Tbolt Rant - 30 day review

[UBRocked]

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!!

NP. Well, I'm running the pending update (custom ROM of course) and I don't have any issues with notifications...but then again, I don't remember ever having issues where I wasn't getting notified of new emails in my Gmail account, or my POP3 account (but my POP3 account is set to send/receive every 2 hours as that account is not very important to me and I don't know if I missed any emails cause I pay little attention to it).

I think battery life might be a little better with the new update...but it's not drastic in my experience. I live in a really good 4G area though and I think the 3G to 4G switching in spotty 4G coverage areas is a main focus of the update.

When WiFi is available, are you using it? Using WiFi is much more efficient than 4G so if it's available...use it. 4G definitely drains the battery faster.

 

[Outlaw71]

You think he would fare any better on the iPhone forums if his little rant was about an iPhone and not bolt?

No I don't. I wouldn't expect him to fare any better anywhere, which is why I stated in one of my posts that I wasn't just talking about this forum, but all forums around the internet.

What I was getting at is that a lot of people come to forums like these to gripe, blow off steam, get things off their chest, and just plain vent. If a guy plunks down $250 bucks for an Android/Windows/iPhone/Blackberry/etc... gets home with it and is sorely disappointed with it, sometimes they'll jump online and release their frustrations about that disappointment. Others will simply move on to another device and never bother coming online to complain. Just depends on the personality of the customer.

Then there are those who buy the device, get it home and are THRILLED with their phone so much they decide to jump online and sing its praises to all who'll listen. Not everyone who loves their phone will though. Some will just go about their day loving their device without ever jumping online to discuss how much they love their Android/Windows/iPhone/Blackberry/etc...

So what I'm saying is that just because a guy isn't happy with his device and he voices that unhappiness, it doesn't make him a troll any more than if you voice your opinion about how happy you are with your device automatically makes you a fanboy.

Coming to a forum like this, you'll find both happy and unhappy customers.

 

[Outlaw71]

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.

I run into soooo many people like you in the real world, and I try to help as many people as I can. What I've come to realize is that those of us who come here and work our problems out are a vast minority! Most people either don't have the time to come here and work through their phones issues like we do, or just have no clue where to start or how to discuss their devices problems.

I just thought I was an ordinary, everyday kind of guy who was doing the normal thing when I came here and started learning about my DX. But the more I talk with other Android owners, the more I realize that I'm a LOT more tuned into my device than most people are with theirs. Which is why when I see people on here saying, "don't complain about battery life, LEARN TO USE YOUR PHONE"... I don't think that person realizes how many people out there don't even know how to open 'settings', let alone know what to do once they do open settings. They are absolutely clueless on what to turn on or off or open or shut to get the max out of their battery life.

And like when I talked my exfiancee in to getting a Droid Pro instead of another Blackberry, she got her phone and there wasn't any kind of instruction manual at all that came with it. All there was in the box was a pamphlet showing here how to activate her device. She was completely and utterly lost. I had to go over and set everything up for her or she would never have figured out anything, and I mean ANYTHING. And she's way too busy to take the time to jump online to figure all of this stuff out. I know because I worked with her for 2 years and we were constantly busy from the time we got up at 7:00 am till we went to bed at 11:00 pm.

But even if she had the time to get online, she would never have understood anything anyone could have told her, I can guarantee that. Hell I remember when I first come here everything I read on here was 50 miles over my head, it was like stumbling into a Japanese website. I had to learn a ton of stuff before I ever got around to really understanding my device and being about to tweak it out to get out of it what I wanted out of it. I'm not bragging or exaggerating at all when I say I'd estimate those of us on here know more about our devices than probably 95% of Android owners. Rolling our eyes at someone who can't figure out why their battery is draining so fast is really unrealistic. We have to come to grips with the fact that most people really just don't know how to optimize these things.

Which is why I wish there was an app that was sort of an 'Android for Dummies', that walked them through their device and taught all the basics. Or optimized their devices for them. I know there are some battery saver apps and all that, but I don't think there's anything that can really pinpoint a major problem like a rogue app eating your battery or using up a lot of CPU. This app...

Watchdog Task Manager - Android app on AppBrain

... comes close to doing that. But I've found it isn't perfect either. Do they have any 'Android for dummies' books at the bookstore? Heck I'd even like to read through one of them if they're available. I'm sure even though I've been neck deep in optimizing my device for the past 9 months, there's still plenty of stuff I could learn about Android.

I've probably just scratched the tip of the iceburg so far!

 

[UBRocked]

Do they have any 'Android for dummies' books at the bookstore?

I think there probably is...but I also find that many of those people that aren't really into their phones are helped by videos.

I've posted this elsewhere...but David @ TheUnlockr has created many "Android 101" videos. How to set up your email, how to create a music playlist, etc. This is a great place to refer the novice (and maybe even some more experienced) Android owners.

