Ok, I have ploughed through a load of HTC phones recently. I will admit upfront that I always like coming back to real numeric and alpha-keyboard phones for my daily phones. I was a big fan of the S710 and S620, actually my favourite HTC phones. The original HTC touch was the most enjoyable touch phone. Recently I have had the diamond, touch 3G, Tytn and loads of both HTC and other makes including the iphone. I have never been comfortable with on-screen numeric pads and keyboards. the screens need constant cleaning, there is no feedback, I am constantly worried about damaging the screen (well done apple for having a glass screen!) and its just a pain when entering numeric digits over the phone.
I will say upfront that I think the S740 is the hidden gem in the range. The design fits beautifully in the hand and the construction is top notch. It looks very stylish and the sliding keyboard doesn't wobble at all in any position. I have never had that before on a slider. The weight is just right and lends a really quality feel. The screen is excellent, the phone is fast with bags of features and a powerful cpu and good memory.
Its great coming back to keystrokes to go places rather then touch, its just so damn fast. Plenty of applications are written for smartphones and loads of free ones out there make things fun.
The UK orange version, when using the HTC home screen, has no really customisations to make one annoyed, except the orange page bookmark! Unlocking can be had for around £16.22 on the net.
Pity no hardSPL, but quite frankly I have noticed no bugs so far and its just so fast.
One of my best buys so far!
My only complaints:
-Phone is slightly heavy and long. Weighing at 140g.
Could be due to the underlying qwerty keyboard and big numeric keypads.
-Send and end buttons were too small. Could be bigger.
-Fingerprint magnet, easily scratched keypads and softkeys.
And if you've noticed, it's the only WM smartphone out there having a 256 RAM/ROM.
Only real issue I have with mine is that I'm 100% sure I haven't spilt anything on it as it's always in its slip case, but the numeric keypad on the front seems to make a kind of noise which suggests it's sticky or dirt has got behind the keys. Makes kind of scratchy noise which is a bit rubbish.
Anyone else find this?
What are my eyes seeing? An S740 post? Wow...
I love the phone, it feels great in my hand and it's also really fast.
joebi I think you've got dirt under it, I have no problem with the keys. Been using it quite a lot since I bought it in February.
I am bored so I did a search in appbrain for keyboards. I saw some new ones and old ones I had forgotten about. I downloaded a few that looked interesting and tested away. I finally narrowed it down to a keyboard that looks like aosp and in landscape, it seems lightning fast! It's called dr.ben0x keyboard. It's free. I did some tests and the reasons I like it are because it's not the blinding white like the touch input stock one, in landscape I can type faster with the onscreen keyboard than the physical one (believe it or not), the suggested words are just above the keyboard and not floating (which many times gets in the way of seeing what I'm typing). That's another complaint I have with the stock touch input kb.
Yeah, it's not as small as the 70k something that the htc one is but at 660k, it's smaller than just about all the other aftermarket keyboards out there. It doesn't seem to get in my way when typing. The keys are larger in landscape. I was wanting the motorola multitouch keyboard so bad but couldn't install it yet without full root and a crowbar. This in landscape is fast enough I think to give motorola's keyboard a run for it's money. Like I said, this looks very much like an asop keyboard, colors as well. Carpel tunnel syndrom, here I come!
So I hear you all have the Flyer in the UK now.
I think most everyone agrees that making the pen work only with specific apps was an unfortunate design decision. My thinking is it would be ideal for typing with in the HTC Tracing keyboard. Imagine something Swype-like, but with a stylus, and I think you'd have some incredibly fast note-taking.
Any thoughts on hacking the Sense keyboard to work with the pen? Once my Flyer arrives, that'll be what I'll start on, at least to see if it's possible.
Whilst this is not something I would personally use, I am definitely using the Trace keyboard, works well, at least in portrait. In landscape, it is just too much finger travel!
I can see this being a popular hack anyway, and being able to interact with the UI using the pen would be useful in general.
What are the little (or big I suppose) things that make you love your Note over your past phones? Also, if you've installed ICS, what are the little things you notice over GB?
Personally, there are a few things about the Note in general that make it the most awesome phone out there now and the foreseeable near future:
*Obviously the screen. Better than everything out there. 5.3 inches. Bam. Super AMOLED HD. Bam. This thing amazes me and everybody who has seen this thing.
*SPen. I originally thought it would be a cool novelty, but not much more. Boy am I wrong. I'm Swyping this whole message using the SPen and tablet Swype beta. Easily the fastest and most accurate speech entry I have come across. Also, using the SPen is super useful to jot down quick notes. Lastly, it is also really great for navigating the phone, especially while it it's laying on a table or desk. The smoothness that the SPen tip has allows me to only use my pen hand, whereas using a finger requires me to still use my other hand to hold it in place in the desktop because of the friction of my finger.
