Disqus - Latest Comments for Scobleizer

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

rgiar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:42:56 -0000

the pre with sprint navigation (free) has this as well, very well done with a few minor over-simplifications.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

archon810 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:12:36 -0000

The Youtube app on Android has dynamic quality: it switches to HQ when you're on WiFi and goes to normal (quite crappy indeed) quality if you're on the mobile network.

You can switch between them if you hit Menu but there doesn't seem to be a way to switch defaults (as of 1.5 on the Hero at least).

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

davebroham — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:03:52 -0000

I believe Microsoft's 90% marketshare had more to do with Corporate focus and shrewd bundling than anything else.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

evanw — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:43:32 -0000

Just out of curiosity, when watching YouTube on the Droid did you enable High Quality? To access this you have to touch Menu, select More, then "Watch in high quality".

Not the easiest thing to find (although it is specifically mentioned in the guide that comes in the box) - but it's a dramatic improvement in quality. I mean really, really good quality.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:36:09 -0000

Awesome points. Congrats on building the best Twitter app on the Android platform, by the way. I'll keep with it.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:24 -0000

When we play the YouTube videos (same video, same UI) the ones on the Palm Pre, the HTC Touch, the iPhone are much higher resolution than the ones that play on the Droid. Yes, they are NOT "true HD" but they are very sharp and very good looking. Not on the Droid. They look like ass on the Droid.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

twitter-3819451 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:13:38 -0000

thanks for the reply!
I get what you mean by the Win 3.1 analogy. My question is really this: since most of the flaws can be fixed via the magic of software and through the expedience of the market, is it still to early for us commoners to bet on the device due to its hardware? Others have not reported the 'back door' issue.. I'd be in the majority who would go in for a 2-year contract, but with the very first hardware version -- sometimes its better to wait for 1.1. Is the lack of haptic zoom 'multitouch' a hardware limitation?

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

betterbizideas — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:05:48 -0000

"Everyone in China?" All 1.3 billion Chinese? LOL

Just having fun Robert :)

Nice article

Dan
@BetterBizIdeas

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:04:20 -0000

This is a major reason why I bought one. I think Apple needs competition. That's healthy for all of us. So, totally agree with you on that point.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

twitter-8719362 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:03:28 -0000

I totally agree on this. Microsoft won the OS war (with windows95) because of aggressive marketing, especially in business segment. And, yes, because they built platform for developers.
Now this is what Apple has - platform + marketing + user experience. And that's a killer combination. IMO only google has power to beat it, if they would want it. But I don't see they are "aggressive enough" - Android seems to be their hobby project for geeks. And I don't understand why...

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

betterbizideas — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:03:21 -0000

Physical keyboards are HUGE for me. The Droid one has no "feel" to the keyboard from what I've heard when compared to the blackberrys.

On a different note, everything points to the Android OS getting more and more features/apps on it. I think the Android will catch the Iphone due to ITERATIONs. What is the expression in the valley Robert? Deploy technology quick and then iterate, again and again and again. The Iphone only updates every few years but the Android, due to so many manufacturers backing it, has the POTENTIAL to get better as one manufacturer after another integrates new hardware/software features into it. I think it is just a matter of TIME before the Android catches up.

Having said that, we need to go back to discussing the OS/system integration. These devices are about the APPS now. I want network coverage 1st and then, depending on the user, # of apps or good voice quality. I prefer voice quality...

Every phone with Android won't deliver the same experience that the Iphone will with their App store. Don't forget that KEY component of the discussion Robert. SOOOOO many people with hundreds of $$$ spent on Iphone Applications. I think VZ is just pushing hard with smartphones to try and force Apple over to their network on decent financial terms. If they do that watch AT&T stock price drop like a rock. Just my 2 cents.

Dan
@BetterBizIdeas

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

pxlated — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:02:54 -0000

But, the difference back then was most computing was "business" computing controlled by IT and that was IBM/Microsoft based. Other than geeks/hobbiests/designers, most people has computers provided by their IT department. No, consumers decide on their own, the geeks have influence but not control like they did way back when. So, not sure the same dynamics are in play. Apple does great marketing/promotion and has an "easy to use" platform. Android could fragment with incompatibilities all over the place and the phone owner (consumer) is now on their own, can't go running off to the IT department to solve their problem.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Thomas — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:02:00 -0000

Does the Droid have a glass screen?

