I love you HTC

[jnm2.0t]

My Thundebolt is a pos, the random shut downs are out of control and there's no apparent fix anywhere on the future, doesn't even look like they really know what the issue is. Don't need much in the way of a phone, could care less about MP, processors, etc. etc. Just want to get on e-mail, maps, weather, strava, decent video for the kiddo, etc..

So I'm looking for a new phone. My options seem to be

Samsung Galaxy S3 - seems massive size wise, certainly don't need all the bells and whistles.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus - more in line with what I'd actually use but it's older if I'm not mistaken
Droid 4 - not looking for a slide out
Droid Razr - again probably more features than I need and larger than my HTC
iphone - no

One thing that irritated me to no end is all the garbage installed on the HTC, do Samsung or Motorola come with less?

[joe97]

If possible, you should try them all, especially those on your short list. Sorry to hear about your phone issue.

With regards to the Galaxy S3, I had intiallly worried about the size factor, but after a few weeks of usuage, the size is actually perfect for everyday tasks, especially when I am on the run.

(The above has been posted from the Galaxy S3 in super fast 4G LTE speed and screen rotation )

[GahannaKid]

Your phone list seems overly advanced for someone that claims to not care about a lot of bells and whistles and such. I'm thinking you're on Verizon based on the phones you listed so I'd recommend getting a Nexus (just make sure it's a pure Nexus device, because not even all Nexus devices get updates).

[JaredC01]

If you're wanting a phone with less BS, go for the Galaxy Nexus. It's literally a no-add-ons AOSP phone.

With that said, you can more than likely extend the life of your phone by unlocking the bootloader and flashing a new ROM without the bloatware.

Back to the Nexus though, it's a great phone, and while it is a bit older than the Galaxy S3, it's still about on par, with the main differences being the screen size (4.65 on the Nexus vs 4.8 in the Galaxy S3), the processor (1.2 GHz on the Nexus, and 1.5 GHz on the S3), and the battery (1650? mAh on the Nexus vs 2100? mAh on the S3).

If you're tired of the bloatware, either go for the Nexus that will NEVER have it, or go the bootloader unlock for your current phone.

Edit: Also, interesting fun fact... The Thunderbolt was the first CDMA phone that allows simultaneous voice and data streaming due to the use of two radios (the LTE radio had a 3g radio as well).

Sent from my EVO 4G LTE using Tapatalk 2.

[joe97]

Your phone list seems overly advanced for someone that claims to not care about a lot of bells and whistles and such. I'm thinking you're on Verizon based on the phones you listed so I'd recommend getting a Nexus (just make sure it's a pure Nexus device, because not even all Nexus devices get updates).

I don't think Verizon has the Nexus...

[jnm2.0t]

I don't think Verizon has the Nexus...

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...edPhoneId=5801

[joe97]

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...edPhoneId=5801

Thanks

Color me surprised.

And it looks like Verizon has just lowered the price of the phone to $99 on a two-year contract

[Jesse]

Root your phone and flash a 4.0 based ROM. Easy, free. The hardware is still plenty capable, and I suspect your issues are software based. Android 4.0+ is very stable.

[jnm2.0t]

Root your phone and flash a 4.0 based ROM. Easy, free. The hardware is still plenty capable, and I suspect your issues are software based. Android 4.0+ is very stable.

Directions? I know what rooting means but the rest is greek (or geek?!) to me.

[Jesse]

I'll post some links when I get home tonight

[jnm2.0t]

I'll post some links when I get home tonight

Thanks! It has to be completely fool proof, if you start talking anything at all technical I will break something.

[GSTGuy]

Or get an iPhone. Foolproof to the max.

[jnm2.0t]

Or get an iPhone. Foolproof to the max.

...

iphone - no

[GSTGuy]

You want it to be completely foolproof. It's easier to break an open system. None of the software in those phones you want will solve your problems since it's likely software related if no one can fix your current situation and they haven't recommended actually repairing / fixing your physical device.

For what you need and want, the iPhone is the simplest solution. The closed environment works and keeps it simple. Unlocking bootloaders and rooting and messing with ROMs are a good way to break your expensive email retriever.

[jnm2.0t]

I'm not getting an iphone.

[Jesse]

jnm2.0t, have you tried performing a factory reset?

