Related
http://www.itpro.co.uk/606879/htc-touch-pro
Or with XDA's help can some of these problems be fixed?
Or are these problems not that big a deal?
Could you quote (copy - paste) the problems here?
There’s an accelerometer in it too so it can do the flip to landscape mode when you turn it round. Unfortunately, this isn’t as responsive as I would have liked, due to the delay in re-rendering the page.
Unfortunately there’s no 3.5mm headphone socket, so you’ll either need to use the typically poor supplied headphones with their mini USB connector, or invest in a Windows mobile remote into which you can plug your own headphones.
However, while it should be possible to scroll up and down between messages like this I found that I instead found that I usually just opened the email as soon as I touched the screen. Once you do, you’re left with the regular clunky Windows Mobile interface, which means getting out the stylus.
A true indicator of the limits of Touch Flo 3D is that it doesn’t present a consistent interface across the whole device. When in regular portrait mode, pressing on the on-screen soft menu buttons in any given application will bring up a list of enlarged, and therefore easy to use with the fingers, menu options, but when you open the keyboard and turn it sideways you get standard Windows Mobile menus.
The inconsistencies carry over to web browsing. While in portrait mode the default page gives you a search box. By contrast, when you open the keyboard and select the Web Search button, it fires up Google.com instead. Furthermore, in portrait mode, double tapping the address bar brings up the search box, into which you can type using the on-screen keyboard. However if you flip open the keyboard and try and do the same the box keeps on disappearing, which is slightly maddening.
Furthermore, while Opera Mobile does a great job of reflowing text to fit the screen, and is generally very good, it does seem to strain the processing power of the device and the browser has a hard job differentiating between taps to cause the page to zoom, and taps to click through on links. Try converting currencies at www.xe.com using the Opera browser as an example – it’s an exercise in frustration.
However, while it all seems smooth at first, when one gets to use the phone for a prolonged period problems start to surface. The issue is that Windows Mobile as an operating system is decidedly sluggish and nothing HTC has done on the surface can disguise this. When the phone rings, there seems to be an unnerving hesitation between pressing the answer button and the call connecting – and ending a call is worse.
Other bugs encountered include the camera application having a tendency to freeze up, and frequent ‘manila.exe’ crash messages that seems to occur when it’s asked to do too much, too quickly.
If you put up with these, you’ll find a very capable device, that’s brimming with useful features but it has to be said that there are rather too many for it to earn a recommendation.
There’s much to be impressed about with the Touch Pro, and much of the time, impress it does, but the irritations of the interface of Windows Mobile and the responsiveness are never too far off, despite HTC’s best efforts.
If you’re set on, or restricted to, Windows Mobile, and want a keyboard, the Touch Pro has to be recommended as the best of the bunch. If you’re happy to cast your net wider however, we’d have to say that we’d choose a Blackberry Bold, Nokia E71, or indeed iPhone over this every time.
sounds like an apple fanboy IMO...
thehyecircus said:
There’s an accelerometer in it too so it can do the flip to landscape mode when you turn it round. Unfortunately, this isn’t as responsive as I would have liked, due to the delay in re-rendering the page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it depends on the webpage you are viewing. If it's a heavy one, you will notice a delay but nothing that you can't handle. Most of the times is pretty snappy.
Unfortunately there’s no 3.5mm headphone socket, so you’ll either need to use the typically poor supplied headphones with their mini USB connector, or invest in a Windows mobile remote into which you can plug your own headphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No 3.5mm. If you really need to use a 3rd party handset to listen to mp3 etc, you have to use an adapter...
However, while it should be possible to scroll up and down between messages like this I found that I instead found that I usually just opened the email as soon as I touched the screen. Once you do, you’re left with the regular clunky Windows Mobile interface, which means getting out the stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you need the stylus when reading an email? I don't get this...
A true indicator of the limits of Touch Flo 3D is that it doesn’t present a consistent interface across the whole device. When in regular portrait mode, pressing on the on-screen soft menu buttons in any given application will bring up a list of enlarged, and therefore easy to use with the fingers, menu options, but when you open the keyboard and turn it sideways you get standard Windows Mobile menus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can enable the enlarged menus in landscape too...
The inconsistencies carry over to web browsing. While in portrait mode the default page gives you a search box. By contrast, when you open the keyboard and select the Web Search button, it fires up Google.com instead. Furthermore, in portrait mode, double tapping the address bar brings up the search box, into which you can type using the on-screen keyboard. However if you flip open the keyboard and try and do the same the box keeps on disappearing, which is slightly maddening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When in portrait mode the icon is called Opera so pressing it just loads the Homepage. In landscape mode the icon is Web Search so... it loads google!
I am using Opera 2392 and clicking on address bar in any mode brings up Search bar as well.
So, no problem here...
Furthermore, while Opera Mobile does a great job of reflowing text to fit the screen, and is generally very good, it does seem to strain the processing power of the device and the browser has a hard job differentiating between taps to cause the page to zoom, and taps to click through on links. Try converting currencies at www.xe.com using the Opera browser as an example – it’s an exercise in frustration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... You can use the phone's Page UP\ DOWN, TAB, ENTER keys... Just like a PC...
However, while it all seems smooth at first, when one gets to use the phone for a prolonged period problems start to surface. The issue is that Windows Mobile as an operating system is decidedly sluggish and nothing HTC has done on the surface can disguise this. When the phone rings, there seems to be an unnerving hesitation between pressing the answer button and the call connecting – and ending a call is worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could disable HTC Dialer and let Windows Mobile Dialer take over. Few more tweaks and problem solved!
Windows Mobile is still based on a 10 year old core. No matter what, it is outdated... However, on the right hardware (i.e. Touch Pro) Windows Mobile works like a treat!
Other bugs encountered include the camera application having a tendency to freeze up, and frequent ‘manila.exe’ crash messages that seems to occur when it’s asked to do too much, too quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never happened to me! Probably he used an older rom...
If you put up with these, you’ll find a very capable device, that’s brimming with useful features but it has to be said that there are rather too many for it to earn a recommendation.
There’s much to be impressed about with the Touch Pro, and much of the time, impress it does, but the irritations of the interface of Windows Mobile and the responsiveness are never too far off, despite HTC’s best efforts.
If you’re set on, or restricted to, Windows Mobile, and want a keyboard, the Touch Pro has to be recommended as the best of the bunch. If you’re happy to cast your net wider however, we’d have to say that we’d choose a Blackberry Bold, Nokia E71, or indeed iPhone over this every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... I am guessing they don't like Windows Mobile too much... They didn't really give any of the device real flaws (Like the sound it makes when sliding in\out the keyboard, you have to remove the cover to change the microSD card).
