Another fed up user...

[HER0]

Hi all, I don't often post much but I certainly browse most of the threads in the Hero section, and I have noticed a few people starting to dislike their Hero's - unfortunately I am one of them.

I am not denying the Hero is a good phone, but I really am fed up of the lag and glitches I encounter in everyday use. Yes, before I am jumped on, I have taskkiller and yes I do make sure everything is closed that I am not using, but there's no denying the phone does lag a bit even when not multi-tasking. It's by no means bad lag, just irritating and I have put up with it for months and I am getting tired of it.

Also, the camera is practically rendered useless seeing as I don't carry a tripod round with me because it seems that's what this phone needs to take a decent, shake free shot. And no it's not my lacking camera skills, I have an A-level in photography.

Another thing is the appalling signal strength due to the aerial being in the chin section of the phone, this angers me so damn much - who the HELL makes a phone you can't hold normally because you cannot get any signal when you do so, I literally have to hold the phone on the edges or the top just for the signal to come back, wtf!? This also makes phone calls damn difficult because I often accidentally put my hand over the precious aerial whilst talking.

Lastly to round it off is the app market. Yeah there are a load of decent apps, but the marketplace itself looks like a 3rd party application, the organisation is rubbish! Whilst I like the whole open source scene, I believe there should be moderation to stop all the cr*p that force closes automatically getting onto the market.

I don't want to get attacked now as I do like my Hero, it's just these niggles have slowly worn me down, and I am pretty fed up of it now - it takes the pleasure of using the phone away. I still believe Android has a long way to go yet, it's just lucky it will be used on so many phones in the near-future. I can see it going in a Windows direction though, so much hardware and one OS = so much that can go wrong with compatibilities, hardware etc.

Not really sure whether to keep the phone now or not

Sorry for the long post, had to vent my disappointments somewhere

 

[Elpelco]

Hi all, I don't often post much but I certainly browse most of the threads in the Hero section, and I have noticed a few people starting to dislike their Hero's - unfortunately I am one of them.

I am not denying the Hero is a good phone, but I really am fed up of the lag and glitches I encounter in everyday use. Yes, before I am jumped on, I have taskkiller and yes I do make sure everything is closed that I am not using, but there's no denying the phone does lag a bit even when not multi-tasking. It's by no means bad lag, just irritating and I have put up with it for months and I am getting tired of it.

Also, the camera is practically rendered useless seeing as I don't carry a tripod round with me because it seems that's what this phone needs to take a decent, shake free shot. And no it's not my lacking camera skills, I have an A-level in photography.

Another thing is the appalling signal strength due to the aerial being in the chin section of the phone, this angers me so damn much - who the HELL makes a phone you can't hold normally because you cannot get any signal when you do so, I literally have to hold the phone on the edges or the top just for the signal to come back, wtf!? This also makes phone calls damn difficult because I often accidentally put my hand over the precious aerial whilst talking.

Lastly to round it off is the app market. Yeah there are a load of decent apps, but the marketplace itself looks like a 3rd party application, the organisation is rubbish! Whilst I like the whole open source scene, I believe there should be moderation to stop all the cr*p that force closes automatically getting onto the market.

I don't want to get attacked now as I do like my Hero, it's just these niggles have slowly worn me down, and I am pretty fed up of it now - it takes the pleasure of using the phone away. I still believe Android has a long way to go yet, it's just lucky it will be used on so many phones in the near-future. I can see it going in a Windows direction though, so much hardware and one OS = so much that can go wrong with compatibilities, hardware etc.

Not really sure whether to keep the phone now or not

Sorry for the long post, had to vent my disappointments somewhere

Don't give up!

1. Speed: The modaco custom ROM speeds it up a LOT.
2. Update your radio, the signal improves!

I agree the Hero has some problems, but there are things you can do.
Joiiiinn usssss

 

[HER0]

Is it much of an improvement over the latest official ROM?

And I'm not sure what you mean by updating my radio

 

[Elpelco]

Is it much of an improvement over the latest official ROM?

And I'm not sure what you mean by updating my radio

I personally think it is. Paul at Modaco cut out a lot of rubbish on it.

And updating your radio: I'm not sure exaclty what it is either, but if you've got the newest baseband version on your phone, you get a better signal. I did it and my signal improved quite a bit.

 

[lekky]

I am not denying the Hero is a good phone, but I really am fed up of the lag and glitches I encounter in everyday use. Yes, before I am jumped on, I have taskkiller and yes I do make sure everything is closed that I am not using, but there's no denying the phone does lag a bit even when not multi-tasking. It's by no means bad lag, just irritating and I have put up with it for months and I am getting tired of it.

Be careful when closing apps you don't think you need. Android is very good at managing background tasks,, and if you close things without thinking you are morle likely to cause it to lag MORE. It barely lags for me and I have a lot of crap open

Also, the camera is practically rendered useless seeing as I don't carry a tripod round with me because it seems that's what this phone needs to take a decent, shake free shot. And no it's not my lacking camera skills, I have an A-level in photography.

