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Android Hardware Thread - 2009 Edition

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Looking over the info about Android 2.0 I still see no mention about whether phones will be able to store and access apps from memory cards or not. Any updates on this?
 
GMUNYIFan said:
Looking over the info about Android 2.0 I still see no mention about whether phones will be able to store and access apps from memory cards or not. Any updates on this?
Click to expand...

I heard a rumor from a blog comment section, but unfortunately, that's it. If we haven't heard anything, we should assume that feature is not included, unfortunately.
 
Looks really good. Verizon is a bit too rich for my blood though. Hopefully this will prompt other carriers and manufacturers to start making bigger screen android devices.

The GSM version of the Droid looks to be Tri-band so it should be able to work on t-mobile correct.
 
Andrex said:
I heard a rumor from a blog comment section, but unfortunately, that's it. If we haven't heard anything, we should assume that feature is not included, unfortunately.
Click to expand...

That's pretty upsetting if true simply because the onboard space is very limited. :(
 
For those wondering about Apps-to-SD functionality, it's pointless with 512MB onboard. Android apps are tiny, and most will save the data intensive parts (cache files, downloaded data, etc.) to the SD card anyways. I wouldn't sweat it.
 
UGH, I have had really bad experiences with Moto phones in the past, but the Droid is looking pretty sweet. I'm really interested to read reviews and impressions. It might be what makes me bite the bullet and jump ship from iPhone/AT&T.
 
Anyone else notice new front-facing icons for their favorite apps yet? Movies and Pandora both updated their icons to be front-facing. Oddly, none of the Google apps have. I did a master reset today, so I had to redownload everything. PEACE.
 
Pimpwerx said:
Anyone else notice new front-facing icons for their favorite apps yet? Movies and Pandora both updated their icons to be front-facing. Oddly, none of the Google apps have. I did a master reset today, so I had to redownload everything. PEACE.
Click to expand...

All the Google apps in 2.0 are front-facing and I remarked on that when BGR's 2.0 walkthrough was posted.
 
So GSM phones are always slower than CDMA? I'm sorry, I don't know much about cell phones, and even less about modern ones.

Also, I saw a video of a CDMA, it's still laggy, not very convincing :(.
 
Pimpwerx said:
Anyone else notice new front-facing icons for their favorite apps yet? Movies and Pandora both updated their icons to be front-facing. Oddly, none of the Google apps have. I did a master reset today, so I had to redownload everything. PEACE.
Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "front-facing icons"?
 
Previous icon guidelines from Google mandated icons to be 3/4 view, 2.0 has ditched that for front facing, like a desktop shortcut.
 
Video looked great, still a little more interface lag than I'd like, but not bad at all. Almost tempted to switch to Verizon, but think I'll hold off until I see what comes out on other carriers.
 
Andrex said:
All the Google apps in 2.0 are front-facing and I remarked on that when BGR's 2.0 walkthrough was posted.
Click to expand...

Actually one Google app isn't front-facing in 2.0, the Sky Map one.
 
gamerecks said:
Is there any info on when Android 1.6 is hitting Sprint?
Click to expand...

The European HTC Hero is skipping 1.6 and will go straight from 1.5 to 2.0. Don't know if this applies to the Sprint version.

Samsung has said the Moment will get 1.6 in January 2010.
 
movie_club said:
so if im in a family plan now do i just have to pay 30$ more for the droid plan?
Click to expand...

I actually spoke with a verizon rep about this topic the other day. So long as the plan you're on is compatible with the phone, you can definitely add the data and/or texting onto that family plan with no problem at all.

While speaking with the rep I also mentioned that I wanted to get the droid and was kinda upset my phone wouldn't be available for upgrade until May of 2010, and he said "Well I tell you what from my records it looks like your phone if pretty out of date(Motorola Q) and I'm gonna go ahead and move your upgrade day to today(about 2 weeks ago)." This was the best customer service agent I've dealt with at Verizon and he actually gave me his extension if I have any problems doing the upgrade at the store.
 