You could buy Google's Dream, but a more polished operating system is not a good reason to buy such an ugly and poorly thought over device...
You could also buy Xperia X1 but you stilll have to face Windows Mobile flaws. You do get better build quality and bigger screen. But the keyboard is graded as one of the worst ever, screen is not flushed, you won't have TF3D (you could get TF2D though...) and the overall appeal of the device seems to be worse than TP.
That's all....
Whats wrong with the noise it makes when you slide out the keyboard?
What happens when you use Windows Mobile Dialer? Is it ugly? Or bad looking? I am used to just a simple Nokia list of names to call so I have no idea what to expect.
And can't the phone's speaker work for FM Radio? Or maybe Slingbox Mobile?
No other cell phone out there right now looks good. I'm interested in Android but it needs to actually get out of the trial first phone stage.
I just want to know when I can write a review that matters. I want to write a stock vs modded review that details every issue before and after..
oh the pains of waiting to upgrade...
marios96 said:
You could disable HTC Dialer and let Windows Mobile Dialer take over. Few more tweaks and problem solved!
That's all....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for addressing the issues, I am a tentative Pro buyer and have read that review too and it did make me hesitate a bit. Now I'm more convinced, again
Just quickly (this is my first EVER WM phone), how do you disable/enable windows/HTC dialer?
Furthermore, I was hoping that you can point me to a place where I can learn how to tweak/change settings/flash the phone. I checked out the database and Wiki's (I swear I did!) but all it seems are explanations as to what does what - it doesn't really tell you HOW to do the tweaks - like, I know I need to change registries here and there - but HOW? How do I make a backup of everything before I change anything/flash the phone? HOW do I find out the CID? etc. No need to teach me here, just want a good tutorial as to what I can do with a WM phone (and how!), thanks a MILLION in advance!
l3it3r said:
I just want to know when I can write a review that matters. I want to write a stock vs modded review that details every issue before and after..
oh the pains of waiting to upgrade...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can write it here. In fact please do.
Lord Farkward said:
Thanks for addressing the issues, I am a tentative Pro buyer and have read that review too and it did make me hesitate a bit. Now I'm more convinced, again
Just quickly (this is my first EVER WM phone), how do you disable/enable windows/HTC dialer?
Furthermore, I was hoping that you can point me to a place where I can learn how to tweak/change settings/flash the phone. I checked out the database and Wiki's (I swear I did!) but all it seems are explanations as to what does what - it doesn't really tell you HOW to do the tweaks. No need to teach me here, just want a good tutorial as to what I can do with a WM phone (and how!), thanks a MILLION in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do all sorts of tweaks (including changing the dialer) with a registry editor (like Resco's or PHM etc). It is really not hard to find or use one. It's a bit like using File Explorer to find a specific file and edit its' name or properties...
Or you can use one of the programs that are ment for specific registry tweaks. Like Advance Config or Diamond Tweak. Both programs contain all the necessary tweaks in a well presented way so it is a matter of switch on and off a registry edit (or something close to that...)
All in all, the best way to start is either Advance Config or Diamond tweak and when you feel like editing registry by yourself use one of the Registry Editors.
marios96 said:
You can do all sorts of tweaks (including changing the dialer) with a registry editor (like Resco's or PHM etc). It is really not hard to find or use one. It's a bit like using File Explorer to find a specific file and edit its' name or properties...
Or you can use one of the programs that are ment for specific registry tweaks. Like Advance Config or Diamond Tweak. Both programs contain all the necessary tweaks in a well presented way so it is a matter of switch on and off a registry edit (or something close to that...)
All in all, the best way to start is either Advance Config or Diamond tweak and when you feel like editing registry by yourself use one of the Registry Editors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a perfect place for me to start, thanks!
Just curious - other than editing registries and flashing with ROM's, what other fun modding can you do?
thehyecircus said:
Whats wrong with the noise it makes when you slide out the keyboard?
What happens when you use Windows Mobile Dialer? Is it ugly? Or bad looking? I am used to just a simple Nokia list of names to call so I have no idea what to expect.
And can't the phone's speaker work for FM Radio? Or maybe Slingbox Mobile?
No other cell phone out there right now looks good. I'm interested in Android but it needs to actually get out of the trial first phone stage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't get me wrong, the keyboard feels extremely solid! The sliding mechanism is strong and has a good feel when you use it. However, when you slide out the keyboard the spring does a sound which some may find weird. I would just prefer it to be a tiny bit more quiet!
A skin for the WM Dialer is this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434934
The loudspeaker could be used for FM Radio with the hansfree cable attached to the phone (it acts as an antenna).
The speaker that you use for phone calls can't.
Lord Farkward said:
That's a perfect place for me to start, thanks!
Just curious - other than editing registries and flashing with ROM's, what other fun modding can you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tiEji2sTyA
marios96 said:
Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tiEji2sTyA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how is that done?!?
Nobody really knows... (Except from the uploader ofcourse)
The video seems real though...
Anyway, for all the new members of Raphael forum, just a reminder:
Since Touch Pro is basically a Diamond with keyboard, you can find a great deal of information, applications, mods, themes and many many many other usefull stuff over at the Diamond thread Themes, Applications and Software
To the OP:
As per the very detailed post on the preceding page there are ways around pretty much everything they say, except for the lack of a 3.5mm jack, since thats hardware.
The Touch Pro is my first WinMo phone (coming from various N-Series Nokia's, the N82 I still have), and I find it excellent after only a little time spent here learning some tweaks (like 4 program icons across in the program menu, large icons in landscape, a couple of registry tweaks to really speed up TF3D, Diamond TF3D configurer to order the tabs in a logical way for my use etc). You hear lots of bad things about WinMo, which it deserves to be perfectly frank (seriously, needing to use a stylus is just awful, so user-unfriendly), but the reality is that when properly skinned to can pretty much alleviate nearly all its shortcomings.
NZtechfreak said:
To the OP:
As per the very detailed post on the preceding page there are ways around pretty much everything they say, except for the lack of a 3.5mm jack, since thats hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=169477
and there you have it.... 3.5mm jack=p
Yeah, I have one of the adaptors too - but its quite large and I only use it in the car. That doesn't really qualify as a real solution in my book, having to carry around another piece of kit that is quite large (the picture makes it look deceptively small).
marios96 said:
How is this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh myyyyyyyyyy
how can I ever forget about skinning?? now THAT's really awesome. I'm sure I'll find out how I'll do that later (at least I know who to ask if/when I'm stuck now )
BTW, are you personally using the WM dialer now? or have you done enough tweaking that even the HTC dialer is fast enough?
Hi all!
I'm senior C# programmer and I want to develop a Windows Mobile Application with Compact Framework, but I want develop an useful application or tool that does not already exist. I have no limitations in programming or technology (gps, bluetooth, web services, ecc.).
