HTC One - returned it today

[cynics]

I don't think there is a problem with preferring iOS even on an old iPhone 4 compared to a new Android phone.

However I think there are two considerations.

One is time. It took me well over a month to appreciate iOS. I don't see how anyone can truly give something like an entire OS a real chance in 24 hours or less.

Two and this is more important and everyone does this. Trying to operate a new OS using the previous OS as a reference. I've been borrowing my buddies old plastic MacBook and coming from windows it was obnoxious. You really need to step back and approach it as if you never touched a computer before. It's like when you are learning a second language. You will be converting the second language to your native language instead of just knowing. When using a different OS people are trying to convert it to what they already know.

I started in Android and came to iOS. At first it was terribly limited. I was able to find loop holes for basic task like emailing PDF files (still can't attach more then one). Regardless the more I used it the more I appreciated it. But if you would have given me less then two weeks I would have sent it back because I wouldn't have had enough time and I would have been trying to use it like an OS I was comfortable with.

 

[erio8]

Ok, then why did you feel the need to switch to Android? Must be something lacking on the iPhone. Some things like being able to swap keyboards, messaging apps, pop in an SD card with music and movies etc...may not be important to you but are to others. Depends on your needs in a phone.

I just wanted a change and was eligible for an upgrade. I tried a different phone. It just didn't meet my needs like the iphone. If it would have, I certainly would have kept the phone.

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I stopped reading after "returned within 24 hours" ... Obviously this is a apple fanboy post. The phone was probably his dad's phone and by returned he meant gave it back him in the morning and went back to his hand me down iPhone.

My dad...haha. I don't think so. I'm probably a lot older than you think. If I was such an apple fanboy I wouldn't have pre-ordered the HTC One. No hand me down either. In fact, I would be willing to pay even more than what I paid ($300) if there was a phone out their that I felt was significantly better than an iphone. After trying the phone, I do appreciate apple more than I did before.

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I know it's unfathomable that people might not actually like Android?

Exactly.

 

[rockitdog]

I just wanted a change and was eligible for an upgrade. I tried a different phone. It just didn't meet my needs like the iphone. If it would have, I certainly would have kept the phone.

So when you first got your iphone, it met every need of yours right out of the box? You didn't have to download any apps or make any adjustments to the settings? Man, that is AMAZING! I don't think I've ever had a phone that met every need right away.

 

[erio8]

So when you first got your iphone, it met every need of yours right out of the box? You didn't have to download any apps or make any adjustments to the settings? Man, that is AMAZING! I don't think I've ever had a phone that met every need right away.

Actually no I didn't need to download any third party apps. I'm sure I made some adjustments in the settings, but the phone met all my needs right out of the box... Of course I do have some apps on the phone that I use occasionally, but they are not tied in with the basic functions of the phone.

 

[mattopotamus]

So when you first got your iphone, it met every need of yours right out of the box? You didn't have to download any apps or make any adjustments to the settings? Man, that is AMAZING! I don't think I've ever had a phone that met every need right away.

Actually no I didn't need to download any third party apps. I'm sure I made some adjustments in the settings, but the phone met all my needs right out of the box... Of course I do have some apps on the phone that I use occasionally, but they are not tied in with the basic functions of the phone.

That actually makes sense depending on what phone/carrier you are on. For example, visual voicemail works right out of the box on an iphone. For the nexus, I had to set up google voice. That is easy for me but may be a pain for others. I can totally see how someone who does not use a lot of apps would prefer and iphone. Also, I had to set up the APN settings. Obviously this is nexus specific, but still could steer many people away.

 

[jrswizzle]

That actually makes sense depending on what phone/carrier you are on. For example, visual voicemail works right out of the box on an iphone. For the nexus, I had to set up google voice. That is easy for me but may be a pain for others. I can totally see how someone who does not use a lot of apps would prefer and iphone. Also, I had to set up the APN settings. Obviously this is nexus specific, but still could steer many people away.

How did you set up visual voicemail through google voice to work with your existing phone number? Does it route through Google Voice? Sorry for asking noobish questions....

 

[johnjefferson]

I just wanted a change and was eligible for an upgrade. I tried a different phone. It just didn't meet my needs like the iphone. If it would have, I certainly would have kept the phone.

