[REVIEW] HTC Droid Incredible
 

Read the full review.


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I'm not a very good reviewer and wanted to attack this like I was explaining the device to someone who has never owned an Android before, but didn't want to go into too much on just Android due to the Sense changes.

So, got any questions on anything I didn't address? Spot any inaccuracies? Help me out here :)

Well, reading this review caused a BSOD. Can't beat that.

;)

I'm interested in how good you find the on screen keyboard, comparing it to the Samsung Jack's. Do you type faster? or more inaccurately? I find myself far more inaccurate with a touchscreen keyboard (resistive screen or capacitive) than with a good hardware keyboard, and that was after my Xperia X1, which forced me to be very intimate with a software keyboard.

That's ok, I used to think my looks caused women to have a BSOD.

Was still adjusting. I found the Jack's tactile keyboard to be more comfortable, as in I didn't have to look at the keys, and I was more accurate. I found myself to be a little faster but also a little more error prone on the touch screen, but with practice, that should go away.

I think that the more one uses a touch screen keyboard only, the more one feels that a physical QWERTY is not so useful... till one goes back to a physical QWERTY. Stay off your Jack for a while, and you'd start thinking that you're doing as good as your Jack. That's what I experienced moving from my Xperia X1 - where I felt that heck, software QWERTY was 95% that of physical QWERTY at that time - to my E72. Massive wut??? ensured as I suddenly found myself much more accurate.

Nokia really needs to implement their Haptikos technology in a real product - or license the screen tech out. :(


Edit : Consider my above argument invalidated, and my mind blown : http://blog.gsmarena.com/world-recor...on-a-galaxy-s/

Droid Incredible 2.2 update is rolling out starting tomorrow according to Verizon. They've already updated their support page, and if you try to purchase the phone through the VZW website, it lists Android 2.2 as the OS. Here's the changes according to VZW's official PDF. (My thoughts in italics, so you can easily skip over them)

Enhancements:
+ Improved Web browsing with pre-installed Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1
for Android. (Already had FL4, but this should offer better compatibility, and better performance since FL wasn't hardware accelerated, also better battery life)
+ Support for 720p video recording. (At what framerate? Man, I wish I was home to test this)
+ Transfer data faster with 801.11n Wi-Fi capabilities.
+ Easily switch between the eight most recent applications. (FYI, previous number was 6, a slight improvement. You get this by holding the "menu" button)
+ Enhanced browser performance for faster loading of
JavaScript heavy pages. (Browser was already pretty impressive)
+ A screen that works for you and your apps.
 With Android 2.2, you can rotate your screen 270 degrees—either
to the left or to the right when moving from portrait to landscape
mode—to work with apps in more directions. (I made a comment in my review about this, nice to have this feature now)
+ A new Mail Stream widget increases ease of use.
+ Text Message Widget.
 The new text message widget offers fast access to your messages
from the home screen with a quick swipe. Scroll up and down
through the list of all your text conversations in one screen. Keep
the conversation going, faster.
+ Automatic app updates.
 Always have the latest versions of the applications you’ve
downloaded with automatically updated Android Market™ apps.
And you can choose to store applications in your device’s memory
or on a storage card for more capacity.

Improvements:
+ Updated software changes provide improved security.
+ Improved battery life.
+ Manage Contacts more efficiently with updated contact details.
+ Instantly know the strength of your signal with improved
signal display.
+ Connect to Visual Voicemail when Wi-Fi is enabled.
+ Easily move between Today view and Agenda view in the
Calendar application.
+ Additional support for Backup AssistantSM PIN retrieval for
new accounts.
+ Play Visual Voicemail messages through speakers when connected
to Bluetooth® car kit.
+ Keep track of music with organized Music Player application. (I hope this is better organized)
+ Updated People application to accommodate contacts with
Facebook accounts.
+ Access Corporate Directory information on Microsoft® Exchange.
+ Save new contacts with “Save to People” option for Visual Voicemail.
+ Call a number back immediately from text messages.
+ Improved CityID application. (I'd prefer "removed" over "improved")

They also seem to have pre-loaded 4 more apps:
My Verizon (I downloaded this anyway, it's useful tool)
Skype (I tried and deleted it, likely won't leave my app drawer)
3G Mobile Hotspot (I won't be paying for it anytime soon)
Verizon Navigator (Like Google Maps, only you get to pay for it, yay!)

Looks like Apple's not the only one doing this. ;)

Must say that the V8 rendering engine (web browser) in 2.2 is mighty impressive (according to Nexus 1 videos), though.

I've gone through two OTA updates, but since I'm not in the states, I can't make calls. So instead of fully amending my review, I just want to comment on some changes I've noticed thus far.

It's now sold with an SLCD, which is 18-bit, but has its own quirks.

Since the 2.2 update, the accelerometer now works 270 degrees like most newer devices. However, it is sometimes slow to respond. Not anymore so than the Zune, it just seems like it because it pauses, then snaps into place. The Zune, by comparison, uses an animation for the transition, which plays a trick on your mind making it seem noticeably faster.

720P is now offered, but the framerate leaves a lot to be desired. Most people will probably prefer to stick with the 800x480 option (I still wish they'd offer a more standard 720x480 option as well).

User error on my part, as that 720p file was .WMV, which isn't a fully supported filetype. That same video stutters a little even in VLC on a dual-core.

Now offers full Flash 10.1, though I can't give an honest evaluation of it due to the poor internet speed out here. I'll comment further when I get home.

Now, in addition to two mass storage drives, it also shows up with a 3rd drive, a "CD ROM." It will prompt you to install Verizon drivers every time you plug it in, which gets old fast. Thankfully, if you're not afraid to dig deeper into the hidden settings, this can be disabled.

Or use apps that can rescan folders/drives. Not all media apps can do this, but the good ones can.

Also, after the last OTA I decided to do a factory reset. The UI positively flies now. It really is nigh and day over when I first got the phone on 2.1, and even that was fast. It just wasn't as fluid as an iPhone or a Zune. It still isn't as good as those two, but it's much closer now. You'd have to use them side by side in most cases to see the difference.

The last two updates have added a lot of extra apps, or "bloatware." I'll comment on them here.

My Verizon - doesn't crash on bootup anymore, but doesn't work over wifi, so I can't fully evaluate it. Still, no reason to NOT have this app when stateside. So not a big deal, and not what I'd call bloat.

Skype - There are now two Skype apps. Skype Mobile is verizon exclusive, doesn't work over wifi, uses your voice minutes (just not at a full 1 to 1 rate), and is pre-loaded. You can also download the standalone skype app which does support wifi. I've used that one and it's fine. Seems pointless to have two Skype apps on your phone. Also, I've noticed that if you open either, the Skype Mobile app opens regardless and will NOT let your phone sleep. It's not a huge battery hog, but it does drain the battery noticeably. When you're done with Skype, either force close both apps, or reboot. I hate poorly coded software, and I especially hate when it's forced on me. This WILL cause me to root when I get home, maybe even a custom ROM.

3G Mobile Hotspot - Does what it says. Extra $20/month, or free if rooted.

Verizon Navigator - didn't touch it, can't use it out here

V Cast Apps - crashes, so good job VZW! (I've heard the app store isn't ready yet, and once it is, this app should work).

Slacker - haven't tried it yet

Almost all of the pre-loaded apps load into memory when the phone starts up, but they don't take up any rangible resources, nor do they drain battery life. The only exception I've noticed is the above Skype issue after you've open either Skype app. If you don't use Skype at all, then the Verizon bloatware shouldn't negatively impact you.