[GahannaKid]

I'm not getting an iphone.

The one on Verizon isn't the greatest, but you may want to check out their Windows Phone offering. It does all the things a phone should do quite well like e-mail, video, music, etc. The stock turn by turn navigation is just enough to get you by but not nearly as good as Andriods stock offering (though there are some good alternatives). You might just like it as it's a rock solid OS and dirt cheap.

[Vision33r]

My Thundebolt is a pos, the random shut downs are out of control and there's no apparent fix anywhere on the future, doesn't even look like they really know what the issue is. Don't need much in the way of a phone, could care less about MP, processors, etc. etc. Just want to get on e-mail, maps, weather, strava, decent video for the kiddo, etc..

Hate to say it but based on your complaints, the only phone there is that will solve all your problem really is the phone that start with the i.

Every Android phone requires tinkering and adjustment out of box, that's a fact. As for shutdowns and fixes there are no carrier and vendor that you can just walk in and have it fix for you right.

For iPhones, you got problems? Take it to Apple Store and it's fixed for you. No Verizon or ATT store will serve you right and very few even keep up with the amount of changes with Android.
I mentioned Jelly Bean update and the sales agent at VZ have no clue what I just said.

You said you don't care about MP, processors, and just want to get email and maps.. That right there is the ideal iPhone buyer.

[joe97]

The one on Verizon isn't the greatest, but you may want to check out their Windows Phone offering. It does all the things a phone should do quite well like e-mail, video, music, etc. The stock turn by turn navigation is just enough to get you by but not nearly as good as Andriods stock offering (though there are some good alternatives). You might just like it as it's a rock solid OS and dirt cheap.

Agreed - I had came close to getting a Win7 phone. Also BBs are still very good, especially for emails (duh); other needs can be easily solved by apps (i.e. Google Maps). I have owned numerous BBs before jumping ship recently.

[jnm2.0t]

jnm2.0t, have you tried performing a factory reset?

I havent because i was hesitant to erase everything, but am willing to try it. Am I right in that mounting it as a disk drive and copying everything into a folder on my desktop will at least let me reload all the photos, etc?

Every Android phone requires tinkering and adjustment out of box, that's a fact. As for shutdowns and fixes there are no carrier and vendor that you can just walk in and have it fix for you right.

I refuse to believe that the carriers, handset companies, and Google are all selling something that doesn't work out of the box. It may be super customizable to people in the know that want to, but it has to work on its own.

[syntrix]

I'd stay away from samsung and apple if voice quality is even remotely important to you.

Go with a razr maxx.... wait, go try 'em out and see what works for YOU.

One thing is a given, android is so much easier than an ipod to use, it doesn't require any tweaking out of the box.... unlike an ipod which requires special cables, software and a lot of tweaking.

On another note, the super apple fanboi at work bought a galaxy s3 and is LOVING it.

[JaredC01]

I havent because i was hesitant to erase everything, but am willing to try it. Am I right in that mounting it as a disk drive and copying everything into a folder on my desktop will at least let me reload all the photos, etc?

Factory reset won't wipe your SD card / storage, just everything inside the android OS. You'll have to reinstall everything, but you won't lose your pictures, and downloads, and etc.

Sent from my EVO 4G LTE using Tapatalk 2.

[syntrix]

Factory reset won't wipe your SD card / storage, just everything inside the android OS. You'll have to reinstall everything, but you won't lose your pictures, and downloads, and etc.

Sent from my EVO 4G LTE using Tapatalk 2.

Factory reset WILL wipe your internal storage if you select it! Always good to do a backup of the SD AND use an app to backup your txt messages if you want them retained.

You can always do a simple adb command to back it all up, but that's not a guarantee that it will all restore, and you could restore a problem that was there before.

[jnm2.0t]

Hey what gives... some mod changed the title to I love you HTC... so lame.

[vwconvert]

Unless you are over 60, I don't think Androids are so hard to use that you have to have an iPhone even if you are not tech savvy. My wife never used a smartphone and her first phone was a 2.2 Froyo device which is one of the ****tier Android versions. She did just fine on it and has no clue what rooting is. And she has no interest in an iPhone. The new Android 4.0 on all the phones you mentioned is way simpler and smoother than Froyo. I personally think it's just as easy as iOS out of the box. You will be fine.

