HTC Desire

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

Have a look on the Android Market for high rated games - I don't play them so can't say much in that area.

[Krpano]

Just bought the Desire for £399 from Play.com! Unlocked of course.

I havent been this excited since I got my N95 8GB more than 3 years ago.

Now I have to acquaint myself with Android Apps. What are the top (5)? essential ones I need to get?

How does one put them from my laptop to the Desire?

hey, congrats on your new toy... :)

My favourite apps are: (all free)

-3Banana (nice notes tool)

-RunKeeper (to keep track of your sport activities)

-Places Directories (from google)

-Barcode Scanner

-FlashApp (turn your flash ON/OFF)

-Listen (from Google, podcasts)

-Ks Uninstaller

-ES File Explorer (imo, better than Astro)

-Wifi Analyzer

-WiFinder

-WifiScanner

-BattStatt (text like battery info)

-gStrings (to tune the guitar)

-Compass (from Snaptic)

Of course these are my personal choices for each category. I tested a bunch since i got my Desire and those were my picks.

Just browse the Market.

To transfer files from your computer to your Desire, you can do it by cable or just browse the share folders using ES File Explorer, it is like i normally do.

Just to give you a tip, when you have your Desire connected by cable, you can at any moment switch the modes: Charge Only / HTC Sync / Disk Drive / Internet Sharing, just pull the top status bar and you will see "Ongoing", click there and change.

To install NON-Market applications you need to enable one option at Settings > Applications > Unknown Sources.

[red.]

Is anyone here using screen protectors or cases or does it not really need one?

[Bhav]

Quick question for Desire/Legend owners:

On the Hero, there is a trackball as well as notification LED. It means that they can represent different things - e.g. flashing trackball = missed call/new mail in HTC mail app, and flasing green LED = new gmail/other android app notifications.

I presume the new optical trackpad doesn't light up...so is it just the green LED now? Any different colours?

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

Is anyone here using screen protectors or cases or does it not really need one?

Screen protectors are not needed, see youtube to find out how hard it is to scratch these screens. Pouches are handy for keeping the shell and screen from fall damage + keeping them from general wear and tear. I have a Nexus One OEM case coming.

Quick question for Desire/Legend owners:

On the Hero, there is a trackball as well as notification LED. It means that they can represent different things - e.g. flashing trackball = missed call/new mail in HTC mail app, and flasing green LED = new gmail/other android app notifications.

I presume the new optical trackpad doesn't light up...so is it just the green LED now? Any different colours?

There's Green/Orange and Red LED that provides system notifications.

[Bhav]

There's Green/Orange and Red LED that provides system notifications.

Ah yeah forgot to mention the light for low battery warning and charging

Cheers

[footballmad909]

I bought mine on Saturday and I'm really impressed and so happy to get rid of my N97.

Here's a few apps I've installed and like so far, all free unless specified.

Handcent

AndFTP

AppMonster

Apps Organizer

Barcode Scanner

Camera Zoom FX (not free but good fun)

Droid Wall (gonna have to root my phone for this)

Layar

Network Discovery (The admin geek in me:)

Remote RDP lite (Might get the full version but it's $19.99, I'll see if I really need it)

Wifi Analyzer

I guess we've highjacked this thread by listing apps, I know there's a dedicated thread for apps and games but I'm encouraging others to take the plunge if they're looking to change phones like I was.

My thanks go to Krpano.....

[Noveed]

They are virtually identical in features and spec - minor differences.

Unlikely to come to the UK since they're CDMA handsets.

aww :( they got 8mp cameras though. Hope they eventually hit the UK shores.

Droid Incredible

HTC 4G EVO ... Dont really care about 4G... if it comes to the UK with 3G I will be happy. Its as if its the HD2 converted to run Android.

[Pong]

aww :( they got 8mp cameras though. Hope they eventually hit the UK shores.

Droid Incredible

HTC 4G EVO ... Dont really care about 4G... if it comes to the UK with 3G I will be happy. Its as if its the HD2 converted to run Android.

Ah, the Megapixel myth.

This is a comparison between the Incredible and the Nexus One/Desire...the results speak for themselves.

http://androidandme.com/2010/05/phones/the-incredible-camera-showdown-droid-incredible-vs-nexus-one/

[Unimatrix Xero]

Love HTC phones since the TYTNii

[fix-this!]

Is scrolling in the browser laggy/jerky like it is on the DROID?

i have no lag on my hero but of course i run a custom rom with no sense. my advice to the OP is to root that sucker and play with custom roms.

[Noveed]

Ah, the Megapixel myth.

This is a comparison between the Incredible and the Nexus One/Desire...the results speak for themselves.

http://androidandme.com/2010/05/phones/the-incredible-camera-showdown-droid-incredible-vs-nexus-one/

Aha thanks for posting that mate, I wonder how the Evo will play out then, hopefully its on par if not better than its 5mp counter parts, I may just bite the bullet and buy it out right

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

I'm uber impressed with the battery life now, just got home and plonked it on the charger, it's been off the charge since 7am ish this morning when I took it into bed to snooze the alarm and right now it's:

Impressive!

