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Android Hardware Thread - 2009 Edition

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agm2502 said:
So i've renewed my contract and should be getting a HTC Hero delivered on Tuesday. Don't really know much about Android and its apps though. Have looked around the web for the "Best" apps to get but there doesn't seem to be much.

I'm thinking of getting CoPilot sat nav for it so if anyone has used it, is it worth the money? any other must have apps I should download straight away? (Does the CompareAnywhere app work in the UK?)
Click to expand...

As I posted elswhere:

Locale - http://www.twofortyfouram.com/
This is at the top because it is essential. It uses the MyTouch's GPS to determine your location, and changes your settings accordingly. For instance, if you're at home, you can blast your ringtone as loud as you want, but as soon as you go to school, it adjusts your ringer volume as you want. It can also edit many other settings, go to the website for a comprehensive list.

AnyCut
This app is similarly essential, as it allows you to create shortcuts for the home screen directly to anything.

TuneWiki - http://www.tunewiki.com/
TuneWiki plays music, but looks up a corresponding YouTube video and lyrics which play while the song does.

ShopSavvy - http://www.biggu.com/apps/shopsavvy-android/
Scan a barcode, and ShopSavvy searches the internet for the best price. CompareEverywhere is a similar app, so try them both.

Shazam - http://www.shazam.com/music/web/pages/android.html
Looks up a song playing around you by the phone's microphone.

The Weather Channel
Self-explained.

Ecorio
"Ecorio automatically tracks your mobile carbon footprint, suggests transit and carpooling alternatives and lets you stay carbon neutral by offsetting your trips easily."

BreadCrumbz - http://www.bcrumbz.com/
"BreadCrumbz is a picture-based navigation application for mobile phones. Pictures are a simple, universal navigation interface. BreadCrumbz picture-routes take you indoors, offroad and off the beaten path. Easily create your own routes with your phone's GPS and camera. Share the routes you've created with friends or upload them to the web. Explore routes made by others."

In addition to all this, the previous Android Developers Challenge winners are worth checking out: http://code.google.com/android/adc/adc_gallery/
Click to expand...

Hope that helps. I'm getting ready to put together an app recommendation (slash general firmware discussion) thread soon, look for it. :)

The Take Out Bandit said:
I've read that Android phones can be synced with OSX contacts and calendars.

Is this true as well?

Video recording confirmation is awesome. It's a feature of the new iPhone I was looking forward to.
Click to expand...

Google Calendar has support for importing iCal stuff, but as for direct syncing I don't know.

Edit- iCal has an option for syncing with Google accounts built in.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Video recording confirmation is awesome. It's a feature of the new iPhone I was looking forward to.
Click to expand...

I've read that the video recording quality on the Hero is awful. Some forum people are claiming that this is due to limitations in Android and not the hardware. Don't know if that's true or not.
 
So as I'm going crazy waiting for the MyTouch to hit stores I thought I'd decide on a back cover for when I do get it.

Thing is... I can't decide. :lol I've got it down to three (basically the same design with minor variations):

MyTouchBackCover03.png
MyTouchBackCover01.png
MyTouchBackCover02.png


*
I'm sure it looks better IRL... hopefully...

So, which one should I choose? I'm leaning towards the white outline, because the outline looks neat, and the T-Mobile text on the front and the keys are also white. I do think green looks pretty cool too...

Here's the three designs that you can use for your own covers (or whatever, doesn't matter to me :D):

Normal Android Logo | White Outline | Green Outline

Of course, the backgrounds, being transparent, means you'll have a hard time spotting the white one, but for the other two, you can use them regardless of which plate color you choose. Enjoy!
 
tokkun said:
I've read that the video recording quality on the Hero is awful. Some forum people are claiming that this is due to limitations in Android and not the hardware. Don't know if that's true or not.
Click to expand...

