If Sprint released the Evo3D and SGS2 and Photon on the same day which would you pick?

[hakujin]

Because HTC doesn't put any value in multicodec support. And it's not just high profile that's the issue -- the Sensation can't play mkv natively at all. Nor can it play Divx. It can play mp4 files like the Evo and has Xvid support, but as a video player, it pales in comparison to the S2. I'm not sure if rockplayer or moboplayer can play 720p mkv files on the Sensation.

I actually almost didn't get the Evo because of the lack of codec support. But the fact that I could at least play SD avi files with Rockplayer was the reason I jumped from WinMo to Android. Seriously, if Rockplayer didn't exist last year, I probably would have passed on the Evo.

BTW, I was able to play a High@L4.1 1080p clip (encoded at 15mbps!) on the Galaxy Tab smoothly. But High@L5.1 was a black screen. I transmuxed the clip to mp4, but it still wouldn't play, but I don't know if it was an issue with the file or the device.

And oh yeah -- if the S2 doesn't have 4G (which I find highly unlikely), that's a deal breaker.

How could something have xvid support, but not xvid support.. as mpeg 4 part 2, they are birds of a feather...

i'm a bit fuzzy on snapdragon's abilities quite frankly, so maybe acceleration is possible there. I know that the tegra 2 chipset has a nasty bug/limitation which prevents high profile h.264 from playing correctly. and I think i was mistaken in my assumption that tegra 2 was somehow incorporated into the 3vo. if it's not there, that means this is probably just codec support issue, like cobra mentions and like virtually all android devices that lack the gpu acceleration. But this isn't a problem of snapdragon per se, but of lousy codec api framework of Android. Google could easily build and optimize codec support into Android to allow others to hook into gpu, or at least make it easier for developers to do so. But there's no money in it. Still... I'm befuddled as to how Samsung pulls this off where others do not. I wonder, Is it they have the tools since its their own SoC?

The end result of this perversion (as a present case in point) is I have an xvid file that skips in moboplayer on a 710mhz (OC) Qualcomm processor whereas in Windows Mobile 5, I am able to play it fine. Something isn't def. not right in this picture.

 

[Cobravision]

BTW, the title of this thread is a hypothetical. If Sprint released the phones on the same day, the S2 would be a no brainer for me. But I'm sort of leaning towards the E3D right now because of the Galaxy S3 being rumored for fall, which would mean an early 2012 release. Rather than wait another month (or two possibly) for the S2, I'm thinking about getting the E3D now and then jumping to the S3 when that's released.

 

[Jceinc]

At the rate these phones are dropping I need to switch every 3 months or so

 

[EarlyMon]

Hey, quick question. Will S2 charge over HDMI or is that a 3Vo only feature?

The GSG2 and the 3vo both sport the MHL port. Connected to an MHL-capable TV, it will pass video and charge on that one cable. Using an HDMI adapter will net you HDMI, and its power line is constrained to 50 mA - not enough to charge either device.

A bit more info here - http://androidforums.com/htc-sensation/336757-question-about-hdmi.html#post2692631

