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[kehs]

You know, fuck android.

All I've been reading about online is about how it has surpassed iOS on features, superior OS, etc etc. Coming off an iPhone 4, I got a new android phone a few days ago, and I can tell you that's utter and complete bullshit. I have quite the story to tell, what a fucking ordeal. All I can say is that Apple has nothing to worry about- this OS will achieve massive marketshare because it's now the default OS for most of the phones sold on the planet- but that doesnt mean it doesnt have a million issues and will prevent consumers from taking advantage of the platform or invest in any kind of ecosystem. For starters, I have a phone which was released 2 months ago, unable to update to an OS released 7 months ago. What the FUCK is that? People bitch and moan when Apple drops support of a device 2+ years old in their newest update, outraged that the phone only received 2 years of contant updates and improvements. Yet, not a peep when there are no official channels to update to an OS that was released MONTHS before my phone? An OS update which needs to be filtered through the manufacturer, then the carrier, if they even decide to give a shit about releasing it, which they have no inherent motivation to? But hey, I have 'control' of my device, right? Yeah, fuck that. All the tech in the world doesnt matter when the user experience is shit and device support is a complete unknown.

Stop buying phones through a extra middlemen?

 

[Slurpy2k20]

Isn't most of the fault of an inability to update because the phone can't handle the newer features (like gingerbread or w/e)?

Buy a cheap phone, get cheap service?

The phone is $400 off-contract. How much do I need to pay to get a phone that can be updated to a version of the OS 6 months old, released before the phone itself, nevermind future updates? I mean, really? People bitch for pages that their 2 generation old iPhone doesn't support every frikkin feature in the newest OS release, yet this is acceptable?

 

[Blackhead]

The phone is $400 off-contract. How much do I need to pay to get a phone that can be updated to a version of the OS 6 months old, released before the phone itself, nevermind future updates.

... still waiting for the name of android phone you got.

 

[saunderez]

Stop buying phones through a extra middlemen?

Or buy a phone with a strong dev community. HTC says Gingerbread on the Desire is impossible. Community says NAY!. I've been running Gingerbread on my Desire for months.

The phone is $400 off-contract. How much do I need to pay to get a phone that can be updated to a version of the OS 6 months old, released before the phone itself, nevermind future updates.

You could've bought a Desire for hardly anything and been running the newest version of the OS immediately. Do some research next time. There are plenty of phones that can run the current distros.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

... still waiting for the name of android phone you got.

Yeah, that would be helpful to the active Android community that could otherwise help you out. Instead of you melting down like a little child.

 

[Circle T]

If you have a 3G phone now and want a 4G in the future, you will need a new contract I assume.

As is currently, Verizon doesn't have different plans for 3G phones or 4G phones. You either get data, or you don't. So, if you have "Unlimited" data now, but only have a 3G phone, you are still fine down the road if you get a LTE equipped phone. Just keep your plan, and you'll keep your data.

 

[Rawr Its Ry]

Hey android-gaf. Either later today or tomorrow im finally gonna be picking up my first real smartphone. I've decided either between an incredible 2 or a thunderbolt. The 4g speed seems awesome, but the battery life is something im dreading terribly. Would it be worth it to grab the 4g phone or grab the incredible 2 and wait 2-3 years again until there are better 4g options? Also, is there any other additional fees for the thunderbolt beside verizon's smartphone plan?

 

[Slurpy2k20]

Or buy a phone with a strong dev community. HTC says Gingerbread on the Desire is impossible. Community says NAY!. I've been running Gingerbread on my Desire for months.


You could've bought a Desire for hardly anything and been running the newest version of the OS immediately. Do some research next time. There are plenty of phones that can run the current distros.

