Suggest a new smartphone for me...or help me pick one...

Post » Mon May 14, 2012 3:29 am

Currently I have an HTC Incredible 2. It's an older model and won't run on the new Android software, but it's still a wonderful little gadget. I'd say comparable to the iPhone 4 in many ways, even beating it out in a few categories.

The main thing I like about it is its size. It's a teensy bit larger than the 4s, slimmer, and still far smaller than a bunch of the new Android phones coming out. I dislike having a mini-tablet in my pocket so it works well for me.

And HTC makes incredible (haha) products. Better than Motorola, anyway, in my opinion. So if you can, look for an HTC.
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Johnny
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 3:49 am


Apple has pretty strict requirements for apps they will allow in their AppStore. The Android Market isn't policed as strictly. The downside of that is that people have gotten malware from downloading shady apps from the Market. The upside is that there are more apps from small, independent developers. If you avoid shady-looking apps you're generally going to be fine. Anything featuring bikini girls should generally be avoided. :tongue:

iPhone 4 is a nice device. The fact that I can't just use any old USB cable to charge it (like every other smartphone) is something that's unacceptable to me, though. Also the fact that you're forced to use iTunes for quite a few things unless you want to use unsupported software. On an Android device you can just plug your phone into your computer and copy files onto it (music, video, whatever). In most cases no proprietary software is required. For someone like me that's just 100% simpler than dealing with proprietary software to interact with the file system on my smartphone. I'm also a huge fan of tweaking my phone to function exactly the way I want it to, but I realize that's not for everyone.

Indeed, the charging things irks me too. I wouldn't mind but the cable connector is so fiddly, and the rubber wire near the head wears away after a while.

I assume this will change once the EU bill comes into force that requires all phones to have the sane chargers, I presume USB will be the chosen route.
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natalie mccormick
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 4:14 am

I have an iPhone 3GS and I love it (you probably should get 4S instead). I don't know if this is worth noting but I read that the iOS doesn't get viruses whereas the android OS can.
Bull, complete and utter marketing bull.

iOS has been MiTM'd, Ring-zero'd, C&C'd, malwared, zombied, and just about every other thing you can think of. It was even possible to zombie an iPhone with a simple corrupted SMS message. Arbitrary code has been successfully ran through pdf files, javascript (yes, Javascript! Apple thought it was wise to improve javascript performance by giving it kernel access), and the already mentioned SMS.

iOS is every bit as vulnerable as Android is. It should also be noted that iOS had the fraudulent diginotar certificates active for far too long, which would mean someone using an iPhone would be vulnerable to very convincing phishing and silent MiTM attacks to steal bank information.

What does keep most of the problems from surfacing on iOS is apple's absolute control over the AppStore, which limits (but does not nullify) app-based attacks. Successful app-based malware programs have made it past Apple's screening, so even that is far from foolproof. In the end, though market-based attacks aren't really the thing to worry about, and as far as rogue apps: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-twitter-contacts-20120214,0,5579919.story?
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Laura Simmonds
 
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Post » Sun May 13, 2012 10:44 pm

I've heard that. But isn't the Android OS based off of Linux and isn't that supposed to be fairly impervious to viruses as well?

Nothing is impervious to viruses. Saying you're 100% protected is really quite foolish since you won't know to have safe habits on a device. Anything that runs some sort of software can get viruses. Nothing is impervious to them.
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maddison
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 5:51 am

Bull, complete and utter marketing bull.
What's that? I can't hear you over the adorable indie neo-folk music and strangely smug-yet-comforting narration.
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Unstoppable Judge
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 1:11 pm

What's that? I can't hear you over the adorable indie neo-folk music and strangely smug-yet-comforting narration.
Don't forget the chrome and polish! It's all they have to comfort them from http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple.
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Big mike
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 6:48 am



Nothing is impervious to viruses. Saying you're 100% protected is really quite foolish since you won't know to have safe habits on a device. Anything that runs some sort of software can get viruses. Nothing is impervious to them.

But, I didn't say it IS impervious to viruses. I said 'Fairly' which to me means that it still can recieve a virus. I know nothing is 100% impervious to a virus. :)
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carrie roche
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 12:03 pm

But, I didn't say it IS impervious to viruses. I said 'Fairly' which to me means that it still can recieve a virus. I know nothing is 100% impervious to a virus. :smile:
Marketplace viruses on any platform are social engineering. Nothing is immune to social engineering, because it attacks a core weakness of all computers: the human. When you install an app, you are giving it permissions to do all sorts of stuff. Even if a platform is relatively resilient to malware, it doesn't do you any good if you initiate malware installation yourself.

