[Q] Upgrading from HD2 / WinMo6.5 - HTC Sensation

Longtime winmo user with t-mobile since mda vario so have gotten used to tweaking the registry direct and finding/installing ARM cabs off the internet, but as Android seems to be the way to go i feel now is a good time to take the plunge, so just a few noob questions about android to make me feel at ease
#1 Can you save direct from the browser files such as mp3s zips rars etc to be viewed later? having used a friends iPhone i noticed it streamed music and video files rather than a save as option.
#2 Do you have control of the directory structure eg a form of file explorer,so you can rearrange where things are located on your device or card.
#3 given I'm not very likely to mess around with roms and the like, and this phone has htc's sense front end, will I find the migration from the HD2s interface to the sensation easy? i love all the Facebook, YouTube and twitter integration so I'm hoping it will all be there in some form or another.
I realise a lot of this is subjective and rather depends on the individual, but I would appreciate feedback on these less techie issues, as im more likely to base my upgrade on functionality than specification.
cheers!

major_otaku said:
Longtime winmo user with t-mobile since mda vario so have gotten used to tweaking the registry direct and finding/installing ARM cabs off the internet, but as Android seems to be the way to go i feel now is a good time to take the plunge, so just a few noob questions about android to make me feel at ease
#1 Can you save direct from the browser files such as mp3s zips rars etc to be viewed later? having used a friends iPhone i noticed it streamed music and video files rather than a save as option.
#2 Do you have control of the directory structure eg a form of file explorer,so you can rearrange where things are located on your device or card.
#3 given I'm not very likely to mess around with roms and the like, and this phone has htc's sense front end, will I find the migration from the HD2s interface to the sensation easy? i love all the Facebook, YouTube and twitter integration so I'm hoping it will all be there in some form or another.
I realise a lot of this is subjective and rather depends on the individual, but I would appreciate feedback on these less techie issues, as im more likely to base my upgrade on functionality than specification.
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) yes
2) yes (Astro File manager works very well)
3) you shouldnt have a problem making the transition.

I'd like to add in a questions since I'm doing the exact same thing (MDA>Tilt>TP2>HD2).
Is there any way to backup my text messages to my PC & read them from there? I currently use Jeyo Mobile Extender to back up my HD2s texts to Outlook & can read them there.
Also, I use Outlook to sync my calendar & contacts, is it an easy transition from this to using Google? I've seen how you can use the HTC Sync program to sync with Outlook but that doesn't look as easy as using Active Sync/WMDC

When I used WinMo/Outlook last (2008), I imported my contacts directly into Google. A search will get you multiple ways I'm sure.
Handcent is widely considered the best replacement SMS client on Android, and it offers some cloud features for SMS.
Alternately, you could port your number to Google Voice or simply use Voice for all of your SMS needs so it's all managed withing the Android app and available on the web.
There are many SMS backup app utilities also.

Ok more questions.
-How easy/hard is it to change the various icons & stuff in Android. I currently use DINIK's custom just about everything on WM6.5 & would like to do something similar in Android.
-Can the camera timestamp pics on the image like in WM?
-If you add a birthday to a Contact & sync does it automatically add it to the Calendar (& put it all the way back to the year) like in WM?
I may have more. Also, sorry OP for hijacking your thread.

I've never seen a reason to change any of the icons in Android. The stock Android icons are just fine, and Sense might change that. Can't answer that one.
I'm not sure why you'd want to put a timestamp on the actual photo. All of that information is in the EXIF data embedded in the .jpg. My Nexus One has no apparent means of adding the timestamp, but there are many, many camera applications available and I'm sure it's a feature elsewhere. Also, the Sensation might not use the Android camera, and that feature could be present in an HTC camera.
I always did like the birthday thing in WM, and I've not fiddled with it enough to see if that's a feature that has been retained. The stock Android calendar widget is crap, as it's only one event per day, so perhaps Sense and/or a Calendar app, of which there are many, can facilitate this.
(As I said, I've used WM6 in the past, but it's been a while. My Herald with WM6.5 was okay, but the last time I used it as a primary phone was November 2008 on the MDA.)

I understand all the info in in the EXIF data, but I do like having the timestamp so I can see the date of the pic right away.
So the stock Calendar app kinda sucks huh? Hmm I'll have to look in to that when I get this phone. I rely on this app a lot for reminders of birthdays, bills, tasks, etc.
As for the icons, I'm just curious. WMs icons sucked (as everyone knows) so of course everyone wanted them changed. I'd just like to know that the option is there for Android in case I want to do it.

Fair enough.
The calendar app is decent, and you can set alarms and notifications with ease. One of the greatest things about the Google integration is that your changes done on the device or web are synchronized, which I'm certain you're aware of.
The Calendar widget is my complaint. You can have 10 events happening on a day and it'll only display one of them. Not two, or an indicator that there are more events to be seen. One.
There are other free and paid calendar widgets that make this much less an issue.
Google app icons are, like most things Google, simple and effective.

kampf said:
The Calendar widget is my complaint. You can have 10 events happening on a day and it'll only display one of them. Not two, or an indicator that there are more events to be seen. One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok, thanks for the clarification. Sadly WM is the same way but the mod Cookie's Home Tab was able to fix that & let's you decide how many to show. I guess I'll have to find a replacement.

I'm actually shocked people still use winmo on HD2. Android is a breath of fresh air.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

I tried it once, couldn't get the MMS settings to stick & just forgot about it. I like WM6.5 but I'm ready for an OS that still has support for new stuff.
Another question: my girlfriend has the MyTouch4G. I've noticed the screen doesn't turn on when receiving a text message. Is this standard on Android? Is there anyway to fix that?
Also, for the MMS settings on hers, there's no way to choose how to download the pic. With WM on my HD2 it gives you the option of original resolution & other, smaller ones. Is there a way to do that in Android as well?

