Topic: Android platform phones (Read 4039 times)

Ned · « **Reply #90 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:35:48 PM »

Our Toshiba notebook has both keys, my Droid has the backspace key labeled Del. There is a graphic below the Del label that shows it functions as a backspace key however.

One other nit, the Home page doesn't shift to landscape, it stays in portrait mode. This includes the Quick Search bar. But since Voice Search is available on the home page, that's not a big problem. Voice search is one of the neater features.

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #91 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:54:13 PM »

>> Bob, my keyboards have only a delete key and it works as a backspace key. There is no key labeled Backspace, just Del.
===
If doing any kind of text edit volume, that is too bad. DEL "should" delete the characer under the cursor - and continue forward doing that, whereas Backspace deletes the character to the left of the cursor and continues in that direction. If you only have a Backspace key, you must move to the right of anything you want to delete. You should be able to delete in either direction according to where the stuff is you want to delete vs. having to make a round trip from your current position.

>> The slideout keyboard has 2 shift keys and they work as expected.
===
Terrific!! I'll bet that was based on a lot of negative feedback on the single shift keyboards. Ned, based on my experience with thumbing a fixed keyboard vs. the on screen keyboards, if you learn thumbing, you will probably be glad you have the fixed keyboard. You touch type, so the motor movements do not have to be relearned with thumbing - whereas with single touch with finger or stylus, you must think about where each key is located. And, FWIW, my thumbs sure prefer those raised keys.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #92 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:01:13 PM »

Ned,

I've seen the call log. Seems I haven't had any missed calls. Sure not as convenient as the standard listings. Something else to get use to doing. I do have the power management app. Normally I never go to the screen where those options are listed. Have no idea how I did it but I must have turned it off somehow.

I guess using the mapping with voice commands could work as long as you could trust it. :-) Need a lot more time playing before I decide!

Ned · « **Reply #93 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:03:33 PM »

Well, every device seems to be a set of compromises and doesn't please everyone. Personally, I won't be doing a lot of text editing on the Droid, that's what my real computers are for, so I don't miss the true delete key. Most of my errors are fixed with a backspace.

I'll give the slideout keyboard a fair trial, but expect I'll use the onscreen one most of the time.

Ned · « **Reply #94 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:05:06 PM »

Jim, one thing I found I have to watch is to not inadvertently press the volume key. If it goes all the way down, all sounds are shut off.

Tom · « **Reply #95 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:28:27 PM »

Quote from: Ned

Our Toshiba notebook has both keys, my Droid has the backspace key labeled Del.

Ah, I thought you were saying your regular computer keyboards didn't have a delete key that functions as a "forward delete". Since every computer I recall owning had both keys, each performing different functions, I've been rummaging around all my old computers. I even looked at my old luggable Tandy 1400LT and my first lightweight laptop, the TI 2000, sitting in the recycle pile in the garage. Both have the two keys which perform different functions.

Back to my question - has anyone found the delete key (not a mis-labeled backspace key) on the Android on-screen keyboard? I'm asking because I found a need.

Jeff · « **Reply #96 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:43:16 PM »

Tom:

You mentioned the joystick for moving the cursor. The screen is a touch screen that allows you to tap to relocate the cursor doesn't it?

Tom · « **Reply #97 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:15:39 PM »

Yes it is Jeff. But the Droid Eris also has a small multi-function trackball (sorry, I called it a joystick) located below the screen that I can roll my thumb over to move the cursor. It also performs several other functions, such as popping up the on-screen keyboard (by depressing it), and it has an integral light for some notifications (haven't figured out which ones).

One challenge for me is when I want to insert the cursor into the middle of text with very small font, such as the address bar of an RSS reader. I can't accurately put the cursor in the right place by tapping the screen.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #98 on:** November 19, 2009, 08:01:34 AM »

Quote from: Ned on November 18, 2009, 05:05:06 PM

Jim, one thing I found I have to watch is to not inadvertently press the volume key. If it goes all the way down, all sounds are shut off.

Yep, That's probably what did it!! Thanks.

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #99 on:** November 19, 2009, 11:44:17 AM »

Quote from: Jeff on November 18, 2009, 05:43:16 PM

Tom:

You mentioned the joystick for moving the cursor. The screen is a touch screen that allows you to tap to relocate the cursor doesn't it?

Jeff, my experience with the Omnia touch screen is that my finger is too wide to locate the insertion point properly. I use the mouse pointer or my finger nail. The most effective way is via the stylus -- but that is also the slowest way of data entry.

Unfortunately, my keyboards do not have Cursor Keys - which would allow finger touch entry, then a quick adjustment if off a character or two.

Ned, does the Droid have cursor keys?

Phil · « **Reply #100 on:** November 19, 2009, 02:08:50 PM »

Quote from: Bob Buchanan on November 19, 2009, 11:44:17 AM

does the Droid have cursor keys?

The keyboard on the Motorola Droid has cursor keys.

Phil

Ned · « **Reply #101 on:** November 19, 2009, 03:14:16 PM »

The slideout keyboard does, but not the onscreen.

Tom · « **Reply #102 on:** November 19, 2009, 04:47:53 PM »

Quote from: Tom

.... I'm awaiting the 2.0 update from HTC.

I emailed HTC and they say they're waiting for the word from Verizon. Verizon is saying they're waiting for HTC.

This is one of those times when I wish the two people were standing in front of me so I could bang heads together.

