All Things Android - Apps, Phones, Tablets - Discussion

i was feeling the same way. it may even come down to whichever is release first, I'll get.

 

The best battery life I've ever gotten in an AOSP ROM. Can't wait to try official stock XXDMB6 to also experience those 4 days of battery life that Gunner has

That's medium-heavy use, Facebook, browsing mostly, reddit sync, twitter, camera and 2 ROM flashes and a nandroid backup.

 

I'm curious as to what 'Google Services' actually pertains to, I've never seen that one before.

 

I love my SGS3. I can run multiple tabs in dolphin browser and not have android slow down one bit! plus this Swype keyboard is great.

 

I like typing with Swiftkey, but for unknown reasons it really slows down my phone, particularly when the browser is involved.

 

Swype is the worst invention known to man, I had to change back to the Android keyboard.

Does anyone know when the next update is due or when 4.3 is coming out?

 

Haven't seen that with SwiftKey on my GS3. You're running the latest version, right?

I don't particularly like it especially when compared to SwiftKey, but the swiping mode of SwiftKey (basically Swype) works really well when using the phone one-handed; faster than poking one key at a time. Definitely not the worst invention known to man...

 

For once, we are in 100% agreement. I hate Swype with a burning passion. Same with the 4.2 swyping keyboard.

 

TMo providing No Contract plans:

T-Mobile: Uncarrier contract-free pricing now available | BGR

Interesting... hopefully this moves the other carriers to do the same.

 

Yeah, latest version. It's significantly slower to open than the stock KB and also seems to eat memory.

50 a month is just too much for 500mb. Unlimited talk and text is basically the sleeves off their vest at this point. It's all about the data.

 

I know, I was simply reinforcing the point.

I've never argued that advertising makes no difference but the other factors (reliability, inability to read the market) are universal, so they will apply both in the US and Europe.
As I'd mentioned before, the comments section in the Engadget article which tried to claim that HTC's problems are solely due to poor advertising is full of people saying that they'd never buy HTC again because of how poor the previous HTC handsets they owned were. And that included a lot of US people.



On an unrelated note, the Chinese and South Korean S4s will blend Exynos5 and LTE.

 

@step:

But I was responding to your latest post.

You did say that HTC gained popularity with "minimal advertising" and in the US that wasn't exactly true. Maybe HTC didn't advertise themselves, but the carriers (notably Sprint) advertised heavily for them.

You also mentioned that Apple spends millions on advertising but you had doubts that swayed anyone I know to buy an iPhone. I contended that their advertising does have an effect on a consumer whether it be directly or not.

So while you say that you never argued that advertising makes a difference... it seems to be your opinion that it's not as important as other factors and that's fine... I just don't agree with it.

 

I use SwiftKey on the Captivate and don't notice any slow downs. I never really have swipe typing a chance SO I have l is a if I like it out not. Out of habit I just didn't try it.

Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

Just remember, that 500mb is a threshold where your data throttles to 2G speeds. Only TMo and Sprint do unlimited (ungrandfathered) data and for $10 you can up that threshold to 2gb or $20 will get you unlimited.

At $70/mo unlimited everything, the only competitor is Sprint at $100/mo, AT&T has a 5gb data limit at $110/mo, VZW has a 4gb limit at $110/mo.

Granted T-Mo is still upgrading their network and adding LTE... but that monthly savings is significant if you can get your handsets at a fairly cheap price (via eBay or hand me downs).

I will most likely use them when I eventually have to get phones for the munchkins if I can hopefully use my AT&T castoffs.

 

I agree that it's clearly the cheapest among the big 4, but that's not saying a whole lot. Wireless plans are too expensive here.

 

I got the opportunity to do a hands-on with a red and black Xperia ZL, and admittedly I am a bit disappointed. The model with the red accents look really nice in the pictures, but in person the red is more of a brighter shade, I guess the best comparison would be to a stereotypical lipstick or the red Jolly Rancher. For me, it's a couple of shades too light, and it's more suited for someone trying to make a fashion statement and will stick out like a sore thumb in a business environment. Sony did a great job of making that 5" screen take up the majority of the front estate, and the notification light is an excellent touch.

