HTC Hero! Is it that good? - Hero, G2 Touch Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi, was tossing up in getting a new phone between the HERO and DIAMOND 2. I have watched a ton of Youtube Reviews, read even more written reviews but they all go into the same crap no one really reviews the everyday use of the Hero. Things that matter.
1. How good is the vibrate on this phone?
2. Notification LED. Does it light up indefinately till you view the notification or does it time out? if it does time out can it be changed to unlimited? I know there is software for SMS, Missed Call. But not for email. I need something to be able to light up at a glance even if I have been away for hours.
3. Coming off an iPhone 3GS which has crap battery life just under a day, how does the Hero compare on Moderate use? Would you get 2-3 days?
4. Call quality in terms of earpiece and speakerphone?
5. How does it work as a PIM? Is the Calender still buggy? I remember my G1 you would remove the reminder and it would still show up in Agenda view, but when you go into the item it wasnt there
6. Are the Ringtones loud?
7. Can you Sync to do tasks with Toodledo?
8. Is the Exchange support any good and accurate sync? Contacts, Mail, Calendar?
9. One of the biggest crap things on iPhone is not being able to Snooze reminders. Can the Hero perform this handy function?
10. How good is Web browsing? in terms of page rendering? I read that the new android 2.0 will zoom out to the whole page and fit to screen rather than zoom in closer to one side as old versions did. Is this true?
I am happy to hear any PRO's and CON's from users on here who own or used a Hero.
It would be good if I could if I could test it somehow before I drop $700 on it, but the stores dont have any Demo's. I am in AUSTRALIA also so chance of playing with one in store is slim as 9 outta 10 places just use dummy phones

Hey there
If you live in the US, I would recommend you go to a Verizon Wireless store and try the Droid Eris. Its basically the HTC Hero under a different skin. That's what sold me... I'm almost certainly getting the Hero.
Sorry I can't answer your questions, but thought it might help

I would if I could, but being from AUSTRALIA I dont think we have that model and also even less of a chance of playing with an Android on display.

1. How good is the vibrate on this phone?
Don't know how to answer this question... how do you define a good vibration? You can definitely feel it vibrating if you put it in your jean pocket. That being said, I have never had a phone that doesn't do that.
2. Notification LED. Does it light up indefinately till you view the notification or does it time out? if it does time out can it be changed to unlimited? I know there is software for SMS, Missed Call. But not for email. I need something to be able to light up at a glance even if I have been away for hours.
It will time out (don't know how long though), and cannot be changed.
3. Coming off an iPhone 3GS which has crap battery life just under a day, how does the Hero compare on Moderate use? Would you get 2-3 days?
2-3 days? No way. There is no full screen smartphones which give you this kind of battery life. If you turned off internet, don't play media files, don't talk, simply leave it on stand-by, then it can last 2-3 days. Plug it in whenever you are in your office or home.
That being said, the battery of my phone does last a day typically.
4. Call quality in terms of earpiece and speakerphone?
Loud and clear.
5. How does it work as a PIM? Is the Calender still buggy? I remember my G1 you would remove the reminder and it would still show up in Agenda view, but when you go into the item it wasnt there
Good. HTC has their own Calender app for the Hero (and there are ways to get back the Android Calender app, search this forum). It is nicer, looks better, but runs slightly slower.
6. Are the Ringtones loud?
Loud
7. Can you Sync to do tasks with Toodledo?
No idea.
8. Is the Exchange support any good and accurate sync? Contacts, Mail, Calendar?
No experience.
9. One of the biggest crap things on iPhone is not being able to Snooze reminders. Can the Hero perform this handy function?
Yes, there is a snooze button when the calender alert rings.
10. How good is Web browsing? in terms of page rendering? I read that the new android 2.0 will zoom out to the whole page and fit to screen rather than zoom in closer to one side as old versions did. Is this true?
iPhone 3GS is much much better, due to speed and smoothness. Page rendering is better on the iPhone too.
Hero does not have Android 2.0 yet and it does not zoom out to the whole page by default (yes, it's annoying). Double-click on a section does zoom in, but somehow it zooms in more than I would like to most of the time. Again, iPhone is better here.
Hero's browser can display flash. But it is flash lite and it is not as fast as one would like. Don't expect to play flash games or watch flash videos with it. It is useful though if the site you visit uses flash navigation menu, in that case there is nothing you can do with the iPhone.
Speed-wise it is comparable to the iPhone 3G (non-S), but other than flash the iPhone has a much better browser.

"8. Is the Exchange support any good and accurate sync? Contacts, Mail, Calendar?"
Yes, even better than the iPhone sync. The iPhone supportes remote wipe (don't know for the hero), but the hero can sync mail, contacts and calendar while syncing with your pc or google (you can even do the 3 at once), while the iphone doesn't support mixing iTunes contact/contact sync if there's an exchange account enabled.
Speed : Slightly slower compared to my iPhone 3G (3.1, jailbroken)
The only thing I miss is Safari, but I found dolphin browser to be very usuable, and I'm looking forward to Fennec (firefox). But the stock browser supports downloading whatever you want, and that's a plus.

Thanks alot for both of your replies...
I've had good vibrates like the PALM Centro which rocks your jox off nearly and if you can even feel it while walking. Some of the other phones like Blackberry Bold etc.. The vibrate sounds powerful, but thats about it.. it just sounds hard.. but if your stationary or got it in a pouch you wont feel it. The only way is if you had it on your desk and heard it rumble on your desk.
Damn sux about the LED, I hate that I always had to wake up the iPhone to check if I have anything when I was away from it. A notification LED is an excelent way of knowning when something has happened.
Yeh got to admit the iPhone does have strength in HTML browsing..
Glad to hear exchange support is better than iphone..
Hmmm spead compared to the 3G.. not too bad.. compared to the slowness of Windows Mobile sometimes..
Dolphin browser and firefox coming soon huh?? What about CHROME ported to the Android or is that what the android is using for browsing..I cant remember I read that the new android would open up a webpage much similar to how the iphone would render it when loading.

About the notification light, it kind of flashes on and off slowly and gently. But it only flashes about 1ce every 20 seconds. But it will keep flashing once every 20 seconds for ever realy, it doesnt seem to time out (i have had it flashing in the morning to tell me about an email that i got just before i went to bed)
flash wise, i find that it can manage most online flash video things, and it will even load small games, but it will play them very slowly.
Then most important thing to remember is that on android, and particualy, on HTC phones, things HAPPEN. If later some new phone comes out with an amazing, unique interface, you can be sure that someone here will port it over for hero users.
All the little niggles can be fixed as well, partly becuase android seems to be being updated fairly rapidly, and partly becuase of how little google forces upon you. Dont like the text app? replace it with something else then. Dont like the music app? then ditch that as well. Its a great sence of freedom. Also google isnt picky about what goes on the market. Basicaly, as long as its not porn, then fine. Which means theres lots of apps that apple would never allow becuase they would rival its own stuff. Google doesnt seem to care about that

Totally agree with you CyberWalrus about the Appstore and hate the iPhone how it just doesnt let you get rid of their propriety software like say NOTES (just as an example)
Good to know about the LED, I just received so much conflicting information as some say it will turn off after 5mins and then others say 20mins others say that the Trackball flashes first and then the Green LED.
I mean just would like it like the good old days where when you receive a notification whether it be mail, sms/mms, missed call, calendar event. You receive a notification LED flashing till you attend to it. So its reassuring to hear yours works like that.
I had the G1 before loved the device, clean smooth OS.. unlike Windows Mobile which trys to emulate Windows too much.. Windows should just go from the ground up and redesign there Mobile OS to make it more intuitive they at 6.5 now and they have a bee's dik difference from Mobile 5 and then again Mobile 5 isnt too much better than Windows Mobile 2002/2003.
But yeah enjoying theses phones like Android that are built from the ground up and are focusing on the consumer. As I said loved the G1 but had issues with the PIM which I do really on a lot. My appointments were set to Alarm say 1 hour before and then I would remove the alarm which would remove but then going into Agenda view it would say my alarm is still on. Its lil bugs like that. annoyed me.
But I am wanting to visit Android again after using Symbian, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard & Professional. iPhone 3GS. THe Pre did look apealing but a bit of a dissapointment after its anticipated release. So Android is looking good and I dont know it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.. I can see a good future for Android.

