You Guys Are Probably Going To Laugh At Me

[TheAlmightyDrew]

I am currently an iPhone 3G user thinking of switching back to Verizon to get the Droid X. I am done with AT&T horrible service. Sick of the dropped calls and poor reception, and I want a new better phone. I have done tons of research and I know that I want the Droid X to be my first Android phone. However, that is also the main problem. This is going to be my first Android phone. I have been told by several people that Android is more complicated than the iPhone and it will take some getting used to, but once I do it definitely pays off.

People say that the Android phones are for tech people, which I am not. However, I am not a grandma who doesn't even know how to send a text message. I just had a few questions: What is Launcher Pro? I keep hearing about it on various Droid forums but I have no idea what it does. What am I going to expect coming from an iPhone 3G? How steep will the learning curve be? What are some great apps to get me started that I definitely need to download right when I get the Droid X? How easy is it to transfer music to the Droid X? How easy is it to customize the home screens? What are some of the things you can put on the home screens?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am so worried. Phones are such a huge investment especially now that the early termination fees are $325 and smartphones are so expensive. So when you get a phone, you are locked in unless you want to pay outrageous fees. So I am just trying to do as much research as possible, and get a general idea of how good the Droid X is, and also how different the jump will be from an iPhone 3G.

 

[cornflwr33]

This is going to be my first android phone as well... and I'm anxious to learn all there is! good luck with your transition! I'm sure everyhting will go just fine!

 

[HalfFrozen]

People say that the Android phones are for tech people, which I am not. However, I am not a grandma who doesn't even know how to send a text message. I just had a few questions: What is Launcher Pro? I keep hearing about it on various Droid forums but I have no idea what it does. What am I going to expect coming from an iPhone 3G? How steep will the learning curve be? What are some great apps to get me started that I definitely need to download right when I get the Droid X? How easy is it to transfer music to the Droid X? How easy is it to customize the home screens? What are some of the things you can put on the home screens?

• I personally hate anything apple, so I cannot comment too much on the iPhone 3G to DX, but it will be much smother and easier to use, for anyone.

• LancherPro is just a different Home Screen UI, there are other like ADW.Launcher etc.

• It is very easy to use, my DROID was my first smart phone, and after the first day or two I was going crazy with all kinds of different FREE apps.

• First apps to DL? Check out this thread here, But if you are not liking the stock UI, switch to LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher etc...

• All you need to do to change the home screen is simply press your finger on a blank space of the screen and either add Shortcuts to tons of different things, or Widgets like clocks, weather, notes, and also Folders.

Hope this helped...

 

[AJ_EVO]

I have been told by several people that Android is more complicated than the iPhone and it will take some getting used to, but once I do it definitely pays off.

Android has a steeper learning curve but give it a week and you'll feel very comfortable.

 

[MD249]

Don't worry about a thing, the droid will take some getting used to as will any technology that you are new to. Motorola would not produce an item that is only usable for a technological genius. I too am new to android and I can promise you you will love your droid x. If your interested and take the time to play with it its well worth it.

 

[ahnoff]

Here's a decent guide that Lifehacker put together:

Jumping Ship from iPhone to Android: A Switcher's Guide

Remember: Android has a learning curve, but that's because it's more functional and therefore more complicated. It's nothing to worry about though, just know that you can google your way to the answer to almost any question you have while using the phone. My buddy just switched to a Nexus One from an iPhone and is definitely not looking back.

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

Wow. Thanks everyone. This has been such a great help.

HalfFrozen. How do I switch to LauncherPro? Is it an app that I just download? Also thank you so much for the link to that thread about the first apps I should download.

ahnoff, thanks for the link to that guide.

 

[HalfFrozen]

Wow. Thanks everyone. This has been such a great help.

HalfFrozen. How do I switch to LauncherPro? Is it an app that I just download? Also thank you so much for the link to that thread about the first apps I should download.

ahnoff, thanks for the link to that guide.

