Not too long ago , — say a month — I was trying to decide to I want slightly outdated Android 1.5 and an HTC device or new hotness with 2.0 and the Droid. I chose the Droid. Many others however went the more economical and picked up the cheaper Eris. and boy did they save. Initially only $99 to start with, having HTC’s popular Sense UI and the firm understanding that Android 2.0 would eventually come to were reason enough.
Your bet paid off. Verizon has made it known that by the end of Q1 2010, all HTC Eris owners will happily be toting their Droid sibling and Android 2.0. I for one can’t wait to see that little collection of hot tech in person. Can you? Droid owners, feeling and remorse yet?
If you were eyeing your non-Android 2.0 device because of it’s lack of exciting features — namely Google Navigation — Google would like to extend a welcome Happy Thanksgiving to you. The cause for celebration…? Google has gone ahead and ported Google Navigation backwards to Android 1.6 (Donut) devices. Oh happy day. That pretty much wraps up everyone in the Pre-Droid/Android 2.0 game. Heck, even the goldfish memory sized G1 is getting in on the action. How about them apples? And who says the G1 is dead…
**Update: TechCrunch points out that the Google Nav for everyone misses one key feature — the “Navigate to” voice command. Deal breaker? Hardly.
Today marks one week and a day that the Motorola Droid has graced the masses. I was one of the many that were eagerly anticipating it’s release bringing us the first tastes of Android 2.0 as well as the first Android slider device since the G1. While not perfect, it is truly a good device. I’ve had many smartphones over the last couple of years and have a fairly robust knowledge of the various platforms. Coming from BlackBerries and iPhones more recently, how does the Droid stack up after a week, and how will it hold up for the months ahead….?
If you’re in the Market for an Android device, you’ve got quite the selection this holiday season. But if you’re a bleeding edge nerd who wants the top of the line, you really only have a couple choices. Sprint’s HTC Hero or Samsung Moment and Verizon’s Droid Eris or DROID Droid are really the top models for the time being. But another option is coming quick in the form of the Samsung Behold II. This new device from Samsung will be the first Android device to feature Samsung’s “TouchWiz” custom interface that among other things, allows nifty page flip actions resembling a spinning cube. The device had been rumored for quite some time at the $199 price point. Unfortunately Cnet has confirmed that it will be in fact a $229 price tag.
Now looking at the Android field right now, we have the DROID Droid, Sprint Hero, and Samsung Moment. In my mind, those are the three top of the line Android phones you can get. Besides the amazing AMOLED display on the Behold II, it’s a rather standard affair complete with outdated Android 1.5. Does it really compete with the other contenders mentioned above? Also a sticking point is the TouchWiz interface. I know this is purely subjective, but the Samsung notification bar mod looks terrible. It looks the same as every other low-end phone Samsung puts out. The flipping cube effect is a novel idea and does have me slightly envious. However according to Cnet’s review, such effects cause Android to run slower than “un-Touched” versions. And, Android can already be laggy at times in it’s native form. Adding more wait to the mix….?
With that in mind, do you really feel the $229 price tag is justified or is T-Mo reaching too high? Personally now that Android 2.0 is out (at least for one exclusive carrier), there’s no reason the latest devices shouldn’t ship with at least Android 1.6. The substandard software and only so-so nature of the UI seem like they’d more appropriately fit in around $159. Heck, Verizon’s DROID Eris is a much better phone and while it even packs 1.5 by default is much nicer and smoother running. Did T-Mobile drop the ball regarding pricing on this one?
Oh the horror. Sony has been teasing us for days on end with Xperia 10 slideshows and videos of a UI that is simply gorgeous and now we come to find out that it’s only capable of 65k colors. Before you get too upset and cancel your date with Rachel, you must know that this is a limitation with Android 1.6 that is scheduled to ship on the device at launch — not the hardware itself. The OS simply can’t make use of all the hardware stuffed under the X10′s hood.
There is hope. Android 2.0 bumps up color support to 16m (Like the Droid) meaning happier, richer images. For now we don’t even have a release date for the X10 let alone any news on 2.0 updates. Thankfully we have some relief that Android 2.0 is in fact coming to the X10. At a recent Q&A meeting, Global Marketing Manager for the Xperia X10, Sumit Malhotra, said that the X10 will evolve to Android 2.0 over time. I sure do hope over time means they’re working on it now! I’d much rather wait a few extra weeks and even a month for Sony to cease development on 1.6 and start working on making the X10, Rachel, and 2.0 all get along in digital dreamland.
I know that the difference in colors isn’t exactly noticeable outright without something to compare it to. Still it saddens me just a tad that Sony is spinning their wheels working with outdated software on a piece of hardware that simply begs for more. Then again, we all know Verizon did strike an exclusive deal with Google to be the short term, exclusive provider of Android 2.0. Think that has anything to do with it?
HTC’s current lack or recognition for Android 1.6 (Donut) has left many HTC users feeling hurt and unloved. Even though Cupcake/1.6 doesn’t bring anything that earth shattering, Android people love their updates. Almost as much as CrackBerry users. So it is understandable that a lack of 1.6 love could cause some problems. Take comfort in knowing that it is for the greater good….
