I dont understand this either. couldnt they just stop trying to iterate on existing software and just push out a carbon copy of google's updates. call me close minded but I'd rather have the exact same OS across all android devices without having to worry about non-existent ongoing support.jonnybryce said:
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Android Hardware Thread - 2010 Edition
- Thread starter ThatObviousUser
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OriginalThinking
Member
jonnybryce said:
And depending on your version a lack of camera flash. Still can't work out why they omitted that. If you are making a flagship android handset you build in a flash. Especially when you are touting social networking as a key driver. It also has a very plasticky feel versus the N1 or Desire. Which does make it incredibly light, but i'd trade that for some solid feeling materials, something more akin to the HD2 actually.
Macho Madness
Member
Yes but the Droid does not have an extra layer of UI from the manufacturer.hermit7 said:
Randy Lanzarote
Member
Maybe the Galaxy S will get rooted so we can install stock OS rather than custom UI/Bloatware (depending on your point of view) layered on top. It's a shame that it takes so long for the updates to trickle down to the consumer, my girlfriend has the HTC Hero so I can bear witness to this! I know Google are not going to bother with a Nexus 2 but it would be good if they could forge links with a manufacturer to produce a line of stock Android phones.
Going to head into town tomorrow to take a look at the Galaxy S in person, part of me would prefer the Desire but given the stock shortages in the UK I might be pushed into the Galaxy S. Not a terrible compromise I guess!
Going to head into town tomorrow to take a look at the Galaxy S in person, part of me would prefer the Desire but given the stock shortages in the UK I might be pushed into the Galaxy S. Not a terrible compromise I guess!
OriginalThinking
Member
sionyboy said:
It's been rooted already and Paul O Brien @ ModaCo has released a custom rom. If you want a stock like launcher/app drawer experience, Launcher Pro is free on the market and is all kinds of awesome.
Randy Lanzarote
Member
OriginalThinking said:
Blimey that was quick, I was looking around MoDaCo earlier and saw the links to the custom rom but couldn't see links to rooting. Will have to look around to see what the custom firmware horizon is looking like.
I have a Galaxy S and I really like it. I use Launcher Pro in it and its pretty snappy usually.
The hiccups I have are usually when Im installing something from Android market and trying to do something else. I've seen the blackscreen sometimes but it isn't too bad. I use task killer but I've excluded some of the most used apps from it so they open faster.
The hiccups I have are usually when Im installing something from Android market and trying to do something else. I've seen the blackscreen sometimes but it isn't too bad. I use task killer but I've excluded some of the most used apps from it so they open faster.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Tonza said:
So you wouldn't say it's as bad as in that video posted earlier?
And, well, it makes sense that trying to do stuff while something is installing would slow read performance down a bit.
Jazzy Network
Member
What is Launcher Pro exactly? Just got my Dinc so. I have no idea.
It's a launcher replacement that takes whatever is at the bottom of your screen (the dialer button, app drawer button, etc.) and replaces it with a row of 5 completely customizable icons that you can use for apps, contacts, the app drawer, dialer, ebooks, bookmarks, etc. etc. and you can have up to 7 homescreens (people whose original ROMs only let them have 3 or 5 appreciate this usually) and the dock (the row at the bottom) can be extended twice-over so you have 15 slots for stuff. It's got all kinds of other options and features too. I would go to launcherpro.com and see all the changelogs and stuff to get a better idea of what it offers.Jazzy Network said:
RoadHazard said:
I'd say that it isn't constantly showing blackscreen but for example I just downloaded dropbox and on the first start it took around 4-5 seconds in the blackscreen.
I also tested with a lot of different apps and there were 1-2 that took longer than 1-3 seconds in the black screen. Some opened instantly. Also ofcourse if you have the program running in background, it opens instantly. Intrestingly the basic clock application took longest. Im thinking of ditching the task killer altogether because I don't really notice the benefit of it...
