Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
Samsung IMHO. They like to pack the most into their phones.
I like Motorola hardware as well, but I've never owned a Moto Android phone. I dont like HTC at all. Sony makes decent stuff but they always delay their phones.
I like Motorola hardware as well, but I've never owned a Moto Android phone. I dont like HTC at all. Sony makes decent stuff but they always delay their phones.
Last edited by civicdrivr; Sep 16, 2012 at 05:01 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I would love an official Sony Nexus device. I really hope they make a high end Nexus device this coming round. I've played with their Xperia line and love the designs on their phones but they're a little slow on releasing their phones that they become dated as they're released. I also like how they contribute the most to AOSP when compared to all other manufacturers and that the Xperia S line is technically a Nexus device now.
http://developer.sonymobile.com/2012...ject-download/
Motorola makes some good hardware as well and now that Google is dipping into their things they may actually have something worthy coming up. Even the revamped Motoblur and RAZR line is not as intrusive these days. I would like to see HTC make a turnaround again since they've been putting out a lot of crap lately minus the One X. ASUS would make a nice Nexus device as well, in my opinion. The Padfone is technically Vanilla but they just marketed it all wrong. We'll probably start getting leaks around mid October.
http://developer.sonymobile.com/2012...ject-download/
Motorola makes some good hardware as well and now that Google is dipping into their things they may actually have something worthy coming up. Even the revamped Motoblur and RAZR line is not as intrusive these days. I would like to see HTC make a turnaround again since they've been putting out a lot of crap lately minus the One X. ASUS would make a nice Nexus device as well, in my opinion. The Padfone is technically Vanilla but they just marketed it all wrong. We'll probably start getting leaks around mid October.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
ohh a sony nexus device would be cool, but somehow i highly doubt that will happen.
Samsung def does make good hardware, but for some reason they always make the nexus device just a tad bit worse in hardware than the corresponding galaxy phone, at least i think.
I wonder if motorola can make a good one. Especially since google now owns the company, they probably have more say in how they want the hardware than any of the other companies.
Samsung def does make good hardware, but for some reason they always make the nexus device just a tad bit worse in hardware than the corresponding galaxy phone, at least i think.
I wonder if motorola can make a good one. Especially since google now owns the company, they probably have more say in how they want the hardware than any of the other companies.
99 TL, 06 E350
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,030
Likes: 164
From: Toronto
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...rticle4550984/
Market Share in the 2nd quarter of 2012:
Android - 104.8 million units
Apple - 26.0 million units
Blackberry - 7.4 million units
Symbian(nokia) - 6.8 Million units
Windows - 5.4 Million units
Linux - 3.5 million units
Others - 0.1 million units
Android - 104.8 million units
Apple - 26.0 million units
Blackberry - 7.4 million units
Symbian(nokia) - 6.8 Million units
Windows - 5.4 Million units
Linux - 3.5 million units
Others - 0.1 million units
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
LG Optimus G
Nice looking phone with some awesome specs:
Qualcomm Quad-core S4 Pro CPU w/ LTE
4.7" TrueHD IPS Display
1280x768 Resolution 320 PPI
2GB RAM
13MP camera with Backside Illumination Sensor f/2.4
2100 mAh battery
32 GB internal no MicroSD
Too bad its running ICS and LG has had some bad rep when it comes to updating their stuff.
Qualcomm Quad-core S4 Pro CPU w/ LTE
4.7" TrueHD IPS Display
1280x768 Resolution 320 PPI
2GB RAM
13MP camera with Backside Illumination Sensor f/2.4
2100 mAh battery
32 GB internal no MicroSD
Too bad its running ICS and LG has had some bad rep when it comes to updating their stuff.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
when are these guys gonna realize, bigger is not always better 
4.7 is just too big!
edit: and i also read a rumor somewhere that the gs4 will be a 5inch display, seriously... soon our phones will be bigger than a tablet...
4.7 is just too big!
edit: and i also read a rumor somewhere that the gs4 will be a 5inch display, seriously... soon our phones will be bigger than a tablet...
takin care of Business in
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,994
Likes: 4,733
From: Kansas City, MO
I agree....i think a perfect phone screen should be around 4-4.5"....if the gs4 comes out with a 5" screen, it will def be an overkill !!!
a phablet on the other hand is perfect at 5-5.5" screen....I love my Galaxy note which is at 5.1" and the note 2 which will be around 5.5".....
and a perfect tablet is around 8-9" screen....any more than that is an overkill....
anyway these are just my opinions....Samsung are you f*cking listening to me??
a phablet on the other hand is perfect at 5-5.5" screen....I love my Galaxy note which is at 5.1" and the note 2 which will be around 5.5".....
and a perfect tablet is around 8-9" screen....any more than that is an overkill....
anyway these are just my opinions....Samsung are you f*cking listening to me??
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Likes: 279
The only thing that keeps me away from droid phones is the size. They are uncomfortably huge; great for screen interaction, but too big when it comes to portability.