Related

This phone vs. iPhone

Name your pros and cons for having each. I'm deciding whether to get this or the 4S. Obviously you're on here cuz you probably have the GS2, so I'm expecting some good pros! But I also want to be aware of things I might miss or run into. This is probably easier for people who've had an iPhone in the past, but really, you can participate either way.
Edit: I'm also really concerned about battery life. What kind of battery life do you get? How long does it go without a charge, and what kind of screen-on time do you get? And how does this compare to the battery life of your past iPhone (if you've owned one)?
my gf has the 4s i have the gs2. her phone is tiny, its really disappointing to use. I used to own an iphone 4 and was very pleased with the os, now though whenever i hold one i get sad because there's so much goodness being spoiled by that small screen.
anyway, on to the part that matters to you: battery life.
This one really varies, when i first got the gs2 and android i would get about the same battery life as her 4s but i was a noob and had all sorts of background data going and wasting battery. Since i've downloaded juice defender ultimate and set it up correctly, i get about 24 hours or more out of the phone b4 needing to charge.
Go with the gs2.
systoxity said:
my gf has the 4s i have the gs2. her phone is tiny, its really disappointing to use. I used to own an iphone 4 and was very pleased with the os, now though whenever i hold one i get sad because there's so much goodness being spoiled by that small screen.
anyway, on to the part that matters to you: battery life.
This one really varies, when i first got the gs2 and android i would get about the same battery life as her 4s but i was a noob and had all sorts of background data going and wasting battery. Since i've downloaded juice defender ultimate and set it up correctly, i get about 24 hours or more out of the phone b4 needing to charge.
Go with the gs2.
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24 hours? That's sweet. How much do you use the phone during that time? Heavy or moderate user?
the only thing that iphone wins in is the connectivity with a mac (ical, address book, itunes) i know there are apps for this and while they are good, they dont match the easiness (IMO)
I was an Iphone user since the 2007 when it first came out. I have had everyone one of them since. I just switched to the SG2 from my 4S and I absolutely love this phone. Yeah, the Iphone has a polished OS, but I had to jailbreak it to use any of the better functions.
I rooted and put a rom on this puppy and I get 48 hrs of battery life moderate use. If I go heavy I can easily get 24 hrs...
i have the skyrocket now and i'm really disappointed with it. longtime 3gs user and android is definitely less polished with many more force closes than ios. another thing is that you're always worried about whether or not an app is poorly written and just spinning in the background. i don't have energy to deal with such things- when i download an app (words with friends or facebook are two really good examples on android vs. iphone) i just want it to work and not screw up my phone. yes, i know there are other apps other than words with friends but everyone i know uses words with friends and i don't think i could convince everyone to switch over just to play with me.
that said, yes you can do a lot more but you really have to mess with all the settings to get them just right. and even then the battery life is awful.
i'm a med student so i spend long hours studying and listening to music on my phone. with my 3gs i could easily get through a 12+ hour study session listening to music the whole time with frequent browsing to look up drugs, diseases, etc.
yesterday i was in the library for a little more than 10 hours with my skyrocket (on wifi the whole time) and it was at 10% when i left whereas the 3gs would be 50%+
hurley81388 said:
i have the skyrocket now and i'm really disappointed with it. longtime 3gs user and android is definitely less polished with many more force closes than ios. another thing is that you're always worried about whether or not an app is poorly written and just spinning in the background. i don't have energy to deal with such things- when i download an app (words with friends or facebook are two really good examples on android vs. iphone) i just want it to work and not screw up my phone. yes, i know there are other apps other than words with friends but everyone i know uses words with friends and i don't think i could convince everyone to switch over just to play with me.
that said, yes you can do a lot more but you really have to mess with all the settings to get them just right. and even then the battery life is awful.
i'm a med student so i spend long hours studying and listening to music on my phone. with my 3gs i could easily get through a 12+ hour study session listening to music the whole time with frequent browsing to look up drugs, diseases, etc.
yesterday i was in the library for a little more than 10 hours with my skyrocket (on wifi the whole time) and it was at 10% when i left whereas the 3gs would be 50%+
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Click to collapse
The skyrocket has much lower battery life than the Galaxy S II because of the 4g. I usually get a whole days worth of usage out of mine (14+) by the end of the night with about 2-3 hours of screen on time and still have about 40-50% battery left.
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I had an iPhone 4, before 3gs and 3g.
I hated having to wait for jailbreaks to use some features.
Hated Itunes with a passion.
The OS felt boring without jailbreaks.
Bluetooth is closed to share files, songs with other people.
Can't use it as a mass storage device, everything from pc have to go through itunes.
Means you can't copy files directly from other pc, have to rely on third party apps like dropbox which sucks for big files.
Only thing I miss is Activator, which is a jailbreak tweak.
I'm going to attempt a different approach here....
You need to ask yourself what type of user you are. Either a tech/geek/hacker (whatever you want to call it) or someone I would call a general user. By general user I don't mean light phone user. I mean somebody who doesn't want to monkey with settings/themes/roms/kernels etc. The tech user will probably always pick the android over the iphone for its ability to be modded. The iphone is good because you don't have to think about it. Let Apple do all the worrying for you and just use it.
This is not to say that the GS2 is not a great device for a general user, or that an iPhone is not a great device for a techy, but they both shine in different ways. Take a look through the themes section and check out some screen shots of the GS2. Look at all the different ways you can make it personal. The iphone (non jailbroken) will always look pretty close to everybody else.
To answer your battery question though, I easily get 24hrs with moderate to heavy use (caveat: I run an app called tasker that helps with battery saving. Great app).
GeremyHamlett said:
I'm going to attempt a different approach here....
You need to ask yourself what type of user you are. Either a tech/geek/hacker (whatever you want to call it) or someone I would call a general user. By general user I don't mean light phone user. I mean somebody who doesn't want to monkey with settings/themes/roms/kernels etc. The tech user will probably always pick the android over the iphone for its ability to be modded. The iphone is good because you don't have to think about it. Let Apple do all the worrying for you and just use it.
This is not to say that the GS2 is not a great device for a general user, or that an iPhone is not a great device for a techy, but they both shine in different ways. Take a look through the themes section and check out some screen shots of the GS2. Look at all the different ways you can make it personal. The iphone (non jailbroken) will always look pretty close to everybody else.
To answer your battery question though, I easily get 24hrs with moderate to heavy use (caveat: I run an app called tasker that helps with battery saving. Great app).
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Click to collapse
I agree with you about what kind of user you are. The iPhone is meant for certain people while android is meant for others. It really comes down to what you want from your phone. If you like the freedom of changing every little thing about your phone then go with the Galaxy S II. If you like something that you don't have to mess with much and still have a good user experience, get the iPhone.
I say go gs2. Better community, xda is awesome. More customizable stuff...and androids eat apples.
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Pretty much just echoing what has already been said, but I switched from the 4 and while it was a beautiful piece of hardware, I had so many headaches dealing with Apple's restrictions. I'm not much of a widget guy and keep just one homescreen with almost nothing running in the background and get amazing battery life, certainly just as good as the 4 if not better (flashing UnNamed helped as well, but not necessary).
