Android phones

[priapism]

I'm shopping for a new phone...looking at the android market right now. I'm on VZ so I saw the Droid Charge. Thing is, it's so loaded with bloatware and that Samsung face on Android. Can I just wipe it and install straight Android? Is there a way to do that for the technologically inept?

[HellzMindPlaya]

Depends on how new a phone it is. There are lots of people developing new "roms" for different devices, but if it is really new it may take a while before it is rooted (unlocked) and people start making them.

Custom roms don't really usually make things easier in my experience, but there are always different types, some people make roms loaded with everything under the sun in them, some make them with just the bare minimum.

So yes, and no.

[James Crivellone]

This is the sad fragmented reality of Android. As long as the core carriers have any say in the OS they will bloat the hell out of it.

I'm running a DroidX with the leaked 2.3.3 firmware (rooted)

As the charge is rather new a ton won't exist for it yet. However being a non Motorola device you will have a better chance of getting by that stupid eFuse bootloader crap that they have.

If you are new to modding phones it will have a bit of a learning curve, but basically you need to root the device, install clockworkmod (to install other roms) and go from there.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1143 read up, it gets easier.

Once all that crap is done you do get a better phone. When I got my DroidX at first I hated the damn thing, now I love it because I killed off all the bloatware Verizon/Motorola forced down my throat.

[e30e]

Just get an iphone, has less bloatware on it and it does everything an android does.

[James Crivellone]

Just get an iphone, has less bloatware on it and it does everything an android does.

Not to turn this into an apple war, but they both have different feature sets that separate them

Apple Pro's
Uniform Interface
Updates come from one place
More Apps

Apple Con's
ITunes on PC (some hate it, I do)
less OS flexibility unless you jailbreak
AT&T / No LTE on Verizon
Smaller Screen (To Some)
No HDMI out (To Some)
No Flash

Android Pro's
More customizable OS
Larger Screens available
Larger variety of phones
LTE on Verizon
Faster Processors, expandable capacity
Flash
Rom availablity

Android Con's
Fragmented Android experience across manufacturers
Horrible Gui modifications (Blur, TouchWiz, Sense)
Less apps (on paper, does not really matter)
Rely on the phone manufacturer for updates

I'd take an Android device over an Iphone any day of the week at this point

[sergio318is]

Google xda-developers

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[SoEm0]

You will be able to root it eventually. Most of the new phones require a shell root and it can get to be a little bit of a pain in the ass to do. Eventually there will be a 1 click root, but that would be a few months down the road. Personally I would wait for the new Galaxy S2 to come out. It has some serious hardware. I won't go into Iphone because I don't want to start a war. I personally don't care for them, but they are an option. James pretty much hit the nail on the head with his posts.

[priapism]

Just get an iphone, has less bloatware on it and it does everything an android does.

Gosh, why didn't I think of that?? Thanks!!

[priapism]

This is the sad fragmented reality of Android. As long as the core carriers have any say in the OS they will bloat the hell out of it.

I'm running a DroidX with the leaked 2.3.3 firmware (rooted)

As the charge is rather new a ton won't exist for it yet. However being a non Motorola device you will have a better chance of getting by that stupid eFuse bootloader crap that they have.

If you are new to modding phones it will have a bit of a learning curve, but basically you need to root the device, install clockworkmod (to install other roms) and go from there.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1143 read up, it gets easier.

Once all that crap is done you do get a better phone. When I got my DroidX at first I hated the damn thing, now I love it because I killed off all the bloatware Verizon/Motorola forced down my throat.

Great info, thanks! I'm also considering the G2X or G2 on T Mobile. I have to have either Verizon or T mobile because I have no reception where I live. I have a VZ femtocell right now, works great.

[Raxe]

That's one of the reasons I went with Google, I don't mind their "bonuses" and they keep them to a minimum. I'm running 2.3.4 (OTA update) and it's fantastic.

[Jean]

Love my g2x

[scabzzzz]

Not to turn this into an apple war, but they both have different feature sets that separate them

Apple Pro's
Uniform Interface
Updates come from one place
More Apps

Apple Con's
ITunes on PC (some hate it, I do)
less OS flexibility unless you jailbreak
AT&T / No LTE on Verizon
Smaller Screen (To Some)
No HDMI out (To Some)
No Flash

Android Pro's
More customizable OS
Larger Screens available
Larger variety of phones
LTE on Verizon
Faster Processors, expandable capacity
Flash
Rom availablity

Android Con's
Fragmented Android experience across manufacturers
Horrible Gui modifications (Blur, TouchWiz, Sense)
Less apps (on paper, does not really matter)
Rely on the phone manufacturer for updates

I'd take an Android device over an Iphone any day of the week at this point

Bout time ;)

I mean saying one is better than the other is like saying waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles tastes better than dick. Its all opinion. Pro's and con's to both NOW.

[Ryan Stewart]

I'd take an Android device over an Iphone any day of the week at this point

You forgot the most important Android phone PRO of all, free turn by turn navigation with voice prompt and voice recognition. Seriously, that is the shit that makes me giggle like a moron every time I use it. I can just say "navigate to XXXXX" and 30 seconds later the phone brings up a garmin like interface and a woman tells me where to go.

[155///MPH]

You forgot the most important Android phone PRO of all, free turn by turn navigation with voice prompt and voice recognition. Seriously, that is the shit that makes me giggle like a moron every time I use it. I can just say "navigate to XXXXX" and 30 seconds later the phone brings up a garmin like interface and a woman tells me where to go.

QFT. Everytime I show that to a Blackberry user their jaw drops.

JP

[priapism]

I like the G2 but I'd prefer to stay with Verizon's service. I don't think I want a huge 4.3" phone.