My unimpressed days with the Incredible

[RandomBehavior]

Ok, first I'm not posting this to start any flame wars and I'm not a troll, etc. Yeah, it's my first post but it's also my first Android phone. Anyway, moving on. I'll also say that I'm very tech savvy with an extensive computer, gadget and nerdish background in general, to thwart any replies as lame as "did you reboot?"
Well I was the first person in town to get the phone on launch day. I'm still with AT&T with an iPhone as well. I'm using Verizon's very generous 30 day trial period to see if I want to migrate or not. I'm overall happy with my iPhone itself. I do, however HATE Apple, HATE the iPhone's proprietary cable & USB plug, HATE, Apple's closed app store and restrictions, HATE iTunes and HATE AT&T's horrible service. I'm willing to pay $150 to terminate with ATT early to move to this phone, so I'm REALLY trying here. But here's what I am absolutely not liking about this "Incredible" phone.
** My phone app has zillions of Facebook contacts listed if I don't take an extra step to filter them out. Yes I could disable facebook syncing, but I love it's integration with my actual contacts. Annoying. (yeah I know everyone is whining about it too).
** Have had 1 random reboot for no reason at all.
** I probably see at least 5+ program terminations a day. And I'm not talking third party. I mean MMS/SMS messenger and their ilk. Stock phone built-in programs. The actual important ones. Yeah, they load right back up, but WTF man?
** A Google based OS that has the crappiest Gmail app ever.Well not 'ever' but it's lame still. The stock gmail app had outbound messages 'sending' for over a day. It was only once I deleted a third party mail app that they finally sent. I'll blame the 3rd party app for that. But still the stock one has severe issues, if not total issues, with showing inline attachments (pictures). Very weak. Also can't seem to copy text from inbox messages. Lame. Very limited in general.
** Constantly have the Messages icon showing text messages awaiting even if I've read them and even replied to them. Screws up often. All stock, not third party.
** Stock internet browser has hard locked about 4 times viewing sites using flash. 2 times required a power cycle. 2 I was eventually able to exit the browser. I'll chalk it up to too intensive of a site perhaps sucking the life out of the memory. Should be able to cope with this better, IMO. I don't expect full Flash compatibility (I know it's LITE), but give me a way to avoid rebooting my damn phone please.
** Why on Earth when I select 'send message' within a person's contact info, does it launch the messaging app, adding that person properly, but not putting the cursor in the message box? I have to tap out of the 'to' box. Yeah, it's nitpicking but I'm a very time and flow oriented person. I just told you I want to message this person. Let's get on with the message, not adding another recipient. There are other means to do that.

I'll stop here since the rest are minor annoyances like my last. But so far I'm finding this thing to be VERY buggy. I consider multiple stock, primary app shutdowns per day to be beyond unacceptable.
I understand that this phone is also geared towards geeks like me that appreciate finding 'just the right app' to do what I really want it to. But there's not much I can do to replace core app resources and library files. And since the app market is still in what I'd consider it's infancy, there's not a ton of options for really nice primary function replacements.
I do expect, or hope, for an update fixing some of the crash issues and HOPEFULLY a few tweaks on facebook/google to contact integration. (Please let me sync ONLY my actual contacts). But as I'm on a time limit with returning this thing or keeping it, I can't hold out but so long.
Please, if you can think of SOLID reasons to keep riding it out with this phone, please share.
Lastly, I have restored the phone three times in testing and troubleshooting. I have eliminated third party apps as the reason for crashes mentioned. It has it's issues but I'm open to hearing why I should press on.
Sorry for being lengthy to anyone enduring this read. I'm a few Guinness into the evening
(Love the camera, love the speed, love the personalization, love the potential Facebook integrations, love the design, love HTC and loving Verizon already)

 

[zenman]

Bail the stock messaging app and use Handcent. In fact, take a few hours reading the forum and customizing the phone so it will be perfect for you. Or maybe it will it take a couple days.

