OT:Smart Phones

[bdunn13]

HTC Desire should be out in late March early april - I will likely get one when it is released. I would take my chances on a Nexus but I don't want to buy a phone directly from Google. Really poor marketing and business decisions on their part.

I have been using a G1 for about 18 months now and can't see myself using anything but an android/linux based phone for the foreseeable future.

[wco81]

Thing about the Nexus One on TMobile is that it's not any cheaper than the iPhone. I think the contract monthly prices are about the same, if not more. It's at least the $70 which AT&T charges for iPhone plans.

You can use it on AT&T but only with Edge speeds.

It's unlocked so if you travel overseas, you might be able to use prepaid SIMs with reasonable data prices.

There are no such plans in the US. You have to sign up for a postpaid contract, even if you pay $579 to own the phone.

The big money is in those contracts. I can easily get by with the $15 a month data plan for 250 MB. Most of the time, I'm accessing data on the iPhone at home or at the office so I don't want to pay for an unlimited data contract, which also requires a voice plan.

[Spooky]

Okay...calling all Verizon users!!!

A friend is in the new phone market and these are her two main requirements:

1. A solid physical keyboard as close to BB as possible.

2. A much better internet browser than a BB Curve.

A good camera is a 'nice to have'.

She wants to stay on Verizon and I don't think price is a big factor/concern.

And...DB...I don't think she is sold on the physical keyboard of the Droid or else that would be a top runner.

Any and all help ASAP would be appreciated!

[wco81]

RIMM demonstrated their Webkit-based browser last week. Not clear when it will be available or to which models.

So maybe at some point in the future, Blackberry could have a better browsing experience.

[dbdynsty25]

Okay...calling all Verizon users!!!

A friend is in the new phone market and these are her two main requirements:

1. A solid physical keyboard as close to BB as possible.

2. A much better internet browser than a BB Curve.

A good camera is a 'nice to have'.

She wants to stay on Verizon and I don't think price is a big factor/concern.

And...DB...I don't think she is sold on the physical keyboard of the Droid or else that would be a top runner.

Any and all help ASAP would be appreciated!

Tell her to wait till Thursday. Motorola Devour is being released through Best Buy or other secondary resellers (I believe Verizon stores on March 15). It's basically the newest Android device on Verizon. It's basically the same as the Eris, but with a slide out keyboard. It uses the new MotoBlur interface on top of the Android OS. It comes with a full keyboard which is supposedly better than the Droid one (I personally love the Droid one after I got used to it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RzcWeux ... r_embedded

I'm getting that one for my wife to replace her Eris. She just wants a full keyboard and doesn't care if it's the fastest phone.

[Spooky]

Okay...calling all Verizon users!!!

A friend is in the new phone market and these are her two main requirements:

1. A solid physical keyboard as close to BB as possible.

2. A much better internet browser than a BB Curve.

A good camera is a 'nice to have'.

She wants to stay on Verizon and I don't think price is a big factor/concern.

And...DB...I don't think she is sold on the physical keyboard of the Droid or else that would be a top runner.

Any and all help ASAP would be appreciated!

Tell her to wait till Thursday. Motorola Devour is being released through Best Buy or other secondary resellers (I believe Verizon stores on March 15). It's basically the newest Android device on Verizon. It's basically the same as the Eris, but with a slide out keyboard. It uses the new MotoBlur interface on top of the Android OS. It comes with a full keyboard which is supposedly better than the Droid one (I personally love the Droid one after I got used to it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RzcWeux ... r_embedded

I'm getting that one for my wife to replace her Eris. She just wants a full keyboard and doesn't care if it's the fastest phone.

DB...this does look very promising. Can you tell me what exactly is different about it from the Droid. It basically looks the same to me. What's different about the keyboard?

Is there an easy spec/feature comparison?

[dbdynsty25]

How's this:

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/compar ... =&id[]=&id[]=

Basically it comes down to these two keys:

1. Bigger screen with a twice the resolution on the Droid
2. 2.0 software on the Droid w/ 2.1 coming soon

That's not to say that the Devour won't get 2.1 or even 2.0 (it currently runs 1.6) but as of now it hasn't been announced. All Android phones will eventually get it...its just a matter of timeframe.

