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I've had my xperia for about 3 days now, using it non-stop at home, on the go, etc.
I'm having a lot of mixed feelings: i like it, and disappointed in it at the same time.
Please enlighten me in each of the following.. help me learn to love the phone instead of regret it.
1) My biggest gripe: The form factor, the thickness, the small touchscreen embedded WITHIN borders as opposed to a front flat. Admit it.. it feels like a brick.
2) Lack of panels.. Lack of applications (look at apple's app store)
3) The responsiveness.. the overall phone is dodgy, menus take seconds to load, camera and its settings are slow, buttons and inputs are not instantaneous... I've an ipod touch for about more then half a year now, those who've experienced with Apple products know what I mean by 'immediate response' (and in NO WAY am i supporting apple, I am just doing this comparison to illustrate the difference of response)
All these gripes i would have set aside if the price tag was about $100 - $200 dollars CHEAPER. When I'm paying so much, I expect something decent :|
Now for my praises:
1) Biggest plus; It has windows live mail, and windows live messenger, something the iPhone will never have.
2) Panels CONCEPT.
3) The beautiful colors (xperia wall)
4) Keypad, lots of control/input: trackpad, d-pad, touchscreen & stylus
If you've read all that, In no way am i critcizing the xperia as a whole. It's my user-preference I speak with and individual opinion. I, for one, am bothered by all the gripes I have mentioned. I've searched for smartphones for a long time now and none has even PEAKED my interest besides the xperia and the iPhone. The problem is that the iPhone is out of the question because I can't get it. So my question is... What should I do? As in should i stay with the xperia, what can I do with the xperia to make me satisfied with it, etc.
Hey,
dude u need to flash a new ROM. Xperia 'out of the box' looks nice but doesn't work as well as it looks. once you've flashed a ROM it works nicer than it looks.
Im using agent_47 ROM...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=512050
admittedly there are a few bugs every now n then but its nothing that eventually won't be fixed.
Dude there are loooaaddss of panels available. just search the forums. there are also loaaadss of apps available...you just have to find them. tomtom7, facebook, skype, super mario just to give some examples.
So in summary, find a ROM that you like and flash it
Adam
Thanks but it doesn't compensate for the fact that the phone is bulky with a screen embedded within borders. Even though the iPhone may be bigger in volume, at least it has a large screen (thats NOT in border) to make up for its size.
My issue is.. i feel no matter what I change about the software and interface, it'd still feel bricky in my hands, when getting a call; trying to touch the tiny buttons on the embedded screen with my thumbs -___-
What other third party panels could possibly benefit me? Aren't most of them just home screens, mobile shell, etc.
Panels I'd like to see include paralelling the apple app store; at least have the defaults like the facebook panel: twitter, youtube, notes, pocketoffice panel, dictionary, games, etc. Funny how advertisements show panels with different colours but none are remotely worthy to be put. I only have about 7 panels, and i even tolerated putting the fish and clock one.
arikado as adam18488 has said you need a new windows mobile rom.
Most of your Points are related to the Software of the Windows Mobile Computer Operating System.
The WinMo ROM that is shiped with X1 has heavy lags with video rendering.
You are not the only one who is disopointed with the OS on X1.
Iphone works out of the box -Apps store has loads and is v easy ...but you can't customise!
Xperia WILL dissapoint out of the box ...you need to make it yours -customise, tweak etc
If you are new at all this ....the last thing you should do is Flash a custom ROM imho
You need to read LOADS and start small with the tweaks
I was underwhelmed when I first got mine ...a couple of weeks of reading and trialling were quite frustrating (without this forum it would have been impossible)
About a month in I got it all set up the way I liked it ...8 months on I still LOVE it and have continued to make small tweaks (including upgrading the stock ROM twice -now on the current R3A & video works flawlessly BTW)
Take a look at threads like "post your today screen" and the like to see how wide the options are
The WIKI is a must, as are most of the Stickies
arikado said:
Thanks but it doesn't compensate for the fact that the phone is bulky with a screen embedded within borders. Even though the iPhone may be bigger in volume, at least it has a large screen (thats NOT in border) to make up for its size.
My issue is.. i feel no matter what I change about the software and interface, it'd still feel bricky in my hands, when getting a call; trying to touch the tiny buttons on the embedded screen with my thumbs -___-
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Click to collapse
arikado,
Did you not at least feel the phone in person before buying it? You can't really whine now that you've bought the phone. It was your responsibility as a customer to ensure that everything about the phone met your expectations before you handed over the cash.
Should've done your homework first. If the phone feels like a brick to you, then even the Touch Pro 2 or even the N97 will feel like a brick because those are -huge- phones.
If you don't want a recessed screen, I strongly suggest the TouchHD, that's about it or wait for the next Xperia, or go with the HTC Hero, or HTC Magic.
Cheers.
Yes - we can't help you now with hardware issues. If you don't like the hardware you should not have bought it. Anyway:
If you are a fan of finger UI's then read about Mobile Shell 3.0. It allows you to do almost everything with your finger. There is also a cab available that imrpoves the responsibility :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=485037&highlight=softtouch
Here you go: X1 SoftTouch.
Well..there are panels, but you are right - not as much as I would have liked!
And there are apps, but not as much because 800x480 screensize is rather new
to phones. Give them some time.
The "borders" around the screen you are taking about is a negative thing on that phone. But like already mentioned: swop with a Touch HD. It is more likely "your" kind of phone!
arikado said:
1) My biggest gripe: The form factor, the thickness, the small touchscreen embedded WITHIN borders as opposed to a front flat. Admit it.. it feels like a brick.
2) Lack of panels.. Lack of applications (look at apple's app store)
3) The responsiveness.. the overall phone is dodgy, menus take seconds to load, camera and its settings are slow, buttons and inputs are not instantaneous... I've an ipod touch for about more then half a year now, those who've experienced with Apple products know what I mean by 'immediate response' (and in NO WAY am i supporting apple, I am just doing this comparison to illustrate the difference of response)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Orelsi reporting in .
1 - I don't mind the thikness, because you get a full keyboard. You can't beat that. The recessed screen is one of my major gripes as well, but it has one (only one lol) good thing going for it - when you drop it, the screen will not get damaged. I admit that it is a brick.
2 - Not true. There are some panels floating around. There are THOUSANDS of apps and games for WinMo and most of them are NOT like these:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0907/gallery.dumbest_iphone_apps.fortune/index.html Just read and search .
3- Everything that you listed can be fixed by custom ROMs or tweaks of the system. My only advice is to read the "sticky" topics and then browse the forum for whatever you want.
My X1 has the regular firmware and is lightning fast thanks to massive tweaking and installing of useful apps.
If you can't find anything using the search function, feel free to ask the helpful people in this forum .
If you want a phone that works fine "out of the box" : got an Iphone but you will never be able to customize it
If you want a bigger screen: Got a Touch HD but no hardware keyboard, screen less responsive (my opinion), not really faster
If you want to keep your Xperia: learn about tweaking and flashing rom
My 2 centimes:
- Yes the firmware is painfully slow. This is really the major limitation of this phone out of the box.
- I have not yet flashed a custom ROM (on R2A) but am very hopeful that this improves the snappiness
- Buy SPB Mobile Shell 3.01. Outstanding software and well worth the price.
- After a couple weeks/months, I think most Xperiites ditch panels because they are slow and a fairly silly idea. Why press three times to run an application when you have the option to press only once?
- The hardware on this phone is superb and I think you will only come to appreciate it more and more. Bricks may not look the best, but they last a helluva long time.
Is it just me or am I the only one getting a bit bored of the iPhone fanboys repeating the "My iPhone/My mate's iPhone/My fashionista's iPhone is great, the X1 is crap, why?" question?
If you don't like it's size and shape, why buy one?
