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hi everyone,
I'm a Die Hard fan of Blackstone/Touch HD , and im waiting for it for a long time !
but after reading about it, watching movies, following discussions, I feel its nothing but a HUGE and tempting display .
we're all WM users and we didnt experienced any large-display phones with such size, and thats why we're trying to believe this is BEST !
since theres no TV-OUT capability , hard one handed usage , no D-PAD ( C'mon , its not iphone that fingers could do anything with any pressure ) and weird camera lens box!
is it really we wanted or its just another "I WANT TO BELIEVE?"
I do see where you're coming from... To me, I'll be honest, it's the Diamond in a REALLY nice case. One that's familiar to a long-term Elf user. The touchy-feely case, no desire to use the D-Pad... But when all's said and done: It's a huge display and has a 5MP camera. It's the best ever HTC, but it will be easy to top...
Now I feel bad... Thanks...
Hi,
Interesting point of view. ... and I agree most of it.
To be honest, the only thing I am interested in Touch HD is the huge 3.8" screen.
I like browsing the internet using Opera Mini (and Opera 9 of course) and I have no problem with my current HTC Kaiser.
However, I always envy with phone that has big screen, 3.5" like my friend's iPhone.
So, thats my sole reason to think about buying Touch HD.
However, I am holding back because there are couple of things that I need to convince myself:
1. TouchFlo 3D cannot show multiple appointments/tasks in its today screen.
This is rubish, I cannot understand why HTC does not implement this like the old HTC Home. And I have not found better solution for this.
Of course I can turn off TF3D (can I?) and use HTC Home or SpB Mobile Shell.
But ................ why???
2. No DPAD, can I live with it? Probably ...
But I have a dream to have a GAME DEVICE and PDA all in one.
I cannot do that with HTC Kaiser because of the graphics driver and bad performance. Really, I hate it.
3.8" is very nice for a game device. However, without DPAD, the game will be limited.
If I look the current Touch HD design, a DPAD is still possible in the center of those 4 buttons!
I know, I can buy Nintendo DS or PSP, but hey! I dont like carrying a lot of devices
5 MP camera is nothing ... the quality is still doubtful.
No TV-OUT like Raphael? Grrr!!!
Well, this is my personal opinion.
I dont know, probably I will buy it anyway ... or wait until I can hold and see it in real live ... and judge if the 3.8" screen is enough to convince myself to buy.
upcomming phones have almost same display size ( like ASUS Galaxy 7 ) and solved problems ...
but i want it from HTC .
I think it's yet another half-a***d swipe at the iPhone, without any real thought put into it. WM fans want to believe this is "the one" that's going to give them everything they (perhaps secretly) really like about the iPhone, while still wearing the Windows Mobile badge. In reality, it's just another WM phone with a bigger screen, and actually a few disadvantages over some other models (like that lack of a D-pad). In spite of the screen I really doubt the multimedia will be as slick as the iPhone, and for gaming it's a dead duck - unlike the iPhone where the appstore is brimming full of immersive games built around the iPhone's acceleromotor and multi-touch screen, the Touch HD only has the WM back catalogue to choose from, 99% of which will be written to run on non-accelerometor equipped phones with D-pads.
Meanwhile, underneath the Touchflo you still have an interface designed for a stylus, however big the display.
gogol said:
....1. TouchFlo 3D cannot show multiple appointments/tasks in its today screen.....
This is rubish, I cannot understand why HTC does not implement this like the old HTC Home. And I have not found better solution for this.
Of course I can turn off TF3D (can I?) and use HTC Home or SpB Mobile Shell.
But ................ why???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Get your act together HTC
I still cannot decide which model to choose - X1 or HD - and now I am thinking more and more of getting an X1. I simply understand that the only thing about HD that I am going to really love and cream-my-pants because of is the 3.8" screen.
I think that HD is a perfect device for non-WM-addicts, for people who will use just TF3D-interface and Opera at most, without installing any tweaks/programs/registry-hacks/emulators/debuggers/consoles/younameit. Cause when you want to install one of them, you're in trouble - no hardware keys, no D-pad... Achtung!
One more thing I thought about.. Every phone has a kind of a "secret combination of keys", e g "turn-on-the-phone-holding-two-buttons-pressed-and-enter-diagnostics-mode". I wonder if the sensor buttons would do that?
If I am going to express my opinion I will rather say I am going for the large screen size to be honest, Window mobile did not change since, its still WM 6.1 and not much difference on software, yes is the look of the phone that impress me and the size of the screen, because I personally enjoy watching movies on move.
How can HTC put such a cheap, crappy-looking clock onto such a "high-end" device?
The analogue clock from the TF2D (as per the Touch 3G) just looks so much better.
I also agree with the comments about the Appointments - this is a very important point for me, and if not easily resolvable will make me look eleswhere.
So do I remove the TF3D and use Spb instead? If I were to do that, would I then lose the scrollability of the unit - is the finger-scrolling part of TF3D or part of WM6.1?
From a non techie user point-of-view, the more I am finding out about this, the less excited I am about it. Having just read through the manual, I realise it doesn't do any more than any other WM 6.1 pda, except for the bigger screen. And even the quality of films on that seems to be in question!
Maybe I should stop reading sites such as this - lol.
Look we all love the design factor, large screen, hi res etc. That makes it the best win mo phone. Don't let these posts turn you off. You fell in love with the phone for a reason. As for the minor problems (2 appointments etc), well... where there's a will there's a way... xda-developers. Just give them time to work their magic.
Anyway there is always Second Today to see appointents http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O2MYv5ooIp0
Nothing...........
I just Ordered mine from pdashop.nl 1 minute ago... And i don't need any negation right now. for 629 Euro. ....It better impress
Nothing is gonna take that joy from me..
You can fall in love with a phone for the wrong reasons! I really do think expectations are too high for this device, and people are right to question and rethink this now, before they've paid their money... IMO it's a flawed design, WinMo needs some kind of d-pad, it's not finger friendly enough even on this size screen to get by without it. If losing the hardware controls is a necessity of that larger screen, then they need to replace the UI completely, and use some other OS.
...
Are you guys serious?
Let's see the complaints that make this device "just another WM phone."
1. TV-OUT Capability
Why do I need this? WHEN will I need this? If I am at home, I will use my laptop to connect my HDTV via HDMI. Using a phone at home for it's TV-Out capability is well, useless. If you can afford this device, and are tech-savvy enough to know about it, then odds are you have an HDMI capable computer and TV.
The ONLY scenario where I could see this feature be useful is if I wanted to output video on a random TV, maybe at a bar:
"Hey bartender, hook up my HTC TOUCH HD to the TV please."
LOL
Come on!
2. Hard one handed usage? This coming from people who love QWERTY keyboards. I find this hilarious. What's so hard about it? Move your thumb around and you're good to go.
3. OMG! Weird camera lens box!! WTF is weird about it? Now, if you want to tell me no flash, alright I can agree with that. But to nag about the camera lens box? I think it looks good. I mean, I honestly don't care what it looks like as long as it's not pink with rainbows.
What are some other complaints?
