The Smartphone Thread

[RadioGaGa 162]

Just hand it to your kids...they'll figure out all the features in about 10 minutes...then then can show you how it all works. LOL

[Race4LastPlace 31]

Google announcement of ice cream sandwich (android 4.0) live now in hong kong. Just announced the Galaxy Nexus phone. Wow that thing is a beast! 4.65" super amoled 720p screen. Huuuuge. But I like that (own a droid x). But id definitely lean towards this if I were to upgrade early, some great looking specs. Im still gonna wait and see what google brings in the spring.

[noodle3872 40]

Motorola just announced the Droid Razr too. Plus BlackBerry announced their new operating system called BBX.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Are they kidding with this 4.0? WOW. Sorry, but I don't know how Apple can even think of competing with this beast.I know ive always been on the Android team, but come on. That was just insane.

[Chadd 916]

Google announcement of ice cream sandwich (android 4.0) live now in hong kong. Just announced the Galaxy Nexus phone. Wow that thing is a beast! 4.65" super amoled 720p screen. Huuuuge. But I like that (own a droid x). But id definitely lean towards this if I were to upgrade early, some great looking specs. Im still gonna wait and see what google brings in the spring.

I have a Galaxy 2 and even that seems a little large for a phone. I guess if you text and surf more than you talk, it isn't a big deal though.

[Jason Harris 31]

Are they kidding with this 4.0? WOW. Sorry, but I don't know how Apple can even think of competing with this beast.I know ive always been on the Android team, but come on. That was just insane.

After the slew of disappointing reviews that it wasn't the i5 that some analysts were expecting, the end user reviews I've seen have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, including some people referring to their Android as the beast.

[goaliemanshark 6]

See the thing is Apple doesn't really need to compete with Android. So why would they try to keep up?

I really wish I was wrong too.

Personally the only reason I don't use a android phone is the entire thing doesn't feel polished and the scrolling in particular isnt crisp and perfect like it is on the iPhone. Dunno why google can't fix that, maybe it's better in 4.0

[RadioGaGa 162]

Question about Android updates? Will it be able to to live update from 2.2 on the phone....without a computer connection?

[Race4LastPlace 31]

Whenever android releases an update to your phone, it is over the air. Your phone will notify you, and give you the option to update now, or wait until later. You can also go to your settings and check for update in the "about phone: system updates" option.

no computer is necessary for android phones.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Whenever android releases an update to your phone, it is over the air. Your phone will notify you, and give you the option to update now, or wait until later. You can also go to your settings and check for update in the "about phone: system updates" option.

no computer is necessary for android phones.

Hmmmm. I don't have 'System Update' as an option in that menu.

Status

Battery Use

Legal Info

System Tutuorial

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[Chadd 916]

Hmmmm. I don't have 'System Update' as an option in that menu.

Status

Battery Use

Legal Info

System Tutuorial

Model #

Firmware Version

Baseband Version

Kernal Version

Build Number

I have a "software update" option that isn't in that menu, it's at the same level as the "about phone" option.

[Axxion89 32]

See the thing is Apple doesn't really need to compete with Android. So why would they try to keep up?

I really wish I was wrong too.

Personally the only reason I don't use a android phone is the entire thing doesn't feel polished and the scrolling in particular isnt crisp and perfect like it is on the iPhone. Dunno why google can't fix that, maybe it's better in 4.0

I would say that Apple has to compete with Android as its their main competition and they have larger market share (Android). In addition, if Apple doesn't improve their products, then it looks bad on them as they pride themselves on innovation. The main reason for the 4s and no 5 IMO is simply that in the past they had the Iphone3 and 3Gs and it made sense to launch an upgraded 4 rather than a new redesign. Doing so makes Apple more money and brings in more users than just bringing out a new product. Finally, Apple only launches its iOS for Apple brand phones so there is no need to constantly update and innovate on the level that Android does because Android OS is on many brands of phones on many carriers. To me, Apple's plan is to come out with innovative design and features, let Android catch up and at time refine and expand on Apple's and then Apple will come out with a redesign with new features and the cycle continues, that is until Apple runs out of ideas or Android gets ahead of the curve.

And Alex I agree 100% that the iPhone is much easier to use and much more streamlined than any android I ever used. That's why I bought one because its a phone, I want to be able to use it quickly and easily. I will never use a Mac computer though because with a computer, I want to be able to alter it and use any program I wish (A subject for a different day). Overall however, everyone has their own preferences and Apple and Android seem to satisfy most of what people want or desire.

[Race4LastPlace 31]

Only problem with part of that, is that android is ahead of apple in many aspects. Lots of things apple is imploring with this update has been on the last few android versions, as well as early windows mobile and webos ideas. While they do a great job at at refining and polishing these ideas, there's nothing groundbreaking or gamechanging. But it's still an incredible piece of technology.

