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LG G3 Pre-release/Rumor/Speculation Thread
- Thread starter iowabowtech
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CafeKampuchia
Android Expert
What new phone are you referring to if there really is no M8 prime?
The front-facing camera is where HTC should have implemented the UltraPixel thing all along since the vast majority of those dark pics from the party last night going to social media were selfies anyway.
meganoobie
Well-Known Member
Guys, just wanted you to know there are likely a LOT of silent watchers like myself wrestling with this decision. I probably would have popped on a 32gb S5 (currently have M7 that I like). I'm bummed that the G3 isn't water resistant, but still likely to purchase it IF Sprint comes out with the 3/32 AND the screen is visible in sunlight. There is an outside chance that the S5 Prime steals my money, but it would have to get details out before I can pull the trigger.
All that said, thank you to all the posters (and especially EM) for helping with this decision. It's crazy that something for basically not a lot of money is consuming the same amount of mental bandwith I used to buy my last car!
All that said, thank you to all the posters (and especially EM) for helping with this decision. It's crazy that something for basically not a lot of money is consuming the same amount of mental bandwith I used to buy my last car!
For me too, yes, and for that a good VGA is plenty and uses less bandwidth.
And I'm sure that there's a market for a better selfie setup.
The Prime is gone, it was unlikely the only candidate prototype. Others are pointing to a different leak called the Plus.
Either way, HTC will field a second model this year and they're already looking at this feature set.
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
You need a 2MP FFC for 1080p video.
That's why Apple's 1.2MP FFC only does 720p video (though I'm almost willing to bet it will be upgraded to a 2MP 1080p FFC in the next iPhone).
Selfies are a phenomenon for the self-obsessed and the OEMs are (rightfully) trying to cash in on that, but the FFC on phones have always been primarily about Video Conferencing, which is why that kind of software has always been used to showcase them (FaceTime, Qik, Skype, Hangouts, etc.).
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
VGA isn't good enough once you've seen decent 1080p from a FFC. You can do that today if you use the right phone and the right software.
The bad quality Video you get with Skype, Hangouts, and other solutions on Mobile is not indicative of what's actually possible right now with Video Conferencing.
Once you see the 1080p, there's no going back. And VGA stretched across a 5"+ 1080p+ screen looks even worse than it looked on WVGA screens (where it still looked pretty bad).
Maine Coon
Android Expert
Oh God 
That's a pretty harsh judgment call on people who don't share your preferences.
You don't know all of them.
Today I saw single moms and dads taking selfies at the museum with their little ones, dinosaur skeletons in the background.
Seemed more like a family moment to me than self-absorbed or self-obsessed.
Maybe the self-obsessed part belonged to the people that laughed at that. I simply offered to help by taking the pictures for them.
Maybe that's my generation too, I couldn't say.
I have been video conferencing longer than some folks, not as long as others. I've been doing it since mid 90s and since 2010 on mobile.
VGA looked fine from my phone even on a PC when both sides were using the H.263 standard. Many preferred it to my PC at the time. H.264 transport makes it that much better.
The bad quality you see on Skype mobile is their software. Back when Fring allowed you to access your Skype account for video chatting, the quality was amazing. The Skype app has never matched it. Their desktop service has gone downhill a lot over the last few years as well.
But 1080p from a 1.2 mm diameter ffc lens? I don't know. Maybe you're right.
I find that the limitations of video compression far outweigh the actual dot resolution for this application.
I could be wrong.
My last video conference was the other day from a 72" 1080p Sharp touchscreen computer and it looked great at 1080p. It was using a superior camera and matched on the other end in quality with a high bandwidth connection all the way.
But let's say your right and I'm behind on things and that 1080p video conferencing is the answer, even in mobile.
How many megapixels is 1080p?
About 2.1, which is what the G3 has, rated at 30 fps with 1080p, just as you said. Fine.
I'm seeing others talking about going well above that.
And for the most part, it's overkill without a broadband connection and a better lens / aperture arrangement.
All in my opinion.
But you seem as into it as I am.
What mobile solution do you recommend?
So far I think that the best I've seen is ooVoo but I admit I haven't checked in a while.
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
The G3's FFC is fine. I never said otherwise. No one I know is buying camera specs based on the FFC. Only a small segment of users do that, and it's a very very small segment.