I have droid tablets, love 'em. For phone..well you know what I like.
I have droid tablets, love 'em. For phone..well you know what I like.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
The screen size thing is a matter of preference really and how big your hands are. I have no issues with my Nexus and using it with one hand. With that said I think 4.7" would probably be my max size for my hands. My friend has the Note and that is a little too big for me but my friend loves that thing. I've also seen plenty of girls out here in K-town with the Note and the S3 as their phone. All I know is that once you start using a bigger screen, going back down to a smaller one will weird you out. I'm okay with them going bigger since most people these days don't really use their phones to make phone calls any more and just to text and browse and play games. As long as they're keeping up with the resolution, I say keep making them bigger. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 478
From: GA
The screen size thing is a matter of preference really and how big your hands are. I have no issues with my Nexus and using it with one hand. With that said I think 4.7" would probably be my max size for my hands. My friend has the Note and that is a little too big for me but my friend loves that thing. I've also seen plenty of girls out here in K-town with the Note and the S3 as their phone. All I know is that once you start using a bigger screen, going back down to a smaller one will weird you out. I'm okay with them going bigger since most people these days don't really use their phones to make phone calls any more and just to text and browse and play games. As long as they're keeping up with the resolution, I say keep making them bigger.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I don't know if you guys missed it but yesterday Google Maps was updated to include search history syncing among all devices (Under the My Places tab) but more importantly the one handed zoom in/out feature. You double tap and drag diagonally to zoom in and out. Works really great with one handed phone usage.
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2...-one_9699.html
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2...-one_9699.html
When you’re on the go, it can be difficult to recall all of the places you’ve searched on your desktop browser at home. To make Google Maps more useful and comprehensive, we added a few improvements to better sync your maps experience across all of your devices. Today, with the latest release of Google Maps for Android, we’re making it faster and easier for you to get the information you’ve searched for on your browser, right on your Android phone.
Just make sure you’re signed in to Google Maps and your web history is enabled to get a number of new benefits including search and directions history. When you start to type a place or directions into the search box on your Android device, you’ll see suggestions for directions and locations that you’ve previously searched for – making it easier to quickly find directions on the go.
Desktop and Mobile search synchronisation.
You can also see your mapping search history, as well as your directions history, on your Android phone by going to the “Search” or “Directions” tab under My Places. This way, places and businesses you have already searched for will show up in your suggestions to save you time when you’re out and about.
Access your search history under My Places.
Also, as in previous versions of Google Maps for Android, when you chose to set locations such as “home” and “work", you can quickly access directions to these places by simply typing “home” or “work” in the search field on your mobile device.
Searching for work automatically suggests your work address.
We’re always working to make your Google Maps experience more comprehensive, accurate and useful across all devices. To learn more about these features you can visit our site.
Just make sure you’re signed in to Google Maps and your web history is enabled to get a number of new benefits including search and directions history. When you start to type a place or directions into the search box on your Android device, you’ll see suggestions for directions and locations that you’ve previously searched for – making it easier to quickly find directions on the go.
Desktop and Mobile search synchronisation.
You can also see your mapping search history, as well as your directions history, on your Android phone by going to the “Search” or “Directions” tab under My Places. This way, places and businesses you have already searched for will show up in your suggestions to save you time when you’re out and about.
Access your search history under My Places.
Also, as in previous versions of Google Maps for Android, when you chose to set locations such as “home” and “work", you can quickly access directions to these places by simply typing “home” or “work” in the search field on your mobile device.
Searching for work automatically suggests your work address.
We’re always working to make your Google Maps experience more comprehensive, accurate and useful across all devices. To learn more about these features you can visit our site.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Same here. I guess its another bypass to the pinch to zoom patent "by" Apple. Also, the internet is having a field day with the "Amazing iOS 6 Maps". Lol.
http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/
http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/
Same here. I guess its another bypass to the pinch to zoom patent "by" Apple. Also, the internet is having a field day with the "Amazing iOS 6 Maps". Lol.
http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/
http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/
Love it.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Upcoming goodies in Google Maps?
Look what Android Police found in yesterday's Maps update:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/09...tion-and-more/
Pretty interesting stuff. They were right before when Google+ released the Events features.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/09...tion-and-more/
Pretty interesting stuff. They were right before when Google+ released the Events features.
I'm Down Right Fierce!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,953
Likes: 40
From: Irvine, CA
Anyone in this thread have an S3? I just got one to replace the Atrix I lost last weekend.
Already rooted with custom recovery via Odin - wondering if any S3 user has found a good JB rom. I hear the JB update for the S3 is imminent, so I might just flash back to stock and wait it out.
Already rooted with custom recovery via Odin - wondering if any S3 user has found a good JB rom. I hear the JB update for the S3 is imminent, so I might just flash back to stock and wait it out.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
I dont wanna go troll in the iPhone thread so I'll put this here.
Joshua Topolsky, who is probably the best phone reviewer out there IMO, from the verge reviewed the iPhone.
