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Background:
Old Man Zombie is getting old. He is hard of hearing and has a problem where he cannot control his hands from shaking. Its to the point he can't cut his own steak at dinner. I'm coming to my fellow android faithfuls in hope of something that can help him actually have a phone that he will use.
Three Problems I would like to help solve
Hard of Hearing - Loud phone or I need to be able to do the louder volume hack
Shaky Hands - I need a simple big button keypad.
Simple Android - No need for anything but the phone he doesn't want email txting etc.
He is currently on Verizon but I'm on t-mobile and might just get him on my plan if I can get a plan as well.
Thank you everyone in advance
As much as i hate to say this. How bout an iPhone?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I'm not sure about specific phones that might help but I know there's an app that lets you change the default dialer for android, couldn't you use that or find one wit a large keypad to help your father? I also know that DSP Manager can increase volumes on some phones so that might help as well. Just some ideas to consider if you find a phone your father likes but is missing the features you need. Hope you find something that works!
Is a smartphone completely necessary? There is a series of phones sold at BestBuy I believe called the Jitterbug designed specifically for the elderly. Large buttons, simple menus and loud volume.
Well I picked up my Arrive this morning and I have to say I'm extremely impressed! I am coming from Android (EVO & Epic) and think that Microsoft has something here with mobile 7. I believe I like it better than Android so far. Well built device, seamlessly synced with all my accounts including my Google calender, Netflix is awesome, love the tiles on the homescreen, size of the device is good, and the keyboard with the pop-up screen is perfect, better keyboard than the Epic....by far.
I was wondering what other Sprint users thoughts were now that the Arrive is released. Are you feeling the same way I am and did you come from Android?
EDIT: Windows mobile 7 is nothing like the old windows mobile....not even close!
awrnsmn said:
Well I picked up my Arrive this morning and I have to say I'm extremely impressed! I am coming from Android (EVO & Epic) and think that Microsoft has something here with mobile 7. I believe I like it better than Android so far. Well built device, seamlessly synced with all my accounts including my Google calender, Netflix is awesome, love the tiles on the homescreen, size of the device is good, and the keyboard with the pop-up screen is perfect, better keyboard than the Epic....by far.
I was wondering what other Sprint users thoughts were now that the Arrive is released. Are you feeling the same way I am and did you come from Android?
EDIT: Windows mobile 7 is nothing like the old windows mobile....not even close!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from a Touch Pro 2 (WM 6.5.). I picked up one for my wife and one for myself, so far I am really digging it. It definately works very well, smooth.
Just like Cyclical, I also picked one up for myself and one for my wife. We've been spending all day playing with the phones. I still haven't fully figured out the tiles, but I personally come from the wonderful line of WM phones (Apache/6700, TP1, TP2). I've played with android in the past and I know lots of people who have android phones. The overall response I have gotten from those that know a computer from a cinder block is that Android is massively frustrating if you are used to XDA/PPCG kitchen roms for WM. Some went so far as to proclaim WM6.5.3 on TP2 as the most advanced phone they know of (this said 2 weeks ago). They have high expectations for the Arrive, and I can honestly tell them that they will not be disappointed.
Everything listed by the OP is spot on.
The Marketplace is definitely much larger than it was for WM5/6. The apps that I grabbed were all very useful (and free), which is a step above the spotty development that had previously been on the Marketplace.
Picked mine up Sunday as well. So far loving the device. Everything is fluid, fast, and has not had a single hickup throught my setup and customization.
Coming from a long line of Windows Mobile devices, while I will miss a few apps and abilities I have been able to do, (IRC, Wifi Router) I feel they will be around in time so it is no great loss. The Fantastic multimedia and games more than make up for it.
The only issue that vexed me is how in the heck Microsoft Created MyPhone for Windows Mobile devices, and it is completely separate from Windows Live. So there is no way to sync your MyPhone content to WP7 nor is there a way to select what you want to sync except e-mail from your live account.
It is a minor hickup and the Outlook Connector for Hotmail did work out ok, but I had to pretty much clear my old Live accounts contacts as it was a collection of people from long ago. What bums me out is there is no way to move or archive them like in MyPhone and currently there is no way to backup your Text Messages like MyPhone has done for a while now.
Either way besides that minor hurdle, everything is synced and smooth. I just now need to balance out my battery usage. The good thing is the Arrive uses the same battery as the TP2 and the EVO. Ebay sales quality batteries for around $2 and they perform a hair better than OEM ones. Great stuff.