The processor on the Devour is supposed to be better than the Droids, but the 2.0 software is more "bare bones" so it doesn't have all of the pretty interface tweaks which essentially slow the system down a bit, so in that regards, they are virtually identical. The keyboard difference is that the Droid is more flat and only has three rows meaning you have to hit ALT before you hit the numbers. I'd definitely prefer the Devour keyboard if I had a choice between the two but like I said before...the Droid is pretty damn good after you get used to it.

[Spooky]

How's this:

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/compar ... =&id[]=&id[]=

Basically it comes down to these two keys:

1. Bigger screen with a twice the resolution on the Droid
2. 2.0 software on the Droid w/ 2.1 coming soon

That's not to say that the Devour won't get 2.1 or even 2.0 (it currently runs 1.6) but as of now it hasn't been announced. All Android phones will eventually get it...its just a matter of timeframe.

The processor on the Devour is supposed to be better than the Droids, but the 2.0 software is more "bare bones" so it doesn't have all of the pretty interface tweaks which essentially slow the system down a bit, so in that regards, they are virtually identical. The keyboard difference is that the Droid is more flat and only has three rows meaning you have to hit ALT before you hit the numbers. I'd definitely prefer the Devour keyboard if I had a choice between the two but like I said before...the Droid is pretty damn good after you get used to it.

SO helpful DB! Thanks bro!

[jondiehl]

Wow, these Androids phones are coming out fast and furious. I love it!

I can't wait for my 24 month upgrade with Sprint (that I get every 12 months as a Premier user, hehe). By October, I'm sure I'll have quite a few new phones to drool over to replace my Hero.

[dbdynsty25]

Wow, these Androids phones are coming out fast and furious. I love it!

I can't wait for my 24 month upgrade with Sprint (that I get every 12 months as a Premier user, hehe). By October, I'm sure I'll have quite a few new phones to drool over to replace my Hero.

Yeah...I think the number was 22 in 2010. Obviously that's on all US carriers, so it'll be 4 or 5 per. I'm telling you guys...it's gonna be way bigger than iPhone by the end of the year.

[TheCentralScrutinizer]

I would take my chances on a Nexus but I don't want to buy a phone directly from Google. Really poor marketing and business decisions on their part.

Anyone here gotten the Nexus One? I think the main drawback for me is that I can't use my status with T-Mobile as a longtime customer (have been there since 2003) to my advantage in 1) getting a discount on the purchase price or 2) getting a break on the monthly plan price. T-Mobile is known to do both of these things for customers who have been with them for a while. I went to the T-Mobile store the other day and asked about the Nexus One and the salesperson really tried to distance themselves from the phone as much as possible. I wonder if the 800 number people would be any more helpful. I have serious hesitations about purchasing through google.com/phone because the site makes it seem like there is only one plan option, and there is nothing there about a family plan (which I currently have at T-Mobile - and I would want to get two Nexus Ones...which would usually get me another price break with any other T-Mobile phones).

[macsomjrr]

Wow, these Androids phones are coming out fast and furious. I love it!

I can't wait for my 24 month upgrade with Sprint (that I get every 12 months as a Premier user, hehe). By October, I'm sure I'll have quite a few new phones to drool over to replace my Hero.

Yeah...I think the number was 22 in 2010. Obviously that's on all US carriers, so it'll be 4 or 5 per. I'm telling you guys...it's gonna be way bigger than iPhone by the end of the year.

hahahahahaha! Oh wait, you're being serious.

[dbdynsty25]

Wow, these Androids phones are coming out fast and furious. I love it!

I can't wait for my 24 month upgrade with Sprint (that I get every 12 months as a Premier user, hehe). By October, I'm sure I'll have quite a few new phones to drool over to replace my Hero.

Yeah...I think the number was 22 in 2010. Obviously that's on all US carriers, so it'll be 4 or 5 per. I'm telling you guys...it's gonna be way bigger than iPhone by the end of the year.

hahahahahaha! Oh wait, you're being serious.

As a heart attack.