Most of the things were good in the review, except a few things like maps.
But in his closing paragraph, he wrote this. And I totally agree.
This is why my next phone would be windows or android. Although being on tmobile already prevents me from getting an iphone
Joshua Topolsky, who is probably the best phone reviewer out there IMO, from the verge reviewed the iPhone.
Most of the things were good in the review, except a few things like maps.
But in his closing paragraph, he wrote this. And I totally agree.
But there's also another segment of the market, of which I consider myself a part. That segment thinks that there's still a lot of work to be done in mobile devices; still a lot of innovation to come. And that's not innovation for the sake of innovation. I mean real innovation in the way we use our phones, in the flexibility of those operating systems, in how those devices become an extension of ourselves. For that segment, I think the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 fall short. There's a lot more work to be done, but right now Apple seems to be in a holding pattern, too comfortable or too scared to take real chances.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,077
Likes: 3,669
From: Vancouver BC
...so, my gf updated her iPhone 4S and iPad 2 to the new iO6... I feel sorry for iPhone users. Well, at least with that new map, it's absolute crap. They're trying to do that 3D, flyover view thing like Google Map and it's not even close. For their sake... (or at least for my gf's sake...) I hope they fix it and make it respectable. The flyover view with Google Map was on my HTC Nexus ONE back in 2010 and it was better then (vs today's iO6 map)
My gf tried asking Siri where the nearest Starbucks, she had to ask it 4-5 times before it finally worked. I really don't give a flying
how much more apps they have, and supposedly better apps... I still don't understand why people still preach the Book of Jobs 
My gf tried asking Siri where the nearest Starbucks, she had to ask it 4-5 times before it finally worked. I really don't give a flying
how much more apps they have, and supposedly better apps... I still don't understand why people still preach the Book of Jobs
Last edited by is300eater; Sep 21, 2012 at 01:15 AM.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,077
Likes: 3,669
From: Vancouver BC
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Jelly Bean officially rolling out for Verizon Galaxy Nexus (took them long enough):
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/09/21...d-rolling-out/
Watch this thread later for download links or the Android blogs will have them up eventually:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1419170
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/09/21...d-rolling-out/
Watch this thread later for download links or the Android blogs will have them up eventually:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1419170
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I dont wanna go troll in the iPhone thread so I'll put this here.
Joshua Topolsky, who is probably the best phone reviewer out there IMO, from the verge reviewed the iPhone.
Most of the things were good in the review, except a few things like maps.
But in his closing paragraph, he wrote this. And I totally agree.
This is why my next phone would be windows or android. Although being on tmobile already prevents me from getting an iphone
Joshua Topolsky, who is probably the best phone reviewer out there IMO, from the verge reviewed the iPhone.
Most of the things were good in the review, except a few things like maps.
But in his closing paragraph, he wrote this. And I totally agree.
This is why my next phone would be windows or android. Although being on tmobile already prevents me from getting an iphone
Don't get me wrong, iOS is a beautiful and well-structured mobile operating system — but it's begun to show its age. It feels less useful to me today than it did a couple of years ago, especially in the face of increasingly sophisticated competition. I always have this sense now in iOS of not knowing where I am, what my status is — constantly having to load things and reload them. It feels tiring.
Maybe you'll call me an Android fanboy for saying this, or maybe it's because much of my business utilizes Google apps and its communication tools, but it didn't take me very long with the iPhone 5 to start thinking about getting back to the Galaxy Nexus and Jelly Bean (Android 4.1). For what I do, I think it's a more effective, more elegant, and more powerful OS right now. What it may lack in polish and consistency, it makes up for in power and flexibility.
Maybe you'll call me an Android fanboy for saying this, or maybe it's because much of my business utilizes Google apps and its communication tools, but it didn't take me very long with the iPhone 5 to start thinking about getting back to the Galaxy Nexus and Jelly Bean (Android 4.1). For what I do, I think it's a more effective, more elegant, and more powerful OS right now. What it may lack in polish and consistency, it makes up for in power and flexibility.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 168
Honestly, Apple is starting to sound like Honda in the '00s. they are riding the good will and popularity they've cultivated under a charismatic leader.
Unfortunately, his singular vision is gone. It seems Android won't have that inherent problem....the strength of its following is based on the innovation of its users. Sure, its messy at times, but its less likely lose momentum or steam.
Anyways, coming back down to the here and now: I'm due for an upgrade. I'm thinking about getting the GS3, but I have to admit that the Note 2 looks intriguing since I work from home (my phone is rarely in my pocket).
Unfortunately, his singular vision is gone. It seems Android won't have that inherent problem....the strength of its following is based on the innovation of its users. Sure, its messy at times, but its less likely lose momentum or steam.
Anyways, coming back down to the here and now: I'm due for an upgrade. I'm thinking about getting the GS3, but I have to admit that the Note 2 looks intriguing since I work from home (my phone is rarely in my pocket).
Last edited by CarbonGray Earl; Sep 21, 2012 at 11:19 AM.