Smart BLE Device - Galaxy Note 3 Accessories

Best proximity FOB ever.
I've ordered two. Seems like other similar devices like the Tile are way more restrictive and costly.
Gecko
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gecko-make-your-smart-phone-smarter
https://www.facebook.com/mygeckotag?fref=ts

They have a long way to go... just started that crowd funding. Looks interesting though.

Related

Rose successor

Any rumors?
I don't think so, this phone IMO is under rated, it seems like HTC is focusing on Touch Andriods for the time being.
I would like to see the Touch Pro 2's keyboard in a smaller package
Hm... In this case Rose seems to be the last of its kind in HTC's actual lineup. Which is pity IMHO...
I don't know if it'll be the last of it's kind (it's unlikely we'll know exactly what they're planning) but I'm not sure a successor will be along very soon - there just isn't very much more to put into phones nowadays - all you can do is increase megapixel counts and put a different OS on.
IMHO the Rose is an excellent phone and still by today's standards very much a competitor to the vast majority of smartphones - it's extremely underrated for what it is, and because only Orange have picked it up (but don't really try and sell it) nobody has really heard of it...
It is absolutely excellent though, I would put it on top of the iPhone for my needs and certainly most Android and Symbian devices - the E71 I bought only lasted 5 months before I went completely mad at it not doing things how I liked, and in most cases not doing them at all, and I always seem to find myself going back to Windows Mobile no matter what else I try...
andrewkeith5 said:
there just isn't very much more to put into phones nowadays - all you can do is increase megapixel counts and put a different OS on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true!
Personally I like to use my phone with one hand while on the go, so no E71, HTC Snap, Blackberry or other QWERTY-only devices for me. Also, I've used touchscreen devices since the Magician came out, and I'm starting to miss the feel of physically clicking a button and the haptic feedback.
So the S740 is just the best of both worlds - light in the pocket, easy one-hand operation on the go, beautiful QWERTY keyboard for longer text input, and much much power under the hood.
Can't think of really new technology to add to that atm!
N.

Any converted HTC Advantage/Athena/Ameo/X7500/X7501/X7510 users?

