Guys as omnia Has launched in my country [India]...i am a bit confused over which handset to pic..I love the looks of HTC hero AND its Android!!...i would be very greatful to you if u could give me ur precious and honest inputs on HTC HERO ...the people who actually have it.
what i really want is:
1. Fast UI...Obviously iphone is the best here but i need something at least close to it..my bro has iphone so i m taking another phone..HTC obviously has ANDROID but is it quite quick..i heard about the lag but some say there is an update coming??
2. MUSIC.. i want the bass specailly to be good and loudness in the overall music of the handset and good for the video as well..
3. MESSAGING...has to be easy..i heard that OMNIA has only landscape mode..so both hands needed!! but HTC hero has a good keyboard.. i have seen in the videos..is it fast??
so which one should i go for guys?? please give me ur honest views and dont just give it cause u own a HERO ...THANKS!
Android as of yet has no equalizer, so boosting bass for music is out of the question for now (it's on the roadmap, however). Music quality is definitely passable for average listening but not as high quality as most dedicated players.
As for a fast interface, well the current phones have varying amounts of lag (some people seem to suffer worse than others, probably depends on what apps you install). The upcoming updates plan to at least fix the lag caused by the homescreen widgets.
My impression of speed on how I currently have my Hero set up is that it is very liveable with. It isn't always LIGHTNING fast (sometimes it is though!), but very usable and responsive.
Messaging is great in my opinion. The keyboard is the fastest phone keypad I have used yet (although I've never used a flip out qwerty on such phones as the touch pro) and I really enjoy typing. The prediction is pretty good and almost always knows what I want to write.
Hope that helps!
thanks KIZ for ur useful input...
but i wanna know if the music is loud enough or better than samsung omnia HD?? i know the videos arent that great though..
I've got both.
To be honest, I think that the hero blows away the omnia in every area apart from video playback and recording. Only go for the omnia if that's of a great priority to you.
In terms of music playback, id recommend a separate mp3 player if you want top quality. Both machines don't have great sound quality but they are decent and comparable. Not even the ipod cut it as far as I was concerned so I got the Sony x series mp3 player.
Overall, the hero is awesome. Apps are easier to find, and tend to be better than the symbian alternative. Email, YouTube, facebook integration, the keyboard, easier doc editing, stability, podcast software are just a handful of reasons I prefer the hero.
no i dont care for the camera...but ill have to convert most videos for HERO...but then i heard that more than 15 fps and video playback isnt great??
and another question...what is the highest memory card supported?? 16 gb?? or if i use 32 gb??
Dear all,
Boring using my TyTN II (Kaiser), I would like to buy the new HD2...
Is it really a good phone ?
Is the camera giving good pictures ?
Is the screen really nice to use ?
Is the GPS fast to get a fix ?
Is the phone fast in managing screen and apps ?
Is the USB link with computer fast ?
(all of theses questions because the TyTN II is slow, poor in pictures, very slow using GPS Tomtom, very slow in USB connection at 10 Mb, ...)
These are my main use of my phone (including Outlook for appointments, with ActiveSync).
Waiting for your answers
Laurent.
Is it really a good phone ? Excelent 10/10
Is the camera giving good pictures ? Good 7/10
Is the screen really nice to use ? With the sensitivity fix, yes, 8/10
Is the GPS fast to get a fix ? VERY fast 10/10
Is the phone fast in managing screen and apps ? Yesy 10/10
Is the USB link with computer fast ? Yes, very.
Yes to all the above, but...
In my opinion the HD2 is a decent phone but an excellent PDA. Excellent phone would be a simple Nokia 3100 etc...
Yes to all!
Thanks to all of you...
I thought it was better to ask users than read adds over the Internet.
Many thanks to you... I think I will buy it very soon !
Is it really a good phone ?
The phone features are great. Smart Dialing, for example, is very convenient, something you don't get on other smartphones.
Is the camera giving good pictures ?
For a smartphone: Yes, very good pictures. Of course it can't beat dedicated cameraphones, but it has one of the best cameras you get get in a smartphone.