That said, as I already noted: rogue apps aren't much of a threat on any platform, and fairly overblown. The people getting infected are idiots who install bad apps or fake apps (go to install "Netflix" but instead install "Nutflix". rogue apps don't have any way to replicate, so cases are generally fairly remote and not widespread. Apps on both iOS and Android can be remotely uninstalled by Apple and Google respectively if they are found to be malignant, which further limits the impact they can have. They can be completely avoided by simply paying attention to what apps you install and only installing well-reviewed and high-download apps (and thoroughly doing your research on others). Also, as mentioned: http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-twitter-contacts-20120214,0,5579919.story, worrying about fake/rogue apps seems silly.

Real mobile malware doesn't come in the form of a fake/rogue app, but other forms (like the mentioned pdf and sms flaws for iOS, and Android has had its fair share of these as well). iOS is no more immune to these attacks than Android is. Even when it comes to Marketplace viruses, iOS isn't immune, as on a number of occasions there have been cases of it.
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Thema
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 4:32 am

S2 if you don't want to wait. I like my Notes tho.
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Julia Schwalbe
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 4:59 am

S2 if you don't want to wait. I like my Notes tho.
S2 isn't available on Verizon, and since Verizon uses CDMA, there's no way to get the phone on there either.
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Eibe Novy
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 12:26 am

So, I went and picked up the Nexus yesterday morning. My Ally had froze and rebooted three times within 15 minutes on the way to work. Ao far, the Nexus is awesome. It's not auto-correcting properly and it doesn't like capitalizing "i" but I think that the Go Keyboard.

I noticed that there is very little bloatware and all of the apps have "DISABLE" next to them. What does that mean, is it the same as uninstalling them? What apps are safe to remove?

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sally coker
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 3:41 am

In my opinion, the only two real contenders are iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2.

For me, iPhone 4S wins, since I'm used to the interface, and like it. But if you prefer Android based systems, then go for the Galaxy.
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Suzy Santana
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 6:55 am

Triple post.
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Tarka
 
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Post » Sun May 13, 2012 11:06 pm

Triple post.
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keri seymour
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 1:42 am

In my opinion, the only two real contenders are iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2.

For me, iPhone 4S wins, since I'm used to the interface, and like it. But if you prefer Android based systems, then go for the Galaxy.

I picked up the nexus yesterday morning. I was going to get the 4s but it didn't seem as smooth. That and the screen on the nexus is HD.
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David Chambers
 
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Post » Sun May 13, 2012 11:08 pm

I picked up the nexus yesterday morning. I was going to get the 4s but it didn't seem as smooth. That and the screen on the nexus is HD.

Ah yes, that's an excellent choice too.

I don't like the fact that it's camera isn't as good. IIRC, the Nexus has a 5 megapixel camera whereas the 4S has an 8 megapixel camera (on the back cameras. Nexus has a better front camera). Not to mention the storage space difference. In addition to those, I'm not a fan of the size and shape. The iPhone looks sleeker, but that's just my opinion.

However, the Nexus is far more compatible with a lot of stuff. It has an HDMI port, and more RAM too. Oh yeah, and a higher resolution. For some people, the larger size is a good thing as well. All in all, I think it's a pretty sweet deal. :)
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Jack Bryan
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 1:16 am

So, I went and picked up the Nexus yesterday morning. My Ally had froze and rebooted three times within 15 minutes on the way to work. Ao far, the Nexus is awesome. It's not auto-correcting properly and it doesn't like capitalizing "i" but I think that the Go Keyboard.

I noticed that there is very little bloatware and all of the apps have "DISABLE" next to them. What does that mean, is it the same as uninstalling them? What apps are safe to remove?
Little bloatware is because it's a Nexus phone. A real Nexus phone would have no bloatware, but Verizon got away with putting some on there. Disable basically means the app is frozen. It's still on there, but will no longer be usable, appear in your app list, or able to run in the background.