I've been in several discussions with users that have come from (or previously owned) the 5 inch HTC Advantage. I see Dell Streak users have a thread to compare/contrast to the Note, so I thought I would do the same for the Advantage. This may help some to decide to move from the Advantage to the Note - or not.
For those that don't know what the Advantage is, it came out 5 years ago - the first phone with a 5" screen. It also included a detachable keyboard, stereo speakers, video port, stylus/pen, and a 8 GB hard drive when most SD cards at the time were below 2 GB. It had its problems, too. Since it was so far ahead of its time it was fairly bulky and heavy even with the keyboard removed. It didn't have a private speaker for phone calls. It had room for a vibration motor internally but it was never implemented even in later models, presumably because it caused problems with the hard drive. The other references in the thread title are the development name, and model names/numbers used by various carriers. Here is the XDA forum for the Advantage: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=351
My personal reaction, as I've told several already, is the Note is by far a better phone. Physical stats, operating system, having things like a private speaker and vibration which the Advantage should have had, all add up. Not to mention that the Note costs 1/3 of what the Advantage did so you have far less to loose. The Note/Android has its deficiencies. I've had to install a half-dozen apps to add features which were built into Windows Mobile - things like incremental ring volume, ability to get more than a single system notification for things like texts and calendar appointments (miss the first one and you've missed your appointment!), or keeping the screen from timing out when it is plugged in or for specific apps. But at least you can extend/improve the OS with apps without unlocking/rooting or flashing to a whole new OS. Which many Advantage owners did including me.
All that said, the Advantage held a special place in my heart. In the 4 1/2 years I used mine, I often told my wife it was the best gadget I had ever owned and I meant it. Which is saying a lot with all the gadgets and computers I've owned since 1984. But the Note is so good that if IT had come out 5 years ago, I'm sure I would be saying the same thing about it right now. Buy one.
I have a x7501 for a few years, but haven't been actively using it in the last few years also (went to iPhone, Android etc). I am interested in the Note, but haven't decided to get one yet.
But I think one fundamental difference is that the Athena is a keyboarded device (you can use it without, but you also loose the stand at the same time). Its stereo speakers and other positioning makes it a mainly landscape orientation device.
I really don't care about its thickness, it's not that bad. It is a bit thick w/ its leather case, but it does that to any other devices anyway.
What I don't like about the Athena: battery life, speed (I'm shocked reviews that said it's fast), photo taken with camera (rear) has off (red) colour (no ROM can fix that). Especially the last piece, it's unforgivable for a $1,500. USD product! The 8GB HDD is both slow, and battery eating, and cannot be turned off.
I just can't say I like it as much as some of you do. I don't hate it, but I don't think it was worth the $1,000. I paid for. If I had paid $1,500. then, I'd have sued them (just kidding).
I lugged the keyboard around for 1 1/2 years, but finally left it on my work desk permanently. Only used it there when I was streaming XM.
I never had a problem with battery life, it would last me much longer than the 12 hours I would go between unplugging in the morning and plugging it back in when I got home. Never had a problem with the camera, either. Good colors all around, not that the quality was that great.
I think you'll like the Note, all the advantages (pun intended) of the 7501 and none of its problems. After you add some apps to tweak the downfalls of the OS.
i'm one, see my siggie
i've had still have that gigantic heavy monstrous HTC 5" for the longest time
still trying to get Android installed on it someday
I had the x7501, then the x7510, and the note is 1/2 as thick, has a "phone" speaker, and besides all of the obvious spec advantages, is lighter and easier to hold. The screen is far more responsive than the old tft pressure technology without the inaccuracy of the iphone/android capacitive blunt-object to write/draw with issue.
all thumbs up for the note... though the Advantage was WAY ahead of its time.
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
I sold my x7501 long ago. Good times, lol.
nstong said:
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess sometimes people can't let their old devices go.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
This isn't about keeping the Advantage. Its about comparing one to the other for those that are familiar with the Advantage and loved all of its features.
I think it is not about keeping the Advantage / Athena, may be it's partly nostalgia, partly comparing what's missing on current devices (bad things are not missed, I'm talking about things that users might like or prefer):
1. Stereo speakers. How hard can that be? But so far, iPhone doesn't have it, none of my Android phones up to 4.65" have it, my Tablet P by Sony has a tiny mono speaker. Only the Playbook (once had, now sold), and the Samsung Q1 have stereo speakers and good sound.
2. The metal case has pros and cons. It can get dented and discolouring when bumped / scratched, but it made it more sturdy as it is metal. But at least it is unique, and also makes it feel more premium (until it gets dented, like mine, from dropping, that is). Now everything besides iPhones are just plastics.
3. Magnetic keyboard. Now, no more, never seen and all give way to on screen ones, except a few. But those few, including Blackberry, do not want to do a magnetic keyboard, may be it's the cost, or fear of bad contacts. But again, this is very unique and hasn't been replicated. The see thru window to mimic the status bar on it makes it even cooler.
4. External connections for: USB host (only very lately, there are USB OTG for Android devices, before this, support was very poor, mostly only HID stuff), VGA out, cellular antenna, GPS antenna. Granted, the last 3 are not as needed today, and some Android devices have HDMI outputs that replace VGA more or less.
right now, few Android phones can stand on a desk unless with a kick stand case (which is usually the kind I buy, as I want it stand similar to what Advantage can do w/ the keyboard).
I think some clamshell MIDs like UMID / Viliv had come close to the design of Advantage but physically not as cool, no magnetic keyboard etc.
I guess the problem with modern design is that nobody would make a $1,500. device unless it is for industrial or military use, so they have to save cost and won't engage in fancy design and materials. In the case for Advantage, it's HTC flagship product, so they went all out.
Looking at current HTC products now, there aren't anything really special (I'm talking strictly from the physical point of view, since operating systems are all the same across the manufacturers anyway).
People are often amazed when I tell them that the Note is my third 5" phone. I loved the Advantage and the Dell Streak I had before the Note. No way I can go to a smaller screen. Very happy that the rest of the world is catching on to the benefits of a large screen device. And there are things I miss from Windows Mobile. I found it easier to flash ROMs and change the look and feel of the device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

What is possible with a custom Android OS?

