I just want to clarify that the "freezing" of the capacitive buttons is uncommon, maybe even rare. So those that aren't experiencing it, I hope it stays that way.
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My HTC ONE Journey
- Thread starter onthecouchagain
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A few more things I'm enjoying about this phone:
-The Phone app rocks. The location of every button is really well placed. And the use of screen real estate is really nice. I like that the dial-pad doesn't go too far up so you don't have to reach slightly for the 1, 2, 3 buttons. It's also nice that the top half previews the previous phone call for you. While you're in a call, the screen is really nice too. Just really well designed and thought out.
-This sounds trivial, but the Clock app is really nice too. I love that you can change the tabs so that Alarms show first if you want (because not everyone needs World Clock to be the first thing you see). And the alarms are very easy to set. I love that it snaps to every 10 minutes; set an alarm and scroll through the minutes, you'll see what I mean. It makes it a little easier/faster.
Kudos to HTC for these few areas of Sense.
-The Phone app rocks. The location of every button is really well placed. And the use of screen real estate is really nice. I like that the dial-pad doesn't go too far up so you don't have to reach slightly for the 1, 2, 3 buttons. It's also nice that the top half previews the previous phone call for you. While you're in a call, the screen is really nice too. Just really well designed and thought out.
-This sounds trivial, but the Clock app is really nice too. I love that you can change the tabs so that Alarms show first if you want (because not everyone needs World Clock to be the first thing you see). And the alarms are very easy to set. I love that it snaps to every 10 minutes; set an alarm and scroll through the minutes, you'll see what I mean. It makes it a little easier/faster.
Kudos to HTC for these few areas of Sense.
The iPhone 5 is a work phone (it belongs to me, but my company requires an iPhone) so I replaced the Nexus 4.
And yes, I got the AT&T version - a small amount of bloatware and the AT&T symbol on the back is actually engraved in the aluminum and looks quite nice and inconspicuous.
All-in-all I do believe the HTC One is Android's strongest offering to date - including the GS4, though I admit, I haven't used one extensively.
I think the One is easily a better phone that the Nexus. It's only disadvantage is its price.
But I'm happy to pay a little extra for 64GB storage and LTE.
Seeing what HTC has done here by including LTE on the unlocked One (both the 32GB and 64GB dev edition) brings me hope that Google can pull off the same thing for the 2013 Nexus. There should be no more excuses for not putting LTE on the next Nexus. I don't think people will give that a pass anymore.
Oh I agree - LTE was something I missed on my Nexus 4 - especially since I had it on my iP5. I'm keeping the Nexus 4 as a backup phone (especially since its unlocked, I plan on using it in Italy on a cheap prepaid SIM) and to test out Google's Android updates.
But the HTC One is an absolute pleasure. I paid $450 (used my early upgrade) to grab the 32GB (more than enough for me) and I'll be selling my old iPhone 4S + a lifeproof case and otterbox commuter for roughly $350.
Well worth the $100!
That is awesome to here. I still love stock android, so I don't think I will be getting the One. But if HTC keeps this up I might have to check out next years flagship phone from them.
Oh be careful in Italy we don't need another American unlawfully put in jail there.
Yep it's the 'simple' ui refinements that make a big difference. Even swiping to the right and getting your favourites in dialler is really easy.
The S4's dialler is overly big and cartoony / childlike IMO.
The dialer on the US version is completely white and looks horrible, IMO. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Sense, the Sense interface at this time looks more mature and professional.
If you haven't seen the difference between the US and International dialer, look at this video, starting at 8:00.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TnHg8QP3Wfs#t=481s
HOW TO GET A NEARLY FULL GESTURE BASE HTC ONE, No Root, No Tricks, No cost. Just Android customization and apps, baby:
Using Swipe Pad (which now works tons better on the One), I've set up my portals like this. To activate, I gesture up from the HTC logo (very BBZ10 like. Yes!). This can be done from anywhere and any app.
Then the "Home" portal obviously brings you back to the home screen. Then the two portals around it are to put the device to sleep (via an app that's called Screen Off and Lock) so I don't always have to reach up to the power/wake button.
Then the above level of portals are my most frequented apps. I didn't set anything higher but that may yet come. You can add almost anything you want! (Home portal is already a default choice in SwipePad, FYI).
Anyway, links to the apps I use below.
A full gesture base HTC One. The only time I have to really reach up to press the power/wake button is to wake the device. I can tolerate that.
SwipePad: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...1vYmkuY29uZHVjdGlvbi5zd2lwZXBhZC5hbmRyb2lkIl0.
Screen Off & Lock: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock
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I should add there is one obstacle to Swipe Pad. Guess what it is?
Yes, the dreaded on-screen menu bar.
Now more than ever, HTC needs to get rid of that sucker. It plagues the device so.