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

pxlated — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:57:30 -0000

Got to drive a new $400K John Deer combine this weekend - Bet it has more tech in it than your Prius Robert. Drives itself based on your GPS planting tracks with sensors to keep it aligned with the crop rows. Calculates yield, moisture, etc. You ought to go talk tech with John Deer :-)

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

betterbizideas — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:52:43 -0000

Robert, the big guys put out HUGE networks but I have to say, AT&T is CONSISTENTLY lacking when it comes to coverage and dead spots. Is this because they are trying to increase footprint as much as possible while avoiding overlapping cells? I would image a narrower range for the overall cell would improve drop rates, no?

As for the Iphone, it is a MISERABLE fail when it comes to voice quality. That fault likes with Apple. It is still a phone....yes, the "value-add" has shifted to data and other services but it needs to do the basic function of VOICE, no? When will someone get Ericsson type of RF into these smartphones? Who do you think has the best voice quality these days? I remember some of the Ericsson and Nokia models back in the 90s SMOKING these smartphones on voice quality. It has degraded to a point of shame....

I had a Motorola Q for the longest time and was on Verizon. My fiancee was on AT&T and had a Q as well. She didn't like the blackberry....which, to be blunt, surprises me. Today we are on a family plan for AT&T with me having a Blackberry Bold (I NEED a horizontal pad, which the Iphone didn't have back then-I've got large fingers and even the horizontal Iphone is a challenge for me.) My fiancee has migrated to an Iphone. She LOVES the thing but the voice quality is lacking. The apps are nothing short of UNBELIEVABLE on the thing.

I've been debating on what I'll do in the future. We're stuck on AT&T for 1.5 years so I've got time to think about it :) If the Iphone ends up on Verizon's network I might consider getting that. We'll try out the two networks and then pick a winner for us.

And then we have this damn Sprint 4G network going live in Dallas, where I am at :) Nov 11th kickoff party.... I probably won't have coverage but I'll be looking into it. 100 mb is worth looking into :)

Dan
@BetterBizIdeas

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:52:21 -0000

Hah, I don't like Wave so I've been ignoring that. But I think you are right on. Google is making big plays to stick its foot into enterprises. Microsoft better watch out here.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:50:34 -0000

It's not quite that simple, though. Google has a better platform-building team and approach. This is why Android has come in late into the market and already gotten more than 10,000 apps built for it (something that Microsoft, Nokia, Palm and others have failed to do, by the way). The platform eventually wins. Or at least that's been true so far. That beautiful Mac? It was cloned "enough" by Microsoft and Microsoft's superior platform approach led it to 90% marketshare. Being beautiful and usable is NOT enough!

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

pxlated — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:48:12 -0000

If it can't do data/voice simultaneously, that kind of negates the multitasking to a certain degree I would think doesn't it?
Rural - When the iPhone first came out I know there were areas where it was hard to get a connection but it was still better than the Verizon connections I was getting here in MN. Until the last few months I wasn't even able to get a 1RT connection. But, as mentioned, connections and what type are soooo location specific.
The Droid could turn out to be just "the phone for geeks in a largish city" :-)

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

tdhurst — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:45:49 -0000

I've played with all three as well and the iPhone still wins. Like
BluRay vs DVD, the differences aren't THAT much better to switch.

Also, how much thinking do we REALLY want our phones to require? Seems
the droid is trying too hard to be a netbook replacement.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:45:17 -0000

That said, my new Toyota Prius has a very good GPS system, so I don't need turn-by-turn the way other people might.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:44:44 -0000

Ahh, yes, I just forgot about that. We talked about Google's Maps in the podcast. I'll add that as another good thing about Droid (turn-by-turn directions and street-level views rock on the Droid).

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:42:15 -0000

Mark: yes. That's why I feel Android is Windows 3.1. It's ugly. But you can see the future is going to be very bright. Developers ARE supporting Android in a big way. It's their second platform, I've been interviewing a ton of them.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:38:12 -0000

Another good point I should have made in my article. No, the Droid can't do simultaneous voice and data (I believe this is due to the EVDO network that Verizon uses). Good points about getting service in rural areas. I don't use a phone in rural areas very often.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

ericbrown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:37:53 -0000

rumors are that the iPhone's coming in 2010....can't get here soon enough.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:36:30 -0000

I'll switch my iPhone over to Verizon too if it goes. The network is noticeably better in Half Moon Bay. Ironic, too, because I know of a major Apple exec who lives just down the road from me.