Help Internal storage discussion (apps, errors)

[Rob_A]

The HTC Rezound specs said 16gb internal but when I bought it(work phone) it only had 2gb for apps. I know you can move most to the sd card but why cant HTC set aside 16gb for apps? Is the Evo 4g LTE going to be the same?

Still better than my evo with it's 300mb free space.

 

[EarlyMon]

The impediment we face for resizing partitions is no root and a locked bootloader.

My opinion here, explains why I think we'll get 2 GB for apps.

http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte-all-things-root/527213-first-mod-i-want-see-repartitioning.html

PS - need to note that the 16 GB of storage also holds the bootloader, recovery, radio firmware, and the rom (the operating system image).

What's left is free for user apps and the internal sd card partition.

 

[drexappeal]

The impediment we face for resizing partitions is no root and a locked bootloader.

My opinion here, explains why I think we'll get 2 GB for apps.

http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-lte-all-things-root/527213-first-mod-i-want-see-repartitioning.html

Although, it's very possible that it'll be 3GB partitioned for apps, which is what the Photon has. Here's the breakdown of how the 16gb was partitioned on the Photon:

8.92GB - internal storage (whatever you'd like on here)
3 GB - apps only
4.08 GB - Split up between Room for future updates and other miscellaneous needs for the phone

What I didn't mind about this partition was that, I already had an external 32GB SD card and when moving the apps to SD, it would go into the internal storage partition (not the external SD). Some didn't like this, while I found it was easier to manage the files that were needed and the ones that weren't.

That said, there's no guarantee that HTC follows the same partitioning, but figured I'd throw that out there since the 3vo only had 4GB.

 

[Sauske]

Although, it's very possible that it'll be 3GB partitioned for apps, which is what the Photon has. Here's the breakdown of how the 16gb was partitioned on the Photon:

8.92GB - internal storage (whatever you'd like on here)
3 GB - apps only
4.08 GB - Split up between Room for future updates and other miscellaneous needs for the phone

What I didn't mind about this partition was that, I already had an external 32GB SD card and when moving the apps to SD, it would go into the internal storage partition (not the external SD). Some didn't like this, while I found it was easier to manage the files that were needed and the ones that weren't.

That said, there's no guarantee that HTC follows the same partitioning, but figured I'd throw that out there since the 3vo only had 4GB.

If I'm not mistaken, on the Sprint website it said 12.1 will be for the user! I guess the breakdown will begin from this point!? I'm not clear, I'm asking!? Question; You say 3GB was for apps only right!? So when you run out of that space, will you be able to use the other 8.92GB to throw apps on there!?

 

[mak916]

I really hope this phone gets good internal storage memory. If not I guess I'll have to get a 64FB SD card. The more memory, the better the chance of it having more future updates.

 

[EarlyMon]

If I'm not mistaken, on the Sprint website it said 12.1 will be for the user! I guess the breakdown will begin from this point!? I'm not clear, I'm asking!? Question; You say 3GB was for apps only right!? So when you run out of that space, will you be able to use the other 8.92GB to throw apps on there!?

Not if the remainder (about 9 or 10 GB, whichever) is set aside as the internal sd card.

Internal sd card: obviously, not an actual physical card, but rather, some storage-memory (meaning: not ram) that acts like an sd card as far as you're concerned. OK to think of it as a "virtual sd card" if that helps.

The point: whatever you can do today with an actual sd card is what you can do with that 9 or 10 GB of space. And whatever you can't do with an actual sd card, you can't do there, either.

 

[BenChase7]

Not if the remainder (about 9 or 10 GB, whichever) is set aside as the internal sd card.

Internal sd card: obviously, not an actual physical card, but rather, some storage-memory (meaning: not ram) that acts like an sd card as far as you're concerned. OK to think of it as a "virtual sd card" if that helps.

The point: whatever you can do today with an actual sd card is what you can do with that 9 or 10 GB of space. And whatever you can't do with an actual sd card, you can't do there, either.