No directional pad. Well, you have a 3.8in TOUCH screen and you want a d-pad? Is this a joke? If you want a d-pad, don't buy a TOUCH screen.
No games. Who plays games on their phone? Seriously. If you want to play games, go and buy a PSP or DS.
Home screen only shows a couple of appointments. This is a SLIGHT issue, but something tells me it will be fixed in no time by the heads roaming these forums.
-------------------------------------------------------
Now, let's compare these issues with the iPhone, since there were about 101 insinuations that we are desperate WM fan boys.
No TV-out:
iPhone doesn't have TV out either. OOOOOOOO.
Weird camera lens box:
iPhone has a useless 2megapixel camera without recording or focus features.
One handed usage:
Anyone notice that you have to slide SIDEWAYS just to unlock the iPhone? Explain to me how you are going to do that with ONE hand. At least HTC had the foresight to allow you to use the phone primarily with your thumb with up and down gestures.
The HTC Touch HD is NOT like any other WM phone or ANY phone for that matter. It's sensitivity is far superior, beautiful screen, FAST, and can do anything you can throw at it besides useless things such as outputting video at a bar.
Oh, and please don't get me started on the lack of iPhone features. How about the ability to CUT and PASTE? Want to talk to me about the iPhone marketplace? There are programmers all over the net with custom programs for WM that allows us to do basically ANYTHING, even emulate the iPhone.
Give me a break. This is a GREAT device and as far as I can tell, the only thing missing is flash.
And if you want to really be douche about it, most phones nowadays have a phone, video/music player, and a camera! So I guess we should all just get ourselves a Nokia 7610 and cluck.
So, could I use Second Today to run something like the Spb Today screen (because I am used to and love its flexible Appointments display), or am I mixing up technologies?
And just how safe /easy is it for a non-techie to install Second Today, and to change the button functions (and does this require a registry change, because now I'm starting to talk a new language?)
And, whilst I'm in a writing mood, the other issues raised were video playback quality, and suspected lag in GPS navigation.
Can anyone confirm the current situation with these. Is the playback quality acceptable without dropped frames, and has it been absolutely confirmed by a real test that there is no GPS lag?
Boinng said:
I think it's yet another half-a***d swipe at the iPhone, without any real thought put into it. WM fans want to believe this is "the one" that's going to give them everything they (perhaps secretly) really like about the iPhone, while still wearing the Windows Mobile badge. In reality, it's just another WM phone with a bigger screen, and actually a few disadvantages over some other models (like that lack of a D-pad). In spite of the screen I really doubt the multimedia will be as slick as the iPhone, and for gaming it's a dead duck - unlike the iPhone where the appstore is brimming full of immersive games built around the iPhone's acceleromotor and multi-touch screen, the Touch HD only has the WM back catalogue to choose from, 99% of which will be written to run on non-accelerometor equipped phones with D-pads.
Meanwhile, underneath the Touchflo you still have an interface designed for a stylus, however big the display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha opinions from Apple Fan Boys dont count. All opinions on gaming (based on nothing), no dpad (which i love), Poor multimedia (not from the videos ive seen), App store stinks because hacked apps for iphone way better and FREE,
I owned an Iphone for a month and couldnt get rid of it fast enough because WM offers so much more functionality for business and "hackability"
dont get wrong ! iphone is NO WAY competitor, its just a fancy phone! not more not less !
im going to buy this beast, but i really want to know is this really a big deal ?
i dont think so !
but we all know the form factor and the screen size is undeniable ! thats why im going for HD .
nu_D said:
...
1. TV-OUT Capability
Why do I need this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you are on holiday? At the hotel, in a country where you dont understand local language ... you end up with CNN
So, TV-Out is nice to have! Hook it up to the hotel TV and play movie from your PDA.
Why some users complained about this TV-Out? Because the "previous" device has that, HTC Raphael. Why dont they include it in the next iteration?
Of course, probably there are some other reasons, like PRICE etc. But I see this TV-Out as a valid point.
nu_D said:
2. Hard one handed usage? This coming from people who love QWERTY keyboards. I find this hilarious. What's so hard about it? Move your thumb around and you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always like that. The OS (WinMo 6.1) is not specifically designed for touch screen only.
People like me, prefer to use DPAD to move around the UI, much faster, efficient and less-thumb-hurt
You may disagree, but thats you!
nu_D said:
No games. Who plays games on their phone? Seriously. If you want to play games, go and buy a PSP or DS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woohoo ... Gaming is also part of the mobile world.
If you dont play game in your PDA, then (again) it's your choice.
You should not dictate that, because the mobile gaming market is THERE.
nu_D said:
Want to talk to me about the iPhone marketplace? There are programmers all over the net with custom programs for WM that allows us to do basically ANYTHING, even emulate the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Righty ... Please dont compare iPhone apps with WinMo apps
nu_D said:
Give me a break. This is a GREAT device and as far as I can tell, the only thing missing is flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is a great device. But how great is this? Depends ...
manuelcalavera said:
dont get wrong ! iphone is NO WAY competitor, its just a fancy phone! not more not less !
im going to buy this beast, but i really want to know is this really a big deal ?
i dont think so !
but we all know the form factor and the screen size is undeniable ! thats why im going for HD .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and my apologies for not answer the question lol. Is it a big deal, nah, not when you look at all the other technology worldwide as a whole. Its nice but there is really no "phone" that is a big deal in my humble opinion.
nu_D said:
...
Now, let's compare these issues with the iPhone, since there were about 101 insinuations that we are desperate WM fan boys.
No TV-out:
iPhone doesn't have TV out either. OOOOOOOO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually yes, it does. Bad start.
Weird camera lens box:
iPhone has a useless 2megapixel camera without recording or focus features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. For the record, I have no idea why anyone's complaining about the "weird camera lens box" on the HD. It's just a lens.
The iPhone's camera is just a camera, and makes no pretence to be anything more - if you want a better camera, buy one (or a different phone).
One handed usage:
Anyone notice that you have to slide SIDEWAYS just to unlock the iPhone? Explain to me how you are going to do that with ONE hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easily and quickly about a million times a day. Seriously, you're just demonstrating you've never been near one, and are desperately trying to think up things which might be wrong with it, on the strength of a few screenshots you've seen. The "slide to unlock/answer" is an excellent feature that's completely natural to use one handed - it works so well that even HTC have tried to imitate it with a similar "slide to answer" feature on the, ahem, Touch HD.
At least HTC had the foresight to allow you to use the phone primarily with your thumb with up and down gestures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean TouchFlo scrolling? The first feature that HTC copied from the iPhone, last year? Ah yes, such foresight!
The HTC Touch HD is NOT like any other WM phone or ANY phone for that matter. It's sensitivity is far superior, beautiful screen, FAST, and can do anything you can throw at it besides useless things such as outputting video at a bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wake up and smell yesterday's coffee. It's like like every other WM phone, runs the same software as every other WM phone, it even has the same processor and internal spec as most other current WM phones. The screen is new, as is the inconvenient lack of d-pad - everything else is the same old same old.
Oh, and please don't get me started on the lack of iPhone features. How about the ability to CUT and PASTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, yeah, it doesn't do that. You knew about that? I thought it was a secret?
