Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell.
How will this play out?
More at Onxo.
Showing posts with label evo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evo. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
What I Learned At T-Mobile Store: Vibrant And HSPA+
I went to the T-Mobile store today to check out the Samsung Vibrant. I'm still kind of on the fence about it. But while I was there I thought I'd share a few things the employees there shared with me regarding HSPA+ and what T-Mobile has planned for it.
Right now, the HSPA+ network is still being built out and my neighborhood just got upgraded in the last month (which of course means nothing to you). T-Mobile hopes to capitalize on the new network by offering data cards first for laptops where they can charge more for it.
Currently, there are no HSPA+ ready mobile devices. As you probably know, the Vibrant isn't HSPA+ ready and the T-Mobile folks at the store aren't sure when the devices will be out to support it. Well, as disappointed as I was, I really appreciate the honesty.
Then I came across this Boy Genius Report post updating T-Mobile's HSPA+ plan for the rest of the year:
Right now, the HSPA+ network is still being built out and my neighborhood just got upgraded in the last month (which of course means nothing to you). T-Mobile hopes to capitalize on the new network by offering data cards first for laptops where they can charge more for it.
Currently, there are no HSPA+ ready mobile devices. As you probably know, the Vibrant isn't HSPA+ ready and the T-Mobile folks at the store aren't sure when the devices will be out to support it. Well, as disappointed as I was, I really appreciate the honesty.
Then I came across this Boy Genius Report post updating T-Mobile's HSPA+ plan for the rest of the year:
- New "4G-like speed" network will cover 185 million users by the end of the year.
- webConnect Rocket USB stick will get a broader roll out soon.
- Dell Inspiron Mini 10 will be available in store so you can use it with the webConnect. I'm not sure why this is a big deal. Can't you use it with other laptops or netbooks?
- Provided a list of cities that are currently HSPA+ ready.
As for myself, I really liked what I saw in the Vibrant and features and capabilities that I had the opportunity to play with. I also asked the folks there about the battery life. Now, they're there to make a sale so you'll have to take what they say with a grain of salt. But they charge the Vibrant's battery overnight and it gets used and abused through the business hours by customers and it never needed an afternoon nap or anything like that.
If true, I'm impressed given what every is saying about Sprint's HTC EVO. Oh, and the Vibrant took great pics and videos for a handset. And playing "Avatar" on the 4" screen was absolutely incredible.
I'm on a budget so I'm not going to go back in there until later in August at the very earliest. Plus, I'm considering experiment going without wireless for a few months just to see how I adjust to a "normal" life. But from ten to fifteen minutes I spent with the Vibrant, you can't go wrong with it.
Also, if you go on the Web to read reviews and hand-ons, you'll notice a lot of folks company about the lack of an LED flash for the camera and a frontal facing camera for video conferencing. First, the vid chat. There is no official Android protocol from Google for this feature. Only Facetime from Apple works well from my experience. Fring does not come close. Vid chat is not going to take off for another year or two anyway.
But I can see the deal breaker being the lack of LED flash for the camera. I don't understand the omission. Other than that, the Vibrant lives up to its name.
More at BGR on the HSPA+ update.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Android 3.0: Improve Battery Life, Google
What good is a mobile device if being tethered to the wall socket or an USB port to the device charged? That's the question I ask myself in reading the review for the EVO and a lot of other Android devices.
In trying to compete with the iPhone and the rest of the smartphones in the market, developers like HTC and Motorola has beefed up specs for their top line and showcase devices. I'm all for that. Dave the Mobile Warrior appreciates it as well. But like me, Dave has been lamenting the fact that in using the EVO as a hotspot, it lasts a mere hour of use. Plus, he cannot believe how power hungry the EVO is.
As an Android fan, I'm likely to suggest that users turn off features and services that they don't need like live wall paper. But I like my wall paper and since I work in an office, hooking up my devices to the wall or charging through USB ports isn't a big deal. Then again, why should I have to worry about getting enough juice if I'm on the move?
I'm hoping that Google will provide a more robust solution for power management in this area. I'm a true mobile warrior in the sense that freedom from power sources and mobile computing doesn't involve compromising features to save power.
From time to time, bloggers and other tech avenues on the Web would offer means to extend battery life. Turning off Wi-Fi, dimming the screen, or just getting off 3G altogether when high speed wireless access is not needed. I hope Google and its partners will make those articles a thing of the past with Android 3.0. These battery saving articles only serve as a reminder of the shortcomings of the Android platform.