So I'm supposed to do research on every android phone through 'the community', and try to find out which may or may not be eligible for updates? I'm sorry if I assumed that new android phones actually shipped with recent software, and if not, could be updated to current software, and would be supported for at least a minimum length of time going forward. Should the average consumer be digging through messageboards to find this info, to avoid buying a new phone with obsolete software? Right. This 'fragmentation' problem is infinitely worse than I assumed it was. All the tech-blog/geek love online made me assume the platform has actually achieved a decent amount of consumer-focused maturity.

 

[zomgbbqftw]

Still, what phone did you get that is unable to receive the latest update?

Was it the X10? Because that is getting the 2.3 update in early August.

 

[kehs]

So I'm supposed to do research on every android phone through 'the community', and try to find out which may or may not be eligible for updates? I'm sorry if I assumed that new android phones actually shipped with recent software, and if not, could be updated to current software, and would be supported for at least a minimum length of time going forward. Should the average consumer be digging through messageboards to find this info, to avoid buying a new phone with obsolete software? Right. This 'fragmentation' problem is infinitely worse than I assumed it was. All the tech-blog/geek love online made me assume the platform has actually achieved a decent amount of consumer-focused maturity.

The US cell market is a joke. Apple, Google, Nokia all are free of that tom foolery.

You don't think you should research a purchase you make beforehand? That's the reason the US phone market is the way it it. "Free" phones that cost more than retail pricing.

Your beef is valid, but it's directed at the wrong target.

 

[killakiz]

Aside from the piss poor writing it sounds like a defense of the iPad 2 rather than a review of the Samsung tablet. It reads like a fanboy forum post, only slightly longer winded. He doesn't review specs, doesn't give any insights, doesn't discuss usability in any meaningful way, and there's no logical flow to the review. It's a train wreck from start to finish.

But you do understand that the iPad 2 is better...

 

[Slurpy2k20]

For people attacking me about 'coming here crying', please note that before doing so I attempted to address my issue by vising multiple android messageboards, reading dozens od threads, hundreds of posts (each of which contained multiple acronyms for shit I had to google) and downloading like 17 utilities, but ultimately hit a dead-end. I'm in Canada and am on the Rogers network- so my OS has to be only updated from them? How and when? Who the hell knows.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

But you do understand that the iPad 2 is better...

I don't know, but I do think my Xoom is better than an iPad 2 for what I do. And yes, I've used both extensively.

I don't know if the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is better or worse, and that review didn't help in the slightest. It was bad from an instructional standpoint.

 

[thezerofire]

For people attacking me about 'coming here crying', please note that before doing so I attempted to address my issue by vising multiple android messageboards, reading dozens od threads, hundreds of posts (each of which contained multiple acronyms for shit I had to google) and downloading like 17 utilities, but ultimately hit a dead-end. I'm in Canada and am on the Rogers network- so my OS has to be only updated from them? How and when? Who the hell knows.

just saying, you probably should have done that before buying the phone.

 

[zomgbbqftw]

For people attacking me about 'coming here crying', please note that before doing so I attempted to address my issue by vising multiple android messageboards, reading dozens od threads, hundreds of posts (each of which contained multiple acronyms for shit I had to google) and downloading like 17 utilities, but ultimately hit a dead-end. I'm in Canada and am on the Rogers network- so my OS has to be only updated from them? How and when? Who the hell knows.

Again, what phone did you get?

If you don't answer this time people are going to assume you are just a troll from an Apple thread here to stir up shit.

 

[kehs]

For people attacking me about 'coming here crying', please note that before doing so I attempted to address my issue by vising multiple android messageboards, reading dozens od threads, hundreds of posts (each of which contained multiple acronyms for shit I had to google) and downloading like 17 utilities, but ultimately hit a dead-end. I'm in Canada and am on the Rogers network- so my OS has to be only updated from them? How and when? Who the hell knows.

It's how the cell industry is set up. They're middlemen and brokers with too much control over the product.

Rogers commissions HTC to build a phone and load it up with whatever they want. It's up to rogers to commission HTC to keep up with software support for the phone.