Want to talk to me about the iPhone marketplace?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, but I'll tell about the Appstore - bloody brilliant. Thousands of quality apps, many of them free, all the paid ones generally much, much cheaper than their WinMo equivalents, and all there to be browsed and downloaded right on the device, updates alerted and downloaded in the same way.. yep, it's a fantastic system. Is that what you wanted to know?
There are programmers all over the net with custom programs for WM that allows us to do basically ANYTHING, even emulate the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now why would you want to emulate a rubbish old iPhone?
For the record, I used a Tytn II for the past year, I've never owned a Mac, and I've never been a "fanboy" of any damn thing, but if you think the iPhone's a soft target for a bit of WinMo frustration, you're mistaken.
is it possibe to get the multi-touch iphone feature on the htc touch hd
(gesture internet browser feature)
deanoyouno said:
there is a bit if software which ive got which allows multi touch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is it possibe for u to upload it or post a link
deanoyouno said:
it is possible but im not going to do it, i like to keep it to myself because it makes my phone unique sorry guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole point of xda developers is to share your knowledge and help improve everyones phones performances etc
If you aren't willing to share this, why post in the first place???
In future don't post anything unless you are actually going to share the knowledge!!!
deanoyouno said:
it is possible but im not going to do it, i like to keep it to myself because it makes my phone unique sorry guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You come to these forums to take what others have to offer, there knowledge and skills yet you will not share so your phone can be unique from others..... There are 6.76 billion people on this earth, you and your phone will never be unique because the odds are stacked against you. The feelings you get from being selfish and thinking you are unique in amongst 6.76 billion people will be insignificant to the feelings you will feel if you become a giver to even just a small group like us that is here to share with you.....
deanoyouno said:
the odds are against me but im prob the only one on this forum who has this software. so the odds are against you to find someone else who has this software
here is my phone code: w3445DJJSK*2 if there are any developers that no what they are talking about you will be able to get the software off my phone via software creation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your full of **** and you know it..
what are you, like 12?
I think its time for an IP Ban, looks like arsenalfc is back.
Just ignore him, he craves attention.
scottyuk said:
I think its time for an IP Ban, looks like arsenalfc is back.
Just ignore him, he craves attention.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One problem to ignoring him is that he actually gives bogus help. My concern would be that some noob wud believe him and possibly damage their phone!
I just hope they have enough common sense to realise what a fool he is!
spikez93 said:
is it possibe to get the multi-touch iphone feature on the htc touch hd
(gesture internet browser feature)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies spikez93 as we have gone a bit off topic
As to your query I am not sure, but I will look into it. Anyone else?
The real answer is: no you can't have hardware multitouch like the iphone. If you search in this forum, you'll find that some people are working on a software solution to be able to press 2 differentes buttons at the same time; But you wont get pinch zooming etc on Blackstone.
gaelynx said:
The real answer is: no you can't have hardware multitouch like the iphone. If you search in this forum, you'll find that some people are working on a software solution to be able to press 2 differentes buttons at the same time; But you wont get pinch zooming etc on Blackstone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read it will be possible to get a 'pinch' effect but only when holding one finger still and moving the other, it won't be able to pick up both fingers moving towards each other though.
moshbeard said:
From what I've read it will be possible to get a 'pinch' effect but only when holding one finger still and moving the other, it won't be able to pick up both fingers moving towards each other though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you keep one finger still on the screen and move the other to pinch, the touch screen won't be able to differentiate whether you are pinching in (for zoom-in) or pinching out (for zoom-out), because it only see one displacement: the movement of the center point between the 2 fingers.
So if we can't distinguish zoom-in from zoom-out, how can we use this 'pinch' effect to zoom?
gaelynx said:
If you keep one finger still on the screen and move the other to pinch, the touch screen won't be able to differentiate whether you are pinching in (for zoom-in) or pinching out (for zoom-out), because it only see one displacement: the movement of the center point between the 2 fingers.
So if we can't distinguish zoom-in from zoom-out, how can we use this 'pinch' effect to zoom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ws thinking of same thing but probable wouldn't have explained it as well as you did!!!
Good call on banning that dipshi*t. What an iddiot.
Ban the a$$h0l3
Even noobs like me try to help people with whatever knowledge we have.
I'M NOT SURE i AGREE WITH THIS AND HERE'S WHY...
gaelynx said:
If you keep one finger still on the screen and move the other to pinch, the touch screen won't be able to differentiate whether you are pinching in (for zoom-in) or pinching out (for zoom-out), because it only see one displacement: the movement of the center point between the 2 fingers.
So if we can't distinguish zoom-in from zoom-out, how can we use this 'pinch' effect to zoom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the first finger touchs an X,Y coordinate is available... when the second finger touchs there will be an instantaneous coordinate displacement that does not include the intravening points and also with no cooresponding finger-up event... it should be possible to look for this programatically and know that you are in a two-finger style event... also based on the change and a knowledge of the screen size, the first finger point and the resultant two finger average it should be possible to determine point number two as well as the changing delta between the 2 points which will give you pince or expand when you remove your fingers and you get a finger up event... note it is true you will not be able to distinguish more than two fingers but I'm betting this is enough for most uses.
they made it possible on the g1
It's difficult but can more than likely be done, would be a fair bit of maths to work it out though. Difference between resistive and capacative. But you can use a stylus or wear gloves with the touch HD so it's a trade off.
bobdude5 said:
they made it possible on the g1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The G1 uses a capacitive touchscreen similar to the iPhone's and the Android OS already had redundant coding for multi-touch capabilities, IIRC.
So all they effectively did was throw a switch.
For the likes of the Touch HD, everything will need to be coded from scratch.
limited multitouch IS possible on the HD - I took a video of it in fact BUT don't tell me it's not true multitouch - I know it isn't. In Windows if 2 points are touched at the same time Windows interprets it as a touch between the two points. If a developer maps a virtual key press between two 'buttons' then the virtual key will register as both keys. So no, there is no iPhone type multitouch but there are ways to mimic it. See these two postings and in the first one there's a video using an HD that shows what I am referring to:
http://www.fuzemobility.com/multitouch-exists-now-without-new-hardware-or-software/
http://www.fuzemobility.com/multitouch-in-action/
bugsykoosh said:
limited multitouch IS possible on the HD - I took a video of it in fact BUT don't tell me it's not true multitouch - I know it isn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well not even the iPhone has 'true' multi-touch as it's limited to two fingers.
bugsykoosh said:
ideo of it in fact BUT don't tell me it's not true multitouch - I know it isn't. In Windows if 2 points are touched at the same time Windows interprets it as a touch between the two points.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This bit's wrong though.
The limiting factor is not the OS, it's got nothing to do with Windows, it's because the handset uses a resistive screen.
Man!
Just got my HD2, and am I a happy camper
First off, the phone is a dream so thanks to HTC!
But even better. Thanks to XDA community for making all these wonderful tweaks and enhancements for leo roms for the Toch HD.
