don't think they can? It's a nice idea and all but it seems clear that 3.0 will work on the latest line of 1ghz/512RAM devices and up, so why would you kill two of the best players?
 
Linkhero1 said:
Do we know what the requirements for gingerbread are and what are the chances of the Nexus One getting it?
Click to expand...
We only have rumors right now...which are saying 1 Ghz CPU and 512 MB RAM, so the Nexus One would just (conveniently) make the cutoff. But absolutely nothing is confirmed.
 
Is there any indication that the Sense, Blur, etc trend will ever end? I am ready to jump in, but I want to have as little mandatory software and other pre-installed programs as possible.
 
Just got the desire from mail.. :D

npqzzl.jpg


It's still unopened because I bought the Galaxy S earlier.
The Desire came with the new cheaper telco contract..

So to sell it or keep it in as a reserve phone..
 
Current Iphone Jailbroken 3GS user here. I'm very much thinking of getting the HTC desire but i wanted to check a few things as the shops here are dumb and rarely let you try things out!

How is the touchscreen - is it as smooth as an iphone? Its hard to tell from 30fps youtube vids really? Does it slow down if you have lots of things multitasking?

Are the apps alllowed access to more things than on an Iphone. Some of the Cydia apps for sorting SMS's, emails on the lockscreen indespensible to met but obviously there's nothing like that on the official appstore. I believe Android is much more open?

Is the battery life similar or worse than an iphone? I understand it does way more multitasking etc but is there a way of setting it to a low power mode or something when its locked?

Thats all my q's for now! But i think they'll be more!
 
Hmm, Damn. The Best Buy rumors are true, they have halted Droid X pre-orders for now. My 30 day trail for the Incredible is up a week after the X launches, if they don't get any in by then I'll stick with the Incredible.

Both are great phones though, so no worries either way.
 
Desire
Galaxy S
Dell Streak

too much hotness on this page.

How are you liking the Dell?

Also, I'd do the Galaxy over the Desire, but that's just me!
 
I've only had it for 30 min (I actually rushed back home to get it), but so far, so good. Notably, this is the ATT version (850/1900 Mhz), so the HSPA connection is delicious. I used Google Maps Navigation, and it was perfect. This may very well be the first Android device with an identity crisis. Other notes:

-- this motherfucker is big. Seriously, you can't miss it. A bluetooth headset is recommended
-- It's fast, but the scrolling is limited to 30 fps. Probably a result of Android 1.6
-- However, you really can't tell it's running 1.6. Dell covered everything up nicely, and the UI is clever, but the dialpad looks like it was designed in an afternoon
-- no games or apps installed yet, so I can't comment on that.

More to come
 
JonnyBrad said:
Current Iphone Jailbroken 3GS user here. I'm very much thinking of getting the HTC desire but i wanted to check a few things as the shops here are dumb and rarely let you try things out!

How is the touchscreen - is it as smooth as an iphone? Its hard to tell from 30fps youtube vids really? Does it slow down if you have lots of things multitasking?

Are the apps alllowed access to more things than on an Iphone. Some of the Cydia apps for sorting SMS's, emails on the lockscreen indespensible to met but obviously there's nothing like that on the official appstore. I believe Android is much more open?

Is the battery life similar or worse than an iphone? I understand it does way more multitasking etc but is there a way of setting it to a low power mode or something when its locked?

Thats all my q's for now! But i think they'll be more!
Click to expand...

I've got a desire and couldn't be happier. The screen is super smooth and responsive. I've not noticed any lag whatsoever and its clarity and brightness shit all over the iPhone. I haven't seen an iPhone 4 so I can't compare it to that.

Regarding battery life, whilst i can't compare it to an iPhone, I have to charge it roughly once every 3-4 days. If you do a lot of browsing, listening to music, you'll probably have to charge it more often.
 
okay guys i dont know anything about cell phones but since i just started a decent steady job i would like to have a smart phone but my problem is that i live about 30 minutes away from where i get cell singles but i am in town a lot so i could use it there but my big question is that are android operated phones good multimedia devices i know i can store all of my music on them but can i buy a car adapter so i can listen to it in my car? also how is the android marketplace since i ve never had a smart phone i dont know what to think of apps so are their usful ones is the market place updated regulerly? and my final question is sorta personal but i would like to know how much i can expect my monthly bill to run me and if i buy the phone and i know that on certian phones you can spend the extra cash and buy it out right does that mean i wouldent have a monthly bill or does it mean than i just get to pick my carrier?
 
