yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] limeaid:
terrible logic. what the pricing says is that there is more demand for the epic touch, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the phone is superior. you are basically saying that the majority's opinion is right. using your logic, then you are also saying that the iPhone is a better phone than the epic touch since the secondary market pricing is even higher. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't agree with that statement.

though there are a few very intelligent, objective posts (wynand32, badname, etc), I find it laughable how biased so many of you are. why the desperate need to feel that your phone is the best in the world? different ppl have different needs and surprise! the et4g may not be for everyone.

back to the topic at hand: i owned the photon for 30 days before switching to the ET4G in september. The photon is a VERY good phone--in fact, I often find myself missing it for 3 reasons:

1) form factor - the photon actually felt better in my hand--higher quality and good grip... the et4g is simply too slippery

2) reception/radios/sound quality - photon's signal and gps were vastly superior to the et4g

3) battery life -- the photon outperforms the ET4G and it's not even close

The ONLY reason I have stuck with the ET4G is because of its camera. I like to use my phone as a point and shoot replacement and it's probably the only phone (outside of the iphone) whose camera is good enough for that. The Photon's camera was absolutely horrendous, and had they put a better shooter into it, I probably would still have one to this day
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] puch0021:
If you're going for a world phone, then the photon makes sense.

Otherwise, you'll like more parts of the E4GT.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] xhadudkenx:
I never said the epic touch is the best phone and was no way making a desperate statement to make it seem so. I'm pissed that this phone has so much connection bugs (LOS). I'm just stating that for an android sprint phone the epic touch is better than the photon.

I have used the photon for quite a period of time and it sucks in comparison to the epic touch, its heavy + thick (quality feeling or not, why do you want something heavy), the camera sucks (you basically can capture BLURRY photos), the ui is not fluid and the screen quality is no where near the epic touch.

Demand dictate the response to the quality of a product. Why would you pay higher for something that sucked? And the price of the iPhone is higher because it IS a better phone than the epic touch therefore costing more in the 2nd market. It doesn't have LOS, it has a clear camera, and rich beautiful screen, its easy to use, its extremely fluid which in turn flows to the user experience (I'm sure you agree the user experience is there, have you played fruit ninja 1v1 with your friend or a similar game with multiplayer on a mobile device? its just fun dude, as 1 example). The iPhone has its share of problems too though (I own multiple iPhones as well).

You're probably asking "why don't I use it then if its better?" Well, its simple I'm a kind of person that like to tinker with their phones so android fits better for me. I'm not into the whole iOS/android debate because I think all OS's are all good as long as you know what you're doing and how to use it to your needs and wants.

All in all its all opinion right? Logical or not, no one trades their epic touch for a photon, (I mean if you're willing to then let me know I'll get a cheap photon to trade with you so I can make some money by selling the touch after, its that simple) so which phone is better then based on that?

I'm not going to argue, my logic is probably wrong or terrible whatever, it doesn't matter, I just want the OP to understand that it wouldn't be a good idea to use a photon over an epic touch based on what I know about each phone and to just use a cheap phone when traveling (roaming is expensive anyways). And if I just don't make sense, then, nevermind sorry.

I'm extremely fair and basically I wanted to respond because you thought I was some kind of epic touch advocate or something bias (definitely not!). But if the OP is asking for me to give him my recommendations if he should switch to a photon, I would say "no" as my opinion.

Seems like the OP is already going to switch to the Photon for global access and asked if anyone else was doing the same, I guess I shouldn't have even stuck my nose in this one as I did not even fall under the conditions to answer the thread, sorry guys.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] bricky23:
IPhone is better? Blasphemy! Lol. Your right about one thing, it's just peoples opinions.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] humdrum2009:
The photon felt cheaply constructed when I held it. Also the screen looked horrible next to the et4g.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] yyk981:
Personally I have both phones (1 personal 1 work) and they each have their merit. My photon has reception where the epic has cut out. It wa also easy to buy a sim card during a trip and effectively just put it in and go.

