Engadget review (rant)

[JubbaTheHutt]

l.

With that said, I have 1 question about the X.

Can it be used outside the US?

As of right now, no, but Motorola has commented that the X or at least some variation may see the light of day internationally.

 

[bart151]

As of right now, no, but Motorola has commented that the X or at least some variation may see the light of day internationally.

Variation as in the form of a update or a new device?

That sucks because I intend on doing a lot of traveling and this would make the perfect device for just that.

 

[JubbaTheHutt]

Variation as in the form of a update or a new device?

That sucks because I intend on doing a lot of traveling and this would make the perfect device for just that.

Device - Unfortunately (as with most of VZW phones) the "X" is a CDMA based phone, and thus cannot be used internationally (like GSM based phones).

 

[terpitude71]

The overall score seems to be inline with the comment of the review:

So, let's just save you a bit of time from the outset: the Droid X is an imposing device, and it's definitely not for the small of hands. Makes no mistake, this is a big phone designed for use by big people. Well, not necessarily "big," but let's just say you're going to have a tough go of it if you're the kind of person that struggles to find a ball at the bowling alley where you can reach all the holes. Software and hardware aside, we'd actually say the size issue is going to be a showstopper for some -- but if you've got smaller hands and you're in the market for a high-end Android device on Verizon, you've still got the 3.7-inch Droid Incredible as a compelling option.

youre helping me make my point. so if you have small hands, the score is a 7. but what if you have big hands and the size isnt an issue. does that make the phone an 8 or 9? if they didnt tack a ridiculous score on the end, i probably would have no issue with the review.

cory was correct with what he said earlier that there is no perfect scoring method for reviewing a mobile device. best solution: dont use one.

 

[c4v3man]

The text review was actually pretty fair. I do find it hard to blame the X for not coming with 2.2, as it was released far to close to the phone's launch date. Show me a phone other than the "developer" Nexus One that has a supported 2.2 release. It's not like phones have been coming out with 2.2 and this one slipped out with 2.1 .

I don't use skins or scratch protectors on my phones. Sometimes I get insurance until I know my phone can take a beating. I'd rather have something I can easily slip in and out of my pocket. Requiring this would absolutely make anyone the joke of the industry, as it should.

Finally, do you honestly believe that if the phone had released with 2.2 and better camera software they would have given it a 9? The only reason why I believe they gave the EVO a 9 is because it's the first 4G network phone, and has a front facing camera, which they can't be hypocritical and call a "gimmick", as this would invalidate the praise of facetime.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

engaget has and always be pro apple, which is why I do the opposite of what they say......

 

[c4v3man]

Besides, Engadget is owned by AOL, which has past history with Apple. Considering Apple and AOL's media involvement, expecting them to not be in bed together is unrealistic. Would AOL rather sponsor Apple's devices, which use iTunes, which is one of the largest resellers of music in the industry, one which AOL is involved in. Or would AOL rather sponsor Android, which has no such allegiances?

Taking tech purchase advise from AOL... hah. I think of Apple users much the same as AOL users...

 

[JubbaTheHutt]

engaget has and always be pro apple, which is why I do the opposite of what they say......

I call BS. Even though they don't necessarily go to great lengths hiding their admiration of Apple, I dare you to look no further than to the "tech based blog" who is the epitome of Apple-Fanboyism...Gizmodo.

 

[Cory Streater]

best solution: dont use one.

LOL!

 

[slipdisc]

I think media in general helps drive interest in Apple's products. And no doubt, thats where a lot of the advertising money is spent. I think they simply cater to the crowd that wants to just devour every tidbit of Apple news.

I remember one day counting all the Apple related links on Engadget's home page. 37 links to apple stuff. And a single (1) link to Android. And that happened to be the link for their own app, presumably so you can download it on your Android device and go read more Apple stories.


I have always just tried to find what worked best for me. And by researching the particular model by reading every review I can find whether is be a tech blog or website, watching youtube reviews. Or reading forums like this one And ultimately going into the carrier's retail store and trying it out in person to get some hands-on time with it.