Cause guess what. They work right out of the box on the REAL thing too
Installed gregezors background4all 1920 and Brian's taskbar Gfreek edition, and they are working like a charm
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
3. Bad web browser.
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
5. Low quality camera.
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
8. No dedicated power button.
9. No TV-out
10. No real multitouch.
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides)
12. Screen way too sensitive.
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
14. Sense UI doesn't cover every setting (and not everybody wants to use it), and many Windows Mobile 6.5 screens are hard to operate with the capacitive screen.
15. There are many more I will continue later...
Noam23 said:
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
3. Bad web browser.
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
5. Low quality camera.
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
8. No dedicated power button.
9. No TV-out
10. No real multitouch.
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides)
12. Screen way too sensitive.
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
14. There are many more I will continue later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be fair, most of those are PEBKAC faults rather than hardware faults.
Come on... the most part of your list are bugs from italian rom and not for all HTC HD2 devices....
Be gently.
mr_Ray said:
To be fair, most of those are PEBKAC faults rather than hardware faults.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like it.... and in fairness ~ If the hardware and software are 'normally' both fine, the problem then must be with the meatware.
rd2000 said:
Man!
Just got my HD2, and am I a happy camper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you get your phone from? When did you order it?
ganon4 said:
Come on... the most part of your list are bugs from italian rom and not for all HTC HD2 devices....
Be gently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Italian ROM ?, never heard that excuse before...
Noam23 said:
Italian ROM ?, never heard that excuse before...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its all over the internet. HTC Italy have halted sales of the HD2. Google it
Noam23 said:
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
3. Bad web browser.
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
5. Low quality camera.
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
8. No dedicated power button.
9. No TV-out
10. No real multitouch.
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides)
12. Screen way too sensitive.
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
14. Sense UI doesn't cover every setting (and not everybody wants to use it), and many Windows Mobile 6.5 screens are hard to operate with the capacitive screen.
15. There are many more I will continue later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.
2.
3. Opera is a bad web browser? What do you call a good one then?!
4.
5. 5MP is still decent for a camera on a phone. Remember, it's a PHONE! Not a camera.
6.
7. Too heavy? 157g is hardly heavy for a phone of this size. If the screen is too big, don't buy the phone? That's what makes it amazing. The big screen.
8. I'm going to die without my dedicated power button...
9. No TV-out isn't a bad thing. You can just put your files on the PC and watch videos from there. Even if it did have TV-out, it wouldn't be HD. So no point anymore.
10. It never CLAIMED to have multi-touch. HTC only ever mentioned pinch-to-zoom.
11.
12. Too sensitive? Wasn't the old complaint that resistive wasn't sensitive enough?
13.
14. Sense UI can't really be expected to cover everything in Windows Mobile 6.5. And it isn't as bad as everyone makes out! Half the people who review it now, have maybe had bad experiences with it, and now hate it. Unlike the iPhone OS, which was probably better out the box, so people think it is better. It's the same with Vista. It wasn't the greatest OS out the box, but it isn't as bad as everyone says it is.
15. Please don't continye
Will update this post when my HD2 arrives.
Do you own an HD2 Noam23? A few of these things were already mentioned in pre-release reviews, so people knew some of these things anyway.
Some of the slowness has been down to the testing on the Italian ROM also.
Will update this post when my HD2 arrives.
Noam23 said:
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
3. Bad web browser.
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
5. Low quality camera.
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
8. No dedicated power button.
9. No TV-out
10. No real multitouch.
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides)
12. Screen way too sensitive.
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
14. Sense UI doesn't cover every setting (and not everybody wants to use it), and many Windows Mobile 6.5 screens are hard to operate with the capacitive screen.
15. There are many more I will continue later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't continue on my behalf. I can sense you dislike this device , so either you bought the device without knowing the specs, or your a simple troll, and should be banned from this site.
Half your list are specs anyone should have known beforehand, and the rest are not anything i have noticed , since the new firmware has eliminated most of them.
madindehead said:
Do you own an HD2 Noam23? A few of these things were already mentioned in pre-release reviews, so people knew some of these things anyway.
Some of the slowness has been down to the testing on the Italian ROM also.
Will update this post when my HD2 arrives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perfect question for Noam23, don't tell us you have been collecting the complaints from everywhere, and making a conclusion HD2 sounds like a flawed device! And even more ridiculous if you don't actually own one!!! Do you own a HD2 actually???????
No I don't have one, I will get one early next month.
The fact it has shortcomings doesn't mean people shouldn't buy it. My current HD has more shortcomings than HD2. iPhone has more shortcomings too.
This thread simply looked unbalanced ("thankyouthankyouthankyou"), like the HD2 is some kind of a flawless godsent. I lurk here everyday and people simply don't stop to complain. I simply collected the weaknesses which were shared by many owners and repeated many times by owners from different countries (so this can't be related to any italian ROM).
Noam23 said:
No I don't have one, I will get one early next month.
The fact it has shortcomings doesn't mean people shouldn't buy it. My current HD has more shortcomings than HD2. iPhone has more shortcomings too.
This thread simply looked unbalanced ("thankyouthankyouthankyou"), like the HD2 is some kind of a flawless godsent. I lurk here everyday and people simply don't stop to complain. I simply collected the weaknesses which were shared by many owners and repeated many times (so this can't be related to any italian ROM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm quite surprised you are buying one after reading all your comments on the device. If you haven't held on in your hand, how do you know it is too heavy for the size of the screen etc?
madindehead said:
I'm quite surprised you are buying one after reading all your comments on the device. If you haven't held on in your hand, how do you know it is too heavy for the size of the screen etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of the weaknesses came from me, it's all things you've said here people.
Saying that, regarding weight, I do find my HD a bit too heavy, so I do agree with the claim about the HD2. Yes, screen size justify it for me, but still, it's a heavy device.
In any case, I hope that in time we'll find a way to at least mitigate many of the software-related weaknesses.
I own a HD2, and its the best phone I have ever had in my life. Great screen, extremely fast, good build quality and all the smartphone features I could want.
After 2 days use I give the phone a 10 out of 10 in meeting and exceeding my expectation.
There's no such thing as a perfect phone, but right now this thing is as close as you are going to get to the perfect device.
Noam23 said:
...but still, it's a heavy device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh? If you think this is heavy, you REALLY need to seek medical advice! lol
157g is very light. It may be heavier than lots of other phones, but come on.... how the hell can it be considered heavy? I don't notice it in my pocket, in its pouch, until it vibrates.
Also, if you think the HD is too heavy, same comments apply.
So we want a fast phone, with a capacitive multi-touch display, and a battery large enough to make it useful, but we want it really light.
That's like asking for a plane without wings because you don't like how wide it is.
Noam23 said:
No I don't have one, I will get one early next month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love that comment right there
damn that list missed some glaring bugs
no coffee machine.
doesn't give blowjobs..
sometimes I do wonder what planet people live on..
first of all, I clarify that I've not own a HD2, but surely intentionally will, awaiting for the moment this month end.
Noam23 said:
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find this the same problem when I have ipod touch, and lag? It is software than hardware issue, cooked roms and new coming shipped roms have much rooms for improvement in the near future!