In regards to apps, typing "Windows Mobile Apps" into Google gets approx 292,000,000 results. Yes, a lot of these will be repeated/links to each other, but there are at least a few sites off the top of my head that can provide hundreds of *legally free* apps, let alone several that can provide lots of paid-for ones. "Oh but the Apple Store is one place" yes, we all get all of our purchases from the same shop. Unless you're a Tesco/Walmart fanboy also?
I must admit, it is a bit of a pain getting fluff and dirt out of the corners of the screen, but a lot less of a pain than smashing the screen like several of my iPhone loving mates have, especially on a thin-bodied device which depends on the screen to work...
rp-x1 said:
Is it just me or am I the only one getting a bit bored of the iPhone fanboys repeating the "My iPhone/My mate's iPhone/My fashionista's iPhone is great, the X1 is crap, why?" question?
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I didn't see anyone here say that. Post in the wrong thread, maybe?
rp-x1 said:
Is it just me or am I the only one getting a bit bored of the iPhone fanboys repeating the "My iPhone/My mate's iPhone/My fashionista's iPhone is great, the X1 is crap, why?" question?
If you don't like it's size and shape, why buy one?
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Click to collapse
Count me in for the bored crowd. What's with the apple fanboys flooding a WinMo forum?
xperiance said:
I didn't see anyone here say that. Post in the wrong thread, maybe?
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Nope.
HERE is a possible fix for the screen being pushed into the phone - basicially what i noticed was that when i put a screen protector on it obvoiusly raised the screen so i was thinking - maybe if you put two screen protectors on ! it would be at optimum height! just a thought - i might try it
rp-x1 said:
Is it just me or am I the only one getting a bit bored of the iPhone fanboys repeating the "My iPhone/My mate's iPhone/My fashionista's iPhone is great, the X1 is crap, why?" question?
If you don't like it's size and shape, why buy one?
In regards to apps, typing "Windows Mobile Apps" into Google gets approx 292,000,000 results. Yes, a lot of these will be repeated/links to each other, but there are at least a few sites off the top of my head that can provide hundreds of *legally free* apps, let alone several that can provide lots of paid-for ones. "Oh but the Apple Store is one place" yes, we all get all of our purchases from the same shop. Unless you're a Tesco/Walmart fanboy also?
I must admit, it is a bit of a pain getting fluff and dirt out of the corners of the screen, but a lot less of a pain than smashing the screen like several of my iPhone loving mates have, especially on a thin-bodied device which depends on the screen to work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iPhone is a good phone in its own ways
Xperia is a good phone in its own ways
both have their ups and down and you need to consider which you think best suits you because neither are perfect
I'm just looking at it from a neutral point of view but i'm glad i chose xperia
comeradealexi said:
iPhone is a good phone in its own ways
Xperia is a good phone in its own ways
both have their ups and down and you need to consider which you think best suits you because neither are perfect
I'm just looking at it from a neutral point of view but i'm glad i chose xperia
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Click to collapse
Agreed, everything is down to personal preference, but the iPhone losers cannot stop claiming that their device is THE BEST!!! It obviously isn't and any objective man comparing it to a normal phone can see that. It is a glorified mp4 player and barely qualifies as a feature phone.
The attitude of being uneducated and tech illiterate, but still claiming that your device is the Jesus phone, is what annoys me.
Especially when people start posting about it at a WINMO forum. WTF seriously? Use it, enjoy it, but don't try to make it something it clearly is not. That is why the apple fanboys irritate me.
End of rant lolz .
orelsi said:
any objective man... It is a glorified mp4 player and barely qualifies as a feature phone.
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No one ever accused you of being "objective".
1) My biggest gripe: The form factor, the thickness, the small touchscreen embedded WITHIN borders as opposed to a front flat. Admit it.. it feels like a brick.
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Wrong, it feels like a luxury device. Even if the OS was a basic symbian it would still feel grand. Admit it...it feels like it's the ****.
The form factor is perfect. The thickness is actually pretty thin. The touch screen is not satisfactory.
2) Lack of panels.. Lack of applications (look at apple's app store)
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Why are you complaining on something that is still being developed? You are one bull****ing fanboy.
Palm Pre > Lack of apps
Android > Lack of tethering @ apps
Apple > Applications are mostly games you turd, and apps are only foreground apps so what is the freaking point?
Look how manys apps that I have for my X1:
3) The responsiveness.. the overall phone is dodgy, menus take seconds to load, camera and its settings are slow, buttons and inputs are not instantaneous... I've an ipod touch for about more then half a year now, those who've experienced with Apple products know what I mean by 'immediate response' (and in NO WAY am i supporting apple, I am just doing this comparison to illustrate the difference of response)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean, actually. I have to agree on this. Played with my brother's ipod touch.
All these gripes i would have set aside if the price tag was about $100 - $200 dollars CHEAPER. When I'm paying so much, I expect something decent :|
Click to expand...
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I think the X1 is worth 900 bucks, but I think it is unfair that the X1i version is a lot cheaper. ****ing bull****. Europeans are lucky!
1) Biggest plus; It has windows live mail, and windows live messenger, something the iPhone will never have.
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What are you gonna think if iPhone has it in the future?
2) Panels CONCEPT.
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It's not a concept you fool.
3) The beautiful colors (xperia wall)
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WTF is an Xperia wall... nobody on this forum ever made a reference to an Xperia wall. The colors are okay, the resolution is better. Think people think.
4) Keypad, lots of control/input: trackpad, d-pad, touchscreen & stylus
Click to expand...
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So my question is... What should I do? As in should i stay with the xperia, what can I do with the xperia to make me satisfied with it, etc.
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Click to collapse
If you aren't for being organized then get the iPhone...that's all I have to say
Even using apple's software is very inorganized and there is no way for me to mother****ing installed 3rd party schedule applications / alarm applications / automatic profile applications ...so iPhone is just a toy with a lot of games and foreground-only apps.
Xperia keeps me so organized... why? SPB Diary baby. Anyway, just get the Apple because I don't think you're the kind of guy who needs simple features only.
Just listen to me and get the iPhone 3GS and you will be happy.
My most used app is SPB Mobile Shell 3... and AE Button... try them out and it will boost your productivity...
i really loved the batt life of Xperia.. (coming from O2 Atom Life)
xperiance said:
No one ever accused you of being "objective".
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Click to collapse
Did I lie in my statement?
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.
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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--- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
EVERYONE has a few gripes with Android...Everyone...however this blog is so biased and uninformative it seriously annoys me.
The first post was about how SOME iOS apps look better than their Android counterparts...a fault entirely with the devs of those apps, not Androids fault...which is obvious but not on that blog...
Then they start posting half truths and lies and it's absurd.
Such As:
one post is entirely opinion based (Android looks like crap)
Another uses the recent Skype scandal as if it is somehow Androids fault that the devs were incompetent.
Another actually disses the notification panel...seriously...
And the most recent one disses flash...as if A) it has to be always on and B) is worse than it is...
the blog is seriously frustrating...
check it out....
android-gripes.tumblr.com
there are iOS haters, so there are Android haters too
don't worry we love our Android.
I agree with houzuoguo. The thing about this blog that will infuriate many is the lack of comments section, each post should open to discussion. It's closed (ahem iOS) and would cater to Apple fanboys.
I blog about my gripes with Android sometimes, but the majority of which are geared at the carriers and manufacturers actions, not Android itself. Android is so customizable, I'd have a hard time believing that Android looks ugly. I also keep my comments section open for discussion which I enjoy. This blog just seems like a shill for Apple.
tkgod said:
I blog about my gripes with Android sometimes, but the majority of which are geared at the carriers and manufacturers actions, not Android itself. Android is so customizable, I'd have a hard time believing that Android looks ugly. I also keep my comments section open for discussion which I enjoy. This blog just seems like a shill for Apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what pissing me off the most...the first post I read about devs making android apps look like crap compared to iOS apps...I was like yea, good, bring this to the forefront...but soon after it seemed to be overwhelmed with half truths and lies and just all around BS.
