4.3" VGA, Sense & 2.1 is still a bit lackluster.

[dbpaddler]

I'm generally impressed with the Evo, but at this sage of the game some things are still sub par.

Tired of separate and not equal email. Give all web based mail push and the gmail treatment. WebOS actually gets this right and does it much better than vanilla android or w/Sense. This is supposed to be a smartphone is it not? I don't want a googlefied feature phone.

And what good is this giant screen and better res if I can't take advantage of it in the OS? Why can't my home screens have five or six rows and columns with smaller, sharper icons and more variability for different sized widgets? Everything is just a larger and slightly sharper version of a smaller qvga screen. Kind of a waste if you ask me. If I spend the money to buy a WUXGA screen for the laptop, i want to fit more on the screen, not just have the same size everything with better pixel density.

Just two things that seem to annoy me with a fairly mature product at this point.

 

[rfss]

I don't want a googlefied feature phone.

I'm not sure how much this makes sense. You bought an Android phone and Android was created by Google. That's akin to buying an iPhone and saying "I don't want an 'Apple-fied' feature phone."

I mean, it is what it is. Think of how many more options you DO have to customize as opposed to other vendor's operating systems...

 

[TheBiles]

Forward your email to Gmail. Now you have full push.

-------------
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.

 

[DresNightfire]

You can disable Sense here:
How To Disable Sense UI on the HTC EVO 4G

I also came from WebOS and miss the user interface and system search features. I was also confused as to why a smart phone didn't come with a default notepad/text editor (AK notepad saved me). Although WebOS was also a bit googlefied when you enter any search items besides your contacts as it's the default search engine.

 

[neoshi]

dragon boat paddler eh? me too

android phones are for a target group who wish to customize it to make it the way they want.. and much less for the out of the box ready to go group.

though yeah the bigger screen not having higher resolution kind of disappoints but it's still easier to use than a smaller screen IMO.

 

[dbpaddler]

Sorry. I don't care to use gmail and shouldn't have to use a workaround to make up for a lack of basic functionality. Email should just work.

And there are basic features of a smartphone that should be solid across the board and email is one of them.

I buy an iphone, i expect to use itunes as my major conduit. I buy an MS phone and I know bing is my default search engine. I buy google and expext to have a gmail account for syncing and using google checkout to buy things. Core functionality of a smartphone should not fall under that umbrella. BB wised up. Kept telling it's users to use BBM if they want threaded chat. They caved. There's basic functionality people expect from a smartphone and imap idle support is becoming one of them. Plain and simple. Someone shouldn't have to forward mail and create separate reply to's and jump through those kind of hoops because they have email from multiple providers.

And other, younger OS's do it right, out of the box and do it better. You would also think HTC would get it as well, but they don't.

 

[dbpaddler]

And why would I want to disable sense? Vanilla android is worse. And i complained plenty here and on precentral how google is responsible for the dumbing down of the smartphone. Palm is just as guilty for getting in to bed with google who clearly had an inferior product that forced them to get rid of PIM features people relied on for years.

And no, android is not just for the tinkering crowd especially when it comes to core smartphone functionality. Calendar, contacts, tasks, email, and memos/notes are the core of a smartphone OS. And 3rd party options are often not up to the quality standards of the stock apps even if they provide better functionality. To not be strong with the core apps is just weak especially when you're beyond the 2.0 mark and have HTC's Sense to fill in the gap.

I knew what I was getting into. I owned a hero and moment. I just expect more at this point from google and android as it hits maturity. And to not take advantage f the higher res outside of media and things looking slightly sharper, is just a waste. Make it useful, not just pretty.

WebOs not having syncable notes out of the box is less of a travisty than Google having Google docs and not a seamless android app to access them.

 

[Matlock]

As stated above, the Android 2.1 OS was created and developed by Google.

HTC Partnered with Google to develop a phone based on the Android OS and design it to function nearly perfectly with it. (Same with Samsung, and Motorola)

Most consumers who use Android based OS phones use them because it integrates all of their Google related information directly into the phone without hassle. (Earth, Labs, Gmail, Maps, ext.)

Google Android OS is also in it's early 'infant' stages for a phone device. Most established other OS have been around for nearly 10 years. Google have been around since 08. Smart Phones have not been around very long as it is. But in any-case, look have far each Device Manufacturer and OS developer have come. Impressive.

Now, Google does try and help consumers by working-in integrations into their Android OS to work with other programs. It's not perfect. It normally never it. No matter who you look at. (Exchange, Skype, and all Carrier-based apps and systems)

Don't forget, the Android OS is a completely Open Source system that has never been done on a handheld device, not to mention a smart phone before. It's new, and surely not perfect. You can't beat the fact that your fellow consumers can create great apps for us to use. Over 100,000 apps have been created since 08 (some useful, some not so much).

Research on how a phone works, performs and if it works with how YOU (the consumer) would like to use it, is recommended. If it's not what your looking for; don't get it just because it's 'cool' or 'new'. Get a device that does what you need it to do.
If you just want a device thats fun and different, then by-all-means, enjoy it to your hearts content. Otherwise, you need to keep looking for something you really want.

