Android!

[NiX]

Verizon just pushed 2.1 out to my Moto Droid.

Fuuuuu!

[JWIV]

I've got the 2.1 update, but it looks like it's missing a few of the rumored features - at least I'm still limited to three screens instead of five.  Live wallpapers got pushed though.   

[Yegolev]

Deleted some calendar entries using my Droid but they did not actually disappear, per the wife checking the Google calendar.  Will try harder next time.

[stu]

My cheapie cell phone managed to get water logged this afternoon and now I need a new one. I'm considering going all out and getting a Nexus One or a Droid. Is there any reason to get one over the other?

derrr... edit: 2 for 1 deal has me leaning towards Droid or Droid Eris

[Trippy]

Verizon (Droid) vs T-Mobile (Nexus One) and keyboard (Droid) vs. no keyboard (Nexus One) are the main considerations. Ignoring the keyboard part the Nexus One has the better specs (faster CPU, more RAM), essentially screwing over Verizon.

[stu]

Does the Android OS version have a big impact on the phone's performance?

A couple models ship with older versions and I'm hoping that an update isn't a chore.

[Quinton]

Ideally you want to avoid devices using the older MSM7x01A and MSM7x25 chipsets at this point (like MyTouch, G1, Droid Eris) -- they're getting to be a bit underpowered.  Devices based on OMAP3430 (Droid, Milestone) or QSD8x50 (Nexus One, Experia X10, Desire) represent the current state of the art performance-wise and Android 2.x runs well on them.  HTC Legend is MSM7x27 based, which is a middle ground between 7x01A and 8x50 and also has some really slick industrial design.

There is a CDMA version of Nexus One in the works for Verizon (been using a late hw test model for a while now and I'm loving the speed on Verizon's data network).  I don't have a more specific launch date beyond "spring 2010" though, sorry.

[KallDrexx]

I went Droid with that decision because I could get it subsidized with a 1 year contract, and with how fast phones are advancing I wanted the freedom to upgrade every year and not be locked in for 2 years.

[rattran]

Updating the droid I got was simple. Took about 3 minutes. Looks like backing it down to 2.01 and rooting it takes about the same.

[Draegan]

Ideally you want to avoid devices using the older MSM7x01A and MSM7x25 chipsets at this point (like MyTouch, G1, Droid Eris) -- they're getting to be a bit underpowered.  Devices based on OMAP3430 (Droid, Milestone) or QSD8x50 (Nexus One, Experia X10, Desire) represent the current state of the art performance-wise and Android 2.x runs well on them.  HTC Legend is MSM7x27 based, which is a middle ground between 7x01A and 8x50 and also has some really slick industrial design.

There is a CDMA version of Nexus One in the works for Verizon (been using a late hw test model for a while now and I'm loving the speed on Verizon's data network).  I don't have a more specific launch date beyond "spring 2010" though, sorry.

This makes me sad for having a G1 still.  It's getting really slow on me.  Apps take a while to load and Tmobile's data network seems to be getting worse.

I can't wait to grab a Nexus One for Verizon.  Their data network is awesome.  Tell them to hurry up!

[bhodi]

This makes me sad for having a G1 still.  It's getting really slow on me.  Apps take a while to load and Tmobile's data network seems to be getting worse.

I can't wait to grab a Nexus One for Verizon.  Their data network is awesome.  Tell them to hurry up!

Same, on both accounts. My G1 is almost unusable and I've been wanting/needing to upgrade for a while now. Hurry up, Verizon! And while you're at it, don't make it cost more than the other carriers!

[NiX]

Ideally you want to avoid devices using the older MSM7x01A and MSM7x25 chipsets at this point (like MyTouch, G1, Droid Eris) -- they're getting to be a bit underpowered.  Devices based on OMAP3430 (Droid, Milestone) or QSD8x50 (Nexus One, Experia X10, Desire) represent the current state of the art performance-wise and Android 2.x runs well on them.  HTC Legend is MSM7x27 based, which is a middle ground between 7x01A and 8x50 and also has some really slick industrial design.

There is a CDMA version of Nexus One in the works for Verizon (been using a late hw test model for a while now and I'm loving the speed on Verizon's data network).  I don't have a more specific launch date beyond "spring 2010" though, sorry.

So, if HTC ever gets around to releasing a 2.1 update for the Hero, I shouldn't bother? Or are they expected to release a heavily modified version that might be able to run decently?

[stu]

Good info here, so thanks for that. I'd love a Verizon Nexus One, but it looks like Droid is it, even though I'm not crazy about the keyboard or lack of FM radio.