Hi,
I have been looking about for a tablet for a while now, and I have some questions! First and easiest, it seems that a custom ROM have to support individual devices. Is that because of it's specific screen and hardware or even more to it?
Second of all, I do like my devices to be multi functional. And that's why I like Android, because I can pretty much shape them to the functions I desire. And on a tablet, I would like a stylus actually, to take note and perhaps even do some drawing. Because again, I like multi functional. So you want a more graphics tablet, I hear the back row say, but a iPad! They continue. But I do not want to sell my soul to Lucifer I reply to them. And I start wonder. Because would it at least in theory be that hard to have a stylus mode? All styluses follow a more or less unique to them pattern on the screen so would it not be possible then to setup the Android device to see that "this" pattern appearing on the screen is less than your stylus biggest print but more than its smallest? And thus even recognize a hand plopping all over the screen? With them styluses that have a disk, this would be even more precise! I think not only for me but students, to buy a tablet for under and a stylus that for for 10 times less and use that to take notes. My brother goes in a sort of high school and there students already gotten their tablets actually for this wherry purpose! I bet theirs are them iPads that the school probably can't afford so they will make do some other way, and that's quite a shame in my honest opinion if this is doable.

Android sensor hub- the biggest unnoticed feature

It seems like the new Android sensor hub didn't receive too much attention, even though it's one of the biggest features of the new Nexus line.
According to the presentation, the new Android sensor hub chip will act as a low-power chip that will make it possible for the phone to be in deep sleep, while still ''active'' for user input. That doesn't mean only voice commands, but movement as well.
That means that it'll act as some apps have been doing for a lot of time(like Gravity), although this time there will be no battery drain, instead of the 5%-10% daily, because while using those apps your phone can't get into deep sleep.
Personally as the 6p and 5X won't have DT2W(probably because it's a LG patent) this seems like the best feature to open your phone, as every time you'll pick it up or take it out of the pocket, it'll unlock automatically, and the screen won't shut off while you are holding the device as it'll know it's moving in your hand, even while holding it just to read news.
Seems like the best new feature so far.
I dont think DT2W is an LG thing.... my N9 has it and I think they were made by HTC? The 6P will have single tap to wake using the fingerprint sensor which I think will be amazingly handy
I believe in the demo, ambient display is activated by picking it up due to the 'Sensor Hub', and you can swipe to unlock from there. No power button pushing. This is assuming you don't have a screen lock or have smart lock setup.
WoodroweBones said:
I dont think DT2W is an LG thing.... my N9 has it and I think they were made by HTC? The 6P will have single tap to wake using the fingerprint sensor which I think will be amazingly handy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought dt2w is a snapdragon thing
420SYN said:
I thought dt2w is a snapdragon thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was just a kernel thing
DT2W is available almost exclusively on the LG G series.(and only a very few other handsets which according to some reports it's bc they paid LG money to use it..) In order for it to work while still letting the phone going into deep sleep you need to wire the screen and the digitizer differently so the screen will stay off and the touch input will stay on.
regarding the fingerprint unlock - The problem with the fingerprint unlock is that unlike the iPhone.. it's just on the back. which is really not the comfortable to unlock like if it was on the front. again, the only reason it makes sense for them to go that way is bc maybe apple patented it(well actually apple patent everything.. Samsung just lost a case on court to Apple for slide to unlock..)
tal123 said:
DT2W is available almost exclusively on the LG G series.(and only a very few other handsets which according to some reports it's bc they paid LG money to use it..) In order for it to work while still letting the phone going into deep sleep you need to wire the screen and the digitizer differently so the screen will stay off and the touch input will stay on.