The MT4G has some serious tweaks to it, but the SMS behavior is probably normal. I recommend Hancent again because not only does it wake and notify, but you can send a reply without unlocking the screen, though it does not unlock the device.
MMS saving is pretty much save-what-you-get, which sometimes is not that large. There are also MMS-saving apps.

xnifex said:
I tried it once, couldn't get the MMS settings to stick & just forgot about it. I like WM6.5 but I'm ready for an OS that still has support for new stuff.
Another question: my girlfriend has the MyTouch4G. I've noticed the screen doesn't turn on when receiving a text message. Is this standard on Android? Is there anyway to fix that?
Also, for the MMS settings on hers, there's no way to choose how to download the pic. With WM on my HD2 it gives you the option of original resolution & other, smaller ones. Is there a way to do that in Android as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If she is on stock? The stock screen turns on briefly then turns off. The mms setting is weird it took me awhile to find out how to do it. You don't click the picture you click and hold slightly above it and then there is an option to save.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

MaxReality said:
I'm actually shocked people still use winmo on HD2. Android is a breath of fresh air.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty much a stickler for stock roms. i know, call me old fashioned but I'm probably going to mess about with my HD2 once it isn't my only phone

major_otaku said:
I'm pretty much a stickler for stock roms. i know, call me old fashioned but I'm probably going to mess about with my HD2 once it isn't my only phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair play. what got my goat, was windows mobile has been out for a looong time. And it didn't really change much. then iphone came along, with a million quality apps, and nothing really changed with winmo. and then Android came along with a million free apps, and after a while in the UK we got the Marketplace in the UK with, erm about 8 apps, and then they charged you like £20!
After playing with these other phones, as soon as a reliable android rom became available, I gave winmo the 2 fingers. I've used them for 10 years, so have a right to be miffed. But yeah, roms not designed for the device were flakey. and like you I prob won't mess with my next phone.
Was just shocked that people stuck to winmo, with there being an alternative, - unlimited amount of android fun.
Anyone not used these android phones will be blown away with the amount of free useful and gimmicky apps.

kampf said:
MMS saving is pretty much save-what-you-get, which sometimes is not that large. There are also MMS-saving apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it sucks. I'll send her a pic from the HD2 & when she gets it it's been shrunk down a lot. When she sends me a picture it's still fairly big because of the setting on WM.
Killbynature said:
If she is on stock? The stock screen turns on briefly then turns off. The mms setting is weird it took me awhile to find out how to do it. You don't click the picture you click and hold slightly above it and then there is an option to save.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not the saving that I'm worried about, it's the fact that pics that I send her that should be a lot bigger are shrunk down in size. If someone sends me a pic, I want it to be as big as possible & not be messed with before it gets to me.
major_otaku said:
I'm pretty much a stickler for stock roms. i know, call me old fashioned but I'm probably going to mess about with my HD2 once it isn't my only phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I like stock ROMs. The 3.14 ROM is nice & I have it set up perfectly with CHT. I'm going to do the same thing tho with my HD2 once I get the Sensation.

There's no good reason to use MMS between you two. Get Dropbox accounts and share a folder. Upload photos there and they're full size and accessible anywhere.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

yeah but there's still a reason to MMS between me & my mother/sister/brother/buddy/friends that don't have Android phones.
Your reasoning is kinda like the reason Apple kept MMS out of the iPhone for so long: they thought it wasn't needed because you can just email it. Sorry but MMS will be around for a bit.

Oh man, good on you for reminding me of how Apple resisted MMS for so long. Heck, most people forget that the iPhone HAD NO APPS for a year after it was released.

@OP
Are you looking about upgrading to the Sensation, or is this about android on the HD2
If it isn't about the sensation, do you mind if I move this to HD2 Android.

