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Hey Folks,
Anyone tested out the Droid 4? I used to have a G1 and loved it. Now I am contemplating switching back to android but want a qwerty. G2 would be great but it seems a bit old/outdated..
Has any G2 user switched to a droid 4 (seems like the best qwerty, with little plans to make a super smartphone with a qwerty) and how is it??
Thanks.
I love my Droid 4, the keyboard is a lot better than the G2.
Pros:
Bigger Screen
Higher Pixel Density
Dual Core 1.2 Ghz CPU
1GB of RAM
Amazing Keyboard
SD Card Support
Eventual ICS
Cons:
Locked Bootloader (Still have the ability to install Custom ROMS, but no Custom Kernels)
Pentile Display (Makes some colors look more dotted)
Still on Gingerbread
Non-Removable Battery
Thanks!! Super helpful.
Hmm unfortunately the locked bootloader is quite unfortunate. Might be a dealbreaker. (Also no sim card) I swung by a VZ store today to check out the galaxy nexus and also played with the droid 4. Honestly wasnt that impressed with the keyboard, although its probably because I have been spoiled by my blackberry 9900 which has the best keyboard ever. Suppose its going to be hard to find a better keyboard.
I am now swinging towards the gnex with a prepaid plan through tmobile for $30/month (!!). Gosh I am so indecisive.
PS- check your phone OTA for updates, the guy in store was updating the Droid4 there to ICS.
Was thinking about getting a droid 4 myself but the support for it is minimal on xda, maybe its a little better on roots wiki?
The bootstrap n the names they have for recovery is a bit confusing why not just say recovery, bootloader etc.
austriker27 said:
PS- check your phone OTA for updates, the guy in store was updating the Droid4 there to ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only official ICS for the D4 are the leaked builds, but not official OTA yet. The only Moto phone that is getting updates right now is the Droid Razr/Razr MAXX to ICS. The guy at the VZW Store must be updating to the leak builds lol.
smile_ppl said:
The only official ICS for the D4 are the leaked builds, but not official OTA yet. The only Moto phone that is getting updates right now is the Droid Razr/Razr MAXX to ICS. The guy at the VZW Store must be updating to the leak builds lol.
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Click to collapse
Oh sorry perhaps he was updating the droid razr, etc rather than the droid4. It was the OTA update as I watched him do it (obviously not that carefully lol). Sorry for the false hope
Hey Guys,
According to this article, http://www.androidcentral.com/galaxy-s4-developer-edition-headed-att-and-verizon
There would be a a Developer Version of the S4 for AT&T.
I feel like this is much better than the Google Play Edition since GPE is just a Nexus experience but still use the TW kernel.
Anyway, I was not really impressed with the GPE so do you know when will AT&T release the DE?
Thanks!
Still just 16GB...I'll pass.
I am in the Market for a Galaxy Note 3 on Verizon OR a LG G2.
I'm torn coming from the Nexus Line.
I just found out about a Galaxy Note 3 Developer edition coming out for Verizon (rumored Nov 1) but have a few questions and I thought you S4 users could give me a quick answer.
The Developer Edition (DE) uses AOSP I believe?
How does that translate for normal S4 users and development? Were AOSP and others kernels/roms flashable on the standard S4?
I'm leaning toward the Note 3 because I'm having nightmarish flashbacks to the LG G2x days and the LG G2 looks like a big updated G2x. LG is notorious for bad software updates. It is already behind with 4.2.2 and probably won't see 4.3 until 9 months. The Note 3 has the SPen and already semi up-to-date with 4.3. With the probability of a GN3 DE, it might further expand the flashing capabilities.
I've never personally owned a Samsung Android outside of my Galaxy Nexus. I do know the current status of the Verizon GN3 bootloader is locked and development is at a stand still.
Advice?
player911 said:
I am in the Market for a Galaxy Note 3 on Verizon OR a LG G2.
I'm torn coming from the Nexus Line.
I just found out about a Galaxy Note 3 Developer edition coming out for Verizon (rumored Nov 1) but have a few questions and I thought you S4 users could give me a quick answer.
The Developer Edition (DE) uses AOSP I believe?
How does that translate for normal S4 users and development? Were AOSP and others kernels/roms flashable on the standard S4?
I'm leaning toward the Note 3 because I'm having nightmarish flashbacks to the LG G2x days and the LG G2 looks like a big updated G2x. LG is notorious for bad software updates. It is already behind with 4.2.2 and probably won't see 4.3 until 9 months. The Note 3 has the SPen and already semi up-to-date with 4.3. With the probability of a GN3 DE, it might further expand the flashing capabilities.
I've never personally owned a Samsung Android outside of my Galaxy Nexus. I do know the current status of the Verizon GN3 bootloader is locked and development is at a stand still.
Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there the Developer edition is still touchWiz only comes with an unlooked bootloader.
about the rest i'm not sure but yes you can flash AOSP on S4
but well, i'm not sure if it will come to EU with Developer edition, sad that sammy locked it
Oh so the Developer Editions still has TouchWiz, just pre-unlocked? What did it run fresh out of the box? Most phones can run AOSP, just not reliably.
player911 said:
Oh so the Developer Editions still has TouchWiz, just pre-unlocked? What did it run fresh out of the box? Most phones can run AOSP, just not reliably.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about the developer editions or the Google play editions? because I've never seen a developer edition S4
crzykiller said:
Are you talking about the developer editions or the Google play editions? because I've never seen a developer edition S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My S4 came with the bootloader unlocked, and it didn't come from any PlayStore. So I guess there isn't a developer edition until this new bootloader lock?
Well sorry for the confusion, I don't really know. I'm new to Samsung stuff.
Ive heard talk about Verizon Developer Editions, I assumed they were talking about the stock AOSP editions which I guess are Google Play editions.
Are they both the same thing? Google Play = Developer Edition?
Doing more research I see Google Play addition was flashable on other S4s. Which basically confirms my questions (I think).
The G2 has some good developers now, but Samsung typically officially supports their devices longer. I'm just thinking which device will have better support in a year and the Note 3 probably will be on top.
I'm just researching the S4 for patterns that will probably benefit me if I bought a Note 3.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
player911 said:
Well sorry for the confusion, I don't really know. I'm new to Samsung stuff.
Ive heard talk about Verizon Developer Editions, I assumed they were talking about the stock AOSP editions which I guess are Google Play editions.
Are they both the same thing? Google Play = Developer Edition?
Doing more research I see Google Play addition was flashable on other S4s. Which basically confirms my questions (I think).
The G2 has some good developers now, but Samsung typically officially supports their devices longer. I'm just thinking which device will have better support in a year and the Note 3 probably will be on top.
I'm just researching the S4 for patterns that will probably benefit me if I bought a Note 3.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my advice... for now... stick to nexus for aosp
player911 said:
Well sorry for the confusion, I don't really know. I'm new to Samsung stuff.
Ive heard talk about Verizon Developer Editions, I assumed they were talking about the stock AOSP editions which I guess are Google Play editions.
Are they both the same thing? Google Play = Developer Edition?
Doing more research I see Google Play addition was flashable on other S4s. Which basically confirms my questions (I think).
The G2 has some good developers now, but Samsung typically officially supports their devices longer. I'm just thinking which device will have better support in a year and the Note 3 probably will be on top.
I'm just researching the S4 for patterns that will probably benefit me if I bought a Note 3.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The developer edition is still the same as original edition except that it comes with an unlocked bootloader (you won't be able to use knox). So developer edition is basically the same except the bootloader and no knox availability
Google play edition comes with unlocked bootloader (I think) but it's not the developer edition.
And yes you can flash the Google edition firmware so you can develop for stock Android if that's what you want to. Just stay out from the Google edition bootloader i know someone flashed it and he'd got some hard time to recover it.
But they're very identical the ge and s4 original Touchwiz in specifications.
[True Friendship doesn't exist]
LastStandingDroid said:
The developer edition is still the same as original edition except that it comes with an unlocked bootloader (you won't be able to use knox). So developer edition is basically the same except the bootloader and no knox availability
Google play edition comes with unlocked bootloader (I think) but it's not the developer edition.
And yes you can flash the Google edition firmware so you can develop for stock Android if that's what you want to. Just stay out from the Google edition bootloader i know someone flashed it and he'd got some hard time to recover it.
But they're very identical the ge and s4 original Touchwiz in specifications.
[True Friendship doesn't exist]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info. Seems my luck, I'd buy the Note 3 hoping to be able to flash some GE and something stupid would make it incompatible or something (Verizon is good at screwing up phones).
Well this was Developer Edition which doesn't warrant paying full price when unlocks are typically found eventually.
Too bad the S5 is too far off.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I cannot wait! Currently using an up-to-date OTA S4 on Verizon, meaning I am stuck with bloated touchwiz . Can't wait to switch over to the Dev Edition Moto X. Once the new Eclipse update is released I shall start "ROM"ing.
StiM_AddiCt said:
I cannot wait! Currently using an up-to-date OTA S4 on Verizon, meaning I am stuck with bloated touchwiz . Can't wait to switch over to the Dev Edition Moto X. Once the new Eclipse update is released I shall start "ROM"ing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made the switch from an at&t gs4 on mk2 using safestrap to flash Roms. Got tired of always flashing and setting up. Got this and got it rooted with gravity box, greenify. Don't really need the ROM ing on this phone. But I got a regular att not the DE
MOTO X Slapped
StiM_AddiCt said:
I cannot wait! Currently using an up-to-date OTA S4 on Verizon, meaning I am stuck with bloated touchwiz . Can't wait to switch over to the Dev Edition Moto X. Once the new Eclipse update is released I shall start "ROM"ing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just moved to a moto x DE from a verizon droid maxx that was stuck on 4.4 unrooted. Honestly, i wanted the droid maxx DE, but it was out of stock and i had the money now.