Well it beats the ass off of No Video Recording on my current iPhone. Plus no god damn AT&T. :P
 
Andrex said:
@TMobile_myTouch on Twitter thinks I should go with the normal Android logo...
Click to expand...

Normal android logo is best.

But go with the one you're leaning towards. It's your decision, your taste. You'll find more ways to justify liking the ones you've picked then you will listening to someone else's decision.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I think I'd like the normal Android logo more if I removed the white outline...

Anyways, the T-Mobile myTouch 3G is now available for sale across the country. Regardless if you dig the device or not, every Android fan should be welcoming the second option, especially one that seems to be launching with the mass consumer in its sights. The myTouch 3G will hopefully push Android into the center stage for both consumers and developers.

Some other news...

  • To commemorate the launch, T-Mobile assembled a bunch of skydivers dressed as famous characters to jump out of a plane and form T's above San Francisco. Source.
  • HTC leaked via their own website that Sprint is getting the Hero, and all rumors point to it getting an October 11 launch date. Source.
  • Qik for Android (and only Android) gets on-device video editing, and alerts to your live streaming via Twitter and Facebook. It is also now one of only 33 apps to have "Featured" status on the Android Market. Source.
  • 2805958.gif


    A white version of the Samsung Galaxy has been shown, and captured in the wild. Source.
  • I will be making the Android software thread sometime in the next week. Source.
 
Skittleguy said:
Qik is awesome. I have yet to find a use for it, but it's still awesome.

On another note, anyone snag a MyTouch?
Click to expand...

Maybe tomorrow. If it isn't at my friendly neighborhood Walsmart I'll order online.
 
Skittleguy said:
Oh yeah here's another new development: if you are using a Rogers Dream, Haykuro and Dream_kill over on XDA has made it flashable:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544654

So now there is really no reason not to get an Android phone :D
Click to expand...

Especially if you're in Canada. :p

Also, there's several home themes to skin it like the Hero in the Market, any of them any good? 1, 2
 
still no date on the galaxy in the US? i'm not too keen on either the Hero or the mytouch but i want an android unit badly :D
 
soco said:
still no date on the galaxy in the US? i'm not too keen on either the Hero or the mytouch but i want an android unit badly :D
Click to expand...

Not yet. :( Rumors are Fall for T-Mobile.
 
Dammit, I'm so hot for an Android phone. :(

Was checking out the Android reviews and updates about 1.5 today. Looks so promising.

Since I cannot browse the Android Marketplace, how many browsers are on the platform currently? Another annoyance of the iphone is god damn Crashfari. >:(

Also, no news on Sholes in the past two days. :(
 
Well, i got my G2Touch/Hero last week here on T-mob the day after it was released, and unfortunately it went back in the post this morning :(

The speed with taskiller was fine, no delay or lag at all of any note really, but it just confirmed the fact that I cannot survive without a hardware keyboard. That and the fact it doesn't tether to my macbook at all.

Back to my trusty E71. I really wanted to like you android, but it just wasn't meant to be. Where the hell is that Android proto from 2 years ago which was BB/E71 form factor but with Android. That I would pay big money for!!
 
Andrex said:
Especially if you're in Canada. :p

Also, there's several home themes to skin it like the Hero in the Market, any of them any good? 1, 2
Click to expand...

What does it mean when something is "flashable"?

My LG VX8600's hinge just snapped and I'm stuck with it for 2 more years. Does Telus (I'm in Canada) offer any Android phones yet? Man, I really want to upgrade to a snazzy Android phone or something before the 2 years are up but it's going to expensive :(

Also, impressive job with the thread man, lots of dedication put in here.
 
I am still using an OG iPhone and as much as I like the device, I need to get as far away from AT&T as possible. The service is terrible and their prices are obscene. I'm considering a MyTouch because I used to have T-Mo and had no problems with the service or their prices, but I'm not crazy about the MyTouch hardware. The Hero looks really fantastic, but I'm kind of wary of Sprint. Their plans are ridiculously cheap though. Decisions, decisions...
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Dammit, I'm so hot for an Android phone. :(

Was checking out the Android reviews and updates about 1.5 today. Looks so promising.