Sorry radiogaga. Forgot thats only offered on certain phones. There are root methods to updates, but after an official update is released it will notify you that u can download it when available

[team50 20]

Question about Android updates? Will it be able to to live update from 2.2 on the phone....without a computer connection?

I have the HTS Incredible S with Bell. In the settings menu my last option is "About Phone." At the very top is "Software Updates." I can check off "Scheduled check" or manually check using the "Check now" button at the bottom. I'm using Android 2.3.3. I was able to update from 2.2 several months ago.

[Chadd 916]

While they do a great job at at refining and polishing these ideas, there's nothing groundbreaking or gamechanging. But it's still an incredible piece of technology

Apple is a marketing company that happens to design some products.

[Jason Harris 31]

I just read a good article about Jobs, which leads me to believe you're selling the company/man short. While he might not always have been first to the market, he was a visionary and he was outstanding at reinventing the wheel, which I mean as a complement.

On top of that, he was great at marketing and self-promotion.

[Chadd 916]

I just read a good article about Jobs, which leads me to believe you're selling the company/man short. While he might not always have been first to the market, he was a visionary and he was outstanding at reinventing the wheel, which I mean as a complement.

On top of that, he was great at marketing and self-promotion.

I tend to agree with his minimalist design ethos. He did a great job of driving home the concept that the appearance was as important as the functionality. I wouldn't say reinvent, but he certainly found a way to make that wheel look sexy.

[goaliemanshark 6]

Jobs didn't do that. His industrial designer Johnny ive did that. And he ok'd it.

Jobs was good at finding the best people to work on a job, and then slave driving them to work as hard as they could. He didn't do any of the actual work himself. The other people of apple deserve a lot more credit then they ever get.

Well put Chadd. Apple is marketing company that makes over priced and under powered products to support their marketing budget.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Apple's (Mobile) best features are its simplicity, stability and familiarity from one devise to another. The simplicity holds it back from the some great options though, mainly widgets. The fact that Apple products still don't have this shocks me. Stability, well nothing to say about that. You pick it up, it works. Familiarity, if you can use an iPod, you can use the iPad and iPhone. With Android, you try and go from my OG Droid to the Galaxy Nexus or the HTC EVO, everything will be different. But thats what happens when the manufactures place skins over the OS. If anyone wants to see Android as Android like Apple is with its OS, Any of the Nexus devices will show you what it can do.

[Jason Harris 31]

Well put Chadd. Apple is marketing company that makes over priced and under powered products to support their marketing budget.

I used to think that way, which is why I switched to Windows PC's in the mid-90's. But since I've switched back to Macs in late '06, I've come to the belief that Apple's products are like the second tier of automobiles (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc.) Much more expensive up front, but better performance over a longer period of time. And I've started buying refurbished products from Apple, since they offer the same warranty at about 15%-20% off of retail. That brings them closer in line to the initial price of other products, but a better value when longevity is factored in.

[Chadd 916]

I used to think that way, which is why I switched to Windows PC's in the mid-90's. But since I've switched back to Macs in late '06, I've come to the belief that Apple's products are like the second tier of automobiles (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc.) Much more expensive up front, but better performance over a longer period of time. And I've started buying refurbished products from Apple, since they offer the same warranty at about 15%-20% off of retail. That brings them closer in line to the initial price of other products, but a better value when longevity is factored in.

The reason performance doesn't degrade as much over time is because there aren't as many desktop widgets for Apple. If people didn't install them on Windows PCs, they wouldn't have the same degradation issues.

[Jason Harris 31]

I think it's more a function of how protective Apple has been of their operating system. A lot of programmers have been frustrated by Apple for holding up their app or widget, but wielding such oversight keeps programs coexisting more happily for the end user.

[goaliemanshark 6]

Ah, marketing has another victim.

How can apples products be the second tier of vehicles if they use the same exact hardware as windows/Linux machines?

If you truly think the OSX is a better operating system than install it on non apple hardware and create a hackintosh. This way you don't waste your money on non upgradeable overpriced hardware.

But regardless, we are talking about phones here. The Apple phone is inferior, period. I just wish google could make scrolling better on Android phones.

[Axxion89 32]

But regardless, we are talking about phones here. The Apple phone is inferior, period. I just wish google could make scrolling better on Android phones.

So you bought an iPhone that you say is inferior simply because it scrolls nicer than an android? I mean why buy the phone if its inferior in its components when there are, as you say, many superior phones on the market with better processors and 4G, bigger screens, etc?

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

...user experience.

I don't do Android because I think it is a very clunky UI. webOS' lead UX designer now is at Android and from what I saw of ICS, it is getting better.