Nexus One users, how is your touchscreen?

[RussianVodka]

So, I was gona order a Nexus One today, but the order page is bugged and doesn't allow ordering (apparently it was always like this and Google never bothered to fix it).

So then I searched for articles on the multi-touch capabilities of the N1, and found this gem:
Nexus One Multi-Touch Severely Flawed? | Android Phone Fans

Now I don't know what to think about the N1. Apparently the problem is caused by HTC using a very cheap touchscreen sensor. On one hand you can't really blame them, since the N1 didn't support multi-touch originally, on the other hand I've heard in the past the HTC uses very cheap parts in their phones.

After reading further about the issue, I went from being completely sure about getting an N1, to not really wanting it all the much.

 

[QrafTee]

That's the fault of the Clearpad 2000--the touch screen sensor used by HTC for the Nexus One--it's just unable to handle multi-touch gestures correctly. However, this issue is present in the HTC Desire as well so... I don't know what to say. Out of the frying pan into the fire?

 

[ragingyeti]

I have owned a nexus one for a couple of months now, and personally I haven't noticed any problems with the touchscreen. I had read that the problem is that it wont register two fingers if they are within 15 mm of eachother (I would post a reference, but can't remember which forum I dread it in). Honestly,how often would you ever need to touch two things within 15 mm? I think for the functions its supposed to be used for, such as pinch to zoom in the browser and maps, it works fantastically.

 

[techrider62]

I downloaded the program and it does act weird, but i don't have any problem with any other apps that i can see.The n1 is not perfect but it's not a bad phone. Google maps is very good much better than the 3 iphone i'v had.

 

[QrafTee]

I have owned a nexus one for a couple of months now, and personally I haven't noticed any problems with the touchscreen. I had read that the problem is that it wont register two fingers if they are within 15 mm of eachother (I would post a reference, but can't remember which forum I dread it in). Honestly,how often would you ever need to touch two things within 15 mm? I think for the functions its supposed to be used for, such as pinch to zoom in the browser and maps, it works fantastically.

It's not only that it tweaks out when the fingers are together, but when they cross the Y-axis as well.

 

[BiGMERF]

mines bugs out every once in a while but for the most part it behaves well. im more concerned wit the connection issues i have

 

[niea]

My touch screen flakes out almost daily, requiring a reboot. However, I'm not sure my issues are the same as the one in the video linked above. But for me, it'll stop recognizing touch on the bottom row of icons, making it impossible to select one of those apps. Instead, it'll either think I pushed one of the hard buttons below it, or thinks I pressed the Home icon or the area on either side of it. This doesn't clear up until I do a full powercycle on the device, which is really annoying.

 

[daffyduck]

Most of the touchscreen issues being reported are software related......the screen acting weirdly at times (other icons activating away from where you touch), seem to be less prevalent (and may have been resolved by the latest!) Cyanogen ROM.

Regarding the touchscreen test that is referred to, yes, mine does the same but in day-to-day use of the phone, I fail to see the relevance of this issue.

 

[daffyduck]

That's the fault of the Clearpad 2000--the touch screen sensor used by HTC for the Nexus One--it's just unable to handle multi-touch gestures correctly. However, this issue is present in the HTC Desire as well so... I don't know what to say. Out of the frying pan into the fire?

If you have no direct experience of either phone (we have both in our household), this comment is not as relevant as it is based on heresay......

Multitouch works fine.....

 

[MartinS]

Mine works fine and has never "freaked" out. This despite Qraftee suggesting I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

In practise, I've never seen the X/Y axis tracking "issue" cause any problems.

 

[HyperM3]

I had some issues at one point then I started deleting apps I didnt use but had downloaded. It must have been specific to one of them because I have yet to have any calibration issues since. That was over 3 weeks ago now.

 

[SnotF]

I have issues once in a while with nesoid/snesoid. Other than that nothing

 

[QrafTee]

If you have no direct experience of either phone (we have both in our household), this comment is not as relevant as it is based on heresay......

Multitouch works fine.....

Sorry, but calling my "opinion" hearsay would be wrong. Maybe you haven't been on the internet for the past 3 months or so, so let me update you on the Nexus One's multitouch issue--which comes down to the hardware.

