Technology Android

masta247 · Nov 6, 2012

For example, Verizon does bad things to Motorola these days. They force their demands on them.
This for example:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/16/3513860/motorola-stock-android-customization-verizon
Sure Verizon helps Motorola sell with advertisement money, that's why they have the power. But because of this the only thing they get is that guys on the other side of the world get shitty Motorola phones instead of awesome stock Android, so they lose a lot of potential markets. And frankly, US is not the biggest market for Android so I believe that manufactures lose a lot by "partnering" with carriers in the US like that. Especially US-only carriers that only care about their US market.

I don't know Android's history in the US but it would surely take off without Verizon. In the US it was Droid, internationally it was Milestone. Just a different naming scheme, but they didn't really take off too well outside of US.
Android took off worldwide with G1, however, as far as I can tell it was T-mobile which is to thank for that, and T-mobile is an international brand as opposed to Verizon.
For example in Europe, Android only had to compete against Symbian and Windows Mobile at the time of its launch and it had it easy with T-mobile promoting the G1.

Pittsey · Nov 6, 2012

Anyone using the paranoidandroid rom?

dilla · Nov 6, 2012

masta247 said:

I'm not talking about the Motorola Droid. I am talking about the DROID line of phones. The Droid Incredible, the Droid X, the OG Droid and 2. Even the Samsung Fascinate (GS1) on VZW, I think was the best selling one. The DInc and OG Droid definitely put and Android on the map in the US. The only thing another carrier had that was similar at that time was Sprint and its EVO 4G.

S O F I · Nov 6, 2012

I can't understand why people (who don't want an iPhone) choose Verizon and AT&T over T-Mobile. T-Mobile is ridiculously cheaper and the service is great as long as you live in an urban area. I've never had issues with T-Mobile service in Seattle.

masta247 · Nov 6, 2012

S O F I said:

Yeah, T-mobile appears to be the all-around best network in the US. I did a lot of research when picking a deal for myself (I wanted pre-paid) and T-mobile was the best as well.

Coonie said:

How is Verizon to thank for the Droid line of phones? I remember that they took part in the development of the original Milestone/Droid but in the end the Droid series were mostly international phones, branded by Verizon. I think Verizon sticked with Motos and provided heavy funding and promotion just because they couldn't get Iphones from Apple and didn't want to lose customers. I suppose Verizon wants as much control over Motorola as they can get while keeping Motorola dependent on their partnership.
I believe Moto weren't even allowed to unveil their latest line-up of phones (RAZR) - Verizon wanted to do it, which is kind of ridiculous considering that Verizon is a no-name brand outside of the US and those Moto RAZRs are international phones. If Motorola worked independently they could release phones they wanted to (with stock Android for example) and market them internationally without focusing on one market. But instead they are focusing on appealing to Verizon customers only. They are a tool to make people stay with Verizon.

dilla · Nov 6, 2012

Right. It helped Verizon a ton as well, because their phones used to come with bloatware out the ass. This kinda changed that. In 2009, what were you Android options? A Hero on fledgling Sprint, nothing on AT&T, and the G1 and MyTouch on T-Mobile. Ask anyone in America, and they will tell you how the ads for the Droid and Droid Eris still stick in their minds today.

People still call Android phones "Droids" even if it's a Galaxy S3 from Sprint. That's smart on Verizon's part in having everything be a "DROID" and stupid on the poeple's part for not realizing what it really entails as a phone (being part of Verizon).

AT&T and T-Mobile and Sprint combined could not have made Android as big as it is in America as it is today like VZW did. Outside the States, VZW did nothing.

Flipmo · Nov 7, 2012

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/6048/lg-google-nexus-4-review-jelly-bean

Another pretty balanced review for the Nexus 4

dilla · Nov 9, 2012

What are the drawbacks to the Galaxy S3's screen again? Because I can't see shit in the sun.