Android 101 | TheUnlockr

 

[cm123]

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.

ok, i'll have to try uninstalling all of them at some point. that will take a while to reload everything little by little.

--yes, i have my brightness set at less than 25%
--the timeout is set at 1 minutes, but that's just so it doesn't turn off when i'm looking at something on my phone. i always push the lock button at the top when i'm done doing anything with my phone
--i have GPS on, but that's it
--i have my email notification set to every hour, even though i'm not getting the notifications
--i don't have friendstream. i just use the facebook app and open it myself, then arrow back out of it when i'm done
--i'm in a 4g area and my phone doesn't really go back and forth...my 4g service is good

NP. Well, I'm running the pending update (custom ROM of course) and I don't have any issues with notifications...but then again, I don't remember ever having issues where I wasn't getting notified of new emails in my Gmail account, or my POP3 account (but my POP3 account is set to send/receive every 2 hours as that account is not very important to me and I don't know if I missed any emails cause I pay little attention to it).

When WiFi is available, are you using it? Using WiFi is much more efficient than 4G so if it's available...use it. 4G definitely drains the battery faster.

my mail is set to receive every hour, but it gives me a notification once a day if i'm lucky. usually i get nothing unless i click on my mail icon, at which then it says i have new mail.

i live in a 4g area and my phone usually has good 4g service. when i'm at home i have Wifi, so i could switch to that once i'm home if it'll save battery. but will it make that much of a difference?

I run into soooo many people like you in the real world, and I try to help as many people as I can. What I've come to realize is that those of us who come here and work our problems out are a vast minority! Most people either don't have the time to come here and work through their phones issues like we do, or just have no clue where to start or how to discuss their devices problems.

I just thought I was an ordinary, everyday kind of guy who was doing the normal thing when I came here and started learning about my DX. But the more I talk with other Android owners, the more I realize that I'm a LOT more tuned into my device than most people are with theirs. Which is why when I see people on here saying, "don't complain about battery life, LEARN TO USE YOUR PHONE"... I don't think that person realizes how many people out there don't even know how to open 'settings', let alone know what to do once they do open settings. They are absolutely clueless on what to turn on or off or open or shut to get the max out of their battery life.

And like when I talked my exfiancee in to getting a Droid Pro instead of another Blackberry, she got her phone and there wasn't any kind of instruction manual at all that came with it. All there was in the box was a pamphlet showing here how to activate her device. She was completely and utterly lost. I had to go over and set everything up for her or she would never have figured out anything, and I mean ANYTHING. And she's way too busy to take the time to jump online to figure all of this stuff out. I know because I worked with her for 2 years and we were constantly busy from the time we got up at 7:00 am till we went to bed at 11:00 pm.

But even if she had the time to get online, she would never have understood anything anyone could have told her, I can guarantee that. Hell I remember when I first come here everything I read on here was 50 miles over my head, it was like stumbling into a Japanese website. I had to learn a ton of stuff before I ever got around to really understanding my device and being about to tweak it out to get out of it what I wanted out of it. I'm not bragging or exaggerating at all when I say I'd estimate those of us on here know more about our devices than probably 95% of Android owners. Rolling our eyes at someone who can't figure out why their battery is draining so fast is really unrealistic. We have to come to grips with the fact that most people really just don't know how to optimize these things.

Which is why I wish there was an app that was sort of an 'Android for Dummies', that walked them through their device and taught all the basics. Or optimized their devices for them. I know there are some battery saver apps and all that, but I don't think there's anything that can really pinpoint a major problem like a rogue app eating your battery or using up a lot of CPU. This app...

Watchdog Task Manager - Android app on AppBrain

... comes close to doing that. But I've found it isn't perfect either. Do they have any 'Android for dummies' books at the bookstore? Heck I'd even like to read through one of them if they're available. I'm sure even though I've been neck deep in optimizing my device for the past 9 months, there's still plenty of stuff I could learn about Android.

I've probably just scratched the tip of the iceburg so far!

hahaha....yep!! that's what i said!! where's the TB for Dummies book?!?!?

i totally agree with you. when i first came on here it was like reading a different language. i spent over 100 hours reading and researching, looking up what things meant. when i tell people that they're like wth?!?! but i tell them i really wanted to know what i was getting and wanted to figure it out. so yes, i know more than some people, but nowhere near the amount that i wish i did (which is why i'm here)

i've heard about the watchdog app, but didn't install it cuz i saw conflicting info about it. i'll have to try it out and see if it works. i haven't used any of the task killers or anything like that cuz people can't seem to agree if it's good or bad.

thanks for ur post!

I think there probably is...but I also find that many of those people that aren't really into their phones are helped by videos.

I've posted this elsewhere...but David @ TheUnlockr has created many "Android 101" videos. How to set up your email, how to create a music playlist, etc. This is a great place to refer the novice (and maybe even some more experienced) Android owners.