Related

Various Problems with Fuze

Ok forgive me for actually posting a new thread. I am about to give up on the fuze and thought I would try to ask a few questions first.
Background: I was an early adopter of winmo phones (had a Wallaby, Alpine, Hermes, gave up on a kaiser and went finally to a Nokia n95 until my current trials with the iphone and the fuze) Frankly, before I was the mom of three kids I could manage to keep up with the technology, but now it all might be more than I can handle. You tell me if these are stupid questions I should know the answer to already.
I tried the iphone for 30 days, loved the out of the box ease of use but couldn't believe there was no voice dialing, cut and paste, video, etc. Now I am trying the fuze.
I managed to load up energy rom 3.0 the first day I got it, so that is what I am running. It is beautiful.
Problems:
-lower screen flicker (looked it up, changing to less than optimal brightness does not stop this from happening intermittently)
-youtube wont run (says there is not enough storage space to run - req 8mb - but I have more than 12 free)
-Even though I have it set not to delete my email off the server, it does. Then each time it connects it deletes ALL my mail off the phone. This appears to be a new problem, but a big one.
-browsing is clunky with IE and opera. Can I run safari on this thing because it worked great on the iphone - much more smooth and quick on the att network (sorry, true).
-finally found a storage card that the phone could actually see. Now I am wondering if there is an easy way to move all sorts of files over to the card. Are all files safe to move to the card? Can I move programs? Can I move my more than 300 contacts over there?
-google maps finds me in budapest more often than Austin TX (where I really am) what gives with that?
- I do miss that nice big screen on the iphone. So when is the fuze 2 really going to get here? Anyone think it is worth waiting for? This fuze is costing me a 2 year contract and I could wait...
Thank you in advance! I have spent hours in this forum trying to find answers to my questions. Now I am just asking and I hope I won't be flamed out of existence.
D
I don't think I can answer all your questions but I'll have a go
-lower screen flicker (looked it up, changing to less than optimal brightness does not stop this from happening intermittently)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read that pulling out the battery for a little while and letting the phone rest helped this. I haven't tried and it doesn't bother me enough to want to. I don't think there's a solution though...
-youtube wont run (says there is not enough storage space to run - req 8mb - but I have more than 12 free)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't installed the youtube app to test yet but do you really only have 12mb free? the phone has over 300mb of storage, at least on some ROMs.
-Even though I have it set not to delete my email off the server, it does. Then each time it connects it deletes ALL my mail off the phone. This appears to be a new problem, but a big one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which e-mail do you use? I haven't had any problems like this using gmail. It's possible you need to look in your e-mail settings online to see if they are set to keep e-mails on the server as well. If you're using POP mail that's a possibility. I use IMAP on gmail which functions very well, even marking e-mails you read on the phone as read online.
-browsing is clunky with IE and opera. Can I run safari on this thing because it worked great on the iphone - much more smooth and quick on the att network (sorry, true).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try www.skyfire.com or Iris http://www.torchmobile.com/download/download2.php
Skyfire works great for me, I haven't tried Iris yet but it uses Webkit which is what the iPhone's Safari browser uses
-finally found a storage card that the phone could actually see. Now I am wondering if there is an easy way to move all sorts of files over to the card. Are all files safe to move to the card? Can I move programs? Can I move my more than 300 contacts over there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can install programs to the storage card, but I don't recommend moving them manually. The registry still thinks the programs are on the phone storage. Other files such as music or pictures should be fine though. You can set your camera to take pictures to the card as well. I don't think you can store your contacts on the memory card, why would you need to? Contacts are nothing more than text, surely they aren't taking up much memory at all.
-google maps finds me in budapest more often than Austin TX (where I really am) what gives with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an interesting problem. It sounds like the GPS doesn't have a full lock, are you outside when doing this? Try running a program like QuickGPS to help the phone get a lock.
- I do miss that nice big screen on the iphone. So when is the fuze 2 really going to get here? Anyone think it is worth waiting for? This fuze is costing me a 2 year contract and I could wait...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Touch Pro 2 is supposed to be out later this year on AT&T. Apparently it's out right now but that's the HTC branded version and it's almost $1000. It's a 3.6" screen at 480x800 resolution, that sounds pretty good compared to the iPhone to me. Running WM means it'll still be a resistive touch screen which means it will never be as fluid to use as the iPhone's is. Still, with an interface like TF3D or SPB Mobile Shell 3 you can enjoy swiping your finger just as much.
Hope I was helpful on some points
I suggest trying different ROMs. Not that there is anything wrong with the one you are using but each one suits different users differently. I am a fairly new user to winmo (about 6 months) and one thing that surprized me the most is how much research and time it takes to get the device working to my satisfaction. I love the fuze, I like to tinker and tweak things.
Resolution
Man, if you are having problem with EMAIL
just go to GMAIL
i cant believe the time i waste at hotmail....
I have the PRO and dont found a way to keep the emails at server, then, just go to GMAIL, configure to that (keep in server), and CONFIGURE: to gmail get the emails from HOTMAIL. Well, im so happy when i saw that option!
Now im much more happy with my htc touch pro as email stuffs
dsajadea said:
-youtube wont run (says there is not enough storage space to run - req 8mb - but I have more than 12 free)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is a known bug if you change the wallpaper in tf3d... have you done this? i saw roms where this bug is fixed but i dont find a cab or reg key to change it back...???
dsajadea said:
-youtube wont run (says there is not enough storage space to run - req 8mb - but I have more than 12 free)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the attached cab to fix this (named after jmckeejr, the person who found the fix. I'm just the "cab man", lol)
dsajadea said:
-browsing is clunky with IE and opera. Can I run safari on this thing because it worked great on the iphone - much more smooth and quick on the att network (sorry, true).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Opera Build 16643, and my browsing experience is very smooth. Perhaps you haven't found the right version of Opera?
dsajadea said:
-google maps finds me in budapest more often than Austin TX (where I really am) what gives with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about this one. Perhaps try installing the attached cab I made for myself, and it may help? (this enables aGPS, if it isn't already, so if you don't have a data plan, you'll need to go into Settings & disable it)
dsajadea said:
Thank you in advance! I have spent hours in this forum trying to find answers to my questions. Now I am just asking and I hope I won't be flamed out of existence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't flame people who provide details about their problems/concerns, who search first, and who aren't militant about getting a response.
I hope something I provided helps.
In regards to the GPS problem with your location, tap the clock on the homescreen and make sure it has your timezone selected as your "Home City". Google Maps uses this as a default location just to speed up GPS fix time.
If the setting is correct, go to Start -> Settings -> Clocks and Alarms and make sure your city is selected there too, since this is a somewhat known bug in the newer version of TouchFlo3d v2 (sometimes called TF3D2, extracted from the HTC Topaz and Rhodium).
For your browsing experience, check out the new version of Opera Mobile 9.7 -- turn on Turbo Mode and it's SO FAST! I'm loving it, even my friends with iPhones are jealous
I hope this helps you somehow