Any idea/suggestion for this new app? Is there any application that is missing?
hey how about a touch guitar for the ppc..the one like we have in nokia 5800..there is a touch piano(known as omniano) for ppc but no touch guitar..!
What about a proper barcode reader/interpreter using the built-in camera? There are some tentative software but no trully good one out there. Could be good for personal databases like book collection.
wovens said:
What about a proper barcode reader/interpreter using the built-in camera? There are some tentative software but no trully good one out there. Could be good for personal databases like book collection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is I-Nigma a barcode reader...
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-i-nigma-barcode-reader-v1-4.html
hardikrajgor123 said:
hey how about a touch guitar for the ppc..the one like we have in nokia 5800..there is a touch piano(known as omniano) for ppc but no touch guitar..!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the idea, but already exists Guitar Hero for PPC...
http://www.handster.com/news-pda.php?id=1250&for=WM Guitar Hero
giugua said:
There is I-Nigma a barcode reader...
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-i-nigma-barcode-reader-v1-4.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea! I know! But it is no good! If what you are after is an idea that nobody had before, than I think it will be very difficult.
Here's an idea that might be something handy you could knock out fairly quickly: a battery drain indicator. An app that polls your battery life and generates a report telling the current rate of decrease (and maybe indicates what other applications are running and how often the backlight was on).
It'd be darn useful for trying to gauge the effect different ROMs and apps have on battery life.
There is no DLNA app for windows mobile as far as i know.
Would be good just to have one that can get pics, videos, music from over dlna machines.
Or as above a app that moniters battery drain to see the worse apps and roms for battery
typo said:
Here's an idea that might be something handy you could knock out fairly quickly: a battery drain indicator. An app that polls your battery life and generates a report telling the current rate of decrease (and maybe indicates what other applications are running and how often the backlight was on).
It'd be darn useful for trying to gauge the effect different ROMs and apps have on battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. I've started one, but it's pretty ugly, slow and buggy as I'm in no way a C# developer and I have no time to complete it. There are several battery monitors out there, but neither of them are really usefull.
If you are interested, PM me, I can share some further ideas.
A finger friendly message app instead of wm ugly tiny inbox, outbox etc
giugua said:
Hi all!
I'm senior C# programmer and I want to develop a Windows Mobile Application with Compact Framework, but I want develop an useful application or tool that does not already exist. I have no limitations in programming or technology (gps, bluetooth, web services, ecc.).
Any idea/suggestion for this new app? Is there any application that is missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, a killer WM app? Well, I would imagine that it has to be something unique, and fairly difficult to create on other platforms or, hell, just the Windows Mobile platform.
Meh, the best idea I can come up with are these:
1) A GPS software that displays street level navigation (sort of like what was shown in Sony's new NV-U3DV).
2) A Hulu player
3) A program that scales programs/games not designed to work on a particular resolution
My, this was surprisingly difficult to think of.
stu-k said:
A finger friendly message app instead of wm ugly tiny inbox, outbox etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quote it!!! A real finger friendly msg app (a simple mail/sms client) will be the top!!
D'rath
how about a directory assistance program like they had on palm.
when someone calls u it automatically tells u who is calling giving the persons address and info
Killer App, how about something that ties Windows mobile together...not some much a launcher or something like but something that smooths everything out.
Maybe a simple program that transitions the screen of current gen devices to make landscape to portrait smoother.
Maybe a cool task manager is smooth and dynamic...(opengl) that flows through the open programs similar to Coverflo (this would be amazing) mix that with functionality.
How about when you open a new program, there is an onscreen popup that shows whats opening while the app is loading up. Similar to Opera or Winterface.
Maybe a unique Locksystem different from S2u2 and G1 Locker...Something graphical and beautiful. I love the growing panel and the fish panel for xperia, having something like that for a locker would be amazing....
I have dozens of ideas. but I'd say..
Music player=covered by S2P, Kinoma, Nitrogen
Pictureviewer=covered by imageviewer, s2v
Shells= too many to name
Iphoney= ad nauseum
I think we should be focus on making PPC more functional...That SMS app is really worth the time an effort as well.
style1 said:
Maybe a cool task manager is smooth and dynamic...(opengl) that flows through the open programs similar to Coverflo (this would be amazing) mix that with functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be cool, although being a Windows user, I'd rather it be like Aero Flip than like Coverflow.
If you haven't seen it, check out TaskFacade -- it's more like Expose than Coverflow, but it's still a great app switcher with decent eye candy.
I've tried TaskFacade...love it..but it would be awesome to have a full blown beautiful app. I don't know if you've ever played around with Pocket Cm ImageViewer its amazingly beautiful. The way it displays pictures and how fingerfriendly it is it would be awesome to have taskmanager that flowed that smooth. Flick up on the application to end it, click on it to go to it. Would be amazing
8525Smart said:
Hmm, a killer WM app? Well, I would imagine that it has to be something unique, and fairly difficult to create on other platforms or, hell, just the Windows Mobile platform.
Meh, the best idea I can come up with are these:
1) A GPS software that displays street level navigation (sort of like what was shown in Sony's new NV-U3DV).
2) A Hulu player
3) A program that scales programs/games not designed to work on a particular resolution
My, this was surprisingly difficult to think of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id love to have a Hulu Player but also would kill for a free Xbx Live app but i guess tht alrdy exist but the Hulu player is very orginal...Nice idea 8525Smart and i also like option 2
how about an onscreen semi-transparent dpad that can be toggled via a button on all apps? That way for phones without dpads or with dpads hat are not functional (touch pro) you can still use a dpad. This would help in gaming but also basic navigation.
You might consider putting your talents towards the finger friendly SMS application in the Development and Hacking section. They have nonfunctional, graphics only alpha versions, but they need developers to actually get the application functional. There's even a $275 bounty.
Dave
Diagrax said:
Id love to have a Hulu Player but also would kill for a free Xbx Live app but i guess tht alrdy exist but the Hulu player is very orginal...Nice idea 8525Smart and i also like option 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Yes, with a Hulu player, the multimedia experience on Windows Mobile would pretty much be complete (at least for me).
Regarding the Xbox Live app, I did find one if you want it: http://ts.zumobi.net/partner_pages/partner/xbox
Hi all,
In the past three years, we've witnessed greatly increased competition among smartphones. Android and iPhone are considered by some to be the two most serious contenders, and both have attracted many new users who migrated from the other platform. I myself was a devoted winmo user, and had used every generation of winmo phones/PDA since the late 90's. When iPhone was first released, I did not take it seriously at all, because there were so many limitations and the initial phone did not support third party applications. I made the change from winmo to iPhone only in 2009 after a rather detailed comparison exercise between winmo and iPhone. I've been more than happy with my decision and the jailbroken phone. However, technology does not stay still, and there has been lots of changes especially in the hardware end and the entry of Google into the smartphone business. Personally, I'm greately tempted by the potential of hugh screen size offered by handsets such as the HTC supersonic, and would like to understand if my smartphone experience could be enhanced even more by switching to Android. I also think that this topic area would appear on the forum for every single Android phone, and it might be good to centralise the discussion to get the maximum input possible. Hence this thread.