This phone is lightning quick, feels great in the hand and I just can't imagine going back.
Agree with Geremy.. used a 3GS before, then an Aria, now the SGS2..
How you approach using the phone is the key decision point.
As to battery life,the SGS2 is pretty good for an android phone. On a light-use day (some email, 20 minutes of newsreaders, about an hour of music...I can go 14-15 hours. On a heavy use day, extensive emailing, web browsing for a hours, navigating in car, music while working, phone calls,I will get about 8 hours. BUT I always carry a backup battery, so I don't pay much attention to that issue.. on a heavy day,I will switch batteries at about 4 pm and use the phone until the end of the day... just start charging when I go to sleep, meantime, the second battery is charging in the external charger... the next day,I am ready for either situation.
(actually I have 3rd battery for when I am traveling an don't know how much I will use the phone, or when/ where I will be able to charge it again..).
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Yup
GeremyHamlett said:
I'm going to attempt a different approach here....
You need to ask yourself what type of user you are. Either a tech/geek/hacker (whatever you want to call it) or someone I would call a general user. By general user I don't mean light phone user. I mean somebody who doesn't want to monkey with settings/themes/roms/kernels etc. The tech user will probably always pick the android over the iphone for its ability to be modded. The iphone is good because you don't have to think about it. Let Apple do all the worrying for you and just use it.
This is not to say that the GS2 is not a great device for a general user, or that an iPhone is not a great device for a techy, but they both shine in different ways. Take a look through the themes section and check out some screen shots of the GS2. Look at all the different ways you can make it personal. The iphone (non jailbroken) will always look pretty close to everybody else.
To answer your battery question though, I easily get 24hrs with moderate to heavy use (caveat: I run an app called tasker that helps with battery saving. Great app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would have to agree with this whole-heartedly. The other main difference are the apps that are available and how well they are written. I fall as someone who is a techy but isn't too much for visual customization. I don't mind the phone looking the same as others, but do like tinkering with the internal processes from time to time.
I used iphone 3gs, 4 and am using ASGS2 now.
iphone +s.
As apple is manufacturer of phone + OS, they know the things inside out and fix the bugs easily and quickly.
Your iphone is guaranteed for at least 2 to 3 future iOS releases though some functions may not work with new releases.
I like Iphone Keyboard a lot, the accuracy of letters while you type in is excellent, with same speed of typing I make a lot of typos on ASGS2, I somehow managed to get nicer typing with help of "Go keyboard (free)" on ASGS2, my sincere thanks to "Go keyboard" Team!
Quality of hardware and resale-able on ebay! your return on investment works!
ASGS2 +s.
Bigger Screen/Display.
Open source, apps from 3rd party like Amazon apps store, support from forums like xda.
Easily unlock-able/ root-able.
More customizable than iphone due to big community of freelancers as you see on xda!! Hats off to them.
Flash videos works here, not on iphone!
I just came from a 3gs. From a core perspective, i.e, web, email, browsing, facebook, twitter, etc. it's pretty much the same. Lots of different options, way more control.
My recommendation is that you go into the store and spend a few hours over a few days playing with the devices. It's hard to get an true feeling of things but it will at least get you more time with Android.
Apple makes a nice product, iOS is solid. But for me the screen size on the 4s screwed the pooch. I'm older (42), and frankly was sick of the smaller screen.
My decision came down to two points:
1) Could I two way sync with icloud calendars (entire house is apple).
2) How much of a pain would it be to get Apple Address Book Contacts into Google
3) How much of a pain would it be to get/sync itunes to it?
Subjective:
4) Would I like Android.
Answers:
1) Smooth Sync for Cloud Calendars - perfect two way sync.
2) Export to vCard - Import to Google. Easy.
3) Doubletwist with Airsync - works like a charm. Installed doubletwist on device and imac, airsync on device and bam! Wireless sync of itunes to GS2.
4) This is the hardest one for you to answer. As a long time apple user I found myself so ingrained with how things looked with Apple that some things were an initial shock. Not that they didn't work, but because the look a little different etc.
I think most has been covered here already but+ 1 if you like to SET UP EVERYTHING the way YOU LIKE IT AND WANT IT TO WORK then OGSGS2. I have never and will never use a iPhone because I like to tinker with my phone to it's Max. And as far as battery life it is pretty darn good. I would say I am a pretty heavy user also.
The area where it levels out is while I was sleeping fyi and forgot to plug it in.
Sent From My KickAss ATT SGS2 SPORTING CM7
I would say that I agree with everyone here so far. I really want to like android- I'm a techy nerdy kind of guy. I would never buy a Mac because I know I can build my own desktop with the same components for half the price and dual-boot hackintosh it if i really wanted the OS (which i don't). I only bought the first original iphone because I could unlock it and use it on my ridiculously cheap grandfathered T-mobile plan at the time (when there wasn't 3g). This was far before the days of untethered jailbreaking and unlocking so it was pretty involved and quite scary because it was fairly easy to brick the phone from my understanding. And I only got the 3gs because android was really unrefined at that point and ATT had no good offerings.
But at the same time my life has gotten busier and busier so I have less time to mess around with different ROMs of varying stabilities and worrying about whether or not that new app I installed is sucking up all of my battery in the background. Or having to unroot the phone before taking it in for any warranty issues. Maybe I'm getting old, grumpy, or work is ruining my life- I'm not sure which one it is haha.
I will say the one feature I LOVE about my SR though is that 4.5 inch screen. I know it has terrible pixel density and all that stuff but I love how big everything is- it's so much easier on the eyes. I also really like the ability to add widgets to the homescreen and that the customization options are there (but something I don't really care for).
But at the same time I think it's the little things where Apple has really outdone everyone. For one thing, the scrolling on the stock web browser is jumpy and I find that using the headphone remote to double click to skip the song is blah. For some reason (as I mentioned before) Samsung also thinks that nobody cares about bluetooth headset voice dialing and left it out of this phone. Also, you can't change the auto-brightness settings at all and the stock settings are horrific. Yes I know there are 3rd party apps for all of these things but then you're introducing another variable which you then have to worry about if it's sucking up all of your battery in the background (in my experience I found both the Dolphin and Opera web browsers to use significantly more processor time than the stock web browser)
Also, yes having a removable battery is awesome and theoretically easy to switch throughout the day but I have the Otterbox Defender on my SR which is definitely not a case you want to be taking apart and putting back together all the time. All of the other cases for the phone (and I'm a clumsy person so I definitely need a case) don't seem much easier to take on and off as well.
Oh well, maybe with ICS Android will smooth out the edges and developers will stop writing crappy code to allow for all sorts of rogue apps....
I had the S2 for about 3 weeks and then returned it to get my wife an iPhone 4s. I currently use my Captivate. I hate Apple with a passion, but I will say the iPhone is just soo polished! If you dont want to hack anything it really is a great phone (minus flash) and battery life is better than ANY Android phone. My wife gets 3 days of life per charge easily. She doesnt have push email but she does use it.
My S2 only got me a day of battery life (push enabled). For me I would stay Android (i love the customizing) but if battery life is a big concern there is no doubt Apple as Android beat. Thats my 2 cents.
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If you want great battery life, go use an old 3310 Nokia phone.

