Software Keyboard - Can Apple install Swype? Android Wins. Does Apple have a HW keyboard? Android wins.

Does the iPhone really do a system wide search like Android? I think it's awesome I can search so many outlets through the universal search widget, including content NOT on my phone.

6/10/2010 11:04:52 AM

It has phone wide search currently, though in 4.0 it's supposed to be getting links to turn that sitewide search into a Google/Wiki search as well.

6/10/2010 11:08:11 AM

So Swype is that keyboard typing system on the commercial where that guy beat the world's record for fastest text messaging? I don't *quite* have an android yet, but I am getting the motorola droid in July (unless someone convinces me of a better Verizon android phone). If swype is really as badass as you say, I may dump the physical keyboard and get the incredible instead...

6/10/2010 11:10:51 AM

Yes, it is.

I have a Droid and I literally never use the hardware keyboard.

6/10/2010 11:12:30 AM

^ yeah, I was not on board at first... but EVERYONE I have given it to has been all about it. ie, going through withdrawal if they don't have it. Pecking on a soft KB now seems absurd.

Two buddies with droids, and me with a G1 NEVER use our physical KB now. i will be getting the Samsung Galaxy S soon... no physical KB

6/10/2010 11:13:03 AM

Quote :

"Samsung says its Super AMOLED is better than any 'retina display' Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 2010 by Jerry Hildenbrand Samsung makes all sorts of electronics (including some nice Android phones), but their name is synonymous with screen technology. That being said, anytime they chime in about screens or displays, we tend to listen. "Structurally, IPS LCD technology cannot catch up with AMOLED display technology." That's what Samsung has to say in response to Apple's claim that their new IPS screen is superior to OLED. Samsung claims that IPS only offers a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in sharpness, at a cost of 30 percent more power use. They (Samsung) also claim that the Super AMOLED display on the upcoming Galaxy S will offer better viewing angles and contrast than the upcoming iPhone. We would love to find out for ourselves, but we still don't have a Galaxy S to play with review. Samsung, toss us a bone so we can help prove your point!"

6/10/2010 11:16:26 AM

^3 Which phone do you have right now?

I came from a TP2 and I was definitely worried about the lack of a hardware keyboard. Someone at XDA had Swype ported before the HD2/Leo hit shelves so I got to play around with it. It made 1 hand texting quite bearable and I know I won't have any regrets dropping the h/w. The HTC keyboard is actually pretty sexy too and I almost prefer that if I had to type in landscape mode, but I'm trying to become a Swype expert.

Maybe it was ported and tweaked initially from the Omnia and the HD2 version later, I can't remember. It's been around for WinMo devices for a while now though - which is why I asked. If you could get a hold of one then you could test it yourself.

--
You guys that use KeyRing. Is there a collection of scannable barcodes online that we can add to for stores that aren't really worth filling out the paperwork?

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 11:22 AM. Reason : ]

6/10/2010 11:16:55 AM

^ great idea about keyring, would be curious myself....

6/10/2010 11:29:45 AM

Quote :

"The only thing I can think of offhand that's definitely worse on Android than on the iPhone when it comes to web browsing (though it's pretty much across the device in general) is that scrolling is a lot less fluid than on the iPhone."

Completely depends on the browser and the rom. When my backflip isn't bogged down by too much shit going on at once it's very smooth. Dolphin Browser leaves a VERY smooth internet experience.

6/10/2010 11:35:39 AM

The Evo is certainly as fluid.

6/10/2010 11:51:52 AM

^ yeah, I let that comment go too.... not is "fluid" relative and have a lot of factors, I cant say a browser would be better over such a petty thing. Of course, the poster I think knows this too...

6/10/2010 11:57:22 AM

After playing with an Evo for a bit yesterday and a Droid in the past, I can say that it's not as fluid in the default browser.

Maybe another browser fixes it, I don't know, but even as big a malcontent as I am with my iPhone, it's the one thing that they've gotten right and Android is still lacking on.

Just for clarification, I'm not saying it's terrible on Android, it just simply isn't as good.

6/10/2010 12:09:42 PM

did you guys find a version of swype that works on the EVO? Ive found two different links for swype but it is incompatible with the screen size of the EVO.

6/10/2010 12:12:33 PM

^ try this:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=687056

6/10/2010 12:20:14 PM

Rooting the Incredible
http://unrevoked.com/rootwiki/doku.php?id=public:adb_in_recovery

Looks like a new version of flash is available for those running Froyo
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/10/download-flash-10-beta-2-for-droid/

6/10/2010 12:21:35 PM

So, wait... can I get Froyo for the droid?

6/10/2010 12:27:17 PM

^^ I would really suggest waiting on rooting the Evo.... way too early.

^ yes, get Rom Manager and download it. Its stock, and its beta... but you can. You can also intstall Flash and watch shit. Just watched a clip of Sarah Palin's boob job on my buddys droid.



[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 12:28 PM. Reason : tg]

6/10/2010 12:27:44 PM

Where do I find Flash to install it?