Since I cannot browse the Android Marketplace, how many browsers are on the platform currently? Another annoyance of the iphone is god damn Crashfari. >:(
Click to expand...

There's Opera Mini, but it's kind of a bad port. Mini is usually for small-screen phones, and has somewhat gimped rendering and an interface that doesn't use Android's native controls. Thankfully, Opera just said today they're porting their "real" smartphone browser, Opera Mobile, to Android... eventually. No timeframe was given.

The last alternative browser I know of is Steel. It was a fantastic browser back in the 1.1 days for its auto-rotation and soft keboard, now it's kind of the same. As a bonus, it does allow you to download YouTube videos though.

Even still, as El Papa said, the stock Android browser is fantastic. Hopefully it'll get Chrome Sync soon, as that's the major reason I'm sticking with Opera on the desktop.

The Take Out Bandit said:
Also, no news on Sholes in the past two days. :(
Click to expand...

Since we have an "in the wild" shot I think there's a good chance it'll hit before 2009 is over though, so be optimistic. :)

MrSeaneyC said:
Back to my trusty E71. I really wanted to like you android, but it just wasn't meant to be. Where the hell is that Android proto from 2 years ago which was BB/E71 form factor but with Android. That I would pay big money for!!
Click to expand...

The QVGA Portrait emulator skin? That was just a mockup.

However, I point you to the handset "Motorola Heron" in the OP, if you want something similar.

enzo_gt said:
What does it mean when something is "flashable"?
Click to expand...

It means you can gain admin access to it and install custom builds of Android on it to your liking. The process is a bit complicated and a little dangerous, though.

enzo_gt said:
My LG VX8600's hinge just snapped and I'm stuck with it for 2 more years. Does Telus (I'm in Canada) offer any Android phones yet? Man, I really want to upgrade to a snazzy Android phone or something before the 2 years are up but it's going to expensive :(
Click to expand...

Just Rogers, as far as I know. :(

enzo_gt said:
Also, impressive job with the thread man, lots of dedication put in here.
Click to expand...

Thanks. <3

Jugendstil said:
I am still using an OG iPhone and as much as I like the device, I need to get as far away from AT&T as possible. The service is terrible and their prices are obscene. I'm considering a MyTouch because I used to have T-Mo and had no problems with the service or their prices, but I'm not crazy about the MyTouch hardware. The Hero looks really fantastic, but I'm kind of wary of Sprint. Their plans are ridiculously cheap though. Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

Honestly, the MyTouch hardware is fine, the only bad thing is the available memory to install apps on, but that's an improvement on the G1 and the same as the Hero. Additionally, I've read a couple reviews that said the MyTouch is speedier than the G1, and given the Hero's apparent sluggishness, it should be the fastest of the HTC handsets.

Unless you were talking about its appearance, in that case, I can't help you. I like the MyTouch's look the best. <3
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
All the rumor hound sites are placing Sholes at around October, which would be great as that's a month before my contract with AT&T expires. :D
Click to expand...

Lucky bastard. :lol The Sholes looks incredible, especially if the leaked resolution ends up being true. It could even be better than the Xperia X3 because of the keyboard, if you don't like soft keys.
 
Andrex said:
Lucky bastard. :lol The Sholes looks incredible, especially if the leaked resolution ends up being true. It could even be better than the Xperia X3 because of the keyboard, if you don't like soft keys.
Click to expand...

Yeah after two years of fat fingering, software lag on input, and lack of haptic feedback I'm ready for a QWERTY keyboard.

Plus I used a smart phone my friend had with a keyboard and it's just nice pressing something instead of tap, tap, tap, is this thing on?!!?!?!? with a soft keyboard. :lol
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Yeah after two years of fat fingering, software lag on input, and lack of haptic feedback I'm ready for a QWERTY keyboard.

