Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
#4161
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 43,640
Received 3,860 Likes
on
2,580 Posts
In anything other than sunny conditions I agree. However I have taken several rather clear and sharp pictures in those conditions with both my TouchPro2, Incredible, and Tbolt. I mean obviously they don't compare at all to my S90 or my D300 but I am not expecting them to. I just want to see a steady progression to better than before that is all I ask.
#4162
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 43,640
Received 3,860 Likes
on
2,580 Posts
In other news the lack of GN news is starting to annoy me a good bit.
#4163
Suzuka Master
Damn those pics look nice!
#4165
How do you guys upgrade phones every year or sooner?
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
#4166
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 43,640
Received 3,860 Likes
on
2,580 Posts
How do you guys upgrade phones every year or sooner?
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
Basically you buy you first phone right when it comes out for between 200-300 with a new contract. That same phone without a contract is like 500-600. In 11-12months put that phone on ebay and normally you can get between 200-300 for that phone from people who want it but are not eligible for an upgrade still or don't want to lock into a new contract. Then put that money towards a phone at full cost and you end up getting one at a discount price almost. Probably a little over but close to it. Then repeat this in another 11-12months at which time you are selling your current phone plus getting your new one at 2 year contract price which means this purchase almost becomes free in the end which will balance out the little more you spent the last time. Continuously repeat. Obviously if you are really hard on your phones this does not work. I always use a case and screen protector and between the two have only had one mark on all 4 of my last phone combined.
#4167
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
How do you guys upgrade phones every year or sooner?
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
With cold hard cash?
Or is it..... a swipe of the debit/credit card?
no really though. I like shiny new gadgets but I dunno if I could forego the contract subsidization just to have an unlocked phone. I guess I'm not a power user.
#4168
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 43,640
Received 3,860 Likes
on
2,580 Posts
LOL same here. I have all my old phones cause I love having a history of Technology. I have been lucky and my dad hates having to learn new technology so I just use his upgrade every other year along with mine.
#4169
Safety Car
I'm the same way with my cell phones. lol. I change phones about once a year but I do have to stop. Its getting expensive. lol. I do have a few laying around and I still play with my old ones every now and then. I also gave away a few of my phones to relatives that need a spare phone. My last contract was with the Motorola V6 when AT&T was still Cingular and that was the last contract I've had. lol. My bro did renew it recently for an iPhone 4S and it screwed up my account for a few days. My list of phones:
Motorola V6i --> Sony Ericsson T61 --> Sony Ericcson P800 --> HTC Wizard --> Samsung G600 --> Nokia N95 --> HTC Ion --> Samsung Galaxy S
I loved my P800 and actually wanted to get a P910 to replace it but I was a broke High School kid back then. lol. I remember people asking how to use a touch screen phone and they found it so complicated with the stylus. I thought it was ingenious and actually used my phone as a GPS amongst other things. Symbian was awesome back then.
And with all of that said, I just pulled the trigger on a Galaxy Nexus last night from Handtec. I actually wasn't going to get it for a while but my girlfriend is helping me pick it up as a bday/xmas gift. (Yes, she's a keeper. ) Its coming on Monday barring any delays with customs. Will post once I get it.
Motorola V6i --> Sony Ericsson T61 --> Sony Ericcson P800 --> HTC Wizard --> Samsung G600 --> Nokia N95 --> HTC Ion --> Samsung Galaxy S
I loved my P800 and actually wanted to get a P910 to replace it but I was a broke High School kid back then. lol. I remember people asking how to use a touch screen phone and they found it so complicated with the stylus. I thought it was ingenious and actually used my phone as a GPS amongst other things. Symbian was awesome back then.
And with all of that said, I just pulled the trigger on a Galaxy Nexus last night from Handtec. I actually wasn't going to get it for a while but my girlfriend is helping me pick it up as a bday/xmas gift. (Yes, she's a keeper. ) Its coming on Monday barring any delays with customs. Will post once I get it.
#4170
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
I loved my P800 and actually wanted to get a P910 to replace it but I was a broke High School kid back then. lol. I remember people asking how to use a touch screen phone and they found it so complicated with the stylus. I thought it was ingenious and actually used my phone as a GPS amongst other things. Symbian was awesome back then.
I was hoping that there would some way to port Android to my P990, but I can't find anything for it
Every now and then I play with my G1. Its amazing to see how far Android has come in such a short amount of time.