RULE FOR THID THREAD:
Rule 1: General Courtesy:
I would like to state that this is not a thread for any basher or haters of Google or Apple. If you're one of them, please leave and preach your anti-evil corporation philosophy elsewhere. This is also not meant to be a thread to try to convert any Google phone user to iPhone or vise versa, so while I recognise it's going to be hard, please try your best to stay objective and refrain from imposing your opinion as the only possible logical choice on others. I plead that all you all observe this, so as to get to the end of all the discussion and research as efficiently as possible.
Note: While it is not within my power to remove trouble makers, I will not be responding to any troll on this thread.
Rule 2: Discuss one area at a time, with suitable heading in the title of your post.
This thread may become very long, and people interested in finding out specific comparison should not be made to read through every word in every post. So, let's always describe in the title of your post what your points pertain to.
For now, the title descriptions to be used are: (If you feel the need to have additional topic area for comparision, please let me know so that it can be added here)
- Cut and paste design
- Multitasking design
- hardware button design
- multimedia capabilities
- Touchscreen technology
- Storage capability
- Processor and graphic capability
- Market place
- Application software
- Vendor support
- Firmware upgrade
- Battery life and design
- Camera and video
- Best GPS software (I feel that this is important enough to warrant distinct segregation)
- Theme and UI customization capabiilty
- User interface of applications
- User interface of desktop/sprinboard/program launcher/widget/task switcher
- Application defaults
- Notification handling
- Best web browsing application
- Global search
- Speech recognition
- Device management (backup, restore, syncing, etc)
- Side loading of applications
- File Management and Access
- Using it as a business phone
Rule 3: FULL potential of the phone. You can tweak, customize, as long as the procedure could reasonably be expected of an ordinary user.
Since this thread is mean to help END user choose the BEST phones in the market, the capability that you discuss must come from application programs that has already been made available to the public rather than something that can be done but requires programming knowledge to achieve it. Similar, it. A jailbroken/rooted phone's capability can be discussed as long as the jailbreak tool is available and could reasonably be performed by an average user without hacking skill to personally do the hacking themselves. Also, since my intention is mainly to find out which should be my next phone, we should base it on OS4.0 in iPhone, iPhone HD, and the best possible Android hardware likely to be available in the next few months, and I assume this is HTC Supersonic.
Therefore, no "the phone is crippled out of the box" type of debates please.
Rule 4: Focus on describing the capability rather then merely state your opinion on your preference without backing it up. (For this reason, I'll only draw up a comparision chart after giving everyone the chance to state all the known facts.). Try to state the name of the program/utility that you would use to achieve that capability. I think this would be highly educational.
Enough rules for now. Let's see how it goes.
Thank you for participating on this thread.
Cheers.
Summary post (reserved)
Summary post (reserved for future use)
Summary post 2(reserved)
Reserved for future use.
Summary post 3
Reserved for future use
Cut and Paste design
Android
-------
Please correct me if I'm wrong, my understanding is that the cut and paste design is a little inconsistent depending on the OEM. I've personally played with a Samsung Galaxy, and noted two different cut and paste design:
1) Press and hold. Unfortunately, there is no magnifying glass pop up to indicate the position of the cursor. You have then to use the joystick(not sure if this is what they call it) to position it.
2) I vaguely remember at other place, method 1 is not supported. You have to use the hardware button , and select an item there in order to do copy and paste.
Recently, I had a chance to look at a video showing the cut and paste in one of the HTC Android phones, and noted a third method, very similar to iPhone, but the magnifying glass is square rather than round.
I also got the impression that copy and paste is not supported on non-enterable field. I'm seeking users with expertise to correct/enhance this piece of information.
Edit: See post #71 for some more precise description on how cut and paste works in Android, described by dsymbol.
iPhone
------
Press and hold will provide the handle to select the text for copying. This pretty much work across all the places, including email, webpages, on both enterable and non-enterable fields.
Edit: However, there ARE also some rare exceptions where inconsistencies have been found, mainly arising from software created before iPhone introduced cut and paste in version 3.0 I think. An example that comes to my mind is an office document application called QuickOffice, which was around prior to OS3.0 I think. Here, to select text in the word document, instead of holding your finger down, you have to double tap to reveal the handle for text selection, you then press an icon at the bottom to copy or cut. This is quite different from the usual methods used by applications using the Apple's standard API. Most office documents applications including Office2 (It is actually Office square, with a little 2 at the top right of the word Office) and Document to Go are using the familiar cut and paste used everywhere else.
Multimedia capability
A. Using hardware button to start/pause/skip/repeat song and change volume without headset
- iPhone: Yes, using a Cydia application called VolumeButton Extender
- Android: hardware button can only control volume and not pause/play/skip/repeat.
B. Using supplied headset to start/pause/skip/repeat song and control volume
- iPhone: Yes.
- Android: It can start/pause/skip/repeat with the phone in the pocket, but any volume change must be done on the device itself.
C: Volume change increment:
- iPhone: 16 volume increment, allowing you have have the volume closest to your need, e.g, listening music while trying to get to sleep without being kept awake.
- Android: 8 only, therefore offering less precise volume level for the user. Not sure if this is device specific or generic across all Android phones.
D: Playlist combining audio and video files and playing video files with phone shut off.
- iPhone: Yes. In order to play video with screen completely shut off, switch off the phone, and on the lock screen start the music player, then switch off.
- Android: It is possible to play music video with the screen shut off, but you cannot combine video and audio in the playlist. In fact the default music player does not play video - only audio.
I invite Android users to help to beef up or correct information pertaining to rooted Android phone's capabilities.
Multitasking
A: Extend of multitasking for third party applications.
Android: All applications seems to be kept alive regardless of the situations.
iPhone: If you use the Backgrounder, all applications and processes could be kept alive. If you use the smart multitasking from Apple itself, only processes that needs to be kept alive are kept alive. Such processes include GPS function, audio streaming, file upload/download where the service must be completed without interuption. Apple believes that this smart multitasking is the key to battary life and performance, so have chosen this implementation instead of what Steve Job called an easy but wrong method of "full multitasking". Application's "state" is saved, so users need not exit an application when switching to another one.
B: Methods of task switching by showing active tasks and choosing it.