Plus I used a smart phone my friend had with a keyboard and it's just nice pressing something instead of tap, tap, tap, is this thing on?!!?!?!? with a soft keyboard. :lol
Click to expand...

Sounds like you found your phone savior, then. :P

It would be great to see bluetooth keyboards for the touchscreen-only Android phones, though. Even if they were kind of mini-fied.
 
Ordering my Hero today :D

Called up my network for my PAC (code to move my number to another network), they have all these hoops to jump through before they'll give it to you, basically to try and keep you. Conversation went something like:

Network: "Can I ask why you're leaving?"
Me: "I want a handset you don't offer"
Network: "Which handset?
Me: "The HTC Hero"
Network: "OK, let me look at that phone on out system... OK sir, are you aware that that phone won't run Skype, Yahoo or Google applications?"


So there you go, a phone that runs the Google OS won't run Google applications. Android = fail! ;)
 
SFA_AOK said:
Ordering my Hero today :D

Called up my network for my PAC (code to move my number to another network), they have all these hoops to jump through before they'll give it to you, basically to try and keep you. Conversation went something like:

Network: "Can I ask why you're leaving?"
Me: "I want a handset you don't offer"
Network: "Which handset?
Me: "The HTC Hero"
Network: "OK, let me look at that phone on out system... OK sir, are you aware that that phone won't run Skype, Yahoo or Google applications?"


So there you go, a phone that runs the Google OS won't run Google applications. Android = fail! ;)
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have been able to stop from laughing if they said that. :lol
 
Looks like I spoke to soon... Looking at the place I ordered the phone from, the phone's no longer available on Vodafone - I suspect a product catalogue mistake. No phone call or email to explain the problem as yet though! Doh!
 
SFA_AOK said:
Ordering my Hero today :D

Called up my network for my PAC (code to move my number to another network), they have all these hoops to jump through before they'll give it to you, basically to try and keep you. Conversation went something like:

Network: "Can I ask why you're leaving?"
Me: "I want a handset you don't offer"
Network: "Which handset?
Me: "The HTC Hero"
Network: "OK, let me look at that phone on out system... OK sir, are you aware that that phone won't run Skype, Yahoo or Google applications?"


So there you go, a phone that runs the Google OS won't run Google applications. Android = fail! ;)
Click to expand...

When I called to switch I told them I had just moved and got 0 bars of reception at both my home and office. That shut them up pretty much immediately.
 
Is there any sort of app for Android to block calls from unknown callers? I tried nosing around Cyrket.com, but couldn't find anything.

I know there's something similar for jailbroken iPhones.

Thanks.
 
SFA_AOK said:
Ordering my Hero today :D

Called up my network for my PAC (code to move my number to another network), they have all these hoops to jump through before they'll give it to you, basically to try and keep you. Conversation went something like:

Network: "Can I ask why you're leaving?"
Me: "I want a handset you don't offer"
Network: "Which handset?
Me: "The HTC Hero"
Network: "OK, let me look at that phone on out system... OK sir, are you aware that that phone won't run Skype, Yahoo or Google applications?"


So there you go, a phone that runs the Google OS won't run Google applications. Android = fail! ;)
Click to expand...
:lol :lol Nice one.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Pray with me! :P
Click to expand...

Verizon (CDMA) + Motorola (All but dead in the UK market) means I seriously doubt this will be coming to see me anytime soon :(

My hopes are now pinned on the GSM Pre making an appearance in the UK unlocked, as there is no way I am signing up to crappy o2 and no doubt they will make you sign up to another shitty tariff a la iPhone.
 
Held the Hero in my hands today. Unfortunately it wasn't turned on and I forgot to try to turn it on, but I was surprised to see it in stores already. I thought it wasn't released here yet (Germany).

Anyway, it felt quite good and sturdy. Definitely doesn't look and feel cheap.
 
