Database Info

Are Custom Skins Worth it (aka Sense)

<Rant>
Since the release of the htc desire here in the uk I have seen a explosion of my friends buying it/ getting android. Ive gone from knowing one person with a android to 10 in 2 months!
All very well and good but being a htc hero owner for nearly a year now I cannot more and more help think that the Sense/MotoBlur and other skins over the stock android really arent worth it.
This may fall on deaf ears here at xda with such a huge CustomROM development scene but every time google release a new android version, I have less and less reason to root and flash a customROM onto my phone!
Back when android was 1.5/1.6 it was a ugly looking beast which HTC sense did brilliantly to fix. It was the first android phone to make me (and many others) go "wow". Such that is the pace that android and its manufactures travel at, within a couple of months the hero dropped from #1 to #4 of top android phones. The main reason being of course the android pace of upgrades
since 2.x android has looked good, its picked up sense features and really is not that far behind the sense experience (apart from KB).. I could happily live without sense if i was on 2.x and would much prefere to have a update within 2 weeks then 6months that htc(and other companies) seem to provide.
The problem is I now want a incredible or a evo4 but I would prefere to be able to buy it with a Stock Android build that google will support like they do on the Nexus one.
Am I the only one who feels this?
</Rant>

It's a trade-off. With the evo you do have the option to use the stock android launcher though. But it still is up to the rom scene to do most of the work regarding updating the rom. Though HTC has stated that they will have, at least the evo, sense available for with 2.2 before July (I think the unofficial date is June 26 or something).
(OT)
I though the UK only had GSM carriers/towers and didn't know there would be a GSM version of the evo, and I didn't know there would be a GSM incredible(Verizon branded in the US)

I haven't heard or read anything about the HTC EVO or Incredible being produced in GSM versions. HTC have continuously stated that there won't be any GSM models of either phone. As far as I'm aware, anyway.
Do you have any links/sources that say otherwise?

Make sure you take note on the extensive time it takes to update a device with a custom UI. Learn from the eris, which JUST got its first official OTA, and even that was released pretty buggy. Even the Droid took a while, but that's just a Moto issue, and it didn't take near as long as others, as it has had 2 OTA's since it's release. Lets just hope HTC has worked out the kinks in their compilation and distribution of working software.

[Q] Help Me Choose a Smartphone plz

Hi Guys,
This is my first thread in the android section cuz I have been a windows mobile user for a long time with my SE xperia x1.
Now i'd like to buy another phone and unfortunately Windows Phone 7 lacks a lot of things so I'll go with an android phone. I think that froyo is really good.
I thought about the SE X10 but it only has android 2.1 and no official update for or no update at all for 2.2 which reflects how hard it'd be to update to any further version.
I also did some reading and found that Android 2.3 is soon to come and its minimum requirements are 1ghz processor and 512mb RAM. and I want to be able to update to it when the update comes out, so i want a phone with these minimum requirements and to currently have android 2.2 froyo on it.
so if u plz guide me to a phone with these specifications and not very expensive i'll be very thankful

T-Mobile's HTC G2 is a good phone, it has stock Android 2.2 and since it's one of Googles phones it should get the 2.3 update fairly quickly. Also Motorola's Droid 2 is stock 2.2 so it will get the update faster than other phones and has a 1ghz processor, and the Nexus One is probably the best Android phone out there.

Thanx for ur reply but sry i forgot to mention that i'm from Egypt and i'm going to get this phone from UAE so unfortunately there's no carrier phones so T-mobile g2 is not an option

An unlocked Nexus One should work over there. Do you're carriers use GSM?

I guess so, but I won't find a nexus one I'm not buying online

Well The Nexus One is the safest card at the moment. It will most likely be upgraded to gingerbread.
So if you can get hold of a nexus one, I think your problem is solved.
Here's something to read...
http://www.brighthand.com/default.a...ingerbread+3.0+Nexus+One+Upgrade+Release+Date

Thanx for your help, Bu I don't Think that the nexus one will be available where I'm buying plus honestly I don't think it looks beautiful either
so is there any other phone to consider??
The update to 2.3 doesn't have to be official but if the phone have the minimum requirements I believe that someone here at XDA will get the update running on it in no time
so any other recommendations ??
EDIT: There's a Probability that the Nexus One might be available so I'd like to know what does it lack among the phones available now cuz it has ben out since Jan 2010 it must be late on something I guess

I dont own one myself , so I cant really tell you anything about its cons or pros or whatever. However its physichal aspects does seems to feel a bit old, compared to HTC desire that is...