Android: Menu button to show the most recently used task, which could be different from active task. Hence a newly boot up Android might not show the phone application although it is already active. This is the only method for switching to other running application without going to the program launcher.
iPhone: Many options exist to show active tasks and choosing which to switch to. Method of invoking could be one of the 19 ways provided by the Activator(methods include single click of home key, double click of home key, press and hold the home key, shake the device, double press the sleep button quickly, press and hold the sleep button, slide into the screen from below, slide into the screen from bottom left, slide into the screen from bottom right, pinch the springboard, spread the springboard, double tap the status bar, tap and hold the status bar, swipe down the status bar, swipe left on the status bar, swipe right on the status bar, tap on volume heads up display, press volume down then up, press volume up then down.)
Kirikae: list the active task. You can kill the application or switch to it there.
Circuitous: List the icons of the active task. You can kill the application or switch to it there.
Multiflow: Display and switch to task Palm Pre style. You may close the application by swiping it off, among many available methods.
ProSwitcher: Display and switch to task Palm Pre style. You may close the application by swiping it off, among many available methods.
There are others doing more or less the same thing which I would not bother listing on. You just have to choose a method that suits your own preference and personality.
With OS4.0, double click of home button will show the most recent task on the dock and switch to the application there. You might close the application by holding the icon until it wobbles and press the deletion badge.
C: Going directly to the next and previous application without bringing up a list of task:
Android: You may use the back button to go the previous application. Going to the next application is not supported by one click/touch operation.
iPhone: Using Circuiutous, you may use any of the 19 methods mentioned above to go to the next and previous application. Some people find it extremely intuitive to swipe the taskbar left and right to go to next or previous application, similar to the way pictures are changed. You could of course also use hardware button if that's what you prefer.
I invite Android users to correct/beef up any unmentioned methods.
boi youre wastin your time,
pick up your iphone and go to hell with it...
steve,
It would be nice and easier to just have a comparison table like the one Sethos II made.
gogol said:
steve,
It would be nice and easier to just have a comparison table like the one Sethos II made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. My intention was to draw that up only after all the facts are known, rather than making biased conclusion without the benefit of complete information. It will be included later. That's why I've reserved a few empty posts to do just that.
Battery life and design
A. Removable battary - This is something that I cherish quite a lot during my winmo days. I liked the ability to carry along spare battaries before I board the plane for a long trip for example, where power source is an issue.
Android - YES!
iPhone - No. There are alternative portable power packs but they tend to make the phone bulkier. There are also portable chargers, but these solution is just not as good as having user replaceable battaries.
File Manager and Access
A. File Manager
iPhone:
Using an application like iFile from Cydia, users could see all the directories and subdirectories, and files in all directories. It also allows the files to be copied, deleted, moved. Clicking on a picture would display the picture, clicking on a music file will play the music file.
However, if you're trying to do a file attachment on a forum like here, it cannot be done.
Android: Same weakness due to not having a native file manager???
B. Ability for all applications to use the same directory?
iPhone:
Generally there is no such capability, although there are exception (e.g. The music player dTune could play music files downloaded with the Music Meow application). Therefore, if I have more than one spreadsheet programs in an iPhone, these different applications could not update the same spreadsheet file because the file has to be stored in the application's own directory. iFile of course could access any directory and display files in any directory.
Android:
Any such limitation? Which are some of the popular spreadsheet applications for example? Could you specify the location of the saved files to be anywhere?
Side loading of applications
Sideloading allows users to install programs which were not from the officially sactioned market place:
Android: - Yes.
iPhone - Yes. Non-programmer type users could install applications from the Cydia store. These are often program that Apple won't approve, but could also contain applications removed from the App Store such as porn applications.
Multimedia capabilities
A. Video playback test.
I invite anyone to provide links of videos for testing purposes to compare the two phone's playback capability.
For now, I would like to get you guys to refer to this thread and see if the video play by just clicking on the link. If not, are you able to download it and play smoothly, without pause or frame loss? Without the audio/video going out of sync? Details about this video is in post #7. The file is made for the screen resolution of HD2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=645610
iPhone:
Yes. Without conversion, it plays smoothly although the video is not made for the iPhone screen resolution.
See youtube videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAGqKYlSnHA - this is playing after downloading the file
Here is the video test when played directly rather than downloded first.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C39CHtqOAso
Android:
Does it play?
Did I miss something or there's nothing about, say, business capabilities - Exchange and Office support? Don't know how to label the post, but here's the question:
On the iPhone, I know there are office package(s) available, but here's what I want to know - how do you transfer files there? Do you get a documents folder or do you need to look for a directory with one of those cryptic names? Also, how does it handle email attachments? Can I save a ppt I receive for later use in the office program?
With regard to Exchange - can I have full support that will include push for Tasks, Email, Calendar and Contacts? Not push for the latter three and manual sync for Tasks?
Best GPS software
iPhone:
Probably no single vendor can justifiably claim that they have the best GPS in every country. TomTom is the best in Australia (I'll justify that assessment later), but it is probably not as good in say Navigon in US, if we base it on sales statistics. The major choices are:
TomTom
Navigon
iGO
NDrive
Sygic
M6 (which I understand is the best in Asean)
Copilot
Each user may have a different idea of what constitute the best. Some value live traffics, some speed warning, some completeness of road speed information for speed monitoring, some warning upon approaching schools, some the ability to perform google search in addition to POI search, some 3D realistic view, some music control within the application, some intelligent routing that considers traffic congestions among other things, some text to speech, some multitouch user interface for map zooming in and out, some completeness of safety camera database, some map currency.
In Australia, my own preference is TomTom. It has extremely nice user interface, google search , very complete speed information for all roads, map is quite up to date for most places, it incorporates pinch and zoom, warn you when appraoching safety camera and when you overspeed, allows easy control of music without leaving the application, has 3D realistic view for major highway exits and intersections, decent text to speech option. After receiving phone calls, it automatically resume with the most up-to-seconds GPS coordinate and location without waiting for signal. If the call is terminated by the other party there is no need to touch the phone for the resume to be completed.
Sygic also uses the same map, but the UI is bad and reminds me of the winmo style, although the UI is still way better than winmo type of GPS.
Navigon, Copilot, iGo, NDrive all uses maps with rather incomplete speed information in Australia.
Android GPS ??
Which is the best in Australia and what can it do?
Note: I use Android, so if it sounds like I am biased, it's because I am (Although I tried to stay unbias). I removed some categories because I felt that either I did not know the answer (Rare) or that I didn't feel like taking the time to write one up. These are NOT definitive answers based on potential, this is purely from stock functionality (With touches on their equivalent of being rooted sometimes). Why did I do a stock comparison? This because 1) That's what most people will use and 2) The limits of both OS' when rooted/jailbroken are almost non-existent
- Cut and paste design
iPhone: Hold over text, magnifying glass comes up, release to get the two bars then drag them to copy. This is pretty straight-forward.
