Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a replacement for my N95 which borked and am quite intrigued by the HTC Touch HD or Blackstone so thought I would join on here.
One of the features I liked about my N95 was the ability to browse the web so that is why I am drawn to this phone. I also like the idea of having lots of features and functionality.
One thing I can't find out though is how good it is at being a normal phone (I don't know if saying 'normal phone' is sacreligious around here). I do quite like phoning people and also texting people. I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response. Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?
To be absolutely honest: as a REAL phone (texting and calling people)...it is not as good as a real phone with a phone keyboard. For that experience, get an old candybar Nokia. But then again, iphone or any other phone (including ttyn's and others with slide-out keyboards) don't have that level of dedicated, made-for-phone-use feeling. An all touchscreen phone, and/or a WM pocketpc just lose a little in pure phone functionality.
HOWEVER, you don't loose too much, although you'll need some extra programs. Like TouchResponse (it's free and it's great ), for some haptic feedback when you press keys, and you'll need to take the time to set up WM/TouchFlo2/3d to your liking.
As for recieving txt's; you open the phone, click on the txt button (ribbon on the bottom, third onscreen button) and viola, you see the txt you just recieved...oneclick operation (maybe two if you have to power the screen on if you'r way too late in getting the phone).
All that said and done: it is a decent phone, but THE BEST pda+phone Internet rocks (try a few different browsers though ) with an awesome screen. Contacts could use some work though (or find a replacement app...I'm still looking), but sms and dialer are fine, if not very special.
Anyway, me personally, I'm quite happy with my Touch HD
PS:The camera is technically good, but in real life it sucks as it takes too long from registering the screenpress to actually taking a picture, rendering it useless unless taking a picture of a nonmoving building.
First of all - welcome to the forum!!!
mike_dangerous said:
...how good it is at being a normal phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not had any problems with it as a phone. I hear people fine, they hear me fine, and so far no calls have been cut/lost.
I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have only tested the Omnia at stores, and I think the keyboard on the HD is better. The Omnia has the space bar in strange location toward the right of the keyboard. That kind of bugged me.
To read more about the HD keyboard, see this thread. There you will also find a couple of youtube videos along with lots of responses and opinions from different users.
Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll post some screenshots showing:
Pic Nr. 1: Home screen - normal
Pic Nr. 2: An SMS arriving (no big screen, just a signal/vibration and a green little call box with the number of messages unread (at the bottom) as well as an envelope icon on the top bar.
Pic Nr. 3: After tapping on the green call box - opens up sms tab
Pic Nr. 4: Tapping on the message itself in Pic 3 opens up this window to respond to the sms
Pic Nr. 5: If in Pic 3 you tap on Menu instead of on the message text, you get these options (New, Answer, Forward, Delete)
Pic Nr. 6: A call arriving (I blurred the number). Use the slider to accept/reject or use the grey button below them to stop the ringer. You can also turn the phone face down on a surface (desk, table) to make the ringer stop. If you have a picture of the person calling, you will see the picture instead of the "anonymous" picture you see here.
Also, if you press on "Text" at the bottom left, the sms application opens up with a predefined text to send to that caller. In settings, you can type whatever you want that text to be. For example, "I can't answer your call right now. I will contact you as soon as possible". That's pretty handy, I think.
Pic Nr. 7: Home screen showing you missed a call. Notice the new text under the clock (picture is in German) and the red phone icon on the top bar.
KEEP IN MIND that these pictures show colored icons in the top bar. That is done with third-party software. I can attach the .cab files to this post if you want (one for the green battery with % charge on it and another for the other icons).
One downfall is that after you miss an sms or a call, you are not continuously reminded of that. You can set it so the tiny LED light on the top of the phone (next to the power button) blinks for a given period of time (or indefinitely) until you have looked at your missed call or text message. However, other than that, you need third party software for the phone to remind you through sound or vibration every few minutes after missing a call or sms.
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD and Diamond are very similar as far as TouchFlo 3D. There are some differences - for example the Weather tab, Stocks tab etc... But it will give you an overall idea of the HD. It would be best of course if you actually get an HD to test.
Here is a good review of the HD with lots of screenshots. Check it out.
http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=1111
Nice write up from Chris Cross. The only things I'd like to add refer to the differences between the Diamond/Pro and the HD. I saw a Diamond a few weeks before I found an HD and I thought it was nicely small and sleek. The HD by comparison feels big and heavy but it's still a lovely piece of hardware. If you try the Diamond in a shop you won't discover how much easier it is to use the on-screen keyboards on the larger HD screen. People also seem to report that the screen brightness and sensitivity are better on the HD.
I guess all I'm saying is that the Diamond won't necessarily sell you the HD experience.
Are you anywhere near Sussex?
mike_dangerous said:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a replacement for my N95 which borked and am quite intrigued by the HTC Touch HD or Blackstone so thought I would join on here.
One of the features I liked about my N95 was the ability to browse the web so that is why I am drawn to this phone. I also like the idea of having lots of features and functionality.
One thing I can't find out though is how good it is at being a normal phone (I don't know if saying 'normal phone' is sacreligious around here). I do quite like phoning people and also texting people. I have seen the keyboard being demoed and the regular T9 keypad looked quite thumbable, is it? How does it compare to that of the Samsung Omnia because I have tried texting on that and I found that quite easy and I very much liked the haptics response. Also, I have no idea what happens when you do receive a text, or a phone call. With a text does a big screen come up saying you have a text and all you need is one click to read the text and one more to reply or is it a very long winded process?