Just look up LauncherPro in the market, also, you can go to the market and search in the 'Productivity' category under Apps and it has a few different launchers, but the main ones are LP and ADW...

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

So basically my best bet is to just spend a lot of time in the app store looking for apps to make this great phone even better?

 

[HalfFrozen]

That is how it goes for Droids, majority of the apps that make the phone even better are free.

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

That is how it goes for Droids, majority of the apps that make the phone even better are free.

Which ones aren't?

 

[Motorola]

Which ones aren't?

Theres a section in the app store for priced apps just like the iPhone's appstore. I personally have not bought any priced apps and I am content with my Droid X.

I freakin love the X, good for you switchin out apple and AT&T to a better network / phone!

Guarantee you will not want to switch back to Apple. Thats why verizons termination fees are so high its because they know people wont want to switch.

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

Theres a section in the app store for priced apps just like the iPhone's appstore. I personally have not bought any priced apps and I am content with my Droid X.

I freakin love the X, good for you switchin out apple and AT&T to a better network / phone!

Guarantee you will not want to switch back to Apple. Thats why verizons termination fees are so high its because they know people wont want to switch.

There is absolutely no way that I am going to switch back to AT&T. It is actually going to be cheaper for my family for me to switch back to Verizon. Not to mention, Verizon has much better coverage where I am and better reception.

I just want to make sure I am getting the right phone at Verizon. I do think that I have found the perfect phone for me though. The big screen is perfect for me because I have freakishly large hands. I used to make countless mistakes when typing on my iPhone. Texting is such a big part of my life, so this was a huge problem. I have been searching for a phone with a large enough screen so typing messages would be easier. I also was on the hunt for a phone with a great qwerty keyboard, but the keys were always too small for my fingers. But I went to the Verizon store, played with the Droid X, typed a few messages and made no mistakes whatsoever. I also love that it can record in HD and has HDMI out. Recording video on a phone will also be a new experience for me as I have never been able to do that with any of my previous phones.

It is just the user interface that worries me. I hope I can get used to it, and be able to figure out all that it has to offer. The battery life also bothers me.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

I'm in the same boat as you. Just ordered a Droid X after years with AT&T. New to Verizon and Android. I spent a ton of time playing around with the iPhone 4 and the Droid X. I think the Droid X has so much more to offer. I know there will be a learning curve but that's fine. I really feel like I made the right choice to break away from the iPhone.

 

[HalfFrozen]

Which ones aren't?

Beautiful Widgets is honestly the only one on the top of my head that is compatible with the DX...

 

[cdmoore74]

Long time windows mobile 6.5 user here. I switched to android about 2 months ago and never looked back. And with custom roms on my droid I felt right at home. The operating system brings out the creativity in you and does not restrict you by holding your hand. Apple to me has to many restrictions and with the entire antenna fiasco I trust them less. Only one phone, one carrier and one guy calling the shots. But without competition from apple we would not see the continuous improvement that's taking place at a fast rate with android.

 

[Steven58]

My advice is that you stay away from Launcher Pro for the first few weeks. Get an idea of how the phone works on its own first. I love the idea of it. I even bought the premium version yesterday, but my phone became to jerky, so I had to do an entire factory reset. I'm okay now, no jerkiness, but I'm staying with the original user interface (UI). Good luck!

 

[CyHawk]

I would look at Appbrain.com

Much cleaner layout to look at apps with.

 

[Steven58]

I would look at Appbrain.com

Much cleaner layout to look at apps with.

^^^^^what he said.

 

[Gingie]

I have been told by several people that Android is more complicated than the iPhone and it will take some getting used to, but once I do it definitely pays off.

