PC Mag review - ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers

www pcmag com/review/346194/zte-axon-7
(not allowed to post links sry)

eklips said:
www pcmag com/review/346194/zte-axon-7
(not allowed to post links sry)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here we go, to save people from a highlight.
http://www.pcmag.com/review/346194/zte-axon-7
Hey! They gave it an "Editor's Choice"! However, I find it odd that PC Magazine gives the "Con" of a "Heavy custom UI layer." The other reviews I've seen all say the custom UI is very close to stock Android.
The reviewer says he was already able to get partial use on Verizon's network, which is really interesting.

celticchrys said:
Here we go, to save people from a highlight.
http://www.pcmag.com/review/346194/zte-axon-7
Hey! They gave it an "Editor's Choice"! However, I find it odd that PC Magazine gives the "Con" of a "Heavy custom UI layer." The other reviews I've seen all say the custom UI is very close to stock Android.
The reviewer says he was already able to get partial use on Verizon's network, which is really interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't make sense to me either. The other review stated that you have the option to select the ZTE skin but the default is the almost stock Android experience.

It makes sense to me. I have never been a fan of pcmag. IMO their reviews are never good.

Related

The android market is going to HELL

Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?
Proabably
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
frandavid100 said:
Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ehBrY said:
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, taken independently those apps are not reportable. There is nothing wrong with a facts app, but there is with a developer releasing 100 of them. Yet I cannot report the developer, I can only report the app.
the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc
Sorting options
czm said:
the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!
Spam their email like they do our market
There does need to be some method whereby Google get notified if one developer uploads more than, say, 5 apps or they upload several at the same time and then someone at google has to physically examine them before they go up. That way these spam apps would be identifed as such and not turn up there.
I guess ultimately this is the price we pay for having an unrestricted market. At the moment it is still worth it to get the kinds of app that Apple would never allow but I think SOME control is needed.
This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.
I would love to see a market proxy for rooted phones, allowing various developers and app categories to be removed from view. Regex pattern matching ...
I don't know if it's possible, but it would rock.
JTHM said:
This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.
joshyth1012 said:
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's "polish" comes at the cost of locking you away with everything u should have access for in the first place
Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.
Could you guys please contribute to this petition?
http://www.google.com/support/forum...87&hl=en&fid=0514f909d7c71c8700047ff77f3d84e4
Let's see if we can at least get an answer.
Namuna said:
Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.
sctx said:
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The 'legit' devs should be pushing for this as well as it would make it easier for end users to find and buy quality product.
This is the exact reason why my Nexus One sat in its box for a week after receiving it. This is my first Android phone and coming from an Apple OS and a regulated app platform since the 2g was introduced, the marketplace had a very bad first impression with me. My N1 was bone stock and I experienced force closes on stock apps..I felt as if I was beta testing a device that was released too early. It was packed and ready to ship back. Then I decided to take another look and while 95% of the marketplace apps are pure garbage, IMO, the phone itself has its advantages which is why I choose the N1 as choice device as opposed to my 3gs in which I basically use as an ipod "with benefits."
Final thought. If the android market app regulation doesnt improve, it will fall..and it will fall hard.
ehBrY said:
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 def would like to see this
This is a problem, and I do think Google should priorities this A.S.A.P. As this will discourage most Iphone to Android users. I don't even look in the new tab any more.
its not like google knows a thing or two about how searching should be done....
Do what I do...only download apps you know about. Get recommendations from sites like this one.

