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Android Hardware Thread - 2010 Edition

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jonnybryce said:
Ask yourself why you want the Droid 2 and realize a month after you buy it there will probably be the release of the Droid Pro and it will probably have a 4inch+ screen and a front camera.

Make sure the phone you buy has everything you want and you dont just want it because its new or slightly better!
Click to expand...
Wait, there is a droid pro on the way?
 
jonnybryce said:
Ask yourself why you want the Droid 2 and realize a month after you buy it there will probably be the release of the Droid Pro and it will probably have a 4inch+ screen and a front camera.

Make sure the phone you buy has everything you want and you dont just want it because its new or slightly better!
Click to expand...
4" and keyboard I think but no FFC unless the moto insiders are pulling our chains.
 
ASUS prices 10-inch Android Eee Pad under $399, 8-inch Eee Tablet at $300, other tablets too

ASUS just dumped Windows Embedded Compact 7 for Android for its lower-end tablet devices, and CEO Jerry Shen is passing along the savings. He's pledging that the 10-inch Eee Pad EP101TC, due to ship in March, will cost under $399 -- and if the Notion Ink Adam is any indication that means it'll be $398.

eeepad-2010-08-13-jason.jpg
Click to expand...

Me likey those prices.
 
jonnybryce said:
Ask yourself why you want the Droid 2 and realize a month after you buy it there will probably be the release of the Droid Pro and it will probably have a 4inch+ screen and a front camera.

Make sure the phone you buy has everything you want and you dont just want it because its new or slightly better!
Click to expand...

Oh, no, I'm not spending that. I was wrong anyway, that was the retail phone price not the contract extension price. Besides I'm leaning towards an X or pro at this point.
 
The Android tablets are gonna pave the way for ChromeOS tablets, or will Google eventually dump the idea of Chromium and devote all resources to Android? I'm thinking Android can be everything they want Chromium to be and more. PEACE.
 
Man, I'm really excited to see the Desire HD. I'm still on the G1 on T-Mobile. The only thing is I really want a front-facing camera.

The iPhone 4 incepted that idea in my head and now I can't get rid of it. It's a joy to use for self pictures and it'd also leave the door open for video chat. I really wish there was a nice 4.3" screen, dual-camera (1 with flash), beastly processor, SIM phone on the horizon. The Galaxy S is nice, but a couple of my friends with it complain about slowdown, plus the casing makes it feel a little cheap.
 
jonnybryce said:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/verizon-rumors-lte-android-3-0-tablets-a-droid-pro-and-more/ + CTRL+F "Droid Pro"
Click to expand...
I remember seeing that the other day and just glossed over it. So, will the Droid Pro have a full QWERTY keyboard like the Droid/Droid 2? I am torn between getting a Droid 2 or Droid X. The X has the screen of doom, as well as the better camera and HD video recording. The Droid 2 has a smaller footprint and the physical keyboard, which I really want. Now if the Droid Pro were to marry those (faster processor, QWERTY, HD video recording, maybe even a front facing camera) then I will be totally fine.
 
PhoncipleBone said:
I remember seeing that the other day and just glossed over it. So, will the Droid Pro have a full QWERTY keyboard like the Droid/Droid 2? I am torn between getting a Droid 2 or Droid X. The X has the screen of doom, as well as the better camera and HD video recording. The Droid 2 has a smaller footprint and the physical keyboard, which I really want. Now if the Droid Pro were to marry those (faster processor, QWERTY, HD video recording, maybe even a front facing camera) then I will be totally fine.
Click to expand...
Supposedly the Pro has a full QWERTY keyboard just like the Droid 1 and 2 but is a GSM/CDMA phone and 4" screen, and a 1.3Ghz Processor, don't think it has a front facing camera though.
 
Pimpwerx said:
The Android tablets are gonna pave the way for ChromeOS tablets, or will Google eventually dump the idea of Chromium and devote all resources to Android? I'm thinking Android can be everything they want Chromium to be and more. PEACE.
Click to expand...


Yeah I hope so. Android has made a great name for itself.
 
Paznos said:
Supposedly the Pro has a full QWERTY keyboard just like the Droid 1 and 2 but is a GSM/CDMA phone and 4" screen, and a 1.3Ghz Processor, don't think it has a front facing camera though.
Click to expand...

Wait...so it could roam between Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile? I recall reading about Qualcomm looking into it but I didn't know it was ready for market.
 
Jamesfrom818 said:
Wait...so it could roam between Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile? I recall reading about Qualcomm looking into it but I didn't know it was ready for market.
Click to expand...

it would be up to your carrier to have an agreement for roaming, but its more billed as a world phone so you can use it when you leave the country (since a large portion of the world is GSM)
 
Paznos said:
Supposedly the Pro has a full QWERTY keyboard just like the Droid 1 and 2 but is a GSM/CDMA phone and 4" screen, and a 1.3Ghz Processor, don't think it has a front facing camera though.
Click to expand...
What about the back camera? Still the regular droid 5MP one, or perhaps the Droid X 8MP one? But larger screen with full qwerty is drool inducing. Hopefully it is not insanely expensive.
 