Android: Method 1- Hold on text entry place, then choose "Select All" or "select Text"
Method 2- If your device has a keyboard, hold the shift button and select text (Works in most places)
Method 3 (Limited to 2.1 sense Users)- Same as iPhone, but it has a few more options than cut, copy, paste.
- Multitasking design
iPhone; Currently not available for stock and I have no experience of it with a kailbroken iPhone
Android: Android multi-tasks without tweaking. It can hold as many app in memory as RAM allows (It will only kill processes when the processes kill themselves or when it runs out of memory, in which case it kills the oldest ones). To see a list of RECENTLY running processes, hold the home button. This will bring up a list of the last 6 used (Obviously it's not practical to show the 50 or so the Nexus can have running at the same time).
- hardware button design
iPhone: Home button which is multi-functional (Home, Double tap will have different functions depending on users choice/firmware), (Camera Button?), Volume Rocker, and Sleep/Wake Button.
Android: All Android phones MUST include at least a Home Button (also multi-functional, but not as much so), a Menu Button, a Back Button, and as far as I know an End Call Button. They also usually include a camera button and a volume rocker.
- multimedia capabilities
Not quite sure what we want here, but if it is how the experience is, the iPhone wins pretty heavily. Android can do the same exact things, but it looks ugly while doing it. Sense Users have the best form of Music app in Htc Music, but I'll try to stick to stock for now.
- Storage capability
iPhone: Whichever size you buy is what you're stuck with for life (16 or 32gb in 3GS)
Android: Normally have limited internal memory (Action of phone manufacturer) which means many apps may not be installed (Not a problem as most Android apps are under 1mb). Sdcards are used, give an "unlimited" amount of external storage.
- Processor and graphic capability
iPhone: Pretty sure it's 600 mhz, correct me if wrong
Android: So far we're at 1ghz, need I say more?
- Market place
iPhone: Don't own one so someone else will need to cover this
Android: Mention what you need to know and one of us Android users will tell you.
- Application software
Not quite sure what we mean by this.
- Vendor support
Both operating systems is for as long as the hardware capabilities don't force them to stop supporting it.
- Firmware upgrade
iPhone: Upgrade through iTunes, you may not get all features in the firmware update.
Android: OTA updates, if you're getting the update you usually get everything in it.
- Battery life and design
iPhone: No removable battery, and from what I've heard, battery life sucks.
Android: Removable Batteries, from what I've heard, the Nexus can go a day and a half no problem. The Nexus is thinner than iPhone, has a bigger screen, looks sexy but the iPhone would win in this department (But the plastic backs kind of kill it on the iPhone for me)
- Best GPS software (I feel that this is important enough to warrant distinct segregation)
iPhone: Third-Party apps, not sure which is best
Android: The Google Navigation is by far the best I have ever used
- Theme and UI customization capabiilty
iPhone: Out of the box, you can change the lockscreen wallpaper and move icons around.
Android: Wallpaper, Homescreens, can replace anything if you don't like it (Most apps will allow you to use that instead of the stock app equivalent).
- User interface of applications:
iPhone: In my opinion, they are all a little stale because they use the SAME exact interface (But that's the point of a user interface).They use the bar at top, bar at bottom for navigation, it's all equivalent to the stock apps
Android: They vary a little more in UI but they all are the same on thie inside. Press Menu to view options, they all have the grey bar (Mostly because this is integrated into the Android framework)
- User interface of desktop/sprinboard/program launcher/widget/task switcher
iPhone:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Android:
- Notification handling
iPhone: Annoying popups, 'nuf said
Android: Status bar, pull down to see all notifications
- Best web browsing application
Not really a fair comparison as iPhone has two (Opera or Safari)
- Global search
iPhone: Can search all device files from homescreen
Android: Same as iPhone but the web search is also integrated
- Speech recognition
iPhone: Voice Over, For Music and...? purposes
Android: Voice Search by holding the search button, Voice Dialer by holding send button, voice keyboard in all text entry fields
- Side loading of applications
Clarification?
- File Management and Access
iPhone: Not sure
Android: Have full access to the all partitions other than the system partition (AFAIK) without root.
Ok so here is my verdict on iPhone Vs ANDROID
When iPhone was release i was an Apple fanboy form that very time, i paid heavily for iPhones, they were like life to me, i have every iPhone to date and the first android i got was the G1, on using it i could only say one thing, it is the future and it is proved itself day by day
Experiences
1. Jailbroken iPhone
I love how u can do almost anything but nothing in the iPhone, only thing an iPhone drools over is apps and apps and nothing else. iPhone has an edge over android in just apps. For everything else u are crippled and for anything u want to do u ought to have a computer. Battery life is not what i would love and it has a boring interface good enough for 50 year old person who can just understand to dialer and dial
Android
Android is still immature, one thing u would hate about android is that it updates acc. to devices, it will add a feature only when a device is made to have the feature. other things Android is the most customizable OS ever made in the history of smartphones and mobiles. It has a clean interface if u understand it and by far the most efficient in everything it does. You shouldnt be surprised when it updates itself to become more efficient. iPhone revolutionized the designing but android revolutionized software. Android what i say is a complete OS, it just like a mini computer, to use it u dont need to have a computer, u can do everything on the phone itself, u want to add some music, videos anything do it on the phone itself, u want to update, download do it on the phone itself and it is robust enough to even create websites, i created my website using my android phone and nothing else, Android has endless possibilities.
Multimedia-
u dont have to be tied to computer to do anything on android. U can use anything 3rd party if u dont like stock, 3rd party has the ability to add more stuff which is not in stock. onlu con is that u have no equalizer.
It can play more formats than iPhone, u dont need to convert and sync music, u r not tied to use the default music player. The gallery is the best one around.
Android has the most user friendly interface, what u need most is on the desktop others in the drawer. In iPhone u have to arrange every app u install, u can just move in one way, what u have on front is the same old apps icons, android u have icons, widgets and more.
iPhone has one prop and that is app android has one con that is less apps thats it. everything is editable if u r rooted, u can edit anything u want, u have the source to the platform, u can build one urself, if u know coding u can add everything and anything to it
So Android is gonna have more apps in some time and iPhone will age sooner than intended. Comparing Rooted Android to iPhone is like comparing Gold to Brick. As i already told with ur android being rooted u can add any feature urself by editing directly in the source code, and iPhone u r stuck with Cydia developers who can change how the iPhone OS functions but can only add features
vangrieg said:
Did I miss something or there's nothing about, say, business capabilities - Exchange and Office support? Don't know how to label the post, but here's the question:
On the iPhone, I know there are office package(s) available, but here's what I want to know - how do you transfer files there? Do you get a documents folder or do you need to look for a directory with one of those cryptic names? Also, how does it handle email attachments? Can I save a ppt I receive for later use in the office program?