I think I got my first cellphone back in 2002 with Sprint. I had the first color screen phone they had, it was a Samsung......I forget the model name. Then I went to TMobile and picked up the Samsung E715 - the best regular phone Ive ever owned. That thing lasted forever. I think thats somewhere in my old room in NY. I need to find it.
EDIT - The color screen phone with Sprint was the N400. It wasnt my first phone. I had a run of the mill flip phone for about a month before that one was released and got the N400 for Christmas.
Last edited by civicdrivr; 12-09-2011 at 05:26 PM.
#4171
I'm the same way with my cell phones. lol. I change phones about once a year but I do have to stop. Its getting expensive. lol. I do have a few laying around and I still play with my old ones every now and then. I also gave away a few of my phones to relatives that need a spare phone. My last contract was with the Motorola V6 when AT&T was still Cingular and that was the last contract I've had. lol. My bro did renew it recently for an iPhone 4S and it screwed up my account for a few days. My list of phones:
Motorola V6i --> Sony Ericsson T61 --> Sony Ericcson P800 --> HTC Wizard --> Samsung G600 --> Nokia N95 --> HTC Ion --> Samsung Galaxy S
I loved my P800 and actually wanted to get a P910 to replace it but I was a broke High School kid back then. lol. I remember people asking how to use a touch screen phone and they found it so complicated with the stylus. I thought it was ingenious and actually used my phone as a GPS amongst other things. Symbian was awesome back then.
And with all of that said, I just pulled the trigger on a Galaxy Nexus last night from Handtec. I actually wasn't going to get it for a while but my girlfriend is helping me pick it up as a bday/xmas gift. (Yes, she's a keeper. ) Its coming on Monday barring any delays with customs. Will post once I get it.
Motorola V6i --> Sony Ericsson T61 --> Sony Ericcson P800 --> HTC Wizard --> Samsung G600 --> Nokia N95 --> HTC Ion --> Samsung Galaxy S
I loved my P800 and actually wanted to get a P910 to replace it but I was a broke High School kid back then. lol. I remember people asking how to use a touch screen phone and they found it so complicated with the stylus. I thought it was ingenious and actually used my phone as a GPS amongst other things. Symbian was awesome back then.
And with all of that said, I just pulled the trigger on a Galaxy Nexus last night from Handtec. I actually wasn't going to get it for a while but my girlfriend is helping me pick it up as a bday/xmas gift. (Yes, she's a keeper. ) Its coming on Monday barring any delays with customs. Will post once I get it.
#4172
Safety Car
#4173
Safety Car
I owned a P800 for a short time years ago. I bought it used and the speaker didnt work That phone got me hooked on smart phones though. I thought the P series phones were the best thing ever since you could remove the number pad if you wanted to.
I was hoping that there would some way to port Android to my P990, but I can't find anything for it
Every now and then I play with my G1. Its amazing to see how far Android has come in such a short amount of time.
I think I got my first cellphone back in 2002 with Sprint. I had the first color screen phone they had, it was a Samsung......I forget the model name. Then I went to TMobile and picked up the Samsung E715 - the best regular phone Ive ever owned. That thing lasted forever. I think thats somewhere in my old room in NY. I need to find it.
EDIT - The color screen phone with Sprint was the N400. It wasnt my first phone. I had a run of the mill flip phone for about a month before that one was released and got the N400 for Christmas.
I was hoping that there would some way to port Android to my P990, but I can't find anything for it
Every now and then I play with my G1. Its amazing to see how far Android has come in such a short amount of time.
I think I got my first cellphone back in 2002 with Sprint. I had the first color screen phone they had, it was a Samsung......I forget the model name. Then I went to TMobile and picked up the Samsung E715 - the best regular phone Ive ever owned. That thing lasted forever. I think thats somewhere in my old room in NY. I need to find it.
EDIT - The color screen phone with Sprint was the N400. It wasnt my first phone. I had a run of the mill flip phone for about a month before that one was released and got the N400 for Christmas.
#4174
I've got spurs...
I just got my "biggie" Christmas gift early because my old phone just died on me. I got a Droid Razr. So far I love it. The screen is huge and crisp. I haven't gotten much chance to play with the camera yet, but hopefully I will this weekend. This is my first smart phone, so I can't really compare it to any other phones. I like Android so far, I may try to write some programs for it for fun after finals week.