Everything else about the phone that is positive from other reviews holds true to this phone as well so I will not repeat a bunch of stuff we already know. All I know is it is nice to finally have a phone that Just Works, is Smooth, Fast, and fun to use again without having to make it all work. I tried an EVO for a month and while I do enjoy its customizability and such, it just doesn't feel near as finished, fast, smooth, or overall reliable. I did run into the Texting Issue that it had at the end of last year and while it was minor, it was just another bug that among a number of others, just keep things from feelind Complete.
Arrive!
Coming from a string of Android devices, Hero, Moment, Transform, and Evo... I have to say I'm a little weirded out about NOT having an android device. I did get a BB Bold when they came out but I went right back to android. We got this phone in our store a few weeks ago and while I haven't been able to use it as my only device, I have had a good run with it.... Like y'all, I'm heavy into customization and roms with anroid. (haven't used winmo since the original blackjack) So here's my take so far...
Gmail on Android is the best email experience ever! Windows PHone gets the job done well, I'd say between BB and Android...
No way I've found to turn 'mobile data always on' like on Htc android devices...
No compass! (sounds goofy as ****, but that's the second main reason I returned the BB Bold)... I do use it.
Camera Apps..... I'd really like to be an amateur photographer and love the camera apps for android.... (THE main reason for returning the Bold)... but I think I'm just going to use an old hero I have for out and about pictures (both my dslr and regular slr bit the dust so I rely on the Evo for pictures, but when I found out I was getting the arrive I sold it) ............
Camera isn't on par with Evo, Shift or Hero... Not even close. Again, I use my phone A LOT for pictures.
Speed test app??????????????? (again, this will come, I hope)
Can't use custom ringtones or notification sounds out the box... not a biggie because I use default ringtones, but I HATE the default notifications on all phones. I use the 'Facebook Pop' sound from the android app because it's simple, low key and not annoying as hell. So, I need to be able to use another notification sound.
Can't sideload music... have to go through Zune. Bummer. I have Linux Mint on my computer, Chrome/Ubuntu on my laptop and Mint on my wife's laptop. I'm screwed.............
I honestly think the UI is one of the best around... Fluid, solid and well thought out. It makes sense... instead of hitting MENU for everything, just slide over... I like it.
No freezing or locking up.... so far.... really stable.
One of the best hardware keyboards... ever.
Loud.
Touch is surprisingly good! I figured it would take a while to get right, but no. It's nice!
Being a long time google user, bing will take some getting used to... unless a hack to remap the search button can be directed to google......
voice dialing works well...
XBOX and NETFLIX.............................. Why would anyone even question the awesomeness of this??? Worth it... Well worth it!
There are some negatives, and Winmo has a bad rap, but damn, this is almost a sexy UI. It really doesn't leave much to be desired once you use it for a few days. this isn't your daddy's windows phone....
IM0001 said:
...All I know is it is nice to finally have a phone that Just Works, is Smooth, Fast, and fun to use again without having to make it all work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's really the crux of the issue. I come from a long history of tinkering with WM5, WM6, and Android on the HTC Apache, Vogue, Touch Diamond, and Hero. I have spent more hours than I care to think about trying to tweak and improve the stock functions of those phones, all with the goal of having a fast, stable phone. The sad thing is that despite my best efforts, there was never a point at which I was happy with those phones. Sure I added features (I remember how excited I was when I applied an A2DP hack on the old Apache) but stability and performance were never good.
By comparison, WP7 as you said just WORKS. I never have to worry about memory management or closing out programs. The launcher always opens apps quickly and I can access and send SMS and make calls quickly without delay (unlike my Hero). Is it full-featured? Of course not. The biggest omission IMO is a fast app switcher; I find myself spending more time than I would like trying to game the workflow of app openings to take advantage of fast "rehydrating" using the back button. But that's it. I don't need WiFi tethering, and Flory and GoVoice do quite nicely for Gtalk and Google Voice. And Sprint TeleNav takes care of GPS navigation. The biggest thing is I feel no need to root or flash a new ROM just to make it work with CORE functions. I'm VERY happy with it.
-R
Doesn't the Arrive have a digital compass listed as a feature? Just need to download an app that uses it right?
Yes... but no apps.
cyclical said:
Doesn't the Arrive have a digital compass listed as a feature? Just need to download an app that uses it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only compass apps availible are GPS based. Microsoft has said the compass api is availible but no one has utilized it yet.
It seems that HTC has a compass app that DOES use the hardware and not GPS. It wasn't there last week when I checked!
goulav said:
The only compass apps availible are GPS based. Microsoft has said the compass api is availible but no one has utilized it yet.
