Database Users

[Discussion]Whats the Deal about 2.1 or 2.2? What's missing in X10

I am really becoming sick of this conversation guys. Whenever some one asks me what version your android is, I will say 1.6. Then they will ask why old one, I will say them I dont use many functions of 2.2 so I dont bother about it.
I want to know what are function (or apps) availalbe in 2.1 or 2.2 that you cant use now in X10? Please dont say live wallpapers, its just cool to have but its not really a function.
I know many apps support from 1.6. I just want to know what functions that I cant use now in X10.

How about JIT for dalvik?
senthilanandhpv said:
I am really becoming sick of this conversation guys. Whenever some one asks me what version your android is, I will say 1.6. Then they will ask why old one, I will say them I dont use many functions of 2.2 so I dont bother about it.
I want to know what are function (or apps) availalbe in 2.1 or 2.2 that you cant use now in X10? Please dont say live wallpapers, its just cool to have but its not really a function.
I know many apps support from 1.6. I just want to know what functions that I cant use now in X10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahem... 2.2 comes with a JIT implementation for dalvik which give significant performance boost to applications.
And in case you haven't noticed, the number of applications on the market which require 2.1 and above is increasing. The developers aren't going to stick around making sure that their applications work on an year old version of Android... they've moved on, so should SE.

More than 2.1 or 2.2, I prefer SE to improve their custom UI to make their UI more finger friendly like in contact details page. It's almost impossible for me to click the right number type to dial while driving. To make it worse they added one more touch to make the dial with their latest update.
Also, it will be nice they add some of the basic 'tiny' features all their non-smartphones have like:
1. Send contact to another phone using Bluetooth from contact list (and better if multiple contacts can be selected and sent at once)
2. Send contact information as MMS
3. Smart dialing
4. Ability to select multiple contacts from contact list to send SMS. I have to use Handcent to do this and then look here for Handcent that is customized for X10.
5. Get Swype as default keyboard. It matter big time to average Joe's who don't know about XDA. Some of my friends who recently got captivate are amazed with the keyboard. They are the customers who hardly change anything from default.
6. Timescape is a joke. Don't waste time on it until you catch up with being current with current Android OS as that's what matters to the media and common customer.
Media will kill X10 with their reviews and news tomorrow writing SE's phone comes with 1.6 which is 2 versions behind current version of Android OS. That is not a problem for most of us but the media can over blow it and make Sony look like jokers.

@kitsva.. You can bluetooth contact details.. select a contact.. press the menu button.. select "Send Business Card".. Et Voila!

I wish there's a function that allows you to play next/previous song by holding the Volume rocker button like on the Walkman series. Can't be too hard for them with a software update :/ Anyway...that's just my opinion. I don't even know if a lot of people know that function on the W-series lol.

junkk29 said:
I wish there's a function that allows you to play next/previous song by holding the Volume rocker button like on the Walkman series. Can't be too hard for them with a software update :/ Anyway...that's just my opinion. I don't even know if a lot of people know that function on the W-series lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure there's some media player app that does that, but can't remember the name. It would be nice to have on mediascape though...

kitsVA said:
6. Timescape is a joke. Don't waste time on it until you catch up with being current with current Android OS as that's what matters to the media and common customer.
Media will kill X10 with their reviews and news tomorrow writing SE's phone comes with 1.6 which is 2 versions behind current version of Android OS. That is not a problem for most of us but the media can over blow it and make Sony look like jokers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get why everyone hates Timescape. I find it a pretty useful app, albeit slow at times, but its something unique to Sony Ericsson, and I'm sure it will be more integrated into the OS with the release of Eclair

chris_knows said:
I'm pretty sure there's some media player app that does that, but can't remember the name. It would be nice to have on mediascape though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, would be great if that function works on Mediascape cuz that's the only media player i use. I know they're better one's out there...but that's what special about the X10 lol. Getting my phone out of the pocket, swiping to unlock it, then unlocking the gesture code, then tapping on 'next song' is a time-consuming and battery-consuming task

From what i've read 2.1 and 2.2 provide very gracious speed improvements, which I can't wait to see because 1.6 is very snappy on this phone.
I really wish mediascape will be significantly updated. Aside from sub par output volume this phone gives, both in the headset speaker as well as the output to headphones, i hope mediascape will be given an EQ as well as widget.
I currently use Mixzing as it has great functionality and EQ but would like to see SE step it up as the UI for mediscape is great. It's laggy but has potential.
Sorry for going a little off topic. 2.1 won't give us a whole new experience necessarily but will help with app compatibility as well has speed. Thats quite enough for me to wait impatiently.

pngface said:
I don't get why everyone hates Timescape. I find it a pretty useful app, albeit slow at times, but its something unique to Sony Ericsson, and I'm sure it will be more integrated into the OS with the release of Eclair
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I want to see information of people I don't even care about, I will sign onto facebook. I don't need to see them on my screen, especially if it slows down the phone.

im_iceman said:
@kitsva.. You can bluetooth contact details.. select a contact.. press the menu button.. select "Send Business Card".. Et Voila!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops! I meant from contact list. That way it's easy to send business cards of multiple contacts with fewer touches. I updated my description.

timescape is nice in the fact that you don't have to log into multiply account, just one swipe and you can see all the updates.
2.1 have live wallpaper but who would use it unless your phone can last more then 6 hours using it.
and there is the 720p recording, other than these 2.1 is a joke. Unless you are in for the applications.
People just like bigger numbers.
You think win 7 is more useful then win xp ? ....actually better example winxp vs vista.
Seriously, i actually hate vista more than xp.