As I recall, Samsung's announced TVs coming Real Soon Now (*) with MHL.

~~~~~

(* RSN - today's treat from me to the forum for those who remember Jerry Pournelle. )

 

[drexappeal]

For those looking at the Photon:

Confirmed: Motorola Photon 4G Bootloader Will Be Locked

I don't know how credible that site is, and they're the only ones putting out the info (that I can tell after a quick Google search). But it is believable.

That was actually mentioned pretty much the same day as the Motorola event on 6/9 last week.

This is the most recent information:
Motorola Looking to Change Their Bootloader Policy and Image in the Process

 

[jerofld]

That was actually mentioned pretty much the same day as the Motorola event on 6/9 last week.

This is the most recent information:
Motorola Looking to Change Their Bootloader Policy and Image in the Process

I don't buy it. Why wait so long? The only thing I could think of is that they have no intention of unlocking anything they are working on currently. Either that, or they're trying to placate their consumer base. After seeing how quick HTC was to switch gears and reverse course, I'm not convinced that Motorola's heart is behind their claim for unlocking the bootloaders. But I will reserve full judgement on HTC on when the Sensation gets unlocked, perhaps even older models.

 

[drexappeal]

I don't buy it. Why wait so long? The only thing I could think of is that they have no intention of unlocking anything they are working on currently. Either that, or they're trying to placate their consumer base. After seeing how quick HTC was to switch gears and reverse course, I'm not convinced that Motorola's heart is behind their claim for unlocking the bootloaders. But I will reserve full judgement on HTC on when the Sensation gets unlocked, perhaps even older models.

Confirmed: Motorola To Make Bootloaders On Current Devices Unlockable In "Late 2011" – Where Carriers Allow It | Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets - Android Police

 

[you2]

Yes but has sprint said they will allow it on the photon ?

Confirmed: Motorola To Make Bootloaders On Current Devices Unlockable In "Late 2011"

 

[drexappeal]

Yes but has sprint said they will allow it on the photon ?

Are they allowing the 3D to stay unlocked? If so, no reason I can think of they wouldn't allow the same for the Photon, right?

 

[heavychevy]

I am not sure it is up to Sprint. Last I read Samsung was attempting a same day release on all 4 major US carriers so they may be playing it close to the vest.

Seems logical it will be at the very least week or two after the initial wave of 3D's are past their 30 day grace period. Doesn't seem like very good business sense because A LOT of people would be trying both phones.

 

[EarlyMon]

Are they allowing the 3D to stay unlocked? If so, no reason I can think of they wouldn't allow the same for the Photon, right?

Not so much -

Despite Best of Intentions, Motorola Photon 4G Bootloader Will Be Locked

I know your link is most recent, but Phandroid only reported the source said "we know which won't be locked" - but we haven't heard if it includes the Photon.

Our list so far is - Photon locked, unlocked, locked for sure, and now could be on unlocked list.

The way they've played games on this issue, I just want a clear statement of fact from Motorola.

 

[Jceinc]

Thought the poll would be closer .....

 

[drexappeal]

Thought the poll would be closer .....

Poll was made, prior to the Photon being announced officially and originated in the EVO 3D sub-forum, so definitely understandable.

Despite my heavy interest in the Photon right now, I'm still really undecided. Photon is 1st choice, right now, based on the announced specs and I'll likely pre-order that, but if it doesn't live up to my expectations, I may just exchange it for the EVO 3D or the Samsung Within.

Much tougher decision for me than it was last year.

 

[drexappeal]

Not so much -

Despite Best of Intentions, Motorola Photon 4G Bootloader Will Be Locked

I know your link is most recent, but Phandroid only reported the source said "we know which won't be locked" - but we haven't heard if it includes the Photon.

Our list so far is - Photon locked, unlocked, locked for sure, and now could be on unlocked list.

The way they've played games on this issue, I just want a clear statement of fact from Motorola.

Good point, EarlyMon. I think only time will tell. It's possible, since the Photon seems to be focused more on business rather than multimedia/entertainment, it's possible that they'll look at the people that will be purchasing this phone as not necessarily needing the unlocked bootloader.

Many know that to this day, I still haven't rooted my EVO, despite having all the information I need to do it. For me, it really just comes down to my "need" to root or not and I still haven't fully had the need to do that until more recently when I started to run out of space on the phone storage due to apps (that couldn't be moved) and other miscellaneous things.

 

