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Android Hardware Thread - 2009 Edition

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Subliminal42 said:
Uggggh, I just got the Hero. and now the Bravo is shitting all over it :(


16 months until i can upgrade for free!
Click to expand...

Which is one of the reasons I took the Mytouch back.... I couldn't stand the outdated hardware. Finally we're getting a proper next-gen Android phone with the Bravo.
 
Well,

Do Orange UK let you either transfer your contract to T-mobile or pay for an upgrade?

Cause i want dat bravo but i'm tied down for 2 years with the hero
 
The hero camera isn't phenomenal and thats 5mp. The HD2 camera isn't great either. The hero certainly is sluggish, they need to dump the 528mhz platform or greatly optimize Android.

Bravo, droid, x10 or some other snapdragon phone for me. This little lot looks like a t-mobile presentation, roll on MWC (or whatever its called).
 
Can someone explain to me how Android works? Can you update for example the OS in X10 which is version 1.6 to version 2.0? And if you can will it need drivers like Windows or will we have to wait for Sony Ericsson to update it through firmware update?

Because if I have to rely on these shitheads to update the phone I'll have to wait forever. SE still hasn't released Windows 7 drivers and software for my phone.
 
Looks like Android has more functionality with Sprint Touch Pros. Phone kinda works and SMS works now. I hope it can become fully functional so I don't have to drop a lot of money to get a new phone.
 
I called itttt:

7dec09kjyrt235rsa.jpg


We realize we might have overfed you a little with that plentiful leak of HTC's 2010 plans, so here's a chance to better ogle and digest HTC's "Performance" flagship to be: the Bravo. Pairing Android with Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon and presenting a 3.7-inch AMOLED facade, this certainly ticks the headline boxes, and the addition of a five megapixel AF cam capable of 720p video capture gives it an extra sheen of 2010 newness. The picture above is accompanied by less solid info indicating a 1,400mAh battery, which will be joined by the mandatory WiFi, Bluetooth and MicroUSB connectivity, plus MicroSD expansion, FM radio tuner, digital compass, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Then again, the source is the same bunch of heroes responsible for our extra early -- and accurate -- info on the HD2, so those specs may be considered pretty reliable. Oh, if you're wondering about the touchscreen, it's capacitive, like it should be.

Update: If you were wondering about the difference between the Bravo and the recently leaked Passion, there is none other than the branding apparently. We're also hearing that the above handset will be available in the US in January, a cool three months ahead of the expected European release.
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http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/htc-bravo-pictured-more-lucidly/

the Bravo = Passion. And it's available Jan 2010!
 
Dazzla said:
The hero camera isn't phenomenal and thats 5mp. The HD2 camera isn't great either. The hero certainly is sluggish, they need to dump the 528mhz platform or greatly optimize Android.

Bravo, droid, x10 or some other snapdragon phone for me. This little lot looks like a t-mobile presentation, roll on MWC (or whatever its called).
Click to expand...

Did you update the Hero firmware? the thing is easily twice as fast after the update.
 
DrFunk said:
the Bravo = Passion. And it's available Jan 2010!
Click to expand...

Verizon! Please! I didn't jump on the Droid because of this Passion!

(Although, I totally understand that the other carriers need some new hardware)
 
The Bravo is very pretty, but doesn't really match the beauty of the HD2 in my opinion, which is a little sad:

7dec09kjyrt235rsa.jpg
htc_hd2_slashgear_hands-on_0-400x500.jpg


It's too bad, because the design methodology is obviously similar between the two. The HD2 screen is just insane. I think it might be TOO big for my everyday use (the entire frame of the Droid can fit inside the HD2 screen), but I'd really love to play with one.

Still, the Bravo with Android and Sense and that profile are still sure to be a hit. I don't see it coming to Verizon, but maybe they'll shock me :)
 
Damn the Bravo is a sexy phone. Originally I was waiting for it to come out but, considering verizon will be rolling out it's 4G network next year, I will wait for something 4G ready.... It's going to be tough though....
 
The Passion is pretty ugly, not only compared to the HD2.
Oh and HTC's cameras aren't good... Mostly either the cell phone cam is good or the cell phone by itself
 
Jacobi said:
The Passion is pretty ugly, not only compared to the HD2.
Oh and HTC's cameras aren't good... Mostly either the cell phone cam is good or the cell phone by itself
Click to expand...
Yeah, the Hero cam is shit. Using it with barcode scanners is a chore compared to my myTouch. It takes blurrier pics too. I don't know if I'm just one of the few experiencing a side effect of the Sprint update. Some people were reporting blurrier pics, but I didn't take too many before the update, so I don't know. PEACE.
 