Noam23 said:
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure about this, don't see any repeating complaints from any forums
Noam23 said:
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
3. Bad web browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bull**** comment. you can install and try other web browsers till you are happy. I'm happy Touch HD user, what on earth are you making claim HD2 has bad web browser?
Noam23 said:
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Software issue too, wait for the future cooked roms or new shipped roms, and can easily leave with for the time being
Noam23 said:
5. Low quality camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was completely happy with Touch HD even it was really slow, if you aren't happy, forget getting the HD2, get a camera instead. This is really personal but I really don't find HTC camera that bad at all
Noam23 said:
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't find a problem with Touch HD, even though it was true that everyone complaint it will clip at max volume, but nothing serious to me, and it is just loud enough for most people
Noam23 said:
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too heavy? for a high end phone purposefully design in this way for just 157grams? bull**** comment to me. Too big? Probably for some, this is very personal, I don't mind the extra width and length against Touch HD for an even bigger and more awesome screen, it is too big for you, not everyone ok?
Noam23 said:
8. No dedicated power button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure bout this, will see if this is really a flaw?
Noam23 said:
9. No TV-out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bla bla bla, yeah i know, one of the first complaint, but don't even bother. not a flaw to me at all, just very personal requirement.
Noam23 said:
10. No real multitouch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what? it is software restrictions more than hardware issue, will wait for future roms and apps. Can leave with it right? What is so serious if it is not truly multitouch?
Noam23 said:
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this I appreciate the most, and it look so sleek! not sure it will be a problem for me, but I'm not gonna worry
Noam23 said:
Screen way too sensitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go read 10 times what is capacitive touch screen is all about in "HowStuffsWork", and stop making repeating nonsense complaint, arghhh!
Noam23 said:
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not HD2 problem at all, it is typical known problem to Manila 2.5, go read and understand more elsewhere about this well know issue before blaming the HD2
Noam23 said:
14. Sense UI doesn't cover every setting (and not everybody wants to use it), and many Windows Mobile 6.5 screens are hard to operate with the capacitive screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about this, probably many and I won't realize it a much of a problem at all
Noam23 said:
15. There are many more I will continue later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go ahead, awaiting!
Noam23 said:
Don't worry, soon you'll find an endless list of shortcomings (just summarizing what was said by many owners in this forum):
1. Control of keyboard is inaccurate (some even use the word "nightmare") and sometimes lag.
2. Random screen presses (which aren't originated by the user)
3. Bad web browser.
4. Inefficient UI (no tasks, annoying swipe control).
5. Low quality camera.
6. Insufficient speaker volume.
7. Too heavy (157 grams) and too big.
8. No dedicated power button.
9. No TV-out
10. No real multitouch.
11. Edges of screen too thin (hard to hold without accidentally pressing something on the sides)
12. Screen way too sensitive.
13. Huge lag with SMS when replying to a contact with large SMS history.
14. Sense UI doesn't cover every setting (and not everybody wants to use it), and many Windows Mobile 6.5 screens are hard to operate with the capacitive screen.
15. There are many more I will continue later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL!
Are you working for Apple? You seem to have no idea who great and powerful this device is!
As an answer to all the negativity I am reading on these forums all the time, and which really makes me tired... For Chr*sts sake, stop whining and complaining and being so pessimistic about this phone and ENJOY it!
Anyway, 10 things I love about my HTC HD2, hope more will follow
1) The big screen: really a big + compared to all my other phones I had in the past
2) "Touch" -> Haven't had this before on my phones and it's a real pleasure! Gets some time to get used to it, but if you are, you don't want nothing else!
3) The speed: well what is there to say?!?
4) Windows --> Since I have a Windows rather than an Apple laptop, I think this is a big + for me
5) The great possibilities to tweak your phone as you want it
6) The dozens of Applications there are
7) XDA-forum and all the fellow LEO owners which are a lot of help
8) Great Graphics
9) (Universal) USB-cable to charge it and connect it to your computer
10) All of the above
Filipek88 said:
As an answer to all the negativity I am reading on these forums all the time, and which really makes me tired... For Chr*sts sake, stop whining and complaining and being so pessimistic about this phone and ENJOY it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice twist on the "usual" type of anti-winmo post. Refreshing to see!
Filipek88 said:
5) The great possibilities to tweak your phone as you want it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes mate - I could not agree more. Rather than being an out-of-the-box-this-is-how-it-is device, it's pretty much a blank canvas where you can paint whatever the hell you like!
Filipek88 said:
10) All of the above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just a funny one
Yes mate, I totally agree, I love my HD2, its such a fab phone. I have no problems with mine at all......However I can sympathise with those that have these problems, it must be frustrating to say the least.
OneGoodKnock said:
Yes mate, I totally agree, I love my HD2, its such a fab phone. I have no problems with mine at all......However I can sympathise with those that have these problems, it must be frustrating to say the least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes mate - there are some issues, but we'll overcome them, and the benefits DEFINITELY outweigh them!
Incidentally, please don't start any more posts with "yes mate". That's MY trademark lol.
johncmolyneux said:
Yes mate - there are some issues, but we'll overcome them, and the benefits DEFINITELY outweigh them!
Incidentally, please don't start any more posts with "yes mate". That's MY trademark lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's about 'Yes my friend' is that more appropriate for your tastes! lol!
One point I would add in it's favour (10a), it's not an iPhone
OneGoodKnock said:
How's about 'Yes my friend' is that more appropriate for your tastes! lol!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I like that. Just don't push me. lol
Hmm,
I hope you don't get someone come onto your thread and moan about how tired they are to see ALL these threads PRAISING the HD2 and asking for a Moderator to close it.
Strange, that's what seems to happen in the so called "negative" threads (search around and you will see what I am talking about).
Why we can't just don't respect all views, good and bad, I will never know.
WB
Im totally loving my HD2 too
After tweaking it a bit its truelly the best phone I have ever owned and I dont really see how it can be improved on.
I think the best thing apart from the magnificent screen is the capacitive screen. My last 3 phones have all had slide out keyboards and I was very apprehensive about going to the HD2 but the word recognition is amazing and I can now type faster than on any of the keyboards I have had.
Also going from a resistive screen to a capacitive screen is a godsend as I no longer have to get out a stylus everytime I want to do something or press HARD with my finger 3 or 4 times before anything happens.
Camera with the quality tweaks and video camera recording at 640x480 in mp4 is a pleasure and the sharpest picture I have seen. but then as all my previous phones have been HTC theres absolutely no comparison LOL. Loving the touch screen focus and very quick capture time.
I have the games I like installed and running smoothly, I have my applications that I need running without any poblems and christmas is going to be good this year when someone starts showing off their 'new' iphone 3gs and I turn on this bad boy
If/when HardSPL is completed and we can start putting cooked Roms on there wont be anything which evens comes close.
xavierdemon said:
One point I would add in it's favour (10a), it's not an iPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nd that!!!!
I was going to add why I love my Leo but was worried the thread might attract the attention of Sunking101. A fate worse than death seeing the impact he's had on other threads so far.