The epic camera is certainly superior and until there's a fully functional bootloader on the photon the development is limited. i feel overall screen is nicer and more responsive on the epic but the photon feels easier in the hand. I don't watch more than a youtube video on either. They're both the equivalent of handheld TVs. I have a tablet, pc, or actual computer for that.

Battery life is certainly better on the photon as well. These are only my opinions though.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] brushrop03:
Actually I find the E4GT to have a much better screen for video. With the Pentile screen it made videos very blurry and pixelated. The E4GT has a much sharper image and reproduces the colors a lot more accurately. The Photon did a horrible job when there were lots of dark scenes. Another reason I gave up on the Photon.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] wynand32:
Agreed about video. I've put the same show on Netflix playing on both phones side by side, and the difference is night and day. Dark scenes are completely muddled on the Photon, there's an odd pixellation effect (which is more a blotchiness), and skin tones are terrible. It's the opposite on the E4GT.

On the other hand, colors are much more natural on the Photon, it's much better in direct sunlight (important to people like me here in SoCal), and is much better for reading ebooks because of the truer whites. On the E4GT, there's much less contrast between the black letters and the background because it's far more blue.

My point is just that which screen is better between the two is based very much on what you'll use it for. Watch a lot of video? Then the E4GT is definitely for you. Have difficulty seeing near objects? Then the Photon's high resolution is NOT for you. Read a lot of ebooks and DON'T watch video? Then the Photon might be better.

It's not so clear-cut as some here are making it, at least by my very detailed comparison over the last week or so.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] jlear3:
Sure, id love to trade my $3000 computer for a tip calculator
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] corybucher:
Thanks for the replies
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Snazarian:
In what ways? please elaborate....i was thinking of switching to the photon from the epic....
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Devi0124:
If you travel over seas often it might be worth the switch. If not you can get a prepaid phone for fairly inexpensive overseas. I would probably try that if possible. Your rates would probably be cheaper on a prepaid than international roaming.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] coldblooded79:
Let's see. Better and bigger screen. Way better camera. Faster and more efficient processor. Better gaming performance. Photon has better resolution, speaker, and radio. Oh and a kickstand. I prefer the former to the latter myself. Once again..Epic is the best phone on Sprint. Photon is the second best.

sent from my Epic 4g Touch
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] phatmanxxl:
I gave my gf my photon when I got the sgs2, whenever I do pick up her phone to fix something or whatever, I do notice significant lag on the photon right away. There's no question the sgs2 is faster, also a lot lighter and thinner.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] dreDrennon1:
+++++++++11111111111111111
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] loveableterrorepic4g:
I had the photon. The global access is great and CM7 has the GSM lock removed for AT&T 3g and calls.... but, save for the tegra 2, the phone is a huge dissapointment. I ended up giving it to my grandfather and buying an S2. The photon, no matter what ROM you run or how you mod it, always feels a little unfinished and rough around the edges. It feels like motorola rushed it to be honest.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] johnronin:
i had the photon and i promptly returned it, couldn't stand the screen it was really terrible...i could see the row of dots that formed letters like "i" and "l" dots everywhere on that phone especially with solid colors, you can that dot matrix that forms the color fill, same thing with the razr don't know why motorola chooses to put these crappy screens on their phones
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] wynand32:
I've had a chance to use the Photon and E4GT side by side for a week or so, and posted some thoughts here: http://www.thetechchat.com/2011/12/03/motorola-photon-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-epic-4g-touch/

Ultimately I decided on the E4GT, but it was close.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] cajones42:
The new evo design is global... not dual cores but im sure it couldnt be terrible.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hypersonicx:
I have to agree with this post on the display.

On my 2 cents of owning a Photon for 2 weeks LOL coming from an Evo 3D at the time, the display was awful.

The speaker was good, kickstand good, camera good, radio signal good, display AWFUL.

The problem I had with the display was that 1 you can easyly see the dots of some of the grafx and letters. And the MOST AWFUL part was the display color.