Read my new user guide, i have posted settings on how to improve the camera, and also check out camera zoom fx, it takes much better pictures,with great focus.

Another thing is the appalling signal strength due to the aerial being in the chin section of the phone, this angers me so damn much - who the HELL makes a phone you can't hold normally because you cannot get any signal when you do so, I literally have to hold the phone on the edges or the top just for the signal to come back, wtf!? This also makes phone calls damn difficult because I often accidentally put my hand over the precious aerial whilst talking.

Is this a Sprint issue?

Lastly to round it off is the app market. Yeah there are a load of decent apps, but the marketplace itself looks like a 3rd party application, the organisation is rubbish! Whilst I like the whole open source scene, I believe there should be moderation to stop all the cr*p that force closes automatically getting onto the market.
(

The next update to android gives a better marketplace, we will get this update soon.

 

[Elpelco]

The next update to android gives a better marketplace, we will get this update soon.

What, 1.6? I thought they were skipping that one? Unless you mean 2.0 in which case never mind...

 

[HER0]

I'm in UK - with T-mobile. I will take some of your advice lekky, although I am not satisfied as I shouldn't really have to do those things to have a good phone.

Thanks anyway!

 

[Gabe]

I'm a moderate user, I get keyboard lag when I'm typing on site, like making a forum post or something, it doesn't happen often though. Thats about all the lag I get, opening apps and switching between them is usually pretty snappy, I hardly ever get lag in that area thats annoying.

I haven't had issues with the camera. I do wish the market had better categories and filtering and most importantly, screenshots.

just wanted to add that I've never used my hero on the stock ROM, I've only used it on modaco.

 

[Slug]

I am not satisfied as I shouldn't really have to do those things to have a good phone.

You've got a good phone. What you don't have is a good camera. I do... it has 8.2Mpx and "Canon" stamped on the front. It isn't much good at making calls or browsing the interweb though.

 

[Brad]

If you can afford it, go for the iPhone 3GS. There's no denying it's a better phone. Although I wish it had the customisation features, multi-tasking etc. That's one part of my Hero I'm going to miss.

Also, what phones are you looking at as a replacement?

 

[Elpelco]

If you can afford it, go for the iPhone 3GS. There's no denying it's a better phone.

Sure there is.
We've been over this; it's subjective. Different things work for different people.

 

[pulsarman]

anyone else think this whole iphone vs hero thing sounds like xbox v playstation hahahaha

 

[vido.ardes]

I'm in UK - with T-mobile. I will take some of your advice lekky, although I am not satisfied as I shouldn't really have to do those things to have a good phone.

Thanks anyway!

I am also on t-mobile UK, and I am also on the stock ROM and radio. I am very happy with the phone, and I am confuses about the lag issues. My phone lags less than my iPod touch does. Sure the camera isn't great, but its as good as any other 5mp phone cam I've used. As for signal, I am rarely without HSPDA so you must be in a bad signal area (in which case all phones on t-mobile will be bad for you).

It has its problems, but its the best I have had (and I break my phones regularly!)

 

[andreas81]

I'm in UK - with T-mobile. I will take some of your advice lekky, although I am not satisfied as I shouldn't really have to do those things to have a good phone.

Thanks anyway!

A guy I know of stated the very exact thing about his nokia e71; that he should not have to update anything (in this case firmware) on the phone in order for it to be good.

This is just such a lame statement in my opinion, I mean comeon. No matter how good or bad your phone is when you buy it, because of the fact that you have such a great phone (indeed), there will constantly be updates for it. It's the fact that you have the option to get involved and install those things (or not), that makes it a great phone.

I can see the predicament for users who aren't really after anything more than a functional phone though, but if that's the case for you, you *really* should have tried the phone more before you bought it.

Bottomline is all phones have their downsides, in the case of a smartphone you can often do quite a few things to improve it. If you don't want to get that involved, well I've already stated my opinion on that

On a sidenote, no I am not a hero owner today, still buying my time here waiting for htc to release a new android device hopefully with a snapdragon processor

// Andreas

 

[globalm]

My two pence worth.

The camera is not good, but I have never used a camera phone at a rate of more than 4 pictures per year! So, FOR ME, the phone is great.

Update with Modaco 2.9 and the latest radio and there is no lag whatsoever.

I have never had an iPhone but have friends who do and, for me, the Hero is better.

I suppose it depends what you want and are used to. If you want a phone which does everything perfectly out of the box then the Hero does not, but neither did the iPhone at the same point in its life cycle and nor does it now!

Take advantage of the updates and upgrades that are available and you have one of the most configurable and updatable hand-held computers you can buy.

If you don't like the Hero, or ANY OTHER phone you buy - then CHANGE IT!

Easy!!!

 

[Steem]

If you can afford it, go for the iPhone 3GS. There's no denying it's a better phone. Although I wish it had the customisation features, multi-tasking etc. That's one part of my Hero I'm going to miss.

Also, what phones are you looking at as a replacement?