Alright, Let's say that I go for the desire
do u think that it'll be getting the 2.3 update either officially or non-officially
one more thing, is there any drawbacks with the desire?

I have no idea when it come to the desire actually.
And no, I personally think desire is the best android handset out yet =)

ahmedsalem89 said:
Alright, Let's say that I go for the desire
do u think that it'll be getting the 2.3 update either officially or non-officially
one more thing, is there any drawbacks with the desire?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the desire will not get an official 2.3. update.
But the Desire is almost the same as the Nexus One, which will get the 2.3. update, so there probably will be lots of 2.3.-ports for Desire from Nexus One.
I would'nt got for a SE-device, because imho their support is bad (updating on 2.1. when 2.2. already has been released 6 months ago WTF).
Regards

Yes I agree and as they both have practically the same specs, It would be bad marketing if they didnt offer a upgrade to the Desire aswell in my opinion...

Personally I would recommend the Galaxy S because the support is decent, it has a lot of supporters (custom roms, custom kernels, AOSP-ification etc).
Also hardware wise it is superior to anything on the market right now (strongest graphics chip) and the Super AMOLED is something out of this world! you have to see it to believe it.
Optionally you could wait till January for Nexus 2 which is a (?) modified version of galaxy S with gingerbread.
Secondary I could recommend the N900, it's an AWESOME hacking phone, just got USB hosting support (USB drives etc) and it looks like nokia might bring MeeGo to it after all.
But it's early adoption, yada yada, you'll have to take chances and learn some terminal commands and linux (no biggie) and in reward you get to run android, ubuntu palm pre apps (awesome games) at an almost perfect state(meaning phone, uit etc, games run perfect )!
Now what I would not recommend you to get is an iPhone.
The software support is awful, jaibreaking literally breaks the device (gsm etc...), buld quality, you must have read about it and buh-bye widgets flash and customizations.
's a blog about all that stuff, I keep reading and remain astonished...
http://theiphonefever.blogspot.com/2010/05/iphone-4g-screen-multimedia-flop.html

Yes you could buy a n900 and port it with upcoming nitdroid 0.0.9 (android 2.2.1)
But if you were looking to buy a android device in the first place I would not recommend to buy a n900 and port it to android and so on. I mean... gingerbread is soon to come and the NITDroid project is currently on the froyo stageline , in that case you would always be at least 1 year behind.

I wouldn't go for a galaxy S because of the lack of flash for the camera and the looks, I guess it looks kinda cheap and the desire is way better looking but I agree with you the super AMOLED is great.
and the n900 is very low on specs even if it'd boot android it'll be slow and laggy IMO, plus it's a NOKIA and for me this reason is more than enough not to buy it
and off course I wont even consider an iphone these phones r way stupid
I agree with nickownzya about SE phones I was astonished when I knew that the x10 got 2.1 while 2.2 was already out. why would they do that?!!!
so I guess I'll be either buying a desire or a nexus one, good looking, great support, and better hardware.
Thanx for the help guys

Desire and Nexus are cool but otherwise I hate HTC designs. Why do they always have to make that "spotted" back? what's wrong with a smooth finish?
Hard choice anyway, nexus seems to be close to the end of it's "lifetime" and kinda lags on specs HD video etc, but desire has more potential but doesn't have the same support...
Either way I don't agree about the galaxy looking cheap. SO far it's the only device with gorilla glass display (scratch proof so far for me) and it has the sleekest/thinnest shape of them all.
Also it has the strongest video hardware which will keep it from becoming obsolete a while longer than the competition. So far nothing takes full advantage of it though, unfortunately.

When it comes to design, it differs from a person to another. for me this plastic is too much plus it's a fingerprint magnet and I hate that. I would prefer a metal finish, metal buttons or even harder looking plastic with matte black or gray.
U seem to be a big galaxy S fan yourself and I don't hate it but If only they have added flash for the camera and took the whole thing and put it into a better looking body something like the milestone 2 which BTW also has Gorilla Glass display or a SE x10 I'd definitely go for it .
Anyway, Honestly I'd prefer the desire because of the same reason u mentioned .

