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Any (former) iPhone users in here?
- Thread starter icemanjs4
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- samsung epic 4g
What do you mean when you say there's no google application - can you elaborate a bit? I think the features in the google application on the iPhone are built into this phone. It already has google voice search. Just hold down the magnifying glass capacitive button and it will prompt your voice. Or you can hit the mic icon on the keyboards in any text field, even browser URLs.
Google maps is there, google places, google navigation, gmail. I don't remember what else was in the app.
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This^^^^^makes absolutely no sense... If your referring to the google app that I have on iPhone then yes that is something that is already built into every single google-android phone already so there is no app needed on the google side...
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Sorry, I kind of associated its 3gp with H.263 due to the Galaxy's huge file sizes. I know it's capable of playing H.264, any idea what bitrate it's recording in or does the different audio codec make that huge of a difference? From what I see, it doesn't look any better than the iPhone 4 videos for being >2x the file size.
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I'm referring to Google news. It was one of my most used apps. It had small pictures plus synapses of stories. I really liked Google news because it wasn't slanted (as most news agencies are).
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iphone 4 users here, jut came back from Apple to return the iphone. beautiful device but super crappy reception, every call I made on the iphone dropped within 60 seconds!
just picked up the epic so I will give it a couple of days to adjust, so far the 4G speed seems better than before
just picked up the epic so I will give it a couple of days to adjust, so far the 4G speed seems better than before
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The battery is a great improvement over other android devices as well, including the EVO. also, here's something I realized after toying with my epic for a bit: the 4g actually goes into sleep mode to preserve battery if it isn't using any data. too damn cool!
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I wouldn't call myself a "former" iPhone user, since I still have an iPhone 4 as my primary phone. And, at this point, I don't see that changing until the next wave of high-end Android devices and possibly 3.0.
Some of the issues I've had are the fault of the manufacturers, some are just things missing in Android and others are incompatibilities/malfunctions with specific devices.
Yesterday I returned my third Evo, and I won't be trying for a fourth. I really liked the device overall, despite some general behavioral irritations, so it's a shame it has to go.
The primary, and deal-killing issue for me with the Evo was the fact that even when I was getting 6+ Mbps download speeds on 4G, the HotSpot function would never let any connected device work at more than 2-300Kbps (I think I got to 500 Kbps once) and the thing dropped packets like nobody's business. Three replacement units exhibited the same behavior, as did multiple store demo units. And, though I have friends that absolutely do not have this issue, I'm not willing to tit about swapping hardware over and over to get something that works properly.
This is about the Epic though ...
I actually prefer the Epic to the Evo in pretty much all respects. I wish Samsung would quit using the PenTile matrix on their (S)AMOLED screens, but otherwise it has a gorgeous display. Swype out of the box is nice, as is the keyboard. And I get way better 4G reception on the Epic than the Evo.
I'm definitely seeing better battery life on the Epic than the Evo too, though it's about two-thirds the life I get from the iPhone 4 which gets much heavier use.
Despite the resolution differences there's really not much different between the cameras on Epic vs. Evo, but compared to the iPhone 4 they're both rather lacking. That said, having white-balance control on the Epic is something I do like and the iPhone needs badly.
But there are other issues with the Epic/Android that prevent it being something I use as a primary phone instead of a development test device.
I hate the position of the power switch on the Epic, I'm constantly hitting it when I pick the phone up. The auto-brightness function is schizophrenic at best, and in sunlight the surround of the screen (not the image itself) looks like someone went crazy with a hot-glue gun.
The GPS is not usable compared to every other GPS/GPS containing device I use. When it gets a lock its fine, but it requires either long waits or reboots to get it to lock at all. I was sitting on a boat in the middle of Lake Washington yesterday with nothing anywhere close that could obstruct the sky and it just sat there showing me 10 satellites and yet totally failing to lock on to any of them. By comparison my iPhone 4 locked on in about 5 seconds.
3G performance is so far quite underwhelming. I've seen other's reporting this, and it could be a temporary network issue (it seemed fine the first day I had it). But right now it's glacially slow (as in slower than an iPhone on Edge). 4G is still fine, and I expect it's not a hardware issue, but it is very annoying.
The lack of simultaneous voice and data is an issue. That's a carrier technology problem of course, but even in a 4G charter market 4G isn't widespread enough to begin to compensate. Not an issue for many I'm sure, but it is for me.
No ability to voice dial from my Bluetooth headset makes it unusable handsfree. I believe this is supposed to work, but so far it doesn't. Maybe 2.2 does a better job of fixing this.
Speaking of Bluetooth, the Epic absolutely will not pair with the Bluetooth system in my Aston Martin. I had the Bluetooth module in the car swapped for the latest one on Friday and still no dice, it's like the phone doesn't exist (Evo worked fine).
