question about notifications

heycal · Sep 16, 2014

Is the Maxx really about the same size as the G2? It didn't feel too big in the store the other day, whereas I remember the G2 feeling big when I handled one several months back. Unfortunately there was no G2 in the store the other day, so I couldn't directly compare them. (G3 is definitely too big for me, so I'm not interested in that phone.)

If they really are the same size and feel that way in the hand, is there a good argument to go with the Maxx over the G2?

doogald · Sep 16, 2014

heycal said:
What is the interval between flash/pulse times?

It changes. A few seconds when it first starts pulsing, then progressively longer between pulses.

heycal said:
Is the Maxx really about the same size as the G2?

Almost exactly the same. See LG G2 vs. Motorola DROID Maxx - GSMArena.com

If they really are the same size and feel that way in the hand, is there a good argument to go with the Maxx over the G2?

Only you can answer that. I've never used a G2, so I can't say for sure. I believe that battery life is about the same, the camera on the G2 is better, the Maxx is probably more likely to get the next release of Android sooner, the Maxx has some of those touchless control and assist features - the ability to have the phone read a received text message while you drive, allow you to voice compose a reply, or choose to answer a call with a voice prompt while you drive - that the G2 may require some battery-draining apps to match. The G2 definitely has more up-to-date hardware specs compared with the Maxx.

But, that's about all I know about the G2...

heycal · Sep 16, 2014

doogald said:
Only you can answer that. I've never used a G2, so I can't say for sure. I believe that battery life is about the same, the camera on the G2 is better, the Maxx is probably more likely to get the next release of Android sooner, the Maxx has some of those touchless control and assist features - the ability to have the phone read a received text message while you drive, allow you to voice compose a reply, or choose to answer a call with a voice prompt while you drive - that the G2 may require some battery-draining apps to match. The G2 definitely has more up-to-date hardware specs compared with the Maxx.

But, that's about all I know about the G2...

Thanks. They both sound nice.

heycal · Sep 16, 2014

doogald said:
It changes. A few seconds when it first starts pulsing, then progressively longer between pulses.

Sounds like one could be spending quite a while staring at the phone.:secruity:

doogald · Sep 17, 2014

heycal said:
Sounds like one could be spending quite a while staring at the phone.:secruity:

When you pick it up, nudge it enough, flip it over, etc., when active display is off, it immediately turns on.

Or, as I said, "OK Google now, what's up?" will immediately respond.

So, no, unless you really want to stare at it.

Frankly, it seems this phone is not for you (though it does have better "far away" notifications than the iPhone). I'd say go for the G2, or maybe reconsider the HTC One. It's about 3/8 of an inch longer than the Maxx but less wide.

Outatime · Sep 17, 2014

doogald said:
When you pick it up, nudge it enough, flip it over, etc., when active display is off, it immediately turns on.

Since 4.4.4 you can wave your hand over the proximity sensor too which is pretty cool.

heycal · Sep 17, 2014

doogald said:
When you pick it up, nudge it enough, flip it over, etc., when active display is off, it immediately turns on.

Or, as I said, "OK Google now, what's up?" will immediately respond.

So, no, unless you really want to stare at it.

Frankly, it seems this phone is not for you (though it does have better "far away" notifications than the iPhone). I'd say go for the G2, or maybe reconsider the HTC One. It's about 3/8 of an inch longer than the Maxx but less wide.

Outatime said:
Since 4.4.4 you can wave your hand over the proximity sensor too which is pretty cool.

If I have to take an action of any kind, be it waving, flipping, touching, or talking, it's about equivalent to what I have to do now with my iphone -- take an action of some kind -- and that's what I'm trying to get away from. I want my phone to get my attention instead of the other way around.

So no, this phone may not be for me. I looked at the HTC One the other day, but it just seems so huge. I'm looking for a phone, not a device that can double as the starting center for the New York Knicks. So until further investigation, the G2 seems to be the leading non-iPhone contender.

Kevin-B · Sep 17, 2014

I think you probably won't like this phone. I happen to love it, and I really like a lot about the Active Display or whatever they call this notification system. But I do find it annoying that I have to stare at my phone for far too many seconds to see if there's any notification, or reach out and jiggle it. I'm used to it now, and it's OK. (I do like that once I have the phone in hand, I can press on the notification screen and get an instant summary of the email or text without turning the phone on. Great when in a conversation or meeting.)

If you want a truly passive signal that's available the instant you look at it, the Droid Maxx simply does not have that capacity. It's a terrific phone in many ways, but it isn't all things to all people. Walk away and find something that meets your requirements.

doogald · Sep 17, 2014

Outatime said:
Since 4.4.4 you can wave your hand over the proximity sensor too which is pretty cool.

Not on my Maxx. [EDIT: It does on my Maxx, after all. See my post below...]

Thom · Sep 18, 2014

Hand over proximity sensor works for me on 4.4.4.

... Thom

SNeitzel · Sep 18, 2014

Works for me as well, but not if the MAXX is on the TYLT charger.

doogald · Sep 18, 2014

Thom said:
Hand over proximity sensor works for me on 4.4.4.

... Thom

SNeitzel said:
Works for me as well, but not if the MAXX is on the TYLT charger.

Ok, it's working for me today, but it didn't do anything last night when I tested it. I'd let the phone sit for a while, watched the "breathing" rate, and passed my hand over the prox sensor just after it stopped breathing, when I knew the icon would not show again for a while. Nothing.

But, now it's working.

Perhaps it was just a lighting issue last night, or just a temporary glitch? Don't know.

Thom · Sep 18, 2014

I found that my hand needs to be pretty close (a few inches) from the sensor.

(Prior to this thread I didn't know it was an option.)

... Thom

Outatime · Sep 18, 2014

It seems to get disabled when you're in driving mode too.

miltk · Sep 18, 2014

Outatime said:
The Maxx's Active Notification will "breath" (slowly comes on, slowly fades out) every few seconds when you have a message/email/whatever. This happens right on the screen, so there's no dedicated light. Additionally, if you touch the phone or wave your hand over the proximity sensor, it will cause it to display your notifications.

regarding this. my maxx 4.4.4 does not have any notification at all. no light, no "breathing on/fade out" on the screen. am i supposed to enable this notification alert?

Thom · Sep 18, 2014

Settings | Active Display | Active Display

... Thom

miltk · Sep 18, 2014

yeah, i caught it, thom. thanks. i was coming backing to post a "nevermind".

Thom · Sep 18, 2014

Outatime said:
It seems to get disabled when you're in driving mode too.

I just discovered that it is disabled if it is not horizontal. Perhaps that's the cause.

... Thom

SNeitzel · Sep 19, 2014

Nice find. I assumed it was a charging thing with the TYLT that prevented it from turning on but this explains things much better.

Thom · Sep 19, 2014

I frequently have it in front of me on a table in a meeting. I always teak it to find the time (the other person can be very observant of you checking your watch).

I never knew anything about this improvement until this thread.

I can now just pass over the Maxx (reaching for something) and the time appears without me apparently doing anything.

Great.

... Thom

question about notifications

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