I am planning to go into town tomorrow and although I might not find a Touch HD to try I will hopefully find some other HTC like the Diamond which I believe has Touch 3D, so if I like that would the Blackstone be right for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of the answer to your question will dpend on you - on the face of it, a transition from N95 to HD is much more extreme than from a Diamond to an HD.
As many others have said on this forum, if you are well versed in 'optimising' WM6 then the HD is a great platform on which to stamp your preferences. If you want out of the box...
I wouldn't say 'no' but please do go into any decision with your eyes open - I have had many mates over the years who have loved the various XDA-type devices I have shown them but when they get their hands on one of their own it all becomes a bit too much.
SiliconS said:
Are you anywhere near Sussex?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean near as being in the UK then yes but if you mean near as in being able to travel there easily then no.
Chris Cross said:
First of all - welcome to the forum!!!
I have not had any problems with it as a phone. I hear people fine, they hear me fine, and so far no calls have been cut/lost.
I have only tested the Omnia at stores, and I think the keyboard on the HD is better. The Omnia has the space bar in strange location toward the right of the keyboard. That kind of bugged me.
To read more about the HD keyboard, see this thread. There you will also find a couple of youtube videos along with lots of responses and opinions from different users.
I'll post some screenshots showing:
Pic Nr. 1: Home screen - normal
Pic Nr. 2: An SMS arriving (no big screen, just a signal/vibration and a green little call box with the number of messages unread (at the bottom) as well as an envelope icon on the top bar.
Pic Nr. 3: After tapping on the green call box - opens up sms tab
Pic Nr. 4: Tapping on the message itself in Pic 3 opens up this window to respond to the sms
Pic Nr. 5: If in Pic 3 you tap on Menu instead of on the message text, you get these options (New, Answer, Forward, Delete)
Pic Nr. 6: A call arriving (I blurred the number). Use the slider to accept/reject or use the grey button below them to stop the ringer. You can also turn the phone face down on a surface (desk, table) to make the ringer stop. If you have a picture of the person calling, you will see the picture instead of the "anonymous" picture you see here.
Also, if you press on "Text" at the bottom left, the sms application opens up with a predefined text to send to that caller. In settings, you can type whatever you want that text to be. For example, "I can't answer your call right now. I will contact you as soon as possible". That's pretty handy, I think.
Pic Nr. 7: Home screen showing you missed a call. Notice the new text under the clock (picture is in German) and the red phone icon on the top bar.
KEEP IN MIND that these pictures show colored icons in the top bar. That is done with third-party software. I can attach the .cab files to this post if you want (one for the green battery with % charge on it and another for the other icons).
One downfall is that after you miss an sms or a call, you are not continuously reminded of that. You can set it so the tiny LED light on the top of the phone (next to the power button) blinks for a given period of time (or indefinitely) until you have looked at your missed call or text message. However, other than that, you need third party software for the phone to remind you through sound or vibration every few minutes after missing a call or sms.
The HD and Diamond are very similar as far as TouchFlo 3D. There are some differences - for example the Weather tab, Stocks tab etc... But it will give you an overall idea of the HD. It would be best of course if you actually get an HD to test.
Here is a good review of the HD with lots of screenshots. Check it out.
http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=1111
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, those screenshots are really useful because I don't think I have seen anything like that anywhere and it looks fairly easy to handle when receiving a call etc. On the screen where it shows the message you received, there is a button with the message sign and a pencil can you press this to reply with one click or is it for something else?
iain.fraser said:
Part of the answer to your question will dpend on you - on the face of it, a transition from N95 to HD is much more extreme than from a Diamond to an HD.
As many others have said on this forum, if you are well versed in 'optimising' WM6 then the HD is a great platform on which to stamp your preferences. If you want out of the box...
I wouldn't say 'no' but please do go into any decision with your eyes open - I have had many mates over the years who have loved the various XDA-type devices I have shown them but when they get their hands on one of their own it all becomes a bit too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the thing that I like about the Windows Mobiles is that they can be easily customised. I know they aren't the most finger friendly phones but all I really need my fingers for is ordinary phone use, which the Touch HD looks like it has got down to a tee.
I heard that microsoft will possibly launch WM7 somewhere in the not too distant future. Is it likely that HTC will offer an upgrade (free?) to this or will it be stuck on WM6.1? I have heard they did something similar for previous windows upgrades.
mike_dangerous said:
Thanks, those screenshots are really useful because I don't think I have seen anything like that anywhere and it looks fairly easy to handle when receiving a call etc. On the screen where it shows the message you received, there is a button with the message sign and a pencil can you press this to reply with one click or is it for something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. Before I got my HD I also wanted to see screenshots of different things.
To answer your question...
The button with a message sign and a pencil is to start a brand new message where you would later have to choose a recipient.
If you want to answer to the person that sent you the message, then just tap on the message itself and it will open up a reply window where all you have to do is type the message and press send (that is what picture 4 shows. Also, notice the thin gray line across the screen with the cursor blinking below it - well, you don't see it blinking in the picture That is where your response text would show). All messages and your responses are stored in a chat style thread. The other person's messages begin with the green bold text, and your sent responses (which you don't see in my pictures) start in blue bold text. In that window (Pic 4) you can hide the keyboard if you want to see more of the screen. You can choose to delete an entire thread or just an entry in a thread.
That is the thing that I like about the Windows Mobiles is that they can be easily customised. I know they aren't the most finger friendly phones but all I really need my fingers for is ordinary phone use, which the Touch HD looks like it has got down to a tee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. And along with that, you have the typical buggy occurrences that come with Windows. So, be ready for those too. But, they're not too bad - in my opinion.