From Android?

Anyone moved from Android to a Radar? Thoughts? I'm on a GS2 right now and considering a switch.
I moved over from a Evo 4G to the Radar.
For me having to adjust to a smaller screen was a little hard.
The performance is great. I love the UI.
The app's in the marketplace can be a little limited, but I have found some great apps that are better than their counterparts on Android.
I will say that as of now, this platform is not from everybody, but with some of the new devices comming around, and the next few updates, the platform should grow.
I personally love the who WP7 experience. Out of all three of the major OS's, I love this one the most.
I had a Droid Incredible for 2 years, then the HTC Sensation on T-Mobile. This fall I tried an HTC HD7 when I knew I could put Mango on it, and I really liked WM7. I left the HD7 for a Samsung Galaxy 2 because I wanted the 42 mbps radio.
The Galaxy is a fantastic phone, but as soon as I got it I realized that I'd been spoiled by WM7 and no longer had the patience to deal with Android. Android is great if you like to fiddle with your phone and create a very customized experience. But I just couldn't face taking a day to download apps and configure the phone to put my tasks, calendar, podcasts, and contacts front and center.
I dumped the Samsung on eBay and got a Radar, which I LOVE. The advantage of WM7 is that you turn it on, and it just works. I put in my Google and Windows Live accounts and in five minutes everything is right there.
The disadvantage on WM7 is that it works on a different organizing principle than Android or IOS. In addition, the design approach emphasizes a clean simple interface - which also means that some capabilities are hidden and you have to know how to find them. So, there is a learning curve.
The Radar is not for everyone, but for me it's ideal. I like the small size, the clean interface, the internet sharing, and Zune music. The fact that it is not another big black slab is also appealing.
The only negative for me is the 8gb of memory means I have to be selective as to loading music and movies on the phone. Other than that, i think I'll have the Radar for quite a while. Or until I can get my hands on a Nokia Lumia 900.
Im thinking of doing this too. I have never gotten normal battery life on my GS2 no matter what I do. Also like how it seems WP7 works right out of the box. Now just to try and get someone to buy this GS2....
Anyone else with input?
Switched from Android to WP7
I recently switched from the Galaxy S Vibrant to the HTC Radar. The OS's are pretty different, but I'm enjoying WP7. The lack of options in WP7 has saved me lots of time playing with themes, launchers and the sort. The UI is simple, straight forward and doesn't take much to figure out. The battery life is amazing for a smart phone. Turning on the Battery Saver option helps squeeze every last drop of juice from the battery. I haven't looked into how the location service works, but it works ok, not as accurate as a GPS in my opinion. The screen is responsive, clear and made with Gorilla glass. The on screen keyboard is as easy to use as any other on screen keyboard. The predictive text is pretty accurate. The only complaint I have is with syncing. The hotmail account (ya, just like Android and Gmail) doesn't quite sync as fast as Gmail does on Android. The official Facebook and Twitter app are lacking in the syncing area as well. I haven't looked into any unofficial apps yet. Speaking of apps, the app store is a little lacking, but I don't use to many apps. Overall, I like the phone and I'm pleased with WP7 experience. The whole thing is simple and straight forward.
Here's the link to try out the UI in your browser.
http://m.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/demo/index.html
hah2110 said:
Anyone moved from Android to a Radar? Thoughts? I'm on a GS2 right now and considering a switch.
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Click to collapse
I am. I switched from Galaxy S2 to Rader but have trouble now
Check this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1444832
Thanks for the opinions. I'm really on the fence! I feel like it would be wrong to move without having used ics
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Bump
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Add me to the migrants - I've just sold my GS2 and purchased a Radar, just got to wait for it to be delivered now. I had a HD7 at the beginning but the battery was crap on it and Mango wasn't even mentioned so I got rid of it but now it looks like the OS is really moving now.
I just moved from a G2 to the Radar and I'm liking it. Only things I'm having trouble with it getting a good GoogleTalk app to IM with all my friends and family. I wish it was integrated much like how Facebook Messenger is. Also being able to use my Google Voice account to make outgoing calls is a bit difficult.
My biggest complaint about the phone is the lack of memory for storage. I download a lot of podcasts and music (through Spotify) to listen to and its already full with just my podcasts. No place to fit the cached music. If i had unlimited data it would be nice but I don't. I usually meet my 5gb quota in a month without streaming.
I think the storage can be a problem but it is obviously dependent on how you use your phone. I mean 16GB is a good minimum to have but I can make do with the 8GB. I can see why there isn't a microSD slot - it keeps the phone simple just having one type of storage. I reckon as long as the cloud continues to expand local storage will diminish.
I thought about this too because I have 7+ gb of pictures BUT, can't you just throw them on Skydrive for when you need them? More and more I think I may jump! I do feel like, on paper, it won't be powerful enough but do mos people really need the power of dual core, etc.
Yeah you can! That's another great thing you get with WP7 - 25GB of free storage! The crucial thing is that WP7 is closed-source, native and optimized for the strict hardware requirements that Microsoft have laid down. It's similar to Apple's approach with their hardware. Like I said the only reason I ditched the HD7 was because of its woeful battery life and not knowing that Mango would come. This phone seems to get it right from what I've read and see and as far WP7 and its associated devices well they are just going to go from strength to strength. I can't wait for it to arrive!
What is the integration with Skydrive like though? Am I just browsing a cloud file directory or is there any sort of gallery integration? Also, if all pics are 2-3mb+, it could be annoying when you are trying to find a picture. Is there thumbnailing, previewing, etc?
You get excellent integration, I've just uploaded some photos and it works really well! Yep you get all that
xspsi said:
I just moved from a G2 to the Radar and I'm liking it. Only things I'm having trouble with it getting a good GoogleTalk app to IM with all my friends and family. I wish it was integrated much like how Facebook Messenger is. Also being able to use my Google Voice account to make outgoing calls is a bit difficult.
My biggest complaint about the phone is the lack of memory for storage. I download a lot of podcasts and music (through Spotify) to listen to and its already full with just my podcasts. No place to fit the cached music. If i had unlimited data it would be nice but I don't. I usually meet my 5gb quota in a month without streaming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Calling with the GoVoice app isn't too difficult.
I recently switched, but kept my old phone just in case.
I have a Samsung Vibrant [MIUI], Mytouch 4G [MIUI]
and I play with my girls GS2.
The smaller screen is taking me a bit to get used to.
The UI is AWESOME, responsive, quick, etc.
No apps to have quick on-tap shortcuts to disable/enable 3G/4G, brightness... but that's ok.
Not many apps, but a few that are awesome.
Cool if you have an Xbox and/or Windows PC.
It's not for everyone... but I feel like I won't get bored with it anytime soon.
I also think it's better than iOS.
I "switched" a week ago from the GS2 to the Radar. I'm not a heavy user but I like to be connected and synced up with my emails and social networks all the time.
The App Ecosystem on WP sucks and anyone coming from iOS or Android or even BB would agree. They're either lying or don't use apps at all if they disagree.
The smaller screen size compared to the 4.5" is certainly noticeable but not a deal breaker.
The camera functionality on the Radar and is better, and I think the lens is better too. But the front facing camera is only VGA vs. the GSII 2mp.
Battery life is much better on WP and WP works just as smooth.
I enjoy the fact that WP is less buggy than android, but there's a lot of limitations to how to customize the UI and how multi-tasking works (or doesn't work). There's no flash support and I cannot even visit sites that allow me to find out when the next Muni or Bart train will show up, and of course there's no app for that in WP.
The Radar has NO COMPASS so you can't use a lot of apps that utilize a compass and navigation seems to take a bit longer to figure out which direction you're facing (which makes sense).
Anyways, it's like the best alternative to the iPhone for first time smartphone users and for people who aren't app crazy. It's stable and is quite capable. What a change from Windows Mobile.