Asurion Mobile AddressBook for Android

Hello XDA,
I am one of the developers of the Asurion Mobile AddressBook and I would like to get some feedback on our product from the users here. I have been using this forum for some thine now for Winmo and respect the opinions of the developers here. It would be great to see what everyone thinks of the application. It is available in the Android Marketplace, just search Asurion. Or you can go to our site at http://www.getaddressbook.com/.
A little about AddressBook, it is a socially connected address book that allows you to get information about your contacts from different social sites like Facebook and Twitter right in the address book, through mini programs called Mixins.
Soon we will have an APK for developers to develop their own Mixins for AddressBook. When its ready I will post more information if anyone would like to beta for us.
AddressBook is still in a beta form and is available for 1.6 and 2.0 and above. Please try it out and let me know what you think. AddressBook is new and we are open to positive and negative feedback.
Thanks,
Peter
Just installed
Main app + all MixIn
It's a nice app, just a bit slow on my HTC Sapphire Magic Vodafone 32B with 2.1 Eclair Rom
I don't like "MixIn solution", why not a full app with all modules inside ?
I've launched main app, then I gone to market and installed Facebook MixIn for first.
After a lot of privacy authorization with some screen not well fitted I did a little war with Matching People, cause a lot of them were not matched nice.
I need Photos compare, cause I've some cases with two or more people with the exact name... like my cousins =)
I had some Facebook MixIn Force close Crashes and some com.google.process.gapps crashes too, right now...
I installed flickr and associate it with some of my contacts and no problems at all.
at last I tried Twitter and no probs with it...
I think it's a good app, but a bit slow...
last thing:
Support for all languages (I could translate it in Italian if you need)
I don't like number in this format 000-000-0000
or 00-000-0000
I know it's a developing app and I will wait for next releases of this.
Well Done
Good Job
This is some great feedback, thanks for taking the time to try it out and post back.
Just wondering
Is this ultimately going to be a paid application?
You know like:
5.99/mo
4.79/mo
1.99/mo
What's our deductible? :0
Haven't tried the app, but if you could spread the QR codes apart it will ease their reading.
Thanks for your app!
played with it 30mins.
1. got the main app
2. started a new a/c in www.getaddressbook.com
3. got the MixIn: Facebook
4. start the MixIn app, input Facebook a/c
5. click Allow buttons 3 times
6. MixIn starts to get contacts from FB
7. Auto Match
8. Manual adjust Auto Match results
9. Launch main app
The above steps took about 25mins (330 FB contacts; 300 gmail contacts; Auto Matched 180; manual picked out... haven't counted >_< i believe picked out 30 - 50).
Cool:
-Auto Match tried to best match FB | Local contacts even they are not perfect match.
e.g. Shirley Lam | Salei Lam (it matches)
-Facebook photos can replace local as well as sync. to Gmail Contacts
-Consolidated activities log (SMS, voice call, etc) for individual contact
Not:
-[MixIn: FB] Say you have some contacts named Peter Chan, you will get confused without some other hints like Organization.
I picked those contacts out in Auto Match to prevent mis-matching as Org is not displayed in Auto Match results
-[main app] Contact list won't remember the last viewed location.
I scrolled from top to Carol, click twice to view details, click Return and the contact list scrolls back to top.
-[main app] Slow. Maybe it's my outdated HTC Magic... (it's CyanogenMod 4.2.13 w/ EBI1 mod]
For me:
Keep and waiting for updates!
looks cool..will try this later when i get home for work..
speed is defiantely something that can be worked on.
thebluecoat said:
Is this ultimately going to be a paid application?
You know like:
5.99/mo
4.79/mo
1.99/mo
What's our deductible? :0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the application will be free. And no deductible that I know of
It looks interesting but what you should definitely not miss is the T9 dialer. The way you can find contact by typing their name directly from the dialer is the only feature that makes me stay on 1.5. I tried other apps from the Market but nothing could match HTC's Sense UI dialer. If you can bring something clean similar to this I'm sold!
Another question for the community. Are there any features you are not seeing in the AddressBook that you would like to see, things that would make this app a must have?
Great work on the app. After using the app for a few days the main reason I stopped us using it was the user interface. Its not horrible but compared to everything else on the phone, it looks a bit outdated (quality wise). Other then the ui, it can be sluggish at times but nice work.
DesertWolf1971 said:
Another question for the community. Are there any features you are not seeing in the AddressBook that you would like to see, things that would make this app a must have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darvo is absolutely correct. The T9 dialer is something that is sorely missing from most builds. I think it would especially appeal to stock users as well as those running cooked roms. I have been searching for a reliable answer to this outside of a Sense UI but haven't found anything that I'll stand by 100%.
Thank you .........
I appreciate your effort with AddressBook; however:
I find it extremely inappropriate and invasive that the app immediately syncs my contacts upon install to -- where? your servers?
There should be a clear warning that this is about to happen!
Please delete my data from your servers!
Also, the 'delete all' function on your site does not work, at least not with Safari. I 'moved' all to the 'delete' column on right, but clicking on 'delete selected' does nothing.
And with Chrome I couldn't even log in. Got some error about 'src' and try the support page.
I am sorry that app is frustrating you. There is a screen during setup that lets you know about the backup. This function can be turned off in the app. If you give me your user name I will delete your account from the database. The back up is meant to protect your contacts in the case that you loose your phone or get a new one. As for browser support, right now we are only supporting IE and Firefox. Again sorry the app is frustrating for you.
Great app!
I really like and appreciate this app. The 2 biggest features that drew me to waste countless hours playing w/ hero roms on my mytouch were hero's T9 dialer, and the social integration. I'll 3rd the motion for a T9 dialer in your app. No complaints otherwise. Bravo - and thanks for the great app.
P.S. Backup to server is a bit redundant in my opinion, because your contacts already sync w/ your Google acct - but, to each is own. I might be missing an advantage to it anyway. I just opted not to use it.
And props for soliciting feedback here in the forum - where the REAL users are.
DesertWolf1971 said:
There is a screen during setup that lets you know about the backup. This function can be turned off in the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Because I can see in the options where to change the time and frequency of the sync, but I don't see how to disable syncing altogether. Maybe I'm just missing something?
Good catch, looks like there is a bug, you should be able to set it to not backup. We will work to get that fix in.
I have been playing around with the Hero, but I am not sure I have found the T9 dialer, what does it do?
Feedback
I've been following this app since it first arrived, and I must say bravo for doing what only HTC dared to attempt. It works well, too, except for a few things.
1. It may SEEM that scrolling smoothness isn't that important. Ask Apple, they'll tell you the truth: Its the only thing the masses give a Sh&% about, how something looks. So imitate the apple or hero contact style, because the one here is rough but needs only an easy fix! Smooth scrolling and better "sleek" colors. Same for the dialer.
2. It seems to run too often in the background, which slows my phone seemingly, no matter how often i taskiller it.
Eagerly awaiting the next release...