[jerofld]

Confirmed: Motorola To Make Bootloaders On Current Devices Unlockable In "Late 2011" – Where Carriers Allow It | Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets - Android Police

Again, I'll believe it when I see it. If the Proton gets unlocked but the VZW phones stay locked, I'd believe the carriers were holding it up. But from reading why HTC locked their bootloaders, it seems more like a manufacturer's decision more than the carrier. On the other hand, VZW may be demanding it now that they've seen Moto can do it.

It'll be interesting to see if the SGS2 is locked under VZW and AT&T, and not locked under Sprint and T-Mo

 

[drexappeal]

Again, I'll believe it when I see it. If the Proton gets unlocked but the VZW phones stay locked, I'd believe the carriers were holding it up. But from reading why HTC locked their bootloaders, it seems more like a manufacturer's decision more than the carrier. On the other hand, VZW may be demanding it now that they've seen Moto can do it.

It'll be interesting to see if the SGS2 is locked under VZW and AT&T, and not locked under Sprint and T-Mo

I understand. Just posting info, so people are aware of the talks, so by no means am I posting any of this as the definitive truth to what will happen. Just trying to keep people informed, so all of us can choose the device that's ideal for our own needs.

 

[novox77]

It's hard for me to believe that the carrier actually has that much influence over bootloader security. First off, Sprint is selling Nexus S, which has a practically unlocked bootloader. Why would Sprint OK this for one phone but not for another?

And let's assume Sprint throws a fuss. If I'm the manufacturer who is taking a PR hit from consumers in the form of these online petitions, forum and blog bashing, I'll take my business to a carrier that isn't being unreasonable. Is a carrier willing to lose the prospect of selling motorola phones? I think not. The manufacturer has leverage because there's more than one carrier.

Q3 is right around the corner. We'll find out soon enough if Moto is being truthful or just BSing to buy time. They can only blame the carrier for so long. When all the other manufacturers come out with lax bootloader security, let's see how Moto can defend their argument that their hands are tied by the carrier.

 

[ebolamonkey3]

It's hard for me to believe that the carrier actually has that much influence over bootloader security. First off, Sprint is selling Nexus S, which has a practically unlocked bootloader. Why would Sprint OK this for one phone but not for another?

And let's assume Sprint throws a fuss. If I'm the manufacturer who is taking a PR hit from consumers in the form of these online petitions, forum and blog bashing, I'll take my business to a carrier that isn't being unreasonable. Is a carrier willing to lose the prospect of selling motorola phones? I think not. The manufacturer has leverage because there's more than one carrier.

Q3 is right around the corner. We'll find out soon enough if Moto is being truthful or just BSing to buy time. They can only blame the carrier for so long. When all the other manufacturers come out with lax bootloader security, let's see how Moto can defend their argument that their hands are tied by the carrier.

But Nexus S is a Google phone though. Maybe one of the conditions for a carrier to carry the Google phone is unlocked bootloader. Would that (maybe) explain why we haven't seen a Google phone on AT&T or VZW?

 

[jerofld]

AT&T prevented side loading of apps for the longest time on their Android models. How much of a step would you think it would be for AT&T to go from preventing side loading to encrypting the bootloaders?

 

[novox77]

But Nexus S is a Google phone though. Maybe one of the conditions for a carrier to carry the Google phone is unlocked bootloader. Would that (maybe) explain why we haven't seen a Google phone on AT&T or VZW?

But we're talking about the Photon, which is coming to Sprint. And Sprint has accepted an unlocked bootloader phone in the Nexus. And Moto claims the carrier is the bottleneck. So... what leverage does google have that motorola doesn't? Again, it doesn't make sense that the carrier has the power to dictate the terms.

The way I see it is that Moto gets a perk (more $$) from the carrier if it agrees to lock the bootloader. When Sprint can announce to the crapware companies (like amazonmp3, blockbuster, nascar, etc) that they can guarantee that users won't be able to remove these apps, these companies might pay more to Sprint, and Sprint likely rewards Moto some fraction of that $$.

So I really think that Moto sold out and are working together with the carrier to make more money, screwing the end user. It's all speculation here, but Moto seems to be promising unlocked bootloaders in Q3 and Q4. So we'll see by July when Q3 starts...

 

[EarlyMon]