 

[jasonb1985]

I have had no reboots, Lockups or slowdown, and only maybe 2 or 3 force closes total since getting it last Thursday.

I have zero complaints about this phone. My last phone by the way was the Moto Droid.

 

[jbdan]

Sounds like you would happier with another phone. What's keeping you with the Inc? you are still within your 30days.

 

[RandomBehavior]

Sounds like you would happier with another phone. What's keeping you with the Inc? you are still within your 30days.

I have been wanting to move to Verizon for the network and have wanted to go to an Android based phone as well. Definitely require a smartphone and functionality and performance. The Incredible's feature set made me jump all over it. It's sexy as hell and the camera is awsesome, letting me pretty much ditch my point and shoot that I have for my weekend shenanigans
I WANT to love this phone. I do. Have used it constantly since purchase, letting my iPhone sit by the bed unused.
I'm definitely concerned with my multiple stock app terminations as I don't see hardly anyone experiencing this behavior.

 

[jasonb1985]

I have been wanting to move to Verizon for the network and have wanted to go to an Android based phone as well. Definitely require a smartphone and functionality and performance. The Incredible's feature set made me jump all over it. It's sexy as hell and the camera is awsesome, letting me pretty much ditch my point and shoot that I have for my weekend shenanigans
I WANT to love this phone. I do. Have used it constantly since purchase, letting my iPhone sit by the bed unused.
I'm definitely concerned with my multiple stock app terminations as I don't see hardly anyone experiencing this behavior.

for the stock app terminations maybe try a factory reset and start over. It is not normal behavior.

 

[jbdan]

I have been wanting to move to Verizon for the network and have wanted to go to an Android based phone as well. Definitely require a smartphone and functionality and performance. The Incredible's feature set made me jump all over it. It's sexy as hell and the camera is awsesome, letting me pretty much ditch my point and shoot that I have for my weekend shenanigans
I WANT to love this phone. I do. Have used it constantly since purchase, letting my iPhone sit by the bed unused.
I'm definitely concerned with my multiple stock app terminations as I don't see hardly anyone experiencing this behavior.

Hmm...sounds like you are in a pickle of a predicament

How long have you had it? Can you give it some time? Neither do I see anyone experiencing what you are....at least not yet

Veriz is a rock solid network I can't imagine leaving it.

 

[RandomBehavior]

Hmm...sounds like you are in a pickle of a predicament

How long have you had it? Can you give it some time? Neither do I see anyone experiencing what you are....at least not yet

haha that's the tough thing about so many early reviews and feedbacks.. doesn't really allow time to see potential bugs and kinks.
I've had it since launch day so what was that... like Thurs the 29th?
I'm still giving it more time, as there's time to be used still. We shall see....

 

[RandomBehavior]

for the stock app terminations maybe try a factory reset and start over. It is not normal behavior.

From my initial post...

Lastly, I have restored the phone three times in testing and troubleshooting. I have eliminated third party apps as the reason for crashes mentioned.

--- OH! And the 4 function button lights are often glitchy in that they will shut off for extended periods and finally come back on at completely random times. Yet another oddity.

 

[Eshyn]

Those of you complaining about such nonsense when the phone hasn't even been out for a week astound me.

Some people will never be pleased.

Show some patience and enjoy the good that this thing has to offer. Because right now, the good weighs out the bad exponentially.

 

[jbdan]

Yeah idk if exchanging it will net you any love for it, but maybe you could always try that route. You do have some time with it before your 30 days are up so....stick it out chief!

heh I wish you good luck with it what ever happens.

 

[jasonb1985]

From my initial post...

--- OH! And the 4 function button lights are often glitchy in that they will shut off for extended periods and finally come back on at completely random times. Yet another oddity.

Sorry, didnt catch that.

