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Android Hardware Thread - 2010 Edition

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NH Apache said:
http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/09/16...ed-national-football-league-cities-this-year/

http://blog.laptopmag.com/verizon-to-launch-4g-lte-in-30-nfl-cities-this-year#axzz14cDh0FgS

http://gizmodo.com/5657278/verizon-4g-lte-will-be-in-38-cities-by-the-end-of-the-year

?

Either way, I think this will be my next phone. I don't really care if LTE is up or not, but the rumored high res screen would be enough of a plus for me. I was going to go with the X, but I'll wait and see until the 23rd at least.

Edit: Whoops, I had sourced the same article twice.
Click to expand...
Verizon has said they won't have any LTE phones until 2011. The network will start this year, but it will be for data connections only (the USB laptop/netbook dongles)

http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/08/13...ng-until-next-year-laptop-aircards-this-year/
 
So I just got a new job and with the extra money I'd like to upgrade my Blackberry for an Android phone. Problem is I'm with AT&T and my parents are on my line too, so there's not much chance of me switching carriers anytime soon. What are my options?
 
Boogie9IGN said:
So I just got a new job and with the extra money I'd like to upgrade my Blackberry for an Android phone. Problem is I'm with AT&T and my parents are on my line too, so there's not much chance of me switching carriers anytime soon. What are my options?
Click to expand...
your choices might be the Samsung Captivate or the HTC Aria. Samsung has been taking a very long time with their updates and some people are having quality issues with their Galaxy S series.
 
Boogie9IGN said:
Oh snaps, Captivate is the same as Galaxy S? SOLD, I really wanted it but I thought it was only T-Mobile. It's got a huuuuge screen right?
Click to expand...
Yup, it's their Galaxy S variant. 4" screen, so not huge, but 4" is pretty optimal between portability and screen size I think.
 
Picked up the G2 yesterday.
How much of a shit should I care about the following "issues"?
My thoughts are in parens.

- Upside down, half-holding, hinge "problem". (This is a joke, right? No one would actually hold a phone like that or give a shit about this.)

- Internal storage space not as advertised. (Preinstalled app bloat, not some stupid conspiracy, and who cares since all media is stored on SD anyway.)

- Lack of tethering. (Lol T-Mobile. And if we ever get perm root, we'll get tethering and true stock Android.)

These are the only three things I've heard people bitch about (along with nit-picky complaints on the keyboard layout - redundant shortcut keys instead of back and home keys). The person I'm giving the phone to won't give a rat's ass about tethering, holding the phone like a retard, or even app storage space. If these are the biggest gripes, then I think they'll be very pleased with the phone. I've already loaded their ring tone onto the thing and when I give it I'll swipe their current phone, drop in the sim card, and then give them a call.
 
Boogie9IGN said:
So I just got a new job and with the extra money I'd like to upgrade my Blackberry for an Android phone. Problem is I'm with AT&T and my parents are on my line too, so there's not much chance of me switching carriers anytime soon. What are my options?
Click to expand...

You got a new job as in an after school thing so you'll have some extra cash, or you actually got a real job?

If you got a real job and really want an Android phone, drop off your parents plan and start a-new. If you switch to Google Voice, you can save ~$20 going w/o a text plan.
 
zoku88 said:
Aren't they adding tethering anyway?

Although, it costs money, IIRC.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but fuck that.
I can tether on my Nexus one, for free.
I could tether on my samsung blackjack over 3 years ago, for free.
I could even tether on my old siemens dumbphone 6 years ago, for free.

Tethering is a capability of the hardware and OS.
Carrier either gives me data or doesn't.
 
holy shit. my captivate may be going back for good after this weekend. I have probably spent 12 solid fucking hours trying to get it to recognize over USB. I've read everything there is to read on XDA and androidcentral and still nothing. fucking thing doesnt even know when there is a USB cable in it. How did I just know this wasnt going to be easy.
 
subrock said:
holy shit. my captivate may be going back for good after this weekend. I have probably spent 12 solid fucking hours trying to get it to recognize over USB. I've read everything there is to read on XDA and androidcentral and still nothing. fucking thing doesnt even know when there is a USB cable in it. How did I just know this wasnt going to be easy.
Click to expand...
are you using a launcher other then touchwiz?
 