I really want to be able to keep this device because the parts that do work are really nice, and Android 2.2 should fix the major software/feature issues I'm missing, but I'm not holding my breath at this point.
I'll swap this unit for a new one, and if that fixes things that's great. Otherwise Samsung get until the 29th of September to fix the GPS, and get Froyo pushed out, or this goes back and I'll wait for Android 3.0.
Some of the issues I've had are the fault of the manufacturers, some are just things missing in Android and others are incompatibilities/malfunctions with specific devices.
Yesterday I returned my third Evo, and I won't be trying for a fourth. I really liked the device overall, despite some general behavioral irritations, so it's a shame it has to go.
The primary, and deal-killing issue for me with the Evo was the fact that even when I was getting 6+ Mbps download speeds on 4G, the HotSpot function would never let any connected device work at more than 2-300Kbps (I think I got to 500 Kbps once) and the thing dropped packets like nobody's business. Three replacement units exhibited the same behavior, as did multiple store demo units. And, though I have friends that absolutely do not have this issue, I'm not willing to tit about swapping hardware over and over to get something that works properly.
This is about the Epic though ...
I actually prefer the Epic to the Evo in pretty much all respects. I wish Samsung would quit using the PenTile matrix on their (S)AMOLED screens, but otherwise it has a gorgeous display. Swype out of the box is nice, as is the keyboard. And I get way better 4G reception on the Epic than the Evo.
I'm definitely seeing better battery life on the Epic than the Evo too, though it's about two-thirds the life I get from the iPhone 4 which gets much heavier use.
Despite the resolution differences there's really not much different between the cameras on Epic vs. Evo, but compared to the iPhone 4 they're both rather lacking. That said, having white-balance control on the Epic is something I do like and the iPhone needs badly.
But there are other issues with the Epic/Android that prevent it being something I use as a primary phone instead of a development test device.
I hate the position of the power switch on the Epic, I'm constantly hitting it when I pick the phone up. The auto-brightness function is schizophrenic at best, and in sunlight the surround of the screen (not the image itself) looks like someone went crazy with a hot-glue gun.
The GPS is not usable compared to every other GPS/GPS containing device I use. When it gets a lock its fine, but it requires either long waits or reboots to get it to lock at all. I was sitting on a boat in the middle of Lake Washington yesterday with nothing anywhere close that could obstruct the sky and it just sat there showing me 10 satellites and yet totally failing to lock on to any of them. By comparison my iPhone 4 locked on in about 5 seconds.
3G performance is so far quite underwhelming. I've seen other's reporting this, and it could be a temporary network issue (it seemed fine the first day I had it). But right now it's glacially slow (as in slower than an iPhone on Edge). 4G is still fine, and I expect it's not a hardware issue, but it is very annoying.
The lack of simultaneous voice and data is an issue. That's a carrier technology problem of course, but even in a 4G charter market 4G isn't widespread enough to begin to compensate. Not an issue for many I'm sure, but it is for me.
No ability to voice dial from my Bluetooth headset makes it unusable handsfree. I believe this is supposed to work, but so far it doesn't. Maybe 2.2 does a better job of fixing this.
Speaking of Bluetooth, the Epic absolutely will not pair with the Bluetooth system in my Aston Martin. I had the Bluetooth module in the car swapped for the latest one on Friday and still no dice, it's like the phone doesn't exist (Evo worked fine).
I really want to be able to keep this device because the parts that do work are really nice, and Android 2.2 should fix the major software/feature issues I'm missing, but I'm not holding my breath at this point.
I'll swap this unit for a new one, and if that fixes things that's great. Otherwise Samsung get until the 29th of September to fix the GPS, and get Froyo pushed out, or this goes back and I'll wait for Android 3.0.
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pics now!!!!!!!!
Here you go ...
It's a 2007 V8 Vantage ... Meteorite Silver over Phantom Grey w/ Raven Black coarse contrast stitching.
This is an older picture; if you want something newer I can do that too, though it'll have to wait until Tuesday since it's in having the iPod interface retro-fit and it's 3-year service right now.
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Here you go ...
It's a 2007 V8 Vantage ... Meteorite Silver over Phantom Grey w/ Raven Black coarse contrast stitching.
This is an older picture; if you want something newer I can do that too, though it'll have to wait until Tuesday since it's in having the iPod interface retro-fit and it's 3-year service right now.
Congratulations that is an absolutely gorgeous car! Thanks for the pic.
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Here you go ...
Seriously that is just a drop-dead gorgeous car! Does it handle as good as it looks? I only wish BMW made cars that looked that nice (I know don't laugh at me).