I've stuck with HTC because of XDA - it's as simple as that. And the Leo had 5 key specs that were critical to me:
- solid GPS implementation;
- accelerometer
- proximity sensor
- compass
- cut and paste text from day 1
For those with patience (meaning the release of hacked SPL) the first 4 elements add serious oomph to one beast of a phone package. No one has really integrated these functions yet (e.g. compass and GPS or proximity and accelerometer) but when they do we could have some really interesting results.
Plus, I've always tinkered with my electronics so a WinMo phone is a pandora's box - and I mean that in every sense!
Multi-touch feature is my favorite .
Yep. I like this thread
Yeah ...., I like this initiative.
First of all. I love xda forum. I could not imagine my life in the world of mobile devices without the input of all the great people here.
But ... I agree on the overall negative mist hanging over most threads.
I have owned many mobiles overthe years and none was without any flaws.
I have owned many new stuff and none was without any flaws. Cars, bikes, televisions, computes and even girlfriends.
I now that all of our complaints are massive input to the producers of our beloved devices. So keep up the good work.
But ... a thread like this sometimes is SUPERB to let everybody know haw great our gadgets are.
My HD2 is my 6th HTC devices and with every ne one I love it more.
Thanks for this thread!!!!!
xavierdemon said:
One point I would add in it's favour (10a), it's not an iPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to 3rd that! Since the introduction of the HD2, morale is high at iPhone Resistance Headquarters
xavierdemon said:
One point I would add in it's favour (10a), it's not an iPhone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then that's my reasons why I love the HD2:
1) it multitasks
2) it can queue notifications in an effective way
3) it can display anything on the homescreen
4) it serves as a USB storage device
5) it doesn't need buggy desktop software to sync with
6) it has a great camera with flash
8) it has a big WVGA screen, no waste of space for a stupid round button
9) it has all the important settings available without hacking it
10) it offers choice of browsers, media players etc.
11) it can download stuff from the web
12) it has a file explorer
13) it serves as modem or router without any problems or additional costs
14) all of the above and a lot more (speed, build quality, glass touchscreen, ultra fast GPS fix, ...)
seed_al said:
Then that's my reasons why I love the HD2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
15. I do not have to beg at the feet of a monopoly in Cupertino, CA, to make changes to my phone, and I do not need anyone's approval to install the applications I want without "jailbreaking" my phone.
16. I can install the latest improvements and bug-fixes without putting my phone back into Apple jail.
My favourite feature.... Just look at it. Best looking phone I've seen. And it's so thin!
Did a clean out today and gathered all the old HD accessories and the phone into a box for ebay.
Started the HD (which still had a good charge after nearly five weeks).
Was amazed at how slow it is compared to the HD2.
I do love the speed on the HD2. I've seen this also in the last few days with the new Opera beta 2 which is super fast.
Oh, and the screen is rather good !!
Getting rid of MS Bluetooth stack was one of the biggest plus for me.
For some reason MS stack both on PC and WM has a low pitched noise with stereo audio. It was reduced by tweaking on the provious devices I had (cruise, hd,diamond) but never disappeared.
With HD2, thew AD2P quality is perfect out of the box with my headphones and this is one of the best features of the device. Perfect quality with AD2P (perhaps with the right headphones)
i pitty all those iphone users that can do, only things that mama apple lets them do, to THEIR mobile... hahaha
i really love my HD2 for every single feature that it has in it.... cant think of a more complete package on a phone at the moment right now... it has everything u need and then some!!
I'm really itching to get some real live information from someone who has used a new Nexus One phone. I am going to my T-Mobile store in a day or two, and there are several specific things I want to see:
(1) yes, of course the screen. but i'd like some real data on battery performance, and I doubt anyone's got some good comparison data yet compared to Hero?
(2) Without SenseUI, what is its look & feel? I would like to see the live Wallpapers, but truly that is eye candy, and as visually oriented as I am, I want to use my phone and mini-computer, not stare at it.
(3) (this is out of sequence but does the HTC Nexus One (vs Google Nexus One) have Sense UI on it? if so, how do they differ?)
(4) MAIN THING FOR ME: I love my HTC Hero (Europe GSM version, yes, with the chin)... But, after just the very first day when I started using it, I recognized the annoyance of the hard keys being really hard to push, relatively, compared to hard keys on my last HTC device, which is almost 3 years old -- T-Mobile Wing. Those hard keys are contoured and flush. The Hero's keys LOOK sharp, but they also feel sharp. and not easy to depress.
COMPARED TO: what looks like soft touch keys on the Nexus One. They look great. And could be reason alone for me to sell my Hero and get the Nexus One. I don't care at all for the loss of CALL and END dedicated keys. I almost always use the onscreen touch controls for these functions. It seems like Google really did some serious usability improvements if in fact those 4 standard Android function keys are all flush touch keys: Back, Menu/Options, Home, Search.
(5) SECOND MAIN THING: The trackball. I just have to say, this has been the biggest disappointment of all for me with the Hero. I have seen zero advantage to it, and many disadvantages compared to the ease of use of the quad-directional pad on my T-Mobile Wing. Obviously Motorola agreed the trackball left a lot to be desired since they nixed it from both the DROID and the Cliq.
I had expected much greater sensitivity control from the trackball -- but it is so unwieldy, and 9 times out of 10 when I have my selection, it slips to an adjacent selection when I then want to "long-press" to get options, or even short press to activate selection. I have not yet rooted my Hero, so i have no idea yet what XDA devs have done the past few months to perhaps add advanced controls for the trackball. My expectation is to have sensitivity and speed control adjustments that are context sensitive for each and every app I use, but especially the keyboard. How often I am trying to reposition the cursor and, there it goes, to top or bottom, or anywhere except where I want it to go. Also, Ihave been really really surprised at how lacking the controls of the trackball are for selecting letters of a word.
SO, I want to feel in my hands how the Nexus One feels in this regard. Is it better, is it the same?
Anyone know?
---
I'm secretly hoping people will say, for real, "yes, the Nexus One has the much faster processor, the higher-rez screen, the noise cancellation, the turn-by-turn application" and so on, "but it falls short compared to the Hero in these ways:.................................. "
But somehow I do not think that is going to be the case.
(Oddball final question: Has the hero gotten its ANdroid and SenseUI updates yet?)
.