regarding the fingerprint unlock - The problem with the fingerprint unlock is that unlike the iPhone.. it's just on the back. which is really not the comfortable to unlock like if it was on the front. again, the only reason it makes sense for them to go that way is bc maybe apple patented it(well actually apple patent everything.. Samsung just lost a case on court to Apple for slide to unlock..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every Chinese phone nowadays has DT2W. HTC, Oneplus, ZTE and many other manufacturers have several handsets with the feature. Apple haven't patented having a fingerprint sensor on the front last I checked otherwise Samsung would be facing legal action by now.
tal123 said:
DT2W is available almost exclusively on the LG G series.(and only a very few other handsets which according to some reports it's bc they paid LG money to use it..) In order for it to work while still letting the phone going into deep sleep you need to wire the screen and the digitizer differently so the screen will stay off and the touch input will stay on.
regarding the fingerprint unlock - The problem with the fingerprint unlock is that unlike the iPhone.. it's just on the back. which is really not the comfortable to unlock like if it was on the front. again, the only reason it makes sense for them to go that way is bc maybe apple patented it(well actually apple patent everything.. Samsung just lost a case on court to Apple for slide to unlock..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So maybe Google paid LG to use it in the N9?
Also almost every reviewer has preferred the rear fingerprint sensor to the front one. Your hand naturally falls there making it incredibly easy to use
I read an article that claimed Nokia invented DT2W and LG decided to claim it as their own. The N6 didn't get released with DT2W and it didn't take too long for someone to enable it. I've become used to it over the past two years, and it'll take time getting used to the fingerprint scanner.
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
tal123 said:
It seems like the new Android sensor hub didn't receive too much attention, even though it's one of the biggest features of the new Nexus line.
According to the presentation, the new Android sensor hub chip will act as a low-power chip that will make it possible for the phone to be in deep sleep, while still ''active'' for user input. That doesn't mean only voice commands, but movement as well.
That means that it'll act as some apps have been doing for a lot of time(like Gravity), although this time there will be no battery drain, instead of the 5%-10% daily, because while using those apps your phone can't get into deep sleep.
Personally as the 6p and 5X won't have DT2W(probably because it's a LG patent) this seems like the best feature to open your phone, as every time you'll pick it up or take it out of the pocket, it'll unlock automatically, and the screen won't shut off while you are holding the device as it'll know it's moving in your hand, even while holding it just to read news.
Seems like the best new feature so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This and Doze pushed me over the edge when deciding on upgrading from the N6. I'm perfectly happy on the N6, I don't find it to be too big (but the cupholder in my car does), love Chroma running on it, and haven't felt the need to tweak and fiddle with stuff nearly as much as any other device I've had. For me, that's the hallmark of a great device & ROM. These 2 features + bigger battery really sealed the deal though.
tal123 said:
DT2W is available almost exclusively on the LG G series.(and only a very few other handsets which according to some reports it's bc they paid LG money to use it..) In order for it to work while still letting the phone going into deep sleep you need to wire the screen and the digitizer differently so the screen will stay off and the touch input will stay on.
regarding the fingerprint unlock - The problem with the fingerprint unlock is that unlike the iPhone.. it's just on the back. which is really not the comfortable to unlock like if it was on the front. again, the only reason it makes sense for them to go that way is bc maybe apple patented it(well actually apple patent everything.. Samsung just lost a case on court to Apple for slide to unlock..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bullsh!t.
Ambient Display
I'm pretty sure there is no Double tap to wake on the new nexus phones due to them having Ambient Display. As with wireless charging being axed in favor of usb c, and double twist for camera being axed in favor of double pressing the power button, I think google just saw double tap to wake as redundant considering ambient display.
tal123 said:
DT2W is available almost exclusively on the LG G series.(and only a very few other handsets which according to some reports it's bc they paid LG money to use it..) In order for it to work while still letting the phone going into deep sleep you need to wire the screen and the digitizer differently so the screen will stay off and the touch input will stay on.