Using Swipe Pad (which now works tons better on the One), I've set up my portals like this. To activate, I gesture up from the HTC logo (very BBZ10 like. Yes!). This can be done from anywhere and any app.
Then the "Home" portal obviously brings you back to the home screen. Then the two portals around it are to put the device to sleep (via an app that's called Screen Off and Lock) so I don't always have to reach up to the power/wake button.
Then the above level of portals are my most frequented apps. I didn't set anything higher but that may yet come. You can add almost anything you want! (Home portal is already a default choice in SwipePad, FYI).
Anyway, links to the apps I use below.
A full gesture base HTC One. The only time I have to really reach up to press the power/wake button is to wake the device. I can tolerate that.
SwipePad: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...1vYmkuY29uZHVjdGlvbi5zd2lwZXBhZC5hbmRyb2lkIl0.
Screen Off & Lock: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock
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I should add there is one obstacle to Swipe Pad. Guess what it is?
Yes, the dreaded on-screen menu bar.
Now more than ever, HTC needs to get rid of that sucker. It plagues the device so.
Anyone know of an app that is just a short cut to the app switcher? Would love to load an app onto one of the portals to allow app switcher instead of double tapping the home capacitive button.
It would give me the perfect trifecta on the bottom row of portals: Sleep, Home, App Switcher.
Anyone?
EDIT: Good ol' Nova Launcher comes to the rescue. If you make one of your portals a short cut to Nova Launcher actions, one of the options is "Recent Apps".
Trifecta! No need to double tap that silly home capacitive button.
It would give me the perfect trifecta on the bottom row of portals: Sleep, Home, App Switcher.
Anyone?
EDIT: Good ol' Nova Launcher comes to the rescue. If you make one of your portals a short cut to Nova Launcher actions, one of the options is "Recent Apps".
Trifecta! No need to double tap that silly home capacitive button.
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Does anyone else notice that they don't get data connection when they're on a call with the One?
Or is it just me (or is it just Tmobile)?
Or is it just me (or is it just Tmobile)?
Since you mentioned earlier that your on edge a lot, if your on edge you dont get simultaneous phone and data. You should get it if your on wifi, 3g, and lte. Can't speak about t-mobile though, I'm on AT&T.
I like everything about the sense UI for the most part except that I cannot change the size of the icons. I really like small icons and they seems massive with sense.
Actually do you know what.... on the GS4 they are even bigger. I've been trying to reduce them all yesterday but can only do so in another launcher.
In another launcher on the S4 there is a font size discrepancy. The fonts on the front are very small, so you have to change font size in displays. Only problem is whilst turning it to large or largest it makes the font on the home screen easier to see, on Apps it make the font 'ridiculously huge'... so I can't get a balance between the two currently.
Actually do you know what.... on the GS4 they are even bigger. I've been trying to reduce them all yesterday but can only do so in another launcher.
That is why I am deciding to keep the nexus. I always feel like I need a launcher to get the customization that I want. Once I put a launcher on the phones they look and feel nearly identical, plus I will still get updates. I am hoping that either 4.3, KLP, or whatever comes out next really incorporates a lot of the option you get with a launcher: changing icon size, changing the actual icon, hide apps in the app drawer, gestures, etc.
I do not take a lot of pictures, so a passable camera is all I really need. This may sound weird, but the more I have used the n4 the more the speakers seem to have "broken in." I may be crazy, but I really feel like it is louder than when I first got the phone. Also, I thought the wireless charger was just a convenience, but once I switched phones and lost it and then went back the the nexus, I appreciated it that much more.
Hey guys... I'm a long-time iPhone user who purchased an HTC One. (I've owned every single iPhone since the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 5)
To be honest, I'm a bit torn between the HTC One and my iPhone 5.
I feel that the 4.7" screen is a tiny bit too big because it's difficult to use one-handed so I would have rathered 4.5" I think or maybe even 4.3". I've also had strange problems with Bluetooth, etc.
I was also extremely annoyed the three dot menu bar, but I flashed a custom kernel and it completely solved that problem. You can also turn the HTC Logo into a menu button and it works good... (it actually senses the black area around the logo so sometimes it's picky, but it's only for the menu button)
Furthermore, the kernels feature swipe-to-unlock or swipe-to-lock gestures so you don't even have to use the power button if you don't want to.
Anyways, I really wish the iPhone was a bit larger and allowed applications to be installed from other places besides the app-store, but since that isn't a possibility I'm torn between the HTC One and my iPhone 5.
As a final thought, I did have a lot of problems with my iPhone 5. I would say it was the first phone that gave me lots of problems and as I mentioned, I had every phone.
For example, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I was using the data connection and received a phone call, it would go straight to voicemail. I'm on AT&T and this shouldn't happen. So far with my HTC One I've successfully received every phone call even while using data.
Anyways, we'll see what I decide. I still have a couple more days...