Seriously...the dude who dissed the Android notification panel even went as far as to say that iOS's notifications are better....even the most diehard Apple blog has never said something so retarded before right then.
That blog is full of crap...not even close to being creditable. Android is in 1st place for OS's and continues to rock!
omg he quoted you! (out of context, naturally, him being an iTard)
He does have a right to spew his crap on his blog,twitter and fb. Create a new androidRocks id and challenge every single of his lines, with rock hard evidence.
His biased opinion is clear here (quote), I wont even try to correct him as every single statement is false.
Why do I write this blog?
I have been an user of iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac for years. I like Apple’s products for some reasons and I like Apple’s culture.
I admire what Google has done for the Internet, but I do have some negative opinions on Android. I’m fine with new products coming into the market and competing with Apple’s. What bothers me is that Android gets into the market in an “evil” way - it proposed “openness” and claimed Apple products are “close” so Android is better. This is absolutely nonsense marketing buzz. So sad that a lot of medias also blindly jumped into it. “Openness” is such a vague concept and whatever it tries to say means almost nothing or even something negative to consumers. Smartphones do not need the so called “openness”.
I have constantly heard many gripes about Android. Recently I happened to have access to some Android phones and use them in a daily base. The more I use Android, the more I feel that Android is indeed a half-baked OS, its UX/UI is horrible and various hardwares are poorly designed. It’s true that those phones are working like smartphones, better than feature phones from old school, but they ignore a lot of the details. Just for Google’s own benefit, they helped handset manufactures brutally dumped a huge amount of unpolished devices to the market. They made people think this is how smartphones should work. This is so unfair to consumers. IMHO, it is no different from committing a crime. That’s why I made the cartoon of “Android Gripes” as a Monopoly “Go Directly To Jail” card showing an Android on it.
As much as I believe in Apple, I think everybody deserves great user experience, especially when it comes to phones. I think it is my mission to let more people know that Android does not provide you that. Android only provides inferior user experience. You either admit it and bear with it, or go for better alternatives. That’s why I started writing this blog.
This blog, and related Twitter account and Facebook Page, are all run by myself. I’m not affiliated with Apple Inc. in any way, neither with Google Inc., apparently. I only have very limited time, so I often cite others’ articles and occasionally write down my own experiences and opinions. You may sometimes find my writing sound unusual, that’s because I’m not a native English speaker. I started writing articles in English since not very long ago.
Happy reading and I appreciate your support.
Lastly, competition should always be encouraged. Wish the best to Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, the way he gets his point across may may appear as bashing, but he isn't entirely lying. Stock Android is hideous, and people only prefer it to anything else because of it's speed. It isn't polished and it simply isn't too lovely. However I do like how Google focuses on "Dark", iOS seems somewhat too bright and colorful. Yes colorful is usually good, but iOS also makes everything shiny, somewhat childish or something... it's hard to explain why I don't entirely like it, but something about iOS in general seems eh to me.
I was going to actually give this guy the benefit of the doubt and assume that he actually wanted to better Android. Then I noticed that he only post news related to Android when it makes Android look bad. Only when it makes Android look bad. What does random news articles have to do with your problems with Android? It also seems to me he hates Android and wants everyone to hate Android as well. Then again, the title of the blog is "Android Gripes", so I guess focusing on the negatives on the OS is the point. Posting how Skype had a vulnerability does seem extremely odd though... it again makes me assume he just wants to create a site to make Android seem pathetic. The "Is Samsung’s New Galaxy Tab Fibbing About Its Figure? And About Those Galaxy Tab Fans…" post is completely irrelevant to the blog. And video of the new, thinner 10.1 tab has been out for a few days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdu5PVjCGo0, sadly not before that post.
I agree with him entirely from a design standpoint, several Android apps and Android without being properly modified in general is ugly. There is no denying that (well it is an opinion, so you could deny it) but it is also highly customizable -- and it also seems that developers do not try as hard on their Android apps at all. However, I do not like his hate toward Android. He is trying to use every minuscule flaw, or even things that that aren't really even "flaws" of the operating system to make it seem inferior to iOS. I honestly hope such a blog inspires Google to focus a little harder on Android's user interface. Google sucks at this. And they always have.
You will not find a bigger Android guy than me, but I admit, that the design of many of our apps is crap. This is actually why I got into application design. I love Android and want to make it better, and before Honeycomb it didnt look like Google was really making big strides in the design arena. But then again, I dont think they are a very design heavy company as a whole, and there have been numerous stories throughout the years of how their designers get fed up and leave because the engineering heavy company just doesnt seem to understand design as a whole. Fortunately with Mathias Duarte now on board I believe things are going to change quite a bit, and imho already have with some great new ui stuff on Honeycomb.
I dont think the Android phone ui is hideous or anything, but when you have such great functionality as Android has, it really brings you down to see such poopy design sometimes. For instance do a search on "calendar widget." There is only one I would consider being well designed, Pure grid, while the other 200 cal widgets may have great function, but look just awful.
All that being said, if anyone is interested in getting an application designed professionally by my company, feel free to dm me. We have some great stuff coming out for iOS, and since I'm one of two guys at my company that uses Android I would love to get some more Android apps to work on. Plus it would be nice to throw in my bosses face when he bad mouths Android designs
I admit there are more polished looking apps on iPhone over android. But I happen to find stock gingerbread just pure elegant and beautiful. With launcher pro of course, but I find it beautiful. I mean how could stock android be "ugly" and not have iOS ugly as well? Stock android looks way better to me.
AbsoluteDesignz said:
EVERYONE has a few gripes with Android...Everyone...however this blog is so biased and uninformative it seriously annoys me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the best way to get back at him is to make a blog of your own called iOS-gripes.tumblr.com
As far as the look of the operating system I would have to say that stock Android is nicer than iOS.
Main reasons I ended up switching to the iPhone 4 was due to:
1. HID bluetooth keyboard support built into the OS.
2. Netflix app that streams video.
3. Navigon GPS app for iOS that I actually prefer over Google Maps Navigation (doesn't need data, lane assist, turns down music instead of just pausing it). I tried out the Android version of the app and it seemed really half-assed like how it would talk over the music playing instead of trying to pause it or turn it down so you couldn't hear what it was telling you.
4. Better resale value when selling it on Craigslist. Usually the top android phone gets replaced by something better within 3 - 6 months and the resale value goes down accordingly. With the iPhone there are always tons of sheep wanting to buy yours and its guaranteed to stay at the top of the food chain for an entire year.
I agree though AD the guy is just being a troll and should either be less biased or needs to keep his mouth shut
I in no way deny the fact that iOS apps as a whole are better designed than Android apps...that's a fact...an unfortunate fact, but a fact.
I also think Stock Android is about 2 or 3 steps away from being much better (and from what I've seen and "felt" of Honeycomb it'll be closer once that hits phones).
I just do not like a select few posts which show an obvious bias...
The Samsung post...like that has anything to do with Android.
The Skype post, like that is Androids fault in the least.
The notification panel post which is just ridiculous.
And the snide comments in the article itself.
I respected the blog when I first said it as I felt it was bringing to light a big issue about app quality...then he kept updating it and yea...BS.
Well I have a Nexus One and an iPad2.
Let me just say that I fight with the iPad 2's iOS constantly. And while it may look pleasant, the design and functionality are lacking.
2 Examples that blow my mind:
AppStore: Browsing through tons of pages until I find an app I want to try. Click. Download. Exit. Homescreen... Ok I see it installing. Flip back. Re-Launch AppStore.... oh wait... I'm back to page 1 out of 254,325. Great...
SketchLive HD: Sweet doodle app. Click Send. Pop's up asking to set up an email account. No back button. No exit button. Back to the homescreen. Relaunch SketchLive HD.
This is like this for almost every app. You only have 1 option, the home button. I'm new so I'm exploring lots of apps. Almost every one of them has something that wouldn't allow me to go back... forcing me to close out and relaunch.