As a matter of fact, there are Android devices on the market that doesn't use a 4 inch screen but closer to 3.5 inch and uses slower processors instead of the top of the line 1Ghz processors and they seem to offer better battery life. But there is a trade off: some of the lower end devices might have the most recent Android OS but not all features will work.
And I should not have to compromise. So Google, please make an extra effort to insure that battery efficiency is just as much a priority as new Android feature.
In trying to compete with the iPhone and the rest of the smartphones in the market, developers like HTC and Motorola has beefed up specs for their top line and showcase devices. I'm all for that. Dave the Mobile Warrior appreciates it as well. But like me, Dave has been lamenting the fact that in using the EVO as a hotspot, it lasts a mere hour of use. Plus, he cannot believe how power hungry the EVO is.
As an Android fan, I'm likely to suggest that users turn off features and services that they don't need like live wall paper. But I like my wall paper and since I work in an office, hooking up my devices to the wall or charging through USB ports isn't a big deal. Then again, why should I have to worry about getting enough juice if I'm on the move?
I'm hoping that Google will provide a more robust solution for power management in this area. I'm a true mobile warrior in the sense that freedom from power sources and mobile computing doesn't involve compromising features to save power.
From time to time, bloggers and other tech avenues on the Web would offer means to extend battery life. Turning off Wi-Fi, dimming the screen, or just getting off 3G altogether when high speed wireless access is not needed. I hope Google and its partners will make those articles a thing of the past with Android 3.0. These battery saving articles only serve as a reminder of the shortcomings of the Android platform.
As a matter of fact, there are Android devices on the market that doesn't use a 4 inch screen but closer to 3.5 inch and uses slower processors instead of the top of the line 1Ghz processors and they seem to offer better battery life. But there is a trade off: some of the lower end devices might have the most recent Android OS but not all features will work.
And I should not have to compromise. So Google, please make an extra effort to insure that battery efficiency is just as much a priority as new Android feature.
Friday, June 4, 2010
HTC EVO: I'm Calling It, Get It Over Incredible, Droid, Nexus One
If you happen to live in an area where you've got good Sprint coverage, and if you're the lucky few, with WiMax access, you need to get the EVO if you're in the market for an Android device.
Right now, I'd even recommend it over the iPhone 3GS. Though as a fan of both Android and the iPhone, if you can wait until what Steve Jobs has to say on Monday, wait.
But you definitely can't go wrong with the EVO. I do think you should get a second battery as one isn't going to be enough.
Another reason why the EVO with Sprint is would be a brilliant move. Recently, ATT did itself a disservice by killing off the unlimited data plan. While that might appeal to some users to save $5 a month, most mobile warriors I know will be severely limited by the 2GB limit. Even if it's an Android device from ATT.
Having said that, Sprint's plans are still unlimited and allows the EVO to serve as a mobile hotspot. You really cannot go wrong with that.
Also I recommend getting it at Best Buy or another location that has done away with the $100 rebate and offers the EVO to you for $199 straight up. No nonsense about waiting for the rebate check.
Yes, get the EVO over the Droid (lame keyboard), Nexus One (dated now), and the Incredible.
Right now, I'd even recommend it over the iPhone 3GS. Though as a fan of both Android and the iPhone, if you can wait until what Steve Jobs has to say on Monday, wait.
But you definitely can't go wrong with the EVO. I do think you should get a second battery as one isn't going to be enough.
Another reason why the EVO with Sprint is would be a brilliant move. Recently, ATT did itself a disservice by killing off the unlimited data plan. While that might appeal to some users to save $5 a month, most mobile warriors I know will be severely limited by the 2GB limit. Even if it's an Android device from ATT.
Having said that, Sprint's plans are still unlimited and allows the EVO to serve as a mobile hotspot. You really cannot go wrong with that.
Also I recommend getting it at Best Buy or another location that has done away with the $100 rebate and offers the EVO to you for $199 straight up. No nonsense about waiting for the rebate check.
Yes, get the EVO over the Droid (lame keyboard), Nexus One (dated now), and the Incredible.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sprint To Charge $5 For Video Calls? How Not To Stop Momentum
The HTC EVO from Sprint, based on Android obviously, is one of the most anticipated mobile devices on the market this summer.