I was looking for a new PMP and the Archos 32 Internet Tablet looked more than promising considering the price. I really wanted it. However, I am amazed at how many new PMP's -- Android OS or not -- are getting rid of MicroSD expansion slots. Yeah, it's a dealbreaker for me, no matter how silly it sounds. I was almost going to buy the 4GB model which is $99.99, but of course, no MicroSD. Android is such a powerful and capable OS; it's silly to limit a device to 4GB out of the box with no way of expanding storage, particularly for audio and video. And since the device is primarily used for audio and video, all I can say is... really dumb decision on Archos' behalf.

Ended up paying $50 for another refurbed Sansa, hoping that next year there will be a wave of Android PMP's that are affordable and have MicroSD that I'd be better off spending my money on.
 
So really, what is there to look forward to when it comes to Android handsets? It feels like it's extremely quiet as we get closer to holiday season... I have a Milestone (simili-Droid) and I'm about to pick up a Desire Z (G2). I feel like there is nothing to wait for. Rumors of the "Nexus 2" and it should be an evolution of the Galaxy S... Obviously there will be tons of new handsets, but none advertised for now. I guess the Desire Z it will be then.
 
Mudkips said:
Picked up the G2 yesterday.
How much of a shit should I care about the following "issues"?
My thoughts are in parens.

- Upside down, half-holding, hinge "problem". (This is a joke, right? No one would actually hold a phone like that or give a shit about this.)

- Internal storage space not as advertised. (Preinstalled app bloat, not some stupid conspiracy, and who cares since all media is stored on SD anyway.)

- Lack of tethering. (Lol T-Mobile. And if we ever get perm root, we'll get tethering and true stock Android.)

These are the only three things I've heard people bitch about (along with nit-picky complaints on the keyboard layout - redundant shortcut keys instead of back and home keys). The person I'm giving the phone to won't give a rat's ass about tethering, holding the phone like a retard, or even app storage space. If these are the biggest gripes, then I think they'll be very pleased with the phone. I've already loaded their ring tone onto the thing and when I give it I'll swipe their current phone, drop in the sim card, and then give them a call.
Click to expand...

Tethering has been patched in the latest OTA update, but it hasn't rolled out to everyone yet.
 
kiryogi said:
Tethering has been patched in the latest OTA update, but it hasn't rolled out to everyone yet.
Click to expand...


For real? This is wonderful. I thought I had to pay for tethering because its an extra 30 dollars to tether your phone with T-moblie.
 
After the discussion of the Orange San Francisco on the previous page I went to have a look at it in an Orange store over the weekend and ended up bringing one home. The sales assistant told me they were selling like hotcakes and she had personally sold eight that day, apparently the phone is being seen as "a cheap Desire". :)

I had it unlocked within an hour of getting home, and shortly after rooted it and installed a custom ROM to get rid of all the Orange bloatware. I went for this ROM which is designed to be close to stock Android (Eclair/2.1).

I've got to say that for £99 this is an excellent handset. The screen is a huge upgrade over my old G1/Dream, it feels nice and quick, plenty of RAM for multitasking (which was a real problem on the G1), battery life so far has been great, and all wrapped up in a nice slim form factor.

My only gripes so far are
  • The phone goes into a kind of deep sleep mode where it doesn't flash the LED for notifications and it can only be woken up by the power button.
  • I get poor signal strength in my flat, where I used to get a decent signal. I can only assume the antenna is inferior to that in the G1.
  • I miss a few of the 2.2 apps that I could get on my hacked G1, such as Chrome-to-Phone and the new Gmail and Youtube apps.
These are pretty minor problems though and at least two of them will probably be rectified by community-delivered improvements to the ROM. All in all I am very happy with the purchase, it's a steal for the money. Thanks to brain_stew for bringing it to my attention!
 
NH Apache said:
http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/09/16...ed-national-football-league-cities-this-year/

http://blog.laptopmag.com/verizon-to-launch-4g-lte-in-30-nfl-cities-this-year#axzz14cDh0FgS

http://gizmodo.com/5657278/verizon-4g-lte-will-be-in-38-cities-by-the-end-of-the-year

?