It seems that HTC has a compass app that DOES use the hardware and not GPS. It wasn't there last week when I checked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually read online that the API as of January still wasn't opened to the public.
htc...
cyclical said:
Actually read online that the API as of January still wasn't opened to the public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which may be why HTC is the first to release one?
awrnsmn said:
Well I picked up my Arrive this morning and I have to say I'm extremely impressed! I am coming from Android (EVO & Epic) and think that Microsoft has something here with mobile 7. I believe I like it better than Android so far. Well built device, seamlessly synced with all my accounts including my Google calender, Netflix is awesome, love the tiles on the homescreen, size of the device is good, and the keyboard with the pop-up screen is perfect, better keyboard than the Epic....by far.
I was wondering what other Sprint users thoughts were now that the Arrive is released. Are you feeling the same way I am and did you come from Android?
EDIT: Windows mobile 7 is nothing like the old windows mobile....not even close!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JUST jumped from the evo! im really feeling this for now I get bored easily I have had ever highend phone sprint ever offered...I might stay with this and even skipp the evo 3d if its not so smooth and useful
awrnsmn said:
Well I picked up my Arrive this morning and I have to say I'm extremely impressed! I am coming from Android (EVO & Epic) and think that Microsoft has something here with mobile 7. I believe I like it better than Android so far. Well built device, seamlessly synced with all my accounts including my Google calender, Netflix is awesome, love the tiles on the homescreen, size of the device is good, and the keyboard with the pop-up screen is perfect, better keyboard than the Epic....by far.
I was wondering what other Sprint users thoughts were now that the Arrive is released. Are you feeling the same way I am and did you come from Android?
EDIT: Windows mobile 7 is nothing like the old windows mobile....not even close!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more with you and the other posts. Loving WP7! My one minimal complaint is the side charging port. No big deal, but sucks if you try to pick it up and use it while plugged in.
Custom Ringtones????
I picked up the Arrive yesterday for my wife because i just couldn't give my EVO up but I wanted a wp7 phone. Anyways I have to agree with almost everyone here, sexy UI, fast, digging the tiles, and all the good love blah blah blah. I'm a XDA fanatic and a flashaholic and is killing me to not be able to load custom ringtones to the Arrive like i do in my Evo. I hate the stock ringtones it comes with. Does anyone have a solution, workaround, hack, zip, file, ritual, plan, anything to get this done?? Thanks
Deleted content, was more appropriate to a different thread...
I currently have a Thunderbolt that just recently became close to unusable to me. (The power button does not work without me jamming it into an edge of a table or wall...I heard this is a common problem). I talked to Verizon, I didn't have insurance since I've never needed it before, all my previous phones have worked so well, and they could not offer me any good options, I'd have to buy a new phone at sticker price.
So I thought to hit up eBay to see what I could get. Then I realized, there are no phones out there that really call out to me as of yet. So then I had an idea, why don't I just get a phone that is easy to root/customize/hack, but use it normally until I do find a phone that does stand out to me. That way, when I do get a NEW phone, I'll have a secondary to "play" around with.
I am a software developer and know a thing or two about OSs and ROMs but not a whole lot. I've hacked various things like 360/Wii games down to the binary level, not "Hi I edited a text file and gave me more $$$ in my game, I'm 733t". That being said, I'm not interested in using easy 1-click install programs to customize the phone. I actually want to understand how it all works. Basically, I just want a phone that acts as a playground that I can just play around with. Any idea's what phone would be best for what I seek? Sorry, I am restricted to a phone that works on the Verizon network, but if there is a phone outside of Verizon that stands out too, I wouldn't mind hearing about it, but I need a Verizon phone unfortunately.
Also, I'd rather have a phone that has a little kick too (hardware-wise)...no sense in hacking an Atari when you can hack an Xbox, if you catch my drift.
I have a fascinate, and it's pretty easily hackable and nearly impossible to brick. very glad I made the decision to get this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
http://www.filecrop.com/Button-remapper-apk.html
That'll fix ur button problem
Sent from my HTC EVO 3d
Root: revolutionary
Recovery: Twrp cwm 4
ROM: Synergy 2.3.4 ( I want aosp)
The dual core shooter. Double the bad ass.
Nexus Prime, confirmed it's comming to verizon in november.
Hello,
I was trying to get a working version of Skype on my motoactv and I failed.
I tried to install some Beta version for android, v1.XX, v2.XX and I did log in and send messages but that was all. I've managed to call somebody and heard the ring tone but when my friend answered Skype disconnected us...
The newest version on Market didn't allow me to sign in, it shows 'Signing in...' forever. I cleared the data, moved to 'phone' but nothing helped.
Is there any working version or maybe different Skype client around?
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks in advance.