Android and why I want WiMo back

For almost 2 years I used a Touch Diamond. While WiMo is far from perfect in todays world with a bit of tweaking and some extra software I had a device that did what I wanted it to do. Sure, WiMo isnt what you´d call fast but as said, it did what it had to do.
For the past few days I´ve been using android with my new htc legend. I heard a lot of good things about android and that is why I decided to switch. But even after a few days I´m already having a feeling of regret. While android is very fast and finger friendly the OS/apps itself just don't cut it compared to WiMo. About 75% of the things I did on a daily basis with my phone just don't work (properly) on android.
Syncing mail with hotmail is a *****. It for example does not sync read messages so everytime I login with my pc I still have to click all new messages while I already read them on my phone. This worked perfectly with WiMo.
No automatic 3g disconnect. Now this isnt default on WiMo either but there are apps that just disconnect a idle data connection. Now android has a whole bunch of apps like juicedefender but they just dont work properly and are overcomplicated. Just disconnect if I don't use it. Thats all I want. Let apps and whatever connect when they want to and kill the connection when they are done. Simple you'd think but impossible on android it seems.
Youtube is a epic fail. In the exact same place, with the exact same simcard I just can't load a movie. They all stop after 3 seconds and don't load further. Also there is no option for always having HQ. The WiMo app had this and I could always load HQ movies without trouble.
But it gets even worse when it comes to much more practical things. The browser won't save exchange webmail login info. So now I'm expected to loging like 5 times a day to my uni mail by typing my info every time? Not nice.
And what about displaying agenda items? can't do that on the lockscreen. There are apps to do this but not on the htc sense one as far as I've seen. So I have to manually check my agenda which is just a ***** because I'm just to seeing things come up on the homescreen.
Also I can't login to the uni website. You should get a login popup but the android browser doesnt seem to be capable of this. Ofcourse this was no problem at all with a 2 year old browser... So now I can't check schedules and all.
Also there is no way to stream my favorite internet radio station.
Basically I pay 10 euro's a month for internet on my phone but all apps I regulairy use with internet don't work or only work a bit on android.
Don't get me wrong, I love the speed and all but what good is speed to me if I can't use most of the functions that are important to me? What is even more disturbing is that non of the things I want to do are very special. This should all just work but it seems to be far above what android is capable of.
Basically to me android is a disfunctional OS. If the above things would work, I'd love it but now all I got is speed, but no way of doing the things I want.
Nice try, but not quite it.
sjaak1234 said:
Syncing mail with hotmail is a *****. It for example does not sync read messages so everytime I login with my pc I still have to click all new messages while I already read them on my phone. This worked perfectly with WiMo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's hardly Android error - it just seems to be a bug in the mail client app. Maybe yry another one?
No automatic 3g disconnect. Now this isnt default on WiMo either but there are apps that just disconnect a idle data connection. Now android has a whole bunch of apps like juicedefender but they just dont work properly and are overcomplicated. Just disconnect if I don't use it. Thats all I want. Let apps and whatever connect when they want to and kill the connection when they are done. Simple you'd think but impossible on android it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not as simple as it sounds - android has to have an active data connection to enable IM messages as well as gmail imap notifications. Unlike POP3 e-mail accounts where you have to querry the server for new e-mails once in a while, gmail actually sends information to your phone when you get an email. And this wouldn't be possible if the connection was turned off.
And if you don't want to use gmail or gtalk, just disable background data in android's data sync settings and the 3g module won't eat your battery when unneeded. Don't worry, android is much smarter with power management than winMo and the fact that you didn't disable something by hand doesn't mean that it's eating your battery.
It's like GPS - even if it;s turned on in options/on power control wigdet the module isn't physically powered up until an app requests to use it. And when it's done the module powers down again. But still you see people disabling gps support in options after exiting maps believing that it will save some battery, or even requesting an app that would disable the switch on power control wigdet.
So just remember - it's a different OS, it has different rules and the fact that you did something by hand in winMo doesn't mean you have to do it here.
Youtube is a epic fail. In the exact same place, with the exact same simcard I just can't load a movie. They all stop after 3 seconds and don't load further. Also there is no option for always having HQ. The WiMo app had this and I could always load HQ movies without trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, this seems to be a problem with your rom/app version. I (and many other people) don't have any trouble with YT on android.
As for the HQ, it's turned on automatically when you're on wifi, on a gsm connection it defaults to standard quality. Personally i like this behavior but i agree that there should be an option to change that for people with huge/unlimited data plans.
But it gets even worse when it comes to much more practical things. The browser won't save exchange webmail login info. So now I'm expected to loging like 5 times a day to my uni mail by typing my info every time? Not nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, but also not android bug, just the browser. You might want to try some alternatives (like dolphin, skyfire, opera mini)
And what about displaying agenda items? can't do that on the lockscreen. There are apps to do this but not on the htc sense one as far as I've seen. So I have to manually check my agenda which is just a ***** because I'm just to seeing things come up on the homescreen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, and since when does WinMo display the agenda without any additional software? But i agree, htc really should make some "upcomming events" widget, and default android could use one as well. For now i use "CalWidget" and i know of "pure calendar widget" (paid). I don't know it they're compatible with sense but it may be worth a try