6/10/2010 12:34:23 PM

^ the link I posted a couple posts up

http://alldroid.org/tabid/62/g/posts/t/251/ROM-Bugless-Beast-V0-1-FRF57-FROYO-RC.aspx

That's the Froyo rom I'm running on the droid. If you're rooted, download rom manager, stick the zip file on your sd card, choose Install rom from sd card and you're done. Make sure to check the box to make a backup and wipe data/cache

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 12:35 PM. Reason : ]

6/10/2010 12:34:28 PM

What app do you guys use to listen to 88.1?

I see on their site they say to use DroidLive (now xiaalive or something)... not familiar with that app. Would like some recommendations.

Here is the feed for 88.1 if anyone wants it.

http://152.1.91.207:8000/wknchq.m3u

6/10/2010 1:49:50 PM

http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/10/motorola-launching-2ghz-android-phone-in-2010/

Quote :

"Motorola Launching 2Ghz Android Phone In 2010? On 06.10.10, In News, by Kellex We already knew that Motorola had plans to release 2-4 new Android smartphones by the end of the year, but what we didn’t know is that they are hoping to make one of those the most ridiculously powerful devices ever. Moto CEO Sanjay Jha, snuck in the gem of all gems yesterday in his speech at the Executives Club of Chicago, by announcing a 2Ghz powered Android smartphone which should be released before the end of 2010. Wow. Another Moto big wig also chimed in with a few more of the device’s details… "…this new phone is intended to incorporate everything that is technologically possible in a smartphone today. It will be based on Android, and include, like the iPhone 4, a gyroscope and add an Nvidia Tegra-based graphics processor with full Flash 10.1 hardware acceleration""

6/10/2010 1:51:03 PM

Quote :

"The only thing I can think of offhand that's definitely worse on Android than on the iPhone when it comes to web browsing (though it's pretty much across the device in general) is that scrolling is a lot less fluid than on the iPhone."

I'm carrying both an iPhone 3GS and an Evo 4G and the scrolling definitely isn't as smooth on the Evo for me. I'm not talking about the browser, I'm talking about the OS, Maps, Apps, wherever. Scrolling and zooming just aren't as fluid in my opinion, a little more jerky. Now it's not bad or anything, hell it works great...it's just not quite as smooth. To me it's pretty minor, and if I hadn't of been an iPhone user I wouldn't even mention it, because I wouldn't identify it as a problem, or even an annoyance.

6/10/2010 1:52:32 PM

The Moron Test app was reduced in price... its kinda stupid but it's entertaining.

6/10/2010 2:57:24 PM

^^Yeah, I've noticed that when I've played with Android phones at stores. Oh well, I still want one. Going to look at the Evo 4G tonight and I'll either switch from AT&T or else stay and get an N1.

^How'd you find out about the price drop? I'm still trying to find out if Android has an AppShopper-type site or else an app like AppSniper/Bargainbin.

Have you guys seen this, btw? Samsung Galaxy S smoking N1 on some "Neocare" app?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLUQP7CWyeQ

6/10/2010 4:10:46 PM

^if you can wait as much as a month or two it looks like AT&T will get another android, this one a HTC. There's like 4 rumors about one right now. Old ones are that it'd be the Desire (which would be similar to the Incredible, but slightly better), or Legend (which would be neat, but nothing special). Newer rumors say a smaller android phone (~2.8" screen) with a snapdragon processor (rumored to be the HTC Aria or Liberty), or the newest rumor:

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/06/08/htc-intruder-the-mystery-att-android-phone/

a 3.5" inch screen on that

Per AT&T's facebook page they are going to announce something soon Re: Android

6/10/2010 4:47:06 PM

That's great and all, but AT&T's coverage blows loads of ass.

6/10/2010 4:48:37 PM

For me it works great. Everywhere I go I have signal, 95% of where I go I have 3G, and 100% of the time I have 3G it's the fastest available 3G in the area.

The whole ability to use both talk and data at the same time is awesome too. If I lived in the boonies I might need to reconsider my 3G options but seeing as I stick to major cities for the most part I have no issues.

6/10/2010 4:52:45 PM

Is my map in da way?

6/10/2010 4:53:14 PM

Quote :

"^^Yeah, I've noticed that when I've played with Android phones at stores. Oh well, I still want one. Going to look at the Evo 4G tonight and I'll either switch from AT&T or else stay and get an N1."

make sure you get dat corporate discount!!

some positive financial things I noticed about Sprint so far

1 - cheap plans, with discounts on top. uber cheap for unlimited everything (except for the rare person who calls landlines a lot between 7am and 7pm)
2 - reasonable ETF ($200), unlike AT&T and Verizon's $325 and $350
3 - 30 day money back guarantee, get ALL your $ back if you don't like anything. don't even have to pay for the plan
4 - great insurance plan. for the evo it's only $7 per month and only a $100 replacement fee

haven't had any issues with coverage *yet* (haven't left Raleigh yet either), and it seems like running a PRL update when you are having issues can help...

Quote :

"he whole ability to use both talk and data at the same time is awesome too. "

think you can do that with Sprint's new 4G network...which admittedly is in it's early stages so coverage is limited

6/10/2010 4:55:13 PM

ATT:

Quote :

"we will have new Android devices to announce soon!"