I almost exploded. Heard 2.0 will be coming to the hero!!!!!!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhh it feels good man. it feels goooood!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.theunwired.net/?item=unv...ade-for-the-hero-in-favor-of-android-2-0&5181
While there's no official announcement from HTC yet, HTC's European customer service unveiled that the company isn't planning to release an Android 1.6 Donut upgrade for the HTC Hero but is skipping it in favor for an Android 2.0/Eclair upgrade instead! At least, that's the answer a user over at AndroidGuys received when he asked for the availability of an Android 1.6 upgrade. That's pretty straight forward and an upgrade to Android 2.0 is definitely more worth than having Android 1.6 available, especially with today's release of Google Maps Navigation.

Here the E-Mail the user received from HTC's European customer service:

Dear HTC customer,

Thank you for contacting our Customer Support Center. We are dedicated to providing you with the best quality service and answering all of your questions and concerns.

The Hero will not be receiving the Android 1.6 upgrade, it will however get the 2.0 one. Do note however that we do not have a confirmed release date for this upgrade, all I can recommend at the moment is that you keep yourself updated by visiting our website regularly as the latest information will be available to view from there.

Best regards,
HTC customer support team
HTC Corp. Global Service Division

No word yet if other HTC smartphone like the HTC Magic or HTC Tattoo will receive the same Android 2.0 love from HTC. Also there's still no official word available what Samsung plans for the Samsung GT-I7500 Galaxy.
Click to expand...


Yes!!!! Yesss!!!!

Hopefully true for sprint version too. Pretty sure they will make it right eventually.

I cam just to post this because i am on neogaf hiatus. peace
 
GMUNYIFan said:
I actually spoke with a verizon rep about this topic the other day. So long as the plan you're on is compatible with the phone, you can definitely add the data and/or texting onto that family plan with no problem at all.

While speaking with the rep I also mentioned that I wanted to get the droid and was kinda upset my phone wouldn't be available for upgrade until May of 2010, and he said "Well I tell you what from my records it looks like your phone if pretty out of date(Motorola Q) and I'm gonna go ahead and move your upgrade day to today(about 2 weeks ago)." This was the best customer service agent I've dealt with at Verizon and he actually gave me his extension if I have any problems doing the upgrade at the store.
Click to expand...
can i get that number?
 
alternade said:
Looks really good. Verizon is a bit too rich for my blood though. Hopefully this will prompt other carriers and manufacturers to start making bigger screen android devices.

The GSM version of the Droid looks to be Tri-band so it should be able to work on t-mobile correct.
Click to expand...

Unless it supports 1700 MHz, it won't be completely compatible with T-Mobile 3G.
 
Stopped in at the verizon store on the way home from work today. The bad news is that I have to wait until Nov. 27th for my new every 2 discount. The good news is that I will only have to pay $150 after the rebate. $90 bill for unlimited data and messaging at the 450 min level. $20 more than my bill right now, but I can live with that I think.
 
nocode said:
Stopped in at the verizon store on the way home from work today. The bad news is that I have to wait until Nov. 27th for my new every 2 discount. The good news is that I will only have to pay $150 after the rebate. $90 bill for unlimited data and messaging at the 450 min level. $20 more than my bill right now, but I can live with that I think.
Click to expand...
Damn they are railroading you guys over at verizon.
 
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/htc-confirmed-to-be-cooking-up-android-2-0-update-for-hero-othe/

Anyone with an existing Android device and a nasty case of DROID envy today might want to hold off before switching devices, emptying the bank account, and possibly switching carriers in the process, because HTC's got a little bit of information here to end our day on a high note. Here's the full quote:

"Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero."

Bottom line, the Hero is signed up for Android 2.0 and it's just a matter of HTC getting Sense ported and tested -- makes sense (no pun intended), and we imagine Motorola will have to go through these same hoops with BLUR. The company went on to mention that it intends to bring the update to all versions of the Hero, though it's up to partners (like Sprint, for instance) to help coordinate how and when that's going to go down. We don't have any information on the sundry Dream and Magic variants around the world at this point -- but it's important to remember that the Hero uses the same processor as its older siblings, so at least there's hope for a good xda-developers port if nothing else.
Click to expand...
My droid envy has been dissipated now. Confirmation :D
 
I wonder if the hero is fast enough for 2.0 plus sense ui on top? Maybe? With the iphone3g it was noticibly slower with the 3.0 update. But who knows, heres to hoping for the best!
 