I don't like the fact that it's camera isn't as good. IIRC, the Nexus has a 5 megapixel camera whereas the 4S has an 8 megapixel camera (on the back cameras. Nexus has a better front camera). Not to mention the storage space difference. In addition to those, I'm not a fan of the size and shape. The iPhone looks sleeker, but that's just my opinion.
You do know that megapixel count is the biggest lie to the general consumer population, right?

high megapixels on a small sensor and lens increases chromatic aberration and noise as well as decrease sharpness. Smaller megapixel devices (all other things held constant) will generally produce higher quality pictures.
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James Wilson
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 5:32 am

Little bloatware is because it's a Nexus phone. A real Nexus phone would have no bloatware, but Verizon got away with putting some on there. Disable basically means the app is frozen. It's still on there, but will no longer be usable, appear in your app list, or able to run in the background.

I was hoping you'd post. Do you know which apps I can "freeze"/"disable" safely?

I'm thinking of "Disabling" GMAIL and "EMAIL" as well as the "Browser".

I'm using Dolphin HD as my browser and I want to run K9 Mail but don't know if I can "freeze" the stock email apps. I know I did on my Ally.

I'd also like to "Freeze"/"Disable" the stock Messaging app because I'm using GO SMS; I completely uninstalled the stock messaging app from the Ally but had "issues" doing so.
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Avril Louise
 
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Post » Sun May 13, 2012 10:39 pm

I was hoping you'd post. Do you know which apps I can "freeze"/"disable" safely?

I'm thinking of "Disabling" GMAIL and "EMAIL" as well as the "Browser".

I'm using Dolphin HD as my browser and I want to run K9 Mail but don't know if I can "freeze" the stock email apps. I know I did on my Ally.

I'd also like to "Freeze"/"Disable" the stock Messaging app because I'm using GO SMS; I completely uninstalled the stock messaging app from the Ally but had "issues" doing so.
I wouldn't freeze any stock apps. Any app that depends on their functionality won't work. The only one of those I'd bother with disabling (though I wouldn't since I use it) is Gmail, because it actually isn't part of OSAP (Open Source Android Project) IIRC, so everything will work fine without it functioning.

Really, the only advantage for disabling a stock/stock-ish (non carrier-injected) app is that it doesn't appear in the menu. Otherwise there's no advantage since these apps don't send back data and disabling them doesn't free up any space.
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Prue
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 8:48 am

Whenever I use my 64 gig iPhone 4s it feels like I have delayed omnipotence.....But then again that could be because its my first smartphone.....
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STEVI INQUE
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 11:15 am


I wouldn't freeze any stock apps. Any app that depends on their functionality won't work. The only one of those I'd bother with disabling (though I wouldn't since I use it) is Gmail, because it actually isn't part of OSAP (Open Source Android Project) IIRC, so everything will work fine without it functioning.

Really, the only advantage for disabling a stock/stock-ish (non carrier-injected) app is that it doesn't appear in the menu. Otherwise there's no advantage since these apps don't send back data and disabling them doesn't free up any space.

I disabled News and Weather last night mainly because I installed Weather Bug.

Good. I hate the stock Gmail application.
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..xX Vin Xx..
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 10:38 am


I wouldn't freeze any stock apps. Any app that depends on their functionality won't work. The only one of those I'd bother with disabling (though I wouldn't since I use it) is Gmail, because it actually isn't part of OSAP (Open Source Android Project) IIRC, so everything will work fine without it functioning.

Really, the only advantage for disabling a stock/stock-ish (non carrier-injected) app is that it doesn't appear in the menu. Otherwise there's no advantage since these apps don't send back data and disabling them doesn't free up any space.

I disabled News and Weather last night mainly because I installed Weather Bug.

Good. I hate the stock Gmail app. Is it alao safe to disable the "Email" app?

Thanks for the help Defron I appreciate it.
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Horse gal smithe
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 5:19 am

If I had to choose between an Android phone and one of Apple's offerings, I would take an Android phone every time. I for one don't like the new Nexus at all (I hate the 4.0 interface), but the Samsung Galaxy SII and HTC Sensation XE are both excellent alternatives. For something different from the usual Andoid v. iOS arguments though, the Nokia Lumia phones - using the Windows Phone OS - aren't at all bad either.
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Elea Rossi
 
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Post » Mon May 14, 2012 10:24 am

Instead of starting a new thread, I will ask in this one. Does anyone have the Droid 4? I am thinking about upgrading from my original Droid to the Droid 4 or the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. My main concern is ease of rooting and custom ROM support.
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lolli
 
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