regarding the fingerprint unlock - The problem with the fingerprint unlock is that unlike the iPhone.. it's just on the back. which is really not the comfortable to unlock like if it was on the front. again, the only reason it makes sense for them to go that way is bc maybe apple patented it(well actually apple patent everything.. Samsung just lost a case on court to Apple for slide to unlock..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually think it's brilliant on the back of the phone. My finger goes there. The muscle memory to put your finger there to unlock it if you own one of the Nexus phones will take a week or two at the longest. It'll be second nature without even thinking about it in no time.
matteventu said:
Bullsh!t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...g-that-could-force-samsung-to-change-products
tal123 said:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...g-that-could-force-samsung-to-change-products
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he was calling bullsh*t the other things you mentioned, not the most unimportant thing from your post. Regarding your statement about fingerprint on the back being not a good solution, if you watch all the hands on videos, most of the people mentioned that the fingerprint sensor is on the right spot for your index finger.
Mikulec said:
I think he was calling bullsh*t the other things you mentioned, not the most unimportant thing from your post. Regarding your statement about fingerprint on the back being not a good solution, if you watch all the hands on videos, most of the people mentioned that the fingerprint sensor is on the right spot for your index finger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
while you are already holding the phone in your hand yes, but if its on the table and you need to pick it up and unlock it with your index finger instead of just putting your thumb on it then its annoying.
Edit: btw many people didn't believe the slide to unlock patent and many many other patents Apple got(even the shape of the phone..they sued the Samsung galaxy line up not long ago for being to familiar with the Iphone line) and basically the consumers are loosing from all of these legal issues; Apple consumers and especially Android's(for those of you who are keeping track of the amount of patents Apple and even Microsoft sued android for).
You'd think Samsung, LG or any other OEM (or even google) decides to put a feature differently because it's 'better' that way, but behind the scenes you have no idea about the fact they legally they had to change they way they really wanted to implement it, or else they'd get sued.
tal123 said:
while you are already holding the phone in your hand yes, but if its on the table and you need to pick it up and unlock it with your index finger instead of just putting your thumb on it then its annoying.
Edit: btw many people didn't believe the slide to unlock patent and many many other patents Apple got(even the shape of the phone..they sued the Samsung galaxy line up not long ago for being to familiar with the Iphone line) and basically the consumers are loosing from all of these legal issues, apple and especially android. You'd Samsung, LG or any other OEM (or even google) decides to put a feature differently because it's 'better' that way, but behind the scenes you have no idea about the fact they legally had to change they way they really wanted to implement it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, turning on the phone when sitting on a desk, when docked in a car dock, and when using android pay all would be easier with a front fingerprint scanner. My hand rarely goes above mid way on the back of the phone unless I am making a call.
Your underlying argument is solely based on using the phone without picking it up. I rarely, if not never, do that. With Android Wear, push bullet, ambient display, etc, I'm aware of my notifications before I have to interact with the phone. When I do interact with it, it is mostly because I have to type on the screen, which I wouldn't do with it lying on a desk. Its a hand held device, and typing/swyping is more comfortable while holding it.
I see it as a complete non issue. Mountain, meet mole hill.
tal123 said:
the fact they legally they had to change they way they really wanted to implement it, or else they'd get sued.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dat Spelling though.
Does anyone have a good article about the android sensor hub? I would like to learn more about how it works and what all it could be used for.
andreoidb said:
I'm pretty sure there is no Double tap to wake on the new nexus phones due to them having Ambient Display. As with wireless charging being axed in favor of usb c, and double twist for camera being axed in favor of double pressing the power button, I think google just saw double tap to wake as redundant considering ambient display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought i read that nudge to wake was a thing. with ambient display, you don't need to touch your phone. just wave your hand over top of it.