Nexus one vs. HTC Hero
quicksite said:
(1) yes, of course the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus One screen is awesome, but not touted as oleophobic. It does retain fingerprints if your fingers aren't dry, but it's easy to clean. Hero's screen is supposed to be oleophobic, but it also gets fingerprints.
quicksite said:
but i'd like some real data on battery performance, and I doubt anyone's got some good comparison data yet compared to Hero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus One seemed to fare a little better than Hero with regards to batter life, but I haven't done proper comparisons.
quicksite said:
(2) Without SenseUI, what is its look & feel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks great. I didn't miss the lack of SenseUI, except in the alarm application, where you can't swipe the hour/minute up down, but have to press two plus/minus buttons.
quicksite said:
(3) (this is out of sequence but does the HTC Nexus One (vs Google Nexus One) have Sense UI on it? if so, how do they differ?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus One doesn't have Sense UI.
quicksite said:
(4) MAIN THING FOR ME: I love my HTC Hero (Europe GSM version, yes, with the chin)... But, after just the very first day when I started using it, I recognized the annoyance of the hard keys being really hard to push, relatively
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The soft keys on Nexus One are famous for being a bit misplaced - you have to touch slightly above them, in order to register the tap. They offer haptic feedback. The back key (the most commonly used one) is smartly placed where your thumb falls- an improvement over the Hero, which places it such that you have to contort your thumb to reach for it.
quicksite said:
(5) SECOND MAIN THING: The trackball. I just have to say, this has been the biggest disappointment of all for me with the Hero. I have seen zero advantage to it, and many disadvantages compared to the ease of use of the quad-directional pad on my T-Mobile Wing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The trackball is a bad idea compared to a directional pad. I haven't used it much really, but from what I have, it did an OK job.
quicksite said:
SO, I want to feel in my hands how the Nexus One feels in this regard. Is it better, is it the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The chin on the Hero is useful in that it protects the screen if you drop the phone on a flat surface. If you drop the Nexus, the screen will take the shock. The Nexus one is slimmer and slightly larger.
quicksite said:
I'm secretly hoping people will say, for real, "yes, the Nexus One has the much faster processor, the higher-rez screen, camera flash, the noise cancellation, the turn-by-turn application, easier to remove back cover" and so on, "but it falls short compared to the Hero in these ways:.................................. "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does have all those, and it's frikkin' fast indeed. It falls short in that it has a lame speaker, and its slab/slate shape will make it somewhat more likely to have the screen damaged in the event of a drop. I for one miss the call/end call keys, but overall prefer the soft keys on the Nexus One.
What a fantastic review, thank you, dandv!
I think it is fair to assume that you must work for Google, because who else would have had this much experience already using the Nexus One -- especially this line:
The soft keys on Nexus One are famous for being a bit misplaced - you have to touch slightly above them, in order to register the tap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the way, is it okay for me to compliment Romania on having one of the most beautiful and charming women in the whole world? (Maria Popistasu)... I would trade 10,000 Nexus Ones, okay, 1 million Nexus Ones for a Maria. (Now I will get slammed by one of the two members within the 2 million registered XDA-developers who are women )
Nexus One seemed to fare a little better than Hero with regards to batter life, but I haven't done proper comparisons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? wow, this was a major complaint by the Engadget people, that battery life was poor on the Nexus One, due to the power drawn for that screen and various connectivity to web issues, and live wallpaper etc. It's funny: I was comparing the reviews by Engadget and TechCrunch -- total opposites. But commenters at TechCrunch claimed "Engadget loves all things Apple and hates Android" while "TechCrunch hates Apple for withholding Google Voice on iPhone, and loves all things Android".. with users calling for a neutral review to split the tie. ( I also loved how one of the commenters at TechCrunch just decimated Walt Mossberg: "Ryan Sinn - January 6th, 2010 at 4:04 pm PST:
Walt Mossberg writes his tech reviews on a MacBook Pro while listening to his iTunes playlist via an iPod with his AppleTV recording the MacNeil Lehrer Newshour." ... This was in reply to another user comment who was paraphrasing uncle Walt:
I read Walt Mossberg’s review of the Nexus One and he provides a review of the Nexus One’s media features (handling photo, video, syncing music, etc.) as virtually non-existent or downright shoddy as compared to the iPhone. While I agree with you that the iPhone can learn a thing or two from webOS and Android in terms of multitasking, notifications, and so on, the Android still seems an inferior platform (as Mossberg again states) when it comes to overall functionality of going beyond the productivity apps like email, browser, and GVoice that Android 2.1 boasts of here.
I was tempted to switch to the Nexus One from my iPhone, but after reading Mossberg’s review, especially when it comes to syncing media – not to mention the sheer number of apps available – the iPhone still seems the front runner. Multitouch also seems to be a BIG advantage that no Android device supports.
I do think that iPhone OS 4.0 and the next gen-hardware of the iPhone will go beyond the Nexus One. So far, Android is still playing catch-up from where I see, although it does seem to come pretty close to the 3GS, a phone released 6 months back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
--- anyway, back to YOUR review, dandv:
Looks great. I didn't miss the lack of SenseUI, except in the alarm application, where you can't swipe the hour/minute up down, but have to press two plus/minus buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That IS pretty nifty on the Hero, but since this is my first Android phone, I don't really know what's SenseUI and what is raw Android. But let me ask this question: Surely some XDA-dev has extracted SenseUI and could create a ROM for Nexus One that installs it?
Nexus One doesn't have Sense UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I was asking if the HTC European release of the phone added SenseUI... since I read that it does include multi-touch gestures on the native Android apps and UI, but I have no idea if that is true or not. I read elsewhere that the USA model and the HTC Europe model is identical. Do you know? And more specifically, do you know if the European model includes T-Mobile USA 3G bands?
The soft keys on Nexus One are famous for being a bit misplaced - you have to touch slightly above them, in order to register the tap. They offer haptic feedback. The back key (the most commonly used one) is smartly placed where your thumb falls- an improvement over the Hero, which places it such that you have to contort your thumb to reach for it.
Click to expand...
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Re: "misplaced"... More and more I am just recognizing that on the resistive screens I have been used to on WindowsMobile phones, we are all used to being able to line up the top of the fingernail with the keys in order to get natural placement, but that on capacitive screens, the impact point of the finger to the screen is the bottom of the fingertip, which in itself is (using USA scale) 1/8" to 1/4" downward from the fingernail tip. So I have been advised by "experienced" Android users that the secret to typing on the soft keyboard is to tap slightly above the letters on-screen. But in fact that really is just a visual adjustment and the actual impact point of the finger is precisely on the soft target... ?
If I am correct, then it would be great if Android OS offered a user preference offset adjustment -- in the same way that Windows Mobile (yes, can you believe it, an actual compliment to Windows Mobile!) did a great job with its angle offset adjustment since people who are right handed are really naturally positioned with their hands to be "attacking" the soft keyboard at a slight diagonal angle from lower right and moving to the left.
But what do I know. YOU've used the Nexus One, I haven't. In fact I was really disappointed. Today I went to my T-Mobile store thinking they might have a demo Nexus One that customers could try out before purchasing from Google online... Nope. they said there is no way to try the phone first. You have to just buy it.
The trackball is a bad idea compared to a directional pad. I haven't used it much really, but from what I have, it did an OK job.
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Yeah, so at your next Google team meeting, would you please tell the Android product dev team to take a cue from Motorola and provide the D-pad?
The chin on the Hero is useful in that it protects the screen if you drop the phone on a flat surface. If you drop the Nexus, the screen will take the shock. The Nexus one is slimmer and slightly larger.
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Wow, I never thought of that before, and I've never read that anywhere... I wish Google hadn't dumped the "chin" for their Nexus One, but given both USA carriers of the Hero, Verizon and Sprint, both dumped the chin, I have to believe that some of that influence came from Google itself -- and these weren't simply decisions made unilaterally by Sprint or Verizon.
It does have all those, and it's frikkin' fast indeed. It falls short in that it has a lame speaker, and its slab/slate shape will make it somewhat more likely to have the screen damaged in the event of a drop. I for one miss the call/end call keys, but overall prefer the soft keys on the Nexus One.
