Just got G1 - mixed feelings

[limiter]

I received the G1 yesterday and I like:

• Keyboard
• Trackball
• Wifi
• T-Mobile signal strength
• Wireless connectivity and network search
• Screen clarity and brightness
• ShopSavvy
• Notification system is awesome
• Google Maps
• App store
• Draw pattern to unlock phone
• Call quality is good

Things that were not as bad as I thought they would be:

• GPS which does not work inside, seems to work consistently outside and in the car and it updates fairly fast
• Battery life was not as bad as I thought it would be... it is not great by any means, but it is also not terrible
• Lots of complaints about heat on the "chin" and I did not find it that bad even when charging
• 2G speeds are not that bad
• Compass mode for street view works better than I thought it would even if it is pointless

And finally the problems:

• This phone is big and heavy. I don't know how so many people can say it seems so small. It would have been small about 4 years ago, but I am not impressed with the size.
• Buttons near the edge of the touch screen frequently need to be hit more than once to register a click, especially in horizontal mode. This is disappointing.
• I thought the phone had tilt detection. I saw a video review where I clearly saw it work, but I guess it didn't make the final model.
• I bought an 8GB microSD card. This phone's MP3 player cannot handle my 5GB of MP3s. It slows down and eventually is unresponsive when you open artists, albums, or songs. This should have never passed QC.
• The browser is ok except for zoom control and moving around. Not intuitive at all.
• Opening the keyboard to type a quick SMS is annoying. They should have included a simple onscreen keyboard.
• Inconsistent UI, some parts are black background and white text or reverse. Back button does unexpected things in some applications. Other minor things.
• The pull out menu is nice, but the desktop needs different view options other than icons semi-floating on the screen. I like lists, for example.
• The giant analog clock is ugly. I deleted it but I thought I would still bring it up. I would have liked to have seen alternate clock style options. This phone needs more widgets!
• The camera sounds like a dying animal when it tries to focus. I actually thought something was wrong with the phone when I first turned it on. It is very slow focusing. For some bizarre reason it works better in ShopSavvy.
• When you click on a contact to SMS and you pick their phone number, the cursor should start in the text box not where the phone number is. Related: hitting return should not make a new line in a password box.

I know a lot of this can be fixed in the future.

If I keep the phone it will be because of signal strength, keyboard, the promise of unrestricted and better software choices, notification system, future improved releases of android.

If I send it back it will be because of size and weight, touch screen problems, frustration with what I would consider pre-release software, and the camera.

I am leaning towards keeping the G1 right now.

[therahul2000]

Ditto on everything you just said. Especially the SDCard issue - how is a company advertising that the phone is capable of handling 8GB of music and forget to mention that "Note: Anything above 5GB+ will cause the phone to slow down and eventually come to a screeching halt"

But I guess I'll give Google a break. They were under a lot of pressure trying to bring out their first mobile device. Nevertheless, they should have addressed them earlier.

I would hope these updates to come with the future firmware upgrade.

[hotwhencold]

What phones are you guys coming from?

[therahul2000]

What phones are you guys coming from?

O2 XDA IIi

[limiter]

What phones are you guys coming from?

SonyEricsson w610i

[ministersin]

I have to disagree on a few items. I think the phone is a nice size. But that's just a matter of taste.

I have not had the SD Card issue.

Browser is great. You'll just have to use it. I think it works better than iPhone. Using the trackball prevents you from hitting those unwanted links. What other touch full size browsers do you use?

Trust me, it's just different...not bad. I think you'll learn how to use it and then you'll feel better.

My camera sounds fine (and takes great pictures in appropriate light).

I think the street view is awesome and not useless. Imagine how easy apartment shopping can be now. Or seeing the new neighborhood of a friend that moves away. Or re-visiting that old house near the beach you used to live in when you were 22.

and finally: SMS goes to number for easy addition of multiple numbers for bulk texting. I think bulk texting is great as I use it to promote shows and invite friends out.

[insight spinner]

I like your critique -- a fair list.

I don't find the phone heavy, and it isn't compared to the lifedrive, keyboard and razr in the pocket.

ITA on the clock. I have been ignoring it silently, but I have hated it from day one...for real -- you can have pretty analog-style clocks. I am sure we will get something better than this industrial lunch room knock off.

so far most of my complaints are due to lack of familiarity. When I'm more centered in the phone and its functions I will have a better sense of what I don't like v. what I don't yet know how to do to the best suitability of me and the phone.

[PixelHenge]

Ill have to agree on all counts too. Except, ya, i would almost want it bigger for a bigger screen, and i do like the track ball since i dont have pinch/pull.

In addition, there should be a way to make folders in the favorites, pins for the maps (plus favorites for those too). i should be able to access a home page listed in my contacts by clicking it on it, not just copy/paste from the edit screen. There really ought to be a native notes/to do app. Load web page smaller at first please? All of the app notification sound option should be in one place. MANY of the apps off the market seem unstable. The picture viewer rather seems like and after thought...

Ya, i think overall, if there was a way to send automatic bug reports to google, id be alot happier knowing atleast my using it was doing some good. (like in windows when you can send errors on) or perhaps some kind of feedback prrogram with them. It seems like we'er all a bunch of beta testers right now.

[limiter]

I have not had the SD Card issue.
...
links. What other touch full size browsers do you use?
...
and finally: SMS goes to number for easy addition of multiple numbers for bulk texting. I think bulk texting is great as I use it to promote shows and invite friends out.

Do you have 5GB of music on the SD card? I bought the fastest MicroSD card I could find. I have read other people having MP3 player problems.

My wife has the original iPhone, it has a full-size touch browser. I like how it works even if you exclude multi-touch.

90% of people texting do not need bulk SMS so the other 10% should have to tap the phone box first and enter new numbers rather than 90% of people clicking down in the text box in my opinion.

I am not trying to rain on the parade or start a flame war, I am just trying to talk through the issues and see what people have to say about it. The things I like about the phone I really like and like I said before I am leaning towards keeping the phone.

[corpion]

I have been using the iphone. I had a chance to demo the G1 today. The browser on the G1 is not as good as the iphone in my opinion. It is a pain to zoom in and out on it w/o the multi touch, it is a huge disadvantage.