I just got done playing some Onlive games on it. As much as I love building my own computers, I really see something like Onlive being huge in the future. Being able to play computer games with decent graphics on a tablet/netbook/phone is just cool.
Sorry if this has already been asked a million times, but is there any specific apps I should get?
I just got done playing some Onlive games on it. As much as I love building my own computers, I really see something like Onlive being huge in the future. Being able to play computer games with decent graphics on a tablet/netbook/phone is just cool.
Sorry if this has already been asked a million times, but is there any specific apps I should get?
#4175
KINDLE FIRE
Per your Cons for the Nexus:
-- what the heck do you mean by full use of 1280x720??? Do you even need to have it "full" use?
-- megapixels are not the benchmark for cameras. It is about the sensor, and the Samsung camera sensors right now are 100 out of 100 better than HTC sensors, so despite the "low" megapixels, you are getting a better camera than the Rezound.... unless you want to take giant poster photos all day, then by all means go get a big number megapixel camera
-- sense vs. stock ICS is all up to personal preference. Choose what you like.
Per your Cons for the Nexus:
-- what the heck do you mean by full use of 1280x720??? Do you even need to have it "full" use?
-- megapixels are not the benchmark for cameras. It is about the sensor, and the Samsung camera sensors right now are 100 out of 100 better than HTC sensors, so despite the "low" megapixels, you are getting a better camera than the Rezound.... unless you want to take giant poster photos all day, then by all means go get a big number megapixel camera
-- sense vs. stock ICS is all up to personal preference. Choose what you like.
For 7" tablets, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is king.
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsun...initial-review Better link
Don't confuse this with the original Galaxy Tab 7.0 which is fatter and runs Gingerbread. Its using the same Exynos processor found in the Galaxy S 2 and is way more capable than the Tegra 2. Arguable about the Tegra 3, but graphics wise should match or better it. Price wise its going around $700 right now but that's because it isn't officially released in the US yet.
For the more budget oriented, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 (Dual Core Tegra):
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-A1.../dp/B00548QAPC
Lenovo K1 (This is a single core and not really the best in performance or in price. lol.):
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Ideapad...3275386&sr=1-2
Then there's the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet. The Kindle Fire is not the fastest but seems to be more customizable than the Nook Tablet due to the open bootloader. I guess it really doesn't matter for a 6 year old kid though. lol. Also the Nook Tablet limits you to 1 GB of space for non-Nook apps which is pretty small.
If you really want performance, wait for the Samsung 7.7. If want something in the middle, the Acer. If just for consuming media, the Kindle or the Nook leaning more towards the Kindle at the moment.
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsun...initial-review Better link
Don't confuse this with the original Galaxy Tab 7.0 which is fatter and runs Gingerbread. Its using the same Exynos processor found in the Galaxy S 2 and is way more capable than the Tegra 2. Arguable about the Tegra 3, but graphics wise should match or better it. Price wise its going around $700 right now but that's because it isn't officially released in the US yet.
For the more budget oriented, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 (Dual Core Tegra):
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-A1.../dp/B00548QAPC
Lenovo K1 (This is a single core and not really the best in performance or in price. lol.):
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Ideapad...3275386&sr=1-2
Then there's the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet. The Kindle Fire is not the fastest but seems to be more customizable than the Nook Tablet due to the open bootloader. I guess it really doesn't matter for a 6 year old kid though. lol. Also the Nook Tablet limits you to 1 GB of space for non-Nook apps which is pretty small.
If you really want performance, wait for the Samsung 7.7. If want something in the middle, the Acer. If just for consuming media, the Kindle or the Nook leaning more towards the Kindle at the moment.
OMG... thanks so very much yall!!!!
This is why I love AZ!
#4176
Safety Car
My Nexus literally just arrived! Just a little disappointed Handtec used no protection on this. It just came in one of those huge Fedex bubble envelopes and no foam or stuffer to prevent the phone from moving around. Shipping is really fast from the UK. Ordered at Thursday midnight and arrived here in the west coast at 9 AM. Time to play. Hehe.
#4177
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Cant wait for a review. I just flashed the latest CM9 (Alpha 13). Still getting everything setup again. I love the UI though. Its a huge improvement. I don't even need to use a launcher on it, the stock launcher works great.