MThanded said:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/htc-confirmed-to-be-cooking-up-android-2-0-update-for-hero-othe/


My droid envy has been dissipated now. Confirmation :D
Click to expand...

For me, the interesting thing about this story is that they confirm that it is not trivial to integrate OS updates into Sense. That makes me more likely to go with a stock Android phone.

Also, what happened to the concept of OTA updates? This was supposed to be one of the big selling points of Android. I don't understand why the Google-branded phones are not getting the 2.0 update already.
 
tokkun said:
For me, the interesting thing about this story is that they confirm that it is not trivial to integrate OS updates into Sense. That makes me more likely to go with a stock Android phone.

Also, what happened to the concept of OTA updates? This was supposed to be one of the big selling points of Android. I don't understand why the Google-branded phones are not getting the 2.0 update already.
Click to expand...
I hope myTouch phones get 2.0 pushed out soon. We run vanilla Android, so it should be cake getting it out. PEACE.
 
Skittleguy said:
For those wondering about Apps-to-SD functionality, it's pointless with 512MB onboard. Android apps are tiny, and most will save the data intensive parts (cache files, downloaded data, etc.) to the SD card anyways. I wouldn't sweat it.
Click to expand...

Whether the current crop of apps are tiny or not is irrelevant. With only 256 MB of onboard storage to play with it severely limits the types of applications that can be built. They're simply not going to compete with other smartphones (and I'm someone who wants to ditch my iphone).
 
Nerevar said:
Whether the current crop of apps are tiny or not is irrelevant. With only 256 MB of onboard storage to play with it severely limits the types of applications that can be built. They're simply not going to compete with other smartphones (and I'm someone who wants to ditch my iphone).
Click to expand...

I feel this is gonna be Android's "iPhone can't multitask" equivalent. But it's a much smaller issue now, in the foreseeable future, and possibly for the long haul.

Think of any kind of app that's more than a couple megabytes. Any kind of app like that can store it's assets on the SD card. Period, no exceptions. It's not a perfect solution and running apps from the SD card has always been higher than multitouch on my list of Android improvements, but it's still a solution.
 
tokkun said:
For me, the interesting thing about this story is that they confirm that it is not trivial to integrate OS updates into Sense. That makes me more likely to go with a stock Android phone.

Also, what happened to the concept of OTA updates? This was supposed to be one of the big selling points of Android. I don't understand why the Google-branded phones are not getting the 2.0 update already.
Click to expand...
samsungs sprint phone is stock android and they said they wouldnt be getting 1.6 until 2010 so i am assuming thats not really help much lol.
 
Just saw this on Engadget's Droid hands on article

Update 4: We've added another gallery of the car and home docks, which are pretty neat -- the phone detects the dock magnetically, and switches to the appropriate mode. We're told that there'll also be third-party docks, and that Google's the one behind the different interface modes, so this could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Click to expand...

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/motorola-droid-first-hands-on/

Hawt! All those automatic interface switching with specific docks is the thing I like best about the Droid right now.
 
MThanded said:
samsungs sprint phone is stock android and they said they wouldnt be getting 1.6 until 2010 so i am assuming thats not really help much lol.
Click to expand...

Thats not a "google experience" phone though. I wonder if since the mytouch is if that might push it out faster. the G1 and mytouch got 1.6 like 3 days after the 1.6 sdk came out i believe
 
I'd love to see updating streamlined in the future on mobile platforms, right now it is a shame that many phones have to wait so long for official updates while some are ignored completely.
 
I fear for those with sub 1GHz chips though.... boy I really hope this this works smooth. I'm still on hold out for my HTC Dragon w/ Android 2.0 on Tmo. here hopefully early Q1.
 
Just say the Droid promo on Verizon's (! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !) website. Am I the only one that is devastatingly geeking out over/near certainly will purchase this phone?
 