I am by no means a "tech wiz," but you could say I'm "tech savvy." Android phones are as complicated and detailed as you want them to be. I myself have the HTC EVO and I will say that the layout is different, but it really isn't a problem. I played around with it for a couple hours (1-3) and I knew how to do anything basic that I needed to do.
I probably will never root my phone...mainly cause I would have no idea what the heck I'd be doing, but if you wanted to root your phone ("jailbreaking" for iPhone users) then it would let you have a lot more control of your device. It's great because the software is open source, and there are plenty of forums and TONS of help online for android users. I had a few questions (how do I improve battery life, what are some good productivity apps...ect ect) and there is such a great community; they'll help you with anything you need.
Have fun getting your android, you definitely won't regret it.

 

[Cerrian]

The big screen is perfect for me because I have freakishly large hands. I used to make countless mistakes when typing on my iPhone. Texting is such a big part of my life, so this was a huge problem. I have been searching for a phone with a large enough screen so typing messages would be easier. I also was on the hunt for a phone with a great qwerty keyboard, but the keys were always too small for my fingers. But I went to the Verizon store, played with the Droid X, typed a few messages and made no mistakes whatsoever.

Don't forget that you have a voice-to-text function for any text entry field. I am extremely impressed at how accurate it is and at how much more quickly I can fire off messages and emails. As expected, voice-to-text does not work well for entering in things like web addresses, words not typically found in dictionaries, and email addresses. This is one feature that I feel many reviewers gloss over without truly considering how significant of a feature leap it really is among competing smart phones.

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

The Walmart near me said that they have one more Droid X in stock. If they still have it tomorrow, I will race over there and pick it up.

 

[waynester]

Hi Ya, just lurking and learning and wanted to let you know that android is the OS.
Meaning you can look at other android sub forums for idea's. I have a htc droid incredible and hang mostly in that forum, but since it has been out longer we have many threads re apps and how to use them, tips and tricks , do's and dont's etc.
Since both droid X and Dinc are on android ver 2.1 most info is interchangeable, phone specific apps and info is minimal.
So while this should be your "home" sub-forum be sure to look at others , the more you explore , lurk, read and ask questions the more you can realize the amazing abilities of your android phone.
Welcome aboard the droid fast lane!

 

[Shuck14]

It's my first android phone and I love it. Don't know if it compares but I had the ipod touch 3g 32gb, and since getting my DX I haven't even looked it's way. (though I do like IOS facebook app better)

 

[un8elievable]

I am currently an iPhone 3G user thinking of switching back to Verizon to get the Droid X. I am done with AT&T horrible service. Sick of the dropped calls and poor reception, and I want a new better phone. I have done tons of research and I know that I want the Droid X to be my first Android phone. However, that is also the main problem. This is going to be my first Android phone. I have been told by several people that Android is more complicated than the iPhone and it will take some getting used to, but once I do it definitely pays off.

People say that the Android phones are for tech people, which I am not. However, I am not a grandma who doesn't even know how to send a text message. I just had a few questions: What is Launcher Pro? I keep hearing about it on various Droid forums but I have no idea what it does. What am I going to expect coming from an iPhone 3G? How steep will the learning curve be? What are some great apps to get me started that I definitely need to download right when I get the Droid X? How easy is it to transfer music to the Droid X? How easy is it to customize the home screens? What are some of the things you can put on the home screens?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am so worried. Phones are such a huge investment especially now that the early termination fees are $325 and smartphones are so expensive. So when you get a phone, you are locked in unless you want to pay outrageous fees. So I am just trying to do as much research as possible, and get a general idea of how good the Droid X is, and also how different the jump will be from an iPhone 3G.

there is a bit of a learning curve, but once you play with it for a while and read some tips and tricks, it will be a breeze. i will also add that i have had the droid, incredible and now the droid x, and by far the best of the 3 in the incredible. just my opinion. the camera is night and day difference in speed and quality and it is "snappier" than the droid x. the x, still lags a bit at times, where the inc did not, for me anyways. iphone to droid, imho, the easiest and best transition would be the droid inc, unless you are all about the screen size. oh, as for the launcher, its basically a skin over the os, but you probably already figured that out.