With regard to Exchange - can I have full support that will include push for Tasks, Email, Calendar and Contacts? Not push for the latter three and manual sync for Tasks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, good point. It must be considered.
What are "business capabilities" though? I think we need to have a good list of what these are. Let start with what you already got and add some to it myself:
- Exchange support (perhaps even MULTIPLE exchange support) for address, calendar, tasks, and email.
- Ability to edit and create office documents with reasonably complete functions in say excel spreadsheet.
- Saving attachments in email, editing them, and resending them out.
- Presence of client applications that works together with enterprise software such as SAP.
- Ability to remote wipe data from lost phones
- Ability to install corporate applications over the air
- Conference call or even video conferencing to substitute face to face meetings
- Printing of documents (e.g. customers require receipts, written quotation, etc)
- Ability to prevent data from physically removed from the phone via MicroSDHC card or alternatively ability to enforce highly reliable data encryption on data stored there.
- Ability to enforce use of password on phone?
- Ability to PREVENT it from becoming so much fun that employees spend all their time on facebook, chats, and games??? (Hence they would prefer RIM phones??)
Anyone else can think of what the corporate IT people might look for in choosing a corporate phone? Or is it more of matter of "the boss loves his iPhone, so we have no choice but to allow it?"
Thanks for this.
charnsingh_online said:
I love how u can do almost anything but nothing in the iPhone, only thing an iPhone drools over is apps and apps and nothing else. iPhone has an edge over android in just apps. For everything else u are crippled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you comprehensively list in which areas iPhone is crippled? Sometimes people think that a phone can't do certainly thing, but it could be due to lack of awareness and knowledge of the capability. Thats' one of the reason for having this thread - to learn from each other. To get maximum benefit from each other's experience, let's keep our mind open to new information.
charnsingh_online said:
and for anything u want to do u ought to have a computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? This is new to me. I would like to offer a different perspective on this.
I know iPhone lets you install new programs and updates , buy music/video/movies, edit photo taken, compile musics, and make songs of your own, send files to another phone without going through a computer.
There are only three things that strictly requires computer:
a. Install new firmware and perform restore, which is once in a while event that I would rather use my PC anyway in view of how large the file is and how expensive my 3G data quota would cost me.
b. Performing backup and restore. This would also include backing up application data such as that for eWallet, GolfCard, PocketMoney, etc.
c. Syncing to outlook
You may see the need for a computer to do this as a negative, but I personally see that as a positive. Because with this I have the ability to backup my entire device and if my phone requires a restore/hard reset/or replacement, I can recover every applications including the data quickly. It is not practical to do backup of such large amount of data over the air. It is also not assuring from security viewpoint to keep any of your phone data in the cloud. The only place to keep them is your own PC.
charnsingh_online said:
Battery life is not what i would love
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In terms of length of a single battery, I really do not have any complaint against iPhone. It is more or less the same situation with the other HTC phones which I owned. It varies depending on usage pattern, brightness level, how tempted you are to look at the beautiful screen every 5 minutes, whether you leave location service/bluetooth/3G/wifi running, the strength of the cell signal, etc. Frankly, I think it's hard to say which battery is better due to the difficulties in measurement, different age of the batteries being compared, etc.
The only complain I had was the fact that it's non-replaceable.
charnsingh_online said:
it has a boring interface
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you're talking about the home page here?
Have you used home page replacement products such as Overboard or Pogoplank? Or themes.
charnsingh_online said:
Android is still immature, one thing u would hate about android is that it updates acc. to devices, it will add a feature only when a device is made to have the feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't quite understand what you mean by "it updates acc. to devices" or "will add a feature only when a device to made to have a feature"- would you mind clarify this point please? Has this got anything to do with the "fragmentation" problem that they talked about?
charnsingh_online said:
other things Android is the most customizable OS ever made in the history of smartphones and mobiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind explain in a little more details on what sorts of customization are possible?
charnsingh_online said:
It has a clean interface if u understand it and by far the most efficient in everything it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How so?
charnsingh_online said:
is a complete OS, it just like a mini computer, to use it u dont need to have a computer, u can do everything on the phone itself, u want to add some music, videos anything do it on the phone itself, u want to update, download do it on the phone itself and it is robust enough to even create websites, i created my website using my android phone and nothing else, Android has endless possibilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you of the impression that adding music, videos, updates, download are not possible on iPhone and that everything has to be done on the PC first?
charnsingh_online said:
u dont have to be tied to computer to do anything on android. U can use anything 3rd party if u dont like stock, 3rd party has the ability to add more stuff which is not in stock. onlu con is that u have no equalizer.
It can play more formats than iPhone, u dont need to convert and sync music, u r not tied to use the default music player. The gallery is the best one around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this different from iPhone again?
charnsingh_online said:
Android has the most user friendly interface, what u need most is on the desktop others in the drawer. In iPhone u have to arrange every app u install, u can just move in one way, what u have on front is the same old apps icons, android u have icons, widgets and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain in what way it has the most user friendly interface? Here you're talking about the desktop/program launcher. So you said that the frequently used programs can be kept on the desktop along with widgets, etc, and then you can have "drawer" to contain the other programs, right?
Please tell me when you're in the middle of a program and wish to start a new program inside one of the drawers, what is the procedure to start that program. Is it 1)Menu to go to desktop 2) Swipe to the place where drawer is located 3) click on the drawer 4) touch the icon of the drawer?
charnsingh_online said:
iPhone has one prop and that is app android has one con that is less apps thats it. everything is editable if u r rooted, u can edit anything u want, u have the source to the platform, u can build one urself, if u know coding u can add everything and anything to it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
charnsingh_online said:
As i already told with ur android being rooted u can add any feature urself by editing directly in the source code, and iPhone u r stuck with Cydia developers who can change how the iPhone OS functions but can only add features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may or may not be right here. I don't know the technical aspect of the two platform to judge. However, for the purpose of this thread, as mentioned in post 1, we're only looking at the capability of the phone from the viewpoint of the masses of ordinary users out there, not the OS programmer. So, if you don't mind, I'd skip this. But just for curiosity, do you yourself modify the Android OS now by editing in the source code of Android OS?
charnsingh_online said:
So Android is gonna have more apps in some time and iPhone will age sooner than intended.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so. I hope to see TomTom for Android ASAP.
I was wondering if anyone had experiences to share as far as customizing tablets for elderly nursing home patients?
