Android Discussion

**Pudge** · 08-12-10, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

This is a huge personal preference issue. I don't mind the on screen keyboard especially with Swype. Go to the store and play with the display models. See what you like best. I think the keyboards are less popular because the on screen models work so well with large screens.

That's what I'm thinking. Those without keyboard have raved about the on-screen keyboard so I'm less worried about it.

From your experience, do you run into many accidental selections when using the touchscreen? For example, if you're selecting people to text, do you find that you may add someone you don't intend by scrolling through contacts?

**Xiphos** · 08-12-10, 11:01 AM

My biggest problem is misspelled words from thumb typing. The auto complete is nice though.

**MacLean** · 08-13-10, 12:17 AM

I *hate* my onscreen keyboard. I hit the wrong contacts, spell shit wrong, etc. I only use it for quick stuff, otherwise I flip out the keyboard.

On the lighter side, 2.2 rocks.

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 11:36 AM

Did you notice an improvement in performance going to 2.2? There should be a significant improvement with the JIT compiler.

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 01:48 PM

If your contract expires sometime before the end of the year (including New Year’s eve) and you’ve been eying the Motorola Droid 2, you’re in luck: Verizon’s offering the device at the normal upgrade price for anyone with less than half a year left on their current contract.

Once Again, Verizon’s Offering Early Upgrades to the Droid 2 | Android Phone Fans

**Reca** · 08-13-10, 02:04 PM

I love my on-screen keypad. I think that auto correct works very well. I also like that I have 7 home screens. I use one for contacts that i use most. Never ever had a problem selecting the wrong contact.

*posted from my Droid incredible.

**MacLean** · 08-13-10, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

Did you notice an improvement in performance going to 2.2? There should be a significant improvement with the JIT compiler.

Yes, it's faster.

I also have flash capability as well as five screens, and the damn thing will work as a portable hot spot or tethered modem.

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 03:04 PM

For those not on 2.2 yet, root your phone and use it as a wireless hot spot: Downloads - android-wifi-tether - Project Hosting on Google Code

**CO1259** · 08-13-10, 08:49 PM

I got the Droid with the slide out keyboard for the same reasons you stated Pudge. I used it for all of 2 days, and now I'm just using the screen. It takes a little getting used to, but it's much easier. Especially if you turn the phone horizontal, as the buttons get larger.

All in all, I've had this for a little over a month. I love it. My only gripe is that they came out with 3 new ones in that short of a time. And I got the keyboard, which is useless extra weight.

**CO1259** · 08-13-10, 08:53 PM

Can I download the 2.2 update for the Droid with the keyboard? Not sure which model it is that I got.

**Five-0** · 08-13-10, 08:55 PM

Still waiting on my 2.2 update.

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 09:51 PM

2.2 is rolling out for the Verizon Droid and you don't need to do anything to get it. You will get a notification and instructions on your phone when it's ready. It doesn't roll out to all phones at once, if there is a problem that would slam their call center. I suspect in a week or two everyone will be upgraded.

**Xiphos** · 08-13-10, 09:54 PM

I'll add that you can manually update your phone. If you ask how you shouldn't because you don't have the hacking skills you need and may brick it. Just be patient a few more days.

**Five-0** · 08-13-10, 11:26 PM

Oh I've read how to do it manually, but I'm not sweating it that much.

**MacLean** · 08-14-10, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by CO1259

Can I download the 2.2 update for the Droid with the keyboard? Not sure which model it is that I got.

You can do it, and it is fairly simple - but if you are not a tech person just wait. You'll get pinged to do the update over the air inside of a week.

**Xiphos** · 08-14-10, 03:16 PM

Paypal in talks with Google to offer a payment method in the Android Market:

Soon You Can Pay For Android Apps With PayPal

**Pudge** · 08-17-10, 05:41 PM

I'm getting closer....

I'm at a constant back and forth between the DX and the Dinc. It's going to end up coming down to physically trying each one. I like that the X comes with a 16 gig card, but not so sold on the size until I check it out.

A question though. I've heard rave reviews of HTC's Sense UI, and less than stellar remarks about Motorola's UI. It depends on the review I've seemed. Thoughts from those who have been there?

