MGoDC

June 4th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^

Not personally a phone expert, and at work so I don't particularly feel like doing too much research (I mean, I'm already on mgoblog I shouldnt be wasting even more time).

Would you care to elaborate on some of the better features of this phone? Or what exactly it is supposed to do that other phones dont do at all or dont do as well?

MGoDC

June 4th, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^

+1 to you. It's certainly an interesting concept, however I dont feel the need to videochat when I'm away from either my home or my office, so I'll probably pass on this one.

Geaux_Blue

June 4th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^

In brief:

  • Runs on 3G and 4G wireless signals. 4G runs, at times, 10x faster
  • Droid OS
  • 4.3" touch-screen
  • legal tethering - for $30/month you can make this a wireless hub, providing internet to up to 5 wireless devices
  • $70/month for unlimited web, messaging, cell phone calls and 450 mins to landlines
  • 8 Megapixel cameras on back, 1.3 on front 
  • Video conferencing capability due to aforementioned front camera
  • Google mobile services
  • FM radio, digital compass
  • Built-in kickstand
  • Weighs 6 ounces

Wide Open

June 4th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^

From what I hear, the 1.3 MP camera is designed for pictures you upload through the phone (through Facebook, picture messaging, etc.) They're (obvs.) lower quality pics, but it makes for faster upload times and decreases the data usage.  For plans that charge based on bandwidth amount, that's huge. 

The 8 MP pics should just be downloaded to the computer.

Now, if they can assure me they won't screw up my bill or give crappy customer service, like everybody I know that has Sprint, I'd switch to it.

mtzlblk

June 4th, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^

going to go get mine today. I have been waiting for this phone for two years.

1 GHz snapdragon processor - this phone will not make you wait for something to happen after pressing a button, it is OVER powered

I love the wi-fi spot feature, you can sit down, connect your laptop to the internet at 4G speed (once live in your area), connect with your friends' phones and start playing connected and/or online games.

The other aspect is, so I hear, that it will get android version 2.2 froyo soon after it is out, so the latest greatest OS version right off the bat, no waiting.

Also, there are thousands of new applications every day, so pretty soon you will have more than you know what to do with.

AT&T, on the other hand, is going to allow iPhones to tether, which I can only guess for their already overloaded network is going to cause huge problems. I switched to Sprint almost 6 mos. ago and i can't believe the difference and soon I will have 4G in SF so the difference will be even bigger. I couldn't be more pleased with the choice.

Bryan

June 4th, 2010 at 3:52 PM ^

But Apple looks to push technology more so than other companies with eliminating technologies that probably will not be around in the coming years, but also about making $. Not having flash has helped with the app store, and the app store have helped to fuel the sales of more units. 

Geaux_Blue

June 4th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^

Because iPhones/Pods/Pads don't have Flash because Apple intentionally didn't include it. that's just stupid. they decided to save a buck and rely on fandom and state-of-the-art status. If there was a phone even comparable to the iPhone before it came out they would never have let not having Flash slide.

Bryan

June 4th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^

In the end the company is about making profits, and Apple does that better than pretty much any tech company at present. 

I just watched a 10 min video review on the EVO, I'm sorry, but there is nothing there that is groundbreaking. Couple that with what appear to be serious security issues with the OS due to the hasty customization...

But it has a big screen

Geaux_Blue

June 5th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^

that's Droid. Droid does not have employees dedicated to testing apps before they are on the marketplace and rely instead on user feedback. however, Apple has had similar problems with software vulnerability so he's not exactly making a profound, one-sided argument if he's targeting Droids.

NorthSideBlueFan

June 4th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^

No matter how awesome the features or capabilities are, a lot a folks just won't hear a word of it if it doesn't have a piece of fruit on the back.

(Insert overplayed apple story from The Onion here.)

That being said, this and the HTC Incredible do appear to be totally bad ass.

umjgheitma

June 4th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^

and I really like it. HD2 has pretty much the same specs just runs windows mobile and doesn't do 4G. The sense UI is great and hopefully with this platform you can run Skyfire as a browser (full web experience, embedded videos and such).  I would think anyone would be happy with this phone, HTC touchscreens are top notch and don't even need a screen cover (no scratches after 2 and a half months of everyday use).

MGauxBleu

June 4th, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^

  • Sprint PHONE service sucks, can't imagine how the 4G coverage will be
  • 4G in limited places
  • HTC makes great devices
  • Sense is awesome
  • Sense makes OS upgrades REALLY hard. I have an Eris and waited months for an Android update. Once I got the update, I lost things like the ability to use the phone
  • HTML5 is where it is at, but Flash is not going away. If you are going to present a full browser experience, then content wrapped in flash is going to be an issue.
  • This phone has boss specs.

Do research and buy the device that best aligns to your habits, expectations, carrier limitations and such.

mtzlblk

June 4th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^

as compared to AT&T, although it can be highly dependent on what area network build you are in.

When I switched from AT&T to sprint living right in San Francisco, my coverage, call quality and stability went through the roof.

SF is like ground zero for mac fanboydom, so the network here has been under an extreme strain from the number of iPhone drilling it all day.

I work in the industry and have heard pretty good things about the 4G stuff where it has been deployed, still waiting in SF though it is supposed to be soon.

Geaux_Blue

June 4th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^

everyone rips on it and i have had zero problems with it. some buildings can impede with the signal but i've lived in various cities in Michigan as well as New Orleans and extensive travel in rural areas nationwide and never had real problems. what's more, i haven't had a dropped call in years. have you had a bad experience?

WichitanWolverine

June 4th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^

Yes, I had dropped calls up the wazoo (in Metro Detroit).  I switched to Verizon and have had no problems (even here in BFE).  My good friend lives in Austin, TX and still has Sprint.  He has dropped calls and never-delivered text messages frequently, and that's obviously a big city.

Wes Mantooth

June 4th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

When Verizon gets the iPhone I'll consider switching.  Although since I'm about to get an EVO I'll probably want to hold onto it for a while.  But I agree, I refuse to go to AT&T.  I've heard nothing but horror stories.  One of my good friends is a big gadget freak and he doesn't even bother using his iPhone for phone calls anymore.  He loves it as a gadget but can't even connect when making calls...

MichTits

June 4th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^

I just switch to Verizon because in Denver my Sprint connection would not only drop calls, but I wouldn't receive calls altogether sometimes.  Also I would get text messages 6 hours after they were sent.  And the same with people receiving my messages.  Didn't wanna switch, but I had to

Geaux_Blue

June 4th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^

i suspect it being poor timing in terms of Sprint not having the tower-sharing or build up they have currently. cell coverage absolutely sucks in Louisiana and all i ever hear is complaints from friends with Verizon and AT&T. if your contract runs out anytime soon i would highly recommend considering Sprint. you can see from their coverage maps they do have an extensive layout. 

UMBLUE

June 4th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^

My buddy just switched from Verizon to Sprint because his 3G coverage was so terrible where he lived.  He also said that his texts never sent wherever he was, but his phone coverage was great.  He said that Sprint has come a long way from the last time he was with them(2004).  Not saying that Sprint is better than Verizon, just thought it was worth saying.