Pre vs HTC Hero - Page 36

yobgup · 10/22/2009, 05:13 PM

Pre >Hero in most areas for me.

The Sense UI is great, but the Pre is more practical. I could not live without multitasking now.

grndslm · 10/22/2009, 09:36 PM

Honestly, I think the Pre is a better device. I only know from sitting in the local Sprint store for at least 4 or 5 hours and fanatically watching PreCentral for the past few months.

Personally, when it comes down to it. I just really want a decent web browser. I definitely want an animated radar map. I want something very similar to Dealert (hopefully the camera APIs will come so it can read barcodes), but Dealert is an awesome app. And the Pre really does have some nice hardware. It's a perfect round shape. It's definitely more beautiful; the Pre screams "style" all around. I like that it's all screen and you can snap it up to reveal a hardware keyboard for one-handed (or blind) typing. A HW keyboard is indispensable for me. It's got a hardware ringer switch. Supposedly the Pre's camera is better, and I intend on taking a lot more pictures either way since they're both auto-focus (can't remember if the Hero has a flash or not); Palm has always focused on the optics and end-results of the actual pictures.

When it comes down to it, I'm just in love with WebOS, honestly. I dream of swiping cards left and right to move between them, and flicking them up to close them. It's a beautiful thing to watch the cards move so smoothly. That's another thing... I think that the phone runs great as it is, but in 6-12 months, when I'd expect the graphics APIs to be implemented, it'll be like I got a new phone... upgraded to 3Gs+ speed. I love the concept of Synergy. That's really one of the only things that homebrew and patches don't solve. Palm will need to fix that quickly, but I can give them some time for the great concept, free service for users, and it remembers your purchases so that you don't have to pay for them again. Universal Search will also continue to be upgraded. And speaking of upgrades, that''s another thing I like better about the Pre is the constant minor and major updates. I don't think other OSes & carriers are gonna be pushing out OTA updates like WebOS on Sprint (perhaps even moreso with the splintering of Android). I will enjoy watching the OS evolve, just like the iPhone users watched their platform evolve. The iPhone certainly didn't do everything right from Day 1 (and still hasn't come close), but I think Palm is doing a fantastic job considering their history of no innovation and their small size. I enjoyed Jon Rubenstein on the Engadget Show and think he really does know how to save a company, and I am kinda "rooting" for Palm.

I feel like this is the Last Hope before it's only iPhoneOS and AndroidOS. Palm & Co[mmunity] is like Sparta in 300. And PreCentral = WIN, btw!! As someone else stated earlier, there is no one forum like this for Android. I enjoy that WebOS has a beautiful and beautifully designed platform that is only lacking a few key functionalities that will come in soon updates, I'm sure... and I enjoy PreCentral. "If you build it, they will come."

BTW, I just wanted to mention that I do like some things about Android, specifically Locale, Layar, Sky Map, & Shop Savvy (at least the barcode scanner part of it). Locale would be pretty sweet, but I really don't need that functionality, and it looks like it should still theoretically work with WebOS. I prefer my ringer to disturb the peace anyway. :-) Layar is cool, but it's one of those gimmick apps that I'd probly only use to show off. Sky Map is in the same boat, because I live in a polluted city, so I can't actually use it "with" the Sky as a tool but a couple times a year. Shop Savvy seems like it will work with the Pre in due time, but we'll need to wait a bit longer for that. So the barcode scanning is really the only thing I'm missing from the Pre in all practical sense!!! The only thing missing on the Pre in terms of hardware for me is the compass and expandable memory (but I'd rather have 8gb of internal than 256 or 512mb; this will provide quicker picture taking, among other perceived speed differences). I can't wait to upgrade in 12 (Sprint Premier, beetches) to 24 months and see what's around then. And I probly won't exactly NEED to once the graphics chip is utilized, but a compass and more storage would definitely be cool.

These are amazing times we live in.

doublebullout · 10/22/2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefy

double, thanks for the feedback. Where have you/do you go for Android info? Unfortunately there isn't a dedicated single platform forum like there is for the Pre because Android is on multiple devices.