*Flip cover. I know most people don't like it much, but I think it's great. Not only does it protect my screen in my pocket, but I also love having it cover the screen while holding it up to my head for a call, as it keeps oils off of my screen, especially while I'm sweating during any physical activities. The texture of the back also has a grippy, yet nice to the touch feeling compared to the glossy stock white back. Lastly, it's a great way to hold the phone in portrait mode like a book with my thumb right in the hinge/crease.
Now for the little things about ICS over GB:
*Face unlock. Once you take enough calibration pictures, it's super quick and amusing, not to mention ****ing awesome. I feel futuristic as hell when I use it. Haha.
*Task manager. Love the swipe to remove thumbnails. Way better/much more visually appealing way of switching between apps.
*Animations. They seem so much smoother in general. Not too much to explain.
*Screen dimming. On GB, the transition from bright to dark just before the screen times out was instant, and the stark change bugged me. On ICS, it fades to the darker setting, and if you touch the screen to brighten it up, it scales back up to bright very smoothly again.
*Swyping while charging. On GB, if my phone was charging, for some reason, Swype would get very jumpy and inaccurate, the trail showing a jagged trail I was supposedly drawing. On ICS, it's just as smooth as when it's not charging.
*Overall setup of the system. The menus, how you add widgets and apps, and rearrange home screens all are more visually pleasing and better to me.
*ICS versions of apps. I love the clean lines of the ICS versions, as well as how some apps are completely different like the ICS version of Google Maps. Included in ICS apps is Chrome beta, which is very nice and smooth, only I wish I could put it in a desktop browser mode, as mobile versions of websites are irrelevant for the most part with this screen.
*ICS made the black crush issue way better. I know they could make it even better, and I'm sure it eventually will be through either Samsung or our awesome devs, but for now it's much better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
+1 on the screen/size.
+1 also on the s pen and Swyping..
Also coming from a vibrant I must say the GPS is awesome.
sent from my GNote
I jumped from the Streak to the Note and I have to say I do enjoy the screen much better than my Streak, a lot clearer. But the 2 biggest reasons why I jumped was to move to a device with extra horsepower and a bigger community. DJ_Steve was a godsend for the streak but as time moves on, so do devs and I'm happy to be apart of a community where there are so many devs working all towards making our device the best it can be.
I love how people first make fun of me for having this phone, but then when they actually hold it and play with it they discover how awesome it is
I would like for us to share tips on how to make using this larger device easier, especially one handed...
I will edit this post as people make suggestions. I just ask that you keep them in a list form (or otherwise organized manor) to make it easy for me to copy/paste into this post.
Ditched the stock launcher for Nova Launcher... (or other custom launcher)
Add a row and column of icons so the vast real estate of this phone can be much better utilized. How can this help with one handed use? Well now that you have more icons, closer together.. you can put them along one side of the phone to get at them more easily if you wish.
If the launcher offers gestures... set up a couple gestures. When not in an app, have a "down" gesture to open the notification panel. Prevents having to reach up and drag your thumb down to get at the panel. HUGE help!
Set up a "up" gesture to open the most recent apps list. Another shortcut allowing to reach less with the thumb.
You can set up all kinds of gestures.. use them to your one handed advantage!
We can also discuss the Note II overall/in general if you want. The pitfalls and perks... maybe even the Pro/cons of other potential high end devices that some may be interested in if they find the Note II just too large.
Why did I start this thread?
Well to get some tips for myself... and to allowed them to be shared. Plus I am very much on the fence with this device. I never really wanted a large phone. I thought my Galaxy Nexus was a little too big, but at least I was able to do most things one handed without feeling like my grip on the device was only poor at best. But my fiance wanted the Note II and wants us to have the same phone. (because if she has issues, usually after rooting and flashing custom ROMs, I know how to fix them most times, and I keep up with updates to ROMs and news better for my own device)
I love just about everything about this phone... The quad core really makes this phone run smooth, and the screen is the first AMOLED that I actually like, and the battery life is great, even if it didn't have a huge battery... but the size is proving difficult to adjust to. I went from a 3.7 inch MT4G to a Rezound with much less trouble.
So now I am looking at alternatives to the Note II and I see slim options. (on Verizon anyway)
The Droid DNA: Very nice screen... S4 Pro CPU thermal issues and battery life issues... and Sense... ugh Sense... I learned quickly when I switched to Verizon that Sense is a pain to get rid of, due to not being able to directly compile RIL from source like GSM. Not that I mind Sense as an overlay, its reasonably responsive... it just kills battery life compared to stock Android. Plus I just prefer AOSP based.
