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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
Updated feedback for those shopping around.  After Desi helped me fix my battery issue, that is absolutely no longer an issue.  I think my phone would VERY EASILY make it through a day with probably 30% battery still.

The other things I listed haven't gone away, but my biggest problem has been eliminated.  Will be streaming some radio today, no charging until 10pm tonight, so I'll try to remember to post more battery feedback from a non-Desi phone user.

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Glad to hear it. 

The fixes you did would still apply for the Razr Maxx HD and the battery life will probably be about 50% more with that phone vs the GS3.  The camera isn't nearly as good as the GS3 IMO, but other than that the Razr Maxx HD is pretty solid.  It's more expensive as well, but I think you'd be happy with it overall.

The GS4 is released tonight and from the early leaks I've seen this week I'm not incredibly impressed with it.  Looks like they took a page out of Apple's book and went for an incremental improvement on an overall similar looking phone to the GS3.

3/14 1:39 PM | IP: Logged

Thought on the new Samsung out today????

3/14 4:49 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by bigmamanole:

Thought on the new Samsung out today????

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I'll comment after the full unveil tonight.  My initial comments via the supposed leaks are in my last post.

3/14 6:18 PM | IP: Logged

More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

3/14 9:49 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

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sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

3/14 10:47 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

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sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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I have already read that several developers are not going to get the S4 yet. They have said not much different to justifiy the cost.

3/15 4:12 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by n4dog:

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

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sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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Huge step up from my Galaxy S slide out.....

4/10 12:06 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by rassmon:

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Originally posted by n4dog:

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

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sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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Huge step up from my Galaxy S slide out.....

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Why Yes it is Rob.

4/18 3:59 PM | IP: Logged

My wife is up for a phone upgrade with AT&T.  She's got an iPhone 4s right now, so naturally I figured she would want an iPhone 5.  Took her in to the AT&T store and they had the HTC One demo next to the iPhone 5.  She picked up the iPhone, then looked at the One and never looked back.  I guess she's coming back to Android.  I've never been more proud of her. 

I hadn't seen an HTC One in person yet, I was thoroughly impressed.  I'll probably skip it and the GS4 and use my upgrade in the fall, but it's a damn nice phone.  

4/19 9:46 AM | IP: Logged

I wouldn't buy an HTC phone until they prove they can consistently build a good product and support it. They are great with design and feel, but their internal design and build quality are the worst of any major manufacturer. Their software and hardware support are more well-known issues.

4/19 11:17 AM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by mnole03:
I wouldn't buy an HTC phone until they prove they can consistently build a good product and support it. They are great with design and feel, but their internal design and build quality are the worst of any major manufacturer. Their software and hardware support are more well-known issues.

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Not worried about software support.  When the day comes that HTC slips on updating their software, I'll root my wife's phone and put the latest version of Android on it.  Of course for the masses, that could be a concern.

She was able to get the phone yesterday from Costco for $160.  The GS4 comes out next week, so with Costco she has 3 months to decide if she wants to swap it out for something else. 

So far, she's loving it.  The interface is nice and clean, and the camera is incredible.  The thing takes amazing pictures even in very low light. 

Couple of quirks that I'm trying to figure out:  can't share "pictures" directly to MMS.  You have to open the messenger and select the pictures you want.  I'm not sure why this is the case  yet, hopefully this will be resolved.

Also, there are no quick shortcuts on the top of the notification bar (like the GS3) so that's a little annoying.  Also, didn't realize how used to the home button I was.  HTC always puts their buttons in odd places for me (wake-up is on the top left, volume is on the right, home button is on the right).

Overall, I'm still loving my GS3, but the speed of the HTC One is impressive.  Everything is faster in every way than my phone:  Voice search, GPS Lock, opening apps, etc.  Then again, the GS3 is a year old.


A side note about the Costco purchse:  As usual, they refund you the activation fee (shows up as a refund on your next month's bill) and give you a bundle with a car/wall charger, cord, and 2 screen protectors.  In the past, they'd give you a crappy fake leather case and holster.  This time, however, the bundle had a translucent soft gray plastic case made specifically for the HTC one.  Very nice case for immediate protection for the phone. 


*EDIT:  This app appears to add the quick shortcuts that aren't available yet for the HTC One.  I guess they will be added with the next update, which should be out soon.  AntTek Quick Settings

This post was edited on 4/22 10:08 AM by dmm5157

4/22 9:38 AM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by rassmon:

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Originally posted by n4dog:

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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Huge step up from my Galaxy S slide out.....

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Oh absolutely, 100%.  It's at least 10 times faster and the screen is night and day.  That phone is also almost 3 years old now.

4/10 1:52 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

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Originally posted by rassmon:

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Originally posted by n4dog:

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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Huge step up from my Galaxy S slide out.....

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Oh absolutely, 100%.  It's at least 10 times faster and the screen is night and day.  That phone is also almost 3 years old now.