Robert Green, an Android app developer, was trying to program for the Nexus One, but found that the multitouch gestures weren't registering correctly so he created a fairly basic app to show where the screen was registering the multiple inputs. It's suffice to say what he found wasn't good, the screen wasn't recognizing the fingers at certain times and jumped around--so multitouch gestures weren't being recognized precisely.

The app he created can be demonstrated here: YouTube - Motorola Droid vs Nexus One: Multitouch Test (I believe it's in the Android Market as well)

He posted on the Google Developer's board and got a response:

Dianne Hackborn, Android Framework Engineer, said:

Sorry I meant exactly what I said: this is how the touch screen hardware on
the Nexus One works (which is essentially the same screen as on the G1 and
myTouch). The Droid has a sensor from a different manufacturer, with
different behavior. Other phones will likewise have different sensors.
This has nothing to do with the Android platform. Please do not file bugs
about it. Android is just reporting what the hardware is capable of
reporting.

Source: Multitouch seems badly broken on Nexus One 2.1-update1 - Android Developers | Google Groups
Reported by Phandroid: Nexus One Multi-Touch Severely Flawed? | Android Phone Fans

Here's a paint program being tested on the Nexus One: YouTube - Nexus One multitouch problems / issues - misregistering

Yes, it's been discussed that better drivers and cleaner coding may offset some issues, but the... I'll just let Green's words educate you:

Luke's code cleans up some basic stuff like gestures involving
pinching but it can not fix the two independent point problem.
Currently, even with his code which filters out some noise, it is
impossible to have a reliable control system involving two independent
virtual joysticks placed along the same axis. So many iPhone games
have that and I was actually planning it for my new release but
unfortunately it will not work. I'm talking about the controls where
you've got a touchable joystick on the bottom left and another one on
the bottom right. It's very common but currently impossible on
Android because of the hardware (though I'd really like to see some
raw data because looking through the core service classes, there is a
LOT of difficult-to-read code that seems to hack up the values quite a
bit).

Ironically, your "[My] multitouch works fine....." IS hearsay.

Please don't blindly defend a product you don't understand just because you own it. I'm fairly certain--now--the DI I just pre-ordered will have this issue (I highly doubt HTC used the Clearpad3000 on the DI and priced it at $529).

Good day, sir.

 

[macprv]

I have a N1 and so far i havent experience the flaw... multitouch works fine in the browser, maps and gallery... and honestly i dont see how this flaw could be seen in other than games, and eve though, so far i havent notice it in any of my games... so i guess its not a biggy of a deal.

 

[QrafTee]

I have a N1 and so far i havent experience the flaw... multitouch works fine in the browser, maps and gallery... and honestly i dont see how this flaw could be seen in other than games, and eve though, so far i havent notice it in any of my games... so i guess its not a biggy of a deal.

No, you're right. The way the flaw presents itself; it can be missed when using pinch-to-zoom (which is what most apps use when they claim "multi-touch gestures") without much of a problem. And yes, it becomes apparent in games almost exclusively (I doubt any Android developers are going to purposefully use non-working gesture on an app, that's a bad way to develop an app). Many available games, however, do not use multi-touch gestures like Robo Defense--which is still fun without it.

But in order to have more complex games in the future, this hardware issue will need to be eradicated--perhaps in next-gen Android phones.

 

[daffyduck]

QrafTee.......

Oh, I cannot be bothered to say much more to you other than:-

1. "Please don't blindly defend a product you don't understand"
Um, I think I know it pretty well since having had it for 3.5 months, rooted it & customised it to my heart's content.

2. "just because you own it"
Yes, as I have already said, I have both the Desire & Nexus in my hands right now, so that say's I am "experiencing" the phones directly - which is a darn sight more than you have done.

3. "I'm fairly certain--now--the DI I just pre-ordered will have this issue (I highly doubt HTC used the Clearpad3000 on the DI and priced it at $529)"
Not sure what phone you are referring to here, but I am pretty sure that as the basic underpinnings of the Nexus/Desire/Incredible are the same (why have multiple SKUs of the same basic ingredients of a phone, when you can make do with 1 - aka, the manufacturing approach of the VW Group in Europe), so yes, you may have the same issues.