Hawkian said:
7dec09kjyrt235rsa.jpg
htc_hd2_slashgear_hands-on_0-400x500.jpg


It's too bad, because the design methodology is obviously similar between the two. The HD2 screen is just insane. I think it might be TOO big for my everyday use (the entire frame of the Droid can fit inside the HD2 screen), but I'd really love to play with one.
Click to expand...

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how the Bravo looks. If the Passion was the Bravo earlier, than HTC definitely listened to all the e-bitching about how we want an HD2 with Android, it really looks like a sister device, unlike the Passion earlier which looked like a Hero + Eris bastard child.

I have no issue with the look and it resembles the HD2 close enough that if it was made by a knockoff Chinese manufacturer, I'm sure Engadget would run the story as one of their KIRFS comparing it to the HD2...my issue is the screen. Make it huge like the HD2, I (we) literally wanted an HD2 with Android. WHY SHRINK THE SCREEN? The Droid is out now and already has a 3.7 in screen. Let's skip the baby steps, bring on the massive displays.
 
Pimpwerx said:
Yeah, the Hero cam is shit. Using it with barcode scanners is a chore compared to my myTouch. It takes blurrier pics too. I don't know if I'm just one of the few experiencing a side effect of the Sprint update. Some people were reporting blurrier pics, but I didn't take too many before the update, so I don't know. PEACE.
Click to expand...

Hero and myTouch are both made by HTC, though. And I seem to remember a lot of comparisons showing the Hero camera doing much better than the Droid.
 
Hero cam works great. Barcode scanner and all. Probably had a dirty back cover or something.
 
For a while my Shop Saavy wouldn't recognize barcodes to scan, but after an update it worked again. The camera is pretty good overall though.
 
Thanks for the reassurance on the Hero cam, guys. It gave me fits on Black Friday, and I've mostly had blurry pics. Had a fingerprint on the inside of the cover, so I'll give it a shot next time I'm out. PEACE.
 
Well, reports are saying T-Mobile is getting the X10 along with the Passion. I hope that's true. It would be fantastic.
 
jonnybryce said:
It does look insanely beautiful...but doesn't the HD2 break 4 inches!? WHATS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND, HTC.
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Does the HD2 use an AMOLED screen?

If not maybe it was a cost issue.

~Devil Trigger~ said:
No qwerty, no sale
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Do you mean no physical keyboard?

If so I agree to an extent.

Each time an HTC gets announced here I'm biting my tongue because I won't want to flood this thread with: "If it had a keyboard I'd get it".

I'm at the point now where I'm skeptical that HTC will release another phone with a similar formfactor to the Droid or even their G1 phone.

So if this Passion/Bravo phone ends up in my market I'm getting it.

For those wondering why I want a h/w keyboard so much it's because I plan to write up blog entries on it and heavily manage a todo list with appointments. I'm worried that using the touchscreen will introduce extra wear and tear on the screen.

I would go for the Salsa if the screen wasn't needlessly small and the processor so slow. The WinMo equivalent has a larger screen and slightly faster processor.

Is that an optical mouse in the center of the button area on the Passion? Or is that a microphone hole?
 
Bboy AJ said:
Well, reports are saying T-Mobile is getting the X10 along with the Passion. I hope that's true. It would be fantastic.
Click to expand...
Damn it, if they get the Bravo/Passion then I don't know WHAT I'm going to do between now and then. My phone crapped out, I don't want to extend a contract, but I need something to hold me over.
 
Bboy AJ said:
Well, reports are saying T-Mobile is getting the X10 along with the Passion. I hope that's true. It would be fantastic.
Click to expand...

There have been more rumors that the Passion is going to Verizon than T-Mobile.
 
nib95 said:
Bravo/Passion vs X10. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Bravo. Sense is awesome, combine that with the specs of the Bravo and it's like the ultimate Android device. X10 is overrated imo, the changes SE made don't appeal to me at all. It's definitely all about taste though.
 
tokkun said:
There have been more rumors that the Passion is going to Verizon than T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
"That being said, information has been passed along to me in a very James Bond type way from a trusty ninja who has yet to lead me astray. The information contains detail regarding the so called “Google phone.” According to this super ninja, magenta has landed the “Google Phone,” aka codename “Passion” (which we believe to be the HTC Passion, but again thats just the codename, but it makes sense) project with an expected launch in the first two weeks of January. One important thing yet to be determined is whether or not this is exclusive to T-Mobile or if they will just “support” it??? I’m hoping for the former, I’m sure you all are too!"

