My Observations/Opinions after moving from an Eris

[-=Jeff=-]

So I have had my Droid since Feb. 24th. Prior to that I had an Eris since Dec 28th.

Here are my observations/opinions on the differences with them..

My positive impressions of the Droid:

• considerably faster then the Eris, no real noticeable lag. quite a nice improvement in my eyes..
• Android 2.0.1
• Multiple accounts in Gmail App
• Rooted
• Higher Resolution Screen

Things I missed that the Eris Has:

• Pinch Zoom, in browser and Gallery (yes it is personal Preference)
• Swipe in Gallery, that is annoyig to have to tap then choose the direction to move to the next picture
• Text Message program, was nicer in Eris
• Contact information and access
• Stock Music Player is nicer
• Keyboard
• 7 Screens (well more then 3)

Things I changed on the Droid:

• Rooted on Feb 25th, with Pete's Bugless Beast 1.1 which gave me the pinch zoom and swipe in gallery
• I also got some more sounds that I had in the Eris

Things I have yet to do:

• Install the HTC keyboard, but waiting to see if Landscape mode gets fixed
• Find a Different Text Message program.

I need to find better email program. I had the latest market version of K9 on my eris, but it would not delete emails on Gmail, even when I had it set that way (was set for IMAP Push) My biggest issue with Gmail is when I get forum replies, if I get more then one email for one thread, the link only works in the first email group.. I saw it is an issue with others too.

My issue with K9 mail was also when it pushed mail if there were ones I read previous on my PC but not on the Phone, they would not update unless I polled Gmail, seems liek the sync is better with Gmail for this, I was hoping if I got IMAP pushed, then I read an email it would update the Server like Gmail..

I will be trying out the latest version of K9 to see if there are improvements for where I feel it has issues..

 

[pinesal]

Almost everything you missed on the Eris can me done on the DROID with a little work.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Yeah I know most I miss can be changed. I should add that from what I missed here:

Things I missed that the Eris Has:

• Pinch Zoom, in browser and Gallery (yes it is personal Preference)
• Swipe in Gallery, that is annoyig to have to tap then choose the direction to move to the next picture
• Text Message program, was nicer in Eris
• Contact information and access
• Stock Music Player is nicer
• Keyboard
• 7 Screens (well more then 3)

After the new ROM I have insatlled.. all that is left:

HTC keyboard
Contact info similar to Eris.

Most everything else I missed on Eris is good in the BB 1.1 even the 5 screens are good, once the BB (2.1) 0.5 has bee out for a bit longer I might do the swap to that or if Launcher2 gets fixed and added I will switch then..

 

[dmodert66]

When the Desire Rom gets finished (Greek35T), much if not all of what you want will be in there (including Flash)

 

[-=Jeff=-]

When the Desire Rom gets finished (Greek35T), much if not all of what you want will be in there (including Flash)

Yep.. been watching that progress.. no rush for me.. I like my set-up currently..

 

[messenger13]

Things I have yet to do:

• Install the HTC keyboard, but waiting to see if Landscape mode gets fixed
• Find a Different Text Message program.

If you haven't tried SWYPE, you must! The best method for typing on any virtual keyboard, period. Use Google, you'll find a download link fairly easily.

Install Handcent SMS for messaging. In a word, awesome!

Regarding K-9 Mail, make sure you're visiting their website for that latest download version. They typically release MANY beta version with fixes in between their Market releases. CLICK HERE for their download page.

Welcome to the Moto DROID forum.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Joe,

When Handcent installs, does it become 'default' or will messages still go through the other SMS program?

thanks for the k9 link, I have downloaded the recent one, but have not installed it just yet.

Swype. I have heard about it, not sure it is for me, but I will give it a try, won't hurt

 

[Soultics]

After having Swype for some time, I tried to go to the HTC keyboard, and I was lost, still trying to swype, etc...you'll love it if you give it a proper chance.

 

[The_Chief]

The ONLY reason I disabled Swype was because I went to speech-to-text entry with the 2.1 keyboard in Bugless Beast. Talking is much faster, and we (both the phone and I) get better at it every day. Swype is most cool

 

[-=Jeff=-]

So you can disable it without installing? still learnign the android stuff, but willing to try swype

 

[The_Chief]

Well, one WOULD have to install it first in order to disable it, but you wouldn't have to necessarily uninstall it if you wanted something different. Swype just sort of sits in residence, waiting for me to use it

 

[-=Jeff=-]

DOH.. meant disable without uninstalling.. LOL

sorry about that

 

[The_Chief]

It's okay Jeff, I just wasn't sure what you meant. Yes, Swype would be selectable under SETTINGS --> LANGUAGE & KEYBOARD

 

[Frisco]

Jeff, I don't see anything about Droid's physical keyboard. Your only references to keyboard at all is wanting HTC's.