If you buy an unlocked phone from HTC, then it's up to HTC to keep you up to date and no one else. That's why you don't hear about all this stupid shit happening with the European Galaxy S, but you do with the 4 variants in the US.

It's the same reason WP7 updates trickled in during their update a few months back because it was the carriers that had to pull the trigger and not the MFGS.

*Long live the SIM card*

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Again, what phone did you get?

If you don't answer this time people are going to assume you are just a troll from an Apple thread here to stir up shit.

It's possible, but regardless of whether or not he can substantiate it I think many of us have experienced that update hell. I had a Motorola Cliq and my wife now has a MyTouch 3G Slide. Both suck for updates. I'm now on a G2, which is supposed to be getting 2.3 at some point...but who knows if that "late June" date will actually stick.

 

[killakiz]

I don't know, but I do think my Xoom is better than an iPad 2 for what I do. And yes, I've used both extensively.

I don't know if the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is better or worse, and that review didn't help in the slightest. It was bad from an instructional standpoint.

The frustrating thing is it took me 3 min to reply to that on mines.

 

[Slurpy2k20]

Again, what phone did you get?

If you don't answer this time people are going to assume you are just a troll from an Apple thread here to stir up shit.

Acer Liquid MT. Unfortunately, 'stirring shit up' on message-boards by lying isn't one of my hobbies.

 

[tino]

Why the hell do you want to upgrade beyond 2.2? There is no feature on 2.3 you can't already do in 2.2

Also, this is a US board, nobody has that phone. Have you tried a relevant board in xda?

 

[The Faceless Master]

You know, fuck android.

All I've been reading about online is about how it has surpassed iOS on features, superior OS, etc etc. Coming off an iPhone 4, I got a new android phone a few days ago, and I can tell you that's utter and complete bullshit. I have quite the story to tell, what a fucking ordeal. All I can say is that Apple has nothing to worry about- this OS will achieve massive marketshare because it's now the default OS for most of the phones sold on the planet- but that doesnt mean it doesnt have a million issues and will prevent consumers from taking advantage of the platform or invest in any kind of ecosystem. For starters, I have a phone which was released 2 months ago, unable to update to an OS released 7 months ago. What the FUCK is that? People bitch and moan when Apple drops support of a device 2+ years old in their newest update, outraged that the phone only received 2 years of contant updates and improvements. Yet, not a peep when there are no official channels to update to an OS that was released MONTHS before my phone? An OS update which needs to be filtered through the manufacturer, then the carrier, if they even decide to give a shit about releasing it, which they have no inherent motivation to? But hey, I have 'control' of my device, right? Yeah, fuck that. All the tech in the world doesnt matter when the user experience is shit and device support is a complete unknown.

so, it's like having a Verizon iPhone?

The phone is $400 off-contract. How much do I need to pay to get a phone that can be updated to a version of the OS 6 months old, released before the phone itself, nevermind future updates? I mean, really? People bitch for pages that their 2 generation old iPhone doesn't support every frikkin feature in the newest OS release, yet this is acceptable?

that's what the Nexus line is for.

So I'm supposed to do research on every android phone through 'the community', and try to find out which may or may not be eligible for updates? I'm sorry if I assumed that new android phones actually shipped with recent software, and if not, could be updated to current software, and would be supported for at least a minimum length of time going forward. Should the average consumer be digging through messageboards to find this info, to avoid buying a new phone with obsolete software? Right. This 'fragmentation' problem is infinitely worse than I assumed it was. All the tech-blog/geek love online made me assume the platform has actually achieved a decent amount of consumer-focused maturity.

you spent four hundred dollars on something and didn't research it first?

 

[kehs]

Acer Liquid MT. Unfortunately, 'stirring shit up' on message-boards by lying isn't one of my hobbies.

For what it's worth there are leaks of the official update, which means at the very least it's being tested and it's in the pipeline.