But I have never made a decision to buy a phone based on what other people think is cool or sexy. Or what the hipsters use. Or for the envy value when you whip it out in front of all your friends. I use what works for me period.

 

[rinnr1]

I now rely on what Tech Sites are saying.. I early adopted the BB Storm 1 and got severely burned on it.. I'm on my 5th Storm and it still doesn't function well..

I now like to read up on all reviews see what is good and bad about a phone before I buy it I don't want to have the frustration and annoyance of a phone that doesn't function the way it is supposed to.

I saw engadget's review numbers too and it pissed me off a little. The gripes are

Motorola's Android skin still needs work (Ok good complaint)
No Android 2.2 at launch (How is this a negative for the phone when Froyo is still not officially released)
Camera UI annoying, slow (I guess)



IPhone4

Annoying pop-up notifications (That would make me not want it right there)
Reception is improved, but still has issues (What? it doesn't work as a phone)
Desperately needs widgets
add
Only on AT&T ( I think that's a HUGE knock against the IPhone)
IAds (Yeah another strike against it)
But that's just me.

Product Reviews -- Engadget

 

[ceriem]

Guys, we're complaining (for good reason) about something that has become the norm online. The media likes the iPhone. Why? Because when it first came out it was huge and revolutionary and changed the way we think about smartphones.

Now, everyone has jumped on the Apple bandwagon to promote their products because, like it or not, they're still freakin popular, despite the design flaws (one blog describes this perfectly here: The iPhone 4 Glass Busted | TG Daily ). The media isn't wouldn't play it up if it didn't still command such a large portion on the smartphone market.

Android is still the new kid who, despite gaining a significant market share, is still the nerdy kid who doesn't like talking to girls much. People are still shaking off images of the G1 and earlier phones which had little form, and not much more function. This turned alot of people off from Android right out of the gate.

Think about it the differences here. Apple comes out with a device which is brilliant right from the start. Android comes out and takes about 2 years to even come close to passing Apple. Which one is going to garner a bigger media following?

It's something that has to be lived with for now. I encourage everyone who wants to change the status quo to personally email the editors of these sites and, respectfully, point out any flaws in logic or scoring you see. Flaming their comments sections and dissing the writers will only continue to brand Android as the nerdy, slow-to-the-game kid that the media portrays it as.

/rant

 

[c4v3man]

Guys, we're complaining (for good reason) about something that has become the norm online. The media likes the iPhone. Why? Because when it first came out it was huge and revolutionary and changed the way we think about smartphones.

Now, everyone has jumped on the Apple bandwagon to promote their products because, like it or not, they're still freakin popular, despite the design flaws (one blog describes this perfectly here: The iPhone 4 Glass Busted | TG Daily ). The media isn't wouldn't play it up if it didn't still command such a large portion on the smartphone market.

Android is still the new kid who, despite gaining a significant market share, is still the nerdy kid who doesn't like talking to girls much. People are still shaking off images of the G1 and earlier phones which had little form, and not much more function. This turned alot of people off from Android right out of the gate.

Think about it the differences here. Apple comes out with a device which is brilliant right from the start. Android comes out and takes about 2 years to even come close to passing Apple. Which one is going to garner a bigger media following?

It's something that has to be lived with for now. I encourage everyone who wants to change the status quo to personally email the editors of these sites and, respectfully, point out any flaws in logic or scoring you see. Flaming their comments sections and dissing the writers will only continue to brand Android as the nerdy, slow-to-the-game kid that the media portrays it as.

/rant

The first iphone WASN'T EVEN 3G, which many dumbphones were at the time. How many years did it take for them to allow freaking MMS messages, again an old/common technology at the time, to be sent? The iPhone did change the publics perception of smartphones, but that doesn't mean they were "brilliant" out of the gate.

 

[tourboy]

Agree! Which is why I am sticking with the Incredible. Soon the Incredible will also have 720p video, mobile hotspot; what's not to love.

7 is a bit low. Minimum 8.

 

[Cory Streater]

The iPhone was brilliant from the start? I'm calling NARC on you, because whatever you're smoking is messing up your perception.