My thinking: Android is created by geeky logical coders where functionality > style. Apple is just the opposite where style > functionality.
I'll take functionality any day. I'm glad I never bought an iPhone as my daily communication device as it would be shattered on a road somewhere. Nothing is more aggravating then knowing what you are trying to do, but the software is too stupid to do it.
Here's more: The App Store shouldn't ping me to enter in my password every 15 minutes. It's freaking annoying. iTunes required me to setup a password that has Numbers and Capital and lowercase letters. It's a pain in the butt trying to go through Caps and Numbers on the iPad.
Also: The keyboard is atrocious. Why are the letters Capped when I'm using lowercase? Why can't you press and hold for numbers? Why does it FORCE a capital letter as the first letter of an input box? Very annoying and it makes me want to simply break it.
Apple found the magical formula to polishing a turd, and selling it for butt loads of money. Well played.
Just glanced quickly over at that blog and I agree completely with "Too many apps “live” in the notification panel".. If I want to be 100% sure Android won't kill an app I have to have it as an ongoing notification at ALL times? That is so ridiculous
crachel said:
Just glanced quickly over at that blog and I agree completely with "Too many apps “live” in the notification panel".. If I want to be 100% sure Android won't kill an app I have to have it as an ongoing notification at ALL times? That is so ridiculous
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Notification icons are optional and completely up to the developer, however a windows style "hide inactive icons"/manual configuration will be nice.
britoso said:
Notification icons are optional and completely up to the developer, however a windows style "hide inactive icons"/manual configuration will be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right, but even if the developer allows for no icon, there is still a blank space.. so if you have 2 or 3 ongoing notifications, you might have 2 icons with 1 blank space in between which looks even dumber..
crachel said:
right, but even if the developer allows for no icon, there is still a blank space.. so if you have 2 or 3 ongoing notifications, you might have 2 icons with 1 blank space in between which looks even dumber..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? In my experience, Apps that have an option on whether or not to display a notification panel icon (like Trillian or Skype) don't leave "blank space" in the notification area, they just aren't present there.
If an app developer opts for a non-visible phantom icon he is probably doing it wrong.
PartyMango said:
Huh? In my experience, Apps that have an option on whether or not to display a notification panel icon (like Trillian or Skype) don't leave "blank space" in the notification area, they just aren't present there.
If an app developer opts for a non-visible phantom icon he is probably doing it wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want your app to avoid potentially being garbage collected by Android you have to have an ongoing notification (running in the foreground) which means an icon or a blank space on the status bar
If the app is not running in the foreground (ongoing notification), Android could possibly see fit to kill it in the event memory is needed elsewhere.. so in this case, you're correct the app wouldn't be present at all
Nevermindz, lol.
crachel said:
If the app is not running in the foreground (ongoing notification), Android could possibly see fit to kill it in the event memory is needed elsewhere.. so in this case, you're correct the app wouldn't be present at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information, didn't know about that.
Eclair~ said:
The Speedtest.net app was updated for Android to look exactly like the iOS (which is beautiful) version:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is their new design, Speedtest.net redesigned their website as well. It is very unlikely that this is in any way related to the android gripes post.
Saw this article over at Pocketnow; what do you guys think? http://pocketnow.com/2013/01/30/bb10-vs-wp8-video
sinister1 said:
Saw this article over at Pocketnow; what do you guys think? http://pocketnow.com/2013/01/30/bb10-vs-wp8-video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a recent android to WP8 user, I will put in my two cents worth.
Lockscreen - Yea, I have to hit the button on my 8X, but I would be worried about accidental unlocks on the BB. Also, battery life knowing the screen is looking for that touch. Its a nice touch, but I am hesitant. The animation is nice, that faded edge is a cool touch, but I like the bounce the WP8 gives, and I am always trying to see how little I have to slide to get the unlock to happen, or how slow I can make it go.
Notificaitons - Ok, why is everyone complaining about the notificaitons? I don't have any problem, and I am getting texts all day, as well as emails to two accounts, and other notifications. Yea, there is no blinking light to tell me I have them, but since I keep my phone with me all the time, I know when it vibrates or makes a sound, I have a notificaiton. I remember as well if I have or have not checked what that notification is.
Local search - The video corrected it. So thats a wash.
Launching an app - Live tiles just rock. The static view on the BB is too reminiscent of Android. I think its neat that you can have the most recent apps shown, but only 4? I use about 8 to 10 a day, so scrolling up and down as I go about isn't that intuitive when I can set my screen on the WP8 to have those 10 in the first page.
Multitasking - Ok, BB got it easy here, the click on corner to completely close is nice.
My observations:
Its still too static, and I think its actually a cross between iPhone's all icons and Androids customization (most recent apps shown). I didn't see any widgets, so assuming there are none, it makes it more bland to me. That tells me its much more business orientated. I thought they would have gone personal this time, but guess not.
The keyboard - I don't like that line between rows, seems like they just wanted to make it different than other OS's, so the only thing left was to add a line instead of increasing the size of the keys or adding a gap between them.
Screen - didn't seem as crisp as the WP they were using, but not seeing it in person, cant really make that a definitive claim on my part.
Responsiveness - Seemed just as snappy as any good smart phone out there.
Build and design - It seemed a little simple, which isn't a bad thing. With this being a lifeline to RIM (or Blackberry) I thought they would have come out a little more 'radical'. But the quality seems there, and its a simple phone with some pleasing lines.
Over all, I think its going to appeal to the working force, but the trick is going to be making it affordable and easy to set up for the corporate officer. Personally, I don't think it will go well, but I am not a power user nor a reporter.
I think the WP8 platform still has it beat, and at least the 8X is much more visually appealing.
My two cents. For what its worth now a days!
http://pocketnow.com/2013/01/31/bla...nderdog?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
sinister1 said:
what do you guys think?
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Click to collapse
The reviewer really seems to be avoiding talking about how things are done on WP8, and why they're done that way, he even misses a lot of points for WP8, possibly because he hasn't even used it for a long enough time - at least this is the impression he leaves me with.
The Lock Screen - BB has notifications on the lock-screen on the left, possibly if any app has something to say, it will show up there, plus the calendar is showing appointments in the middle. WP8 has only 5 notification icons, customizable(point BB), but there is a main and secondary app that can show info as well - one for the lock-screen background, and one for under the time/date zone.(point WP8)
I agree with the power drain issue, when constantly looking for a touch-slide from the bottom vs physical button.
Notifications - This Notifications fetish comes from Android(I think), and it's a useful feature for Android. WP7&8 has Live Tiles. Different concept. A pencil and a pen are both used to write, but don't blame your pencil for not using ink. If we count the steps on BB to know what happened last - say you received an email - it takes you a complex swipe(from bottom to middle to the right), a swipe to the right(to get rid of Twitter), a tap on the Unified center, and a tap on the email itself, and you're done(if that tap opened the actual email and not just the email app). On WP8 it's a tap on the home screen(if you're not already there), a tap on the email tile(because you see it flashing with a 1 on it), a tap on the conversation and you're done. OR maybe you can omit the last two, if your email tile is set to large - then you see the whole email without even entering the email app.
Lets do a recap:
BB: Complex swipe -> Optional Simple Swipe(if say Twitter is open) -> Tap on Unified Center -> Tap on email | That's 1 complex step, 2 simple steps and 1 optional simple step.
WP8: Optional tap on start -> Optional [Tap on email -> Tap on conversation] because if tile is maxed, then you can already read it. That's 3 optional simple steps.
The Windows Phone method may not have the bling you like to see on your BB, but you have to admit, its faster.
jerrya said:
I think its neat that you can have the most recent apps shown, but only 4? I use about 8 to 10 a day
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Click to collapse
Actually he scrolled down to show a total of 8. Its nice to have a list of recently used apps. But if you want that I guess you can just place them toward the top of your home screen on WP8 for easy access.
jerrya said:
Multitasking - Ok, BB got it easy here, the click on corner to completely close is nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with you. WP8 is nice with the frozen app states for non-active apps, but spamming the back button to keep my navigation list clean kinda sucks.
