Anyone else getting fed up?

[jamo]

Ok, I'm going to try to restrain myself from going on a rant, but I'm getting a little tired of Android and my Droid X. I'm an original Droid user, but I'm starting to envy iPhone users, which I know is tantamount to sacrilege around here. How can we still not have proxy server access? This is a pretty basic feature that keeps me from being able to use my phone at work where I barely get a signal; everyone walking around with AT&T is doing great, because their devices still work for the most part. My phone is off for 8 hours a day now. Also, I spent the weekend messing with my iPod Touch, which i hadn't touched in months, and...I REALLY liked it. I know, I know...it's just a bunch of icons, but they work with no lag! My lockscreen still lags and I have about 90 processes running in the background because of stupid crapware widgets I don't use. Also, the Market is still terrible; the App Store changes the TOP 25 almost constantly it seems, whereas the Market's top games have been the same for months, and they're all bad, or ROMs.
It's getting old to use the excuse that Android hasn't been out that long. Where are the games? Angry Birds is the one good game we've gotten, and it's still Beta and lags on my super-fast Droid X. Google needs to get its act together because things are falling apart. Again, sorry about the rant, but how long can Google sit back and just let carriers screw up what was a really good idea? And don't even get me started on the tablet situation...

 

[Retrokid223]

im loving my DX but are you rooted? it can easily solve most of your problems

 

[GregTard]

I feel the same way my friend. Being an iPhone user for 3 years prior to getting an DX, I had trouble at first changing my mindset from icons for applications to using widgets that could provide multiple access points and features. Now that I have opened up to the widget, I am running out of new things to occupy me. Now I am starting to say, "Where is an app to do this?" followed by a, "My iPhone could do that!".

But overall, I love the open platform (that is opened by rooting and installing a custom ROM) but wish they would have some major advancements. There are a lot of features that you shouldn't have to install an app for and it seems like the majority of the market is slow. Of course, I am just now starting to look at other app providers so maybe my giddiness will be renewed with some new finds.

 

[jamo]

im loving my DX but are you rooted? it can easily solve most of your problems

I'm not really hating on my X, but I feel like it's being really limited by Android's shortcomings. I'm not rooted because I still don't see the advantages (I rooted my original Droid), but I am running the leaked build of 2.2 (not the one from last night). My point is, you shouldn't have to root your phone to have a good experience. I know that my X should be faster than an old iPod Touch, but it's not. I lag at the unlock screen and when searching. As far as widgets are concerned, I'm not convinced they're that useful. I have weather and news, but I've realized that I just click on the widget and open them anyway. We still don't have proxy server access, which my 4-year old iPod has, and the Market's set up makes it unusable and unappealing to any developers. Why develop a good game for the platform if it's not going to crack into the top 10 over 4 different ROM apps. Honestly, the most popular game on Android is the Angry Birds beta, how sad is that? So, Droid X is a great piece of hardware, but it's being dragged down by it's software, just like every Android phone that isn't the Nexus One.

 

[Deleted User]

So, seriously, I think criticism is important because being satisfied with the status quo hurts innovation.

But when you're to the point where you're using angry emoticons, saying you're "fed up," saying you're going to "restrain yourself" and you "really like" the iPod touch... why not switch to an iPhone? Seriously, I'm not being unpleasant: it sounds like it will fit your needs better.

There are three really big, strong markets for smartphones now. You have RIM for their great enterprise integration and features like BBM and the renown hard keyboards, you have the iPhone for the super smooth, cohesive UI and enormous app store, and you have Android for the open OS/app development, great Google integration and variety of form factors.

It's a great time to need a smart phone. Buy the one that suits you and don't give yourself heartburn over the ones that don't.

I see the exact opposite: I use my iPhone occasionally and think, "really? No widgets at all? I can't even get some kind of centralized notification without flipping through all of my app screens? And I get zero bars in half of my office?"

So, there you go. It's all about using what suits you. I get much better reception on Verizon, widgets are super important to me, and I like the form factor a lot more. Swype actually makes it easy for me to type long emails/posts now. I'm very happy with the software offerings at the moment - though they could absolutely be better and I provide feedback to developers whenever I can.

