Confermation Apps on Phone Memory Only

[bluenik25]

I found confirmation that all apps will have to be stored on the phones memory. Still no word on the size of that memory.

https://motorola-global-en-usa.cust...r/std_adp.php?p_faqid=38350&p_country_code=US

 

[RentzM63B]

Kinda sucks but I'm sure that'll be change-able with an app in the short-term future...

 

[bluenik25]

Hope so

 

[angusn]

I wonder if it has NO internal memory, and the MicroSD is the only memory it has...(obviously other than RAM) ... If that's the case, I guess we'll have to backup our 16g MicroSD in order to upgrade to a 32g, then restore *cringe*

 

[RentzM63B]

I wonder if it has NO internal memory, and the MicroSD is the only memory it has...(obviously other than RAM) ... If that's the case, I guess we'll have to backup our 16g MicroSD in order to upgrade to a 32g, then restore *cringe*

Yeah, that thought passed my mind too but I doubt Motorola would do that. It's gotta have at least some internal memory...

 

[billd]

The DroidDoes.com page is showing 16GB of internal memory. That should be plenty. It lists 32GB of expansion memory. I'm guessing that means if you can get a 32GB MicroSD, which I'm not sure are shipping yet.

I didn't see the RAM size listed.

 

[wige]

The DroidDoes.com page is showing 16GB of internal memory. That should be plenty. It lists 32GB of expansion memory. I'm guessing that means if you can get a 32GB MicroSD, which I'm not sure are shipping yet.

I didn't see the RAM size listed.

This is what has me confused. Motorola's site lists "16 Gb microSD card installed" (not included) - the same thing the Verizon web site says, and both mention that is upgradeable to 32GB. Does the handset require the card, using that as almost a removeable hard drive?

 

[sunking]

OK...and am I going to pull out the 16GB that is included with the purchase and put in the 32GB card when it becomes availabe? What happens to the "data" that I will have on the 16GB card when this occurs? Will they include a migrate utility or will I have to manage this on my own?

 

[bluenik25]

If all info is stored on the card and not between the Droid and the card you could just copy and paste using a computer. I did see that you will be able to re-download any apps you purchase from the android store.

 

[wige]

Here is all the information I can find on the memory so far:

droiddoes.com: "Droid offers 16GB memory preloaded and expandable memory up to 32GBs." (see "Expansion")

droiddoes.com: "There's a fast cortex A8 processor, 16GB of memory expandable to 32GB and a ..." (see "Power")

droiddoes.com: "Store all your tunes with built-in 16GB of memory expandable to 32GBs." (see "Tunes")

motorolla.com: "16 GB microSD pre-installed; supports up to 32 GB microSD expandable" (see "Tech Specs" - listed as removable memory)

Every other site: "512/256 ROM/RAM"

Can anyone with a device (or who was at the launch) post a comment on this?

 

[bluenik25]

Amen!

All of these reviewers have the device and are leaving us in the dark. Its like the night before Christmas for a bunch of ten year olds.

 

[CRPercodani]

Ok well 2 things, if it is like all other Android phones then no you can not store apps on the sd card. Also they are most likely saying 16GB onboard memory because it will come with a 16GB card. All the original sites an reviews say 512mb rom and a 16GB card, so thats what I would go with. Some newcomers to smartphone might get confused so they just say 16GB storage onboard and whatnot to make it simple.

 

[chris.h]

https://developer.motorola.com/products/handsets/droid/

512 ROM

 

[billd]

https://developer.motorola.com/products/handsets/droid/

RAM: 256MB
Flash ROM: 512MB
User Storage Available (max): 256MB
Memory Card Type: microSDHC, Class 6 FAT32
Memory Card Size Supported (max): 32 GB

Flash ROM is an oxymoron. Flash is not read-only. If you're storing apps on it, then it's not read only.

This is a bit disappointing. 256MB is not a lot of storage for apps. Hopefully apps will be able to save their data on the flash card.

 

[CRPercodani]

Whoa it comes with a class 6 Micro SD? Those are the best you can get, not to cheap usually either.

 

[azhaynes]

So does anyone think that you will be able to story your apps on your memory card and not have to root your phone? I am now to Android and the droid will be my first phone as soon as it is available. I would love it if I was not limited to just 256mb of space once I got it. Apps are what I am most excited about.