Android 101 | TheUnlockr

i'll have to look at this and see if it can help me somehow, but if notifications are set and i'm not getting notified, i think that's more of the system within the phone not working properly. i just didn't know if there was a way to clear it like there was with the news feed not updating and working right.

we'll see. thank you for all the help and feedback!! i appreciate it!

 

[UBRocked]

my mail is set to receive every hour, but it gives me a notification once a day if i'm lucky. usually i get nothing unless i click on my mail icon, at which then it says i have new mail.

i live in a 4g area and my phone usually has good 4g service. when i'm at home i have Wifi, so i could switch to that once i'm home if it'll save battery. but will it make that much of a difference?

Yeah, that seems like a system issue. I'm not sure why you are not getting notifications and I won't pretend to...but maybe a factory reset is in order (I know...that's a pain in the ass, but I don't know what else to tell you).

As for WiFi vs. 4G: If I'm on 4G only, I can pull about 12-14 hours out of my phone. If I'm on WiFi all day, I can get about 18-20 hours (this is based on moderate usage). So yeah, it makes a big difference for me. As with anything...your mileage may vary.

 

[cm123]

Yeah, that seems like a system issue. I'm not sure why you are not getting notifications and I won't pretend to...but maybe a factory reset is in order (I know...that's a pain in the ass, but I don't know what else to tell you).

As for WiFi vs. 4G: If I'm on 4G only, I can pull about 12-14 hours out of my phone. If I'm on WiFi all day, I can get about 18-20 hours (this is based on moderate usage). So yeah, it makes a big difference for me. As with anything...your mileage may vary.

that's a big difference in hours. i'll try that and see if it works for me.

so factory reset means i need to backup all my stuff and restore factory settings? i can try that. hopefully it'll work thanks!

 

[UBRocked]

that's a big difference in hours. i'll try that and see if it works for me.

so factory reset means i need to backup all my stuff and restore factory settings? i can try that. hopefully it'll work thanks!

Are you rooted? If so, just backup everything with Titanium Backup. If not (which I'm assuming you are not), then I'm not sure how you can backup your apps and settings (I don't spend much time unrooted if I can help it ) but the Factory Reset will make your TB lose all apps, settings, and data.

 

[slinky]

Battery life is terrible with this phone. HTC and Verizon Wireless knew it, which is why they had tens of thousands of extended batteries waiting to be sold from day one. They also must have known about the internal memory issue and that 8GB of user accessible storage (less formatting) were not available and failed to do anything about it. It is what it is.

 

[dan409]

After reading through the OP's original post (overheating) I may just have to switch phones and get me a T-bolt after all.
I live in the WNY area and while sitting around for hours while hunting my hands get very cold. Damn ! all I would have to do is pull out the T-bolt for a few minutes and warm them right up ! Shoot, I could even sell my friggen gloves and get an exttended battery! That would probably make it twice as HOT, might even be able to use it as a lighter.
See that, if you look hard enough, their really is good in everything.

 

[damule6666]

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.

Like my mama said before she left this shi!!y world.. "It's now always WHAT you say... But HOW you say it!!

He cam in here in attack mode and confrontational. Had he used different verbiage to describe his dilemma, things may have gone a different route.

My 0.02

 

[damule6666]

No one can make up complaints like that. He def had the TB.

ANYONE who can read and peruse these forums could fabricate what he said!

 

[Outlaw71]

He came in here in attack mode and confrontational. Had he used different verbiage to describe his dilemma, things may have gone a different route.
My 0.02

Yes attack mode, he was pissed off, upset, not happy, generally disgusted with his device. So he came online, said his peace, and moved on. There was no attempt to disguise his intent, he announced he was in attack mode from the very get go...

Quick rant of the day for you guys. You can hate me all you want or agree with me. Enjoy...

Definition of RANT

intransitive verb
1
: to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner

2
: to scold vehemently

transitive verb
: to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion


...lol, I don't even have a dog in this fight. I don't own a T-Bolt, and I'm leaving Verizon so I'll never have one. I do like HTC phones though, thinking about getting the Pyramid on T-Mo when it comes out.

In fact I disagree with his write up as much as anyone else here. I just don't automatically equate someone with a negative POV as a troll. That's the easy way out. Guy shows up with something unflattering to say about the device I own, so I just call him a troll and dismiss anything he has to say as rubbish.

One guy came on here and said his 2nd T-Bolt was working perfectly, no problems at all... unlike his Droid X, which he had all kinds of problems with. Hey that's my phone, I have a DX! He said unflattering things about my beloved DX... he must be a troll!!!

Pfffffttt.... nah, he's just some guy that got a shitty DX, there were PLENTY of those people out there. If his move to the T-Bolt gives him a better experience than his DX gave him, then more power to him. Why would I get all made and bent outa shape over it?