I heard that microsoft will possibly launch WM7 somewhere in the not too distant future. Is it likely that HTC will offer an upgrade (free?) to this or will it be stuck on WM6.1? I have heard they did something similar for previous windows upgrades.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I read is that you would see new phones with it in stores at the end of 2009 or early 2010. But you know how that can change. I would assume you could upgrade, but I doubt it would be a free upgrade.
Well I managed to try the phone in an Orange Shop today and I do really like it. The biggest problem I found was the lack of haptics when typing on the keyboard (it was there on the TouchFlo3D buttons and the "hardware" buttons but no where else. Is this something that can be added?
Thing is I want to get the phone right now, but this would mean my dad getting the contract which could really cause problems in the long run. So I am comtemplating getting a cheap everyday phone for a month until I become the magic age and then getting it on a contract with no hindrance from my dad at all. This would also give me a phone to use at parties and things. Is this a wise move, the problem I forsee is that choices will be even harder in Feb.
You can add third party software to make it vibrate whenever you touch the screen. TouchResponse is one option. I don't use anything like that, so I don't know if there are some that vibrate only with the keyboard. To be honest, it would annoy me for it to vibrate every time I touch the screen even when the keyboard is not there. Also, I don't know if programs like Spb Keyboard have that option for the keyboard only.
Yeah, wait til February. That way, you'll have your own contract, no conflicts with your dad, and you will probably even get a better deal on the HD by then. Time will go by fast and before you know it, it will be HD time!
I just hope that it remains the phone that I really want as things may change. The only disadvantage I see is that O2 might have got their grubby paws all over it by then and it will only be available with their firmware on it which would make it very uninviting.
Maybe by February HTC will have updated the firmware to include haptics on the keypads but other than that I liked the phone.
Go to pocketnow.com and read the full review and that will help make your mind & if that does not then forget it!
I don't doubt that I don't want it, and I want it right now. Its just more practical to wait, saves having to transfer a contract etc etc.
As to some previous replies... yes, with the built in TouchFlo3D and the built in keyboards it's far away from a normal Nokia or SonyEriccsson phone...
I am happier with my phone just with SPB Mobile Shell (Excellent phone like contacts searching, and faster than ANY other phone when needing to find a contact) and PCM Keyboard (best tradeoff between touch friendly keys and size on screen space). Personal preference always.
Also, there are free apps to do some stuff that normal 50euro phones take for granted (like sending group messages and setting alarms etc etc) and then you can make the phone closer to a normal Nokia one, while having all the additional features of Windows.
My 2c
MacDegger said:
PS:The camera is technically good, but in real life it sucks as it takes too long from registering the screenpress to actually taking a picture, rendering it useless unless taking a picture of a nonmoving building.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no problem taking picture of fast moving vehicle at all, and the screenpress is fast enough.
This is one of the pictures I have taken. It looks sharp and clear to me.
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"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
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Related
I hated my phone. I think that MS doesn’t know how to make a phone feel like a phone. That's my opinion and you know what they say about opinions... Anyway, thanks to the work of some fantastic programmers, I have gotten my phone to where it feels a little nicer. On to what I did.
I wanted to tackle making the phone prettier to use. I don’t like how the today screen background doesn't act as the background of the phone app. I think that's stupid. For fixing this, I downloaded a few dialer skins from Zombienexus. (http://www.zombienexus.net/portal/GH_ShowArticle.asp?HID=35&CATID=1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12) I'm not sure who this person is, but his dialer replacement is fantastic. I chose the "Springwood_BlackBars" theme. It's a dim picture taken of a rain forest. Looks really nice. Nice and professional. This took care of my today screen and my phone dialer. Now, both have a good (great) background.
Next up. I hate my contacts. I can't mash a letter corresponding to my contact's last name with my finger. My fingers are too fat. I don't like using the stylus for doing this because phones don’t' require stylus.... enter Contact Manager v0.10 (http://www.pocketcm.com). The guy that created this is freaking awesome. It's a contact app that pulls from your list of contacts and puts them into a list that makes them easy to select with a finger. If you drag your finger down, the list will spring down and continue scrolling with this elastic effect. If you drag your finger down one side of the screen or the other, a little tab will pop up following your finger from top to bottom with each letter of the alphabet in it starting with "a" at the top and "Z" at the bottom. Where you stop is where the list scrolls to, nice animation and all.
Now, this contacts manager is kind of plain looking off the bat. But, the creator gives you an ini file to customize. After thoroughly tweaking the ini, I now have my today screen background (the springwood) as the background behind my contacts. Though, in words this may not sound like much, but in practice, the phone is freaking sweet now. the only other thing I did, was use a softkey tweak (http://www.pocketpctweaks.com/pocketpc_tweaks/change_softkey_buttons.html) so that my contacts softkey invokes the new contactmanager app.
I wish I had screen shots of what my phone looks like. Showing it to friends has convinced them that wm5 phones CAN look like ... phones.
I'd love to see somebody "can" all three of these things together. I think a program that allows you to set the background for all three places would be very nice... What's best, all of the pieces I used are free (but, be sure and donate, these guys really out did themselves with this stuff).
Hope this helps somebody else make their phone a little more friendly.
Jason
NOTE: Contacts manager is a little funky when in landscape mode. It works, but display is a bit "off" and "tabs" no longer work. (but, who uses their phone in Landscape mode?)
Link to contact manager shows page not found. can you post fixed? Sounds interesting.
Sorry about that:
Links updated
armedmetallica said:
Link to contact manager shows page not found. can you post fixed? Sounds interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey Contact Manager v0.10 is made by one of our members @ xda developers, check out updates in the development and hacking forum.