I've been going to the Phandroid Forums, and Androidforums.com.

Anywhere else I should be looking? Also, any idea where I can get a cheap miniusb cable to keep near my computer when I'm working during the day?

Looks like phandroid fixed their server issues, so that's probably the best site. (I really wish their podcast was as well-done as Dieter's, though.) Android Central is starting to heat up now with the release of the Hero. I've also read some of the articles at cnet.com's Android Atlas. This was a very good read:

http://androidsocialmedia.com/apps/e...he-new-outlook

doublebullout · 10/23/2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmac923

I don't really think that Android alone can be thanked for the widgets and convenient screens. That is what HTC brings with it's unique UI.

"Stock" Android gives you 3 screens and widgets. SenseUI bumps that to 7 screens and includes some HTC widgets in addition to the regular Android ones. Frankly, I wish I could thank Palm for this sort of thing.

Beefy · 10/23/2009, 12:33 AM

Any idea why the Hero can't receive MMS? I've been having trouble getting picturemails sent from other phones...

sudoer · 10/23/2009, 04:52 AM

Beefy,
monoprice.com I'd a good place to get USB cables for under $2 each plus around $5 for shipping. Buy several. The 1A home and car charger ends will probably work for Android phones. You should buy some stuff and let the other 'heroes' here know what works for your phone. (I have a Pre so I can't give an experimental answer. Maybe someone has figured out the answer over on Android Central.)

cardfan · 10/23/2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

When it comes down to it, I'm just in love with WebOS, honestly. I dream of swiping cards left and right to move between them, and flicking them up to close them. It's a beautiful thing to watch the cards move so smoothly.

You're in love with the UI. Not what's underneath.

pogeypre · 10/23/2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardfan

You're in love with the UI. Not what's underneath.

Right, it's what's on the inside that counts... like?

Better processor? Better OS?

d1sq0 · 10/23/2009, 10:50 AM

monoprice is the bomb, agreed. can't say i love the hero from what i've tried to do w/ a friend's

windzilla · 10/23/2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pogeypetey

Right, it's what's on the inside that counts... like?

Better processor? Better OS?

no maybe he means the os it runs on ie linux
no wait...

maybe the op is in love with webos after all

BJ_Sprint · 10/23/2009, 09:20 PM

Hey berrabus, my name is BJ DeHut and I am a representative for Sprint. This is a great debate question and I am happy to see so many people chiming in. Of course people’s opinions on these phones are simply that, opinions. A big deciding factor for people is the difference in keyboard. While the Pre has both physical and virtual keyboard, those who are new to touchscreen are sure to hesitate when it comes to the Hero. Though the Hero has many advantages that you touched upon, including many of the desirable functions that have yet to be activated in the Pre. Having instant functionality out of the box is certainly a plus. Both phones have their pros and cons but we are just happy to offer both to our customers.

dj ozone · 10/23/2009, 10:11 PM

So true....From a Sprint perspective this has to be a great time....What they are doing with their lineup is borderline spectacular!...Sprint used to be a laughingstock now their getting a degree of respect...

Palm PREezy · 10/25/2009, 02:59 PM

I wasn't so impressed with the functionality of the HERO... don't get me wrong if I could have both phones i'd own both. BUT if I had to chose between the PRE vs. Hero based on my use i'd pick the PRE. Its much more 'practical' in that I use my push mail and facebook integrated features pretty often. Also I feel that HERO is so widget based, granted I didn't really play with it for more than 20 minutes at the local sprint store. Widgets are cool but they don't replace useful applications.

Its a beauty of a phone though, screen is awesome and the UI looks awesome. Didn't notice any lagginess as mentioned before in some reviews. The PRE edges out the HERO in my eyes based on functionality and usefulness to the power user as opposed to the 'fun' nature of the widget based system of the HERO.

decide for yourself. I enjoy my PRE but wouldn't mind owning a HERO too.. hehehe. I'm such a gadget ho.

doublebullout · 10/25/2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palm PREezy

I wasn't so impressed with the functionality of the HERO... don't get me wrong if I could have both phones i'd own both. BUT if I had to chose between the PRE vs. Hero based on my use i'd pick the PRE. Its much more 'practical' in that I use my push mail and facebook integrated features pretty often. Also I feel that HERO is so widget based, granted I didn't really play with it for more than 20 minutes at the local sprint store. Widgets are cool but they don't replace useful applications.

