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Tbolt Rant - 30 day review
- Thread starter shpuntik
- Start date
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- Tags
- htc thunderbolt
Nor*Cal
Well-Known Member
Wow, can't believe I just read through all these posts...
I think the bottom line is that the OP seems to think that the majority of TB's have the same problems he experienced with his and his bro-in-laws (allegedly).
After reading his complaints its obvious that he's totally off base. Anyone really think thousands of TB owners would be satisfied with a phone that performed like his did? Its just ridiculous to think that because he got a lemon that they are all lemons.
Its also funny to see the few people that chimed in to say that us TB "fanboys" just do not want to admit that he's right. Really?
I have no loyalty to any brand, if I got a lemon I would exchange it. If the replacement was a lemon I would move on to something else.
I however did not get a lemon. The battery could be better but that goes for just about all HTC phones. And sure the bloatware is a bit irritating but that's verizon. My blackberry's also had bloatware. It is what it is.
I think the bottom line is that the OP seems to think that the majority of TB's have the same problems he experienced with his and his bro-in-laws (allegedly).
After reading his complaints its obvious that he's totally off base. Anyone really think thousands of TB owners would be satisfied with a phone that performed like his did? Its just ridiculous to think that because he got a lemon that they are all lemons.
Its also funny to see the few people that chimed in to say that us TB "fanboys" just do not want to admit that he's right. Really?
I have no loyalty to any brand, if I got a lemon I would exchange it. If the replacement was a lemon I would move on to something else.
I however did not get a lemon. The battery could be better but that goes for just about all HTC phones. And sure the bloatware is a bit irritating but that's verizon. My blackberry's also had bloatware. It is what it is.
damule6666
Android Enthusiast
BINGO!! Give that man a CEE_GAR!!
solo65impala
Well-Known Member
Enjoy your iPhone, but don't try to sell me one because I ain't buying.
Nor*Cal
Well-Known Member
Tell us the truth chris.... you miss your thunderbolt and its "good features" right?
Why else would you (happy iphone owner) still be frequenting a Thunderbolt/Android forum?
UBRocked
VZW Nexus Please!!!
Tell us the truth chris.... you miss your thunderbolt and its "good features" right?
Why else would you (happy iphone owner) still be frequenting a Thunderbolt/Android forum?
Good people
Nor*Cal
Well-Known Member
U must b a noob to the android platform cuz if u still haven't figured out how to manage ur battery its sad! I disconnected my TB at 2pm its now 1015 pm n still going...2nd guys u don't need 4g on all day!switch to 3g! There's now a app for that! 4g is just a plus to have! For downloading movies music big stuff get it? 3rd TB is a great phone! Lol that's it!
Outlaw71
Android Expert
I wouldn't accuse anyone defending their phone of being a fanboy. But if the guy wants an iPhone, that doesn't make him a troll either.
I don't agree with him calling all T-Bolts dog shit either btw, that's never going to bode well with a group of T-Bolt owners anymore that calling a DX a piece of dog shit is going to go over well in my forum. So strike that from the rant and all you really have is a cat who obviously wanted to like this new HTC device, but didn't jive well with it once he got it. Oh well, we had PLENTY of people exactly like him in the DX forum who came across a shifty device and bolted to a Dinc, Galaxy, iPhone, etc...
So I'm not standing up for his choice of words, I just know that when people get frusterated in these situations, it's easy to get carried away. I've thought the same thing about my phone whenever it decides to act up, which it has done to me on occasion. My rule of thumb however is to take a few deep breaths, and wait 24 hours before making any remarks that I may later regret. But that rule of thumb came after I made some remarks that I did regret after I'd calmed down and found a solution! lol
But you know what, we all blow off steam a little differently. When I see a guy storm into the DX forum slamming all Droid X's because he wound up with a lemon and he's frusterated beyond reproach, I don't let it ruffle my feathers any. Oh maybe when I was brand new to Android and totally in love with everything about it I did. But I've mellowed out since then and after having some of my own blood boiling episodes with my device I can now empathize with others when they're feeling that way. So now I just wish them the best with whatever they decide to go with and leave it at that.
So I understand anyone taking issue with his blanket statement about the T-Bolt. But oh well, life goes on. Calling the Bolt a piece of dog shit doesn't make it so.
I don't agree with him calling all T-Bolts dog shit either btw, that's never going to bode well with a group of T-Bolt owners anymore that calling a DX a piece of dog shit is going to go over well in my forum. So strike that from the rant and all you really have is a cat who obviously wanted to like this new HTC device, but didn't jive well with it once he got it. Oh well, we had PLENTY of people exactly like him in the DX forum who came across a shifty device and bolted to a Dinc, Galaxy, iPhone, etc...