Pimpwerx said:
The Android tablets are gonna pave the way for ChromeOS tablets, or will Google eventually dump the idea of Chromium and devote all resources to Android? I'm thinking Android can be everything they want Chromium to be and more. PEACE.
Click to expand...

No, it can't. No OS can realize the goals of Chrome OS outside of... Chrome OS. An OS having a good web browser does not preclude the necessity for Chrome OS.

Eventually manufacturers will carry Android farther than Google ever could. Google's own "baby" OS, that it made from scratch, without any "alliances" or company buyouts (Android, Inc./Andy Rubin) will eventually be a bit higher on the totem pole. Not Invented Here syndrome might be something Android eventually catches.
 
CrayzeeCarl said:
Make sure you're not covering the proximity sensor. I'm not sure where that is on the Galaxy S. On the Eris, it's right where I would swipe my left thumb down on the screen. There have been a few times where the proximity sensor seemed 'stuck.' I would just cover it and uncover it once or twice and the screen would come back on.
Click to expand...

I think you were right, good sir. The screen comes back, without fail, if I flick my wrist.
The proximity sensor must be getting stuck every single time I make a call.
Ah well.
 
Andrex said:
No, it can't. No OS can realize the goals of Chrome OS outside of... Chrome OS. An OS having a good web browser does not preclude the necessity for Chrome OS.

Eventually manufacturers will carry Android farther than Google ever could. Google's own "baby" OS, that it made from scratch, without any "alliances" or company buyouts (Android, Inc./Andy Rubin) will eventually be a bit higher on the totem pole. Not Invented Here syndrome might be something Android eventually catches.
Click to expand...
Um, you didn't quite explain why android couldn't be a chromium replacement. It seems pointless to me. Win 7 has already dampened the need for a full blown, awesome desktop and laptop OS besides OSX, and android could be the mobile alternative to IOS. Chromium is an answer to a question asked years ago and already answered.
 
VanMardigan said:
Um, you didn't quite explain why android couldn't be a chromium replacement. It seems pointless to me. Win 7 has already dampened the need for a full blown, awesome desktop and laptop OS besides OSX, and android could be the mobile alternative to IOS. Chromium is an answer to a question asked years ago and already answered.
Click to expand...

No, because in becoming a browser with an OS attached, instead of the opposite, Chrome OS has transcended the normal browser/OS paradigm.

The differences between Chrome and Chrome OS are small. You could argue a Windows box with Chrome installed would be the same experience, but there are fundamental differences. The advantages Chrome OS has (security, speed, and lightweightedness) are only possible in the capacities they are with Chrome OS because it's an entire operating system unto itself.

Google knew this when they announced it. Android isn't more of a replacement for Chrome OS than Windows with Chrome installed is.
 
Just so you know, if that was supposed to be an attempt to explain the need for chromium, I didn't see it again. There is a reason nobody cares about updates to that software, while android is a hit.
 
Chromium OS is not even at 1.0 yet, it's much too early to discount it. Additionally, it doesn't even compete with Android, officially. Chrome OS is for dedicated netbooks made in partnership with manufacturers, like Google's phones (Nexus One.) Android is for mobile phones, and soon, TVs, PMPs, and perhaps tablets. But the netbook space is a different beast.
 
VanMardigan said:
Just so you know, if that was supposed to be an attempt to explain the need for chromium, I didn't see it again. There is a reason nobody cares about updates to that software, while android is a hit.
Click to expand...
ChromeOS isn't out yet so I don't think its fair to compare or say "there's a reason everyone loves Android and not ChromeOS" type statements. One is heavily emphasizing cloud computing and the other is a more versatile and powerful OS. I personally don't think both are absolutely necessary but Google is all for trying new things and I believe this cloud os is a very important experiment to them. I don't think it'll succeed though.
 
I'm either going to be picking up the epic or the evo, and I'm leaning roasted the epic because the hardware looks nicer to me (particularly the keyboard and better battery life). However, I'm reading about the touchwiz ui and it looks like it's generally disliked. Is this something that can be easily removed? Is it so bad as to be a dealbreaker?
 
videotape said:
I'm either going to be picking up the epic or the evo, and I'm leaning roasted the epic because the hardware looks nicer to me (particularly the keyboard and better battery life). However, I'm reading about the touchwiz ui and it looks like it's generally disliked. Is this something that can be easily removed? Is it so bad as to be a dealbreaker?
Click to expand...