Sounds like that's not your experience. Get what's going to satisfy you.

 

[jamo]

So, seriously, I think criticism is important because being satisfied with the status quo hurts innovation.

But when you're to the point where you're using angry emoticons, saying you're "fed up," saying you're going to "restrain yourself" and you "really like" the iPod touch... why not switch to an iPhone? Seriously, I'm not being unpleasant: it sounds like it will fit your needs better.

There are three really big, strong markets for smartphones now. You have RIM for their great enterprise integration and features like BBM and the renown hard keyboards, you have the iPhone for the super smooth, cohesive UI and enormous app store, and you have Android for the open OS/app development, great Google integration and variety of form factors.

It's a great time to need a smart phone. Buy the one that suits you and don't give yourself heartburn over the ones that don't.

I see the exact opposite: I use my iPhone occasionally and think, "really? No widgets at all? I can't even get some kind of centralized notification without flipping through all of my app screens? And I get zero bars in half of my office?"

So, there you go. It's all about using what suits you. I get much better reception on Verizon, widgets are super important to me, and I like the form factor a lot more. Swype actually makes it easy for me to type long emails/posts now. I'm very happy with the software offerings at the moment - though they could absolutely be better and I provide feedback to developers whenever I can.

Sounds like that's not your experience. Get what's going to satisfy you.

Good suggestion, but it's not an idealistic crisis I'm having with Android overall. My problem is that it's not a "switch-to-the-iPhone" option with contracts like they are. I chose Verizon because of good coverage years ago, which they still have. Unfortunately, I'm still in a contract with them, so switching isn't even an option. My problem isn't with my vision of Android, it's with my user-experience and the money I spend per month. I can't use my phone at work because of a lack of what I consider to be a basic option, and I'm worried that the Market just isn't working. Again, I love Verizon and the X, but I feel like my Android experience is getting worse, not better. I'd consider switching, but with contracts, I can't.
Again, I know this is a whiny post, but I'm just frustrated, wanted to vent, and was wondering if anyone else felt the same.

 

[bugeyeblue]

I think the easiest solution for you would be to go to apple/at&t, buy the new iphone and port your phone number, sell your droid x on craigslist or ebay, and you'll be set. These phones are still going for around $400, so after ETF and the iphone purchase, you'll only be negative $150 (assuming the iphone is $200 with contract).

 

[Deleted User]

Gotcha. I just feel like a lot of people take the experience too seriously where they are aligned with a side. "Us vs. Them." Google vs. Apple. We must pick a side and stick with it. FOREVER. I just think that we should all be using what works best for us as individuals, and be happy for the competition because it breeds innovation.

Clearly, that's not where you are.

Incidentally, after doing the math, the subsidized price of the X plus the early termination fee is just about the retail price for an X, which means you can sell it and actually not be out a whole lot of dough. I considered paying for the full retail device so I wouldn't have a contract but the subsidized price (I got mine for $150), plus the early termination fee ($350) equals $70 less than full retail for the device. So I figured even if I cancelled after a month, it was a discount.

I didn't have to pay the ETF from AT&T but I could have sold off the iPhone to pay for it.

 

[bigbadwulff]

So, what is it you are missing at work? What does a proxy server do? Excuse my ignorance...

The games do suck to an extent but I like brain puzzles better and have quite a few to keep me occupied.

Would love to see Battleship game like on Blackberry...with chat although it was tenuous at times with abusers.

 

[jamo]

I think the easiest solution for you would be to go to apple/at&t, buy the new iphone and port your phone number, sell your droid x on craigslist or ebay, and you'll be set. These phones are still going for around $400, so after ETF and the iphone purchase, you'll only be negative $150 (assuming the iphone is $200 with contract).

Thanks, that's not a bad suggestion. Unfortunately, I do have more than one line on my account, and that ETF would apply to each number. I do have one line that ends in January, so I might consider closing that one then and porting my number. I'm holding out hope that Gingerbread will come out in the Fall, and that it will fix the problems with Android right now. That's the thing, what I think is wrong with Android can be fixed, Google just needs to step up a little and a) fix the Market and b) quit letting carriers screw their OS up. If they want to load their phones up with unusable software, let them, but don't give them the Market.

