What do you think about the Verizon Android Phone?

[Deathwish238]

Let's not assume what Droid 2.0 might be able to do. let's just wait for it. I've heard this song before with RIMM and Palm.

Assume? There's no assuming, this is what we know and things will only be added:
BGR Android 2.0 Walkthrough
Gizmodo Summary

• The whole system feels much faster, especially the browser. Apparently it renders about as fast as the 3GS's, though part of that could be down to the hardware (What is it, BG?)
• The browser also gets double-tap-to-zoom (some current ROMs already come with this)
• Facebook friends are integrated right into the contacts system
• Voice control has been scattered through the whole system, and even gets its own dedicated dashboard
• There's an upgraded version of Google Maps, with layer support
• Native MS Exchange support
• A unified email inbox, for joining multiple accounts
• A YouTube homescreen widget, which enables two-click uploads
• A "Car Home" app offers larger shortcuts for functions you might need while driving, as well as easy access to voice control

[ZR_Yancy]

That isn't the final product.

[Deathwish238]

Exactly, it's only going to get better! A lot has already been implemented in other phones/roms like multitouch and exchange support(I have both on my G1).

Google is developing very aggressively for Android. Donut was a minor release, just adding a few new features(Quick Search Bar > Spotlight Search) and tweaking things. Eclair is going to be a major release adding a significant amount to Android. I fully expect all of the above and more...and Google has yet to disappoint.

Updates are free and don't require touching a computer either!

[bass_lover1]

I'm going take a shot in the dark here...but I bet you own an Android device.

Let's break this down, shall we?

How does having a keyboard affect screenspace? The keyboard sits under the screen when not in use...

He was probably referring to a smartphone that doesn't use a slide out keyboard, there are tons of those available. I agree with him as well, they take up lots of real-estate that could be better used on a screen.

If you want to compare a Jailbroken iPhone to an Android device, you'ld have to compare it to one of the custom Android ROMs as well. Plus, jailbreaking is illegal, Apple is fighting against it(new 3GS can't be jailbroken using current methods). While Android is open source and modifying is encouraged.

It's an opensource platform, that you still have to "hack" into to customize? Doesn't seem to be truly open, now does it?

PS: 3GS can be jailbroken, I own one, but thank you for proving that you don't own an iPhone and came here just to stir the pot.

Still, comparing modded phones is for geeks like you and I, not the average joe.

Not necessarily, there's no way you can prove that every owner of a JB phone is a geek. I don't consider myself a geek, I enjoy keeping with the times of technology, but certainly not a geek.

While on screen keyboards work, a physical keyboard is always superior in terms of typing. Pretty hard to argue against that.

That is your opinion, so it's pretty easy to argue against it. I've had an iPhone for about a year, and I can say that I DESPISE physical keyboards now. I've tried using some of the best qwerty devices (BB Bold, G1) and I hated every second of typing.

Also, Android gives you options...devices with and without physical keyboards.

True, but one of the iPhone's biggest selling points originally was that it had no physical keyboard.


My friend has a G1, and yes it is definitely a cool device, I don't see my self dropping my 3GS for it, or for any other Android device at this time. As time goes on, and companies start implementing Android more, we'll definitely start to see some really cool things, but until then no thank you.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

It's still good to hear about other phones, though.

[Deathwish238]

I'm going take a shot in the dark here...but I bet you own an Android device.

Yes, I have a TMobile G1...which I financed by selling an iPhone.

Let's break this down, shall we?



He was probably referring to a smartphone that doesn't use a slide out keyboard, there are tons of those available. I agree with him as well, they take up lots of real-estate that could be better used on a screen.

I'll agree with that, but who cares if all Android phones have neither no keyboard or slideout keyboard.

I won't sacrifice my screen for a keyboard either.

It's an opensource platform, that you still have to "hack" into to customize? Doesn't seem to be truly open, now does it?

It is truly open. Open source means that the OS is free to use and distribute. That I can go to the Android Open Source Project and download the source code.

I mean here's the first line from the AOSP homepage "Android is the first free, open source, and fully customizable mobile platform"


Android is completely customizable in its stock form.


However, you need to gain root permission to run ROMs as well as some apps. This is needed mainly for security and is part of Linux. Getting root permission is completely legal. Whenever an app needs root permission, you are asked and must either allow or deny the app wanting permission.

PS: 3GS can be jailbroken, I own one, but thank you for proving that you don't own an iPhone and came here just to stir the pot.