Is the screen really nice to use ?
Some need a sensitivity fix.
Is the GPS fast to get a fix ?
VERY fast. Even inside buildings, you often get a fix in under 10 seconds, and outside, it's more like 3-5 seconds.
Is the phone fast in managing screen and apps ?
Yes, very fast.
Is the USB link with computer fast ?
Yes, very fast.
Autourdupc said:
Is it really a good phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a very subjective question! I am very fond of mine, and have no plans to sell it; but you need to understand what you're taking on. Windows Mobile phones aren't devices that just work, they're very much "projects". An HD2 is a great phone for someone who actively enjoys spending several weeks searching for tweaks and installs that will get it working exactly the way he wants. If you simply want a phone that works as soon as you take it out of the box, then you would be better off with an iPhone or a Google Nexus One.
It's also not a good choice if you want to play games on your phone; the battery life isn't very good (particularly not if you're using it to play music); and, while there are a lot of Windows Mobile "apps" out there, they aren't all in one place in the way that they are with iPhone or Android, so you need to be willing to do some Googling
Autourdupc said:
Is the camera giving good pictures ?
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Click to collapse
Good compared to what? Compared to other phones running Windows Mobile it's good. There are other smartphones which have a much better camera; but they generally run Symbian rather than WinMo; even those don't come close to the quality of even a very cheap dedicated camera.
Autourdupc said:
Is the screen really nice to use ?
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Click to collapse
Again, that's very subjective. I like it; but it took me about a month to get used to the keyboard. Some other people hate the keyboard so much they've had to sell the phone. It's generally very responsive, scrolls quickly and accurately, and using pinch-to-zoom is neat. The size of the screen combined with its high resolution is, in my opinion, a huge advantage; it's lovely for watching videos on, and for browsing the web. (Indeed it's probably the single biggest reason why I didn't buy an iPhone). But some people find it too big.
Autourdupc said:
Is the GPS fast to get a fix ?
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Click to collapse
I don't have too much to compare it to, but it seems pretty fast to me - just a couple of seconds from a warm start. From a cold start it can take a minute or so, but I believe that's faster than most phones. I'm able to get a lock indoors if I'm anywhere near a window, so it's obviously quite sensitive.
Autourdupc said:
Is the phone fast in managing screen and apps ?
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Click to collapse
Very fast.
Autourdupc said:
Is the USB link with computer fast ?
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Click to collapse
Yes, very.
The answer at all your question is "YES"!
I think with all the tweaks, ROMs and mods , you will have yourself a new found "hobby".
I am a true lover of my HD2, but even if I find this device almost perfect I feel that it still has some parts that shall have been better.
That is why I am opening this topic. This post is not aimed at listing the HD2 problems, but rather evoke the ways to make our device even better, from the users' point of view, based on our experience.
So please, tell me what is your own point of view after several months of use.
For me, here are the items I find should have been better:
- Soft Reset 'red button' under the metal back cover: this is definitely so ridiculous. What did the HTC guys have in mind when they decided this?
- Camera: compared to other devices (e.g. Blackberry Bold) the quality of the camera on the HD2 is definitely very low. Especially if the light conditions are not perfect. I realized that I have now abandonned the idea to use my HD2 camera to take some pictures inside a home, or in the evening.
Why not a Carl Zeiss lens, and also a separate shutter button?
- Loudspeaker: the quality of the loudspeaker is low. I compared it with other devices and the one of the HD2 is not satisfying. A better one would make louspeaker phoneconversations better. Also, it's almost impossible to use the HD2 loudspeaker to listen to some music on a daily basis. It will just give you a headache, whereas with other phones it's really a pleasure to listen to you mp3s with the loudspeaker on.
- Some Manilla Menu could be improved: did you also notice that it is so difficult to exit from the Message Tab. You have to click on 'Back' before you can close the Message Tab. The same way, in the Comm Manager Tab when you click on 'Done' you would expect it would close the tab. But it doesn't. The UI shall definitely be more simple and intuitive. The same for the Ebook reader tab.