software solutions... what are users using to get by

Im not new to WinMo and I'v had the HD2 for about 3 days now but coming from Android like most of u, and was wondering what solutions you have found for software. To me the Windows Market SUXs big time right now. nothing good worth downloading (free anyways) and i have noticed theres not manny, to no choices when it comes to photo editing or manipulating software
where can i get some software to make the phone more usable. seems very limited right out of the box for me and i wanna "Android it up" a bit if its at all possible... and i dont mean install android apps
i miss the:
photo editing apps in general, not just android ones
googlesky - i know, i know, its a google app but something similar should be out there.. no?
googlemaps - (see googlesky note) (winmo doesnt have turn by turn on the included googlemaps...). however, i dont blame google for the limitations, it is their software.
extra messaging apps
a working barcode scanner - very useful app
any type of flash?
so whats everyone doing/using??
thank
rlee
Take a look here for what you need, this is the real marketplace for WM 6.5.x!
For Flash Skyfire browser helps, and Smaberg has a version of Opera 10 with flash enabled.
I know there are several barcode readers, don't use it, but they're available, as are alternate messaging apps/UIs.
Don't know about photo editing apps, but I'm sure they must be out there too...
Windows mobile is a far easier platform to get software from. You just search the internet, as you would for PC software. You can always look on xda too, and remember that if you do a search in the HD2 forum, you're only searching a very small portion of the site. You're better searching the whole forum. Wacky.banana kindly posted a thread about searching. It's stickied in this forum.
Hi, You could try http://freewarepocketpc.net. It also has it's own app that you can install on your HD2 to download applications directly to it. Yes the WinMo apps are fragmented all over the place with no single point of download. A lot are crap, but the same can be said for Android and iPhone. You hear stories that developers are giving up on WinMo 6. For bar codes i use i-nigma and Mobiletag but they are far from perfect.
Not sure about your impression that most of the HD2 users come from an Android background, interesting point of view A lot are interested in porting Android to it though
NZtechfreak thanks for the replies, trying out the skyfire browser right now.
johncmolyneux, im far from a windows noob, but for this phone i have searched the web, both through yahoo and google, have searched through forums and all the software i find either isnt compatible or i dont find what im looking for exactly. As i posted above, picture editing software should be common but there is not one single app available that runs properly.
rlee
cMMY69 said:
Hi, You could try freewarepocketpc.net It also has it's own app that you can install on your HD2 to download applications directly to it. Yes the WinMo apps are fragmented all over the place with no single point of download. A lot are crap, but the same can be said for Android and iPhone. You hear stories that developers are giving up on WinMo 6. For bar codes i use i-nigma and Mobiletag but they are far from perfect.
Not sure about your impression that most of the HD2 users come from an Android background, interesting point of view A lot are interested in porting Android to it though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that link - installed the appstore from that site. Cool
As someone moving from Android, I've been a little disappointed thus far too.
cMMY69 said:
Not sure about your impression that most of the HD2 users come from an Android background, interesting point of view A lot are interested in porting Android to it though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didnt mean all but alot of us jumped onto the bandwagon in hopes that android will be available to us in the near future
and i wouldnt say im disapointed with the HD2, in fact i think its awesome! its just different from what i've been using for a year and a half. but this phone has features that would make it hard to go back to android hardware so lets load up the sofware and see what happens!
rlee
rlee008 said:
...but this phone has features that would make it hard to go back to android hardware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you've not seen the HTC Evo then?
johncmolyneux said:
So you've not seen the HTC Evo then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i have seen the evo but that's coming to Sprint not to t-mobile so my options are a bit limited cause I'm still under contract with them. i got hopes that the evo will help with the development of Android on the HD2.
rlee008 said:
NZtechfreak thanks for the replies, trying out the skyfire browser right now.
johncmolyneux, im far from a windows noob, but for this phone i have searched the web, both through yahoo and google, have searched through forums and all the software i find either isnt compatible or i dont find what im looking for exactly. As i posted above, picture editing software should be common but there is not one single app available that runs properly.
rlee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resco Photo Manager - not free but not expensive either and has reasonably good photo editing capabilities. Certainly enought for mobile devices, given the assumption that hardcore editing would be done on a PC

anyone know where to find the original Atrix site?

When I was originally looking to buy the atrix (before it was released) I looked at a website that was all flash that had a grid in the background which you could click on pictures of different user types and see usage scenarios. I haven't been able to find it since. Did motorola take it down when it was launched? Does anyone know a link to it?
I know exactly which site you mean. It came up on google first. But if I do google now it looks like the site on the German page.. I always thought it would go the other way round
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...d-Services/Mobile-Phones/Motorola-ATRIX-US-EN
This is what used to be the site you are referring to (I think ). It's a little bit different than before.
Saschwatch said:
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...d-Services/Mobile-Phones/Motorola-ATRIX-US-EN
This is what used to be the site you are referring to (I think ). It's a little bit different than before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks totally different. The old site had some video of a girl using the lapdock then getting up and taking a picture with the phone all the while talking on it via bluetooth. It had lots of other example videos as well embedded in the background. This new site has lots of info but lacks the quick looks at video usage scenarios that I wanted to show people
I think you are talking about the Atrix page at the AT&T site.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

OMG the default browser's editor is an abomination!