An email between a slightly disgruntled HTC Hero user and an HTC European CSR:
Dear HTC customer,
Thank you for contacting our Customer Support Center. We are dedicated to providing you with the best quality service and answering all of your questions and concerns.
The Hero will not be receiving the Android 1.6 upgrade, it will however get the 2.0 one. Do note however that we do not have a confirmed release date for this upgrade, all I can recommend at the moment is that you keep yourself updated by visiting our website regularly as the latest information will be available to view from there.
Best regards,
HTC customer support team
HTC Corp. Global Service Division
I think I could stomach missing out on some minor updates for the bigger, badder 2.0 perfection that is Android 2.0/Eclair. Don’t you? For now, file this neat carefully handled tidbit into the “rumor” file as HTC has yet to confirm such an announcement. Awaiting a response from HTC themselves. Though I’m not expect too much at this point. An answer confirming this rumor would make for a pleasant surprise…
Are you eagerdying to know everything, and I mean everything about Android 2.0 (Eclair)? Even though Verizon’s various documents and product marketing material have done an ok job giving us a few talking points on Google’s up and coming update, if you really want to know every nook and cranny of the beauty that is Eclair, the video below needs to be in your que.
If you’re of the impatient type, I’ll go ahead and give you something to get you going. Some of the more drool worthy Android 2.0 features:
WVGA (800×480) and FWVGA (854×480) support
Revamped browser UI w/ HTML 5 support
Exchange Support
Drastically improved on-screen keyboard
Multi-touch support
Improved & deeper camera controls
Such things are the very tip of the iceberg mind you. It’s in your best interest to take a look at the video below. Sit back and watch it. When you’re done, watch it again. Then lets us know what you think. Please T-Mobile, get an Android device as awesome as the Moto Droid and soon! Heck, I’ll pretty much take anything with Android 2.0 at this point. Though it appears I may be waiting just a tad as subtle hints in the vid below have Verizon slyly admitting to a small exclusive period with Android 2.0. Here’s to hoping it’s indeed short…
Android has so far been released on what I would call “lower high end” hardware in that the hardware hasn’t exactly been very drool inducing. That is about to change with the Acer A1. If you didn’t know, the A1 will be the first Android handset to go north of 600 MHz as it packs a 768 MHz beast inside. Though processing power isn’t the only thing to talk about. Everything from the WVGA 3.5″ 800 x 400 screen to the fact it’ll come from the womb rockin’ Android 2.0 Donut mean this will certainly turn many heads. Currently, the only release info we have is that of a price (390 Euros — ~ $571 USD) and an apparent lack of any US release info as well as any more information about that touchscreen such as: Is it capacitive or resistive? Hopefully *fingers crossed* Acer will recognize the vast potential and clamoring Android user base that would love to see this device come stateside. Hit up the links inside for a direct shot to the pre-order page.
Personally, I really like Android’s darker UI and color scheme throughout. For a tired iPhone owner, it is a welcome change to the grey/silver/blue hues found throughout the iPhone OS. If you happen to feel slightly different and instead prefer a tad bit more european complexion to the Android Market, leaked photos showing upcoming changes to the Market highlight a shift in UI coloring. Before, the background was black and darker greys with orange highlights. In these latest leaked images, the Market as you can see makes a complete color reversal — the lights go darker and the darks go lighter. These images were reportedly from a Cnet reader’s Motorola Sholes (lucky guy). Even though I like the current UI color scheme on Android, I can’t help but like the new look as well. True it is much closer to what I’ve been using for the last year and a half, but the Android twist makes it seem new at least. For now, these cosmetic changes appear to be the only changes, though, we won’t know for sure until the Sholes drops along with updated firmwares. I certainly can’t wait…you? So what do you think of UI overhaul so far? Do you think it will start creeping OS wide?
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Not too long ago , — say a month — I was trying to decide to I want slightly outdated Android 1.5 and an HTC device or new hotness with 2.0 and the Droid. I chose the Droid. Many others however went the more economical and picked up the cheaper Eris. and boy did they save. Initially only $99 to start with, having HTC’s popular Sense UI and the firm understanding that Android 2.0 would eventually come to were reason enough. 
Oh the horror. Sony has been teasing us for days on end with Xperia 10 slideshows and videos of a UI that is simply gorgeous and now we come to find out that it’s only capable of 65k colors. Before you get too upset and cancel your date with Rachel, you must know that this is a limitation with Android 1.6 that is scheduled to ship on the device at launch — not the hardware itself. The OS simply can’t make use of all the hardware stuffed under the X10′s hood. 
HTC’s current lack or recognition for Android 1.6 (Donut) has left many HTC users feeling hurt and unloved. Even though Cupcake/1.6 doesn’t bring anything that earth shattering, Android people love their updates. Almost as much as CrackBerry users. So it is understandable that a lack of 1.6 love could cause some problems. Take comfort in knowing that it is for the greater good….