I see. Well, you said in your initial post you didn't want to use Gmail. You probably should have avoided a phone running a GOOGLE operating system heavily tied to GMAIL then haha

 

[kiltedthrower]

I don't have a One but in my stock email set up as exchange, I have all my emails synced, not just 30 days

 

[skinnylegs]

I have read through quite a few of these posts. Interesting thread. Can't get enough of this ongoing iOS vs. Android OS debate. LOL

I was surprised to see little mention of BlinkFeed as this is obviously the HTC One's killer app. Sure; the phone has a nice build and great hardware but BlinkFeed is what sets it apart from every other phone out there. I have spent quite a bit of time fooling around with this phone at the AT&T Store and I am duly impressed with BlinkFeed. IMO, HTC has put an incredible amount of thought into the Sense UI and this is nowhere more evident than BlinkFeed. I will go so far as to say that BlinkFeed is the type of innovation I would expect to see from *Apple*; not HTC.

I do understand the OP's disappointment with Android OS after having used iOS for many years. It's funny. IMO Apple has nailed the core apps and people are looking for more peripheral features. On the other hand, Android OS has a plethora of supporting features but the core apps could use some more fit-and-finish. I will give you a perfect example. Visual Voicemail. I know. I know. There are 3rd party apps that can handle this but IMO every single high-end Android phone should have VV out-of-the-box. Users shouldn't have to google "which visual voicemail app is best" to add a basic function of a core app. I would also argue that Gmail can appear kinda clunky if you're used to Apple Mail. 'Nuff said. I don't want to digress.

Now on to my main point.....

For a guy like me that has tried numerous Android devices and a Lumia 920 yet has returned to the iPhone every single time, if you want to woo me away from my iPhone you better bring something pretty compelling to the table. You better bring something more than the stock Android OS because I can *guarantee* you that widgets and über customization are not enough to compel the average iPhone user to switch to Android OS.

Enter BlinkFeed.....

It's funny how smartphones have evolved to the point where, for many people like myself, the *phone* is one of the least used features. Go figure. Most of the time I'm on my *phone*, I'm perusing news and/or social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. This is where BlinkFeed makes huge strides. All of the stuff I use most is there front and center. No more double-taping the home button and switching between Facebook, Twitter, USA Today, Engadget and the other multitude of sites I hit on a regular basis. BlinkFeed has my back. It's all in one nice, tidy and graphically rich space. Brilliant!

Since my post has had a bit of an Apple fanbois slant, allow me to speak on one thing that *really* bugs me about iOS. Probably my single biggest gripe. Cutting to the chase, the lack of a hierarchical file system for apps is IMO embarrassing. On my iphone, I have a handful of apps that I use on a daily basis and about three dozen or so that I use on occasion. When you download an app on the iPhone an icon for said app populates to one of your screens and there is *no* way around this. So, my phone is littered with 40 or so icons. Lame. Very lame. Yes I understand how to create folders but really? Would it be so difficult to have a single icon that when tapped displays all apps in alphabetical order *and* the ability to decide which icons I want on my display? Rant over.

To bring my post to conclusion, I am buying an HTC One on Friday. I may come back to my iPhone but I may not. I'll let you know after a couple of weeks. If I do return to the walled garden, it will no doubt be to suckle at the breast of the Apple ecosystem I am so invested in.

 

[mattopotamus]

How did you set up visual voicemail through google voice to work with your existing phone number? Does it route through Google Voice? Sorry for asking noobish questions....

I just downloaded the google voice app and followed the instructions (it has you log into gmail on the computer to complete the steps). It uses my current phone number and I set the voicemail up through google voice (it has a different voicemail number). The best part is that it integrates into your normal call log, so messages can be played and deleted from the stock app. If you ever stop using it, make sure to disable google voice, and change your voicemail number back to your normal phone number. For example, say my phone number is 770-xxx-xxxx my voicemail number is usually that same number. Google voice just gives you a different voicemail number and you record your gretting through google voice. The reason you want to make sure you disable it if you stop using it is because your calls will be forwarded to the google voice number still.

You keep the same number and it just changes the voicemail number you log into. It is free and does not change anything with your carrier. Just imagine the iphone type voicemail but on your nexus

 

[tbayrgs]

You keep the same number and it just changes the voicemail number you log into. It is free and does not change anything with your carrier. Just imagine the iphone type voicemail but on your nexus

And with transcriptions of the messages delivered to you, if you so choose. TBH though, in my experience the accuracy of the transcriptions leaves something to be desired.

 

[mattopotamus]

And with transcriptions of the messages delivered to you, if you so choose. TBH though, in my experience the accuracy of the transcriptions leaves something to be desired.