[Quinton]

So, if HTC ever gets around to releasing a 2.1 update for the Hero, I shouldn't bother? Or are they expected to release a heavily modified version that might be able to run decently?

The significant performance issues with 7201A are memory bus (really slow), memory (g1/sapphire have only 192MB, much of which is used by the radio firmware and dsp/video buffers), lack of L2 cache, and less powerful GPU.  Memory really is the biggest issue and Hero, I believe, has a good deal more memory, which may help.  It will depend how much device-specific tuning they do, but I don't think it's a given that you would want to skip a 2.1 update if they release it.

[Morat20]

I'm looking to upgrade my cell-phone, and was looking at an Android. I've got basically four choices, given my service provider -- Motorola CLIQ, Motoroal CLIQ Xt,  myTouch 3G, and Samsung Behold II.

I've more or less set the myTouch aside I think...so I'm really looking at the two Motorola's and the Samsung. I think I'm leaning mostly towards the CLIQ, since it's got the touch screen plus a full QWERTY keyboard, and I have NO idea how easy/hard it is to do text typing on a touch.

Any advice? Thoughts on the phones? Pluses minuses that I, as someone with a shit phone and no real experience with this, should know?

[Quinton]

CLIQ is underpowered (MSM7201A), and it's unclear if CLIQ XT is a faster SoC (seems doubtful).  If you want a Motorola Android device with a keyboard, Droid/Milestone is going to be your best experience (the feel of the CLIQ keyboard is perhaps slightly better but a Droid or Milestone will be muuuuch snappier).  Unfortunately Behold II is also MSM7201A based.

[KallDrexx]

FYI I tried the Rhapsody app for Android.  This app sucks ass in the usability department.  I mean it's easy to find and pick songs to listen to, but it doesn't respond to headphone mic button presses (like every other app) so it's a pain to pause/play songs, and it doesn't stop when you unplug the headphones (it just switches immediately to speakers).

[Morat20]

I just really want a phone for, you know, being a phone and occasionally handling text messages or emails. And playing lame games when I'm REALLY bored. A kindle-reader App would be nice, but at the moment I'd take anything with a QWERTY keyboard, something like Plants v Zombies, and the ability to access IM and, say, hotmail.

I'm just looking at an Android because I can't really switch providers, and since I don't have AT&T, that's about it. I'm stuck with those four models, because as far as I can tell, upgrading to a better one isn't worth the extra money given how heavily my purchase would be subsidized by extending my contract.

I'm happy enough with my cell-phone service. Although perhaps I should give AT&T another look, insofar as I keep meanign to move to U-verse. I'd imagine they'd offer some decent bundles of phone + cable + internet + cell.

[Quinton]

Visit a store and try a device out and see how it feels.  For basic mail, IM, and web, the older 7201A based stuff certainly should work fine.  If you're looking for state of the art / high end / something more seriously competitive with iphone, these devices won't quite be it.

[Morat20]

Visit a store and try a device out and see how it feels.  For basic mail, IM, and web, the older 7201A based stuff certainly should work fine.  If you're looking for state of the art / high end / something more seriously competitive with iphone, these devices won't quite be it.

Nah. If I was going to get an iPhone, I'd just up and get an iPhone. I'd like a smartphone, simply because I do JUST enough with it that I'd like a touch screen and a little more brains than like a flip or something, but that's about it.

I'm planning to visit the store, I was just soliciting some advice on the four main phones I've got to choose from. It helps to know some of the cons the salesperson WON'T tell you.

[Salamok]

Unless they are offering you a $15 a month data access plan for a cut down phone the price of the hardware is minor compared to the price of the service.  I totally get the don't want to lock into an expensive 2 year contract philosophy but if your monthly phone plan is in that $80/month range then you are close to paying $1k a year for service, maybe it is worth looking at unsubsidized phones for a few hundred extra so you can get the most out of that service. 

[AutomaticZen]

http://gizmodo.com/5514989/google-preparing-ipad-rival

And lo, it came to pass that Jesus Pad and Yahweh Pad met on the field of battle.  Thus came Ragnarok.

[TripleDES]

So, where's Froyo and my updated music player (I wish) at? 

[Lantien]

Visit a store and try a device out and see how it feels.  For basic mail, IM, and web, the older 7201A based stuff certainly should work fine.  If you're looking for state of the art / high end / something more seriously competitive with iphone, these devices won't quite be it.