- Bugs on the FM Radio never solved: I know that some other users also reported this bug. Sometimes the FM Radio crashes. The radio skips, then the application crashes. More generally the radio reception is bad. I am shocked that ROM after ROM HTC was not in a position to solve these issues eventually.
- Battery life: this one is a big disappointment, probably the major one. On my HD2 battery lasts maximum 1 day and a half... But most of the time it lasts less than 1 day. I remember the old times when the battery life of my mobile phones could exceed 3 or 4 days. Of course smartphones are more complex and need a lot of resources. But it's the manufacturers' role to adapt the battery capacity to the device needs. Less than one day of battery life is not acceptable. 2 full days would be a minimum.
- Absence of decent internal Memory Storage (e.g. 32 Gb): I think it would be high time the manufacturers like HTC include a decent 32 Gb memory storage. It would avoid spend a lot of money on various SD cards. We would have a huge memory space that could be completed with a small SD card (2 or 4 Gb would then be enough). WHEN WILL HTC PROPOSE THIS ON ALL ITS TOP DEVICES ?
- The HTC Audio Player is so bad: I know that some people like it, but in my opinion the embedded audio player is crap. It takes too long to load, the library organization is a mess. It even includes my IGO audio files! Why HTC could not work hand in hand with great developers such as Kinoma or Corecodec?
- Lack of HTC applications : I know this is mainly due to WM 6.5. This OS is not so sexy anymore and developers prefere to focus on Android and IPhone. That is why I also think HTC should work hand in hand with soft developers to provide great HTC applications. For instance Sony with Southend: the best games on WM 6.5 have been created (Xtrakt, Experiment 13...).
Conclusion: finally I realize the HD2 is not a real multimedia smartphone as it has been introduced. On the contrary, Radio, Audio Player, Camera and Loudspeaker are almost the worst parts of the device. And many competitors do better. Therefore the HD2 is probably a great professional phone, but not a multimedia one.... Unfortunately...
But hey, don't misunderstand me. I really love my HD2.
Just hope all the issues listed above will be solved with the HD3
My experience with:
Camera: it doesn't take pictures like a digicam can, but its one of the better camera phones I have used from a smartphone. Its okay at best for me, but I don't really expect much from cam phones. Also have you tried any tweaks?
Loudspeaker: Don't really use it when playing Music. Like the camera, I don't really expect much from speakers of any phone.
Manilla Menus: I'm not really sure how you want to close Messaging Tab and Comm Manager Tab. Thats just one press. Do you mean you want it to go directly to Home page when you press "X" at the top right or Back button?
Internal Memory: Yes it would be much better if we can have more. But I think it would also cost us more if say the HD2 had 64gb internal mem.
Audio Player: Okay for me. Try 3rd party music players.
Edit: Yes, I also love my HD2
I agree with OP. The only bad issue that really bother me is the Audio Player: why the hell there's not any kind of SEARCH function? HTC failed hard here.
arturobandini said:
- Loudspeaker: the quality of the loudspeaker is low. I compared it with other devices and the one of the HD2 is not satisfying. Almost impossible to use the HD2 loudspeaker to listen to some music on a daily basis. It will just give you a headache, whereas with other phones it's really a pleasure to listen to you mp3s with the loudspeaker on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad that you can't use the loudspeaker to listen to music. There's a special place in hell reserved for people who do that.
Yes Audio and Video player of the HD2 for me is a big let down.
Audioplayer crashes and won't play any of your music if you happen to load in just 1 file that it don't like.
Videoplayer also sucks almost all files need to be converted to play nicely on the HD2 player (video/audio out of sync). No RMVB support.
Camera and Loudspeaker I dont have any complains, they work OK for me.