I dunno if any of us will ever solve the mystery of how corporate carriers work in these mysteries of setting phone requirements, amid maker statements about locking. Note well - that "carriers require it" language from Motorola could all have been a complete smoke screen.

The reason I can't fathom us ever getting to the bottom of the carrier desires is because - quite frankly - I can't imagine anyone in this group being able to dumb down enough to really follow their thinking.

I know, that's not terribly polite of me - but then draconian ETFs, unclear contract pricing, and moves to carrier-lock YOU more single-mindedly than a lock-jawed iguana and service about as friendly as a rabid dog aren't really polite, either.

 

[viber]

Thought the poll would be closer .....

Why? The Evo is Sprint's strongest brand.

It's the phone that turned things around for Sprint and proved to the world that there is life beyond the iPhone.

The Evo is over a year old and it is still a great phone that has aged gracefully.

Also, the sheer size of the installed Evo owner base is huge which is a great foundation for the Evo3D build on due to upgrades.

 

[drexappeal]

Why? The Evo is Sprint's strongest brand.

It's the phone that turned things around for Sprint and proved to the world that there is life beyond the iPhone.

The Evo is over a year old and it is still a great phone that has aged gracefully.

Also, the sheer size of the installed Evo owner base is huge which is a great foundation for the Evo3D build on due to upgrades.

I believe the EVO became Sprint's strongest brand because it changed the game a little 'bit and made the competition step up their games as well. It was also the first really competitive smartphone that they released.

Quite honestly, had Sprint joined with Motorola to offer an equivalent to the Droid X last year (with a form factor that looked more like the Photon), I seriously would've considered that over the EVO 4G.

EVO 4G was my first Android phone and I still love it, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have bought a different phone, had there been any competitive phones announced. The Epic didn't entice me enough and was announced too late for me to really consider it, but had it been announced just a little 'bit earlier, it's possible I would've gotten that as my primary phone. Same actually goes for the HTC EVO Shift.

 

[viber]

I believe the EVO became Sprint's strongest brand because it changed the game a little 'bit and made the competition step up their games as well. It was also the first really competitive smartphone that they released.

Quite honestly, had Sprint joined with Motorola to offer an equivalent to the Droid X last year (with a form factor that looked more like the Photon), I seriously would've considered that over the EVO 4G.

EVO 4G was my first Android phone and I still love it, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have bought a different phone, had there been any competitive phones announced. The Epic didn't entice me enough and was announced too late for me to really consider it, but had it been announced just a little 'bit earlier, it's possible I would've gotten that as my primary phone. Same actually goes for the HTC EVO Shift.

Woulda, Coulda. The Evo is the quintessential android phone and the standard by which all super phones were measured for nearly a year. Phones were either as good as, or worse than an Evo. That was the standard.

It didn't change the game a little. It turned the game completely upside down and rewrote everything we know about android phones in the public eye.

Pre-Evo there wasn't a single Android phone that got people to take their eyes off the iPhone. The Evo changed that and gave birth to an android renaissance and all the great phone options we have today.

If Sprint had not thrown that hail Mary with the Evo, smart phones would look a lot different today, I'd wager.

 

[So-Low Da Don]

Woulda, Coulda. The Evo is the quintessential android phone and the standard by which all super phones were measured for nearly a year. Phones were either as good as, or worse than an Evo. That was the standard.

It didn't change the game a little. It turned the game completely upside down and rewrote everything we know about android phones in the public eye.

Pre-Evo there wasn't a single Android phone that got people to take their eyes off the iPhone. The Evo changed that and gave birth to an android renaissance and all the great phone options we have today.

If Sprint had not thrown that hail Mary with the Evo, smart phones would look a lot different today, I'd wager.

Exactly, I agree with you fully, I was so happy with my Hero until I saw the specs for the "SuperSonic" (you could tell how long I was following that phone from that codename lol). I wanted to throw my Hero against a wall after that (especially after the 2.1 upgrade... Tragedy).... But the original SGS was the first Android phone to make people think twice about the EVO lol.