Sure they do. My Work scene has the HTC email widget, which displays emails like cards. I can swipe up and down through my emails without launching the app. The messaging widget works the same way. Swipe to the next page in my scene, and there's a Facebook widget that shows the most recent status updates, with arrows to go back and forth. If I need anything more than that, I can tap on the widget to launch the Facebook app. What I love about the HTC scenes and widgets is that I can build my own "dashboard" and quickly swipe between pages to get an immediate high-level view of everything. If I need to drill down, it's only a tap away. Very fast and very efficient.

Mike20PR · 10/26/2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yobgup

Pre >Hero in most areas for me.

The Sense UI is great, but the Pre is more practical. I could not live without multitasking now.

hahaha wow Palm really learned to advertise from Apple...

people actually think that the Pre is the only device that can multitask

kudos

(ps. you should have said, cant live with the CARDS multitasking)

windzilla · 10/26/2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefy

Any idea why the Hero can't receive MMS? I've been having trouble getting picturemails sent from other phones...

looks like the hero is giving people some serious difficulties receiving txt messages

http://i.engadget.com/2009/10/26/htc-hero-having-intermittent-text-messaging-problems/

worse, there isn't mention of a pending fix.

oh gods of the cell phone when will you give us a smartphone devoid of any problems for everyone?

Mike20PR · 10/26/2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windzilla

looks like the hero is giving people some serious difficulties receiving txt messages

HTC Hero having intermittent text messaging problems? - Engadget

worse, there isn't mention of a pending fix.

oh gods of the cell phone when will you give us a smartphone devoid of any problems for everyone?

i had this issue and when it came down to it, using task killers to force apps to close on will is what killed the SMS feature.

I did a master reset and stayed away from task killers. SMS issue is no more and my Hero is just as fast letting Android do the managing since its designed to do so

we are just control freaks lol

wrxdrunkie · 10/26/2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike20PR

i had this issue and when it came down to it, using task killers to force apps to close on will is what killed the SMS feature.

I did a master reset and stayed away from task killers. SMS issue is no more and my Hero is just as fast letting Android do the managing since its designed to do so

we are just control freaks lol

So mike have you owned all of those phones in your sig? If so which one is your favorite so far? Or do you always like the newest one the most?

doublebullout · 10/26/2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike20PR

i had this issue and when it came down to it, using task killers to force apps to close on will is what killed the SMS feature.

I did a master reset and stayed away from task killers. SMS issue is no more and my Hero is just as fast letting Android do the managing since its designed to do so

Absolutely agree. The conventional wisdom that you must use a task killer app to "help" Android manage itself is probably causing some of these issues. Users that indiscriminately kill apps or processes because they think it's using up resources are likely killing processes that Android needs for certain functions. (There is a bug in the stock SMS app that drains the battery, but you don't need a task killer to deal with that either.)

Mike20PR · 10/27/2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxdrunkie

So mike have you owned all of those phones in your sig? If so which one is your favorite so far? Or do you always like the newest one the most?

i was a winmo user for years till i got the Pre (thank god...) sadly it lacked a lot of features i use regularly like file compressing / decompressing, web downloading (at the time) file management, doc editing etc. and went back to winmo.... hated it since i experienced something as elegant as webOS. So it got me a Hero and to my surprise it does everything i missed from winmo, nice OS like the Pre, tons of apps and runs smoothly without a need for hacks, roms etc. so IMO the Hero has the top spot so far. But no, in my experience with my devices the newest doesnt always mean the best, back when i used winmo i HATED the touch pro but LOVED my HTC Touch for some reason even though the Pro had way better specs, the Touch just worked better....