6/10/2010 4:59:20 PM

Quote :

"think you can do that with Sprint's new 4G network...which admittedly is in it's early stages so coverage is limited"

yeah, you can do both as long as you have 4G or wifi access.

6/10/2010 5:09:14 PM

3 evo/android questions (i'm not sure which is which at this point :beatup

1 - Whats a good app for changing the unlocking behaviour of the phone? The power button on this thing is flush with the phone, then you gotta swipe. How can I get the power button out of the equation at least? I saw some lady in the Sprint store that had an App to make the colume buttons wake it up...what are some good ones to try?

2 - I'm assuming you all use app killers right? I've been playing with the Advanced App Killer thus far.

3 - what's a good battery monitoring/management app?

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 6:05 PM. Reason : ]

6/10/2010 5:53:34 PM

1. you can dig around some of the app sites, i know there are multiple apps like this. with a 30 second search i found http://androidapplications.com/25441-no-lock

2. i've got advanced task killer. some people claim it doesn't save battery, other claim it does. i don't know, i'm still figuring it out but i hate that the EVO's app "amazon mp3 store" likes to launch itself so i gotta kill that shit.

3. are you wanting a widget? for an app maybe try http://androidapplications.com/22467-battery-indicator or http://androidapplications.com/15482-batterylife

6/10/2010 6:33:28 PM

rooting oh god

*crosses fingers*

6/10/2010 6:56:19 PM

I like Android System Info, Advanced Task Manager, and Memory Task Cleaner for task killers. The first of those shows how much cpu time each app is currently using, the second has a nice easy uninstaller built in and rests in the notification bar thing, and the last cleans unused system memory which speeds things up.

6/10/2010 7:05:34 PM

are you having to go the rsdlite from the Verizon 2.1 route?

6/10/2010 7:06:18 PM

Oh and I like the batterylife widget.

6/10/2010 7:07:42 PM

Droid 2

6/10/2010 8:22:00 PM

well the keyboard looks better...but they *had* to improve that thing

6/10/2010 8:35:50 PM

http://unrevoked.com Such a painless root. Just delete the app and restart if you're worried about bringing your phone in for service.

So I'm trying to decide what to do with my Evo. After my screen protector fiasco there is a cluster of pixels that are brighter than the rest when on a white background. If I can find a decent camera around here I'll try to shoot it.

Anyway, on one hand I know my RS is only getting 3 in and at least 2 have already been spoken for. Plus the 2 hours and 18 bucks I spent applying the body kit would be flushed. I have to point it out to everyone and like I said it's only noticeable when on a white background. Other than that the phone is flawless. But then again I could get a two months down the road and it would spread and I might end up with a refurbished unit.

http://bri4n.com/com.swype.android.inputmethod.apk is the Swype I have installed on the Evo. No problems so far.

6/10/2010 9:05:34 PM

Another graphics benchmark test. Droid edges out N1, Inc and Evo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEAWmSB1P8w

BB v0.1 @ 800MHz v Stock Droid
263 Frames (5.3 Fps) v 225 Frames (4.5Fps)
1169 Frames (39.0 Fps) v 1197 Frames (39.9 Fps)

App can be downloaded from http://www.glbenchmark.com/index.jsp. You can download it without registering but you have to be registered to view your results.

6/10/2010 9:25:56 PM

I can't get flash to load on any sites. CBS says "video is either unavailable or blocked."

EDIT: well, Fox.com works... but it runs at like 5 fps

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 10:38 PM. Reason : ]

6/10/2010 10:35:16 PM

yeah, I got cbs.com to work but it's pretty painful to try to watch even over wifi. Type about:debug in the browser, hit enter, hit menu button, more, settings. Scroll all the way down and set UAString to Desktop. On a side note, I love this chrome to phone plugin.

6/10/2010 10:52:31 PM

What browser? the stock one?

6/10/2010 10:59:18 PM

yeah. It works in dolphin too if you change the agent to Desktop in settings.

6/10/2010 11:06:02 PM

hm, when I type about:debug and hit enter in the stock browser nothing happens.....

EDIT: Nevermind, I figured it out....



I need to spice things up a little..........

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 11:09 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 11:10 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on June 10, 2010 at 11:13 PM. Reason : ]

6/10/2010 11:08:00 PM

Quote :

"and the last cleans unused system memory which speeds things up."

uh oh, i'm thinking

http://www.linuxatemyram.com/

6/11/2010 11:28:59 AM

^basically what it does when you "clean memory" is tell it to run garbage collection earlier than the OS normally does. provided a small, but noticeable boost in performance afterward.

6/11/2010 11:55:53 AM

I still don't see why people insist on running task managers or memory management tools especially on the more advanced devices. I've had the Droid for about 5 months and have yet to feel the need to use either. If you're having issues, you should probably look at the apps you're using more so than trying to kill off tasks.

6/11/2010 12:10:09 PM

Because no app is perfect it really helps to have task killers.

The pandora app is sure to fuck up on me at least once every other day, some of the bloatware on the phone likes to open itself every now and then

att released a video showing what looks like the htc aria/liberty/intruder

6/11/2010 12:15:39 PM