My brother wants an iPhone4S, Help me convince him to switch now to Droid.

He's kinda had his heart set on a new iphone, coming from a 3GS and a Mac user.
I think he'd be smart to make the jump now to Droid, and if he was able to pull the trigger i think he'd never look back. He can get a new Skyrocket refurb for $150 less than the 4S he wants. He's broke so the savings alone should be huge for him! But you know how it is when you get your mind set on something like this. He's also pretty savy, so i think he'd figure out everything he wants to do. He thinks iphone will sync better with his mac and everything he wants to do already.
one thing that will make him think about it - tell him that the iphone doesnt have any porn applications,free or paid NADA....iphone is for kids 13yo below.
android has it all...u name it.
Free mp3 sharing sites on Android market. Never pay iTunes again....that alone made my 14 year old switch.
If her friend bought a cd and wants to share a song, Droid does....iTunes can't....
Sent from my DROID using Tapatalk
meh, he's too set on iphone, since he has a mac. he wouldn't even take the free 30 day trial i told him he could have. lame
Can't really say much. You yourself said he already has a fixed mindset. Tbh iPhone does have the advantage when it comes to syncing. Personally, if it wasn't for Android's crazy level of customization, I would've gone with an iPhone. But that was the past. Its just too expensive. Especially without a plan.
Sent from my GT-I5500 using XDA App
tell him to enjoy the thousands of fart apps
Can you take the battery out or upgrade the memory via sd yet?
How about customise to your liking via themes?
Oh sorry, nevermind, iPhone SUX!
Some people will want the iPhone no matter how much you tell them about alternatives, they are buying it based on brand loyalty only. But here are most Android device advantages:
Hardware:
-Replaceable battery
-Expandable Memory (microSD)
-Non-proprietary charging/usb cable (microUSB)
-Better specs for cheaper than iPhone
The OS itself allows more customization with widgets, launchers, keyboards, etc. So even if you hate the default look it can easily be changed without rooting/flashing. Adobe flash, even though its being discontinued, is great for the full internet experience at least until HTML5 deployment catches up.
This probably doesn't apply since he has a Mac, but I hate iTunes on Windows. It feels bloated and runs useless background processes wasting resources. I keep it off my computers. I'm not sure how iPhones sync better. I can download apps from the market to my Android phone from a browser. I sync music with a small batch file that I made which uses xcopy to sync the two directories, its a lot faster than iTunes.
I guess I'm in the minority here but if he's used to iphone and mac, and got his heart set on 4S maybe its best for him to get what he wants rather than what the majority think is better for him.
As a mac and older gen iphone user he is used to that and it is easier for apple products to connect together than android with apple, if he isn't looking at other phones he is probably not ready to make a switch anyway.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
the iphone is a good product if you are into a limited scope of activities and do not want to learn how to use something that is a little less intuative. If I got my wife a galaxy nexus she would hate it. She wants to turn it on, send a text, make a call, and check her facebook. for users in that class the iphone is the easiest way to go
- iphone's ugly looking waterdrop theme, lifeless, static icons, the entire interface is from the past and feels cheap - like a toy. ice cream sandwich is lightyears ahead in styles und functionality.
- caged. man you cant do anything. my droid remotely controls my dslr (iphone does too, with a laptop in between, duh), locates cables in my walls when i need to drill holes, measures my sleep patterns and wakes me outside REM-phases or sends messages into REM for lucid-dreaming/astral-travel, etc. android is full freedom, everything the device is capable of android allows. iphone is a brick, i'd be bored to heck playing angry birds all day.
- it's inability to change keyboard. most iphone users i know haven't even heard of swype. they need ages to get simple texts done or they reduce their typing to a minimum. i laugh when i see them sweating hard tapping out texts - it's a stone age thing to do really. so apple decides what's good and what's not, you have to bite the bullet and use a typing technology that was never meant to be used on a device as tiny as a smartphone. it's keyboard renders it use-less.
- multitasking on android is awesome. droid's getting real-time facebook msg's, whatsapp, skype calls, voip calls, mail, bluetooth walkitalki, company mail, dropbox, just about every service in the net. everythings coming in nicely through subtle push-notifications. personally i have stopped using countless of programs on my laptop and the browser can go screw itself, phone is collecting everything with ease wherever i go. iphone users are not even close to that experience, again coz apple has crippled the device. they argue battery power, but what the heck, one day or two at max is fine, recharging is fast.
convinced my girlfriend to drop her apple.
Don't convince him to get anything. If he hates it it's now your fault.
Sent from my SGH-I897
Instead of convincing him, which can be a pain since he's hardcore Apple products, do yourself a favor by getting a Samsung Galaxy S2.
Hop on the SGS2 xda forum and switch ROMs weekly.
That's way he will see your new Android phone, new look, new launcher, cool features, 'til he gets envy and jumps ship
votinh said:
Instead of convincing him, which can be a pain since he's hardcore Apple products, do yourself a favor by getting a Samsung Galaxy S2.
Hop on the SGS2 xda forum and switch ROMs weekly.
That's way he will see your new Android phone, new look, new launcher, cool features, 'til he gets envy and jumps ship
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's nothing envious about that.
Sent from my SGH-I897
Don't try to convince hi because he may regret it and be pissed that you talked him into it. The iphone has a ton of games for ppl his age. Also he doesn't have to suffer the lag android has that will irritate him. Also the post in this thread are dumb because a jailbroken iphone does everything a rooted android does except for custom roms. I do find both apple and android fans don't know crap about the others platform and just spread false info.
apollooff320 said:
Don't try to convince hi because he may regret it and be pissed that you talked him into it. The iphone has a ton of games for ppl his age. Also he doesn't have to suffer the lag android has that will irritate him. Also the post in this thread are dumb because a jailbroken iphone does everything a rooted android does except for custom roms. I do find both apple and android fans don't know crap about the others platform and just spread false info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make good sense but regarding jailbroken iphones doing all a rooted android can do I'm sure that must be wrong.
For example on a non rooted android you can change launcher completely, have full automation using apps like tasker (eg when I'm at home turn wifi on but when at cinema go silent, auto answer calls and when films finished book me a taxi etc).
You can also change keyboard completely for example, use widgets, put toggle switches in notification bar and so on. I know at least the tasker type automation isn't possible as that's an ios restriction that stops that so at least one thing I can do on stock android a jb iphone can't.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Don't waste your time. Do you really want to support his device should he end up getting an Android? Tell him to go through all the guides/rooting/flashing if he doesn't like stock?
Just let your bro get the iPhone, he might hate you for convincing him to get an Android after it starts locking up, randomly rebooting and draining battery like crazy. Your brother might also enjoy timely software updates and well design apps with consistent UI.
To be honest, I have been back and forth from Iphone 4 to Samsung Galaxy s2 over the last few months.
The ability to change, customise and tweak everything on Android has its pro's and cons. fun but takes over your life, especially when you get into Rom flashing, I swapped my SGS2 a few weeks back for another Iphone 4, I thought I had managed to quell my addiction to Android...Alas nope, I am returning yet again, OK things run along all well and good on the iOs not too many hiccups, all nice and dandy, dandy andnnnnzzzzzzzz zzzzz arrrghhh I woke up, yes the Iphone can become a little tedious to say the least.
I think iOs is brilliant on the IPAD, Android Pads just don't come close in my opinion, but for the phones there is such an amazing choice and the SGS2 is similar in style to the Iphone. There just is not a community like this one for the Iphone except for trawling through the Itunes clunky market...Androids market you can faff about on anywhere on any computer and it syncs directly to your phone, even if you dont have it with you...Google is better synced with Android and facebook on Android is far better with many more options, twitter notifications work on Android, rarely do on iOs and to top it all of Scramble has just been released for Android yesterday, so there are no more excuses
alex2792 said:
Just let your bro get the iPhone, he might hate you for convincing him to get an Android after it starts locking up, randomly rebooting and draining battery like crazy. Your brother might also enjoy timely software updates and well design apps with consistent UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you actually have an android phone? Mine does none of that other than use battery quick which is lg's fault for putting a crap battery on a powerful phone.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