This is what I'm referring to

I mentioned "new" 3GS iPhones cannot be jailbroken. If that was unclear, I meant newly shipping iPhones and not the ones already in the wild. Of course it will be done again, but it's a hassle and a waste of time for the iPhone jailbreaking community. It's also a very clear sign that Apple is against it.


I didn't come here to stir the pot, I'm coming here to learn. Plus, the article beckoned me over here...lol. This is a thread for dicussing the Droid and the iPhone.


Competition is a good thing. The iPhone has helped the smartphone market immensely and it needs some real competition. Android is that real competition and I hope to see Apple respond with an much improved version of iPhone OS. Apple has made Windows and Nokia wake up after being so stale for so long.

Not necessarily, there's no way you can prove that every owner of a JB phone is a geek. I don't consider myself a geek, I enjoy keeping with the times of technology, but certainly not a geek.

Unless your friend did it for you, if your phone is hacked you're a bit of a geek. You're on a forum talking about cellphones after all

That is your opinion, so it's pretty easy to argue against it. I've had an iPhone for about a year, and I can say that I DESPISE physical keyboards now. I've tried using some of the best qwerty devices (BB Bold, G1) and I hated every second of typing.

It doesn't really work like that. I hated the on screen keyboard at first too. As with any keyboard, as you use it and practice on it, you get a lot better. I can type over 80wpm on my G1's physical keyboard now(originally only 15-20wpm). But I can't type that well on a Blackberry keyboard or an iPhone's keyboard...doesn't make either of those bad keyboards...I just don't use the often.

Plus, I have an on screen keyboard and a physical keyboard. Best of both worlds imo. Different situations call for different keyboards. I'm actually interested in how the Storm 2's on screen keyboard feels as the screen has some actual feedback...but that's a different story.

True, but one of the iPhone's biggest selling points originally was that it had no physical keyboard.

Depends on who you asked...to me and many others it is a con. How hard would it be to have two models...one with a keyboard and one without? Of course you'ld have options then...

My friend has a G1, and yes it is definitely a cool device, I don't see my self dropping my 3GS for it, or for any other Android device at this time. As time goes on, and companies start implementing Android more, we'll definitely start to see some really cool things, but until then no thank you.

And I would say the exact same thing about the 3GS. The iPhone is a great phone, but I really enjoy my G1. It's just soo much fun to use, playing with different ROMs is a lot of fun...especially because there are many that look nothing alike.

These next two months will be filled with new Android devices. The Droid is starting the high end Android phone release and so far it looks very promising.

[Eragon]

An interesting analysis:

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-...ervous-612734/

[Londonrockz568]

They launched a website called DroidDoes.com - and a whole slew of marketing ads.

Basically the phone is an iPhone with a physical keyboard, isn't it?

Techcrunch is saying that it may wipe the iPhone floor. What do you guys think?

[kevlar08]

How does having a keyboard affect screenspace? The keyboard sits under the screen when not in use...

If you want to compare a Jailbroken iPhone to an Android device, you'ld have to compare it to one of the custom Android ROMs as well. Plus, jailbreaking is illegal, Apple is fighting against it(new 3GS can't be jailbroken using current methods). While Android is open source and modifying is encouraged.

Still, comparing modded phones is for geeks like you and I, not the average joe.

While on screen keyboards work, a physical keyboard is always superior in terms of typing. Pretty hard to argue against that.

Also, Android gives you options...devices with and without physical keyboards.



Please name one thing the iPhone can do that Android cannot.

Voice and Data
Edit Video
All of the 70,000 things available in the app store
Sync With iTunes


if you look at a list a features you can always find things one phone does that others don't.

[Deathwish238]

Voice and Data
Edit Video
All of the 70,000 things available in the app store
Sync With iTunes


if you look at a list a features you can always find things one phone does that others don't.

Voice and Data - I have both...lol. Not sure if you're referring to something beyond the obvious? Otherwise I find it odd that you think that an Android device isn't capable of getting online and making phone calls. For one, we have Google Voice and the iPhone does not...

Edit Video - Qik edits video, quite well too.

All of the 70,000 things available in the app store - Android has over 10,000 apps after a year. I already have multiple alternatives for everything I use...can't actually think of anything I need. Already have plenty of cool apps. Can you actually name a function of an app on the iPhone market that's not found in an app on the Android market? I know you won't find any SNES, NES, Genesis, GBA, DOOM or other emulators on the Apple market!

Sync With iTunes - Apparently you can. I could care less, iTunes is crap for audio and video playback...foobar2000 is what anyone who cares about sq uses. I'm quite capable of dragging and dropping and prefer it that way.