HTC

HTC Droid Incredible: First Impressions

Posted on Updated on

I’ve been meaning to post updates on this handy device, but have been unusually busy getting up to speed at a new job. More on that another time.

The Breakdown

  • Performance – With a 1 ghz Snapdragon CPU and 288 MB RAM, response time is quite snappy. Verizon’s 3G network is reasonably reliable, averaging 1 mbps downloads when tested at home.
  • Camera – Since I upgraded from a humble Blackberry Pearl, have taken many more snapshots using the excellent 8 megapixel camera on the Incredible. It’s easy to use and the flash works well, though have read reports that IPhone camera is still better…so what.
  • Usability – Android interface is really well-designed. Took me less than a day to feel comfortable. Having five screens allows you to set up lots of apps for quick navigation.
  • Form factor – Very light and easy to hold. Occasionally gets a little warm stuck in my pocket, a reboot helps.
  • Video and sound – Very bright and large 3.2 inch display easy on the eyes. But sometimes hard to view in direct sunlight. Sound quality beat out my Ipod Touch, Blackberry Pearl and CD Player in testing, it’s become my primary playing device in the car.
  • Apps – Pretty good selection, including techie and music-related apps. Google Sky Maps is an Android-only special, and caused my sister to literally snatch my Droid away to gaze at the night sky!

Gripes

  • Seems like Yahoo Mail isn’t supported through a Wifi connection, which is annoying since I still haven’t made the full leap to GMail.
  • Accessories are still not widely available. Not a lot of protection until custom cases finally hit the market.
  • Android App Market is pretty good, but still playing catch-up to the IPhone App Store. We’re getting there, last quarter Android devices collectively outsold the IPhone globally.

This entry was posted in Mobile computing and tagged , , , , , , , , .

HTC Droid Incredible on Verizon (no Nexus One)

Posted on Updated on

Happy to report that I will be upgrading to an HTC Droid Incredible in the very near future. I had been waiting months for the Android-based Google Nexus One to arrive on Verizon, since I’m also planning to move off T-Mobile. Both models sport similar features, performance, and form factor in addition to running on the much-touted open-source Android 2.1 OS, but several reviews including CNET have given the edge to the HTC Droid Incredible. I’m especially excited about the 8 megapixel digital camera, 802.11n for wi-fi up to 108 mbps (optimal), and the 8 GB of internal memory.

Here is a useful first look at the Droid Incredible courtesy of ZDNet-

But the final straw in favor of DI over Nexus One was the somewhat surprising recent news that Google will not be releasing Nexus One on Verizon at all, after much teasing about a Spring release date.

Will need to get to the store soon after reports that the smartphone is already sold out at Bay Area Verizon Wireless retailers!

This entry was posted in Mobile computing and tagged , , , , , , , , , .