Second Android-Based Phone Announced 204
Rob Lazzurs writes "The second 'Google phone' has been announced. While this does from the first look seem like a nice device, I know I would miss the keyboard. However, I would expect given the issues with the first device, the question on most G1 users lips will be 'Is the battery life any better?'"
Update: 02/17 14:06 GMT by T : Reader Andrew Lim adds a link to CNet UK's hands-on pictures of HTC Magic including pictures of it next to a G1. Also on the upcoming cell phone front, reader Jack Spine writes "Dell is to launch a smartphone, according to AT&T chief Ralph de la Vega. Speaking at a Mobile World Congress panel discussion with Steve Ballmer, de la Vega said 'Dell announced they're entering the smartphone market,' — a bit of a slip, because Dell hasn't, yet." Update: 02/17 16:07 GMT by T : Now, according to Engadget, de la Vega says he was misquoted.
Re:Need a keyboard? (Score:3, Informative)
Am I the last person on Earth to use a phone as - I don't know - a god damn phone?
Nope, I use my G1 as a phone quite regularly. However, I see it more as a "communications device," rather than a phone.
I must admit, I've not had any problems with the battery life on the G1, especially after the last update or two (got mine with a rooted phone). Even with regular, fairly heavy (but not overly punishing) use I can go for over 24 hours without a charge which puts it between the iPhone and the BlackBerry Curve.
Still no standard 3.5mm headphone jack (Score:2, Informative)
I refuse to carry around a "dongle" to be able to use a good set of IEMs.
Re:How many does that make? (Score:4, Informative)
The 'second' was actually cancelled, and is back on the drawing board.
I know, because I had preordered it. Due to exchange rates, I'm down $10 because of it.
I ended up with a G1 instead. I'm quite happy with it.
Samsung and several others have also announced their intention to create such a phone, and approximate dates of release, but have not showcased the phones.
Re:lack of keyboard (Score:5, Informative)
What the fuck are you talking about? The G1 is the most solid smart phone I've ever had. Dropped this son of a bitch from 5 feet (obviously not on purpose) onto a sidewalk, and it handled it like a champ. Also, the most solid slider I've seen. I also don't get the whole battery complaint. If you leave the GPS and WiFi on, yeah it's going to be a battery hog. But I keep both off unless I need them and I get about 2-3 days of average use (internet and phone) before I have to charge it otherwise. And the fact that it charges through USB just makes it easy for me to charge it when I'm at work (family owned place that doesn't care what I hook up to the computer, lucky me).
If you want to legitimately complain about something about the G1, it's the horrible camera on the phone. The resolution is reasonable for a phone, but the performance on the camera (panning, zooming, focusing, etc) is the worst I've ever seen. Good thing I didn't buy it for the camera.
Re:Basic "smart" features often lacking (Score:2, Informative)
Well, the G1 has two of those three things you want, there. :D
The first one seems to be something that's more of a carrier thing, though.
Re:Need a keyboard? (Score:3, Informative)
The are plenty of phones you can buy which don't do anything other than phone and write texts. They often have great battery life and cost as little as $30 unlocked.
I use a Nokia 1110i and it has been all I needed. But I still understand why people might want something more.
Not for VZW (Score:1, Informative)
Ah, yet *another* clever phone that Verizon Wireless will ignore. The design is *WAY* to clever and useful to ever be allowed on *their* network. If the phone doesn't suck, they don't want it.
Re:lack of keyboard (Score:1, Informative)
I'm 6'4" and weigh 350lbs. I have zero problem typing on the iPhone. Took me a few days to get used to it, but now its no problem, and I use my thumbs to do the typing too. I'm as fast as I was with my Moto Q or blakberry 8830, actually more so.
Re:lack of keyboard (Score:3, Informative)
I guess I agree with you there, though I miss my old iPhone. My G1 seems like a Model T in comparison hardware-wise, but I don't think I can go back to the no-keyboard situation. My old eyes just don't work well enough to find those small keys.
I looked at all the photos of the new phone. Here's some insights from a G1 owner:
- The screen is *exactly* the same model. It's nice, but only 2.5". Every time I hold an iPhone, what really strikes me is that huge 3.5" screen.
- They *still* don't have a headset jack. This is possibly the dumbest lack of a feature ever in a smart phone, and they kept it! The non-standard headphones HTC ships suck, you have to have a bulky dongle to use anything else, and you can't charge while listening to music. Sucks, sucks, sucks!
- The camera lens appears larger, possibly meaning that HTC decided not to ruin all photos with a crap lens like on the G1. Of course, it could just be the same lens with a new style case.
- Being HTC, there's no way this phone has a bigger battery than the G1, and battery life will suck.
- The slot for the speaker looks identical the the G1. On the G1, it fills up with lint, and you can't hear calls when there's background noise, like while driving or at a restaurant (much to the pleasure of everyone else).
Until someone fixes the damned headphone issue, the speaker, the camera, and increases the screen size on an Android phone, I'll stick with my crappy G1.
Re:lack of keyboard (Score:3, Informative)
It's a matter of taste... I had exactly the opposite experience. Moving from Palms with chicklet keys to the iPhone took a little getting used to, but I'd never go back. With touch you get bigger buttons that adapt to what you're doing and you don't take any real estate away from the screen.
I have an ssh app for the iPhone that I use to check in on servers... It puts up a semi-transparent keyboard over the screen so that I can type and read at the same time. There are advantages to "soft" keyboards.