Right now I'm leaning towards buying an iPad Mini and using my iPhone 5. A huge part of that decisions is the games though...
To be honest, I'm a bit torn between the HTC One and my iPhone 5.
I feel that the 4.7" screen is a tiny bit too big because it's difficult to use one-handed so I would have rathered 4.5" I think or maybe even 4.3". I've also had strange problems with Bluetooth, etc.
I was also extremely annoyed the three dot menu bar, but I flashed a custom kernel and it completely solved that problem. You can also turn the HTC Logo into a menu button and it works good... (it actually senses the black area around the logo so sometimes it's picky, but it's only for the menu button)
Furthermore, the kernels feature swipe-to-unlock or swipe-to-lock gestures so you don't even have to use the power button if you don't want to.
Anyways, I really wish the iPhone was a bit larger and allowed applications to be installed from other places besides the app-store, but since that isn't a possibility I'm torn between the HTC One and my iPhone 5.
As a final thought, I did have a lot of problems with my iPhone 5. I would say it was the first phone that gave me lots of problems and as I mentioned, I had every phone.
For example, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I was using the data connection and received a phone call, it would go straight to voicemail. I'm on AT&T and this shouldn't happen. So far with my HTC One I've successfully received every phone call even while using data.
Anyways, we'll see what I decide. I still have a couple more days...
Right now I'm leaning towards buying an iPad Mini and using my iPhone 5. A huge part of that decisions is the games though...
I gots to tell ya, this is shaping up to be my favorite device I've owned of recent past. The last time I felt this good about a device was when I had my beloved Galaxy Nexus.
HTC just needs to send out that update patch to aid the camera, rid us of that godforsaken on-screen menu button, and fix the capacitive keys. Those three changes would go a long way in making the experience even better. 4.2 with lockscreen widgets and single-finger notification expansion wouldn't hurt either.
So, c'mon HTC. You got me on board; now make me a believer!
PS. As if I haven't made clear before, I'm running Nova Launcher. The experience would not be as pleasant on Sense.
HTC just needs to send out that update patch to aid the camera, rid us of that godforsaken on-screen menu button, and fix the capacitive keys. Those three changes would go a long way in making the experience even better. 4.2 with lockscreen widgets and single-finger notification expansion wouldn't hurt either.
So, c'mon HTC. You got me on board; now make me a believer!
PS. As if I haven't made clear before, I'm running Nova Launcher. The experience would not be as pleasant on Sense.
Few reasons I'm getting the s4 over the one :
Galaxy S4 Pro Points over the HTC One
- Faster Processor ***
- MicroSD Card slot ***
- Better Camera
- WAY Better camera features (More close to a digital camera)
- Bigger Display
- LED Notifier ***
- Creative features (Dual Shot, Multi Phone Speaker, Air Touch Preview)
- Bigger Battery
- SwiftKey used for Stock Keyboard
HTC One Pro Points over Galaxy S4
- Design
- Better front facing camera
- Better stock UI
OVERALL WINNER: Samsung Galaxy S4
Galaxy S4 Pro Points over the HTC One
- Faster Processor ***
- MicroSD Card slot ***
- Better Camera
- WAY Better camera features (More close to a digital camera)
- Bigger Display
- LED Notifier ***
- Creative features (Dual Shot, Multi Phone Speaker, Air Touch Preview)
- Bigger Battery
- SwiftKey used for Stock Keyboard
HTC One Pro Points over Galaxy S4
- Design
- Better front facing camera
- Better stock UI
OVERALL WINNER: Samsung Galaxy S4
Having actually had BOTH devices...
The Faster processor nullifies the bigger battery. In my day to day life the s4 was worse on battery. Given the same daily load the s4 used far more battery than the HTC one.
Swiftkey used for keyboard on S4 doesn't make any tangible difference because the s4 keyboard is pretty awful. There is far too much spacing between letters and the predictive engine isn't as good as swiftkey itself. The HTC one keyboard is excellent and features Swype keyboard Los and its spacing is excellent. Its quite possibly the best keyboard on any android device.
MicroSD slot only matters if your carrying a lot of music or video because applications can not be stored on it. If you pick up the 16gb S4 you will get only 8.5gb for application, regardless of microSD.
Multi-phone speaker (group play) realistically going to be used? How many S4 owners do you bump into and go - "hey lets all play this song!" I think vast majority of folks would rather have decent stereo speakers on their own device. Dual, quadruple or 5 tinny sounding loudspeakers all clattering out the same high frequency sound is utterly moribund without proper mid or bass levels.
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The HTC one does have a LED notifier. It's discreetly place in the speaker grill on the left side.
I think after playing around with my friends one I prefer the swiftkey from the app store.
Having the option for more storage with the sd card is just a plus. Nice to put movies videos or music on.
Also the ability to swap out a battery when your low is awesome having one battery always charging so you don't have to plug your phone when it's low.