Just wait. By the end of the year, sales of Android devices will surpass iPhone. It's not a really fair stat because there are significantly more phones that run Android than iPhone OS...but the point is that Android is big...and with so many phones coming out this year, it's only obvious that it'll catch the iPhone. Especially given the fact that it's a better phone operating system that allows you to get one on a better network.

[dbdynsty25]

Here ya go Spooky...another early hands on. Pretty good info and some interface examples. Looks cool. Went and preordered one at Best Buy for the wife..or me if it's badass. Doubt it'll best the Droid, but still...always good to have options.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dtvwnx ... r_embedded

[macsomjrr]

Yeah...I think the number was 22 in 2010. Obviously that's on all US carriers, so it'll be 4 or 5 per. I'm telling you guys...it's gonna be way bigger than iPhone by the end of the year.

hahahahahaha! Oh wait, you're being serious.

As a heart attack.

Just wait. By the end of the year, sales of Android devices will surpass iPhone. It's not a really fair stat because there are significantly more phones that run Android than iPhone OS...but the point is that Android is big...and with so many phones coming out this year, it's only obvious that it'll catch the iPhone. Especially given the fact that it's a better phone operating system that allows you to get one on a better network.

Three words: iPhone on Verizon.

I love Google as much as the next guy but the iPhone just isn't going anywhere. It's the iPod of cell phones and just like the Zune and the rest of the mp3 player wannabes only something that completely changes the cell phone landscape is going to change that. The Google phone is too iPhone-like to really make people want to switch. Sure it has a couple unique features but nothing that makes me say "OMG I have to own an Android-based phone!"

[Spooky]

Here ya go Spooky...another early hands on. Pretty good info and some interface examples. Looks cool. Went and preordered one at Best Buy for the wife..or me if it's badass. Doubt it'll best the Droid, but still...always good to have options.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dtvwnx ... r_embedded

Thanks DB!

[dbdynsty25]

Three words: iPhone on Verizon.

I love Google as much as the next guy but the iPhone just isn't going anywhere. It's the iPod of cell phones and just like the Zune and the rest of the mp3 player wannabes only something that completely changes the cell phone landscape is going to change that. The Google phone is too iPhone-like to really make people want to switch. Sure it has a couple unique features but nothing that makes me say "OMG I have to own an Android-based phone!"

The problem with iPhone on Verizon is that...well...to be honest, most people that wanted an iPhone...switched over to At&t already to get one. The churn rates when the iPhone was released initially spiked and continued to do so each and every year. I have a feeling the significant majority that want one, have one.

Not to mention there still hasn't been anything announced and we're looking at next summer at the earliest when LTE starts to actually roll out and all providers are using the same network infrastructure...so settle down with your "three words" that may not even happen...EVER. Do you think Verizon needs to cave to Apple's demands on controlling everything? They didn't before, why would they now? Just a thought.

[wco81]

Rumors are that Apple wants a certain amount per iPhone on Verizon and VZW only wants to pay as much as the Droid. Difference is said to be $100-200.

Droid sales started out great with the big TV ad campaign but are said to have fallen off. So each Android manufacturer has to top others with new form factors, because the shelf life is apparently limited. Apple by contrast has been able to get away with one release per year so far, mainly because the App. Store keeps the interest of the users.

Google claims overall Android sales are accelerating but they may need to put some money into advertising, not just against iPhone but to fend of MS, which is going after the same manufacturers.

That and maybe some kind of a support infrastructure so that people can call them if they're having problems. Not sure some of the smaller Asian manufacturers have much support presence in the US.

[Badger_Fan]

You need to separate out Android-based phones from the Nexus One when talking about support from Google. They are totally different. The support for all of the other Android phones (Droid, Hero, Droid Eris, Cliq, etc) is the same as any other mobile phone on various carriers.

People may be having support issues with the N1, but they had to know going in that they were buying a phone from a company with no retail experience.

That said, the only thing that is really hurting right now is the fragmentation of the Android phones based on which version of Android they are running. I'm eagerly awaiting the 2.1 release for the Cliq to go live. And I can say that this is the main thing that they need to address. They should have one main Android version that they are running and update the phones at once as opposed to the method they are using now.