So I'm not standing up for his choice of words, I just know that when people get frusterated in these situations, it's easy to get carried away. I've thought the same thing about my phone whenever it decides to act up, which it has done to me on occasion. My rule of thumb however is to take a few deep breaths, and wait 24 hours before making any remarks that I may later regret. But that rule of thumb came after I made some remarks that I did regret after I'd calmed down and found a solution! lol
But you know what, we all blow off steam a little differently. When I see a guy storm into the DX forum slamming all Droid X's because he wound up with a lemon and he's frusterated beyond reproach, I don't let it ruffle my feathers any. Oh maybe when I was brand new to Android and totally in love with everything about it I did. But I've mellowed out since then and after having some of my own blood boiling episodes with my device I can now empathize with others when they're feeling that way. So now I just wish them the best with whatever they decide to go with and leave it at that.
So I understand anyone taking issue with his blanket statement about the T-Bolt. But oh well, life goes on. Calling the Bolt a piece of dog shit doesn't make it so.
BDBMike
Newbie
My girlfriend has the iphone as well, and while I do think it's a good phone if I had to choose between the two I'd pick the bolt 10/10 times. It's a great phone with an awesome(yet sometimes defensive
) community and I'm happy to be apart of it now. Yesterday when she had to take her phone to the apple store because it stopped working(too many apps running at once) she said that there was a brief moment when she was hoping they would tell it it was broken so she could switch to verizon and get a thunderbolt.As for the original topic though, good luck with the iphone 4, it's a great device and as long as it you're happy with it that's all that matters. My mom has the storm 2, and while the joy that filled me as I tossed my storm away and received my bolt is indescribable, she loves that phone and wouldn't part with it.
D
Dark Jedi
Guest
I wouldn't accuse anyone defending their phone of being a fanboy. But if the guy wants an iPhone, that doesn't make him a troll either.
I don't agree with him calling all T-Bolts dog shit either btw, that's never going to bode well with a group of T-Bolt owners anymore that calling a DX a piece of dog shit is going to go over well in my forum. So strike that from the rant and all you really have is a cat who obviously wanted to like this new HTC device, but didn't jive well with it once he got it. Oh well, we had PLENTY of people exactly like him in the DX forum who came across a shifty device and bolted to a Dinc, Galaxy, iPhone, etc...
So I'm not standing up for his choice of words, I just know that when people get frusterated in these situations, it's easy to get carried away. I've thought the same thing about my phone whenever it decides to act up, which it has done to me on occasion. My rule of thumb however is to take a few deep breaths, and wait 24 hours before making any remarks that I may later regret. But that rule of thumb came after I made some remarks that I did regret after I'd calmed down and found a solution! lol
But you know what, we all blow off steam a little differently. When I see a guy storm into the DX forum slamming all Droid X's because he wound up with a lemon and he's frusterated beyond reproach, I don't let it ruffle my feathers any. Oh maybe when I was brand new to Android and totally in love with everything about it I did. But I've mellowed out since then and after having some of my own blood boiling episodes with my device I can now empathize with others when they're feeling that way. So now I just wish them the best with whatever they decide to go with and leave it at that.
So I understand anyone taking issue with his blanket statement about the T-Bolt. But oh well, life goes on. Calling the Bolt a piece of dog shit doesn't make it so.
You think he would fare any better on the iPhone forums if his little rant was about an iPhone and not bolt? They would excommunicate him and form a Lynch mob to hunt him down.
I will say one thing that is funny though. When most Android owners are asked what they don't like they say battery life. why should I carry a second battery. Then they are told the iphone has great battery life and what does the android owners say besides locked OS? You can't replace the battery as you can't get the cover off.
Maybe the op should of realized that posting this would just bring the lions to the feast. It was just like another member on here who didn't like people disagreeing with him. Don't want the drama? Then don't post the drama in the first place.
Don't like the phone? Then get what you want and fade into the sunset.
Tell us the truth chris.... you miss your thunderbolt and its "good features" right?
Why else would you (happy iphone owner) still be frequenting a Thunderbolt/Android forum?
I just keep comIng back hoping maybe there were releases to fix the issues. I would consider buying another one if it worked like advertised.
ska.t73
Android Expert
You are in luck then my man. The OTA that will be released soon has been leaked, I am running it and most of the issues have been fixed. The battery life is much better, still not ZOMGBBQ AWESOME!!11eleventey!!!1 better, but very noticibley better. They also seemed to have fixed some of the data connection errors with this new update, and the muffled sound when recording video has been fixed as well.
bjanow
Android Expert
+1. You hit the nail on the head. I wonder if he even ever had a TB? Mods, the reason there was vitriol in this thread is because we've seen so many of them and they never change. It almost seems as if they are paid to troll these forums and then split. And then we bump up the thread by replying, as I just did, instead of letting it die a natural death. Just for future reference guys, let 'er die.