The only real benefit of an iPhone is if you are borderline tech retarded, you can attend iPhone special education courses at an Apple store. If you need that, then that's when you should go iPhone.

[joe97]

On another note, the super apple fanboi at work bought a galaxy s3 and is LOVING it.

No way! Apple fanatic got something other than an i[insert product name]

[offtopic rant] Whenever I use public transportation in NYC, it seems 9 out of 10 (or more) riders use an iPhone. How do I know? Almost everyone has them out in the open and people wonder why cell phone thefts in the area involve almost exclusively iPhones [/offtopic rant]

[syntrix]

No way! Apple fanatic got something other than an i[insert product name]

I know! He was actually asking me a lot of android questions, and he seemed VERY pleased with the outcome so far. I did quiz him on basic questions like ease of use, play store, etc... He's thrilled.... again, he was probably the most apple fanatic in the building!

/not.every.building.will.be.like.this.example.or.fa nboi.dotted.posting.of.new.invented.dotted.words.t hat.exploded.on.apple.forums.in.the.past

[syntrix]

Hey what gives... some mod changed the title to I love you HTC... so lame.

Used to be that email repliers gave you the full word, but I got \*\*\*\* before it was changed, aka 4 stars.

Did you use \*\*\*\*, or did you originally create the topic with the real censored word?

[syntrix]

The only real benefit of an iPhone is if you are borderline tech retarded, you can attend iPhone special education courses at an Apple store. If you need that, then that's when you should go iPhone.

I like that statement! I usually spin it another way that's positive, but the truth does leak out from time to time. Even grandparents are getting tech savvy these days and buying up android left and right. Most of them HATE the tiny iphone screen.

[jnm2.0t]

At any rate, backed everything up and did the factory reboot. Early results seem positive, been using it a lot and no shut downs yet. Will slowly add back my apps and see if any make it go haywire.

[AZGolf]

Unless you are over 60, I don't think Androids are so hard to use that you have to have an iPhone even if you are not tech savvy.

My mom is 64 years old now and called me from her car a few months ago to confirm that she successfully set up the Bluetooth hands free in her Santa Fe. If my 64-year old mom who works about as far away from the technology field as it gets can not only figure out her Samsung Galaxy but sync up the BT to her car by doing nothing but checking the manual, I should hope that says something about how far technology has come in getting user friendly.

[Vision33r]

I refuse to believe that the carriers, handset companies, and Google are all selling something that doesn't work out of the box. It may be super customizable to people in the know that want to, but it has to work on its own.

In order for carriers to meet the demand and delivery dates, most of these Android installs by carriers and OEMs are rigged with bloat and unnecessary apps.

CarrierIQ is a good example, carriers installed this hidden app to monitor your usage and it got caught. It's not removeable unless you flash your device.

I flash every android device I own except for the Asus TF Prime which is better left stock and rooted.

[jnm2.0t]

In order for carriers to meet the demand and delivery dates, most of these Android installs by carriers and OEMs are rigged with bloat and unnecessary apps.

CarrierIQ is a good example, carriers installed this hidden app to monitor your usage and it got caught. It's not removeable unless you flash your device.

I flash every android device I own except for the Asus TF Prime which is better left stock and rooted.

But the phone works out of the box right? You said...

Every Android phone requires tinkering and adjustment out of box, that's a fact.

which is just blatantly false. YOU flash every device but it isn't necessary.

[vwconvert]

Just get a Galaxy Nexus direct from Google and use AT&T or T-Mobile. You will get the latest updates, won't be gouged by a contract and, can use it with any Sim card in the world when you travel. I get 7 day data/talk/text passes for $10 when im in Australia. My phone also got the official Jellybean update on it last week and it is smoother and easier to use than my daughter's iPod. I can't go back to bloatware, contracts, and no flexibility anymore.

[zhenya00]

I refuse to believe that the carriers, handset companies, and Google are all selling something that doesn't work out of the box. It may be super customizable to people in the know that want to, but it has to work on its own.

You'd be wrong. Verizon willingly sold Windows phones for years that crashed multiple times per day to the point that battery removal was the only solution. Android is certainly an enormous leap from that time, but iPhones are still exponentially easier to use.