Then go for desire, you wont be disapointed =)

Samsung galaxy s. You can't get better hardware.
Its not perfect out of the box.
Infact it need little care, but then its great.
I had an iphone4 before i did buy my sgs. Well now i don't have a iphone 4.
Sent from GT-I9000 jpo. My own kernel for z4mod and with 342MB Ram

ahmedsalem89 said:
Alright, Let's say that I go for the desire
do u think that it'll be getting the 2.3 update either officially or non-officially
one more thing, is there any drawbacks with the desire?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are not Jesus Christ or prophet mahomet....
There is plenty of threads to look for if you want an android phone. As I know... no one here works at google or at HTC ... we don't know nothing about gingerbread and wich one is gonna be updated and when. Google, youtube... make your homework. There's plenty of videos and reviews on the net...
I thought egyptians still use papyrus to communicate... no?

[Q] Nexus One benefit of 1st to get updates is a big advantage?

Hi,
I know that the Google Nexus One gets the Android updates faster then the others, some like the Hero got the Froyo update much later but in general especially in the latest Android Phones how much later they get the updates? This N1 advantage is so very significant that makes one choose it instead of eg the HTC Desire wich is 95% equal?
Regards
RB

i think so,this is the reason why i choose n1 but not Desire~~however,user the latest rom is more important than others~

Anymore opinions? Desire users did you already been offer the latest 2 part update with minor bug fixes?

Read an article a few days ago that the HTC Legend is only getting Froyo this month but only in Europe
Even if the sense shell makes the android in it different that is a long time! but off course this have HTC speculation also and probably that is the biggest the reason of the delay because HTC software designers already proved that they are good. But i think that maybe Sony is even worst.
I myself couldn´t live no more without Java.

Best Phones for Testing APKs?

We need to buy about 2 phones for testing some custom android apps we've built.
Does anyone have suggestions on what the best phones for testing would be?
I was thinking something with HTC sense on it, and something with stock android on it. Both need to be able to s-off and root easily.

erm... the google dev phones (nexus) ?? Personally I use galaxy nexus most for this kinda thing

For any kind of software testing, you need to know how it will function on both the latest and greatest devices, as well as the oldest hardware you intend to support.
I'd think for the price of two top-tier 2012 phones, you could buy 1 top of the line current phone, one from last year, and one from 2 years ago. Possibly also include Sense, Touchwiz and vanilla android.

Something running GB and something running ICS/JB. Many phones are still on GB so a used device running GB would be useful to test on.

Test it on emulator first?

jianC said:
Test it on emulator first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes for sure it's the first thing to do,but not always if it works on emulator it will work on specific phone

Nexus one and galaxy nexus. Then you've got gingerbread and jellybean covered

If you need a newer phone for testing , the Galaxy Nexus is an obvious choice .
If you need a older phone ( old hardware ) to test yous apps , have a look at Nexus 1 or HTC Desire , it can run flawlessly 2.2 , 2.3 and 4.0.4 . I have a Desire on ICS ( BCM ) so I can tell .

willpower102 said:
We need to buy about 2 phones for testing some custom android apps we've built.
Does anyone have suggestions on what the best phones for testing would be?
I was thinking something with HTC sense on it, and something with stock android on it. Both need to be able to s-off and root easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HD2? ROMs range from Android 2.1-4.1 (AOSP, AOKP, CM), Sense 2.0-3.5 (one discontinued Sense 4 alpha), TouchWiz + GB, Xperia Arc GB, MIUI etc. It's also got similar specs to a low-range phone nowadays so that would be a good choice I think. In addition, a One X probably.

HTC One X?!

Samsung galaxy nexus
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Galaxy nexus its official hands down
Sent from my evo 4g using xda premium

It seems it is indeed no contest there.
Does the Galaxy Nexus come with Sense by default? (It's been a while since I've looked into these. Last Android phone I owned was a droid bionic and before that the htc hero.)
We definitely are going to support gingerbread, so we'll need a little bit of an older phone too. I'm sure breaking it up like that into 3 or so phones is ok, as long as they fall under budget.
And yeah, the dev tests with emulators, but I'm QA on this project so I get to play with them real-world once he's done and find more bugs.