I just left that option off. The only thing I have noticed is the volume is lower on the voicemails than the rest of the phones volume. It is the best visual voicemail aside from the iphones IMO.

 

[jamojamo]

And with transcriptions of the messages delivered to you, if you so choose. TBH though, in my experience the accuracy of the transcriptions leaves something to be desired.

Agreed, but I have had some funny mistaken transcriptions....

 

[jrswizzle]

I just downloaded the google voice app and followed the instructions (it has you log into gmail on the computer to complete the steps). It uses my current phone number and I set the voicemail up through google voice (it has a different voicemail number). The best part is that it integrates into your normal call log, so messages can be played and deleted from the stock app. If you ever stop using it, make sure to disable google voice, and change your voicemail number back to your normal phone number. For example, say my phone number is 770-xxx-xxxx my voicemail number is usually that same number. Google voice just gives you a different voicemail number and you record your gretting through google voice. The reason you want to make sure you disable it if you stop using it is because your calls will be forwarded to the google voice number still.

You keep the same number and it just changes the voicemail number you log into. It is free and does not change anything with your carrier. Just imagine the iphone type voicemail but on your nexus

Huh - sweet. I've never gotten into the whole Google voice thing, though its been recommended by my fandroid brother-in-law

I'll check it out, thanks!

 

[CD3660]

I just downloaded the google voice app and followed the instructions...

Only available in the U.S. at the moment unfortunately.

 

[Dmunjal]

Huh - sweet. I've never gotten into the whole Google voice thing, though its been recommended by my fandroid brother-in-law

I'll check it out, thanks!

Also, if you're on AT&T, try AT&T Messages which integrates visual voicemail, SMS, transcription, and call logging into one app. It also has a PC and Tablet interface so you can text from your PC, too.

 

[rockitdog]

I have read through quite a few of these posts. Interesting thread. Can't get enough of this ongoing iOS vs. Android OS debate. LOL

I was surprised to see little mention of BlinkFeed as this is obviously the HTC One's killer app. Sure; the phone has a nice build and great hardware but BlinkFeed is what sets it apart from every other phone out there. I have spent quite a bit of time fooling around with this phone at the AT&T Store and I am duly impressed with BlinkFeed. IMO, HTC has put an incredible amount of thought into the Sense UI and this is nowhere more evident than BlinkFeed. I will go so far as to say that BlinkFeed is the type of innovation I would expect to see from *Apple*; not HTC.

I do understand the OP's disappointment with Android OS after having used iOS for many years. It's funny. IMO Apple has nailed the core apps and people are looking for more peripheral features. On the other hand, Android OS has a plethora of supporting features but the core apps could use some more fit-and-finish. I will give you a perfect example. Visual Voicemail. I know. I know. There are 3rd party apps that can handle this but IMO every single high-end Android phone should have VV out-of-the-box. Users shouldn't have to google "which visual voicemail app is best" to add a basic function of a core app. I would also argue that Gmail can appear kinda clunky if you're used to Apple Mail. 'Nuff said. I don't want to digress.

Now on to my main point.....

For a guy like me that has tried numerous Android devices and a Lumia 920 yet has returned to the iPhone every single time, if you want to woo me away from my iPhone you better bring something pretty compelling to the table. You better bring something more than the stock Android OS because I can *guarantee* you that widgets and über customization are not enough to compel the average iPhone user to switch to Android OS.

Enter BlinkFeed.....

It's funny how smartphones have evolved to the point where, for many people like myself, the *phone* is one of the least used features. Go figure. Most of the time I'm on my *phone*, I'm perusing news and/or social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. This is where BlinkFeed makes huge strides. All of the stuff I use most is there front and center. No more double-taping the home button and switching between Facebook, Twitter, USA Today, Engadget and the other multitude of sites I hit on a regular basis. BlinkFeed has my back. It's all in one nice, tidy and graphically rich space. Brilliant!

Since my post has had a bit of an Apple fanbois slant, allow me to speak on one thing that *really* bugs me about iOS. Probably my single biggest gripe. Cutting to the chase, the lack of a hierarchical file system for apps is IMO embarrassing. On my iphone, I have a handful of apps that I use on a daily basis and about three dozen or so that I use on occasion. When you download an app on the iPhone an icon for said app populates to one of your screens and there is *no* way around this. So, my phone is littered with 40 or so icons. Lame. Very lame. Yes I understand how to create folders but really? Would it be so difficult to have a single icon that when tapped displays all apps in alphabetical order *and* the ability to decide which icons I want on my display? Rant over.