From using the phone it felt like the screen was lacking color. You can easyly see the color gradiant and squares and blocks on dark colors. From reading around this is called "Black Crush"

Because of that one reason I went back to the Evo 3D and then later on GSII.

The display on the GSII kills the photon.

I would say GSII > Evo 3D > Photon
[General Questions and Answers] dfr867:
Now that I've learned how to navigate the basics...I need to understand the basics. I've looked around to see if anyone has posted a similar question already so here it goes:

I'd like to know the "structure" of Android. In other words, how does the OS, Kernel, GUI, Applications, Drivers, Etc all fit together? In Windows you have your hardware, the BIOS, the Driver, The OS (GUI), Applications...Etc...Can someone make that comparison so I can understand the hierarchy of Android?

Oh..and how does "Sense" "AOSP" or "OTA" come into play?

Thanks in advance!
[General Questions and Answers] mtmerrick:
just your question an google or something, just substitute "android" for "linux" since android IS linux.

also, about your acronym/vocab questions:

-ASOP = android open source project.

-ASOP ROM = pure android, no modifications.

-Sense = HTC's custom UI.

-OTA = Over The Air. usually used to describe official OS updates
[General Questions and Answers] dfr867:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I've been dealing with Windows computers for years and know the annoying questions some people ask...now I'm on the transmitting end. Thanks again.
[General Questions and Answers] dfr867:
Still in the weeds...

Ok...read the links I found but still having a time finding equivalents. I'm not looking for the file structure itself but the common "parts" of Android. HBoot, Kernel, ROM, Applications...kinda like bios, drivers, OS, Applications. Can someone define these "parts" and how they work with each other? (No essays please :) )
[General Questions and Answers] mtmerrick:
hboot = rough but best comparison is bios

kernel = the inner workings of a ROM. most system stuff is contained in the kernel. ROMs are usually built around a kernel

ROM = a flashable firmware. usually used in the phrase "custom ROM", which is a customized and tweaked version of the OS, specific to a single device.

applications/apps = another name for computer programs.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Manacit:
It looks like there's a 4.1 update that may contain some new radio firmware and other changes - I haven't heard anything about 4.1 for the GSM version, but I doubt they would keep CDMA and GSM phones on completely seperate versions of Android. Do any devs or other important people know anything about this?

Sources:

http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/android-news-rumors/10244-update-4-1-screenshots.html

http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...243-verizon-galaxy-nexus-updated-4-1-0-a.html
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] flyerwire:
the sprint version of the Nexus S is on a different version from the "pure Google" versions of the Nexus S aren't they?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spences10:
It should show up here when it does: http://code.google.com/android/nexus/images.html
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] dnlsmy:
Yeah, but all LTE Nexus out right now are prototype devices, not retail models. The update may be available to both GSM and LTE owners when the LTE version finally launches.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] FISKER_Q:
I doubt Google have anything that could be considered a major release already.

Looks like a mistake or intentional padding to diferentiate Them.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
P3droid and I both have test devices that get pushed the latest test builds directly from Google.

We are well ahead of the release version.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Manacit:
Sweet. So I take it none of this is going to drop anytime soon? I'm just curious, I haven't even found anything wrong with my Galaxy nexus yet :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Dark lord me:
If it looks at all to be like Honeycomb the next major version will be 5.0 because honeycomb is currently on 3.2(.1) and the 0.0.1 was a minor bug fix
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] FISKER_Q:
I'm talking major revision in the ICS branch, not 5.0/Jelly Bean/Whatever.

But if it's a version in testing it is of course plausible that it is a major revision, i didn't read the links and thought it was retail devices with it.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
It's 4.1 and has significant enhancements...I would call it a major revision. ;)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ancostel:
like what? do you have both versions of GN to compare them?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kevin@TeslaCoil:
I think 4.1 at API level 15 would make sense. (But would be for both GSM and CDMA) The AOSP 4.0 code makes some reference to something explicitly to be added in API level 15 but not available in 14 (ICS 4.0 is API level 14). And there's the Android Dreams/screensaver (Rocket Launcher) thing that is clearly there but not documented or normally accessible (Though it's in the API 14 support lib...).