MrSeaneyC said:
Verizon (CDMA) + Motorola (All but dead in the UK market) means I seriously doubt this will be coming to see me anytime soon :(

My hopes are now pinned on the GSM Pre making an appearance in the UK unlocked, as there is no way I am signing up to crappy o2 and no doubt they will make you sign up to another shitty tariff a la iPhone.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. :(
 
OK guys, I'm from the UK and due an upgrade in the next couple of days.. I'm really thinking of going the Android route (iPhone an outside possibility) essentially it's between the Hero, or waiting for the Galaxy or Sony Ericsson Rachael.

Is waiting for the other two phones a pointless endevaour, only willing to hold out till December (if that's possible). Just concerned about the Hero's lack of RAM and apparent mediocre performance. Can anyone confirm the state of the Hero's performance?

Please Gaf, help.
 
http://phandroid.com/2009/08/07/htc-hero-hitting-t-mobile-usa/

Just a few short days ago we saw the HTC website provide a “support page” for the HTC Hero with Sprint:

hero-tmo-550x445.png


Now leakdroid is claiming that same support page exists for the T-Mobile HTC Hero!

It would have been really, really easy to just swap out the Sprint text for identical looking T-Mobile text so this rumor is quite firmly placed as rumor for the time being. That being said, T-Mobile and HTC have together been the #1 proponents for Android so it would make perfect sense.

Some are discounting this possibility because at the MyTouch 3G launch event a T-Mobile exec specifically said that the company did not have plans to release the HTC Hero. This is a completely ridiculous assumption to make. Why would anyone in the media ask the company about the HTC Hero when the event was based around the MyTouch 3G? It was misguided question and T-Mobile answered as any company would have in order to keep the focus on the phone at hand - the MyTouch 3G.

Of course now we’ve all got our countdown clocks ready for rigorous use as we look forward to an announcement from both Sprint and T-Mobile regarding the latest greatest Android phone to hit the market.
Click to expand...

Please let it be true!
 
That would be interesting. Could be the first multi-carrier Android phone in the US.
 
Even though I have Sprint, I'd be glad to see the Hero picked up by multiple carriers since it may make Sprint less likely to require an expensive plan like they do with the Pre.

At the MyTouch launch, they did say that it would be T-Mobile's premier Android phone for this year, so that may mean that their version of the Hero won't come out until 2010 (if it exists).
 
Newish news! :D

There's a lot of anticipation around the Sholes, Motorola's second Android smartphone of 2009. Unlike the Morrison, the Sholes is a high end smartphone. In fact, for a while we thought it was going to be the first Android smartphone to pack a Snapdragon processor. Unfortunately, if the fellows at Android and Me are correct, that's just not in the cards.

By checking out the Linkedln profile of a Moto employee responsible for firmware engineering, they've managed to dig up a couple of useful nuggets of information. The employee listed his experience working on an Android device that packs the TI OMAP 3430 processor. That can't be the Morrison, so it's likely he was talking about the Sholes. The 3430 is a very solid processor, with a 600 MHz CPU and PowerVR SGX 530 GPU.

Android and Me also notes that the Sholes will likely be the Android flagship device for 2009. It'll be coming out directly after Android 2.0 hits, which means the Sholes will support linking with OpenGL ES. That, combined with the powerful GPU, means the Sholes has the potential to equal the PSP or DSi in power.

The actual price and release date for the Sholes hasn't been announced, but it's doubtful we'll see this beauty in stores before Fall. Look for an October or November release, and expect to see this priced at around $200 with a 2 year contract.
Click to expand...
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Newish news! :D
Click to expand...

And I can see the Android team getting behind it in a big way because it packs a hard keybord. They seem kind of biased towards them in my experience. :p
 
So my Xperia died on me, so I bought a Hero last week. Love it so far. Soo much better, for my needs, than the X1. Although I kinda miss the physical keyboard, haven't really gotten used to the on-screen keyboard yet.
 
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