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If Not The Nexus, Then...

Something to note about the Galaxy Nexus's internal storage: it is all one partition.

There is no longer any "moving apps to sdcard".

Here are the statistics, using Antutu benchmark:

Read: 26.6MB/s
Write: 6.4MB/s

That's using the stock EXT4 mounting options. With some custom kernels/ROMs, they use special parameters that can boost those numbers up to ~30s for read and ~8 for write.


EDIT: reran Antutu for fun, got 32.7/7.5 - point is, I don't think you need to worry about the speed of the internal memory.

Nice -- thanks. I didn't know the speed was that enhanced. That makes sense -- and sounds more than adequate. And for a minute there, I got confused. When you say it's all one partition, I was actually under the impression there are two partitions each of 16GB: one of which wipes along with the system if/when appropriate and the other which stays behind as if it were a 16GB card. Or am I missing something completely?
 
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If you are that concerned about the most powerful processor on the phone (assuming released Thursday), then wait for CES to see what is announced for the rest of the year. Wait until the phone with your exact requirements are stated and pray it is released within 24 months.

The fact of the matter is no manufacturer is going to develop the perfect phone. They know everyone is willing to pay for the perfect phone, but they are not willing to make it.

SD Slot, scratch proof glass, best processor, best GPU, 500 hour battery, 8-cores, holographic display, 60" 1440P projection comparable to Christie.

Good luck with your Droid X. If you are looking for everything, let me know when you find the Fountain of Youth. I want a drink from it.

Holographic display? You've been reading different Android blogs than me, apparently ;)

Honestly, I thought the Droid X was the perfect phone sorta-kinda. When it came out it had more than enough power, RAM, the display was big but not overly huge, and despite the camera bulge I didn't have an issue with the form factor.

I 'spose I'm just getting cold feet a bit -- not sure why -- but I've pretty much gotten past the 5MP camera opposed to everyone else using 8MP (I know the argument, but subconsciously it's still a bit of a concern and I use the camera regularly for business documents).

With a screen protector more than likely I won't need to baby the phone, but at the same time there are a few sort of obvious things that are issues. I guess with a huge number of choices the problem is picking which things I am willing to live without, and knowing more is on the horizon certainly doesn't help the subconscious part of my brain while the conscious part has already made the choice.

And the funny thing is whereas I like having current PC's (and build them myself) I don't need the "best" phone, I just know that 20 months is a long time in an industry where 3 months is like a year or two in the real, tech world.
 
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So... obviously nobody can predict the future. However, the reason the Nexus One was dropped off the upgrade list was likely due to some very specific issues with its storage and touch systems that massively limited its capabilities.

First off, it only had 512mb of internal storage. That's it. That, by itself, is highly limiting - and is part of the reason Google's shift towards one big block of internal storage makes a lot of sense. If, in the future, it makes sense to not have a /sdcard partition, or if more space is needed in the primary partition, you just resize the layout and keep on going. So there is a major limitation that's been dealt with - "future proofed" to some extent.

Second, it had a super crappy touchscreen. If I remember correctly, it was two touch points only, and was not all that accurate - it regularly had issues with switching of the axis using two fingers. With the shift towards on-screen buttons, and more multitouch gestures, it's no surprise that Google doesn't want to deal with that. That, too, has been dealt with as newer controllers like the GNex controllers support 10 touch points - all of your fingers. Thus, again, ostensibly "future proofed" since there's no reasonable way to actuate more than 10 touch points.

All of that adds up to me being pretty confident that the GNex will be supported for a long time. The Nexus S will be receiving ICS as well - I think that device will get a long support lifecycle, too.

While I think everyone who's been pointing out very logical, reasonable reasons to consider the Nexus as future-proof as anything imminently forthcoming, I think this transcends the whole "pick one and go with it or keep on waiting for the Next Big Thing to emerge" sensibility.

I'm not a sit-on-the-sidelines tech whore, I dig right in. I'm not accustomed to waiting or considering the future when I upgrade. However, with a built-in delayed window -- and knowing the dead end that the Droid X has become for me -- I 'spose I'm being way too careful. But at least knowing Google is directly tied to the Nexus makes a load of sense. I still can foresee a situation where the software will speed by the Nexus capabilities -- that, in theory, should be expected -- but I 'spose the Nexus is more future-proof than any of these other current or other forthcoming handsets.