It never fails. Every thread that mentions the iPhone 4 ends up in a series of personal attacks. Moving forward, I should just lock every single one of them.

Debates are fine. Flames, insults and personal attacks are not:

Respect others - Be courteous to other forum members regardless of their age/race/sexual preference/etc. Be tolerant of those who disagree with your opinion and discuss differences in a constructive manner. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Personal Attacks - Do not flame, insult, or post a personal attack against another user on the Android Central forums. Be courteous, not rude. Do not troll or respond to trolls.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

If the iphone had this on it, it would not sell:

Period......

But apple does no wrong......

 

[tourboy]

Looks like CNET gives it an excellent rating, just like the Incredible, but did not receive their Editors Choice, which the Incredible did:

X:
The good: The Motorola Droid X boasts a gorgeous 4.3-inch touch screen and great multimedia features like an 8-megapixel camera with HD video capture, HDMI output, and DLNA support. The smartphone can also be used as a mobile hot spot.

The bad: Camera is a bit sluggish. Motoblur software is a lot better but still not quite as refined as HTC Sense. Lacks a front-facing camera.

The bottom line: The Motorola Droid X makes another fine addition to Verizon's Android family, bringing with it a rich multimedia experience and more connectivity features.

Incredible:
The good: The HTC Droid Incredible is blazingly fast, thanks to Verizon's 3G network. HTC Sense enhances the features of Android 2.1, and the smartphone features an 8-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal memory. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G are all onboard.

The bad: You can't use voice and data at the same time. The multimedia experience is adequate but still behind the competition.

The bottom line: With its polished design and user interface and blazing fast speeds, the HTC Droid Incredible takes pole position as Verizon's top smartphone and is now the Android device to beat.

 

[didiwags]

I think the sluggishness is really ppl having to get used to the half press for focus then press all the way to actually take a pic. If you try to just press all the way it will be slow. Just like on a regular camera!!! My canon works the same way! If I try to rush it wont work right, if I do it right my pics are great!!!

 

[c4v3man]

It never fails. Every thread that mentions the iPhone 4 ends up in a series of personal attacks. Moving forward, I should just lock every single one of them.

Debates are fine. Flames, insults and personal attacks are not:

In my defense, I did acknowledge part of the user's opinion (in the part of my post that you did not quote) as being valid. But to state an opinion that is factually incorrect only perpetuates disinformation that does not help anyone. Granted, while it's unlikely that someone will read a thread such as this to make a decision to purchase a phone, it only serves as disinformation to an uninformed public. I know 5 people who purchased an iPhone 2G, and 3 of them returned them due to various reasons. They all have 3GS/4's now, so they aren't biased against apple/iPhone in any way. I fail to see how a 60% return rate (obviously not representative of the market as a whole) amongst the people I know who purchased the phone is a "brilliant" launch.

That being said, I will refrain from "personal attacks" in the future.

 

[ceriem]

The first iphone WASN'T EVEN 3G, which many dumbphones were at the time. How many years did it take for them to allow freaking MMS messages, again an old/common technology at the time, to be sent? The iPhone did change the publics perception of smartphones, but that doesn't mean they were "brilliant" out of the gate.

This is where I have to disagree with you. So it was missing a few functions, so what? Even with no 3G, the browser was still better than any other phone. And the App store revolutionized mobile telecommunications. I don't think anyone could argue that smartphones wouldn't be anywhere near where they are today without it. Hell, even Android probably wouldn't.

It may not be the best anymore, but it was at one time, and like it or not, it was a phone that got people excited, and that's all the matters. No one cares about copy and paste and 3G and MMS if the phone it's on isn't fun to use. Quite simply, the iPhone was, and always has been a fun device to use and that's why people love it, write about it, and give it a little leeway. Because even if the reception is a little iffy at times, and even if multitasking sucks, it's still something that is easy and enjoyable to use. That is why the iPhone is brilliant.

Maybe not the best smartphone, but still brilliant.

Btw, I hate Apple, so don't think I'm a defector. I would never buy an iPhone, but I am trying to have an objective view here.