Remember, phones now-a-days and Carriers are expensive. Don't waist your money if you don't have to.

(HTC also Partnered with Microsoft and put the Microsoft Mobile OS into their phones.. all of which is listed above directly works with the OS of Microsoft and the HTC devices. You can't complain because of your HTC HD2 doesn't run Android OS or have a dedicated Gmail client. It's not a Google phone, it's a Microsoft phone.)

 

[dbpaddler]

One....most consumers don' really care about other google related info. Google maps was pretty much standard on most smartphone OS's. You also conveniently left out Google Docs which is much more important to a 'smartphone' user than Earth.

At the rate google has pumped out 'major' updates, they have far exceeded what the older OS's have done in a similar upgrade path. You can't begin to compare Os growth to a decade ago. The level of technology is completely different. And in creating a new 'smartphone' OS, don't you build off of what was successful in the competition? Well, not if you're Palm. They couldn't even build off their own success.

HTC Skinned android and win mob to provide the user with a better experience than the vanilla os could, plain and simple, and they did a pretty good job. Many would never buy a vanilla android phone after owning one with sense. I just hoped HTC would've made up for a few more deficiencies in the vanilla OS.

And please don't tell me how to choose a device. Even after researching, if any device someone buys is 100% perfect, you're just kidding yourself. And if you want to drink the google kool aid and can't see or discuss faults, deficiencies or things that should be done better, you don't belong in a forum.

p
Most consumers who use Android based OS phones use them because it integrates all of their Google related information directly into the phone without hassle. (Earth, Labs, Gmail, Maps, ext.)

Google Android OS is also in it's early 'infant' stages for a phone device. Most established other OS have been around for nearly 10 years. Google have been around since 08. Smart Phones have not been around very long as it is. But in any-case, look have far each Device Manufacturer and OS developer have come. Impressive.

Now, Google does try and help consumers by working-in integrations into their Android OS to work with other programs. It's not perfect. It normally never it. No matter who you look at. (Exchange, Skype, and all Carrier-based apps and systems)

Research on how a phone works, performs and if it works with how YOU (the consumer) would like to use it, is recommended. If it's not what your looking for; don't get it just because it's 'cool' or 'new'. Get a device that does what you need it to do.
If you just want a device thats fun and different, then by-all-means, enjoy it to your hearts content. Otherwise, you need to keep looking for something you really want.

Remember, phones now-a-days and Carriers are expensive. Don't waist your money if you don't have to.

(HTC also Partnered with Microsoft and put the Microsoft Mobile OS into their phones.. all of which is listed above directly works with the OS of Microsoft and the HTC devices. You can't complain because of your HTC HD2 doesn't run Android OS or have a dedicated Gmail client. It's not a Google phone, it's a Microsoft phone.)

 

[mrk]

And what good is this giant screen and better res if I can't take advantage of it in the OS? Why can't my home screens have five or six rows and columns with smaller, sharper icons and more variability for different sized widgets? Everything is just a larger and slightly sharper version of a smaller qvga screen. Kind of a waste if you ask me. If I spend the money to buy a WUXGA screen for the laptop, i want to fit more on the screen, not just have the same size everything with better pixel density.

Absolutely agree with this. I could go for a pretty significant reduction in text size across the board, and have nearly everything on the interface shrunken down. Though... I do run WUXGA at 15.4" on this here T61p, so I'm a bit spoiled. But still, this should be an option for us.

 

[dbpaddler]

I run wuxga on my 17" laptop. I love having two side by side screens with decent real estate for each. There isn't a real reason why they can't scale to fit more info on the page. 5x5 on home screens would be so helpful. Having more control over font sizes would be nice. I find most fonts to be too small on the smaller ones or too big on the normal size. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground on font sizes.

 

[IXIShogunR1]

so whats wrong with e-mail? trying to ask a real question here
i don't use g-mail i use AOL for my mail cause its what i've been using and i never feel like switching to something else.... and it seems to work fine on the evo
so..
i'm not trying to say your wrong and its perfect.... i just want a better understanding for what is wrong
my phone before the EVO was a palm centrio.... e-mail works better on the evo for me

 

[Dreamliner]

I'm generally impressed with the Evo, but at this sage of the game some things are still sub par.

Tired of separate and not equal email. Give all web based mail push and the gmail treatment. WebOS actually gets this right and does it much better than vanilla android or w/Sense. This is supposed to be a smartphone is it not? I don't want a googlefied feature phone.

And what good is this giant screen and better res if I can't take advantage of it in the OS? Why can't my home screens have five or six rows and columns with smaller, sharper icons and more variability for different sized widgets? Everything is just a larger and slightly sharper version of a smaller qvga screen. Kind of a waste if you ask me. If I spend the money to buy a WUXGA screen for the laptop, i want to fit more on the screen, not just have the same size everything with better pixel density.

Just two things that seem to annoy me with a fairly mature product at this point.