Thanks :eek:
 
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Impromptu Q&A Session With Android Engineer Dan Morrill Brings To Light Reasons Behind Galaxy Nexus' Lack Of USB Mass Storage

"With the unified storage model we introduced in Honeycomb, we share your full 32GB (or 16GB or whatever) between app data and media data. That is, no more staring sadly at your 5GB free on Nexus S when your internal app data partition has filled up -- it's all one big happy volume."

Draw back to doing this is no USB Mass Storage device.

Nice -- thanks. I didn't know the speed was that enhanced. That makes sense -- and sounds more than adequate. And for a minute there, I got confused. When you say it's all one partition, I was actually under the impression there are two partitions each of 16GB: one of which wipes along with the system if/when appropriate and the other which stays behind as if it were a 16GB card. Or am I missing something completely?
 
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Right now I think Nexus hardware is enough to be supported up to Jellybean at least. Some folks are complaining it's nothing special, not cutting edge enough. I should ask what other phones are more special if HD SAMOLED, OMAP 4460, 1Gb RAM is still not enough.

Nex year we will see A9 based quad cores like Tegra3, more advanced dual cores like OMAP5, Exynos 5250 based on A15. We will get to see them introduced in CES, MWC. But that doesn't mean you can buy them within next a few weeks. It's probably extra couple of months before it's released. And for verizon, you will have to add another 2~3 months, which means June/July at the earliest.:) But what apps are properly utilizing quad cores?

This actually makes a lot of sense -- both the fact the Nexus should last through the next iteration of Android OS and the fact that while improved hardware is on the way, it's at least six or more months out. No way I can hold out. I might get the Nexus on full retail and leave my contract intact, but no way I can hold off upgrading. Not unless I get a new X and clean it out completely and, essentially, start over.

Nope, not happening. Upgrade time ;)
 
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If it's not the Nexus then you are behind. Galaxy 2, Rezound, and the Razr are nice but if your phone lack ICS right now, then the Nexus is the Android kings of phone currently. So until 2012 then..

Android - Introducing Ice Cream Sandwich. .

That's true -- but in two weeks that won't apply, as other handsets (some you mentioned) will be getting ICS. So to get the "king of phones" for two weeks is very short-sighted. My concern isn't two weeks, it's the two-year span of the contract until I can replace the hardware.

Based on what I've been seeing in this thread alone, I think the Nexus is probably the best way to go as far as future-proof goes. May not be the best regarding specs, but what the specs don't show the Google pipeline makes up for.
 
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Impromptu Q&A Session With Android Engineer Dan Morrill Brings To Light Reasons Behind Galaxy Nexus' Lack Of USB Mass Storage

"With the unified storage model we introduced in Honeycomb, we share your full 32GB (or 16GB or whatever) between app data and media data. That is, no more staring sadly at your 5GB free on Nexus S when your internal app data partition has filled up -- it's all one big happy volume."

Draw back to doing this is no USB Mass Storage device.

Somewhere -- today, I believe -- I read that the Nexus can accomodate a thumb/flash drive. Does that mean this isn't accurate? I saw the HDMI/USB thing, but can the phone be backed up/restored from a thumb drive? I need to take another peek at the Nexus manual. And/or get more sleep LOL...
 
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USB Mass storage is plugging your phone into the PC and using it as a hard drive.

ICS itself supports flash drives and hard drives to my understanding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Has anyone tested it?

Somewhere -- today, I believe -- I read that the Nexus can accomodate a thumb/flash drive. Does that mean this isn't accurate? I saw the HDMI/USB thing, but can the phone be backed up/restored from a thumb drive? I need to take another peek at the Nexus manual. And/or get more sleep LOL...
 
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USB Mass storage is plugging your phone into the PC and using it as a hard drive.

ICS itself supports flash drives and hard drives to my understanding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Has anyone tested it?

The Nexus will definitely allow you to plug into a PC/Mac and use it as a drive (I'm counting on it to transfer all my quasi-purchased apps). But flash drives and hard drives? How would that actually work? :thinking:
 
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Ahh No to PC.

You can plug a flash drive or hard drive into the phone tho to my understanding.

I meant the Nexus is plugged into a USB port on a PC and the PC sees the Nexus as a flash drive, not the other way around. That's definitely feasible.

I still don't understand how one would connect a flash drive into the phone -- never seen a USB to micro USB adapter. I'm a bit confused.
 
