yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC 7 Pro] failmatic:
No one wants to be typing and limit themselves to 160 characters when typing a tirade.

Normal convo are only a handful of characters but when it does require more than 160 characters, its nice to have.

Just imagine writing a long long text and before you can finish that thought, you have to send it out, type some more to finish the thought only to be interrupted before finishing it. It only infuriates you even more.
[HTC 7 Pro] ScottSUmmers:
For real. Got the same response from HTC. So lame. I'm tempted to just keep harassing them with trouble tickets.
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
Sadly, it's game over. HTC stealth-modified the user manual in all Arrive's going forward, so now, if you look at the user manual here, it says on Page 82:

"Text messages have a 160-character limit. A counter

appears below your text message to tell you how many

characters you’ve entered."

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4940279/images/arriveusermanual1.PNG Before

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4940279/images/arriveusermanual2.PNG After
[HTC 7 Pro] cyclical:
damnit that sucks
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
We can't let this go silently, nor can we let them get away with this. It'll set a horrible incentive.
[HTC 7 Pro] jaygriggs:
I agree did we buy a 2011 smartphone or a 1998 nokia phone

character limit wtf
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
I got in contact with HTC for the millionth time, and they told me (after much, much pressuring) that apparently, Microsoft is still at fault here.
[HTC 7 Pro] ScottSUmmers:
Sometimes I wonder how true that is. I remember asking them about the HTC hub when the Arrive came out and they kept saying they'd issue a trouble ticket etc. Really as it turns out they didn't have a clue why it didn't work. It wasn't until later that I realized that the API's weren't open to them.

I'm not saying it's definitely Microsoft's fault again here or at all. Just that HTC doesn't know **** sometimes and they probably don't give a ****. Totally never buying another HTC ever again after this.
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
As much as I may get flamed to high hell for this, I'm probably switching to the iPhone 4S because of this. HTC has just irritated me that much. :(
[HTC 7 Pro] ScottSUmmers:
I wouldn't blame ya buddy. I totally understand how that's frustrating. I came from a feature phone before the Arrive, so I still can tolerate it a bit.
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
I would just get another WP7 phone, but there are none on Sprint, and apparently, no more are in the pipeline.
[HTC 7 Pro] travripp:
I have an Arrive and although the 160 char limit is a pain in the ass, I've somewhat found a work around for it. What I do is watch the char counter and when it gets to 160 I'll put a space, a hyphen and then continue composing my message since it will let you keep typing after 160. Once you have your message all composed highlight from the end of the message all the way back to the hyphen and copy it, then delete the highlighted area, hit backspace a couple more times to get the counter back at 160, hit send, then tap the "type a text message" box, paste what you just copied and hit send again. That way you can at least send it all at once and not have your recipient waiting between messages while you compose.
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
If you type like I do, your messages become so long that not even copy and paste will save you.

I, too, have a workaround: Send a picture with it. Raises said limit to 1000.
[HTC 7 Pro] travripp:
Lol I was gonna add that to my post earlier then never got around to it. But yeah that's what I do too if my message gets to be longer than 2 separate messages.
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
It would be nice to see HTC fix this, but I just have had it and switched to the 4S. I still intend on pressuring the crap out of HTC on this, because I definitely don't agree with what they've done. But I've learned a lesson: Until they clean up their act, never trusting them again.
[HTC 7 Pro] jaygriggs:
I learned my lesson from when I owned my kaiser :mad:

XDA cares and is alot my supportive than HTC will ever be

Cheers for your work-arounds I was unaware:p
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
If there is a way (maybe once the Arrive gets an interop unlock) to somehow force it into MMS mode once you go past 160, this would all be fixed.
[HTC 7 Pro] steveoski111:
I noticed the 160 msg limit today and while its annoying i can live with it.I am actually glad that sprint hasdnt announced any new win7 phones because i just got this phone a few days ago and would hate for something new to come out in 2 months or something, knowing that i have to wait another 2 years to qualify for the upgrade to get it. That would really piss me off lol. Maybe one of these awesome devs here can create a workaround fix/hack for it like on all the old windows mobile phones....
[HTC 7 Pro] Xodium:
Unless there's an interop unlock for our phones, highly unlikely. Even then I wouldn't take it to the bank.

Try it out for the 30 days. If it really becomes problematic, cancel out that contract. Don't make the same mistake I did. (Though it wasn't terribly costly because all I had to do was cancel my original line out, which only had an ETF of around $100.)
[HTC 7 Pro] Chris-h11:
Now that we have a custom ROM and the ability to view the registry, etc, I was able to mess around a bit. But before I get your hopes up, I should say that I wasn't entirely successful.