[Q] Switch from S3 to lumia 920?

im really debating on whether i should switch from an GS3 to a lumia 920? i just worry about the app store. are the apps really that limited on lumia 920?
it depends....
If you're talking about applications I would say that the ones that are there are as good or better than Android and for those few that are missing, there are alternatives or 3rd party apps that do the job and in some cases exceed those original apps still missing. So if you're talking about functionality with respect to apps, I would say you'll be perfectly fine with making the switch.
However, if you are a heavy phone gamer and want the latest games and have them for free with ads etc, Google Play is much more ahead of Windows Phone. If you just want light gaming like Angry Birds Star War's, Cut The Rope etc.....you'll be perfectly satisfied.
I made the switch to Windows Phone. I'm not a big gamer, don't really care about gaming on the phone (I prefer a tablet even for light gaming). What I would argue though is that the functionality out of the box, the consistency of the UI1 and the consistency of the apps, and the speed of Windows Phone seriously makes it a better phone than either Android or iPhone.
If you want to drive your car with your phone, or are a heavy gamer and love to tweak your phone over and over and over I would say get Android. If you want a dumb but safe OS with a phone that has a high resale value and you don't mind paying through your nose for an overpriced product which has serious limitations like small screen and proprietary accessories etc, iPhone is for you.
I chose the Lumia 920 and have no regrets whatsoever. Seriously, if you use Google services and you switch to Windows Phone, just get gMaps & Metrotube and that covers pretty much everything (Skydrive is better than Google's offering anyways). I had gMail and switched to Outlook and only use my Google account for Youtube when I'm on the PC. People who say "But with an Android I can get Google Services" are seriously not realizing that there is really not much there, if anything, compared to Windows Phone. Hope this helps you make your choice.
I've contemplated switching myself. My wife has a new lumia 920 and it's a beautiful phone. She's been a Windows phone user for a year and a half now and absolutely loves it. We also picked up a new lumia 920 for my 19yr. old son for Christmas and being an avid xbox guy, he was extremely happy. At least for the twelve hours he had the phone before it got knocked off the table onto our tile floor and cracked the screen. It should be back from the repair shop next week.
I do have to admit that with Windows 8 on all our computers, the integration with my wifes Lumia 920 and her LIVE account is pretty cool. To a large extent, google has the same sort of integration, but it seems quite a bit more scattered with multiple different google apps for different things, where WP8 just seems to sync/integrate everything quietly in the background.
I've always enjoyed "tweaking" my phone. Started with a Nokia e71 and Symbian, moved to an iPhone 3GS and Jailbreaking, then finally to Android where pretty much anything is possible. I'm worried that moving to WP8 would feel a little too restrictive.
That being said, my contract is up for renewal in a couple months and I'm actually thinking of going with a Lumia 920 just to see how I like it. I figure I can always sell it and go back to my i9300 SG3 if things don't workout.
so this is the thing
bigkahuna111 said:
If you're talking about applications I would say that the ones that are there are as good or better than Android and for those few that are missing, there are alternatives or 3rd party apps that do the job and in some cases exceed those original apps still missing. So if you're talking about functionality with respect to apps, I would say you'll be perfectly fine with making the switch.
However, if you are a heavy phone gamer and want the latest games and have them for free with ads etc, Google Play is much more ahead of Windows Phone. If you just want light gaming like Angry Birds Star War's, Cut The Rope etc.....you'll be perfectly satisfied.
I made the switch to Windows Phone. I'm not a big gamer, don't really care about gaming on the phone (I prefer a tablet even for light gaming). What I would argue though is that the functionality out of the box, the consistency of the UI1 and the consistency of the apps, and the speed of Windows Phone seriously makes it a better phone than either Android or iPhone.
If you want to drive your car with your phone, or are a heavy gamer and love to tweak your phone over and over and over I would say get Android. If you want a dumb but safe OS with a phone that has a high resale value and you don't mind paying through your nose for an overpriced product which has serious limitations like small screen and proprietary accessories etc, iPhone is for you.
I chose the Lumia 920 and have no regrets whatsoever. Seriously, if you use Google services and you switch to Windows Phone, just get gMaps & Metrotube and that covers pretty much everything (Skydrive is better than Google's offering anyways). I had gMail and switched to Outlook and only use my Google account for Youtube when I'm on the PC. People who say "But with an Android I can get Google Services" are seriously not realizing that there is really not much there, if anything, compared to Windows Phone. Hope this helps you make your choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been a windows phone user for two years now and I will say this much, if you are looking for customizability and playing with the look of your phone, windows phone will bore you to tears. The truth is that once you setup your layout on the homescreen, there isn't much else you can do or will do since it is already setup to your needs and how you use the phone. Like I add tracking packages to the bottom of the screen and once they get delivered I delete them, same goes for games once I finish playing them. So once the screen is setup I would argue that you do get bored after a while and go through different colours depending on your mood or even depending on the Bing wallpaper which is showing that day (if you use that lockscreen feature) etc. There really isn't any other customizability you can do or really will do after a bit because the phone is perfect for a lack of a better term, its perfectly setup for your needs.
I would argue that's a good thing, even though I do wish I can see some animations on the lockscreen etc. At the end of the day the added functionality I get with a Windows Phone and the way it integrates with everything I use, is just too good to give up to get some more freedom with respect to tweaking icons, text, wallpapers, animations etc.
Hope this helps you in your decision....
If you can live with the out of the box WP functionality & experience for the majority of your needs then you will be happy. If the stock apps don't cover the majority of your needs then stick with Android. Of course WP has some great 3rd party apps that add functionality/fill in the gaps, but you may not be able to count on them always working or the program being around in the future. A good example are YouTube apps which may stop working because Google has made a change, until the developers make the necessary changes.
For the best WP experience you are basically going to use Microsoft services Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live. If you have all your info in GMail,Google Docs etc. then you should decide if your willing to migrate it to the MS ecosystem, before moving to WP IMO
Hi. Coming from SGS3, I wanted to know if i could find an apk like Gstrings and Musical lite?
acruxksa said:
I've contemplated switching myself. My wife has a new lumia 920 and it's a beautiful phone. She's been a Windows phone user for a year and a half now and absolutely loves it. We also picked up a new lumia 920 for my 19yr. old son for Christmas and being an avid xbox guy, he was extremely happy. At least for the twelve hours he had the phone before it got knocked off the table onto our tile floor and cracked the screen. It should be back from the repair shop next week.
I do have to admit that with Windows 8 on all our computers, the integration with my wifes Lumia 920 and her LIVE account is pretty cool. To a large extent, google has the same sort of integration, but it seems quite a bit more scattered with multiple different google apps for different things, where WP8 just seems to sync/integrate everything quietly in the background.
I've always enjoyed "tweaking" my phone. Started with a Nokia e71 and Symbian, moved to an iPhone 3GS and Jailbreaking, then finally to Android where pretty much anything is possible. I'm worried that moving to WP8 would feel a little too restrictive.
That being said, my contract is up for renewal in a couple months and I'm actually thinking of going with a Lumia 920 just to see how I like it. I figure I can always sell it and go back to my i9300 SG3 if things don't workout.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 same thoughts here....
Haha you'll suffer
Sent From My Galaxy S3
I did a switch and am unhapppy.
Its just been 18 hrs since i switched from S3 to 920 and am already missing it very much. Its nothing to do with the phone as such. The major thing am missing is the android. If you happen to be an android user for over a year and if you like to play (Not just games but roms etc etc.) then i seriously suggest you NOT to switch.
kaladhar.r said:
Its just been 18 hrs since i switched from S3 to 920 and am already missing it very much. Its nothing to do with the phone as such. The major thing am missing is the android. If you happen to be an android user for over a year and if you like to play (Not just games but roms etc etc.) then i seriously suggest you NOT to switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
I had a Lumia 920 for 2 weeks. Fantastic little machine, but I just found myself constantly looking on enviously at my friends' Android phones. Once I got the Nexus 4 it felt like I was back home.
For me, WP8 is too limited and has too many things that drove me up the wall. Type quickly? Forget about the auto-correct working properly, it couldn't keep up (and I'm by no means the quickest typist on a touch screen). Just little things such as the time not being displayed in certain screens at the top, and connectivity icons always being hidden used to irritate me. No notification was another irritant. Yes OK, the tiles would display unread texts etc, but I found sometimes I wouldn't notice them. The Android solution is so much better.
Overall, I just felt like I didn't have the same level of control as I do on Android. If I want to kill a task, how do you do that on Windows?
This can be a good or a bad thing, but I suspect many on XDA will not like it, being that most XDA members are very technically able people.
I thought I would enjoy having less choices and just getting on and using it, but you know what, it had the opposite effect.
exactly my same thoughts..^^^^^.
I switched to 920 at Christmas time. I love my new phone, Windows phone 8 is great, i can modify the home screen as much as I want and I love the live tiles. the only bug bear I had was the wifi switching of when asleep, but that has been fixed in the update I just received
one of the major reasons I switched was the slow uptake of Samsung to update it's phones, if I had not manually updated the firmware my s11 would still be sitting on gingerbread, the fragmentation of Android is hopeless. I only hope the same thing does not happen with Windows.
can you download files from the internet like you can with an android? I download a ton of torrents while i'm at work.
squarebobspongepants said:
can you download files from the internet like you can with an android? I download a ton of torrents while i'm at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe nobody here downloads file ?
I not used torrent application myself but I did a search to see what apps in the store from my Lumia 920. I found a dozen so apps that manage and control torrent server software that you would have on your home computer. Some are free and some are paid .99 to 1.99. So at least you can control and manage your torrent server. I would suspect if you had a router based on tomato firmware that has torrent you could control/manage that as well in theory as well.
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
tameracingdriver said:
Agreed.
I had a Lumia 920 for 2 weeks. Fantastic little machine, but I just found myself constantly looking on enviously at my friends' Android phones. Once I got the Nexus 4 it felt like I was back home.
For me, WP8 is too limited and has too many things that drove me up the wall. Type quickly? Forget about the auto-correct working properly, it couldn't keep up (and I'm by no means the quickest typist on a touch screen). Just little things such as the time not being displayed in certain screens at the top, and connectivity icons always being hidden used to irritate me. No notification was another irritant. Yes OK, the tiles would display unread texts etc, but I found sometimes I wouldn't notice them. The Android solution is so much better.
Overall, I just felt like I didn't have the same level of control as I do on Android. If I want to kill a task, how do you do that on Windows?
This can be a good or a bad thing, but I suspect many on XDA will not like it, being that most XDA members are very technically able people.
I thought I would enjoy having less choices and just getting on and using it, but you know what, it had the opposite effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My experience is the opposite many of yours. I have had Android phones since T-Mobiles G1 (I still have it) and I loved all the tinkering I could do with them. I've had Moto, HTC and Samsung. But there was always 'something' that didn't work quite right. Maybe the bluetooth stack wasn't that great or the GPS would show me blocks from where I am. Even the compass on one of them would have me twirling in circles as I sat at a traffic light. Some hardware issues, some software. An update would occur to fix something then another thing would suffer. Many ROMs built here were phenomenal pieces of work and way beyond my skill set. However a fgreat deal of the time even they were not quite done 'baking', for lack of a better term.
I saw the demo of my 920 while shopping for a new phone for my girlfriend. I had my One X for about 8 months. I HAD to have this phone. I've been using it for about 6 weeks now and it just works. That's all I can say. Everything on mine just simply works. GPS, compass, BT, mail services, WiFi...even phone calls! I've embraced the UI so much that I bought a windows 8 tablet and sold my iPad. (I sold the iPad for more reasons than just Windows 8 but that's for a different forum)
The seamless integration between the two is great and, for my purposes, I couldn't be happier with my decision to make this move. Is the app store lacking? Absolutely. But not to the point that I miss my Android phone(s). Don't misunderstand. I really do get why you would miss the flexibility of that OS. If I had time I'd keep one just for messing with. But it's so much easier now that when I want to do something I just do it and the phone cooperates completely.
My 920 from my perspective. Thanks for listening. Now back to your regularly scheduled browsing already in progress.