Passion: http://www.tmonews.com/2009/12/google-phone-to-t-mobile/

"Previously, Sony’s newest flagship mobile device, the Xperia X10 was shown to have T-Mobile USA 3G bands. Quickly enough, most sites slated a AT&T launch in the States. But according to the folks over at AndroidGuys, the Xperia X10 seems to have two variants. According to the document they have received, the X10 is supposedly headed to Bell/AT&T AND our very own Magenta. The document shows that variant 1 has the 1700MHz band, which is exclusive to T-Mobile in the United States. Let’s just hope this turns out to be true. I sure would love to have that beautiful device, although it definitely won’t be anywhere near cheap"

X10: http://www.tmonews.com/2009/12/sony-ericsson-x10-headed-to-t-mobile-after-all
 
I think the physical design of the X10 is more beautiful (and multiple colors always gets people, though the price point might keep quite a few away), but it's hard to beat Sense, it's just so pretty and clean.
 
jonnybryce said:
Bravo. Sense is awesome, combine that with the specs of the Bravo and it's like the ultimate Android device. X10 is overrated imo, the changes SE made don't appeal to me at all. It's definitely all about taste though.
Click to expand...

The X10 looks infinitely better than the Bravo (or any HTC for that matter) but SE is fucking worthless when it comes to product support (not to mention X10 has Android 1.6 firmware which if SE is consistent will never be updated). Also from what I've been hearing the last few days HTC cameras are pretty average. Both have serious flaws. I wish Nokia could release a competent Android phone because with these two I'm just not that excited.
 
Nokia's new flagship, the n900, looks incredible. It runs touch-optimized native Linux.
drool
. It somewhat puzzlingly uses a resistive screen, but makes it look resistives shouldn't be counted down and out just yet. Seriously check it out, it would be the only device running anything but Android I'd consider these days.
 
Hawkian said:
Nokia's new flagship, the n900, looks incredible. It runs touch-optimized native Linux.
drool
. It somewhat puzzlingly uses a resistive screen, but makes it look resistives shouldn't be counted down and out just yet. Seriously check it out, it would be the only device running anything but Android I'd consider these days.
Click to expand...
I like the N900, especially the way the phone is used in landscape, that's really grown on me as something cool. I'm also impressed at how it can run so many damn things at the same time...but id need it to be on a carrier like Sprint and trade in the resistive touchscreen to even consider it. Luckily Nokia made the N900 for enthusiasts so hopefully the newer Maemo additions will knock it out of the park.

What im really interested in is the Emblaze First Else. That OS is the hottest thing I've ever seen, the hardware is sleek and it has plenty of innovative features like answering a call and hitting a button to ask the caller if the call is urgent, they're asked in audio, you're told in text...its fucking fantastic. I feel like its vaporware though. We'll see.
 
nib95 said:
Bravo/Passion vs X10. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I think it's great that they're two very different devices.

X10's GUI looks ideal for browsing media/movies/photos and the camera is killer. The phone itself looks sexy and the GUI is the most fantastical out of any phone I've seen so far.

Sense on the Passion is a good blend of style and practicality. Not as flashy but still quite pleasing to the eye. Since the update I hear it's very responsive and quick.

To me the choice should be easy depending on what you want out of a phone.

I think it speaks a lot about the Android platform. I know my iPhone owning sister would love the photos that came from the X10. She doesn't have that option with Apple phones. While I love the practical aspect of Sense UI and Apple's phones don't give me that option of various GUIs.
 
Iknos said:
For those wondering why I want a h/w keyboard so much it's because I plan to write up blog entries on it and heavily manage a todo list with appointments. I'm worried that using the touchscreen will introduce extra wear and tear on the screen.
Click to expand...
What? This is practically impossible to do with any new capacitive touchscreen device. This isn't the DS we're talking about here. In fact if you're worried about wear and tear, it's probably better to get a device without a sliding keyboard.

Is that an optical mouse in the center of the button area on the Passion? Or is that a microphone hole?
Click to expand...
Optical mouse/trackpad, ya.
 
Zyzyxxz said:
Damn the X10 is amazing but I am worried about not updating to Android 2.0

Why would they release it was 1.6?
Click to expand...

Because Sony Ericsson sucks for anything software related. Amazing hardware but shitty software and software support.
 
Hawkian said:
What the fuck did I just see.

Jesus.
Click to expand...
I just looked that phone up, too. It's actually a cool idea, at least from an ergonomics standpoint. The radial menu allows for better one-handed operation than offered by iPhone or Android.

But there's no point in developing another platform. The beautiful thing about Android being open source is that anyone can dress it up in any way.
 
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