I downloaded the WMDC launcher and used CeRegistryEditor to do a search for "sms" and found the key that enables/disables this feature:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\Cellular\SMS\Router]
"CDMAConcatenation"=dword:1

It was set to 0 and I changed it to 1, and soft reset my device. After this I tried typing out a message longer than 160 characters and it worked like it does on all other devices... HOWEVER, after sending the message (which seemed to work fine) it turned out that it wasn't received. I tried sending to different people (including myself through email) with no luck.

I'm assuming this is why it was disabled in the first place and some sort of DLL or executable would have to be modified to fix this. So that's about as far as I can go with my knowledge. Maybe someone else can figure something out though.
[HTC 7 Pro] atm153:
Maybe we can borrow something from SparkW/Trophy, as they can send 160char+ texts with no trouble. Now that the potential for custom ROMs is there for them as well, it shouldn't be long before we can get full device dumps from them and start swapping files around.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sal_shawn:
I just wanted to say that the Amazon App Store is a really nice alternative to the Android Market. With honeycomb finally get to see new apps. Angry Birds Rio is really nice, and nows its free today for the ad free version.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
Can someone explain to me the logic in having another place to get apps outside of the Google Market that benefits consumers? So I get Angry Birds Rio because it is exclusive however, if I remove the Amazon market app it stops working. Why? And all the other apps I checked are already available in the Google Market. So why do I need to use the Amazon Appstore other than exclusive content which in my opinion if fragmenting the available apps?
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sangreal06:
Different features in the actual marketplace; different payment processor (Amazon, which I use extensively, has all my payment information but I do not use Google Checkout); different prices and yes, a different selection. Amazon and other app stores can offer additional features to developers like the DRM you are complaining about which will lead to fragmentation that may or may not be a good thing (time will tell). Who knows, maybe there will be a prime-esque subscription service at some point. Best Buy may sell the same games as Gamestop, but I'm glad I have the choice to never shop at the latter.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
I am all about choice but having multiple places to search is not a positive feature in my opinion. Will we have 10 other app stores pop up next week? Not very appealing in my opinion.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sal_shawn:
Well I just like the ability to see all the new released apps. In Google's market for the Xoom all you can see is the featured and top apps.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sangreal06:
I can see you concern but I do not see how that is any different from other shopping experiences. I prefer Amazon's search/sorting capabilities from my brief look earlier. I'm sure eventually there will be apps to search any and all available app stores.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
That is an issue that Google can resolve. You get 10 other companies providing an app store, how is that helping? You then have to do the same search 10 times.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sal_shawn:
I see your point. I agree I would prefer one place to get my apps. But right now when I just go browsing for apps amazon is alot easier.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
This has to be one of the biggest blunders I have ever seen with Android yet. Most of the Amazon market is filled with apps that are already available in the Google Market. The only app I have seen so far that is not available is Angry Birds Rio. And if you do not install or have removed the Amazon appstore app, you cannot even run it. Does that sound like the same issue with DRM protected music?

And what allows Amazon to create their own app store? Is it easy for 20, 30, 100 others to start their own store with mostly the same apps with their own rules? This does not look good. Who wants to search 100 stores for apps to find what they are looking for and on top of that, have different rules. This has to be the most retarded thing I have ever seen since owning an Android device and is doomed for failure.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] diaa08:
If you don't like it, don't use it. Let market forces determine things. If 10 app stores popped out tomorrow I guarantee most would not succeed. As it is there are several alternative app stores for android already, and they have not caused any problems. Competition is ALLWAYS a good thing, even for our beloved google. Same reason I am happy that apple is constantly pushing on android and vice-versa. Competition is the underlying rationale for using Android for me. :)
[Xoom Themes and Apps] diaa08:
So on your PC, you would rather have one single source for all your software? You don't comparison shop, buy from different vendors, directly from developers? The app concept and having it all in one place is a convenience, thats it. Its like saying you should not open up a Target because your town already has a Wall-Mart or something...
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
This is not my PC. You go to Amazon store and you see the same apps available in the Google Market. You think the average consumer wants to search multiple markets for an app? I know I don't. And the same app works from Google market and not from another app store because their appstore app is not installed? You think this is a good user experience? I don't. Do not compare to PC experience because the Android tablet experience is based on competition from Apple iPad not from a PC experience. This will be a disaster in a year from now where iPad users can search one location for all their app needs and Android tablet users will need to search 100+ for theirs. There is no reason why these apps cannot be in one location.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sangreal06:
But there is a reason... different terms and features for developers.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
And what specifically are those?
[Xoom Themes and Apps] diaa08:
haha i don't want to get a back and forth going here, but really, just don't use the amazon app store and all will be ok. not to overblow the analogy, but two supermarkets usually carry 99% of the same things, doesn't mean you should get rid of one or preclude new ones from opening up.