Either way, I think this will be my next phone. I don't really care if LTE is up or not, but the rumored high res screen would be enough of a plus for me. I was going to go with the X, but I'll wait and see until the 23rd at least.

Edit: Whoops, I had sourced the same article twice.
Click to expand...

the original rumored phone (the HD with LTE) is March 2011. The person leaking the information followed up the original leak with a "don't expect that phone until March 2011"
 
gcubed said:
the original rumored phone (the HD with LTE) is March 2011. The person leaking the information followed up the original leak with a "don't expect that phone until March 2011"
Click to expand...

Damn, fucking tease.
 
Totakeke said:
Glasses free 3D android phones! Looks and specs are decent too.

t4Cra.jpg




http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/sharp-galapagos-003sh-and-005sh-bring-glasses-free-3d-to-japanes/

Unlikely to be released outside Japan though. ;p
Click to expand...

Awesome looking phone. I'll probably preorder one when they go on sale on the 12th, first phone to pull me away from iOS in a while.
 
subrock said:
holy shit. my captivate may be going back for good after this weekend. I have probably spent 12 solid fucking hours trying to get it to recognize over USB. I've read everything there is to read on XDA and androidcentral and still nothing. fucking thing doesnt even know when there is a USB cable in it. How did I just know this wasnt going to be easy.
Click to expand...
lol it is easy, ur just doing it wrong. switch it to mass storage
 
Mudkips said:
Maybe, but fuck that.
I can tether on my Nexus one, for free.
I could tether on my samsung blackjack over 3 years ago, for free.
I could even tether on my old siemens dumbphone 6 years ago, for free.

Tethering is a capability of the hardware and OS.
Carrier either gives me data or doesn't.
Click to expand...
i can tether on my captivate for free too
 
subrock said:
holy shit. my captivate may be going back for good after this weekend. I have probably spent 12 solid fucking hours trying to get it to recognize over USB. I've read everything there is to read on XDA and androidcentral and still nothing. fucking thing doesnt even know when there is a USB cable in it. How did I just know this wasnt going to be easy.
Click to expand...

Windows 7?

Yeah, I have had a bit of trouble with that lately. I lost my usb cable, and bought a new one... and now it seems really flakey.

If I reboot into linux all is well. Go back into windows 7, and nothing, other than charging the phone. Nexus One.

OT

Also, fuck Microsoft/Windows and their silverlight bullshit. I cannot get Netflix to work on my Windows 7 either. DRM errors. Every other device in my house, including TV's, PS3 and my XP system work fine.
 
Mudkips said:
Picked up the G2 yesterday.
How much of a shit should I care about the following "issues"?
My thoughts are in parens.

- Upside down, half-holding, hinge "problem". (This is a joke, right? No one would actually hold a phone like that or give a shit about this.)

- Internal storage space not as advertised. (Preinstalled app bloat, not some stupid conspiracy, and who cares since all media is stored on SD anyway.)

- Lack of tethering. (Lol T-Mobile. And if we ever get perm root, we'll get tethering and true stock Android.).
Click to expand...

G2 hinge issue isn't just what you are describing. Some people have it flop down on them when they are trying to use the keyboard.

As mentioned, OTA fixes tethering. Here's how if you don't want to wait:

*#*#CHECKIN#*#*

*#*#2432546#*#*

This will force a checkin for OTA, but its not necessary.

-or- Download from here and follow the instructions:

http://android.clients.google.com/p...US_1.22.531.8-1.1.19.531.1_release_signed.zip
Revamped Manual Update Instructions

1- Be sure the file is simply named UPDATE (do not put .zip at the end). --> the file name should be in ALL lowercase letters...this might resolve errors for some
2- Copy the file into the Root (base) folder of your memory card
3- Power Down phone manually
4- Hold down the Volume Down button and power on the phone
5- Scroll up/down using the volume button, highlight RECOVERY & then Press the Power button
6- You'll see the HTC Logo, then will be prompted with a picture of a red exclamation mark w/ a pic of the phone
7- Now press the Volume UP & Power button
8- A menu will 'pop-up'
9- Choose the option to Apply SDcard: update.zip (by pressing the power button)
10- Give the phone about 5 minutes to finish the update, it may (will) reset itself a few times during the update.

Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827139
 
welp, I'm out. I sent back the captivate this afternoon. hopefully they dont discover the non working USB and blame it on me. android itself was nice, needs some major polish with some basic ui stuff but its getting there. shame samsung makes such fucking awful hardware/drivers and I couldnt get the thing to connect. going iPhone for another couple years and I'll see where its at next time.
 
Why does Samsung need to hold an event for this Continuum?

Engadget's doing live blogging right now... I can't imagine what more they can say then, "It's like every other Android phone we make, except there's a small LCD under the buttons. Ok, that's it, bye!"
 
Futureman said:
Why does Samsung need to hold an event for this Continuum?

Engadget's doing live blogging right now... I can't imagine what more they can say then, "It's like every other Android phone we make, except there's a small LCD under the buttons. Ok, that's it, bye!"
Click to expand...
Nexus Galaxy 2 yo.
 
GAF I am about to buy an Android Phone. Possibly a Samsung Galaxy S. I HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH...

Is there anyway possible to skin a Galaxy into looking / acting / working like an Iphone 3gs or 4. I don't care about the App Store, but the overall unlocking the phone / alerts for messaging / camera. IS THERE? Thank you so much, and is it hard to apply?
 
I didn't think the Continuum would be anything to hold a gala over, but it's actually a nice little device

too bad it's only CDMA
 
ugh, the ticker. why? who is the dumb ass designer that thought pushing a button/reading at the very bottom edge of the phone was a good idea? innovation for the sake of innovation, not usability. :-/
 
Here's how it went.

Some dude: Guys! Guys! We should totally put a black strip running through our 3.7" screens on our new phone?
Other dude: ...wat!?
Dude 1: Yeh! It'll be awesome.
Dude 2: Why? What could possibly be the use.
Dude 1: We basically split everything into 'top' screen and 'bottom' screen (wink) and put what's already basically there in every application on the lower screen. We'll call it a ticker!
Dude 2: AWESOMES! I've always wanted to have buttons between different sections of the same screen!
 
What a load of old toot. I'm jonesing big time for some Gingerbread news. I've got a hunch it was supposed to be a joint launch with the Nexus 2, but the hardware issues of said phone have delayed everything.
 
thuway said:
GAF I am about to buy an Android Phone. Possibly a Samsung Galaxy S. I HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH...

Is there anyway possible to skin a Galaxy into looking / acting / working like an Iphone 3gs or 4. I don't care about the App Store, but the overall unlocking the phone / alerts for messaging / camera. IS THERE? Thank you so much, and is it hard to apply?
Click to expand...
I suppose it's possible, but whoever makes it would be hunted down by Apple's lawyers. Honestly, just embrace Android's UI, you have the freedom to make it your own. Mimic-UIs are always half-baked garbage.

And stop using formatting that makes it seem like you're being chased by rabid wolves.
 
thuway said:
GAF I am about to buy an Android Phone. Possibly a Samsung Galaxy S. I HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH...

Is there anyway possible to skin a Galaxy into looking / acting / working like an Iphone 3gs or 4. I don't care about the App Store, but the overall unlocking the phone / alerts for messaging / camera. IS THERE? Thank you so much, and is it hard to apply?
Click to expand...

Why don't you just get an iPhone? Problem solved. Unless AT&T aren't an option. Otherwise Samsung already have skinned the Galaxy S to be as iPhone like as possible via Touchwiz - ie lacking in any imagination.
 
Wads said:
G2 hinge issue isn't just what you are describing. Some people have it flop down on them when they are trying to use the keyboard.

As mentioned, OTA fixes tethering. Here's how if you don't want to wait:

*#*#CHECKIN#*#*

*#*#2432546#*#*

This will force a checkin for OTA, but its not necessary.

-or- Download from here and follow the instructions:

http://android.clients.google.com/p...US_1.22.531.8-1.1.19.531.1_release_signed.zip
Revamped Manual Update Instructions

1- Be sure the file is simply named UPDATE (do not put .zip at the end). --> the file name should be in ALL lowercase letters...this might resolve errors for some
2- Copy the file into the Root (base) folder of your memory card
3- Power Down phone manually
4- Hold down the Volume Down button and power on the phone
5- Scroll up/down using the volume button, highlight RECOVERY & then Press the Power button
6- You'll see the HTC Logo, then will be prompted with a picture of a red exclamation mark w/ a pic of the phone
7- Now press the Volume UP & Power button
8- A menu will 'pop-up'
9- Choose the option to Apply SDcard: update.zip (by pressing the power button)
10- Give the phone about 5 minutes to finish the update, it may (will) reset itself a few times during the update.

Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827139
Click to expand...


Cool. Does "fixing" tethering mean it works and is free?
And does anyone know if the following short code to set the time til voicemail works on TMobile? **61*googlevoicenumber**seconds#
 
Hey guys,

Me and the wife are looking to upgrade from our crap 3 year old phone. I been doing some research for a few days now. I do not mind switching to another phone company but she rather stick with Att. So far it seems the only phone worthwhile to get with att is the Samsung captivate. Any one have that phone that have anything to say about it good or bad? Is there another option through Att?

For myself I am open to which ever. My company offer discount between att, verizon, and t mobile. I been looking at the Nexus one and love everything I read about it. But during the course, I also learned about a Nexus two coming soon. I am trying to gather info about the nexus 2 but am not learning much. Of course I just started looking about an hour ago anything nexus related :P .

I guess what I really am asking is, what is the best android phone right now or in the near future? I enjoy having the top tech, so screen, processor, memory etc is important to me.

I remember lukering the boards and came across this thread, so I figure I would ask here. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
 
satori said:
Hey guys,

Me and the wife are looking to upgrade from our crap 3 year old phone. I been doing some research for a few days now. I do not mind switching to another phone company but she rather stick with Att. So far it seems the only phone worthwhile to get with att is the Samsung captivate. Any one have that phone that have anything to say about it good or bad? Is there another option through Att?

For myself I am open to which ever. My company offer discount between att, verizon, and t mobile. I been looking at the Nexus one and love everything I read about it. But during the course, I also learned about a Nexus two coming soon. I am trying to gather info about the nexus 2 but am not learning much. Of course I just started looking about an hour ago anything nexus related :P .

I guess what I really am asking is, what is the best android phone right now or in the near future? I enjoy having the top tech, so screen, processor, memory etc is important to me.

I remember lukering the boards and came across this thread, so I figure I would ask here. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
Click to expand...

Wait for Droid Terminator?
 
satori said:
Hey guys,

Me and the wife are looking to upgrade from our crap 3 year old phone. I been doing some research for a few days now. I do not mind switching to another phone company but she rather stick with Att. So far it seems the only phone worthwhile to get with att is the Samsung captivate. Any one have that phone that have anything to say about it good or bad? Is there another option through Att?

For myself I am open to which ever. My company offer discount between att, verizon, and t mobile. I been looking at the Nexus one and love everything I read about it. But during the course, I also learned about a Nexus two coming soon. I am trying to gather info about the nexus 2 but am not learning much. Of course I just started looking about an hour ago anything nexus related :P .

I guess what I really am asking is, what is the best android phone right now or in the near future? I enjoy having the top tech, so screen, processor, memory etc is important to me.

I remember lukering the boards and came across this thread, so I figure I would ask here. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
Click to expand...

Top phones right now would be any of the Galaxy S's, Droid X, Droid 2, G2, Epic 4G, and EVO 4G. That's U.S., not too familiar with other territories.

Nexus 2 is only a rumor right now. No solid info really. Though the head of the Open Handset Alliance tweeted today that the next version of Android, 2.3 codenamed Gingerbread, will be coming to the Nexus One this week.

I really doubt anything coming in the next 6 months will really be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the top of the crop now. It seems a Nexus 2 is really the phone that would be worth waiting for as it would be stock Android and get the latest Android updates first, but as I said, Nexus 2 is only a rumor right now.
 
Anybody with a Fascinate that might know why my buddy's market hasn't updated to the 2007 update? The market has updated to 2007 on my Vibrant, but that came before the JI6 OTA update that Tmo sent out.

Is there a way to manually download the Market 2007 version on his fascinate?
 
The longer this goes on the more I think some bloggers got a little wild on the rumor mill and took a samsung device with stock android and made it a nexus 2
 
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