Droid Razr M: I would say it is about as close to the perfect sized phone there could be. (for me at least) Plenty of useful screen for a phone without the bulk... But the Pentile screen... ew... AMOLED has enough issues with colors being wrong or whites getting yellowed at lower brightness... don't make it worse with Pentile! The resolution may not be "high end" 720p or better, but qHD isn't bad on a phone. With pentile the graininess makes my eyes bleed. Its only dual core, but its still a decent CPU... but its dual core... A problem most other Android devices share right now.
Droid Razr HD (and Maxx): Pentile... once again... Even with the HD display, I still see it... I seen it on my GNex as well. (If you haven't noticed, I don't like Pentile displays)
The only viable Non-Android options...
HTC 8X: Very nice size and handy feeling phone... Windows Phone 8... its not as customizable as Android but not as limiting as iOS... and the interface is pretty slick. The aesthetics are a little odd, but the OS is fluid and smooth... The jury is still out on battery life... it has no built in turn by turn navigation, and the options to get it are limited in the market right now. The whole market is limited ATM... Some things do not feel as refined as they could be (like the keyboard) So it could be like an exciting beginning like Android was back in the day, or I could be spoiled by Android's current refinement level and be wholly annoyed... Dual core, but not limiting on a Windows phone really, it runs very smooth as I said. Its the little things that add up to me not really liking the phone, like navigation and keyboard I mentioned earlier.
iPhone 5: (hiss spit) The dreaded iPhone! Despite the general dislike of iPhones by Android users, it is a competent device... limiting... but competent. My multitasking is limited anyway, so that may not prove an issue... its the lack of customizing that gets me... Its is a really good size though... the 4 inch screen works well for one handed use, like the very similarly overall sized Razr M and its 4.3 inch screen. Compared to the prior iPhones, the size is an improvement... I just find the iPhone (mostly iOS it runs on) boring, very bland and boring. (the physical device itself is nice though) The only real benefit to switching to the iPhone 5 would be that if I chose to sell it in a few months because an Android device came along I really like on Verizon, I can sell it to someone wanting to upgrade but still in contract, and make enough to almost pay for the new phone.
So... there it is... the options as i see them. Feel free to comment and share your tips on using the Note II.
Seems to me that you've already decided to get a different phone rather than give this one a chance.
I have large hands so I dont have any trouble.
/sent from my Gnote2 using tapacrap\
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile. I just came from a gnex..at first I thought my gnex was big...then I got an extended battery for grip and the phone was perfect...now ive given my wife the 4.2.1 gnex and got the note 2 for myself...well seidio hasnt come out with a convert extended case or battery yet so I can agree that the phone is cumbersome to hold and I dare not hold it upto my ear like a brick lol. Blue tooth only. But I am adjusting I've had the phone for four days lol. If any thing there needs to be a case with finger perches smack dab in the back middle of the phone so you can grip it and still articulate your thumb acroas the screen one handed without the phone being pushed all the way up in your palm
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Battery life on DNA is fine...I had it for 2weeks.
I have normal sized hands I would say I don't really have any issues when I'm not texting I hold the phone in the middle so I can reach the whole device and I use the one hand keyboard for texting so that's not a big deal
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
If I had given up on it... I would have already taken it back... I was at the Verizon store today returning the flip cover as I didn't care for it. Asked about the proccess to swap devices... didn't.
To be honest... the limited number of good options available, and the thought of "possibly" getting an iPhone made me physically ill... Ugh nausea over a phone... something is wrong with me.
Deckoz2302 said:
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is AMOLED with Pentile... Anandtech confirms Gnex pentile (plus I can see the pixels... as I have very good eyes)
Dude, get a flygrip and call it a day
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
sleevasteve said:
Dude, get a flygrip and call it a day
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... but I think I would dislike it overall. It sticks to the back of the phone and looks cumbersome. Anything that I have to manipulate to make it work will not be useful when I am stuffed under an instrument panel of an airplane. LOL
I think as your post illustrates, there are just so many different phones for different use situations now. There's no reason to try to force one to be everything to everyone (yourself). It's a big phone. No one can make it seem like it's not, that's it's feature if you will. It's a notepad and a powerful mobile computing platform. It stands in for anyone who wants a multi use device to bridge the gap between a tablet/pc/phone.
I went from the iPhone to a much larger S3 and I never looked back. It was way larger, but I adjusted such that I couldn't look at a smaller screen and feel comfortable. It was large enough where I imagined using a phone just a bit larger that would take away some of that time I was wishing I had my tablet with me for reading and writing. Amazingly, that device exists and it looks like a larger version of the best phone I ever used, the S3. Hooray.
My point is this, think only of how you use the phone or how you want to use it. If comfort in the hand is primary, don't buy the Note 2. It's an amazing phone, but all those phones you listed are good. You have the option to break it down however you like. I considered the DNA for the beautiful screen, but I want expandable storage and battery, I wanted the option of the stylus. If it were about fitting in my pocket or hand most of all, I would never have left the S3.