 

[giga]

Why the hell do you want to upgrade beyond 2.2? There is no feature on 2.3 you can't already do in 2.2

so, it's like having a Verizon iPhone?

The Verizon iPhone has received three updates already.

 

[Slurpy2k20]

Why the hell do you want to upgrade beyond 2.2? There is no feature on 2.3 you can't already do in 2.2

Also, this is a US board, nobody has that phone. Have you tried a relevant board in xda?

Why the hell WOULDN'T I want to upgrade to an OS version released last year? Is it that absurd? I assumed the US has the phone, since we have it in Canada.

Also, from what I've read about 2.3:

-much faster (the phone feels sluggish, so I assumed t would help_
-new keyboard
-nicer UI
-application/power management
-download management
-select/cut/copy/paste
-etc

Basically some major stuff and much needed polish. Not exactly a bug fix.

 

[The Faceless Master]

The Verizon iPhone has received three updates already.

so they are caught up now?

 

[giga]

so they are caught up now?

Not exactly. Still missing a few 4.3.x features since it's still on the 4.2.x version track. Won't be on par with the GSM model until iOS 5.

 

[The Faceless Master]

Why the hell WOULDN'T I want to upgrade to an OS version released last year? Is it that absurd? I assumed the US has the phone, since we have it in Canada.

Also, from what I've read about 2.3:

-much faster (the phone feels sluggish, so I assumed t would help_
-new keyboard
-nicer UI
-application/power management
-download management
-select/cut/copy/paste
-etc

Basically some major stuff and much needed polish. Not exactly a bug fix.

so i was checking out that phone and the one thing that's really weird to me is the notification bar is on the bottom!?

and "much" faster is a bit of an exaggeration, but yeah, most of that other stuff is true.

Not exactly. Still missing a few 4.3.x features since it's still on the 4.2.x version track. Won't be on par with the GSM model until iOS 5.

so it IS like having a Verizon iPhone!

 

[zomgbbqftw]

Acer Liquid MT. Unfortunately, 'stirring shit up' on message-boards by lying isn't one of my hobbies.

Ah. Well you bought a shitty phone tbh. I think your's is a case of you get what you pay for. Stick to HTC, Samsung or Sony Ericsson (the latest gen, at least). They get their updates out in a timely fashion and mostly support unlocked bootloaders for rooting and unbranding.

It sucks, but look at it like buying a cheap car and expecting luxury service, it just isn't going to happen. FWIW, my HTC Sensation costs £480 to buy off contract here, which is about $700 in the US. You really should have gone with the Desire S or Xperia Neo for similar features and price. Acer aren't really a mobile phone company, so they don't have the pedigree to give decent after sales support.

If you can still return it, I would do so and get the Desire S. It ships with 2.3 out of the box and HTC are pretty good with updates.

 

[lo escondido]

I asked this question a few pages back but I figured I'd try again

just got a unlocked nexus one but its only on 2.2 and when i check for a system update it says its up to date. How can I get gingerbread on my phone?

 

[Husker86]

As is currently, Verizon doesn't have different plans for 3G phones or 4G phones. You either get data, or you don't. So, if you have "Unlimited" data now, but only have a 3G phone, you are still fine down the road if you get a LTE equipped phone. Just keep your plan, and you'll keep your data.

Are you sure? I have a 4G Data SOC listed on my plan for the Thunderbolt. It doesn't cost extra but it's still an "add-on".

 

[kehs]

I asked this question a few pages back but I figured I'd try again

just got a unlocked nexus one but its only on 2.2 and when i check for a system update it says its up to date. How can I get gingerbread on my phone?

Since you got bottom paged:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056062

You can download the appropriate update.zip and apply it manually.

Try this first though:

Open dialer and type this in:

*#*#2432546#*#*

You'll get a "check in" succeeded notification and you should get the update notification shortly after.

edit: correct code

 

[giga]

so i was checking out that phone and the one thing that's really weird to me is the notification bar is on the bottom!?

and "much" faster is a bit of an exaggeration, but yeah, most of that other stuff is true.





so it IS like having a Verizon iPhone!