 

[iEcliptik]

I have not seen a single one of your complaints happen to my phone. I haven't had one FC since I got it in fact...wouldn't say I'm a heavy user, more moderate, but I'm loving this phone. May be due to the fact that I have a Task Killer, therefore I hardly ever have more than 10 apps running at the same time, I don't know. Seems strange that there are this many things wrong with it.

Take it back to Verizon/Best Buy/whatever and get a replacement, maybe you got a defective unit?

I don't know what's up with that dude man, I appreciate your concern to find help about the phone and not just give up on it right away.

 

[rsjet]

The 4 function light buttons turn on and off with the ambient light in the room. They are controlled by the light sensor to save battery. I think you might be mistaking this for glitchy. Unless they are turning off and on within the same lighting conditions. Then there is something wrong with your phone, cause mine doesn't do that.

 

[RandomBehavior]

I have not seen a single one of your complaints happen to my phone. I haven't had one FC since I got it in fact...wouldn't say I'm a heavy user, more moderate, but I'm loving this phone. May be due to the fact that I have a Task Killer, therefore I hardly ever have more than 10 apps running at the same time, I don't know. Seems strange that there are this many things wrong with it.

Take it back to Verizon/Best Buy/whatever and get a replacement, maybe you got a defective unit?

I don't know what's up with that dude man, I appreciate your concern to find help about the phone and not just give up on it right away.

Thanks a ton, man. Yeah, like I was trying to tell everyone I am gonna keep trying. Gonna be giving one last restore a shot tomorrow also. I'm not one to just jump ship right away, hence my still having my AT&T account active too. If it still has issues after that, I will probably exchange for a new one (hoping they can obtain one!). Aside from a few occasional problems, I haven't seen anyone have the core app failures that I have.

 

[RandomBehavior]

The 4 function light buttons turn on and off with the ambient light in the room. They are controlled by the light sensor to save battery. I think you might be mistaking this for glitchy. Unless they are turning off and on within the same lighting conditions. Then there is something wrong with your phone, cause mine doesn't do that.

Yeah it's in exact same lighting conditions (like I go outside! pssh! haha).
Just another possible clue toward a glitched phone for me. Thanks for cluing me in since I wasn't sure what dictated those lights activity.

 

[jbdan]

Exchange and give it a whirl!

 

[brandonhutch]

From my initial post...

--- OH! And the 4 function button lights are often glitchy in that they will shut off for extended periods and finally come back on at completely random times. Yet another oddity.

This is due to the light sensor. It's set to light the buttons when you may need them and not to light them when you don't, thus saving battery life. I thought I had a glitchy phone due to this as well but it turns out that's how it's supposed to be. You may think it's the exact same lighting conditions but what is actually happening is that you're probably right on the cusp of on/off and maybe the sensor is not sure what to do. You can check this easily by putting it under a light and then covering the sensor and see what happens.

It sounds like you might have a buggy unit - but to be fair a lot of your issues are personal preferences and not actual "issues" per se. Any phone you try will have things you like about it and things you don't. Try a replacement perhaps ( but it will be a wait as they are on backorder ), or don't and switch back to AT&T. You need to make the decision and not ask for "reasons to keep it". If you're asking for a reason to keep it then you probably shouldn't.

 

[rsjet]

Yeah it's in exact same lighting conditions (like I go outside! pssh! haha).
Just another possible clue toward a glitched phone for me. Thanks for cluing me in since I wasn't sure what dictated those lights activity.

No problem. But just like brandonhutch said... it may not be defective, just that the lighting is in the line of on/off and the sensor keeps turning it on and off. I agree that a simple test with a bright light and dark room should be able to help you figure it out.

 

[tats_06]

Hi RandomBehavior.... it truly sounds like you started with a bad incredible.... I would suggest exchanging it for defects....just make sure VZW doesn't ring it up as the one exchange as that will lock you in the contract. Or you can return this one and do another purchase.... My Incredible has been nothing but pleasure to use, but unfortunately you may have a bad one. Let us know what you decide... I can also help you set up task panel (thats the task killer I use). Good luck. I hope it works out for you...no company can beat VZW service and reception.