Did'nt even know that. THat's cool... Great job Tene: ... here's link to that thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=314048&highlight=contactsmanager
Ok.. so i wont bore you with my mock review until the end, so that I can get some questions out first : (Im coming from a Wizard)
1) In the wizard, I was able to click on telephone numbers in MOST applications and dial straight from there. Specifically the web browser. I would search for the name of a place, the first link in google would have the address and number, I would click on the number and be dialing. Im guessing this was a PIE thing, but wanted to see what the deal was
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
3) Similar to 2.... I am unable to highlight text, atleast with my finger, for coy paste purposes
4) I am not able to get the setting where face down will mute the ringer. Ive tried Diamond Tweak, manual registery editing, nothing. Face down... the phone will ring everytime
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
6) What is the ideal screen sensitivity and pressure settings in the registry. Its the one thing that im a bit surpsied by, I know it is not a capacitive screen, but it takes some getting used to how much pressure it requires compared to an iPhone screen for example
I will write about my impressions after two more days to give myself ample time to get used to it so there is no wizard bias... :0
taimoorhusain said:
6) What is the ideal screen sensitivity and pressure settings in the registry. Its the one thing that im a bit surpsied by, I know it is not a capacitive screen, but it takes some getting used to how much pressure it requires compared to an iPhone screen for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is something I'd be particularly interested in .
Even though I use currently a phone with a capacitive screen I own a Wizard too. How would you say is the difference to the Wizard respectively how would you rate the sensitivity generally?
I'm answering to what I know...
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
In the message screen go to "Menu->Select->Some" then you will be able to select a group of items.
3) Similar to 2.... I am unable to highlight text, atleast with my finger, for coy paste purposes
This works for me!
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
This is due to lack of flsh support in Opera 9.5. You can play flash videos within CorePlayer.
chiccusmaximus said:
I'm answering to what I know...
2) The most annoying thing so far, is my inability to highlight multiple items. In my Wizard, I was able to go to the email screen and if there were 8 messages there, I could press firmly into the first message, slide my finger down to the last message and click delete. I am not able to highlight multiple items, and ive tried different pressure settings etc. Help.
In the message screen go to "Menu->Select->Some" then you will be able to select a group of items.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet.. I can live with that. Thanks
chiccusmaximus said:
5) When someone sends me a youtube link in an email and I click on it, it takes me to the youtube page (im on edge so, slowly) but cant get the youtube video to play. It loads the page, except the video window
This is due to lack of flsh support in Opera 9.5. You can play flash videos within CorePlayer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes.. ok... blindsided by this one, so whats the roadmap on it?
drzoid said:
This is something I'd be particularly interested in .
Even though I use currently a phone with a capacitive screen I own a Wizard too. How would you say is the difference to the Wizard respectively how would you rate the sensitivity generally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an iPhone, gave it to my wife... the iphone screen is awesome, from day one, responsiveness, finger touch etc etc. The Wizard screen was ok, the feel wasnt there, but then again it wasnt big and i wasnt doing much with my finger anyway. Compared to the Wizard, the Touch HD is better, but since you are doing so much more on the screen and with your finger, it isnt as good as it needs to be. Twice the pressure is needed from the iphone, it doesnt "feel" good under my finger, feels like i have to fight against it to scroll the TF3D scroll thing (again comparing a resisitve screen to a capacitive one). Touch wise, it is excellent, I dont have to force buttons or anything. Im mainly complaining about gestures and TF3D. Overall finger friendliness, if the iphone is an 8, then the touch HD is a 6 and the wizard is a 4.
For 4: It can be done, I've been lurking around here for days now and I recall seeing an app that covers this exact thing - I *think* it's either SKTools or the Advanced Customisation Tool - I'm about to load up on or the other shortly, so if I find out I'll be back and let oyu know (if you haven't found it already in the meantime of course!)
6 : again I've seen some mention of registry setting alteerations to adjust this - but for me, I've used the same method as I did on my diamond and my screen is VERY sensitive - enough for me anyway.
Go and fire up the screen alignment process again - this time when doing it use the stylus and hover over the cross hair then very lightly rest it on the cross hair center - applying a tiny amount more pressure until it moves (it moves with a v. small amount of pressure) - seems to set pressure from this process to some extent. Whether or not this REALLY works, or it's utter placebo I truly dont know - but mine's totally fine and that's all I did Worth a shot I guess
The TouchFLO interface might mean that finger pressure always translates as scrolling, but if you want to select anything then you have to use a fingernail or the stylus. This is how it works on my Touch (Elf) - to scroll the screen I have to use the pad of my finger. If I use a more pointed pressure then I'm selecting stuff. I quite like this system - it differentiates between sweeping gestures and detailed touches.
Try using the stylus or a fingernail to select text or multiple emails. It might work.
(If it doesn't then I'll be annoyed too!)
blackb1ade said:
For 4: It can be done, I've been lurking around here for days now and I recall seeing an app that covers this exact thing - I *think* it's either SKTools or the Advanced Customisation Tool - I'm about to load up on or the other shortly, so if I find out I'll be back and let oyu know (if you haven't found it already in the meantime of course!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried it all Schaps advanced config, Diamond tweak, Registery edits (havent tried SKtools yet) The option is there, in DIamond Tweak and in the registry. Jsut doesnt do anything...
blackb1ade said:
6 : again I've seen some mention of registry setting alteerations to adjust this - but for me, I've used the same method as I did on my diamond and my screen is VERY sensitive - enough for me anyway.