I like that description.

one way to look at: it's like having two sd cards, too. That is what you will see when you plug the device into your computer, anyway. (assuming you add your own sd card to the device)
Agreed?

 

[Sauske]

Not if the remainder (about 9 or 10 GB, whichever) is set aside as the internal sd card.

Internal sd card: obviously, not an actual physical card, but rather, some storage-memory (meaning: not ram) that acts like an sd card as far as you're concerned. OK to think of it as a "virtual sd card" if that helps.

The point: whatever you can do today with an actual sd card is what you can do with that 9 or 10 GB of space. And whatever you can't do with an actual sd card, you can't do there, either.

So will you be or not limited to app space!?

I like that description.

one way to look at: it's like having two sd cards, too. That is what you will see when you plug the device into your computer, anyway. (assuming you add your own sd card to the device)
Agreed?

I will add my own sd, and it was a nice description he gave!

 

[drexappeal]

If I'm not mistaken, on the Sprint website it said 12.1 will be for the user! I guess the breakdown will begin from this point!? I'm not clear, I'm asking!? Question; You say 3GB was for apps only right!? So when you run out of that space, will you be able to use the other 8.92GB to throw apps on there!?

Sorry, thought I was clear. 3gb dedicated to apps. Any apps moved to sd, go in the 8.92 storage, so no apps actually get moved to the external card. Only app related things that go on external card are backup from apps that can be directed to the external card.

Again, this is just for the photon, so who knows if htc follows the same format.

 

[EarlyMon]

I like that description.

one way to look at: it's like having two sd cards, too. That is what you will see when you plug the device into your computer, anyway. (assuming you add your own sd card to the device)
Agreed?

Yes. To date, that's how all large-memory phones are laid out.

If you use Astro File Manager or EStrongs File Explorer, on your present phone, you will see an /sdcard folder.

On any typical large-memory phone like this, you will still see /sdcard (this is on the large-memory) and a new folder often called something like /sd_ext (ext=external=actual, physical, sd card).

As drex says, we have to wait and see on the exact details. But what I'm describing appears to be the new de facto standard for manufacturers to handle this.

So will you be or not limited to app space!?

Limited. Exact details to be seen, but much more than you are used to having on your Evo.

But overall, much like any standard SGS2, or Photon, or Rezound, or RAZR, or...

Unless the LTEVO breaks away and uses a totally new layout. Possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[EarlyMon]

It's a locked bootloader without root access as shipped to us.

You can only shift around partitions like that on Linux with root access.

Android is Linux, so without root and unlocked resources, it behaves as Linux would.

And all properly configured Linux systems have multiple partitions (and for good reason).

You can't have the whole 16 GB any more than you can have the whole disk drive in Windows or Linux - the operating system has to go somewhere.

Caesar must always be paid.

 

[EarlyMon]

The old unix standard was to install all user apps in /usr/local, the newer standard uses /opt per the storage white paper, but Linux ignores that.

Either way, a standard partition for user apps is established as a best practice in a disciplined Linux configuration. Android is consistent with that idea.

Why our phones have a chastity belt controlled by the carriers is anyone's guess.

 

[Auzo]

I'm confused, what ever happened to the unified storage model introduced in honeycomb? Why do no manufacturers use it? It seems pretty great. It looks like the tradeoff is no USB mass storage, but I think I am ok with that.

From Dan Morrill (google engineer):
"With the unified storage model we introduced in Honeycomb, we share your full 32GB (or 16GB or whatever) between app data and media data. That is, no more staring sadly at your 5GB free on Nexus S when your internal app data partition has filled up -- it's all one big happy volume."

with 32GB internal storage coupled with the cloud, and google's local caching features in most their media apps I think i am ready to drop the sd card in favor of a better filesystem.