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Got my boy at Sprint on alert for the first one!!!! Ol Slide out keyboard is just hangin on!! Push the "b" button and who know's what you get flashing up on the screen.....it's like having hot keys!! Replaced the whole phone once and now this one is doing it....I think it is at "end of life".....

4/10 3:10 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by n4dog:

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Originally posted by dmm5157:

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Originally posted by mjpwooo:
More feedback for everyone...

As of 9:45,battery is at 7%. Streamed radio via wifi for about 2.5 hours today. Auto screen brightness in effect. Twitter feed and sportacular was active. Bluetooth turned on for maybe 1/2 of the day. Zero mid-day charging. Don't know if this is good or bad, but it is what it is.

Screen is still only okay in sunlight.

That's it for now.

---

sounds pretty good for that usage.

As for the GS4,nlt really impressed. Basically same as a GS3, slightly bigger, better screen, bigger battery and faster processor. Incrementally better than the GS3, not bad but not a huge step up.

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I have already read that several developers are not going to get the S4 yet. They have said not much different to justifiy the cost.

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Yep, that doesn't surprise me.  I only know a couple of people who are getting it because they are up for an upgrade. 

Personally, this is probably a good time to skip upgrade cycles if you don't need a new phone.

Or get the GS3 on the cheap.  That really is going to be the standard until at least winter time.

The Sony Xperia Z still looks better to me than the GS4.

3/15 4:50 PM | IP: Logged

Desi, I'm moving from AT&T to Verizon in the near future, planning on going with the Galaxy of some kind (coming from iPhone).  Would you recommend getting the S3 on the cheap or going ahead and getting the S4? Also any idea on price points for the two once the S4 comes out?

3/21 9:08 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by GilchristNole:
Desi, I'm moving from AT&T to Verizon in the near future, planning on going with the Galaxy of some kind (coming from iPhone).  Would you recommend getting the S3 on the cheap or going ahead and getting the S4? Also any idea on price points for the two once the S4 comes out?

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I'm usually not a fan of getting older phones, but if the price is right the GS3 is as solid a phone as you can get out right now. 

I'm not really sold on the GS4 really.  It's nice to have newer tech, but the features don't really jump out at me.

Looks like you get get a GS3 on Verizon for $9.99 if you are a new customer, if you order from Amazon.com .  The price also includes free 2 day shipping. 

I personally like buying my phones through Costco's Wireless Advocate vendor (free activation, cases, travel chargers, etc) because they give you a 90 day no-questions-asked return/exchange policy.  The price from them, however, is $99.  Not sure if the price is going to drop any further.

3/21 9:18 PM | IP: Logged

Any thoughts / analysis of new T-Mobile "plans"?

They're switching away from the contract model and going to a purely month to month scheme.  
You can either buy the phone outright for prices from $400-600 (not unlike most other carriers) and monthly plans are all unlim voice & text starting at $50, with data being throttled after 500 MB, $60 for data throttled after 2.5 GB, $70 for unlim, never throttled data.

So while the monthly for 2.5 GB is cheaper than other carriers ($60++), the phone cost is about the same.

3/26 2:50 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by BacardiNole:
Any thoughts / analysis of new T-Mobile "plans"?

They're switching away from the contract model and going to a purely month to month scheme.  
You can either buy the phone outright for prices from $400-600 (not unlike most other carriers) and monthly plans are all unlim voice & text starting at $50, with data being throttled after 500 MB, $60 for data throttled after 2.5 GB, $70 for unlim, never throttled data.

So while the monthly for 2.5 GB is cheaper than other carriers ($60++), the phone cost is about the same.

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It's a great option for Nexus device owners.  You can pick up a Nexus device directly from Google starting at $299 off contract and then save your money via your monthly plans.  Even better prices if you don't mind having an older phone, as T-Mobile is GSM and you can just pop in your sim card and go.

Say your contract on another carrier is 24 months and you're saving $20 a month, that's a $480 savings over the course of the plan. 

The savings roughly equals the subsidy, so if you really like having a lower upfront cost phone and don't mind paying a little more month to month, then traditional plans are fine. 

If you need to have the cutting edge phone every 20 to 24 months, then contract plans with subsidies is probably easier on the pocket book in some cases.

Heavy data users are going to be the ones that these plans really attract, as you can get unlimited, unthrottled data for $70 a month.  Now that T Mobile is rolling out LTE and already has ridiculously fast HSPA+ speeds, it's becoming a more attractive service provider. 

The problem I have with T-Mobile is limited nation wide coverage in areas where I travel a lot.  I can't afford to have lapses in coverage if I don't stay on the interstate.

3/26 3:49 PM | IP: Logged

Verizon finally released Jelly Bean (4.1.2) for RAZR Maxx.  Here are the new features:

1) Lost all contact pictures from Facebook.  I suspect this is google intentionally breaking this feature in order to push users to google+.