Nexus S and a Galaxy Nexus,
Will do the job well:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-S5660 using xda premium

willpower102 said:
It seems it is indeed no contest there.
Does the Galaxy Nexus come with Sense by default? (It's been a while since I've looked into these. Last Android phone I owned was a droid bionic and before that the htc hero.)
We definitely are going to support gingerbread, so we'll need a little bit of an older phone too. I'm sure breaking it up like that into 3 or so phones is ok, as long as they fall under budget.
And yeah, the dev tests with emulators, but I'm QA on this project so I get to play with them real-world once he's done and find more bugs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GNex is a Nexus phone, so why would it come with Sense?
Anyway, the best choice is still the HD2 IMO. You can test it on all versions of Android from 2.1-4.1 and it's incredibly cheap, with specs which are not too bad (1GHz Snapdragon with 576MB RAM) for the price. If you can get the app to run smoothly on the HD2 the likelihood is that it will run on any newer phone.

IMHO you have yo use a stock device.. nexus as all the docs suggest. Custom ROMs have additions substitutions and tweaks that in a dev sense are not baseline. Although the differences are minimal or should be. Better to play safe. So nexus s and galaxy nexus.. Google provide stock ROMs for these in dev device downloads.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Noted. Thanks.
And yeah, that's cool that some of these phones support plenty of roms, but I don't want to be flashing 3 different roms every time the dev iterates a new point (v.2) update. I'd rather have 2-3 phones ready to go. (seems lazy, but I've got a lot of other work to do to

We got a droid (motorola timestamp issues), a Galaxy Nexus, and an hd2. So the hd2 comes stock with windows mobile? This is strange to me.

willpower102 said:
We got a droid (motorola timestamp issues), a Galaxy Nexus, and an hd2. So the hd2 comes stock with windows mobile? This is strange to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the hd2 does have a lot of support, but when the top threads in the device specific forum warn of how unstable and beta-ish android development is on this phone, then I'm not really as excited as I was. might end up returning this one.

Galaxy S vs HTC HD2 - the return

NOTE: I have read the older threads HD2 vs Galaxy S, but they're from the very beginnings of the two and, while I still believe some of the comments are fair enough, they refer to other times.
Ok, so here's the background: I own a Galaxy S (GT-i9000) and I am not satisfied at all with it. Whatever Android version I'll flash on it, it does always strike back with some annoying bugs. Stock GB 2.3.6 works but many apps I have will not go along with it; CM9 (ICS 4.0.4) works, but hangs too often. CM10 (both JB 4.1.2 and 4.2.1) for some reason is so slow I can't even keep it for a day-to-day use, and it crashes frequently with no apparent reason. Finally I ended up using a CM11 nightly (KK 4.4.2), and seems to work, I'm still testing it.
But the point is I can't keep going on like this. It's more than a year that I don't have a stable configuration on the phone and I keep flashing ROMs and installing apps over and over every two weeks or so, every time going through all the settings again and again, restoring backing up and restoring... I'm just tired of it all!
Today, good news: A friend gifted me his HTC HD2 because he messed up with the software and the phone wasn't working anymore. I managed to flash the original WM6.5 OS and I found out that the touchscreen wouldn't respond to any kind of touches -> most probable cause, as discovered from searches, is the touchscreen controller which got broken. A touchscreen (only) would cost me around 25€ (around 35$ USD) excluded the costs of the actual replacing job. Not a very big deal, I may afford that.
I haven't tried an Android OS on the HD2 (even if wanted, I couldn't with a broken touch) but I see there are many custom ROMs available, and this is nice. Hardware differences seem to be not too big and honestly I like very much the HD2 design and the slightly heavy feel of it in my hand (off topic: what's all this thing about making phones light-weight? it's not like people would love to have a piece of paper in hand instead of a phone ). The Galaxy S is just awful from this point of view and as I said before, I am not satisfied at all with it.
The big question: is it worth spending money on the HD2, so I could replace my Galaxy S (possibly sell it)? Or should I keep the Galaxy S? When replying with your opinion on which should I keep, please add your reasons for suggesting such. And before you ask, yes, I have a whole life (apps) on android that I need so I would be using Android on the HD2. Thank you very much in advance!

Hello,
There are 3 threads devoted to discussions about devices, please repost your question in one of these three threads: The what should I buy thread or the The Device Suggestion Thread or the The Device Comparison Thread.
Thanks!