 

[gabetron]

** My phone app has zillions of Facebook contacts listed if I don't take an extra step to filter them out. Yes I could disable facebook syncing, but I love it's integration with my actual contacts. Annoying. (yeah I know everyone is whining about it too).
** Have had 1 random reboot for no reason at all.
** I probably see at least 5+ program terminations a day. And I'm not talking third party. I mean MMS/SMS messenger and their ilk. Stock phone built-in programs. The actual important ones. Yeah, they load right back up, but WTF man?
** A Google based OS that has the crappiest Gmail app ever.Well not 'ever' but it's lame still. The stock gmail app had outbound messages 'sending' for over a day. It was only once I deleted a third party mail app that they finally sent. I'll blame the 3rd party app for that. But still the stock one has severe issues, if not total issues, with showing inline attachments (pictures). Very weak. Also can't seem to copy text from inbox messages. Lame. Very limited in general.
** Constantly have the Messages icon showing text messages awaiting even if I've read them and even replied to them. Screws up often. All stock, not third party.
** Stock internet browser has hard locked about 4 times viewing sites using flash. 2 times required a power cycle. 2 I was eventually able to exit the browser. I'll chalk it up to too intensive of a site perhaps sucking the life out of the memory. Should be able to cope with this better, IMO. I don't expect full Flash compatibility (I know it's LITE), but give me a way to avoid rebooting my damn phone please.
** Why on Earth when I select 'send message' within a person's contact info, does it launch the messaging app, adding that person properly, but not putting the cursor in the message box? I have to tap out of the 'to' box. Yeah, it's nitpicking but I'm a very time and flow oriented person. I just told you I want to message this person. Let's get on with the message, not adding another recipient. There are other means to do that.

I've been experiencing all those things as well. What's worse is that when I wanted to show a video to my friend, who's in love with his iphone 3gs, my effin phone rebooted. I felt so dumb and it just further proved his point of how easy to use his iphone is. I felt let down but my might incredible.

The Facebook app is annoying too, I'd rather use the app on my itouch, it's much smother and less cluttered. I don't understand why it links you to the browser to see updates and comments either, I feel like it should behave more like the it's iphone counter part. I'll admit that I'm a little new android and maybe there's a reason why it's setup like that. And then another thing is when I get linked to the mobile site I find myself scrolling down to the bottom and clicking on the touch site version just cause it looks that much better.

The gmail app is a little nicer to look at than the stock android one but still feels clunky.

And I feel you on the messaging people part, I always hit send message and start typing a message only to realize that it's trying to add another recipient...so annoying.

The browser does stop working for me too sometimes, even just looking at facebook or some random sites without flash. No matter how many times I hit reset, it won't do anything, even with 3G and wifi enabled. I have to switch over to skyfire or opera to continue, and even then sometimes it stops working.

The message inbox indicator only happens to me sometimes although it is tedious having to go in and looking at the message again just to make it go away.

I mean these things aren't super bad, I can live with them, but I feel the whole point of buying a nice new phone like this is to not have to deal with annoyances like that. I hope there is some way to fix these little issues soon.

Sorry if I seem a little incoherent at the moment, I've been up for over 24hrs and am about pass out. Just wanted to share my similar situation with you.

 

[BetterMost]

I read somewhere that the random reboot issue is due to a problem in Verizons system in some parts of the country. A fix is being worked on.

 

[CRPercodani]

Please accept my apologies for the immature posts from other members. I would try exchanging it if your getting FC's from core apps as this should not be happening.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[ShortBusHEMI]

I must say does sound like you have a defective unit. I've had mine running since last thursday as well and it runs great. not one Force closed, not one reboot. running like a champ. and I'm a fairly heavy user. and i don't use any task killers.

 

[colnago]

People had similar issues when the Droid came out. "Re-flashing" seemed to help in some instances.