HTC Desire
- P
- Phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
HTC user, 16 Aug 2010Hi Phoenix,
I've been on gsm arena for about 4 years, si... moreyeah thanks buddy :)
so what do you wanna do now? you'll go for iphone 4?
- p
- phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
Hands on with Android 2.2 on the HTC Desire
We've managed to snag an unlocked HTC Desire and popped a bit of Android 2.2 action on there to see if it really is much better.
We'll get to the good news early: it is much better indeed. From an improved battery to much less choppy video recording, any slight foibles the HTC Desire had in our review have now been rectified.
Speed upgrade
One of the main upgrades with Android 2.2 is the just-in-time compiler, which improves the speed of the device in benchmark testing, and has worked wonders on the Google Nexus One.
On the HTC Desire it's less noticeable because the phone simply swished through menus and screens with no hint of slowdown, but when it comes to web browsing things are indeed a little quicker.
But the JIT compiler doesn't just speed up the OS, it makes it more efficient too, which helps alleviate that glaring problem: the HTC Desire has an awful battery life, often not lasting the day between charges.
Thankfully that's been sorted with Android 2.2, where we found taking the phone off charge at 8AM would mean we still had 15-20% battery life when we stumble in at 12AM, even with push notifications and Wi-Fi on.
It's not stellar, but it does take the HTC Desire into the 'normal' realm of smartphone power consumption
HD video
HD video recording has also been added into the Desire with the Froyo update, but it's not quite the update we were hoping for.
True, the choppy video has been improved with more pixels, but it's still grainy, a little blocky and simply goes to pieces in dark rooms, so this won't be the next device you'll use to become the next Paris Hilton.
It also still outputs movies in 3GP format, which does nothing to help the overall quality - we'll wait for the HTC Desire HD to see if that improves things.
Wi-Fi hotspot support is included, and this is another feature that completely changes the overall use of the phone, especially if you're a laptop/Wi-Fi iPad user.
It's a simple thing to set up: turn it on, change the name of the network and the password you want to use, and you've got a fully-fledged Wi-Fi hotspot to play with.
Of course, if you use it regularly it's going to eat up all your data and connection speed is dependent on your 3G signal, but if you need a quick bit of web access on a larger device then this can't be beaten as an option.
Flash video
Flash video is included by default with Android 2.2, and while the HTC Desire could manage it anyway, the new 10.1 build is much more efficient, able to play Flash video natively in web pages.
However, we do miss the way HTC used to play the video on the Desire, as a double tap on the Flash file would take it automatically full screen - this is an intermittent feature on the Desire so it's hard to work out how to use it at times.
Things like BBC iPlayer are much better now though, as despite not being able to use the full version of the site (it defaults to mobile version) but the overall feel is slick, despite not being able to download videos.
Install to SD card
We're still yet to see the full benefits of being able to install applications to microSD card, but there's no doubt this is going to be a very beneficial feature in the future.
Understandably, given there are very few phones using Android 2.2 in the world today, there aren't many applications written that make use of the new feature, but for developers this is a big deal as they can finally flex their coding muscles and make some much larger and resource-hungry applications.
Other little additions, like including a Flashlight application and the ability to share applications with friends as standard, are all great things to have and help make your HTC Desire feel like a new phone.
Overall, Android 2.2 is a real boost for the HTC Desire, which was already a great phone.
Battery life is overhauled, video is (somewhat) improved and the Wi-Fi hotspot addition is really nice.
It's a free upgrade too, and once the networks pull their collective fingers out and offer the update to all users (as well as putting Android 2.2 on newly sold HTC Desires) then the popularity of the phone will just go upwards.
We've only been playing with this for a few days now, so we'll be overhauling our HTC Desire review in the near future so you can see how it really will change your phone.
- P
- Phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
hands on with android 2.2 on HTC Desire:
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/hands-on-htc-desire-android-2-2-review-709912
- H
- HTC user
- yVg
- 16 Aug 2010
Phoenix, 16 Aug 2010hi there, how long you've been here mate, and for how long ... moreHi Phoenix,
I've been on gsm arena for about 4 years, since i started selling mobile phones :D. I've had my desire for about 3 weeks now, and my honest opinion is that i do not like it. I upgraded from an iphone 3g and the user experience is nowhere near as good.
About 10 minutes ago i just had it crash on me. The android OS is not to my liking, being way too complex, and the android market is pretty crappy in terms of the apps available. The HTC sense user interface is a little bit frustrating at times as well.
I can see for someone who has never had an iphone before, how this could be a great phone. For me however, i honestly miss the simplicity and functionality of the iphone. Apps, such as facebook for android, are just not the same.
Hope this has answered your question.