Only have had it for a couple days, but im really liking the size of the device. was kinda hesitant coming from the maxx, but it feels so good im my hands. I find that im not streching to reach the notification shade, and that the phone isnt sticking out the top of my shirt pocket when im working.
Another vote for Stock + xposed = no need to ROM. Wanted the dev edition so that i can always root no matter what update they throw at us.
Teksu said:
Just moved to a moto x DE from a verizon droid maxx that was stuck on 4.4 unrooted. Honestly, i wanted the droid maxx DE, but it was out of stock and i had the money now.
Only have had it for a couple days, but im really liking the size of the device. was kinda hesitant coming from the maxx, but it feels so good im my hands. I find that im not streching to reach the notification shade, and that the phone isnt sticking out the top of my shirt pocket when im working.
Another vote for Stock + xposed = no need to ROM. Wanted the dev edition so that i can always root no matter what update they throw at us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Glad to hear the stock ROM is that good. Touchwiz left me with a bad taste in my mouth. What are the recommend "must haves" once I am rooted?
StiM_AddiCt said:
Awesome. Glad to hear the stock ROM is that good. Touchwiz left me with a bad taste in my mouth. What are the recommend "must haves" once I am rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xposed with the Gravity Box module at a minimum. The rest depends on your needs. I also have the Moto Tether module.
Another benefit of the Dev Edition is to more easily flash ROMs down the road, when Moto/Lenovo stops supporting the device and releasing updates. Right now I have no interest in going off stock, but 2 years from now, that may change if I am stuck on Android 4.5 or whatever and 5.x has been out for a year.
StiM_AddiCt said:
Awesome. Glad to hear the stock ROM is that good. Touchwiz left me with a bad taste in my mouth. What are the recommend "must haves" once I am rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i ran a s3 for a year before switching over and i can agree i froze TW from the start and installed a diffrent launcher. but i am happy to say even the stock launcher on this phone is great.
here is some of the stuff i have done
root
xposed
titanium backup
freeze all apps i dont use
greenify
new launcher
battery state read just incase something is draining the battery
i get about 1day 4hr on a full charge.
Root
Xposed; Modules: Gravity Box, Youtube ad-away, moto tether, root cloak, preference injector
Root enabled file explorer, I use Solid Explorer
Thats what im using so far, just got my DE 2 days ago, so im still getting settled in.
I also plan on flashing the image to get rid of the unlocked bootloader warning message that shows prior to the boot animation, but thats not really a big deal to me
I had a Verizon S4 on MK2. I will never buy another samsung phone in my lifetime, unless they decide to get rid of touchwiz... HA, right. Right now, I currently have a VZW DE Moto X I picked up on Swappa for about 390. It took 2 days to get here, and it is great. I do not miss my S4 one little bit. I even have it up for sale on Swappa but I'm not trying to advertise so I won't go into further detail on that. I love the Moto X, but I'm worried to take it out of the house xD.
Another former touchwiz convert here ... Came from Verizon Note 3 (had Note 2 prior to it) and while I wasn't overly thrilled about TW, I didn't mind it on the Note series (my first devices with TW).
Loved my N2 in every way, but the N3 (for me) sucked as a phone - bad quality, dropped calls and constant data drops/in and out of 4G etc
Decided to take advantage of the Moto sales and grabbed a DE X ... Of course I was concerned about the significant size difference, but after a week or so with the x I was hooked! Sold N3 and haven't regretted it at all.
Also agree with others as far as ROM's go .. No need IMO. Get Xposed and Gravity Box and you're golden!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Well both my DE and Black/White Bumper have shipped. Inter-webs say they will be here Tuesday. I shall turn on the Moto X and see if it needs to update to 4.4 and then check it out to ensure I am safe to port my number over. My phone is through a corporate account and is a pain in the ass to switch lol.
I've had the captivate, S2, S3, and Note 3. I always flashed custom ROMs because I hated TW so much. I bought the GSM DE, and feel no need to flash any custom ROM. For the first time, I'm completely happy with stock. Now, a custom kernel is another thing all together. Lol
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Another Verizon Samsung gs4 convert. I came from Sprint before complaining about the previous few generations of HTC evo phones and I had no idea how much worse Samsung had messed up the android experience (especially with the way Verizon locks down the phone). Whomever is responsible for the abomination that is touchwiz should be flogged.
I've got the vzw de x and so far haven't seen a reason to ROM it.
When will a nice pure lollipop ROM come out for the Verizon Note 3 that can be flashed with safe strap? Will it be soon??
When it does, don't get too excited.... Not having xposed kinda really sucks. I already went back to KK on my Nexus 7.. Don't get me wrong, Lollipop looks nice.. But if you're used to really being in control of your device, lollipop in its current state will be a huge letdown. Just my opinion
Don't hold your breath on it, VZW is notorious for being last with upgrades. Plus as the previous poster said with that there's a whole new set of issues. Maybe a dev will hook up lollipop for us but it kinda seems like they are slowly closing all the playgrounds so to speak.