wrongfeifong said:
timescape is nice in the fact that you don't have to log into multiply account, just one swipe and you can see all the updates.
2.1 have live wallpaper but who would use it unless your phone can last more then 6 hours using it.
and there is the 720p recording, other than these 2.1 is a joke. Unless you are in for the applications.
People just like bigger numbers.
You think win 7 is more useful then win xp ? ....actually better example winxp vs vista.
Seriously, i actually hate vista more than xp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you're the only one who hates Vista buddy. Seriously, Vista is a big slap in the nuts

senthilanandhpv said:
I am really becoming sick of this conversation guys. Whenever some one asks me what version your android is, I will say 1.6. Then they will ask why old one, I will say them I dont use many functions of 2.2 so I dont bother about it.
I want to know what are function (or apps) availalbe in 2.1 or 2.2 that you cant use now in X10? Please dont say live wallpapers, its just cool to have but its not really a function.
I know many apps support from 1.6. I just want to know what functions that I cant use now in X10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the Nexus One with 2.2 & IMO you aren't missing anything important. 2.1 was nice but after 2.2 the reception was crap, the phone overheated & people kept telling me I sounded like crap on their end. Reading the support forums for the N1 on Google people are having major problems using Activesync with their work Exchange servers, such as remote wipe not working & other connectivity problems.
I didn't notice the major speed improvments & my data connection speeds were slow around 1 Mbps down compared to 5 Mbps down I get on my X10a.
There are people actually wanting to downgrade from 2.2 to 2.1 .

What about the webkit 3.1? It supposed to be faster than 1.6's webkit

Functionality. The newer the os the faster android has become. The os or uix used for the x10 isn't as smooth as 2.1.
Personally I can deal with the fact that some apps don't work on the x10. But the I want a phone that scrolls and navigates like a world champ.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

When people say that froyo's faster, does that mean that any phone that can run 1.6 will run 2.2 faster?
It just sounds weird to me, because I'm more familiar with Windows, and a newer OS will usually require higher specs...

chris_knows said:
When people say that froyo's faster, does that mean that any phone that can run 1.6 will run 2.2 faster?
It just sounds weird to me, because I'm more familiar with Windows, and a newer OS will usually require higher specs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that weird. Since the phone's using java for most of its apps, if the speed of the interpreter is increased so is the speed of the apps using it. And this JIT addition to the interpreter is a major boost. Most computer applications are compiled into machine code that runs directly on the cpu while Android has to be interpreted by java that compiles it into machine language.

TimeScape removal*Speedboost* + removal of other apps

By removing:
- TimescapeLargeUI.apk
- TimescapeLargeUIThemeBlue.apk
- TimescapeLargeUIThemeGreen.apk
- TimescapeLargeUIThemeIndigo.apk
- TimescapeLargeUIThemeOrange.apk
- TimescapeLargeUIThemeSakura.apk
- TimescapePluginManager.apk
- TimeScapeProvider.apk
...in the system/app directory with root explorer(mount r/w) or other root file managing software. Just deleting these apps alone allow you to GREATLY increase the snappieness(get it...snapdragon) of the X10. Personally I find that it is a useless App that bogs down the phone more then it's worth. Once you have uninstalled it then restart the phone. Ensure that before you remove Timescape that you don't remove any other files at the same time before restarting as this will eliminate the possibility of the timescape removal creating an error.
Do not remove gtalk.apk, or any other google apk's as you are risking messing up some features (Market for example)
Other apps I have found are safe to remove: *UPDATED LIST*
- backupandrestore.apk (Second-party app from the market or Titanium backup works better than this default app)
- Calculator.apk (For the most part a very basic calculator, A free Scientific calculator app from the market is worth the download if needed.)
- Any of the Language* apk's (chinese, danish, korean, japanese) *LatineIME.apk is for the default android keyboard(not the initial one you have when you first get your phone, you will only know about it if you changed it)
- Emanual.apk (Not required unless you really need it, you can still access it from the SE X10 support area on their website if needed)
- EManualLauncher.apk (part file for Emanual.apk, remove aswell)
- Facebook.apk (Facebook is for the sad and lonely, I don't care what kind of burrito Sh!t's your having at 4AM)
- LearningClient.apk (Word memory, it works as a word learner when word suggestions are enabled on the keyboard, when typing in a word it sometimes switches to the "correct" word that it thinks after pressing the space button. When you backspace to get the word you wanted to appear again This service looks at that word and if it use more than once on intentionally then it will remember that and give you the option of that word in the suggestions. Thought I might answer that one since people have asked) *If you don't use word suggestions since it slows down texting then you can remove this.
- moxiermail.apk (Gmail.apk or another email app from the market are definitely better than moxier)
- Officesuite.apk (Not the full version, download the full version)
- OMAClientProvisioning.apk
- playnowappinstaller.apk (If you don't use it then toss it, not that interesting) 1
- playnowback.apk (If you don't use it then toss it, not that interesting) 2
- playnowclient.apk (If you don't use it then toss it, not that interesting) 3
- qcsemcservice.apk
- quadrapop.apk (boring game, good for a day or two but then you find better)
- SemcCheckin.apk
- SemcEmailLargeui.apk (along with the email.apk)
- SemcSetupWizard.apk (I set it up already and the only way I would need it again is if I reflashed and I would have all default apps again anyways)
- SetupWizard.apk (part of the previous Semc...apk)
- SnsContactImageCacheProvider.apk
- StatusSwitch.apk
- usersupport.apk (just not needed in general)
- uWlopProvider.apk
- wisepilot.apk (No need if you have Google Maps, Google Earth, Garmin, TomTom, etc)
- youtube.apk (If you have full episodes or movies on your phone and just don't use youtube then theres no need for this bogware)
By deleting these apps I have sped up the X10 so much I'm amazed at how much of a difference I've seen...maybe even a speed increase X10. I can now say I am fully happy with this phone.
List of features working...but faster.
Phone calls
Contacts
All games that normally worked anyways
Camera
HD recording
Settings menu
Wifi
Phonebook
Messaging
Alarm clock
Browser
Calendar
Gmail
Latitude
GMaps
Market
Media Scape
Navigation
Places
Voice Dialer
...everything...I've done my research. Any apps unlisted just means I have deleted them myself, doesn't necessarily mean their not working.
I currently have 183.21MB used with 169.41MB free. Not bad I'd say.