I would have to disagree with the HD2 cameras quality being low. I managed to take some pretty good pictures with it. While dark or light outside
I also would have to to disagree with the loudspeaker with the music. I came from a blackberry 9700 and a storm 2 and both of their loud speakers distort when turned all the way up. thankfully when someone calls, the ringtones sound crisp on the hd2
but the rest of the stuff i agree with you guys
I wish the text messaging is better then what is now
i love the hd2 too, although it gets annoying at times. i have to admit, i was going to buy the nexus one instead of the hd2, but the hd2's hardware is sexy. cant help it. XP
anyway what bothers me about it:
1.) camera. it does seem a bit grainy, ive seen phones with better 5mp cameras.
2.) wm6.5. the os is snappy, but at random times, i would be forced to take out the battery cause (either sense or windows mobile) freezes up. using the chuckyrom.
3.) loudspeaker, idk maybe its just the mp3s i choose but volume is low even on high. not really a problem since i leave it on vibrate.
4.) horrible battery life. i use my phone a lot. i have my emails/calendars synced to it. let me just say i couldnt last a day without having to plug it into charger (using 3g). i made a test actually, i left around 2pm today to go to the beach, so i turned 3g off and pretty much left it in my backpack. a few hours later (around 10pm) it had around 65% battery left, so that was a shocker.
5.) music player. too slow for my tastes. im an ipod user so u can say my ipod spoiled me.
but still even with these problems, im happy with my sexy hd2. i'd go for the evo but i cant go cdma yet since i travel a lot so i need gsm phones.
- Absence of decent internal Memory Storage (e.g. 32 Gb): I think it would be high time the manufacturers like HTC include a decent 32 Gb memory storage. It would avoid spend a lot of money on various SD cards. We would have a huge memory space that could be completed with a small SD card (2 or 4 Gb would then be enough). WHEN WILL HTC PROPOSE THIS ON ALL ITS TOP DEVICES ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can only agree on THAT.
For the rest: the HD2 is already perfect as a WM-device could be. Always mind: most restrictions are caused by WM, BUT: XDA-dev. overcome almost ALL probs (like I have no probs anymore since netdrg-TCMPM runs on my HD2).
For batt-life and loudspeaker: it´s just a question of simple physics: the more powerful the circuits/processor/speaker etc. the more battery-power is consumed. For heavy use we have the extended batt.
Camera: we do have a small pc in our hands and not a camera that also works as a little pc. Camera is a little gadget I take but it definitely was/is not the reason to buy a PDA. For very good photos I have my digicam.
Last but not least: of course You can always use even better components for assembly but are we willing then still to pay the price ? (Yeah, for me I would ! Now! But what if get unemployed next year ? )
I made a guy build me my Sony Vaio TT91 according to my wishes (SSD´s etc.) but had to pay double the prize of the serial-Vaio TT
Real life means: HTC has to calculate and research the compromise of customer needs, parts available and affordability at a given time (beginning 2009) to issue a new device (HD2) by end of 2009, but unfortunately by the middle of 2010 new cheaper and better parts would be available at the same cost.
That is living at the edge of technology at a given time. So we will see the HD3, HD4 or whatsoever, we will see micro pcs from HTC with flexible screens, LED-projectors and sound projectors integrated, we will see HDs with full voice-steering based on quantum-chipsets and laser diodes, we will see HDs transferring the screen-contents into eye-lenses running on batteries that are smaller than a finger nail lasting almost forever...........
BUT NOT NOW !
k20a1 said:
I would have to disagree with the HD2 cameras quality being low. I managed to take some pretty good pictures with it. While dark or light outside
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Click to collapse
Really ? It seems to me that other phones have a better camera than my HD2. I tried a lot of different settings.
For instance, a friend of mine made a video with his Bold 9700 of a live concert at night (worst conditions ever: dark, lot of sudden flash lights, etc...) and I was really amazed by the quality of his video.
---
To revert to the general specifications, I think that the manufaturer who will propose a Windows Phone already including 32 Gb of memory + minimum 2 days of battery life will do a major hit.
Running out of storage, or having my HD2 turn off at the end of the afternoon is something I hate.
All the smartphones currently proposed on the market are basically the same. But they all miss MEMORY / Long BATTERY LIFE.