 

[jamo]

So, what is it you are missing at work? What does a proxy server do? Excuse my ignorance...

The games do suck to an extent but I like brain puzzles better and have quite a few to keep me occupied.

Would love to see Battleship game like on Blackberry...with chat.

Proxy server just means that I log in to wifi that required log-in credentials. The iPhone has this, and has for a long time, but Android still doesn't. I realize that it's my particular experience, but it seems like a basic thing to me and because I don't have it, my phone is just a 4.3" paperweight for 8-10 hours per day.

 

[Szadzik]

I keep saying this over and over. This is all just about a few days of research. Basically, when one decides to get a new phone, they should really spend at least a few days thinking about what they need and then checking if the device they want to get has these functions. Nowadays Android and devices running the OS have become a bit too trendy and people just do not think before they get it and then they come to conclusions like yours.
It is not that Android is better than iOS or iOS better than Android, it is just about what is better for one's personal needs. You chose the wrong platform and it is your fault, no one else is responsible for you being unhappy.

Just my 2c about people who choose phones because they are trendy and do not say DX is not trendy ATM.

BTW., there is an app for that, for the browser at least.

 

[jamo]

Gotcha. I just feel like a lot of people take the experience too seriously where they are aligned with a side. "Us vs. Them." Google vs. Apple. We must pick a side and stick with it. FOREVER. I just think that we should all be using what works best for us as individuals, and be happy for the competition because it breeds innovation.

Clearly, that's not where you are.

Incidentally, after doing the math, the subsidized price of the X plus the early termination fee is just about the retail price for an X, which means you can sell it and actually not be out a whole lot of dough. I considered paying for the full retail device so I wouldn't have a contract but the subsidized price (I got mine for $150), plus the early termination fee ($350) equals $70 less than full retail for the device. So I figured even if I cancelled after a month, it was a discount.

I didn't have to pay the ETF from AT&T but I could have sold off the iPhone to pay for it.

Good suggestion, and no offense was taken, it's just that with my multiple lines and a $350 ETF for each line, I'd have to consider just switching one line, and the hassle that would come with having two different phone providers in the same household. Not impossible, but a pain...

 

[VerizonLover]

I think the easiest solution for you would be to go to apple/at&t, buy the new iphone and port your phone number, sell your droid x on craigslist or ebay, and you'll be set. These phones are still going for around $400, so after ETF and the iphone purchase, you'll only be negative $150 (assuming the iphone is $200 with contract).

But does he really want to be saddled with a crappy 2GB cap? I sure wouldn't.

Besides, Youtube on the iPod/Iphone is inferior to android. We all know that.

 

[jamo]

I keep saying this over and over. This is all just about a few days of research. Basically, when one decides to get a new phone, they should really spend at least a few days thinking about what they need and then checking if the device they want to get has these functions. Nowadays Android and devices running the OS have become a bit too trendy and people just do not think before they get it and then they come to conclusions like yours.
It is not that Android is better than iOS or iOS better than Android, it is just about what is better for one's personal needs. You chose the wrong platform and it is your fault, no one else is responsible for you being unhappy.

Just my 2c about people who choose phones because they are trendy and do not say DX is not trendy ATM.

Thanks for the input, but I believe that I stated that I chose VZW for my network because of their coverage, and they don't offer another platform for a high-end smartphone other than Android. This is the 2nd Android phone I've owned, and the platform as whole isn't bad; it just isn't progressing. It's been out for years now, and the best game on it is Angry Birds Beta. Top games are still emulators that run illegal ROMs. My lock screen lags on a 1 ghz phone. I love the idea of Android, it's just being bastardized by carriers and I thought it would have made more progress by now to a full-fledged platform with dev support.
Also, I'm not blaming anyone for me not liking Android, and I didn't in this post. Have I asked for someone else to be culpable? I'm just lamenting my particular situation right now and wanted to see if anyone else was having a similar experience.