- P
- Phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
Froyo is coming to the HTC Desire from this weekend
HTC has just sent us a statement - Android 2.2 is coming to the HTC Desire from this weekend.
Though don't get super-excited just yet - if you've got an operator-locked handset, you won't be getting it straight away.
Why? The update will only initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. HTC says "operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks' time."
Humph. So unless you paid out for an unlocked Desire, you'll most likely be waiting around for a little while.
"The Android 2.2 (Froyo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend," said HTC in its statement. "As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own throug the latest iteration of HTC Sense."
"The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC's App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, though the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes."
If you've got an HTC Desire, you'll be notified the over-the-air update is available to download when your phone automatically checks for software updates - again that will depend on your network.
As for the upgrade, HTC says the update won't delete any of your phone's content. Due to the size of the update, the manufactuer also advises using Wi-Fi to download it. You don't say.
- P
- Phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
HTC user, 16 Aug 2010Lol, no pre nup but we haven't been together long enough hi there, how long you've been here mate, and for how long you own desire, can you give us an honest review?
thanks in advance :)
- P
- Phoenix
- 39E
- 16 Aug 2010
solitiare, 15 Aug 2010and here's x10: MT is big hardware prob... tft is good but ... moreyes buddy, both are great in different ways :)
- H
- HTC user
- yVg
- 16 Aug 2010
Anonymous, 14 Aug 2010lol..sounds like someone is getting a divorce u sign a pre... moreLol, no pre nup but we haven't been together long enough
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- 123
- uWA
- 16 Aug 2010
hey everyone.please help.does the desire has a videocalling feature.
- b
- basket
- 2QG
- 15 Aug 2010
Yes, the HTC Desire Unlocked Mobile Phone is really a wonderful product, i bought one from http://www.trade-whole.com/htc-desire-black-unlocked-gsm-smart-phone-with-android-os-p-411.html in competitive price,it bring me a lot of convenient, i like it very much.
- s
- solitiare
- t1{
- 15 Aug 2010
afmet, 15 Aug 2010Hi,my freinds. How can I reinstall or upgrade OS of my d... moredo software upgrade. it will automatic get updated
- a
- afmet
- 0ys
- 15 Aug 2010
Hi,my freinds.
How can I reinstall or upgrade
OS of my desire?
- s
- solitiare
- t1{
- 15 Aug 2010
and here's x10: MT is big hardware prob... tft is good but atlast, AMOLED IS great. and the x10 OS is problem......
- s
- solitiare
- t1{
- 15 Aug 2010
hey, HTC and SE both UI r great.... my friends prefer x10 UI. for flash support, desire, and HD is roundup with froyo. and internet speed is great in both. but desire is 3.7 screen is good, but invisible in sunlight. and htc back button is some problem... and its battery is way back from x10. but love both phones. if x10+desire = desire x10. :)
- ?
- Anonymous
- wgV
- 15 Aug 2010
Phoenix, 15 Aug 2010hey mate dunno whom do you talking but for that needs i'l... moreyep, flash support
- ?
- Anonymous
- wgV
- 15 Aug 2010
Phoenix, 15 Aug 2010hmm! good to know, and do you know when desire gets hd reco... morefroyo is rolling out to unlocked desire handsets in certain european countries now... im in australia, apparently it will be available here in the next few months.
you can do it manually but not sure i wanna risk it and think there a few minor bugs
- P
- Phoenix
- nsA
- 15 Aug 2010
Anonymous, 15 Aug 2010gotta say using all 3 phones... the sense UI on the desire ... moreinteresting! nice UI is very important to me, thanks for letting us know about your comparition of HTC Sense :)
doese desire support handwriting recognition?
and tell me, when it's gonna get froyo?
- P
- Phoenix
- nsA
- 15 Aug 2010
Ravz, 15 Aug 2010Hey brudaah,
Need ur opinion
For just internet(Mainly... morehey mate
dunno whom do you talking but for that needs i'll choose desire, bcoz of MT and Android 2.1 ( supports flash, right?)
regards
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- Phoenix
- nsA
- 15 Aug 2010
Anonymous, 15 Aug 2010not sure about the galaxy s but if you want a more multi me... morehmm! good to know, and do you know when desire gets hd recording? by OS update or by firmware?
- ?
- Anonymous
- wgV
- 15 Aug 2010
Ravz, 15 Aug 2010Hey brudaah,
Need ur opinion
For just internet(Mainly... morenot sure about the galaxy s but if you want a more multi media phone (cam/music) prob go the x10.. internet and apps and telephony...desire for sure...
cant beat the sense UI... it is honestly by far the best UI ive experienced...so so quick and slick, plus with the froyo update this phone gets even quicker