How do you figure? His Acer can't get a major OS update that was released in December. Verizon iPhones can't get a minor OS update that was released in March.

 

[Gvaz]

Someone enlighten me a bit because I'm a little stupid about this.

Can you not force an update to your smartphone, android or iOS?

 

[kehs]

Someone enlighten me a bit because I'm a little stupid about this.

Can you not force an update to your smartphone, android or iOS?

For android it's an odd situation because an update to the OS doesn't mean and update for your specific device.

Google pushes out the updates of the OS*, each company needs to take the update and tailor it for the specific devices, then send to end users.



*For anyone to use

 

[BigFwoosh]

This is really tempting me to get an LTE phone even though I don't like any of the choices. Unlimited LTE at $30 is a crazy good deal if those new prices are what the future is going to look like.

Same situation I'm in. I reeeeally wanted a Galaxy S2, but if it's coming down to the wire then I'll just have to upgrade to whatever 4G phone I can get.

 

[dream]

For android it's an odd situation because an update to the OS doesn't mean and update for your specific device.

Google pushes out the updates of the OS*, each company needs to take the update and tailor it for the specific devices, then send to end users.



*For anyone to use

Someone should invent a term for something that is broken into dis unified parts.

 

[kehs]

Someone should invent a term for something that is broken into dis unified parts.

Android.

 

[The Faceless Master]

How do you figure? His Acer can't get a major OS update that was released in December. Verizon iPhones can't get a minor OS update that was released in March.

oh,so now you're dictating what is major vs minor?

 

[Slurpy2k20]

oh,so now you're dictating what is major vs minor?

Uh, yes, he did, by using common sense. Does that offend you? You'd agree if you knew anything about both updates.

Also, it's a guarantee that all Verizon iPhones will get the massive iOS5 update this fall.

 

[giga]

Uh, yes, he did, by using common sense. Does that offend you? You'd agree if you knew anything about both updates.

Also, it's a guarantee that all Verizon iPhones will get the massive iOS5 update this fall.

He's trolling.

 

[lo escondido]

Since you got bottom paged:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056062

You can download the appropriate update.zip and apply it manually.

Try this first though:

Open dialer and type this in:

*#*#2432546#*#*

You'll get a "check in" succeeded notification and you should get the update notification shortly after.

edit: correct code

Tried the check in, didn't work. Maybe because I have the european model (when I turned it on it gave the date in DDMMYY not the US MMDDYY) it can't do it on tmobile. IDK

But that file that's not rooting and I can do it on a stock nexus right?

O and thanks!

 

[reKon]

Asked this many pages back, but no response (probably because it was a loaded question). Does anyone have the Droid Charge?

 

[kehs]

Tried the check in, didn't work. Maybe because I have the european model (when I turned it on it gave the date in DDMMYY not the US MMDDYY) it can't do it on tmobile. IDK

But that file that's not rooting and I can do it on a stock nexus right?

O and thanks!

Nah, it's not rooting, the files are only for stock phones. Just make sure you download the correct file for your phone. Nothing bad can happen, but it's annoying to not know why it won't update.

The checkin should work regardless of country...odd, I made a mistake when I first put the code, so not sure when you tried it it.

 

[thespot84]

Asked this many pages back, but no response (probably because it was a loaded question). Does anyone have the Droid Charge?

My dad does. He likes it, but keep in mind he's coming from any OG Blackberry storm. I've played with it and the screen is sex. Battery life is just ok but he never turns 4g on, the OS is pretty snappy but I don't like using froyo anymore (I have GB on my og droid). Also the the build quality seems OK. fits in the hand as well as a huge phone can, but I don't like that it's plastic.

 

[lo escondido]

Nah, it's not rooting, the files are only for stock phones. Just make sure you download the correct file for your phone. Nothing bad can happen, but it's annoying to not know why it won't update.