 

[maderhatter]

So why is it that the apps cannot be stored to the SD card? Does it have to do with the OS? I really dont know squat and am trying to learn on an accerlerated curve! The answer to that will lead to my next question.
If it is an operating system issue, would a future OS update make it possible? If all of this is ******** please feel free to shun me.
Also, even though as of now we are limited to the RAM memory on the phone for apps, would media and music be stored to the SD and then the app pull the contents from there? Thanks for helpin a new guy!

 

[johnlgalt]

@madhatter - if the internal memory is for apps, the it goes without saying that data (music, documents, etc) would go on the SDHC - otherwise, it makes no sense to have the SDHC just for pictures and video, and 256 MB of 720p video means, what, maybe a minute of video?

 

[billd]

So why is it that the apps cannot be stored to the SD card? Does it have to do with the OS?

I'm new to Android too but I've read some stuff to the effect that it's a security feature of Android. Viruses can be spread by removable media (and in the case of flash thumb drives, often have been).

If it is an operating system issue, would a future OS update make it possible?

The standard answer is "It's not a bug, it's a feature". Specifically, it's a security feature.

Apparently if you "root" your phone, you can execute programs from removable media. However, doing that has security issues and is normally only recommended for developers.

It would be nice if they had some easy way to override this feature. Better yet, it would have been nice if they had put in at least a few GB of internal storage. The Nokia N900 has 32GB of internal storage, of which you can use about 27GB.

 

[maderhatter]

ok den cool, thanks john and billd. I feel slightly less uninformed! I think I read or made up in my head that iphones save apps to an SD card. Is that true? If so, (and not saving apps to the SD is a security feature), are iphones typically very insecure? I'm just curious. Also, just so I got a grasp on this, When I store movies/pics on the SD, the APP/program on the RAM will just RUN the file through the app so that it doesnt have to be saved in the internal memory which could possibly let a virus in?

 

[maderhatter]

Id also like to say I really appreciate the info. I have lurked around the Howardforums for a while trying to learn, but for fear of a computer nerd showing up at my door and stabbing me for asking a stupid question I wont post there. lol

 

[SSinisterSS]

too bad they cant make the memory upgradeable, like a computer where you can swap out the internal chips for bigger ones and bypass the SD card entirely for any apps.

 

[LxMeister]

(snip) I think I read or made up in my head that iphones save apps to an SD card. Is that true? If so, (and not saving apps to the SD is a security feature), are iphones typically very insecure? (/snip)

iPhones don't have an SD card. Their memory is all internal, not removeable. Their 16 or 8Gb or whatever they're coming with these days is where they store everything, built in. Apps and all. Hence some of the iPhone fans rebuttals about app size.

 

[johnlgalt]

But said rebuttal doesn't take into account the fact that with an SD(HC) card we can easily tote and transfer stuff without having to use a data cable (and if we're brave, we can use the BlueTooth 2.1 EDR, right? ) nor does it take into account that with the SD Card I don't need a friggin version of iGoons on my computer just for apps, updates, etc.

Honestly, I would have bought the iPhone a long time ago - except for the iGoons requirement. I positively hate that software, and it's antiquated design and proprietary (and again antiquated) tagging and whatnot.

Even if it does now support MP3Tags 2.4, I ain't gonna buy an iAnything (although at school, I maintain a lab of 25 iMacs - dual booting WinXP and Leopard 10.5.5, using rEFIt as my GUI to pick OS via Boot Camp). I'd rather be iFree....

Besides. It's Linux, right?

 

[CRPercodani]

Its not done for viruses, the reason they don't allow native support for apps to be stored on the sd card is because you could easily transfer paid purchases. When rooting becomes possible for the droid then you can run the Apps2SD script like I do on my G1 and you will be able to setup a ext2/3/4 partition on your sd card for them. Also make sure you leave enough space for the fat32 partition because that is where you would store any media like music or video. If you use the stock 16GB sd card I would suggest a 4-6GB ext2/3/4 partition for apps and games and the ramainder for fat32. Also people you should know that apps and games in the android market are very very small in size, I think even the biggest games are 2-3MB. And for all the emulator fans you can store roms on the sd card without any rooting or anything.