Yeah, other than size its got the features I wanted. I am hoping I can adapt... if anyone has some tips to help that along. I also have a TPU case coming in the mail sometime that may add some texture and keep the phone from feeling too slick.
The screen is very important to me... the quality anyway. If the screen is poor, then I am unhappy with the phone. Which is why I eliminated many options, including the SIII.
here is an unboxing/preview of the flygrip.
http://www.examiner.com/article/unboxing-flygrip-kickstand-and-one-handed-phone-grip
Looks great, works great.
In and out of pocket isn't an issue.
Deckoz2302 said:
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GNEX is an Super Amoled screen that uses pentile technology.
First.. the Nexus DOES use a Pentile display. That has been beaten to death in various forums.
Second.. Flygrip? Really? I looked at their website and to me that thing is aweful. I do NOT want some big bulky thing protruding off the back of my phone. What is the purpose of it? To "hang" the phone off your fingers? Is this because you don't have a strong enough grip to hold the phone while manipulating it? Just seems very big and clunky to me.. and a nightmare to use with pants pockets.
I bought the standard shell case at Verizion that comes with a little fold out kick stand. If you are worried about the phone falling out of your hand and want the "hanging" thing that the flygrip offers, I verified that you can extend the kickstand on my verizon case and then slid a finger in the triangular gap.. so the weight is supported and the grip feels secure. Works pretty good! Not bad for a $15 case.
As for my Note 2. I'm a big guy (6'8") so this phone is PERFECT for me, proportionally speaking.
My wife has the Rezound (4.3" display).. it was funny to test our phones by putting it in our palm and reaching across with our thumbs. Her thumb extended past the edge of the screen a fraction of an inch farther than me.. so really, my GIANT note is really no bigger than her Rezound, when in the hand.
It's a big phone. Period.
I have done a few things to help when it comes to one handed use. There aren't many frustrations for me, but one of them is getting at the notifications, via the pull down menu.
I ditched the stock Sense launcher for Nova Launcher.. MUCH more customizable.
In Nova, I added a row and column of icons so the vast real estate of this phone can be much better utilized. How can this help with one handed use? Well now that you have more icons, closer together.. you can put them along one side of the phone to get at them more easily if you wish.
In Nova, I set up a couple gestures. When not in an app, I have an "down" gesture to open the notification panel. That right there solved my biggest frustration.. having to reach up and drag my thumb down to get at the panel. HUGE help!
The other gesture I set up was a "up" gesture to open the most recent apps list. Another shortcut allowing me to reach less with the thumb.
With Nova Launcher, you can set up all kinds of gestures.. use them to your one handed advantage!
I think having a case is a huge help. I don't really like the glossy back that Sammy chose for the phone. I highly suggest a case that has a soft or rubbery feel. I can't stand silicone cases as they stick in my pockets.. but most of the hard shell type cases the phone snaps into seem great. There are some really low profile cases out there that add almost no bulk.
I also, sadly, ditched the stock keyboard for swift key. I LOOVVVEEED the stock keyboard at first with the dedicated number row. But seriously.. no autocorrect?? WTF? I need that. so I went to swift key and have really enjoyed it so far.
That's about all I have for now..
After 5 days with this phone you couldn't pry it from my average size hands!
Sent from my rooted SGH-1605
Some good suggestions Gnome.
Not sure if they will solve all my issues, but they may help some.
I don't normally have to use this device one handed... but what advice can I give? Use Nova Launcher and Swipepad.
Nova gives you many one handed and two handed gestures. This helps a lot for the hard to reach areas like notifications.
Swipepad gives you 12 shortcuts (and an add on you can buy for more) to any app you want as well as shortcuts with the swipe of your finger from whatever edge of the screen you would like. I set it on the mid right edge and swipe in with my thumb and tada!
Hope this helps!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I prefer having things larger across the screen, but there are one hand settings that make the dialer, stock keyboard, etc stay to one side that you choose. If your thumb can't make it all the way over, turn this on.
Typing in landscape with both thumbs is MUCH faster anyways though. Two fingers is going to be faster than one.
Even with one handed mode it can be difficult.
I am getting better at it, but still not sure.
A case that has a good grippiness to it or a ridge/groove in the middle would allow some grip when using one handed where your hand can't wrap around the phone.
gnome_sayin said:
Is this because you don't have a strong enough grip to hold the phone while manipulating it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about strength at all. My fingers are stupid short and if I'm holding the phone securely in my palm, I can just BARELY reach the middle of this beast. I almost got a flygrip but, like you, I opted for the rubberized case from Verizon with the kickstand, and I have found that to be a perfectly viable, AND FLAT when not in use, flygrip alternative.
I hold my phone with other my 4 fingers, not my palm. This is more comfortable and just as secure.