 

[jamo]

But does he really want to be saddled with a crappy 2GB cap? I sure wouldn't.

Besides, Youtube on the iPod/Iphone is inferior to android. We all know that.

My monthly usage is well under the 2G cap because I just switch on wifi when at work or at home, it's faster anyway and I'm not far from a charger, so why not use it? Also, I've probably used Youtube on my phone a handful of times, and I've been on wifi every time so that I can use it HQ anyway. But again, I didn't mean to just state that AT&T is automatically better, just that I have a few particular complaints with Android right now, not Verizon.

 

[Szadzik]

Thanks for the input, but I believe that I stated that I chose VZW for my network because of their coverage, and they don't offer another platform for a high-end smartphone other than Android. This is the 2nd Android phone I've owned, and the platform as whole isn't bad; it just isn't progressing. It's been out for years now, and the best game on it is Angry Birds Beta. Top games are still emulators that run illegal ROMs. My lock screen lags on a 1 ghz phone. I love the idea of Android, it's just being bastardized by carriers and I thought it would have made more progress by now to a full-fledged platform with dev support.
Also, I'm not blaming anyone for me not liking Android, and I didn't in this post. Have I asked for someone else to be culpable? I'm just lamenting my particular situation right now and wanted to see if anyone else was having a similar experience.

If games are your priority there is nothing you can do but get the iPhone, haha

BTW., What kind of research did you do that you ended up buying a phone from a carrier who has no reception at you work place?

 

[yawdapaah]

I don't have this problem but there seem to be a few workarounds for it. It seems you need a rooted phone.

http proxy support (web, maps, etc) - xda-developers
Setting Proxy in Android Phones
Tor: Android Instructions

Maybe these can help you. Good luck!

 

[RichSz]

I think there are some good suggestions in this thread. It's not a black and white world and what is great for one person, sucks for another. If someone is better suited for an iPhone or BlackBerry over an Android phone, it's not a failure of the person or the platform. To each their own, it's all preference.

I think there is too much antagonism and fanboy-ism on the subject of smartphones for its own good. I see that on this forum and elsewhere and it gets tiresome. This is a good evenhanded thread.

If you find an iPhone is a better fit, I hope you can financially make it happen.

 

[Fabolous]

I attribute all lag on the DX to the crap Blur launcher and bloatware, but mostly the launcher.

Having removed that and replaced it with LauncherPro, I don't experience any of the lag I originally had using Motorola's launcher.

The only iOS devices that can compare in "smoothness" to my phone are the iPad and iPhone 4. All the other ones are left in the dust (seriously, it takes like 2-3s to open the settings app on my iPod touch)

 

[jamo]

If games are your priority there is nothing you can do but get the iPhone, haha

BTW., What kind of research did you do that you ended up buying a phone from a carrier who has no reception at you work place?

Games aren't my only concern, but just a good example. We still don't have other standard apps, and if/when they're released, you can't find them because you have to sift through hundreds of apps with no clear organization. Look at Verizon's app options and tell me it's not a list of the world's most worthless apps. Verizon is forcing users to choose Bing for searching with their lower-end smartphones, seriously?! Also, I love having VZ Navigator, Blockbuster, etc. without being able to remove without rooting. Again, rooting shouldn't be the first thing an Android-user has to do to have a good experience. Android is becoming the Windows XP crapware platform for smartphones.
I work at a school, and last year got great reception. This year, we moved into a new school where I don't get reception. They didn't ask me about my cell coverage before designing the building.

 

[jamo]

I attribute all lag on the DX to the crap Blur launcher and bloatware, but mostly the launcher.

Having removed that and replaced it with LauncherPro, I don't experience any of the lag I originally had using Motorola's launcher.

The only iOS devices that can compare in "smoothness" to my phone are the iPad and iPhone 4. All the other ones are left in the dust (seriously, it takes like 2-3s to open the settings app on my iPod touch)

I agree about the Blur situation, but I think things will get worse before they get better. Just think, Motorola has installed Blue and a whole host of crapware on the X, and they can't keep it on the shelves. We've spoken with our wallets that we all love crapware, so they're going to keep it up.