I will be taking delivery on a Galaxy Tab 2 that will be customized as an entertainment device for an elderly person. Dementia, short term memory impairment, and total lack of computer knowledge are in the foreground. I'm not sure if this will work but it's my mother so I'm going to give it a try.
Initially I plan to start with maybe two games (solitaire and a slot machine game) and nothing else. I expect to have to flash a custom ROM to be able to hide as many non-necessary UI elements as possible. One home screen, nav bar with back button only, no lock screen, volume wake, hide the dock, etc.
If she gets comfortable with that, the addition of other elements might be possible, such as a photo album. E-mail to a couple of addresses might be possible. Web browsing is probably not ever going to be in the picture. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I'm comfortable with Android flashing and customization (have a GNex), and live nearby so I can maintain the tablet in person. I initially was leaning toward an iPad, but realized that this thing is going to have to be more heavily customized than I think is possible within the Apple scheme of things.
Anyone had any experiences with a situation like this?
Thanks in advance.
Elderly device with GSM
Great idea! I would like to work on this too. For my purposes I would like it to function more of a picture frame with super easy to use GSM capability. Maybe just touch the picture of the person you want to talk to to get connected over the speaker phone.
Hey guys,
Why is there no app that uses your front camera and projects a keyboard on the surface of the table? You look at your phones screen and type away on the desk. This would be a pretty cool app. Do you know if there is something like this around?
Thanks
rethan2 said:
Hey guys,
Why is there no app that uses your front camera and projects a keyboard on the surface of the table? You look at your phones screen and type away on the desk. This would be a pretty cool app. Do you know if there is something like this around?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a little difficult to hold your phone and type at the same time.. you'd need a stand which would kind of get in your way.
There's tech out there with eye tracking technology where you could use Holo glasses to type with your eyes although traditional typing is still phenomenally faster. And mouth tracking technology w/ face cam that converts how you move your mouth/tongue to text might be a better tech idea since it could work in any noise level environment and be faster than as fast as most typers can type.
Some day we'll have signal detectors on our heads intercepting directions we think.
But aside from the ergonomic issues, your idea is fun.
Depth sensors
rethan2 said:
Why is there no app that uses your front camera and projects a keyboard on the surface of the table
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinect, Touch+, Leap Motion, Nimble Sense, Project Tango, SoftKinetic, Intel RealSense, etc. are all various combinations of hardware and software to detect depth and gestures.
There was also a MIT and Microsoft article about the ability to use infrared LED lights and machine learning techniques to turn a simple single-lens camera into a 3-D one.
technologyreview/com/news/529986/turning-a-regular-smartphone-camera-into-a-3-d-one/
However, at this point, there seems to be a shift to depth cameras, such as the Intel RealSense that is already integrated into laptops.
Time-of-flight (TOF) cameras for point cloud data have more potential,.
It would need to be built into your phone to be cost-effective, and even then, look how pricey Project Tango is right now.
Intel RealSense is in the HP Sprout (has a projector), but it can’t do surface touch yet.
3divi has a "turn a surface into touch surface" prototype Youtube video (youtube/com/watch?v=upGTLrSUa5c ) that uses Kinect, and a Pico projector.
Touch+ was the biggest help last year, as it was only $75 for surface touch, but the people behind it can’t even get the drivers out yet.
Check out Wired’s article on the UI of Magic Leap:
>Magic Leap UI: Totems: cameras on headset could track any piece of material that’s been defined as “mouse.”
>Shows keyboard made from soft rubber that would deform and provide haptic feedback while HMD overlaid images.
>AR system may render virtual computer keyboard on surface of rectangular aluminum
wired/com/2015/01/magic-leaps-vision-for-virtual-reality/
It's like the Optimus Maximum keyboard of 2008, where every keyboard key has an OLED display so that you can remap any key to do whatever you want.
It's like that, except it doesn't cost $2000.
Eye-tracking
TryHardBlueonMac said:
There's tech out there with eye tracking technology where you could use Holo glasses to type with your eyes although traditional typing is still phenomenally faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An Android SDK for eye-tracking was revealed at CES.
dailydot/com/technology/eye-tribe-eye-tracking-android-sdk-ces-2015/
I think that modifying the camera for eye-tracking is cheap, and most likely much cheaper than changing the camera to a depth sensor like in Project Tango.
With surface touch, you still might be looking at the surface some of the time, like in the dual screen HP Sprout.
With eye-tracking, you could have an eye-tracking “select-what-am-looking-at” button.
Look, touch an easy-to-reach “tap-where-I’m-looking” button, look, and then touch the same button again.
You don’t have to keep changing your hand and finger positions between each tap.
For typing:
>Microsoft patents eye-tracking keyboard software
>The idea’s just like swipe-based keyboard software, but instead of tracking the motion of your fingertip, the system tracks eye movement.
pocketnow/com/2014/12/24/eye-tracking-keyboard
Automated lip reading
TryHardBlueonMac said:
And mouth tracking technology w/ face cam that converts how you move your mouth/tongue to text might be a better tech idea since it could work in any noise level environment and be faster than as fast as most typers can type.
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It’s a tough problem, but people are working on it:
>“The first problem for automated lip reading is face and lip recognition.
This has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years.
A more difficult challenge is in recognizing, extracting and categorizing the geometric features of the lips during speech.
This is done by measuring the height and width of the lips as well as other features such as the shape of the ellipse bounding the lips, the amount of teeth on view and the redness of the image, which determines the amount of tongue that is visible.
Hassanat’s own visual speech recognition system is remarkably good.
His experiments achieve an average success rate of 76 percent, albeit in carefully controlled conditions.
The success rate is even higher for women because of the absence of beards and mustaches.
All this suggests that there is significant potential for visual speech recognition systems in the future, particularly as an aid to other forms of speech recognition.”
– Ahmad Hassanat at Mu’tah University in Jordan
technologyreview/com/view/530641/the-challenges-and-threats-of-automated-lip-reading/
TryHardBlueonMac said:
Some day we'll have signal detectors on our heads
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EEG
I’ve heard about the Emotiv EEG.
Just a few basic commands that are paired up with other inputs, like eye-tracking, would be useful.
E.g. of some adequate, basic commands:
* 1) open menu of on-screen shortcuts
* 2) select-what-I’m-looking-at (using eye tracker)
* 3) no/back/cancel
What Emotiv offers:
> “In order to provide consistency and a simple range of possible actions, each user profile will contain space for training data for up to 15 different commands, which are internally labelled COMMAND1 to COMMAND15.
With an eye tracker, you probably don’t need that many brain commands if you’re just going to be using the mind for a “Yes,-select-what-I'm-looking-at” or “back” for on-screen, virtual buttons.
Thought functions merely as the switch.