Purely pathetic. Freshman CS students code better for homework assignments. Gimme a break!!
"Browser's editor"? A five year old could piece together a more thought out and complete sentence than your post.
Gary13579 said:
"Browser's editor"? A five year old could piece together a more thought out and complete sentence than your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Browser's editor = editor in the browser, which is what I use to reply to impertinent and disrepectful posts.
...What editor?
Carl LaFong said:
Browser's editor = editor in the browser, which is what I use to reply to impertinent and disrepectful posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I GOT COMPARED TO A FIVE YEAR OLD ON THE INTERNET! BETTER BUST OUT THE BIG WORDS!
I kid.
Anyway, he's talking about the typing lag in the default browser. And, yeah, it is pretty bad. But it's manageable. The default browser has too many things that I love to dump it for the one flaw.
To the OP directly, a lot of it has to do with XDA, too. It's bad on most sites, but XDA with the 2010 theme takes the cake for slowest website to view on the Transformer. It was a lot worse before the 3.1 update. Take a little time and do it better yourself, too, if you really feel that way.
There is no editor in the browser. The textarea you are writing to is part of the website. It's sluggish on this forum and probably that caused you to comment like that.
Magnesus said:
There is no editor in the browser. The textarea you are writing to is part of the website. It's sluggish on this forum and probably that caused you to comment like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok whatever. When I acces this site with Opera no problems. When I access any other ste it screwsup.
Above typos are uncorrect4d.
Got it?
Opera works wonders with Javascript-enabled sites, especially in modern forums. Other browsers fail in this regard, possibly due to the lack of optimization used by Opera's team. However, the problem with this one is that the devs need Honeycomb source code to optimize Flash content, so we're stuck with a Flash-less Opera for tablets.
Turn off flash. It may speed up the browser substantially.
It's a shame we can't report posts anymore using the report buton.
And so isn't that the beauty of the system, that one can so easily substitute another browser for the stock browser? I mean, seriously: Opera works better for that particular use. Awesome! Firefox works better with my company's SharePoint site. Bonus! Dolphin works well with some particular sites I visit. Cool!
Complaining that the stock (browser, or whatever) doesn't work in a particular instance only makes sense if there were no other options. But then, of course, you'd probably be talking about an Apple product.
Indeed, the beauty of Android: Choice. Why settle for stock when you've got a whole group of alternatives, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. You may not be satisfied with one particular browser, but you will be if you use multiple ones catered for a specific need.
Carl LaFong said:
Browser's editor = editor in the browser, which is what I use to reply to impertinent and disrepectful posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are the one that came into this forum calling things pathetic, posting vague and useless information that leaves us no way to determine what you are talking about. If you expect to be met with respect, then perhaps you should calm down.
Next, by "editor" I am assuming you mean the keyboard. The ASUS keyboard does really suck, but guess what? Android is awesome and you can switch the keyboard. There are literally over a dozen keyboards you can choose from. Thumb Keyboard, Swype, stock Android keyboard, etc all work great for me.
If you mean the browser is laggy, then switch to another browser. Try Dolphin HD or Opera or Fennec. Yay options!
I believe all of us like options, but having good browser in a first place would be better. now I'm using opera mini to browse forums. fast n smooth.
-_- browser's editor...rofl.....xda really needs to add a 'Report' button...
You guys are really something - this guy has a very valid complaint even if he doesn't have the best handle on computer-related terms. You're all just looking for an excuse to hassle someone, even though I found his description weird I immediately knew he was referring to the browser lag.
And to those asking why we don't just move to another browser, because the stock Android browser would be, by far, the best mobile browser around if it weren't for the keyboard lag.
Yeah, it's nice that you have choice with Android but that's not what this complaint is about. This is about the stock browser that ships with Honeycomb, which is amazing by almost all accounts, is almost unusable because of this typing lag - unless you purely consume content in the internet and don't ever post anything.
Use Tapatalk for forum access
Evostance said:
Use Tapatalk for forum access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this is yet another stopgap measure, like using a third-party browser merely so you can type properly.
Tapatalk is a great app, but it was designed for phones. It's a waste of the 1280x800 screen on the Transformer.
These suggestions will work great to hold us over until a fix is released, but none of these excuse or dismiss the browser lag problem.
Shawn_230 said:
But this is yet another stopgap measure, like using a third-party browser merely so you can type properly.
Tapatalk is a great app, but it was designed for phones. It's a waste of the 1280x800 screen on the Transformer.
These suggestions will work great to hold us over until a fix is released, but none of these excuse or dismiss the browser lag problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a Javascript issue, correct? If so, then why is this happening?
I also hate the lag... but I only assume google will eventually fix this maybe in the next update... hopefully... no biggie
Going to try firefox