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If you can't live without data/voice, did you give the AT&t Capitivate a go? They disabled the HSUPA radio on it, but it still out does the current download/upload rates of the Epic on 3G. Also, I've found Bluetooth to be generally a hit and miss for most phones, iPhone included. With my iPhone, it's a bit temperamental with my Land Rover, yet the Galaxy phones have not been. It's the opposite case for my Toyota. If you can get bluetooth audio streaming to work, I find the Galaxy sound quality to be a tad better, whether that's due to it being Bluetooth 3.0 or not is not clear to me.
Torq said:
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Thanks!
And yes, I'd say it handles as nicely as it looks! Even when not driving it hard it's an absolute pleasure to be in.No, I didn't consider the Captivate. I looked at it of course, but at no point did it become something I seriously considered buying.
I'm not a big Samsung fan to begin with, the general GPS issues with the Galaxy S would have stopped me anyway (turns out the Epic has issues too, even if they are different), then going with AT&T would mean no wireless HotSpot capability.
Yep, I don't get wireless HotSpot functionality on my iPhone 4 either, but since I have a dedicated wireless HotSpot that's not really a deal killer; and I'm wanting my Android device to replace that - which means Sprint (Verizon's terms are comical).
And at the time I did not want another PenTile matrix based display (I had a Nexus One, didn't care for the screen, or other aspects of it, at all). Actually I'd rather it wasn't PenTile now too, but that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.
As for Bluetooth, yes it does have a tendency to be finicky, but so far I've not had issues with my iPhones with any of my cars, which includes a current Range Rover (the Range Rover is weird in that it keeps its Bluetooth connection open for a couple of minutes after shutting off the car though!).
Given my experiences with streaming music over Bluetooth so far I'm far happier getting my iPod wired into the cars. I buy a 160 GB classic for each one so I don't have to remember to switch them around, and have lossless files on them.
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Even though I'm right handed, I actually hold phones almost 100% of the time in my left hand and I find that holding the phone left handed is actually much better for me. I unlock the phone with my left index finger and the phone never wants to accidentally slide open nor do I accidentally push the volume buttons.
I do agree with that smiley button. Not really necessary, and would have rather have it as an "@" symbol instead. Maybe a remap keys app to swap the smiley and the "@" key?
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I hear you on the GPS issue. I was a bit surprised that all of the lines had the same issue considering how much they've invested into pushing this brand to fight the iPhone. As for HotSpot capability, you can enable hotspot capabilities on the Captivate as well: Enable Internet Tethering on Samsung Captivate | MAGGadget. That's if you're one to root your phone, which to me is most of the fun for going with Android.
I'm with you with regards to PenTile, but the colors are hard to give up. Everything just comes alive even if a bit over saturated. Also, it's definitely hard to go back to the 3.5" screen of the iPhone, at least for me.
Yes, the Land Rover's have a wonky way of dealing with Bluetooth. If your's is anything like mines, I can't even unlock your car while being on the phone otherwise, the call will in limbo land until you start up your vehicle.
Sounds like you're a fellow audiophile. Really depends on the Bluetooth receiver and the vehicle as the streaming technology has definitely come a long way. For my Prius, Bluetooth streaming from the Samsung Galaxy phones actually sound better than the direct connection. Streaming from other phones, more comparable to the direct connection.
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It surprised me as well, particularly after Engadget's comment about the Epic's GPS being "validated" (whatever that means)!
Thanks for the tip
Realistically if I was going to root an Android phone I'd also jail-break the iPhone and just run "MyWi" and not worry about paying Sprint $30/month.
I've nothing particular against rooting/jail-breaking, but as a developer I prefer to test in a "retail" environment to make sure my code behaves appropriately stock.
The Epic's screen really is very pretty! It's the cheese-cloth effect that it has when viewed up close that I don't like ... otherwise the contrast and black levels are fantastic and it really is pretty too look at!
Size wise, I like my "primary" phone as small as possible. Partly because otherwise it messes up the line of my suits (when I wear them) and partly because I like my gadgets small.
There's no question that the bigger screen makes for better browsing, viewing and so on of course! And I'm actually quite impressed that, even with the keyboard, the Epic is only about twice the volume of the iPhone 4.
Oh yes, mine does that! And if I make a call when the wife is driving and don't want it coming through the car the Range Rover will snatch the call back several times even though I'm manually selecting the handset.
And of course if you're on a call and turn off the car, the call stays with the car, even though you can't hear it because the speakers are off!
I wish that was the extent of the wierdnesses with my Range Rover of course!
I think my "favorite" is its random election to attempt to crush my legs with the steering wheel. Only happens if the wife has been driving it before, but sometimes I'll unlock the thing, get in, start the car, and then the wheel comes all the way down ...I am ... I am ... almost all Linn and Meridian gear in the house right now (some B&W and other bits).
If I was streaming Bluetooth I could get away with not using lossless files on the iPod Classics and get much more music on there, sadly none of my current cars support it to even play with! Those that have in the past are part of what gave streaming Bluetooth a bad name!