[dbdynsty25]

That said, the only thing that is really hurting right now is the fragmentation of the Android phones based on which version of Android they are running.

That's true and all, but it's no different than any other OS out there. I don't think the fragmentation is THAT big when it comes to Android. Sure, some people may know the difference between 1.6 and 2.0 or 2.1, but 90% of the word doesn't know and doesn't care. They want a phone that can do cool sh*t which both versions of Android do. Obviously functions that are available on 2.1 or 2.0 (like Google Earth or Turn By Turn Navigation) are pretty big selling points, so I am confused as to why the updates haven't come faster than they have...hell, none have been updated to 2.0 yet, but this spring should change that.

The main problem is that the manufacturers are the ones that specify which version the phones use and they also are responsible for updates. Every OS other than Apple has been fragmented like that. Windows/Palm/Blackberry...all are different on each phone. It's always been an issue and it always will be unless you have one piece of a hardware. That's one of the great things about the Apple OS...they've been consistent among all of their devices.

[Badger_Fan]

Question for you. Rumor has it that Best Buy is going to be offering the Droid for $49 tomorrow. I should be able to return my Cliqs (bought on 2/13) and move over to Verizon. Is it worth it?

I love the keyboard for the Cliq. I like the phone, but I know that the Droid is more powerful than the Cliq by quite a bit. What do you think?

[dbdynsty25]

Question for you. Rumor has it that Best Buy is going to be offering the Droid for $49 tomorrow. I should be able to return my Cliqs (bought on 2/13) and move over to Verizon. Is it worth it?

I love the keyboard for the Cliq. I like the phone, but I know that the Droid is more powerful than the Cliq by quite a bit. What do you think?

$99 tomorrow for the Droid from what I've heard. $99 for the Devour as well. $0 for the Droid Eris.

The Droid is a fantastic f'n phone. Probably my favorite phone of all time. I've had virtually every smartphone released on At&t and Verizon and it really is fantastic. The keyboard is probably the only piece of it that isn't ridiculously good. It takes a little while to get used to, but once you do, it's perfectly fine. It really took about a week to feel comfortable with it. The Cliq looks pretty similar as far as layout goes, so you may be cool either way.

I personally would do it. The huge screen at a high res, the full navigation, along with Verizon's network is a great combination in my opinion. It'll blow the Cliq away really. The only thing you may miss is the MotoBlur which some people love and some hate. The Droid is just basic android without all of the fluff and pretty graphics. I personally prefer that, so it's great for me, but some may not.

[Badger_Fan]

Question for you. Rumor has it that Best Buy is going to be offering the Droid for $49 tomorrow. I should be able to return my Cliqs (bought on 2/13) and move over to Verizon. Is it worth it?

I love the keyboard for the Cliq. I like the phone, but I know that the Droid is more powerful than the Cliq by quite a bit. What do you think?

$99 tomorrow for the Droid from what I've heard. $99 for the Devour as well. $0 for the Droid Eris.

The Droid is a fantastic f'n phone. Probably my favorite phone of all time. I've had virtually every smartphone released on At&t and Verizon and it really is fantastic. The keyboard is probably the only piece of it that isn't ridiculously good. It takes a little while to get used to, but once you do, it's perfectly fine. It really took about a week to feel comfortable with it. The Cliq looks pretty similar as far as layout goes, so you may be cool either way.

I personally would do it. The huge screen at a high res, the full navigation, along with Verizon's network is a great combination in my opinion. It'll blow the Cliq away really. The only thing you may miss is the MotoBlur which some people love and some hate. The Droid is just basic android without all of the fluff and pretty graphics. I personally prefer that, so it's great for me, but some may not.

I know that you can add whatever apps you want, but can I still install some widgets on the home screen of the Droid?

[dbdynsty25]

I know that you can add whatever apps you want, but can I still install some widgets on the home screen of the Droid?

Of course. It's still fully customizable...and in fact there are a lot of things like "Beautiful Widgets" that mimmick things like the HTC Weather/Clock widget and other stuff like that. You can make it look however you want.

[Gurantsu]

I also have the Droid and it's a great phone. Does everything I need and there are some really nice apps out there for it.