It not only matches other devices feature for feature, it is the first commercially available 4G phone. On top of that, it has a frontal camera just waiting to use that 4G bandwidth. And guess what?
It's going to cost $5 more a month for users to chat via video using Qik. Add insult to injury, you'll have to set up a separate account with Paypal, not with your regular Sprint account.
Here's the question. Not "why". Sprint, are you out of your freaking mind?! You're suppose to make it easier for people use the phone and access the features. At the very very least, allow people to charge it to their Sprint account.
Heck, why not use Google's Checkout? Just about everyone who uses an Android device has a Google account for mail. It'll be easier than setting up a Paypal account.
It's not a major stumbling block but it may be enough of a hinderance for people to avoid using people. Hope that Google will quickly bring video to Gtalk.
Phone Arena did mention that Fring will be offering video chat for free. I think people will opt for this rather than setting up a Qik account, then setting up a Paypal account, and paying $5 for a game changing feature.
Plus, my experience with Fring hasn't been all that great. Come on, Sprint, do something.
More at Phone Arena.
It not only matches other devices feature for feature, it is the first commercially available 4G phone. On top of that, it has a frontal camera just waiting to use that 4G bandwidth. And guess what?
It's going to cost $5 more a month for users to chat via video using Qik. Add insult to injury, you'll have to set up a separate account with Paypal, not with your regular Sprint account.
Here's the question. Not "why". Sprint, are you out of your freaking mind?! You're suppose to make it easier for people use the phone and access the features. At the very very least, allow people to charge it to their Sprint account.
Heck, why not use Google's Checkout? Just about everyone who uses an Android device has a Google account for mail. It'll be easier than setting up a Paypal account.
It's not a major stumbling block but it may be enough of a hinderance for people to avoid using people. Hope that Google will quickly bring video to Gtalk.
Phone Arena did mention that Fring will be offering video chat for free. I think people will opt for this rather than setting up a Qik account, then setting up a Paypal account, and paying $5 for a game changing feature.
Plus, my experience with Fring hasn't been all that great. Come on, Sprint, do something.
More at Phone Arena.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sprint's HTC EVO Can't Chew Gum & Walk At the Same Time
There's bad news folks. When Sprint debuted the EVO at last week's CTIA conference, there was drool in front of every computer of every blogger and reader who were following the event.
Frontal camera. Running the latest Android version. And more importantly, it does WiMax. In the US, Sprint and Clearwire are the only one operating a viable semi-national 4G network.
But alas, while the EVO is a brilliant mobile device, there are some bad news.
The EVO can only make a call or surf the Web but it cannot do both. HTC said “If you’re using 4G for data, you can’t use CDMA for voice. Currently the only way to do simultaneous voice and data would be through a third-party VOIP solution. However, this is not due to strict hardware limitations, so it’s possible this could change with future updates.”
Since, HTC qualified the situation with the possibility that a fix is possible, I honestly wouldn't hold my breath. If you need to be able to make a call and look up things on the Internet wirelessly, the EVO isn't for you. It certainly isn't for me. I don't know if a fix would be forthcoming and I think Sprint and HTC would rather sell you an upgraded version than offer a feature that should have been available to begin with.
Anyway, I'm sure if there is a lot of concern about this, Sprint and HTC will work something out.
Source: Android Community.
Frontal camera. Running the latest Android version. And more importantly, it does WiMax. In the US, Sprint and Clearwire are the only one operating a viable semi-national 4G network.
But alas, while the EVO is a brilliant mobile device, there are some bad news.
The EVO can only make a call or surf the Web but it cannot do both. HTC said “If you’re using 4G for data, you can’t use CDMA for voice. Currently the only way to do simultaneous voice and data would be through a third-party VOIP solution. However, this is not due to strict hardware limitations, so it’s possible this could change with future updates.”
Since, HTC qualified the situation with the possibility that a fix is possible, I honestly wouldn't hold my breath. If you need to be able to make a call and look up things on the Internet wirelessly, the EVO isn't for you. It certainly isn't for me. I don't know if a fix would be forthcoming and I think Sprint and HTC would rather sell you an upgraded version than offer a feature that should have been available to begin with.
Anyway, I'm sure if there is a lot of concern about this, Sprint and HTC will work something out.
Source: Android Community.
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