Also I can't login to the uni website. You should get a login popup but the android browser doesnt seem to be capable of this. Ofcourse this was no problem at all with a 2 year old browser... So now I can't check schedules and all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, hard to blame android for that. Some alternative browser might help (maybe opera mini?).
Also there is no way to stream my favorite internet radio station.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to do that or maybe you just don't know a way to do it? Try DroidLive (it might even have this station in its database) or StreamFurious. Both have usable free versions.
Don't get me wrong, I love the speed and all but what good is speed to me if I can't use most of the functions that are important to me? What is even more disturbing is that non of the things I want to do are very special. This should all just work but it seems to be far above what android is capable of.
Basically to me android is a disfunctional OS. If the above things would work, I'd love it but now all I got is speed, but no way of doing the things I want.
Nice try, but not quite it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, seems to me that you don't really have a problem with android but you just got screwed by HTC and their customized version of android
If i were you, i'd just look for an unofficial rom. It might actually fix all your problems.
Also, part of your woes seems to be the fact that you knew winMo, knew the tweaks and apps you needed to make the device do what you want. Going over to android is a fresh start where you have to find out everything again. I know, i had similar feelings on a stock rom on my G1 after being a hardcore winMo user But after some research and grabbing a new rom and few extra apps android is way more functional than winMo for me and i don't feel like ever going back.
Just give it a chance and do some research.
Android platform has to mature a lot.
WM without xda is a hell.
You really need to find a new ROM. I've never had one single issue you're talking about.
Edit: And I'm using a myTouch running 1.6.
mr_deimos said:
That's hardly Android error - it just seems to be a bug in the mail client app. Maybe yry another one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be, though I doubt that. But I might try a different one.
It's not as simple as it sounds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know all that. But for me it does not seem to work perfectly. If I disable data connection always on (I never actually completely disable it), it still leaves it open. I checked overnight compared with just totally disabling it and it made a clear difference in the battery charge left. Its not like GPS where the icon actally dissapears when you don't use it but this doesnt happen with 3g so far as I can see it, it still uses more power than when disabling it.
I understand all the google stuff needs it, but I don't use any of it so for me its rather useless.
Again, this seems to be a problem with your rom/app version. I (and many other people) don't have any trouble with YT on android.
As for the HQ, it's turned on automatically when you're on wifi, on a gsm connection it defaults to standard quality. Personally i like this behavior but i agree that there should be an option to change that for people with huge/unlimited data plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did some more reachers on this and the problems seems to exist on a lot of different models/rom versions. I got the latest 2.1 rom for legend so I should have the latest (v1.5 I believe).
Weird, but also not android bug, just the browser. You might want to try some alternatives (like dolphin, skyfire, opera mini)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reacherd a bit more and it seems to be a IIS and android problem. Wm and Iphone have the same problem but they just ignore the IIS message and continue. I tried Opera and it has the same problem. Btw, I think Opera on android is a long way off from Opera on WM. Still missing lots of functions I think.
IIS problem for the website login btw. Not sure why the exchange site doesnt save credentials but that seems to be misconfiguration. For example it wont even work on most desktop browsers either.
Okay, and since when does WinMo display the agenda without any additional software? But i agree, htc really should make some "upcomming events" widget, and default android could use one as well. For now i use "CalWidget" and i know of "pure calendar widget" (paid). I don't know it they're compatible with sense but it may be worth a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes ofcourse with extra software I will try the apps you posted. Thanks.
There is no way to do that or maybe you just don't know a way to do it? Try DroidLive (it might even have this station in its database) or StreamFurious. Both have usable free versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the problem. They work with their own databases. I just want to load a .pls or m3u file in a player and have it connect.
Well, seems to me that you don't really have a problem with android but you just got screwed by HTC and their customized version of android
If i were you, i'd just look for an unofficial rom. It might actually fix all your problems.
Also, part of your woes seems to be the fact that you knew winMo, knew the tweaks and apps you needed to make the device do what you want. Going over to android is a fresh start where you have to find out everything again. I know, i had similar feelings on a stock rom on my G1 after being a hardcore winMo user But after some research and grabbing a new rom and few extra apps android is way more functional than winMo for me and i don't feel like ever going back.
Just give it a chance and do some research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you are right. I know everything about WM and for me android still has a lot of things beneath its skin I don't know. If the apps I want exist I could fix some of my problems.
But some problems are just android related. The whole website thing is a combination of android and IIS configuration that don't play nice. Nothing HTC can do about this, nor can any custom rom. Its something google needs to fix. Ofcourse, if my uni would change their IIS settings it could also fix the problem but I don't think I can get them to change settings just for me.
For me that really needs to work because its a daily function for me.
Also I wonder if some things can be done. For example in WM you can just select to only use your provider. I still havn't found a way to completely disable roaming on android. Fortunatly its easy to prevent data roaming.