ARon · Nov 9, 2012

is your brightness up?

dilla · Nov 9, 2012

No matter the brightness, it's stills hit. The lower the brightness, the worse it gets, I think.

masta247 · Nov 9, 2012

Coonie said:

I'd say T-mobile's G1 did everything for Android after all. It started a huge geek movement that would only grow bigger without Verizon's help, there was the SGS in the making already anyway which turned out to be the first huge international phone that was that much better than the Iphone and was that much more of a commercial success than the Milestone. Just a bit earlier there was the HTC Desire. They both raped the Droid/Milestone sales figures.
I think people attribute way too much power to carriers in the US (despite the fact that unfortunately they have the final say in some aspects that they shouldn't for some reason). Google wants to make it like it should be though. There aren't many places in the world where carriers advertise their phones or get exclusive deals. They advertise their service and try to be cool while by the way showcasing their phone prices (which are freaking high compared to US prices to be fair). However carriers don't really have huge ties with the carriers outside of the US and other than the prices it works out better because you can get most phones on most networks.

Coonie said:

It's a specific issue. On one hand, the SGS3 scores as the phone withe the best sunlight legibiity display:

Exact data here: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-review-761p2.php

But, whenever I get to use the SGS3 under direct sunglight it appears to be a bit dim. I got used to it however. You begin to realize that despite it appearing dim you're able to see everything a little bit better because it doesn't really reflect the sunlight directly in your face and doesn't have a backlit display like LCDs do, it's more like a picture - which means that the image is still visible. It's just less bright than most LCDs so at the beginning it seems counterintuitive because it feels so dim.

ARon · Nov 10, 2012

I always watch movies from my computer on my tv and shit while im laying down and I constantly have to get up to change this or that, it' annoying. I've been meaning to set up a vlc remote for my phone for the longest time and I finally did it. I chose to use Unified Remote and it's fucking slick. I can control my mouse, do text input, open programs, use the start menu, it has a file explorer, shut my comp down an anything related with that, and most importantly it has a media remote and also vlc player remote that I use all from the comfort of my bed. My lazy American dream is finally coming full circle, be jealous. It was super easy to setup as well, all you do is install the server on your comp, install the app on your phone and that's basically it.

I just used my phone to change a song while I was in the shower, I don't know why I waited so long to do this

Pittsey · Nov 10, 2012

^^

XBMC...!

masta247 · Nov 10, 2012

ARon · Nov 10, 2012

Pittsey said:

I actually have an old computer I want to turn into one. That and setup some shit on usenet

THEV1LL4N · Nov 10, 2012

So my USB OTG device arrived today which I will use with my Nexus 7. To those who need more storage on the go, it's not a perfect solution but you can add any storage method that uses USB (i.e. USB stick, compact external hard drive).

I will use it to hook up my PS3 controller and once rooted I can use it wirelessly. Then I can play Sonic 1-3, Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic CD and then finally begin Sonic 4 (I want to play them all in chronological order). By that time Sonic & All Stars Transformed should be out. I hope the N64 emulator works as well cos Mario Kart 64 would be good on the go.

Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Mario, Donkey Kong, Micro Machines and various others will be good.

ARon · Nov 10, 2012

masta247 said:

I really want to see WP8 catch on. I think it's pretty cool. Let's face it, Android isn't for everyone, I'd like to see WP8 be that other good option for other people

THEV1LL4N · Nov 11, 2012

Yea, it's more of a hipster thing at the moment. I see lots of them with colourful Lumias.

masta247 · Nov 11, 2012

I don't see a group of people that would see WP8 more "suited for them" than Android or iOS. I would like another mobile OS to compete, perhaps a new one or something that would be really good but I kind of can't see Windows Phone in its current form taking off as a serious competitor. I'm surprised Microsoft can't see that when pumping all the marketing cash.
Because let's face it - Microsoft is putting crazy marketing money, manufacturers are using their best Android phones and modifying them for Windows Phone and STILL nobody buys them. Not even a hint, Microsoft?

The unrelated, but surprising news now:
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_and_apple_end_their_patent_feud_with_a_global_settlement-news-5065.php

No more patent wars between HTC and Apple for the next 10 years. Crazy. I wonder what were the terms and who pays who.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 11, 2012

Has anyone rooted their Nexus 7?

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