i realize that apple people have their walled garden with their false sense of security and limited options, but take music purchases as an example: i can either say, buy all my music from iTunes like most Apple people do, or i can do what i do, which is source it from eMusic, Amazon MP3, directly from the artists, etc, all of which i am able to do from both my galaxy s or my xoom, and all of which i am able to do for less money than if i just bought everything from iTunes. oh and since the artists usually get a better deal if i avoid the iTunes store i know more of my money is going directly to them. same thing applies to app stores. its not really all that complicated, i mean, how lazy have we gotten if we can't be bothered to look for things on more than one app store?

as far as the drm deal where apps won't work without amazon appstore, i am not crazy about it, and if that is the case, i would definitely think twice before buying anything from them. maybe some content providers will insist on using amazon's system, but if the terms are that restrictive i'll just take my money elsewhere.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
Listen, I do not want back and forth either. I want to understand the reasoning behind having another place to get apps. If there is a restriction or process that does not work posting the same app to the Google market, what is it? Why is another market or appstore needed other than money to Amazon? I don't get it.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
Why would developers choose to use the Amazon store over the Google Market? Can someone answer that please with specifics? Is this a takeover of the Google market?
[Xoom Themes and Apps] bwcorvus:
The only reason i could think of would be different methods of payment. What forms of payments do they both use? Actually another reason could be the amazon one may also allow "banned" software, as the market is run by google.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sangreal06:
Right now? I do not know as I am not familiar with the policies of them both. However, as we have seen with the Apple App Store there have been many rules which have upset developers over time. Some of those are directly tied to how much money a developer can make off their app. For example, if Google were to mandate something similar to Apple's new subscription model I imagine many developers would like an alternative.

From a user perspective, having competing promotions like Amazon's free paid-app every day is nice
[Xoom Themes and Apps] theMaginator:
I agree that it can be a hassle to look for things in different stores but it is for the best. Its the universal rule of conservation if you will. The Amazon Appstore with bring competition to Google forcing google to step up its game if does not want to loose customers. For example Amazon will have a free paid app per day, maybe that will move google to do the same or top that. Amazon will test each app first to make sure it is not malicious and even though it will never be perfect maybe that will move google to do something similar. Amazon has worked out deals with developers in regards to the checkout process which may lead some developers that before only sold their apps from their own website to put them in the appstore (Gameloft). Also this has led some developers to drop their prices at the Amazon Appstore.

I understand not everyone thinks this is for the best or that its too much of a hassle but when you think of things from a perspective of growth and innovation it seems to be good.

In regards to the DRM content it is one of those things that are just tough to deal with sure we can try to avoid everything that has DRM but that is why Netflix and Hulu have not been supported thus far.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] p-slim:
If was Google I wouldn't even allow it. It makes it much harder on the user. 1 friggin app store is all we need. I'm glad apple is suing Amazon for using the words app store
[Xoom Themes and Apps] keitht:
From the answers posted so far, I still do not see the benefit to consumers and also have not seen a legitimate reason why a developer would choose one app store over another. Without these facts, this fragmentation of the market will be more harmful than good in the long term for Android.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] eatonjb:
agreed, there is no benefit to this store. they should have really stuck to selling books with there Kindle app.. called it a day.

I think they are just trying to steal a cut of profits from google, and i dont forsee it working all that well

UNLESS , they put some money into the developers to make apps.. then i can see a reason for it.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] j2eubank:
And..... apple has successfully convinced people choice is bad..

1 free paid app a day does the android market offer that?
[Xoom Themes and Apps] sleeplessninja:
Despite the fragmentation this is probably a very good thing. My reasoning for this is Competition. Sometimes it requires something big like a competitor who has the potential to take a chunk of your profits to really make a change. Amazon is introducing a couple of interesting features to their market.

Daily Free App is really smart. It makes a paid app that might not get allot of attention, get the attention and highlight of an entire marketplace. What would be interesting to know if Amazon covers the price for all the downloads, or does the developer get nothing for all the free downloads. If amazon pays the developer anyways kudos to them, because that is just good friendly marketing with the developing community.

Try Before You Buy is also a smart idea. Being able to showcase the app on a pc or mac through an emulator without have to purchase is a smart way to not fragment the developers apps. In the android marketplace right now we see allot of Regular version and the LITE version. This fragments the reviews and comments and the focus on the app as a whole. And also this could allow developers to showcase their app in a demo environment, where originally didn't want to put part of their app as a LITE version in fear of scrutiny for it being a half product and getting poor ratings as a developer.

You can walk into a grocery store and buy iTunes Gift Cards. I got one for Christmas and I don't even have a Ipod/Iphone. Its just a gift trend. Its smart to jump on that boat. Its a great idea.

