Of course we realize that! But first and foremost it is a PHONE. It needs to do the basics well. Not kinda-sorta but WELL! We buy these devices to get the best of both worlds--not an ok computer and a crappy phone.
Actually, first and foremost, it is a computer. Once again, just the same way WiFi and GPS are built in, the hardware to connect to the Verizon network is all built in as well.
If you are buying it primarily because it is a phone, and not because it's a computer, I think this phone is not amazing, at this point. There is no good noise cancellation surrounding the mic during calls, the lag when dealing with the dialer and in-call software, and the not-spectacular battery life when using the phone make this a very MEDIOCRE phone.
With Android 2.0, and maybe with a case with some soft covering over the microphone opening at the corner of the phone, maybe my opinion about how good of a Phone this actually is will improve. But I bought this phone because it is a computer. The fact that it is also my phone is a convenience for me to not carry a second phone.
Again, yes, insofar as the advertisement of this being a 'Phone' and not a 'PDA' or computer, it is sold as a phone.
I did not expect the phone part to be amazing, and I would not recommend this to anyone as a good phone in terms of phone functionality. I hope that this will improve, but it DEFINITELY is a computer, with the hardware and software to make it function like a phone when it needs to.
No, this is effectively a phone that has computer technology built it. First and foremost, it is a phone. I would not buy this device if it was not a phone - I would use my much more capable laptop. I can handle some lag in the browser etc - I won't tolerate continued lag in HANGING UP a phone call. That is basic.
Funny, my Droid didn't have this issue. Neither did my BB or any of my other phones (smart or dumb). All were on VZW so I doubt it is the network. Droid is (obviously) Android so I wont blame the OS. That only leaves the phone. And we aren't talking 1.5 seconds - not for me. Sometimes it is up to five seconds. That is a long time to take to disconnect a call.
When it's interface related, Android 2.0/2.1 will hopefully make it much faster (closer to the Droid!). Some of the lag IS network related. Some software is programmed to WAIT for the network to react to it (like when you hit end call here, which will hang if the network doesn't respond right away - such as the software on our Android 1.5 phones - hero users have the same complaint), and some software (like most 'dumb' phones) is set to just cut off your mic and speaker as soon as you push the red button (regardless of how long it takes the network to react). This is something that people generally like with their phones.
And again, why I tolerate this as effectively phone software and hardware working on a computer, and not complain about it on the basis that it is not a good phone.
I really love this phone. But I don't love it because it's a good phone. I love it because it's a computer, in my hand. I am optimistic that its actual phone calling functionality will improve (GREATLY, I hope) at least some amount with the Android OS update. Until then, yes, it is a phone, but the only reason it is 'first and foremost' a phone is because that is how it is sold. IMO it is a much better PDA than phone!