About the notification light - My phone is in my pocket - in this case the light is useless. Even when it leaves my pocket it goes on my night stand. In the morning, the first thing i do is check if I have anything new and place it back home - into my pocket. If I wouldn't check it for new stuff, I'd probably forget it there for the whole day...
And of course while RIM is a dying company ATM, solely producing both software and hardware, compared to Microsoft - not a dying company - producing software(and hardware rumored), with HTC, Samsung, Nokia, ZTE, Huawei, ASUS, LG, etc backing it with hardware, I believe WP8 has a very strong chance to keep the 3rd place for now.
- My opinion.
jerrya said:
The keyboard - I don't like that line between rows, seems like they just wanted to make it different than other OS's, so the only thing left was to add a line instead of increasing the size of the keys or adding a gap between them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Current BB devices with physical keyboards have gaps between the keys, they are trying to replicate that look and feel with the silver spacing.
It's a good idea but doesn't necessarily mean it's a good implementation.
I've had it just about to here with the notifications moaning. The majority of men carry their phones on a belt holster/case and the majority of women carry their phones in a purse. Based on this, how can you see a blinking light? Isn't a vibrate notification better? Or even a ringtone/alert? I can understand (a little) if you're stuck behind a desk all day, but even then I'm sure employers insist on keeping phones on vibrate or off altogether. You certainly can't see a blinking light if you're driving. For those that do, kindly tell me what city and state you're in so I can stay away.
Looneytoon98 said:
I've had it just about to here with the notifications moaning. The majority of men carry their phones on a belt holster/case and the majority of women carry their phones in a purse. Based on this, how can you see a blinking light? Isn't a vibrate notification better? Or even a ringtone/alert? I can understand (a little) if you're stuck behind a desk all day, but even then I'm sure employers insist on keeping phones on vibrate or off altogether. You certainly can't see a blinking light if you're driving. For those that do, kindly tell me what city and state you're in so I can stay away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A notification light is just as handy as vibrate. Surely it cant be that hard to believe that people take their phones out of their pocket or purse...Such as placing it on a dresser before bathing or to do a task where you dont want to bang your phone around. Coming into the room to glance at whether their is communication waiting is apparent with color coded notifications. I dont even have to pick up my phone. For the record, I'm not one of those types that incessantly has to be toying with my smart phone.
Understand now? Samsung learned this too, as most of their latest flagship phones now incorporate this. Geewhiz, maybe thats why their the topdog android handset maker now? They know whats good.
UrbanConquest said:
A notification light is just as handy as vibrate. Surely it cant be that hard to believe that people take their phones out of their pocket or purse...Such as placing it on a dresser before bathing or to do a task where you dont want to bang your phone around. Coming into the room to glance at whether their is communication waiting is apparent with color coded notifications. I dont even have to pick up my phone. For the record, I'm not one of those types that incessantly has to be toying with my smart phone.
Understand now? Samsung learned this too, as most of their latest flagship phones now incorporate this. Geewhiz, maybe thats why their the topdog android handset maker now? They know whats good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you rather have to go into a room and glance to see if there's a notification, or would you rather be alerted when one comes in? I know I don't have that much energy to burn.
Looneytoon98 said:
Would you rather have to go into a room and glance to see if there's a notification, or would you rather be alerted when one comes in? I know I don't have that much energy to burn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind, not everyone enjoys being tethered to their coveted smartphone as if it were a ball and chain. When I go to watch a movie or something for my own leisure while at home I leave my phone in my bedroom, as I'm sure many other people do as well who get tired of tending to it. Thus its a handy feature at times. Very reminiscent of the blinking light on answering machines in the old days...
Thread related opinion. BB, much like Microsoft has a long way to go in catching up with the integration and functionality of Android and iOS. BB10 demos look gimicky at best showing off UI features that wont sway consumers. If their lucky they can finally get the diehard BB users / holdouts to upgrade from their dinosaur qwerty devices.
^ every app can fully integrate into BB10. not a long way to go at all.
The notification hub alone is more than enough to sway users away from this platform.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
UrbanConquest said:
Keep in mind, not everyone enjoys being tethered to their coveted smartphone as if it were a ball and chain. When I go to watch a movie or something for my own leisure while at home I leave my phone in my bedroom, as I'm sure many other people do as well who get tired of tending to it. Thus its a handy feature at times. Very reminiscent of the blinking light on answering machines in the old days...
Thread related opinion. BB, much like Microsoft has a long way to go in catching up with the integration and functionality of Android and iOS. BB10 demos look gimicky at best showing off UI features that wont sway consumers. If their lucky they can finally get the diehard BB users / holdouts to upgrade from their dinosaur qwerty devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your contradiction is funny. You want to walk into a room to see if you have a notification and I want to stay as far away from the electronic leash. I'll take a sound alert any day, at least I can hear it from across my house. You are the one who sounds like they are tethered with a ball and chain.
Being a dinosaur myself, I happen to like physical keyboards. You can't "feel" your way across a virtual kb. Maybe someone will make a Jitterbug smartphone one day.
vetvito said:
^ every app can fully integrate into BB10. not a long way to go at all.
The notification hub alone is more than enough to sway users away from this platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I mean by integration is more geared towards seamless user experiences between desktop (or laptop), tablet, smartphone, and even web based applications. Features and services that create a unified and synchronized ecosystem. Granted all platforms struggle in this regard and all could benefit from further development and refinement. I somehow feel as though Microsoft and Apple have the major advantage by offering BOTH a desktop / laptop and tablet operating system in addition to a smartphone platform.
Canonical understands this with the recent development of Ubuntu for smartphones. They now have a multi-device compatible OS that strives to create a similar experience across all major computing devices.
The biggest dilemma still for a lot of novice users with their smartphones is keeping data, settings preferences, etc synchronized across all their devices without having to spend money on third party applications. These features should be baked into the smartphones stock OS. IMO, Android has great services integration w. gmaps, youtube, etc and iOS is pretty solid in regard to integration with their desktop OS and itunes.
If I wasn't on a contract I'd look at both.
Blackberry has the best push email system. It uses the lowest amount of battery out of any phone, they have a patent that stops anyone else doing push email the same way.
Multitasking is better on BB10, the peek option is handy.
Personally I think Microsoft needs to release a huge 8.5 upgrade in 2013 add lots of things or BB10 is going to slaughter the WP marketshare.
Looneytoon98 said:
Your contradiction is funny. You want to walk into a room to see if you have a notification and I want to stay as far away from the electronic leash. I'll take a sound alert any day, at least I can hear it from across my house. You are the one who sounds like they are tethered with a ball and chain.
Being a dinosaur myself, I happen to like physical keyboards. You can't "feel" your way across a virtual kb. Maybe someone will make a Jitterbug smartphone one day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a contradiction. I don't actively interrupt my activities to go check my phone repeatedly when I don't want to be bothered by communication. After all, our smartphones are predominately for...communication. It's about unplugging from technology and constant socializing that these devices tend to overwhelm us with. Which is the whole point of not having the device in your pocket or the same room.
Example, when I'm watching a movie I don't want to have to hear other peoples or my phone(s) go off, worry about spilling a drink on it or damage it in some way, or have an annoying brick bulging in my pocket. I want to be comfortable and uninhibited. Do you get it yet?
So if there's another reason to enter the room where my phone is, it's convenient to be able to just quickly glance over at the device and see a notification light telling you that you have a message.
To each their own as far as preferences go I guess? I can understand if some people don't mind having a phone around all the time and the convenience it gives. But don't call it a worthless feature that Android users are making a fuss about. Gosh maybe their are even people that shower with their phones these days, perhaps Sony employees who have access to the new Sony Xperia waterproof phones that were recently announced?