One thing about all these great ideas is it forces competition and Google to rethink their strategy. Even if they were to copy all of them, which I think they should. It would make our android marketplace that much better. When Microsoft Bing first came out it offered a couple search features that Google just didn't have. Within months Google had a similar search feature up and running and working just as good if not better than Bings. So I wouldn't say the Amazon marketplace is bad. For those who don't like it I would almost say its a necessary evil then.

I do a light Video review of the Amazon App store and how it looks on the Xoom. So anyone out there still waiting for the Xoom WiFi that wants to take a look at how amazon app store is looking, check out my videos below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mWEIWeedNE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS_rB2q2d7A
[Xoom Themes and Apps] bug_nuts:
The best part is that it is easier to share apps with others..... Similar to IOS we can have one "app account" and still have our separate google accounts
[Xoom Themes and Apps] theMaginator:
Great job pretty much what I said earlier but much better said. Nice channel by the way.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] JanetPanic:
There are a number of potential benefits to the Amazon market. Before I get into that however I would like to remind the whingers that this is not the first alternative marketplace, it is not even the third.

1) DRM, yes DRM. As a consumer I intensely dislike drm but as a developer with a commercial product I get sick of seeing apps pirated all the time, even on xda. The drm on the Amazon app store does not appear to be overly intrusive however.

2) synergy. Google makes a great search engine and many other fine products, but a consumer purchase engine is not one of them. Amazon and Netflix are two examples of purchasing preferences done right, Google marketplace is not. It is difficult to find apps that are niche or simply not popular and the structure of the Google marketplace does not encourage browsing for random apps.

3) competition from a large player. Nothing against Google but their speed of development for the marketplace has not been in line with the rest of android. Marketplace is acceptable only because there is not a better alternative.

4) app approval. While there are benifits to the bazaar model of marketplace it does give some piece of mind to consumers that apps on the Amazon store are reviewed before approval.

5) alternative store for devices that are not "Google approved ". In the past devices without the Google marketplace were faced with the delimna of having no legitimate market that could be installed.

6) marketing. If Amazon has a vested interest in seeing android succeed then they cab put their considerable marketing capabilities to bear. (Think of Verizon's marketing vs Google's ). Google is a massive advertiser but they really do not do marketing much themselves.

That is about it for the bloody obvious benefits of a secondary marketplace. I am sure if I thought about it I could come up with more.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] JanetPanic:
That is not to say that everything is rosy on the Amazon store. I am not fond of the way they structure reimbursement. Probably good for consumers but not for a developer who feels he should be able to set his own price.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] jm9843:
Amazon does pay the developer of the "Daily Free App" a percent of the developer's suggested price for every free "purchase." This could be a real boon for developers that are able to get their app featured.

So everyone go get your daily free app, even if you don't bother to install it to your device. Help developers get paid.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] AndroidFileHost:
Agree with many post about the Amazon AppStore. One word so not to confuse it with apple app store :rolleyes: If you dont like it or agree with it dont get it. Its nice for those who have phones/tablets that cant access the marketplace. I dont have that problem but it is nice for others. Also one free paid app a day is nice. Having a different payment method and different way to market your app sounds good to me. Not sure how much it cost or how to submit your app like we do in the market place but I dont mind it. Funny how people rate the Store and not the apps. Just my opinon
[Xoom Themes and Apps] cwizardtx:
Speculation: I think the Amazon market is going to pave the way for DRM enabled video and music purchase/rental. (Think Netflix)
[Xoom Themes and Apps] almostinsane:
This isn't the first alternative Android market. Many of the carriers outside the US have added their own and Handango and GetJar have one as well. Sony publishes their Xperia games on some othe rmarket.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] mjpacheco:
Much to-do about nothing. Welcome to the Microsoft... er I mean Android world vs. Apple dictatorship. Had a flashback to the late 80's for a sec there.

Yes its wild and uncontrolled. I like it that way.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] almostinsane:
Samsung Apps store crosses 100 million downloads

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/samsung-apps-store-crosses-100-million-downloads/
[Xoom Themes and Apps] Lare2:
I don't understand why people are not screaming about how you need to be logged in to amazon ALL THE TIME to use any of the apps downloaded from there.

Try to play Angry Birds Rio after uninstalling the amazon app.

I just removed both apps and said good bye to it. If i wanted to be trapped on DRM crap then i would just go and trap myself into the iCrap.

Think twice before buying from the amazon store because you will become dependent on amazon for your purchased apps to work.

How stupid is that.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] JFizDaWiz:
I like the free app of the day. Plus you just can't not use the Amazon store as a developer may only release an app on Amazon and not on the Google market.
[Xoom Themes and Apps] bwcorvus:
Agree already deleted it myself just because of this reason.

Sent from my EVO
[Xoom Themes and Apps] chbennett:
I will (probably) never buy an app of amazon, but I'm fine

getting paid apps for free and freezing the amazon app.