The checkin should work regardless of country...odd, I made a mistake when I first put the code, so not sure when you tried it it.

It said checkin successful but no update :-(. Its not a big deal, as long as I get the update I'm good.

 

[Pctx]

You know, fuck android.

All I've been reading about online is about how it has surpassed iOS on features, superior OS, etc etc. Coming off an iPhone 4, I got a new android phone a few days ago, and I can tell you that's utter and complete bullshit. I have quite the story to tell, what a fucking ordeal. All I can say is that Apple has nothing to worry about- this OS will achieve massive marketshare because it's now the default OS for most of the phones sold on the planet- but that doesnt mean it doesnt have a million issues and will prevent consumers from taking advantage of the platform or invest in any kind of ecosystem. For starters, I have a phone which was released 2 months ago, unable to update to an OS released 7 months ago. What the FUCK is that? People bitch and moan when Apple drops support of a device 2+ years old in their newest update, outraged that the phone only received 2 years of contant updates and improvements. Yet, not a peep when there are no official channels to update to an OS that was released MONTHS before my phone? An OS update which needs to be filtered through the manufacturer, then the carrier, if they even decide to give a shit about releasing it, which they have no inherent motivation to? But hey, I have 'control' of my device, right? Yeah, fuck that. All the tech in the world doesnt matter when the user experience is shit and device support is a complete unknown.

You sound like me a year or so ago. You have to get a phone with 2.3.x+ now or pay the consequences of waiting... and waiting.... and waiting. One of the big things that came out of Google I/O was to have channel partners release more timely updates, but that is most likely post-Ice Cream for phones and tablets.

 

[Bboy AJ]

Why did you get rid of your iPhone then, if it's so great?

I went from my iPhone to Android and I'm probably going back to an iPhone when 5 hits. But I came into it knowing that it would be a different (read: not necessarily better and not necessarily worse) experience. Instead of you coming into it with that mindset, you're looking for constant iOS similarities but patches where you think iOS should be fixed.

It's okay to be pissed but fuck off, we're not trying to hear your shit in a ridiculous manner. If you want to gripe, I'm all about it. I gripe about Android all the time. Just don't whine like a child.

 

[JCX]

Finally got my google music invite!

 

[Circle T]

Are you sure? I have a 4G Data SOC listed on my plan for the Thunderbolt. It doesn't cost extra but it's still an "add-on".

I guess I can't say for certain, as the telcoms are just shady enough to try that, but from everyone I know who has VZW phones (both 3G and 4G), there is nothing different with plans. They may note it differently internally, but when shopping between phones, there is only one plan: the $30 "Unlimited" plan.

A buddy of mine changed his Fascinate for the Charge recently. We don't have LTE here in Omaha just yet, but he was just wanting to get ready. He wasn't due for an upgrade, though, so the Charge was bought full price, and just swapped on his plan. Nothing changed on his plan at all, besides his device details. I guess we'll see once the LTE switch is flipped, if he can connect or not.

But, like I said, as far as I know and have heard, VZW might notate it differently internally, but from the customer's perspective, we all have the same $30 plan.

 

[videogamer]

I guess I can't say for certain, as the telcoms are just shady enough to try that, but from everyone I know who has VZW phones (both 3G and 4G), there is nothing different with plans. They may note it differently internally, but when shopping between phones, there is only one plan: the $30 "Unlimited" plan.

A buddy of mine changed his Fascinate for the Charge recently. We don't have LTE here in Omaha just yet, but he was just wanting to get ready. He wasn't due for an upgrade, though, so the Charge was bought full price, and just swapped on his plan. Nothing changed on his plan at all, besides his device details. I guess we'll see once the LTE switch is flipped, if he can connect or not.

But, like I said, as far as I know and have heard, VZW might notate it differently internally, but from the customer's perspective, we all have the same $30 plan.

why get a charge if there is no lte