Thunderbolt First Impressions/Reviews

[Treknologist]

Doing some venting here....!

I come from a computer background. I have built my own computers for over 20 years.

I just bought a bolt...and in defense of me and the bolt, I have been too busy to really spend any time with it so far. BUT....BUT....I will say....as of now ANDROID SUCKS!!!!!

A phone should be a phone first....I have no desire to sync all of my old contacts and phone #'s to google so they can get hacked and have my info. I come from a business (computer) world and the interface is terrible. So much bloat crap I have to scroll pass to FIND anything that might even resemble anything like sending a text to any # or just working with general info. This is a short message because Survivor is on now and really, if I have to spend the next 2 days learning how to just send a message or manage my contacts, well then back to a phone and company that offers a simple pc based app that allows me to manage my contacts without giving google the business.

Btw...the signal bars are weak, the 4g goes in and out...and the interface is NOT user friendly. Just my OP.

vent off....maybe this weekend I will do and learn more...but I had hoped I would be able to pick this up and run....and then begin the root and roms...did someone forget this is a phone FIRST!!!!

Your comments surprise me since you say you come from a computer background. You should know that any OS has a learning curve. To just say that Android sucks because you have to learn how to use it doesn't seem right. Is this your first smartphone? I can tell you the TBolt is my first Android phone and I don't see the OS as user unfriendly nor do I think the interface is terrible. On the contrary. This is also not my first smartphone and I have used every phone OS out there except for Windows Phone 7.

In any case, let's see if I can help you out some:

1. Messages - there is an icon on the center homescreen (the one with the big clock) that says "messages." Tap on that and the messages app opens. It should be self-explanatory after that. You may also have the messages widget on one of the other 6 screens and that lets you see the messages as well as send new ones.

2. For the contacts you may be able to use the Verizon back up app that comes with the phone (it asks you to configure it when you first start the phone) to transfer your contacts from your old phone to the TBolt.

3. LTE signal - this depends on where you are. If your area isn't covered fully, the signal will come in and out. You can turn off LTE if you know you are not in an area that has LTE coverage by using this app:
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.andirc.lteonfoff&feature=search_result

4. Bloatware - an unfortunate reality because we buy phones that are subsidized by service providers.

5. More tips and things you can learn about Android are here:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/31622-getting-started-android-tips-tricks.html

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions here. I'm sure folks will help.

 

[Chrisy]

That comment surprises me too. I have my phone set up so I can text and call super fast. I'm getting those things done quicker than on my Blackberry. There's a shortcut for every task on this device. There's really nothing that can't be done with a tap or two.

You can even put a direct message widget to a specific person right on one of your screens! Awesome feature that I don't use because I use Google Voice to text. But there's literally like six different ways to start a message to any one person, it's so easy.

And I'm terrible with computers, hate em.

 

[DroidXcon]

Doing some venting here....!

I come from a computer background. I have built my own computers for over 20 years.

I just bought a bolt...and in defense of me and the bolt, I have been too busy to really spend any time with it so far. BUT....BUT....I will say....as of now ANDROID SUCKS!!!!!

A phone should be a phone first....I have no desire to sync all of my old contacts and phone #'s to google so they can get hacked and have my info. I come from a business (computer) world and the interface is terrible. So much bloat crap I have to scroll pass to FIND anything that might even resemble anything like sending a text to any # or just working with general info. This is a short message because Survivor is on now and really, if I have to spend the next 2 days learning how to just send a message or manage my contacts, well then back to a phone and company that offers a simple pc based app that allows me to manage my contacts without giving google the business.

Btw...the signal bars are weak, the 4g goes in and out...and the interface is NOT user friendly. Just my OP.

vent off....maybe this weekend I will do and learn more...but I had hoped I would be able to pick this up and run....and then begin the root and roms...did someone forget this is a phone FIRST!!!!

So What about Android do you not like, because your points don't sound like you are saying android sucks, it sounds like you are saying HTC sucks.

What does 4g coming in and out have to do with android that is a radio issue.
What does bloatware have to do with Android , thats a carrier and manufacturer issue?
You have a background in computers? Speak and spells? Calculators?
If you wanted a phone to be a phone you should have just bought a phone not a smart phone.
What is so hard about sending a message. there is a picture with the word messages under it, then you hit compose.
You want to manage your contacts? try hitting the picture that looks like a roladex card that says people under it. You want a phone that gives you a simple PC based app that lets you manage your contacts. then use vcards there are so many ways you can manager your contacts its not even funny. With all your computer background you should be able to figure this out.

Then to top things off you think the interface is hard, but you want to root and rom it. Maybe you should stay away from this as it isn't always spoon fed.

I dont like this phone for alot of reasons but at no point do i blame Android. You are def a canidate for Iphone.

 

[kristykat182]

wetwaterdog
What phone did you have before?

 

[a320ca]

I GLADLY left AT&T, Motorola and specifically the "Atrix" for Verizon and the Thunderbolt. No regrets whatsoever! AT&T and Motorola will never see my $ again!

I travel all over the U.S. and the Thunderbolt has been rock solid and super fast! I love the bigger, brighter, clearer, more truer colors screen. I LOVE the 4g speeds! I love Verizon's coverage. I love the build quality and voice quality so much more than the plasticky, muffled sound on the Atrix. I really have yet to find anything I "don't" like about the TB.