No one can make up complaints like that. He def had the TB.
cm123
Newbie
i'm not an expert, not gonna claim to know as much as most of you commenting on here, but definitely wanted to offer my situation as an example. btw, no need to slam me, i'm merely stating my personal dilemma. if you don't have anything helpful to say, please, no need to reply at all.
i looked forward to getting my TB for 2 months. looked at this forum every single day, seeing what you guys had to say about the phone (coming from a feature phone, i wanted to make sure i was making a good choice in my first smart phone purchase and knew you guys knew WAY more than i will ever know). march 17th, i was one of two people in the store buying the TB at 9am.
my first TB wouldn't give me my mail notifications, wouldn't always read my sd card, and decided to do the vibrate feedback whenever it wanted to instead of all the time as the setting was on the phone. i returned it, thinking another TB would be better.
now i have my second TB. i have all the SAME APPS running on this one as i did the first one. i can MAYBE get 5 hours of battery life without having to charge (same usage as first one), whereas my first TB would go about 10 hours. With 53% battery, sitting in my purse at a friend's house with NO USE, my phone died 4 hours later. at night my TB is draining 15% every single hour, so i have to keep it plugged in all night. that also did not happen with my first TB. my second TB also gives me NO notifications for mail, facebook, etc. it is set to sync every hour, but i never receive notifications unless i manually go to my mail. THEN, as it's updating, it notifies me i have new mail.
people ask me about my phone and i tell them i really love the device, but i wish it would do what it's supposed to do. i have been down to the verizon store, those guys seem to know as much as i do (which isn't saying much). i'm not expecting perfection, but i AM expecting to get what i paid for. i can live with the minor imperfections, but i was REALLY looking forward to being a proud and delighted TB owner ... i'm still hopeful that may happen.
i looked forward to getting my TB for 2 months. looked at this forum every single day, seeing what you guys had to say about the phone (coming from a feature phone, i wanted to make sure i was making a good choice in my first smart phone purchase and knew you guys knew WAY more than i will ever know). march 17th, i was one of two people in the store buying the TB at 9am.
my first TB wouldn't give me my mail notifications, wouldn't always read my sd card, and decided to do the vibrate feedback whenever it wanted to instead of all the time as the setting was on the phone. i returned it, thinking another TB would be better.
now i have my second TB. i have all the SAME APPS running on this one as i did the first one. i can MAYBE get 5 hours of battery life without having to charge (same usage as first one), whereas my first TB would go about 10 hours. With 53% battery, sitting in my purse at a friend's house with NO USE, my phone died 4 hours later. at night my TB is draining 15% every single hour, so i have to keep it plugged in all night. that also did not happen with my first TB. my second TB also gives me NO notifications for mail, facebook, etc. it is set to sync every hour, but i never receive notifications unless i manually go to my mail. THEN, as it's updating, it notifies me i have new mail.
people ask me about my phone and i tell them i really love the device, but i wish it would do what it's supposed to do. i have been down to the verizon store, those guys seem to know as much as i do (which isn't saying much). i'm not expecting perfection, but i AM expecting to get what i paid for. i can live with the minor imperfections, but i was REALLY looking forward to being a proud and delighted TB owner ... i'm still hopeful that may happen.
Sort of off topic... but the iPhone can't stop working because its running "too many apps" at once. Sorry doesn't happen. Something else going on. FUD just like the OP.
And of course you realize you don't have to get Android to switch to Verizon. She could switch to Verizon and still have an iPhone.
I hate to say it, but this sounds like an Apple commercial. Maybe there is truth that Android is too open for most people. Too easy to set it up improperly to use too much battery life. Apple keeps the iPhone API so locked down that it doesn't allow apps to do what is apparently happening to these folks with their Thunderbolts.
The Apple world is locked down, totally controlled in every way. Yet for folks who can't figure out whats wrong with their phone, it makes life much easier.
In the above case I'd again say it sounds like you have a runaway process which is using too much CPU. Or you have something polling too frequently, or a reception problem causing beaconing. That level of battery usage is not normal. Its most likely a software issue rather than a hardware issue. I'm seeing surprisingly good battery life so far. Moderate usage seemed to last all day. Ran a few games, surfed, tested mobile hotspot, made some calls. 3G only.
UBRocked
VZW Nexus Please!!!