With Honeycomb Google did 3.0 (API 11), 3.1 (API 12) and 3.2 (API 13). Then ICS 4.0 at API level 14. It'd make sense for them to do major.minor.bugfix with minor updates being an API change or feature additions.

(Also there was Eclair 2.0 (API 6?) and then Eclair 2.1 (API 7))

However they also did Gingerbread 2.3 at API level 9 and Gingerbread 2.3.3 at API level 10 rather than making it 2.4.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
No , we both have LTE engineering models.

There is a new clockscreen screensaver mode when charging that shows the time and opens the screen if you touch the time display. Also many internal framework changes as well. subtle but nonetheless noticeable changes in the UI. It's really nice...and we just got another update that I haven't had a chance to load yet...just got off work.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Chirality:
Hmm...interesting. Sounds like 4.1 is needed for the docks to work properly, since they need landscape orientation and with no power button access. Looks like the docks were designed with these features in mind, but they couldn't finish the features in time.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kristovaher:
Oh gosh, this means I have to suffer through another update availability Check Now stress soon.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] omrij:
Any thoughts of device performance after the update?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] redbullcat:
This is interesting. It implies that Google are doing what they did with Eclair (release 2.0 and then release 2.1, which was a major release, but not major enough for a new desert name). It's also obviously what they did with Honeycomb, a la 3.0, 3.1, 3.2. Weirdly, it wasn't done with Gingerbread. (I think 2.3.1-2.3.7 could have been all put together as 2.4, but hey).

Also, nice changes. Can't wait to see official release documents on it :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
Last nights update was very minor, no significant changes. I just loaded it this morning so I haven't had time to really use it yet, sorry.

Edit: they removed the clockscreen saver mode when charging. Probably intended for dock mode rather than simply with charger connected. There was a minor bug with facelock when first unlocking screen by touching the clock.

Will report back any other changes found while using it today.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] WhiterThanWhite:
Is USB Host enabled by default now? Have they fixed the NFC?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spences10:
Good question can the OP write NFC tags?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] TweakMyDevice:
cellzealot: any input on additional tether-tracking methods embedded into ICS like they did with GB? Will our current methods to avert GB tether-tracking work with ICS?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Fred23:
I think you mean format tags. I can write to tags if they've already been NDEF formatted.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] krohnjw:
Essentially it boils down to blank tags showing the NdefFormatable tech.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] dnlsmy:
This makes a lot of sense. The videos on Engadget showing off the docks clearly show that the phone does not go into dock mode or switch to a horizontal interface. The Nexus One had an option for docking in the settings, and it is not (yet) present on the Galaxy Nexus. The screensaver is for dock only, like it was for the Nexus One I presume.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] oscillik:
It should also be noted that the docks were not plugged into the mains in those videos, so there's no way that the phone would know it was sitting in the dock.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] HellbillyDeluxe:
So I assume that the new clock screensaver won't work with the HDMI dock, am I right? Because the HDMI dock charges the Galaxy Nexus via the USB port.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] qwerp_:
+1 on the question on is USB host enabled on 4.1?

for me, that is one of the very important feature that is missing. i guess if all of the finger pointing for 4.1 to work with the HDMI doc (usb-MHL adapter), it must means that usb host is being enabled, right?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] hotleadsingerguy:
That doesn't matter. Samsung phones recognize the dock as soon as they're dropped into it. The dock I have on my desk can be unplugged when I drop my phone in and it'll still switch to Dock mode.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
No OTG USB support that I can find ie: insert pen drive and no response. Haven't done extensive testing beyond that.

There is also an entitlement check for provisioning of the hotspot and USB tethering on your account to allow either feature to work. The latest Wifi Tether beta does not work either.

Again, I have not done any extensive testing of other tethering methods and workarounds.