General This just came out...

I saw that earlier this morning .. I thought it was funny. I also like that they are starting to promote the Fold. That's usually a good sign.
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
krabman said:
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather weak. So you can flip it open... is that all you got? Your target market is the woke happy-happy, joy-joy California zombies? wtf?
Like all folds it's biggest claim to fame is also it's greatest liability. From normal physical wear to firmware/software that doesn't properly integrate with the large odd shaped display. Google doesn't even attempt to allay these real concerns.
I would wait 6 months to see how it pans out before buying. Then see what the users not the reviewers are saying.
krabman said:
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is that they were waiting till closer to the actual physical release to push it. They probably wanted to see what the pre-order sales from I/O and word-of-mouth would get them before they start pushing it
blackhawk said:
Rather weak. So you can flip it open... is that all you got? Your target market is the woke happy-happy, joy-joy California zombies? wtf?
Like all folds it's biggest claim to fame is also it's greatest liability. From normal physical wear to firmware/software that doesn't properly integrate with the large odd shaped display. Google doesn't even attempt to allay these real concerns.
I would wait 6 months to see how it pans out before buying. Then see what the users not the reviewers are saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google worked closely with Samsung on android 12L (for larger screens) and then started to incorporate it in to android 13 and now 14. I think although it won't be as polished as oneui5 it will have most of the software as the z fold(apart from Samsung exclusive). With Google now working with developers hopefully more 3rd party apps will work better on a big screen. Still can't believe Instagram won't scale properly on a folding screen
andy242 said:
Google worked closely with Samsung on android 12L (for larger screens) and then started to incorporate it in to android 13 and now 14. I think although it won't be as polished as oneui5 it will have most of the software as the z fold(apart from Samsung exclusive). With Google now working with developers hopefully more 3rd party apps will work better on a big screen. Still can't believe Instagram won't scale properly on a folding screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both Google and Samsung since the release of the folds have failed to deliver firmware/software innovations for that format. This lackluster behavior continues. Samsung is a mess right now, the result of 4 plus years of poor leadership.
I don't think Google's doing any better; they've made a mess of Android in my opinion. Both got more than they bargained for with the fold project. It's been a heavy, constant money and resource drain from its inception. No end in sight just promises as their beta product slowly evolves
The whole "it folds" is the same old story, again.
No expandable storage, sky high price points and you know right where it folds is where the trouble will start, sooner rather then latter. They can warranty it but you still lose time screwing with the claim, not having it, then reloading the bloody thing. Repair downtime is not why you buy an expensive flagship phone.
This N10+ has had in its over 8k hours of operation; with one replacement battery done in 1 day, it's only repair (routine maintenance as Li's don't last forever) in almost 4 years. It's last reload was over 3 years ago, no firmware upgrades or updates in all that time.
Minimal maintenance and no malware. Personally I'm sick of Google's constantly changing platform. I don't want to be constantly chasing down gremlins and optimizing new firmware on a stock device.
I've seen a lot of hyperbole in the last 3 years from both Google and Samsung. Sorry fact is they both haven't improved SOT; just slammed bigger, heavier batteries in. 4 year old hardware/firmware shouldn't get better SOT (with a smaller capacity battery) and be nearly as fast in actual usage as a new flagship. Google's insistence on cloud storage vs expandable has became a wretched handicap that reduces reliability, redundancy and eats power needlessly.
Scoped storage is another mess they added.
So yeah, another fold offering. Same old cake with different icing on it with a few new enticing trinkets sprinkled on top. Where it folds will remain it's Achilles heel and continue to cause user issues.
TLDR: This will be my 4th folder, love em. I'd suggest they aren't for you, which is fine; takes all kinds.
As for longevity, I've broken a whole lot of rectangles. I've also had many with firmware issues.
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
I like the folding form factor. It makes it much easier to format emails and that sort of thing. Enough so that I no longer carry a laptop or tablet with me. It also works well with desktop sites which is my preferred browsing mode. They're great for consuming media. I imagine gaming is problably better but i don't game on the phone so I can't comment on it.
Bottom line with all that is that It isn't just a gimmick. You don't fold it open a few times, the novelty wears off, and you use the front screen after that. It literally makes my portable phone usage better every day, all day. That's what you're missing. The fold out into tablet mode is the game altering paradigm. It needs to do that and nothing more and you already have a win. Software better utilizing it is just the gravy that makes it all taste better.
In many respects you're not wrong though, this phone is one I'd recommend to few people. Right off the bat you need to be an enthusiast or have plenty of discretionary income to swallow the buy-in. It's also early days and better products are coming. Possibly not even a folder, it could be rollables rule the roost in the future. Whatever it is I'll be there because I'm both: I love my gadgets and I'm old and have all the coffee tables a man needs in one life.
krabman said:
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was that a test of durability to see exactly how long the Fold 2 will last under the supervision of an 'almost 3 year old'?
At, not an, the subject is the phone, not the granddaughter. Lol. That one came out in the later summer and will be hitting its 3 year mark soon. That granddaughter came out 9 years ago, so past the (more) destructive ages.
krabman said:
TLDR: This will be my 4th folder, love em. I'd suggest they aren't for you, which is fine; takes all kinds.
As for longevity, I've broken a whole lot of rectangles. I've also had many with firmware issues.
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
I like the folding form factor. It makes it much easier to format emails and that sort of thing. Enough so that I no longer carry a laptop or tablet with me. It also works well with desktop sites which is my preferred browsing mode. They're great for consuming media. I imagine gaming is problably better but i don't game on the phone so I can't comment on it.
