Android & AT&T - Newbie Questions

jstone · January 11th, 2011, 07:02 PM

Time for me to get a Smartphone and I’m considering an Android but need some advise. I have a really old AT&T voice plan that’s better than anything being sold now so I plan to stick with AT&T. I’m not a power user just want to do e-mail, web browsing and I’m sure I’ll download some cool applications.

I’m thinking about getting the AT&T Samsung Captivate but I’ve heard AT&T is “Restrictive” and the flexibility of Android is hampered. Does anyone know about this?

Is there a better Android phone I should use?

dan330 · January 11th, 2011, 07:34 PM

yes.. att does tamper with android phones on their network.. because of them being deep up appls rectum.

but since verizon will also get the iphone.. my guess is that att will start to cater to android phones more.. to win back some clients.

how fast do you have to get a new phone????
the current line up at att is not that great.

in the next 2 weeks.. there will be a lot more announced about some of the phones introduced at CES.. they might release in the next 2 months.

lunatic59 · January 11th, 2011, 07:38 PM

There are several areas that AT&T is criticized about Android and smart phones however I wouldn't say Android was hampered.

First, as far as the Android market goes, AT&T does filter the apps that can be installed directly from the market. While some consider this restrictive, it is more likely to be mercenary. AT&T does not want you downloading apps that can provide free services in place of their paid versions. This is very easy to get around by several different and easily implemented methods. When you get to that stage, come on back and we'll walk you through it.

Second, they load the phone up with their own apps and do not permit you to uninstall them without rooting the phone (Jail-breaking, in iPhone parlances.) This is more of a nuisance than anything else.

Third, they require a data plan with any smart phone, but only offer two versions ... a 200 MB/mo. for $15 or a 2 GB/mo. plan for $25 in addition to the voice plan and any other add-ons.

Finally, AT&T has a hand in the update process which frustrates users who are looking for the latest software versions. For example, the Captivate is still on version 2.1 although 2.2 (aka FroYo) has been out for over 6 months and 2.3 (aka Gingerbread) is out on the Nexus S. Besides the under the hood benefits of the software upgrade, 2.2 would run Flash, WiFi hotspots and much improved Voice Dialing and hands-free support. The process goes something like this: Google releases the official plain vanilla update files to the phone manufacturer (like Samsung) who modifies it, usually incorporating a custom launcher (user interface). In the case of the Captivate, it's called TouchWiz. Once the modifications are made tested and debugged, it is sent to the carrier who adds their modifications for their network as well as any carrier-specific applications. Again, tested and debugged. It is then returned to the phone manufacturer to assure that nothing the carrier did compromised the manufacturer's modifications. Tweaked, tested and debugged and then returned to the carrier for them to make sure that the manufacturer's tweaking did not compromise their apps and settings. Only after both are satisfied, is the update pushed out OTA (over the air) to the consumer.

The only way to avoid that is to get a Nexus One that supports the AT&T 3G bands. Unfortunately, they are no longer directly available unless you wish to register as a developer.

As far as which phone ... there are some very interesting Android phones on AT&T's horizon, but as with anything that has not yet materialized, it could be tomorrow, next month or never until you see them in the store. The Captivate right now remains AT&T's flagship Android phone ... and a very nice phone it is, too.