New User

[pateriovislii]

Hello All,

I'm getting my first Android device anytime now (FedEx says "out for delivery"). It's the HTC Droid Eris. I've been a HUGE Google user for years and became frustrated with how difficult it is to work on Windows Mobile. I have a few basic questions.

1. I want to use Push E-Mail/Calendar/Contacts, etc. with this phone? Can someone please explain the set-up process to me.

2. I had trouble with my Samsung Omnia and Google Latitude. It would 20+ minutes to get the GPS information and I had to keep Google Maps on the screen or it would stop using GPS. This function has become very important for me when I travel. Am I going to encounter these same issues with the Eris?

3. I would also like to have a chat client which uses push and can work with FB, GTalk, AIM, and MSN. Is eBuddy the way to go?

4. Twitter App -- I'd like to have an app that will put new tweets on my home page. I'd also like to have an app in which I can post tweets (preferably with the option to post locations). What is the best twitter app?

Any help, advice, would be appreciated.

Pax,

PaterIovisLII

 

[DERIS12]

my advice is to return it and get a Droid or other Phone. I am a huge google fan, having used their products for years and was very excited for my Droid Eris when I got it. sadly I must say that I have been greatly disappointed with this phone. I do not think it is the software but instead the hardware. the processor is slow and can not handle the demands of the phone. and the memory gets used up very quickly. I went through 4 Droid eris Phones in less that 6 months with 2 phones lasting less than a week each.

My recommendation for you it to make sure the phone works prefectly and if mot to return it asap. I love the design of the phone and I love the feel but the phone can screw up very bad.

I know I am in the minority with having had so many phones and that many people have had great experiences but I caution you to make sure the phone works very well.


and this is the best forum for help with your eris. I found the information I got here to be invaluable


and Root it if it is too slow

 

[pateriovislii]

What does "root it" mean?

 

[cableguynoe]

What does "root it" mean?

You will learn my little grasshopper... you will learn.

 

[xAusTiN]

The Eris is a great phone, if you are lucky and got a good phone to begin with, which I was. Root it and you will love it.

 

[ravenzero]

He means hack it, which not everyone can do.

1. Use the set up wizard in your applications list to set up a gmail account, otherwise you can use the mail application to use a third party email system (as long as it supports POP or the like)

2. I have never had this issue. As long as Google maps is open and in use, GPS does not drop. My GMaps find Satalites within a minute

3. There are several apps like this in the market, your just gonna have to search until you find one that does all that, I am sure there are.

4. HTC has a good twitter app built in already, click the + and choose HTC, then find twitter, there are some good ones there.

 

[byteware]

What does "root it" mean?

It basically means to get complete access to your phone. (Access that HTC doesn't want it's users to have).

It's legal (especially in light of the recent ruling), but it's just not manufacturer approved.

With Root you can make your phone go faster, and do more than it currently can.

If you decide to root your phone (and I think we all encourage you to), please look in the "All Things Root (ERIS)" Sub-folder, and do a little research. We will be glad to help you in the process.

As far as what you are looking for.


1) I'm assuming you mean gmail. When you get your phone you will have to go through the setup process. During this process, login to your google account, and it will do all of this automatically for you.

2) I'm not going to say it will NEVER happen, but I use latitude and maps frequently and I've never had a problem or a wait for GPS signal, whether the program was currently on screen or not.

3) Sorry, I use Google Voice, and Talk for my chat program so I don't have any information to give on this one.

4) I don't tweet, or follow people ON twitter.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask...

and welcome to Android, we hope you enjoy it.