My phone goes in my pocket when I leave the house. Period.
I think it looks a little too familiar shape wise Some cool features but think it will confuse many non technical users, A very biased opinion from the host who seriously needs to take his tongue out of BBs trousers,
It reminded me a bit of the meego OS on my old N9 with the swiping so not really groundbreaking there, Like everything else it will have its die hard fans
BB10 as far as I have seen it in their presentation doesn't bring too many new things to the table. The keyboard was one thing that was particularly interesting (especially as it allows to mix languages in the text easily). As for "the Hub" - it seems like the people hub in WP with the added benefit of third party app integration. Although - we have already seen something similar in WebOS already. I really hope there are additional filtering capabilities for it (aside from drilling down to the App level). In the demo it looked like the mess the Notification Bar on my GS2 sometimes looks like (e.g. loads of notifications I don't care about so I don't see the stuff that actually interests me).
The minimized view of running Apps is the closest thing to Live Tiles or Widgets but as you can't pin them they die together with the Apps (e.g. 9th opened App closes the least recently used along with it's "tile"). So for "glanceable" information that is quite a deficiency in BB10.
BBM is not as relevant as it used to be. This can also be seen in the fact that they proudly anounced Skype and WhatsApp Support. Those are the Apps used for Video-Chat and Text Messaging nowadays.
As for superior push: either they changed that model (which might rid us of the Blackberry Tax that People had to pay to Operators for supporting Blackberry push) or they royally screwed up it's implementation because in several tests battery life was merely mediocre and in no way superior to the competition.
vetvito said:
^ every app can fully integrate into BB10. not a long way to go at all.
The notification hub alone is more than enough to sway users away from this platform.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's me but, I see no need for a notification hub with Windows phone 7/8. I do like the idea of a blinking light for new email, SMS, txt etc just to pull my phone out and get an idea if it's worth turning on my phone at that second (HTC does some of this).
Live tiles update, notification hubs are for phones that do not have live updates so you can see when you have new messages etc. My live tiles give me updates for everything I need, if I had a notification "hub" I would never use it and I still dont see the demand for it...
Isn't that what live tiles are for (so you dont need a notification hub) ????? If it's not working for you, maybe you need to setup your tiles so you have the important stuff so you can view it all with out scrooling...
About the only thing I think I would like is shortcuts to NFC, Wifi, bluetooth etc but, it's not worth taking up a tile for...
DavidinCT said:
Maybe it's me but, I see no need for a notification hub with Windows phone 7/8. I do like the idea of a blinking light for new email, SMS, txt etc just to pull my phone out and get an idea if it's worth turning on my phone at that second (HTC does some of this).
Live tiles update, notification hubs are for phones that do not have live updates so you can see when you have new messages etc. My live tiles give me updates for everything I need, if I had a notification "hub" I would never use it and I still dont see the demand for it...
Isn't that what live tiles are for (so you dont need a notification hub) ????? If it's not working for you, maybe you need to setup your tiles so you have the important stuff so you can view it all with out scrooling...
About the only thing I think I would like is shortcuts to NFC, Wifi, bluetooth etc but, it's not worth taking up a tile for...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phones that don't support live updates? What phone does t?
Polling tiles can not and will never compete with a real notification hub. Every notification in one place trumps scrolling in efficiency.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
Android - ecosystem = bbos
Looks like the people hath spoken anyway. BlackBerry now has doubled WP8 for smart phone marketshare since the z10 came out. Sorry guys, better luck next season / WP9.
I started this off as a response to another thread inquiring about bugs or issues with 9.0, but ended up writing up a full piece about the useability and functionality of the system and decided to make it a new thread. In short, I suggest to anyone considering the update, if you're happy with your current set up and are not fond of relearning how to use something you carry and depend on every day, then you will probably want to stay on 8.1.
I used it from the day it released up until 2 days ago and found it to be a massive clusterf*ck of UI/UX inconsistencies, glaring white, and broken useability features. Notifications are a mess, settings and features which were organized into reasonable categories are now buried in unrelated submenus and renamed confusingly, reliable UI/UX features have been swapped with newer less obvious actions, gestures, and unclear UI elements, drastically unrelated font families have been thrown together to create a very visually jarring reading experience, the system UI has enough white-on-white you could use the phone as a beacon in a storm, and the color choices seem to have been based on focus groups conducted with toddlers. Maybe it's just me getting old and stubborn towards change, but the consistency and predictability of 8.1 is nowhere to be found in 9.0.
As for the backend, a lot has been added, more than I can recall or understand, but the PrivateDNS and MAC randomization are nice security upgrades that are actually useful for those who live in places with ubiquitous but often sketchy, less-than-open internet fuctionality. It is noticeably faster visually, but also particularly faster in dealing with larger files and database types of information. Small tweaks, like the media volume default, and the dynamic rotation icon in the navbar, are welcome additions, but those come at the expense of the god-awful, take it or leave it, reworking of the Recents overview page. I know it's currently optional, but I gave the new gesture system a go, and eventually got used to it. However, it's going to take some massive tweaking down the road for it to be anywhere near as efficient and simple as the old navbar and vertical card overview.
Core device functionality is fine and battery was fair, almost the same, but I run a very lean system and also disable a lot of services since I currently live in a country with restricted Google access and most of those features are useless to me. Camera is still best-in-class and shouldn't be expected to change since the core camera functionality is in the hardware, the Camera app, and the Pixel Visual Core extension app. Basically any system apps that update via the Play Store should and do function as expected without any noticeable problems. While not specifically a Google problem, it's still worth mentioning that some apps are not yet ready for 9.0 and need to be updated by their developers.
My personal opinion, 9.0 is Android's "Windows Vista" moment, and they'd be smart to pull the whole thing back to beta and hold the release until they get their UI/UX overhaul ready for a full primetime roll-out. The system runs like it was built and tuned specifically for the Pixel hardware, but the user experience made me cringe every time I picked up my phone.
I spent the last 36 hours downgrading to 8.1 from a full wipe, clean setup, and restoring an adb backup. I now have a phone that I actually enjoy using again and I couldn't be happier with it.
Edit:
In considering a few friends opinions regarding Betas and Developer Previews, I'm inclined to temper my opinions, but only slightly.
Yes, I agree, that taking part in the Beta and Developer Preview (DP) process of OS releases helps determine many important aspects of the OS. However, in the case of entities this large, that involvement is really only meant to be as bug chasers. Beta and DP user's opinions on UI/UX matters are largely ignored, as they do not fit within the framework of said entities larger goal: Mass Usage (i.e. the lowest common denominator, AKA the ignorant child-like masses). They only want you for your ability to create and willingness to report showstopping bugs. They don't need the developer or niche user community to make UI/UX choices, they have focus groups for that. Unfortunately, the customer isn't always right, and people don't usually know what they actually like or why. Chase opinions, focus groups, ad engagement, click data, and the fastest dollar, and eventually we'll all be living in a Fisher-Price world (see: Asia).
The second problem with participating in these not-really-beta and almost-but-not-quite-developer-previews is that, not only have they already made all of the major decisions about how it's going to look and be used, expert use and experience be-damned, but by participating in these programs, the user is effectively subjecting themselves to a brainwashing scheme meant to dull the discerning mind into believing that "vX.X is so much better now than when it first hit public preview". It's the equivalent of software Stockholm Syndrome. Public Beta and DP users have deluded themselves that this final release is ok based on how they saw it change from the first public preview release. It's still just as awful as it was when it first went public, it's just a slightly better shade of awful.
It's a damned shame such a powerful and well running OS feels like it had such an awful UI/UX thrown on top of it. It's inconsistent, half baked, and feels like a grab at the ignorant, screen-obsessed masses, if they were color-blind with 20/200 vision. This is professional grade coding with pre-alpha grade UI/UX. A system built for power with a GUI designed for infantiles, on a device aimed at enthusiasts. They should be ashamed.