**Xiphos** · 08-17-10, 05:57 PM

There are some reviews out there of the Droid 2. Droid 2 review -- Engadget It's essentially a Droid with more polish (i.e. they fixed the stuff everyone complained about with the Droid without introducing any real new technology.) The screen is the same too. The Droid X is a big leap forward.

Something to consider if you don't need it right now, is the Samsung Fascinate coming out this fall on Verizon. DROID X vs. Samsung Fascinate | Wirefly Learn

I have the T-Mo version of the phone and it is insanely beautiful and fast. The Super AMOLED screen is stunning.

Samsung has its TouchWiz interface on it which is like what Motorola and HTC have done. They are a UI that sits on top of Android and generally just mucks up the performance. None of them are worth the performance hassles and stock Android is the way to go.

To get stock Android you will need to do some simple hacking which Motorola is doing their damndest to keep you from doing. Right now any attempt to load a custom ROM on a Droid X will intentionally brick the phone and keep you from using it. Developers are making progress but even if it is ever hackable it will be dangerous.

Samsung on the other hand is very friendly towards the mod community and this phone is about as simple as it gets. It's about bullet proof, you'd have to try pretty hard to brick it. I had it rooted on the second boot up and getting the ROM Manager and Recovery on it was as simple as downloading an app from the market. When a stock Android ROM comes out (Cyanogen, Froyo 2.2) I'll have it loaded up and firing away in minutes.

The other great thing about the Samsung is the 4 inch screen. It's a great sweet spot between the 3.7 inch screens and the monster 4.3 on the Droid X. The phone is light and thin and fits nicely in my pants pocket even with a gel skin on it.

The gist of this is the Samsung phone coming to Verizon will likely be easy to remove the crap UI and it is a nice size, with major, super phone performance.

**Pudge** · 08-17-10, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

There are some reviews out there of the Droid 2. Droid 2 review -- Engadget It's essentially a Droid with more polish (i.e. they fixed the stuff everyone complained about with the Droid without introducing any real new technology.) The screen is the same too. The Droid X is a big leap forward.

Something to consider if you don't need it right now, is the Samsung Fascinate coming out this fall on Verizon. DROID X vs. Samsung Fascinate | Wirefly Learn

I have the T-Mo version of the phone and it is insanely beautiful and fast. The Super AMOLED screen is stunning.

Samsung has its TouchWiz interface on it which is like what Motorola and HTC have done. They are a UI that sits on top of Android and generally just mucks up the performance. None of them are worth the performance hassles and stock Android is the way to go.

To get stock Android you will need to do some simple hacking which Motorola is doing their damndest to keep you from doing. Right now any attempt to load a custom ROM on a Droid X will intentionally brick the phone and keep you from using it. Developers are making progress but even if it is ever hackable it will be dangerous.

Samsung on the other hand is very friendly towards the mod community and this phone is about as simple as it gets. It's about bullet proof, you'd have to try pretty hard to brick it. I had it rooted on the second boot up and getting the ROM Manager and Recovery on it was as simple as downloading an app from the market. When a stock Android ROM comes out (Cyanogen, Froyo 2.2) I'll have it loaded up and firing away in minutes.

The other great thing about the Samsung is the 4 inch screen. It's a great sweet spot between the 3.7 inch screens and the monster 4.3 on the Droid X. The phone is light and thin and fits nicely in my pants pocket even with a gel skin on it.

The gist of this is the Samsung phone coming to Verizon will likely be easy to remove the crap UI and it is a nice size, with major, super phone performance.

Motorola's unwillingness to allow open access is one strike against it. HTC does seem to be a bit more open. I don't know if I'm brave or savvy enough to get into rooting my device, so at the start I'll want something that's ahead of the curve, yet will allow me to go further if I get the guts.

**Xiphos** · 08-17-10, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Pudge

Motorola's unwillingness to allow open access is one strike against it. HTC does seem to be a bit more open. I don't know if I'm brave or savvy enough to get into rooting my device, so at the start I'll want something that's ahead of the curve, yet will allow me to go further if I get the guts.

If you can wait, the Fascinate will work for you. When you get brave enough to try, it's very forgiving and easy.