LauncherPro = problem solved.
 
videotape said:
I'm either going to be picking up the epic or the evo, and I'm leaning roasted the epic because the hardware looks nicer to me (particularly the keyboard and better battery life). However, I'm reading about the touchwiz ui and it looks like it's generally disliked. Is this something that can be easily removed? Is it so bad as to be a dealbreaker?
Click to expand...
Its not THAT bad, if you are coming from an iphone it might be a help since it is such a shameless clone of the ios. However, its very easy to switch off and LauncherPro will be your friend.
 
What would you guys say is the smoothest/fastest Android experience?

I may get either an iPhone or Android soon. The thing I like most about the iPhone is how snappy and smooth the scrolling works. Going in and out of apps is very painless. Every Android device I've played around with has felt a little cluttered/confusing.

Maybe it's just because I use my Touch daily and I'd get used to Android?

I also actually really like iTunes and its media syncing.

On the other hand, I use A LOT of Google products which would probably translate to a smoother experience with an Android. I also have a MacBook and I think it would be better if I didn't put all my eggs in Apple's basket.

The Incredible is probably the current Android device that appeals to me most. Any upcoming US HTC Android devices? Any info on what the Droid Pro is supposed to be? With the Droid X and Droid 2, is the Pro just gonna a spec bumped version of one of these two?
 
So I think I'm going to get a Samsung Galaxy S. Looks like the best way to get an Android phone here in Australia and all the reviews I've read are pretty glowing.


One question though, does anyone know if it integrates the microSD card when playing music? i.e. Does it segregate the music on the phone and the music on the microSD card when browsing?

I've done a google search and couldn't find anything.
 
legend166 said:
So I think I'm going to get a Samsung Galaxy S. Looks like the best way to get an Android phone here in Australia and all the reviews I've read are pretty glowing.


One question though, does anyone know if it integrates the microSD card when playing music? i.e. Does it segregate the music on the phone and the music on the microSD card when browsing?

I've done a google search and couldn't find anything.
Click to expand...

android puts all audio files together with no mind to location. If you want to have a folder ignored by the media players you need to put it in a folder titled nomedia (from what i can recall)... other than that, if you have music on both different locations, it will pull it and you won't know the difference


note-this is all with the stock music player
 
gcubed said:
android puts all audio files together with no mind to location. If you want to have a folder ignored by the media players you need to put it in a folder titled nomedia (from what i can recall)... other than that, if you have music on both different locations, it will pull it and you won't know the difference


note-this is all with the stock music player
Click to expand...

What you do is sock a file called .nomedia (with the preceding period) in any folder you want the music player to ignore. You can do this to make the gallery app ignore folders which don't have any photos in them, as well. Note that the music player already ignores a directory called ringtones, so you don't need to put a .nomedia file in there, nor should you or the Android OS can no longer find the files in it to set as ringtones.
 
gcubed said:
android puts all audio files together with no mind to location. If you want to have a folder ignored by the media players you need to put it in a folder titled nomedia (from what i can recall)... other than that, if you have music on both different locations, it will pull it and you won't know the difference


note-this is all with the stock music player
Click to expand...

Awesome. I want it all to be integrated without paying mind to location, so that's perfect. I'll be able to use it as an MP3 player.
 
When I got KIES working with my Galaxy S it prompted me that there was a firmware update. Wiped the phone.. but not a huge deal. Phone is noticably smoother now.
 
Any recommendations for an android tablet? Looking to spend about $200 and will mainly use it as an ebook reader/browser with occasional video viewing. I've been looking at the moonse e7001/7002 and gentouch (if I can find it).
 
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 firmware released, reveals all:

- Screen resolution 480x800.
- Camera Max resolution 2048x1536.
- Camcorder Max resolution 2048x1536. (Not sure about this info)
- Front cam Max resolution 240x320.
- CPU Profile ARM11.
- CPU Core S5PC110.
- CPU speed 1.0GHz.
- Flashplayer.
- GPS. (Google Maps)
- WIFI.
- SyncML support.
- Swype.
- JavaScript 1.5.
- Blutooth (Don't know the version yet)
Click to expand...

http://www.oled-display.net/samsung-galaxy-tab-p1000-european-firmware-p1000xxjh3-released
 
Andrex said:
And 800x480 seems kinda lame for a tablet...
Click to expand...

It is, especially for 7". For me, the pixel density is one of the most important things on a tablet. Give me 1600 x 1200 on 9,7" and I'll buy it day 0.

edit: Gizmodo reviewed the Epic 4G.

When you compare the Epic to the EVO, the Epic is the clear winner. Whether it's the slide-out keyboard, better screen, longer battery life or Swype built in, there are plenty of reasons to choose this phone instead.

Placed aside the other Galaxy S phones, the Epic still comes out ahead. It's the only one of the four that has 4G and the only one that has the slide-out keyboard. Most everything else across all four carriers are the same, except for small details in pricing and data plans. But when you're trying to decide between three skinny brothers and a stronger (but fatter) fourth brother, it's clear what the choice is.