In the video the blackscreen was atleast 13 seconds at worst which is pretty rare atleast on my phone. There were few times I've had the blackscreen for longer time but I was changing home screens and trying quick desk at the time which bugged the home screens layout too.
I'd say it can be pretty laggy at times but it doesn't really bother me that much. Keep in mind though that I've only used it for a week so Im still in the new phone 'hype'. :lol
Also I haven't used other android phones so I can't really compare them.
Manmademan
Member
Didn't think this warranted it's own thread, so I put it in the android hardware thread, since there's lots of Tmobile love here.
Found the latest article on 10 brands that won't be around shortly, and amidst the usual suspects (Radio Shack, blockbuster) We have the addition of Tmobile...
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110018/10-brands-that-may-disappear-in-2011
ok, yeah, Tmobile is in last place but still turning a decent profit (unlike, say...Blockbuster, which is bleeding money like crazy with no real possibility to turn it around) in an industry which has nowhere to go but up- 4g mobile networks (which Tmobile is heavily investing in, kudos to them) have a shot at being a serious competitor to cable and satellite in the next 10 years, and will make DSL irrelevant in half that. Yes Tmobile's 2009 revenues were less than 2008's, but 1.) we're in a recession and 2.) 2010 and beyond will see Tmobile with much more attractive handsets (courtesy of android's exploding popularity) and competitive pricing. revenues and marketshare will almost certainly go up.
But the real reason I almost spit my drink out when reading this tripe is that this joker thinks that Sprint would make a PERFECT buyout partner for Tmobile.
Sprint.
The Same Sprint that lost truckloads of money buying out nextel and (unsuccessfully) attempted to integrate nextel's iDen network with it's own CDMA network. I'm sure they're eager to get burned for hundreds of millions attempting to integrate Tmobile's GSM and HSPA+ high speed networks with it's CDMA and WiMax infrastructure. What could possibly go wrong?
but wait! if sprint isn't interested, there's always a merger with (the...prepaid..?) Virgin Mobile wireless, right? right? oh wait, who owns that in the US again?
whoops!
:lol
its like this guy didn't bother to do any fact checking at all. Thoughts on Tmobile's future?
Found the latest article on 10 brands that won't be around shortly, and amidst the usual suspects (Radio Shack, blockbuster) We have the addition of Tmobile...
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110018/10-brands-that-may-disappear-in-2011
ok, yeah, Tmobile is in last place but still turning a decent profit (unlike, say...Blockbuster, which is bleeding money like crazy with no real possibility to turn it around) in an industry which has nowhere to go but up- 4g mobile networks (which Tmobile is heavily investing in, kudos to them) have a shot at being a serious competitor to cable and satellite in the next 10 years, and will make DSL irrelevant in half that. Yes Tmobile's 2009 revenues were less than 2008's, but 1.) we're in a recession and 2.) 2010 and beyond will see Tmobile with much more attractive handsets (courtesy of android's exploding popularity) and competitive pricing. revenues and marketshare will almost certainly go up.
But the real reason I almost spit my drink out when reading this tripe is that this joker thinks that Sprint would make a PERFECT buyout partner for Tmobile.
Sprint.
The Same Sprint that lost truckloads of money buying out nextel and (unsuccessfully) attempted to integrate nextel's iDen network with it's own CDMA network. I'm sure they're eager to get burned for hundreds of millions attempting to integrate Tmobile's GSM and HSPA+ high speed networks with it's CDMA and WiMax infrastructure. What could possibly go wrong?
but wait! if sprint isn't interested, there's always a merger with (the...prepaid..?) Virgin Mobile wireless, right? right? oh wait, who owns that in the US again?
whoops!
:lol
its like this guy didn't bother to do any fact checking at all. Thoughts on Tmobile's future?
Manmademan said:
Profit is profit. Plus the parent company is a mayor player outside the USA. It's not like they are small chumps.
They just need to expand their network cost effectively as to not bleed too much money and keep pumping out Android phones. I think they have done great in promoting their MyTouch 3G brand.