I'm visualizing Droid users being happier without the physical keyboard and opting to use the touch screen keyboard. That seems like a strange waste of one of the main aspects of Droid as compared to Eris (and other non-physical keyboard Android phones).

Do you ever use the physical keyboard? I've seen words about it being critisized, especially from those moving the opposite direction you did: from Droid to Eris.

 

[messenger13]

Joe,

When Handcent installs, does it become 'default' or will messages still go through the other SMS program?

thanks for the k9 link, I have downloaded the recent one, but have not installed it just yet.

Swype. I have heard about it, not sure it is for me, but I will give it a try, won't hurt

Any time you have to type, you can long-press on the text field and one of the options is always "Input Method" (assuming you have more than one option). With this, you can toggle back & forth from your installed virtual keyboard options. I currently have the Android Keyboard, SWYPE, and the TalkToMe Keyboard as 3 options. Of course, once you pull out the hardware keyboard, that is yet another option you always have.

SWYPE has taken over at least 90% of my typing on the DROID.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Joe,

Thanks for the info, I think I will install Swype and try it

Frisco,

Yeah I liked the HTC, guess it is what I am use to. As for the Hardware Keyboard, Do I use it? sure I do, but my big fingers have issues with the top row on it. Otherwise I do switch between the 2.. but you cannot change the hardware (yet.. LOL) so I am looking at other keyboards

 

[Frisco]

Yeah I liked the HTC, guess it is what I am use to. As for the Hardware Keyboard, Do I use it? sure I do, but my big fingers have issues with the top row on it. Otherwise I do switch between the 2.. but you cannot change the hardware (yet.. LOL) so I am looking at other keyboards

So, there's enough about the Droid to like over the Eris, even though the Droid's physical keyboard is seldom used.

My experience with Droid, in the store while I compared it to Eris, caused me to grab the Eris quickly, as I found Droid's physical keyboard to be junky, clunky Mattel-toylike crapola (you get the idea ). Eris seemed like a less expensive but better item.

What I did not know about back then was the differences in software, etc. Plus I did not pay enough attention to screen size; Eris is fine, but Droid's screen is a bit larger.

I wonder if a Droid 2 will come along with a better physical keyboard (Palm Pre uncorked the Plus a while back and improved a few things here and there, processor and keyboard "key" changes, etc).

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Frisco,

Yes there is enough over the Eris to have the Droid. when I bought my Eris I thought the same thing, no need for physical keyboard, etc,, Eris price was more appealing and when testing in the store, I could not tell too much differences in speed or such (other then Screen size)

I don't regret having the Eris, but also regret not getting the Moto initially. I do like this phone, Granted I rooted one day after getting it, but now it is set up with things I like.

Using the keyboard is not bad, I actually started to type this on the Dorid, but for some reason the typing was SLOW, I think is was my connection or the fact I am looking at this site in normal mode not Mobile view, I wonder if that is the issue, because typing a text message is fine. anyway. I will bounce between the Software and Hardware keyboards since I have the options.

Joe-

I installed swype, that will take some getting use to.. but WOW is it COOL

 

[nader2013]

Frisco,

Yes there is enough over the Eris to have the Droid. when I bought my Eris I thought the same thing, no need for physical keyboard, etc,, Eris price was more appealing and when testing in the store, I could not tell too much differences in speed or such (other then Screen size)

I don't regret having the Eris, but also regret not getting the Moto initially. I do like this phone, Granted I rooted one day after getting it, but now it is set up with things I like.

Using the keyboard is not bad, I actually started to type this on the Dorid, but for some reason the typing was SLOW, I think is was my connection or the fact I am looking at this site in normal mode not Mobile view, I wonder if that is the issue, because typing a text message is fine. anyway. I will bounce between the Software and Hardware keyboards since I have the options.

Joe-

I installed swype, that will take some getting use to.. but WOW is it COOL

Hi, just a quick suggestion instead of viewing this page in normal mode is installing the app Tapatalk. This allows you to browse through forums with ease. Hope it helps!