That might be true...but people obviously like discussing it. I just wonder why people that keep complaining didn't switch like the OP did. At least the OP said he didn't like the phone, didn't keep the phone, and moved on. I'm tired of the same people, with the same complaints, doing nothing about the problems.
Here's the thing...I don't know what your usage is like, but you are not seeing what I am seeing (or even what I was seeing before I was rooted). I drop about 5% per hour when the phone is idle. I'm not doing anything to really limit the drain (no battery "saving" apps, no app killer running automatically, etc.), and I have 129 apps installed on my phone.
Battery life with the TB isn't great...but it shouldn't be unusable when off the charger either. Call VZW and complain. You may have a problem with the second phone you received. Maybe it was a bad batch of phones your store had. Maybe it is your usage...or a bad app installed that is constantly running. Point is, SOMETHING is causing 15% battery drain per hour when idle. It isn't because it's a 1400mAh battery despite what the wannabe battery engineers would have you believe.
For example: Words with Friends is a popular app. Unfortunately, the iOS versions of the game support push notification while the Android version does not. So buy default, the game is set up to send/receive every 5 minutes. EVERY 5 MINUTES! That's 288 times per day!
That's ridiculous and the game is a huge drain on the battery! If you have a couple of apps like that where the developer's head was up their rear end when they wrote it...your phone will run through batteries very quickly. Go check and make sure your apps aren't updating at crazy intervals like that.
cm123
Newbie
so how do i fix it??? if i wanted an iphone, i would've got one. i don't want it, i want my TB, but i want mine working like yours. like i said, i've been to the store, those guys know nothing. it's great to have a forum like this to share info, but it'd be great if there was a place in real life, where guys like u KNOW how to fix my TB, instead of being online and trying to guess what it might be. i'm tired of going to the verizon store. i've been there more in the last month than i have in 5 years, and it's still not fixed
i wish i knew as much as u guys and could fix my phone on my own, but i don't.
cm123
Newbie
That might be true...but people obviously like discussing it. I just wonder why people that keep complaining didn't switch like the OP did. At least the OP said he didn't like the phone, didn't keep the phone, and moved on. I'm tired of the same people, with the same complaints, doing nothing about the problems.
Here's the thing...I don't know what your usage is like, but you are not seeing what I am seeing (or even what I was seeing before I was rooted). I drop about 5% per hour when the phone is idle. I'm not doing anything to really limit the drain (no battery "saving" apps, no app killer running automatically, etc.), and I have 129 apps installed on my phone.
Battery life with the TB isn't great...but it shouldn't be unusable when off the charger either. Call VZW and complain. You may have a problem with the second phone you received. Maybe it was a bad batch of phones your store had. Maybe it is your usage...or a bad app installed that is constantly running. Point is, SOMETHING is causing 15% battery drain per hour when idle. It isn't because it's a 1400mAh battery despite what the wannabe battery engineers would have you believe.
For example: Words with Friends is a popular app. Unfortunately, the iOS versions of the game support push notification while the Android version does not. So buy default, the game is set up to send/receive every 5 minutes. EVERY 5 MINUTES! That's 288 times per day!
ok, that makes sense now!! thank you! yes, i have that game. but why would it have acted so differently with my first TB? my first TB didn't have the battery drain like my second one is.
also, why can't i get my mail notifications? that has nothing to do with battery. sounds like software, but again, i'm no expert. i saw that there's a software update coming soon to non-rooted users. do you think that will fix my notification problem?
thanks for helping!! i really appreciate it!!
Edit: do you really think Words with Friends is the reason for 15% battery loss every hour? it could really do that???
so how do i fix it??? if i wanted an iphone, i would've got one. i don't want it, i want my TB, but i want mine working like yours. like i said, i've been to the store, those guys know nothing. it's great to have a forum like this to share info, but it'd be great if there was a place in real life, where guys like u KNOW how to fix my TB, instead of being online and trying to guess what it might be. i'm tired of going to the verizon store. i've been there more in the last month than i have in 5 years, and it's still not fixed
Safest thing is to uninstall all the apps you've installed in case one is causing a problem. After you get the phone working well you can add them back in a few at a time until you notice a problem.
And do other known power saving steps. General things such as...
- Turn down display brightness
- Don't set the display timeout too long, or don't change from default 1min.
- Turning off WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth can help but shouldn't be necessary.
- For any email programs you have, set polling interval pretty long, maybe 1hr.
- Don't use FriendStream or other HTC integration w Facebook etc. that may also poll frequently.
You may still run into problems if you have poor reception and the phone is constantly struggling to stay in contact with the tower.