HTC Droid Eris
Just ordered the Eris and now I'm wondering...
how much different is Android 1.5 from 2.0? I hated the look of the Droid, so that was a dealbreaker. The Eris is just so sexy and sleek. But I'm wondering if I'm missing out by not getting the phone with 2.0. Any thoughts?
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In my opinion, HTC's Sense interface more than makes up for it. It adds so many things Android 1.5 is missing... even more than Android 2.0. I would describe Android 1.5 + HTC Sense as feeling like Android 5.0.
The one big thing Android 2.0 has is the free turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps. If you could use a navigation system for your car (and don't have one already) then that's a big deal. Otherwise, I don't think you're missing much.
Besides, I imagine there will be a 2.0 update for the Eris before too long.
The one big thing Android 2.0 has is the free turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps. If you could use a navigation system for your car (and don't have one already) then that's a big deal. Otherwise, I don't think you're missing much.
Besides, I imagine there will be a 2.0 update for the Eris before too long.
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I use an HTC Magic, 1.5 is fine, and use it regularly, I seen an Eris yesterday, and find it to be one find device. And the Moto Droid was excellent too.
But not a VZW customer, and its not worth it to me to switch. Good luck with your eris.
But not a VZW customer, and its not worth it to me to switch. Good luck with your eris.
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I completely agree with Rich here ...
I was actually afraid of getting segmented into this place where I was used to Sense and would end up wanting a phone that didn't include it. Because of this, and this alone, I got the DROID. I don't like the external keyboard on the DROID, and the internal one is not as good as the Sense version on the Eris. I simply wanted a stock UI experience on a 2.0 device with better specs.
Unfortunately, my first DROID was a bad unit. It either had bad memory or a bad install or something. It crashed every few minutes and would hard reset when I wasn't doing anything. I was going to try to reinstall it, but I couldn't find the ROM on the Motorola site anywhere. This frustrated me since HTC is very go...
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I was actually afraid of getting segmented into this place where I was used to Sense and would end up wanting a phone that didn't include it. Because of this, and this alone, I got the DROID. I don't like the external keyboard on the DROID, and the internal one is not as good as the Sense version on the Eris. I simply wanted a stock UI experience on a 2.0 device with better specs.
Unfortunately, my first DROID was a bad unit. It either had bad memory or a bad install or something. It crashed every few minutes and would hard reset when I wasn't doing anything. I was going to try to reinstall it, but I couldn't find the ROM on the Motorola site anywhere. This frustrated me since HTC is very go...
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You are so right. This phone is awesome. I don't find there are any drawbacks at all. No complaints!! 😁
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Since HTC uses their own UI (Sense UI) for their Android based devices, HTC's own distribution of Android 1.5 varies from Android 1.5 itself. A lot of people feel HTC adds a lot of value to Android 1.5, bringing a lot of it up to date to the level of 2.0, and in some cases beyond 2.0. Supposedly Android 2.0 had some performance improvements.
However, bear in mind that HTC's Android 1.5 is still Android 1.5 underneath the hood. Apps can be developed to Android 2.0 and require it, making them not work in Android 1.5. Most of the changes between Android 1.5 and 2.0 are under the hood, so that's where it will matter.
HTC IS working on updating Sense UI to work on Android 2.0, and has stated it will be released for the HTC Hero and Droid Er...
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However, bear in mind that HTC's Android 1.5 is still Android 1.5 underneath the hood. Apps can be developed to Android 2.0 and require it, making them not work in Android 1.5. Most of the changes between Android 1.5 and 2.0 are under the hood, so that's where it will matter.
HTC IS working on updating Sense UI to work on Android 2.0, and has stated it will be released for the HTC Hero and Droid Er...
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I'm thinking that the release is scheduled for late December or late January. As far as the device using 1.5 right now, I don't mind, since - as Nimdae mentioned - it's inevitable that Eris receive an update to 2.0. For me, the Eris was a lot more responsive. I used the Moto Droid for about five minutes before it locked up and needed a soft reset.