So here's where the problem starts. For those that are still interested in either the Z or ZL, I highly suggest seeing one in person or visiting a local cellphone shop that has a Xperia T/TL on display, and make sure you are absolutely okay with the quality before purchasing. Unfortunately Sony failed to improve the viewing angle from the 2012 lineup, and the ZL is just as bad. I'm not really bothered by poor viewing angles, but the issues with these TFT screens Sony uses is that they get easily washed out even at a slightest off-angle. Keeping the brightness lower than 70% seems to help somewhat, but I'm just going to put this out there: If you're expecting IPS/AMOLED viewing angles, look elsewhere as you will be disappointed.

On the software side, I like the carryover launcher and software from the 2012 lineup, but I am noticing some lag in opening the app drawer and transiting between menu. For a device with a quad core Snapdragon S4, this is a bit disappointing. The camera exhibits some Jerkyl and Hyde moments as well; without using manual focus, picture quality is a bit of mixed bag. After playing with it, the software seems to be the culprit here. Some shots look great, but then trying to take more shots of the same view and environment results in slight image blur or improper focus. I get the impression the software can't quite figure out how to setup the sensor for proper shots at times.

I was given the opportunity to own one today, but after an hour with it, I am quite disappointed with what I've seen thus far and passed up on it. Best of luck on your next flagship, Sony.

 

This is consistent with everything I've read about the Xperia Z/ZL. As a Sony enthusiast, it makes me sad. I can't think of a single reason to even argue that the Z/ZL is a better choice than the One or the Galaxy S4.

 

The thing with t-mo is coverage. I'm still on edge at school if I use them. :/


Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

 

And it's 760 bucks! Wow.

 

No kidding... and they keep charging more for less data (yet some think that cloud storage is a good alternative to SD card slots).

What I'm hoping is that this is the start of prices going down and data plans getting better. It still baffles me that some carriers charge you for data with a cap, but won't let you tether for free (so basically charging you again to use data you already paid for).

 

No joke. That's only what, twice the price of a Nexus 4?

 

It's so bad I had to go back to the Android keyboard on my Blaze 4G on the first day, it was unusable. The default Android one is fine for me.

What is wrong with T-Mobile besides some places having crappy coverage? I've never had an issue with them besides being on 3G/Edge, which would be horrible on any carrier TBH.

 

I'm typing this post in the Web browser (Chrome) on my GS3 with SwiftKey 4 and there isn't the slightest hint of lag. The problem you had isn't manifesting for me at all.

 

Why I love my Captivate with the 3300maH extended battery. Screen time.

Somehow my screenshot showing screen time percentage and what else used the battery got corrupt when my phone shut down last night

CM 10.1 with the Blue Mint theme. Undervolted 75mV on each step, and overclocked from 1GHz to 1.2GHz.





Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 battery life tests are done, here's how it did - GSMArena Blog

 

Wow, this really brings home how terrible the battery is in the Galaxy Nexus. I need a new phone.

 

I've been reading review after review of the Optimus G Pro and honestly they're starting to * me off. The G Pro isn't to be compared with the Note/Note II. It doesn't look to fill the same category, but for some reason almost every review calls it the "Note II Killer". What's really funny is that Samsung is about to replace the Note II with the Note III and the G Pro just launched. They're not even in the same market launch window.

 

Yep... no digitizer/pen... not the same category.

The S4 compares more with the G Pro.

 

In which the S4 comes on top in every way

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One: Army of two - GSMArena.com

S4 come out in more categories than the One - including, interestingly, low-light photography.

 

Have a quick question. I need to hook up my laptop to my TV. Problem is I'm in Ohio pending a deployment, and my external wireless keyboard is in Virginia.

Is there an app that will allow me to use my phone or tablet as an external keyboard? Either through wifi or bluetooth? If not I have my mouse, and may drop by Best Buy to see if they have a cheap wireless



Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

Playing with my first android device, the play store is killing me ~~ too many choice for simple stuff and games is everywhere orz.

Is there anyway to browse for popular apps w/o all the games?

 

Click on the play store. Then hit the "Apps" button. Now swipe to the right and the should have various apps categories. Explore around.

Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

Yes, there are lots of options. Especially over WiFi... Not so much over Bluetooth. Here's my favorite:


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Relmtech.Remote

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Awesome, thanks! I was looking at Andromouse, but this looks much better.

Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

LOL @ HTC One camera. "Ultrapixels". Just lol.

 

The shots when they up-scale the HTC to 13MP for comparison look bad but even when they down-scale the Samsung, the HTC still looks bad.

The S4 is going to be immense, the launch plans in the UK are nuts.
It's just a shame we won't have an LTE Esynos model here.

 

Welp, I did trust HTC :| Better luck next time.

Samsung did a great job on the camera. Feature and quality packed. There's no way to say bad things about the camera, other than the video recording color reproduction. (IMO)

Oh man, I wanted my next phone to be a Sony or HTC, but they're all disappointing, while the S4/Samsung isn't!

 

It's not just that... the One has contrast problems with low-light video, what looks like luminance issues with day time shots, over-aggressive noise suppression... it's just a horrible camera. IMHO, the Galaxy S II/III have better cameras, and they're older phones. I think HTC was aiming for Nokia's PureView technology and just fell WOEFULLY short. HTC has never been able to compete with their cameras, and now I just don't know what the hell they're doing.

Also, I'd like to see the camera UI that's on the S4 come to the Note II. Hopefully it will.

 

It's genius.
When I tried it, I couldn't believe how clever it was, my first reaction was that that's the way camera UI's should always have been.

 

From what I understand, it's the same UI from the Galaxy Camera. If that's case, it IS genius. One UI across an entire brand (with regards to cameras anyway).

 

Makes me wish I was going to be home when the S4 launched. S4 looks great. I'll be home in Jan(2014). Hopefully S5 will be launched shortly after that.


Sent from my Samsung Captivate/JB CM 10.1 via Tapatalk.

 

It's better than the Galaxy Camera.
The only part lifted from the Galaxy Camera is the carousel element, the pop-up part at the bottom of the screen is new and that part is much cleverer IMO.


Whatever follows the S4 is likely to be reaching the market around April next year.

 

^Interesting! I'll just have to wait and see if they do push that in an update. The folks at XDA will have it in ROM's shortly anyway, though. lol.

Here's resolved resolution at 8MP. N7100 @ Native res, i9505 downscaled from 13MP, and the One upscaled from 4MP.

This is just inexcusable.

 

I'm very interested what they have up their sleeves with the Note 3. What new features with the S Pen and such, but I'll still be probably skipping it since I'm keeping my Note 2 for 2 years. I can't even imagine what the S5 and the Note 4 will have.

 

So, I started playing with a Droid DNA on Sunday. I haven't used Sense since my HTC One S about 6+ months ago. I honestly like it more than Touchwiz. I guess it feels more serious. The home button is great as well, I still hate those physical buttons. It has made think about switching from my Nexus 4.

 

Steve Jobs illegitimate son, 26x removed.

 

Honestly, after reading the head-to-head, I just can't think of a good reason I would recommend the HTC One over the GS4 to anyone:

- GS4 manages to fit a larger screen in a thinner, lighter, and overall smaller package
- GS4 crams in a larger battery, for longer standby and talk times
- GS4 has an overall better camera
- GS4 obviously has expandable storage, replaceable battery, etc
- More subjective, but the GS4's standard hardware button layout is far more practical
- TouchWiz is improving (stylistically, looks far less tacky than the S3 at release) and is more aligned with the clean Android look... unlike Sense

I just can't see anyone picking up the One, given the above advantages with the GS4, and with HTC's far lower brand awareness.

 

Its bootloader is unlockable and even has S-OFF available; they hold their value pretty well though and it's hard to get one for less than $450, otherwise I wouldn't mind having one. Sense 5 will really clean it up nicely.

 

I'm not sure if it's enough to make me switch, but I really do like it. The screen is beautiful, and not just because of the pixel count. The colors and saturation are quite a bit better than on my Nexus 4.

The problems I've found so far:

I'm on AT&T, so I have to use a workaround to get MMS.

I can easily find my location in Maps, but Navigation can't seem to find me.

When I'm running the Audio Glow Live Wallpaper, it lags when changing home screens. My Nexus 4 is smooth as butter.

I found it for $275, and it's in mint condition

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2