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Torq,
Sounds to me, someone needs a dedicated developer phone. A developer that wears suits on occasions and drives an Aston probably works for a company that has deep enough pockets to provide one.
Your Rover does what my LR3 does and it's annoying as hell. So much so, that's I've pretty much threw in the towel against my no bluetooth headset policy.
Sounds like some good gear. I've been playing with a mixture of solid state and tube gear, myself. Mixture of JM Lab, Goldmund, Kora, and California Audio stuff here.
Sounds to me, someone needs a dedicated developer phone. A developer that wears suits on occasions and drives an Aston probably works for a company that has deep enough pockets to provide one.
Your Rover does what my LR3 does and it's annoying as hell. So much so, that's I've pretty much threw in the towel against my no bluetooth headset policy.
Sounds like some good gear. I've been playing with a mixture of solid state and tube gear, myself. Mixture of JM Lab, Goldmund, Kora, and California Audio stuff here.
It surprised me as well, particularly after Engadget's comment about the Epic's GPS being "validated" (whatever that means)!
Thanks for the tip
Realistically if I was going to root an Android phone I'd also jail-break the iPhone and just run "MyWi" and not worry about paying Sprint $30/month.
I've nothing particular against rooting/jail-breaking, but as a developer I prefer to test in a "retail" environment to make sure my code behaves appropriately stock.
The Epic's screen really is very pretty! It's the cheese-cloth effect that it has when viewed up close that I don't like ... otherwise the contrast and black levels are fantastic and it really is pretty too look at!
Size wise, I like my "primary" phone as small as possible. Partly because otherwise it messes up the line of my suits (when I wear them) and partly because I like my gadgets small.
There's no question that the bigger screen makes for better browsing, viewing and so on of course! And I'm actually quite impressed that, even with the keyboard, the Epic is only about twice the volume of the iPhone 4.
Oh yes, mine does that! And if I make a call when the wife is driving and don't want it coming through the car the Range Rover will snatch the call back several times even though I'm manually selecting the handset.
And of course if you're on a call and turn off the car, the call stays with the car, even though you can't hear it because the speakers are off!
I wish that was the extent of the wierdnesses with my Range Rover of course!
I am ... I am ... almost all Linn and Meridian gear in the house right now (some B&W and other bits).
If I was streaming Bluetooth I could get away with not using lossless files on the iPod Classics and get much more music on there, sadly none of my current cars support it to even play with! Those that have in the past are part of what gave streaming Bluetooth a bad name!
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Back to the thread topic at hand, one thing that the iPhone 4 has a big advantage in is video editing. If you're one to video your journeys and desire to share them, there's just nothing close to the $5 iMovie app. The YouTube cloud based editing stuff has a ways to go. Not to mention, it would take forever for one to upload (especially at the current 3G 200 Kbps cap, hehe) an entire video to YouTube before being able to do a simple edit function such as a trim.
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Sounds to me, someone needs a dedicated developer phone. A developer that wears suits on occasions and drives an Aston probably works for a company that has deep enough pockets to provide one.
I just buy what I need as I go along
I have all four generations of iPhones, with 2 of the new iPhone 4s for example. I expect a Windows 7 Phone in the next week or so. Android is an experimental platform for my development work right now ... if it proves worthwhile I'll invest into some dedicated hardware.
I did have a Nexus 1, but that had lots of issues as well, and at the time the PenTile based display was royally irritating me.
Anyway, I have a simultaneous (or as near as I can make it) release coming up for the iPhone, Windows 7 Phone and Android and we'll see how the revenue from that pans out!
The suits are for fun ... probably an English thing (though I've lived in the US for 15 years now)
That's some nice gear yourself
I dabbled with lower-power tubs amps and high efficiency Snell speakers a good while back, and more recently (okay, 10 years ago now) with the Sonic Frontiers stuff and some B&W speakers. Both were very rewarding musically ... though so mellow, sweet and relaxing that I never made it to the end of an album without dozing off!
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Yeah, it's weird all right. I've had my 3G iPhone for like 10 minutes past my two year contract with At&T. My service was SOOOO bad, sooo many dropped calls and I couldn't make calls from HOME! No bars at home 
Certain aspects of the whole 'droid' thing feel like slumming compared to the polished iPhone apps and approach. Droid is kinda like a smart slutty girlfriend who you can do wild things with, but you don't wanna take her home. iPhone is the girl everyone tells you you should be with. Know what I mean, dean?
Certain aspects of the whole 'droid' thing feel like slumming compared to the polished iPhone apps and approach. Droid is kinda like a smart slutty girlfriend who you can do wild things with, but you don't wanna take her home. iPhone is the girl everyone tells you you should be with. Know what I mean, dean?
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