Nah. If I was going to get an iPhone, I'd just up and get an iPhone. I'd like a smartphone, simply because I do JUST enough with it that I'd like a touch screen and a little more brains than like a flip or something, but that's about it.

I'm planning to visit the store, I was just soliciting some advice on the four main phones I've got to choose from. It helps to know some of the cons the salesperson WON'T tell you.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat as you.  I'm currently Sprint on an old phone, looking to move to to T-mobile in a few months(bunch of reasons, nothing against Sprint per ce).  At this point I'm pretty much down to choosing one of 3 options:

1) Pick one of the best of the MyTouch 3G/Cliq XT/Cliq.  Bonus points that the Cliqs are confirmed to get 2.1 updates as per https://supportforums.motorola.com/community/manager/softwareupgrades?view=overview.  The Samsung Behold II never really had my interest; I think it was because of its hardware.

2) Spend the money and get a Nexus One.  Due to some plan shenanigans, I'll be picking up the full cost of the phone.

3) Wait for the T-mobile Slide to come out.  Physical keyboard and 2.1 whoo.  On the downside, I've heard the processor is on the slow side, and no clue on the memory.

If/When my tax refund comes in, option 2 will probably loom largest.  It's certainly pricy, but the rave reviews for the phone are drowning that out.

[stark]

If you like sprint you could wait for the Evo: http://gizmodo.com/5500343/sprints-htc-evo-the-first-ever-4g-phone-meet-the-new-terrific

Its got a kickstand!

[Lantien]

If you like sprint you could wait for the Evo: http://gizmodo.com/5500343/sprints-htc-evo-the-first-ever-4g-phone-meet-the-new-terrific

Its got a kickstand!

Basically a combination of GSM (I visit family sometimes) and friends (more friends are on T-mobile than Sprint). In addition, switching would actually potentially lower my monthly costs to own a smartphone, which helps.

Edit:  MyTouch Slide specs, as per a source on the internet.  Disappointed that the proc is only 600 MHz.  http://androidandme.com/2010/04/news/hands-on-t-mobile-mytouch-3g-slide/

[Quinton]

The MSM7x27 is not as beefy as the QSD8x50 in N1, but it has the same GPU, about 3x the memory bus bandwidth of the MSM7201A in G1/Sapphire/Hero, and it has 256KB of L2 cache (same as 8x50, no L2 in 7201A).  For an HVGA device, 7x27 should be reasonably snappy provided there's enough memory.

Realistically Nexus One does not show a significant performance boost between 768MHz and 1GHz because once you get near 800MHz you're operating as fast as or faster than you can move data across the bus.  Raw cpu speed is a really bad indicator of relative performance, especially on embedded systems where bus interface, hw accel, cache config, etc will have a huge impact on things.

[Quinton]

Ah, Steve Jobs, a very classy man.

When questioned about Apple’s role as moral police in the App Store, Jobs responds that “we do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone.” Better, is what he said next: “Folks who want porn can buy and [sic] Android phone.“

You know, I'd almost think el jobso is worried.  Not so worried yet that he's going to censor the web on ipad/iphone to protect the children, but enough that he's going to push this "android is all about porn" crap at every opportunity.

[Engels]

Its doubly stupid because a superficial google search results in any number of articles and sites that talk about the conversion of porn sites to iPad format as early as April 1st. And that's the paying sites, who are generally slower to adopt new tech. If the iPad takes off in earnest, it'll be a matter of months if not weeks before every flash video free porn outlet has a iPad compatible site that plays as well if not better than flash.

[bhodi]

Android on the 1st gen iPhone

[NiX]

Android on the 1st gen iPhone

Awesome. iPhone porn for everyone!

[Nerf]

Apparently the Sony X10 got pushed to july/august on ATT.  Fuck I hate AT&T right now, I just want a goddamned android phone that isn't the retarded piece of shit motorola backflip.

[Cheddar]

So, hotel internet connections blow.  I was going to buy a pre-paid wireless thingy from VZ- but with a little research I figured out how to tether my Droid with my laptop!

Pulling about 1.5M connection, but happy with that.  Was pretty easy to set up, I am now a happy camper!

[KallDrexx]

Nexus one no longer coming to verizon

[bhodi]

Yeah because you can buy the incredible... and have it delivered 3 days from now. Very tempting. It is mine.

Quick edit; That same notice was there when the droid was out; they just updated it from the droid to the incredible. N1 may or may not still be coming out, but really - why wait? The incredible is a terrific phone so unless you're really paranoid/worried about sense updates, go for it...