Excuse me. No denying it? If you are speaking for just yourself, say so please. For me, I have used both and I think Hero beats iPhone hands down.

 

[danmc17]

Hi, just having a browse around here and thought i'd chuck in my 2 pence worth.

I have a Hero on orange with their latest firmware update and i absolutely love this phone! this lag you speak of!? it is non existant.

the only fault with this phone i have come across in my months ownership so far is poor camera quality but, like the post above i havent got it for the camera. its made access to my emails, facebook, twitter and some fantastic apps seamless and enjoyable.

also, it comes available on tarriffs the the iphone simply can not come close to!

all i am missing is a skysports app and it'll be complete

Dan

 

[lekky]

Hi, just having a browse around here and thought i'd chuck in my 2 pence worth.

I have a Hero on orange with their latest firmware update and i absolutely love this phone! this lag you speak of!? it is non existant.

the only fault with this phone i have come across in my months ownership so far is poor camera quality but, like the post above i havent got it for the camera. its made access to my emails, facebook, twitter and some fantastic apps seamless and enjoyable.

also, it comes available on tarriffs the the iphone simply can not come close to!

all i am missing is a skysports app and it'll be complete

Dan

Dan check out camera Zoom FX, it improves pictures massively, also check this out http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/20511-htc-hero-new-user-guide-apps.html

 

[pedro825]

I have a Hero on T-Mobile and have no problem with signal at all. I have just updated to the latest T-Mobile upgrade and now have no lag issues during general use. Sometimes when I need to access a list of all programs it takes a bit longer than normal but during everyday use (SMS, calls, internet etc) I am very satisfied with the new update.

 

[danmc17]

Dan check out camera Zoom FX, it improves pictures massively, also check this out http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/20511-htc-hero-new-user-guide-apps.html

nice one! Thanks

 

[alinver]

I sometimes wonder if I've got the same Hero as the rest of you guys who have trouble with it.

I've only had my Hero for 6 odd weeks but I was an i****e user for 18 months. I will never go back to an i****e, not even the 3gS comes close to the Hero "experience".

I've said this on another thread, we're at the very start of something special with Android, I have no plans to change my phone any time soon.

Yes the camera isn't' the best camera in in world but like others I'll probably only use it a few times a year so it's good enough for snaps.

I'm still not sure I understand enough about radio to comment on it, but I get a good enough signal, I even managed to phone my friend when I was halfway up a Scottish mountain the other weekend.

I'm still using the 1.5 firmware so God knows what I'll think of the phone when 2.0 and Flash 10 finally appear. Is it legal to marry a phone?

If you really don't like the phone nothing you read here will change that and I'll agree it's not for everybody.

Try this though, next time you're out with a bunch of friends get everybody whip their phones out, if you're the only one with a Hero they'll all want to know about it, touch it, use it. You won't get that with an i****e any more.

Cheers Al

 

[andreas81]

the only fault with this phone i have come across in my months ownership so far is poor camera quality but, like the post above i havent got it for the camera. its made access to my emails, facebook, twitter and some fantastic apps seamless and enjoyable.

Man, this is really the only gripe I have with the hero... Give it a "better" camera, with a flash and dedicated 2stage camera key and I would own one already... Personally I feel I can't compromise on this, I want my phone to have a good camera... and yet I am sooo thirsty for an htc made android phone!

Just hoping and preying they will release another one soon, preferably with a snapdragon processor and a slightly more attended camera.

Keeping my cool best I can atm...

// Andreas

 

[hmadsen]

Does "Update your radio" also include "root your phone" or can it be updated seperately and keeping the stock hero software.

Asking because i dont like the idea of having to root the phone to get it working satisfactory.

Hmadsen

 

[Slug]

Does "Update your radio" also include "root your phone" or can it be updated seperately and keeping the stock hero software.

I think you could update the radio by booting a modified recovery image via adb commands and flashing it that way i.e. gaining temporary root. I've never tried it though, and it depends on your device ROM using the original bootloader with the 'flaw' that allows this.

The specific radio ROM for your handset depends initially on your device ROM. The two work hand-in-hand, and a radio that gives improved performance with one network won't necessarily show the same improvement on another due to differences in the carrier-specific device ROMs. It's definitely a good idea to do some research beforehand and make sure that other users on your particular network are seeing positive results.

i dont like the idea of having to root the phone to get it working satisfactory.

Understandably. If you're having reception problems I'd recommend trying to resolve them with your provider first, rather than installing an unofficial update that will give them a golden opportunity to void your warranty.

 

[Adrian4408]

I got my Hero 2 weeks ago and I'm a little bit concerned, I haven't noticed any lags, a few force close errors but it seems fast enough, just upgraded from a N95 8GB so it could just be quicker than that.

App market upgrade will be good, particularly the introduction of screen shots and better categories.

Being on 3 reception is an issue, how do you upgrade the radio? (as mentioned by Elpelco.)

Also I want the Ask The Hoff App that is on the iphone, anyone know if it's on Android yet?