I too have LauncherPro, I just think it's a shame that we "have" to mod our phones to get a good experience. I wouldn't recommend an average non-geek to get an Android phone, because they're always laggy due to having 7 screens of widgets pre-loaded.

My iPod Touch with the new update, which is why I started using it again at all, seems sooo fast. It multi-tasks, and I know it's not "true" multi-tasking and generally seems to fly. I'm not promoting iOS over Android, it just looks like Android is heading down a bad head on Verizon.

 

[hova15]

WHY can't I get my email immediately after someone sends it to me?

WHY doesn't my gmail icon allow me to download attachments, only preview them?

WHY can't I get a clock widget that updates automatically like I had on the Droid Incredible?

WHY does my phone lose 3G and data connection when the screen shuts off, only to push all the data when I unlock the phone again?

WHY do I have to give Apps access to every part of my phone in order to download them?

WHY hasn't the Froyo update been released for my phone yet? (even though every Droid 2 owner I know has had their phones rendered useless by the update?)

WHY can't I uninstall some of the apps I dl'd from the app store?

WHY doesn't my gmail show me time and date of emails sent, not just on the ones sent on the same day?


I did my homework on the phone before hand with the few video reviews, I went from a blackberry Storm to the Droid INC, then to the X. I think the phone looks great both in form factor and screen quality. The internet speed is also good, but these issues I've laid out make this phone useless and annoying to deal with. I don't think there is an android phone out that can solve all of these issues, whether it be an HTC, Motorola or a Samsung. Sucks.

 

[Deleted User]

WHY can't I get my email immediately after someone sends it to me?

You can. Push mail works. If it's not working for you, that's probably a network issue. I get my Gmail notifications typically less than 30 seconds after emails get sent.

WHY can't I get a clock widget that updates automatically like I had on the Droid Incredible?

You can. There are a hundred clock widgets and I've tried four that all work. I particularly like the beautiful widgets clock.

WHY does my phone lose 3G and data connection when the screen shuts off, only to push all the data when I unlock the phone again?

Settings issue. Fix your settings. I believe it's a battery profile that does this.

WHY do I have to give Apps access to every part of my phone in order to download them?

Some apps definitely ask for more than they need. On the other hand, at least you know.

WHY hasn't the Froyo update been released for my phone yet?

I've never seen so much crying over a software update. Holy cow. Please see my response here.

WHY can't I uninstall some of the apps I dl'd from the app store?

You can.

WHY doesn't my gmail show me time and date of emails sent, not just on the ones sent on the same day?

Design question. You could question the design of many apps, though. Just use a different app if you don't like it - there are tons of good email apps around. One of the advantages of Android: you get choices.

 

[jroc]

I agree about the Blur situation, but I think things will get worse before they get better. Just think, Motorola has installed Blue and a whole host of crapware on the X, and they can't keep it on the shelves. We've spoken with our wallets that we all love crapware, so they're going to keep it up.

I too have LauncherPro, I just think it's a shame that we "have" to mod our phones to get a good experience. I wouldn't recommend an average non-geek to get an Android phone, because they're always laggy due to having 7 screens of widgets pre-loaded.

My iPod Touch with the new update, which is why I started using it again at all, seems sooo fast. It multi-tasks, and I know it's not "true" multi-tasking and generally seems to fly. I'm not promoting iOS over Android, it just looks like Android is heading down a bad head on Verizon.

I actually think its gonna change. The Moto CEO said in future phones they will be getting away from Blur. Does that mean vanilla Android again, does that mean another brand new UI, I dont know. I seen some T.I. clips of them using TAT Home. If Motorola sticks with the OMAP chip, TAT Home might be used in the future...

I seen some clips of Qualcomm using a Mario/Wii//Xbox 360 NXE-type UI. Either the UI's will get better or vanilla Android will get better. And remember Gingerbread....Google is developing it so phone manufactures wont need to use their own UI's anymore.