I await your post in about one day asking for the Timescape APKs because you can no longer make phone calls.
You've probably created a placebo effect. You only think the phone is faster. Run benchmarks, then see how the phone operates. You may think deleting browser.apk or dialer.apk is a good idea now, but when you're in an emergency and the phone won't work, you can't blame anyone but yourself.
Also: You don't know what people need/want from their phone, so it's best to not act so superior. (especially because you're far from the first to delete apps from their phone.)

I have looked into what files I can delete and I have also had to re flash because of my curiosity. Since your obviously the degrading type I can see you have an obvious lack of respect for someone who has done the research and the hit and miss troubleshooting of finding out what a general audience would want to possibly remove if not needed. Not everyone has facebook, or uses youtube. I personally prefer using youtube on my monitor compared to a smaller more costly device such as a data restricted cell. I don't use twitter, facebook, or any timescape dependent service as sms/mms are handled through the default sms/mms app that then forwards it's data to timescape. I wouldn't be in the aerospace industry(military to boot) if I have no idea what I am doing. Since I was smart enough to back up all the default app .apk's after a fresh flash then I know I will not be asking you for any of the apk's, your useless comment doesn't carry any weight.
*I was on the phone when I removed the timescape app since it is not tied to the dialer service.

No point in starting an arguement.
But, not everyone is you. If I'm on a long train ride, the ability to watch YouTube videos is a lifesaver. Obviously one could watch on a monitor, but I don't have that option when I'm not at home. The point of a smartphone is to be able to do things you can do with a PC, when you're not at home.
Timescape is tied to many more things than you think, at least in 1.6. Maybe SE removed those dependencies in 2.1, but if you're deleting the major marketing point of the phone, why did you buy the phone to begin with? Just food for thought. Not looking to start fights.

iead1 said:
No point in starting an arguement.
But, not everyone is you. If I'm on a long train ride, the ability to watch YouTube videos is a lifesaver. Obviously one could watch on a monitor, but I don't have that option when I'm not at home. The point of a smartphone is to be able to do things you can do with a PC, when you're not at home.
Timescape is tied to many more things than you think, at least in 1.6. Maybe SE removed those dependencies in 2.1, but if you're deleting the major marketing point of the phone, why did you buy the phone to begin with? Just food for thought. Not looking to start fights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but i know many people who have unistalled Timescape (even Mediascape) since they have 2.1 with no issues at all.

The main purpose of buying the phone for me was not for the software SE has built on top of android(Timescape/Mediascape), but more for the hardware achievement that Sony has produced by packing so much functionality into one mobile device.
Just having android without any manufacturer modification still gives a ton of room for growth and possibilities to be seen. My goal was to supply a list of apps that are safe to delete without disturbing the stability or functionality of the phone as a whole, while providing another easy work around. These apps I know, as I have tested with 3 phones now, do not effect the user experience greatly. Since I have removed the apps I have had no problems with data, texting, phone calls, boot loops, the market, or browsing. Pick and choose which apps you need and don't need but from what I have removed I'm getting a greater user experience based on performance and alternative functionality.
Games and third-party apps still work fine, but are now faster.

Swifty76 said:
The main purpose of buying the phone for me was not for the software SE has built on top of android(Timescape/Mediascape), but more for the hardware achievement that Sony has produced by packing so much functionality into one mobile device.
Just having android without any manufacturer modification still gives a ton of room for growth and possibilities to be seen. My goal was to supply a list of apps that are safe to delete without disturbing the stability or functionality of the phone as a whole, while providing another easy work around. These apps I know, as I have tested with 3 phones now, do not effect the user experience greatly. Since I have removed the apps I have had no problems with data, texting, phone calls, boot loops, the market, or browsing. Pick and choose which apps you need and don't need but from what I have removed I'm getting a greater user experience based on performance and alternative functionality.
Games and third-party apps still work fine, but are now faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. There are many more apps you can delete with no issues, it depends only if you're gonna use them or not.

Swifty76 said:
The main purpose of buying the phone for me was not for the software SE has built on top of android(Timescape/Mediascape), but more for the hardware achievement that Sony has produced by packing so much functionality into one mobile device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were looking for functionality, you bought the wrong device. Single touch, 65k color screen and 384MB of RAM? Not what I'd call the pinnacle of technical achievements.

The number of dependencies in 1.6 where removed in 2.1 as most of the initial software on the phone are layers. Sony stated that they learned from 1.6 by not going too deep into the core of android but more by means of creating "layers"(boot apps) on top of the core system.
Since they switched to layers they created the possibility to give rooted users the option of choosing alternatives to the initial software. The obvious apps you can remove if unused are facebook and youtube as they are obvious non dependents.(Facebook does have a slight dependency to timescape, but with timescape removed then that issue is not relevant)

iead1 said:
If you were looking for functionality, you bought the wrong device. Single touch, 65k color screen and 384MB of RAM? Not what I'd call the pinnacle of technical achievements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the price to features ratio and the features they have included (8.1 MP Camera, 720P recording, 1Ghz processor, 4.0" tft screen + others) It is as functional as I need. Multitouch will eventually find it's way to the phone one way or another. Also on a 4" screen the difference in colors is unnoticeable side-by-side to other devices that I have checked out. RAMS not an issue with a decent task manager.