DrFunk said:
I've only had it for 30 min (I actually rushed back home to get it), but so far, so good. Notably, this is the ATT version (850/1900 Mhz), so the HSPA connection is delicious. I used Google Maps Navigation, and it was perfect. This may very well be the first Android device with an identity crisis. Other notes:

-- this motherfucker is big. Seriously, you can't miss it. A bluetooth headset is recommended
-- It's fast, but the scrolling is limited to 30 fps. Probably a result of Android 1.6
-- However, you really can't tell it's running 1.6. Dell covered everything up nicely, and the UI is clever, but the dialpad looks like it was designed in an afternoon
-- no games or apps installed yet, so I can't comment on that.

More to come
Click to expand...


So how'd you get this little gem already?

Do keep us posted.
 
bathala said:
Gonna check it out when I get home
but overall wat's their impression?
Click to expand...
Hardware is solid but software lets it down. They'd have preferred Stock Android or HTC Sense to Moto's Blur modifications.

Edit: that makes it sound worse than it is. They like the phone overall, no major problems, but they make the general point that it's a much more crowded market now than when the original Droid came out and it was easier to stand out then. The Droid X just doesn't stand out as well.
 
Robobandit said:
So how'd you get this little gem already?

Do keep us posted.
Click to expand...

It's been out in Yurop for a while I think. Supposed to come out this month in the US.
 
DrFunk said:
There are some US versions floating on eBay right now. Snagged one up for $600.
Click to expand...

Soooo... was it worth it? :P You could get two netbooks for that price.
 
Andrex said:
Soooo... was it worth it? :P You could get two netbooks for that price.
Click to expand...

So far, it seems like it. I did want something with a big screen and phone functionality. And the Droid X is CDMA only (at the moment), so I'd say so.

It came in the acrylic case and everything. That probably won't be the retail box, so the rarity alone makes up for it
 
I probably won't get a Droid X since pre orders are over at BB. I'll probably pick up an Incredible instead. Anyone who has one have any impressions on it?
 
Jazzy Network said:
I probably won't get a Droid X since pre orders are over at BB. I'll probably pick up an Incredible instead. Anyone who has one have any impressions on it?
Click to expand...

It is a great phone. I like HTC's Sense UI better than the stock Droid motoblur. Everything runs very snappy and the built-in widgets are all great. I would stray away from the live wallpapers though as it seemed to slow down the phone slightly.

My battery is usually only at 50% or so by the end of the day (after being off the charger for 16 hours), I use it a decent amount too.
 
DrFunk said:
So far, it seems like it. I did want something with a big screen and phone functionality. And the Droid X is CDMA only (at the moment), so I'd say so.

It came in the acrylic case and everything. That probably won't be the retail box, so the rarity alone makes up for it
Click to expand...

I don't know, I wouldn't doubt it. Dell seems to be going all-out.

Given the choice, would you want the screen to be bigger, or smaller? How unwieldy is it to make calls on it?
 
bathala said:
DX might be my first Android phone so I'm not famliar with Sense Ui.
What makes sense the best Ui?
Click to expand...

The X has Motorola's Motoblur (or whatever they are calling it this time around), HTC phones have the Sense.

I have the Incredible (by HTC) with Sense and from what I have seen I think it is a bit better than Motorola's UI just based on polish alone. Sense has some great widgets and looks really good and smooth. Kind of an odd description, but I think Motorola's looks more techy and blocky than HTC's more smooth UI.

That being said I am trying to switch over to the X, so you really can't go wrong either way. I am sure there are advantages the Moto UI has over Sense too.
 
bathala said:
DX might be my first Android phone so I'm not famliar with Sense Ui.
What makes sense the best Ui?
Click to expand...
Nothing really. Out of the manufacturer-produced interfaces it just happens to be the nicest. But there is a huge slew of free and/or paid apps you can use to get a much better experience with relative ease. It's nothing crucial and you won't be missing out on anything by getting the Droid. Although the sense interface does have the best touch keyboard I've ever used, even if I'm using a custom rooted version of it at the moment.
 
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