TouchWiz

I must admit that I have always been a "use whatever skin came with the phone" type of guy going all the way back to 1.6, however I curiously installed the Google Now Launcher tonight and boy the Note Pro seems as if it were on steroids!!! Now I understand what people mean when they say Touchwiz is resource hog. Don't get me wrong, I'm probably considered to be one of Touchwiz's biggest fans, but..............
Good night
thorissr said:
I must admit that I have always been a "use whatever skin came with the phone" type of guy going all the way back to 1.6, however I curiously installed the Google Now Launcher tonight and boy the Note Pro seems as if it were on steroids!!! Now I understand what people mean when they say Touchwiz is resource hog. Don't get me wrong, I'm probably considered to be one of Touchwiz's biggest fans, but..............
Good night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post the Google Play Store link for the Google Now Launcher? The only one I can find says my device is not supported.
lawalty said:
Can you post the Google Play Store link for the Google Now Launcher? The only one I can find says my device is not supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to side load it here is a link to a download link http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/26/download-google-now-launcher-version-1-0-9/
kodochax said:
You have to side load it here is a link to a download link http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/26/download-google-now-launcher-version-1-0-9/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bud.
The launcher at this moment is native only to the Nexus line and Google Play Edition devices, although the APK can be side loaded without any issues on our devices. I'm even running it on my GN3 and quite frankly I'm loving it and plan on sticking with it until it's finally supported for my devices natively.
Do a quick search for "Google Now Launcher" and you shouldn't have a problem picking up the file. Once you download it on your Pro just click install and you'll have it in less than 5 seconds.
A quick report for those who may want to install it. I have not ran into one issue since the install. No crashes, no force closes(Beat cha Watch On!!). There are reports of users with different devices reporting issues, which caused me concerns prior to my install. I'm happy to say it's as though this launcher was built for the Note Pro.
If you need additional info don't hesitate to PL me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Frankly, in just the few minutes i've been playing with it, i'm LOVING IT! Like the OP, i've also been a "use whatever skin came with the phone" kinda guy. When I was using my Nexus 5, i've gotten use to the launcher. I love the simplicity of the experience. My only gripe, if any, there is none of the native TW widgets (example: Action Memo) that uses the S Pen naively.
Update:
thorissr said:
I'm even running it on my GN3 and quite frankly I'm loving it and plan on sticking with it until it's finally supported for my devices natively.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming when you said GN3 you mean your Galaxy Note 3? I been trying to also side load it on my Note 3, however i'm getting a parsing error. Thinking it was a corrupt download, i re-downloaded it, but still getting the parsing error.
True...touchwiz widgets takes a back seat to the "Google Experience", but all of Samsung's SPen and Multi Window features are fully intact. That was my only fear after installing was that it would break some of the features that enticed me to purchase the Note Pro. Happily everything works as it did out the box.
Our fellow brothers on the Note 10.1-2014 side are reporting excellent results as well.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Correct I was referring to the Galaxy Note 3, and yes you are correct if you attempt to use the same APK on your Note 3 as I did initially, you will receive the parsing error message.
I ended up finding a older APK released on the net back in December and installed it and it automatically updated to the latest GNL after the install. I'm on my phone now and I have the files uploaded to dropbox, and will happily share if you like....just PM me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
I didn't intentionally leave the GN3 info on purpose, I just didn't want to violate rules by centering the topic on the GN3 in the Note Pro forum...I've always been a rule follower since my military days...he he he?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
I tried the Google Launcher but found it to be somewhat too limited. I personally didn't like the lack of options and inability to change the grid size to make better use of the Note Pro screen.
But in many ways anything is better than TouchWiz.
I still recommend Nova Launcher the most. You can adjust everything exactly to the look/feel you prefer. It's also leaner and faster than anything else I've tried when set to "faster than light" settings.
thorissr said:
True...touchwiz widgets takes a back seat to the "Google Experience", but all of Samsung's SPen and Multi Window features are fully intact. That was my only fear after installing was that it would break some of the features that enticed me to purchase the Note Pro. Happily everything works as it did out the box
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankfully, no alternate launcher should affect the S-Pen and Multi-window features.

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