Manmademan
Member
SimleuqiR said:
I agree with you. I think Tmobile has nowhere to go but up. Sprint also seems to be positioned fairly well, especially if WiMax is software upgradable, as they claim.
Manmademan said:
What a load of shit.
T-Mobile's HSPA+ is faster than Sprint's supposed 4G. Some I'm not quite sure why they should be in such a huge hurry to rollout their own '4G' (they are all more like 3.5) network.
As it stands, T-Mobile actually has the large high-speed network in the US. Horrible article.
I've still yet to see 6+ mbps T-Mobile speed tests where I've seen several for Sprint's WiMax. While I agree that Sprint has a ways to go to live up to 4G expectations, their downstream is usually faster than T-Mobile...the capped upstream is kind of a bummer though.Raistlin said:
And isn't WiMax '4G' because it is very unrelated to other cellular technologies? It's a new generation of cellular tech, nothing more.
Luckyman said:
It's the 4th generation of cellular technology, no? I suppose if it was closely related to GSM/CDMA then we could call shenanigans, but I thought that wasn't the case.
I doubt LTE devices will launch running at consistently >10mbps, I'd love them to, but I doubt it.
Anyway, Sprint is capping upload right now, wonder if they're doing the same for download. Hopefully they get confident enough to change that soon.
What is "true 4G speeds"? If T-Mobile's 3.5G HSPA+ can do theoretically 20+ mpbs then the <10mpbs you're expecting from LTE wouldn't be 4G?
Square Triangle
Member
DMeisterJ said:
Yeah when I got the LG Ally I was afraid of it because of what GAFers have said however it's a lot of tiny things that just get to the Droid elitist =P
Enjoy your new device
Randy Lanzarote
Member
Got the chance to have a bit of hands-on with the galaxy s today, was pleasantly suprised at the size of the handset. Put it next to a desire and there was a marginal difference, but nothing that put me off the handset. Samsung have done a good job getting the device as compact as possible. Phone felt quick in operation, screen was brilliant and despite my preference for proper buttons the touch sensitive wasn't too bad. Couldn't get swype working which was annoying as i was looking forward to giving it a whirl.
Lack of camera flash and notification illumination are the main downsides but at the moment i think galaxy s > desire.
Lack of camera flash and notification illumination are the main downsides but at the moment i think galaxy s > desire.
Manmademan
Member
Husker86 said:
my understanding was that WiMax is software upgradable to faster speeds. There are much, much faster variants of it available now and in development-
http://www.wimax.com/commentary/blog/blog-2010/february-2010/wimax-act-2-80216m-provides-evolution-path-to-4g-0203
However, it's interesting to note that Clear in particular has built their network in such a way that its easily upgradable, and even a complete switchover to LTE can be done via a software upgrade.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/16/clearwire-says-its-not-married-to-wimax-for-4g-would-be-easy-t/
Given that nationwide, the average download speeds available in the US is only 3.9 Mbps, and the top average download speeds in the world are only 14.6Mbps in South Korea and 7.9 in Japan, there really isn't a strong financial incentive right now for Mobile broadband to push the envelope anywhere near 20-100 Mbps as long as americans are willing to shell out $50-90 per month for speeds far less than that.
http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2010/01/us-broadband-still-lagging-in-speed-and-penetration.ars
we'll likely see LTE, WiMax, and HSPA+ with practical speeds in the 6-10 range (and don't forget, you're not going to see theoretical max speeds in high density places like new york or LA, OR very low density like most of flyover country or appalachia) and concentrating on coverage area over raw speed as long as it makes financial sense to do so.
Dead Prince
Banned
virtual keyboard is fine. it's not like typing with penis fingers. i thought i would hate that the evo didn't have an actual keyboard but i'm typing like a pro.DMeisterJ said:
jonnybryce
Member
DMPrince said:
I really find that most people that I've known, or posts and videos that I've seen, show a lot more people can use and enjoy soft keyboards than they realize. You can try typing on them for a minute and decide you hate them, but if you stick with it for a few days you adjust and can do just fine, especially when it's a great one like HTC's virtual keyboard.
