Any idea why they wouldn't let customers use the headsets they already have?
Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
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Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
I really want Google and Android to succeed, esp. against the iPhone, but I'm just not seeing it in these devices - the scrolling isn't instantaneously responsive as it is on the iPhone, the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone... this just isn't going to cut it. And a proprietary headset? Really?
I am really interested to see where Andriod devices go in the marketplace. I really like my iPhone but would happily consider an Android phone if it offered the same level of hardware/software integration and polish of operating system I enjoy with the iPhone. I think the biggest struggle for Google may be providing that experience since they do not manufacture the hardware.
If Mac, Windows and Linux are anything to go by, no one else will really make something quite as nice as the iPhone. What they will do is make things that are good enough looking, open enough, and diverse enough, that they will grab segments of the market that Apple will never even go after. That's my hope at least, I'm just not interested in being locked into Apple's world. And the fact that Android is open source is seriously cool for people who want to really do interesting things.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#13>> The touchscreen HTC Magic will feature a 3.2 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but no slide-out keyboard Is there any further information on what technology they'll be using for their keyboard? I'm hoping someone will use the Swype stuff.
I thought it was the Cupcake's update soft keyboard. There were a couple of leaked videos about this I think...
It was, but there is no reason you can't swap out the keyboard, the os supports it. Some carriers will want alternative IMEs, after all.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#14Mobile phones were a solved problem. You can buy a almost indestructible low-end Nokia or SonyErricson that's small, will make clear phone calls, pair with a bluetooth headset, has a keypad sufficiently good for sms, and a battery that lasts the better part of a week - all for less that $100. Remember when phones used to be big, fragile... we waited so long for them to get better! And the did, eventually, then it was…
Idk I'm very happy with T-Mobile's G1, and I'm not even in 3g coverage. Regardless the speeds I get are at least 2times faster then the '3g' I had with Sprint. Very happy with T-Mobile.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
I thought it was the Cupcake's update soft keyboard. There were a couple of leaked videos about this I think...
It was, but there is no reason you can't swap out the keyboard, the os supports it. Some carriers will want alternative IMEs, after all.
Yes, from http://source.android.com/roadmap :
Q1 2009
Input method framework (IMF)
This feature will enable support for input methods other than physical
keyboards, for example soft keyboards. IMF will also enable application
developers to provide IME (see below) applications based on the framework.
Input method engines (IME)
IME will support soft keyboards, a dictionary of suggestions, and a
suggestion algorithm. The Android platform may contain a few reference IMEs,
and developers can provide IME applications through the Android Market.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#16Any idea why they wouldn't let customers use the headsets they already have?
A comment on HN a while back suggested that Apple had asked Google not to use a standard jack for controlling the phone. Apparently one of the google execs is connected to apple.
It's fuzzy but I think it's at least plausible that they didn't do it to lock customers down or out.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#17Video here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/17/htc-magic-first-eyes-on/ Although the phone does not have the most impressive hardware specs, it's nice to see a powerful company like Vodafone show support for Android. (FWIW, Vodafone has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but Verizon, which owns the other 55%, is not part of Google's Open Handset Alliance.)
I really want Google and Android to succeed, esp. against the iPhone, but I'm just not seeing it in these devices - the scrolling isn't instantaneously responsive as it is on the iPhone, the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone... this just isn't going to cut it. And a proprietary headset? Really?
It's a non-standard port, but you can use standard headsets with an adapter (which T-Mobile is now distributing with the phone). It's an HTC thing, not an Android thing; HTC did the same on their Windows Mobile devices.
I'm not sure what to make of "the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone"... Is the problem that it's too similar to the iPhone or that it's not similar enough?
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#18Video here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/17/htc-magic-first-eyes-on/ Although the phone does not have the most impressive hardware specs, it's nice to see a powerful company like Vodafone show support for Android. (FWIW, Vodafone has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but Verizon, which owns the other 55%, is not part of Google's Open Handset Alliance.)
I really want Google and Android to succeed, esp. against the iPhone, but I'm just not seeing it in these devices - the scrolling isn't instantaneously responsive as it is on the iPhone, the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone... this just isn't going to cut it. And a proprietary headset? Really?
And a proprietary headset? Really?
As far as Android "succeeding" against the iPhone, I am not sure that it will in the near term-- and I am not even sure that it matters. However, I think it will succeed against every other phone OS, and rapidly at that.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#19Will Google phones catch up with iPhones in popularity?
They may not be able to "beat" Apple, but I think they have a good chance of moving forward rapidly in the phone OS market.
N amount of phones released for a variety of demographics and lifestyles from different carriers. Their chances don't seem that bad
I don't own an Android based phone, but I can see myself owning one in the next 1-2 years because of this exact reason.
Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled
#20Any idea why they wouldn't let customers use the headsets they already have?
I'm not sure if this is why, but this way, the headphone jack is the same as the recharging jack, so there is one less hole in the device.