To bring my post to conclusion, I am buying an HTC One on Friday. I may come back to my iPhone but I may not. I'll let you know after a couple of weeks. If I do return to the walled garden, it will no doubt be to suckle at the breast of the Apple ecosystem I am so invested in.

Blinkfeed actually impresses me the least with the One because its basically Flipboard which I've had for years on the iPhone/ iPad. It's the exact same thing! Nothing new here!

 

[jamojamo]

Blinkfeed actually impresses me the least with the One because its basically Flipboard which I've had for years on the iPhone/ iPad. It's the exact same thing! Nothing new here!

Doesn't Blinkfeed push to the main home screen, in fact, isn't it the main home screen assuming you use it? Like Facebook Home pushes all the FBcrapola?
I also think Blinkfeed contains emails, calendar, etc.

Seems like the delivery mechanism is new even if the content it delivers isn't necessarily new.

While I haven't used Blinkfeed, I have used Flipboard on my Nexus and iPad and haven't had it push to desktop like Blinkfeed does. Is it capable of that?

 

[jrswizzle]

Also, if you're on AT&T, try AT&T Messages which integrates visual voicemail, SMS, transcription, and call logging into one app. It also has a PC and Tablet interface so you can text from your PC, too.

Into a seperate ATT app or into the existing stock apps?

I'd prefer to use the stock apps if I can help it.

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Doesn't Blinkfeed push to the main home screen, in fact, isn't it the main home screen assuming you use it? Like Facebook Home pushes all the FBcrapola?
I also think Blinkfeed contains emails, calendar, etc.

Seems like the delivery mechanism is new even if the content it delivers isn't necessarily new.

While I haven't used Blinkfeed, I have used Flipboard on my Nexus and iPad and haven't had it push to desktop like Blinkfeed does. Is it capable of that?

I don't think it pushes automatically - and you don't have to set it as your main home page. Personally, I don't use all the space on my Nexus 4 screens anyways. Think of it like a home page dedicated to your flipboard widget.

Personally, in my limited time with it, I think it looks cool and would probably use it a lot.

 

[mattopotamus]

Also, if you're on AT&T, try AT&T Messages which integrates visual voicemail, SMS, transcription, and call logging into one app. It also has a PC and Tablet interface so you can text from your PC, too.

I don't think the att messages works on nexus devices since they are not a carrier (well not an att phone) phone. I know I tried it a few months ago, and it was not an option to download on the nexus 4.

 

[skinnylegs]

Blinkfeed actually impresses me the least with the One because its basically Flipboard which I've had for years on the iPhone/ iPad. It's the exact same thing! Nothing new here!

Actually, BlinkFeed is different than FlipBoard. BlinkFeed allows you to add your calendar, email and I'm pretty sure text messaging. Huge difference. Also, BlinkFeed is a home screen. Once again, big difference.

 

[Dontazemebro]

BlinkFeed is just an improved version of HTC's friend stream, nothing really innovating there IMO

 

[Tinmania]

Into a seperate ATT app or into the existing stock apps?

I'd prefer to use the stock apps if I can help it.

I don't see how anything could go into the stock phone app, like VVM does on the iPhone. Therefore, visual voicemail in the AT&T Messages app goes into that same app.

However, I don't believe the app will work with the Nexus 4 anyway. It didn't work when I had my Nexus 4. It wouldn't even let me install. Back in November it let me install it but it would never open. Then, around the beginning of december, it was no longer showing as compatible with the N4 in the play store.

Works OK on my Note 2 though.




Michael

 

[unlinked]

Not to mention not facetime and imessage.

You should really stop saying that. It is impossible to take anything you take seriously when you do.

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I don't see how anything could go into the stock phone app, like VVM does on the iPhone. Therefore, visual voicemail in the AT&T Messages app goes into that same app.

Android has an API (ICS+) for integrating voicemail into the stock phone app. Obviously your network or whoever does your voicemail has to integrate but it isn't really that difficult.

 

[Tinmania]

Android has an API (ICS+) for integrating voicemail into the stock phone app. Obviously your network or whoever does your voicemail has to integrate but it isn't really that difficult.

Interesting. Wonder if I can install the stock Android phone app on my Note 2 (well I would imagine I could).

While the AT&T Messages app works "OK," it could definitely be better. Plus it is not just voicemail--it's SMS and call log too. Kind of redundant for that stuff.

Might be time to turn VM over to GV.




Michael