Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are these good? I don't think they're very good.

No, those are pretty terrible. I just poked around the shots I took earlier today of my kid and while not spectacular, they're far better than these. Yours look dull, no sharpness and flat.
 
Tell me how to fix camera. Please don't tell me I have a defective unit...

Going to wipe camera glass and try again.

I'm telling y'all, another reason the power/wake button shouldn't be on top. I do find my index finger rubbing against the camera glass whenever reaching up for it.

----------

Question about Nova Launcher Prime: Can you use any of the gestures to go home? In other words, can you gesture to do what the home button does? Say... swiping up from the bottom (say from the HTC logo!) for example?

Anyone know? Much appreciated.
 
I can't wait to get my One tomorrow and give the camera a try. Sounds like there is a definite learning curve with it. Should be interesting to see how it works out. That being said, The camera is the biggest thing that I am apprehensive about as I transition from the iPhone 5 to the One.
 
I can't stress how good the speakers are. It's a genuine pleasure to listen to music on the Boom Speakers. Pure joy.

There's really so much to like about this device. It's such a damn shame -- I mean REALLY a shame -- HTC made a few disagreeable and sometimes outright stupid choices with a few things.

I wish they went with a good ol' 13 MP camera. This may be the biggest mistake of the One.
 
Tell me how to fix camera. Please don't tell me I have a defective unit...

Going to wipe camera glass and try again.

I'm telling y'all, another reason the power/wake button shouldn't be on top. I do find my index finger rubbing against the camera glass whenever reaching up for it.

----------

Question about Nova Launcher Prime: Can you use any of the gestures to go home? In other words, can you gesture to do what the home button does? Say... swiping up from the bottom (say from the HTC logo!) for example?

Anyone know? Much appreciated.

Couch if i remember correc MRU did a full restore and that improved the camera shoots.
 
Tell me how to fix camera. Please don't tell me I have a defective unit...

Going to wipe camera glass and try again.

I'm telling y'all, another reason the power/wake button shouldn't be on top. I do find my index finger rubbing against the camera glass whenever reaching up for it.

----------

Question about Nova Launcher Prime: Can you use any of the gestures to go home? In other words, can you gesture to do what the home button does? Say... swiping up from the bottom (say from the HTC logo!) for example?

Anyone know? Much appreciated.

Well I take that back about my camera. Closer examination shows my shots weren't much better than yours, not as washed out but still a bit of noise. I'm not that picky with my phone as I use it more for quick video and all of these cameras have more than enough MP for HD video. If I know I'm going to want decent quality shots I usually carry my dSLR.

Regarding gestures in Nova Launcher--they only work from within the launcher's home screens, not inside apps. For example, I have swipe down (anywhere on the screen) set to pull down the notification bar. Do it on one of my home screens and voila, there's my notifications. Do it in an app and voila, the content within my app scrolls.

I know you're trying to replicate what Zephyr can do on JB iOS and this ain't it.

----------

I wish they went with a good ol' 13 MP camera. This may be the biggest mistake of the One.

Heck, just using 8 MP with their Ultra Pixels probably would've yielded the best of both worlds--more detail and better low light performance.
 
Couch with your first day, do you think will be possible you get the s4 while holding the htc ? I mean to do a nice side by side "nitpick" ?
 
Couch with your first day, do you think will be possible you get the s4 while holding the htc ? I mean to do a nice side by side "nitpick" ?

Tmobile just delayed their S4 launch. Not sure if personal side by side is possible.

----------

Well I take that back about my camera. Closer examination shows my shots weren't much better than yours, not as washed out but still a bit of noise. I'm not that picky with my phone as I use it more for quick video and all of these cameras have more than enough MP for HD video. If I know I'm going to want decent quality shots I usually carry my dSLR.

Regarding gestures in Nova Launcher--they only work from within the launcher's home screens, not inside apps. For example, I have swipe down (anywhere on the screen) set to pull down the notification bar. Do it on one of my home screens and voila, there's my notifications. Do it in an app and voila, the content within my app scrolls.

I know you're trying to replicate what Zephyr can do on JB iOS and this ain't it.

----------



Heck, just using 8 MP with their Ultra Pixels probably would've yielded the best of both worlds--more detail and better low light performance.

Yeah. After wiping the camera glass and taking similar shots, they didn't come out much better.

The camera is a big problem, guys. I really want it to not be true, but this may be the one thing that's the deal breaker.

With the power button and the home configuration, you can find workarounds or just flat out get used to it. But with the camera, there's no getting around it. Much like there's no getting around the 4" disadvantage that is the iPhone 5.

This may be the One's achilles heel. 4 Megapixels. LIke the 4" iPhone. No app or jail break or root will add more inches or more pixels.

I mean, something about it is just really off. It's so grainy and ... just pathetic. Almost worse than the Nexus 4 pics I used to take... Still trying to figure it out, but I'm not sure if there's anything to figure out. I have the latest camera software.