Bottom line with all that is that It isn't just a gimmick. You don't fold it open a few times, the novelty wears off, and you use the front screen after that. It literally makes my portable phone usage better every day, all day. That's what you're missing. The fold out into tablet mode is the game altering paradigm. It needs to do that and nothing more and you already have a win. Software better utilizing it is just the gravy that makes it all taste better.
In many respects you're not wrong though, this phone is one I'd recommend to few people. Right off the bat you need to be an enthusiast or have plenty of discretionary income to swallow the buy-in. It's also early days and better products are coming. Possibly not even a folder, it could be rollables rule the roost in the future. Whatever it is I'll be there because I'm both: I love my gadgets and I'm old and have all the coffee tables a man needs in one life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apart from both Google and Samsung still not injecting true innovation and functionality that would make full use of the real estate in both firmware and software... there's one nagging little detail.
That being no known plastics or adhesive systems are up to being bent and repeatedly full cycled 0-180° flexed at that acute of an angle. Torsional loading only exacerbates the issue as invariably the display elements bear some of this. The display is not fully isolated like on a laptop.
Flexing both the display's active matrix and some of the pixels means a higher display failure rate over it's lifespan. The fact that there's multiple laminations introduces new stress and wear factors and more complex assembly processes.
A lot more things to go wrong especially if QC is not exceptional.
The design is inherently flawed because on this.
Cool. Sounds like it's not a buy for you; nothing wrong with voting with your wallet.
krabman said:
Cool. Sounds like it's not a buy for you; nothing wrong with voting with your wallet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I refuse to part with having a dual drive device with up to 1.5tb of storage* and a integrated spen. Not getting anything that gets worse SOT per mAh. I want less downtime and more play time.
*if used right it adds redundancy and flexibility. Every device I own is dual drive. Invariably any that were not caused issues.
blackhawk said:
Apart from both Google and Samsung still not injecting true innovation and functionality that would make full use of the real estate in both firmware and software... there's one nagging little detail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though Google has been the leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Its AI research has led to the development of many new and groundbreaking technologies, such as self-driving cars, machine translation, and image recognition. Google's AI research is helping to shape the future of technology, but it's too bad that they haven't been able to apply that same type of energy towards the OS.
I suppose that Project Butter, Material Design and Project Treble just doesn't seem to compensate for the lusterless of said device.
rodken said:
Even though Google has been the leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Its AI research has led to the development of many new and groundbreaking technologies, such as self-driving cars, machine translation, and image recognition. Google's AI research is helping to shape the future of technology, but it's too bad that they haven't been able to apply that same type of energy towards the OS.
I suppose that Project Butter, Material Design and Project Treble just doesn't seem to compensate for the lusterless of said device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's a cheap shot.
We're not talking about all their vast corporate endeavors, just what applies to this form factor.
So let me help bring it in focus instead of all over the place like the Titan crew...
Google is well known to abandon technologies, products... and leaving the end users boned. Remember that.
Here's a not so glowing review by a user that wanted to see the fold as a viable everyday phone. That didn't go so well.
Aspect ratio continues to be an issue after multiple generations of firmware. Do you buy square computer monitors? Extra display area doesn't mean usable display area. Can't fix that; it is a problem of the actual display dimensions.
Apps that display on one or both displays continue to not fully utilize the real estate available to them. How many developers are going to want to make special apps for this niche market when even Google and Samsung have trouble doing it?
It's been a bottomless money sinkhole for Samsung that's diverted huge amounts of revenue from their other flagship lines for years.
Current sales still don't justify it. I think it's no coincidence that the N10+ was their zenith point.
After that project Samsung became increasingly fragmented and the fold project exacerbated this exponentially. Consequences.
blackhawk said:
Well that's a cheap shot.
We're not talking about all their vast corporate endeavors, just what applies to this form factor.
So let me help bring it in focus instead of all over the place like the Titan crew...
Google is well known to abandon technologies, products... and leaving the end users boned. Remember that.
Here's a not so glowing review by a user that wanted to see the fold as a viable everyday phone. That didn't go so well.
Aspect ratio continues to be an issue after multiple generations of firmware. Do you buy square computer monitors? Extra display area doesn't mean usable display area. Can't fix that; it is a problem of the actual display dimensions.
Apps that display on one or both displays continue to not fully utilize the real estate available to them. How many developers are going to want to make special apps for this niche market when even Google and Samsung have trouble doing it?
It's been a bottomless money sinkhole for Samsung that's diverted huge amounts of revenue from their other flagship lines for years.
Current sales still don't justify it. I think it's no coincidence that the N10+ was their zenith point.
After that project Samsung became increasingly fragmented and the fold project exacerbated this exponentially. Consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that at the end of the day, the foldable market will find a small group of admirers and/or enthusiasts who might find such devices feasible in the world of daily driving.
rodken said:
I suppose that at the end of the day, the foldable market will find a small group of admirers and/or enthusiasts who might find such devices feasible in the world of daily driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have high expectations. Samsung blew the roll out years ago. Most of the same issues persist although they fixed the hinge. I expect a flagship to last, be usable for years and to stay in excellent condition if properly cared for. If so the only repair should be the Li every 1-3 years.
Because of it's square unfolded form factor some format issues can't be resolved.

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