It's clearly evident to me that HTC is taking optimization a lot more seriously, and that's the reason why 2.0 isn't on Eris yet. They're making sure that it works properly with Sense UI before just throwing something out.
What's amusing about the Moto Droid is how many people seem to gravitate toward it due to Android 2.0 (which Eris WILL have later), full QWERTY keyboard (which gets slammed...
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It's clearly evident to me that HTC is taking optimization a lot more seriously, and that's the reason why 2.0 isn't on Eris yet. They're making sure that it works properly with Sense UI before just throwing something out.
What's amusing about the Moto Droid is how many people seem to gravitate toward it due to Android 2.0 (which Eris WILL have later), full QWERTY keyboard (which gets slammed...
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While the Droid Eris does feel smoother, bear in mind the processor in it will make it suffer still. Supposedly video recording and playback is not very good on the Droid Eris, but works great on the MotoDroid. I haven't had a chance to check that claim out yet. My old phone did great with video recording and playback so it would be a huge letdown if that was a problem with the Droid Eris.
Just something to consider. I'm sure the slower CPU would affect other things. So far, though, I haven't actually seen it impact anything too badly.
Just something to consider. I'm sure the slower CPU would affect other things. So far, though, I haven't actually seen it impact anything too badly.
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I've honestly never tried capturing a video yet, but the playback is very, very smooth on the Eris, regardless of whether I'm watching videos on YouTube or launching them from other Web sites. Also, I've noticed in reviews from various sources that the camera performance on the Eris is far better than that of the Moto Droid. As I stated before, higher specs don't matter if time wasn't taken to optimize the applications for the device.
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Well, as I had mentioned, I hadn't actually tested it, just saw the claim. In any case, I experienced youtube playback for the first time yesterday and it was actually pretty good once I set it to play back in high quality mode.
I have a couple videos I need to convert and copy to my Eris and I will really test it out then with something of much better quality. As for video recording, I haven't really felt a need to try it yet.
The flaws people tend to point out seem to be more FUD the more I actually use my Eris. However, the flaw concerning app quality and availability is strongly apparent.
I have a couple videos I need to convert and copy to my Eris and I will really test it out then with something of much better quality. As for video recording, I haven't really felt a need to try it yet.
The flaws people tend to point out seem to be more FUD the more I actually use my Eris. However, the flaw concerning app quality and availability is strongly apparent.
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Same here with the video recording. I just don't do it very often, so I have yet to even give it a try on my Eris.
And yes, there are a lot of inaccuracies floating around about the Eris (or Android, for that matter). As far as app quality and availability, you'll find that the quality differs every bit as much in the iPhone app store. When you sift through the junk that many developers submit for either platform, you'll find that they're pretty even in certain respects.
My only real beef is that certain apps are nearly useless on certain Android devices, as too many developers rely on only one or two forms of input, rather than supporting all of the various input types (i.e. keyboard, touch screen, trackball, etc.) that're available o...
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And yes, there are a lot of inaccuracies floating around about the Eris (or Android, for that matter). As far as app quality and availability, you'll find that the quality differs every bit as much in the iPhone app store. When you sift through the junk that many developers submit for either platform, you'll find that they're pretty even in certain respects.
My only real beef is that certain apps are nearly useless on certain Android devices, as too many developers rely on only one or two forms of input, rather than supporting all of the various input types (i.e. keyboard, touch screen, trackball, etc.) that're available o...
(continues)
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Google Maps Navigation Now Works On Android 1.6
Today, 1:18 PM by Eric M. Zeman
Today Google announced that the Google Maps Navigation -- the software if first provided only to devices running Android 2.0 -- is available to devices running Android 1.6. Google Maps Navigation offers free turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions between two points. Google Maps Navigation for Android 1.6 also offers support for more layers. The new application is available for free in the Android Market to customers in the U.S.
Today, 1:18 PM by Eric M. Zeman
Today Google announced that the Google Maps Navigation -- the software if first provided only to devices running Android 2.0 -- is available to devices running Android 1.6. Google Maps Navigation offers free turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions between two points. Google Maps Navigation for Android 1.6 also offers support for more layers. The new application is available for free in the Android Market to customers in the U.S.
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