Which manufacturer will finally decide to make the difference? I hope it will be HTC.
I have never liked the idea of have a large amount of memory in a phone, it makes it expensive and you can't just take it with you when you upgrade, i prefer a memory stick tbh.
NitrousB said:
I have never liked the idea of have a large amount of memory in a phone, it makes it expensive and you can't just take it with you when you upgrade, i prefer a memory stick tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But we can also expect that the costs will considerably decrease once the 32 gb are included in all devices.
Also, memory is so expensive because manufacturer like Sandisk or Kingston has to hold 32 Gb of memory in such small microSD cards. It makes no sense.
Regarding the upgrade, you are right. But you will have the possibility to transfer all your files to your new phone via your PC.
All the points mentioned before are not so important to me, in general I am very happy with the HD2 except for the GSM reception...my HD2 has a poor gsm reception. tried different radio roms but it does not really make a difference. When I am away for work I am using another phone, which was not the idea when I bought the HTC...
Cfds,
Did you try Radio 2.09.50.29 ?
It's the one I'm using in France (Orange network) with my Miri ROM, and it works perfectly.
So far the best Radio I've tried.
What shouldn't change:
1. the form factor.
2. integrated multi-touchscreen, 3g, WiFi, Bluetooth, G-sensor, Compas, GPS module, speaker.
3. great gps module. No complaints so far with regards to function and reception
4. Hardware buttons.
5. Replacable battery.
What should change:
1.Wacom active digitizer technology added to the current capacative screen
2. A better, prefereably stereo speaker for better speakerphone conversations.
3. A manual configurable secondary microphone on the back for better speakerphone conversations
4. Better and more creative use of the G-sensor for tool applications.
5. Missing a seperate camera shutter button for taking pictures. The button on the screen is bad ergonomics and often causes blurry images because of the pressing of the button on the screen. Focus is lost and the camera moves while taking the snapshot.
6.increased battery capacity. 1300 mAh for a smarphone like the HD2 is a joke.
7. a camera with a carl zeiss lens.
8. the dual LED flash is fine, but in my currrent experience with the HD2 too close to the lens.
9. a protected cover for the audio and microusb port
10. make mini usb the standard. My experience with microusb thus far, is that it is a niche connection. A lot of other productions, even accessories of the HD2 still have mini usb plugs. The also feel much sturdier, and I've got a lot of them at home.
11. Major software creativity for the HD2 that work. There are currtenly several good programs out there. Unfortunately, many work with great ideas seperately. If some would combine creative ideas, I believe you would have a more complete, functional and great product for consumer use.
12. That someone could make an easy program to make your own software using building blocks. I have some ideas, but are ever put on hold due to the complex nature of writing code and debugging, of which I know a little but have no further experience of.
I think, though that if inking could be revived, the phone would be more complete. I'm thinking about the microsoft courier idea put into the HD2 (with a proper pen stylus and not a pogo or dagi stylus).
arturobandini said:
Cfds,
Did you try Radio 2.09.50.29 ?
It's the one I'm using in France (Orange network) with my Miri ROM, and it works perfectly.
So far the best Radio I've tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running radio rom 2.09.51.03_2...at home its ok, phone works ok and the battery lasts about 3.5 to 4 days but abroad its changing/searching networks all the time and drains my battery in 1.5 days...I can compare the reception with an another phone at the same places and the HD2 just has a weak gsm...Its a shame that my iPhone beats the HD2 if it comes to reception quality...
With regards to people's comments about the on-screen camera button, did you know that you can hold down the on-screen shutter button and the camera will refocus and then take a shot? I find it much more stable that just tapping the button. With that in mind, I've never felt the need for a dedicated camera button on the phone. I agree that, the camera quality is not amazing, and even though I have a decent camera for taking shots, I have felt a bit disappointed with the image quality of the HD2 in comparison to my X1.
The speakerphone could also do with improvement - although I never use it for music, there is a lot of distortion during calls, even when quiet.