AHT-MotoSholes02.png


Congratulations to the Motorola Droid for graduating to full-fledged status! Hopefully the Sony-Ericsson Rachael/Xperia X3/X10/Infinity (has it really been that many names?) follows suit on November 3rd.

Hawkian said:
Just say the Droid promo on Verizon's (! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !) website. Am I the only one that is devastatingly geeking out over/near certainly will purchase this phone?
Click to expand...

I am too. :) Seems to hit all the right spots, and then some. Compared to my previous grievances with some previous Android hardwares (lacking headphone jack, lacking hard keyboard, overly-expensive launch price, late launch, middling specs, etc.), my nitpicks for the Droid are downright microscopic.
 
550mhz CPU and only 250mb RAM are my gripes, but it's all about how it handles in practice with these things. It is sexy; which was my largest gripe with previous android hardware.

Okay, the one spec I can't seem to find anywhere at all is PRICE. :lol help me out gaf
 
Even though it is only 550mhz it is running a cortex processor so it will definitely be significantly faster than most of the other android phones on the market, nearly as fast as a 3GS.

Should perform well, though I wish it had Snapdragon instead :D
 
I also think people are overlooking the fact it has a GPU, or hardware-accelerated graphics. It probably won't factor into when normal apps are running, but transitions and games should definitely benefit.

Also I already need to re-edit the Droid card - the battery is actually 1420 mAh, and the USB port is actually MicroUSB 2.0. The Motodev specs page lists both "USB 2.0 High Speed" and "MicroUSB. "
Confused01.gif
 
GMUNYIFan said:
I actually spoke with a verizon rep about this topic the other day. So long as the plan you're on is compatible with the phone, you can definitely add the data and/or texting onto that family plan with no problem at all.

While speaking with the rep I also mentioned that I wanted to get the droid and was kinda upset my phone wouldn't be available for upgrade until May of 2010, and he said "Well I tell you what from my records it looks like your phone if pretty out of date(Motorola Q) and I'm gonna go ahead and move your upgrade day to today(about 2 weeks ago)." This was the best customer service agent I've dealt with at Verizon and he actually gave me his extension if I have any problems doing the upgrade at the store.
Click to expand...
lucky son of a bitch. my upgrade isnt due till august next year, i would be one happy man if they let me upgrade on the 6th.
 
Hawkian said:
Okay, the one spec I can't seem to find anywhere at all is PRICE. :lol help me out gaf
Click to expand...

No predictions? :( My new every 2 upgrade was like 6 months ago, when the only smartphones that were available were the crappiest, most neutered WinMo phones around and I wasn't really to deal with that AND Verizon's mandatory data plan. I wanted to hold out for Android not knowing whether or not it would ever come. Now I have a lot more income and would be willing, but I wonder how much it would end up costing me.

Man those fucks are greedy, btw
 
Andrex, what's the deal with this Xperia X3 phone? Are there any rumors as to the carrier it will be on?

... And WTF is 3.5G? First I've heard of it.
 
Hawkian said:
No predictions? :( My new every 2 upgrade was like 6 months ago, when the only smartphones that were available were the crappiest, most neutered WinMo phones around and I wasn't really to deal with that AND Verizon's mandatory data plan. I wanted to hold out for Android not knowing whether or not it would ever come. Now I have a lot more income and would be willing, but I wonder how much it would end up costing me.

Man those fucks are greedy, btw
Click to expand...


With your new every 2, the phone is $150. 450 min with unlimited data and text is $90 per month.
 
omg rite said:
Andrex, what's the deal with this Xperia X3 phone? Are there any rumors as to the carrier it will be on?

... And WTF is 3.5G? First I've heard of it.
Click to expand...
3.5G is HSDPA+ and EVDO revA..based on the same things 3G is, just faster. I think.
 
MThanded said:
Seems to me that the phone is ok but the consensus is the hero is a better device.
Click to expand...

Dude you really have no shame about this, do you? Do you pinch your nipples during the new HTC ads that feature the Hero? :lol
 
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