2) Lost the ability to turn my phone into a wifi hotspot via PDAnet.  Now I can only tether or use bluetooth.  Verizon now blocks wifi hotspot.

3) Several different default fonts.  I can't figure out why they keep changing screen fonts after each release.

I don't notice any other differences.

My question is can I root the phone to get the features back?  I really liked the wifi hotspot with PDAnet.

If I root the phone, do I need to reinstall all my apps, contacts etc, or do I just backup everything and restore?

How long does it take to root and is any version recommended?

3/27 9:50 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by surfnole:
Verizon finally released Jelly Bean (4.1.2) for RAZR Maxx.  Here are the new features:

1) Lost all contact pictures from Facebook.  I suspect this is google intentionally breaking this feature in order to push users to google+.

2) Lost the ability to turn my phone into a wifi hotspot via PDAnet.  Now I can only tether or use bluetooth.  Verizon now blocks wifi hotspot.

3) Several different default fonts.  I can't figure out why they keep changing screen fonts after each release.

I don't notice any other differences.

My question is can I root the phone to get the features back?  I really liked the wifi hotspot with PDAnet.

If I root the phone, do I need to reinstall all my apps, contacts etc, or do I just backup everything and restore?

How long does it take to root and is any version recommended?

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FoxFi just released a new update for Jellybean on Verizon that works around Verizon's block of mobile hotspot.  Awesome!!!  I paid for the full app.  It's the last time I upgrade my phone because no doubt Verizon will work on further restrictions.

4/11 9:18 AM | IP: Logged

For anyone on Sprint that wants an S4, they are available for pre-order.....

4/18 2:33 PM | IP: Logged

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Originally posted by surfnole:
Verizon finally released Jelly Bean (4.1.2) for RAZR Maxx.  Here are the new features:

1) Lost all contact pictures from Facebook.  I suspect this is google intentionally breaking this feature in order to push users to google+.

2) Lost the ability to turn my phone into a wifi hotspot via PDAnet.  Now I can only tether or use bluetooth.  Verizon now blocks wifi hotspot.

3) Several different default fonts.  I can't figure out why they keep changing screen fonts after each release.

I don't notice any other differences.

My question is can I root the phone to get the features back?  I really liked the wifi hotspot with PDAnet.

If I root the phone, do I need to reinstall all my apps, contacts etc, or do I just backup everything and restore?

How long does it take to root and is any version recommended?

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1.  The FB Contant pictures is actually easy to fix.  I don't use Facebook for that at all, I use a stand-alone app called Contact Picture Sync.  It's very quick and easy to use, and allows you to sync high resolution photos via Facebook login.  It also lets you decide if you want to sync only missing pics, new pics, or manually link contacts to FB friends that may not match names exactly. 

2.  Wifi hotspot is a slippery slope.  It's technically not allowed by Verizon.  You can get around this with some apps that require root access, but again Verizon could nab you for unauthorized tethering.

There may also be some device specific apps out there that work as well, but I am not familiar with the ones for the Razr/Razr Maxx.

3.  Not sure about the fonts.  Probably a Motorola thing.



Rooting procedures vary by device.  The root method also varies based on what version of Android you are running.  I'd recommend reading up on this for your device specific forum at XDA's forums. 

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1360

you'll want to read up on the forum for ANDROID DEVLOPMENT.  You'll want to look for threads for ROOT for your version of Android.  Being that the update just came out, a root method may not be out yet or may be complicated at first.  Typically, easier root methods become available a while after the newer updates have been out.

A quick glance at the threads for the Razr Maxx (same as the regular Razr) appear that rooting the device is not as easy as other methods.  May not be something you wish to undertake if you are not tech savy and aren't comfortable using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). 

WARNING:  Rooting is not a trivial matter.  Making mistakes during the rooting process can brick your device.

There may be some quick an easy methods out there, but you'll have to do some searching.

3/28 12:20 AM | IP: Logged

Originally posted by Bartdog: Not sure if I should bother since WP isn't even in the discussion at this point, but watch this if you are curious. He went 30-3-1 at CES putting a Windows phone up against a variety of smartphones. Smoked by a Windows Phone This post was edited on 3/13 10:27 AM by Bartdog There's all kinds of ways to rig that test, and you have a tester who is an expert at manipulating one brand of phone going up against amateurs. It must be a marketing video. You could just as easily reverse the results by putting an Android expert, with time to customize widgets and shortcuts, against a casual Windows phone user. On another note, I've been playing round with the RAZR Maxx and used turn by turn voice navigation, 4G data, GPS, Bright Display and cell phone calls and burned about 35% battery in 1.5 hours. There are three different GPS modes and satellite GPS uses the most power. 1) GPS via local wifi networks 2) GPS via cell phone tower triangulation 3) GPS via satellite (most accurate and power hungry). I had all three turned on. 3/14 10:31 PM | IP: Logged

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