Discussion: Android OS Thread

pkphilip

Since there are quite some crowd in here just adopted the Android platform, just want to open a thread for exchanging tips/tricks/apps/hacks... you name it.

I have an AT&T Samsung Captivate on its way, and Rogers will be launching that soon... so I should not be alone on that.

All known android devices to-date:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/p ... DKd5l-dVy4SrnA&

Common Android devices currently:
HTC Desire (Telus)
HTC EVO
HTC Wildfire
HTC Aria
HTC Legend (Bell, Virgin)
HTC Google Nexus One
Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant (Bell, T-Mobile)
Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (AT&T, Rogers)
Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate (Verizon)
Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G
Motorola Droid family
SonyEricsson X10, X10 Mini (Rogers)

Philip

pkphilip

The A-GPS is still a real GPS just that the A allows faster tracking through the locations of cell sites.

Speak about missing things, the 2 SIM card Galaxy S are missing camera flash and front facing camera, something I would expect a $500 phone should have.

There really isn't a choice because the Galaxy S has the 1Ghz Hummingbird Cortex A8 beats the 1Ghz Snapdragon hands down. The Super AMOLED is the next best thing compare to the IPS display. There isn't anything comparable to the Samsungs at the moment.

Still, don't expect any comparable to the Samsungs soon because of the AMOLED shortage (Samsung makes them, of course). 1.2Ghz Snapdragon won't get launched unitl Q1 and 1.5Ghz dual core until 2011.

I am switching because the Android is very customizable, and tons of support out there. The crowd at XDA are just having way too much fun!

Philip

pkphilip

This is the problem of Fido, since Rogers bought them, they left Fido in the dark with outdated technologies. I have yet seen any phones from Fido that attracted my atttentions.

My gf wanted me to switch to Bell so I could get the Galaxy S for a lower price, but my Fido retention+grandfathered plan is just too good to leave.

According to my gf's conversation with Bell, she could get the Galaxy S without data plan; but she needs to pay $300 for the phone for a 3 years contract or $300 for 2 years. I just think it is not really that much of a savings if the phone is now selling for about $400-$450 at market.

Nonetheless, Times Telecom now offer the Galaxy S for $0 for 3 years contract with data, it is definitely a deal.

Philip

pkphilip

Any apps suggestions? I just installed:

- Launcher Pro
- Wifi File Explorer
- Dolphin HD
- Feedr

Just when I had all these installed and setup, Samsung updated firmware to JH7... great.. I have to master clear it and do it again.. sigh.

Philip

pkphilip

hmm.. I think my post was deleted...

My phone's internal SD is 13GB, and I have an 8GB microSD as ext. SD. App2SD is not quite required.

I am running Android 2.1 so the notification bar has the Wifi and Silent Mode there.

Can't wait for 2.2 so I can get in-browser flash at decent speed.

Philip

pkphilip

There is 2.2 leaked from Samsung for the Vibrant (i9000), the Captivate, Epic 4G, Fascinate are still out of luck at the moment. Unfortunately, Samsung has no plans to release the Captivate to other parts of the world at the moment, so I am pretty much stuck with US firmware with tons of AT&T bloatware.

Thanks to the guys at XDA, there were able to remove the bloat, root, sideload, tether, OC/UV with one update.zip file!!

I really don't know why Samsung would sell the Vibrant across the world when the Captivate has a slightly better built quality (not as plasticky).

There are some great ones coming out that you can consider, and forget the Desire as it is OLD already:

- HTC Desire HD (4.3", 1Ghz Snapdragon)
- HTC Desire Z aka Vision, G2 (3.7", 800Mhz, w/ QWERTY keyboard)

However, all of the above rumored to have standard AMOLED if not SLCD... it's not even close to Samsung's Super AMOLED (eat battery like crazy!!)

I still think Samsung is more superior is many ways as the CPU and GPU is faster (Hummerbird, similar to iPhone's A8 w/ PowerVR).

PS. Just went to the Apple store, can't believe that my phone weigh less than the iPhone 4!

Philip

pkphilip

I spent 3 nights and was able to convert my AT&T Captivate into the Galaxy S (I9000) with stock Chinese interface and input, all the Samsung apps!

The process is super painful because it has been a while for me to get into dev work with shells and command-line. It's not perfect but it's stable so far with a few twists such as ext4 and numerical battery meter.

Philip

pkphilip

Gingerbread (2.3) is coming to Nexus One in the next few days... another modding scene coming!!

Philip

pkphilip

Simple phones with Android, the Japanese really knows how to make them. See the new Docomo announcment:



However, they are launching LTE next year, which is a little slow compare to what we have in US.

Philip

pkphilip

You can go to Settings -> Application or Settings -> Applications to change the USB mode to Mass Storage and it will show up on the computer as a drive. Drag and drop the music to the ext SD or int SD.

Philip