I bought the phone to be a android phone.. not some piece of infected bloatware.
I want my phone phone to be mine not SE's..
So if you don't want to remove time scape... then ignore this thread.

OmegaRED^ said:
I bought the phone to be a android phone.. not some piece of infected bloatware.
I want my phone phone to be mine not SE's..
So if you don't want to remove time scape... then ignore this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my thoughts. The biggest performance jump I saw from deleting any of the apps was by taking out timescape. I bought the phone because it was android and because a majority of hardware is quality. I didn't buy it because it was SE, that just happened to come with it.

Swifty76 said:
Exactly my thoughts. The biggest performance jump I saw from deleting any of the apps was by taking out timescape. I bought the phone because it was android and because a majority of hardware is quality. I didn't buy it because it was SE, that just happened to come with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Swifty76, do you mind feeding us an update for say maybe the next week or two on the performance of your phone? Just a quick so far it been perfect OR crap I had to reflash because my phone messed up. Reason im asking is because I would remove alot of those apps you listed, but I don't need my phone messing up on me...so just keep us posted on how its going and if all is well Ill go for it to. Thanks for the post.....try to keep an eye on the camera for pictures and video as thats important to me.

uhhh... so i have to root my phone to remove those apps, right?

iead1 said:
Timescape is tied to many more things than you think, at least in 1.6. Maybe SE removed those dependencies in 2.1, but if you're deleting the major marketing point of the phone, why did you buy the phone to begin with? Just food for thought. Not looking to start fights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol if anyone bought an x10 for timescape nor mediascape
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

Yeah you have to root your phone to be able to properly uninstall a majority of these apps. The camera is working great so far on all 3 phones. The camera is saving and viewing properly as well. I would recommend the 3D gallery as a picture viewer. Winamp or poweramp are good for the beats.
Haven't found a decent video player yet, anyone know of some good ones?

Swifty76 said:
Haven't found a decent video player yet, anyone know of some good ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only video player worth installing is RockPlayer

ProBoner said:
The only video player worth installing is RockPlayer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.
For video--- RockPlayer
For Pictures--- Gallery or JustPictures (it has One Touch zoom that works great)
For Music--- PowerAmp (simply amazing!)

OBS dont remove gtalk, it will couse a lot of problems, trust me, if you did, read here forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=6822850

fuusuke said:
Lol if anyone bought an x10 for timescape nor mediascape
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've said it probably three hundred times on these forums: We are NOT the target audience for this phone. The phone sells to millions, each who bought it for different reasons. I regret my purchase, as now Docomo is releasing Japanese-market focused Android phones, instead of the world-focused X10.
But yeah, to the OP, my point was, you can't just delete everything in one go, say performance is awesome 20 minutes later. There's just no way to tell how the phone will do after a week or two in this state. Maybe it really is that much faster, which would be nice. But, to prematurely say it's amazing then find out later that something doesn't work properly would suck. And, from reading XDA, people always delete things they need and come back and whine about them because they didn't back up properly.

2.2 Review

*** True Story ***
I am a member on Dell's community forum and have watched Dell's mouthpiece, Amy-B, post the lies and put up the smoke and mirrors regarding this for a while now. When she first announced that the update would begin on 11/15, I paid closer attention. By the end of the week when there was no update, I commented that users may have a potential class action suit. With that, I got a scathing email from Dell saying I violated their terms of use, some left handed subtle threats, and my post was deleted. I still laugh about that.
End True Story, my ongoing review below
I put 2.2 on last night and played with it for a little while before bed, then really started putting it to the test today. here's what's happened until now.
First, when I applied the update, it kept a lot of previous settings and applications rather than clean wiping. It also bypassed forcing me to login to google account, so when I tried to use the market, it couldn't. With that, I used my credentials to login to my google account and immediately started having some google calendar syncing error. It became a loop, each time asking me to report it, then asking me to force close the app, and then over and over the same thing. So I rebooted the streak, and it came up with the same exact issue not allowing me to do anything with it. I had to pull the battery to shut it down this time and when I get it all together to power up, I simply held the up/down volume keys and told it to do a factory reset.
The rom cooks itself into the streak as the factory install and 2.2 came up on the next boot, this time asking for google credentials. It worked that time, and I was ready to put the phone through it's motions.
Issues I've found
1. Voice Dialer via Bluetooth crashes each time I try to use it. It crashes to the point that it tells me to restart my phone. This is without fail.
2. swiping to unlock the phone, or pattern unlock are flaky. it will start then stop as if I've taken my finger off. I have to do it multiple times and crazy ways to make it work. Pattern lock same thing. Especially after coming out of my pocket... as if the heat from my body makes my finger not be recognized on the whole screen. This build makes the touchscreen no longer responsive as it was in 1.6... update, I've tested this over and over and over. yes, it seems to be the temperature, because if I blow on the screen to cool it, or something similar, the screen becomes instantly responsive to my touch. I never had this problem with 1.6 regardless of when I pulled it out of my pocket.
3. sometimes, changing screens gets choppy or laggy.
4. No widget bar or tray/drawer that allows you to turn BT or Wifi on or off. You have to get something from the market to do this (updated, this is available as a widget, I should open my eyes a bit)
5. Can't change the number of screens; can't add or subtract screens, stages, rooms, or whatever you choose to call it. You're stuck with 7, the center one being the default.
6. Multiple FC's for variety of reasons, many are while simply browsing the market. With that Microsoft-esque error reporting thing always popping up, I think they anticipated feeding garbage to the masses.
7. Have tried a few alternate launchers. Some are better than others, more functional etc.. .but no matter how weak an alternate launcher appears to be, they pretty much ALL beat StageUI
Likes
1. Have always liked the live wallpapers that we were introduced to in 2.1
2. landscape mode rights itself regardless of which side is facing up. could be a caveat since it puts the home/back/menu buttons upside down on the left instead of right with the hard buttons on the bottom, but still kind of cool nonetheless.
4. Support for Exchange is native and doesn't require additional software/applications.
the long and the short of it.. Dell is useless as an OS developer/tweaker and StageUI blows.
Samsung hit the homerun with it on its Galaxy S series. I was just at best buy, and the Galaxy Tab is pretty sweet but the price tag is ridiculous. Comparing 2.1 of my Vibrant with 2.2 on my streak, the Vibrant wins. no contest.
Day one of having the new 2.2 update on there and it's clear that this OS needs some patching already. I can only imagine what the people on O2 in the UK had to go through with their 2.1 fiasco
more to follow...