I will try to take a look at BT PAN today, but I assume it will also have an entitlement check.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cbutters:
Many ways that the phone could know it was in the dock, for one.... those dock pins could be shorted. Also, they are called magnets, no electricity required.... also nfc tagged dock could do it as well.... all without power.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] hotleadsingerguy:
Either way it does one of those things. Samsung docks and phones find each other even when not plugged in. My phone switches to Dock mode as soon as it's dropped in, even if the dock isn't plugged in.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] qwerp_:
i understand USB OTG is something extra that need to be enabled in the kernel which unlikely google will include.

i am just asking simple USB host mode with keyboard, mouse, ps3 controller etc etc.

maybe even digital camera like they advertise in honeycomb.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
I dont have any of those peripherals to test with unfortunately.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] qwerp_:
no worries, if you do have a chance to come across those devices, will be much appreciated that you give it a test? :D
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mysterioustko:
@Cellzealot Are text message alerts still inaudible during a call? That's one of my only gripes about this phone...the fact that if you're on a call and you receive a text message you don't get any alert at all.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DDM123:
My Gnex 4G LTE isn't updating to 4.1. It also doesn't have a SIM card in it (Verizon is too expensive for me) so that may be the cause.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
Your phone is an engineering model and is registered with Google as a test device?

If not then you would not be getting OTA updates.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DDM123:
I'm by no means new to Android, but I'm unsure exactly which kind I have. Bootloader was unlocked when I got it, and build number is mysid-userdebug 4.0 IFL10B (I'm leaving this other number out just in case) dev-keys.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] cellzealot:
That is an engineering phone for certain with a very old build on it.

Not all get pushed the updates and it seems to vary by device ID but i am not really certain how they determine who and when.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DDM123:
Ah. I'm trying to leave the thing as unmodified as possible since I'll probably sell the thing once Verizon releases them in the US, but maybe leaving it on such an old build (Maps, Music, and Google+ won't update correctly) would be doing the buyer a disservice.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mstrandbo:
While on my SGS I'm irritated when I receive an SMS, as the sound is high and I have to stop talking for the few seconds the SMS tone chimes.. So I'm glad they're inaudible on the GN ;) to each their own..
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] mdrentz:
Earlier today I got the chance to play with a Verizon Galaxy Nexus activate on the network with a 4g LTE SIM and it was still running 4.0.1. I manually did a check for available updates and nothing was listed. I played with it for about 30 minutes and everything was running great.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Chirality:
Just noticed on the new Verizon GN simulator that there is indeed an entitlement check for WiFi and USB tethering. Then I remembered that you mentioned this. Was this a feature that was added when you got the update around Dec 4th? If so, what build number was the last build to not have this check? And what was the new build that added it?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ajam100:
This is actually the 4.0.3 update they just pushed to the nexus s. They scraped the 4.1 and changed the name to 4.0.3. 4.0.3 has a higher build number than the 4.1 judging from the metadata i extracted from the Nexus S OTA and comparing it to the 4.1 ics screen shots on xda.All that was changed was "Android version". its just a number. There saving the 4.1 milestone for something else maybe. :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] clefster:
This is backed up by the commit logs:

commit b32faad390eb8a865b0ea2b18fdfa9b87c4ff689

Author: Dianne Hackborn <hackbod@google.com>

Date: Tue Nov 1 18:15:57 2011 -0700

MR1 is version 4.1, API 15.

Change-Id: I5f31630b17121ce43b3c60d43409069640e4d97a

then much later:

commit e73b24ccbe728476e5bc77aaf2fd6865276cacc3

Author: Dianne Hackborn <hackbod@google.com>

Date: Mon Dec 5 18:14:12 2011 -0800

Did I say 4.1? Oh well what I *really* meant was 4.0.3, of course.

Change-Id: I61ccc290aec8fa7e2e68cf01bc920a65b8b9e246
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] LinoX:
they're keeping 4.1 for majel and nexus tab.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] johnbibbs:
Is this a theory or do you have proof?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] gut4:
any news about 4.1?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] EddyOS:
Read above and you'll see that 4.1 = 4.0.3
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] matt30:
The cake is a lie.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] :
I love Portal references, they always bring a tear to me Nasolacrimal duct.