Cant decide which Android device to get rant....

[SysAdmNj]

Ok I was set on leaving AT&T to get the Droid X due to AT&T not having any worthy Android devices and then they announce Samsung Captivate. I'm not 100% sold on that Super Amoled screen, and the fact it has no HDMI out is bugging me as I wanted to watch any streams I may be able to access on my HDTV from time to time. The hardware is nice, does have that gyroscopre like iphone4. No flash for the camera? I would also have to pay full retail for this phone which I'm guessing would be around 499 since I dont have an early upgrade due until over a year from now. Now if I was to go for the Droid X, I would probably get it for 199 with a 2yr contract and I would have to pay $150 ETF for AT&T so it would be cheaper to go with Verizon as Im seeing. I still get 23% FAN discount with both carriers.

Things to consider is getting into a new contract with Verizon with a new $350 etf fee, and no simultaneious data/voice usage which I'll admit AT&T has spoiled me with that. Also I forgot to mention how AT&T is blocking side loading apps, and seems they are restricting their Androids. On another note which may not be related, HTC is cracking down on custom roms. Mind you I'm still new to Android coming from the Blackberry world but is this also something to consider or only for HTC devices. I'm leaning towards the Droid X and still anticipating the June 23rd Verizon announcement. It seems Verizon has it together more when it comes to Androids? So yea, opinions on what would you do if you were in my shoes? Thanks for reading

 

[t-readyroc]

The 2 most important things to take into consideration are: a. carrier coverage in your area, & b. TCO, i.e. not just the phone price, but the voice/data plan price as well.

 

[mrspeedmaster]

Gyroscope isn't going to be practical on Android for at least another year when the SDK supports it and when developers implement it. Even when it does have, developers need to see the install base of users with it. If there are only 80,000 phones with it, it may not be worth putting in games.

The thing that bothers me with AT&T is how they kill off a lot of features. If you notice their press release, they mentioned everything about google services except: Google Voice and Google Navigation.They specifically mentioned AT&T Navigator. They will also probably prevent 3rd party apks to be installed. The work-around is to use the SDK or remove the SIM (and go to the marketplace via wi-fi).

One thing that I don't like about the Galaxy is the blatant iPhone rip-off UI. I just watched a video from mobileburns reviewing it. If you hold-press on an icon, it acts just like an iphone. The entire grid wiggles like the iphone and you can move your icon app to different window spaces. The whole thing is exactly like it is on the iPhone (moving apps, deleting apps off your home screen).

 

[Nearly]

Just get the one you like the most, either physically, hardware-wise or cost. I live in UK so I don't exactly know how all these phone companies differ because, I'm not really knowledgeable of the history for these operators but it seems like you need to stop ranting and think, which one you want and at the end of the day you'll most likely enjoy it rather than regretting it. Chill

 

[SysAdmNj]

The 2 most important things to take into consideration are: a. carrier coverage in your area, & b. TCO, i.e. not just the phone price, but the voice/data plan price as well.

Oh I've thought of this and AT&T and Verizon are my only two choices for best coverage that work for me. Price/plans are very similar for me.

Gyroscope isn't going to be practical on Android for at least another year when the SDK supports it and when developers implement it. Even when it does have, developers need to see the install base of users with it. If there are only 80,000 phones with it, it may not be worth putting in games.

The thing that bothers me with AT&T is how they kill off a lot of features. If you notice their press release, they mentioned everything about google services except: Google Voice and Google Navigation.They specifically mentioned AT&T Navigator. They will also probably prevent 3rd party apks to be installed. The work-around is to use the SDK or remove the SIM (and go to the marketplace via wi-fi).

One thing that I don't like about the Galaxy is the blatant iPhone rip-off UI. I just watched a video from mobileburns reviewing it. If you hold-press on an icon, it acts just like an iphone. The entire grid wiggles like the iphone and you can move your icon app to different window spaces. The whole thing is exactly like it is on the iPhone (moving apps, deleting apps off your home screen).

