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Some questions from a Newbie... HTC Desire & Android...

  • 29-08-2010 11:38AM
    #1
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,616 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I've had an iPhone for a few years and love it, was about to get an iPhone 4 but someone showed me the HTC Desire and within a few minutes I was pretty much sold. I'm a big Google fan and use all their services etc but until now I never really realised how great the openness of Android is and how closed iOS is in comparison. As an Android noob, any suggestions as to where I start in learning about it?

    A few random questions if I may:
    Is the HTC Desire the best Android phone to get? Anything else worth considering?
    Is the camera any good on the Desire, how does it compare to the iPhone? What's it like in low light?
    I hear there may be a HD version coming out? Is it worth waiting for?
    What is Rooting and why would I do it? What's the deal with 'paid apps'?
    Does it work with Skype & the new Google Voice that can call phones?
    Does it 'get slow' like a lot of iPhones do? Is the speakerphone any good?
    Can you use your phone like a big USB drive? Always thought it was silly how the iPhone does not do that.

    Any major disadvantages over an iPhone?
    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    raeGten
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 148 ✭✭raeGten


    Zascar wrote: »
    Is the HTC Desire the best Android phone to get? Anything else worth considering?
    Is the camera any good on the Desire, how does it compare to the iPhone? What's it like in low light?
    I hear there may be a HD version coming out? Is it worth waiting for?
    What is Rooting and why would I do it? What's the deal with 'paid apps'?
    Does it work with Skype & the new Google Voice that can call phones?
    Does it 'get slow' like a lot of iPhones do? Is the speakerphone any good?
    Can you use your phone like a big USB drive? Always thought it was silly how the iPhone does not do that.

    Any major disadvantages over an iPhone?
    Thanks

    The Desire is one of the best as it's running 2.2 and the hardware is of a good spec. Thing is there's better android phones coming to market all the time. Samsung seem to be doing great things with theirs.
    The main feature I use on a phone (after making phone calls) is the camera. I came from an 8MP LG Renoir to the 5 MP on the Desire so it was a deffinate step down in resolution. In EVERY other respect it was a big step up. Great camera.
    Like I said above, you have new Android phones coming along all the time. The HD I think is meant to be based on the HTC Evo in the states. Great phone. May be worth waiting for but then there'll be an even better one six months after that.
    Rooting means taking control of the Root user on the phone. Root in Linux is the Super User that has control over all object. It lets you do things and run apps you wouldn't be able to otherwise. Paid apps aren't available outside of the states at the moment (or certainly not in Ireland anyway) but rooting it can get you around that.
    I haven't tried Skype or Google voice but There's no reason why it can't....it's just like using a Linux laptop.
    I've only had mine since June but there's no sign of it slowing down and I haven't heard of that being an issue. The speakerphone is as good as any other speaker phone on a mobile...not brilliant.
    Absolutely no problem using it as a USB memory drive....you can also use it as an internet hub to let other devices get internet access.

    I totally recommend the Desire....Above that tho I recommend Android itself. The Desire is one of the best phones but maybe you'ld want to wait for the Desire with the Slide out keyboard. Or a bigger screen like on the the Samsung Galaxy S. The thing is, with Android you can pick and choose the features you want. You're not stuck to "will I go for 3GS or will I go for 4?".


  • #3
    Abelloid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,495 ✭✭✭Abelloid


    The Desire camera seems to be inconsistent, I have seen some great shots and some terrible, I don't believe the person taking the pic is to blame either.
    The lens cover can scratch easily and this has been the cause of some poor quality pics, my auto-focus gave up and I had to return it under warranty, I'll see how it is when I get it back tomorrow.

    Can't explain this though...

    http://androidforums.com/desire-tips-tricks/144342-how-dramatically-improve-your-camera-picture-video-quality-2.html#post1453091

    Speaker is pretty poor too. But these are my only complaints, apart from that it is a great phone, and I would still buy one tomorrow if I was looking for an Android handset.

    Mass storage mode is my method of choice for transferring files etc., or with EStrongs explorer you can easily share folder on your Windows/linux (maybe Mac?) and manage files over Wifi.


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