Here's a couple of things that I like in this build but before I list the items I wanted to address the comment you made about being able to turn of BT, wi-fi, GPS, brightness, etc. Under apps you can select Power Control and that will give you those options in a form of a widget. You do, however, will have to delete one of the Stage widgets to free up the room. Or you can just open the widget via apps. For my use, I currently prefer a different launcher than Stage. I am using the LauncherPro but there are a lot of other free choices like ADW, Zeam and so on.
Here are the things I like about this build:
1. Ability to hang up the call by pressing the power button ( you have to go to Settings-Accessibility-then check the mark for that option)
2. Radio feature - is absolutely great. The thing I don't like is the web ad that seems to pop every time I start listening to a station. If anyone knows how to turn/block that pop-up you would make me very happy )
3. Keyboard is awesome. Love the size, the options to switch to symbols, just love it. Haven't messed with SWYPE but I love the Andriod KB right now.
4. Flash - yes it works and it works well.
5. Speed - significantly faster. Whether navigating or downloading. Wi-fi speeds are faster than 1.6 or 2.1 I use to have.
6. Bluetooth volume is louder. This one was high on my priority list.
7. Music widget - looks nice and clean.
8. Camera works fine. I don't see an option for 720p though.
9. Security is beefed up by adding the option for PIN or password on top of the normal sliding lock. My slider works without any issues. But I prefer the pattern lock which also works great.
10. Haptic feedback can't be completely turned off, or you can turn off certain features alone like keyboard. I have mine off so the three main buttons don't vibrate any more. I don't think that option was available in the previous builds but I could be wrong.
These are the ones that I can think of right off the bat. I may add more as I remember them.

streak4m3 said:
Under apps you can select Power Control and that will give you those options in a form of a widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long press home, then under widgets, then power control... thanks tons. that's what I was looking for.

So my quick review:
The good:
Loving the out-of-the-box Exchange support. Yay. Mobile e-mail/calendar/contacts without having to use Touchdown and the hassle of 'pushing' Touchdown contacts to the phone's contacts.
w00t. Ability to grab requiring apps from the market which require 2.x.
2.x features like portrait home screen, better multi-touch, etc.
The bad:
The Stage UI is just lame. Giving it a few days before I toss it in the bin.
I miss the old video playing app. I dunno what it was called, but there isn't even a shortcut for the new one. I installed ASTRO File Manager, browsed to my video directory and the file launched with some less-than-basic video player. What I liked about the old one was the order-by-date view which I have become used to but isn't the end of the world, the resume where you left off feature, and the delete from within the app feature. I guess Rock Player is the video player most people seem to be recommending, so I hope it has this.
For all its faults, I liked the old keyboard. I suspect it's still there, but I have yet to look. Using 2 (To/two/too) and 4 (For/four), etc in txt/IM/tweets now takes extra keypresses.
I never really knew how handy the Dell notification area was for 1.6. I'd turn off the cellular data and run Wi-Fi only, with just a couple of presses and it wouldn't interrupt the app I was in. Now I have to go to the home screen, press the menu button, and that's only to turn off wireless. I have yet to find the equivalent enable/disable for 3G.
Yet to check:
I've found the Streak's camera has taken pretty lame photos. I'm not photophile, but our 5 year old, 4MP camera takes better photos than the Streak. I've had the Streak set to the best quality (Lowest compression or whatever it was) and if you zoom in on a picture while viewing on a PC, it gets pixelated very quickly, while our 4MP pics are much nicer looking and they are twice the file size (4MP pic twice the file size of a 5MP pic?), so I'm interpreted this as 'The Streak takes crappy pics'. Been waiting to see what, if anything, the upgrade to 2.2 does for this.
So I guess it seems to lack polish, BUT, I think the reason for this is because it's actually near-to-bare Android, so I'm not going to criticise the roughness when the other option is more polish (Which one may or may not like) from Dell that means OS updates take 6+ months. I'm sure I'll be able to overcome anything I'm not liking with apps or through tweaking some options somewhere. Isn't this why we have Android?
But yeah. Stage is coming off pretty quick I suspect.
PS - You all might laugh: http://i.imgur.com/ULMLx.png

This build was far too laggy for my tastes. 1.6 was faster on some of the processes for me. I'm happily back on DJ Steve's build which is soooo much faster and has virtually the same features.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk

Something I'm surprised is:
2.2 doesn't have separate sounds for incoming:
E-mail
Texts
Reminders
...I dunno if iOS does, but my old Windows Mobile device did. I'd like a different sounds for these events, as I'll respond to them differently. Now I don't know if it's a calendar reminder which I can't ignore, a text which I might ignore or an e-mail that I can ignore...

streak4m3 said:
8. Camera works fine. I don't see an option for 720p though.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got fooled by this. check 'Custom' for 720p. I can verify it is 720p too. pretty good quality.
Edit: Check it out. cant post link so you'll have to type the youtube code in manually
watch?v=Xm-jbOqIUiU
Enjoy! pretty sweet.
Format : MOV
Dimensions: 1280x720px
Video codec: MPEG4
Audio codec: AAC

htnprm said:
I never really knew how handy the Dell notification area was for 1.6. I'd turn off the cellular data and run Wi-Fi only, with just a couple of presses and it wouldn't interrupt the app I was in. Now I have to go to the home screen, press the menu button, and that's only to turn off wireless. I have yet to find the equivalent enable/disable for 3G.
PS - You all might laugh: http://i.imgur.com/ULMLx.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try "Quick Settings" which puts an icon in your status bar so when in an app, just drag down the status bar click on it and all your settings are there. Or, try "QuickDesk". Not sure if this is out of beta yet but its also an awesome app for doing exactly what you are talking about.....and much more.
Cant wait to get my Streak and to start rockin this 2.2. Would love to have vanilla 2.2 though.

as you are on 2.2 now , can you check something for me ?
- can flashled from camera be used as torchlight ?
- it should have usb tethering now, but does it also do wifi-tethering ?
- can the flashplayer play activescript ?
- is activesync (not exchange) working ?

da_jojo said:
as you are on 2.2 now , can you check something for me ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I was wondering about many of these. Hopefully I get the first real sit-down with the phone sans-children jumping all over me, so I'll get back to you.

htnprm said:
Yeah. I was wondering about many of these. Hopefully I get the first real sit-down with the phone sans-children jumping all over me, so I'll get back to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers, appreciate it

da_jojo said:
as you are on 2.2 now , can you check something for me ?
- can flashled from camera be used as torchlight ?
- it should have usb tethering now, but does it also do wifi-tethering ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the led can work as a flashlight. I used the N1 Torch app and it worked fine.
Yes it does have wifi tethering.
I really miss the 1.6 menu bar/notification bar. Stage blows compared to the old ui. The swype keyboard is great. I have mixed feelings about the update mainly because of the ui changes.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk

Spectre51 said:
Yes the led can work as a flashlight. I used the N1 Torch app and it worked fine.
Yes it does have wifi tethering.
I really miss the 1.6 menu bar/notification bar. Stage blows compared to the old ui. The swype keyboard is great. I have mixed feelings about the update mainly because of the ui changes.
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnx for the info
yeah me too, but you can allways install one of these :
http://myandroidworld.in/posts/android-launchershome-replacement-apps

da_jojo said:
as you are on 2.2 now , can you check something for me ?
- can flashled from camera be used as torchlight ?
- it should have usb tethering now, but does it also do wifi-tethering ?
- can the flashplayer play activescript ?
- is activesync (not exchange) working ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, I use StreakLight from Market (free)
2. Yes, there´s an option for this and I checked it, and it seems to work. But I haven´t connected a device yet.
3. How can I check this?
4. Dunno, cause I use Exchange and some Imap

gavelis said:
1. Yes, I use StreakLight from Market (free)
2. Yes, there´s an option for this and I checked it, and it seems to work. But I haven´t connected a device yet.
3. How can I check this?
4. Dunno, cause I use Exchange and some Imap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnx
ad 3 : http://www.playerversion.com/ and http://jrgraphix.net/research/flash-dock-mx-2004.php and http://flowplayer.org/plugins/streaming/rtmp.html

da_jojo said:
as you are on 2.2 now , can you check something for me ?
- can flashled from camera be used as torchlight ?
- it should have usb tethering now, but does it also do wifi-tethering ?
- can the flashplayer play activescript ?
- is activesync (not exchange) working ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Others have answered, but I'll pass on what I know. If you're talking Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) not talking to an Exchange server, a la Hotmail, I'm getting a "cannot connect to server" error... My EAS to work's Exchange is working flawlessly though.
And USB/Wi-fi tethering are working grand. I'm tethered by Wi-fi as I write this, so I can pass my 3G USB modem on to a colleague. w00t.
I am a little concerned about battery life. I haven't done that much with the phone today, unlike a normal day where I might squeeze in a few calls, texts, tweets, bit of web browsing, and three+ hours of video and have the battery at 20% at the end of the day. I'm at 20% left now, and I haven't done any of those things.

thnx
have you tried hotmail through POP3 ? it worked with k9 client.
what i meant is activesync on windows 7 64bit with office 2010 32bit.
yeah batterylife concerns me also. i have a habit of draining these in godspeed (A)

You can create a shortcut to the wifi & networks popup from launcherpro activities.
1. Long press on the desktop bsckground
2. Select shortcut
3. Select Activities
4. Select wireless & networks
You now have access to the old dell popup to disable data, 3g etc.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App

this is exactly what people where missing , thnx

rodjordan said:
You now have access to the old dell popup to disable data, 3g etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda. You still have to go from the app you're in out to the home screen, turn it on/off, and then go back to your app. But thanks for the info.