 

[wetwaterdog]

Guys,

Again...just one of those Venting moments....I'm sure I will figure it out, but I have been very busy with work, so when I get home, finish the work stuff, well...YES, you guessed it....have not even read the manual or spent much time playing around. I do wish it had less Verizon bloatware on it....but then I do plan on a root and mod in the near future. I am hoping I have the time and energy to get after it this weekend and I'm sure once I get it all figured out and reconfigured, I will be happy. Hell, I have not even figured how to "one button" "X" out of a running app yet. I have no one to blame but myself...I just figured coming from building my own pc's for 20 years, using and hacking the old pda's (remember the IPaq 4150) and doing quick syncs with contacts etc...that things would have gotten easier. I did transfer my contacts to google (not sure how I feel about sending that much info to them" ....but I will figure it all out. I will also read/reread some of the posts for some good apps to help in managing my apps.

Right now....I need a few drinks...and time to just kick back. After that....I will maybe have some dumb questions. Not sure if I should root this early on...or wait a few more weeks just in case there is an OTA update.

Wetwaterdog

 

[Treknologist]

An OTA is expected before the end of June with Gingerbread and whatever new changes HTC is making to the version of Sense on the TBolt.

Insofar as the contacts, I originally was weary about having them on Google Mail but it works out wonderfully. Any changes I make on the phone or on Google are immediately transferred over. I've really gotten used to that convenience!

Let us know how it goes once you have the time to figure things out. The link I posted earlier should be helpful.

 

[sq0nk]

4. Bloatware - an unfortunate reality because we buy phones that are subsidized by service providers.

I wish that were totally true. I plan on buying the TB for full price and I'm sure I'll have the same bloatware that others have who purchased the phone with a 2 year contract. At least that's how I understand it

 

[Cyber Warrior]

I wish that were totally true. I plan on buying the TB for full price and I'm sure I'll have the same bloatware that others have who purchased the phone with a 2 year contract. At least that's how I understand it

Has nothing to do with if you buy the phone full price or on a contract price. Its not the phone manufacturers.. its the service providers. Verizon has its own preloaded software the same as any other network. Buy a phone on Sprint and you get the bloatware that they push with their service. The problem is that the phone companies do not give you the option to delete it... it's locked into the phone. The only way to delete it is to root the phone to gain full access to everything.

 

[sq0nk]

I totally agree, but if someone says we get bloatware due to the subsidized price from the service provider that's not a true statement. Bloatware is on the phone regardless if its subsized or not.

 

[dajogejr]

This could easily be a chicken or the egg conversation.

I'd bet most of VZW's customers (which this board on this phone probably represents about 2% of) buy this phone on a two year contract. They buy a phone for less than half it's retail.

They simply can't make a phone both ways, no contract and contract....so we're stuck with bloatware until you make a few....adjustments Best thing I ever did.

You know how nice it is not to have to go and kill tasks any time I reboot my phone?

 

[Treknologist]

This could easily be a chicken or the egg conversation.

I'd bet most of VZW's customers (which this board on this phone probably represents about 2% of) buy this phone on a two year contract. They buy a phone for less than half it's retail.

They simply can't make a phone both ways, no contract and contract....so we're stuck with bloatware until you make a few....adjustments Best thing I ever did.

You know how nice it is not to have to go and kill tasks any time I reboot my phone?

That is exactly what I meant when I said that. The US model is for subsidized phones, so the carriers just use that as the excuse for adding bloatware. But they don't create two versions of the phone. I just wish they'd allow for removal of their crappy apps like we can on Windows when a PC comes loaded with crapware!

 

[dajogejr]

I agree...
I understand they need to put it on for the subsidizing.
We should be able to remove it. We own the phone once we pay for it, on contract or not (because you're paying an ETF if you cancel a contract early.)

Who wants to file a class action suit? (Kidding...)

 

[sq0nk]

That is exactly what I meant when I said that. The US model is for subsidized phones, so the carriers just use that as the excuse for adding bloatware. But they don't create two versions of the phone. I just wish they'd allow for removal of their crappy apps like we can on Windows when a PC comes loaded with crapware!

That's why its so darn frustrating with these new phones. Let the user easily remove any unwanted apps. Then you throw in custom skins from the OEMs and it gets even further maddening.

 

[Treknologist]

It would indeed be less frustrating if we could just remove the stuff. I hate the fact that the Verizon vZ Navigator, an app I will never use, is filling up my SD card and there is no way of removing it without rooting the phone. If anyone ever makes an app to remove crapware that does not need rooting, they are going to be rich in no time! LOL

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

Overall I think this is a great phone. I like senseUI on it and the overall features of the phone. One of the downsides to the phone is the difficulty in being able to select sounds for general notification. I dislike the fact that you have to use the preinstalled notification, or be limited to the soundboards that allow you to apply those sounds. Even Zedge doesn't work for the notifications.

I do appreciate some of the more simple touches things like the numbers I dial if I have a picture attached to the person that picture showing up on my placed calls. With my Motorola Droid 2 and Motorola Droid X phones, all I get a question mark.

 

[anon(2632)]

Overall I think this is a great phone. I like senseUI on it and the overall features of the phone. One of the downsides to the phone is the difficulty in being able to select sounds for general notification. I dislike the fact that you have to use the preinstalled notification, or be limited to the soundboards that allow you to apply those sounds. Even Zedge doesn't work for the notifications.

I use my own notifications sounds, i just drop them into my notifications folder (under media/audio).

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

I use my own notifications sounds, i just drop them into my notifications folder (under media/audio).

I'll give that a try.

 

[newdad28]

Didn't see anyone talking about the glass quality - is the Tbolt pimping Gorilla Glass?

 

[Chrisy]

Didn't see anyone talking about the glass quality - is the Tbolt pimping Gorilla Glass?

Discussion Threads
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc...oing-using-gorilla-glass.html?highlight=glass
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-thunderbolt/55126-gorilla-glass.html?highlight=glass
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-thunderbolt/70034-htc-glass-sucks.html?highlight=glass


Corning? Gorilla? Glass Site

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