I'm not struggling like you with the UI. But, in order to get the new hidden/back end benefits and avoid most of UI issues, why not just run a different launcher?
WibblyW said:
I'm not struggling like you with the UI. But, in order to get the new hidden/back end benefits and avoid most of UI issues, why not just run a different launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always do. Been a die hard Nova user for years. But there are some really weird glitches with how 9.0 and third party launchers interact. I managed to work most of them out but never regained that full, fluid, native UX like with previous versions.
Finally, someone who understands. I've been thinking that I'm the only one disgusted by this release.
How did you revert back to 8.1?
Unlock bootloader, flash-all script, re-lock?
harisyks said:
Finally, someone who understands. I've been thinking that I'm the only one disgusted by this release.
How did you revert back to 8.1?
Unlock bootloader, flash-all script, re-lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backed up everything with Titanium, did a full /sdcard backup to pc via adb, full partition wipe via TWRP, then ran the flash-all script from the July image.
Afterwards, same as my usual manual update. Boot to TWRP flash kernel, and Magisk.
Followed by the painstaking process of a full manual setup of clean device.
Then installed Titanium and SD Maid, disabled all unnecessary services and activity hooks, restored SD Maid settings via Titanium, cleaned caches, then restored my /sdcard via adb, then restored user apps and user app settings via Titanium.
Then individually redownloaded all the individual app files that didn't make it in the backup.
And now, here I am, posting from my 8.1 device like the last two weeks never happened.
Edit:
If you're bootlocked, then you'll need to backup your important /sdcard files via file transfer or adb, unlock to do the fastboot method of restoring the stock 8.1 July image, then just relock, restore your /sdcard via file transfer or adb, and then manually download and setup all your apps fresh.
If I had to do all that, I would have either suffered with 9.0, or waited till I had enough whiskey and coffee on hand to suffer through a long weekend of a full manual setup.
@jallenhayslett thanks for the detailed reply, I appreciate it.
I'm don't have a lot to back up, so a clean flash isn't a major issue for me. I'll probably wait for the September security patch to see if they've changed anything and then decide.
So many tears about very minor UI changes. I don't get it. I feel like it the time you spent complaining about it you could have learned to use it.
crixley said:
So many tears about very minor UI changes. I don't get it. I feel like it the time you spent complaining about it you could have learned to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to live by the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" ethos. "Just shut up and learn to love it" only exists in the section of my dictionary labeled "if absolutely necessary".
Mind you, I live and work in a country where ignoring things until they become festering, puss filled, infected boils is almost as commonplace as breathing, so I'm well acquainted with how I should just adjust and get by. I refuse to accept garbage products here as well, despite knowing it won't change many opinions.
jallenhayslett said:
I tend to live by the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" ethos. "Just shut up and learn to love it" only exists in the section of my dictionary labeled "if absolutely necessary".
Mind you, I live and work in a country where ignoring things until they become festering, puss filled, infected boils is almost as commonplace as breathing, so I'm well acquainted with how I should just adjust and get by. I refuse to accept garbage products here as well, despite knowing it won't change many opinions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many like the changes, so who decides that it is or isn't garbage? I like it personally, so is your opinion the only valid one, is mine? Etc.. It's changed, either adapt or move to something else.
crixley said:
Many like the changes, so who decides that it is or isn't garbage? I like it personally, so is your opinion the only valid one, is mine? Etc.. It's changed, either adapt or move to something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you like it, regardless of my opinion. I did, however, move on, or back, rather.
Interesting though that I am not the only one to have similar opinions. opinions that have been mentioned and discussed as far back as the first preview build. But our opinions don't matter, and they aren't about the preview builds, they're about the release build, and our opinions matter even less in regards to public release builds.
Why these opinions and the opinions of countless others matter, is because, while occasionally drenched in colorful, subjective language, they actually address some very objective, glaringly obvious missteps taken by the departments responsible for UI and UX. Missteps which, whether you like, dislike, approve, or disapprove, resulted in repeatable glitches, slowdowns, and inefficiencies. Missteps which those departments chose to gloss over and/or ignore for the sake of shipping a subjectively better looking, subjectively cleaner, and subjectively prettier product on schedule, despite grievances aired by the developer community during testing phases.
So, yes, I agree. My opinion really doesn't matter. But, if that's the case, then neither does yours. Whether the opinions themselves address objective or subjective matters, at the end of the day, they are nothing but feelings. And feelings don't matter. Only facts.
I don't really understand what you say about never getting back the old fluidity, I've found no problems myself: the few gestures they have are simple to adapt to, and I'd personally probably have gone the whole hog and replaced the back button with a swipe left on the pill (easier to reach than a button that's off to the left, though I've customised my nav bar to move it in closer). I genuinely haven't felt any loss of usability, and use some features more (i.e. I occasionally remember the quick swipe to switch to last app, never remembered the equivalent with the old recents button).
I actually prefer the new "recent apps". Mind you, I always disliked the old "rolodex" style, so pretty much anything would be an improvement, but I often find it useful that I can actually read information off my recent apps without switching to them (e.g. when I'm looking something up in one app and using the information in another). So it's a matter of what you use the phone for and how you use it, but overall I find it better. Please don't feel obliged to label me as a member of the "ignorant, child-like masses" for having a different opinion from you.
Aesthetically I would prefer a more muted colour scheme in the settings, but Oreo was also blindingly white. And at least you no longer need substratum if you just want a dark notification slider with a light wallpaper (though we are back to needing root for proper theming, which is a regression, though since this is XDA we shouldn't find that a big problem).
Besides which, Vista's problems were of a different order to this
jallenhayslett said:
Glad you like it, regardless of my opinion. I did, however, move on, or back, rather.
Interesting though that I am not the only one to have similar opinions. opinions that have been mentioned and discussed as far back as the first preview build. But our opinions don't matter, and they aren't about the preview builds, they're about the release build, and our opinions matter even less in regards to public release builds.
Why these opinions and the opinions of countless others matter, is because, while occasionally drenched in colorful, subjective language, they actually address some very objective, glaringly obvious missteps taken by the departments responsible for UI and UX. Missteps which, whether you like, dislike, approve, or disapprove, resulted in repeatable glitches, slowdowns, and inefficiencies. Missteps which those departments chose to gloss over and/or ignore for the sake of shipping a subjectively better looking, subjectively cleaner, and subjectively prettier product on schedule, despite grievances aired by the developer community during testing phases.
So, yes, I agree. My opinion really doesn't matter. But, if that's the case, then neither does yours. Whether the opinions themselves address objective or subjective matters, at the end of the day, they are nothing but feelings. And feelings don't matter. Only facts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again "glaringly obvious" is opinion based. You're treating your opinion as factual.
I'm not saying my opinion matters either, what I'm saying is based on fact. Whether or not you like it, or I like it, it exists and is how it is.
Now, again, you can adapt to it, or just not update ever. I don't really care what you do, but I don't think much else is going to cure your grievances.
For every person that didn't like it during tested, at least 1 did.
I suppose you could write to them and tell them they should design it how you like it. Or to hire you, since you obviously know what everyone else wants on the UI.
jallenhayslett said:
I started this off as a response to another thread inquiring about bugs or issues with 9.0, but ended up writing up a full piece about the useability and functionality of the system and decided to make it a new thread. In short, I suggest to anyone considering the update, if you're happy with your current set up and are not fond of relearning how to use something you carry and depend on every day, then you will probably want to stay on 8.1.
I used it from the day it released up until 2 days ago and found it to be a massive clusterf*ck of UI/UX inconsistencies, glaring white, and broken useability features. Notifications are a mess, settings and features which were organized into reasonable categories are now buried in unrelated submenus and renamed confusingly, reliable UI/UX features have been swapped with newer less obvious actions, gestures, and unclear UI elements, drastically unrelated font families have been thrown together to create a very visually jarring reading experience, the system UI has enough white-on-white you could use the phone as a beacon in a storm, and the color choices seem to have been based on focus groups conducted with toddlers. Maybe it's just me getting old and stubborn towards change, but the consistency and predictability of 8.1 is nowhere to be found in 9.0.