Another thread posted in wrong section

Here is the lastest New Xperia Arc Firmware Generic Global 4.0.A.2.368 Which is the new update that introduce Xloud New themes and much more.
___________________________________
Xperia™ arc software updates
08-01-2011
New software available (NOT YET available on PC companion it's still rolling out At the moment)
THIS IS GLOBAL GENERIC & THIS IS NOT 2.3.4.
_____________________________________________
THIS IS AN ENHANCEMENT THAT SONY ERICSSON IS CURRENTLY RELEASING FOR ALL XPERIA FAMILY DEVICES.
What you will get is:
Updated: It seems this firmware makes the Booting Much much quicker. I can't say if it's true but anyone else can confirm this besides me. thanks
Updated: I will be also posting Other Generic firmwares Hongkong, Germany, North america, France And perhaps Branded Version if released Yet. Orange branded version is out atm But i cannot find it's download file i'll post it ASAP.
xLoud™ – boosts your music when played through the speaker
Stereo recording
shoot video with high-quality stereo sound
Digital home enjoy entertainment content stored in your phone on DLNA certified media devices ( Which means you will get new stock apps. you can remove them if you are rooted of course) but they are useful
New themes and Landscape mode for your home screen
LAYOUT change in gallery, Music stock player And many more.
Not forgetting they added plenty of minor things such as when you get a message, you will see how many number u have on the dock where message app is. same goes for calls and etc.
they really did went all over this update
The new Themes are the 5 main Sony color themes. The blue you get on stock, the yellow, green, pink and orange & Black (New) which is called Onyx.
now the "Theme" manage enables you to CHANGE the dialer/settings in overall the System background wallpaper with one of those Xperia main color wave wallpapers in a theme pack style. (Probably will be able to customize it soon if XDA devs play around with it)
you also get the Xperia Ray features, such as the New timescape design widget. Weather widget, and a lot of Animated things and icon Sony changed.
the screen timeout has an animation also.
~~~~~~~~~~~
And camera can now Zoom !
I know right? SO exciting! Let's just say this is a "thank you, here you go!" it seems. from Sony Ericsson department. They aslo really added ALOT new Unique widget to put in your homescreen, it feels very cool to have these new widgets
REQUIREMENTS:
Gingerbread 2.3.3
Flashtool
(To flash it Here is the Original Thread if you wish to learn more about flashing firmwares on your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=920746).
Reminder: there is NO pre/rooted version for it yet.
A other reminder: XLOUD IS FREAKING AMAZING XD
X10 Owners:
This firmware is currently NOT compatible for X10. It can for sure be ported and re-tweak for X10 system file dump. Question is how hard will it be?
Updated reminder: There is also the Keyboard option for International (full keyboard or Phonepad !)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CFS4HQ16
This would be sweet on the x10

we don't need to make the rom, just implement the features.

if some could do that then that would be master

im pretty sure someones working on it already

a2ha said:
im pretty sure someones working on it already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool i gonna be glad

Elegance u8 watch

this is a cheap watch, do NOT expect support from the manufacturer
there is also a cloned version, sold as a real u8, no way to tell the difference until you receive it
DO NOT FLASH YOU WATCH!
it might be a clone and render it USELESS
CONS:
-there will never be apps developed for it
-you have to have phone or media audio sent to the watch, otherwise it can't connect
-crappy rubber band, attracts dust likecrazy
-the watch screen is off when in standby, so you have to press the button to see anything
-call quality through it's sucks, both microphone and speaker
-display is unreadable outdoors
-NO support from manufacturer
-NO central location for firmware updates
-NO decent companion app, only generic notifications, no filter possible, only based per app
PROS:
-cheap
-doesn't look too bad
stay away is my advice

interesting, the UI very close to i'm watch, home screen anyway.

removed

the manufacturer sent me the BTNotifier app, so i've been able to try out some stuff
sadly, all isn't well
the notifier app is very generic, you can make a selection from all your apps, but all that does is show a generic message on the watch, not the content of that message (like "new tweet" but not the tweet itself)
that's the whole reason i have my smartwatch, to see messages at a glance, dismiss whatever is not important and grab my phone when it is
will send feedback to the manufacturer, but am not expecting much...

Hi,
I just bought this model. It seemed beautiful and with many features.
The screen is not in color? In the photos seems to b/w.
The battery can stand how long? The bluethoot not fail?
You are not satisfied with him?
How much was yours? In the link you placed it very very expensive...
Reg,
FB

the link i shared was for 2 watches, not for 1, what did you pay for it?
yes the screen is color, look at the analog clock face, the seconds hand is red
and no i'm not impressed with this watch
haven't tried it for long, so no idea how long the battery lasts or how stable the bluetooth connection is
it does not have (native) support for facebook/twitter/whatsapp/gmail, something my Sony Smartwatch 2 does have
it does support sms and has a general "catch all" option for any app you choose, but for twitter it will just say "you have a new tweet" and not the message content
the screen is hardly readable outside, i have to admit Sony did a pretty good job with their transflective display
it also times out too quick, dims the screen in about 4,5 seconds and goes totally black after another 5,5 seconds
all notifications, not matter the application, are grouped together and you can't swipe to see them, you have to use the touch buttons at the bottom
if you disable both phone and media audio, the watch disconnects completely, at least one needs to be enabled

Hi,
I bought here
How works the function "Answer or Dial calls from your wrist"...has good sound?
...and a remote control camera of your smartphone works?
One thing I don't like in the Sony Smartwatch, if you disconnect (BT) of your samrtphone it off the clock, this is bad ...in the U watch does not happen...it's truth?
...I see, this is not the smartwatch announce in the description of sale
Reg,
FB

fbhtc said:
Hi,
One thing I don't like in the Sony Smartwatch, if you disconnect (BT) of your samrtphone it off the clock, this is bad ...in the U watch does not happen...it's truth?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
