Topic: Everything Android - The Official Android Thread

[pokepal148]

Anyone who likes Touchwiz andits bloatware over stock doesn't know what they are talking about.

Oh but play books is totally not bloatware, is that what you're saying?

Even if you are nitpicking, its a 200 dollar phone at full price. You can't really complain.

It's the internet, I can complain about whatever the hell I want.

[Oblivion]

It can be disabled or even deleted. If you don't delete it, it isn't bad software.

[BlackNMild2k1]

$50 on Verizon (or was a couple weeks ago), full retail price. I should have bought one just for development.

You are saying that I could have bought a Galaxy S 4 from Verizon for $50 w/ no new contract?

[UncleBob]

I like buttons.

I've been using the same phone for going on my third year now because I don't want to get rid of the physical keyboard and because there's apparently no market for them now.  Which makes absolutely no sense to me.  I have friends who are always giving me a hard time about my refusal to give up the physical keyboard - telling me how awesome virtual keyboards are today - until I challenge them to a texting competition.  Open a book to a random page and type the first paragraph in.  I'll always be the first completed and with far, far fewer mistakes (no damnyouautocorrects for me).

But then, judging by how most people type now-a-days, no one cares about quality or accuracy.

[shingi_70]

I like buttons.

I've been using the same phone for going on my third year now because I don't want to get rid of the physical keyboard and because there's apparently no market for them now.  Which makes absolutely no sense to me.  I have friends who are always giving me a hard time about my refusal to give up the physical keyboard - telling me how awesome virtual keyboards are today - until I challenge them to a texting competition.  Open a book to a random page and type the first paragraph in.  I'll always be the first completed and with far, far fewer mistakes (no damnyouautocorrects for me).

But then, judging by how most people type now-a-days, no one cares about quality or accuracy.

I have just the phones for you.

[Stratos]

I understand completely. Only reason I am tolerating not having one is because I found an excellent alternative keyboard that positions the buttons in a better layout. I still plan to go back to one down the road, maybe find a Droid 4 Global so it will run on GSM networks as well.


There are add-on keyboards for some devices like iPhones so you might try looking for one of those.

[UncleBob]

I have just the phones for you.

Is Blackberry still going to be alive in 2015?

There are add-on keyboards for some devices like iPhones so you might try looking for one of those.

I'm a 'droid fan all the way (not so much the O/S, but removable battery and removable storage are both a huge plus for me) and I haven't found much in the way of an Android phone with an attachable keyboard that turns it into a singular device.

[shingi_70]

Well I've been asking that question for a few years now.  I know they just made a deal with Amazon to have the amazon app store as an alternate market place. I' really like the look with the classic, and it does has android app support. Unsure about the battery and stuff.


Maybe the project Ara modcular devices will bring the keyboards back. I loved my HTC G2 so much.

[pokepal148]

It can be disabled or even deleted. If you don't delete it, it isn't bad software.

Then you can't complain about touchwiz bloatware,

[oohhboy]

Blackberry is dead. I have one and even I don't want it. But **** me those iPhone prices.

[BranDonk Kong]

$50 on Verizon (or was a couple weeks ago), full retail price. I should have bought one just for development.

You are saying that I could have bought a Galaxy S 4 from Verizon for $50 w/ no new contract?

No, the Moto G, on Verizon pre-paid.

[Ceric]

Did we talk about the Amazon Fire Phone?

My Wife is looking to get one at launch if we can swing the money.

[pokepal148]

Speaking of irrelevant linux based phones that can run android apps...

[shingi_70]

The fire phone is going to bomb. Its just so unappealing compared to regular android.

[NWR_insanolord]

With how successful Kindle Fire tablets have been, I wouldn't be so sure. They may not appeal to people like us, but I think there's a certain segment of people who would be drawn to it.

[shingi_70]

With how successful Kindle Fire tablets have been, I wouldn't be so sure. They may not appeal to people like us, but I think there's a certain segment of people who would be drawn to it.

Well I think its going to badly because its an AT&T exclusive device That company has not done any favors to anyone one who went exclusive other than the iphone. Samsung didn't really start to gaintraction till they set the prededent and told the carriers and AT&T to screw off with different variants and exclusive dates. Also I think windows phone would be in a much better place if they hadn't went ATT exclusive with like every device.


I think the phone will be good for someone living in Amazon's world.

[NWR_insanolord]

The kind of people who'd want that phone are likely people who don't feel that strongly about carriers. And it's somewhat disingenuous to say no one's had success being AT&T exclusives if you're not counting the most successful phone.

[shingi_70]

The kind of people who'd want that phone are likely people who don't feel that strongly about carriers. And it's somewhat disingenuous to say no one's had success being AT&T exclusives if you're not counting the most successful phone.

That's why I said other than the iphone, the market has changed pretty dramatically since than and it seems all major phones tend to launch on every carrier.


 

[BranDonk Kong]

Nope its getting a bit of a Material based overhaul.




http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/07/13/exclusive-google-prepping-play-store-update-thats-one-step-closer-to-material-with-beautiful-new-listing-ui/


Ars has an even bigger look at Android L from the google i/o sessions.

COUGH COUGH
http://www.androidcentral.com/material-design-inspired-google-play-app-update-now-rolling-out


COUGH COUGH COUGH...seriously I'm choking.

[UncleBob]

You know, I'm not the kind of person to go gaga over the design of a cell phone... but can I just say, cell phones are sooooo bland.  Every freakin' phone looks the same anymore.

Due to an interesting loophole, I've figured out how to upgrade my phone at a discount and keep my unlimited data with Verizon, but they all suck.  And I'm not just talking about the lack of a physical keyboard - Everything's a thin phone, thin bezel, couple of touch-sensitive buttons on the bottom.  Black, silver or white... blah.

[pokepal148]

I seriously watched a commercial for the LG g3 on the moto g for one of the YouTube ads and I'm just for a few seconds thinking it was a moto g commercial untill I saw the buttons on the back.

[shingi_70]

The fire phone is getting pretty bad reviews.


The new UI looks good but right now its only the app info screen that's been  L'd. The overall look is pretty desgin over function.

[pokepal148]

Whiz-bang Fripery? Thanks NYT for that... interesting use of wordplay...

[pokepal148]

So yeah I found this interesting article basically speculating on how Google decides where to establish their whole fiber service

[Shaymin]

Since this is going to come up probably: Yes, the US Congress has allowed for the subsidy locks to be removed from phones. Yes, the carriers (at least at&t-mobile) have already been doing this without intervention. In at&t's case, since at least 2006.

No, you will not be able to take a T-Mobile phone to Verizon because Verizon rode the wrong technology horse a decade and a half ago.

All the ruling does is legalize something that's already been available on the Internet for years now.