Go and fire up the screen alignment process again - this time when doing it use the stylus and hover over the cross hair then very lightly rest it on the cross hair center - applying a tiny amount more pressure until it moves (it moves with a v. small amount of pressure) - seems to set pressure from this process to some extent. Whether or not this REALLY works, or it's utter placebo I truly dont know - but mine's totally fine and that's all I did Worth a shot I guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worth a shot.. did it.. nothing changed
I too would like to know if Opera can do what the OP wants in question 1?? That is one thing I love about my Iphone as it doesn't have a cut and paste but I can just click on the number in safari.
Can Opera do this? I was also looking at Skyfire today and was wondering if it did this and also when/if it will be available soon in the UK?
The select several option for email works.. so one problem down. Also ive realized that the screen sensitivity is just something I will have to get used to.
I have installed Flash Lite 3.1 for you tube and it seems to be working fine.
More updates as I have em. Anyone know why number links arent clickable in the browser?
Good thread, clears some things up.
I wonder how the pressure thing is.
How does it compare to an Elf (my current/old device) for example?
My HD should be in the mail tomorrow, but you never know with TNT mail.
I think its one of those things... you jsut need to get used to it...
Hi,
The last two phones I had have both been Blackberry's.
I tried an iPhone recently (1 week) and just found myself pausing to do things that I would do on the blackberry very quickly.
It was almost like I had to completely stop what I was doing and give all my attention
and thought to navigating my way around the iphone, where as with the bb, I seem
to be able to do many tasks with one hand and dont have to think about the task
too much.
I'm wondering if I switch to a G1 how will I go on. Will I find myself waiting for the OS to catch up, continually opening the keyboard to do simple tasks etc?
I like the idea of placing shortcuts on the home screen to dial numbers etc, are there other shortcuts like this?
One task I find myself doing on the bb a lot is taking a quick photo and sending it to a single email address. (the same address every time).
Would this be possible on the G1?
I press the side camera button which opens the camera app,
take the photo by pressing the trackball,
move the trackball to the right and press once.
This gives me the sharing options, "send as email" is the top one.
Click the trackball which adds the photo as an attachment,
type my two letter alias in the To field,
scroll to the subject, type something.
Click the trackball once more and press send.
It sounds a lot when you read it but its pretty quick and simple. Any way of doing this without opening the keyboard?
Thanks
Mike
The camera after taking a pic will offer 4 options, Save/Set As/Share/Delete.
With SnapShotPro you get these options, Save/Delete/Share/Edit.
Touch Share and it will give you a list of options....Gmail/Email/MMS/Myspace/Picsay...the more apps that are able to use your camera the more options...
You only need to open the keyboard to start typing the contact and it will autofind the name for you. But you will still need to open it since there isnt a onscreen keyboard for it yet.
I love snapphoto.. but jesus it's slow to save a photo.
Dirky said:
Hi,
The last two phones I had have both been Blackberry's.
I tried an iPhone recently (1 week) and just found myself pausing to do things that I would do on the blackberry very quickly.
It was almost like I had to completely stop what I was doing and give all my attention
and thought to navigating my way around the iphone, where as with the bb, I seem
to be able to do many tasks with one hand and dont have to think about the task
too much.
I'm wondering if I switch to a G1 how will I go on. Will I find myself waiting for the OS to catch up, continually opening the keyboard to do simple tasks etc?
I like the idea of placing shortcuts on the home screen to dial numbers etc, are there other shortcuts like this?
One task I find myself doing on the bb a lot is taking a quick photo and sending it to a single email address. (the same address every time).
Would this be possible on the G1?
I press the side camera button which opens the camera app,
take the photo by pressing the trackball,
move the trackball to the right and press once.
This gives me the sharing options, "send as email" is the top one.
Click the trackball which adds the photo as an attachment,
type my two letter alias in the To field,
scroll to the subject, type something.
Click the trackball once more and press send.
It sounds a lot when you read it but its pretty quick and simple. Any way of doing this without opening the keyboard?
Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest hindrance to super quick operations on the G1 is the lack of on screen keyboard. Without one you'll be much happier on a BB.
hopefully we will get an on screen kb soon. Perhaps with cupcake or it ported over from another phone. It would be so useful for small simple tasks like thsi
axion68 said:
hopefully we will get an on screen kb soon. Perhaps with cupcake or it ported over from another phone. It would be so useful for small simple tasks like thsi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm being drawn to the G1, an on screen keyboard for occasional use will be very nice.
I'm not keen on the G2 as this will only have an on screen keyboard so it seems?
IMO the real problem is developers making user workflows that require using a keyboard. In many cases I feel that if an app is written properly the need for a keyboard (flip-out or onscreen) should be minimized unless you're doing heavy data entry. As the apps get better over time it's my hope this situation will improve.
Hi all,
Since it is very clear that rooting this phone is almost impossible and we might not be getting it sooner, I say we give Sony a review of their UI. If SE gives us 2.1 by Q3, then its good, but we better tell them what we did not like and they should change them.
Timescape: It’s pretty slow; there should be an option to turn it off. If you chose this as your home screen then you don’t get weather report. They should have their own customized weather UI.
Mediascape: Did use it so don’t know.
Dialer and Contacts: When I go to the contact of a person and want to call him; by mistake I often press the msg or home number (instead of mobile). The problem is narrow line for each field. Every day I make this mistake (there could be icons, instead of txt field).
Other Improvement: Since we don’t have a call button, like htc devices, we should have a UI like ADW launcher; where there is always two quick launch buttons. The digital clock in the slide screen is bigger and perfect for the 4’’ screen, but in home screen it is pretty small. There should be a color change option for it too. Tethering app included.
Please put your improvement ideas of SE UI too. We could send this to SE and hope to get them soon.