This stuff is so silly. Oh well go ahead and crusify ol Shputnik for using harsh language about the T-Bolt if it makes ya'll feel better. I personally doubt this cat had a secret agenda behind his rant. But the point is moot now anyways.

 

[BzB]

There was no attempt to disguise his intent, he announced he was in attack mode from the very get go...

the OP set the tone for negative feedback by going on "attack". no surprise that's what they got. that said, it's up to the forum moderators to determine if a thread has ill intent and whether to allow discussion.

This stuff is so silly. Oh well go ahead and crusify ol Shputnik for using harsh language about the T-Bolt if it makes ya'll feel better. I personally doubt this cat had a secret agenda behind his rant. But the point is moot now anyways.

there's a difference between venting, ranting, and lobbing a grenade. the op's post was vitriolic as evidenced by the tone and words used. nor had they previously asked for any assistance or feedback on the issues they experienced. this thread was akin to a kid whacking a bee's nest with a stick just for fun. so what if he gets stung by a few of the bees.

 

[solo65impala]

After reading through the OP's original post (overheating) I may just have to switch phones and get me a T-bolt after all.
I live in the WNY area and while sitting around for hours while hunting my hands get very cold. Damn ! all I would have to do is pull out the T-bolt for a few minutes and warm them right up ! Shoot, I could even sell my friggen gloves and get an exttended battery! That would probably make it twice as HOT, might even be able to use it as a lighter.
See that, if you look hard enough, their really is good in everything.

I knew there was another reason I got the t-bolt!

 

[damule6666]

Yes attack mode, he was pissed off, upset, not happy, generally disgusted with his device. So he came online, said his peace, and moved on. There was no attempt to disguise his intent, he announced he was in attack mode from the very get go...





Definition of RANT

intransitive verb
1
: to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner

2
: to scold vehemently

transitive verb
: to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion


...lol, I don't even have a dog in this fight. I don't own a T-Bolt, and I'm leaving Verizon so I'll never have one. I do like HTC phones though, thinking about getting the Pyramid on T-Mo when it comes out.

In fact I disagree with his write up as much as anyone else here. I just don't automatically equate someone with a negative POV as a troll. That's the easy way out. Guy shows up with something unflattering to say about the device I own, so I just call him a troll and dismiss anything he has to say as rubbish.

One guy came on here and said his 2nd T-Bolt was working perfectly, no problems at all... unlike his Droid X, which he had all kinds of problems with. Hey that's my phone, I have a DX! He said unflattering things about my beloved DX... he must be a troll!!!

Pfffffttt.... nah, he's just some guy that got a shitty DX, there were PLENTY of those people out there. If his move to the T-Bolt gives him a better experience than his DX gave him, then more power to him. Why would I get all made and bent outa shape over it?

This stuff is so silly. Oh well go ahead and crusify ol Shputnik for using harsh language about the T-Bolt if it makes ya'll feel better. I personally doubt this cat had a secret agenda behind his rant. But the point is moot now anyways.

What you say is true indeed.. But by his own words he gave permission for the negative responses.."Hate me if you want" or something to that effect..

Essentially saying BRING IT ON! That's all i was getting at..

 

[ProxisTech]

Quick rant of the day for you guys. You can hate me all you want or agree with me. Enjoy.

This is my 2nd Android, the first being the Droid Incredible.

I was hesitant to get this phone as it was the first 4G device from vzw but after giving it a try when my brother in law got his, I was very impressed with the speed of the phone and the speed of 4G.

It has since been 30 days and I just got off the phone with VZW, who are sending me the iPhone 4.

Here's the deal and many of you know this... The phone is a piece of dog s*it.

The battery life is atrocious. I can easily take the phone off the charger, at 100%, place it in my pocket, not use it for 30 mins, and can almost guarantee that the battery will be at 60% when I go to pick up the phone. I don't know how any of you find this acceptable.

The 4G, while super fast, is incredibly unreliable and the only reason why it is so fast is because there is still such a small population on the network. Most areas still don't have it, and I realize it is a work in progress, but the phone won't even default to 3G... It will go to 1X instead in areas where 4G is not available.

The phone gets unbearably hot whenever it is used.. almost too hot to hold in the hand and definitely too hot to hold up to my face when talking.

4G has the potential to be a huge asset for VZW and I understand that vzw needed to launch a device in order to hype up and win the race to the 4G marketplace, but this phone is unacceptable and should have been R&D'd a little more prior to release. I mean seriously, how do you release a phone with a front facing camera and no video calling capability?

Good luck with your Tbolts, guys... I really hope HTC and VZW get their act together so that I can once again reap the benefits of the Android platform. For now, Apple it is.

Dude. Appreciate your opinion but sounds like you got a bad phone. I have NONE of those issues. Good Luck with your iPhone.