#4178
Safety Car
So really quick impressions. Phone feels awesome in the hand. It is slightly larger than the Galaxy S but its not so noticeable probably because its so thin. The metal trim makes it feel less plasticy but when you touch the back cover it reminds you of it. Its really not bad though. It feels less plasticy than my Galaxy S and closer to that iPhone feel. Phone is very light. It feels lighter than my Galaxy S. Its thinner than the Galaxy S at the thinnest point but slightly thicker at the thickest end. I just got an update, probably the volume bug fix which doesn't affect the US. ICS is snappy on this phone. A lot faster than the ICS builds I was using on the Galaxy S. Whether that's due to the missing HW composition or something else, its very noticeable. Will probably get a good review in the next couple of days as I'm gonna be rooting this thing and getting a custom ROM on it. lol.
Family picture:
Google Ion, Samsung Galaxy S i9000M, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Family picture:
Google Ion, Samsung Galaxy S i9000M, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
#4179
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
You're making me want to buy it.
#4180
So really quick impressions. Phone feels awesome in the hand. It is slightly larger than the Galaxy S but its not so noticeable probably because its so thin. The metal trim makes it feel less plasticy but when you touch the back cover it reminds you of it. Its really not bad though. It feels less plasticy than my Galaxy S and closer to that iPhone feel. Phone is very light. It feels lighter than my Galaxy S. Its thinner than the Galaxy S at the thinnest point but slightly thicker at the thickest end. I just got an update, probably the volume bug fix which doesn't affect the US. ICS is snappy on this phone. A lot faster than the ICS builds I was using on the Galaxy S. Whether that's due to the missing HW composition or something else, its very noticeable. Will probably get a good review in the next couple of days as I'm gonna be rooting this thing and getting a custom ROM on it. lol.
Family picture:
Google Ion, Samsung Galaxy S i9000M, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Family picture:
Google Ion, Samsung Galaxy S i9000M, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Sorry for the many questions, I'd just like to get an idea before making the jump
#4181
Safety Car
Do it. You know you want to. lol. Negri Elictronics has it for $685 with the code "VZSUCKS". lol.
I'm on AT&T. I will let you know about speeds once I choose a proper ROM. lol. My speeds might not be representative of actual speeds because I'm using a non-smartphone plan and AT&T has since started capping speeds on it. I might be forced to get a regular data plan but I'll wait for them to force it on me. It is HSPA+ pentaband so it should work on T-Mobile as well. I've seen people reporting around 6-10 Mbps on AT&T on XDA.
I'm on AT&T. I will let you know about speeds once I choose a proper ROM. lol. My speeds might not be representative of actual speeds because I'm using a non-smartphone plan and AT&T has since started capping speeds on it. I might be forced to get a regular data plan but I'll wait for them to force it on me. It is HSPA+ pentaband so it should work on T-Mobile as well. I've seen people reporting around 6-10 Mbps on AT&T on XDA.
#4182
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Damn you. I checked out prices and saw $744 as the lowest, then came here to see a discount code making it even more enticing. Is that where you bought yours? $685 is a bit easier to spend since I spent over $500 for the NS. I cant justify dropping over $700 on a phone though.
T-Mos bands are 850/1900 (voice) and 1700/2100 (data). T-Mos "4G" should work on this phone.
T-Mos bands are 850/1900 (voice) and 1700/2100 (data). T-Mos "4G" should work on this phone.
#4183
Safety Car
Damn you. I checked out prices and saw $744 as the lowest, then came here to see a discount code making it even more enticing. Is that where you bought yours? $685 is a bit easier to spend since I spent over $500 for the NS. I cant justify dropping over $700 on a phone though.
T-Mos bands are 850/1900 (voice) and 1700/2100 (data). T-Mos "4G" should work on this phone.
T-Mos bands are 850/1900 (voice) and 1700/2100 (data). T-Mos "4G" should work on this phone.
Just unlocked the bootloader, rooted, flashed CWM recovery and backed up my IMEI. Now to choose a ROM. lol.
#4184
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Im going to hold out a few days before pulling the trigger. I want to see what you think of it. Theres still that voice in the back of my head saying dont do it, its not a monumental jump - according to the spec sheet - from my NS.
#4185
Safety Car
Understandable. The Nexus S still has some life in it. Will let you guys know how it goes in the next few days. Having a hard time choosing a ROM. So many options trying to figure out what I want. I think I may go with Modaco's for now...
#4186
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Just try 'em all!
#4188
Suzuka Master
Wow... so jealous!!!