VGA video is terrible when compared to 1080p on these phones. It's only fine when viewed in isolation, IMO. It just doesn't measure up to what some devices/apps are able to offer.
VGA video is terrible when compared to 1080p on these phones. It's only fine when viewed in isolation, IMO. It just doesn't measure up to what some devices/apps are able to offer.
Maybe you're answering someone else, but I didn't accuse you of saying that the G3 ffc was not fine. I think that we agreed that it was properly matched if one is doing 1080p video chat.
My question was and is, what video conferencing app do you recommend?
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
Maybe you're answering someone else, but I didn't accuse you of saying that the G3 ffc was not fine. I think that we agreed that it was properly matched if one is doing 1080p video chat.
My question was and is, what video conferencing app do you recommend?
iOS to iOS: FaceTime - 720 Good Quality
Samsung to Samsung: ChatON - 10th Great Quality
Other Androids: Hangouts - Decent Quality now
Lots of iOS users I know use Skype. None are willing to create a Plus profile to use Hangouts, but YMMV.
Skype has terrible video quality though...
As I said, I agree about Skype.
I agree about FaceTime but I'm boycotting it. It's available on the Mac as a paid app and all they did was find a way to break iChat free video support (that you can get back with a port change).
I can't tolerate platform dependent video chatting (I consider Hangouts platform dependent, no one with an iPhone wants it, so I boycott that one as well) for the same reason I wouldn't tolerate platform dependent phone calls.
I just checked and see that people are not happy with the latest ooVoo and Tango updates.
Skype was always behind the curve but always improving and nearly catching up. I've watched it go downhill and not improve since the Microsoft acquisition. Shame really, Microsoft could be ruling here.
Back to the drawing board for the best video conferencing app for me.
Thanks for sharing your findings!
PS from the comedy department - for one brief window, Yahoo was up and coming with a good solution. Then they decided to only use the rear camera. One of their devs blogged that management was convinced that people wanted to share their surroundings. No joy for the proposed option of making it a user choice. I haven't heard anyone mention them since.
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
Eh. I don't think Microsoft has done anything bad. The app is actually usable without turning it off or Uninstaller after every use now at least, and the UI is much better. Audio and video quality has always been bad. It's weapon was always it's broad platform support.
Like you. I tend to steer clear of platform limited solutions because they only get you into a situation where you end up with twenty communications apps installed on your device, which usually is more bad than good.
Like you. I tend to steer clear of platform limited solutions because they only get you into a situation where you end up with twenty communications apps installed on your device, which usually is more bad than good.
It's not available on my Mac, if I want FaceTime I got to spend lots of $$$$ on a new Mac.
It's not available on my Mac, if I want FaceTime I got to spend lots of $$$$ on a new Mac.
IMO, you're not missing anything.
Mega,
You're so on the money about that. I was just thinking the same thing. I think I'm overly involved in this whole affair. It's too much. It's just a phone, right? Instead, I'm always checking twitter, google search and here for updates on something that I'm way too over-concerned with. I guess I'm saying that I've noticed the same thing about myself and I don't like it.
Steven
Maine Coon
Android Expert
I guess Steven is not having as much fun as most of us
Jeyd02
Android Expert
The thought of having a top of the line technology right on your palm intrigues consumer. Marketing attracts, being able to do things on your tech device makes you accomplished. Having anything possible in your hand will put all your priorities on your phone. When was the last time you used your desktop for basic or general social media activities ... By the looks of it, because the rapid progress of smartphone and it's apps html is dying...
The source of a daily life is becoming focused in the smartphone. And if think it deeply it's scary.
The source of a daily life is becoming focused in the smartphone. And if think it deeply it's scary.
I use the same mental bandwidth no matter what.
I just figure it has to go somewhere, why not a phone. :rofl:
I just figure it has to go somewhere, why not a phone. :rofl:
CafeKampuchia
Android Expert
Had similar thoughts. Mostly just want to try something new I can fiddle with. Might buy a used thingy on eBay for a couple bills just to flash ROMs on something different, then sell it later (for a small profit?) and put the money toward a OnePlus One or G3 when they are available, the reviews are out, and the G3's price has dropped a bit.
Jeyd02
Android Expert
Then all you need to think about is when to buy it.
You're welcome!
I wish you could feel the awe when holding it
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