Thinking of switching

So as of late, I have been seriously considering switching to a 920 after using android for awhile, and I was wondering how some of you guys feel about the 920, specifically if you have come from Android. Main thing really holding me back is the new hardware put out like the Xperia Z, HTC One, or the S4. Your thoughts?
I had been using android non stop since like 2010 and honestly i got a bit bored of it (and a was quite a flashaholic). WP8 is amazingly fluid and i absolutely love the build quality of the 920. The only real downside is lack of apps. I currently switch between my 920 and my Nexus 4 because i can't decide which to sell.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Coming from a EVO 4g - I don't miss Android, but I did miss Google Maps at first. I have gotten used to Nokia Maps and Drive though and now like them quite a bit. Overall I like Windows Phone better. I have all the apps I need, so the smaller number of apps doesn't bother me. I think the quality of apps is much better on windows. I have not seen a better phone than the 920. The screen is by far the best I have ever used. The camera and video is amazing. I have not seen all the phones you mentioned though.
I bought a Galaxy S2 outright about a year and a half ago. Came from Apple and android was just the best thing that happened to me. So sick of Apple's ball and chain. Anyway, my contract with Telstra recently allowed me to get a new phone. I was going to go with the Galaxy Note II, but saw some things about the 920 that caught my eye. I liked the idea behind wp7 but thought the home screen didnt fit quite enough information on it. When I saw what WP8 looked like plus the features of the 920, I thought I should give it a go. Definitely the best decision I could have made. I dont know what it was about android but there was something that was just starting to bug me and was becoming stale. WP8 and Lumia 920 are just beautiful to use. Camera is ok (not groundbreaking, or maybe Im biased as I own a 'Real' camera) But taking videos with the stabilization is great. plus the video quality in general is quite good. Microphones are a notch above the rest too. Screen is brilliant, build is great (although I am construction worker so I have it locked away in an otterbox regardless). Sure there's not the app choice, but they are certainly coming, and all the apps that the average person -needs- are there. As a Smart Phone, it is in my opinion the best.
I went from Android to WP7.... because i was not satisfied with the stability of the OS... There were really a lot apps Missing back then.... But i really like how fluid an reliable WP was... The phone functions are most important to me...
Recently i bought a new Android Phone just to see how much has changed since than and if I'm missing out something with my Lumia 920...
Im using both now.. but I will stay with Windows Phone.. I get to used to it..
I just works.. no need for custom ROMS and tweaking around... There are
some apps missing but most of the popular one are available or there are solid alternatives...
Check if the app that you really like and use are on Windows Phone..
I don't mean games... the most are boring after 4-5 days anyway..
If not .. and you really need them stay with android.. else give WP8 a try... you won't regret it... The Lumia 920 is really the best phone i ever had!
One more thing i love about the 920 is the choice of colors you get. Most android phones only have one or two color choices (but most all are still dull)
With the 920, you get to choose between eye popping red or yellow, a glossy elegant white, and the sophisticated matte cyan and black. I had the white but got switched to the red and I love it
Sent from my Nexus 4
The short answer is come on over! The long answer:
The hardware is impressive, especially the Lumia 920 right now. If you are not completely on the google bandwagon then jump in, the waters fine.
As for pc connectivity, it can't be beat. Windows 8 has a tile dedicated to it, music and photos "just sync". iJoke about iTunes because it's laughable by comparison, and import your library for free. Then there's Nokia Music, Microsoft Xbox music, Spotify, and get free Pandora Premium for 2013 http://bit.ly/17Oac2m
Use your phone as a touch mouse for your netbook/Surface with "mouse without borders". Navigate your XBOX with smartglass, play games on xbox/8pc/phone/tablet that is purchased once on the Store.
Twitter, facebook, are fully integrated into the People app, share a photo with three clicks from taking the picture to all of your networks (again, except Google). Linked in is almost fully integrated, you have to download the app but it plugs itself in.
Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, Aol, messenger, fully integrated into the platform, get all of your email in one place, see all the details from all your contacts in one place. Calendars too (except Google! Microsoft will update that by July to connect after Google cut them off (see them as a threat methinks)) Skype works flawlessly and also integrates once you download the app.
GoogleTalk = IM+Pro (again, Google v. Microsoft) use a 3rd party app if you really want to.
Maps are solid, provide great navigation information, 8 out of 10 on the redirect if you go off course and no live traffic (yet). I only say this because google maps is faster at turn redirection if I miss a light, but that will improve and I don't use it all the time.
No notification drawer, but you get live tiles which do the same / similar job! No email notification? Not true! The live tiles just flipped, oh look! Five new emails from all my inboxes. Same for text messages, phone calls, etc.
Want updates on specific folks? no problem, put their live tile on your screen, see facebook posts, tweets, phone calls, photos, text messages, skype interaction and more on the tile. Not doing it for you? Click the tile and dive into every interaction you have with the person, all the history is there.
Apps Apps Apps... not all of them, and many by fans of first party developers. But get your head out of your phone. What is the more important app, or set of apps you need? check www.windowsphone.com and decide what you can live without before you make the switch. Is Instagram worth staying on Andy? Will it help you to know that Nokia confirmed that it is coming to WP8 this year? Can you do without for a short while? I don't use it, but I say yes you can!
My example is I like to use Springpad, no WP8 app. But look, Evernote is here! and on Windows 8, and on my Surface Pro. So I switch. Same with Dashlane to Lastpass.
Tethering: Yup
Headset: Holy cow this thing is quick to connect to all of my devices
Sound Quality: How's HTC Beats audio (HTC8X) or Dolby Digital sound (Lumia 920) for great audio?
NFC?: Check, and implemented, and working
Wireless charging: got it, works, nuff said
Camera: 920 has the best low light camera. (that last item there, was a period.)
Bluetooth: fantastic.
Processor: ZOOM (really, nuff said)
Screen (if you have 20-20 vision, you'll be fine) I have better than that and screen looks fine to me.
Battery life: holy cow. four days light use. 12 hours (easily) heavy use). My galaxy note dies repeatedly after about 8 hours.
Also, if you have a bluetooth headset on, it will whisper your incoming texts and allow you to listen, reply, and call hands free. Everyone will ask you who you are talking to. Bonus!
Bing vs Google. Who cares? I'm on a Microsoft kick, I'm going to run with it until Google gets their heads out and starts playing nice. Bing does a good job at finding the same answers that Google does, in a much more eye candy fashion.
What's to gripe about?
For me, Path (coming), Mint (no roadmap), Ally bank (coming), Manilla (unknown), YNAB,(no), Square (no), Paypal (check),... again, critical? nope. Want? yep. Surface pro and tethering to the rescue, problems solved.
Let us know what you decide (and if you took time to read all this.. I'm winded...)
afght19 said:
Coming from a EVO 4g - I don't miss Android, but I did miss Google Maps at first. I have gotten used to Nokia Maps and Drive though and now like them quite a bit. Overall I like Windows Phone better. I have all the apps I need, so the smaller number of apps doesn't bother me. I think the quality of apps is much better on windows. I have not seen a better phone than the 920. The screen is by far the best I have ever used. The camera and video is amazing. I have not seen all the phones you mentioned though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gMaps Pro is good replacement for Google maps but not free (also free version available)
btw.
for use Bing maps on Lumia just install this
http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=9e8f8fc5-da17-4b7f-80f3-2dc334de8dac

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