Winmo User with some thoughts on Android

Hey there,
I'm a Winmo user/fan and have been for a few generations of phones now. My first Winmo device was the HTC/UTStarcom Apache for Verizon (aka the XV-6700). My next upgrade was to the XV6800, which I loved. It served me very well, even when friends around me went on and on about their iPhones, I couldn't help but say how much I loved my phone.
Now, I have the Verizon Touch Pro2 (Rhodium). It really was a natural upgrade for someone who loved full qwerty keyboards, and this phone really didn't disappoint. I pretty much stuck with stock ROMs for a while, from the original Winmo 6.1, to the MR1 update to 6.5, and finally when MR2 landed, I loaded up Mr X's custom ROM, which was the MR2 with some annoyances fixed (he did a great job with it, I picked it up at ppcgeeks.com). With Sense 2.5, I finally got to mod my home screen with Cookie's Home Tab, and it simply rocks. CHT is a very awesome mod.
So, suffice to say, it wasn't all that long ago, I got my phone to the point where I really really liked it. I'm extremely happy with my current phone; I have over a year left on my contract. Which gives me plenty of time to think about what's next. Where do I go from here?
So, what is next??
Hardware is just going to keep getting better and better. I'm not really worried about that so much as I am what OS I use.
I love Winmo simply because it is so customizable. It isn't all that hard to get it to do what you want it to do. Most times, all you have to do is look around, and someone already solved the problem you're working on.
Windows Phone 7 doesn't really appeal to me. I can certainly see why it would appeal to other people, but it doesn't look like its going to really be my type of phone OS. Honestly, if I wanted the type of OS Microsoft iss building, I would much rather go with an iPhone. And, for that matter, if a CDMA version of iPhone hits the big VZW I might really think about it.
And then there is the new kid on the block (sort of). Android.
Android intrigues me. So much so, that I tried installing the Project Android Port on my TP2. Gotta love Haret. I started with the basic ROM that looks a lot like the UI for the Motorola Droid. It wasn't too bad, but the ROM ran rather poorly on my device. Then, later on, I installed the Klinux version, that has the Sense UI on top of Android. I think I really like that interface. It rocks. The port is still a little slow, but its also running off of a SD card, and its not really a 100% working port yet.
Now, I think I like the Sense UI implementation in Winmo more than I do the implementation in Android. However, HTC has done a fine job with it on Android, and it's got a lot of potential.
So, I'm really starting to think now, "Could my next phone be an Android device?" And to be honest, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. It's an open platform, it's very customizable (why I liked Winmo so much), and it seems to be picking up steam in the Apps category (sometimes I'm jealous that I can get an app for something on my Android port and not on Winmo).
But, what would be nice to have, in my mind, is a little more help from the big G itself. Google already has a feature with its Gmail application that allows you to basically tell Gmail to log into your other email address (that you are presumably trying to switch from) and it will pretty much import all of your old messages and contacts, etc.
I think it would be really spectacular if they could do the same thing for Winmo users. Basically, have a new site --> phone.google.com (or something similar), and have it be your cloud based backup location for everything that doesn't get synced now from Google. Sync up all of your SMS Text Messages, your documents stored on your phone, music, videos, and photos. Also, it can be a portal linking you to other Google apps like your calendar and contacts. And then, give this new site the ability to log into myphone.microsoft.com and pull all of the old stored data from there.
It would be perfect for someone like me who has all of his content there. Bam, all of your saved SMS messages... pulled over from MS to Google, and you don't miss a beat with them. Seriously, SMS is becoming as important as email for a lot of people. I hate having to lose texts, so when MS offered MyPhone and the ability to back them up, I was all over that.
Heck, Google could even improve upon what MS started. Have customizable settings, where if any SMS is older than a certain date, it gets archived in the cloud (so its still stored and searchable), but your device doesn't have to get bogged down with actual files, and older messages that have been archived get automatically removed from your device. If your device gets wiped, and you reinstall everything, when it syncs up, you pull back all of the messages that are newer that "X" date, while everything else older than "X" stays in the cloud in your archives. They could make the data exportable... its just data in a database, you could export to a spreadsheet like Excel, or Google Docs equivalent. Give people options, they'll love you for it.
I'm sure that there is only a small fraction of their userbase that is coming from Winmo over to Android, so I really don't expect them to do this... but wouldn't it be nice. They'd surely win me over with it. I know, somewhere out there, there is an SMS backup application for Android, but it sends your SMS messages to an email account to be backed up there. I think a dedicated system in place for backing up, restoring, and archiving SMS would be better. To me, its one of the missing pieces to Android's way of doing things.
If any of you out there have any thoughts on this, why not comment. I'd love to hear other ideas that people have regarding this.
(Also, I couldn't really figure out a good place to post this, so "General" seemed as good a place as any. If any mods see fit to move this to somewhere better, go for it.)
I agree with this completely. I'm a big Winmo advocate, and I love the customiseablity that it gives. I've pretty much got my device to the point of perfection, and I'm practically in love at this point. Anyway so I decided to give android a go on my device, and at first I was pissed that they tried to force me to register a google account, which I was unwilling to do. I somehow got it to work and I quite liked it in all honesty. I bought my topaz outright, so I don't plan on getting a new phone anytime soon, but Android intrigues me and if there isn't any new WinMo or something in the future, that will be what I will switch to.
Switching for me wouldn't be a problem, I don't really have anything that I can't backup to an sd card so thats not a problem for me.
Android is 3 thime more customizeable than winmo, I switch from winmo to android and LOVED WINMO but now I can't stand it GET ANDROID
Sent from my myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
The wonders of the cloud... seriously. MS had a good thing going with the KIN and KIN Studio, where it would upload every single thing to a server in the cloud- pictures, videos, favorites, status updates, etc. And everything you put on the cloud from your PC would beam back down to your phone (contacts!).
Google could probably easily push this very easily- their cloud services are extremely powerful already, so I don't see why they couldn't and shouldn't.
I have a loyalty towards WinMo from having used the Touch Dual, Touch Diamond, and Touch Pro2.
But it's getting very difficult to defend WinMo. It basically comes down to WinMo gives users the option to tweak everything about the OS. You can make the OS look like whatever you want it to. You can tweak it for performance. But let's stop and think about this for a moment.
1. Why do we tweak the aesthetics of the OS?
We do it because the the OS looks ugly and outdated. The main look of the OS hasn't changed in over 10 years! We do it because it's not fingerfriendly since the OS was designed to be used with a stylus.
2. Why do we tweak the OS for performance?
We do it because despite the OS being known for multi-tasking, it just doesn't now how to handle RAM very effectively.
So far with Android, I've been able to do everything I could on WinMo. Plus, the OS looks modern and performance is excellent. Aesthetically and in terms of performance, Android is significantly much much better. So what's the reason for staying with WinMo? I can't think of a legitimate reason anymore...
Thanks for the input folks! ohyeahar, you make some very good points, and its some of the things that I have been mulling over myself.
I think my biggest point, is that Google has a chance to really improve its cloud based services with their phones, and I hope they do.

What's the quickest/easiest way to call a friend?