As for the backend, a lot has been added, more than I can recall or understand, but the PrivateDNS and MAC randomization are nice security upgrades that are actually useful for those who live in places with ubiquitous but often sketchy, less-than-open internet fuctionality. It is noticeably faster visually, but also particularly faster in dealing with larger files and database types of information. Small tweaks, like the media volume default, and the dynamic rotation icon in the navbar, are welcome additions, but those come at the expense of the god-awful, take it or leave it, reworking of the Recents overview page. I know it's currently optional, but I gave the new gesture system a go, and eventually got used to it. However, it's going to take some massive tweaking down the road for it to be anywhere near as efficient and simple as the old navbar and vertical card overview.
Core device functionality is fine and battery was fair, almost the same, but I run a very lean system and also disable a lot of services since I currently live in a country with restricted Google access and most of those features are useless to me. Camera is still best-in-class and shouldn't be expected to change since the core camera functionality is in the hardware, the Camera app, and the Pixel Visual Core extension app. Basically any system apps that update via the Play Store should and do function as expected without any noticeable problems. While not specifically a Google problem, it's still worth mentioning that some apps are not yet ready for 9.0 and need to be updated by their developers.
My personal opinion, 9.0 is Android's "Windows Vista" moment, and they'd be smart to pull the whole thing back to beta and hold the release until they get their UI/UX overhaul ready for a full primetime roll-out. The system runs like it was built and tuned specifically for the Pixel hardware, but the user experience made me cringe every time I picked up my phone.
I spent the last 36 hours downgrading to 8.1 from a full wipe, clean setup, and restoring an adb backup. I now have a phone that I actually enjoy using again and I couldn't be happier with it.
Edit:
In considering a few friends opinions regarding Betas and Developer Previews, I'm inclined to temper my opinions, but only slightly.
Yes, I agree, that taking part in the Beta and Developer Preview (DP) process of OS releases helps determine many important aspects of the OS. However, in the case of entities this large, that involvement is really only meant to be as bug chasers. Beta and DP user's opinions on UI/UX matters are largely ignored, as they do not fit within the framework of said entities larger goal: Mass Usage (i.e. the lowest common denominator, AKA the ignorant child-like masses). They only want you for your ability to create and willingness to report showstopping bugs. They don't need the developer or niche user community to make UI/UX choices, they have focus groups for that. Unfortunately, the customer isn't always right, and people don't usually know what they actually like or why. Chase opinions, focus groups, ad engagement, click data, and the fastest dollar, and eventually we'll all be living in a Fisher-Price world (see: Asia).
The second problem with participating in these not-really-beta and almost-but-not-quite-developer-previews is that, not only have they already made all of the major decisions about how it's going to look and be used, expert use and experience be-damned, but by participating in these programs, the user is effectively subjecting themselves to a brainwashing scheme meant to dull the discerning mind into believing that "vX.X is so much better now than when it first hit public preview". It's the equivalent of software Stockholm Syndrome. Public Beta and DP users have deluded themselves that this final release is ok based on how they saw it change from the first public preview release. It's still just as awful as it was when it first went public, it's just a slightly better shade of awful.
It's a damned shame such a powerful and well running OS feels like it had such an awful UI/UX thrown on top of it. It's inconsistent, half baked, and feels like a grab at the ignorant, screen-obsessed masses, if they were color-blind with 20/200 vision. This is professional grade coding with pre-alpha grade UI/UX. A system built for power with a GUI designed for infantiles, on a device aimed at enthusiasts. They should be ashamed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just buy a Samsung phone and you won't have to worry about Pie for another year or two.
DuckRuckus said:
Just buy a Samsung phone and you won't have to worry about Pie for another year or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Large Hadron said:
Besides which, Vista's problems were of a different order to this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That we can agree on. It was a nightmare of a different sort. That's just the best analogy I could come up with at the time.
As for yours and everyone else's reponse regarding this being just opinion, I agree. I just had such a visceral reaction to the changes that it prompted me to write about it, and the more I wrote, the more disgusted I became. It's 90% subjective opinion.
I do, however, stand by what I've said, especially regarding their use of white, the color choices, and most specifically the mixing of unrelated font families within the same app. From a design perspective, theoretically, they just shouldn't work, but clearly they do for some people and that's just baffling to me. Moreover, it doesn't simply just not work for me, it makes me physically uncomfortable to use them. I've even gone so far as to turn off updates and detach from the market any of the apps which will be getting the MD2.0 makeover. For me they are so aesthetically revolting that using them is actually a chore.
So yeah, it is all subjective opinion. It's just very difficult for me to understand how something that elicited such a gut wrenching physical revulsion from me has either the opposite or no effect on other people. I would have expected a much larger amount of agreement. Such is the nature of opinion and perception, I suppose.
As for the "ignorant idiot" comments, that was not intended to make anyone feel as such. It was meant to illustrate how most of these companies, for the sake of money and reaching the widest possible audience, are in a race to the bottom. If 90% of the population happens to respond to infantile visuals, then that is what they will strive to create. The problem with that, however, is that it creates a negative feeback loop that results in ever decreasing usability and a perpetual dumbing down of not only the system, but of the people that use the system. It reaches a point where it's no longer about the balance between function and form, but whether or not a 3 year old will smile and giggle when they pick it up. Sophistication goes out the window in favor of raw simplicity. Think "Idiocracy", but applied to consumer tech instead of life and politics.
DuckRuckus said:
Just buy a Samsung phone and you won't have to worry about Pie for another year or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather die in a raging house fire in a cabin in the woods alone on Christmas Eve than ever buy another Samsung phone.
jallenhayslett said:
As for the "ignorant idiot" comments, that was not intended to make anyone feel as such. It was meant to illustrate how most of these companies, for the sake of money and reaching the widest possible audience, are in a race to the bottom. If 90% of the population happens to respond to infantile visuals, then that is what they will strive to create. The problem with that, however, is that it creates a negative feeback loop that results in ever decreasing usability and a perpetual dumbing down of not only the system, but of the people that use the system. It reaches a point where it's no longer about the balance between function and form, but whether or not a 3 year old will smile and giggle when they pick it up. Sophistication goes out the window in favor of raw simplicity. Think "Idiocracy", but applied to consumer tech instead of life and politics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is so hilariously pompous, you must have an insanely high opinion of yourself.
The fact that a UIs design elicits this degree of a response from you is ridiculous.
You seem to think that anyone that doesn't share your opinion on design is an idiot, which is pathetic.
"I don't really like Jackson Pollock" "Oh the world is burninggggg! it's Idiocracy! Wahhhhh"
crixley said:
This is so hilariously pompous, you must have an insanely high opinion of yourself.
The fact that a UIs design elicits this degree of a response from you is ridiculous.
You seem to think that anyone that doesn't share your opinion on design is an idiot, which is pathetic.
"I don't really like Jackson Pollock" "Oh the world is burninggggg! it's Idiocracy! Wahhhhh"
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Click to collapse
Funny. I actually don't really like Jackson Pollock. Good call.
I'm not having any of these problems, I went and did a complete wipe and Flash the factory image not the OTA, TWRP and rooted, with ElementalX kernel
This post threw me for a loop. I guess mileage will vary??? I've been on 9 for several days now and I love it. It's snappier and there are features available now that I debated selling the phone over. I'm glad I stuck with it. I had a touch screen latency problem that is gone now. If it wasn't I would have ditched it and moved on to something else. Not much substance or quantification in this post but my vote is solidly with 9.0. My opinion only. I firmly believe 8.1 looked good but had some serious issues. I've always believed form should follow function. It can look great but if it doesn't work, it doesn't matter.