Bikram said:
Hi all,
Since it is very clear that rooting this phone is almost impossible and we might not be getting it sooner, I say we give Sony a review of their UI. If SE gives us 2.1 by Q3, then its good, but we better tell them what we did not like and they should change them.
Timescape: It’s pretty slow; there should be an option to turn it off. If you chose this as your home screen then you don’t get weather report. They should have their own customized weather UI.
Mediascape: Did use it so don’t know.
Dialer and Contacts: When I go to the contact of a person and want to call him; by mistake I often press the msg or home number (instead of mobile). The problem is narrow line for each field. Every day I make this mistake (there could be icons, instead of txt field).
Other Improvement: Since we don’t have a call button, like htc devices, we should have a UI like ADW launcher; where there is always two quick launch buttons. The digital clock in the slide screen is bigger and perfect for the 4’’ screen, but in home screen it is pretty small. There should be a color change option for it too.
Please put your improvement ideas of SE UI too. We could send this to SE and hope to get them soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good list of things to be told to SE, i think they should include flash player also for web browser , make more than 3 homescreens , change the blue theme to a one that is suitable with most of wallpapers or make an option to change this blue theme , and finally port some options that is included in froyo roms ,if they are not planing for a froyo update
My one wish for SE to change their looks would be simple. Ship with a default, like it is now and then add the option "Enable customisation" which would leave the OS stock Android without the added SE bits.
Majority of people would stick with the default, just look at how few "non-geek" people even change their wallpaper. Let alone going all out to change their UI. But it'd be an awesome option for us powerusers and would take minimal effort on SE's behalf. Give us that option and we'd probably turn in to a great PR machine since the HW is pretty excellent.
Make the volume rocker not increase/decrease the ringer volume when I'm on the home screen. I would make it more like original Sony Ericsson phones and have it bring up the phone's status.
Put some effort into the dialler. My last 3 Sony Ericsson dumb phones have had smart dialling features, this Android Smart phone has the dumbest dialler since the Nokia 3310.
The least they could do is plagiarize the dialler from their own phones.
Simple.
Sony Ericsson = Sony, so they should have gone with XMB from PS3
I like that interface. The only thing is screen. So maybe something like LG Crystal but then in XMB (Xross Media Bar) style
In Mediascape, I would like to be able to set "Music" to always go to my playlists.
Actually, even better would be to have separate mediascape shortcuts for music/video/photo on my homescreen and be able to set what each one defaults to.
Bikram said:
Hi all,
Timescape: It’s pretty slow; there should be an option to turn it off. If you chose this as your home screen then you don’t get weather report. They should have their own customized weather UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used it a bit but found useless and confusing, so I disabled it. I don't think that any improvement would help. I would like to just get rid of it.
Bikram said:
Mediascape: Did use it so don’t know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is actually the best media player I found on Android. I just would like to have a more finger friendly interface and some minor fixes.
Bikram said:
Dialer and Contacts: When I go to the contact of a person and want to call him; by mistake I often press the msg or home number (instead of mobile). The problem is narrow line for each field. Every day I make this mistake (there could be icons, instead of txt field).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly: again the problem is a more finger friendly interface. I also would like to get rid of Timescape things I don't use in the Contact screen.
.
I would like an option to access the media-volume from the home screen, atm i can only access phone-volume and it annoys me
They should also implement a virtual "Accept" or "Deny" button when you receive a call rather then a slide bar, like the iphone for instance.
And of coarse ... the interface! more userfriendly please.. bigger buttons, less text buttons..
Also i am very disappointed with the Top bar on your homescreen, some time ago i was used at using windows mobile and when you tapped the Bar on top with (battery, Signal strength etc) you could actually tap one of these features and you would go directly to the settings for it, for instance with windows mobile if you tapped the Signal strength you went directly to a menu where you could manage your 2G, 3G, GPS, Wifi, bluethooth etc with just one tap and now you cant, or even if you pressed the time you went directly to your alarm, clock, calendar and i would like this to be possible with SE aswell
And one more thing, since we are using a 1ghz processor its obvious we have spare power most of the time and there should be an option to set your device to Low-medium-max performance just like Windows mobile, this will save us tons of battery.
I know i'm whining about windows mobile, but to be honest that were the only 2 features i like about it
What I would like to see improved..
Okay I've had this phone for a while so I feel qualified to speak on this.
1.) I actually love timescape but recognize performance and more options such as changing the background to more animated backgrounds or figuring out a way to add more filters to it (i.e picassa , myspace,etc )
2.) I also like how the messages appear in the infinite screen on a contact and wished it stayed in that view when responding to messages.. That would be hot!!!!
3.) Also the best improvement they could do is allowing pictures from facebook to be saved to the contact when you don't have the contact picture assigned already. That would be helpful and windows mobile had that feature on my prior xperia devices.
clintax said:
They should also implement a virtual "Accept" or "Deny" button when you receive a call rather then a slide bar, like the iphone for instance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that they did, if you press the power button it denies the call. I know that's wiered right?
So I am coming from the Samsung Galaxy S5 and have found Samsung actually does some things that make sense.
Since the Moto has the "Pure Android Experience" things are a lot different and seems more complected or lacking the user friendly experience.
This is a list of things I am having problems with, If anyone has a resolution, PLEASE chime in, Thank You,
Now just to be clear, Motorola seems to have made a very nice, High Quality Phone, All of my issues/dislikes are on the software side of things. I would say the build quality is on par with Samsung and other top tier phones
No way to set music as my alarm clock, there is no option to set a song as my alarm I have installed rocket player but it does not show up under "use different app" Zedge is the only option
No real "quick settings" need to pull down top of screen twice, then hit data button, then turn on/off data. 3 steps needed to turn on/off data. Samsung pull down once and hit the mobile data switch and your done
Text message notifications, stock text message app only shows when you have a unread message on the lock screen, no blinking LED on the phone an no unread message count overlayed on the message app icon. Samsung message app has both. I am using Textra app now, still no better for missed texts but at least I can change themes to dark.