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I meant the Nexus is plugged into a USB port on a PC and the PC sees the Nexus as a flash drive, not the other way around. That's definitely feasible.

I still don't understand how one would connect a flash drive into the phone -- never seen a USB to micro USB adapter. I'm a bit confused.

Both. Galaxy Nexus is recognized as an MTP or PTP device when hooked up to a computer. On Windows, it will basically be identical to before (USB mass storage), but Mac and Linux may require additional software to recognize the phone.

Since Honeycomb, Android has supported USB host mode. Using a USB OTG adapter, you can connect USB devices such as flash drives, game controllers, etc and the phone/tablet will recognize it.
 
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What he said.

All I was trying to say was that it's one single volume lol.

Both. Galaxy Nexus is recognized as an MTP or PTP device when hooked up to a computer. On Windows, it will basically be identical to before (USB mass storage), but Mac and Linux may require additional software to recognize the phone.

Since Honeycomb, Android has supported USB host mode. Using a USB OTG adapter, you can connect USB devices such as flash drives, game controllers, etc and the phone/tablet will recognize it.
 
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Eh. Complaints about carriers are overrated, it's too dependent on where you live. I've had ATT previously and their coverage and customer service were good for me. My wife had ATT and had never had a problem, in fact we were in Mendocino a few months ago and my VZW phone was a paperweight while her service was perfect.

I'm also happy staying with VZW provided I can have the phone I want, which is a Nexus. Outside of that, the rest of their lineup is underwhelming. THe Rezound is good, it's just...missing something. Can't quite put my finger on it.
 
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Both. Galaxy Nexus is recognized as an MTP or PTP device when hooked up to a computer. On Windows, it will basically be identical to before (USB mass storage), but Mac and Linux may require additional software to recognize the phone.

Since Honeycomb, Android has supported USB host mode. Using a USB OTG adapter, you can connect USB devices such as flash drives, game controllers, etc and the phone/tablet will recognize it.

What he said.

All I was trying to say was that it's one single volume lol.

Sweet! Haven't yet seen an OTG adapter. Very nice!

That could really be useful. Sparingly, but I will definitely look until getting one along with three Nexus...
 
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:/ lol ok

I work for a very large company in IT (55k + employees) and everyone that has ATT hates ATT but that's the only signal they get. Or, They're stuck with ATT until the contract expires and plans to go to sprint/verizon.

I also deal with AT&T myself for additional technical support and let me tell ya I'd rather call sprint. I completely believe these reports because I deal with ATT a lot. It's like going to the dentist to get your teeth pulled and you're the dentist.

Eh. Complaints about carriers are overrated, it's too dependent on where you live. I've had ATT previously and their coverage and customer service were good for me. My wife had ATT and had never had a problem, in fact we were in Mendocino a few months ago and my VZW phone was a paperweight while her service was perfect.

I'm also happy staying with VZW provided I can have the phone I want, which is a Nexus. Outside of that, the rest of their lineup is underwhelming. THe Rezound is good, it's just...missing something. Can't quite put my finger on it.
 
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The problem with the lack of USB Mass Storage is that nearly every car made since 2010 has a USB port on it with a built-in MP3 player. Not being able to connect up your brand new phone to your car that you paid 20-30k for is sort of a ridiculous thing. There are plenty of other non-PC devices that accept USB ports. This was definitely something they should've made optional.
 
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It can't be done.

"It isn't physically possible to support UMS on devices that don't have a dedicated partition for storage (like a removable SD card, or a separate partition like Nexus S.) This is because UMS is a block-level protocol that gives the host PC direct access to the physical blocks on the storage, so that Android cannot have it mounted at the same time." - Impromptu Q&A Session With Android Engineer Dan Morrill Brings To Light Reasons Behind Galaxy Nexus' Lack Of USB Mass Storage

Please read the links.

It's because the operating system resides on the volume so you can't just share the volume on the PC. Just like why you can't delete your windows folder with windows running because its in use.

If you need UMS you'll have to buy a phone with a microSD card slot "or a separate partition like Nexus S."

The problem with the lack of USB Mass Storage is that nearly every car made since 2010 has a USB port on it with a built-in MP3 player. Not being able to connect up your brand new phone to your car that you paid 20-30k for is sort of a ridiculous thing. There are plenty of other non-PC devices that accept USB ports. This was definitely something they should've made optional.
 
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