No google voice with AT&T? Thats one of my main reasons going to Android lol. Another point for Verizon and the Droid X

 

[mrspeedmaster]

No google voice with AT&T? Thats one of my main reasons going to Android lol. Another point for Verizon and the Droid X

We don't know that yet.We won't know until they release the phone. It wouldn' surprise me considering how people said AT&T was responsible for Apple removing GV apps.

 

[SysAdmNj]

We don't know that yet.We won't know until they release the phone. It wouldn' surprise me considering how people said AT&T was responsible for Apple removing GV apps.

This is true, but theyre also mentioning using Yahoo as the default search tool on the device? This cant be good.

 

[ewingr]

I haven't seen anything about Yahoo as the default search device in any of the articles I've read.

I wonder if it is possible for them to prevent use of Google Voice. Hmmm....

Regarding looking like iPhone interface: Doesn't bother me. It looks very nice to me. Seems there are as many people complaining about things that are like iPhone, or rip-off of iPhone (non iPhone Fans), as there are people who love iPHone (AKA iPhone Fanboys).

I am struggling too with concerns about possible AT&T lockdowns. It seems to me that the general consensus is that either XDA or MoDaCO will root it. But then, you may not want to root.

It seems the best option is to wait for them to get some reviews out, and make a decision. Not too long ago I was dieing to get an EVO (although I too decided not to move to Spring), and now I'm seeing reviews about screen problems, and horrendous battery life. (Although any Smartphone being used much likely has this problem).

Of course in my case, I can hardly wait. I think I'll go with the Captivate. But hoping I can make myself resist long enough to hear some reviews.

 

[Phantom_LS2]

Just a heads up to the OP, I too am switching from AT&T to verizon before my AT&T contract is up. If you ask nice enough, verizon will cover the fee AT&T will charge you to end your contract early. At least, they are for me.

 

[thekarens]

Just me, but I'd go with Droid x all things considered.

 

[MonmouthDroid]

Droid X for sure. Att is stripping android of its features. the droid x has pretty much every feature that the captivate has plus some.

 

[eezie]

The trick is to buy your droid or iphone via ebay or craiglist. That way you don't need to commit to a contract. If six months from now you wish to change, sell your current phone on ebay or craigslist and switch. No ETF fees.

eez

 

[ewingr]

Droid X for sure. Att is stripping android of its features. the droid x has pretty much every feature that the captivate has plus some.

Not sure about 'every feature', but it doesn't have Super Amoled.

 

[t-readyroc]

No google voice with AT&T? Thats one of my main reasons going to Android lol. Another point for Verizon and the Droid X

I'm using GV on AT&T right now.

 

[thebearjew]

Droid X sounds nice as far as specs, but for many, Sense has become the face of Android...

 

[rlb4]

The new Aria uses Google as default search and has Google Nav so the Captivate most likely will too. As for Google Voice, you definitely can use it on ATT. I'm using it on my iphone now. The only thing ATT will probably block is sideloading apps(you can easily get around this without rooting) and tethering(can use PDAnet and tether w/ USB). Coverage in NJ is comparable and ATT is a little cheaper. I'd wait until Samsung press release on 6/29 and until they are both released to get some reviews.

 

[MonmouthDroid]

Not sure about 'every feature', but it doesn't have Super Amoled.

I did say pretty much.

 

[takeshi]

So yea, opinions on what would you do if you were in my shoes?

You've got to assign weights to the pros and cons for yourself. I mean, I just can't imagine HDMI as a major pro or con for example. Selecting a device is always a highly subjective process.

On another note which may not be related, HTC is cracking down on custom roms. Mind you I'm still new to Android coming from the Blackberry world but is this also something to consider or only for HTC devices.

I doubt it. Motorola certainly attempted to make it impossible to root the Milestone (attempted being the key word).

The trick is to buy your droid or iphone via ebay or craiglist. That way you don't need to commit to a contract. If six months from now you wish to change, sell your current phone on ebay or craigslist and switch. No ETF fees.

You can buy and sell on ebay without ETF's to switch devices even if you do agree to a contract. You just can't switch carriers.

 

[ewingr]

I did say pretty much.

Ah, yes. So you did.