This is not a Google Experience phone, right?

[shadowdude777]

As a Droid owner, I have to say that I like the idea of a Google Experience phone. I trust Google a lot more than any phone manufacturer out there to make decisions as to how my phone should operate (even HTC, who I have always been impressed by).

I like Debian, but I can't use Ubuntu. I just think that forks of a Linux distro, which is essentially what Android is, serves only to make things more convoluted. Eris users still don't have 2.0 and they have to use HTC's Sense UI. However, once the Droid is rooted, I'm thinking we'll be able to customize it however we want, maybe even with the Sense UI if someone makes an effort to port it over.

My point is that the Google Experience on the Droid might be better than HTC's modifications to the Passion/Dragon. The only thing that I really like about the Passion is the 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, but hey, how much of an improvement will a Core 2 Extreme get you if you already have a Core 2 Quad?

 

[Doit2it]

Based on the current rumors, and the fact that the Passion is being made by HTC, it should have the HTC Sense UI (like Hero and Eris do). If that's true then yes all the positives and negatives that come with HTC Sense UI would be there.

Positive:
More attractive interface
More home screens
Scenes (multiple home screen layouts)

Negatives:
Graphic intensive UI (hopefully snapdragon should help)
Slower android updates (have to wait on HTC to do update)
Slower time from release to root (based on Hero's rooting)

Of course rumor is the Passion will be released with 2.0, so it would be a step ahead of Hero & Eris there. I'm not sure if anyone out there has reversed the HTC Sense UI to make a Hero or Eris a true Google Experience phone.

 

[shadowdude777]

Alright, thanks, that's what I figured. I'm torn between returning my Droid and waiting for this device which may never come out (or the "pure Google phone" which we've heard even LESS about!), or keeping my Droid. The Droid has that nice Google Experience feel to it that makes me think it's going to be a lot more moddable, and I really only want the Passion for the Snapdragon CPU. But then again, based on the G1 users who told me that rooting and overclocking their phones made them wonderfully fast, I'm hoping I can do the same to the Droid.

 

[kyler13]

Not that it helps with the timeframe of update releases, but I thought you could disable Sense on the HTC phones if you so desired.

 

[shadowdude777]

Alright, thanks, you guys. I think I'll hold onto my Droid unless we hear something big about a Snapdragon-based Android phone before my 30 days are up (I got it on launch day).

 

[Doit2it]

Of course it's your decision, but if you are happy with the Droid, keep the Droid. You have the fastest android phone currently on the market with the most current android OS and the functions that go with that (Google Nav...drool!) I looked at it in the stores and thought it was a beautiful phone. I personally didn't like the slide out keyboard, but I've had the LG Dare for a year and a half and have no problem using an on screen keyboard.

That's one of the main reasons I'm waiting on the Passion (no need for a keyboard). And I don't want the Eris because IMO it has a near obsolete processor that I personally don't think will be able to handle a 2.0 update.

I'm quite positive within a month on buying the Passion a faster, better phone will be announced. But if I'm happy with the phone I've got, I don't see any reason to change.

I will admit that I always pay the extra $40 to $70 to get a one year contract instead of 2 years because I do get tired of my current phone after about a year, year and a half. That's the gadget freak in me.

I'll also admit that I am hoping that my next phone after this will be a Verizon iPhone with LTE, but I can't wait till the rumored 3Q 2010 to see if that happens. I'd HATE my LG Dare by then, and I still kinda like it right now. Unfortunately the gadget freak is yelling NEW PHONE, NEW PHONE at me right now, so I gotta listen.

 

[shadowdude777]

Yeah, I guess you're right. The only thing is that I'm on a 2 year contract. I've gotten sick of my past phones, but that's cause they were Windows Mobile phones. ANYTHING right now would look great to me!

And yeah, I've had an iPod Touch for long enough that I actually type faster with onscreen keyboards than physical phone keyboards. Plus, I've found that it hurts my joints a little to use that really cramped keyboard for long periods of time. But hey, the keyboard's always there if I need for something like playing emulators. I just wish there was a trackball on the Droid. I guess I'll just overclock a little when the current processor gets sluggish on me though.

On that note, any sign of the new Acer or Sony Android phones coming out soon? They also run SnapDragon and they have huge, sexy screens as well!

 

[Doit2it]

Yeah, I guess you're right. The only thing is that I'm on a 2 year contract. I've gotten sick of my past phones, but that's cause they were Windows Mobile phones. ANYTHING right now would look great to me!

Since you are still within the 1st 30 days, Verizon should let you change your contract length. Ask them 1st of course.

If you are new to Verizon, the difference is $70 more for a 1 year contract. If you are upgrading from an old Verizon phone it's just $30 more for the 1 year contract (I just checked on the website). $30 upfront beats a pro rated $350 ETF any day! That is if the gadget freak in you controls your buying habits as much as mine does.

 

[vaxick]

We have articles out there about Google testing the phone so I really do not know if it's safe to say what it is going to be right now. All I do know is Google is working with HTC just based on the facts alone it'll be a 2.0 phone.

 

[shadowdude777]

Since you are still within the 1st 30 days, Verizon should let you change your contract length. Ask them 1st of course.

If you are new to Verizon, the difference is $70 more for a 1 year contract. If you are upgrading from an old Verizon phone it's just $30 more for the 1 year contract (I just checked on the website). $30 upfront beats a pro rated $350 ETF any day! That is if the gadget freak in you controls your buying habits as much as mine does.

Whoa, wait, previous Verizon users get a 1 year contract for $30!? I'm definitely gonna go do that now! Thanks!