Phone dialer, when opened shows your starred contacts not the dialer number pad, cannot find a way to open the dialer directly to number pad, need to make 2 steps now to dial a number
No Restart option when power button is pressed, only shut down
Two other annoying finds,
I have found the flashlight chop action is more frustrating then using the flashlight icon switch. I can only get the flashlight to turn on once in about 10 tries, same to shut off.
21 meg camera setting, Rather disappointing that the only way to take advantage of the 21 meg setting is to have it in 4:3 ratio. WTH, who uses 4:3 ration anymore, everything is now 16:9 4:3 ration is dead anf has been for a long time.
Hitch_Itch said:
So I am coming from the Samsung Galaxy S5 and have found Samsung actually does some things that make sense.
Since the Moto has the "Pure Android Experience" things are a lot different and seems more complected or lacking the user friendly experience.
This is a list of things I am having problems with, If anyone has a resolution, PLEASE chime in, Thank You,
Now just to be clear, Motorola seems to have made a very nice, High Quality Phone, All of my issues/dislikes are on the software side of things. I would say the build quality is on par with Samsung and other top tier phones
No way to set music as my alarm clock, there is no option to set a song as my alarm I have installed rocket player but it does not show up under "use different app" Zedge is the only option
No real "quick settings" need to pull down top of screen twice, then hit data button, then turn on/off data. 3 steps needed to turn on/off data. Samsung pull down once and hit the mobile data switch and your done
Text message notifications, stock text message app only shows when you have a unread message on the lock screen, no blinking LED on the phone an no unread message count overlayed on the message app icon. Samsung message app has both. I am using Textra app now, still no better for missed texts but at least I can change themes to dark.
Phone dialer, when opened shows your starred contacts not the dialer number pad, cannot find a way to open the dialer directly to number pad, need to make 2 steps now to dial a number
No Restart option when power button is pressed, only shut down
Two other annoying finds,
I have found the flashlight chop action is more frustrating then using the flashlight icon switch. I can only get the flashlight to turn on once in about 10 tries, same to shut off.
21 meg camera setting, Rather disappointing that the only way to take advantage of the 21 meg setting is to have it in 4:3 ratio. WTH, who uses 4:3 ration anymore, everything is now 16:9 4:3 ration is dead anf has been for a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a suggestion that might help with the chop-chop flashlight function:
Instead of a "chopping motion" as suggested, try this:
While holding your moto X (screen off), give it a firm double handshake.
This works 100% of the time for me. The trick seems to be giving the phone an straight up-and-down motion (just like a handshake) instead of a pivoted "chopping" motion.
Let me know if it helps...
samwathegreat:
Here's a suggestion that might help with the chop-chop flashlight function:
Instead of a "chopping motion" as suggested, try this:
While holding your moto X (screen off), give it a firm double handshake.
This works 100% of the time for me. The trick seems to be giving the phone an straight up-and-down motion (just like a handshake) instead of a pivoted "chopping" motion.
Let me know if it helps...
Thanks for the tip, that does seem to be a lot better. almost 100% on/off, probably just need to get more practice at it. Moto shows the chopping motion instead of the hand shake up/down motion.
I found Textra text app to cure my text issues once I setup everything in the settings menu.
two things off my list, a few to go.
Thanks again for tip
I have a better suggestion... Go back to your samsung.
Why on earth should motorola go back to the days of moto blur? I read your opinion, imo...motorola and lenovo should carry on with what they're doing. Majority of people buying the new motos, desire stock or closer to stock as aosp.
Why doesn't motorola make software like samsung, blah blah blah. You want to change something? Change your own and leave mine alone.
rsa 329 said:
I have a better suggestion... Go back to your samsung.
Why on earth should motorola go back to the days of moto blur? I read your opinion, imo...motorola and lenovo should carry on with what they're doing. Majority of people buying the new motos, desire stock or closer to stock as aosp.
Why doesn't motorola make software like samsung, blah blah blah. You want to change something? Change your own and leave mine alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was expecting a few Flame replies like. Haters gonna Hate!
Quote my text here I said I want Moto to use Samsung software!
I found the answer to my text issues by finding a 3rd party text app. Maybe instead of posting a flame, you could have posted something constructive like samwathegreat did. Maybe suggest a 3rd party app to achieve what I am looking for.
I have been around here actually helping people a lot longer then you have or probably will be. If your not part of the solution, you are part of the problem, Go flame somewhere else and be part of the problem there!
Anyway to resolve your issues with the mobile data toggle and functionality in general I highly suggest Xposed + GravityBox. You can set it up so that pulling from a particular side of screen immediately opens your quick toggles and you can also set it up so that one press on the signal indicator shuts off data instead of opening the menu. The way I have mine set right now, if I swipe from the left I get quick toggles, from the center my notifications and I have an app called Snap Swipe drawer that pulls down from the right and allows me to have quick access to any widget I choose. Really great for adding additional toggles for your own personal apps. For example I have a toggle in there that allows me to stream any system audio directly to my in home DLNA receivers with one click. Also GravityBox will resolve your dialpad issue as well as there is a setting to make so the dialpad opens first, and also there is an option for to add a restart menu option into the power menu as well.
timde9 said:
Anyway to resolve your issues with the mobile data toggle and functionality in general I highly suggest Xposed + GravityBox. You can set it up so that pulling from a particular side of screen immediately opens your quick toggles and you can also set it up so that one press on the signal indicator shuts off data instead of opening the menu. The way I have mine set right now, if I swipe from the left I get quick toggles, from the center my notifications and I have an app called Snap Swipe drawer that pulls down from the right and allows me to have quick access to any widget I choose. Really great for adding additional toggles for your own personal apps. For example I have a toggle in there that allows me to stream any system audio directly to my in home DLNA receivers with one click. Also GravityBox will resolve your dialpad issue as well as there is a setting to make so the dialpad opens first, and also there is an option for to add a restart menu option into the power menu as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, thanks for that info. I did use Xposed years ago when I had my rooted HTC phones, IT was a great app back then. I never rooted my Samsung phones, to much of a pain with the Knox BS.