I agree that battery life is not fantastic (my X1 used to last several days), but then again, with such a beautiful screen and powerful hardware what do you expect? The EVO 4G needs to be recharged every day and so do the Nexus One and the Desire (just done a quick google). I can live with that.
I don't like the placement of the audio connectors at the bottom. Would have preferred it at the top to make it easier to use in my car!
I think that's all my gripes hardware-wise - I love the form factor and so far the performance of the phone has been great.
With regards to software, there are lots of enhacements that could be made, but I'll just wait for Windows Phone 7 or jump to Android. It's a shame that I'm in the UK because otherwise I would have definitely gone with the EVO 4G - same great hardware but Android - that's the perfect phone! At least until we see how WP7 is like...
--Amr
I love my HD2. It is a great communications device. Internet browsing, Exchange Support and the gorgeous screen are the things I love most. I have Pocket Player installed for listening to music, which is really great. Video Playback could've been better but with the right encoding, watching films is a great experience. Battery life isnt that bad and I always get through the day. As with any Windows Mobile device, it needs customization but if someone gives the device the time it deserves, the HD2 is a great phone. (but not for the average consumer)
amrbekhit said:
... I agree that, the camera quality is not amazing, and even though I have a decent camera for taking shots, I have felt a bit disappointed with the image quality of the HD2 in comparison to my X1...
--Amr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bizarre! The camera on my X1 was awful, as a result I hardly ever used it. It was very laggy, photos were grainy even in good light and often blurred.
In contrast, the camera on my HD2 produces really good photos, with little lag, quickly and of decent quality.
Guys, you should use Windows Media Player 11 (the one that comes with Windows 7) to sync your music. I use that, have like 9 GB of music on my HD2 and it's blazing fast, doesn't take ANY time to load.
Actually I like the music player because of its ability to create playlists and it has pretty much everything you need.
I don't know which Radio ROM I have, but I don't experience the problems you and I (with an earlier ROM) had anymore.
You list some other valid points though.
hello people, would like to ask if you guys recommend this phone? It seems this device has one of the best audio quality Amp and DAC, best speakers on a device until now, OLED and I'm satisfied with the performance. How's the battery, and the sound recording? Good device for a regular user? Almost no intel for this device :angel: greets
Beauterham said:
hello people, would like to ask if you guys recommend this phone? It seems this device has one of the best audio quality Amp and DAC, best speakers on a device until now, OLED and I'm satisfied with the performance. How's the battery, and the sound recording? Good device for a regular user? Almost no intel for this device :angel: greets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on what you are looking for.
Audio quality is outstanding. The Amp and DAC are some of the best you can get in a phone. The speakers are by far the best I ever heard in a phone.
The display is amazing as well. Great sharpness, strong colors, dark blacks, good brightness.
Performance really depends on what you do with it. For messaging, browsing reddit and similar everyday tasks it performs just fine.
If you want to play 3D games (or even very demanding 2D games) on it you won't be happy with it though.
Battery life seems about average. I usually get 2-3 days out of it, but I am not a heavy user. From all I have read people seem to rate it as 'average' in general.
It should be noted that quick charge works well, so you get short charging times.
Get this phone for:
- audio quality
- display
- metal case
- overall build quality
Do not get this phone for:
- performance
- included software (the UI that comes with it is not very good, I suggest using something like Nova or Arrow)
- camera (it's ok, but there are way better ones available)
Misc:
- no experience with update support yet. Got one update since I bought the phone. Don't know how good ZTE's long term support is
- you can pick between using dual sim or single sim + micro SD
- WLAN connectivity can be a bit weak, LTE is very strong though
- hardware buttons for volume and lock have a nice clicky response
For me personally this phone is ideal. I do not care too much about performance and it gives me all the features I care for.
I bought the phone for the screen, audio, metal case and SD card support.
d3cay said:
For me personally this phone is ideal. I do not care too much about performance and it gives me all the features I care for.
I bought the phone for the screen, audio, metal case and SD card support.
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Click to collapse
the same for me, you altered my choice! nougay won't take too long :angel: thanks you human