~nbvc
nbvc said:
Hello,
I was trying to get a working version of Skype on my motoactv and I failed.
I tried to install some Beta version for android, v1.XX, v2.XX and I did log in and send messages but that was all. I've managed to call somebody and heard the ring tone but when my friend answered Skype disconnected us...
The newest version on Market didn't allow me to sign in, it shows 'Signing in...' forever. I cleared the data, moved to 'phone' but nothing helped.
Is there any working version or maybe different Skype client around?
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks in advance.
~nbvc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skype cut off all access to the Skype Lite beta app, which was the only one working for the MotoACTV, on December of last year. Despite the latest official Skype app looking and appearing to work fine on the MotoACTV, I have not been able to get it to work at all on my own MotoACTV, nor have I found anyone else getting it working yet.
For now, MotoACTV is cut off from skype, as far as I can tell.
SirKronan said:
Skype cut off all access to the Skype Lite beta app, which was the only one working for the MotoACTV, on December of last year. Despite the latest official Skype app looking and appearing to work fine on the MotoACTV, I have not been able to get it to work at all on my own MotoACTV, nor have I found anyone else getting it working yet.
For now, MotoACTV is cut off from skype, as far as I can tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GRRRR M$ ... this just pisses me off and validates my boycott of M$ since they bailed on WindowsMobile 6.5.
WHY??? is this carrier collusion antitrust type stuff?? (under the guise of user experience?)
Was thinking of ditching my phone and just going with a motoactv with a clear wimax puck + skype. I sooo hate microsoft.
Any known ways around this? Fring, Tango, google voice??? Would be the ultimate if skype worked and there was a front facing camera on motoactv.
Sorry for the rant. Just feel so dirty; I was actually considering a win8 tablet... but cannot support this kind of behaviour.
SirKronan said:
Skype cut off all access to the Skype Lite beta app, which was the only one working for the MotoACTV, on December of last year. Despite the latest official Skype app looking and appearing to work fine on the MotoACTV, I have not been able to get it to work at all on my own MotoACTV, nor have I found anyone else getting it working yet.
For now, MotoACTV is cut off from skype, as far as I can tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if I recall correctly, and forgive if I'm wrong, this below may not be an accurate statement of facts, no time to research right now, but this is my personal subjective memory/opinion of skype:
Skype/M$ have always been little *****es helping out the carriers.
Remember when they wouldn't support winmo
Then they only gave support for txt chatting;
then they wouldn't support the built in earpiece (only speakerphone);
Then they wouldn't support bluetooth headsets;
then they wouldn't support android;
then, when they did support android, they only did txt chats
then they teamed up with Verizon to offer a version that used verizon minutes not data
then they made that version no longer work
then they released a skype lite app which worked fine on motoactv
and now they've updated their system to not allow motoactv.
Even on the blessed version of skype - you cannot use bluetooth???
Because it obviates an old business model and is a threat?
**** m$
And now they've teamed up with NSA/prism to do an end run around the Constitution.
No one wants them to develop special... just don't break **** intentionally.
Lead, follow, or get out the damn way.
Any ideas on other apps that a standard android phone can use for voip?
Any ideas on apps they it can use via voip to get to real telephone numbers?
UGGGhhh just such a ***** dealing with these dirty bastards who keep propping up the anticompetitiveness of the carriers and dashing hopes of disruptive technology.
willfck4beer said:
if I recall correctly, and forgive if I'm wrong, this below may not be an accurate statement of facts, no time to research right now, but this is my personal subjective memory/opinion of skype:
Skype/M$ have always been little *****es helping out the carriers.
Remember when they wouldn't support winmo
Then they only gave support for txt chatting;
then they wouldn't support the built in earpiece (only speakerphone);
Then they wouldn't support bluetooth headsets;
then they wouldn't support android;
then, when they did support android, they only did txt chats
then they teamed up with Verizon to offer a version that used verizon minutes not data
then they made that version no longer work
then they released a skype lite app which worked fine on motoactv
and now they've updated their system to not allow motoactv.
Even on the blessed version of skype - you cannot use bluetooth???
Because it obviates an old business model and is a threat?
**** m$
And now they've teamed up with NSA/prism to do an end run around the Constitution.
No one wants them to develop special... just don't break **** intentionally.
Lead, follow, or get out the damn way.
Any ideas on other apps that a standard android phone can use for voip?
Any ideas on apps they it can use via voip to get to real telephone numbers?
UGGGhhh just such a ***** dealing with these dirty bastards who keep propping up the anticompetitiveness of the carriers and dashing hopes of disruptive technology.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's part of the reason I own a Samsung phone on Verizon.