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Lame speaker as in "not what it SHOULD be" or "not as good as the Hero speakers (which I have been very impressed by). Do you have any idea what kind of usability studies Google Mountain View did to justify removing those keys? Why couldn't they have also been soft keys?
fyi, not sure how many people know about the company "SquareTrade" -- who provide alternative handset insurance, which includes accidental droppin g and I believe water damage. Way more reasonable in price than the plans that carriers offer. They "flatrate" iphones because of huge customer base, but it's a bit higher for other touchscreen phones. There's no way I would get a phone today without accidental dropping coverage, especially when it's reasonable.
I have to say, based on your review re battery life and the soft keys, I am very tempted to buy the Nexus One and commit to 2 years with T-Mobile. I've already been with them for 5 years and am reasonably happy. But I have questions, just for the heck of it:
(1) Since you're out there in Silicon Valley, and as I said, maybe even a Google employee by day, XDA-devs member by night, my guess is that a Nexus Two is already way into development? Just curious if anyone has any sixth sense about when Google's followup phone will be released?
(2) What is the market rate these days when selling a used Hero that's still under full warranty ( i think mine is 3 years, or at least 2 years for sure)? I purchased the european GSM version for $525, so what would be a price someone would be willing to pay for a used Hero? $400, $350 ?
Thanks so much for your review and full answers. I expected there would have been topics already here at XDA on this phone, but I didn't see any.
Get a job?
Oi quicksite, a buddy of mine who's seen your post above agrees that you have too much time on your hands
I don't work for Google - quite on the contrary. I'm just experienced with evaluating stuff. One will realize the slight misplacement of the soft keys as soon as they first experience the Nexus One; and I've seen the issue reported in a few places, to conclude that it's famous (Engadget probably).
Rumor has it that Nexus Two will be out in a year. As for the speaker, it's worse than Hero's, and worse than the one in iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. But do you really play music on the phone's speaker? You'll probably use earphones, or Bluetooth. As for ringtones, you won't really care that the speaker is poor. If you watch videos, you might suffer. The soundtrack of videos I watch is mostly dialogue (TED talks, George Carlin-type comedy).
As for "market rates" for stuff, there's no such thing. Head to eBay and craigslist and see what they sell for. Market yours well (see my eBay ad for my Samsung Galaxy) and you'll get a good price.
As for insurance, the only time my phone was dropped was when I let a curious doofus handle it. Look back in time - do you really have a tendency to drop your phone? I would not buy any sort of insurance.
Nope, there is no option in Android to offset your point of contact. Just get used to where the fingertip really is. Windows Mobile interfaces may have that option (I haven't seen it on my HTC Angel) because they're badly built for finger use - they're built more like office applications to be used with a stylus. The Android UI is touch-optimized. Most of the time you can operate your phone fine with only one hand, which makes it way more usable for GPS navigation (of course, don't text and drive - but hey, Nexus One introduced dictation as an input method, so you may be tempted).
I expected there would have been topics already here at XDA on this phone, but I didn't see any.
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Head over to http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/
My advice - you seem to be trapped in analysis paralysis, or the paradox of choice. Just buy the phone, and you'll be able to sell it a year later for at least $300. With the time you'll save by not dwelling too much on it, you'll be able to work a gig to make up for the difference
Oh, and put some hot Romanian girl wallpaper on it.
Oh my god, i'm given links to analysis paralysis! Then I am analyzed... hah hah. Geez man i've only had my Hero for 4 weeks. I'm not used to that turnaround rate.
No, I just type at an inefficient word rate of 100-to-1 compared to most.
Note to self: Set up a poll here to ask if anyone at XDA learned something valuable from my questions!
You can't possibly be Romanian if you do not know the subject in question. But seriously thank you. And after deliberations under 36 hours, yeah, maybe i'll get the nexus. But analysis paralysis? This coming from...
Welcome to my collection of meta-reviews. Before making significant purchases, I do a fair amount of market research, aggregating user reviews from Amazon, Epinions, or specialized sites for electronic or computer equipment. For software, as for anything I decide buying, I write my own reviews on this wiki.
Displays
a massive analysis of over 50 LCD monitors
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hmph. Okay! now I see how it's done! all in under 36 hours I am sure... ha hah
Moving on
quicksite said:
You can't possibly be Romanian if you do not know the subject in question.
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Which subject? Anyway, this got way off-topic already.
quicksite said:
But seriously thank you. And after deliberations under 36 hours, yeah, maybe i'll get the nexus. But analysis paralysis? This coming from...
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Exactly - with regards to the analysis paralysis. Been there, done that, trying to help others avoid it.
dandv said:
Which subject? Anyway, this got way off-topic already.
Exactly - with regards to the analysis paralysis. Been there, done that, trying to help others avoid it.
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what about help in...
Post Purchase research????
I am spending to much time online.
Looking up new things / issues / upgrades/ all about my new HERO!!!
Dan330 said:
what about help in...
Post Purchase research????
I am spending to much time online.
Looking up new things / issues / upgrades/ all about my new HERO!!!
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well i guess this is a mocking comment but i cannot tell.
In 3 years on this site, I've actually never run into this much dissing of somebody asking reasonable questions about actual usability issues. For some i guess $500 is a drop in the bucket; just buy the damn thing. a day of posting here is way too much time on your hands.
So here i was ready to take the advice of "just do it", and then I followed another of dandv's links to androidforums.com -- where i discovered that in 13 pages of threads on the Nexus One, at least 50 threads were expressing major problems in all kinds of areas, from the displaced touch alignment, which for many was recurring in every session, and would be fixed by battery removed, replaced, to lots of erratic connectivity problems with people who had two phones and could swap sim cards out and see their other phone connecting immediately, to major complaints re data plans there were not made clear to existing customers of T-Mobile, to some instant-pushback on google for its refusal to provide telephone support for their branded phone, instead their usual "fill out an email; you may not get a personal reply" (which means all the template stuff where you are forced down a path of their search results based on your question, read read reda, eventualy at the end of that line there is no existing faq for your question, and then waiting yet again for another non-specific email reply.
I'm actually glad this topic immediately deteriorated. If my questions were analysis paralysis about what for me is a major new expense, then its equally irresponsible to give the phone a rave (the hardware and software) without even a hint of the legions of problems some people are experiencing not just with the phone, but also with sorting out WHO ANSWERS THE CONSUMER FOR WHAT? T-mobile, HTC, Google.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8451473.stm
Just one of many such news reports.
So la dee dah, just frikkin buy it and then buy a new one if that's a problem.
quicksite said:
well i guess this is a mocking comment but i cannot tell.
.
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Yes
it was a joke...
what i was trying to say
I am like you
do a lot of research before purchase
and a lot more after...
so chill
it's all good....
I learned a lot from your questions, comments, and research...
later
Nexus One has the fastest GPS fix I've ever seen
Just wanted to add, after a month with the N1, that it gets a GPS fix faster than any other phone (Samsung Galaxy, HTC Hero) or device (GlobalSat SiRFstarIII) that I've used. It gets a GPS fix, apparently from a cold start, in less than 20 seconds, every time, even from a moving car.