The iphone was very easy no matter where you were in the phone: double click on the home button and you were presented with your list of favorite phone numbers. Very quick and easy. With android, the best I can come up with is Home -> Phone -> Favorites -> Swipe to the right of a favorite contact.
I must be missing something here.
lebe0024 said:
The iphone was very easy no matter where you were in the phone: double click on the home button and you were presented with your list of favorite phone numbers. Very quick and easy. With android, the best I can come up with is Home -> Phone -> Favorites -> Swipe to the right of a favorite contact.
I must be missing something here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my most dialed contacts saved as shortcuts on one of my home screen panels. There are probably faster ways using apps or downloadable widgets, but for now this is working pretty quickly.
if you go on the phone keypad and press the setting butto you can configure speed dial numbers
Beats me, this is something I was wondering myself. I have done it both ways. Added my most called people to my "Favorites" list. Also, I put a shortcut to a few of my closest friends on one of my home screens.
But you're right, the iPhone made it much easier. This is something I realized last yr when trying out a Moto Droid. I see Android hasnt made it any easier yet.
There's so freaking many ways to do this on Android it's ridiculous.
One option is using Launcher Pro and making items of the dock shortcuts to your contacts.
Another option is creating icon shortcuts on your homescreens.
Or a shortcut to your contacts.
Tons of ways to do it.
TexUs said:
There's so freaking many ways to do this on Android it's ridiculous.
One option is using Launcher Pro and making items of the dock shortcuts to your contacts.
Another option is creating icon shortcuts on your homescreens.
Or a shortcut to your contacts.
Tons of ways to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just basically restated what we had already stated. Its a few extra buttons to push to make a call in android vs the iphone favorites list.
derek4484 said:
You just basically restated what we had already stated. Its a few extra buttons to push to make a call in android vs the iphone favorites list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you've got to do two taps to get the iPhone favorites versus having them on your homescreen... Seems like Android results in less taps to me.
It was two taps until ios4 came out
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I usually like to just "star" the contact... Or just add an icon to the home screen
Sent from my Samsung Captivate(tm) on AT&T
madjsp said:
It was two taps until ios4 came out
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I think it's three, actually... So thanks for reminding me.
I remember setting my iPod to two taps and iOS4 reset that... Without warning. Apple is just one of those companies that doesn't give a damn about compatibility or anything.
Contacts is the first thing I noticed when I got the phone. No simple import from Outlook. I bought the Captivate yesterday, coming from an iPhone 3G and may exchange the Captivate for an iPhone 4. I'll give it another few days to get used to the phone before I decide.
I wanted to back up my phone before I started playing with it too much but can't get Kies to work. It's a common problem.
The iPhone UI is way more mature and elegent than the Samsung. You may be able to take some time and customize the Samsung the way you want it but the iPhone is pretty much the way I want it already. The iPhone apps are more consistant with the UI and don't generally look as amateur as the Android apps.
BTW, my 3G was jailbroken so I could pretty much do what I wanted with the iPhone (wireless tethering, non Apple approved apps)
oldfossil said:
Contacts is the first thing I noticed when I got the phone. No simple import from Outlook. I bought the Captivate yesterday, coming from an iPhone 3G and may exchange the Captivate for an iPhone 4. I'll give it another few days to get used to the phone before I decide.
I wanted to back up my phone before I started playing with it too much but can't get Kies to work. It's a common problem.
The iPhone UI is way more mature and elegent than the Samsung. You may be able to take some time and customize the Samsung the way you want it but the iPhone is pretty much the way I want it already. The iPhone apps are more consistant with the UI and don't generally look as amateur as the Android apps.
BTW, my 3G was jailbroken so I could pretty much do what I wanted with the iPhone (wireless tethering, non Apple approved apps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you confuse two different things. It's hard to believe that Apple developed iPhone GUI "the way you wanted it". It's just a matter of familiarity. It's always easier to use the tools/GUI you already know than the ones you do not know. It probably took you 3 years to get there and now you are familiar and comfortable with iPhone. It's true for everyone. Give it a week or two and you'll learn how to use Captivate too. And BTW, I am knew to Android myself and I am going through the learning curve too. My first impression was - how the damn phone could be so complicated! But after a day of use I am thinking: and that's all? There is not really that much to these smart phones after all. I think that all these interfaces are about the same. It's impossible to compare familiar interface with an unfamiliar one. In the latter there is too many annoying things (that is until we learn why the things were designed the way they were and use them right).
As far as this specific issue is concerned, as I understand the standard interface on Captivate is just as good as on iPhone. To get to the list of "friends":
* Home
* Phone
* Favorites
This gives you the list of favorites and the list of most frequently called persons. BTW, I just learned this myself
oldfossil
I traded in an iPhone 4 yesterday for the captivate and have to say yesterday was a bit frustrating. Using an iPhone for the last year and a half from Windows mobile had caused me to be stupid. Its not that its harder but a different mindset. On the iphone there was one way to do something while on android many ways to skin the same cat. I personally enjoy my new freedom. Give it 30 days and if you truly don't like it trade it in and get the iPhone 4.
When I got my iPhone, I picked it up and started using it. There was no real learning curve really. Imported my contacts from Outlook (there were there from my WM6 tilt phone), put in my email accounts, synced my bluetooth, and started using the phone.
I find the Captivate to be kludgy, but yeah, if I spend some time with it I may be able to get to work the way I want. And if I get rid of the phone and FroYo is all that it's supposed to be I may wish I hadn't gotten rid of it. In the mean time I can't even get Kies to connect to my PC on the damn thing.
oldfossil said:
Contacts is the first thing I noticed when I got the phone. No simple import from Outlook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Screw Outlook... Start using GMail and then use Google Sync to just have all your stuff synced over the air, and then you also gain the ability to use Google Voice as well, which gains you visual voicemail and transcription messages.
I used to love Outlook (still do) but when Google's stuff works so well together it just doesn't make sense.
Now, maybe you're in a business environment and don't have that flexibility, but IIRC there are easy sync Outlook tools out there.
oldfossil said:
The iPhone UI is way more mature and elegent than the Samsung. You may be able to take some time and customize the Samsung the way you want it but the iPhone is pretty much the way I want it already. The iPhone apps are more consistant with the UI and don't generally look as amateur as the Android apps.
BTW, my 3G was jailbroken so I could pretty much do what I wanted with the iPhone (wireless tethering, non Apple approved apps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I question why you left the iPhone then?
I'd also venture to guess you're just "used" to the iPhone. I think after you learn Android and how much more flexibility you have you'll gain more usability out of it.
rsohne said:
On the iphone there was one way to do something while on android many ways to skin the same cat. I personally enjoy my new freedom. Give it 30 days and if you truly don't like it trade it in and get the iPhone 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. There's at least half a dozen ways to quickly access contacts... That might seem "complicated" (maybe it is), but... You get to CHOSE what you like. It's not just what Steve Jobs tells you what you want to use.
The menu system is also very easy to use as well... Alot like the iPhone, but I think it's even easier IMO.
oldfossil said:
In the mean time I can't even get Kies to connect to my PC on the damn thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn on USB debugging mode and use that... Simple Drag+Drop.
Shortest Alternative
lebe0024 said:
The iphone was very easy no matter where you were in the phone: double click on the home button and you were presented with your list of favorite phone numbers. Very quick and easy. With android, the best I can come up with is Home -> Phone -> Favorites -> Swipe to the right of a favorite contact.
I must be missing something here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't seen a response that spells this out, so:
Tap and hold an open space on your home screen, and wait for the menu to pop up.
From the "Add to Home Screen" menu, choose Shortcuts
Choose Direct Dial from the next menu
Now select a contact, and then the specific number you want to use
It will create an icon on the home screen, using the contact's avatar image if they have one, that will immediately dial the selected number when tapped.
You can place such direct-dial shortcuts on any of your home screens.
I used an iPhone for almost three years. Don't give up on Android too quickly, as it has really grown on me in the last 6 weeks.

Categories

Resources