Impromptu Q&A Session With Android Engineer Dan Morrill Brings To Light Reasons Behind Galaxy Nexus' Lack Of USB Mass Storage

 

[EarlyMon]

Good question. ICS supports it, but its use isn't required, much like hard vs soft buttons.

They don't appear to be using it on the One X, and with the added complexity of a physical sd card, I don't see them using it here.

As drex said, it could be different on this model and we'll have to see.

I'm simply betting that they won't, given the complexity of mixing MTP and UMS.

 

[Citizen Coyote]

It's something you get used to, and as someone else noted it's like having two SD cards in your phone. Not a big deal, really, since a lot of the larger apps (at least in my experience) either automatically install to SD card or have the option available at this time. My biggest gripe is that some apps do not recognize the physical SD card as available storage, and so do not give you the option to store data there. I believe Google Music is in this camp; it's happy to read from it, but you can't set it to save purchased music there.*



*At least that's what I remember with my Photon. I forgot it at home today so I can't double-check.

 

[dan330]

2 or 3 gig for apps.. and partial movement of apps to the "internal memory area" ...

that huge!!! other than big fat games...
and large files for texting history (with media)...

to many apps..(over 200 downloaded & installed apps).. is just to many.. clean your crap out! what are you a pack-rat?

I dont see how you can fill this sucker up... and be worried about storage!
at least for a few years.. till apps grow in size.

 

[Rob_A]

Once in the 90's I had a PC with a 20GB Hdd. I ran out of space and ever since then, I like to have WAY more space than I actually need.

I have 3 x 16GB USB sticks, 2 x 8GB SD Cards for me camera, 32GB Micro in my EVO, 2TB in my PC, 1.5 TB ext HDD for my PC, extra 1TB Ext HDD for my PC, lol.

 

[EarlyMon]

 

[dan330]

i remember my first tech job... back in early 90s... put in this monster size hardrive.. huge in physical size .. 40mbs! i thought.. why anyone needs something that big??

then came the 170mb hardrive.. 1/4 it physical size.. I was.. now there that guy will never need anything more!

PCs started with cassette drives...NO Harddrive..
then 1 5" floppy
then 2 5" Floppys
then 3.25" floppy drive... I remember loading games with 20 3.5" floppies.
then came the CD-drives.. wow.. that is bigger than Harddrives..
then came DVD Drives...

programs are always getting bigger!!!
and the files we create (photos, vids) are always getting bigger too

 

[BenChase7]

then 3.25" floppy drive... I remember loading games with 20 3.5" floppies.

LOL. I remember those days too. I remember when my dad ordered the the upgrade from windows 3.1 to windows 95 back in 1995. I was so excited! It was something like 40 3.5" floppy disk's.. talk about a long tedious upgrade process. (and to think, this was just the upgrade).

 

[drexappeal]

LOL. I remember those days too. I remember when my dad ordered the the upgrade from windows 3.1 to windows 95 back in 1995. I was so excited! It was something like 40 3.5" floppy disk's.. talk about a long tedious upgrade process. (and to think, this was just the upgrade).

LOL...I remember when it was all about DOS!...hahaha. Growing up in Generation X really had its advantages, just seeing technology grow in the timeframe that it has.

 

[Gary Friderichsohn]

You kids should have been there when my new computer had dual (yes, dual) 160K floppy drives. Boy that was somethin. And the fantastic CP/M operating system and famous Zilog 80 cpu. That thing was next to useless.

 

[EarlyMon]

Kids? LoL I started on 8" floppies with CP/M, had to wait for the five and a quarters.

Believe it or not, last year when I checked, the Z80 still hadn't died off yet.

 

[Gary Friderichsohn]

Kids? LoL I started on 8" floppies with CP/M, had to wait for the five and a quarters.

Believe it or not, last year when I checked, the Z80 still hadn't died off yet.

Wow, you're a real dinosaur!


What would a Z80 be used for today?

 

[EarlyMon]

Wow, you're a real dinosaur!


What would a Z80 be used for today?

Among other things - programmable rice cookers.