I like both. My next phone will just be a big screen with no hardware keyboard, though.
don't know if anyone uses Fring for skype videochat on their android devices, but that support has gone because of iphone 4.
http://www.fring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16924&page=2
http://www.fring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16924&page=2
Dead Prince
Banned
you must have man hands don't you? i don't like that ;(DMeisterJ said:
I'm kidding.
jonnybryce
Member
Someone will. Probably Motorola. google can still work with a manufacturer, it just won't be called nexus. Motorola and Google worked together for the original Droid, and google backed it on google.com.Zozz said:
Anyhow, anyone see this Captivate online video yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR1K4BByTg8
This has to be edited and put on tv. It would be impressive and show all the reasons it is awesome, from the screen in outside viewing to the speed and hd recording. I really hope there are some good commercials for Galaxy S, be it from Samsung or Verizon. I doubt AT&T would do anything cool.
That made me want a Galaxy S badly.
Zozz said:
Yeah I'm all for stock Google myself which is why I love the original Droid so much. Unfortunately the companies do this to differentiate their products and usually with horrific results.
When I buy the Droid X next Thursday I will be slapping Launcher Pro onto it pronto.
QuiteWhittle
Member
The Super AMOLED screen, the great GPU, and the decent processor. The UI doesn't stop the hardware from being great.Zozz said:
Husker86 said:
There aren't any HSPA+ phones yet, so all we can go by is the released PC card. In some head to head testing, it beat the similar Sprint card. Would it always or in every location? Maybe not, but it shows the tech is obviously competitive.
That's the way Sprint (and Verizon and AT&T soon) are attempting to use it, but that doesn't make it correct.
There is a set of IMT Advanced (International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) requirements that must be met to be considered 4G.WiMAX and LTE could eventually meet the requirements, but they certainly aren't right now. The wiki article has a pretty good description of the situation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G
jonnybryce said:
As an iphone owner for 2 years now, one of the major reasons I'm looking to switch to Android is the ability to have a hardware keyboard. My biggest issue with the software keyboard is that software issues (i.e. lag & slowdowns) make it impossible to type - which is extremely common on a last-gen mobile device (like my iphone 3G). When you combine that with the inherent inaccuracy of a software keypad (which makes typing out non-standard technical terms virtually impossible) it's just a huge pain. Sure it's fine for texting, but when I want to fire off a work e-mail then I need a physical keypad. Software keypad is just not an option.
Zombie James
Banned
Question about the HTC Legend. Is it possible for it to switch between Wifi and 3G intelligently? Like, if i'm at home (or connected to any wifi connection), can it be set to only use that wifi connection and not touch 3G for data? The issue is that with Bell/Virgin, 3G has to be on all the time for voice.
frankie_baby
Member
I got myself a desire recently and absolutely love it, I can't stand those slide out mini keyboards though I do wish someone would make one with a slide out numeric keypad as I can type far quicker on them
CrayzeeCarl
Member
There are apps like Settings Profile that will do that and much more. You can trigger settings changes due to changes in time, location, calendar items, etc.Zombie James said:
I have mine set to turn wifi on when I am home and off when I am not home.
sooperkool
Member
I'm just getting going with Settings Profiler, how did you create a default profile?
Raistlin said:There aren't any HSPA+ phones yet, so all we can go by is the released PC card. In some head to head testing, it beat the similar Sprint card. Would it always or in every location? Maybe not, but it shows the tech is obviously competitive.
That's the way Sprint (and Verizon and AT&T soon) are attempting to use it, but that doesn't make it correct.
WiMAX and LTE could eventually meet the requirements, but they certainly aren't right now. The wiki article has a pretty good description of the situation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G
According to some of those standards I don't think we'll get a "true" 4G mobile network in decades :lol
Wikipedia said:
But yeah, I see what you're saying. That's why I don't have a huge problem with T-Mobile advertising "4G-like speeds", because, well...at the current point in time they aren't lying.
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