No, in Sony Smartwatch 2 Hour Watchface is still displayed and always ON even without phone. Many app can run without phone : stopwatch, timer, alarm, many note like SmartNotes, Evernote, GMail Note, Notification historic : Gmail, K9Mail and all others received before no connection.....

OK...
...so, you're not using the U8...you use the sony Sony Smartwatch 2 :good:
...I will wait for my U8 and I'll see if I solve the problem of messages.
Reg,
FB

fbhtc said:
OK...
...so, you're not using the U8...you use the sony Sony Smartwatch 2 :good:
...I will wait for my U8 and I'll see if I solve the problem of messages.
Reg,
FB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have also a SmartQ Z-Watch with android 4.4 for $99 wich work well

JarlSX said:
Got my watch today...
Language selection is limited to chinese/english, no other options.
Build version of the firmware: M28_KHR.CN1.V007
Will add more info when i know more!
(any questions are welcome)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the same watch few days ago too,
The initial version of firmware is M28_KHR.CN1.V008
And then, I ask the 2 different versions of firmware from the vendor to see if any new feature or improvement,
The only difference I've found so far is the backlight timeout value can be changed,
Are you interested to take a look?

thanks @alexcc59 for those files!
will have a look, being able to set the screen timeout it the first of many changes this watch needs
did you also get a newer version of BTNotifier?
i have v1.3.21 right now
edit: there's two versions of the firmware? one chinese and one english? or what is the difference?
and how do i get this thing to go into flash mode?

JarlSX said:
thanks @alexcc59 for those files!
will have a look, being able to set the screen timeout it the first of many changes this watch needs
did you also get a newer version of BTNotifier?
i have v1.3.21 right now
edit: there's two versions of the firmware? one chinese and one english? or what is the difference?
and how do i get this thing to go into flash mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I already got that APK too.
As I tried,
The M28_KHR.FN2.V002 firmware support English, French...ETC, total 13 languages, build date: 2014/4/2,
And the M28_KHR_CN1_V011 firmware only support English & Simplify Chinese, build date: 2014/4/9,
But I don't exactly know what's the difference except language support.
I figured out the flashing procedure by myself,
If you want to try, you can follow the steps below~
1. Install driver.
2. Switch on and connect the watch with standard micro-USB cable.
3. Run the "Flash_tool.exe" as administrator.
4. Loacate the 2 files then press the "Download" button as the attached picture.
5. Swith off the watch then it will start to flash automatically.
6. Do not interrupt the process until it finished.

so which version of the btnotifier apk do you have?
managed to update the firmware, thanks!
i'm fine with english, so i picked the CN V11 version
noticed these changes:
-2 extra clock faces, 1 digital and 1 analog
-as you already mentioned, the screen timeout setting
-interaction with phone seems quicker, like loading the phone book and accessing the camera
sadly the screen timeout setting only adds more time to the period where it's in power save mode, the time it's in full brightness is still only 4.5-5 seconds, that should be selectable as well
a real deal breaker is that i can't dial out with my phone and have audio on my phone, i should be able to choose by dialing/answering with either watch or phone
it's like hands free always on, unacceptable
it also still disconnects if i switch off both phone audio and media audio
so will wait for another firmware to try again

JarlSX said:
so which version of the btnotifier apk do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same as yours
---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 PM ----------
JarlSX said:
a real deal breaker is that i can't dial out with my phone and have audio on my phone, i should be able to choose by dialing/answering with either watch or phone
it's like hands free always on, unacceptable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which phone do you use?
In my case, I use HTC One M7,
I can choose which device to call/answer in dialer,
Just press the same button as speakerphone then choose while calling,
And I also unchecked the audio streaming option in bluetooth setting on my phone,
Then it will not playback via the poor speak of the watch

see sig, HTC Butterfly s
so you can choose audio on the watch, but i want audio to be on the phone if i use the phone's dialer
they really need to add native facebook/twitter/gmail/whatsapp support to the BTNotifier, useless otherwise, i want to see content on the watch

first smartwatch
Hey guy's I was thinking about buying this watch as well. I have never had one before.
I would love to easily change the song, which my phone is playing through my earbuds. Is this possible with this watch? or can I only change songs and play them from the speaker? Also I don't really get if you guys already solved the fact that you could not pick up your normal phone while the watch is connected?
but most important of all I wan't to be able to have both my phone and my smartwatch on vibrate/silent. I am a student and can't have my phone making any sounds during class.
Is there someone who can answer these questions for me? I have found a good deal for this watch on internet and want to order quick
thanks in advance!!
peace:good:

well, the Smartwatch 2 does all that, and has a way better screen, AND displays content of messages, which this one doesn't, for most things anyway
the SW2 is a lot cheaper now, so i would advise buying that one
or if you're not in a hurry, wait a couple of months a see what's available then

JarlSX said:
well, the Smartwatch 2 does all that, and has a way better screen, AND displays content of messages, which this one doesn't, for most things anyway
the SW2 is a lot cheaper now, so i would advise buying that one
or if you're not in a hurry, wait a couple of months a see what's available then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the advise! The sony watch is to expensive for me tough.
Is the smartQ Z1 a good alternative? As far as I can see it looks similar as the SW2 and is cheaper. less than €70,- including shippingcosts to holland. it is 12.2mm thick which is quite ok as well.

yeah the Z1 is a good alternative, runs android so has all kind of options, they even managed to run Android Wear on it
check the Z1 topics in this subforum
i was going to buy The Z1 as well, but as i have already preordered the HOT Watch as well, i thought it was a bit overkill
this U-watch is a waste of money, that's for sure