Bing blues have been greatly exagerrated: mini review

[rushmore]

Here is my one hour take

1. Google voice search works fine and is an app on the device.
2. Google Navigator works just as good as on the Inc and is also on the device.
3. GPS seems just as good as the Inc, but IMO, that is not saying much.
4. Sound quality from 3.5mm- just as amazing as the other Galaxy S versions.
5. Video quality- ditto
6. Display is better than Inc which is already a "wow".
7. Build is a little better than Inc, which is not saying a lot.
8. Camera pics seem same as Inc- in spite of 3mp less.
9. Wiz is like a slower version of iPhone, IMO. Sense kicks it's butt.
10. Wiz seems to slow the interface down
11. Signal reception was similar dBm to Inc.

Summary:

I was one of the people with the pitchfork and torch in regards to Bing, but it is not as bad as people are suggesting (IMO). The problem with the Fascinate is Wiz. It is like a dragging anchor on a ship that could sail smoothly if removed.

This puppy would kick all kinds of butt with Sense or plain Android

BTW, VZW is already worried about Bing perceptions, per the VZW manager and a sales rep. After testing it, it seems to be a very small issue. Wiz IMO is a bigger issue.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Thanks for the info, that helps. As long as I have my google voice search and voice turn by turn navigation it's all good.

Rather than going to an app or to the browser for google, can you put google in as a widget on the main screen? What about a de-bing of the phone. I know it's early, just curious if you hae any info on that yet.

As you may know, MP size on the camera has little to do with pic quality for anything over 2mp unless enlarging. My buddy's iphone 5 mp destroys my Moto D1 8mp camera- not even close. This is not based on his superior screen resolution on his phone. This is from an identical emailed pic from each phone to view on the laptop-not even close. No difference in pixelation when enlarging either.

 

[xliderider]

Thanks for the mini review and the details. Can I ask one question about how you compared the reception/signal strength? Were you looking at the signal strengths in dBm on the status screen?

 

[TheXFactor]

Have you run another launcher on the phone yet? Would like to know about battey life once you have the phone a few days.

 

[TheAlmightyDrew]

Honestly, you are so right. The GPS problem was greatly overexaggerated or people just have failed to turn on their GPS settings before attempting to use the GPS.

The phone actually acquired my location faster than my actual GPS unit in my car does and that is a new model that I received as a gift last Christmas. So it isn't like it is some cheap old model GPS.

 

[benjiedude]

Greatly exagerrated indeed. PLayed with the Fascinate for about 45 minutes. There is a Google Voice Search icon...it's just not the pretty bar we're used to. It worked great. Google Maps and Navigation work good but not as fast or accurate as Droid X or Droid 2. DX and D2 were consistently within 5-10 ft but SF was always about 16-30ft accuracy...still not bad at all. In the end I walked away because of the keyboard and the phone's size. It was seriously only about a half centimeter smaller than a DX which I had and went through 4. I guess I'm waiting for the next Verizon super Android phone...

 

[rushmore]

Thanks for the mini review and the details. Can I ask one question about how you compared the reception/signal strength? Were you looking at the signal strengths in dBm on the status screen?

Always dBm (on status screen) Bars are only really good IMO for knowing when you hit 1X speed.

 

[rushmore]

Thanks for the info, that helps. As long as I have my google voice search and voice turn by turn navigation it's all good.

Rather than going to an app or to the browser for google, can you put google in as a widget on the main screen? What about a de-bing of the phone. I know it's early, just curious if you hae any info on that yet.

As you may know, MP size on the camera has little to do with pic quality for anything over 2mp unless enlarging. My buddy's iphone 5 mp destroys my Moto D1 8mp camera- not even close. This is not based on his superior screen resolution on his phone. This is from an identical emailed pic from each phone to view on the laptop-not even close. No difference in pixelation when enlarging either.

There are no Google based widgets, but I made shortcuts for Google Nav and for Voice search apps on the second home page and worked just like Inc (good). Main page had stock stuff, including Bing, but the app shortcut- not the widget. Main widget at VZW store was a clock.

Seems like VZW stores are trying to reduce Bing's shadow. The manager went out of their way to say Bing is just an option. Based on my tests- I agree.

I agree about cameras and MP's. Also, Samsung makes good cameras, so it does not surprise me the camera takes good pics.

I see no need to de-Bing, but would root and go plain Android if a rooted rom were available. The device needs to be de-Wizzed. Really.

 

[xliderider]

Always dBm (on status screen) Bars are only really good IMO for knowing when you hit 1X speed.

Thanks for that.

I was hoping signal strength would be better than the DInc. I live in a weak signal area and already use a Network Extender at home. I've heard that Motorola's faired better than HTC, and comparing my wife's Eris to my D1 bears that out.

 

[rushmore]

Thanks for that.

I was hoping signal strength would be better than the DInc. I live in a weak signal area and already use a Network Extender at home. I've heard that Motorola's faired better than HTC, and comparing my wife's Eris to my D1 bears that out.

With the 2.15 radio on Inc, the radio now seems as good as my Droid 1 did. Call quality still not as good, but actual reception is as good. IMO, X has weaker reception than Inc and also weaker wifi reception.

Only tested Fascinate around VZW store, so not good sample. I would say call quality is better the the Inc, but that could be said for any phone compared to Inc

If you are using an extender, it may take more than a few mW increase in signal reception. My N900 had the most terrible reception of any device I owned. That device IMO sucks as a smartphone, but rocks for media and playing an almost full MAME set

 

[jroc]

If the X has a weaker reception than the Inc, the Inc has better reception than the Droid 1.

Cuz the X, my X anyway, has better reception than my Droid 1. And my Droid 1 has better reception than 2 previous phones I had.

I know u said IMO, its just funny how reception goes from phone to phone.