Quick Question - Swithing from BB to Android

[hawkfrost]

Could you give me the reasons to choose the Droid vs. the new Incredible? I've read several comments, but would like to get some valid opinions. I'm a techy and use the phone for work and pleasure, but eye candy isn't what it's all about for me.

Thanks from this newbie,

Hawk

 

[acidsamuraix]

The only reason you'd choose a Droid now is either:

You like having a physical keyboard.

You want an unmodified Android OS (with a higher chance of getting OS updates earlier because SenseUI doesnt also have to be modified before its ready).

The resolution is ever so slightly higher.

Otherwise, the Incredible is newer and faster, and probably a little more expensive.

 

[hawkfrost]

Here's another question..

I'm a newbie with Android so keep that in mind.

Does Droid have the capability to run flash like the incredible or is that something that is built into the Sense?

Honest opinion from you, should I hold out for the reported coming out of the Shadow? or the Droid 2? I'm sure more beasts will appear the rest of the year.

 

[acidsamuraix]

The skyfire browser can play *some* flash video, but its far from perfect, and the translation is done by the Skyfire folks, not Flash itself. We're supposed to get full blown Flash by the end of the first half or so, but the truth of that is anyone's guess, though I bet we will get it eventually.

All in all, The Droid and Incredible both run Android 2.1, so the biggest difference is SenseUI and processor speed. I have a Droid and don't have money pouring out of my pockets, so I'm sticking with it until I can at least get a discount, but I'd never trade a 2.1 phone for another phone on 2.1, there's ultimately no upgrade. It's like buying a new computer with all the same specs but a 400mhz faster cpu...there's really no value in that.

If i didnt already have a Droid, I'd certainly lead towards the Incredible, though the remote chance of getting 2.2 faster would certainly factor in my decision to stay Droid, but that's not a guarantee.

As for what's coming out down the road...I honestly dont pay too much attention because they'll all be obsolete by the time I can upgrade anyway. The smartphone obsolescence rate is stupidly fast these days. If you wait to have the best one, you'll wait forever, best to just go with what's available and just know that when its time to upgrade, there'll be some super awesome phones available.

So bottom line, like you'll see in many posts here, is to just go to a VZW store and really try em both out. See if you like Sense over the stock Android UI, if the speed makes a big difference, how much you may like the physical keyboard (I rarely used it at first, and now use it exclusively).

 

[hawkfrost]

Thanks so much

I really appreciate your responses. I don't have money pouring out either, so the budget is big thing. I can get two droids for the price of one, which is THE major factor. I've played with both. I like both phones, while I like looking at the Sense UI, I consider it more what I call "eye candy".

I agree about the obsolescence of phone upgrades. It's kind of like several years ago with computers. By the time you got yours hooked up, it was outdated. I've been without my BB for a few months and saddeled with an old EnV - the original, so any upgrade at this point will be like a jolt into the future. My wife has the BB 8530 but RIM is really wayy behind in my opinion. They may come out with something comparable to these andriod devices in the future, but from what I've read, its not anytime really soon.

Thanks again for you candid responses. That exactly what I needed.

 

[theoneuafter]

I totally agree with his comments.
The standouts to me (Brand new Moto Droid owner) were the screen resolution which is slightly better on the Droid, the physical keyboard because I like to have the option to use either one even if the Droid physical keyboard is not the best.
As he stated the other important thing is the Sense. some like it some think its just for looks. The view is horrible in the sun on either unit but that didnt matter in my decision.

I too came from a BB Storm and have never looked back. The Blackberry is a very capable phone and it took alot for me to jump ship. My past 3 phones have all been Berries.
Either choice you make, they are both very powerful and amazing devices.
Post up when you choose!
Welcome to Andriod!

 

[hawkfrost]

Thank you

Thanks for the welcome. I went and looked at the phones again and I also picked the Droid. I will be getting it tomorrow and I am so excited. I've had two BB so it's took me awhile to leave, but I've had friends tell me the same thing. You will never look back.

Thanks again,

Hawk

 

[BryEDS]

I just switched to the droid from the Tour and I have to ssay its been wonderful! There's certainly some nice features about the blackberry, the BB also definitely is better with exchange (BES) email sync as compared to ActiveSync, BUT as you said earlier, the BB os is WAY behind in the times - the Droid is definitely much more of a fun phone, I really enjoy it. Typing on it is wonderful, I'm really happy with the touch screen keyboard and the way it guesses the word you're typing - it really speeds it along! I found that I like 3banana notes vs Evernote, its not the same as it syncing to Outlook, but it works I don't use tasks, so i don't care about that ... Anyways, enjoy!!!

 

[anaphora68]

I just switched from the Pre to the Droid, and my wife from the Tour to the Droid. We both looked at the Incredible when it came out, but decided to stick with the Droid for a few reasons.

1. Text on the Incredible is not as crisp. The screen just wasn't as pleasant to read on. Colors also seem over saturated.

2. Quality. The Incredible is well built, but it just doesn't have the same feel as the Droid.

3. OS. I know a lot of people love Sense, but I can't stand it. It's too "busy," and is not as well integrated with Google Services (FLICKR being the photo service of choice pops right into my head). I prefer stock Android, and want to be able to receive 2.2 as soon as possible.

I know the Incredible has more RAM, a (on paper) faster processor, but I just prefer the Droid. That, and in six months Verizon will be rolling out LTE phones. That will be the time to buy the next great thing.

Just my two cents.

 

[hawkfrost]

Thanks anaphora for the feedback.

I chose the Droid for some of the exact same reasons. I'm looking forward to working on it today.

Hawk

 

[watersrules]

good luck with your Droids.. the think this thread really sums up the differences well without the usual bias you may read in other threads.. great posts everyone!

 

[takeshi]

There's certainly some nice features about the blackberry, the BB also definitely is better with exchange (BES) email sync as compared to ActiveSync

How so? I prefer ActiveSync myself. With BES you don't get actual sync. It pushes and reconciles.