+ Slide-out keyboard is wonderful
+ Super AMOLED screen improves on EVO
+ About the same fast-ness as the EVO
+ Sprint's software customizations aren't atrocious
+ The Best 4G Phone4G!
= Battery life is still pretty mediocre
= It's a waiting game to see if Samsung will offer Android updates frequently
Click to expand...
http://gizmodo.com/5613501/sprint-epic-4g-review-the-best-4g-phone
 
I visited my local Bell Canada booth and played around with the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant. Truly amazing phone, I'm dumping my iPhone 2G for this today.
 
Unknown Soldier said:
What you do is sock a file called .nomedia (with the preceding period) in any folder you want the music player to ignore. You can do this to make the gallery app ignore folders which don't have any photos in them, as well. Note that the music player already ignores a directory called ringtones, so you don't need to put a .nomedia file in there, nor should you or the Android OS can no longer find the files in it to set as ringtones.
Click to expand...

ah, thanks for the clarification, its been a while... i had a game that didn't have that file in its sounds directory and they would show up on my media player.
 
brotkasten said:
It is, especially for 7". For me, the pixel density is one of the most important things on a tablet. Give me 1600 x 1200 on 9,7" and I'll buy it day 0.

edit: Gizmodo reviewed the Epic 4G.


http://gizmodo.com/5613501/sprint-epic-4g-review-the-best-4g-phone
Click to expand...

Interesting, Engadget went the other way:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/epic-4g-review/
Wrap-up

Let's take our attention away from the specifics of this phone for a second. Speaking in more general terms, it's really impressive that Sprint has already managed to release two very high-end, exceptionally desirable devices built specifically to take advantage of its 4G network. In fact, we'd say that the Epic and the EVO -- even more than the Pre -- have vaulted Sprint from its status as an also-ran to perhaps the most gadget-savvy carrier in the US today. If you'd asked us 18 months ago whether we ever thought we'd be saying that, we'd have laughed at you. Of course, the Epic can't just be geeky, it's got to be good -- Sprint isn't out of the danger zone yet for subscriber churn, and it's going to need average Joes and Janes to buy these right out of stock. In other words, it needs to parlay the buzz that the EVO generated into a permanent slow burn, and the Epic is a critical part of that equation.

So is it the right phone for the job? In a word, yes -- the Epic 4G is a great device. Killer, even. Nothing speaks to us more strongly during the course of a review than finishing it and saying, "alright, I'm ready to buy this thing," and the Epic is on the short list of phones that has managed to do it. More than its Galaxy S siblings, it feels like the Epic has overcome its shortcomings -- notably the forgettable UI skin -- to shine, and it's a phone we could easily imagine using day to day. Only thing is, the EVO is also on that short list for us -- and the better camera, bigger screen, and $50 savings versus the Epic still make it our winner in this 4G shootout, though only by the thinnest of margins. Needless to say, if you need a physical keyboard and you're looking for the one of the most musclebound Android phones money can buy, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
Click to expand...

Basically, they like the EVO more, but they still think it's a great phone.

Considering how hard it will be to find an Epic (plus the general complaints people have with the Samsung UI) I'll probably go with an EVO.
 
I read reviews on a bunch of sites and they are all very positive. Most have preferred the Epic to the Evo.

It is also interesting to note that Engadget seems to be the only site that got a unit with a defective GPS. Hopefully that bodes well for GPS working out of the box.

I pre-ordered mine at Radio Shack and the 31st can't get here soon enough. I'll be so glad to say goodbye to my iPhone 3g.
 
Interesting that the Epic is bigger than the Evo in every dimension, and weighs more as well. Couple that with its smaller screen, higher price, and (by me) unwanted keyboard, and the Evo wins by a landslide. It's nice to have choices, though.

My contract's up in Sept. I've decided that a 4.0" screen is as small as I can tolerate, (bad eyes) so I'm trying to decide between the Evo, the Droid X, or Verizon's Galaxy S phone. (I'll want to either stay on Sprint, or join my wife on Verizon.)

I have yet to hold a Galaxy in my hand, so I'm really anxious for Verizon to hurry up and release the Fascinate. The hardware specs sound great, but I worry that the software will hold it back, or the screen will be noticeably smaller, or the famously bad GPS performance will persist.

Hopefully things will become clearer in the coming weeks.
 
Ding said:
My contract's up in Sept. I've decided that a 4.0" screen is as small as I can tolerate, (bad eyes) so I'm trying to decide between the Evo, the Droid X, or Verizon's Galaxy S phone. (I'll want to either stay on Sprint, or join my wife on Verizon.)
Click to expand...

By all accounts the Droid Pro is coming later in the year. 4 inch screen and 1.3 gig processor.
 
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