Google should just screw verizon and release ICS on the NS already!!
Google should just screw verizon and release ICS on the NS already!!
#4190
Safety Car
Preliminary battery life on Galaxy Nexus with 26% left after 13 hours:
I feel like my Galaxy S has better battery life but it actually didn't do all that bad considering it was on 3G/HSPA for the majority of the time. Also, this is only my second battery cycle after changing kernels as well. In other words, it needs a few more cycles to get a better representation of battery life.
I feel like my Galaxy S has better battery life but it actually didn't do all that bad considering it was on 3G/HSPA for the majority of the time. Also, this is only my second battery cycle after changing kernels as well. In other words, it needs a few more cycles to get a better representation of battery life.
#4191
Safety Car
^I forgot to mention the battery screen above started at 90%. So add another 5-6% to the 26% after 13 hours and its not that bad.
3G/HSPA+ on AT&T's network in LA at different times of the day:
My data speeds are not indicative of proper speeds mainly due to my data plan. AT&T has started to cap speeds on the data plan and the most I've seen is 5 Mbps on it. I do feel though that the upload speed could be better. May have to try a different baseband.
Oh and yes, I'm using a modified button sequence at the bottom. Normally, the Galaxy Nexus only shows Back, Home and Recent apps. I'm using a Left Menu, Back, Home, Search, Recent Apps, Right Menu configuration.
3G/HSPA+ on AT&T's network in LA at different times of the day:
My data speeds are not indicative of proper speeds mainly due to my data plan. AT&T has started to cap speeds on the data plan and the most I've seen is 5 Mbps on it. I do feel though that the upload speed could be better. May have to try a different baseband.
Oh and yes, I'm using a modified button sequence at the bottom. Normally, the Galaxy Nexus only shows Back, Home and Recent apps. I'm using a Left Menu, Back, Home, Search, Recent Apps, Right Menu configuration.
#4192
Suzuka Master
Interesting, battery life seems so so, I've heard the GSII has amazing battery life, I wonder how this compares to that.
#4193
Safety Car
Yeah. I think it may need a few more cycles to settle down. We'll see. In other news, new Android Market update 3.4.4:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/12...-market-3-4-4/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/12...-market-3-4-4/
#4194
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Age: 38
Posts: 43,640
Received 3,860 Likes
on
2,580 Posts
Want Galaxy Nexus NOW Verzion
#4195
My Garage
#4196
Safety Car
An early leaked build of Galaxy S II running ICS:
Looks like this is the path all the skins will be taking. Same look just with the ICS framework. Then again, this is an early build. Maybe they'll change it.
Looks like this is the path all the skins will be taking. Same look just with the ICS framework. Then again, this is an early build. Maybe they'll change it.
#4197
Safety Car
New 3D launcher:
Source: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/12...fore-watching/
Looks pretty awesome and its running on a Desire HD. A lot of the elements look like they're from the never released TAT Launcher who got bought by RIM.
Source: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/12...fore-watching/
Looks pretty awesome and its running on a Desire HD. A lot of the elements look like they're from the never released TAT Launcher who got bought by RIM.
#4198
Safety Car
Finally Google+ will be adding the ability to start a Hangout from an Android or iPhone!
https://plus.google.com/107117483540...ts/enxUkspe5Dn
Today, we improve the service significantly.
1) We are enabling you to hangout on any post.
2) We've reached an important milestone for "Hangouts on Air". Hundreds of people (who we have whitelisted as part of our trial) can now broadcast their hangouts to the entire world for free completely self-service. Our goal is to enable this for everyone on the planet.
3) We are making it possible for you to start hangouts from messenger on Android or iPhone devices.
4) You can call any phone number in the world and conference in anyone.
5) We threw in a reindeer :-)
1) We are enabling you to hangout on any post.
2) We've reached an important milestone for "Hangouts on Air". Hundreds of people (who we have whitelisted as part of our trial) can now broadcast their hangouts to the entire world for free completely self-service. Our goal is to enable this for everyone on the planet.
3) We are making it possible for you to start hangouts from messenger on Android or iPhone devices.
4) You can call any phone number in the world and conference in anyone.
5) We threw in a reindeer :-)
#4200
Safety Car
What version of the market are you running? Open up Market --> Menu --> Settings. Scroll down. I believe they introduced this "feature" in version 3.1.2 and I don't think there's a way to turn it off.