[thefonz]

I'm expecting my Desire to arrive tomorrow. Whats the best way to deal with the battery charging? ie: charge initially for 5 hours? Let it run down?

VERY excited!

[Bryer]

Dont really care about 4G... if it comes to the UK with 3G I will be happy. Its as if its the HD2 converted to run Android.

Vodafone UK has a 4G network installed in London, just not activated.

I also have a HTC Desire, and have posted a review on my personal blog, Life of Bryer. Hope you enjoy reading it.

[thefonz]

Will this work in Australia? I've bought it unlocked sim-free from play.com. I'd imagine it will be fine if I just hammer in my Australian Sim Card and off I go. It is Quad Band!

Also, what are the photo-quality like? I know it has flash but my previous phone which I'm replacing with the Desire is a Nokia N95 8GB which quite frankly takes stunning photos (for a phone).

[Bryer]

Any GSM dual band phone will work in Australia. You guys run the same network we run in Europe. Just put your Australian SIM card in and away you go. Photos are top notch for a phone.

[thefonz]

Good to know, thanks buddy.

Whats this GPS problem I keep hearing about though? I'd really like to use my google maps to find my way around.

[Bryer]

Mine has worked fine, and I've not heard any problems on the ones I've personally sold. Google do turn GPS locator off as standard, and leave the "Find via mobile network" option enabled. Simple enough to turn on the GPS Satellite mode though, Settings > Location > Tick box. Easy peasy.

[thefonz]

I think it might be related to Australia only. Still, the point is I have yet to read a single bad review about this; people seem to just say that the battery usual stuff from HTC. Otherwise the phone sounds pretty much perfect. I'm curious about the 3d games and getting my hands on the app store though. Free apps!

[Krpano]

Damn, gotta love the new toy.

Remote Connection

So smooth....

About rooting, i will wait till 2.2 comes out and see if HTC will take too long to release the update.

For now, personally, i see no reason to do it.

About the battery.

I took the device to bed yesterday at 100%, used 10% and left it in standby. Wifi ON, sync with Tweeter and FB and all the normal syncs with 1hr interval.

Woke up in the morning with 83% left.

Used all day, heavy use. The screen was at max bright. and installed/uninstalled apps, downloads, music, really heavy usage. I spent the entire day with the phone.

Around 5pm i got the first warning that the battery had reached 15%.

I am using a default Desire, no MODS and no tweaks to improve battery.

So i must say the battery has surpassed my expectations.

[thefonz]

That looks great! What app is that? And with regards to your battery life - what did you do when you got it? Charge fully? Let it run down?

I tend to automatically plug my N95 8GB into the mains when I goto bed anyway...

[Krpano]

It is called Xtralogic Remote Desktop Client ($19.95)

I did nothing special, got out of the box and started using while plugged. I was too excited to let it charge on OFF, lol.

Never drained the battery completely, actually today was the first time it went below 30%-40%.

Whenever i have the oportunity i connect it to the cable.

That's is the best option i believe, connect to the power source at night.

Too bad i dont have any electrical outlet beside my bed.

Btw, got yours already ? (@ thefonz)

[thefonz]

It is called Xtralogic Remote Desktop Client ($19.95)

I did nothing special, got out of the box and started using while plugged. I was too excited to let it charge on OFF, lol.

Never drained the battery completely, actually today was the first time it went below 30%-40%.

Whenever i have the oportunity i connect it to the cable.

That's is the best option i believe, connect to the power source at night.

Too bad i dont have any electrical outlet beside my bed.

Btw, got yours already ? (@ thefonz)

Cheers, I'll be picking up that software for sure; can see alot of uses for that.

It sounds like you've got a good battery since I'm reading some horror stories (granted, from people who sound like n00bs with smartphones) about folks going through 2 batteries IN ONE DAY etc. Personally I'll be smart and not overload the phone with pointless apps and widgets; everything on there I will use and know exactly how much space it takes up.

And no, I thought it would arrive today from play.com but I can expect it on Monday. I picked up this today to help protect the phone:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FoneM8-Desire-Silicone-Skin-Black/dp/B003K06I5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273349464&sr=8-1

Hope that does the trick, I dont really go for those pouches.

[Krpano]

I am not much into covers and protections, till the moment i get a huge scratch on it. Then i hurry to buy me one...eheheh

Let us know if that cover is any good.

Damn, you must be anxious.

I know that feeling.

On waiting for the Desire to be on stock i almost went for the HD2 (which is an amazing device too). Actually the day i went to the store i had decided if they had no Desire yet i would get the HD2, when i arrived there the guy said the Desire had just arrived. Talk about destiny. :)

Well, about the battery. I read some very different opinions.

Actually you have to wait up to 14 days until the battery reach its full capacity.

I am very strict with apps too.

I pick those with the lowest footprint possible that meet my needs.