HTC gambled with "Ultrapixels" and I'm beginning to think they really didn't make the right choice...
 
Oh god, it's true. The on-screen menu bar does push keyboards up.

Even when apps have the 3-dot menu button (top right in second picture) the on-screen menu bar shows.

HTC... the great blunderer.

doX6FQJ.png


U8u09K5.png
 
Oh god, it's true. The on-screen menu bar does push keyboards up.

Even when apps have the 3-dot menu button (top right in second picture) the on-screen menu bar shows.

HTC... the great blunderer.

doX6FQJ.png


U8u09K5.png

How is the battery holding up Couch, i guess you must doing some heavy usage.
 
I'm picking one up tomorrow... @Couch - Why don't you return the phone and tell your phone provider that there's something wrong with the camera based on the grainy pics?
 
Oh god, it's true. The on-screen menu bar does push keyboards up.

Even when apps have the 3-dot menu button (top right in second picture) the on-screen menu bar shows.

HTC... the great blunderer.

doX6FQJ.png


U8u09K5.png

Stock keyboard doesn't get pushed up like that on mine maybe an issue with third party keyboards. Why didn't you give stock keyboard more of a shot, I find it just as good as swiftkey but more aesthetically in keeping with the handset. Just enable swipe keyboard in settings....

----------

The wallpaper doesn't scroll like stock Android? That makes me sad :(

----------

So here's something that's driving me NUTS about Sense.

If you launch something from the App Drawer (example picture from Google):

sense5-apps-homescreen.png


Then hit the Home button... where is it supposed to take you? Any takers? Yes, it should take you to the HOME screen like the one below, right? (another example picture):

HTC-One-rocks.jpg


Guess what?

It doesn't. It takes you right back to the app drawer. If you want to go to the real home screen, you have to tap home again.

For an operating system called Sense... this makes none.

That's design choice if your in an app hitting home will take you back to the last place you were in on the home screen whether that be Blinkfeed, a home page or app drawer.

Pressing home a second time will override that and take you to your designated main page.

----------

Here's the thing... there's SO MUCH to like about this phone. You know me, I care to discuss shortcomings more than I care to discuss likes. The shortcomings are far more important for people to know about, I feel.

Sorry to go back to the camera, but guys, the camera is horrendous. The pictures I'm taking are coming up really bad. All on stock and default settings. The colors are dreadfully grainy. What gives?

I never ruled out the S4, but I am going to give the One a solid week's try.

And yes, I sense Nova will soon be replacing Sense(less!).


Couch, I told you all the shortcomings repeatedly and repeatedly.

I can find a myriad posts of mine which will tell you that

1) camera in inconsistent, software is buggy and HDR is broken. That whilst ultrapixels are fine there is no denying more pixels would have been preferable.

(By the way go into settings and try turning sharpness to -2) and yes your photos look very Vaseline like as bad as some of mine were they were never as bad or muddy looking as those.

Did you listen? ;)

2) you will hate sense and HTC's design choices.

Did you listen? ;)

3) you will hate button placement and arrangement (HTC logo included)

Did you listen? ;)


So far you haven't told us anything new or didnt know or had not posted prior to you getting the device I'm disappointed :p j/k

But honestly I did tell you repeatedly ....

----------

Does anyone else have an app on their One called Kids Mode: Free Games + Lock? Is this an HTC app? It's here in the Play Store and on my device. I can't uninstall it. I can only "Update" it.

What is it? And why is it on my device?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zoodles.kidmode&hl=en

----------

HTC really needs to get their socks together with the on-screen menu bar. Look at this. Power Toggles already has the dedicated screen menu bar (top right) but the HTC on-screen menu bar still persists.

U8u09K5.png

Yes it's a stock app, if you don't want it go into apps in settings and click disable, it will disappear from your app drawer and no longer get updates etc... Same as other stock apps if you want to remove them too.
 
Last edited:
Goddamnit. I don't want to set everything up again. :(

I'll try that if I have to... :T

Give it a try. Do a google backup / restore to ease some of the messing.

But yeah I still think your photos are very muddy looking compared to any of mine, hopefully a factory reset may improve. Mine have never lacked contrast (sometimes too much contrast) whereas your shots are all very middly. (Lacking tonal clarity).

If not..... (Listen to me this time, ditch it and get the S4 :p )

----------

I'm picking one up tomorrow... @Couch - Why don't you return the phone and tell your phone provider that there's something wrong with the camera based on the grainy pics?

Its was a dev edition phone, have to be returned to Let's Talk / HTC.

----------

Looks sexy, so this has windows software right?

Yep it is windows XP mobile ..... :p

----------

tbayrgs said:
Heck, just using 8 MP with their Ultra Pixels probably would've yielded the best of both worlds--more detail and better low light performance.


Yep, I've said the same thing.

Even when you take a great picture, there is no getting around the fact there is a lack of pixels clarity when looking at it 100%. And 8mp sensor would have addressed much of that significantly.