I agree with you, 100%...especially with HTC's/Google's inability to better utilize the screen resolution...Though, this it is a testament to issues with diluting the hardware for the software platform.

 

[wazzap1101]

This thread= wow...

On another note, this phone is centered around multimedia. If you want an email phone, buy a blackberry...

 

[zamardii12]

You can disable Sense here:
How To Disable Sense UI on the HTC EVO 4G

I also came from WebOS and miss the user interface and system search features. I was also confused as to why a smart phone didn't come with a default notepad/text editor (AK notepad saved me). Although WebOS was also a bit googlefied when you enter any search items besides your contacts as it's the default search engine.

I found a great "notepad" app called "Notes" by Yuli. Search for it in the market. I switched from the iPhone and missed that too but it's right there on the market.

 

[binxer]

And why would I want to disable sense? Vanilla android is worse. And i complained plenty here and on precentral how google is responsible for the dumbing down of the smartphone. Palm is just as guilty for getting in to bed with google who clearly had an inferior product that forced them to get rid of PIM features people relied on for years.

I'm sorry but I hate HTC Sense. It may look nicer but it has less functionality, at least to me. Stock keyboard is much cleaner/easier to use and HTC's whole dialer and contacts portion is just confusing (stock is easier to use/understand). I really wish they didn't bury Sense deep into android and gave us the option whether to install it or not.

 

[sikclown]

Umm to steal from another phone "There is an App for that". I mean there really is an app for almost everything you want to do. And unlike some others Android is perfectly fine with having apps out there that duplicate and often improve on it's core features. And yes some of them cost money. I hear ya on wanting these things right out of the box but such is life. Don't like the keyboard? Download another one. Don't like the mail client? download one of the dozen others. This is one of the things I always liked about windows mobile and for me it is even better on Android.... choice.

 

[adseguy]

I don't think I heard anybody mention k9 mail. doesn't that support IMAP idle AND it's free.

 

[varunb007]

I don't think I heard anybody mention k9 mail. doesn't that support IMAP idle AND it's free.

i was about to mention that. k-9 is a pretty sweet email app. you can ditch the gmail and mail apps, and just use k-9. as for pixel density, i think you're SOL on that one. not a bad idea though.

 

[mboliver]

This thread= wow...

On another note, this phone is centered around multimedia. If you want an email phone, buy a blackberry...

I don't think it would be correct to try and nail down this phone to one area in particular. Most, if not all smartphone purchasers are looking for the one device that handles a myriad of communication and entertainment elements. I also don't think that anyone is trying to say, "this phone is crap...blah blah blah", but are only stating where some improvements can be made.

Take one good look at the phone and tell me if you think that it couldn't be better with some improvements. I know I can think of a few. Email, GMail, Google docs, Google reader, better visuals, more control of aesthetics...etc.

Bottom line is that I love this phone even with all of its flaws and I look forward to the updates to see if any of what I consider a flaw gets remedied.

 

[Matlock]

..bottom line is that I love this phone even with all of its flaws and I look forward to the updates to see if any of what I consider a flaw gets remedied.

+1

 

[linzgeneral]

I'm generally impressed with the Evo, but at this sage of the game some things are still sub par.

Tired of separate and not equal email. Give all web based mail push and the gmail treatment. WebOS actually gets this right and does it much better than vanilla android or w/Sense. This is supposed to be a smartphone is it not? I don't want a googlefied feature phone.

And what good is this giant screen and better res if I can't take advantage of it in the OS? Why can't my home screens have five or six rows and columns with smaller, sharper icons and more variability for different sized widgets? Everything is just a larger and slightly sharper version of a smaller qvga screen. Kind of a waste if you ask me. If I spend the money to buy a WUXGA screen for the laptop, i want to fit more on the screen, not just have the same size everything with better pixel density.

Just two things that seem to annoy me with a fairly mature product at this point.

I had the Pre and returned it after one day and kept by TP2 which isn't close to being in the same league as the EVO. I personally wish the EVO had a higher resolution screen among a few other negligible preferences. That being said, all phones are going to seem subpar in some area/s but the overall advantages/improvements that the EVO presents over what is currently available can not be denied. Like the Iphone4 for example, the resolution is going to be eye popping but I have one word for that ......"4.3". After seeing my EVO's screen next to my TP2's 3.6, there is no way I would even consider going back to 3.5 (Iphone) or even worse 3.1 (Pre).

 

[Oridus]

And other, younger OS's do it right, out of the box and do it better. You would also think HTC would get it as well, but they don't.

I'll put it down in my notes that HTC now makes the android operating system

 

[mrk]

Oh, I'd nearly forgotten--For an example of flat-out better use of screen real estate, check out this video of the Dell Streak 5, which runs at the same resolution as the Evo.

Dell Mini 5 Hands-ON on Vimeo

 

[linzgeneral]

Oh, I'd nearly forgotten--For an example of flat-out better use of screen real estate, check out this video of the Dell Streak 5, which runs at the same resolution as the Evo.

Dell Mini 5 Hands-ON on Vimeo

You will need a backpack or laptop/netbook bag to carry this.