Not-quite newbie with a couple questions saying hello

[machei]

Hello all. Here's my first post to the forum. I've been reading for a couple days, and you all seem very active, kind and informative.

I'm one of the Canadians eagerly awaiting the Hero next week. I've been with Blackberry for years and years in spite of being a Mac fanboy too. When I posted to an apple forum that I wanted to go with the Hero they nearly lynched me. But really, it seems that this phone suits me and the way I'd like to stay connected so very much better, and the more I learn the more I like what I see. Seems a no-brainer. The only thing I'll miss is blackberry messanger.

Beyond hellos, I did have a couple questions. I did search the forums beforehand, and I don't think these have been asked, but forgive me if somehow I missed.

The first question is whether or not there are belt holsters for the hero that can change the profile when holstered. I like the option to go into vibrate mode when holstered... it saves the people around me needing to hear the ringing... if I can feel it, there's no need for audible alerts. I expect that there aren't, but maybe there's another solution I don't know about.

The second is about ads. I have heard recent (admittedly mostly from the apple faithful) that applications on Android are rife with ads all over the place. If true, it would be a potential deal breaker for me. I live a blissfully ad-free existence, and the last thing I'd want is for my Hero experience to become something like IE with no ad blocker. Ugh. I'd understand an ad or two on some free apps (which I could then avoid), but if they're always there, all the time, and I need to train myself to ignore them, then I don't want it. I'd go iPhone after all.

Thanks in advance for anyone's thoughts on these things...

m.

 

[alinver]

I can honestly say I haven't felt as if there's been overt advertising on any of the free apps I've downloaded, yes there is advertising, but it doesn't feel in your face. I was an iPhone fanboy up until I got my Hero and I've never looked back, you do get the feeling there is so much more to come and for once I feel as if I've got in at the ground floor.

Sorry I can't help with your holster question, my Hero is normally in my hand most of the day

Cheers Al

 

[machei]

I can honestly say I haven't felt as if there's been overt advertising on any of the free apps I've downloaded, yes there is advertising, but it doesn't feel in your face.

Thanks Al. Are the ads restricted to the free applications one downloads from the Market? If that's the case, then it's likely OK--many iPhone free apps have that too; I simply don't install them. My main concern is the Sense UI/Widgets that come stock, and the paid apps. Everything looks so clean on all of the videos and screen grabs that I have seen. It'd disappoint me to know that all of that is a sham. I don't mind paying for 'clean' apps!

m.

 

[michael_84]

Hi Machei,
I've got a couple paid for apps, remotedesktop app, copilot gps just to name a few, there is no ads on them whatsoever, I can't see apps that you pay for to have ads otherwise it will put people off paying for the app in the first place so I'll be pretty surprised if there is apps out there that you pay for and come with ads.

 

[machei]

Hi Machei,
I've got a couple paid for apps, remotedesktop app, copilot gps just to name a few, there is no ads on them whatsoever, I can't see apps that you pay for to have ads otherwise it will put people off paying for the app in the first place so I'll be pretty surprised if there is apps out there that you pay for and come with ads.

That's what I suspected. It sounds every bit like what happens with the iPhone. There's some apps that have ads, most don't, the ones you pay for absolutely don't, and the phone by itself out of the box has absolutely none.

If that's the case, then I'm good to go! Can't wait... only a week to go!

Thank you very much for your feedback!

m.

 

[Slug]

HI Machei, and welcome!

I've got around two dozen free apps currently installed and none of those carry ads. Yup, there are plenty of ad-supported free apps but just as many ad-free. The ad-supported ones are usually clearly described as such in the Market too. I've yet to encounter a paid-for app that contains ads.

HTH,

 

[machei]

HI Machei, and welcome!

I've got around two dozen free apps currently installed and none of those carry ads. Yup, there are plenty of ad-supported free apps but just as many ad-free. The ad-supported ones are usually clearly described as such in the Market too. I've yet to encounter a paid-for app that contains ads.

That is *exactly* what I wanted to hear. Thank you very much. My fears are all gone. Now all I need to do is wait for someone to put one in my hands next Thursday and see if I go "wow" when I use it. If I do, I'm so sold.

I'll let you know!
m.

 

[Slug]

Not sure if you're aware but the Market also gives you a 24-hour 'grace period' on every purchase, within which you can return, uninstall and obtain an instant refund.

 

[machei]

Not sure if you're aware but the Market also gives you a 24-hour 'grace period' on every purchase, within which you can return, uninstall and obtain an instant refund.

No, I was not aware. That's pretty awesome. Thank you for that bit of information.

m.