You will be fine with a 4x6" print from this camera, but 10x8" and A4 (US Letter) sizes are going to push it.
 
Last edited:
@MRU, the S4 may yet be in my future, but again, as a consumer, I want to give the One a shot. HTC's value and offers did exactly what they wanted it to do; get the device in my hand to convince me. The verdict is still out.

And I said in a post earlier, there's actually a lot to love about the device. I just don't get into discussing my likes as much as I do about my dislikes. :)

Getting my SIM this morning. Will post batt. impressions and more in coming days.

PS. I only skimmed yesterday's S4 reviews, but the S4 doesn't sound like it'd automatically be a perfect fit either... If I'm going to use Nova for stock-like experience, I think I rather use it on a prettier looking device. But again, time will tell...
 
- snip -


Couch, I told you all the shortcomings repeatedly and repeatedly.

I can find a myriad posts of mine which will tell you that

1) camera in inconsistent, software is buggy and HDR is broken. That whilst ultrapixels are fine there is no denying more pixels would have been preferable.

(By the way go into settings and try turning sharpness to -2) and yes your photos look very Vaseline like as bad as some of mine were they were never as bad or muddy looking as those.

Did you listen? ;)

2) you will hate sense and HTC's design choices.

Did you listen? ;)

3) you will hate button placement and arrangement (HTC logo included)

Did you listen? ;)


So far you haven't told us anything new or didnt know or had not posted prior to you getting the device I'm disappointed :p j/k

But honestly I did tell you repeatedly

-snip-

You have incredible patience and ineffable politeness. Clearly, you are a better person than I am.
 
@MRU, the S4 may yet be in my future, but again, as a consumer, I want to give the One a shot. HTC's value and offers did exactly what they wanted it to do; get the device in my hand to convince me. The verdict is still out.

And I said in a post earlier, there's actually a lot to love about the device. I just don't get into discussing my likes as much as I do about my dislikes. :)

Getting my SIM this morning. Will post batt. impressions and more in coming days.

PS. I only skimmed yesterday's S4 reviews, but the S4 doesn't sound like it'd automatically be a perfect fit either... If I'm going to use Nova for stock-like experience, I think I rather use it on a prettier looking device. But again, time will tell...

Give battery about 2 days to settle after a couple of charges and discharges. That's what folks over on XDA recommend because it takes a few charges and discharges for it to settle and produce an accurate result.

Mines been grand since I got it tbh though, but its worth bearing in mind :)

----------

Has anyone else had issues with the phone losing network signal every few days?

No haven't had that. Have you tried taking sim out and putting it back in again, or try a new microsim in the device.

:)
 
@MRU, the S4 may yet be in my future, but again, as a consumer, I want to give the One a shot. HTC's value and offers did exactly what they wanted it to do; get the device in my hand to convince me. The verdict is still out.

And I said in a post earlier, there's actually a lot to love about the device. I just don't get into discussing my likes as much as I do about my dislikes. :)

Getting my SIM this morning. Will post batt. impressions and more in coming days.

PS. I only skimmed yesterday's S4 reviews, but the S4 doesn't sound like it'd automatically be a perfect fit either... If I'm going to use Nova for stock-like experience, I think I rather use it on a prettier looking device. But again, time will tell...

Couch - how does the camera compare with the Nexus 4 camera? Curious as that's my benchmark for bad :p
 
Stock keyboard doesn't get pushed up like that on mine maybe an issue with third party keyboards. Why didn't you give stock keyboard more of a shot, I find it just as good as swiftkey but more aesthetically in keeping with the handset. Just enable swipe keyboard in settings....

----------



That's design choice if your in an app hitting home will take you back to the last place you were in on the home screen whether that be Blinkfeed, a home page or app drawer.

Pressing home a second time will override that and take you to your designated main page.

----------




Couch, I told you all the shortcomings repeatedly and repeatedly.

I can find a myriad posts of mine which will tell you that

1) camera in inconsistent, software is buggy and HDR is broken. That whilst ultrapixels are fine there is no denying more pixels would have been preferable.

(By the way go into settings and try turning sharpness to -2) and yes your photos look very Vaseline like as bad as some of mine were they were never as bad or muddy looking as those.

Did you listen? ;)

2) you will hate sense and HTC's design choices.

Did you listen? ;)

3) you will hate button placement and arrangement (HTC logo included)

Did you listen? ;)


So far you haven't told us anything new or didnt know or had not posted prior to you getting the device I'm disappointed :p j/k

But honestly I did tell you repeatedly ....

----------



Yes it's a stock app, if you don't want it go into apps in settings and click disable, it will disappear from your app drawer and no longer get updates etc... Same as other stock apps if you want to remove them too.

I get that Couch would want to try it out for himself, totally get that.

But as you say, he's saying nothing that we hadn't already warned him about. Literally nothing.

But reading about it and seeing for yourself in person are extremely different, so I get that Couch would want to learn for himself.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.