FrontrangeRVer · « **Reply #103 on:** November 21, 2009, 10:52:54 PM »

Just a heads up on the Motorola Droid! This phone does NOT allow for tethering, and won't until sometime in 2010 possibly according to Verizon!!

For those that don't know what tethering is, it is a FEATURE (not a plan) that allows you to "tether" your phone as a modem to your computer for $30/month with no 2 year commitment. You can start/stop this FEATURE anytime during the month at no cost. (On the other hand, If you use an aircard for your Broadband access, this is a "PLAN", and it costs $60/month with no start/stop, and it comes with a 2-year commitment.) You can see the immense value in tethering vs. aircards.

This will definately knock this phone out of the running in a couple of months when my NE2 is here!!!!! Looks more and more like the new Blackberry code name "Essex" (the Tour replacement) will still lead the running when it is time for me to upgrade.

Phil · « **Reply #104 on:** November 22, 2009, 12:39:36 AM »

Quote from: FrontrangeRVer on November 21, 2009, 10:52:54 PM

Just a heads up on the Motorola Droid! This phone does NOT allow for tethering, and won't until sometime in 2010 possibly according to Verizon!!

Oh, excuse me but, my Motorola Droid tethers very nicely. VZ Access Manager from Verizon will not be available until 2010 but, third party software works great right now.

Phil

Ned · « **Reply #105 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:40:14 AM »

Tethering wasn't even on my list of desired features when I considered the smart phones. With all the capabilities of the Droid, I have no need for tethering. But, in case I should,

what software are you using, Phil?

rjf7g · « **Reply #106 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:09:12 AM »

Quote from: rhmahoney on November 11, 2009, 11:34:39 PM

My only quibble is with the tiny space allotted for apps...256 meg. I have over 30 apps on my iPhone+ the 12 built in ones. The reviewers say that 2 big apps can fill a droid up.

What? Mine came with a 16GB SD card and I have been able to find and install 75% of my favorite iPhone apps w/o problems. I have an iPhone for work and a Droid for personal use - I run SpeedTest periodically and the Verizon network has crushed AT&T (even in 3G areas) every single time.

Jeff · « **Reply #107 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:24:55 AM »

Ned:

Phil and I used PDANET software to tether our Palms for several years and I would guess he is using their beta for the Droid.

Ned · « **Reply #108 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:36:41 AM »

Jeff, thanks, I'll have to take a look.

Phil · « **Reply #109 on:** November 22, 2009, 12:12:58 PM »

Quote from: Ned on November 22, 2009, 07:40:14 AM

Tethering wasn't even on my list of desired features when I considered the smart phones. With all the capabilities of the Droid, I have no need for tethering. But, in case I should, what software are you using, Phil?

I use PDANet now. I hope to receive a trial version of VZAccess before the end of the year.

Tethering is great for those times that you are camped under a tree and the dish is blocked.

Phil

Ned · « **Reply #110 on:** November 22, 2009, 12:28:19 PM »

Why would I camp under a tree?

Jeff · « **Reply #111 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:07:20 PM »

Shade?

Ned · « **Reply #112 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:25:41 PM »

Shade is overrated. We'll park anywhere that we can see 127W

BernieD · « **Reply #113 on:** November 22, 2009, 08:28:29 PM »

Quote from: Ned on November 22, 2009, 12:28:19 PM

Why would I camp under a tree?

Because it is the last space left in the park $:-\$

Tom · « **Reply #114 on:** November 22, 2009, 08:37:43 PM »

I like shade, and it doesn't bother either of my air cards

Having experienced good T-mobile coverage across the US and the Maritimes (expensive), I'm looking forward to even better coverage with the VZW air card, even under a shade tree.

FrontrangeRVer · « **Reply #115 on:** November 22, 2009, 09:23:29 PM »

Quote from: Ned on November 22, 2009, 07:40:14 AM

Tethering wasn't even on my list of desired features when I considered the smart phones. With all the capabilities of the Droid, I have no need for tethering. But, in case I should, what software are you using, Phil?

Ned, I really didn't have you specifically in mind when I posted about the tethering issue with the Droid....It was about others who might be interested in this issue.

Ned · « **Reply #116 on:** November 22, 2009, 09:54:03 PM »

But tethering is possible, and others might be interested in knowing that

FrontrangeRVer · « **Reply #117 on:** November 22, 2009, 09:59:35 PM »

Well Ned...glad you are interested in tethering! Maybe you should add that to your list next time!

For the other members here who are interested in tethering the Droid, Verizon does not support tethering the Droid....yet. For now, you can use third party applications to get around this (like PDAnet). Verizon will support tethering sometime in 2010....

HERE is a good link about tethering the Droid, and this forum looks like a good place for info about the Motorola Droid.

rhmahoney · « **Reply #118 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:31:14 PM »

Daniel Eran Dilger writing in the 4th article on iPhone vs Android as platforms at http://test.roughlydrafted.com/ states that the Droid app space is 200 megs of built in memory. It can hold lots of useful apps, but games tend to be huge and some are larger than 200 meg. The SD cards hold music, photos, and data. Article goes into details of the differing design philosophies.

article title:
Inside Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhone OS as software markets

Jeff · « **Reply #119 on:** November 22, 2009, 11:00:18 PM »

Russ:

The way you are researching the Droid you must be thinking about dumping your IPods.

News:

Author Topic: Android platform phones (Read 4039 times)