Enough arguing for one night now me thinks - just please please, don't reply by linking to any more other quotations, embedded videos, etc.

Go, buy phone, procreate, be happy.......

 

[RogerPodacter]

this is a non-issue for using pinch to zoom, it works perfectly just as the iphone does. the only area this would be an issue is if and when games come out that use 3 or more touch points, which obviously the N1 could not handle. i personally don't care about that, but if you do then the N1 might not suit your needs. but this issue doesnt effect the nexus one in its current use. the touch screen works just fine and you cant notice any difference.

 

[koolbon]

The problem only occurs when I am in the bed holding the phone face down for a while. I don't know why that is. I just lock and unlock the phone and the problem goes away. It doesn't bother me that much, but I would rather not have that problem for sure.

 

[QrafTee]

QrafTee.......

Oh, I cannot be bothered to say much more to you other than:-

1. "Please don't blindly defend a product you don't understand"
Um, I think I know it pretty well since having had it for 3.5 months, rooted it & customised it to my heart's content.

2. "just because you own it"
Yes, as I have already said, I have both the Desire & Nexus in my hands right now, so that say's I am "experiencing" the phones directly - which is a darn sight more than you have done.

3. "I'm fairly certain--now--the DI I just pre-ordered will have this issue (I highly doubt HTC used the Clearpad3000 on the DI and priced it at $529)"
Not sure what phone you are referring to here, but I am pretty sure that as the basic underpinnings of the Nexus/Desire/Incredible are the same (why have multiple SKUs of the same basic ingredients of a phone, when you can make do with 1 - aka, the manufacturing approach of the VW Group in Europe), so yes, you may have the same issues.

Enough arguing for one night now me thinks - just please please, don't reply by linking to any more other quotations, embedded videos, etc.

Go, buy phone, procreate, be happy.......

1. And because you rooted the phone you understand it? Apparently not consider you're turning a blind eye to a flaw that Google admits is there.

2. Okay, and? A guy can own a gun and have no idea how it works, just know that you point at things you want to die/injure and pull the trigger.

3. Well I just saw a video posted today showing the DI not having the same issues like the N1. All I can say, it whew... I hope it's real. Haha.

And here, because I know you love these "hearsay" pieces: YouTube - Droid Incredible multitouch test

 

[techrider62]

1. And because you rooted the phone you understand it? Apparently not consider you're turning a blind eye to a flaw that Google admits is there.

2. Okay, and? A guy can own a gun and have no idea how it works, just know that you point at things you want to die/injure and pull the trigger.

3. Well I just saw a video posted today showing the DI not having the same issues like the N1. All I can say, it whew... I hope it's real. Haha.

And here, because I know you love these "hearsay" pieces: YouTube - Droid Incredible multitouch test

All devices have little problem even the almighty iphone

 

[QrafTee]

All devices have little problem even the almighty iphone

Most issues with the iPhone are user-related or Apple-related. In either case, not a fan of the iPhone--although I do like their strengths; number of apps and complex games (I hope Word with Friends is ported to Android soon).

 

[techrider62]

I have a 3gs setting in the box since i bought a n1.I have all the race game on it gta, nfs and found it very hard to control the car in turn.The best games on all these touch screen phone without buttons are the simple ones, they are not make for extreme gaming.

 

[Vakman]

1. And because you rooted the phone you understand it? Apparently not consider you're turning a blind eye to a flaw that Google admits is there.

2. Okay, and? A guy can own a gun and have no idea how it works, just know that you point at things you want to die/injure and pull the trigger.

3. Well I just saw a video posted today showing the DI not having the same issues like the N1. All I can say, it whew... I hope it's real. Haha.

And here, because I know you love these "hearsay" pieces: YouTube - Droid Incredible multitouch test

Good to know... would get a DI if there was a version that would work on Canadian networks.

 

[dilagable]

Never had a problem. My friend with an Iphone 3G actually said the N1's multitouch looks easier and smoother than his phones.

 

[SubyWill]

my screen is perfect, no problems whatsoever.

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