I need to look into rooting methods. Hoping they have a one click root method, So easy that way. I remember Xposed could change the signal icon colors to make it easier to read which I loved.
Thanks for the post!
You can swipe down with two fingers from the status bar and it will pull down the quick settings.
dustin_b said:
You can swipe down with two fingers from the status bar and it will pull down the quick settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now thats a helpful trick, Thanks!
dustin_b said:
You can swipe down with two fingers from the status bar and it will pull down the quick settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice trick! I just came to this phone after using one I'd had CM/AOSP on for years. I was really missing Quick Pulldown.
Where did you learn this? Any other gestures gems I might be missing?
jason2678 said:
Nice trick! I just came to this phone after using one I'd had CM/AOSP on for years. I was really missing Quick Pulldown.
Where did you learn this? Any other gestures gems I might be missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IIRC, someone posted it on G+. That's the only one I know of though.
Press and hold settings button in the quick settings. It'll add a settings line for the status/notification bar.
{
"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"
}
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Hitch_Itch said:
21 meg camera setting, Rather disappointing that the only way to take advantage of the 21 meg setting is to have it in 4:3 ratio. WTH, who uses 4:3 ration anymore, everything is now 16:9 4:3 ration is dead anf has been for a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well because camera sensors have 4:3 aspect ratio (generally). To have a 21mpixel 16:9 ratio the sensor would have to be more like 30 mpixel.
Sincerely I would prefer a higher quality sensor for low light conditions over a high mpixel sensor. My Sony Nex-5N is "only" 16Mpixel but has a APS-C sensor that is way larger than any sensor put on a cellphone and will provide better IQ even under low light conditions.
Hitch_Itch said:
So I am coming from the Samsung Galaxy S5 and have found Samsung actually does some things that make sense.
Since the Moto has the "Pure Android Experience" things are a lot different and seems more complected or lacking the user friendly experience.
This is a list of things I am having problems with, If anyone has a resolution, PLEASE chime in, Thank You,
Now just to be clear, Motorola seems to have made a very nice, High Quality Phone, All of my issues/dislikes are on the software side of things. I would say the build quality is on par with Samsung and other top tier phones
No way to set music as my alarm clock, there is no option to set a song as my alarm I have installed rocket player but it does not show up under "use different app" Zedge is the only option
No real "quick settings" need to pull down top of screen twice, then hit data button, then turn on/off data. 3 steps needed to turn on/off data. Samsung pull down once and hit the mobile data switch and your done
Text message notifications, stock text message app only shows when you have a unread message on the lock screen, no blinking LED on the phone an no unread message count overlayed on the message app icon. Samsung message app has both. I am using Textra app now, still no better for missed texts but at least I can change themes to dark.
Phone dialer, when opened shows your starred contacts not the dialer number pad, cannot find a way to open the dialer directly to number pad, need to make 2 steps now to dial a number
No Restart option when power button is pressed, only shut down
Two other annoying finds,
I have found the flashlight chop action is more frustrating then using the flashlight icon switch. I can only get the flashlight to turn on once in about 10 tries, same to shut off.
21 meg camera setting, Rather disappointing that the only way to take advantage of the 21 meg setting is to have it in 4:3 ratio. WTH, who uses 4:3 ration anymore, everything is now 16:9 4:3 ration is dead anf has been for a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The notification is the moto display. It comes on when new notification and you can just wave your hand over the screen to see if you've missed anything. No need for flashing light. No read message count can be added through Nova Launcher (as well as others I'm sure.). Not sure I know a whole lot of people who use dialer. Either you have people you call often (favorites) or if calling a business you would be able to call from maps/Google search with call button. I'm sure there's other ways of making a song for your alarm. Just so you're aware and I'm not flaming, but this is why it's called Pure edition. Its basically a nexus with software additions that you can disable. I feel some of the "issues" you're having could be resolved with a few searches, and are also quite frankly a bit nit-picky. Don't go from Samsung to Motorola and expect them to be the same. Each have there own positives and caveats. If you are unhappy with moto, then before your change manufacturers, maybe you should do some research.
I did a lot of reading about this phone first and was ready for a change. Im just looking for solutions to the things that I was use to having on my phones in the past
Im not looking to dis or put either on a pedestal, Sorry If may have come off that way. With android almost anything is possible, you just need to find the right app.
I must not have something set right, the only thing I see when I have my hand over the phone is the time, I dont see missed text or emails until I swipe to the home screen.
Thanks
I agree with the LED light for notification issue. Moto Display is overly sensitive and being an LCD over AMOLED, uses more battery.
If you could program Moto Display to work only when you have a notification so that it doesn't turn itself off with the most minute shake of the phone it would be a different issue.
I hope I'm not late. You can do the traditional method for music alarms... Download any file manager (I recommend Cabinet) and drop whatever music you want into the "Alarms" folder.