Verizon says, "Dear Samsung, you must stop customers from rooting/customizing their phones as they see fit, despite paying more for our service than most other carriers in the U.S."
Samsung says, "EFF YOU, Verizon. Dear users/devs, here is the source code..."
Motorola, on the other hand, always capitulates. Spineless little wimps.
Groove ip?
SirKronan said:
That's part of the reason I own a Samsung phone on Verizon.
Verizon says, "Dear Samsung, you must stop customers from rooting/customizing their phones as they see fit, despite paying more for our service than most other carriers in the U.S."
Samsung says, "EFF YOU, Verizon. Dear users/devs, here is the source code..."
Motorola, on the other hand, always capitulates. Spineless little wimps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I went to Sprint. EFF Verizon.
I agree completely on Samsung.
HTC capitulated with that whole locked bootloader lies and crap... I LOVED them... but then when Samsung sent the S2s to Steve and Teamwin to get CM7 working on it. I knew Samsung was F'ing awesome!
As soon as Samsung comes out with a smartwatch... with a camera... and I can get it for less than $160... I'm IN!!!
so im making the switch from ios to android. ive had ios since the iphone came out but made the switch to android a few years back with an htc vivid but the back plate got too hot to hold so i traded it in for a galaxy s2 and after about 6mons of ownership, i dropped it on carpet and it turned off and wouldnt turn back on. after that, i switched back to ios. so i had a bad first experience with android. i just ordered the opo and plan on rooting it day one. i always jailbroke my iphones and wanted widgets and weather on my lockscreen but the options ios users have are crap and drain the battery. im a big fan of street fighter 4 volt on ios and will be sad that i cant play online anymore, but im sure ill find another game on android that i love too.
im coming from an iphone 6 (not the 6 plus) and i felt like the screen was too big, but the more i thought about it, i think apple just didnt handle the larger screen sizes very well. they put all the buttons at the top of the screen. on android a lot of the buttons are at the bottom. this was annoying in apps like mail. i switched to mercury browser on ios and made it the default web browser, so ill likely do the same on android but i want to try out a few and see. the ones i know of are... mercury, dolphin, and k9 (i think thats what its called). mail apps i honestly have no clue what you guys use but i heard the stock mail app that is on cm is pretty good. i use 3 gmails, an icloud, and an outlook, so id need something that can manage all 5
im excited to learn about android and what all it has to offer and i hope eventually ill be able to help the next new guy like myself
randrewm97 said:
so im making the switch from ios to android. ive had ios since the iphone came out but made the switch to android a few years back with an htc vivid but the back plate got too hot to hold so i traded it in for a galaxy s2 and after about 6mons of ownership, i dropped it on carpet and it turned off and wouldnt turn back on. after that, i switched back to ios. so i had a bad first experience with android. i just ordered the opo and plan on rooting it day one. i always jailbroke my iphones and wanted widgets and weather on my lockscreen but the options ios users have are crap and drain the battery. im a big fan of street fighter 4 volt on ios and will be sad that i cant play online anymore, but im sure ill find another game on android that i love too.
im coming from an iphone 6 (not the 6 plus) and i felt like the screen was too big, but the more i thought about it, i think apple just didnt handle the larger screen sizes very well. they put all the buttons at the top of the screen. on android a lot of the buttons are at the bottom. this was annoying in apps like mail. i switched to mercury browser on ios and made it the default web browser, so ill likely do the same on android but i want to try out a few and see. the ones i know of are... mercury, dolphin, and k9 (i think thats what its called). mail apps i honestly have no clue what you guys use but i heard the stock mail app that is on cm is pretty good. i use 3 gmails, an icloud, and an outlook, so id need something that can manage all 5
im excited to learn about android and what all it has to offer and i hope eventually ill be able to help the next new guy like myself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome back to Android. The first thing you need to do when you get your phone is unlock your bootloader, do this before you really start using it because doing so wipes all user data. Even if you don't want to flash ROMs having an unlocked bootloader is essential because you need it unlocked to flash stock images, and flashing stock images is what will get you out of trouble if something ever goes wrong with your device. I've written a very detailed and easy to understand guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2839471
You might be tempted to use a toolkit to do things for you, but I'd advise you not to because they bypass some very crucial learning. And anyway, a toolkit really isn't needed for this device, it's very easy to work with. So check out my guide and feel free to ask any questions if any arise.
Transmitted via Bacon
android base
The android is based off Linux. So everything is open source. Anything broken can be repaired. Take time to read and study. Learn all you can, and use a second phone for development. Remember.. Always make a backup...Always have redundant copies
Cheers, and enjoy.